What does this week hold......Winter Storm Warning

Monday

Made a trip to the bathroom at 7:30 this morning and laid back down for a minute.  I must have still been tired as I woke up just before 10.  Does not look like we got any ice over night.
Pretty lazy day here just did a few things on the computer.  Bonnie left to go with here Dad to a Seniors luncheon and then visit her sister and then her cousin.

The mail man brought a couple packages to the door but left the mail out in the mailbox, not sure whats up with that.  At 3pm its almost dark out and the NWS issued a Winter Storm warning for tomorrow night up to 14 inches of snow.  Time will tell.

I have court so I am headed up there.  Court went well not many cases but we cleaned up some paperwork.  I took my NCIC certification test online and passed so I my certification again.  The driveway was getting iced up when I went up to court but the precipitation stopped and it seems to have cleared up again.  Now for another good nights sleep again.

Tuesday

Woke up to 20 degrees this morning with plenty of big snow flakes floating down, no wind so it is quite pretty.

Not much to report today.  I headed for court and there was light snow.  As I looked out the windows at times it was snowing very hard.  The town trucks have been out all afternoon but the state has not.  The state roads were pretty slippery when I came home.  This Lake Effect snow is moving north and south and is pretty isolated to the bands of snow.  Bonnie headed for the free clinic she is volunteering at in South Wales about 20 miles.  She called to make sure they were still going to be open.  Elizabeth had slow going getting out of the city after work but then drove out of the snow and the roads were good the rest of the way.

They say some areas could get 20 inches of snow, it just depends how the wind blows and where the snow falls.  Well we got about 4 inches of snow in a couple hours.  Bonnie called and said she was on her way home so I put on my clothes and went out to clean the driveway.  The snow was like paste and kept plugging up the chute but I finished up just as Bonnie pulled in.  The state trucks are out but our hill is all ice, cars are spinning trying to get up the hill.  At least 4 trucks went by while I was out so hopefully the salt will work soon now that the snow stopped.  It looks like the the snow band has moved South but it normally comes back in the morning.  I still want to clean the deck off tonight and then hit the hay.

Wednesday

Up early at 6am look outside and it looks like we go another 6 inches of snow.  I quickly had some breakfast and then work Bonnie.  I headed out to clear the driveway before we had to leave.  The snow was perfect for blowing and I cleared as much as I could in a half-hour.  Then a quick shower and we headed out to pick up Elizabeth and head to the mission.  The driveway already had another inch of snow.

Snowy morning our driveway is here somewhere

We got on the 400 and after about a mile or two, no snow and it stayed that way all the way downtown.  Of course it continued to snow at home all day long.

Elizabeth got a call from the school that Route 20A our road was closed for about 12 miles.  So neither of us could get home and the school bus was going to take Alexus to another school.  So we were able to leave a little early and head out to pick up Alexus.  Still not snowing downtown and still snowing at home.  We started getting texts from Alexus and it seems she was now on the bus, the road was open and she was headed home.  It started to snow part way home and increased all the way home.  Alexus made it home and about 5 minutes later we dropped off Elizabeth.  We had to just stop on the highway and let her walk in.  Traffic was moving super slow but we made it to our house.

The snow was a foot or so deep in the driveway but we bumper plowed our way in the driveway without a problem  The CR-V never hesitated and did a great job today.  Sure am glad I put the new Michelin All Weather Tires on last summer.

CR-V plowed a good path and dragged all the way in

The snow was about 3/4 of the way up the tires

Pushed it right into the garage, I had to shovel it out

I had to shovel a path to the house

I got into the basement and the garage door would not shut.  I had to go out and clear the snow away and off of the safety sensors.

I measured the snow on the back deck and we had about 18 inches there, I did not clear this morning. The new blower did a good job clearing it even though it was higher than the front of the blower.

Deep snow on the deck

The snow is over half way up the railings

So we are safe and warm at home, the snow has stopped for now and I will clear the driveway in the morning.  This Lake Effect snow is light and fluffy so its pretty easy to move.

Its been an interesting week, lots of work to do tomorrow and the promise of more snow.  The pictures are not real good, sorry, the lighting is poor I think they call it flat light.

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"If Your Dreams Don't Scare You, They Are Just Not Big Enough"

Fickle weather

Thursday

Up this morning no sunshine.  I have a low battery alarm on my outside thermometer so will have to change that.  Wow another alarm on my computer touch pad battery, changed that.

Working again

New batteries in the Apple touch pad also

FedEx was here early and dropped off a package of Crystal Light, we buy it using our Amazon Prime account cheaper than in the stores and 2 day delivery.

Good way to buy Crystal Light

UPS came also and brought a gift card that was a promotion on Amazon.

My older Garmin GPS needed a map update which I did last night, its 5 years old.

DOA Garmin 765T it gave us a good 5 years

Well it did not install properly.  So today I called Garmin support, after about 5 minutes of trouble shooting they said send it in and we will send you a new one.  My model is no longer made so I am getting a slightly upgraded one.  So I am off to the Post Office to send it in.

Decided to pick up some gas for the snow blowers while I was down there.

$9.00 to fill this 2.5 gallon container.

Bonnie got her hair trimmed today and made some calls and appointments.  Tonight she is off to a meeting about helping at the Rural Outreach Center.  The temperature got up to 61 today but is already down to 40 and they tell us bad weather is on the way.  Looking to the West its easy to see that they are predicting.

Well thats about it for tonight.


Friday

Yesterday the snow had all melted and we had a little rain to help that along.  No sunshine again this morning and everything is white again, we received about 1/2 inch of snow overnight.  This is the first day since we got home that neither of us has anything scheduled.

So we had a pretty easy day watched some TV Bonnie ran the dirty clothes through the washing machine and dryer.  She also made a trip to East Aurora.  I was tracking a couple packages that UPS said would be delivered today.

Finally the Big Brown Truck pulled in and they brought one box up to the door.  They have helpers on our truck now for the busy season.  I told him I thought there should be another box on the truck.  He went back and told the driver.  I heard them rustling around in the truck and finally they found the other box.  Happy Happy it was the NEST thermostat that I have been waiting for.

Everything you need including the screwdriver was in the box

So this solves my problem with knowing the house is ok when we are away.  This wirelessly connects to the internet and lets me not only adjust the temperature but it also tells me what the temperature in the house is.  The whole install took about 15 minutes which included setting it up.

First I removed the old unit

Took a picture of what wires went where

Mounted the new plate and hooked up the wires

Snapped in the new thermostat

Turned on the power and of course it connected to the internet and downloaded an update

All setup and ready to keep us warm this winter.

Bonnie made supper and now we are going to watch the Sound of Music that we recorded.

Saturday

The house was warm when we got up this morning so I guess the new nest is working.  We are running in different directions this morning and then meeting for lunch.  Bonnie has a Thirty-One product revel meeting and I am headed to court.  Then we are meeting my high school group for lunch at the Elma Towne Grill.  Good news is that the sun is out this morning even though there is a 60% chance of snow forecast, we did get a dusting over night.

I made it to court for an hour and then headed to lunch, Bonnie was already there and soon the whole group was seated and ordered.  I had decided last night to have a burger and thats what I had.  It was good and has keep me full for the rest of the day.  Its was snowing right up until dark and I have not looked out for a while to see if it is still snowing.  I did get in a bit of nap while Bering Sea Gold was playing on the DVR.

Not much else to report on tonight.  We are beginning to think about where we would like to travel this coming year so stay tuned.  It is down to 19 degrees as I head off to bed.

Sunday

Up early for church, made coffee and got ready to go.  Yea the sun is out, but its in the teens again.  The new NEST told me the heat ran for 4 hours yesterday, I think thats pretty good.  Church was good and the Pastor had a good message.  We dropped the girls off and went home for a while.  We watched a movie "Flight" the language was pretty bad at times but he did do the right thing in the end.

Then back into Elizabeth's so Bonnie could help put the tree up and Elizabeth was making Chicken Wing soup for supper.

Alexus did most of the work

Lights and Ornaments on

We headed back home, no new snow today.  Some places like my sister in Philadelphia got snow and ice today.  The Bills lost again.  Thats about it for this week

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"If Your Dreams Don't Scare You, They Are Just Not Big Enough"

Where is the sun

Monday

Been a long day.  Up early and picked up Elizabeth, we were at the Collision shop before 8 to pick up her car.  The deer did over 7000 dollars damage lots of new parts including the radiator.  There are a few paint blemishes so we will drop it off Wednesday on the way to work and volunteer at the Mission.  I stopped at court on the way home for a couple hours to start to catch up on paperwork.  Then off to the post office to pick up all our mail.  It filled a whole tote.  I sorted it and am about 1/2 way through going through it.  I checked all the bills and notices so should be ok in that department.

Bonnie bought a turkey yesterday, brined it overnight and boy did it smell good cooking all day.  It was ready around 3pm and she served it and squash around 4:30.  I took a shower then and headed up to court.  Only a couple cases to arraign and then lots more paperwork.

Finally home and boy am I tired I can barely keep my eyes open time for bed.

Tuesday

Hey the sun was out today a much nicer and happier day.  I was up early and headed out to the post office and bank for court.  Then worked on paperwork at court again.  Finally home after noon and I made it in time to help Bonnie carry up the groceries.  First bag I grabbed broke open and 4 cans of beans hit the ground and 1 glass jar of white sauce that broke.  So I had that to clean up.

After a little relaxing and TV we changed clothes and headed to Salvatore's for a customer appreciation dinner put on by our financial advisor.  It was very nice and the speakers were interesting also. When we arrived home I saw something in the driveway up by the garage.  It was an Opossum licking up the white sauce I missed.  The lights did not bother him, I had to blow the horn to get him to leave so I could pull in the garage. Finally ready for bed, another early day tomorrow.

Wednesday

I was up early again.  I met Elizabeth at the collision shop so they could buff out the paint.  Then we headed for Buffalo City Mission.  I helped there and then headed home, dropping Elizabeth off to pick up her car.  A quick stop at the bank and home.  Counted out my pills for the nest month and then had a bowl of home made turkey soup that Bonnie made today it was very good.  She is off at a Thirty One function.  Thats about it for the start of this week.  I think I get to stay around home all day tomorrow.

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"If Your Dreams Don't Scare You, They Are Just Not Big Enough"

Happy Thanksgiving and we are headed home

Thursday

I was first up this morning again.  Elizabeth was up shortly afterward and she fixed eggs, french toast, and sausage for breakfast.  The others were up in time to eat and it was really good.

I really needed a hair cut and we had bought some clippers yesterday so today was the day.  I must say it turned out really good.

First time cutting my hair

Bonnie started some wash and then we headed out to go to Orange City to pick up some oranges and grape fruit.  While we were out I did get a text with an offer from a friend to clean out our driveway, but I think it will be ok by the time we get home Saturday night.

A local landmark

Several activities at the resort today and one was Gatorland bringing over some animals for the kids to hold.

A bearded blizzard

A Boa

Well I guess we are all tired and wanted to rest up for the trip home as we did not do much else today.  We were going to do an activity tonight but I think everyone is planning to go to bed early instead.  I hope to be on the road by 7am.  We have a long driving day tomorrow and the next day also.  Younger folks do it in a day but not us anymore.  I just preloaded the big suitcases in the car and its already looking pretty full.  We will load the rest in the morning.  Its still pretty nice hear but I see there is a lake effect snow advisory at home.

Friday

We were all up and we pulled out of the resort at 7:03am after we finished packing.  We started the trip with prayer and I am happy to say that we had an uneventful day, no accidents, light traffic and we arrived just after dark.  We did see between 50 and 100 deer on the side of the road but they were happy to just eat the grass.   I caught pictures of all the states except Georgia did not cooperate.

Finally some hills we have been in flat country along time

Just as it got dark

 Checkin at the Days Inn went well and then we walked over to Shoney's.  We chose the buffet for speed, I would not do that again.  It looked nice and a great variety but other than the pickled beets not that good.  Everyone went back to the room I went over and filled up the gas tank at $3.09.  That will get us to Pennsylvania which I think is cheaper than W. VA. Then we will be back in NY.  There is some snow on the ground here and lots of rock salt on the side walks.

The beets were good.

Its only 8:30 but I am headed off to bed.  Bonnie has been there for a while, we all took turns driving today so the day went quickly.  I can hear the TV in the next room so I hope they get sleepy soon.

Saturday

We were up, car loaded, and at breakfast at 6am when they opened.  We had a bite to eat and were on the road at 6:15am.  We are hoping to get home before dark in case the driveway needs cleaned out.  We made a stop at the new river bridge and tried to recreate a picture we took 5 1/2 years ago.

Taken April 2008

Poor light conditions today.

We had to sneek in as this area is run by the National Park Service and they were not open yet.

We added footprints to the many on the boardwalk

We seemed to make more stops today but we still made good time and before too awful long we passed West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Finally New York.  And look what Greeted us.

First sign even before the Welcome Sign.

 As you can see in the pictures there was more snow the further north we went.  We dropped off the girls around 3:30 and headed to the house.  Our driveway was not too bad, maybe 6 inches.  We were able to drive right in, I could tell we drove over a couple down branches and one tree is down along the side of the driveway.  (Bill let me know if you are interested its not in the way just off the side of the driveway).  I can see other trees down in the woods.  Total miles today 548 and Total for the trip 3322.

View from the garage

 A lot of the snow had melted in front of the garage, it gets a lot of sun.  We loaded up the Ranger and I drove it around back, but there is about 8 inches of snow on the back deck.  So plan B unload it at the front door.  Then I went in the house with Bonnie and turned up the heat and changed clothes.

Unloaded at the front door

 Then put on my Carharts and headed out to clean the driveway.  The snow was perfect for packing and it did pack the chute of the blower numerous times, put I got it basically cleaned.  Had to stop and pick up some branches from the driveway.  Shear pins do not like big branches.

Stopped to pick up branches

As soon as I moved the snow the wet driveway froze, it will be slippery in the morning.  We will finish cleaning up in the morning but at least we can get out for church.

Well time to rest up and catch up on the DVR recordings after some soup for supper.

Sunday

Today was a pretty slow day.  We were up early and headed for church.  I help in the video booth and had to be there early today for rehearsal and then church.  We picked up the girls and they dropped me off at church and then went shopping before church.  After church we headed home and I went right to cleaning the 8 inches of snow off the back deck and cleaning up a little around the house.

We took it easy the rest of the day, I did go out once and drove a few more stakes along the driveway so I know where the edges are.  Then we just caught up on the recorded TV.  The driveway is looking a lot better than yesterday.

Some melting taking place today

Well thats about it for this week so I will get this posted.  We are making plans for some travel next year so stayed tuned.

Thanks For Checking In!

"If Your Dreams Don't Scare You, They Are Just Not Big Enough"

Orlando Sea World

Monday

We finally got going this morning and made it to Sea World at 11 two hours after they opened.  The lines to get in were still long and people everywhere.

And this was preferred parking

Confusion at the entrance

Once we got in we headed to see the Orca's perform

Completely out of the water

3 different sizes

Forward flip

Back flip

Past an eagle

Close encounter

Then to see the Sea Lions

A pirate theme

Is he stuck

Unsuspecting guest about to get wet

Then the Dolphins

Hello

A good look, high and dry

Lots of jumping

Perfect dive

High flying

All together now

Asking how to become a trainer

Just as the woman yelled get off the wall

Where did the day go its dark out already.  We finally headed back to the condo around 8pm.  Elizabeth made a salad and then the girls headed to the hot tub and pool.  My legs are to sore to even head down there.  It will not be a problem getting a good nights sleep tonight.

Tuesday

I knew I was tired last night but I did not even wake up until 8:55 this morning.  By 10am Bonnie and I were in the car headed for the Cracker Barrel near Lazy Days to have lunch with our blog and podcast friends Kathy and John Huggins.

Kathy and Bonnie catching up

John and Kathy on the porch at Cracker Barrel

We would have been there in just under an hour if not for the two accidents on I-4.  As it was we were only delayed about 15 minutes.  We had a good meal and  even better time visiting for several hours.  They were there to have some work done on their coach and so we went over to check on that.  They headed to service and we talked to the salesman that had shown us around last year.  We chatted with Ron Alexander for a while and then went to see how there coach was doing.  It was done and they were headed out to return to their campground.  We headed back to the condo and it took less than an hour.

The girls had not done anything special all day just took it easy.  Elizabeth is fixing a nice dinner and we will take it easy tonight.  The big storm that is causing the snow back home has brought us warm temps it was 82 here and we have a tornado watch going on just north of here.



Wednesday

Been seeing many pictures on Facebook of the snow back home.  We had a brief shower this morning and its still 65 here, they say it is cold, feels good to us.  We have an airboat tour booked for later if it does not get too windy.  I will soon have to get the rest of the crew up so we can get going.

Well the skys cleared and the sun came out nice and bright.  We headed for Christmas, FL about 11am.  We were headed to Airboat Rides @ Midway.  We got out there early so we drove through the campground there and then over to Fort Christmas for a quick tour.

Fort Christmas Entrance

Lots of Spanish Moss

Then over to the Airboats.  We were happy to see that Pork Chop the Pig was still there.  This is the same place that Bonnie and I were at last year.

Pork Chop

There were lots of smiles on the trip

Some also looked serious

We stopped a number of times to look at gators and even saw two Bald Eagles

One of the larger gators

The second eagle we saw

The water in the Cyprus grove was way down from last year.

Then when we got back the girls got to hold a baby gator

 It was the middle of the afternoon by now and we were all hungry so we found a Chick-Fil-A

Chick-Fil-A

From there we went to WalMart and picked up some hair clippers.  I really need a hair cut and Bonnie is going to try her hand at that tomorrow, stay tuned.

Thats about it for today, we plan to hang around the resort tomorrow and partake in their activities, find a turkey meal somewhere, and pick up some oranges for Bonnie.

Thanks For Checking In!

"If Your Dreams Don't Scare You, They Are Just Not Big Enough"