The Bottom Dropped Out

Monday

So today the bottom dropped out and the temperature fell and is still falling.  We were in the 60s yesterday and 50s today and then pow!  Early evening and its 38 and forecast over night is 26.  But the weeklong forecast show us in the low 70s by Saturday.  I am finding these quick dips don't bother me near as much as when it gets cold and stays cold or weeks.  We are acclimating to the warmer here and before long we will be wearing gloves like some of the natives were yesterday, when it was in the 50s during the morning.

I went out to check the mail today.  We had high winds most of the night, and I noticed one of the foundation vents laying on the ground.  I check around the house and it seems most of them had blown out.  So I went in and got a jacket and screw driver and put them all back in again.  They just use a pressure fit and they do not hold well on the smooth bricks.  It's something I want to fix but keep putting off as they stay in most of the time.

We got a couple deliveries for Elizabeth today and finally the mail got here mid afternoon.  It brought me a bill from a Dr I had seen in August, I guess it finally cleared all the insurance companies.  So I called and paid it.  Then I called AT&T to see why my UVERSE bill went up more than they told me it would.  That ended with me again being told a supervisor would call me.  I am still waiting for the one to call me from last week.  Its almost 8 and no call back yet.

We had Thanksgiving leftovers again for supper and they are better than ever.  After supper I closed the blinds to hopefully keep a little more heat in the house.  Its still breezy and cool and damp.

I spent some time online looking for a Cyber Deal that I could not live without but no luck so far.

Now for the Voice.

Tuesday

Never got out of the 30s today, cold for here especial in November.  Still looks like a warm up is coming the end of the week.

FedEx brought a package and it was for me, for a change.  But then the post office brought one for my daughter who is coming down for Christmas.

I have decided what I wanted to do to fix the vents so made a shopping list for Lowes.  So I got dressed and put on a warm coat and headed out.  First stop was Walmart to fill up with gas, nice to see these prices.

Next stop was Staples.  I wanted to get some card stock to print a few calling cards with our contact information, we hope to meet a few of the neighbors this weekend.

Then over to Lowes.  I needed to pick up a couple LED indoor spotlights, Shower cleaner, Canned Air, Paint, Tap-con screws, and finally some washers.  Then I headed for home with a quick stop at CVS to pick up a RX for Bonnie.

Once home I got busy.  First thing I went in and started cleaning and scrubbing down the shower, lots of grout lines to clean with Tilex.  So I sprayed them and let them soak.  Next I was out in the garage to spray paint the screws and washers that I bought for the foundation vent project.

Then back into the shower to scrub and wash it all down.  Then I sprayed it all with Thieves cleaner, from Young Living, and wiped it down.  Yes it looks a lot better.  My daughter called on her way home in Buffalo and they are having another winter storm.  So I talked and cleaned until she got home.

Next project was the business cards.  I printed up a sheet and cut them up before I noticed I spelled our town wrong in the address.  So I fixed that and printed and cut up a couple sheets into cards.

Bonnie heated up the turkey noodle soup for supper, I added some Chipotle Tabasco and it was really good.

Now for the Voice.

Wednesday

Well it was very cold last night but only for a few hours.  It warmed up into the 40s today and the sun was nice and bright all day long.  That really helps to warm up the house.  I put off my vent project until a warmer day.

We headed out around 1pm for the eye doctor.  We filled out the required paperwork, signed waivers so our last Dr can send our records.  We no sooner finished and they called me in first.  I answered a bunch more questions for the Dr. assistant.  She had me read all the eye charts and left saying the Dr would be right in.  Dr Moody came in and started the exam.  First some drops of dye then he looked at my eyes again and checked the pressure.  Then the drops to dilate my eyes.  He left for about 10 minutes and then came back to do some more examination.  In the end he gave me a clean bill of health and said all looks good.  I do have the start of age related cataracts but that's normal.  Bonnie also was good, but has higher than normal pressure in one eye.  I go back in a year and Bonnie in six months to keep an eye on the pressure.  We did learn that the receptionist is the Dr. sister-in-law and they both live in our neighborhood, small world.  Here I am waiting on Bonnie.

We stopped at Hardee's on the way home and Bonnie treated us both to some chicken strips.  On the way home I notice gas was down 2 cents more.

We ate the chicken at home and they were pretty good.  After the news it was time to head to church, the plan is to decorate the church tonight.  There were quite few people there and lots had already been done.  I checked out the music and fireplace video playing in the sanctuary.

This must be a special Alabama Light Tree, it ended up being set up outside near the mailbox.

There were also a couple of fire pits set up and a table full of graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate to make SMORES.  The kids enjoyed that

Some of the younger guys were up on roof hanging lights.

Another team on the other building found it slow going.

Turns out the gutter guard on top of the gutter was giving them a tough time.  Pastor Andy John shinning the light.

There was plenty of help so after about an hour Bonnie and I headed home.  The church was already looking good, can't wait to see it once its finished.

Not quite so cold tonight.

Thursday

I awoke with a start this morning when my daughter called me just after 7 by mistake this morning.  Luckily I was able to get back to sleep for an hour or so.

Bonnie got up a while later and left to go shopping at Kroger and Hobby Lobby.  More decorations for the house.  While she was gone I went out and was able to get two of the vents modified so that they will not blow out in the next wind storm.  But I really need a hammer bill as the regular rotary drill wore the bit right out.

That and a Christmas movie was about it for the day.

Friday

Drizzle again this morning.  I was up early and around 11 I decided to head to Lowes.  First a stop at my sons to pickup his hammer drill.  Then on to Lowes to pickup some more masonry bits and some extension cords for Christmas lights.  Then back home.

The rain was pretty constant all day, so I never got back to my project.  But I did get in a pretty good nap in my recliner.

Then we headed out in the rain for a family dinner.  Two deer ran across the road in front of us and I had to hit the brakes hard to avoid hitting the second one.
The occasion, GD Grace's birthday.  The place Sakara a Japanese Steak house.  So we all sat around the hibachi table, waiting for the chef.

We had our soup and salad while we waited.  Here is the birthday girl with her two Grandmas.

Looks like the rice is ready.

Then it was time t cook the chicken, shrimp and steak.  Of course there was the onion volcano.

Finally time to to sing and say Happy Birthday Grace.

We had a nice meal and a great time.

Just about to head to bed when the news that President Bush had died.  He was 94.

Saturday

I got a surprise this morning when a package I was expecting on Tuesday was delivered today.  I finished up what I was doing and brought in the package.  It was a Ubiquiti Access point.  It is an enterprise grade piece of equipment.

This replaces the radios in the fiber modem and router that AT&T installed.  The initial tests I ran show an amazing increase in signal strength and good coverage throughout the house now.  All this with just one device and its just laying in on top of a filing cabinet.

Bonnie got busy today and baked cookies.  We hope to deliver these to our closest neighbors tomorrow and meet them.  Its been a year and we have only talked to a couple of them.

My assignment was to unwrap the kisses.

Then it was time for the SEC Championship game between Alabama and Georgia.  Georgia was having their way with us until the 4th quarter.  They had beat up on our quarterback all day and finally he was out.  Jalen Hurts came in and never looked back. Three touchdowns later the game ended and we were ahead by a touchdown.  ROLL TIDE!  Nothing more to say.  Except a big storm and lots of rain just rolled through.  Oh and gas is down to $2.02

Well thats a wrap for this week.

Thanks For Checking In!

"Some people try to turn back their odometers, not me, I want people 
to know why I look this way, and some of the roads weren't paved"

Thanksgiving Week

Monday

I checked Amazon and found out that the marinade I ordered for Thanksgiving was not going to be here in time, so I canceled it.  So a while later I headed to the Walmart Neighborhood Market and picked up what I needed.

Then I got a text and later a picture from my little sister.  She got a new Honda CR-V also.  I guess we inspired her.

That was really about all that we did all day.

Tuesday

A bit overcast again today.  So I caught up on TV for most of the morning and early afternoon.  Then mid afternoon we headed to the 5As Restaurant for some Greek Gyros.  Waiting on the sandwiches.

Worth the wait.

We like it here and the prices are really good.

We watched the Voice and some other TV tonight and that was it for the day.

Wednesday

Nice and sunny again today.  I checked on the Turkey and it seems to be thawing nicely.  Other than that and bringing in the trash tote we did not do much.  My daughter ordered some Amazon things and had them shipped here for Christmas so we waited for UPS to bring 4 deliveries today.  Three came at once and then one after dark.  The last one was kind of beat up.  She asked me to open it and check on it and it seems fine inside.

That was it for the day.

Thursday

I got up at 8 and took the turkey out of the refrigerator.  Had my breakfast and now its time to get started on preparing it.  Hope to get it on the smoker by noon.  This year I am trying a new method.  It is called Spatchcock, check it out at https://youtu.be/9PEAQ_YopGk .  So I have prepared, seasoned and injected the turkey.

Then I went out and prepared the smoker.  I will fire it up just before noon and get the cooking started.  This is at around the 3 hour point

Finally at 3:40 the Chef Alarm went off at 160º so I pulled the turkey off the grill, the legs literally fell off on to the tray.  Then into the house and I tented it for about 30 minutes.

Now I am not great at carving turkey and since my gloves hands were pretty greasy I did not get any pictures.  Bonnie lifted all the other dishes and Robby had brought some over also.  It was quite a spread.

It was not long before everyone was done and most moved to the living room.  Bonnie and I did most of the clean up and dishes and it really did not take long at all.  Then we sat down to watch The Wizzard of Oz.  But the girls wanted to go home and everyone left.  It was a busy day. But its always nice to be around family for the holidays.  Now we will watch the Wizzard of Oz.  We did watch most of the National Dog Show earlier today and caught just a little bit of the Thanksgiving Day Parade from NYC.  All Thanksgiving traditions.

Friday

Woke up this morning feeling like I had been in a bar fight.  I knew I was tired when I went to bed, but I must have been really tired.  I woke up in the same position I laid down in.  Usually I move around a bit at night.  Thus I think that accounts for why I was so stiff.  Plus it was 7:20am.  I am usually up at least once during the night and switch sides that I lay on.  So after a quick trip to the bathroom I laid down for a minute.  Well next thing I knew it was 9:50.  So I got up and started the coffee and my day a bit stiff and sore but well rested.

Bonnie took Gracie and her friend with her shopping today.  The mission was to buy gifts for the Christmas children that we signed up for at church.  They were gone most of the day but mission accomplished.  They also came home with peppermint milkshakes from Chick-fil-A.  Supper was turkey leftovers and they were good.

I did a little online shopping today, no crowded stores for me today.

Saturday

Really only one thing on my mind today.  The "Iron Bowl" its the annual game between Alabama and Auburn.

Bonnie got up and started the wash.  My son invited us over for the game but she wanted to get the wash done.  Fedex brought the Turkey Cannon I had ordered to cook the turkey with.  Thats why we Spatchcocked the turkey when I found out it would not be delivered in time.  Glad that happened the Turkey was delicious.  Then the post office brought the books for the Honda CRV.  The owners manual is 4X as thick as the one that came with the car.

So 2:30 rolled around and it was time for the kickoff.  We had a tough go in the first half but once again the Crimson Tide emerged from half time ready to play like we know they can.  Final score was 52-21.  We finished the regular season undefeated.  Now on to the post season, starting with the SEC Championship game against Georgia.

Christmas movie is on the agenda for tonight.

Well thats a wrap for this week.

Thanks For Checking In!

"Some people try to turn back their odometers, not me, I want people 
to know why I look this way, and some of the roads weren't paved"

Start Earlier

Monday

Note to Self: Start Earlier.  By that I mean when grilling out this time of year start earlier so that you do not have to finish up in the dark.  Live and Learn.

It rained most of the night and then it continued to rain this morning until after noon.  So needless to say we stayed in.  They even canceled the Veterans Day parade in downtown Huntsville.  I caught up on recorded TV and even watched one the Hallmark Christmas Movies.  I always enjoy them and they are ones you can watch with the whole family.

Bonnie asked me to grill chicken thighs for supper.  They were thawing in the refrigerator.  So to prepare them I put them in vacuum bags added some Chavetta's maranade from our hometown Buffalo NY.  Vaccum sealed the two bags and let it sit for a couple hours in the refrigerator.  Then on to the pellet grill after seasoning for about 50 minutes until it was up to 165º.

Bonnie made some boiled potatoes to go with it.  It was really good.  We even had some leftover to Vaccum seal and freeze for another meal.

Now we will settle in and watch the Voice.

Tuesday

Rain again most of the night.  Then it was cold and damp most of the day, never did see the sun.
Another TV day.  Bonnie went to her scrapbook and card making group.  While she was gone I changed another one of the Camera batteries they last about 6 weeks before they need changed.  Its easy to do.  After my knee replacement my son did it for me but now I'm easily able to do it.

I worked in the den for a while and did some scanning, filing, and made some phone calls.  Still monitoring some first time payments, like a new credit card and the property tax payment from the escrow account.

Bonnie was still gone so I watched another Hallmark Christmas Movie, call me sentimental.

Weatherman says more rain tomorrow afternoon.

Wednesday

It was one year ago today that we moved into this house and I guess that's when we became residents of Alabama.  Roll Tide.

Another dark and gloomy day.  A heavy mist was falling every time I went out.  So more TV and Christmas Movies.

We left after 5 for the House of Harvest.  Our church was serving a community Thanksgiving Dinner there tonight.  We got there around 5:30 to get ready for the 6pm dinner.  There were already some folks there.

Getting the serving line ready.

I did not get any picture during the first wave but I think there were maybe 70 people.  We had a really good turnout from the church and maybe our numbers matched the community.  Here is a shot of Bonnie helping one of the kids get a plate of food.

Everyone got there fill and were also invited to make a to go box and take it home.  We had a good time and many hands made it easy on everyone.  This is a charity Walter Jones supports and we got to meet him.  He played for the Seattle Seahawks for 12 years as #71 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.  He was an offensive tackle and is a pretty big guy.

It was still raining when we headed home.  I made a quick stop at the Walmart Neighborhood Market to pick up an item I had ordered on line, quick and easy.

Finally home, we may watch the CMAs.

Thursday

Below freezing a degree or so this morning.  When I brought in the trash tote it had ice on it.  I slept for 10 hours last night, guess I needed it.  I ate breakfast but then started to feel bad.  Dizzy and like I could easily throw up.  I felt sick all day and just a little better now.  I may try eating some toast a little later.  Bonnie was a bit under the weather also.  It never got above 34 today.  Not much else to say about today, I do hope to feel better tomorrow.

Friday

Finally the sun was shinning today.  We were down into the 20s overnight but it warmed up pretty quick this morning.  After noon we got up into the 50s.  I had a project to do on the Ridgeline so I headed out to the garage to get started on it.  I actually opened the garage doors as it was warmer outside.

So the problem is with the rear doors.  They do not open as much as they should.  Bonnie was the first to notice this when she tried to put groceries in the back.  A quick check sometime back in the Ridgeline owners forum and it seems a lot of people have the same complaint.  But there is a fix.  That is to replace the door catcher (door stop) with a longer one actually the same part as the front door uses.

As you can see its only about 1/2" longer but yields a much wider opening.  So I have been watching you tube and watched as people figured out the best way to perform the change.  Turns out that paid off.  So time to give it a try.  There are three bolts that hold on the catcher so I loosened them.

Then it was time to remove the door panel.  Another three screws to remove.  One under a panel in the arm rest.

Two behind another panel behind the door handle

Then pry up the panel in the corner down by the small pimple.

Then pull on the panel and it pops off.  Lift it off and support on a 5 gallon bucket.

Then I removed the speaker that will allow me to reach up and grab the catcher and insert the new longer one.

Easypeeze.  Now to reassemble.  I even replace the Blue thread locker on the bolt that already had some on it.  So before the mod the opening measured around 31"

After the mod a little over 36"

Easy to see the difference.  Bonnie loves it.

Got a picture from WNY one of the Grandkids made a snowman

Bonnie made Chicken and Rice using one of my sisters it was delicious.  Now to watch some you tube in prep for Thanksgiving cooking lots of good ideas.

Saturday

Nice and sunny this morning and the promise of a warm day.  Alabama plays early today.  Yesterday we rearranged a little in the garage and set up the small refrigerator that came with the house.

Bonnie has gone shopping and hopes to find a turkey that will throw in this refrigerator.  I had checked the mail early yesterday before it had been delivered so went out and checked it and had a package.  This shirt had come.

Well I enjoyed the Alabama game again today but they had me worried at half-time.  They were tied with The Citadel 10-10.  But the half-time talk and regroup did some good because we won 50-71.  Roll Tide.

Well thats a wrap for this week.

Thanks For Checking In!

"Some people try to turn back their odometers, not me, I want people 
to know why I look this way, and some of the roads weren't paved"