Oof, I feel a little weird. We spent a quiet Thanksgiving with The Mama and a few family members.Our kids were back in Colorado, so that wasn't possible. (I missed them very much, in spite of long phone conversations.) But now they -- and we -- are changing our living places, it's going to happen more often. One of the negatives, although The Mama seemed to enjoying having us here. The traditional turkey dinner has given way to leftover this and that. Charles and Ruby are REALLY enjoying that. (Us too, actually.) And Michigan lost to Ohio State. Not that it wasn't expected, but you always hope. The bronchitis has been trying to reassert itself. Again. I'm out of one med, just a few days for another -- and really hoping that the coughing and general achiness will once again die down. (I also seem to have given a minor version to the Brick...and one of our friends is accusing me of passing it on to him, as well.) Unfortunately, I already spent my laying-around time. There's work to be done.
Wish I could be doing this, instead.
Speaking of:
We emptied out the truckbed of the things in the storage unit, just in time. It's raining here in Michigan, but The Mama's van is once again snug under cover. (A big relief for her.) And our stuff is safe in the storage area. We still need to re-pack, but I'm so grateful to have the boxes in a dry place. The trailer needs re-sorting, too...and I'd like to pull out a few Christmas decorations, at least, before we leave for Tucson. Several appraisals must be finished off this weekend, and a bunch of presents wrapped to put under The Mama's tree, which is up and decorated. Then on to other tasks, including working on the next restoration.
Or lose them altogether...
Meanwhile: These restaurant chains are closing in 2020, announces the slideshow. Actually, they're mostly only closing some underperforming locations -- but check to see if your favorite spots are included. Jams and jellies galore -- three different types from One Hundred Dollars A Month. I am seriously thinking about all three: pomegranate, Christmas and carrot cake. Do I have time for messing around with this right now? Noooooo.... One of the world's best-known free climbers, Brad Gobright, dies in a 300-meter fall in Mexico. Ironically, he was using ropes. (Free climbing means you use nothing to protect yourself -- just climb.) He and a partner were rappelling down a cliff, and forgot to tie knots in the ropes' end...which is weird. Gobright literally rappelled right off the end of his rope. A $299 Chinese vacation?? Maybe that's how we should re-use our visa. (From My Frugal Miser)
A really mean obituary for a North Carolina mystery writer. But nobody knows who wrote it! The family denies any responsibility. (Couldn't you just ask the newspaper who paid for it? That's the way obits work for the Denver Post, at least...)
Donations, donations...what goes and what stays when you're downsizing. (From Misadventures of Widowhood) Mrs. Hillbilly's November Garden -- a late autumn visual poem to the love of gardening and chickenyards. (Yes, I miss mine. Thanks, One Hundred Dollars A Month) Adventures in cheap eating. A classic from yours truly.
The visa follies for our January world cruise continue, and in strange ways we never imagined. We thought it would be so easy. Apply for a visa -- get approved. After all, you've kept your nose clean for 40+ years. Why wouldn't they want you to visit their beautiful country?
(Bear in mind: this is on a cruise ship. We're only going to be spending a day, or two, or three, in each country. Different stops for each day's visit...and we have to be back on the boat by nightfall.)
First, Australia approved me -- but not the Brick. (He tried again.)
Next, New Zealand approved the Brick -- but not me. (ditto)
They don't tell you why you were refused, either. You have to guess. Was it because: *The Brick was in the military, and traveled? *He had security clearances, when in engineering? *I traveled in Iron Curtain countries during college? *I'm a writer? An appraiser? *We're Christians? Or...we're upright, breathing, and requested a visa -- and state departments can do anything they like to us?
Who knows.
And China? Neither of us got the visa approval, at first. I was told to submit a paper explaining the nature of my business. (Apparently the Chinese haven't run into many writers/teachers whose main subjects are frugal living, textiles and cultural history. Or maybe it was the appraiser part that puzzled them.) I had to emphasize that I was a tourist -- the purpose of my visit to China was not a buying trip. Which is true. We're only planning to be there three days on three separate stops. You would have thought we were planning to settle there semi-permanently, based on how worried they sounded. (Maybe the issues in Hong Kong are a concern -- that's one of the stops.)
It was worse for the Brick. He had to appear in person at the Chinese consulate in Chicago for an interview and fingerprinting. Thank God it wasn't Colorado's designated consulate. (Which is in Los Angeles.) We were headed through Chicago, anyways, on our way back to The Mama's farm in Michigan. It would take an hour or so, but then we'd be done and back on the road.
Sure it would.
Go to gettravelguru.com for more! (It really is an interesting city, when you're not in rush hour.)
For one thing, none of these buildings are openly labeled. (Fear of terrorism?) For another, our silly GPS kept sending us to the 'lower' version of each avenue in the directions. (Chicago, in case you're wondering, has 'upper' avenues -- where the office buildings are -- and 'lower' avenues underneath, dimly-lit, for delivery vans. It's pretty spooky down there, too, in these underground streets.) By this point, the tarps covering boxes from the storage unit had completely shredded. The covering tarp was a fringed shawl, waving to passerby. After driving all night, we were bleary-eyed and scruffy, as well.
Shades of the Beverly Hillbillies.
Finally, the Brick parked the truck on the 'lower' street, making the GPS very happy. I made myself small in the locked front seat while he went in search of the visa office, which had our applications. It took hours. Decades. Millennia, seemingly .
He tapped suddenly on the window glass, and scared the heck out of me. He'd lost his way, then found it and the visa processing office, and finally had the paperwork. Now we needed to go to the consulate, but they only were open until noon. (It was 11:15 a.m.) Fortunately, it was only a few minutes away, and a large parking spot was open on the street. The Brick hurried inside. I looked around.
Other than the address on the side of the average, nondescript building, there was nothing to show this was the Chinese consulate. No elegant architecture, Chinese characters. No doormen in classic uniforms, regally bowing potential visitors in. No red or yellow or gilding. No pagodas, even. Somehow, I expected it. (Conditioned by years of American Chinese restaurants, perhaps?)
What it did have was a nails/waxing salon next door, and a grubby alley next to that.
So much for the Inscrutable Orient.
Down the block, however, was an elegant 1890s brownstone, with courtyard, carriage house and a larger building. A pointed black metal fence, flickering electric lanterns and holiday wreaths dressed up this old-fashioned spot. It was dignified, but seemed out of place. (I thought maybe a church -- the Brick thought possibly another consulate.)
People roared down the street all morning, parking wherever they pleased. No spots open? No problem -- just park in the tow zone and put your trouble lights on. (Or not. One lady zoomed in and out of the tow zones for at least two hours -- no lights, no nothing. I guess we should be grateful she actually closed her car door the second time she parked.) Even better: park in the middle of the street, put your trouble lights on (or not), and do your errands. Who cares that others have to slam on their brakes and swerve around you, or blast on their horns?! After all, you're not there. You're in the building, doing errands! (Or applying for a visa.) More time went by. The Brick suddenly reappeared. His number had been called -- but it was noon. The girl at the window told him to come back after 1 p.m. He said dozens of people were sitting on chairs in this large room; it looked like a DMV (or driver's license) bureau. No lovely vases or delicate wallhangings -- just a few Chinese characters on some of the glass windows. One wall sported a paper sign, and two nondescript men were acting as security. Sort of.
The clerks threw everyone out, and told them to come back at 1 p.m. An Australian guy protested, saying he'd driven from Michigan just for this. Heck, we'd driven from Colorado -- they didn't care about that, either. Come back at 1.
Another hour went by. We stayed in the parking spot, with a front-row seat for all the beeping and parking. People strolled by with bags of groceries, or walking dogs, cellphones in hand. The women nearly all sported channel-quilted down jackets, leggings and high-heeled boots, in black or drab colors. (Must be current Chicago winter fashion.) Grubhub cars swung through with lunch orders. (We were tortured by a pizza restaurant with amazing smells later on, but didn't dare stop.) A guy who'd parked in the tow zone all morning was back, lights flashing. He hopped out, headed for the consulate. (They only stayed open through 2:30 p.m.)
Stylin' in Chicago -- from bowsandsequins.com
Back in again. This time, the Brick stood right by the window, waiting. When the clerk opened it, she took his photo (he had to squat down to fit in the picture), then his fingerprints.
All done -- no interview. Why was it important for him to come in? (I'm guessing it wasn't the fingerprints. His six years in the Navy, plus security clearances, have had those on record for decades.)
We dropped the visa paperwork off, then thankfully blew town, with GPS still trying to send us down to the 'lower' depths . It took another hour, plus a $12 toll on the Skyline, to avoid part of rush hour, and get us out of there. Three hours on to Michigan -- and The Mama. (Fortunately, it didn't rain.)
The visas will be ready next week, we're told. The company will pick them up for us and mail them overnight, along with our passports. Hopefully they're right.
Meanwhile, we must wait to apply to India (can't happen until Dec. 20) and Sri Lanka (must happen while on the ship). And wonder who's going to be considered worthy by them.
Or unworthy, as the case may be.
Ma'am, don't ever try leaving...
P.S. We both finally were accepted by NZ and the Aussies -- with no reason given why we weren't approved in the first place. Go figure.
November has been much calmer, compared to house-focused September and get-everything-repaired October. Then again, it hasn't. We spent much of this month at The Mama's in Michigan, snug and warm in the fifth-wheel. We used that time resting, repacking, and trying to get ready for the upcoming world cruise, as well as recovering from illness. A quick trip to Colorado, narrowly missing a blizzard, let us clear out a storage unit. We'll finish November at The Mama's, then move on to Tucson for a teaching gig in mid-December. Back home to Colorado for the holidays...then fly out on New Year's Eve for London...and the cruise. There are a lot of loose ends to tie up before we go.
From Country Dirt (Facebook)
FRUGAL HITS Some of these are from late October. *Deposited a bunch of checks that have been waiting -- and are planning to open a new business account. (I'd put this off while we were dealing with the house sale.) *Two boxes (for older boys) for Operation Christmas Child. We do this every year. *Went and cleared out storage unit, saving an additional month's rent -- and made a special quick trip west, saving on a rental truck. (Cheapest price we could find on the latter: $600.) Kept everything dry, thanks to God's grace, dry weather and some lining tarps. (The top ones ripped like crazy.) *Stayed with friends during our recent trip to clear out the storage unit. Bought groceries and a meal to help out. Thanks, guys!
*Thrift shop buys: two pairs of new shoes (including imported clogs): $6.99 each; a few Christmas presents; Christmas books for someone who collects them; a sundress for the upcoming cruise. All at 15% seniors discount. The kids took advantage to score their own great buys, including a beautiful fitted pleather jacket; brand-new tennis shoes (apparently a sample), normally $150 retail. (He bought them for $16.99.)
*I am in shoe heaven! Not only did I find two new pairs at the local thrift shop -- and two pairs of boots (see below) -- but The Mama gave me a pair of slippers, plus a pair of moccasins she didn't want. Woo hoo! The poor flipflops I spent the summer in went to the trash bin in September, completely worn out, and I was making do with another pair of flipflops. It is so nice to have warm toes and protected feet now. *Took advantage of Amazon's Halloween sales, and got a $9.99 copy of Creature from the Black Lagoon, one of my favorites. Too bad I couldn't get anyone to watch it with me on Halloween. But they will -- oh, they will. (And he did. The Mama, on the other hand, fell asleep. Oh well.)
*Did NOT buy any Halloween candy. We already have some 'pogey bait' for Christmas stockings, plus extra for snacks and desserts. Quite frankly, the Brick and I don't need the extra right now. *Grocery buys: 99-cents/pound pork chops, buy-two-get-three-free pound pkgs of bacon (about $2.50 each) plus three pounds of apples for $2.50. A turkey for 25 cents/lb -- yow! (Family Fare in Michigan - the best price I saw in Colorado was 66 cents/lb.) Also from Family Fare: packages of cream cheese and sherbet for 99 cents each. Found a few great buys at Daily Deals, as well: 79-cent pkgs of roast beef and ham, plus a mozzarella/provolone grated cheese mix, and 6 pounds of hamburger patties for $9.99.
I walked away from several deals because they meant buying up too much food to get the special price. Darn. *Saved on Christmas gifts, cleaners and stock-up items at Sparta Variety. This wonderful Michigan store is going out of business, and everything is 50-90 percent off. Because of the great prices I got, we were able to gift a special piano student/friend with a holiday decorations package.
*Bought some Christmas decorations -- bottlebrush trees, for 50 cents and $1, respectively, from the dollar store and Target. There -- now you know. I am a miniature tree freak.
*Four Ancestry.com kits -- two for us (a Christmas gift from The Mama), and two to gift elsewhere. They were on sale...and the fourth one was free.
*BOGO haircuts, thanks to Veteran's Day freebies. (Thanks, Great Clips.) No free meals this year -- we didn't even make the attempt. (The Mama had different plans that night.) *Gift cards with bonuses -- both from Red Robin and Outback. These stretched our money for Christmas thank-yous and presents. (Check quickly -- these usually are only offered through early or mid-December.) *A few free meals, thanks to The Mama. (We paid for some, too.)
*No loans or utility bills to pay! The only regular bill we have is for insurance (which we plan to shop around on) and the phone. Wow.
Don't peg us as freeloaders, though...we've been paying extra to cover The Mama's increased electrical costs, as well as our Colorado friend's. (Both have a well, so water isn't an issue.)
*Bought fall-themed door ornaments for The Mama -- for a buck each. (She loves them.) *Got a number of high-end presents for family at extremely marked-down prices. (I can't say here because the recipients read my blog on occasion.) Used The Mama's huge box of Christmas paper to wrap them, for under the tree. We'll take the rest back to Colorado in a few weeks. *One group appraisal, scheduled when we get back to Colorado. (I'll be doing some for the Tucson guild in early December, as well.) Some other appraisals finished and sent. *Finished up some restorations. FINALLY. These have been in progress for the past two months. Three more to go.
*Contributed to the Thanksgiving feast -- and the early turkey dinner. Including poopers!
*Bought some quality clothes...at Amazon sale prices. Two cashmere turtlenecks, $30 each, and some of the best-reviewed leggings (which will double as long underwear) for $8 each. Free shipping...and I was even able to use the giftcard I got for free via Swagbucks.
Also ordered a pair of tan knee boots, with fringe, from DearJane -- for $13.99, including shipping. Two dresses from Target, both on clearance. (These are lightweight knits, for use on the cruise.) Another pair of heavier snow boots will cost more, but still will be half-price, thanks to Daughter #2's discount. A few thrift shop outfits -- but I'm being much fussier than I used to.
Sam's contributed a few buys, as well: lightweight pants for $6.81 each, plus a heavy lined flannel shirt, replacing a raggedy one the Brick promised to throw away. (I keep threatening to give it to some bum; they'd make a fortune, begging with it on.) I also snagged a heavy, substantial black hoodie with a Colorado logo on it. *Threw away the grubbiest of the thrift shop clothes I used all summer and into fall. They were stained with paint and dirt, and full of holes. Buh-bye! FRUGAL MISSES *Lost at least two envelopes mailed to the new address -- with checks inside. One had a giftcard inside, too. I really wish I knew what happened to these.
*Had to turn some work opportunities down. Frustrating, but necessary. *Paid for visas, now that our passports have arrived. Five countries, to be exact: Australia, New Zealand, India and the hardest/most expensive of all: China. The stinkers. Ironically, we cannot apply for India or Sri Lanka yet -- we have to wait until Dec. 20 (India) and when we're actually on the cruise (Sri Lanka). Go figure.
We still need to get shots, too. Oh goody. *Had to make a special trip to the Chinese Consulate in Chicago to get the Chinese visas -- which took hours, extra money and got us stuck in rush hour traffic. Lovely.
*Paid the rest of the bills connected with the cruise, trailer and truck repairs. I was glad to do it. The rest of the house sale money has gone out in various directions, and we're generally back to pre-sale levels. Which is ok. *Paid the rest of the medical bills. At least there are no more dental bills...but the hospital/test/doctors' bills more than made up for it. This time, I contributed, thanks to flu, caught either before or during the family reunion, that turned into a lovely mix of bronchitis and pneumonia. A visit to the clinic, plus meds, helped break up the congestion, though the cough hung on. Another visit to the emergency room, too, after we couldn't renew a prescription any other way.
*Two pairs of new glasses and an eye exam for yours truly. Desperately needed, and I did get them on sale. *Renewed my membership in the American Society of Appraisers. Don't ever think this business is cheap to be in, Gentle Readers -- I have to cough up nearly $650 A YEAR for this privilege. *Spent more on some updates for the trailer. All needed, particularly to keep the waterlines from freezing.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Some bloggers get way more specific in their regular reports. I try to strike a happy medium -- enough to let you know what we're doing (and how we saved), but not so much that you wonder if we have a life. Because we do. It's just a little different than the usual right now.
We're celebrating with The Mama and Cousin Joybelle. Drove overnight from Colorado, barely missing their snowstorm early this week -- now we're in the middle of a blowy rainstorm in Michigan. Who cares -- the truck and its storage unit contents is safe and under cover in the garage!
We're grateful for the Colorado friends that have been become even more dear, and the family that have always been dear to us. We are lucky people.
I am certain I am not the only person on the planet SICK AND TIRED of the arguing going on about the impeachment inquiry. Not only could each political party member listen to the exact same testimony, and come to totally different conclusions -- how in the world is that?!? -- but the level of rudeness and snottiness, from people accusing President Trump of same, was incredible. (Those praising him weren't far behind.) The crowning moment: when Chairman Schiff just 'happened' to bring up President Nixon -- several times -- in his finishing remarks. Mr. Schiff, why didn't you bring up President Clinton -- who was nearly impeached -- while you were at it? The obvious answer: he was a Democrat. But lots of people would hopefully identify Trump with Nixon, and Nixon with Trump...or so Mr. Schiff was hoping. After all the insults and allegations, there were so many "I overheard this," "I think this" and "my feelings were hurt" remarks that you could drown in them. Secret memo to the Democrats (and some Republicans too): this isn't making any of you look too good. Having it drag on is making things worse. But ha ha -- the joke's on me. More hearings are scheduled.
This is just getting ridiculous. Finish it already.
A bunch of very cool life hacks. The best -- how to charge a dead cellphone with a beer can and your car battery. (From Cracked) 'Now Hear This:' an absolutely amazing 4-part series about famous composers, moderated by Scott Yoo, a talented violinist and conductor of Mexico City Philharmonic. Did you wonder why Handel, Vivaldi, Bach and Scarlatti composed as they did? Why did they choose certain themes, who did they admire (and incorporate into their own work), why did they choose the instruments they did? We watched the Bach and Vivaldi episodes, every second, and learned a lot. The series ran on PBS' Great Performances, but is also available online and on Amazon Prime -- go here for episodes and more. The confused candy crook -- one in a series of 'Gas Station Encounters' with shoplifters and general weirdos that can draw you right in. Most people don't realize that the station attendants have cameras all over the store. In other words, they can SEE you, even when you're a few aisles over! I thought about this on our recent flying trip to Colorado. One morning in Nebraska, I found myself staring at the potato chip section -- for at least five minutes. No doubt the manager wondered what this odd person was doing over there. (I was tired.)
A teacher friend says her kids dote on this, and ask for it often as "The Cup Song." See if you can keep it from charming into that 'auto-repeat' part of your brain.
Anna Kendrick's Cup Song, otherwise known as "When I'm Gone" -- from Pitch Perfect.
We'd heard it was 'temperament issues,' and assumed she was old and crabby. The opposite is true -- she was getting excited, and running too fast for her handlers to keep up!
Ralphie #6 will be out there soon, doing her stuff. (P.S. She's always a girl, by the way.)
Meanwhile, the Buffs celebrated her retirement by beating the Washington Huskies 20-14.
We're back in Colorado, after driving all day (and night). We barely beat in a new storm, and pulled in just as icy sleet was flirting with the highway. Slept until noon, then realized we needed to stay a few days longer than originally planned, to avoid the nasty part of the storm. Fortunately, our friends are willing to put us up -- and The Mama agreed to keep the dogs for a few days longer than planned.
It isn't just the weather, though the dreariness may be God's joke for me griping about Michigan skies. It's a chance to go back to a familiar doctor -- this bronchitis/pneumonia is back with a vengeance. (Maybe I need some of this.) I've spent more time coughing than I'd care to admit.
We can also deliver apples the kids requested during their recent visit; get some items from stores here...and spend a little extra time with dear friends.
Another big reason: we have to appear (and get fingerprinted) at the Chinese Consulate, to order to get our visas. (Why? We have no idea. Honest.) Thank God this is the consulate in Chicago, which is on the road back to Michigan, rather than the other direction. In Los Angeles. We could have gutted ourselves out by leaving today, then driving all night again, in order to make it Friday. So much easier to wait until Monday morning. (And yes, we'll probably drive all night on Sunday to do it. But at least we get some rest beforehand.)
It's not going to be fun outside tomorrow...but the weather is supposed to let up in afternoon. That will give us a chance to do some errands and clear out the storage unit. This trip will take longer than we'd planned, but that's okay. We've got the time to do it.
* * * * * * * * * * *
It's been five months now since we've lived in the fifth-wheel full-time...and a month or so since cold weather hit, both here in Colorado and in Michigan.
How are we handling the colder temps?
Just fine.
Granted, it's not always easy. It's no fun to climb into an icy-feeling trailer, after you've been working somewhere else. I am amazed, though, at how quickly it warms up when we boost the thermostat. We also use the electric fireplace to take the chill off the air. A separate oil heater in the bedroom, plus quilts on the bed, keep the bedroom comfortable. (We turn the heat down at night, for better sleeping. A quick bump back up in the mornings makes it warm in 5 minutes or so.)
Here 's part of the "downstairs:" TV, sound system and fireplace -- with storage and the fridge on the right. That's the shower up the steps, draped with a striped towel. The bedroom ("upstairs") and a full storage wall is just beyond it.
The fifth-wheel primarily uses propane gas for heating, cooking and hot water. We have two tanks in the 'basement,' and a third strapped into the truck bed. So far, these last about a month with careful use. We may fill two, or all three, at the same time. (It cost about $20 a tank, last time we filled the tanks.)
Electrical heat (the oil heater and the fireplace) can heat the trailer by itself, if we really needed to. The fireplace is great for keeping the main area warm, but not stifling. Charley particularly enjoys curling up in front of both.
Ahhhhhh....
We haven't solved all the problems yet. A light stays on all the time in the 'basement' to help keep the pipes thawed. So far, there's no way to keep the trailer hose hooked up to water without it freezing -- but the heated hose we just ordered, as well as the heat tape, should fix that. Right now, we're taking showers and getting water via The Mama's home, so it's not a pressing issue.
The eight solar panels mounted on top of the trailer should eventually cover our light and heating needs -- but the Brick needs to do some work on them. They do an adequate job of covering lighting and smaller items, but somehow are not transferring power to the batteries like they should. So far, we've been in situations that we could easily use electricity and propane. But that could -- and will -- change when we do more boondocking. We'll also need it to run the fans and air conditioning when temperatures warm up. When I look out the window, steaming coffee cup in hand, or snuggle down under the covers and wake toasty in the morning, I am so grateful for a comfortable living situation. It's warm, easy to manage, and costs a lot less than the utilities at the Collins house. Win, win, win.
Another overcast week in a series of them. We're in Michigan, watching gray skies compete with fog, rain and snow. The last rain cleared out the snow, so it's winning, I guess. Normally, I enjoy rain and other precipitation, but this day-after-day stuff can wear on you. (Moans the spoiled Coloradoan.)
The bronchitis/pneumonia is finally starting to clear up. The 'other' turkey dinner was Monday night; since then, we ran some errands and visited the local thrift store. That's pretty much it. I haven't felt like doing more.
The kids took a batch of flu home with them. (Not my version, thankfully, but still...) They're starting to feel better, but now the Brick is fighting off something.
Son #1 made these for our 'important turkey dinner' day Monday. His cousins -- and we -- watched like hawks to make sure everyone got a fair share. (Yes, they were THAT good.)
Grams misheard, and referred to these tasty little goodies as "poopers." And that's what they're now called in our family! You may know them as 'poppers,' but we know better.
JALAPENO POOPERS
Ree Drummond toothpicks hers and cuts them in half -- but we just eat them straight. (See below)
10 jalapeno peppers, split lengthwise and deseeded
(good luck getting them all to be mild or spicy -- it just seems to be the luck of the draw)
1 package cream cheese, softened
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 cup grated mozzarella/provolone cheese
1 pound bacon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the cheese together, add garlic salt and pepper to taste, and pile into the pepper 'shells,' arranged on a baking sheet. Cut bacon in half vertically, and wrap each pooper with a slice, tucking the ends underneath.
Wasn't that easy?
Bake approx. 20 min., until the poopers are melted and sizzling. Serve to 5-10 hungry people. (Save some for me!)
We've been very fortunate to have all our children with us in Michigan this weekend. They're staying with Grams in the 'Big House' while we live in our trailer outside. Today was our version of That Day, since the kids won't be around for it -- their cousins stopped by, and we all feasted on roast turkey, stuffing, potatoes, pumpkin and pay-can pie. Plus guacamole, chips and another appetizer everyone loved. (You get to hear about that tomorrow.) Tomorrow the 'kids' (in their 30s and early 40s, all) will set up Grams' Christmas tree for her...and we'll make a quick visit to the local thrift shop. Then they fly home. (sigh)
And no, they're not turkeys -- however often they call each other that.
