The weather was pretty nice yesterday, for Maine in December, with temps in the 40s and a good deal of sunshine for the few hours that the sun is actually out this time of year. However, the forecast for today is much different with temps in the low single digits expected tonight. Since it looks like we are in for a cold spell over the next several days and since I had the opportunity yesterday - I retrieved the extension ladder and took down the outside Christmas lights. That seemed to put Peggy in the mood so she commenced to putting away all the Christmas "stuff" inside. We actually got most of our de-decorating done yesterday and we ought to be able to finish getting the "stuff" stored away for another year later today. We usually keep all the "stuff" up until after New Years Day - but since we hope to leave sometine in mid-January I guess we both figured we better move up our traditional schedule.
The warm spell we had also brought a good deal of rain the day before yesterday and the rain managed to clear off the last of the snow and ice off the top of the motorhome - just in time to get a small amount more last night. I'm sure we will get a good deal more snow before we hope to leave but at least the roof is relatively clear for now. I haven't gotten real serious about getting the rig ready to roll yet - but I'm getting close. I have managed to complete a few minor items like removing and repainting the floor heating vent louvers and making a couple of magnetic covers for a couple of these same louvers (we have a couple of louvers that we want to block off sometimes) and fixing a leaky fitting on our outside water filter. By the end of next weekend I hope to have the batteries re-installed and then we can start getting serious about loading up to be on the road for awhile.
So what do we call next year? Is it "Two Thousand Ten" or "Twenty Ten?" I think they called 1909 "Nineteen Oh Nine" and most of us called 2009 "Two Thousand Nine" not "Twenty Oh Nine." I notice that most of the TV media is calling it "Twenty Ten" so I guess that will be the "official" and "correct" reference. Regardless - I'm looking forward to 2010, however it's supposed to be pronounced. Looking back is sometimes fun and is always interesting (at least to us folks who appreciate history) - but I'm looking forward to 2010. The cynical Mikee wonders how his kids and grandkids are going to survive in a time when most folks appear satisfied to let others do their thinking for them ... but the hopeful Mikee is looking forward to watching them wake up, realize that over-indulgence is overrated, that debt-financed living is not sustainable or survivable, that there truely is no-free-lunch, and that self-reliance is a necessary virtue. Yup - I'm looking forward to 2010.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Christmas Greetings - Topsham, Maine
We hope everybody had a great Christmas day celebration! We had a fun day yesterday with Stacy, Kaj and Tut - the wonder puppy, over for a great rib roast dinner (Tut didn't get any roast) and then Eric, Jen, and Booda - the pugnacious pug arrived for a visit and gift exchange. We had a good visit and it was fun watching the dogs interact. We took a family dog-walk around the block to help settle the dinner and get a small bit of exercise - it was a bit nippy out there but I'm sure it did us all some good.
So today I guess we start the post Christmas slide into the New Years Day holiday. Gifts to exchange, after-Christmas sales on wrapping paper and Christmas cards, gift cards to spend, and leftovers - more traditions.
And while we're at it - we better get started on preparing to head south in a few weeks. We have a number of things we ought to get done here in preparation and then there are the usual pre-trip chores to take care of on the motorhome. As was the case when we left here last February - we have complicated our task by leaving in the cold/snowy time of year. Even though we have several weeks yet before we are sorta scheduled to leave - I figure I better go visit the rig soon to see if I can remove the ice/snow that has already accumulated on the roof. I know we will probably get more before we leave but I'm thinking if I keep the crusty ice off - it will be easier to get any new snow off later.
That's my plan - can't wait to see what really happens.
So today I guess we start the post Christmas slide into the New Years Day holiday. Gifts to exchange, after-Christmas sales on wrapping paper and Christmas cards, gift cards to spend, and leftovers - more traditions.
And while we're at it - we better get started on preparing to head south in a few weeks. We have a number of things we ought to get done here in preparation and then there are the usual pre-trip chores to take care of on the motorhome. As was the case when we left here last February - we have complicated our task by leaving in the cold/snowy time of year. Even though we have several weeks yet before we are sorta scheduled to leave - I figure I better go visit the rig soon to see if I can remove the ice/snow that has already accumulated on the roof. I know we will probably get more before we leave but I'm thinking if I keep the crusty ice off - it will be easier to get any new snow off later.
That's my plan - can't wait to see what really happens.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
All Is Well In The Geekdom - Topsham, Maine
The desktop computer here at home is pretty old, in real years it's probably 6-7 years old, in computer years it's about 99 years old. One of the CD drives quit working a couple of years ago and sometime last summer it started telling us that "hard drive failure is imminent." I'm not sure what "imminent" is in computer time but I figured its usefull days were numbered - and Peggy has mentioned wanting to get her own laptop ... so since the stores are offering some prety good deals right about now I went ahead and pulled the trigger on Sunday and bought her a new laptop. Now that's where the fun began.
The new PC was loaded with the new Windows 7 operating system which means that pretty much all of the software I have purchased in the past, like Microsoft Office and Outlook - won't work. But that's OK since the versions that I have been using are 2002 versions that aren't supported by Microsoft any longer anyway - so while I was at it - I purchased the new 2007 versions. Of course that meant I had to load the new software onto the new laptop and also onto my existing laptop - and then I had to go on-line and get all the operating system and application software updates. Anyone who has gone through this process knows that it takes about 2 days to get this all done.
Just to make things even more fun - when I bought the new PC it included a coupon for $60 off a new wireless all-in-one printer. Well now - since I have been wanting a wireless printer for the motorhome with a small footprint - and since they just happen to have just the one I wanted on sale for $100 - I figured $40 for the new printer/copier/scanner/fax was a deal I couldn't pass up! So of course that meant another gadget to unpack, configure to work on our wireless network, and load more software on both laptops - and of course - more software updates!!
Well here's the good news - it's all done - it all works - and without a single call to the infamous "help desk" in who-knows-where India or Pakistan or wherever such calls go these days.
So Peggy now has her new laptop to play with, Mikee has a new wireless printer to play with, and all-is-well here in the Geekdom on this day before Christmas Eve.
The new PC was loaded with the new Windows 7 operating system which means that pretty much all of the software I have purchased in the past, like Microsoft Office and Outlook - won't work. But that's OK since the versions that I have been using are 2002 versions that aren't supported by Microsoft any longer anyway - so while I was at it - I purchased the new 2007 versions. Of course that meant I had to load the new software onto the new laptop and also onto my existing laptop - and then I had to go on-line and get all the operating system and application software updates. Anyone who has gone through this process knows that it takes about 2 days to get this all done.
Just to make things even more fun - when I bought the new PC it included a coupon for $60 off a new wireless all-in-one printer. Well now - since I have been wanting a wireless printer for the motorhome with a small footprint - and since they just happen to have just the one I wanted on sale for $100 - I figured $40 for the new printer/copier/scanner/fax was a deal I couldn't pass up! So of course that meant another gadget to unpack, configure to work on our wireless network, and load more software on both laptops - and of course - more software updates!!
Well here's the good news - it's all done - it all works - and without a single call to the infamous "help desk" in who-knows-where India or Pakistan or wherever such calls go these days.
So Peggy now has her new laptop to play with, Mikee has a new wireless printer to play with, and all-is-well here in the Geekdom on this day before Christmas Eve.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Ready for Christmas - Then What?
Only 5 shopping days left till Christmas and I'm done!! Yipee!!
We have had several inches of snow, the outside Christmas lights and the Christmas tree have been up for a week or so, the Christmas cards have been written and mailed, the presents have been purchased, wrapped, and mailed or put beneath the tree, and the house has been decked with boughs of holly (and all the other Christmas stuff that has been accumulated throughout the years). Yup - we are officially full of Christmas spirit here in Maine. Now we can kick back for the remaining days - full of anticipation awaiting the magic day. We plan on having a traditional Evringham Christmas - attending the special Christmas Eve service at church (with Stacy and Kaj) followed by the opening of presents and perhaps a cup of coffee and/or a bit of egg nog, and then a fun Christmas Day including a Prime Rib Roast Dinner. I understand that Kaj and Stay will be joining us for dinner and Eric and Jen will be coming by as well. Should be a fun day!
Then what? Well let's review the options ...
A) Hunker down for the rest of the winter here in Maine - shoveling snow when necessary and doing my best to stay out of trouble the rest of the time.
B) Dig out and load up the motorhome, drive south until I can break out my short pants again, stay out of trouble until the snow melts in Maine, and then drive home.
The way I figure it - I need to try and stay out of trouble either way so I might as well be warm and in short pants doing it!
So here's the plan as of this very instant (subject to change at a moments notice):
1. Enjoy Christmas and New Years in Maine.
2. Put away the Christmas stuff and gather up the motorhome travel stuff.
3. Clean the snow/ice off the motorhome and prepare her for travel.
4. Find a weather window of opportunity sometime in mid January- load the rig - and hit the road for points south.
As far as planned destination(s) I think we'll sorta follow the same basic plan as last year - down to the southeast coast in the Carolinas and Georgia - maybe down into Florida for awhile and then over to the Alabama gulf coast for awhile. From there I think we'll revist our crystal ball and see what we see.
So unless somebody with standing has objections of some considerable merit - that's the plan.
We have had several inches of snow, the outside Christmas lights and the Christmas tree have been up for a week or so, the Christmas cards have been written and mailed, the presents have been purchased, wrapped, and mailed or put beneath the tree, and the house has been decked with boughs of holly (and all the other Christmas stuff that has been accumulated throughout the years). Yup - we are officially full of Christmas spirit here in Maine. Now we can kick back for the remaining days - full of anticipation awaiting the magic day. We plan on having a traditional Evringham Christmas - attending the special Christmas Eve service at church (with Stacy and Kaj) followed by the opening of presents and perhaps a cup of coffee and/or a bit of egg nog, and then a fun Christmas Day including a Prime Rib Roast Dinner. I understand that Kaj and Stay will be joining us for dinner and Eric and Jen will be coming by as well. Should be a fun day!
Then what? Well let's review the options ...
A) Hunker down for the rest of the winter here in Maine - shoveling snow when necessary and doing my best to stay out of trouble the rest of the time.
B) Dig out and load up the motorhome, drive south until I can break out my short pants again, stay out of trouble until the snow melts in Maine, and then drive home.
The way I figure it - I need to try and stay out of trouble either way so I might as well be warm and in short pants doing it!
So here's the plan as of this very instant (subject to change at a moments notice):
1. Enjoy Christmas and New Years in Maine.
2. Put away the Christmas stuff and gather up the motorhome travel stuff.
3. Clean the snow/ice off the motorhome and prepare her for travel.
4. Find a weather window of opportunity sometime in mid January- load the rig - and hit the road for points south.
As far as planned destination(s) I think we'll sorta follow the same basic plan as last year - down to the southeast coast in the Carolinas and Georgia - maybe down into Florida for awhile and then over to the Alabama gulf coast for awhile. From there I think we'll revist our crystal ball and see what we see.
So unless somebody with standing has objections of some considerable merit - that's the plan.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Lumps of Coal for Christmas - Topsham, Maine
Only 10 more shopping days until Christmas and I'm not done yet! We have managed to get all the gifts purchased, wrapped, and mailed that need to go out of state - that's always our first priority. Now we get to focus on the Maine gang. I understand that the retailers normally get 40% of their Christmas revenue in these 10 days so I expect they will be glad to see me. Let me see ... where is that list? Oh here it is ... Peggy has been a good girl so she gets something nice, Stacy has been pretty good but she is now engaged so doesn't that mean that she doesn't get a gift for herself but instead she and Kaj get a combined gift ... like maybe a fruitcake? And then there is Eric and Jenn ... When he was growing up Eric typically deserved a lump of coal but we always got him something nice instead ... he and Brian always hated the clothes and loved the toys ... He has been pretty good this year - and Jenn has too ... so maybe we can get two fruitcakes for the price of one! We already purchased and mailed Brian and Nicky's gifts - they were also on the pretty good side of the list - so I know where to buy the fruitcakes.
I know what you are all thinking - Mikee is a fruitcake!
After they all read this post I suspect a lot of coal will be headed for my stocking.
In the olden days a lump of coal was considered a bad thing - worth very little in the grand scheme of things. But today a lump of coal is worth a lot. I know this because the US Government is planning to prevent you from burning it for heat or electricity and then plans to tax you in many ways for the privilege of keeping it safe. Go ahead - send me the coal - I plan on selling it to the Chinese - they know what to do with it!
I know what you are all thinking - Mikee is a fruitcake!
After they all read this post I suspect a lot of coal will be headed for my stocking.
In the olden days a lump of coal was considered a bad thing - worth very little in the grand scheme of things. But today a lump of coal is worth a lot. I know this because the US Government is planning to prevent you from burning it for heat or electricity and then plans to tax you in many ways for the privilege of keeping it safe. Go ahead - send me the coal - I plan on selling it to the Chinese - they know what to do with it!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Mikee's Maineiac Gumbo - 2009 - Topsham, Maine
Wasn't that picture in my last post special? Beautiful sunny day on the new fallen snow - what a wonderful thing! If you liked that picture I'm sure you will like todays picture:
Another 4-6 inches of lovely snow in December - now what can be better than that?
Since today was such a nice wintry day I figured it was time for another batch of Mikee's Maineiac Gumbo. So after cleaning off the driveway of all the nice new snow - I whipped up some roux, added some veggies, shrimp, and sausage, and cooked the mixture for an hour or so. Peggy cooked up some rice and a few biscuits to go with it while I stirred the pot and poured the wine - what a wonderful way to watch the sun go down on a wintry maine day - gumbo and cabernet! Yum-yum.
I bet you are wondering what could be better than that! How about receiving a letter from the IRS saying that their records indicate that you forgot to address the sale of some stock in 2008 on last year's tax return. Upon my further review - they were right - and I needed to submit an amended tax return to both the feds and the state. The good news - the stocks lost money and I got to claim additional capital losses leading to more money due to me from both the feds and the state.
Good food - good wine - and paying less in taxes - life is pretty good here in Maine - Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!
Another 4-6 inches of lovely snow in December - now what can be better than that?
Since today was such a nice wintry day I figured it was time for another batch of Mikee's Maineiac Gumbo. So after cleaning off the driveway of all the nice new snow - I whipped up some roux, added some veggies, shrimp, and sausage, and cooked the mixture for an hour or so. Peggy cooked up some rice and a few biscuits to go with it while I stirred the pot and poured the wine - what a wonderful way to watch the sun go down on a wintry maine day - gumbo and cabernet! Yum-yum.
I bet you are wondering what could be better than that! How about receiving a letter from the IRS saying that their records indicate that you forgot to address the sale of some stock in 2008 on last year's tax return. Upon my further review - they were right - and I needed to submit an amended tax return to both the feds and the state. The good news - the stocks lost money and I got to claim additional capital losses leading to more money due to me from both the feds and the state.
Good food - good wine - and paying less in taxes - life is pretty good here in Maine - Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
First Snow - Topsham, Maine
So this morning I got to crank-up the ol snowblower and clean off the driveway - it's always nice when it starts on the first pull. Then I got to grab the snow shovel and clean off the back deck and walkways. That part wasn't so nice as I don't start and run as well as the snowblower.
Now that those chores are over it's time to kick back and watch a little NFL ... whadaya mean no? Oh yeah I forgot - Eric is bringing their car over this afternoon for some diagnosis and repair work to clear a "Check Engine" light. Why is it that cars always need attention after it turns cold and wet? I'm sure I don't know but that always seems to come with the first snow too!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Ready For The Snow - Topsham, Maine
It is December in Maine afterall and we all want to get some snow for Christmas. So it's OK to be "ready for snow." A few days ago we finished the winterizing chores and got the motorhome put in its storage spot. I finished the final yard raking and cleanup today and got the Chevelle put in storage ... so bring it on - we're ready!! It can now snow a few inches in the next few weeks - be pretty for Christmas - and then go away. It's really OK - I'll allow it.
But then it must go away!!! That's the tough part. If most of the past few thousand years holds true - the snow we get in Maine in December will still be on the ground in March, packed into an ice sheet with the snows of January and February on top. But I can still have hope can't I?
So now it's time to move on to getting the Christmas decorations up, getting the Christmas shopping done, and enjoying the Christmas season. Yup - I intend to enjoy the season. I refuse to get stressed out by all the media holiday hype. All the hype is happening and I can't stop it - but I can refuse to let it destroy what should be a fun season.
So bring it all on - I'm ready.
But then the snow can melt.
But then it must go away!!! That's the tough part. If most of the past few thousand years holds true - the snow we get in Maine in December will still be on the ground in March, packed into an ice sheet with the snows of January and February on top. But I can still have hope can't I?
So now it's time to move on to getting the Christmas decorations up, getting the Christmas shopping done, and enjoying the Christmas season. Yup - I intend to enjoy the season. I refuse to get stressed out by all the media holiday hype. All the hype is happening and I can't stop it - but I can refuse to let it destroy what should be a fun season.
So bring it all on - I'm ready.
But then the snow can melt.
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