…and frost everywhere!! My Begonia and Petunia were protected inside….

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After Santa, we went back into the dining room for more food. I’m sick; I ate too much!!

Hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving with family and friends!!

8:30 PM; long day; heading for bed.

Give Thanks

Not an original message. Duplicated here because (IMHO) well worth sharing.

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Dear Follower of my blog,

Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 106:1

After George Washington authorized the first Thanksgiving Day in 1789, 74 years passed without another such day of thanks. Then, Abraham Lincoln established the holiday as an annual event in America. His Thanksgiving Proclamation is worth reading again today:

It is the duty of nations as well as of men to owe their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scripture and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord.

We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.

President Lincoln authorized our annual Thanksgiving Day in 1863 – in the midst of the Civil War.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

May we all remember during this season of Thanksgiving to express gratitude for all of His many blessings.

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

Yesterday I bought three new bird feeders at Tractor Supply Company. I have numerous bird feeders, bird houses, planters, etc., etc., in North Carolina (storage). Two of the new feeders are designs I have never seen–and fell in love with. One is a white church, one is a red barn.  I also purchased a suet feeder, and suet.

We have bright sunshine this morning–after days of rain, wind, and miserably cold weather. It is still cold but everyone is thankful for sunshine. Even the birds?? I hope they find the feeders soon so they have “a Thanksgiving feast.”

I seldom leave the CARE Center but braved the raw elements (yesterday) to shop for veggies for a veggie tray as my contribution to Thanksgiving dinner potluck.

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Postscript, Friday, Nov. 29, 2013, 11:00 AM: It took several days but the birds finally discovered the feeders. Oh, happy day!!

Check those temperatures!! I don’t think we’ll get out of the 40’s today. ~~ Burr!! ~~ I had just pulled one end of the garden hose into the trailer and filled the five gallon water tank.

I almost took a picture, last night, of two planters sitting just inside the door of my trailer. I have so little space… and the limited area was full with two planters. I didn’t want them to freeze!!

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Postscript, Tues., Nov. 26: Look at the temperatures: 39 degrees outside, 56 degrees inside.  I had just returned from shopping in Livingston.  I went out in extremely miserable weather to buy veggies for a tray for Thanksgiving dinner potluck.

I’m told there was snow in some areas not too far from where I’m living. 

The four candles.

Another….

Postscript on my earlier Reflections blog:

Friday, Nov. 22, 2013, 7:00 PM: Please forgive me?! There just aren’t enough hours in the day for volunteering and preparing my blog messages. Furthermore, I have had problems with my laptop computer. I’ve worked for hours (for days) trying to resolve the situation. Finally, earlier this evening I removed the “cache” and “cookies” and am able to download pictures again, and insert clip art.

I’ve had (IMHO) too many problems lately. 1) I’ve had an ongoing battle with the credit card for T.J.Maxx/Marshalls/Home Goods. I disputed the charge in July and was assured they would work on the dispute. Since arriving in Texas, I received a statement with the charge, late fee, and interest (now exceeding $300.). I used the pay phone in the Escapee RV Park (a tiny closet that was hot as a sauna), fed quarters into the phone as I was cut off during multiple transfers. Bottom line: A letter today confirms what I was told on the phone “Contact the retailer for a refund.”  NOT  MY  CHARGE but I’m forced to contact the retailer for a refund. 2) My MasterCard was canceled (in October) because (according to my bank) it had been “compromised.” Still no new credit card although their correspondence said a new card would arrive “the first week of November.”  Furthermore, my bank (5th/3rd) was supposed to transfer the money in my Broker Account to my Savings Account three months ago –and still not done!! 3) Amica Insurance approaches things different in Texas (from North Carolina) and I still have not met all their requirements. 4) The TracFone Nightmare described in another blog message. (I do not have phone service where I live and where I work!!)

On the positive side: I put a deposit on an old trailer that may eventually be my “until I die” home. ~~ I’m getting excited (again) about gardening. Now I’m researching Garden Towers that produce a lot of organic veggies in a small amount of space. ~~ Today I received confirmation that my application for CARE residency was approved. Hallelujah!!

I have not used my T.J. Maxx / Marshalls / Home Goods credit card for years!! I did not want it in the first place!! A cashier virtually forced me to sign up so I could get an additional discount (and she could get a commission for signing a new credit card customer??). In July I received a statement with a large charge. I phoned to dispute the charge and was told they would investigate. Since arriving in Texas, I received a forwarded letter with a statement indicating I owe over $300. with original charge, late fees, and interest. I used the pay phone in the Escapee RV Park (a tiny closet that was hot as a sauna), fed quarters into the phone as I was cut off during multiple transfers. Bottom line: A letter today confirms what I was told on the phone “Contact the retailer for a refund.”  NOT  MY  CHARGE but I’m forced to contact the retailer for a refund (and, of course, pay TJ Maxx). I’m convinced “customer service” has gone the route of the dinosaur.

Why do I air these complaints for the world to see?? Because I am volunteering at a location with seniors, and physically and mentally challenged men and women. I’m sympathetic / empathetic regarding hurdles in their life. I consider myself an able-bodied reasonably intelligent woman. BUT, in big business, “we” have little–or no–value!! Consider the millions(??) of folks without an advocate.

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Another recent example of questionable customer service: My MasterCard was canceled (in October) because (according to my bank) it had been “compromised” (not my doing). Still no new credit card although their correspondence said I should receive “the first week of November.” Furthermore, my bank (5th/3rd) was supposed to transfer the money in my Broker Account to my Savings Account three months ago–and still not done!!

Consider this a scathing criticism of TracFone. Total lack of consideration for a customer of over-nine-years!!

I had very limited coverage while I lived at JAARS near Waxhaw, North Carolina. I was forced to pay over $50. per month for a “land line.”  ~~  After arriving at CARE  in Livingston, Texas, my TracFone would not hold a charge more than one day. Honestly, it did not occur to me that the phone wasn’t holding “a charge” because it was constantly searching for a signal. So-o-o-o, staff (at CARE) could not contact me!!

Rather than buy a new battery, I went to the TracFone web site and ordered a new phone for $20. (The last time I replaced the battery on my TracFone, it cost almost $40.)  I only wanted a simple phone to replace my long-time “simple” phone. I chose a reconditioned LG with more “bells and whistles” than I wanted.

The phone arrived via FedEx on Saturday morning, Nov. 9th.  I had time to go to the TracFone web site and initiate transfer of the phone number and minutes from old phone to new phone. After about a dozen steps, and details were completed, the web site asked if 1200 minutes and service until May 30,2015 was OK.  I clicked on “no” because I was transferring 1889 minutes. A message said “call customer service.”

That afternoon I spent over one-and-one-half hours with a customer service individual (in India??) and he finally indicated my minutes and service had been transferred and my new phone was activated.  BUT  I could not make a call nor receive a call!!

Sunday did not produce service!!  I kept checking!! That evening, I spent over two hours on the phone with a customer service individual (in India??). I was calling from a “land line” at the CARE Center. He insisted that I needed a new phone number because my area code (704) did not correspond with my zip code (77351). He insisted I couldn’t get service!! I argued that I had traveled all over the U.S. using an old TracFone with the 704 area code. “Why can’t I maintain my old phone number?”

Wednesday was my day off so I headed for Radio Shack in Livingston, Texas. A sales person spent two hours (no exaggeration) on the phone with TracFone customer service. First: Customer service was saying I had no minutes nor service to transfer!!! Second: After about one hour customer service was “donating” service until May 30, 2015 but only “donating” 700 minutes. I said that was absolutely not acceptable!! After two hours I surmise TracFone grudgingly provided 1800 minutes. The Radio Shack salesman was able to phone me; I was able to phone him; I had service.

Bottom line: I still do not have a phone I can rely on. Apparently there is very limited service for TracFone in this area of Texas. There is a Verizon tower not far from our location and everyone with Verizon service is very happy. Reportedly the LG phone I purchased supports Verizon service but I cannot make nor receive phone calls.

TracFone nightmare!!

TracFone nightmare!!

TracFone nightmare!!

TracFone nightmare!!

TracFone nightmare!!

Postscript: I’ve tried to find a way to send an e-mail message to TracFone. I’ve joined the forum but am restricted from sending a message requesting information. Is this any way to do business??

To answer your question “Why do you have so many minutes?”  Because (for the most part) the minutes don’t expire.  Most of the minutes date back to 2010-2011 (before I moved to North Carolina [JAARS] and had limited cell phone service).

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Postscript, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013, 4:40 PM: My complaint on the Internet and FaceBook seems to have encouraged a response from TracFone.  I’ve received three messages this afternoon–after another complaint on FB.

Read my blog Trac Fone Nightmare — Part Two .

Check this blog for information about the CARE Center.

I have shared my enthusiasm for the CARE Center, and my experience as a volunteer. Read what a visitor has to say. Furthermore, read her older and newer blogs for information about Livingston and surrounding areas. Eventually, I hope to follow her path and see some of the sites they have enjoyed. (Thanks, Ginny, for the positive review!!)

Imagine my delight when I checked the Walkabout With Wheels site and saw my T@B at the top of the page.

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Below is a paragraph copied from an article in US News & World Report (Retirement):

RV lifestyle. The nonprofit Escapees CARE in Livingston, Texas, allows its 50 to 70 residents to live in their own RVs while receiving significant adult day care services. For $850 per month for a single resident or $1,275 monthly for a couple, residents receive three meals per day, transportation to medical appointments and help with bathing, cleaning and laundry. “We are a very cost-effective solution to aging baby boomers that wish to live independently as long as they can,” says Russ Johnson, the facility director for Escapees CARE. “Living in their RV on our campus keeps the costs low and they don’t have to give up treasured possessions to fit in a tiny room in a facility, plus they have their own patio to invite friends over for a cookout.”