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COLD, windy day and I had absolutely no desire to venture outdoors. Last night, I neglected to take down the yard sale sign.  This morning, I’m drinking coffee, watching Meet the Press, trying to keep warm when I see a stranger walking through my semi-private, extremely cluttered,  patio (outside my door). I grabbed my coat and went out to greet the lady (a lady with several “freebie” items). “No, she didn’t buy anything.” I quickly took down the sign but her husband (putting air in motorhome tires) came over to browse but said “nothing I need.”  Strangely, my valuable “doorbell” failed to alert me to their presence–or I was preoccupied with Meet the Press (not expecting yard sale customers). As I type this (10:00), I’m chilled from head to toe!! Seriously, I’m going back to bed.

Maybe a yard sale invites “Lookie Lou’s”  (bane) who will return (in the middle of the night) to steal…. Here at Rainbow’s End RV Park, several trailers have been stolen. Recently, I ordered a “boot”  for my cargo trailer. (Yes, one stolen trailer was a “cargo” trailer.) 

I’m still cold!!

I’m wearing flannel pajamas, a warm robe, and fuzzy warm slippers!! I’ve prepared two-teabags-strong ginger tea; I’m eating comfort-food grilled cheese sandwich and corn chips. Not a good day thus far!! ~~ I don’t “do”  cold; I admire my friends and family who live in really cold weather states.

to my credit today!! I did absolutely nothing. ~~ Mid-afternoon, on TV, I watched the movie The Phantom of the Opera and loved the beautiful sets, costumes and music.

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A meaningful-to-me program–on NBC Dateline –titled “No Way Out.” It was about the recent fires, and mud slides, in Montecito, California. On the Memorial Day weekend, 1977, I was married in the beautiful gardens of Westmont College campus. My husband, and I, had limited acquaintance with the very charming community. “Limited…” but I have fond memories and was glued to the TV program.

“Severe weather overnight” according to TV meteorologist. Yes, it kept me awake!! It’s 7:50 AM as I type this and I’m seeing lightning and hearing thunder. Looking out my windows, I see the wet street but can’t tell if it is raining. With my trailer home under the roof, I no longer “hear” rain. Under these conditions, probably few–if any–yard sale customers today.

Until yesterday, the “greenhouse” was near the fire-barrel in my “back yard.”

Surprise: A pleasant customer couple arrived just as I updated this message (9:00 AM). Their very first experience visiting yard sales. They were delighted with my selection–and spent $41.00.

Weird experience right now; strange, eerie silence!! No rain, no thunder, no traffic on the street, nobody walking their dogs, no cars at the Clubhouse (across the street). Seriously: A strange, eerie silence.

I’m as restless as a caged tiger; I want to be outdoors!! However, it is just “too cold” for this old lady. “Yes” there are indoor projects but I’d rather be working on outdoor things.

“Sports” on some channels I usually watch, or program absolutely not-to-my-liking, so I did some “channel surfing”  (unusual [for me] activity) and discovered the “Discovery” channel. Specifically, I found Mike Rowe and his “Dirty Jobs”  program. That’s entertaining!!  🙂  🙂  ~~ Observation: Mike has “cleaned up his act” now that his program “Somebody’s Gotta Do It” is broadcast on Christian television. IMHO: Mike’s having lots of fun preparing the programs!!

To paraphrase an old saying: The sunshine is a couple of days late and I’m a (yard sale) dollar (or more) short. (“Day late and dollar short.” )

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“Don’t put the jacket away yet” according to Houston TV meteorologist. Furthermore, during the weather report, we were informed “Another ‘front’ next Saturday.”

Sunshine–but COLD and windy.

Exactly six months ago, the Escapees CARE Center served a meal “unfit for human consumption.”  Without exception, residents complained about the meal. Two days later, I passed a clipboard for signatures of dissatisfied residents. On Monday, October 16th, the Facility Director instructed me to look for some other place to live. My nightmare experience of October, November and December is documented on the website Escapees don’t CARE Center.

…or where the seed sprouted.

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Another advertised in the newspaper yard sale. Gloomy day so far (9:25) but $45.00 collected for garden items. ~~ The Sunflower is in my front yard but I haven’t had time to nurture the plants growing on this property. Too busy trying to “get organized” and prepare for yard sale. ~~ We’re anticipating rain, thunder, lightening, hail and threat of tornadoes. ~~ See earlier blog message(s) with the same title.

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Update 9:35 AM: Just published this moments ago. Then went out to greet another visitor. It has begun a light mist rain.

Off-and-on rain with occasional “hint” of sunshine. There has been a steady parade of visitors. A few purchases but mostly just sit in lawn chairs–under the carport–and enjoy a meaningful conversation.

Today, I’m scheduled to prepare taxes for a neighbor/friend. Having just experienced two BAD days with TurboTax on-line, I drove into Livingston, to Walmart, to purchase TurboTax software to install in my computer. To my amazement (but I should not have been surprised), no TT software. They seem to have narrowed their market to “prepare on-line” on their website. Frankly, I am skeptical about using TT for the neighbor/friend. I purchased H&R Block software package ($24.97). ~~ Question: Is this another example of “big business” getting our personal information, becoming the giant in the industry, raising prices, reduced quality and service?? (Facebook is in the news.) I didn’t mention in the earlier blog messages but TurboTax “expert” assistance was an additional $79.99. We have a problem with their product but are forced to pay $80.00 to talk to a “professional” person!! No thanks!! Intuit/TurboTax has lost this customer.

The H&R Block software was easy to use and I give it high praise!! There wasn’t the slightest hint of a problem and my neighbor/friend’s filing was quickly reported as “accepted” by IRS.

If I had more computer skills, I’d put myself in the picture.  ~~

“Hello Peyton.”

IMHO, too much time spent working on my Income Taxes with Turbo Tax. I was (am) so frustrated, I posted a complaint with Consumer Affairs. Here is a link to my message. After all the frustration compiling the tax information, the IRS rejected my e-file. So I had to “dig” for more information and, subsequently, the e-file was accepted.

P.S. This link to a question I asked of Turbo Tax. I’m eager to hear what they say.

P.S./P.S. Thursday, April 12, 7:00 AM: I’ve been reading reviews, and complaints, on the Internet. Here is a link to a very positive review of TurboTax.

Oh happy day!! Sunshine!!  🙂  🙂  “Sunshine”–and Lasko space heater–make me happy!!

Sorry, the sunshine isn’t obvious in the pictures but it looks beautiful to me. It’s official:  Al Roker, NBC Today show, 8:30 AM, said “sunshine in Texas.”