Here’s an eye-opener video about fire safety. I’m the maintenance person in this household. I’m delighted that someone cared enough about me to share the video. I care about my readers and want you (them) to read, and heed!!
Preparing my 2013 Income Taxes is a priority. I’m treating it like a full-time job!! I’m delighted to report, I won’t have to pay North Carolina taxes, and I’ll get a Federal return. Why am I telling you this? When my savings were completely drained (a few weeks ago), I actually became physically sick. Seeing a small measure of money returning to my account has lifted my spirits and given new energy. Praise the Lord!!
…but O, so cold!! Twenty-nine degrees as I write this at 8:30. Snow remains on top of unheated vehicles and buildings.Indulge me, please: Sometimes a picture just begs to be captured (IMHO). After snapping the outdoor picture (through the window) I was fascinated by the ray of sunshine striking my little Sony DVD player (well-used the last few days). The CARE Center has a large library of DVDs and VHS tapes (and books, of course). I’ll watch some old VHS after my player arrives from North Carolina. Meanwhile, I’m happy with the “tiny Teardrop-trailer-size” Sony. Look how I improvised a tabletop by putting a board on top of the open drawer?! Prior to my makeshift tabletop, I watched Lonesome Dove with the Sony on my lap. ~~ I can’t get “through the air” television reception and can’t afford satellite. I’m told, cable has not extended this far out of Livingston (six miles). ~~ I’ve “tinkered” with the television–hoping to get one or two stations–but can’t make much progress with my amusing jumbo-size Christmas “gag gift” remote. (The specific unique-features Samsung remote did not accompany the Carriage and impossible to program the TV without it. Maybe I’ll swap this TV with my old TV when things arrive from North Carolina?!) Why is my life so complicated?? ~~ Hear ye, hear ye!! I’m not complaining!! It’s a beautiful morning; I’m warm and cozy; I have the luxury of the Verizon “Hot spot” (so I can access the Internet from my trailer); and (PTL) I’m going to get a refund from my Federal Income Taxes and won’t have to pay North Carolina Income Taxes.
Good afternoon good news: I searched the Internet and found (and ordered) the Samsung remote I need.
Postscript, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014: Received remote. Eventually, I may subscribe to Dish network for satellite TV. Eventually….
Sorry!! I’ve searched the Internet and cannot find a story regarding the snowfall. Here are some weather reports.
(I’m toasty-warm!! Thanks for your concern.)
(Below) Posted 3 hours, 49 minutes ago – National Weather Service ** (posted approximately 5:00 AM per Lorraine’s calculation)
A cold air mass coupled with a weak upper level disturbance has produced periods of snow north of a Brenham to Livingston line. South of this line periods of rain, Freezing rain and sleet were the dominant precipitation type. The disturbance will exit the region this morning and precipitation will come to an end between 7 am and 10 am. The Winter Storm Warning could be replaced with a Winter Weather Advisory later this morning.
Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until noon CST today.
A perfect day to cook a large kettle of vegetarian beans. That kettle is part of a set of Magma cookware purchased for $5. at October CARE garage sale.
On Jan. 23-24, 2014, Winter Storm Kronos brought snow, sleet and freezing rain into parts of central and east Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. We have the storm reports, photos and video from this storm.
Snow Reports
Peak snowfall totals: 4″ in Onalaska, Texas; 3″ in Alexandria, La.; 1.5″ in Natchez, Miss. At least some snow flurries were reported as far south as Harlingen and Port Isabel, Texas.
FYI (Lorraine here): Onalaska, Texas, is only twenty-one miles from my address in Livingston.
To view the map, click on the link or copy and paste it to your browser: http://mapq.st/1mSXnLQ
Furthermore: Alexandria, Louisiana, is approximately 170 miles.
To view the map, click on the link or copy and paste it to your browser: http://mapq.st/1hTUuHt
MapQuest – Helping People Find Places: http://www.mapquest.com
January 24, 2014; 6:04 PM
A big change is underway in parts of the South as much colder air and a winter storm settle in to close out the week.
A mix of snow, rain and ice will accompany the major temperature swing, bringing the risk of dangerous travel to millions in parts of the South.
During Friday, the storm continued to push eastward along the Gulf coast, reaching the southern portions of Louisiana and Mississippi. Some snow, sleet and freezing rain even reached part of the Florida Panhandle. During the midday hours Friday, temperatures hovered near 26 degrees at Lake Charles, La., with light snow.
Although precipitation from the storm mainly started off as rain Thursday afternoon, this quickly changed over to snow, sleet and freezing rain by nightfall, mainly north of I-10 between Houston and San Antonio.
Precipitation ended for much of Texas by Friday morning, but conditions remain slippery in many areas.
Through Friday night, a bit of sleet and snow will fall along the Gulf coast of Louisiana and the panhandle of Florida. This sleet could create more slippery roads and dangerous travel from Port Arthur, Texas, through New Orleans and into Panama City, Fla.
According to Texas Weather Expert Dan Kottlowski, “Some untreated bridges and overpasses will remain icy through Friday night, since temperatures will hover close to or below the freezing mark.”
I’m always looking for a catchy title for a blog. There really isn’t any conclusive evidence that I’m suffering from “the domino effect” but an interesting conjecture.
This morning, I was an icicle!! Inside my trailer, 43 degrees when I got up!! My tiny electric heater kept the tiny trailer very warm. My tiny electric heater is ineffective in my large trailer!! I’m anxious for Spring (like half the population of the United States suffering an extremely harsh Winter). I haven’t mastered the “P’s & Q’s” of the furnace in the “big” trailer. (Sometimes it won’t run at all, sometimes it won’t stop running!!) Truthfully, I’ve turned the heater off (at night) rather than struggle with its unpredictability. Frankly, I didn’t want to crawl out of bed—out of my sleeping bag inside a sleeping bag!! I quickly dressed and headed for the comfortably warm CARE Center. Yes, I’ve checked the instruction manuals… but can’t find an answer.
Recently, I’ve been emotionally and physically sick!! Too many shocks to my system?? (Too many dominoes toppling over?!) My life has been a roller coaster for over six months: Moth ball poisoning (oh so sick), nasty bump on the head requiring four stitches, “downsizing,” packing, moving, new job, unauthorized charge on credit card, battle with TracFone, etc., etc. (it’s all documented on this blog). A few weeks ago, I found a wonderful Christian radio station (from Houston) but the signal is gone and I’m bereft by the loss.
Hey, I know Spring is just around the corner. We won’t need our heaters!! ~~ All the major expenses will be a distant memory. ~~ Energy and enthusiasm will replace fatigue and depression. Life will be “a bowl of cherries” (home-grown tomatoes).
Thursday, January 23rd, 2014, 3:00 PM: FYI, I finally have the furnace responding the way I want it to. I don’t know “how” or “why” but I’m extremely grateful for uniform heat!! It is a very cold, rainy day and I have not (and will not) venture outside. I watched a video from the comfort of the large La Z-Boy recliner. Now I’ll resume work on my Income Taxes.
As if I haven’t had enough concerns the last few months, last night I learned that someone very dear to me is suicidal. Sadly, time and distance prevent me from reaching out to provide comfort and assistance.
Ibid, 5:40 PM: Almost all the data has been entered into Turbo Tax. I’ll have to wait for statements from Los Angeles County (retirement), banks, etc., before I actually e-file. Thankfully, the Federal refund will put some money back into recently totally depleted savings.
Jinxed?? Remember I mentioned starting my Income Taxes (in the previous blog)?? I bought Turbo Tax, and downloaded it, only to discover that it can’t find my 2012 data on this computer. “Poof” it has disappeared!! And I didn’t print a paper copy last year because I’m backing everything up to Carbonite. ~~ I’m experiencing more problems than my tired, old body can handle!!
Remember the earlier blog with a picture of “twiddling (my) thumbs”?? That didn’t last very long!! I need another pair of hands so I can accomplish all that needs to be done!! Oh well, one day at a time!!
As I moved things out of the T@B trailer, I discovered a massive amount of mold on the inside back wall. That needs attention!! The T@B looks like a tornado hit it–things are in disarray. ~~ Much to be done in the new (used) Carriage. However, first, I spread out the collection of statements, etc., (on the floor) and organized. Some… were discarded, others filed in a new appropriate location. I’ll start my Income Tax preparation soon (because I need the refund).
Yesterday (Friday), after weeks of frustration, I finally managed to get to the on-line banking for my reasonably new local bank. I’ve told numerous people “Texas has not been hospitable to this old lady.” First, the struggle to get the T@B and KIA registered and licensed. Simultaneous, Amica was not willing to insure the T@B (in Texas) if I was “living” in it (nor would they insure the Carriage “if I was living in it”). So I had to start with new insurance companies (at a substantial increase of fee). Remember my battle with TracFone to get cell phone service?
Money, money, money!! This move to Texas has been more expensive than I ever (in my wildest dreams) imagined!! Vehicle registration(s) and license(s) exceeded $1300. ($965.50 for the Carriage left me physically sick!!)
I don’t want to burden you with my “tale of woe”; I just want to explain why a week has passed without a new blog message. I know that expenses will stabilize and (hopefully) I’ll have money for planter soil. My things, from North Carolina, will arrive in a few weeks and I’ll be able to start my container gardens. I already have birds–and squirrels–at the feeders purchased since I arrived.
Greetings–at 7:45 PM–from my new home. I’ve uploaded pictures from the camera to Picasa; copied from Picasa to this blog message. Time consuming–but I am anxious for everyone to see my new home. We’ve had bad weather all week but prayed for one hour–between rain showers–to get the Carriage Cameo 5th-wheel “set up” on my site. ~~ Right now, I am bubbling with “an attitude of gratitude”!!! ~~ Sincere THANKS to my CARE family for making dreams come true.
…come again another day!! I was awake most of the night, listening to rain tapping against the trailer. It’s 9 o’clock; I haven’t been outdoors. The thermometer says 57 degrees so “cold” isn’t our problem. Frankly, I don’t want to be out in the rain and I don’t expect three men to work in the rain!! So the move “in” of the new trailer is on “hold.”
Nine-twenty-five: A ray of sunshine just cast its glow, through the window, across my computer. Sure is nice to be able to work on my laptop computer–in my pajamas–in my trailer. Otherwise, I’d be dressed, combed, brushed… and down the driveway to the CARE Center dining room.
Ten-forty-five: No sunshine; occasional rain. (Still in my pajamas!)
Three Quarters & Counting 