Thursday Happenings.

Was up at the usual 04:30AM and had my coffee with the most beautiful and loving bride a man could wish for. Not only that she’s smart too.

Didn’t sleep hardly at all last night, when I think of some of the things I did and the experiences I had in my life, I never thought of myself as a stress candidate, Very few bad dreams of my life. But the demons were alive and well last night. I hoped for a nap with Rigg’s when Donna left. I laid there and then went back to kitchen. Rigg’s the big lop slept till about 07:30AM. What a lucky dog.

I truly want to thank all our blogger friends for their sincere comments and prayers for Donna with her upcoming heart procedure.

I guess it should be easy for me to say , “hey they do a ton of these procedures everyday and there’s little to worry about.”. Maybe that is true I don’t have any statistic’s. But the nightmares and feeling s of dread aren’t giving up easy.

But Thanks again for thinking of us,

I am in a real mind block today, sorry, I keep thinking that maybe I should have insisted Donna retire earlier, and taken a really nice vacation this winter instead of later. At the time waiting for my birthday and getting on Medicare seemed like a good idea and would help a little financially.

Oh well hopefully this week will go by as fast like the last and we will be over the top.

I know Adam is coming for the weekend and I hope Nicky also. Donna will be in the Hospital on Friday of next week, So the kid’s won’t be able to spend that weekend. Donna took a leave last night from the restaurant so she will be home all weekend and every night next week, I think she said she is working Mon-Wed. at the truck company.

Sorry if the blog seems kinda fragmented the is how my brain has been the last couple of days. I hope everyone is having a great week and is warm. Thank you again for being  the terrific and caring people you are. And please be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Wednesday Musings.

Was up at 04:30AM and Had coffee with my pretty bride. Then she was off to the truck company. Then to the Restaurant.. I am just sitting here trying to put my thoughts together. Maybe even try to keep from crying.

The news from Donna’s appointment yesterday at the Cardiologist was not good. She will be going into the hospital next week to have another heart procedure, It seems she had another blocked artery, maybe 100%. A couple years ago she had 5 stents put in and I was sent to a waiting room for a 2 hour procedure that ended up taking 6 hours and I was left alone with no updates or anything until the surgeon asked where I was and a nurse remembered. Was I angry and scared, bet your life, I remember too Donna’s Mom sitting on the edge of her hospital bed saying see you in a couple hours Sam. She bled to death on the operating table. This on a supposed procedure her surgeon said was a cake walk compared to the last one she had. Am I scared now, bet your life. I know I sound selfish but Donna has worked hard all her life and been a great partner, so why is it when you think things are going to finally go your way. Something happens and you get slammed in the face with a 2x4. I am thinking about her retirement plans, and our traveling plans, and now all that is on hold and minimal to getting her back in shape again.Yes I am selfish, my worst fear since the last heart episode was that I would lose my pretty bride, Now its like an every night nightmare. Sorry for the rant. just had to get this off my chest.

I know the bloggers that have met Donna know what I mean and she does spoil me, please keep her in your thoughts while we work our way through this development.

That’s about it for today. Please be safe out there.. Sam & Donna……..

Tuesday Thoughts.

Was up at 04:30AM and had coffee with my pretty bride, then she was off to the truck company, Rigg’s was already in bed for his nap. What a lop.

I had my every three month doctors appointment at  09:00AM and he is tickled with my numbers and says I am doing fine. I told him about the trouble I have been having with diarrhea for the last year, So he surprised me and said to stop taking the metformin for a week and see if that helps,  I am pretty sure it will, as he says that is a side effect from that drug. I don’t know what he will do if there is a substitute if that is the case. After that I headed to the Social Security office.

One of Donna’s friends told her that I would probably be given an appointment date to come back since they are always backlogged. Surprise, surprise I walked in they gave me a number, #26 , I looked at the board and 24 was being served, 15 minutes later my number was called, and after another 15 minutes I was signed up for Medicare and ready to leave.Anything else I need can be done online, once I get my Medicare card. So I am officially old guy now. I have a year to decide what if any supplement package I might need without an increase in fees. They also gave me a handbook on Medicare, so Donna and I can study it here at home.Donna is the brains of those kinds of things.

Speaking of my bride, she got a call from her Cardiologist that the appointment she had for next week had to be cancelled and could she come in this afternoon, At first I was worried something was wrong, and I hadn’t been told. But she said no, she is fine and that maybe the Doctor decided he needed next week off for something.

Thinking about future stops, I sure like the sounds of Canada in the summer months for a couple weeks. My passport is in the truck and I will nonstop bug Donna until she gets her passport. EH.

Florida and Gulfport  Ms. in April don’t sound so shabby either, Like Rigg’s would say Oh Boy, Oh Boy, I can’t wait.

That’s about it for today, it is cloudy and in the 70’s here in Dardenne Prairie they say to expect some rain later, then the temps will start down.

Hope all is well with all our friends out there. Be safe. Sam & Donna…

Monday Meanderings.

Was up at 04:30AM with my pretty bride for coffee, then she was off to truck company.Rigg’s and I enjoyed our morning nap, he is so spoiled.
Today is just a great day sunny no wind it is supposed to get up to 70 degrees.suppose to be warm tomorrow but thunderstorms are predicted, then the bottom will fall out again and the highs for Thur & Fri are supposed to be 28 and in the teens again at night. Oh well enjoy it while you can. Tomorrow I have my every three month Doctors appointment, Then I will go by the Social Security Office which is only a couple blocks away and try to sign up for Medicare. I don’t know how the rest of you were, but I am a bit overwhelmed with all the mail I have been getting to sell me supplemental plans, that I don’t know if I will need or not.I hope they have a simple list of what your benefits are under the basic plan and then I could go from there.I will most likely need some form of prescription help. so that is what I need to find out.
Decided even though it was a great day outside, to just stay around the house, and have not taken the truck out for another day.
I like to just daydream about places we would like to visit after Donna is retired, would like to start out in one months increments and see how that works from there. Hopefully Mexico next winter. We plan on our first trip to be to our friends in Florida and then on the way back stop at Pensacola for a couple nights, So Sam can get his Naval Aviation fix, and then go to my Niece Tammy’s in Ms. for a couple of weeks. except for Pensacola, it will be just about be all driveway camping so the expenses will be cut.
This summer I would like to head out east for a week in Scranton, I can driveway camp Cousin Sam’s which used to be my Grandmother and Grandfathers house, Then I would like to head north into Canada and visit a couple bloggers up there. That should do it until the winter trip then.
It is so nice to be able just to think about places you want to go and people you want to meet.
Well that’s about it for today. Hope everyone is having a great day. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…….

Saturday Mumblings.

Was up at 06:00AM, which for Donna and I is sleeping in, had coffee with my pretty bride. No kid’s this weekend, Grandkid’s that is, so the house is pretty quiet It has turned into a nice sunny day after a cloudy start. Right now it is 38 degrees. Tomorrow they say in the 50’s and then Mon & Tuesday the upper 60’s. So maybe we can look forward to a couple of mild days. Only supposed to be a low of 35 tonight and a little warmer then the next two nights.That will be a welcome change from letting Rigg’s out in the morning when it is in the teens. With it being warmer he is out running the yard and enjoying some outside fun. Barking at the neighbor kid’s trying to get them to come and play with him.

I see a lot folks are at Quartzite for the RV Sales, I would like to try it one of these days, but so far Donna hasn’t shown much interest in boon docking, although we do have a generator so a couple nights would be okay if it weren’t blazing hot at night.I think she would probably be more comfortable in a Desert Sand Resort type place for the beginning of our travel days, Then maybe try a couple boon dock nights, Even when traveling, we generally find find a Passport America park or an Escapee’s Park even for one night and have always stayed away from Wal-Marts, don’t know why really, but in a pinch we might have to someday. Most of the time it’s about $15 with the discounts at one of those parks. Once Donna is retired we can stay a little longer and take advantage of weekly and monthly rates. who knows maybe work camp for a summer season somewhere.

Well another slow news day here in the Prairie, nothing shaking here at the ranch either. so we will say Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……

T.G.I.F.

Was up at 04:30AM and had coffee with my bride, then she was off to the truck company, Then the restaurant.

Rigg’s and I got our morning nap. then it was off to blog land.

For some reason plans never seem to be written in stone here. The kid’s won’t be over this weekend, they both had things to do with their parents.

But Donna will be home from the truck company,on Saturday so we will be together for a change.

It was 18 degrees this morning but it did get up to 42 this afternoon, I am so looking forward to the next couple months going by and April getting here so we can take a couple of weeks and head to Florida. Donna’s boss told her she could not have two weeks in a row,  and would not approve her vacation request. Stating she couldn’t be spared because nobody else can do her job. So I am hoping that this will just be the straw that breaks the camels back and she decides to set a retirement date. I was so mad I could spit, but I think now good things will come of this and we will still have our time together. If I was that manager I would be training somebody before April get here.I am about ready to declare it Miller time an hour early by executive order.

Monday I am going to the Social Security Office in St Peters MO. to apply for Medicare, that will get one more thing out of the way, I have to get Donna over to the post office to apply for her Passport. I have mine, but she has dallied, and I want here to have it in case we decide on a trip up north this summer. Plus we are going on a cruise in Jan 2014 with her Brother Pat and his wife. So she will need it for that too.

Not much else going on in Dardenne Prairie today, just a sunny cool day. The truck stayed in the garage again. I just don’t go anyplace unless we need something. Hey everyone be safe out there. Sam & Donna…...

Thursday Thoughts.

Up at 04:30AM and had coffee with my pretty bride. Then she was off to the truck company and then the restaurant..

Rigg’s and I then got our nap.

Boy the week just seems to be flying by, with the kid’s off Monday, they went home Monday night and tomorrow they should be back. Will have to figure some activity for them for Saturday. I like to have them do something other than video games and TV.

I have to get to the Social Security office and sign up for Medicare, they want it done before my April birthday.

Been getting bombarded by advertisements' for Medicare supplements, How do they know when you are approaching that age. Donna figured it out it will still be cheaper for me to stay on her Cobra for a year than buying a supplement policy now. Then then she goes to Medicare, we will have to shop for at least a prescription supplement for both of us.

Yesterday was so slow around here I couldn’t even think of a post so I took the day off. I did read everyone else's though.Some days are just like that, nothing happening, or writers block call it what you will. Today at the Ranch the kid’s went shopping and Samantha is making homemade Enchilada’s for supper. Boy we will eat good tonight.

Still cold weather here in Dardenne Prairie the high for today is only supposed to be 25 degrees, it was 16 at 04:30AM this morning.

That’s about it for today, Hope all is well with everyone, Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…….

Tuesday Thoughts.

Up ant 04:30AM and had coffee with my pretty bride, it was about 15 degrees outside, Rigg’s went out and came right back in as  fast as he could.

Donna left for the truck company and I went in to my room and there was Rigg’s already on the warm bed. I put a train movie on and we both napped for awhile.

I got up and went in the kitchen and when I looked out the kitchen window this is what I saw.

Yep snow, and still coming down in big flakes.

Oh well I had no plans to go anywhere today, we ended up with only a few inches and the temps never got out of the teens today. I am going to talk my son into taking the dumper down since it’s to cold for me.

The pups go out do there thing and run back in. Sadie is a trip she is so short I have to go and sweep a spot for her to go without getting her butt in the snow.

Rigg’s loves the snow but doesn’t care for the cold temps, if it was in the 30’s he would be out playing in it.

Never did say snow on the news or the Google weather but here it is. It just snuck into to Dardenne Prairie. I think one of those big Alberta Clippers with the 4 R3500 engines with dual contra rotating props must have flown over and dumped the stuff. Ya ever seen one of those Al.

Reminds me of the days you could still buy a brand new Veeblefetzer right off the showroom floor. Boy those were the days. Up in Canada the Montreal Veeblefetzer Works made em under a different name, I think they called em a Mossmagator or something like that, again Al would know.

Nothing is going on here at the Ranch the kid’s are gone and Andy, Samantha, and I have stayed inside where it’s warm.

Hope everyone else misses the snow, and gets warmer weather. Especially if your south and went there to escape this kind of stuff. I hope this is our last, I think if I have my way we will be in Mexico next winter.

Everyone be safe out there. Sam & Donna……

Monday Meanderings.

Was up at 04:30 AM for coffee with my pretty bride, holiday or no holiday, she had to go in to the truck company today. Rigg’s and I got a short nap. With no school both the Grands stayed over for the long weekend.

Want to WELCOME my 164th Follower, DAYTON C. couldn’t find a blog for him but if you have one send it to us so we can see it, if not start one it’s simple to do. I hope you enjoy the daily life and the trips we do make until Donna retires later in the Spring. Never a dull moment between the Grand’s and the Mutso’s here at the Ranch.

My Son Andy and Samantha took the kid’s out to lunch today so they have had a good weekend, with The planet Fun and  lunch date all in one weekend.

Had a guy come by and gave estimates on replacing our gutters, we have to do that now that we have a new roof on, and slowly get the stuff caught up.

I think about 5:00PM Adam will be heading to Warrenton with his Dad, and Nicky’s Dad will probably get her around 05:30PM. Then the house will quiet down and Rigg’s will curl up next to my chair for a nap. He only plays so long and then the kid’s wear him out and he heads for the chair to nap next to me.

Not much doing now waiting for Donna to get home, that will start another round of dog activity as both of the mutts act like she been gone a week.

Hope all is fine with everyone in blog land. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.

 

 

Sunday Notes.

Was up at 06:00AM and and coffee with my pretty bride, She had to go in this morning to the restaurant. Made plans with Adam & Nicole to do something today, they are both off school tomorrow. So about 11:00AM we headed out to Planet Fun where they can play and run and climb ad just have fun with a bunch of other kid’s, This is getting to be a regular thing for them and hey really enjoy it. This time I brought my laptop and that is where I am posting from. Last time we were here I saw a Lady with and Ipad and she told me they had free Wi-Fi, so now I have something to do while the kid’s are playing a good way for the hours to go by.
Andy and his girlfriend went somewhere today for the day, So Grandpa was in charge, meaning , he didn’t have any adult supervision either. so this was a great getaway for the day.
It got really cold today and the high will only be 30 degrees.
That’s about it for today, Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……

Saturday Mumblings.

Was up at 06:00AM with my bride for my morning coffee, It’s Saturday so Donna doesn’t have to go in to the truck company today, She does have the Restaurant tonight though.

It is a gorgeous day here at the ranch the temp is in the middle 60’s and sunny, not much of a breeze. A good day for the kid’s to play outside. Nicky is coming over so her, and Adam will probably take the bikes over to the playground together, it is only a block away and no streets to cross and all sidewalks so they can stretch there wings a little. I sometime take a drive over later to see how there doing, but they are both old enough and trust worthy enough for some freedom.

Last night was pizza night here at the ranch and I made a large square crust pizza.

Adam looks like will be happy to dive right in, he ate 4 large pieces.

I can remember when he was little he and I would share one of those little Totino’s Frozen job’s, Now when they make those, Adam & Nicky each eat a whole one, and I usually eat something else.

My son Andy gave me a haircut, and a beard trim, The haircut is great, not quite a buzz, but within regulations, and the beard I finished and it came out fine.

                                        Before.

                    Not bad for a free haircut.

Of course I needed a new large hair trimmer, but Wally World had a Conair on sale for $12. so one haircut pays for that. Luckily my small trimmer is in good shape yet.

Tomorrow Donna is holding the morning inspection and she is tough, She always starts with. “Anyone who receives two hits on the morning personnel Inspection, will be marched to the Brig area at the rush”. How many of you guys remember that.

Anyone in any basic training , had to be squared away every morning, no exceptions. The Navy had periodic inspections to keep it that way, And it carried over all my life, I remember as a Sergeant on the Police Department insisting on top appearance, haircuts, and shined shoes. People would judge how you did your job as a cop by the shine on your shoes. Even into the 80’s & 90’s I would look at a new guy, and he would Say ‘I know Sarge , get a haircut, and normally at roll call the next morning he was squared away with a haircut. Where do we find these kind of young men today.

Well, that’s about it for today, hope everyone is having a great weekend like we are here at the Ranch.

Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

T.G.I.F.

Up at 04:30AM for my morning coffee with my pretty bride. She was then off to the truck company and then the restaurant. Before Rigg’s and I had our nap I took the frozen dough out and put it in a bowl covered with a towel and then put it in the micro (off) to thaw and rise today.

I was waiting for a call to see if I had to pick Adam up and about 10:30AM his Mom dropped him off for the weekend, so he got an early start on his weekend. He was glad to see I was making a run for some chocolate milk, and donuts for him. Also that tonight is the world famous Weeb Ranch Pizza Night. I hope the folks at Xpu-Ha Mexico make it to Leo’s Pizza, for the best pizza in Mexico, They have been celebrating Friday night pizza night at their campground with a group, like we have here most Friday’s.

It turned into a sunny mild day here at the ranch with the temperature currently 55 degrees. I hope we get a few more like this before it turns cold again.

Got a couple of responses to my train set in yesterday’s blog. Who would have known that they would last so long and become such collectors items, The set I have when bought as a set in 1953 with the 5 cars I have sold retail for about $55. Today the engine alone will bring anywhere from $350 to $1000 dollars depending on how many of each type were made. A Lackawanna like mine with a maroon roof will fetch a thousand, they only made a small amount with a maroon roof and then switched to a grey roof which self for less, Mine has the roof repainted black so it will fetch close to the bottom figure. but it is like new with few scratch's.So if you gave away or sold your Lionel's cheap who would have known, They sure do stand up to kid’s playing with them also dogs. 

Not much doing will be putting my chef’s hat and apron on and rolling out the dough and start making the pizza for soon. Everyone Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…..

Thursday Happenings.

Was up at 04:30AM with my pretty bride for coffee,then she was off to the truck company, and then the restaurant. Rigg’s and I then got a short nap with Rigg’s.

Then I blogged for awhile this morning.

It is a sunny but cold day here at the Ranch looks like the high will be about 41, Saturday still says middle 50’s. Didn’t have much to do today. So I am just sitting around and computing, and watching train movies. Don’t think the truck will leave the garage today. I see where the temperatures are going up for our friends out in Arizona, maybe they will have a good time at Quartzite and not freeze now.

Boy the weeks do go by fast, now I will have to see if I am to pick Adam up at his bus stop tomorrow if he wants to spend the weekend. He always enjoys his weekends here with his Dad and Donna & I.

How many of you guys had a Lionel Train when you were a kid. I was thinking of how my set that I put under the Christmas tree was bought in 1953, that’s over 62 years old and it still runs like a new one, just cleaning and a little oil and it has kept going and going. Boy now that is play value. I wonder If my Dad & Granddad would have thought a toy would last that long.

Here’s my Lionel Lackawanna Trainmaster.with dumping car, cop chasing hobo car, wrecking crane and work caboose.

Remember these, couldn’t wait each year for the catalog to come out.

I wonder if Adam will still have his XBOX 360 in 60 years. Probably not. Oh well a blast from the past never hurt anyone.

Hey be safe out there. Sam & Donna…..

Wednesday Musings.

Was up at 04;30AM and had coffee with my pretty bride, then she was off to the truck company and then the restaurant, she always calls the truck company the salt mine, so I asked her if she could get a picture of her getting off the elevator with her lunch pale and that pretty little helmet with the little light on the front. She just said. very funny.

Our friends friends Paul & Helen are staying just down the beach a short ways from the resort, The Copa Cabana that Donna & I stayed in in the middle 2000’s when we went down there. Paul went to look at the place and evidently it was damaged and abandoned and now is badly vandalized and being overgrown by the jungle, really unbelievable, this place was a really upscale resort when we were there. just so sad. Take a look at Paul's blog to see the whole story.

Next time we go we will have the fiver with us.I guess whoever financed and built the place was either under insured of just took the money and ran.

Started off at 26 this morning and got all the way to 42 degrees so far today. Were supposed to see 55 on Saturday and then back to a high of 30 for Sunday. Oh well it’s still a couple months before spring.

Not much else to report for today, the weeks just creep right by, that’s what getting old does I guess. Hey Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…….

Tuesday Thoughts.

Up at 04:30AM 17 degrees when I looked at the meter,Had coffee with my pretty bride and told her to watch for ice on the highway this morning. At least now she only has half the distance to drive since her company moved. Rigg’s and I had our morning nap and then it was blog and computer time. What a lazy day, haven’t even got out of my jammies all day, just one of those I don’t feel like doing anything days. I will have to get my son to take the dumper down as it is pick up day tomorrow.

A high today of 30 degrees but it has stayed cloudy and no sun at all. From the looks of it Florida has warmed up but Texas and Arizona are way below normal. That is my luck I would go someplace to be warm and they would have unseasonable lows. It happened to us several year back on a trip to Cancun where we had 3 days of the lowest temperatures on record there. Luckily it warmed up and we did get a couple nice days out of that vacation.

Waiting now for Donna to get home, she said she would bring supper home, so we have no muss or fuss tonight again.

Hope everyone is having a fine week. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……

Monday Meanderings.

Was up at 04:30AM and had coffee with my bride, then she was off to the truck company.

Today will be a shorty, It is very cold again but sunny, It started out ay 17 degreesF. This morning when we got up it is now 27 degrees F. and the high is supposed to be 31 degrees f. I have no plans to even take the truck out of the garage today, but at least no ice storms like they predicted earlier in the week, just a little rain that froze but that was it the other night. Have to make sure the door is open as Rigg’s makes his run for the door so he can slide in and not bang against the door. Sadie got up today again and searched the house and then came over to get up on Grandpa’s lap, I think she realizes her boyfriend Buddy went home so much for puppy love.

That’s about it for today everyone have a great time and be safe out there… Sam & Donna…….

Sunday Notes.

Up at 06:00AM with my bride for coffee, then a nap and some blogging. Right around 11:00AM Donna took my niece Tammy to Lambert Field to get on the Big silver bird to go home, She is having to stop in Atlanta and then switch to a plane to Gulfport which is not far from Saicier Ms. where she lives, I imagine she left her car at the airport in Gulfport so she would have a way home. Looked at the weather and is 66 Degrees and sunny there. Not like our 27 degrees and cloudy here in Dardenne Prairie. The ice coating on the patio never did melt today so Rigg’s has been sliding across it.
Donna is off tonight and is making a pot roast for supper. boy am I spoiled with Tammy cooking all last week and today Donna, I have had a week off from the kitchen, I guess I will start back tomorrow while Donna is working fixing a nice supper for her.
My son just left with my good truck to take Adam home, his car has something wrong with it in the front end, It’s a 4 wheel drive Grand Cherokee, and he says it’s clunking in the front when you make a turn, I told him it must be a CV joint, but he says they don’t have any. So now he is waiting to get the money together to fix it.
I think Sadie noticed her boyfriend Buddy is missing, after they left she took a nap and then came out to the kitchen and looked all around and then the great room and then checked the rest of the house. I know she was looking for him. I guess she’s lost her first love.
Well it will be quiet in the great room for a week , no video games and the noise that goes along with them.
The emergency low beer warning light came on last night on the fridge, I hit the reset for the klaxon horn so as not to disturb anyone, but the flashing orange strobe will only go out when you put more beer in it, Since I haven’t left the house, I asked Andy to bring me a six pack home until I go shopping this week.
Other than that it has been a great weekend here, we really enjoyed my niece’s visit, she is my twin brother Bill’s daughter, she is six months younger than my oldest son Sam Jr. So she literally grew up with us.
That’s about it for today. Please be safe out there. Sam & Donna…….

Saturday Mumblings.

Was up at 06:00AM and had coffee with my bride. she was off today at the truck company and will go in at 04:00PM to the restaurant.

Missed my Friday blog, I went out to get Adam from school and then Tammy needed my truck to go out for dinner with a girlfriend. She is leaving tomorrow to go home to Mississippi. We rescheduled Pizza night to tonight , because Tammy wanted make a homemade pizza before she went home. So that is what she is doing now.

                           Tammy’s Dough.

                   Tammy’s Pizza before baking.

                    Tammy’s Pizza ready to eat.

Sadie and her boyfriend Buddy have one more day together so they have been sitting on adjacent chairs and gabbing.

                                Sadie & Buddy.

Today was cloudy with temps in the low 50’s, the temperature is supposed to drop tonight and there’s a winter storm warning for overnight, freezing rain is expected.

Hope it’s cleared up before we head to the airport with Tammy tomorrow.

Not much else is doing here at the Ranch, I hope everyone is having a good weekend and maybe the weather will improve for you. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Thursday Thoughts..

Was up at 04:30AM and had coffee with my pretty bride, then she was off to the truck company, and then the restaurant.

Rigg’s and I got a nap. Then I started on the blogs, and later in the morning I decided that since I had waited since Sept to take advantage of Microsoft's $39.99 upgrade to Windows 8 that expires at the end of January. I better get in gear and do it if I am going to. I wanted to upgrade the newest laptop we have since it is less than a year old and has Windows 7 in it. I figure to replace the older Dell I have downstairs with a new one and it will undoubtable come with Windows 8 installed. That way we are all the same.

First thing I did was fire off an e-mail to my buddy Rick, I had a couple questions and I wanted to know, I also wanted to see if he had any issues since he upgraded in Sept, he has a laptop I believe similar to mine. Rick got right back to me and reassured me. All was well, so I downloaded the software, It take a little over two hours to download and then install the new operating system. I wanted to keep the programs I had and only one was not compatible and it was something I ended up not needing.

Once I was done and it was installed I set it for the older desktop display, and then checked each of the programs and all seemed to work fine. One of the things I noticed is the color is brighter, and the resolution is better, it also seems to start programs faster. So all in all it looks like it is an improvement over the version I upgraded from. Is it worth it. I believe so especially at the sale price, it will be going up soon , so if you want to save a chunk of change, download it now.

Today is a rainy day in Dardenne Prairie, but close to 50 so it is still milder than normal temps.

Not much going on so I will close with a just be safe out there, for all my friends, Sam & Donna……..

Wednesday Meanderings.

Was up at 04:30AM and had coffee with my bride, then she was off to the truck company and then the restaurant. I want everyone to know she is finally looking and feeling better and I hope she has this flu bug licked, since she has had pneumonia so many times we have to constantly watch for that whenever her resistance drops. Now that everyone around here including Tammy has had a chance with sickness, maybe we can go on from there and feel normal for awhile.

Tammy let us know when she arrived on Sunday that she would cook for the week, and so far we have had just great meals.Monday was a Fettuccine Alfredo Polo, last night was Ham & Mashed potatoes with corn fritters.

                          Last nights supper.

Tonight she is going to make Spaghetti & Meatballs. Every night we eat like king’s around here and I don’t have to lift a finger, unless it has a glass of High Life in it.

Another gorgeous day here in Dardenne Prairie, 03:00PM and it’s 57 degrees, may make 60 today. sunny and just about no wind. all in all makes for a mild January day.

I have to start to do my research on Medicare, so if anyone out there has any suggestions on what they did let me know, I want this change to go as painless as possible, especially if a supplemental plan is needed. I will be coming off Donna’s coverage completely so that is where I am at now.

I get a kick out of Sadie, I think she has a crush on Buddy, when she is with him she pesters him to play or sits right next to him like, to say to Rigg’s, this is my boyfriend, your just my big brother. Dog’s have such distinct personalities.

Well that’s about it from the Ranch for today. Hope all is well in Blog Land. Everyone be safe out there. Sam & Donna…….

Tuesday Thoughts.

Was up with my pretty bride at 04:30AM for our morning coffee. Then she was off to the truck company.

Rigg’s and I had our nap and a movie, then I got up and read some blogs and got caught up on the news for today.

It is a gorgeous day, sunny and the temp right now is 51 degrees.won’t complain about that. Ran to the store to get a couple of packs of Tastey Kake Krumpets, one of my favorites.

Not much going on in Dardenne Prairie today, even the local Sheriff was having a coffee at the QT as I went by. Make me wonder how much coffee I drank in over 30 years in law enforcement, One of our family friends were Randy & Diane that owned the Mister Do Nut Shop in Dellwood. I would go there in the middle of the might when I was on the midnight shift and drink coffee and watch him make donuts at 02:00AM. On Saturday nights he would always make sure I had a dozen fresh donuts to take home for the kid’s on Sunday mornings. We went to a lot of Dances and movies & Dinner with those folks, but after we moved out here to the Ranch, they sold the shop and we drifted apart. Ever wonder why that happens with friends.

I think one of the reasons is the neighborhoods was going bad, that’s why they sold the shop and everyone was moving to the country like we did. Everyone was just uprooted, The only ones that profited were the real estate companies.

Of course there was no internet and no blogs and FB to help keep in touch either.

Hey Mexico Gang. Hope all is well not much being blogged from down Xpu-Ha way lately, I know the beach hasn’t dried up so I know the three queens of Williams Ave ( Jodie, Coco & Sandy ) are getting their swim time in. Wish we were there with Rigg’s and I know I would enjoy the beach, take a walk up the beach to the Copa Cabana Resort and have a drink there.

Well that’s about it for today the highlight of my afternoon will be taking the dumper down to the end of the driveway, tomorrow morning is trash day.

Be safe out there.  Sam & Donna………

Monday Meanderings

Was up at 04:30AM with my pretty bride for our morning coffee. Then Rigg’s and I took a nap with a train movie going.

My Niece Tammy got here last night so she will be staying until she goes home to Saicier Ms.

Today Tammy, Andy and Samantha went to the store, so we will have a good supper tonight, I think I heard Polo Alfredo and Fettuccine mentioned. That’s always a good stick to your ribs supper.

Tammy’s Shorky Buddy is glad to be back with his buddies Rigg’s and Sadie. While the kid’s were grocery shopping the three mutso’s stayed by Grandpa in the kitchen where it is safe. Sadie pestered the other two to play, but they just wanted to lay by my chair.

Have to formulate a plan to get the fiver prepared for the spring. Number one on the list is new tires, while I am doing that the wheels have to come off and the wheel bearing be repacked and the brakes checked. This will take place before any long trips, I might take it to the Lake for a weekend before that is finished. But  before a trip to Fla. it will have all the wheel and tire work done and also a thorough inspection of the underneath. Then I will feel better about a long trip. Now if I can just keep another window from falling out like the last trip down there.

Sunny day today with a high of 47, not bad for January, not much else shaking here at the Ranch hope all is well with everyone out in Blog  land. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna………

Saturday/Sunday Notes.

A combine weekend blog today. Was up both day by 06:00AM and had coffee with my pretty bride, she usually putters around the house in the morning or bakes on the weekends, but not this weekend she just rested up and went to the Restaurant for the night shift and today she is off. My niece Tammy will be coming back to stay for a while until she goes home to Mississippi. Seems they are a little cooler than normal down there this week so I will tell her not to be in any hurry until it warms back up.

The snow is for the most part gone around here, just a few patches where the trees shade the ground. The trailer is completely clear of its snow cover.

My Son never has put the cover on, since I can’t go up on the roof, it’s been one excuse after another, the one day he actually got up there wit it it turned out to start blowing hard winds, so that ended it for that day. I am wondering if I could call an RV tech and see what he would charge to put it on.

But it is winterized and blown out so it should be okay until April.

Not much doing here at the Ranch, Donna and I have the house to ourselves with Rigg’s and Sadie, the kid’s went somewhere for the day.

No cooking I am going to order a pizza delivered.

Today ended up a nice sunny day, the temperature is only going to get to 35 but the clear sun makes it seem warmer, the dog’s are enjoying laying by the back door in the sun.

That’s about it for today. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

T.G.I.F.

Was up at 04:30AM for coffee with my pretty bride, she is still not feeling here best and went into the truck company.She said she will try to get off at the restaurant and call the Doctor today for something stronger in the way of medicine since the over the counter doesn’t seem to be working.

Won’t say were in a hot spell, but it is overall ten degrees warmer here at the Ranch than is was yesterday, it ws24 when I got up and it is 38 right now, About half the snow cover in the back has melted, Rigg’s and Sadie aren’t as fussy about going out, what a difference ten degrees makes.

I think I will make spaghetti for supper, that’s a nice warm filling supper. Donna isn’t big on pizza so I will wait until it’s me and the kid’s alone for that. Speaking of kid’s haven’t heard from either one, so I don’t know if we will have any this weekend, Adam has spent all but one day of his Christmas holidays here, so maybe his Mom wants him for a weekend.

Well we made it through the first week of 2013, we have high hopes for this year, Donna should retire, and hopefully we will do some traveling. and also have some guests here at the Ranch, Guests are always welcome.I would also like to get my son Tim and His girlfriend Bonnie out with my new Grandgirls.

How about some Navy helicopter pictures for the former rotor heads out there.

                                US Marine AH-1 Cobra at sunset.

                     US Navy MH-60 fires anti SAM missile flares.

            US Navy MH60 approaches the ship for landing.

US Navy UH-2 from my old Squadron doing what we did best. a pick up from the water..

That’s it for another day, not much going on in downtown Dardenne Prairie, just watching the pickup trucks go by.

Everyone be safe out there, Hope warmer weather is heading your way. Sam & Donna…….

Wednesday Meanderings.

Up at 04::30AM with my pretty bride for coffee, were back to normal routine, Donna headed out to the truck company and then the restaurant.Then Rigg’s was waiting for me on the bed for our morning nap.

Read some blogs, and then about 10:30AM I took Adam home to Warrenton MO. He only has school Thurs & Fri, so who knows he may call Friday and ask for me to pick him up at his bus stop. Sadie has a new coat to wear during this cold spell, it is camo with a deaths head figure on it. Andy must have picked it out since Samantha always gets her girly looking things. Rigg’s put his vest on to go out today too. He isn’t real keen about it yet until he gets used to wearing it.

A high today so far of 28 degrees and it is supposed to go down to 18 tonight again. The both dogs go out and only stay as long as it takes and they are ready to come back in.

I hope all of our friends that have made it south, are enjoying warmer weather, we so look forward to that maybe next year.

Another slow day here at the ranch, just watching movies and doing some photo cataloging on the computer.

Everyone have a fine week. and be safe out there.. Sam & Donna……..

Tuesday Thoughts.

Happy New Years from the Weeb Ranch to all of you out there in Blog Land.

Now is the time to start to plan for what you want to accomplish and where you want to go in 2013.

Number One on the list is for Donna and I to make it to the 1st of April, when I will be eligible for Medicare and she will be able to retire from the truck company. As we have said before the major hang-up for Donna’s retirement has been having the medical coverage from her work on both of us. Well with me being taken off it it becomes a whole new ballgame, with the cobra being affordable for the time between  April and Aug 24th 2014 when Donna becomes eligible for her Medicare. As soon as she retires she is eligible for Social Security so that will help a little around here, with the money situation, since she has worked at so many truck companies we still aren’t sure if she is eligible for a small pension from any of them, So big time research between now and then will have to be made.

Adam found out no school tomorrow so he called his Mom and asked if he could stay another night. No quarrel here as Grandma & I plus his Dad enjoy having him and I know he loves being here at the Ranch.

Really a slow news day around here on the holiday, supposed to have a high of 26 today and we are at 25 now. This is typical January weather, whenever you get snow after it’s over at least for several days, the temps will fall, we were in the teens when I got up and that’s where it is going again tonight. Anything above 0’ degrees is a plus for us.

Oh a rare occurrence in Norfolk Va. nine carriers are in port, these include Large fleet carriers and LPH helicopter carriers that support the Marines.

Everyone have a great week, and be safe out there.  Sam & Donna…….