T.G.I.F.

It seems like the weeks are flying by, even with the cold weather and snow we had here it if Friday again. It was 27 degrees when I got up.Put some anisette in my coffee and I was nice and warm. The high is supposed to be in the mid 30’s , with a chance for some freezing rain. Donna has the restaurant tonight, but my truck will stay in the garage. My Son had an appointment to have his inspection and emissions check today but when he got there, the machine they use for the emissions part of it was out of service, so he has to come back, hopefully tomorrow, Boy am I glad diesel engines don’t need emission checks in MO. in 2015 they are going to something called tier 4 emissions and all the new 2015 diesel trucks will need to be checked. But I have been told the old ones will be grandfathered and not require them. I have to say compared to the 93 diesel I had before this one(2004) I never see any smoke from my Duramax even under load in the mountains, my old truck when you were pulling the fiver as soon as you got past half throttle you had a pretty good stream of black smoke, didn’t do it unless you put a load on it, if you were empty it didn’t smoke.
I read quite a few blogs each day and it seems to me that unless you are in Arizona or So Calif. the temperatures are below normal. Texas, and Florida unless you are in the keys are still cold, out friends in south Texas, Mustang Island, an Port Aransas are reporting cooler than normal temps. Since I like to sit around and soak in a pool, in addition to soaking in a bar once in awhile. I think I will wait another two months and about April start bugging Donna about a vacation, That way the water on the Gulf coast will be warmer and the day temps high.
How about a Navy picture, these pictures  from the middle 60’s are getting hard to find, this is a single engine UH2a probably from my old squadron HC-2.

                                   Break Hover we have em in.
Boy what you wouldn’t give to go back to those days when it didn’t take much to make for an exciting day.
Not much excitement here at the ranch, Rigg's  got to chase his nemesis the feral cat of the property today, he likes nothing better than to give it a good run.
Hope all is well with all our friends out there, Please be safe. Sam & Donna………

Wednesday Musings.

Woke up to a temperature of 7 degrees at 0:600AM. The sun has been out all day and the wind has died down the afternoon high is supposed to be in the mid 30’s.

Made a grocery run this morning, Then it was play with Rigg’s and just lay around, started to watch a train movie.

Hoping for some warmer weather soon. But I guess we can’t compare with the cold Wisconsin has been getting.

I hope our friends Paul & Helen are having warm weather in Mexico.

I see where somewhere in Florida they had snow unless someone photo shopped a Florida Welcome sign.

For the most part though we are putting up with the cold and just playing the wait till spring game.

Hope all is well with all our friends, and be safe out there. Sam & Donna…….

Monday Musings.

Well after being a nice mild day in the 50 yesterday, I woke up to 10 degrees, then it dropped to 7 degrees, with the wind blowing hard enough to make it a a wind chill of minus 20. Donna had to leave for Walgreens at 07:45AM in those temperatures. I on the other hand stayed in where it was warm and cozy.
The mutso’s just ran out did there thing and ran back in and then laid on Rigg’s bed and curled up to stay warm.
With the sun out the looks are deceiving, supposed to stay like this past Wednesday. I for one will sure be looking forward to warm days and nights. hopefully by the middle of March, MO. generally starts warming up in March but last year we also had an 18 inch snowfall in March.
I am guessing with Donna just starting he job, that we won’t be heading south in April like the last two years. I hope we do, but if not it will be May before we get the wheels turning, I have a couple jobs to do as soon as the weather breaks, Wheel bearings must be regreased, and brakes on the fiver checked for wear. The truck might need tires by then also, but is in good shape as far as grease and oil goes. just changed the fuel filter so I have a spare to take with me.
Appreciated the suggestions on keeping warm in my recliner, believe me  if he thought he could get away with it  Rigg’s would be up on top of me in the chair in a minute. but when he was younger he was discouraged from jumping on people so he is still hesitate to do it although I can see the wheels turning as he looks at me relaxing in the chair. He will bring toy after toy over and put them on my lap until I have a lapful of toys, then Sadie will sneak over and snatch one and run with it to hide it.
My Son Tim and his girlfriend Bonnie are down in Florida with Bonnie’s parents, they are both avid hunters and outdoorspeople. Here is the result of their bore hunt.

In red Bonnies Dad and friend, then Tim & Bonnie.and invited guests.
Looks like they will have plenty of pork steaks and chops when they are done with these guys.
Looks like it is jackets and shorts weather down there near Lake Okeechobee.
That’s about it for today, hope all is well with all our friends, Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……

Saturday Musings.

It finally warmed up a little today, been sunny and the temperature reached 42 degrees, Andy took Sadie to the doggie park but Rigg’s couldn’t go. Tomorrow it is supposed to reach 52 before dropping back into the teens for Monday. We are pretty well used to the cold temps and just don’t go anywhere unless we have to and then it’s usually either the drug store or Grocery store.

Rigg’s is snoozing during his afternoon nap.

Rigg’s is so good even when he can’t stay out when it’s really cold out. He plays with his sister and gets his pets from Mom & Dad.

I mentioned I was looking at a used Laze Boy recliner, ended up buying it for $50 dollars, hardly no wear or tears on it and it has the 10speed massager and a heater in it. Everything works, I put  train tape in and recline it with the heat on low and I am lucky to last 15 minutes before I am sleeping, At this rate it will take forever to go through my train collections.Of course I have over 100 dvd’s.

Rigg’s would like nothing better than to try it out like the recliner in our fiver, but so far I have told him no, he already sleeps on the couch.

Donna is working the restaurant tonight, and then tomorrow the day shift at Walgreens.

I am thinking of taking a nap like Rigg’s is doing. if I do he will come in and lay on the guest bed with me.

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

Thursday Thoughts.

I know we haven’t had a post for a couple days, everything is fine, just a slow news week.Tuesday we woke up to a little more snow , just a couple inches. Today it was 1 degree when I got up, they high is supposed to only be 14 degrees, I am hoping this only lasts for a few days. This morning I took Donna’s car to the store for a small order, they are small until you start adding things you think you forgot to put on the list, like cupcakes, chips, candy etc. The worst part is going out in the cold to load the car at the store, and then unload when you get home.

Yesterday was Donna’s first day at work at Walgeens, she had one day of training and then they told her she would be on her own last night. I told at this rate maybe she will be CEO by summer.

I am thinking of what I will make for supper, Donna is working the restaurant tonight, I am leaning toward some Rigatoni Carbonara, That’s small rigatoni’s with a white alfredo sauce with bacon pieces in it. Anything with bacon is good. Rigg’s will vouch for that, he goes into nose overload whenever bacon is fried.

Still wondering if we will be able to go somewhere before the May Escapade in Indiana, Goshen isn’t to far from my Nephew & Nieces so will will be stopping there for a visit after the Rally.

Yesterday was my every 3 month Dr’s visit, My blood pressure was perfect, and a couple of my diabetes numbers were just a little high, but nothing to worry about, He gave me the high sign and said see ya in another 3 months or 3000miles.

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

Monday Musings.

It’s another sunny mild day with the temperature in the 50’s this afternoon. All that is supposed to end with snow overnight and highs in the teens the next few days.

Rigg’s licks his chops after finishing off his morning bowl of dog food.

I have decided to get a used recliner for our great room since we don’t have one and I would like to watch movies in there instead of the guest room.

Here’s one we are going to look at this evening it is a Laze E Boy with storage compartments under the arms that have cup holders, and it also has a massager built in.

Let you know later if we come home with it.

How about a sunset picture, Donna took this last night behind the ranch.

Tomorrow Donna starts her training day at Walgreens she is wearing her new work shoes to get some time on them  before she starts wearing them at work.

That’s it for now, be safe out there. Sam & Donna….

Sunday Notes.

Well we got the news that we have a new Granddog in New Jersey. My Son Rick and his wife Stephanie adopted a puppy that looks a lot like a Rot.

              Chewbaca

Welcome aboard Chewy, from the looks of your paws you are going to be a big boy.

We are having a nice sunny mild day today the temperature just reached 51 degree’s.

Donna had to make a run to JC Penney’s for a pair of work shoes for her new job at Walgreen’s. She needed good support for walking the floor all day.

I made a run to Schnucks to pick up a prescription refill and some doggie food for Rigg’s. Then the dumper had to go down for tomorrow morning. and that was it for the day. We just sat around after that. Donna is off tonight so she will be home for a change.

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

T.G.I.F.

The cold is back. we are in the teens for a couple of days, the dogs don’t mind much but won’t go out for long, No snow though so Sadie is happy.

Donna  has the restaurant detail tonight, the kid’s are gone for the weekend, so it’s just the dogs , me and Miller here tonight. Of course Miller won’t get here until after 04:00PM.

Haven’t left the house all week, and I probably will have to make a store run tomorrow, beginning to feel like a recluse.

I do enjoy reading about others on their trips and adventures and hope fully one day we will get out on some ourselves.

Other than that the ranch is quiet and we are well fed and healthy. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Wednesday Meanderings.

Was up and at em at 05:00AM and it was a cold, 24 Degrees, with the high only in the 30’s for a couple days then back up to 50 on Saturday.

Donna went for a job interview at Walgreens and got the job, a part time position to supplement her restaurant job. Of course that will mean a later start for any vacation we can plan, Donna finally explained she wants to get out from under her health care which is taking over $400 a month and lots of stuff that isn’t covered at a $100 deductible thanks to Obamacare.

So it looks like maybe the Escapees Escapade in May in Indiana this Spring will be it for us. It starts on the 17th , so all our friends out there that are Escapees let us know if we will see you. We had a great time at the one in Sedalia Mo. but Wyoming was to far for us last year.

Donna is off tonight, the restaurant has been slow so thy have cut the staffing until it picks up. Donna gets called in though so she isn’t missing many hours and still has Thur-Fri-and Sat.

Nothing much doing just waiting for the Spring thaw. maybe then I will take a couple days and camp along the railroad and take some movies and pictures. Only real expense there is fuel, I eat when I’m home anyway.

Hope all is well with all our friends, remember let us know who will be going to the Escapade. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna………

Monday Meanderings.

Yesterday and today were just gorgeous sunny days with the temps in middle 50’s, a little breeze but just a great day weather wise. Donna & I left the house and went over to the State Farm Office, to pay our insurance. We then stopped at WalMart for some groceries, and then Donna said let’s stop someplace for a nice lunch.I said you decide. and she picked El Maguays. We had a great lunch and then we went on home where I put on a train movie and took a nap.
Sometime during my nap the restaurant called and said someone called in and would Donna be able to work. So she headed in about 04:30PM to the restaurant for work.
Rigg’s has been outside most of the day taking advantage f the nice weather. Sadie only for shorter periods and then she wants in.
Hope all is well with all our friends and the weather is warming for them. All of our snow is gone now. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…….

T.G.I.F.

It’s Friday and the snow is starting to melt, yesterday it was 35 degrees, today we are at 45 degrees and then by Sunday it is supposed to be 55 degrees, they are already talking about some flooding due to the fact we are getting some rain as the snow melts.Donna was off the last two nights due to the restaurant being so slow. She is scheduled for tonight and hopes it picks up. Most of the schools have been closed all week so I guess the kid’s will have to make up some of the time in May.

Today is my Son Andy’s birthday, he is getting up there now in the over 30 bracket. I hope him & his girlfriend have a great birthday…

Rigg’s and Sadie and I are enjoying just sitting around and watching the snow melt you can see a little patch of grass where Andy shoveled a place for Sadie.

Other than that not much going on here at the ranch, I am trying to decide what to make for supper, no pizza tonight, no cheese left.

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

Tuesday Thoughts.

Yesterday when I got up at 05:00AM as I was pouring my coffee I noticed the thermometer was showing –2.

Thought I would get a picture of it as it seemed pretty cold. Little did I know that the temperature would keep dropping until later in the morning it was –10.
Donna said she thought something was wrong with the furnace so I went down and checked the circuit breakers,(its electric) and saw the fan was blowing but it wouldn’t heat the house above 61 degrees. I think it may have a sequencer or element bad. Anyway my son Andy went out and brought wood in and he got a good fire going which quickly brought the temperature in the kitchen and great room up.As my Grandfather would have said " Good fire, that will take ten passenger
 cars up to Pocono Summit without a pusher".
We called the furnace guy and is coming out today (Tuesday) sometime. Remember last summer the A/C quit on a 100plus day. Yesterday was below zero all day luckily we it didn’t fail completely and we have the wood stove and a supply of wood.

Hope everyone is having a great day. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……….

Sunday Notes.

Well as I sit here at my blog post in the kitchen it is 01:00PM and looks like we are getting hammered. The snow has not slowed since I got up at 05:00AM. It is snowing hard and the wind is blowing we are close to blizzard conditions, can’t see the street due to white out with the wind. Looks like t least 10 inches so far.



                   Shoveling out Sadie’ pee path.

          Sadie & Rigg’s supervising the shoveling.

              Dad, my tummy and paws are cold.

This Cardinal sat for a couple hours in this spot just guarding his spot and watching it snow.

             Mama Cardinal at the Bird Motel  watching it snow.
Thank goodness  Donna is not scheduled at the restaurant tonight, she thinks they will close for the day anyway. The rest of us here at the Ranch will be on lockdown for the day. Unless it’s a dire emergency. Although Andy and Samantha bundled up and played with the dogs after shoveling the patch for Sadie.
It’s amazing how much fun a dog can have in the snow, Rigg’s goes out a black dog and is white when he comes in, he throws the snow up with his nose and eats it. We keep a towel at the back door so we can dry them both when they come in.
Hope everyone else is having better luck with the weather,I know Donna’s family on the cruise ship is probably enjoying the pool an sunny weather.
Everyone be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Saturday Mumblings.

Another cold but sunny day here in Dardenne Prairie, the big question now around the Weeb Ranch, is how much snow will we get tonight. The National Weather Service is predicting up to 12 inches of new snow between 8PM Sat and noon Sunday. Makes no difference here, Andy is making a grocery run before it starts. Donna is working the restaurant to night. That leaves Rigg’s and I to guard the home front.

Maybe we’ll be lucky and it will go around us again, but who knows.  If we get hammered pretty good I will post pictures tomorrow, so all our Canadian friends that went south won’t get homesick. I’m pretty sure our little couple acres of heaven here gets more snow per year than a lot of areas of Canada.

Donna’s brother and all his family left yesterday to meet a cruise ship in Miami, They are celebrating their 50th year of marriage. Donna & I were invited to go but declined due to her health and financial reasons, plus she still hadn’t gotten her Passport. I ‘ve got to get her to go to the post office and take care of that. I hope all the Family on the cruise have a great time.

That’s about it for today, we wish all our friends well. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…………….

Thursday Happenings.

Woke up this morning to several inches of snow. We were lucky as we didn’t get as much as areas near us. There was up to 7 inches in the Metro area, of course that always stops the rush hour. Since we are retired it has no effect on us, we just sit tight. Although Donna has to go in to the restaurant for tonight's shift.

                       Poor Chappie looks cold.

Rigg’s is waiting his turn to go out in the snow.

Our Grand dog in New Jersey, Lugar, became a Daddy.

          Our Grands with the puppies.

                                The proud Papa.

It is supposed to go down to 1 degree tonight. I hope this weather warms up soon. I can see us sitting by a campfire one of these days, and also a pool.

Hope everyone is having a great day. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…….

Wednesday Meanderings.

 

Today is New Years Day, 2013 is out of here, and 2014 has taken it’s place .Can’t seem to feel like the years are flying by.

Donna and I hope everyone has a great year and it is filled with fun and prosperity for all.

Didn’t do much last night with Donna at work, she said she made it home in time for midnight and that Rigg’s did not like all the gunfire out there in the country.

Donna will be working again tonight, so Rigg’s and I will have the watch in my bed.

Everyone be safe out there. Sam & Donna……..