Enough of the Squirrels...Already

This might be it for the squirrel saga.  The picture on the left shows where I first hung the cob for the squirrels.  As you can see, or not, as it is hard to see, there are two squirrels in the picture and one is working on the cob.  They're hanging around in my japanese maple.  The picture below left is the new location of the cob.  I think it was Merikay who mentioned on a previous squirrel post of mine, that she thought squirrels were more fun to watch than birds and I have to say I agree with her. Which I why I moved the cob away from the japanese maple so that I now have an unobstructed view, as seen on the right.

I had a lovely Christmas at my friends house.  I wasn't able to reach my son in Germany and when he called me back I didn't hear my phone ring, so we left voicemails.  Lynn fixed a fantastic dinner and I ate like a starving person...which I was.  I think I made up for not cheating at all this holiday season in one meal. The turkey and dressing were wonderful and I ate and ate and ate.  Then I decided to have some dessert, which I don't normally do, and had three 1" slices of pie...two pumpkin and one pecan.  At one point while I was scarfing down dressing and turkey I asked if anyone thought I could gain all the weight I've lost back in one meal and was assured that couldn't happen. Phew, what a relief that was to hear. So I kept eating.  You can bet I didn't miss my workout this morning.  I was tempted to not workout and then I remembered what I ate last night. 

Speaking of workouts, my trainer is leaving 24 Hour Fitness and starting her own business.  I went to check out her new location today and I don't think I'm going with her.  Right now the gym I go to is 1 mile from my house...her new location is almost 9 miles from my house.  Have any of you noticed the price of gas going up?  I don't think I want to drive 40 extra miles a week when I could get by with four.  In fact, I could walk it.  So why don't I?  I don't have an answer for that but I'll try to think of one.  

Someone asked me the other day what my New Years resolutions are and I don't have any.  The two biggies...weight loss...smoking...have been dealt with.  I quit smoking 16 years ago and I've been maintaining my weight for a few months now.  I've been working out in a gym since March '10 so I guess that's covered too.  Do you think not being wishy washy any more could be a resolution?  Any suggestions?  What are some of your resolutions?  

Some sunshine, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeese,

Jeana

Merry Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas to all you RVrs out there.  I hope you're having a wonderful day and that the wonderfulness continues through Christmas and next year.  


Some sunshine, pleeeeeeeeeeease.


Jeana

Squirrels - 1...Human - 0

It took absolutely forever to upload these pictures so when I started this post, it was squirrels - 1...human...0, as you can see in the picture to the left.  Turns out the plastic dome does have a job...it keeps some of the rain off the feeder.  Not the original purpose, but at least it's good for something.

When I was out and about this morning, going from hardware store to hardware store, I found the  "Big Ol' Kob"  that you can sort of see in the picture below...it's for squirrels.  The directions suggested that I put some peanut butter on the kob to attract the squirrels, which I did, and it worked!!!  Now the squirrels are chewing on the kob instead of flying through the air to reach the bird seed.  This has been quite a learning process for me. I

had no idea what I was going to go through when I decided to get a bird feeder.  Some of you are probably laughing at me out there, and that's ok, because I'm on a bird feeder learning curve and it's been rather steep.  

I'd like to say more but I have to get ready to go to a friends for dinner tonight.  I offered to fix a sweet potato dish and I need to get started on it. 

The format for this post is really screwy and I don't have time to mess with it.  Sorry it looks so weird.   

More sunshine, pleeeeeeease!!

Jeana 

What's Wrong With This Picture?

I bought this bird feeder late last summer and until recently it's only fed birds.  I had no idea squirrels were so limber. The first picture is yesterday and the picture underneath it is today. I'm thinking no more squirrels. 

With today being the shortest day of the year I'm gratefully looking forward to longer days coming our way.  It'll probably be no surprise for me to say that Spring is my favorite season.  Dark and dreary just doesn't work for me.  I did get to wear my sunglasses for a few hours today and I hope that trend will continue.

I went to my Silver Sneakers exercise program this morning and we had a substitute.  I don't know how she did it, but I ended up feeling absolutely ancient.  I didn't like the music she played, nor the way she had us do the exercises.  Our regular leader pushes the envelope and treats us like we still have some life left in our bodies, plus she plays better music.  Fortunately, I think we only have her one time.  

My personal trainer informed me that she's going to be leaving 24 Hour Fitness and start her own business.  I'm bummed.  I love working with her but I have no desire to move to a different location.  The gym I go to is about one mile from my house and I like that.  I also need to remain a member of the gym to attend Silver Sneakers.  I think she's leaving the middle of January and I guess that means I'll be looking for a new personal trainer early next year.

I informed everyone in Tucson that I will not be buying a house, however, I will continue to visit if there isn't a limit for the Preferred Guest program.  It feels like that was the right decision.  Now that I have all that extra money I think I'll seriously look at a trip to Hawaii.  Some comments on yesterday's post suggested renting an RV and I'll look into it along with condos and hotels.  I might have a friend to go with me but I'll still go even if it turns out she can't make it.  

More sunshine please,

Jeana

Catching Up

I spent yesterday afternoon catching up on the blogs I follow. Because I’m so far behind I didn’t leave any comments, which I’ll do now.

For Levonne at A Camp Host Housewife’s Meanderings: An RV Adventure…I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your friend Victor.  I imagine there’s a huge void that he once filled and it’ll take awhile for it heal.  

About the small houses you and your husband looked at at Ocean Dunes.  I know them as Park Models and I lived in one for about three months in Tucson.  They do have all that is needed, space wise.  I like the ones with the loft, even if they aren’t tall enough to stand up in.  I think that the loft gives the perception that it’s larger than it actually is and that's ok.  I also love the front porch.  I would love to have a house with a front porch.  Cavco is the manufacturer that I’m drawn to. I might have to check that place out, but I seem to recall something about street noise.  I have that now and don’t want it anymore. 

For Barbara at Me and My Dog:  Congratulations on your 100^th post!  I really enjoy your blog and I look forward to the next 100 posts.  The pictures of your grandson’s birthday cake and the Christmas fudge made my mouth water.  Unfortunately, I have to avoid sugar so I’m not eating any Christmas goodies.  While I sometimes feel deprived, to eat sugar would lead me back down the road to weight gain and I’m not going there.  One bite of sugar and I’m off…kind of like an alcoholic...only with sugar. 

Your post on the “Magic Carpet Ride” compels me to show this sculpture in one of my favorites parks on Lake Washington.  It, too, gets dressed up for various occasions and I enjoy seeing how they're dressed.  This was around Christmas last year.  FYI...the large buildings in the back are part of the Boeing Renton plant.  The buildings I used to work in are gone now and part of a shopping area called The Landing.

For Kimbopolo at The Travels of Kimbopolo:  I went online to my library and put a hold on the book A Journey of One’s Own, by Thalia Zapatos, that you recommended.  There aren’t any other holds on it so I hope to be able to pick it up soon.  Hopefully, before Christmas.  I’ll report back after I read it and let you what I thought of it.

To the rest of you…I enjoyed all your posts and I’m glad to be back where it feels right.  I hadn’t realized how much I was missing reading about your adventures…in other words…I was feeling lost and directionless. 

I agree with all the comments that were left on yesterday's post and I thank you for your comments.  I don't know what the rush is because there really isn't one.  I would like to get started on something though because I kind of feel like I'm just vegging now and I'm not liking that.  Until I have an RV and want to go somewhere I think I need to go somewhere other than Tucson for awhile.  I know Tucson inside and out and it's probably time to expand my horizons.  Hmmm, I think that's what RVing is about.  I would like to go to Hawaii and enjoy the tropics for awhile so maybe that will be my next trip.  


More sunshine please,


Jeana

Being in a State of Indecision

Sorry for not posting for awhile…I’ve been in a state of turmoil and indecision. 

I had a wonderful time when I was in Tucson and, as usual, came away loving Academy Village and wanting to live there.  Then I return to the Pacific Northwest and my decisions and frame of mind change dramatically. 

I made an offer on a house for the second time this trip and got a verbal acceptance.  Last June, when I made my first offer, after receiving the inspection report I was able to get out of the offer.  Turns out it isn’t the model I really want.  I made an offer again largely because the price had been lowered considerably and it has solar power.  Due to some unethical shenanigans, some people came in behind me and got the house.  This occurred the day before I was to fly back to Seattle.  The morning before I flew back I looked at some other models but didn’t make any offers because I was upset about what had occurred.  I had decided that the house would work for me even though it wasn’t the model I really wanted.  The homeowner wouldn’t take a counter-offer from me, so I guess she got me good for backing out of the deal in June. 

A couple days ago I decided to make an offer on a model that I’ve been wanting for almost three years.  The offer contract was emailed to me yesterday and I’ve been in an indecisive state of mind ever since.  When I tried to print out the paperwork I found out that I was out of black ink.  So I plugged in my printer/scanner/copier and my computer couldn’t find it so I wasn’t able to print off of it either.  I purposely went to Office Max this morning to get black ink and came away with a new 2011 calendar and a 5” screen Tom Tom GPS ($100 off)…but no ink.  It was on the list I had in my hand, but I guess I didn’t read it.  I’m wondering if I’m getting a message here????  I need to print out the contract so that I can sign it and overnight it back.  I’m thinking that’s not going to happen. 

I think the turmoil/gut feeling is telling me something and I need to listen.  I think the message is to not buy the house in Academy Village.  I’ve been trying to figure out why and the main reason is price.  The house I'm thinking of making an offer on needs to be finished which means that I would have to buy window coverings for the whole house, adding more to the price.  If I’m truly honest with myself, I’ll admit that I don’t care for the heat of the Arizona summer.  I also think I’m trying to capture feelings I had in the past and I’m not having much luck.  The last couple trips down to Tucson when we’ve been landing at the airport, the first thing I notice is how brown it is.  Remember, I’m coming from Washington State and we’re known as the Evergreen State and I really notice the difference when I arrive in Tucson and I miss the green.  I also live across the street from a lake and I like looking at the water whenever I want. 

I also haven’t given up on RVing.  I think I just shoved it into the background, including this blog, and now I’m resurrecting both.  I don't want to be stuck in one place.  I feel sort of stuck now because the only way to get out of WA, on land, is over snowy passes and I don't do snowy passes. Living in the Southwest where you're not surrounded by snowy passes would make it easier to travel in the winter.  But, getting out of Washington before the snow is also another possibility.  

A number of bloggers show pictures of where they're at and many include water.  I just need to make note of those locations and get there.  

I'm not totally gloom and doom...here's my other Christmas Cactus in bloom.  It's a gorgeous sunny day here today and I'm enjoying it.  

I have two new followers and I'd like to welcome you to my blog.  The first is Karen and I'm not sure what your blog name is, if you have one.  Also, Kenny and Angela's Adventure /RV Life is Good.  Welcome.  I look forward to learning about your RV lives.

I hope that I haven't lost any of my followers.  I'm glad to be back and I'm going to catch up on each and every one of you.  Happy RVing.

More sunshine please,

Jeana

Pictures

After I published my post yesterday I found out that a college student from the UofA was on site to help out with computer questions.  And I learned the difference between upload and download.  In case I'm not the only one that doesn't know the difference, here's what he told me...download is from the internet and upload would be me uploading pictures to the internet/my blog. Apparently, twice a month students come to the academy for a couple hours to help out with computer questions/problems.  We decided that my problem with uploading my pictures is probably because I'm using wifi.  However, I did this at St. Mary's Hospital while I was waiting for my friend to visit with her husband in ICU and it took hardly any time at all.  I don't know what the difference is but at least I got them uploaded a lot quicker at the hospital.

Here's another picture from SeaTac that I mentioned...first the picture that I posted on Sunday (above) and then the one I took on at the airport before flying down to Tucson showing more detail... and I was right, it is fish. I think it's amazing.  

I don't know how long ago this project was done but it was created by the residents of Academy Village with the help of an artist that I know nothing about.  The residents drew pictures onto the yellow parts of the critters (I think they're gila monsters) and the artist attached them to the wall.  This is a very simple explanation for what looks like quite a fantastic project.

I would have liked to have been around when they were creating these so that I could have been part of the creation. They're in front of the entrance to the Community Center.


I'm still having a wonderful time and it's getting warmer each day.


Loving the sunshine,


Jeana