$876.00

My ship has come in...I have received my first Social Security check.  Didn't have the pleasure of opening the envelope because SS requires direct deposit.  Still, I am ecstatic.  I opted for taking out MY money as soon as they would let me.  They do this big song and dance about waiting until you are your FULL retirement age and get more money per month.  Who are they kidding?  Not me.  I want MY money now.  And I have the first installment.  Goodie for me!

Jo's Household Tip

Friends, toss out your windex.  This is how I clean my bathroom mirrors.

Take a single edge razor blade.  Scrape any spatters until they are gone.  You are done.

Razors blades have many uses around the house and garage.  We buy them 100 in a box at the hardware store.

You can thank me later....

We Know the Drill

The wind has been gusting up to 40 mph the last 3 days.  When the lights begin to flicker, we each run for a flashlight.  Then we begin to fill large pitchers with water.  Lastly all the electric items are turned off except for one light.  We light candles.  Then we wait for that one light to go out.  And it always does go out. 

The flickering is caused by a tree that has fallen on an electric line causing the power to be intermittent as the tree dances on the line until the tree finally has its way and falls taking the power line with it.  By flashlight I go to the one phone in the house that does not need electricity to be in service.  (I had to buy that phone at a rummage sale.)  I call the emergency number for Jump River Cooperative Power Company.  In the last year they have gone to an automated service that you give your location so the crews know where to go.  Although I enjoyed chatting with the woman answering the phone and discussing the storm and where the other outages are.  Oh well...progress.

This episode was especially frantic because the flickering started as we were walking to the kitchen to make homemade lasagna.  With the flickering came both of us sprinting to the frig to pull out a leftover and warm it in the microwave before the power went off.  Flickered for an hour so leftovers were warmed and eaten.  By 7 pm the power was gone.  We sat in front of the fire for a long while just talking.  Then off to bed by 8.  Power was back on when we got up in the morning. 

It's the little things....

The 3 remotes have been in use as of late.  Winter.  Boy, can they get scuzzy.  Got out toothpicks, cotton swaps, lint-less wipes and a touch of soap.  Took a while but worth it.  What satisfaction to use a clean remote!  Don't know why we have 3.  They do different things.  I don't ask. 

55 in February

It is not suppose to get this warm in February in the Northwoods.  Snowmobile trails, gone.  Snowmobilers with money to spend, gone.  Ski trails, gone except in the shade.  Skiers with money to spend, gone.  Not good for a town built on tourism.  Especially this week because of the 12,000+ skier race on Friday and Saturday.  The finish line no longer goes over Lake Hayward since it is a lake again.  The last half of the trail is mainly in sunshine.  Looks like the race will finish at County Road OO where there are facilities and a warming station (ha!).  Disappointing for skiers, volunteers and the ski foundation that operates the race.

Mother Nature will do what she wants to do.  There is no predicting the weather.

Winter in Warm Places

I spent a part of January in warmer climates.  First, a birthday weekend in a Madison water park with family.  Then a week in Florida with my brother and sister-in-law.  (Let's just say that I put a dent in the shrimp population.)  Traveling is fun and exciting.  Of course, coming home one appreciates the comforts of your own home even more. 

Tigertail Beach, Marco Island, FL

Kata, age 3 and Grammie, age 62

A Most Pleasant Morning

We watched the peaceful transfer of power on TV this morning.  And a pleasant morning it was especially in light of the non peaceful transfer of power in Africa.  No politics in the blog today but a fashion critique - not exactly my strength but I have an opinion. 

Out going and incoming ladies both sported messy buns.  Great for a trip to Walmart but they were attending a formal event.  Perhaps they went to the same salon like the bridesmaids before a wedding.  SOMEONE should have told those two to head off to shop instead of going to the inauguration.

Saw a lot of winter white.  That looked very nice.  Exactly the type of thing that winter white can be worn to and not look silly.

I noticed several important women who dressed down - still elegant - but not wanting to be the center of attention:  Mrs. Pence, Laura Bush, Mrs. Paul Ryan.  I thought that was classy.