However....! I suspect most of the reason for the milling about has to do with overhead space, especially overhead space somewhere near your seat. So the airlines thought it a good idea to encourage passengers to carry on their luggage..fewer checked bags, fewer handlers to pay etc. That worked well so lets encourage passengers to take fewer bags WITH them...charge for bag #2. Right but those people are going to check their bags for the most part anyway sooooo let's charge for checked bags period. Alrighty then....everybody and their brother drags their bags on board now including all the pineapples and rum and full size sombreros...even Granny who has trouble lifting her purse drags her rollerboard behind hoping some kind soul will help her. So now we have another problem. If an airline fills the back of the bus first, well then we have those people who believe it's best to use the overheads at the front so they don't have to drag their stuff up and down the aisles. Problem there is, the people up front in the Premium seats now have no place to put their bags, except for behind where their seats are. Defeats that premium seat, no? No Problem...lets board all those premium seat folks first which holds up the boarding process because the back of the bus folks have to wait while front folks fiddle getting settled. Last but not least we now need to make sure we have all the seats filled so we mostly oversell a flight and end up with not enough space for everyones' suitcases? What do we do? Well this past flight out, the gate agents made an announcement that it was going to be tight with the completely full flight SO they were going to waive the bag fee for anyone now willing to check their bag. Hello? I would have been one ticked off passenger if I had paid to check my bag to avoid overhead space hassle and then have it offered up free at the end. Not cool, USAir/Republic airlines. The bulkhead guy's bags were a good five rows behind his seat and they ended up taking 3 bags off for checking. Something's not right here.

So who's listening ...USAir?....anyone out there searching for mentions even on low rated blogs like mine? Stay tuned...there may be more as I start to travel again.

This is why we live in Vermont...We appreciate what we are given.

Our needs are simple shelter, warmth, food...broadband.....;-D I wish we realized just how little we "needed" when we were acquiring the stuff in this house over the years...I NEEEEED to be rid of most of it.

At any rate......I'm going to start traveling more now that there is a project in Maryland for HGJ..I like it there. I suspect I may write more here mainly because I'll have a little more time AND I just might be able to pick up some fodder on my travels.

In the meantime...enjoy the new picture...

Spring is here...I can tell because the big pile of snow next to my porch is gone, the general description of the landscape is brown with green edges BUT I've seen the early flowers, some crocus, daffodils and of course my blood root peeking out.

I want so desperately to go outside with no jacket or socks - that doesn't work; it's still too chilly for the most part.

The neighbor's grand daughter was in their backyard playing with her uncle's new golden puppy - nothing cuter than puppies and 4 year olds - unless they are together!

I took my flying lesson which had been a Christmas present........;-D It was a beautiful day...I sat in the left seat, I made the nose go up, I made the nose go down...I turned left and right. I may do it again.....

On the good news front: Our Vizio 47" new TV has a problem. I was dreading hauling it back to Costco especially since they didn't have another one in stock. I called Vizio. Since I bought it at Costco - it has a 2 year warranty instead of one year. Since it's over 30" - they will send a repair person to the house. Since it's over 40" - they will pick up and deliver replacement if needed. Our issue is repairable and they will send someone out to fix it. They called on Sat and told me the repair person has the part and will be contacting me to set up an appointment! Oh my! I'm excited. This sounds something like Customer service I've heard about.

My traveling clothes don't fit......;-(

Make yourself a fine week all...

I found this as I was perusing old photos.....this would our pig Dan and Cat JJ sunning themselves in the old "green house" off the living room. We've enjoyed our pets over the years...I miss having a dog but the thought of training a puppy right now gets me twitching.

Obviously I haven't had a whole lot to blog about lately - ACK! my page went blank!! Filler, I need filler and fodder.

We got a new accountant...Corporate taxes are done and will be mailed today. Personal tax documentation is in her hands. Ahhh, I like having it done and out of the way.

My birthday is coming up - a big one. Somehow being able to say I was born in the first half of the last century is not comforting at all. However, I'm getting a new toy tomorrow.....Will let you know how I like it.

Happy Birthday Month to me.

I'm spent my time constructively since last I wrote...well sort of.

I've read several books.

I've done real work...quarterly and year end reports/activities. Gathering documents for corporate taxes...looked for a new accountant. A new year brings some reorganization of paper etc as well. It's been fine to do this work slowly and able to check/double check, think on things. I still made a phone call to the State looking for a form I couldn't find and was told to be patient, they were "just sent out" Oooooookkkkkkkk - It came finally.

Watching the inauguration made me smile and lifted my spirits....

The weather doesn't lift my spirits...I haven't started biting people yet though - 6-10 inches of snow predicted for today.

I do like the fresh snow covering up the old dirty stuff ..gotta find the good part.

Have been looking at all the animal tracks in the yard...some are easy to identify but I'm a little concerned about what made some solid line no feet prints.

I've been really annoyed by corporate greed but pleased with the American people being resilient, sucking up where we need to and explaining to those in charge that jail is good for the greedy and we'll carry on where we have to instead of bailing THEM out.

Time to get a move on.......enjoy your selves...simply

I have most of Christmas stuff back toward storage...notice I didn't say things were actually packed up and put away. That's the beauty/downfall of having rooms you rarely use. Regardless, once I get going it shouldn't be too hard to get the stuff packed up and put back under the eaves....Really...not long at all...minutes even. Maybe.

So I've decided there is definitely an upside to this recession business. We've been discussing simplifying our lives for several months, now anyway and our lack of "need/desire" for more things. Now maybe some of this is attributable to decreased resources and contemplating retirement living but I think I can say I haven't noticed any twitching from lack of "shopping". In fact I feel quite comfortable.

I think this Christmas season had some perfect timing aspects to it as well. I'm sorry for the poor retailers BUT I think many of the people I spoke with over the season were feeling the desire to cut back and this year was the perfect time to start. Less is more people!! More thought went into fewer presents, more homemade presents...no frantic buying to make sure the piles were high! Results I saw and heard from a lot of friends were - ta da! Less stress and more fun just choosing to spend time with each other than buying something. Presence verses presents....;-D Worked for me.

I'm getting better at remembering to have my reusable bags with me - not only are they great at the grocery store BUT I've used them at the bookstore - used book store, thank you and even the library.

It's also amazing how little fuel we use in our cars these days as well. Sure We might have consolidated our driving when fuel prices were high BUT if we aren't out there consuming, then we aren't using gasoline either. We still haven't replaced all our incandescent light bulbs as yet but as they burn out we are putting in more energy efficient ones...not that I like them though. We're trying to to consume less......less is more right?

Now food...ok, we aren't really skimping too much there. We really do try to eat fresh fruits and vegetables...use up those leftovers and make simple but tasty meals. I've always been a from scratch type of person but it's good to see that at least these homemade foods are healthier as well...in spite of butter and eggs...;-D Nothing says tasty like a few sauteed scallops(or broiled fish) and a spinach, fresh sliced pear salad with maybe a few walnuts or almonds thrown on.

Geez how did I end up getting so preachy...maybe I just need to get it written down for reinforcement. 2009 - the year of simple, the year of less.

Pssst...I've also been advised of a Less is More guru by the name of Leo Babuta check him out here

Make yourselves a Happy Simple 2009!

more pppsssttt...Ok just to keep myself honest - yes, I just threw some bagel dogs into the oven for lunch...LOL>..simple! Right? But easy to eat while I read my book from the Library!

I'm ready..sort of. Clothes are in the suitcase. Presents are wrapped and packed up. Coffee is roasted. Cat boxes are cleaned out. Lobster stew makings are in the cooler - I'm sooooo afraid I'm going to forget it.

The snows have abated so we should have a decent drive to CT - see you when we get back

They teased about TPing other camp sites and how Owen didn't get caught because he "ran like the wind in his Northsport Sneakers"... (? I'm not sure of the name but I'm sure they would have enjoyed the plug) LOL

But as things are apt to happen...the DJ asked him about what he liked about going to camp and how he liked the idea of going to a new camp...

" Well, I liked the old camp a lot but I realize it had to be sold because the church that owned it made some bad decisions..."

DJ: "Well right, Owen, we won't be going there though...chuckle chuckle..."

Snort...way to go, Mom

....as an aside......Just yesterday a local jury rendered it's decision against the same church/same priest in it's 4th lawsuit.

..as another aside - you may remember other Owen stories ie - when admonished by his mom that she didn't want to hear his "I wants" while looking through the Christmas catalog so he then piped up with " I bet Jesus would like this farm set for his birthday" I love that kid, he's always good for a story or two...snort.

Have a good day all.......I've had my laugh

It snowed last night...for us the first time all the grass and leaves are covered so it's a good snow in my opinion. The first time for the year our snowplow guy has awakened me plowing in the night. I suspect there is a layer of ice in there somewhere or coming anyway along with more snow today. It's the ice... hiding... lurking... waiting... just when did I start worrying about broken bones!?!

Ice...the end of street is notorious for a sheet of ice, ohhh about 10-15 feet before the stop sign. About 10 -15 feet before a reasonably blind intersection with a busy street. About 15 feet before crossing the intersection into the cemetery across the way - how fortuitous! I don't like anti-lock brakes, they give me the willies BUT I stopped before skidding out into the intersection..ha! I was heading for the sidewalk to the right anyway...o/'o/'o/' slip siding away o/'o/'o/'. All of that was before the major part of the storm last night with more today..we'll see. I'm staying in anyway.

I probably should have gone out to get a Christmas tree before they all got snowed on...

I have put up a few decorations...lights outside of snowflakes and my Hoolahoop wreath ...icicle lights and brass angel candle holders in the bow window in the den. I have my 50s table in the living room...Gurley candles, Santa and a small Caroler, my Elf with the knees curled into his arms (more 60s I think) and a Ray-o-lite plastic Church with lights and music box..just like my mother's ...thank you eBay. Wish I had the Gurley candles I remember from my childhood...my mother had a few of the reindeer set up with Santa..she used to make reins for them using red curling ribbon. I just remembered that - smiles. Maybe I'll get around to taking some photos.

Dec 12th...today would have been my parents somethingth anniversary - um...70th? wwwwwwwwwooooooowwwwwwwww

That's all I've got for now - it's been snowing again the last few hours - looking good.

I'm very pleased Barack Obama was elected President of the United States.

Yes, he is a Minority...probably one of those really bright people we'd like to have running our government

Yes, he is a Minority...probably one of the best candidates for President of the United States that I can remember and I think I became politically aware in 1960

Yes, he is a Minority....probably one of the best candidates the Democrats have had run for President of the United States ( how else can you explain George W "earning" a second term)

Yes, he is a Minority...probably ran one of the best focused unwavering, non-pandering campaigns for President of the United States.

Yes, he is a Minority....probably has the best advisers in the country at his back.

Yes, he is a Minority...probably one of the best examples of a candidate successfully combining votes from all across the country divides, age, race, gender, socio-economic

Yes, we finally elected someone who can represent us Internationally and make us proud to have him speak for us.

...and by the way he just happens to list his race as black when such a distinction is called for....otherwise he is

President Elect Barack Obama

Now can we just move on.......

I would not want McCain sitting at a negotiating table on my behalf - he presented as desperate and appeared on the verge of exploding. His mannerisms were disconcerting to me. Barack was smooth...which seemed to frustrate John even more...reminded me of my mother when she'd get wound up and no one would argue with her.

On more than one occasion McCain referred to Michelle Obama as "your wife" - um, her name is Michelle

On more than one occasion he referred to special needs children with Autism as a "cause" to deal with. Umm...was he really mixing up Palin's son's Down Syndrome with Autism...sorry but no amount of money or research is going to fix Down Syndrome

I deal with small business health insurance - no way in hell can someone find health insurance for $5000 annually - at least not any that don't take from your other pocket such as large deductibles or covering routine procedures. Maybe one could get major medical ONLY with $5K and an HMO that requires you to travel to Nebraska to see your primary physician. Think again Joe the Plumber....

I'm "only" 59 years old but I stayed up to watch all of the debate plus the after show...I commented this morning that I really am not my best late in the day much less after dinner. *I* would not take on a challenge starting at 9pm but then again thank goodness *I* am not trying to become leader of the free world...snore..nighty night

We got our AARP magazine this week. It was a little disconcerting to decide to keep it around to read a couple of the cover articles instead of tossing it immediately with all the other debris that fills the mailbox.

Sometimes on our travels, I find products I really like but then have difficulty acquiring them on a routine basis when I get home. One is Demerara sugar cubes which apparently seems to be unavailable even through amazon as I've ordered online previously. Of course the last time I ordered a carton of 10 boxes, I found some in my local grocery stores. I found some in Maryland when we were there and brought a box home with me with all good intentions of ordering some online. sigh.

Another kitchen favorite of mine has been Mac Nut Oil, Again, I have been able to buy some locally and yes, I usually buy a couple when I see them BUT I haven't seen them for a long time. I ordered 2 bottles online and was very pleased when they arrived last week. Ahem...yes I also found some in Maryland but I didn't bring any home with me on the plane. Now then, the Mac Oil isn't exactly cheap stuff...$16 for a 500mil bottle but since were are all about the food these days, it is very nice to use with fish and pork chops. Sooooooo imagine my shock when I was out and about the other day and found a supply at The Christmas Tree Shop for $7 a bottle - same brand, same size. Yes, I bought a couple of bottles but I suspect there is a shelf life issue going on here. I read the shelf life is at least 2 years from bottling but I have no clue when any of it was bottled. I'm using the cheap stuff first...based on codes on the bottles (BTCH 5DS & BTCH 5EA) I made Panko Haddock the other night and it was pretty tasty even if I do say so myself. Doncha just love a bargain?

My mother would have been 86 years old day.

Can't say I much care for all the rain and dark and dreariness this week - seems more like November already; the S-word was mentioned for mountain areas tonight.

Guess I'll get some real work done today. I'll be watching the VP debate tonight - finally, real entertainment on TV!

Have a fine day all.

So the other day, we got a phone call from our local fireman's association selling concert tickets - yup extolling the many local programs, mentioning local high school and elementary school ( one of three only)...almost had me believing there might actually be someone local until**** " I know you're a busy woman and hope I didn't get you out of the pool on this lovely day..." POOL? Idiot...not from around here, are ya...pool, Vermont, September ...geesh. ...and worst of all the concert was the Lovin' Spoonful and although I sounded young, he wonder if I remembered o/'o/'o/' Do you believe in Magic o/'o/'o/' and started signing....yeah right, that would get me to buy tickets...

Moving right along........This past week brought some activity to the woods next to our house. Dumont park...who knew it had a name? Seems the city thought they'd lump some extra looking around in there in case they ever wanted to do some recreation paths through the area. Sure whats the problem with spending a little extra looking at another 15 acres of mosquito invested swampland..just in case. The archeologists uncovered all sorts of remnants of past lives in there... "Lurch" was said to have lived in the woods for many years, well that's what the kids in the neighborhood said anyway. Probably nothing older than the 1970s...;-D Needless to say it caused a little ripple of interest in the old neighborhood - we like having our 15 acres of "Vermont" right smack in the middle of town.

Speaking of the city...I'm not sure there is much doubt that we could use some new facilities for our police dept and or city offices but it hasn't been an easy process. A couple of years ago there was a proposal to build a new police station for $10 mil and it had a copper roof...yeah..I don't think so. So they went back to the drawing board and scaled it down but now they want to build it on some property we all bought to keep as recreation and open lands. We're all invited to a public hearing to discuss the plan next week before the Nov vote...yeah we can ask questions but have been told it's not a forum for expressing opinions...umm..err.. excuse me, I have a question..."Are you people out of your minds? Lost sight of who you are talking to? Are you telling us what we can and can not say in at a public hearing? Oh yeah, that would be three questions and I'm not sure you could gather enough votes this week to pass a bond to build a dog house much less a new police station"...telling a SB taxpayer they can't express an opinion...snort... That will be the day. I hope we can attend that meeting! I just love SB politics these days.

let's see...My computer tried to die again last week. This time it was the fan. Poor thing had even reached the point where it spit out a little message that said "Fan Error" and refused to boot. Silly 'puter, as if we we had to be told that grinding noise was the fan trying to give up. Well once again my hero came to my rescue and replaced the fan - all is well. And yes, his old computer is now starting to make the same noise - the fan for his is ordered thank you.

Guess that's about all I can muster up from around here this week. Have a good weekend all.....stay dry.

As with any new place, this apartment has it's quirks. I've acquainted myself with the little 4.5 capacity washer - it's so cute and it plays a little tune when it's done. I don't remember the exact tune but it's akin to "It's a small world" - a little disconcerting but I can live with it. We have racks to dry the clothes - I like them better than the ones I have at home but I'm sorry, shirts need to go into a dryer to get the wrinkles out. I haven't found an iron here yet...right, as if I'd ever use one anyway. Of course there are full size washers and dryers on the first floor for our use but I haven't even gone down there yet. Some things are easy, such as the dishwasher. Alarm clock, not so much, the obvious off button opens the door to the cd player...hhhmmm. Our landlords are of Chinese descent and while I have no problem learning to use chopsticks more effectively, I have yet to coax those Cheerios onto the ends of them so I might need to buy a few more spoons and forks. I love the woks at my disposal and I just may need to buy a good one for home.

We have assigned parking places. I have indicators I use to aim for our spot...yep, there is space between us and the Jeep with the flat tire. That space is likely to be filled with a car whose owner likes the jaunty angle approach to parking. Of course, the first night a Realtor and prospect took our spot plus one. The closest "available" spot was a block away and of course she was back to her car about the same time I walked back from parking our car down there. Hello, maybe next time she ought to think about finding an empty spot! Hrumph...I play by the rules and find it difficult to understand why other people think they are above them. It will be interesting to keep 'em all guessing when we show up with a different rental car each time orrrrrrr see if people get lulled into seeing an empty space for a week at a time and encroaching on it. I know it's more effective to lay on the sugar when people are rude but I find my prickly side sneaks out in such instances.

This is the fourth project HGJ's worked on in this area so I'm finding it easier to assimilate into the culture and get around efficiently as I recall short cuts and what streets connect with main streets etc. I haven't had a chance to use the Metro into DC as yet or the buses but I've got my routes all mapped out for when the time comes. I've got to go to the Zoo, ya know. ..and maybe the National Archives and the Capitol. I have enjoyed going into DC many times on the Metro but these two buildings have eluded me so far.

We'll see you all from home - God and AirTran willing.......have a good weekend all.