Busy errand running.

Since we're leaving for the east coast Thursday we still have things to do.  That's why we came back to Illinois early.  I haven't been able to get my emails on my phone and really would like to use it on the trip instead of lugging the laptop.  I can do everything else on the phone but not a particular email account.
Off to Verizon this morning. We were up early so we had plenty of time before lunch.  The staff at the Verizon store outside the Mall were courteous and knowledgeable.  She worked and worked on my phone and I still couldn't get a test message through.  When she was about to give up and have me contact Tech Support on the phone, it worked.  We don't know what she did but it worked.  Looked at some tablets while we were there.  Our desk top is shot and my lap top isn't far behind.  We'll see.
By the time we got out it was lunch time so we headed for "Hey Hotdog" on Ruby Street but then realized we had BBQ yesterday.  Their root beer would have tasted great but as Ron drove past a Steak and Shake we both decided that was a better option.
Back in Tucson there's a lot of hype over "smash burgers" and to tell you the truth, I like that style better.  No preformed patties, just a ball of hamburger meat placed on the grill and flattened with a spatula.  Steak and Shake fit that to a "T".  I added a small strawberry shake and Ron had his usual, side by side orange and vanilla.
Ron did get to Cassinova's for his hair cut and a stop at the Moose to get his account straightened out.  He's not getting any communications from them about what's going on, the news letter or the dues reminders.
Tomorrow is mow the lawn and get "hard rolls" for ham and swiss sandwiches to enjoy for our lunch the first day.  And pack.  I'll get the hard rolls, guess who's mowing.  

Water.....Water......Everywhere.

I blogged last that it's been raining.  Well the rain finally stopped but flooding took over.  We're high enough up it wasn't a problem for us but thousands of others lost a lot.  Our daughter and son in law had sewer backup in their basement but most people suffered from the Fox and DesPlaines Rivers overflowing.
Ron spent Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at their house. First getting the sewer water out of the basement and then cutting out the drywall and carrying it out to a dumpster.
I did enjoy some quiet time on Saturday and Sunday but glad to have Ron home.  Today was warm enough to sit out on the front porch swing for awhile.
I'm reading a Michael Connelly mystery from the library and was into the really really good parts when my Kindle's battery went dead.  I love modern technology.  Just turned on my smart phone and brought up Kindle and kept on reading off my smart phone.

Rain...Rain...Go Away, Little Charlie wants to go out and play.

We've had one sunny day in the week we've been back in IL.  Daytime highs in the 40's and now rain.  We're on high enough ground where we won't have to look up how big a cubit is and we have a whole house generator for power but this constant gloom and now rain can encourage anyone to be depressed.  A friend's son and his friend took off for Puerto Rico today.  I think they have the right idea.
I have nails appointment on Friday.  I'll have to wear shoes with the toes out and hope they don't freeze on the way home.
Otherwise, we're getting along fine.  Bought some seeds for the garden.  Just have to wait for it to dry out.  It still has drainage tiles from when we had a sewer system running thru it so hopefully that will help it drain faster.  

Drab and Dreary

First full day back in IL and I'm ready to fly back to Arizona.  I can handle that heat still better than I'm handling this cold and dreary day.  No working outside yet.  Got some vines and roses that need cut back.
Speaking of handling the hot weather in Tucson.  About a month ago I posted a blog about Mundane Monday.  It was a simple post about how we learned about "Swamp Coolers" operations and the messes we made while learning.  I'm still trying to figure out why I'm still getting views on it over ten times as many views as I ever get on a blog.  If anyone knows why this is happening, please leave a note.
I think we have all the boxes and suit cases emptied and put away.  Now we have to get the house and yard cleaned, make doctor appointments and pedicure/manicure appointment for me.  Maybe a hair cut before we leave.  Hopefully some garden will be planted or at least the cold weather crops of lettuce. onion, radish and peas in the ground.  They can take the cold soil.  Enough of home gardening 101.

Illinois at Last

We made it back to our home in Illinois safe and sound this early afternoon.  It's cold here and it drizzled off and on most of the way from St Louis north.  The roads weren't bad so no trouble there.  Noticed some new entrance and exit ramps off of I-55 by the Inter model entrance.  They needed to do something with the increase in truck traffic.  Didn't get to good a look between the drizzle and the traffic.
Gas is $3.66 a gallon and we traveled from Sullivan, MO to Lockport, IL on one tank of gas.  Which is pretty good.  We did make a quick trip to Walmart to pick up individual things needed.  Monday will be a trip to Sams Club or Costco or both for stockups.
For you world travelers, Dixie Truck Stop in McLean, IL is finally looking like it's old self, or better.  New rest rooms looking good and clean.  The store having a variety of souvenirs and snack foods.

Day Three and Last Night

What a difference a day makes.  Today was a complete turn around.  No precipitation but some winds.  Chilly.  Other than having to put on and take off jackets as we left the car and returned, it was a perfect day.  Traffic from Stroud, OK to Eureka, MO was light and moving along at 70-75 miles an hour.
We're staying at a Holiday Inn that's upper scale and qualified for a free dessert but we opted for Pondarosa instead.  An old standby.  I gave up a Bailey's Irish Cream cheese cake.  Tomorrow headed thru St Louis and home.  

Day Two

Well, today's trip was a real doozy.  We started out the day with a nice breakfast of cold cereal, juice and coffee.  Then the day started changing soon after.  It was cold, 23 degrees, but nice and warm in the van, but it never got above 40 all day.  We stopped at a gas station and were told the weather east was terrible, travel at our own risk.  We watched on coming traffic and rarely saw any snow on the vehicles.  We stopped again at the Oklahoma Welcome Center where we were warned that it was dangerous eastbound with sleet falling in Oklahoma City.  We saw snow on top of grass and beautiful white trees all covered in ice.  The road turned out to be clean and dry as far as Stroud, OK where we've stopped for the night.  The tornado warnings we worried about hit farther east and south, St Louis and Arkansas.  Going to be watching the weather tonight for tomorrow's travel thru the rest of Oklahoma (Tulsa) and Missouri.
We realize it's way to cold to be coming back to IL but we're doing it.
BTW, anybody know what we should expect next November when we open the refrigerator door in Tucson.  We left a container of milk in the door.