durangoscots

That is really scary!! Just glad she is ok. Susan

Good morning. Rainy day here and I am sure the ski resorts are getting snow. They will be thrilled. As long as the rain does not freeze, I will be happy. The dogs rushed in and out on their morning "business trip" so I will have to take them out again shortly. Little to report from here. I will spend the day cleaning the house in preparation for my departure for San Diego the end of next week. I still can't believe that anyone flies out of Durango at 5:30 in the morning during the dark days of winter but evidently they do. Time is rushing by. The dogs know something is up. Off to get a cup of coffee and get cracking. I have a friend coming by to take some junk out to the dump for me later this afternoon. That is one closet cleared out. Susan

That is really interesting to me.... I lived on Dunkirk Road in the Rodgers Forge neighborhood for a number of years. It was always a pretty neat neighborhood. Susan

Good morning from Durango where it is dry and cold. A storm is supposed to move in tonight, but it looks like it will be mainly in the higher elevations. We may get some snow, but more likely rain which will freeze.... so my outing will be done today. @Cruzin TerriI know telling you not to worry is futile because worry is what we all do.... but take a deep breath and wait for the Doctor's appointment. Those results are hard to interpret.... even for the doctor's at times... too many variables. I will be picking up some things today for the trip... putting stuff into my safety deposit box and generally trying to tie up loose ends. Still debating a checking my bag or trying to deal with only a carry on.... have to see what fits and what doesn't. I know I will have to do some quick shopping in San Diego. Take care all. I think my Christmas is going to be very quiet this year and that is probably a very good thing. I will be sending out Christmas emails to friends and family.... I did not get cards done this year. Susan

Love Maxine today.... sounds like my family. You know, I have the doll.... maybe I will bring her on the cruise with me if she fits. She would great on my bed. Susan

Condolences to all the family. What a sad situation at any time but it seems doubly so during the Holidays. Susan

A late good morning. Sunny here although it was foggy this morning when dogs and I went out. High today forecast for mid-40's. We are supposed to get rain and then rain mixed with snow and then maybe snow on Friday night/Saturday. Since I am not planning to go anywhere it should be ok except for dragging the dogs out into the wet. Watching as everyone begins wending their way to various cruises. Got my boarding time for the Grand Australia and it is late but it may change before the actual time .... and I will probably go earlier and try for an earlier boarding. Time to deal with all that later. I will be happy to make it on to the ship..... this has not been easy making travel arrangements and supports my idea that I will not be doing much travel in the future. Things are getting to be too much of a hassle. Late luggage pick up.... changes to flight times... etc. And just the worry of getting out of Durango in the winter although so far that looks good. Thankful for my next door neighbor who is willing to brave the early morning to get me to the airport. Off to run an errand or so. I am not walking dogs at the Humane Society these last couple of weeks... it is too slippery in places and I get upset seeing the number of dogs and other critters coming in. Recently it has been rabbits .... including several obvious pets that were dumped. Grrrrrrr!!! Did make my end of year financial contributions to our local shelter and several others I support including Maui which is still dealing with injured pets from the fires. Take care all. For those traveling, hope all goes smoothly. Susan

Good morning to all. Weather here is uncertain for the next few days. Right now the feeling among most of our forecasters is that there will be rain this afternoon late.... turning to snow over night and then some light snow again tomorrow. After that it is a toss up but possibly more light snow on Saturday. Checked my Luggage Forward this morning from force of habit and curiosity and it has reached San Diego. Now to finish getting ready for the time in California ahead of the cruise. Take care all.... @JazzyVI really hope the insurance company behaves.... I think they forget that when people are needing to use their insurance....they don't feel well and probably not up to having more stress put on them. Right now their are alot of complaints about our local hospital which keeps jumping from one group to another. Good care seems so hard to get. Susan

That was some exit. Love her size. Susan

Good morning. Sunny here and chilly but not nearly as cold as usual. That is on the way. Went out to breakfast with a colleague from the college today. Food was good, but they are cutting back on the offerings even for breakfast and there were very few people out and about - but then this week is usually pretty slow for the eateries. I am tracking my luggage on its way to the Grand Voyage and it has made it as far as Beaver, UT. At least it has left Salt Lake City and is moving again. I am now packing for what I need to carry with me to San Diego since I will be there for 5 days. Still trying to decide between carry it on the plane with me which means less taken.... or checking a bag. I am going to have to get myself pulled together shortly. Today I am going to try to take care of a number of errand and writing some emails. @richwmnI think I envy you your extended trip but not sure I could handle it. One reason I rejected the P2P cruise which was very, very tempting. Otherwise it is the same old routine just now. Best wishes to all. Susan

Ventured out this afternoon.... it is warmish and a bit cloudy. The dogs had to go in for a couple of vaccinations needed before they start boarding. Found that water lines had broken a couple of places under Main Avenue and traffic was a mess but we made our appointment. Pups were good, no cowering, no yelping even when stuck with needles. Their weights have held .... Bandit is 12 lbs.... Monty is a whopping 5 lbs. Now back to work... this time cleaning and scrubbing out the frig. Susan

Testing to see how this tablet does for travel. I think it works ok. Now I need to get back to more pressing activities. Susan

Good morning to all. We still have plenty of flakes on the ground from the last 2 storms and no new ones anticipated until the weekend.... maybe. My Grandmother had twin girls but sadly one passed away when she was only 17... the other lived to be 92. Have not been to today's destination. Nothing really new here. I am not sending cards this year and I need to write or call a number of people. Will start that this evening. The only social event on my calendar this week is breakfast tomorrow morning with a former colleague from the college. Looks like a pretty dull week in store and that is fine with me. Take care all. I hope that some relief can be found for those of you undergoing physical issues. I guess even modern medicine can only do so much. Susan

Good morning a little late since I was just slow getting started this morning and then the dogs took their good old time. Everything had to be sniffed at least twice. Weather here is sunny and it may get up to 50F today before starting to cool off again. Some moisture due the end of the week but how much and what form and when all remain to be determined. Sorry to hear about Pauline's friend with her surgery and loss of her Mom. Glad she has friends there for her. @JazzyVI sure wish there was something they could do for your pain. My Sister and niece do carryout for Christmas.... they save the celebration for later as they both find the day stressful. Martha (sister) says at her age doing a full Christmas dinner is just too much along with presents and family either dropping by or calling and my niece does not like to cook. I am not sure what I will be eating but I suspect it will be a small pot roast since I have one in my freezer. I am starting to gather together the things I will be taking to California with me. Have yet to decide if it will be carryon or checking a bag. Will have to see what I actually have to take, but with the long layover I have in Phoenix I am leaning toward carryon. I don't want to spend 5 days in California with no clothes. My Luggage Forward bags are taking a breather in Salt Lake City as nearly as I can tell. They are certainly going a round about way. Need to call my hair dresser and schedule a cut and a pedicure. Take care all. Best wishes to everyone. Hope the weather treats everyone on the east coast better than predicted. Susan

Having been very late being picked up, mine are really moving. Now in Salt Lake City. They may get stuck there for a couple of days. Susan

Good morning to all. I have been up for awhile rounding up things to take out to thrift store this morning. One of my friends who volunteers there said I needed to come today as she was bringing me the change left over from Australia/New Zealand cruise about a year ago. That is always handy to have. I got a good night's sleep last night after all the stress of the day before. Checked the Luggage Forward site this morning and mine is in Grand Junction which means they hauled it up over Red Mountain Pass but that also puts it up on the interstate for its run to California. I would have thought it would go out through Albuquerque but then what do I know. I know from here I would go south, not north. Living in Durango has its perks, but getting out town easily is not one of them. My scheduled flight out of Durango is very, very early with a long lay-over in Phoenix - I do not want to fly through Denver or Dallas. Weather here is sunny and, for this time of year, mild. Highs will be mid-40's. I feel for all those on the east coast. We gave rain forecast for Christmas but the weather gurus are not enthusiastic about the prospect. Little new here as I continue to try to sort out the condo a bit more and look at what I need to take to California. I will be out there (hopefully) for about 5 days before sailing as I want to take the time to visit. So now I have to think about my suitcase for the plane. Will take as little as possible. Have had several upselll offers on my cabin but so far have turned them down. Off to do something constructive. I feel for all suffering health issues. I am a stiff and certainly can not walk the distances I used to but so far, rap on wood, am holding up well given my age. My sister complains of slowing down and she is 9 years older than I am. Susan

I know a number of people that have done it for exactly that reason (or because they don't trust what their relatives will say). Not at all unusual. Susan

Will go back and read the entire Daily later but I wanted to let you all know that my Luggage was picked up last night..... at 10:15pm. I was getting ready for bed and not in condition to see what was happening but I thought I heard a very faint doorbell ring....then slamming and banging in the hall.... then my doorbell rang followed by the slamming of the outside door. Dogs ran to my door but did not bark. By that time I got to where I could see the hallway and the luggage was gone. I think the UPS driver rang my downstairs neighbor's bell and she let him in.... he grabbed the luggage and fled. Anyway, LF says it has been picked up and is on its way. Geeesh!!! If they are going to do late night pickups they should let you know. I certainly was not going to leave the bags out on the porch overnight. More later. Cold and sunny today. Weather looks good for the next few days. Susan

Finally got through to Luggage Forward. Gal there says there many missed pickups today and they have been slammed all day. Anyway... they will let UPS know (and so will I) but I am going to call Leo in the morning and get him to take the luggage out to UPS drop off for me. I just feel it is a safer that way. If I get it out there by early afternoon it will go out tomorrow.... hopefully. I was very polite to woman at Luggage Forward as obviously it is not her fault. UPS here has a bad reputation. By the way.... she looked at the designated time of pickup -6am to 5pm - and said "good heavens, that's all day". I told her I knew that. Lorraine... I had the same offer on the upsell but am not taking it. Susan

Did call the number specified. Was on hold for a long time after they said I was next in line and I finally gave up.... called back later and left a call back number and so far no call back and it has been 2 hours Not impressed with anyone. I will deal with everyone in the morning. Did talk to my handyman and he will take it out to drop off for me which probably now is the safest way to go. Fortunately there is plenty of time but I am really irked to say the least.

Mine has not been picked up yet. I may enlist my handyman tomorrow. Luggage forward is ignoring me. Susan

Driveway has been plowed and I got my car cleared off. I think our snowfall was about 4 inches which is considered a light amount here even though the snow itself was pretty heavy with moisture. I had the suitcases out at 5:15 this morning after the 6am threat .... and admired the unbroken snow. I am now within the time of the original pickup and no sign of activity. Could have gotten more sleep. Between wrestling the luggage downstairs and snow removal, my back is not happy. I think the rest of this day will be reading and getting some paperwork done. Dogs are exhausted by all this activity. Susan

Good morning. If I had gotten on the computer when I first got up, I could have made page 1. But I was standing out in the ice and snow begging the dogs to please complete their business. It is dark out still but my luggage is ready to go and I have set it on the porch as my porch does not face the street and if anyone comes they have to drive up the driveway between the two buildings. My back is protesting. Anyway, hope it gets off today. There was not much snow last nights.... only about 2 inches but it is heavy. After this it is supposed to warm for awhile. Off for a second cup of coffee and then I will take the "snow brum" and clear the car and maybe clear a spot for the dogs just to make my life easier. I can just push the snow around, don't have to lift. Susan

Talked to my handyman who also plows my driveway. He will see it is done early morning if needed, but he also says he will come get my luggage tomorrow if need be and get it out to drop-off. Getting up to have it out by 6 is not a problem.... I am usually up about 5:30 and will set the alarm. Actually will haul it down the stairs to just inside the front door tonight - then I don's have to wake my downstairs neighbor bumping down the steps before dawn. It will be what it will be I guess. I guess they are responsible if they fail to pick it up, but I don't want to find out. Living in Durango can get pretty interesting sometimes.... we seem to march to a different drummer. Susan

Good morning. Will come back later to catch up. Got an email from Luggage Forward this morning and evidently they have been told about Durango. The are changing my pickup time tomorrow to between 6am and 5pm. Oh goody!!! And...... it is snowing. Weatherman says snow, rain mixed with snow and more snow between now and tomorrow morning. Yipe. LF says if there are problems with the timing on the pickup I can take it to one of two dropoff points. Oh sure. An 86 year old lady is going to haul 2 suitcases through the snow. So, now to finish and lock up the suitcases and pray it does not snow too much. Our driveway is not easy in bad weather. Susan