Wednesday, October 19, 2011

SURVIVED MY ‘SHOPPING FOR PANTS’ ORDEAL AND NEVER HAD TO STAMP MY FEET ON THE FLOOR ONCE

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THESE TWO GUYS ARE ALL REVVED UP AND PATIENTLY WAITING TO GET THEIR WHEELS ROLLING FOR THE SOUTHWEST:)) (CANON POWERSHOT SX210IS)
We were off on our ‘new pants for Al’ Safari this morning about 10 a.m. but we did not end up where we started out for.  A TSC (Tractor Supply) store showed up along the way so figured we would stop in there first and have a look at their clothing line before heading on to Marks Work Warehouse.  For sure the prices were going to be better than Mark’s and what a piece of luck it was to stumble upon the last day of TSC’s 40% off on selected pants sale.  Groovy:))
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RAKED THIS PILE OF PINE NEEDLES OFF OUR LAWN AND WILL LOAD THEM INTO MY UTILITY TRAILER SHORTLY FOR THE RECYCLE AREA
I summoned up a big load of extra patience as we browsed through work pants, casual trousers and numerous brands of blue jeans.   Cloistered myself in the tiny triangular shaped change room and proceeded to try on 7 different types of various sized pants.  Had really hoped to wedge myself into some 38’s but had to settle for size 40 again.  Darn peanut butter and honey sandwiches!!  The shortest leg length in most men’s pants is 30 inches.  My legs are about 28 inches….on a good day.  Anyway, I ended up with 2 pairs of Wrangler Jeans and one pair of dressy work pants made by Dickies.  But, that wasn’t the end of our shopping.  Noticed they had a great sale on long sleeved double pocketed warm flannel shirts (my fav) so I picked up 2 of them.  They’re perfect for warm, but sometimes cool Arizona days during the winter season.  You might be interested in why I like shirts and if so, yep I did a post on that too >>>>>>  I'M A BUTTON UP SHIRT KINDA GUY
IMG_1069 IN THE TINY CHANGE ROOM TRYING ON A NEW PAIR OF PANTS & USING MY CANON SX210IS  >>>
I haven’t had a good windbreaker for years but spotted a waterproof nylon wind resistant and lined ‘North 49’ squall jacket on the rack that had my name on it.  Zippered pockets to secure a small camera and keep it dry in wet weather, draw string turtle neck collar for warmth and an elastic waist band to keep the wind out.  Inside pocket and Velcro wrist fasteners.  Figured this would be a great jacket for motorcycling, amongst other things.  Kelly picked herself up a warm western flannel shirt and that was it for our shopping excursion.   And Al never even had a tantrum or stamped his feet on the floor once:))   
Our new Shaw satellite is all put together and mounted on it's new tri-pod.  I understand the settings on the satellite dish no problem but it is the tri-pod I am having difficulty understanding.  Unlike our previous tripod, the legs on our new pod are not adjustable so I'm not understanding the precise levelling process.  Am also not understanding how to do a fluidly smooth pan of the horizon with this set up.  Below I have some pics of the pod.  You will see 6 tightening bolts with 3 at the top of the pod and 3 at the bottom.  Seems totally illogical to me loosening all these bolts to slowly and smoothly swivel the dish horizontally in search of the satellite.  What simple technique am I missing here??
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NIKON D90  CLICK PICS TO ENLARGE
Question from Donna about all the pine needles on the ground here at our place.  Yes, we have this big dump of pine needles every Autumn.  Same as leaves coming down except the Pine trees do not lose all their needles like a leafy tree.   Only a small percent of the needles drop leaving the Pine tree with a full coat of green needles year round.
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CANON POWERSHOT SX210IS
Ever notice that if you weigh yourself after a shower you will quite often be a pound lighter than when you weighed yourself before getting into the shower.  Well, I've noticed that anyway and it begs the question....how do I gain a pound of dirt on myself every day?  I have been keeping a record of my weight for 18 years now so when I loaded myself into the shower this morning at 209 pounds I fully expected to step out of the shower at 208.  I stepped out at 210!!  Does that mean I not only failed to wash that pound of dirt off myself but I also gained a pound of water.....probably in my ears.  Well, I don't know what it means either but just thought I would throw it out there.  Oh, and what was my weight in October of 1993…………….181 pounds:))
DSC_0001-1NOT SURE WHAT THESE TALL PINES ARE BUT THEY MIGHT BE CALLED WHITE PINES >>> Want to thank folks for taking the time to email in their ideas and suggestions not only about depression but about my suspected wheat allergy as well.  I am following up on some of those thoughts and detailed instructions so we'll see how that affects my overall well being over this next little while.  I hadn't realized there was a connection between the wheat allergy thing and depression.  Thanks for those tips folks and I appreciate the interest and help from all our friends and readers.
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MORNING HUGS:))  (CANON POWERSHOT A730)
IVAN has some great thoughts on BOON DOCKING in an interview with NATIONAL RV PARKS.  As many long time readers know, Boon Docking is our much preferred way of RVing as well.  And, for all the same reasons Ivan has stated in the interview.
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THIS IS AN ORIENTAL ORNAMENT HANGING FROM OUR SUNBURST LOCUST TREE…THE BLURRED ORANGE BACKGROUND IS ACTUALLY OUR PINE NEEDLE COVERED ROAD OUT FRONT AND THE LIGHTER GREEN AT BOTTOM IS A SHRUB IN OUR FRONT YARD, BOTH BLURRED TOTALLY OUT OF FOCUS BY MY TELEPHOTO LENS (NIKON D40 AT 220mm USING A FILL IN FLASH)

As mentioned in Tuesday’s post, October 19th is and always will be a special day in my life.  In October of 2009 I was sober 30 years so wrote a post about attending my very first AA meeting in 1979.   OCTOBER 19TH 1979....A NEW LIFE BEGINS.
GROANER’S CORNER:((  If David Letterman were to define the term "Top 10 reasons for Owning a Recreational Vehicle" he might say………………………… 
1) A hobby that doesn't make you money, isn't relaxing, and leaves you broke!
2) A lifestyle choice that can kill you...or at least try to!
3) An obsession that will land you in the Funny Farm...or a Campground in Yeehaw Junction, Florida!
4) An amusing distraction...but you don't smile that much!
5) A great way to spend your kids inheritance!
6) A potentially deadly disease for which there is no cure!
7) A terrific way to see the very best and worse in humanity, from your living room.
8) There are easier ways to squander a lot of money! Live and pay Taxes in California for example!
9) The only cheap way to take a vacation that leaves you broke!
10) A way of life that is guaranteed NOT to make a 'homeless guy pushing a shopping cart with all of his worldly belongings in it' jealous!
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-Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
-Until one has loved an Animal, their  soul remains un-awakened.
BAYFIELD BUNCH PHOTO ALBUMS https://picasaweb.google.com/117858411710794543295
The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of
right  now...AL.

13 comments:

  1. White pines usually aren't so tall and spindly, although they do have that dumping of needles like you're experiencing. Hmm...

    I only step on the scale if my pants seem to be getting a little tight. Don't know about that pound of dirt a day. Maybe you have really dense soap? :)

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  2. I think your hair is probably getting longer and that extra weight of it is the pound you see on the scale.

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  3. Glad the shopping ordeal went well - sounds like you found some good bargains.

    Love that photo of Kelly and Pheebs...that's love alrighty!

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  4. We have the pine needle problem, too. I rake them back under the trees. They work great for weed control. You actually sounded like you enjoyed your day of shopping - that's one of hubby's fav stores. Love the Morning Hugs pic - adorable!

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  5. Glad to see you didn't need to see a shrink after the trauma of buying new pants.

    I hate clothes shopping, too. I admire your perseverance to get through that battle with your dignity intact! ;c)

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  6. Al, with the six bolts you mention tight, loosen the two bolts on the back of the dish that connect it to the pole and swivel dish. When you have a signal, tighten the two bolts.-Don

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  7. True story:

    The other day Craig weighed himself. He discovered he had lost five pounds. I weighed myself, I discovered I had gained three.

    We eat almost the same amount only he eats a little more chocolate and cookies than I do.

    I exercise, he doesn't.
    He drinks soda, I drink water.

    Life is not fair.

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  8. sure sounds to me like you embraced the shopping experience and came away with some good purchases!!..
    the groaner is pretty funny today...love Dave's top ten..
    and as for the 'morning hug' photo?..absolutely precious!!!

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  9. Hey! October 19th is a special day isn't it? According to one of my brothers though, it was a tough day for our Mom. I told him I at least had the good sense to be born in the hospital. (he wasn't)

    Celiac disease can have many far reaching effects, including changing the way we feel mentally. You may very well start to feel heaps better by eliminating gluten.

    Best of luck to you in that regard.

    Your "weight issues" may very well be equipment related. We have a fussy electronic thing that CANNOT be moved before getting on, or it'll show a false reading.

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  10. Hummm--we have the same shaped changing room in our TSC in Pa--interesting!

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  11. Thanks for sharing your story about AA. We have a nephew that quit drinking cold turkey and ended up in the hospital, but is doing fine now. Anyone who can beat ANY addiction is a hero in my book, ..alchohol, cigarettes, food, drugs...any!!
    What you weigh depends on when you shower..end of the day is more, first thing in the morning is less.
    LOVE IT that you used the word "groovy"..takes me right back to the sixties.

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  12. I level my tripod (the same as yours) by using a stick to either scrape a little hole under one leg or to pile a bit of dirt under it. I level the tripod before I mount the dish on it and then the weight of the dish pulls it off level anyway!

    My son welded a short pipe onto the car dolly whose OD is the same as the ID of another pipe which I use to hold the dish. Provided we are on lever ground or at least ground I can make level, this is the best method I have found. There is no blowing over here! A hole drilled through everything and a nail through the hole keeps everything from spinning in the wind.

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  13. Is it now appropriate to call you SpongeAl Squarepants?

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