Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Looking more like Christmas

Holly Street, early this morning
Bare branches on the trees, lighted snowflakes on the street lights, and being all bundled up against the cold, it's beginning to look a lot like... winter. And Christmas cheer, too! The downtown parking meters are all covered with plastic bags that say, "Happy Holidays," and until Christmas we don't have to feed them! Yesterday the bitter chill of the past two weeks let go a little, and the temperature actually rose above freezing, but not by much. Right now it's 33F, and it's 1:00pm -- not likely to get much warmer, but the nighttime temperature won't fall far, either. It should be raining by Thursday.

I will be going out to rescue my car today, once I get a call from the mechanic. It didn't break down or anything, but it was past due time to replace the timing belt on my Honda Civic. A friend of mine didn't replace his, and it broke. If that happens on a Honda, it means a new engine. So I decided to be proactive and spend the big bucks. I'm a little apprehensive about the cost, but it's definitely not something to let slide. Cars usually repay you by being reliable if you provide the upkeep.

In February, I will be visiting my sister in Florida. I figure by the time February rolls around, I'll really be wanting to see some Florida sunshine and bask in warmer weather. Plus it's always nice to spend time together. She will be taking me swimming with her every morning and I'll be jogging alongside her as she walks at her blistering pace of more than 4.5mph. Maybe she'll take pity on me now and then and slow down to my pace, 4mph. She sent me this picture, with the caption. That's her smiling son Peter, taken in their Florida back yard.
Season's greetings
I am beginning to get in the Christmas spirit and will start shopping for others soon. But in the meantime, I bought myself a Kindle Fire HDX, which should arrive tomorrow. One more gadget to add to the rest! I've never had a Kindle before, so I'm excited.
:-)
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20 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlDecember 10, 2013 at 1:42 PM

    season's greetings!!!! ha ha ha ha ha!!! love it!

    yup, i need to get the honda truck in for service. an hour drive away to sit in a waiting room for ???

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  2. Elephant's ChildDecember 10, 2013 at 2:26 PM

    What a generous gesture of Christmas Cheer. Here you have to feed (generously) parking meters right up until the day itself. Always assuming you can find a park.

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  3. thewiildmagnolaDecember 10, 2013 at 2:42 PM

    Quite a nice thing, a rest from feeding the meters. Glad the Honda is not real sick.

    Merry Christmas to you.

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  4. Teresa EvangelineDecember 10, 2013 at 3:35 PM

    What a beautiful street scene. I love the colors/light. I just got my car started after four days ... it's a good thing I don't have to go anywhere ... -20 again tonight ... :)

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  5. Brian MillerDecember 10, 2013 at 3:41 PM

    smiles...the spirit of the season can def be infecting....ha...cute picture...smiles...pretty cool on them allowing free meters til christmas...better to change that belt than have it break for sure...

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  6. RedDecember 10, 2013 at 6:04 PM

    I have the same situation with a Honda. The money is big for this change but the alternative is worse.

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  7. AnonymousDecember 10, 2013 at 6:08 PM

    It's nice to see what your area looks like. Cute pic of your nephew. You will probably enjoy the Florida weather in February.

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  8. SquirrelQueenDecember 10, 2013 at 7:50 PM

    I like that photo of your nephew, it looks like Santa might be grilling something yummy.

    Good idea on your Honda. Take care of your car and it will be good to you. I'm glad I don't have to worry about such things. My secret? I found the best mechanic I could and then I married him. LOL!

    It's starting to warm up here too.

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  9. Trish and Rob MacGregorDecember 10, 2013 at 8:29 PM

    The street scene looks like something on a postcard! Love it.

    And that pic from Florida? It was 82 here today, today we'll get to a shivering low of 66... Our winter seems to have gone elsewhere this year.

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  10. Far Side of FiftyDecember 10, 2013 at 10:15 PM

    :) Love peter take on Seasons! I love my Kindle Fire mine is not HDX. There is a place on Facebook that a guy follows the free books. I have like 100 free books loaded on mine and game too..it is always in my bag. I love that I don;t have to turn on a light to read in the middle of the night..but I have fallen asleep holding it and it has come down on my head.. I like to prop mine up on a pillow and read on my side..that way I can't drop the darn thing if I fall asleep:)

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  11. Linda ReederDecember 10, 2013 at 10:27 PM

    I love the no parking fees! And buying yourself a present!
    Take care of your car, your car takes care of you.

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  12. Grandmother MaryDecember 11, 2013 at 5:18 AM

    Love my Kindle and couldn't live without it at this point. I agree with the car care stance. It has served us well. Our little town has decorated as well and Christmas is in the air- fun. Enjoy your gift buying.

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  13. HilaryDecember 11, 2013 at 12:13 PM

    It's looking mighty festive around there. And your nephew made me laugh. February sounds like the perfect time to go south and be with family.

    I've never had a Kindle but I'm very much enjoying my Kobo Arc. It was an unexpected pleasure to download books from the library at my pace. Enjoy!

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  14. TomDecember 11, 2013 at 5:31 PM

    Geez, I didn't realize it got so cold out there ... but no matter where we are it's nice to have that free Christmas parking! Meanwhile, I'll beat you to Florida ... I'm going in January.

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  15. Rob-bearDecember 11, 2013 at 5:36 PM

    It is staring to look lie Christmas. But what you really need is a foot or two of snow on the ground. And a temperature around 0°F. Yeah; that sounds better.

    Obviously you're going to miss winter by going to Florida. Unless they get a snow storm there. Given the pace of climate change, a snowstorm in Florida isn't as crazy as one might think.

    Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  16. Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotteDecember 11, 2013 at 8:12 PM

    Kindle? Why is iPad not as good for book reading from Kindle with the app? I just finished Grain Brain and loved using the iPad for it. Maybe I'm missing something so I love to hear your thoughts on the usefulness of it!
    Enjoy the festive spirits of now:)

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  17. Hootin AnniDecember 12, 2013 at 4:32 AM

    I love my kindle...it's old but still does what I want it to do...and that is making the text in books like Les Miserable and such where I can enlarge the text to actually be able to READ it. Y'know?

    That "seasons" greetings is a hoot. And as for car repairs and upkeep, yep...keeping it running smoothly is always a good idea. Don't want to be stranded anywhere.

    Love the street scene too, DJan.

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  18. AnonymousDecember 13, 2013 at 1:06 PM

    Oh, yes, the car expense. Just had mine serviced today and was told the engine gaskets are wearing thin (almost 100K on the car) so in three months I will spend about $2K for new gaskets on both sides of the engine. Hope yours came in less than that.

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  19. RitaDecember 13, 2013 at 5:04 PM

    Cars usually appreciate loving care. :)
    Great Season's Greetings pic--but it's so green--LOL!
    Will look pretty inviting come February, though. :)

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  20. KayDecember 14, 2013 at 5:38 PM

    Good gracious! You're going to LOVE the Kindle. I have the Kindle, Art has the Fire and he really likes it. It's awesome to be able to borrow books with it.

    Knowing about your sister, I'm wondering if being active and proactive is in your DNA.

    ReplyDelete

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