…. and now it’s cool! Tomorrow morning we might wake up to temps in the 40’s. Since the problem was the thermostat, the heat was also out.

My new thermostat is really nice. It works with my Alexa system so I can change the heat or cool settings from my phone or just voice my wishes. I can be totally lazy. When I wake up in the morning, if I’m chilly, I can tell Alexa to turn up the heat.

Since it’s 76 degrees (actual temperature), it’s comfortable with nothing running, but to test it out, I just said, “Alexa, change the heat setting to 64.” I’m sure if it gets down into the 40’s I’ll be glad to have a little heat!

Turkey doesn’t even sound good so I froze the rest of the meat and fixed a chicken Kiev for my main meal today with left-overndressing, mashed potatoes, gravy and corn.

Why is it that when one thing goes wrong, there’s always a series? Thanksgiving Day my air conditioning died. My golf cart was already acting up. I can’t have the cart serviced until this Friday, December 4th.

Having the A/C worked on would have cost $35 because it’s a holiday weekend and I have paid for insurance, so I’ll wait until Monday when it’ll be covered.

I knew I’d have a problem with Kings Point Warranty service (KPW) because in February I had Tampa Electric install a thermostat and change my service which was supposed to lower the cost of my monthly bills. It’s an internet system and very complicated. I hate the thermostat and don’t see where it’s saved me any $$, so after talking with Tampa Electric, I decided that instead of paying the $35, I could have a handyman take out the current thermostat and install a new one which should allow the A/C to be turned on. The new thermostat will work with Alexa. It will be easy to use!! But despite the new thermostat, it still won’t turn on. There was more wrong with the system that the electric company had indicated. The transformer in the Air handler is not functioning. Hopefully tomorrow KPW will come and fix it. On Wednesday, Tampa Electric will pull out their whole system. Yeah!!!!

So I’m waiting for the A/C and for the golf cart to be fixed!!

My tree is lovely. The outdoor decorations are satisfactory. I’ve started gift shopping. Hope my two problem areas will soon be solved.

I’m not doing as much as yesterday.

Today I folded clothes, did a load of laundry, made a cranberry salad for tomorrow, and rearranged my projector holiday lights. Nothing really astounding but I didn’t watch a single movie and moved around quite a bit.

I am realizing that I’ll have trouble tomorrow putting a dent in my menu. I am planning on:

Dressing (from scratch)
Biscuits (6)
Turkey 7lb breast
Corn
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Cranberry salad (I’ve made it in two bowls so I can take some to Evie)
Olives & pickles
Apple pie (whole) w/ice cream

I just tried to eat a 10 oz. Marie Calendar pot pie but couldn’t finish it. Obviously I’m not going to be able to eat much of what I prepare. (Note: Sophie loves pot pies so she finished it off.)

Usually my days are empty and I accomplish very little, but today I was determined to tackle my to do list.

I changed a doctor’s appointment that conflicted with a meeting I must attend.
I finished decorating my Christmas tree. I worked several hours on it.
I put more water in my golf cart.
I paid my Hillsborough County property taxes.
Called my insurance company and then I paid a FEMA flood insurance bill.
Called several girl friends.
Did a load of laundry.
I managed to get a lovely mistletoe ball up.
I called my golf cart shop and scheduled an appointment as soon as I can get in. (Dec. 4) (Battery is bad.)
I drove to Taco Bell and brought back lunch.

I still have several items on my to do list and I still need to drive to Brandon Honda to get the car’s scratch fixed and a couple little things.

My windows were washed yesterday so they are sparkling clean and I’m enjoying the lovely view of white birds gliding over the pond behind my place. Folks are parading past in their sweatshirts and jackets. It’s been a long while since it’s been this cool. Right now it’s 64 degrees but it is predicted to get into the high 70’s this afternoon. I should head into town. It would be a good time to drive my car but I don’t feel like moving. Lazy Sophie is stretched out on my lap. Why would I disturb her?

Recently I’ve become friends with a wonderful entertainment duo (Jay Ungar and Molly Mason). I am really enjoying the time I spend with them on line. It’s not a “normal” friendship in that we’ve never met, but I feel surprisingly close to these talented, music-minded folks.

We facebook occasionally and they know I listen to all of their live streamed concerts. But I know that to them, I am just a fan. Famous folks have fans hanging around all the time.

I’ve learned to be content with what life hands you. Right now, “knowing them” when they perform their concerts has to be enough. I am lucky to have this much contact with such an awesome musical couple.

I guess I’m no different than others who follow famous folks. I’m awe-struck and I’m impressed.

I could listen to them continuously but I guess that makes me a typical fan.

Time flies by. I don’t do much but the days go past so fast.

Today as an example, I spoke with my financial guy, Rick. Some income hadn’t made it to my bank account and my property taxes will soon be due. I made a couple calls and got a return call from the repair company regarding my new refrigerator. It’s leaking when I use the water dispenser. (Repair will be done Tuesday.) I also worked a long while to fix some of my Alexa devices that turn on my lights. (Finally got them working again.) And I called United Health Care to make sure that my supplemental insurance policy is still the best one for me.

The hours passed, but I have nothing to show for my day.

When we were snowbirds and I was viewing the weather from my Michigan vantage point, I was always filled with a certain anxiety as a hurricane would approach.

The most direct hit while I was a “watcher” was in 2017. You can see what I followed as it approached: Hurricane in 2017

Back then, I felt I needed to be “home” to protect my much loved Florida residence. I’m here now and Hurricane Eta is approaching. Predictions are that it’s only going to be a category 1 at the worst so not much to worry about. I’m safely inside. Yes, I’ll need to venture out to collect my garbage can after our regular Wednesday pickup. But, other than that, I plan to stay put. My hurricane windows should protect my place. Yes, I should have moved by heavy reclining lawn furniture inside, but it hasn’t budged so hopefully it’ll be ok. (I can’t lift them so it’s difficult to relocate them.)

This morning I saw this warning:

After tornado and tropical storm warnings were issued about 12pm, I went over to Linda’s condo and closed her hurricane shutters. It really made the place dark, but at least it’s as safe as I can make it for her.

I will enjoy my Jay and Molly concert tonight while the winds howl.

The past four years have been difficult. Our president rubbed many folks the wrong way. After he was elected, I told John I feared that he provoked so many bad feelings that I was afraid he’d be assassinated. Thank heavens Democrats have more patience and are better people than that. There are so many crazies out there that you never know. I am totally aware that actions like that would only split our country so I was fearful. I’m glad my fears were never realized. I had many sleepless nights worrying about a man I didn’t respect.

Hopefully President Elect Biden will unite our country.

Our nation is celebrating the election of Joe Biden. He appears to be a gentleman who cares about the people regardless of their party.

Our country needs to heal. I certainly won’t gloat but I will quietly hope that life gets better as the new president takes over.

I’m afraid of the election outcome.

Sadly Trump may refuse to leave the office if he isn’t re-elected. If that happens, what can we expect? I won’t be going far from home while the country is in an uproar. Business windows are being boarded over and fences erected. There’s a real fear of problems.

Tonight I’m focused on CNN, MSNBC, and Fox. I need to “turn in” early because tomorrow I work at the Squad so bedtime will be about 9:00 pm. I won’t know the future president when I go to sleep, but that’s ok. It’ll happen without me.

Four years ago, John and I watched the election results. I cried. He was silent. Some of our friends thought he was a Trump supporter, but he just didn’t like Hillary. Later he told me he was sorry he’d help elect a man like Trump.