Comedy Club #1

Tonight was the first of the Comedy Club series at the Clemens Center. Out of the original group of "invitees", three others wanted to go but at the last minute (due to the cold and snow?) one person backed out. So three of us started with a very filling Chinese dinner (Beijing Garden) then on to the Hall to be entertained. As expected, the comics got better thru the night ... Lots of laughter, some tears from too much laughter, and an evening that will be repeated again on December 15th!

Buying a House?

The move to upstate NY is slowly progressing. After a lot of soul searching, finally made an offer on a house this afternoon. Funny that when you have no emotional attachment to something either getting an acceptance or counter-offer doesn't really matter. The floor plan that I loved was in a house that would take all my extra $$ just to fix up. Too bad that I did not feel comfortable to ask a friend to help remodel it --- would be like a real HGTV show and I think the final results would be so satisfying! So I placed the offer on a house that did not need too much work and that had a good/great? location. I did not even include the great floor plan house in my questions about how the neighborhood would be. My "next houses to see list" is prepared and I'll continue looking if the offer is not accepted by Tuesday at 5 pm. Wish me luck -- either way it goes AND if you are reading this and wanted to help remodel a house, let me know!!

"First" Day of Winter - Still Looking at Houses

Yesterday was the first day of snow for 2008; snow flurries from early morning thru the night. Of course with the temperatures, there is no accumulation except in the shade. Realizing winter is basically here has made me go back to see the two houses that are still on my list. (Looking at houses has been an on-going thing most of the fall but in mid-October started ramping up the effort.) One of them has lots of entrances/exits to the neighborhood but the other one really only has one access road. (Okay a second access road but it adds almost 40 minutes.) A few more houses to look at today!

When I walked in the second place, I just wanted to curl up in front of the fire. I could see myself in the dual-headed shower looking out at the woods. The single access to the main roads is a concern. Small kitchen. Above ground pool. Beautiful 4 acres of woods with a creek on the far side. Guess I need to see the houses today! One of them, at least in the photos, was gorgeous but it is high on a hill and may be a problem in winter with snow.

With the economy, sometimes I wonder if I should be buying now or not. However, I also feel that part of the issue with the economy is that people, in general, have lost the positive feelings about life and the world. Rather than focusing on everything that is good, they focus on what is bad. People do not feel they can do anything! I guess my philosophy is to live in the moment even as I save/plan for the future. And then again, I feel that there will be a sign when I find the right place and "I will just know" that it is okay to buy.

PA Grand Canyon - Hike to the Bottom

The weather was fantastic so I decided to try again to make it to the bottom of the PA Grand Canyon. First stop was to pick up the convertible - may be the last time to have the top down until 2009!!

Once I reached the park, I bundled up like it was 10 degrees outside - didn't want to get cold like the previous weekend. 3/4 length t-shirt, wool sweater, fleece vest, then a fleece jacket. Finally, changed shoes to put on the all weather insulated hiking boots. Now was the time to get started...

The trail was more active than I had anticipated. Ran into the boy scout troop (and leaders) on their way backup. It was kinda funny that many of the adults were easily walking up when the kids were panting -- many years ago this would have been the opposite! But wait, that was when schools had something called PE.... Took the 2-mile hike. It was one mile down and one mile back up; with elevation change of around 650 feet. Doesn't sound like much to you maybe. Interesting notice at the bottom; be careful of the hunters, they are helping keep wildlife under control. Great, I did not wear hunter orange! Guess the portable toilet at the bottom of the trial is for the hunters?

I highly recommend the trail. Keep around 1.5 to 2 hours for the hike. If you want to extend, it connects to a much longer trail at the bottom along the river which you can walk as far as you would desire.