tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post6869421101420703019..comments2024-03-27T02:20:56.245-05:00Comments on Travels with Emma: Grits, squirrels, no-see-ums, and expensesTravels with Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00411769980205792011noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-62733028033414929402012-03-26T12:25:57.625-05:002012-03-26T12:25:57.625-05:00Like you say, stop & smell the roses. If you a...Like you say, stop & smell the roses. If you are living within your budget, with no real extra expenses, then it's probably a waste of time to keep up with all that. ;-) <br />And grits are one of those things you either like or don't. So give them away if you don't. Trade someone for something in their rig that they might have bought, but don't like! Like cookies ;-9 I like grits though but like them at The Cracker Barrell or somewhere like that. Yum.TexCynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05174615550131393975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-24073544892293357272012-03-26T09:19:58.736-05:002012-03-26T09:19:58.736-05:00Nix on the grits...
That snake is beautiful--- ho...Nix on the grits...<br /><br />That snake is beautiful--- how'd you get such a closeup? <br /><br />We swear by the Thermocell for the mosquitos... will it work for no-see-ums? <br /><br /><br />~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~<br />Karen and Steve<br />(Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard<br /> http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/KarenInTheWoodshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05884478307015605168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-9749264717105300112012-03-25T20:26:30.202-05:002012-03-25T20:26:30.202-05:00If you don't like the grits on the second try,...If you don't like the grits on the second try, don't throw them out. Sprinkle grits, or corn meal, on fire ant beds, they eat them and blow up and die. Not as effective as Amdro, but better for the environment.<br />Happy Tails, and Trails, Penny, TX. www.pennys-tuppence.blogspot.comLakeConroePenny,TXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00260039376684295639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-9239048958272081282012-03-25T18:49:07.210-05:002012-03-25T18:49:07.210-05:00Budget, smudget. :) I kept all receipts and track...Budget, smudget. :) I kept all receipts and tracked all our expenses during the first several months on the road. Ours is a slightly different situation, as we are working "full-time" and bringing in a decent income and have opportunities for other income streams now and then. We're doing well, savings intact, etc. I say you've done your duty and you're an experienced full-timer, so give yourself a break and give up the expense tracking. BTW, I'm seeing way too many snakes on blogs so far this year! Haven't seen one in person yet, but I'm sure that will come when the warm weather is here to stay. Enjoy!Texas Yellow Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18416672836387064595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-35299249082922432982012-03-25T14:21:04.335-05:002012-03-25T14:21:04.335-05:00Oh I forgot........what about one of those paint g...Oh I forgot........what about one of those paint guns for the squirrels. You cold SPLAT them with whatever color you want!Sherryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00328866430156879312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-40533193520461407722012-03-25T14:19:49.887-05:002012-03-25T14:19:49.887-05:00Boy look what louzy internet will do for you. I&#...Boy look what louzy internet will do for you. I'm WAY behind here. But obviously you've given us all lots to comment on. So I'll weigh in with I love the snake picture!! What a beauty. Hate grits. If you have to put a lot of stuff on it then it ain't any good in my world.<br /><br />But like Laurie I love keeping track of expenses. I like spread sheets and I'm not a CPA. I've been keeping track of every penny for over 30 years. First because I needed to and now because it is so much fun to look back and see waht things cost or what I spent over the year on X or Y or Z. Also handy for doing the income tax deductions. Makes it all way easier.Sherryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00328866430156879312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-73953921901040124572012-03-25T13:31:18.026-05:002012-03-25T13:31:18.026-05:00I would stop tracking money at this point but be a...I would stop tracking money at this point but be alert for creep. It can be like when you stop measuring food--the portions slowly get larger until you are putting back on the weight you just lost!Linda Sandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12734450335251336493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-16769689098606861872012-03-25T13:04:49.197-05:002012-03-25T13:04:49.197-05:00Wow! You got pretty close to that snake for its p...Wow! You got pretty close to that snake for its photo.<br /><br />We're taking a road trip next month to Kentucky, Tennessee, and southwest Virginia. I wonder whether we'll have grits on the menu. I wonder if we'll try them.Linda Myershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05706455533282204519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-28013620076494422162012-03-25T10:53:31.527-05:002012-03-25T10:53:31.527-05:00Since you are so close to Louisiana, GRITS also st...Since you are so close to Louisiana, GRITS also stands for "Girls Raised In Tiger Stadium". Grits is a mainstay in our diet especially "Grits and Grillades". Give them another try.Cajunvillehttp://rvcajuncooking.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-43840250459790226772012-03-25T10:43:09.755-05:002012-03-25T10:43:09.755-05:00Do you know what GRITS stands for. Girls Raised I...Do you know what GRITS stands for. Girls Raised In The South. (Just cook them until they are soft.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-9384625818990967582012-03-25T10:04:10.624-05:002012-03-25T10:04:10.624-05:00Grits are like cream of wheat or oatmeal. Only tas...Grits are like cream of wheat or oatmeal. Only taste good when you put something good on them.<br />We don't keep track of every penny we spend, although we have always been frugal. We do use Microsoft Money so we can go back and see our expenses for a month or year if we want. Fortunately since we've been fulltiming we haven't spent as much as we thought we would.Jim and Gaylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13982110996137470496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-39854154139271497622012-03-25T09:19:50.466-05:002012-03-25T09:19:50.466-05:00I'm one of those wierdos who enjoys budgeting ...I'm one of those wierdos who enjoys budgeting and tracking expenses. I started way back when I spent way more than I earned and wanted to turn that around. It worked, and became such an ingrained habit that I'll probably do it until my last day. I find it interesting to be able to easily calculate how much money we've put into our motorhome since we bought it, how much we average in repairs to the Jeeps that we buy when they are 5 years old. I like to compare fuel expenses from when we began fulltiming up until now, and I like to be able to find the answer easily when I wonder about how much something cost, say my three year old camera or something similar. <br /><br />But, seeing as how we do live within our means, I definitely would NOT record all of our expenses if it wasn't something I enjoyed!<br /><br />BTW, Odel grew up in the south. Grits are very low on his list of favorite foods - but he is a fan of soft polenta, another "ground corn" mush type of food.<br /><br />Safe travels!Laurie and Odelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08160352835343733761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-81645274651791774522012-03-25T09:11:41.804-05:002012-03-25T09:11:41.804-05:00Judging from the number of folks here that don'...Judging from the number of folks here that don't like grits....maybe the mice and snakes wouldn't either..The no-see-ums??? I don't think there is a chance of getting rid of those pests. I really enjoyed the mushroom pictures.Susan and Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07794549126336412629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-57753389020813904722012-03-25T09:06:29.666-05:002012-03-25T09:06:29.666-05:00While mowing last week, a snake slithered out from...While mowing last week, a snake slithered out from high grass. Not sure what kind but I hear in TX there are lots of poisonous snakes. <br /><br />I, too, like grits. Even though I am a Yankee.<br /><br />Expenses? I keep a spread sheet. The first two years of fulltiming we had LOTS of out of budget expenses. i.e. - installed satellite system, pressure-pro, two accidents where fiver needed repairs, and a lot more diesel expenses due to the failing health of our mothers and costs associated with returning to our respective homes in Louisiana and NJ. This year we have been under budget each month. YIPPEE~Phyllishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09184706027679979998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-15857904454953262262012-03-25T07:37:13.038-05:002012-03-25T07:37:13.038-05:00I think I might have told you my Home Ec teacher s...I think I might have told you my Home Ec teacher sewing story... well, I have a similar grits story; no thanks on the grits for me!<br /><br />Man, on man, I am tired of seeing snakes this spring! They are everywhere I've been turning!!!<br /><br />And I think 6 years of doing something and not checking it is plenty!meowmommahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01209824648988317879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-27961955191006572982012-03-25T07:32:52.892-05:002012-03-25T07:32:52.892-05:00I need to send you a picture of Al's squirrel ...I need to send you a picture of Al's squirrel proof bird feeder. No squirrels can get there.<br /><br />Real grits are much better than the package kind, but try some bacon pieces mixed in with the egg and cheese....yummy.Karen and Alhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-73242393701875297842012-03-25T06:53:52.593-05:002012-03-25T06:53:52.593-05:00Love grits with butter! My Southern husband won&#...Love grits with butter! My Southern husband won't eat them. Sounds like you didn't cook them long enough. You get 11 more tries to get it right! I started tracking every dime we spent before we went full-time. Definitely helped to know how we stood financially. Once we became full-time, we quickly learned it was costing us a lot more than how we had set our budget for full-timing. I'm still tracking every penny because we've made a couple major changes (bought an RV lot and then a park model). I think it's a pain in the neck to track everything, but I am so curious about where all the money goes that I'll probably keep tracking. I've also referred back to my spreadsheet several times.Margie and Rogerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09778628815035344373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-14569133371075743372012-03-25T05:05:11.358-05:002012-03-25T05:05:11.358-05:00I think keeping track of expenses is good each tim...I think keeping track of expenses is good each time there is a lifestyle-change to see what adjustments are needed. We'll keep track of the $s when we get on the road fulltime, but once we're comfortable we're doing OK and have adjusted our budget accordingly, I'll probably go back to using Quicken just as my bank register, which is what I do now.Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08333995679958103393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-89873789877317142332012-03-25T04:22:04.575-05:002012-03-25T04:22:04.575-05:00I agree - grits are good if you cook them long eno...I agree - grits are good if you cook them long enough. I prefer the instant packet type in the micro for 1 minute and 20 seconds. Tracking expenses helps you see where it is going even if you only look at the spreadsheet when you update it.Roadrunner Chronicleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15720107862190088369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-89933125272877400632012-03-25T00:49:13.121-05:002012-03-25T00:49:13.121-05:00What kind of snake was that? I have never seen on...What kind of snake was that? I have never seen one like that.<br /><br />Maybe you can up grade to a paintball gun. lol <br /><br />MarthaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-71591507516824849572012-03-25T00:48:40.300-05:002012-03-25T00:48:40.300-05:00Grits are definitely an acquired taste but better ...Grits are definitely an acquired taste but better than boiled okra or black eyed peas (the vegetable not the singing group). Lots of butter and sugar make them palletable or maybe that was milk and sugar. Hmmm. Been awhile.<br /><br />http://travelinglongdogs.blogspot.comTravelingLongdogshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07562207397650862936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-14313118178332247162012-03-24T23:43:57.812-05:002012-03-24T23:43:57.812-05:00Born and raised in Arkansas --- well, on the borde...Born and raised in Arkansas --- well, on the border with Texas - never had grits until I left home and got to the big city. I thought it was a newspaper! When I saw Grits on the menu… I asked the waitress at H. L. Green's lunch counter in Dallas, Texas... you serve Grits? She had to tell me what they were. 1961. man oh man... <br /><br />I didn't like them. I like them better now but prefer potatoes with m'eggs... dang that sounds good. crispy chunks - crisp on the outside and moist inside? real hash browns not the shredded kind. sliced tomatoes. toast all slathered in butter...<br /><br />Anyone old enough to remember The Grit? Yer old if you do!<br /><br />I'm about to hit the road again... in the morning. I'm looking forward to finding fun breakfast places. I'm on a quest to find Mom and Pop places. I'm going Route 66. so... we'll see.<br /><br />The only thing I keep track of is gas. I keep a log book in my overhead visor - I like to check my mileage. It's also interesting to look back in my book and see where I got gas and the price. <br /><br />I don't spend a lot on much else... unless there's a dolphin or animal place ... I recently spent $35 to go into an Aquarium and the Botanical Garden thing...Carolynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03663919207326700505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-2590782783571335982012-03-24T23:11:34.178-05:002012-03-24T23:11:34.178-05:00Not a real lover of grits. I do need lots of butte...Not a real lover of grits. I do need lots of butter IF I eat them. We tried the dryer sheets also...same result as you :( <br />We TRIED to write down everything and compare our expenses each month. That lasted about 6 months. TOO much work for us. If you know you are living within your means...give it up. Too many other things you could be enjoying instead of entering numbers in a spreadsheet. Enjoy your weekend. ~wheresweaverPaul and Marsha Weaver OCT. 17, 2009https://www.blogger.com/profile/04066424117005030170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-75285287695916367402012-03-24T23:11:21.461-05:002012-03-24T23:11:21.461-05:00For the first few years after retirement I wrote e...For the first few years after retirement I wrote every cent of spending down to see how we were making out with our income. Finding that everything was working well and we could even save some money I quit writing it down. When our bank statements come each month I write down the debit side and tally it up at the end of the year. That way I know exactly what we spent during the year without all the fuss. I can also see how much cost of living has gone up. Never mind what the government wants us to believe, it goes up a lot more than the measly percentage the checks go up ☺Verahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07010712914240978913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774004683471521654.post-89789970127215097252012-03-24T22:44:26.197-05:002012-03-24T22:44:26.197-05:00I love grits!!! Developed a taste for them when i ...I love grits!!! Developed a taste for them when i was in the Navy. They always had them in the chow hall, i guess for all of those Southern boys :) BUT have only had them for breakfast with sugar and dollop of butter. Have yet to try them the REAL Southern way with cheese or other things and at lunch or dinner.Luci & Loreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05532319517164921110noreply@blogger.com