First Cup Diner!

[djknife13]

Good morning. It's above zero (12) and going up over the next few days. They keep predicting freezing rain and bad driving conditions, but it seems like they want to go right for something negative so I'm ignoring that part. I need some groceries and Jane is going over to one of our son's house to make cookies with our daughter-in-law. I got my monthly car/house insurance bill yesterday and it went up another $200 per month. It as doubled in the past 4 or 5 years to $825 per month. I've been with this company, Farmers Insurance Group, for about 50 years and only had one claim in all those years along with a windshield or two. A few years ago It had gone up to $600 a month and I called and complained, and we upped the deductible a lot bringing it down about $100 for two months and then they raised it back up with the higher deductible to over $600 again. Now at $825 per month, the cost is out of reach for me. My Social security check isn't much more than that. What do you retirees that don't still work do? I charge a flat rate of about half of what union carpenters get per hour and make more in 3 days than my monthly social security check, and the media and govt can't figure out the public rage against CEOs of big business. I wonder if China offers a house insurance plan. With my already screwed up mind set, grocery shopping probably isn't the best plan for today, but I still need some stuff. I'm almost out of dog food (not for me and Jane) and my dogs aren't getting my food. Come to think of it, and bag of dog food is now $50. I remember when it was $3. Well, enough venting. It's just getting me more frustrated anyway. With that, have a wonderful weekend.____Dave

[bestgear]

It as doubled in the past 4 or 5 years to $825 per month. I've been with this company, Farmers Insurance Group, for about 50 years …

your loyalty is admirable but one sided. I used to be the same way Dave until I got a financial advisor in 2007 and now he shops all of my insurance carriers every year for the best rates. It’s hard to give up our old ways of thinking but when financial pressures prevent you from retiring and enjoying your golden years, in my humble opinion it’s time to rethink new ways. Hang in there brother, your prayers are being heard and God is good.

[Boji]

I currently pay under $500 a month and that includes SR22 full coverage for two vehicles and additional coverage for my guns and jewelry. I fully expect an increase next year.

[treefarmer]

Good Mornin', Fellers and Gal!
Goodness sakes, Dave! You're wound up tight this morning. On a lighter side of costs, I was engaged in a conversation last night at a Christmas get together talking about prices of oysters. We used to buy a bag of Applachicola oysters for $6.00 during Christmas at the school district maintenance shop. The state just reopened after a 5 year closing, the bay to oyster harvest. A bag is now $100! Down the road to Panama City, there is a rather new restaurant that is advertising 1 dozen oysters on the half shell, $18.95. Not too long ago, seems like a dozen only cost a dollar. Commenting on the more serious subject of vehicle insurance, that price is you mentioned is unreal! We are able to insure 3 vehicles, a 5th wheel camper, homeowners policy and the farm for under $600 per month at this time. Not too long ago, several years, it was around $400, the homeowners increase is due to the recent hurricane damage. Not that there are more storms but more people living in the state.
The regular rifle season started a couple of hours ago, I'll do my best to participate this afternoon. No need to rush, the rut isn't on yet and we can keep after 'em until end of February.
Another run to town is planned for this morning, dog food is also on the list. Miss Joy is tired of riding in the old woods truck! She commented the other day, "Why don't you get a newer truck?" Gee, this one is only 24 years old with only 150,000 miles, just gettin' broke in!
Low this morning was 44°, temperature will be good till the next front comes through.
Hope everyone has a great Saturday!
Treefarmer

[Paladin]

Mornin' guys and gal. Our current temperature is 66º. I have parking lot duty at church for a funeral in just a little while.
I can't help but add one note about shopping for insurance and that is a reminder that Progressive Ins Co is a George Soros company.

Hope you all have a great day.
Ray

[bighomer]

Morning folks, 39 at daybreak may hit the upper 50's later rain predicted.
Outside critters are fed, wampus wuz up and ready for chow this morning.
Gotta get the trash together and get to the satellite/ recycle dumpsters.
Dave insurance is ridiculous, but that's seems shore nuff high, does that include insurance for your business?
Hope yawl have a good'un and be careful out there.

[LKSKNIVES]

Good morning all,
I was loyal to Farmers for a long time. Switched last year saved a bunch then my daughter went into the Air Force she was a small part of the money sync. The switch away from farmers was huge. She graduates Basic this coming week. Texas here we come can’t wait to see her.

Ray thank you for the Progressive update. I don’t think I will be going to Progressive any time soon.
Hope you all have a blessed day.
Steve

[djknife13]

Morning folks, 39 at daybreak may hit the upper 50's later rain predicted.
Outside critters are fed, wampus wuz up and ready for chow this morning.
Gotta get the trash together and get to the satellite/ recycle dumpsters.
Dave insurance is ridiculous, but that's seems shore nuff high, does that include insurance for your business?
Hope yawl have a good'un and be careful out there.

Nope, that's only liability on two older vehicles and a high deductible on the house. I'm going shopping.____Dave

[Boji]

[/quote]
Nope, that's only liability on two older vehicles and a high deductible on the house. I'm going shopping.____Dave
[/quote]

Yikes! Here is a breakdown of what I pay
SR22 high risk, full coverage, $500 deduct for 2 cars. $215,
Homeowners $250,000 on house plus $20,000 firearms and $30,000 jewelry. $213.
Total $428 per month.
Do you have extra buildings insured?

[royal0014]

Mornin' Y'all

Made a 2 hour trip north to a family Christmas get-together yesterday. Really thin crowd, but of course
it was good to see those that did show. A shorter trip is planned today for another get-together at
a cousin's home.

Pot is waiting ... yawl have a grand day !

[djknife13]

Good morning. I didn't check this mornings temp but the air didn't bite my nose when I let Molly out so it's not bad. Yesterday's grocery shopping cost me just under $400, but I think I'm ready for Christmas breakfast when the whole bunch comes for waffles, strawberries and sausages. At least now days, you don't need a pickup to haul $400 worth of groceries. They fit nicely on the middle seat of a 4 Runner. Church is in a few hours with the church kids including two of my great grand daughters putting on their Christmas program. One is a shepherd and one is an angel. The shepherd one is really onto chickens and horses and the other is a quiet little warrior who could easily take on any boy in her class at school and they all know it. They are twins, but nothing alike. Dinner is at church after the program and then it's home to decorate our tree which I put up yesterday. I pray you all have a blessed Sunday.____Dave

[TripleF]

Mornin'
Could be a big day....we'll see.
Pine Needle Basket weaving class at 2:00 pm
Then football....

[treefarmer]

Good Mornin', Diners.
58 this morning as it is getting light, still cloudy from yesterday afternoon's invasion of clouds. Beautiful clear blue skies until around 2pm then no sun, dreary afternoon. Low light is hard on these old eyes trying to see Bambi during the 30 minutes after official sunset. Saw 5, no bucks. At least we didn't have to clean one!
Coffee is ready, the house is quiet, Miss Joy is still sleeping. I just heard the mini-dachshund floppin' his ears, things are about to happen.
At church today Joy and I have been asked to light the "Joy" candle as the pastor goes through the Advent season sermons.
Y'all enjoy the day!
Treefarmer

[ThatWeirdKnifeGuy]

Well it's just about 7. I've been up since 3:30. Can't seem to sleep more than 5 hours in a night right now. It's a bit of a bummer. Was watching Star Wars for 3 hours until my littlest woke up and joined me. Now we're watching Clifford the Big Red Dog. Im only on my first cup of coffee because I woke up 3 hours before it's programed to start brewing.

Just walked outside to see if the ice storm that the weather guessers imagined might happen did or not.

It did not. Rained, but never turned to snow or froze. I've got a delivery route to drive starting in about 2 hours, so I'm glad for that. I did, however, see a few tankers out brining our roads yesterday so it would have been fine either way probably.

It sounds so Wisconsin that you'll think I'm making jokes at my states expense, but to prep the roads for winter weather the county uses cheese brine from local factories to spray the roads. It's found to be more effective than salt alone due to the organic compounds added from all the cheese wheels. Cheese brine is just salt water they wash or soak cheese wheels in while they're aging to inhibit unwanted bacterial growth.

Well now I've got 2 more boys sauntering in and the action is really starting to pick up on our show. Clifford's shenanigans are reaching a fever pitch, gotta go

[jerryd6818]

Wow!! Slept in my chair until 0200 when I got up and went to bed where I slept until 0800. Most sleep I've had in ages. Temp here is 43°, dropping to 41° at 0900 for the rest of the day. My favorite cousin drove up for lunch on Friday and I talked him into taking me to Walmart where I picked up gift bags. Sounds so much easier than wrapping all this stuff. As usual no plans for the day.

[gsmith7158]

41° and rainy here in Canton,Ga. Got my big cup fullthis morning and don't expect much activity today . Whatcha putting in those gift bags JerryD?

[royal0014]

Mornin' Y'all

Yesterday's small family gathering was good. I really need to work on staying in touch with my family.

Monday, and only 4 days left of my vacation. I best get off my tail feathers and accomplish something now.

Pot is singing ... Yawl have a grand week

[dlr110]

Good Morning Everyone!
Cheryl and I were able to get out of the house for the first time in over a week and attend church.
We had a man during the morning service tell the story of the birth of Jesus as he painted a picture
of Bethlehem and when he finished he turned on a blue light behind the large canvas and the image
of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus appeared in the clouds over the city. It was a very special service
and a very moving moment. Have a blessed week everyone and be safe during this holiday season...

Screenshot 2024-12-16 060407.jpg (13.66 KiB) Viewed 123 times

[treefarmer]

Good Mornin', Folks.
Watching and listening to the woods come to life this morning. Afew birds are singing, lots of highway noise from the Orange Hill highway to the east, folks going to work. I can also hear a few cows lowing and even a donkey braying. The temperature is around 50°, no wind yet. Might see a buck this morning, saw 8 deer last evening but no shooters.
Church was good yesterday.
Coffee will be good in an hour or so.
Y'all have a great day.
Treefarmer

[djknife13]

Good morning. David, years ago a local pastor used to do that with some of his sermons and was fun and moving to watch. We are in a warming trend and it feels good. Our church Sunday School Christmas program was very good and presented to a full church with a strong Gospel message. Yesterday afternoon I called my siblings to see if they were planning to come to our Christmas breakfast and to get updated on how things were going in their lives. They are all in Minnesota but are all in different corners of the state. One, who's wife has been having serious health issues isn't doing well at all and has taken a turn for the worse and can't leave her alone. Another who's spouse has been battling alcohol addiction ended up divorced. She's coming. Another sister has a daughter that has been also battling drug and alcohol addiction and has been doing pretty well but is losing her home and is moving into a condominium and my sister will be helping her move over the next few weeks. The forth sibling is doing well but is going to spend Christmas with his daughter-in law and grand-daughter. Most of my kids and their families are coming so the house will still be full, but it sure was a vivid reminder of all the pain that is in the world, even in a strong Christian extended family. At the same time I see great grand kids taking an interest in following God where a year ago there was little interest. I can see with my own eyes, the end times shaking the Bible tells us will happen in the end times. It's scary and exciting all at the same time but my heart is breaking for those who don't see it. I pray you all have a good week and a really good Christmas season.____Dave

[bighomer]

Morning folks, 53 for the low mid 60's later, rain overnight and hit and miss showers today.
Critters are fed, the ones that ain't sleeping in at least.
Wampus wuz on the tractor hissed his morning salutation and dived into his breakfast with great gusto.
Not much happening around here today.
My post from yestiddy must of ended up in lala land. My fault no doubt. Wasn't important anyhow.
Hope yawl have a good'un and be careful out there.

[jerryd6818]

Whatcha putting in those gift bags JerryD?

Christmas stuff of course. Gena came today to clean up the place and she put everything for Christmas (except a box of cars for the 2 year old) in the bags I bought. Now all I have to do is label them and Christmas is taken care of.

[treefarmer]

Good Mornin'! Y'all come on in, the FCD is open.
48° this morning, cooler supposedly at the end of the week. The one thing about cold weather that gets my yes vote is being able to hang a freshly killed deer (with fly bag) outside for a day or so with out having to put them in a cooler. Let yesterday's deer cool down most of the day but had to quarter him up before dark for the cooler.
Men's prayer meeting at 6am. Need to go to the barbershop pretty soon, lookin' a bit scuzzy. Still driving the old woods truck, school teacher daughter still has Miss Joy's car. Maybe the shop will get the ordered part soon.
Hoping everyone has a blessed day!
Treefarmer

[djknife13]

Good morning. I'm loving the mild weather even though the sun hasn't shown up in a while and it's slippery everywhere. Jason went flat on his back on our sidewalk yesterday on his way down to get some grit for the driveway where we are working. The highways are pretty clear but the gravel roads call for slow careful driving. We are supposed to get up to 6 inches of snow later this week along with another cool down but not as chilly as last week was. I'm off to work. Have a great Tuesday.____Dave

[Ripster]

Morning folks, 53 for the low mid 60's later, rain overnight and hit and miss showers today.
Critters are fed, the ones that ain't sleeping in at least.
Wampus wuz on the tractor hissed his morning salutation and dived into his breakfast with great gusto.
Not much happening around here today.
My post from yestiddy must of ended up in lala land. My fault no doubt. Wasn't important anyhow.
Hope yawl have a good'un and be careful out there.

Ol Wampus is looking good . His eyes have that look of “ don’t mess with me today “ type look.