It was a lot warmer the last two days, than it has been in a while.

Sunday was in the mid 40°s, and today it made it to 50º with quite a bit of sunshine.

Tomorrow is going to be about the same as today, but later this week, we're supposed to get more snow.

It sure is nice to finally get some warmer weather, but the best thing is it's almost March, and spring is just around the corner.

I took Koda to PetVet at Tractor Supply today, to get his yearly shots. Mom went again so she could be with Koda, in case I needed to use the restroom.

We got there at 3:00 PM so I can be in front of the line, but this time it almost didn’t matter.

When a girl came out just before 4:00 PM to start getting peoples information, she said if we hadn’t already checked in with Save-a-Spot, we needed to scan a QR code on a sign she had, to set it up now.

There were quite a few people there and we were first, so I asked the girl what happens with people already in line. I told her I’d been there since 3:00 PM, and it wasn’t fair, if I had to wait.

She said Tractor Supply didn’t want people lining up anymore, and told me she had no control over it.

So I scanned the QR code and set it up, and I got a confirmation email and text message right away.

The email said thanks for saving your spot, we're excited to see you at your upcoming clinic visit.

If you are already at the store or when you arrive, there’s no need to wait in line. Feel free to shop or relax in your car, and we’ll send you a text, when it’s your turn to check in.

We kindly ask you arrive shortly after receiving the message, otherwise we may move on to the next pet in line.

After the girl helped other people set up their spots, she came back over to me, to get my information.

I did end up getting in first, so I don’t know if she decided to just go with the way people were lined up, because of what I said.

I got Koda the Vital Package, which includes a Vitals Check, 5-in-1 Vaccine + Lepto, Bordetella Vaccine, and Intestinal Parasite Screening. I decided not to get the Heartworm test this time.

I also forgot to bring a stool sample for the parasite screening. But since it's included in the package that I paid for, they gave me a vial that I can drop off, on any Sunday.

The package was $111.00, but the 30% off coupon saved me $33.30, so I only paid $83.70.

I got an email about Save-a-Spot a few days ago, but I didn't know it was required.

It said you can “Save-a-Spot” for a clinic up to five weeks in advance, to let us know you’re coming. While not an appointment, it helps us prepare for your visit.

You will then receive email and text reminders for your upcoming visit, and if the clinic is canceled, we’ll notify you.

So I guess next time I need to take one of my dogs, I'm going to have to set it up with Save-a-Spot.

I got an email today from PetVet at Tractor Supply, with a 30% off coupon. It couldn’t have been better timing either, because Koda needs his yearly shots, and I planned on taking him tomorrow.

He's due for the Bordetella Virus Vaccine, the 5 in 1 DAPP Vaccine, an Intestinal Parasite Exam, and the Heartworm Test.

The Vital Package is $111.00, and it includes a Vitals Check, 5-in-1 Vaccine + Lepto, Bordetella Vaccine, and Intestinal Parasite Screening.

The only thing it doesn’t have is the Heartworm Test, but I can get it as an add-on, for $35.00 more.

They also charge a $5.00 Medical Disposal Fee and a $1.00 Medical Laboratory Fee, so the total would be $152.00. With the 30% off coupon the final price will be $106.40, saving me $45.60.

I’m happy about that because I also need to get my car registration and driver’s license renewed, before my birthday March 9th, and that’s going to cost me somewhere around $150.00.

Just when I thought it was going to get better, we’re getting more snow. It started yesterday and it’s lite, but it is piling up quickly, and is still a nuisance.

The news said we weren’t going to get much. But after the bitter cold we’ve had, since the day after Christmas, I don’t want to see any at all.

I made it through the extremely cold temperatures again. Since Monday, the daytime highs were in the teens, and the temperatures overnight and in the morning, were in the single digits.

It’s still going to be cold until Saturday, but not as bad as it was the last three days. At least it didn’t get as cold as it did a month ago, when one night it dropped down to -10° below zero.

I hope this is the last of the extreme cold, because I am so ready for spring, and for this miserable winter to be over.

My landlord's father-in-law plowed the driveway, but at first I wasn’t sure, if he was going to do it or not.

It wasn't done when I left around 5:00 PM, to go to mom’s, but he was plowing it when I got home.

It was really windy yesterday and today, and it caused some major drifting in our driveway.

That’s normal where I live, because there’s a field next to us, with a decent size hill. The wind blows the snow through the field, and due to the location of the barn and houses, it drifts pretty bad in our driveway.

So I had to do quite a bit of shoveling today. I did the dog pen, the walk behind the trailer, and the front walk first.

After that I went over to check the driveway. I just shoveled up by the house yesterday, and the rest of the driveway wasn’t bad.

Today was a different story though, because of the drifting, and there was a foot or so in it now. So it took me over an hour, just to shovel my part.

While I was doing it I noticed that there was some shoveling done in front of my neighbors house, and it looked like someone may have gotten stuck.

I didn’t shovel that part though, because there was too much. Plus with all the other shoveling I did, I was pretty wiped out.

Then when I left to go over to mom’s house, several parts of the driveway up front, were also drifted. So I sent my landlord a text, to let him know, it needs to be plowed.

He didn’t get back to me until late this evening, but he told me his father-in-law would be over to plow it tomorrow.

That worries me because of the way it drifts here, and he should check it every time we get snow.

What if an ambulance or fire truck needed to get in, because of an emergency.

And most delivery drivers aren’t allowed to pull into driveways that haven't been plowed. So we wouldn't even be able to get out packages.

It snowed yesterday morning, and we got couple of inches. Then it warmed up in the afternoon, and it switched over to rain.

The rain didn't stop until late this morning, and at times it was pretty heavy. As soon as it stopped, it switched over to snow, with gusting high winds.

The temperature also started dropping really quick, and by mid day we had several inches.

We're supposed to get a few more inches through early tomorrow morning, and the winds are going to be gusty all day tomorrow.

The worst part is tomorrow through Friday is going to be really cold again.

The daytime highs are only going to be in the teens, and temperatures over night, are going to drop into the single digits.

Mom and I went out and had the all you can eat fish dinner, yesterday. The food was great as always, and we had a nice time.

When we got there and I was about to turn into the parking lot, I saw an ambulance. So I moved to the side of the road to let it go by, but it pulled into the restaurant parking lot.

By the time we got to the door, the paramedics were already inside, and they were putting an older lady on the gurney.

After they took the lady out, the hostess seated us. She told us the lady was 95 years old, and passed out in the booth she was sitting at.

I think I overheard the manager say later, that the lady was OK, and they were going to take her to the hospital, to check her out.

While the ambulance was still in the parking lot with the lady inside, another one pulled in, and I'm not sure why.

This is my second Valentine’s Day without Joyce, and it just isn't the same anymore.

She was the love of my life and my Valentine for 45 years, and I sure do miss her.

We usually went out for dinner on Valentine’s Day, or sometimes make a nice dinner at home. No matter what though, we always spent it together.

Life without Joyce has been really hard, especially on days like this.

Sure I remember the good times. But then I think I'm never going to see her again, and that makes me really sad.

So Valentine’s Day doesn't have the same feeling for me, and now it's just another day.

My mother sent me the poem below, that I think will be deeply felt, by anyone who's lost a spouse.

I also put a photo of the two of us together, above the header.

This evening we’re going to get freezing rain again. Then it’s going to warm up a bit, and switch over to all rain.

Tomorrow it’s supposed to snow, with Friday being warmer. But it’s going to snow again, on Saturday and Sunday.

Then starting on Monday and going through Friday, the daytime highs are going to be in the teens, with temperatures in the single digits, over night.

This winter has been crazy. It's constantly cold, and since Christmas, we’ve only had a few days above freezing.

For as long as I’ve been alive, I don’t remember that ever happening.

So I sure can't wait until it's over, and we get some warm weather again.

I am so bored, and I can’t stand being stuck in the house. But with the constant cold weather we’ve been having, I don’t really have much choice.

So all I did today was update my website, and look around on Amazon, and that's pretty much it.

I can’t wait for warmer weather, so I can go outside and do something.

I don't really care what it is, that I do, as long as I'm outside in the sunshine.

It was 46 years ago today on February 9, 1979, that Joyce and I first moved in together. Her dad wasn’t happy about it, because we weren’t married, but we did it anyway.

The apartment was actually the top floor of a house, and it was furnished, but really small. Everything I had at the time, fit in the front seat of my truck, and everything Joyce had, fit in the bed of the truck. So it was big enough for us at the time.

The apartment only had one door, which isn’t safe, and I don’t think that would be acceptable today.

At the top of the stairs there was a narrow hallway, and the bedroom was at the left. Going right went to the rest of the living space.

The living room was small, and it only had enough room for a couch, one chair, and a TV. The kitchen was extremely small, there was a small fridge and stove, the sink, and a tiny table, with room for two.

The bathroom was off the hallway, and there was only room for one person, unless a second person was in the tub. It served its purpose though, and somehow we got by.

The furnace was the worst part of the apartment. It was small and in the living room, but it didn't have any duct work. The heat blew out of the top, with no way to send it to the other rooms.

The living room was always warm, but the rest of the apartment, not so much. Needless to say, in the winter we relied on each other's body heat.

Still though, it was fine for us back then. We were young and it was our first place, so we were happy to have it. I think the rent was $150.00 per month, so it was cheap enough, that we could afford it.

It's hard to believe it has been that long, and time sure does fly. Sadly though, Joyce isn't here, to remember today with me.

Every year on this day, she would always ask me, do you know what today is, and of course I didn't, until she reminded me. Now I really miss her asking me, but most of all, I miss her.

February 9, 1979 was a special day for us, we were starting our lives together. But that ended, the day Joyce passed away, and remembering it now, just makes me sad.

The lighted magnifying lamp that I ordered from Amazon, came today. It’s really nice, but the length of the 3-section swing arm needs a lot of space, to get the magnifying glass centered over my desk.

I had a hard time figuring out where to mount it at first, because it didn’t work in the places I planned on putting it. I eventually found a spot that works, but I may end up moving it, if I find a better one.

I like it a lot, and can't wait to use it to build a coil, because the magnification is a lot stronger than the one I had.

I ordered a lighted magnifying lamp, from Amazon today. The one I’m getting is the HITTI Ultra Long 12X Magnifying Glass, with Light. The 3-section extra-long swing arm extends up to 44 inches for flexibility, and it has 4 springs and 3 knobs, for securing its position.

It has a 4.2 inch real glass 12X HD magnification lens, to provide a clear distortion-free view, and ensure precision and reduce eye strain.

The built-in LED light has 5 color modes, and 10 levels of dimming brightness, to illuminate the work area, and ensure optimal visibility for detailed tasks.

The control buttons are conveniently located directly on the magnifying head, and the USB-A power cord is six feet long, and includes a USB power adapter.

It comes with a heavy metal mounting clamp that has four holes, for horizontal, vertical, sideways, or inverted mounting. It securely fixes the lamp stand at different angles, and fits tables up to 3 inches thick. It also has double-layer non-slip foam pads to prevent scratches.

The regular price is $59.99, but it was on sale for 22% off, so it was $46.99. There was also a $10.00 off coupon, and that made it $36.99.

Then on top of that I had a $26.74 gift card credit, from returning SUPCASE UB Mag XT case. So I only had to pay $12.84 for it today.

It is supposed to be delivered tomorrow, and I can’t wait to check it out. It has to be better than what I have been using.

I'm thinking about getting a new lighted magnifying lamp, for my office. I mainly use it for building vape coils, but I’ve also used it for a lot of other things.

The one I have doesn’t have the best magnification. It has a fluorescent light and is really small, it is also made of plastic, so it’s kind of cheap.

I’d like to get a metal one that has LED lights, and is a lot taller than what I have now.

I’ve been looking at some on Amazon and picked out a few, but I haven’t decided on which one to get yet. I'm not in any hurry though, so I'll keep looking until I find the right one.

I went to Menards yesterday, and got the floor vent register, for my kitchen. I also picked up a 16 pack of Zest bar soap, while I was there.

The soap is normally $9.99 which is a good price, but it was on sale for $7.99, and that’s a deal.

After I got home I installed the vent register and it works, but I had to modify it a bit.

The dampers on the ones in my house now, open and tilt towards one direction. But the dampers in the new one open from the center, and go all the way to pointing up.

The floor vent in my kitchen is up against a wall, so I need the dampers to tilt away from it. The new one sort of does it, but you can’t adjust the angle away from it, as much as I’d like to.

But I figured out a way to keep the damper angle in place, and it works good enough.

Twenty two years ago today, on February 1, 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated as it reentered Earth’s atmosphere over Texas, killing all seven crew members on board.

An investigation later determined that during liftoff, a piece of the insulating foam broke off the Shuttle’s external tank and struck its left wing, compromising the thermal protection system.

Then upon re-entry after a 16-day mission, the wing damage allowed hot atmospheric gases to penetrate the heat shield, and destroy the internal structure. That threw the Columbia out of control, causing it to become unstable, and break apart.

Millions around the world watched as the Columbia was torn apart, and it was truly devastating to see.

Especially for those that witnessed the Challenger explosion in 1986, which also killed the entire crew.

It was warm today, but it rained all day, and with all the snow melting, it made quite a mess. There was a small pond in my dog pen for a while, and parts of the driveway, was solid ice.

I wanted to go to Menards this afternoon, to pick up a floor vent register, for my kitchen. But because of the rain and the warm temperature, it was really foggy. So I figured why take a chance driving in it, and decided to wait until tomorrow.

Then this evening it got colder and everything froze, we even got a little snow.

Mom needed to go to the bank and also pick up her prescriptions today, so she asked if I would take her.

I needed to to do some things too, so I told her that I would. But before I picked her up, I stopped at my bank, to take out money for rent.

Then I picked up mom, and we went to her bank, then to Walgreens, to pick up my prescriptions.

After that we stopped at Giant Eagle to pick up her prescriptions, then went to a few grocery stores.

So it worked out good because we both needed to run a few errands, and we got them all done.

I had an appointment at AxessPointe Community Health Center yesterday. Everything went well, and my NP said I was doing good. I also decided while I was there, to get the latest COVID vaccine.

But when I was checking out and setting up my next appointment, I found out it won’t be with my normal NP. They said she was leaving and I was surprised, because she didn’t say anything about it.

Then while I was waiting to get my COVID vaccine, the manager walked by, so I talked to him about it.

He told me she was moving on to better her career, and probably didn’t say anything, because she didn’t want to upset anyone.

I've been seeing her for a long time, and sadly may never see her again. We were very close, and over the years we talked about everything. The day I told her that Joyce passed away, she cried and told me how much she liked her.

I wish she would have said she was leaving, because I would have told he how much she ment to me, and probably even asked for a hug.

Thirty-nine years ago today, on January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff from Cape Canaveral in Florida, killing all seven crew members on board.

The disaster resulted in a 32-month suspension of the shuttle program, to investigate the accident. The cause was later determined to be failure of a rubber O-ring seal, on one of the solid rocket boosters.

The shuttle program was a big thing back then, and everyone followed it.

Today people old enough to remember it, share their memories of that fateful day.

I was at work when it happened, and no one there could believe it. When I got home and turned on the TV, the coverage was everywhere.

It was truly devastating to watch, and it's something I will never forget.

The USB C hub I ordered, was delivered yesterday. The long cable it has, makes it easily reach from behind my computer, out to the front on my desk.

It works great, and also looks a lot better than the extension cable did. And now I can plug in multiple devices at the same time, instead of just one.