Feeling Accomplished

I left the house twice today - which is a significant event.  We've been hunkered down since returning from Reno on Saturday - dropped off B. at the airport, went to GSR for a bit of play and drove home.  It's been snowing pretty much ever since.

I drove myself to the bank twice - the one nearest are home (within walking distance) had all but one ATM down and the one ATM was at the drive through and was really icy. 

It's the ice that scares us.  We're fine trekking through snow and getting wet and cold.  But when the snow turns to water and freezes, leaving things completely icy, it is terrifying.

I ventured a bit further away from home and explored the town a bit more.  Stewart Street leads to great places - and makes me think of my cousin!

It's now Wednesday and I've ventured out everyday this week so far.  Yesterday, we trekked to Scheel's in Sparks - an outdoor super store that you rarely hear about but WOW!  Really amazing!  Ferris wheel!  Aquariums everywhere.  We made a pretty large Winter gear lalapalooza purchase and had a nice time.  On the way home, our car sort of steered itself to Atlantis - free buffet and dinner off the 'list' for the day.  Super proud of our trip because the weather wasn't great but we did it!

We awoke thinking no snow today - it was supposedly going to rain - but there was gentle, steady snowfall this morning.  Not cold enough for it to stay long once it hit the ground so luckily, I was able to stick with my plan of venturing out today to Walmart.  We had a list of things we needed - mostly stuff we are sending to H. for Christmas.  We're not doing 'gifts' really - but we're creating a treat box full of some of his favorite snack and food items.  It's going to way a ton -

H. is in the process of navigating the purchase of a used car.  We field phone calls and try to assist but mostly, we're letting him do the things that need doing.  He's found a good, reliable car with a price point we are all comfortable with - and as soon as he's confirmed insurance, etc., we will move the money into his account for him to get a bank check to give to the buyer.  (Thank goodness he was able to open a Wells Fargo account when he was here - makes everything much easier).

B. will be officially deploying on Saturday - 9 months at least.  The Army packs up his apartment and stores everything for him and because where they are going has no base or housing set up, they will all apparently be staying in motels.  That's a long time in a room with another person but that's the Army.  He's OK with the plan - deployment compensation is good and he has nowhere to go and can't spend money so...he'll build up a lot of savings.  He's got the travel bug and wants to head to Portugal next year -

I sketched out our 2019 estimated taxes and we're ready to write the checks and send them off - but first, we had to file change of address forms with both entities.  Once we get an acknowledgement they've been received, we'll mail off the estimated tax payments.  Something we'll be doing quarterly from now on.  We do have withholding set up on my pension and our monthly retirement savings withdrawal but it's not enough to cover what we owe so we'll send in money on a regular basis.

I don't have any plans to leave the house again this week until I trek to Reno on Sunday for a two night stay and a slot tournament event.  I'm looking forward to the play and the time to hang out.  J. will come one night for sure for dinner - two free buffets are part of the event and we don't pass them up.  We're both very careful - I ate a salad and a cup of soup for dinner last night and it was more than enough.  I even skipped my usual small dessert because I'd had a treat earlier in the day. 

Binge watching Madame Secretary!