100 and Done! (Countries that is...)

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We are back! This last trip brought the total countries visited to 100! It is a crazy milestone. It is difficult, time-consuming and can be (IS) expensive. After I got back from Antarctica in 2007, I started thinking about it. After 2010 I was thinking about it more (as I moved from NY to Georgia) and in 2014 it had become a real goal. Between Angie and I we have been to 109 Countries. We are tied at 100 countries each. We have 9 countries different in our lists. For example, I have been to San Marino. She has not. She has been to Israel. I have not, yet. There has been some fun competition in this area. That's why we had to establish rules. 1.) Must be listed (as a country) with the US State Department 2.) Being in an airport doesn't count. You have to get through immigration somehow and not in a DMZ or a no-mans-land 3.) A passport stamp is not required. I have been to Canada, Paraguay, and Uruguay without getting my passport stamped. There are friendly borders in many places...
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Georgia Weather and the Philosophy of Existential Remodeling

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It was cold and blustery in Atlanta, at least for half a day or so. It snowed, but no accumulation. The winds got up to 40 mph and temps into the low 20s. Miserable for sure for Atlanta norms. But like in California this "bad" weather keeps people at home and makes it easier to shop and drive.

The remodeling work progressed this weekend. Guest bath toilet moved and installed. Floor is prepared for tile and the plumbing and electrics are mocked up almost ready for completion. The one piece figerglass shower stall is still not due here for a couple more weeks. It will barely fit in the house. The window sashes will need to be removed and in it goes through the window opening. No way would it fit through the doors and halls. The characteristic of this kind of work is that it is semi-permanent. Good and bad comes with long lasting changes. It is something to rely on, but also something you have to live with.

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