Currently...

The weather... it's 36 degrees, clear and calm. 

Reading... I just finished a Christmas romance. I forget the name. I'll be starting another this weekend. Probably. I haven't had much time to read lately.

Listening... to a lot of political commentary and interviews. This is a fascinating time, politically speaking, and I am interested in hearing what both "sides" are thinking.

Watching... still a lot of Hallmark movies and lately, thanks to the grands, a lot of Christmas classics.

Loving... this sweet girl, who will be joining our daughter's family in 2 weeks. Her name is Presley and she is a Basset Hound. I've always wanted one, but being a Basset grandma will give me all the cuddles and none of the headaches.

Thinking... my job is going to get tougher in the near future. We were already a little short staffed due to a few people leaving. My department hasn't had a supervisor for about 2 months and there are no possibilities in sight. Friday one of the supervisors in the shredding department passed away. His daughter and ex-wife work there, too, so both of them have been out. Another person from my department is done after Thursday and another announced that she is retiring at the end of the month. They haven't been able to get anyone to sign on in months. We are going to be working incredibly short staffed.

Feeling... thankful.

Celebrating... this coming Sunday is our 40th anniversary. Whoa. How did that happen? It seems like it was just yesterday.

Grateful... for all the little, mundane blessings and miracles that make up each day. The ones I don't always pay attention to.

Enjoying... the early darkness and cooler weather.

Laughing at...

(Sunday) Stealing Into November

Whew! I can't believe we're already into November, but at the same time I'm relieved October is behind us. Halloween is the very biggest of deals at my workplace and my department makes the "magic" happen so this past week was hectic, crazy, exhausting, and FUN! 

I have a few photos from the party to share, but not too many as I have to be careful of showing faces.

First up...this is my finished wall. I went with a zombie swamp theme. There was supposed to be a contest with voting, but there was just too much going on. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, anyway, and everyone loved it. It's hard to see all the detail but there are fairy lights in those (real) tree branches and a little lantern. I used green mesh for the moss. All those little light things in the picture are zombies and other assorted swamp creatures.

These are my coworkers' walls. They are really cute, but we obviously had different visions. Ha!

There were some really great costumes (wish I could share them, but if you are friends with me on Facebook you can see the official post from work that I shared).

And finally, there was me, the crazy cat lady.

Now on to Sunday Stealing...

1. Local events, parades, or festivals - either in your hometown or state.  There are so many holiday markets coming up this month I don't know where to start with those, several towns have Christmas parades and Indiana, PA (Jimmy Stewart's hometown) has the It's a Wonderful Life parade. Of course, every community has its light up night.

2. Life update - what's happened recently, moving house, family wedding, vacation, new pet, visited with a friend, and so on.  I already covered what's been happening at work. At home, I kept our daughter's dog for the past week while they were on vacation in Gatlinburg, TN. They just got home tonight. 

3. Do you have any family traditions this month?  We got married in November so celebrating that is a tradition, I suppose. We will be marking 40 years on the 17th. There is always the big family dinner on Thanksgiving and playing games and watching movies or the dog show afterward. (We are not big football fans.) Thanksgiving weekend is always for decorating for Christmas.

4. The holidays are about two months away, do you begin shopping or creating now, or wait for December?  There's no hard or fast rule on that for me, but I started in September this year. With the economy the way it is, then the whole thing with the dock workers' strike looming, it felt a little more pressing to get started. I've been picking things up here and there when I come across something I know will be loved.

5. What is your favorite November memory?  Our wedding, of course! It was big and fun...and it was the last time my whole extended family was together. Other than that, I'd have to say one of my fondest memories is of the Thanksgiving when my son was a year old. We were living with my grandmother and my parents had arrived the day before. We spent the evening in the kitchen, even Tim and my dad, making the stuffing and doing all the prep work for the next day. My dad NEVER did stuff like that and Tim rarely does so it was a very special time of talking and laughing.

6. Now that the weather is getting cooler do you prefer staying indoors or going outdoors? What do you do?  It hasn't really gotten all that much cooler yet. The nights do cool down but the days are still pretty warm for this time of year. I like the indoors and outdoors equally, but with all the trouble my legs give me these days I'm prone to be indoors more. I enjoy watching the fire, cooking heartier meals, watching movies, playing games, doing puzzles, and reading.

7. Describe your favorite local restaurant.  Keystone Kitchen is a little place in a nearby town (less than 10 miles) that serves great homemade foods. It's casual and very friendly. Megan's family likes to go there, too.

8. Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving?  Thanksgiving. Friends are always welcome at that.

9. If you could take any class, what would you select?  I've always thought it would be fun to take a couple's cooking class. I'm not sure Tim shares that thought so probably some kind of art or craft class.

10. To celebrate November would you rather enjoy pumpkin pie or sweet potato? Pumpkin! I am that girl who started eating and drinking everything pumpkin spice flavored back in September.

11. How do you handle setbacks or failures?  Admittedly, there may be some frustration and/or tears, but that is usually short-lived. I tend to pick myself up, dust myself off and see what I can do to fix the situation. If I can't fix it, I try to learn something from it. Then I move on.

12. If everything in your house had to be one color, which color would you choose?  I have no idea. I tend to hate monotone color schemes when I see them. I love color and like to use it (my living room walls are pumpkin spice orange). There is a lot of brown in the mix, though...so maybe all shades of brown. If you're forcing me.

13. Who or what would you haunt if you were a ghost?  I don't want to haunt anyone or anything.

14. Have you ever worn clothing with the labels still attached?  Not on purpose.

15. What's something weird you recommend everyone try at least once?  Taking a walk in a cemetery, looking at the artistry of the headstones, reading the stones, thinking about the people's lives.

Saturday 9: Me and Bobby McGee

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

1) The song begins with Janis telling us about a trip from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. Have you ever visited Louisiana? If yes, where did you go?  I've never been, but I want to visit one day. We have a niece there who married a native. She has promised all kinds of yummy Louisiana foods if we come visit.

2) She and her boyfriend Bobby hitch a ride with a truck driver and together the three of them sing "every song the driver knew." If you were to begin a singalong with strangers in a bar or at a party, what song would you confident everyone knows?  Piano Man or maybe Sweet Caroline. Most people seem to know both of those.

3) Janis had a painful time in her Port Arthur, TX, high school. She was ostracized for her looks and her taste in music. If you could give advice to your high school self, what would you say?  Don't take it so seriously. It'll be over before you know it and you really won't look back.

4) She credited the blues and Bessie Smith, specifically, for getting her through her tough adolescence. After she became famous and mentioned Bessie in interviews, Janis learned Ms. Smith had been buried in an unmarked grave back in 1937. Janis rectified the situation by paying for a proper tombstone for Smith in 1970. If money were no object, what's something you would like to do for someone else?  I would donate large sums to both Tunnels 2 Towers and Wounded Warriors as both do wonderful things for our veterans and in T2T's case, also our first responders.

5) Because of her party girl persona, people were surprised that Janis had a domestic side and enjoyed talking recipes. Thinking of cooking, what dish would you whip up for our Saturday 9 potluck?  I've been looking at a lot of pumpkin recipes lately so, maybe a savory main dish with pumpkin in it.

6) "Me and Bobby McGee" was written by the late Kris Kristofferson. Kris' life before hitting it big was varied, including time in Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, focused on English literature, and serving as a helicopter pilot in the US Army. Which career path do you think you'd enjoy more: academia or the Army?  There was a time when I wanted to join the military, but these days I'm sure I'd fare better in academia.

7) In 1971, when this song was popular, the US Mint introduced the Eisenhower Silver Dollar. Think of the last thing you bought at a store. Did you pay with cash, plastic, or your phone?  Plastic

8) England's Princess Anne turned 21 in 1971 and in honor of the occasion, she had an official portrait taken by fashion photographer Norman Parkinson. Who took the most recent photo of you?  Someone at work.

9) Random question -- There's a knock at your door. Who do you expect it is?  Our daughter's family is off on vacation for the next week, but since tomorrow (Saturday) is trick or treat in our area, it might be a trick or treater....if we even get any. We haven't for a few years, other than the grands.

Thanks to Crazy Sam @ Saturday 9 for the music and questions!

Currently

It's 10:00 on Sunday evening. The weekend has come to an end. It was a lovely fall weekend. Perfect, actually. I'm enjoying the last bit of it curled up on the sofa with my kitty and watching a Hallmark Christmas movie. Ha! What says "fall" more than that?

The weather... has been a bit warmer than normal during the days and quite frosty during the nights, dipping down to freezing or very close. We have a few more warm days (80 on Tuesday!) before it begins to cool down a bit. Is this our Indian Summer? Who knows. Weather patterns here are not at all like they used to be.

Feeling... relaxed and happy. I had a good weekend with family. Saturday was shopping with our daughter and grands during the day and in the evening Tim and I took the grands to see some of the spectacular Halloween displays in town. Today Tim and I did a bit of grocery shopping and worked around home. He mowed the grass for the last time and I worked on laundry and made a chicken pot pie for dinner. We watched some television and I did a little reading.

 

"

Reading... Maggody and the Moonbeams by Joan Hess. It's part of the funny and off the wall Maggody series. I read most of the books a long time ago, but somehow missed this one.

Celebrating... Halloween, obviously. We are having fun with the grands now as they will be leaving for vacation this coming Saturday and won't return until November 3. Also, as I've mentioned before, Halloween is a HUGE deal at work. We have a costume party and a talent show where the consumers get to show off their "talents." Some are quite good, others not so much, but it is always a lot of fun. My department has been working hard to decorate the multipurpose room and each of us has a wall to do something with. The other staff went with cute. I went with zombie swamp. LOL

This photo was taken nearly 2 weeks ago. Since then I've added fairy lights to the trees dripping with moss, more tombstones on the sides, more grass and moss. I also highlighted the windows in the house a little with some yellow chalk and added a shadow man in one of the windows. I admit to being a little proud of the whole 3-D effect with the trees. I'll try to get another photo with the lights and everything.

Annoyed with... the outcome of my trip to the dentist. I had the roots of the two teeth the crowns came off of extracted just fine and he popped the partial right in. I had to take it out that night due to some bleeding. I couldn't get it back in until the end of last week due to pain in the gums. Now that I can get it in I can't stand it and have to take it right back out. It triggers my gag response something awful. I'm going to have to call. Maybe he can adjust it somehow?

Giggling at...

 

Have a blessed week, everyone!

Saturday 9: Autumn in New York

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Frank Sinatra sings that autumn in New York is inviting. How are you enjoying fall where you are?  It only began to look and feel like fall in the last week, so I hadn't really been enjoying "fall" except for my beloved pumpkin spice everything. We went to a couple of festivals and I hope to make it to one or two this weekend as the experts say this is the big hoorah for the leaves. Other than that I'm just enjoying the longer evenings and my cozy, fall-decorated house.

2) He tells us the "canyons of steel" (aka skyscrapers) make him feel like he's home. What's something you love about your neighborhood?  It used to be like one big family where everyone stayed forever and knew everyone else, but as the older folks have passed and most of my generation moved away, new people have moved in (and they often only stay a few years then move on) and the family feeling is gone. I guess what I still love is that it's a safe place for my grandchildren to run and play.

3) Frank Sinatra was self-conscious about the scar on his cheek. The doctor used forceps to deliver him and left a mark. Tell us about one of your scars.  I have a scar on the bottom of my chin from playing Ring-around-the-rosie in the church parking lot when I was 4. When "we all fall down" came around, the bigger kids pretty much drug me to the ground. I remember blood. Lots of blood.

4) Frank was a creature of habit. Every time he visited Patsy's Italian Restaurant in New York he ordered the same dessert: lemon ricotta torte. Do you enjoy trying new dishes, or do you prefer to stick with your old favorites?  I am very adventurous when it comes to food and I love trying new things.

5) "Autumn in New York" was written by New Yorker Vernon Duke during a hot summer vacation in Westport, CT. Have you ever been homesick?  Not that I can remember. I've always been ready to head out on an adventure.

6) In 1947, when this recording made the Top 30, Daniel and Patricia were the most popular baby names. Are there any Daniels or Patricias in your life?  I have a coworker named Patricia.

7) Elton John was born in 1947. When you think of Elton John, what's the first song that comes to mind?  Crocodile Rock

8) Radio was America's most accessible form of entertainment in 1947 and a mystery, The Adventures of Ellery Queen, was one of the most popular shows. Do you enjoy mysteries?  They are my favorite.

9) Random question: What were you most excited about when you woke up this morning?  Well, I am answering this Friday evening so this morning I was most excited that this was Friday!

Thanks to Crazy Sam @ Saturday 9 for the music and questions!

Currently

On a Monday evening in October... it's a cool 47 degrees and the forecast says we're going down to 38 degrees before the sun rises tomorrow and warms us back up to 63 degrees for a high. Fall is finally here!

Oliver (Ollie) Twist, my bathtub dwelling kitty, still spends a good bit of time in said tub, but he's getting braver. Tonight he is sitting with me, purring loudly, and making it difficult to type. I think he wants to tell you all "hello." He's such a gentle, lovey boy. I'm glad he's coming out. I just wish we hadn't had to say goodbye to Daisy for it to happen.

Feeling... incredibly blessed as the images from the areas devastated by Hurricane Helene continue to flood the news and social media. I saw an article yesterday that showed a list someone had come up with ranking the states by the likelyhood of a natural disaster. My state of Pennsylvania came in smack in the middle of the pack. The safest state (as far as the likelyhood of a natural disaster) is Vermont. All the states along the Gulf coast are at the bottom of the list as the unsafest places to live in terms of natural disasters.

Celebrating... all those who are making sacrifices to go to the areas in Helene's path bring truckloads of supplies, hope, and muscle for the hard jobs that need doing.

The Weekend... was busy. Saturday was my employer's annual bingo fundraiser. It's our second biggest fundraiser. I took the gentleman I do companion work with and my mom and daughter went, too. My daughter won $75 on a bingo and Mike, the man I work with, won $100 on a bingo and a gift basket of fall decor and wine.

Saturday evening Tim and I, along with our daughter's family, went out to dinner. Sunday we had the grandkids all day and had a ball with them. 

Work... is a bit of a Murphy's Law kind of deal right now. Every department continues to be short-handed and it will only get worse as lots of people have scheduled vacations and time off during the next couple of months. I did not get offered the supervisor position. They decided they want someone from outside with a degree in social work (not really sure what benefit that will be in what we do, but there you go). I don't mind. I really don't think I'd want the job. Too many headaches and duties for not much more pay.

Excited... (kind of) about going to the dentist tomorrow. Back at the beginning of the year I lost 2 crowns. Both took some of the tooth with them. There isn't enough tooth under either of them to put new crowns on. My dentist is an expert at dental implants and pushes them. I told him I didn't think my insurance would cover it (few do) and asked about a partial plate. He wasn't thrilled but told the girl to run the insurance and let me know. 

Well, the months dragged on and I heard nothing. They finally called...to tell me implants were not covered and the cost would be $4000/tooth. I said that would not be happening and asked what the insurance said about the partial. I was told they didn't get an answer (I'm guessing that wasn't submitted) but she'd get right on it. A couple more months went by and they finally called to say what my cost for the two extractions and the partial would be. I let them know I was fine with the cost and we scheduled an appointment to have my mouth scanned so the partial could be created. A month later and I'm finally going to get what's left of the two broken teeth removed and my partial. So, I'm not looking forward to the dental work, but I am looking forward to not having gaping holes in the side of my smile...chewing will be easier, too.

Laughing at...

Currently

Reading... I'm not. I've been in a slump for a couple of weeks. I picked up a new Christmas paperback today so hopefully I'll start that this week.

Listening... to more Doo Wop music than I care to. The gentleman I do companion work with is hyper-focused on it and an online radio station that plays it. I don't hate Doo Wop, but he never wants to listen to anything else and he listens at make your ears bleed volume.

Watching... still Hallmark movies for the most part, but I'm looking forward to watching the vice presidential debate on Tuesday.

Loving... that Oliver, my bathtub dwelling kitty, is slowly figuring out that Daisy is no longer in the house and therefore not a danger. He is coming out into the rest of the house more and more, though he still remains timid of anyone other than me.

Thinking... I really need to get off my duff and get my fall decorations out before it's time to put them away. I've never been this late getting to it before.

Feeling... m'eh. It's a really gray, dreary day that does nothing to inspire. Plus, we went to a huge fall festival with friends yesterday and we walked and walked and WALKED. I don't feel too bad, but Tim, who had just had his first cardio therapy session Friday (it kicked his butt) and then did yesterday, is hurting a good bit today and just lying on the sofa.

Celebrating... nothing much here at home. Oct. 2 is our son's birthday, but since nothing has changed there... At work the big bingo fundraiser is this coming Saturday so there's excitement about it. Also, we have a huge Halloween party/talent show every year and it falls on my department to decorate, plan and execute it all. The consumers are already into the Halloween spirit and I'm kind of fueling it with themed crafts, movies, and such.

Grateful... we had a good day with our friends at the festival yesterday. They've been asking us to go for probably 20 years, but Tim was always working. It was very nice in spite of being chilly and wet. Lots of good food, plenty of crafts and other vendors. I bought two big bags full of stuff and a new noodle board for the stove. I also got a big, snuggly Hocus Pocus sweatshirt for myself. But the biggest thing...we were physically able to do it. We were hurting a lot by the end, but we did it. Tim admitted he was worried if I'd be able to walk that much before we went. Our friends were in the same boat...actually the wife was in way worse shape than the rest of us. I was worried about her.

It was rainy, chilly, and windy when we first got to the 
festival. These cute little piggies were trying to keep warm
by snuggling up to their Highland cow buddy.

Enjoying... all my favorite fall flavors, the return of savory dishes, the smells, and yes, even that it's getting dark earlier.

When fall rolls around, the Eat'n Park Smile
cookies become monster smiles. The kiddos
enjoy Frankenstein cookies after dinner.

Making me laugh...