The Week that Was

 

Before we begin a new week, maybe it's a good idea to recap my old?  Rewinding!

Before starting another study, the 'church ladies' decided to do brunch and watch a movie.   

Because the girls had a groomer appointment that morning, I hadn't made up my mind to attend until the 11th hour.  What to do, but grab several boxes of Little Debbie Christmas Tree cakes and a DollarTree platter. 

Thankful, nearly everyone was wearing a mask.  Thankful, too, I could pull up my gaiter to wipe my tears.  (Have you seen Overcomer yet?) Thankful for early Christmas presents Kathy passed out -- adult coloring books and pencils.   'Specially thankful for the jug of egg nog Kristin contributed.  I unashamedly drank two glasses while my stomach did a happy dance.

Conecuh sausage, turkey salad, cheesy grits

Let's see ...

I already mentioned Tom's MRI.  Still waiting, but I've a good feeling.

... Not so much the way I felt Wednesday morning when I reset the thermostat and nothing happened.

Thankful, our service provider had someone out within the hour.  Sad to hear it suffered a stroke, but thankful it didn't happen this week when temps are predicted to plummet.

Ah, Thanksgiving.

Oh, the aroma!

Arriving at the designated hour, son met us at the side door:  "Everyone arrived early. There's a crowd inside."

Thankful to have been invited.  But honestly, it was awkward.

The spread was ah-mazing.

But DIL was, in her own words, overwhelmed ... and cranky.   Having lost their daddy just a few months ago, she thought it a good idea all the siblings come together for their mom.  (Mind you, I don't think she had any help ....)

Having been raised as an only child, I've always been fascinated by the dynamics of a large family.  Pretty sure no-one meant to behave in an exclusionary manner.  After all, they barely know me/us.

Thankful when Troy came to sit and eat with us.

With first-born, down from North Carolina.

It was strangely reminiscent of an early-80's Christmas celebration at my former in-laws.  A multi-generational, jovial crowd.  

Then, someone whispered in my ear. "Look at Troy."  My 12 y/o son had gone to sit in a far corner beside somebody's elderly mother and was leaning into her words.  I later heard how much his company meant to Nellie.

Thankful, Troy and Lois will be coming here in a couple of weeks for his birthday.

Finally!

In honor of the girls looking so cute from the groomer, I'm thankful Tom agreed to sit for holiday selfies.  Oh how we laughed!

'Still hoping to capture something suitable for a Christmas card, but this cracked me up.

Macie:  Grace, did you see this?

Grace:  I'm so screwed........

G'night, sleep tight. Sweet dreams!

Hugs,

Myra

Thanksgiving Photo Hunt

 

Well, why not?   Don't we hunt eggs on Easter?

Big thanks to Martha at Seaside Simplicity for this idea!  In keeping with her suggestion, each of my photos represents a letter that spells out T-H-A-N-K-F-U-L.   

T is for ....

Time

H is for ....

... Where the skies are so blue

A is for .....

Armed Forces

(son while serving in Desert Storm)

N is for .....

Normalcy

K is for .....

Kindred souls

F is for .....

U is for .....

Uplifting messages

L is for .....

Laughter, the best medicine!

No comments necessary. I only hope everyone's enjoying their day!

Hugs,

Myra

A morning in the life ...

 ..... of opposites!  

So this morning we had to be at the V.A. by 7:30.   Tho' we're less than 20 mi. away, our commute involves two major freeways.

I initially propose we leave at 6:30 -- then concede. 6:45 it is! 

6:35 Tom's still in the bath.  6:40 I starting pacing.

6:50 wheels up!
Then, "Do you have your mask?"   Aaaargh!

Well, go figure.  We pull in the VA lot with 15 minutes to spare.  Color me, feeling foolish.  Again.

So I sat outside with my water bottle, e-reader and 3 fun-size Butterfingers -- writing this post and praying I wouldn't have to use the bathroom.

Update:

Tho' it was 2+ hours before Tom came out, he was relaxed and smiling.  No panic attack while in the MRI.  In fact, he fell asleep and the tech had to wake him because his snoring was interfering with the machine's function.  LOL!

In the spirit of Water Cooler Wednesday ...

Are you a 'hurry-up and wait' sort (like me)?  Or, like DH and my son, is yours is a more relaxed, laissez faire attitude?

Have you ever been late for an important appointment?  What happened?  

Happy Turkey-licious, friends.

I'm really grateful for YOU!

Hugs,

Myra

Sunday vignettes

To borrow a phrase from sweet Marie, here are a few things I've found that pique my interest and bring me joy.  Gosh knows, we could all use a little more joy!

An ordinary, extraordinary weed.

Our yard will never vie for House Beautiful ... and I'm okay with that!

Maybe not the greatest thing since sliced bread ... but close!

I've long abandoned the 'Cleopatra' eye effect, but wanted something subtle to make my smallish eyes noticeable.

These glide on like butter, with no smear. Woot!

A former classmate (and her h/s sweetie) still live in my hometown. Not sure how it began, but they've a little family of deer that come hang out in their front yard.

When I watched Patty's video on FB, I had to capture a screen shot.

Wild thing, you make my heart sing!

There's nothing like the real thing ...

but I was delighted to discover these in Target's frozen food aisle.   Now I can enjoy a taste of the Cheesecake Factory without having to driving 90 minutes!

Finally ...

I can sure relate.  Anyone else?

Thanks for visiting ... please come again!

Hugs,

Myra

 

Dream Along with Me

 

Oh m'gosh, y'all.   Can you believe, Thanksgiving Day's but one week away?!  

And what a Thanksgiving it's shaping up to be ..... or not.  We've been invited to my son's.  Then again, so have DIL's 4 siblings and their families.  Factor in Grandgirl #2 (aka, social butterfly) and Tom's on edge.   I don't know what to do .... you know?

Long-time readers may remember, the Thanksgivings of my youth weren't the norm.  Our being thousands of miles away from family, the long weekend was an excuse to drive up to Colorado -- a hotel in downtown Denver ... a dude ranch ... even a train ride to a newly-developed community called Breckenridge.  My father's only requisite:  Not being fond of turkey, he wanted to be able to order off the regular menu.

I can still hear him muse, "This year I think I'm going to be thankful for _________."  (fill in the blank)

Anyway!  What you say, we take a cue from Mr. C ...

That's right.  I'm hosting a virtual Thanksgiving!  Right here in Blogland.

Let's just pretend, okay? ...Nothing's impossible in our dreams. 

So please, won't you share your fantasy Thanksgiving ......

What's atop the table?   

... and who's around it?

Your home, or somewhere else?

How's the weather? Remember, nothing's impossible. (*grin*)

I'll share my own responses a little later in the comments.

Have a beauty-full day ... stay safe!

Hugs,

Myra 

A Return to Sunday Stealing

 

Oops, my title sounds a bit 'off.'
Honest, I'm not considering taking up Grand Larceny! 

Rather, hooking up with Bev at her weekly feature, Sunday Stealing.  Today's theme is 'Something Different' -- where answers will be in the form of a photo. 

* * *

Something held together with ribbon, string or rope

Something related to travel

(Click to enlarge if you'd like)

My mother totally defined the term, self-effacing ...

but was really tickled to be featured in an employee newsletter where she worked in the County Treasurer's office. 

After she passed, I found this among her treasures in the hope chest.

Someplace people gather

(stock image from the internet)

Something cold/frozen

Something with a hole in it

Broken-hearted ...

but grateful to have been wearing a long hoodie!

Something striped

The window behind where I'm sitting

An animal

Something cute

Macie and Grace ... seems like yesterday!

A food

My latest passion -- Camp Stew

Something warm 

Last night's supper

Have yourselves a super new week!

Hugs,

Myra

Random

 

Does anyone recall the story making rounds a few months back about meat packaging?  It's claim: You could identify where your meat was processed (eg, Mexico) based on the color of the Styrofoam tray.

That turned out to be fake news.  But it didn't stop me from questioning our butcher when I saw some burger meat packaged on black trays, others on white.   He explained, they'd run out of regular inventory and had to buy from another supplier. 

Imagine the grin on my face when I saw this!

Sing it like Springsteen!

Oh, and speaking of packaging.....

I ordered this from my favorite on-line retailer:

..... which arrived in this:

I guess they were out of padded envelopes?

Still made me smile. 

Meanwhile ....

My heart's hurting for this little girl.

One day last week I watched as Macie Ann was trying to walk towards me but kept going sideways against the wall.  We guessed she hurt her back while rough-housing with her sister.  Since it didn't seem to affect her good appetite or stop her from jumping up on the couch, we gave her a wee bit of baby Benadryl and kept a close eye.

Thank goodness, she bounced right back ..... but aggravated it again a few days later.  Darn those chipmunks!  How they enjoying teasing our girls.

I'm seriously leaning towards having the vet take a look-see, to rule out the scary stuff.

What to do, but I ordered second set of doggie stairs for the bedroom.

Little Grace took to it like a champ.  Not so much my darling delinquent.

So this morning I cut up a Greenie in little pieces and began home-schooling.  I even role-played ... going up and back down "1-2-3!" a few times for their benefit.  'Trying to be charitable, but methinks this is going to be a process.

Oh, the games people play!

Have a great weekend, y'all!

Who, me?

 

Ever since 25 year-old me enrolled in a self-help seminar, I've been curious to learn what makes me tick.   Tho' the 'Silva Mind Control' weekend was entertaining, I don't recall taking its lessons to heart.

While I was never into astrology or numerology, I was intrigued by the idea of self-discovery and (probable) success.  Right....

From Zig Ziglar to Tony Robbins, I bought their books and tapes, and took part in seminars.  Oh, the mind was willing but my 'get-r-done' weak.

Then a few years ago I participated in a workplace exercise, Emergenetics.

"Predictable."  They actually said, 'predictable."  Disappointed, I resisted the notion of owning one's own results.

Fast-forward to this morning.

One of my study group pals piqued my interest when she posted something about her Enneagram profile.  I want to play!

So, I took the little personality test, not unlike Myers-Briggs.

Yowsa. I was more than a little miffed to be labeled a #6 -- grouped with the likes of Sigmund Freud, Richard Nixon and Michael Moore.

I took it again, varying my responses here and there.

Nope.  Still a #6.

After reading in more detail, I have to admit -- they nailed me.

https://www.truity.com/enneagram/personality-type-6-skeptic

No, I'm way past the idea of setting the world on fire.  It's just nice to know.  Want to play along?  (I hope you will.)  Just click here.

Ciao for now!

Hugs,

Myra

  

 

  

     

Observances

 

Happy Veterans Day!  Have y'all anything planned in particular?

Aside from my father always purchasing poppies from the old men in front of the Post Office (I wonder if that's even a thing anymore) I don't recall any parades or observances.

Oh, but he'd put out our flag.  Always the patriot.  Legend had it, if folks saw the Red White and Blue flying at the Willer's house, they'd hurry to put theirs out as well.

One afternoon a neighbor approach my dad.  Puzzled, he asked, "What exactly are we commemorating today?"  Straight-faced my father replied, "It's Evelyn's birthday."  I'm not sure what the VFW might say, but to daddy's way of thinking, each of our birthdays was reason to fly the flag.

So, I spent the better half of yesterday purging the linen closet -- resulting in bags-full of old towels and blankets to be dropped at the Humane Society.  Other than that ... it's a rainy day, best suited for my comfy clothes and carbs.  And a movie.

I guess you could call it a tradition.  I still haven't decided whether to watch Saving Private Ryan or The Deer Hunter.

Ironic.  At the time, I was more than a little reluctant to see either one.  War movies aren't my favorite genre.

Both, however, spiraled their way deep in my consciousness like no other.   Sure, I'll cry. Again and again.  

But.  Like Buttercup once wrote, "My pain is their remembrance. I would have it no other way."

In the spirit of 'Water Cooler Wednesday' ...

Has a movie touched you so deeply, (that) years later it still holds a special place in your heart?  Want to tell us about it?

Be well ... be safe!

Hugs,

Myra

Pinterest goes to the Kitchen

 

But first!

Yes. I resolved to publish shorter, more frequent posts.  However, this last week my head's been all over the place, unfit for public consumption. LOL! 

There's been a bit of reexamining, removing and rearranging.  Those of you in my FB tribe may have witnessed an unfortunate exchange, when the other day my former boss and friend left a nasty comment on something I'd posted.  My wonderful, brilliant and amazing son stepped up ... and pretty soon she unfriended me.  Blocked.  On one hand, I feel a tremendous weight off my shoulders. On the other, I'm super sad that what we once shared has disintegrated.

Hey!  It's a new day!

So, anyone who really knows me realizes I'm about as crafty as a toilet plunger.   I know this.  But there's those times I look at something on-line and say, "Why not?"

For instance:

As seen on Pinterest.

A tea light, strategically placed amid coffee beans -- resulting in a wonderful java-ey aroma.

Ready, set, go!

No aroma. Nil.

Did you know coffee beans are flammable?

Me neither.

Moving right along!

I'd never heard of 1-2-3 Cake before!

They said, 

You need two boxes of cake mix.  One can be any flavor you prefer, but the other MUST be Angel Food.

Mix them together.

Then, simply store the mixture in an airtight container until you get the urge for dessert:

Put 3T of the dry mixture in a coffee mug.  Stir in 2T water.  Microwave for one minute and you'll have a single serving of cake!

Top with fruit, ice cream, whipped cream ... whatever!  Awesome for those of us who want something sweet every now and then without making an entire cake!

So ...

Yesterday afternoon Tom had a yen for something sweet.

I've got this!

Um, no.  Looks and feels like a kitchen sponge.

2nd, 3rd, 4th specimens.

All cooked for different times ... all rubbery.

Now I'm wondering what to do with the remaining cake mix.

All is not what it seems on Pinterest!

In closing ...

Yesterday I was back here on the computer when the dogs began barking hysterically.  I went running to look out the front window to see.  Nothing.

Only the leaves from the witch's tree falling furiously ... tumbling and pirouetting in the wind.

Barking at the big, bad leaves.

Say, y'all take care.  We'll talk soon, I promise!

Hugs,

Myra

Back to the Hodgepodge!

 

Hey there!

Anyone else in the mood to take a break from the cloak of politics?  Writing this Tuesday night, I'm emotionally spent. 

All the better to indulge in some entertaining Q-and-A.  Thank you, Joyce!

* * *

How do you define peace?

Right now, a respite from those intrusive and ugly political advertisements and text messages. 

November 3 is Election Day in the USA ... but did you know it's also National Sandwich Day?  Let's vote, shall we?  Egg salad or tuna salad?  Chicken salad or grilled chicken on a bun?  Peanut butter and jelly or a bagel with cream cheese?  Turkey and swiss or ham and cheddar?  Grilled cheese or pimento cheese?  Roast beef, corned beef, or make mine veggie?

I've highlighted my choices.
Smiling, thinking of the petrified chicken breast I overcooked Sunday afternoon... still waiting to be made into chicken salad.
(Or not.) 

When did you last say (or feel) 'no rest for the weary'?

Good grief, I'd have to travel back to 2000.  Working for the tax partner at a CPA firm in downtown St. Petersburg, we logged some insane hours.

Rather than making her usual 60-minute commute,  my boss actually slept in the back of her SUV in the parking garage!  The days leading to April 15, I'd just come home and collapse for a few hours on the couch, so as not to waste time making the bed the next morning.

I even took my laundry to this sweet attendant at a laundromat ... later embarrassed to realize she'd even taken the time to carefully fold my underwear.

This time last year, where were you?

Right here, feeling relieved to have just tendered my resignation at the funeral home.

I've always prided myself on going the extra mile for my employers. But what I'd hoped would be a pleasant part-time diversion was unbearably stressful.  I felt I was trying to sprint up the down escalator.   It's given me a whole new appreciation for retirement!

Share a favorite song, verse, or quote featuring the word 'peace.'

How about ...

Insert your own random thought here.

Thanks for visiting!  Y'all please stay safe!

Hugs, Myra