Halloween Decorations & Stuff

If you've known me a long time, you know that Mark's mother prepared Sunday lunch for her family every week. Our children grew up eating at their grandmother's dining table. Mark and I have been married 40 years and I've eaten Sunday lunch there almost every Sunday of those years. Life is different since she died. I work on Sunday mornings and we've met our son and his family for lunch a few times after church (restaurants) and we've gathered together at Mark's mom's house with his siblings a few times and we had everyone over to our house on Labor Day weekend.

This past Sunday, it was just the two of us and I snapped a photo because this is just so different from the last 40 years. Mark grilled some burgers for us and I put some fries in the air fryer and made a couple of salads. It was nothing fancy. It was sustenance. It is different. Life moves on.

Sunday afternoon found Mark on the ladder on the front porch. One of our Tuesday night young adults LOVES Disney princesses. She asked Mark if he would consider decorating our skeletons in that manner this year. I went online and found the costumes from Tangled - Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, and Mother Gothel PLUS a lizard/chameleon whatever he is Paschal.

Mark came up with the clever idea to make her 'TOWER' a tailgate chair haha! He ziptied it to the post. She has on two wigs to make it long enough. I bought a Lady Godiva one . . .our young adults didn't know about Lady Godiva!! I also used the one that came with the costume. Braiding them was not easy.

Mark does such a good job of keeping our flowers alive on our porch. We added some pumpkins.

Inside the entry hall, I have mini pumpkins and fall leaves, a Snoopy Dracula, and witches legs.

The dining table has pumpkin candle holders, a fall wreath placed flat on the table with the plant sistting inside, a witch leg, and some bats!

I need to trade out the forsythia in my arrangement for the fall stems I have stored upstairs. The pumpkin has twinkle lights. Laura or Glenn made the little ghost when they were kids. Looking at it . . .I believe it might be a poop emoji today hahahaha!

This cool piece of furniture came from Mark's mom's house. I think one of our kids painted the ceramic pumpkin so I took it from Mark's mom's house, too. I have had the wooden witch for years and years.

I have a silly Trick or Treat sign hanging over the sink with some miniature pumpkins and burlap leaves in the dough bowl.

I added three jeweled pumpkins to the plant on the mantle along with a few of those burlap leaves. I have a little witch cauldren on the hearth. It would be cute if it could hang in the fireplace. I never thought of that until just now!

We have orange lights on the downstairs and upstairs porch railings. Here you can see Flynn trying to climb to Rapunzel and Mother Gothel over to the side.

You can see Paschal on her arm.

Let me just tell you that it took some wrangling on my part to get these costumes on these skeletons. I had to put velcro command strips on their heads to keep the wigs on. I think we may go back to our skeleton men who are fishing off the porch next year.

If you haven't followed along for a while . . .you might be wondering, why??? Our neighborhood goes ALL OUT for Halloween. We will have about 1200 Trick or Treaters that night. Everyone just takes their chairs and beverages and food and sits outside and hands out candy and visits with neighbors. In addition to our neighborhood kids, grandkids, friends, etc., we have lots of other trick or treaters. Our neighborhood still has homes being built and some of the workmen realize they can bring their kids to our neighborhood for a fun (and possibly more safe) adventure. 

 

Beginning of October Hodgepodge

1. Hey, it's October...what's one fun thing on your October calendar? We have lots of fun stuff in October. I just got back from a Staff Retreat where we had fun. We are headed out of the country soon for a wonderful trip. We will have a Halloween party with our young adults on the last Tuesday of the month.

2. Thursday is National Poetry Day (first Thursday in October)...do you like to read poetry? If so, what's a favorite poem, or whose poetry do you especially enjoy? I do not like poetry very much. I have always had a hard time understanding it. During my two American Lit classes, there were a few I sort of enjoyed.

3. Tell us about something you've seen recently that could be described as 'poetry in motion'. I haven't seen it recently, but when I have seen a deer running across a field, I think that is definitely poetry in motion.

4. What's one song on your autumn playlist? Do you have an autumn playlist? If not, pretend you do. If yes, then feel free to share more than one. We listened to some music by Sarah Groves and by Lauren Daigle while on retreat. Those are set on replay in my head right now.

5. Share a quote that inspires you this time of year especially. 

photo cred - google

6. Insert your own random thought here. I can't believe it is October.

Last week in review

Granddaughter #1 cheered at her football game on Monday night and we were able to be there! She is right out front - cheering well!

On Wednesday morning, I had an appointment with Dr. Clark, my ENT who did the emergency surgery on me back in July of 2022 (3 days after our home burned). Over the weekend I felt like I was getting a sinus infection. Guess what? After he scoped my sinuses, I went straight in for a scan on my sinuses. There is infection in that same cavity where it was before. I don't know if you remember but the infection was pressing on the optic nerve last time and I had double vision like a cross - one image going horizontal and one vertical. It was scary! We leave for a big trip next week so I'm on heavy duty drugs and will have a second sinus surgery on Wednesday, October 23. I'll be honest - I was caught totally off guard by this diagnosis.

Thursday night we had lots of rain. We were scheduled to meet our "out to eat" supper club at The Village Tavern at the Summit. Noelle has cancer and ended up in the hospital last week so she and Dan were unable to join us. Leslie also ended up sick and Susan was in Cape Cod . . .so it ended up being a double date with Kim and Gary. I had firecracker shrimp tacos and they were really good. Mark had shrimp and grits. Kim had Chicken Marsala and Gary had a giant sandwich with BLT and pimento cheese and fries. Food was good. We took this picture to send to the folks who were sick.

We've been getting our skeletons ready for the front porch. Our theme this year is Rapunzel. Mother Gothel is first, then Rapunzel and Paschal, and whatever the guy's name is . . .

Friday night was our regular supper club and we were at the Stearn's house. I was late to the text thread and appetizer was the thing not chosen so I wanted to do something different. Let me just say that this took way too long to make and chop, etc. I like my traditional cheese ball recipes better than either of these. They were just ok BUT THEY looked cute! Mr. Scarecrow and a cheeseball made into a pumpkin shape.

Our group doesn't like to have their photo taken and shared so this is mostly the backs of folks as we were hugging goodbye and packing up to go home. We love these people. They are ours and we are theirs.

I think I mentioned that Mark was adding shelves to our hall closet. He did a great job. I spent some time organizing it this weekend.

I was able to free up a couple of drawers in the kitchen and bar area. One drawer now holds the large and small food processors and they are so much easier to get out!! I was able to move some kitchen towels from the bar to a drawer in the kitchen.

This lady below was the logo for our 2023 Women's Retreat. I tried to paint one like her and it was so horrible that I threw it away. I colored this one with crayons this weekend and I enjoyed every moment and she looks pretty good!

Sunday morning found me working at church and teaching Sunday school and packing for our staff retreat which will be on Monday and Tuesday. I need to do more homework before we leave on our trip but our professor hasn't posted the next module. I'm trying not to freak out about it but I have a deadline while we will be on the Aegean Sea.

 

Sunday Stealing

Thank you to Bev for stealing our questions this week! I'm joining up with the other thieves to answer.

1. What do you want to be remembered for? I want to be remembered as a philanthropist . . .but since we aren't wealthy enough for that to happen . . .I want to be remembered as someone who cared about others. This isn't exactly answering the question, but I've always loved this quote about living life. “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "Wow! What a ride!” Folks can remember me that way, too! 

2. If you were put in solitary confinement for a year, what would you do to stay sane? I would exercise daily and read my Bible. Would I have access to a library? I'm assuming solitary confinement would be in a prison. Do prison's have libraries? If so, I would read a lot of books. Would I have pen and paper? I would write letters. I would probably cry some, too. It would be lonely.

3. If you could have video of any one event in your life, what event would you choose? I wish I had videos of our kids when they were little. I wish I had videos with audio of my parent's voices.

4. What are the top 3 things you want to accomplish before you die?  Have you accomplished them? I have no idea. Let's see . . .I want to love more. I want to live more. I want to travel more.

5. If you were forced to live one 10-minute block of your life again and again, what 10 minutes of your life would you choose. Wow - this is a tough question! I loved when our granddaughters were born and placed in my arms, but within 10 minutes someone else had them. I loved our daughter's wedding day. I loved my 50th birthday party. I have no real idea of how to answer this question.

6. Have you ever saved someone’s life? No. 

7. What are you addicted to? Diet Pepsi and to some extent, I'm addicted to food.

8. What keeps you up at night? I actually sleep fairly well. I'm on steroids right now for a sinus infection and that is affecting my sleep a tad. When I have too much on my plate, I wake up and go over and over it in my head. Sometimes the night before we leave on a big trip or if I'm in charge of a big event, I wake up a lot during the night.

9. What do you regret not doing? I've answered this one recently. I wish I had graduated from college at the average age rather than working on it at 66. I sometimes regret that we didn't travel more when we were younger.

10. What gives your life meaning? I'm a Christian and my faith in God and trying to live like Jesus is important to me. Also, our family and our friends and my job give my life meaning, too.

11. What are you most insecure about? I am insecure about my appearance and my lack of a college degree and worrying that what I say in a meeting might sound stupid.

12. What’s the most illegal thing you’ve done? When I was young, I smoked pot. I still speed when driving . . .a lot! I actually did something really stupid when I was a senior in high school and got caught. Thank God I was still underage. I think I made my daddy cry . . .but for those of you with kids who do something stupid, they can still grow up and be wonderful, productive members of society who try hard not to do wrong.  Just to clarify, I didn't do bodily harm to anyone. It was just stupid.

13. What’s the most surprising self-realization you’ve had?  I, like most people, thought I was going to live forever and not have aches and pains. I'm saying this tongue-in-cheek. I get really annoyed when my body doesn't do what it is supposed to do or when it "betrays" me. I don't think I realized I would feel that way.

14. If you could make one rule that everyone had to follow, what would it be? Always be kind.

15. In what situation or place would you feel most out of place? These questions are so tough today. I can be an extrovert, but when I enter a room full of people whom I don't know, I become an introvert and I always wonder if I truly belong in that space. Usually I eventually find someone to talk to and make a new friend. I would also feel very out-of-place if I joined a group of extreme mountain climbers or some group like that where I know nothing about anything!

Officially Fall Hodgepodge

I'm joining up with Joyce and the From This Side of the Pond gang for Hodgepodge!

1. It's officially fall y'all...in the northern hemisphere anyway. What are three of your favorite things about this particular season of the year? I love the colors of the leaves - gold and red and orange. I love the holidays - Halloween and Thanksgiving! I love SEC football.

2. Your favorite fall fabric-denim, flannel, tweed, corduroy, tartan, polar fleece, leather? Do you own something made with your favorite fall fabric? I think it might be denim. I have several denim skirts and regular jeans. Our son wears flannel shirts ALL OF THE TIME. I like corduroy but I don't think I have anything right now. I'm too hot natured for polar fleece. I do have a fleece pullover. I do not own a leather jacket or leather pants or leather skirt.

3. According to Everyday Health here are ten healthy fall foods- apples (flavonoids may improve brain health), pears (for heart friendly fiber), cranberries (helps your body fight oxidative stress) winter squash (for eye health), pumpkin (another great source of Vitamin A), leeks (an anti-inflammatory food), brussel sprouts (full of fiber and anti-oxidants), sweet potatoes (loaded with Vit A and C), parsnips (keep your bones healthy with Vit K), and broccoli (may help prevent cancer). 

How many on the list do you eat on a regular basis? Which one is your favorite? Which one gets a big no thanks from you? We love apples and pears and cranberries and winter squash and pumpkin. I love brussel sprouts. We both love sweet potatoes. I love broccoli - Mark does not. Leeks are ok but I don't buy them . . .maybe have never bought them. Parsnips -- might be ok. I've only had them once or twice.

4. Tell us about the last time (or a recent time) you experienced a wave of nostalgia? I sort of felt nostalgic at the wedding reception over the weekend. When I saw our son and a friend with their former children's minister . . .it took me back and I remembered so many sweet things.

5. Sept. 22nd was National Daughter's Day. Like mother, like daughter...does this idiom ring true for you? You may answer in terms of your own role as a daughter or, if you have daughters, then your role as a mother of daughters. My mom died when I was 15 but her family (half brothers) always said I looked just like her. She was much smaller than I am. Our daughter looks just like Mark, but according to Mark and Glenn, she acts like me. They always seem to point that out when one of us does something not to their pleasing. We clashed a lot when she was a teenager and we don't get to see her nearly often enough now that she has a family of her own.

6. Insert your own random thought here. Mark just said to me - Christmas is in 12 weeks. What the what???? I have way too much to do between now and then.

Weekend in Review

Moss Rock Tacos and Tequila is within walking distance of our house. I walked over on Thursday (after work) and met one of our Tuesday night young adults for margaritas and chips and queso. Mark was out of town so it was a nice way to spend a couple of hours.

All last week, Mark worked on this closet outside our powder room. It had one wire shelf and I had a little corner bakers rack in there for storage. He built and painted shelves and installed them. He did a good job! I'll take a photo once I finish organizing it.

On Friday, I headed to The Club for the bridesmaid luncheon for our sweet relative, Lydia.

Lydia's mom, Nancy, was Mark's first cousin and she and I were good friends. She actually introduced Mark and me (in a round about way on a canoe trip).

Two of my sister-in-law's were hostesses for this party. I helped with two other parties. My sister-in-law married to Mark's twin brother makes gorgeous flower arrangements. They gathered every blue and white accessory they could find.

The Club has been around since before I was born. We've never been members but have been lucky enough to have family or friends who belong. There is a lighted dance floor and it was the inspiration for the dance floor in Saturday Night Fever! Fun fact to know and tell!! The views are spectacular.

Y'all know that my mother-in-law died in June at almost 99 years old. My sister-in-law washed and ironed linens to be used on the tables. They were beautiful. She loved going to a party at The Club. We've had lots of Bridesmaid lunches there. Our niece's wedding reception will be at The Club next summer.

Lydia and Carson were married on Saturday afternoon at our church.

The reception was at the Valley Hotel. A jazz band played at the reception and the music was fun! The saxophone player goes to our church and is a former band director and the person playing the keyboard has played at the small theater we frequent. She is actually world renowned!

The cake was beautiful. I heard it had a strong almond flavor but was evidently yummy.

Flowers and candles adorned the tables.

Granddaughter#1 looked so cute by the cake.

Here we are!

The bride and groom were making their entrance.

They had a sweet first dance.

I should have cropped out the two photographers!! They were getting ready to cut the cake.

I snapped this one (below). Our friend was dancing with his daughter - it was a sweet moment.

There were some really cute dancers on the dance floor. One little boy was "break dancing" for lack of a better word.

This sign greeted us as we exited the elevator. The buffet tables were down this hallway which was nice because they didn't take up room in the actual "ballroom."

Our son, Glenn, is on the right. He and Michael grew up together -- all the way through college. They were even roommates at Auburn. Laura is Michael's wife and then Lauren is our daughter-in-law and granddaughter #1 hopped in the picture with them. I'm so sad that I didn't get a picture of Glenn and Michael with Linda Whatley. Linda was our kid's minister when they were growing up. She was so tiny next to them. She is over 80 now and she kept up with those kids for years.

Here is a cute picture of the three of them.

We had fun visiting with lots of family. Usually we are only together for sad events such as funerals. It was great to be together at a happy occasion.

Sunday Stealing Questions

I'm joining up with Bev and the gang at Sunday Stealing. Bev steals the questions and we answer them. She stole these from 200 Questions.

1. What popular TV show do you refuse to watch? This is an older show but it seems that everyone has watched it . . . but me. I just can't get into The Office. Maybe I'll try watching some of the episodes again.

2. What pets did you have while growing up? We had cats when I was growing up. We had a big yellow kitty and his name was Tom. Someone ran over him. We had a calico and her name was Missy. She loved to ride in the basket on my bike. I wish I had a picture of that!! Missy had kittens and our neighbor poisoned Missy and her babies. We couldn't prove it, but my parents thought that was what happened.

3. What is the luckiest thing that has happened to you? My husband would say it was the day I met him hahaha! I won a bottle of Pappy van Winkle - that was pretty lucky! Our house burned and I was in it when the fire started. I was safe. Our kitty was safe (bless his heart - I miss him). We were able to rebuild. I feel like that was more than luck.

4. What are some small things that make your day better? An ice cold Diet Pepsi or a kind word or a few words of affirmation always make my day better. 

5. What’s your favorite piece of clothing you own/owned? I'm not sure I have a favorite. I love dresses and have some that I wear all of the time. Do shoes count? I love my Birkenstocks and have several pairs.

6. What’s the most annoying habit other people have? I cannot stand when someone smacks or picks their nose. Another thing that annoys me is when someone is talking and someone else keeps making comments throughout the person's talk.

7. What game or movie universe would you most like to live in? This is similar to a question from last week about living in a fictional place. This isn't a game and I don't think it counts as a universe, but I'm still going with Narnia.

8. What’s the most impressive thing you know how to do? I can type really fast. I can cook in large quantities -- quadruple (or appropriate amount) a recipe to feed 20. 

9. What was the best book or series you’ve read? There are several series I have enjoyed. I love the Miss Fortune series by Jana DeLeon. I've enjoyed the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I've read all of the Agatha Christie books several times. The best books I've read have been Same Kind of Different As Me and American Dirt and a few others. Demon Copperhead was so hard to get through but it was really good in its own way. I loved Remarkably Bright Creatures and I've heard it is being made into a movie!!

10. What state or country do you never want to go back to? I don't know that I feel that strongly in a negative way about anywhere I've been. We drove through Kansas once and it sure was flat and it took us a long time to drive across the state but I would go back. 

11. Where do you usually go when you have time off? We go see our granddaughters or we go to the beach. I'm thinking about taking a couple of days next week to do homework and just stay at home.

12. What amazing thing did you do that no one was around to see? The little boy saw this . . .but last week I was handing a glass of water or lemonade to a boy at church. Somehow it didn't make the connection between my hand and his on our first try but he and I somehow batted that cup around and caught it without a single drop spilling! I wish I had those moments recorded!!

13. What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives? I think everyone should fly on an airplane and go visit another country. 

14. What’s something you’ve been meaning to try but just haven’t gotten around to it? Birmingham is a foodie city and there are always new restaurants I want to try. There are several we haven't gotten around to visiting.

15. What is something most people consider a luxury but you don’t think you could live without? Some might consider central air conditioning a luxury but I would not be happy without it. It is hot and humid here in Alabama. I'm thankful for running water and indoor bathrooms and actual toilets, rather than a hole in the floor. I'm thankful for electricity and lights and a bed to sleep in. I would miss all of those if I didn't have them and I do know that some people would consider those things to be luxuries.