I’m going to make an attempt to start catching up! Today I will just cover Halloween.

Kelly and I started the day out helping set up for the Tea at Hanna’s Town, but I’ll post pictures tomorrow. There were plenty of us to get everything done. The administrative assistant saw what we were dealing with and ordered pizza for all of us for lunch. So that was a nice bonus. The girls did a wonderful job decorating and the rooms are very festive and look great.

Friday sunrise

(Stock image)

We got home and made lunch for Chase, then got a few things done in the afternoon. About 5:30pm Kathy and Mae picked us up and we went to a haunted Palace Theatre tour. It was about half an hour. We got to walk around the theatre and there were vendors set up in Megan’s Suite. We all had treat bags with everything from chips to candy to stickers.

Palace courtyard

Kathy, Mae, and Kelly holding up the ghostbuster.

A vendor table.

Lights over the balcony.

The ghosts that we met told us about being ‘stuck’ in the theater for almost 100 years — but at the end of the tour we discovered that they were actually protecting the theatre and the actors. So we used our magic wands (yes, we all had noise-making, light-saber type wands to cast spells!) to call all the spirits back and the Palace is restored!

The ghosts disappeared in a cloud of mist.

A ghost on the stage.

Kelly using her magic wand to protect the Theatre!

Our view of the theatre from the stage.

Suddenly … a ghost!

The courthouse against the evening sky.

Later, Autmn sent me two pictures of Cameron. They look him Trick or Treating with Noah’s mom and step dad who live a few blocks away from me. Looks like he had a great time and got lots of good stuff. I forgot to ask him to save me a Baby Ruth bar if he got one!

Enjoying a treat.

He got a lot of treats! No tricks!

So Kelly took a few minutes and laminated the senior pictures for Autmn, Peyton, Christina and Logan. I had them in soft plastic magnetic frames, and the frames were falling apart and shredding and falling off the door. So I put magnets on the back of the laminated photos and the door looks fresh! Thanks Kelly!

Top to bottom – Autmn, Peyton, Logan, Christina, Peyton, Autmn, Logan, Christina.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW November 3rd is:

Job Action Day; National Housewife’s Day; National Sandwich Day; Cliché Day; Color the World Orange Day; Give Someone a Dollar Day; Jellyfish Day; National Accessory Day; Traffic Directors Day.

I keep house but not as a wife. I like sandwiches but not a fan of the color orange. If I see Cameron I will give him a dollar. God bless!

Just jumping on here to let you know I’m still here – just have a lot going on and am exhausted by evening. I hope to catch up and send posts from Halloween, Haunted Palace Theater Tour, Tea set up and the Victorian Tea today, and life in general. Have a blessed day in the House of the Lord!

Morning sunrise

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW November 2nd is:

Daylight Savings Time Ends; National Deviled Egg Day; All Souls Day; Be the Impact Day; Look for Circles Day; World Ballet Day; Zero Tasking Day.

I have several tasks tomorrow so that won’t work! Logan and Autmn LOVE deviled eggs. I will miss evening daylight but we must embrace what we can’t change — or move to Arizona! God bless…

It was cold all day – mostly rainy but then the sun peeked out. I started the day at work after a frozen waffle. Got everything done, had a nice medical pep talk from Barry (much appreciated!) and then stopped for my prescriptions on the way home. The sky was dramatic.

I had potato soup for lunch, then made a list and gathered up what I need to take to the tea setup in the morning. Did a little mending after that, and made a packing list for vacation. Plans are still up in the air but we are going to try to figure it out.

Potato soup

My honey was running low and I had to return an empty honey jar, so I popped down to Irwin. My plan was to also drop off a few items at Goodwill, but Rege called and needed something handled at work – and he wasn’t there. So I headed straight up there and took care of that – the main issue being that the computer takes forever and the printer jams if you print more than two pages. But again, that’s done and we met the deadline.

The rock I found at Miller’s Crossing (honey store)

Now I am making Acini de Pepe soup for when Kelly gets here later. It will probably be after 10pm as they had a program at church tonight. So I have plenty of time.

So that’s all for today – and I will probably have a full schedule tomorrow so may not post. I’ll catch up Saturday or Sunday. But look what I found online! We used to have lots of these wax candles. Made me feel nostalgic!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW October 31st is:

National Doorbell Day; National Frankenstein Friday; National Breadstick Day; Girl Scout Founders Day; National Magic Day; National Knock Knock Joke Day; National Caramel Apple Day; Halloween; Bandana Day; Books for Treats Day; World Savings Day.

I’d take a book for a treat! Everyone will expect treats on Halloween. And it’s the best idea to have a savings tucked away. You just never know what’s next. God bless…

I may not be posting much in the next few weeks but I’ll try to keep up. I know Kelly and Chase will be here the next few days so I may not post — don’t panic!

All I did today was clean and do laundry. Talked to Nate – he is still having tests done before a surgery date can be set. I will share info once I have it.

I did feel energetic enough to make potato soup, so I’m going to grab food. Have a lovely day tomorrow.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW October 30th is:

National Candy Corn Day; Haunted Refrigerator Day; National Checklist Day; National Publicist Day.

I have lists everywhere. Thankfully my fridge is not haunted. God bless…

I had a few things to do at Pinnacle, then I finished some paperwork for my cousin. From there I went over to help Mike P with something. I had to stop at Walmart to get items to make Nate some Chicken Acini de Pepe soup and then potato soup on Sunday. I took the chicken soup down about 6pm so they’d have it for supper. It should last them a few days – maybe! Any time you stop at Nate’s you are greeted by the welcoming committee – here are just two of them. Trust me, there were more!

Dobie in a purple sweater

Piggy waiting for belly rubs

After lunch I made the soup and did a few small things around the house. I forgot to mention that yesterday I dropped off some items at Goodwill and walked around. I saw this really nice drawing of the Capitol building at Colonial Williamsburg. I don’t really have a spot for it and I have several pictures of Williamsburg already so I didn’t buy it. But I really liked it!

On the way home from Nate’s there is a pretty back road. The sun was shining gold off the trees. There was a field of deer but I couldn’t get a picture. There was a car behind me and I couldn’t stop.

It’s later now, and dark outside. Snoopy is watching the moon.

And I think that’s it for the night! I have Biltmore Christmas on in the background – getting myself immersed in the culture!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW October 29th is:

National Oatmeal Day; National Hermit Day; National Cat Day; National Internet Day.

You wouldn’t be reading this without the internet! I like my oatmeal with brown sugar. And I will never be a hermit as long as there is a Walmart! God bless…

I was able to get caught up with a lot of things today which was good. Laundry, cleaning, errands, sewing.

Since my day was basically quiet I will just catch you up on our ‘patients’.

Kathy has a surgery date of November 25th. She explained the procedure and the recovery to me and seems to have a good grip and a great attitude. Continue to pray for her as she moves forward.

Nate, on the other hand, has another delay. It’s likely that he will have to have surgery as well, and he has an appointment on Wednesday. He has been making a lot of changes in his lifestyle and diet to help get back on a healthier track, but will still have to have some assistance. Again, please pray for him and the family as we all move through this tense time together.

I appreciate all of you and your prayers and support. I will give updates as I get them.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW October 28th is:

Wild Foods Day; National Chocolate Day; Plush Animal Lovers Day; National First Responders Day.

I’ll stick with chocolate, although I really like my stuffed Snoopys! God bless…

After a whirlwind week today has been just slow and steady! It’s sunny, and warmer than yesterday, so I did a few things outside after church.

Sunday school was continuing about Samson. Some things to think about: We are our own worst enemy. We need a Savior, and it’s not Samson! It’s never to late to call out to God. Be on God’s plan for your life – he never leaves you.

Todd’s message was BOLD Obedience. 3 things: 1) Obedience sets off opposition – don’t be surprised. 2) God shows up and shows off! 3) Obedience always requires faith. Obeying God’s Word is a safe place to start. We can’t see the future – we don’t see past the glow of the lantern’s light. JUST DO IT! Be more willing to serve, with Joy and patience (That’s a hard one for me – the patience!). We should be saying “We cannot help but share what we have seen and heard.”

After church the ‘Steiners’ asked me (a Steiner!) to join them for lunch at Texas Road House. I don’t think I’ve been there for a dozen years. I had a salad and a burger. I brought half the burger home. It was thick and big and cooked just right so I’ll be excited to have the rest of it for supper later. We had a nice time – it was my cousin Mark, my cousin Deb and her husband Jim, their son Michael and his wife Talya. It was a very nice time getting together!

I left there and stopped for a few groceries. Once I changed clothes and put groceries away at home, I went outside. I put a few things in the shed for storage, then scrubbed the two trash cans. I also cut back the rose bushes on the upper side of the house. They don’t bloom much anyway so if they don’t come back I won’t be losing much.

Clean trash cans.

Rose bushes

Next – I swept the floors downstairs and re-wrote my list. Not sure how much I will get done this evening but I don’t have to work tomorrow. And speaking of tomorrow – please remember both Nathan (he’s having a procedure done early morning) and Kathy (she has an appointment with her surgeon) in your prayers. Both of these events could have multiple outcomes – so all and every prayer is appreciated. Thank you.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW October 27th is:

Cranky Co-Workers Day; National American Beer Day; National Black Cat Day; National Mentoring Day; Navy Day; National Civics Day.

My co-workers are not cranky — but sometimes I am! It’s a noble thing to be a mentor, and to be mentored. God bless….

First of all – today would have been Bud’s birthday. I think of him often, and how much I learned from him, and how he was such a great man in the community and our business. I’m glad to have known and worked with him.

Bud would say – ‘Two months until Christmas Day!’

So, catching up – just a short review. Autmn and Cameron got here late Wednesday evening. We let Cameron play for a small bit, then he got a bath and went to bed. I was surprised that he went willingly and didn’t fuss. By then Autmn and I were both ready for bed too! I worked a little on Thursday morning. Autmn had plans so they were out for a while. Chrissy came over and spent the afternoon and the girls got ready here for their concert. They went to see Sabrina Carpenter and were very excited.

Cameron was so happy he just had to clap!

He loves to color.

He wrapped himself like a cocoon in the blanket and just plopped on the pillow.

They came back here and spent the night together. But before they went to bed, they told me about the concert and then made fried potatoes! At 1am! I guess concerts make you hungry. They sent me photos.

My girls… they had Sabrina Carpenter hoodies!

Autmn and Chrissy – happy!

Sabrina

Sabrina

Sabrina

Autmn

Christina

Good morning Duckies!

So Cameron and I had a fun afternoon and evening, and for the most part he was very good and fun. I gave him a bath, minus the hair wash. We played with his barn, and the littlest petshop (that was Chrissy’s) and read books. We went upstairs about 10pm for bed, and sat on the chair for about 20 minutes and sang songs. His favorite was ‘Up on the Housetop.’ He clapped when I was done singing! He just cuddled up with me and looked around the room. I asked him if he liked my house, and he said, ‘Oh, Yes!’ It was very fun.

Tractor and cart with piggy.

Supper while watching Miss Rachel

We sent Mommie a selfie.

Bath time.

Cameron’s duck pond.

Bath time….

I left at 9am Friday morning to meet Kelly in Washington to do some shopping. Autmn and Cameron were up but Chrissy was still asleep. It was mostly an ‘idea’ excursion. I did come up with a few good ones for gifts. Kelly and I laughed a lot. It was so crowded – people and cars and traffic everywhere. You’d think they were giving things away. Oh, wait. Walmart was having a grand ‘re-opening’ so they were! We had lunch at Chick Fil-A, then before we split to go home, we went back to Chick Fil-A and got warm chocolate chunk cookies for dessert. It was a good day even though we found almost nothing we were looking for. We said no one was catering to our needs! We have another shopping date already on the calendar – and this one will be on my turf.

Yum!

This morning I made a list (almost 2 cards long!) of things I hoped to get done (or at least start on). Autmn called and said she and Cameron had just left a kids’ Halloween party local here, and was having dinner at her dad’s later. Could she put Cameron down for a nap here. I guess I’m the only one who has a Pack n Play. So they got here about noon. Cameron played with his barn and watched Bluey – I made them lunch, then they both took a nap. I did get the ironing done while they were sleeping, but didn’t try to do anything else. Cameron and I played for a while before they left – he does love his barn! He decorated his very first pumpkin at the party this morning and was very excited and proud of it. They left and went to Nate’s about 5:30pm.

Fish, French fries and apple sauce — and Bluey socks!

Pumpkin!

Good job, Cameron!

Once they left, I took all the toys and games out of the closet and rearranged everything. I put the ‘big kid’ puzzles and games on a high shelf (little pieces!) and moved some of the items that he can’t have. The ones he can play with are easier to access. And a bonus: I found all three items that had gotten lost in the past two weeks. They were well hidden!

Much better.

So that’s it for now. Tomorrow IS another day, and hopefully I can pick up the list again and cautiously start checking things off! Have a lovely Sunday!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW October 26th is:

National Fried Chicken Steak Day; National Financial Crime Fighter Day; National Mother-in-Law Day; National Mule Day; National Mincemeat Day; National Pumpkin Day; National Day of the Deployed; Accession Day; Visit a Cemetery Day; Worldwide Howl at the Moon Day.

I haven’t howled at the moon in…. forever. I don’t have a mother in law but I am one. No mules, either. Pumpkin day makes sense. I will wave to ‘mom and dad’ when the pass the cemetery tomorrow on the way to church. Have a lovely Sunday. God bless…

It’s late and I’ve had a fun but busy day! So I’ll catch up tomorrow! God bless…

I’m just jumping on here to say I’m not posting tonight! Autmn and Cameron and Chrissy have been in and out all day, but they should be dropping Cameron off any minute. The girls are going to the concert and I’m on Cameron duty! So I’ll catch up tomorrow if I can! Right now the plan is that I leave here at 9am, meet Kelly in Washington, and we go shopping all day. So don’t panic if you don’t hear anything.

Sending hugs until later — God bless. w uu kmuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuresoiuhfshvggw gsftef7 c gz aa kk F(That was Cameron…)