I finally get to put out all my solar flowers again and turn it into my fairyland once more. All the lights make me very happy to see at night. It looks so magical.
Today I need to get caught up on school work and put up my Halloween lights. That is driving me crazy not having them up already LOL
Still haven't got my lights up outside LOL but I keep telling myself it is okay, I am allowed to relax since I am on vacation LOL no idea what day it is now. No clue what I am doing today LOL but I will figure something out.
Weather is still perfect, so we are going to go get lost in a corn maze. I hope it is the one I am remembering LOL I have gone to so many of them that I forget which is good and which were disappointing. This one has a country store and a craft vendor area plus food trucks, so I am thinking it is the right one. It is Great Scott's Maze or something like that LOL. Afterwards we will try and get the lights up outside so house looks cool at night.
I also need to catch up on school, both Staci and me, I let it slide a tiny bit due to storm and then work. Then clean the floors LOL. I was tempted to hide the animals in a room and use the leaf blower inside to get out all the dust from everywhere LOL. I didn't, so have to do it the old fashioned way. This witch is using her broom LOL.
LOL that does include cleaning. I have been wanting to get a few projects done, but couldn't just yet. Hurricane Milton put a damper on things. My home was fine though, no damage. Lots of rain, so when the backyard is dry, I will mow one last time for the season and call it done LOL at least hope to. Today I am going to mow the front so I can decorate for Halloween. I am sure the neighbors are wondering what's wrong with me since we have usually decorated by now LOL stupid hurricane. This year's theme is spiders LOL. Okay, no sitting for long, I have stuff to do so that I can fully relax and properly enjoy doing nothing LOL
Once storm is passed, and yards dried up LOL then I will go back into holiday mode. It will be time for my vacation then as well. Ten days to go :)
Prep for us means bringing all of our yard decor into either back enclosed patio or the garage. Thankfully we had not put up any Halloween decorations yet. My neighbors had LOL now they have to take everything down. Told my kids, any decorations that end up in my yard, I am keeping LOL.
Today's fun is finding the outdoor decor and hopefully getting some up and baking oatmeal cookies.
This morning I was hit with a gut punch when I read that Drake Hogestyn had passed away at 70 years old from pancreatic cancer. Oh my heart broke a little because he was one of my favorite people on the show. When I heard what type of cancer I immediately thought of his character and Izzy B, his wife at one time on the show who also died, the storyline said of pancreatic cancer. That is a bit ironic. I think I was in my early 20's by then and I so wanted to be her. I even began doing my hair and make up to look like her, I even had a few tell me I resembled her which thrilled me.
That is how big a fan I was of the show. I laughed, cried, gasped, and was thrilled to see what was next for all of my DOOL families. Just yesterday a reel popped up on my Instagram showing a bunch of their iconic weddings. I recognized many of them, and was shocked to see that some of the babies I had watched back then we now the adults on the show and getting married. It was wild. I almost want to watch again to see how they deal with the actor's death on the show. I doubt I will though. It would undoubtably break my heart to pieces and I would be crying all day. Plus, I think I would be lost trying to catch up. Now I wish I had stayed current with my stories.
R.I.P. Drake Hogestyn aka: the Pawn, Roman, and John. You will be missed.
Now, I start every day with a cup of coffee, two if I am feeling brave LOL I have to have creamer though. My favorite is International Delight Sugar Cookie, but it is seasonal for Christmas. I also like Cinnamon Crumb Cake by Chobani. Most often though I get Coffee Mate Coconut Cream or Sweet Cream. Those I can also add to my tea.
My kids laugh at me, as do I, since I think I now have every way to make coffee at home. I have my big programable coffee pot, that I don't know how to program, an expresso machine, a Cuban coffee maker, a French Press, an electric kettle, a Kuerig, a tiny coffee maker, and instant coffee LOL I also have a grinder that I have yet to use. You would think I have an addiction to coffee. I don't LOL I just like gadgets.
Now today, I need to make something fall flavored for dinner LOL no idea yet what. Probably will have to do with baked chicken and veggies. Ok off to do school work.
Fall Bucket List 2024
Make an apple pie.
Make a pumpkin pie.
Make some potpourri.
Decorate an Autumn tree.
Decorate inside home with maple garlands and pumpkins.
Decorate outside home with scary decor for the trick or treaters.
Stock up on Halloween candy.
Go to a corn maze.
Go to the Farmer's Markets.
Go to a pumpkin patch.
Watch The Good Witch series.
Decorate a pumpkin.
Watch Halloween or Autumn themed movies.
Go to St. Augustine and take a ghost tour.
Find and make some Autumn recipes.
HAVE FUN
So, in honor of Autumn I have taken my summer tree decorations of and started putting up my Autumn ones. Right now it is just a bunch of maple leaves. I still have to find my Fall decor.
Kids are at the Mall, so I am on my own. I managed to mow the front yard so it looks presentable again. It had been a while since I mowed LOL it looked like a jungle. Almost time to start putting up decorations outside. So much pressure though. Every year we go big, and the neighbors notice. If we don't decorate I am sure we will hear about it. I did get a big bag off candy to start us off LOL we go through about 1000 pieces of candy Halloween night. It is awesomely ridiculous. My kids love being THAT HOUSE.
OMG 29 years ago I actually came to life. Up until then I was simply existing, but on this day, in 1995, I found a reason to live.
The most amazing person came into my life. He has been my protector and best friend. When things would get tough, I always had him to get me through it. Who is this awesome individual LOL my son Leland!!! Today is his birthday and I am so very happy and blessed to be his mom. So later today we are going to his favorite restaurant, U&Me Hot Pot, then going to the movies to see the new Transformers movie. I also have to make him this weird ranch cornbread LOL he doesn't like cake, but this recipe he found on TikTok, he wants it all the time LOL Staci and I think it is a crime to humanity.
I would go now, but I am waiting for my new microwave to be delivered and installed. Plus, I have to get all my school work done today since I work next two days. Not looking forward to that.
I am procrastinating school work right now LOL. My brain just is not ready for it. I have my second cup of coffee to try and motivate it. Got me a new coffee pot so now I can have some coffee throughout the day.
Okay I am off to force myself into writing about the Byzantine Empire. Wish me luck LOL.
I noticed it was very quiet outside. Normally there would be a lot of traffic noise and just life in general, but that day it was silent. I turned on the news to hear about the terrorist attacks. It was unfathomable that something like that had happened in America. We had thought we were safe here. Bad stuff like that happened in small countries, not the United States of America. I think that is what shocked so many people. The death toll was unimaginable, but for it to have happened on American soil, was terrifying. People were afraid to go anywhere. All forms of transportation were shut down. The country was on high alert. America never was the same again.
Next month is my Fall vacation. I take the second half of October off to celebrate the season. We go pumpkin picking and go explore a corn maze. I watch Autumn themed shows on TV, we decorate for Halloween, and sipping tea in the evening is a must.
It is nowhere near Fall weather though here in Florida. That is the one drawback. It stays hot, so not comfy sweaters or fires outside. If we want Autumn weather we have to turn up the A/C LOL. Soon I am going to have to find the energy and inspiration/motivation to take down my regular decor and put up all of my Autumn decor. That is a big job though LOL. Right now I am not feeling it yet. I think I will just stick to the baking :)
Took me decades to learn to be less shy. The few times I have tried to be assertive, nobody paid any attention to me. I just do not have that demeanor. That is why I know I could never be the boss. People ask me why I do not pursue a higher position, I always blame it on wanting to work less (which is true), but reality is I know I would be awful at being the boss. I would not be able to get people to listen to me. The manager position just opened up on my unit. I am so overqualified for it, but I never even considered applying. My coworkers would never do a thing I said. It would be a disaster. I also lose the power of speech when I get overly excited LOL also not good for when I want to be assertive. So I will stick with the first part and "do no harm."
Not really doing anything different today. No holiday plans. My son works, so no special evening plans, and those two get up so late, that no afternoon plans are possible either. I might try and mow the front yard today. It needs it. Do some school work. Watch some TV. Nothing exciting at all, but that is how I prefer life to be, nice and sane. I do not thrive on drama.
Some people do. They actively seek out change and adventure. Their lives are complicated. They always have something to gripe about, because they are always getting into trouble. They stay busy, no time to ever relax. I could not handle that. I need my naps LOL. I have my own anxiety just inside my head. I can logically tell myself there is nothing to worry about because I don't do anything. If I added all sorts of drama, I would be a basket case with my hormones, worrying about what is going to happen. Nope nope nope. Bring on the boring LOL.
Speaking of him, the funning thing happened. Yesterday my kids spent the day at Aquatica and the mom of the teen girls who invited Staci kept thinking Leland was a kid LMAO. He was there just to watch over Staci since we knew Aquatica would be busy (overprotective mom here). He is a full grown man, turns 29 this month, and the mom kept treating him like a kid LOL he's closer to her age than he was to the teens. OMG I can't stop laughing. She didn't notice the gray hair and slight balding he already has going on LOL it was awesome getting able to tease him about being my baby boy and somebody else agreeing.
Most people would want more, and they would not be wrong to do so, I myself do occasionally, but since I don't have lots, I am still happy with what I have.
I got Honeybee (the one in front) when I moved into my home. I made sure to have a fence put up first so she could play outside. She was so tiny when I brought her home, I had to put a bell collar on her so I could find her at times. She is very jealous of the other pets around me. Not mean, but she will always come over to make sure they know I am her human LOL the tiny dog in the back is Sunnybee. She came a year later. She was so scared the first day. She would only eat if she was up on the table next to us. I made her some scrambled eggs LOL she is always snuggling under blankets. She doesn't just walk, she prances everywhere LOL it is so cute.
I am not enjoying my dental work. It doesn't hurt thankfully, but it is annoying. I miss my morning coffee. So tired right now. I also am hungry LOL too afraid to chew anything. I might make me some scrambled eggs. My tongue will not stay out of the socket, I am worried I will mess up something in there. I keep telling myself the dentist has to know people will be fiddling with it, so they suture accordingly. Only good part is I have doctor's orders to just relax LOL something I am very good at.
My son is awesome and hilarious. I was freaked out after dentist visit and woke him up to go get my antibiotics. I also wanted some sweet tea to drink, mashed potatoes, and soup to eat today. He comes home with 2 gallons of tea, six tubs of mashed potatoes, and 7 cans of soup LOL this is definitely going to be a weird diet this week LOL. Worst part about the whole experience...NO COFFEE FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS!!!
Oh so tired LOL I seem to be that a lot. Last day of my weekend, I need to get a few things done, mainly my daughter's school. Ugh I hate having to do things. I would much rather do what I choose to do. Doesn't help that it is stormy outside. Makes me want to go just cuddle up and chill.
OMG I am worn out today. I managed to go to Aquatica with my kids for a couple of hours, and then came home and mowed the back yard LOL. I physically exhausted myself. But the backyard looks good again, and I felt no guilt going to bed LOL.
Today is going to be spent getting my daughter caught up in school. It is hard getting back into that groove again. We got very lazy over the summer brain wise. I finished my school for the week, now it is her turn.
Today I am back in school. This semester I am taking Deviant Behavior and Forensic Psychology. Sounds like I have issues LOL. I just thought the would be fun. First week is just the basic blah blah intros. Those I have done already so I am free until next week.
Waiting for my kids to get up. We are going to Aquatica today when they do. Sunny and hot, so it should be fun. Yesterday I managed to stay awake long enough to go to SeaWorld LOL Yay me!!! if I am going to make the swimming thing, I need breakfast first, so I am off to find food.
Today is Sunday, so doing all of my home adulting tasks that I slacked off on while at work, ie laundry, dishes, cleaning... I am also hoping to head over to SeaWorld in a bit with my daughter. That is a hard thing to accomplish because while I am waiting for it to cool off a bit, I am getting sleepier. I do not think we will last long there.
Every action in my past led me to where I am now. Even a slight change could have huge consequences. I am not a big fan of my ex-husband, but because of him I have my son. If I erased meeting and going out with my ex, who knows where I would have ended up. Having my son, led me to growing up, going to nursing school, etc...etc... There was a guy I was seeing for a bit in Tucson, if I had stayed with him, I most likely would have ended up having lots of kids and living in England now. I would also not have my daughter.
If I had not been bored and turned in one day to look at homes being built, I never would have bought this house. That decision forced me to build a life here. I used to move a lot, but now that really isn't an option. Shoot just the stress of moving in led to some life altering consequences.
Small, insignificant things lead to big things in the long run. Skewing from the path you took in life, in any way, will find you somewhere else completely. Any change made in the past would cause me to lose my son and daughter. While I might have different children, they would not be the same. As much as I dislike how life turned out, I would not change it for fear of losing them. So, just give me the money LOL.
Since I have both kids home today, perhaps I can talk them into doing something together LOL doubtful, but I can ask. Biggest problem is that by the time they wake up and are willing to go out, it is my siesta time LOL and I have no motivation. I used up a lot of my energy mowing the front yard yesterday. Looks good though.
Staci also needs to do her school work. I did find out one unexpectedly good news yesterday. I thought this year her in person tests, the ones that count towards graduation, were due. Turns out, she took the math one last year and we didn't even realize it LOL she passed it just fine. So now we just have to get her past the language arts one. Still so weird we are thinking graduation now. I am not sure about college. Currently the plan is computer programming. Not sure she needs a full bachelor's degree for that one. Counting on RJ to help us navigate this one plan.
Today Staci becomes a sophomore in high school. She is taking courses now to help her with a career. She will learn to drive this year. Heaven help me if she starts dating (I will need Xanax).
It is just so strange that she is this old. I remember being a sophomore, it was a horrible year. I actually dropped out of high school after that. Kids were so grown up, there was all sorts of new problems to deal with, it was a mess, and now she is there. I so hope and pray she does better than I did. She has a better advantage than I did. My mom was popular in high school, had tons of friends, so she could not relate to how high school could be a bad place. I can. I do not want her year to be bad, I want it to be great. I want her to flourish, becoming the amazing woman I know she can be, but if it is tough, I want her to know I understand. I will help her realize that it will pass and she will make it out okay. It is just nine months, not forever. It will just seem like it LOL.
I am still hoping I can get cancelled for work tonight. My son is not working, so it would be a nice night with all of us here. That doesn't happen often enough.
Woke up very early today, 5am. My sleep schedule is all wonky. I have been productive though. I have already started laundry and did my banking. All the adulting I have left is planning meals for weekend so that we avoid ordering out. That is way too expensive.
My daughter is finally better, so she is a chatter bug again LOL. I knew she would make a recovery in time to go to her church group LOL she would go nuts not getting to see her friends. It is Fuego night and they are watching movies.
For fun, I have the last few episodes of Relic Hunter to watch and we might go over to store to look at Autumn decor. It is August, so I feel completely okay with getting my spooky season started LOL.
Yesterday I got nothing done. Both kids are sick and it rained all day long. I am hoping they feel better today. Is very quiet here with both of them not talking due to sore throats. I have started having conversations with my cats LOL.
I don't have anything planned today other than water my flowers and mail in my ballot for the local elections. Nope, I am not a political person, my son made the choices LOL I trust his opinion. I also need to schedule a teacher call for next week. I cannot believe Staci starts 10th grade in 6 days. If I try really hard I can remember being fifteen and feeling so grown up. I cannot picture her that way yet. To me she is still my little girl. She grew up too fast for me. I can't even begin with my son LOL he is getting close to thirty. In my mind he is still a teenager. I am so delusional LOL.
Monday mornings are for me to get up early, have some coffee, and think about how I will spend my week. Well, up early to the sound of rumbling thunder from Little Debby outside LOL. It is still raining and very wet. Not too hot, so I thought I would be nice and let animals onto patio. BIG MISTAKE. Within 5 minutes they had captured a lizard and brought it inside, for me to not capture and take it back outside. All before coffee. Little stinkers. So now, cup of coffee has been had, To Do list made, B/P still good, steps are started, Vine items ordered (loving this program), and my week begins.
The storm however is crimping plans, plus Staci has a cold (she calls it the plague). So not a lot of going out this week. I still need to go get milk and some ingredients to make her some soup. Not sure what kind yet. I also want to go to some stores and see Halloween offerings LOL. I am so ready for Autumn. School starts next week. Summer went by so very fast, and we did absolutely nothing LOL so much for plans.
Yesterday I managed to mow the front, back, and side yards. I was soaked afterwards, but felt good to get it accomplished. I didn't even rehurt my back. I also was very good with watching my calories yesterday, so I went to sleep feeling happy that I did good for the day.
Oh boy did I sleep though LOL well sort of. I napped until about 1am then was up until 5am LOL got most of my steps in during that time, then went back to sleep until 11am LOL. My system is so confused right now. I think it is Tuesday LOL. Is 12:30 pm and my kids are still asleep, they were up until 5am as well with no nap in between. It's not like Florida is day friendly in the summer LOL is too hot to go outside. Shoot, we didn't even make it to Aquatica yesterday. Okay, my daughter just woke up so I guess it is time to figure out lunch LOL.
I have great intentions, but then I go and completely fail at following through with them. My biggest problem is too many calories, but everything has so many calories in it to begin with. Salads are healthy as long as you don't add any dressing to them. The light version dressings are way more expensive though. I try and get healthy food options, but then I get tired and choose something more convenient that generally is loaded with calories.
Every day I take my vitamins, that is easy. I can get 10,000 steps in a day when I am not working. This is a good habit. When it comes to my appetite though, I am totally horrible at controlling it. I really don't get how my kids can be so in control of their eating habits, I mean the specific times and exact amounts, and I suck at it. Part of it is they enable me a bit. I have good intentions, but then they tempt me with something I shouldn't eat, and I give in. I know they do not do it out of a bad place, they do it cause they just want me happy, but in the long run I am not happy. I end up feeling bad about myself. Maybe I should just be honest with them and tell them to knock it off LOL.
Okay, today we are hopefully going to get to go to Aquatica. Yesterday it poured rain so we missed out on SeaWorld. It is hurricane season, but the rain usually comes in the late afternoon. So if we go early afternoon LOL maybe we can make it. Just have to get everyone awake at the right time.
I have had my DNA done on Ancestry.com and with it I have traced my genealogy back to 1500's. I was shocked with my results actually. I always thought I had a lot of American Indian in me, but turned out I am as much American Indian as I am African. I am actually Scottish, Irish, and English (which I knew) but also a great deal of my DNA is Viking. That was mind blowing, but cool.
It is interesting looking through my family tree via DNA. It shows me as extremely distantly related to George Washington LOL. Not directly, we have same patriarchal line, but instead of direct, my line is most likely a brother. Same as with the Lords and Ladies I have found. I am not nobility, but I do come from it, which is a nice thing to know. It is interesting to me how we are all intertwined in some way.
I do wish I had asked more about recent family history while I had the chance. Young people do not value it when the time is right to ask. When my grandparents were alive and of sound mind, that is when I should have been asking about my history, but as a teenager, I did not care yet. Now that I do, it is too late. I do not even know much about my parents and there is no way to ask them now.
Perhaps they were like me and considered their life too boring to share. I cannot think of important things I did, just boring stuff, but in the slight chance I do have descendants, they might like to know about me. They might find it interesting to know that grandma Jenni was a nurse during the Covid pandemic LOL. I was alive on 9/11, I saw the birth of the internet, I was a baby when we landed on the moon, I've lived through the Vietnam War and the Gulf War, the Berlin Wall come down, I saw the first black president of the United States, I survived the hippies, disco, the over the top 80's, the turn of the century and beyond LOL. I guess history around me is interesting LOL who'd have thought :)
