Days of Our Lives

 

          "Like Sands Through the Hourglass, So Are the Days of Our Lives" I heard that phrase for the first time in 1983, when I was just 15 years old. I heard it after that most every day for the next few decades. I tuned in every day to see the adventures of Bo and Hope, Patch and Kayla, Kim and Shane, and John and Marlena. It was the golden era of soap operas and I was a big fan.

          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.

National Coffee Day

 

          This is definitely a day to be celebrated LOL by coffee of course. I never drank coffee until nursing school, then it became a major food group. I remember going to many many classes with a large coffee and an everything bagel LOL is how I made it through school.

          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.

Finally Decorated

 

          I finally got my act together and decorated LOL. It looks good too. I got my tree together, the couch covers all changed, new rugs, maple garlands all over, autumn throw pillows out, and I even replaced my pictures on the walls with autumn tapestries. It looks so warm and cozy in here now. Weird me did not get inspired until 2am though LOL. Now I get to enjoy it until end of November when I switch it out for Christmas LOL. 

          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.

Tropical Storm Watch

 

          Okay the irony LOL just yesterday I was complaining that this has been the most boring hurricane season. No real good storms to watch out for. Cause when there is a storm coming, people here get all excited LOL they are either freaking out or they are planning a party. I just like it because it makes things less boring. So, apparently we finally have a storm with the potential to become a hurricane heading in from the Atlantic Ocean. Of course it just might be the meteorologist trying to make their jobs worthwhile and making something out of nothing. We will have to wait and see. Right now, outside is all sunny and clear, but according to news we are under a tropical storm watch. I just wish it wasn't due to hit over the weekend. I do not relish having to go into work in the rain. I would rather stay home and watch it.

Fall Bucket List 2024

 

          So many things I want to do in the Fall. Number one is wear a cozy sweater LOL but that is not going to happen here in Florida. We are still in 90's and humid. So, I just have to pretend and focus on the things I can do. Best of all, I have my Fall vacation coming up in less than a month. I will have, schedule willing, 21 days off of work to enjoy the season. Don't get me wrong, I love all the other holidays and seasons, but Autumn just makes me feel all cozy inside. So I must plan :)

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

Happy Fall Y'All!!!

 

          It's finally officially Autumn!!! My favorite time of the year. Now in Florida we don't get any different weather, so we have to celebrate Fall in our hearts LOL. You won't see me breaking out a sweater to wear. Best I might do is a t-shirt instead of a tank top LOL.

          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. 

Happy Birthday Leland

 

          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.

Guacamole Day

 

          Now this is a holiday I can get behind LOL Guacamole Day!!! I am so going to go and get me some avocados, onions, limes, jalapenos, tomatoes, and garlic and make me a big batch. Oh my, now my mouth is watering LOL.

          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.

Sleepy Sunday

 

          OMG I am sleepy, but I still have stuff to do. Work was the usual, which is good. Nothing bad happened other than lack of sleep. I have today and tomorrow off to do my adulting, then I have to work Tuesday and Wednesday night this week because it is my son's 29th birthday this Friday and I want to be able to celebrate with him.

          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.

Patriot Day 2024

 

         It is amazing that we really cannot forget that day twenty-three years ago. My son and I lived in Tucson, Arizona. It was a Tuesday, and he was supposed to go to school that day. He woke up that morning with a fever out of the blue, so I kept him home with me. I had no idea the world was going to go crazy that day. 

          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. 

Collision - September 4, 2024

 

          Okay, last Wednesday night sucked!!! After I dropped off Staci at church, I was driving home. At 7pm I was trying to turn right onto John Young Parkway from Town Loop Blvd. Stopped at red light, the green turn signal on, cars turning, so I cannot go, when all of a sudden, this guy behind me, crashes into me!!! I was in shock. My brand new car!!! I could not even get my head to comprehend that it was not a nightmare. I got out of the car, and the driver immediately starts apologizing, saying "I am so sorry, this is all my fault". Yes it is your fault. I was stopped at red light, you should have stopped too. He said he thought I was turning. I was, just I could not go because of all the other cars turning with the turn light. I had to wait until it was safe for me to go. He immediately starts saying that "it isn't so bad, I can just give you cash right here to get it fixed". I told him no I was calling the police to report the accident. He kept trying to tell me what to do. I told him to leave me alone until I spoke with the police. He would not shut up. I reach the 911 operator and tell her I was in car accident, no apparent injuries at that time. She says it is a highway patrol matter and transfers me to them. I give them the crash location and ask if okay to move my vehicle. Operator says okay to move to the Burger King parking lot across the street. I get there and immediately the guy starts trying to bully me, once again telling me it is no big deal, just minor damage, and then trying to force me to say I wasn't hurt. No way am I saying that at scene. I know from experience to never admit anything at scene, and my brother had the same type of car crash back in 2008 or 2007, and he is still dealing with a back injury that did not flare up until after the crash. So I was not saying that. He kept trying to force me to say I was not injured, saying "be human about this. I'm a single dad with two kids, you're not hurt". I countered with I am a single parent as well with two kids, and in every law class I have taken, I have been told to never admit anything at scene. That shut him up. I was still feeling bullied and reaction setting in, trying to not cry. So I called my son, and asked him to come down. He was less than a mile away at work. I have never seen my son so furious as I saw him when he arrived. I was afraid for the driver's safety. I immediately stepped in between so my son could see I was okay. The driver kept pacing around, changed his shirt, got some things out of his car, and was carrying on about how he couldn't open his car door, how is he going to pick up his kids... I actually was thinking he was going to take off. At one point he did take off down Town Loop Blvd, away from John Young, saying he had to use bathroom. This confused me since he could have just gone into Burger King. It started pouring rain, so my son and I went into Burger King. The guy was still crowding us, making it impossible to speak to my insurance company. He kept wanting to leave. I said I wanted the police to tell me it was okay to leave. He kept pacing around Burger King, going inside and out. A couple hours had passed by this time. Still no police. I called KPD back and asked if okay to leave since I had his information. They said it was not up to them, it was up to highway patrol. So I called them, and was told they had no time estimate for arrival as the patrol officers were busy with injury accidents. I asked if I could leave since I had his insurance info. They said I could, but my insurance company might need police report. So, another half hour to reach Geico, with the driver giving me dirty looks as I was on hold. Finally I get an agent who asks me for all the driver's info to look him up and his insurance. I was able to send Geico pictures of everything through the Geico ap on my phone. Once it was received by them, the agent verified it, and said I could go. Now I have to deal with getting my rear bumper repaired and the aches and pains I started getting over the weekend. So not fun. All of this was to keep track of everything that happened while fresh in my mind. Thankfully my son was with me to see how the driver was acting and to keep me calm when I was so overwhelmed.

Hello Autumn

 

          I cannot believe Autumn is finally here. It is my favorite season. I love the baking and decorating of it all. I use apples and pumpkins in any recipe I can find. Breakfast is going to be pumpkin spice oatmeal LOL then later to the store to get some ingredients to make a mock pumpkin pie, meaning no crust LOL. 

          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 :)

My Favorite Quote

 

          My favorite quote is: Do no harm. I learned it back in nursing school and it stuck with me. It is actually part of the Hippocratic oath. The full version of it is: "I will abstain from all intentional wrong-doing and harm". When I went to find a picture I found out the modern version has a second part LOL the take no crap part. I wish I had known that back then. I take a lot of crap LOL perhaps I should stop that. I need to learn to be more assertive. I am terrible at that. I have learned to be less shy, and can speak up, but I still have problems with assertiveness.

           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."

Labor Day 2024

 

          Today is Monday the 2nd of September and it is Labor Day. No more wearing white LOL of course that is color I have on now LOL. It is also the day to celebrate all workers who have made this country what it is. We do this by taking the day off LOL. That's funny to me.

          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.

Finally Fall

 

          It is September!!! Finally it is okay to say it is Autumn LOL. I love Autumn, it is my favorite season. All the fun holidays are coming soon, I get to start planning activities, Fall cooking is about to commence, pumpkin spice can be found in everything LOL. Plus this month is my son's birthday.

          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.