Thursday, October 31, 2024

Happy Halloween!!!

 

          It is finally here, HALLOWEEN!!!

So much fun planned for today. Last minute decorations going up, candy bin filled, spooky soup to brew, cookies to create, and then trick or treaters to greet LOL.

          The kids and I are very excited for tonight. We have tons of candy to give out. I cannot wait to see all of the costumes. Weather looks good for the festivities as well. Going to be a good day :)

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Happy Halloween Eve

 

          Only one more day until Halloween. I am so excited :) my street is so fun on Halloween. so many kids show up to trick or treat. Their costumes are so cute. My kids both have their costumes ready to go. I think I am going to be a plague nurse LOL I found this great cream colored plague doctor mask LOL I might just pair it with a cream shirt, cream pants, and moss green cape LOL we will see how long it lasts on my face. It is hard to see out of. 

           We have three giant bags of candy, but my son says we need more LOL so I guess I will go out and find one more big bag. He likes to be generous when giving out candy. He doesn't just do a few pieces, he gives handfuls LOL he takes great pride in being THE Halloween house to visit LOL our neighborhood has become a hot spot for the holiday because of all the decorations and candy given out. It is so fun to see the street full of kids in costume running from house to house.

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Spooky Season


           I cannot believe it is the last week of spooky season. It has gone by too quickly. Only 2 more days until Halloween, then at midnight, BAM!!! Christmas carols everywhere LOL. Is very abrupt LOL.

          So, I guess we need to finish up our Autumn activities. We did the corn maze, pumpkin patch, craft fair, decorated in and outside. Put together homemade costumes, bought candy, had pumpkin pie, and cleaned up around the house. I guess we did everything. Well, except for Saint Augustine. I couldn't talk the kids into going with me LOL. Not really sure what is left except for the last minute things for Halloween night LOL.

          I had big plans for eating totally healthy and low calorie LOL that did not happen. I did up my step count everyday and found my feet again. I was so swollen in the beginning. I did try and eat a bit healthier. I need to keep trying though. At least I did not go overboard with Fall baking LOL I had lots of recipes I wanted to make, but I refrained. OKAY up for today - school and finishing up costumes. Easy peasy stuff. 

Monday, October 28, 2024

Create the Life You Wish to Have

 

          I am loving these little meme pictures I found on Pinterest. They are adorable and have such good phrases and/or advice. Today this one spoke to me a great deal. Create the life I wish to have. I always keep putting things off until the future, saying one day I will have that. WHY?!?!? I need to stop doing that and start making things happen today. I wanted to have a cute home, so I did it. I need to do that with my life as well. If I want to be happy, then I need to find ways to make myself happy now, not just tell myself that someday I will be happy. I need to focus on making things happen now, while I can enjoy them :) 

Sunday, October 27, 2024

Back to Life

 

          I thought this was a cute and inspirational little picture. It is Halloween themed, so appropriate for this time of year as well LOL all of the items seem like fantastic suggestions for a better outlook on life. I am not a depressed person, but I am not a happy one either. I just kind of am, which I do not like. I would rather have a spark in me. I just read an article about a woman who lived to be 115 years old and was still mentally active. I would love to be that. I am afraid I am aging and it is scary. I keep telling myself that I come from a line of relatives on both sides who lived long lives, but that really doesn't help me much in my mind.  So, maybe I should follow some of these suggestions :)

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Mount Dora Craft Show

 

          Today Staci and I went to the Mt. Dora Craft Show. It was busy!!! It took us about an hour to get there. We parked and took a shuttle over on which we found out there are lost catacombs somewhere under Mount Dora. Apparently back in the 1950's fifteen families got spooked about bombs and the end of the world so they made a huge bomb shelter for their families. Over the years though somehow the location got lost. How that can happen I have no idea LOL but apparently it did. I would love to find them though. How cool would that be?

          Anyway, Staci and I wandered through the streets, looking at everything. So many vendors and people. It was quite overwhelming. We ended up buying these cool journals that are all decorated up with fabric and different papers and cards, they are really interesting. I got a flamingo one and Staci got a dragon one. Staci also got a custom shirt. Basically a dress shirt that this lady, with awesome hair, added patches to. Staci loves it. It was a fun fair, but I think I prefer the Claremont Harvest Festival. It is closer and had a pet costume contest LOL.

Friday, October 25, 2024

Happy Birthday Little Brother

 

          Happy 53rd birthday to my little brother LOL good grief I had to do math to get the age right. Definitely after a certain age you stop counting LOL. 

          When we were younger we fought like crazy. As the older sister I loved tormenting him. When he got too big for me to torment things changed :( He fought back and he hurt too LOL so we sort of did not interact much for awhile. It wasn't until he was in high school and I was out that we became friends. We even shared an apartment for his senior year of high school and moved to Arkansas together after he graduated. He did not stay but I did. We have been separated since then. 

         I wish we were closer, as he is a lot of fun. He has one of those personalities that just attracts others. He has met all sorts of famous people, and all of them became his friend, for when they were around LOL people just really like him. Sometimes I am jealous of how easy it is for him to be liked, but then I am proud of him. He is my baby brother and I hope he sticks around for a long long time.

Thursday, October 24, 2024

Fall Fun This Weekend

 

          This is first official day I do not have to go into work LOL normally I go in on Thursday night, but not tonight LOL I am free. Currently arguing a bit with my director though. The hospital is denying giving us our hurricane pay even though they activated us. Such cheapskates :( 

          On more fun topics :) I got my first set of solar lights for my backyard in and put together. I will put them in backyard in a bit. They make everything look so magical at night.

           This weekend we have a bit craft fair to go to up in Mount Dora. It is one we have never been to before. That is unless Staci guilts me into taking her to mall with her friends instead. Unfortunately the odds are in her favor, but don't tell her that LOL. Today we are also making a pumpkin pie in celebration for my brother's birthday. We have made him one every year since the 1980's LOL even if he is not here to eat it LOL.  I just need to go get pie crust. I wish I could make one from scratch, but never been able to master that recipe LOL. 

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Getting Closer

 

          Only eight more days until Halloween. I am so excited LOL last night we got our lights up and the house looks so cool. We still have a few additions for Halloween night LOL. Now I just have to get Staci to focus on her costume LOL she keeps saying it is in her head, well I need it in her hands if she wants to actually make it happen. 

           Still loving the weather, it has stayed in the mid 80's with the mornings having a bit of a chill to them. It is great. Animals are loving the freedom to go out on the porch and I am sure my bank account will love the cheaper electric bill LOL.

          Okay I am off to find breakfast. I have done my school work for the day and my brain is tired. Back to staycation mode :)

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Yard Work Accomplished

 

          OMG I did it LOL I finally battled the mess that was my backyard. In areas the grass was so tough I had to pull it all up by hand and then pick up the bundles because there was no way my mower would handle it. It took me almost three hours to mow and trim the edges LOL I was beyond worn out by the time I was done. Plus I was covered in dirt, grass, and scratches. YUCK!

         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

Sunday, October 20, 2024

Corn Maze

 

          We made it to the corn maze. We went to Great Scott's Corn Maze and made it all the way through this time. My son was brilliant. He had us take all right turns so we made it out easily. Last year we were stuck in there for over an hour and never completed it LOL. After we made it out the kids enjoyed pretzels and snow cones while I got some really cute crochet animals (chicken, gingerbread dragon, possum, and some weird creature). It was fun. Perfect weather for it as well. Oh, I took that pretty picture of the sunflower. They were growing in the middle of the maze.

          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.

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Decorating Has Begun

 

          Yep, that is my house LOL I love my house. Lee and I finally started getting some of our decorations for Halloween up. It was super windy, so we did not get to the lights or inflatables. Perhaps tonight after the corn maze. Yes, that is on agenda today. Because of the wind, you cannot see the big banner we have on the garage, it looks great. We are so pleased so far with how it looks. I even got to smooth out my palm trees. I got all the old spiky parts off them.

          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.

Friday, October 18, 2024

It's Decoration Day!!!

 

          Florida has finally decided to participate in Fall just in time for vacation. I have the patio door open and lots of happy cats enjoying the great outdoors again LOL Still need to mow back there, but not today, today is decoration day LOL kids and I are all off work, weather is perfect, so we are all going to put out our Halloween decorations finally LOL I just have to find them all. We have lights, pumpkins, spiders, skeletons, and inflatables. Rugs and wreaths for the porch, signs and flags, and a big banner for the garage door. Trick or treaters are going to love it.

          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.

Thursday, October 17, 2024

VACATION!!!

 

          WOOOHOOO!!!!! I made it to vacation :) I am so happy LOL the past few months were tiring, and the last eight days were awful, but I made it. Twenty-one glorious days off of work. Nothing responsible, only stuff I want to do.

          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

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Here Comes the Hurricane

 

          Well, I am no longer confused by the weather. I woke up to dreary and raining. It definitely looks nasty out there now. I need to get my plants inside the garage today and then we are as prepped as can be. Weather report says Hurricane Milton should hit my area tonight around midnight as category 1 which is much better than the category 4 that Tampa is going to get hit with. It is going to be devastating to some people. Lee and I are both home with Staci and all our pets. No work for either of us until after the storm passes. I just pray we stay safe as do all of those around us.

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

So Confused Now With the Weather

 

          Yesterday was all drizzling rain, no sunshine, lots of wind, it seemed as if a hurricane was coming. There was a sense of urgency to get everything done before the storm hit. Today I wake up to sunshine and perfect weather ???? I am so confused. I almost thought the hurricane had fizzled or that I had imagined it LOL I guess it weakened a bit overnight. Now due to get to us on Thursday, which does not work for me as I work that night. I need to be off for the hurricane, not working. Milton needs to get its act together.

Monday, October 7, 2024

Moods Matter

 

          Ok, current mood is anxious. I have done all I can to prep my home for the hurricane. I still am wondering if I need more water or canned goods. They are enacting the hurricane teams at the hospital. I am on Team B so I do not go in during the storm, I go in afterwards. I am thankful that Lee also will be off so we will all be safe inside together.

          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 :)

Sunday, October 6, 2024

Milton???

 

          Well poodle dump. It looks like we are not going to get out of hurricane season unscathed. It is projected to hit us Wednesday. So, my kids and I are trying to get as prepared as possible. Thankfully none of us work Wednesday night so I can watch the storm. I really hope that by the time it reaches Central Florida it has chilled out and moves through quickly.

          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.

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Morning Routine

 

          It is a bit funny writing about my morning routine in the early evening LOL I do have one though. I like to wake up early, often before dawn. I get dressed then I will try and get at least half of my daily steps in walking about my living room. I tidy up, put away dishes, make my to do list, all while my coffee is brewing. Also I take my medication and my vitamins. Once I sit at my computer I like to get school out of the way. I can easily check the weather by asking my Alexa. This is also the time when I normally try and type in a blog LOL. After all my responsible stuff is done, then I get breakfast and watch a bit of whatever show I am binging. Then nap time LOL feeling guilt free because I already got a lot accomplished.

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Hello October!!!


          It's October!!! Finally I can decorate and dress for spooky season without funny stares LOL The official start of holiday season. Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas to the New Year. Boom boom boom. By January I am ready for a break, but until then it is time for fun.

          Today's fun is finding the outdoor decor and hopefully getting some up and baking oatmeal cookies.