Last Monday of September

 Good morning, another warm one on tap for here.

How can it be the last Monday of September already? Thank you all for the kind comments/words on yesterday's post. I don't see us moving from Florida...but decisions do have to be made.

Ha. If I did that, I would become a guest of the state. LOL---On a more somber and serious note, I am completely and utterly disturbed by the sad state of affairs we are in as a country. I have said it before...

Have a great day friends.

~Peace Out~

Currently Sunday...

 A good morning to you. I hope this post finds each of you in good spirits.

Currently Sunday...

Weather: 74* & 98% humidity at 8:45 am. It has not cooled off. It's sunny, but the sky is looking a little weird. Calling for rain later.

Watched: What did we watch?🤷‍♀️ Probably some home shows, oh, houses for sale on Florida's coasts and then college football last night.

Listening to: Not much. All is quiet. Not even birds outside, nothing. Odd

Loving: I bought some Bluebell Grooms Cake ice-cream. I really need to watch that intake, as I am lactose intolerant. Gosh, that stuff is good.

Thinking a couple of things:

--while driving out to the World Equestrian Center yesterday, why continue to call Ocala the Horse Captial of the World? We were discussing this yesterday. Farms are being bought, and neighborhoods are being built at lightning speed. At nearly 480,000 population something, the projection is a million by 2027. And it's getting to be unaffordable and uncomfortable.

--my husband and his one surviving brother were on and off the phone last night-which has become a weekly thing...Thinking Thanksgiving plans, kind of up in the air because not sure if or when hubby will have surgery--before or after the holiday. He has to meet with the dr. that Monday before. ANYWAYS, thinking about making that 5 hr. trip to Georgia. His brother wants us to move closer...sigh...frankly, I have a good job etc. and I l like being close to the beach... ANYWAYS--that is what we are discussing...visiting for a few days. My husband's niece and her family moved to Dalton, and we will see them too. His family are making their way -moving south. They are all tired of the NY taxes and political environment.

**and here we go again...talk, talk, talk about moving. NOT

***on that note, thinking it's time to getting away for the weekends. Thinking how we can swing seeing dear friends in Patterson...didn't realize how far stretched Georgia is.

****Since when did it become so unaffordable etc. to just live/survive?

Feeling:

...and that is always the thought, right? Just tired and not going to do anything...and prob. not even the pool. Looking out the 3rd bedroom window and the sky is just weird. Sunny, but grayish/purplish.

Keeping an eye on: those storms. Looks like they will skip by us.

Might make...a loaf of orange and cranberry bread today. Yes, I know, it's hotter than hades. LOL On that note, what's for dinner? LOLOLOL

Celebrating: Not much...thinking about the holidays. Wish I could say cooler weather.

Making me smile:

...and can't really afford to not work, LOL.

Wishing you all a beautiful day...Peace Out.

Late Saturday Post...So...

 Good afternoon. We had a good rain earlier today which prompted us to get out and about.

We headed over to the World Equestrian Center for the Home and Garden Show at the EXPO 2 building.

I really didn't take to many photos. It was quite crowded and noisy and an overload of the senses.

There were multiple booths of beautiful plants and flowers.

I did buy two of these cards, both are special. One I cannot show you because it is being sent to friends Sparky and Steve.

3 D cards. The sweetest little lady from Evans, GA makes these cards. Her work is beautiful, and I really didn't want to invade her space by taking photos of her booth.

ANYWAYS, our son loved everything space and the funny thing is, my husband still collects items. I personally love 3 D cards...so, watch your snail mail, Sparky. Then we stopped at my favorite consignment store where I found like 12 blouses for work. Paydirt, my husband said. 🤣--by this time, my feet were killing me, so we came home.

I failed that test yesterday evening, just saying.

So, I was literally ticked beyond belief and full of anger yesterday evening. It took 2 hrs. to get home and it was well after 8 pm when I finally pulled in. My husband had called me and asked me why traffic wasn't moving on the interstate and where was I etc.- I was like don't know why there is no traffic (we can see the interstate from our home so that is why he was asking--maybe I knew something). 

from the paper, not going to show the real grisly ones. Yes, it has been raining, so I am sure that contributed to the crashes.

Apparently, there was a 50+ car pileup on I-75 at 4 pm, and they were forcing people off to 326 then to 441 both roads I take home. It took 35 min. from my 4-mile work to get to 326 and then another hour and half to get home (19 miles). It was miserable. The accident happened near Exit 354 (which is 326) and the interstate was closed both directions until well after 9 pm. 7 people have been taken to various area hospitals. Ocala really has to get a better system going, just my opinion, thousands of folks trying to get here and there, especially those travelers that were on the interstate. There were no police or help along 326 or 441 to redirect traffic. None. Trying to give Grace, truly...it was just a difficult thing just because of the unknown.

...and we are reminded of it is indeed hurricane season. 3 storms --2 in the Atlantic and one in the Caribbean. So, we will be keeping an eye on those.

LOLOLOL. OK, I better stop with my dry humor. Have a beautiful Saturday evening.

~Peace Out~

TGIF...

 Hello from central Florida. 

I'll take all above

So...I'll just start off with yesterday....

--Long story short, I was kept waiting for an hour in the exam room--and no sooner I was walking out because I was tired of waiting, the nurse practitioner and I literally collided. I backed up and I let her in, and I proceeded to give her a piece of my mind. I even called her rude. She was quite apologetic; I told her she better make it quick because I was ticked (more like hangry). Needless to say, all my numbers are good, except there is an issue with my Vitamin D, so I need to take a prescribed supplement (which explains some issues going on--she finally listened to me and my arthritis dr. It took all of my willpower to not roll my eyes). I am quite certain my dr. up north got a hold of her. Because what she said sounded like him/his office, lol. I am on a waiting list for another nurse practitioner, dr's are only for severe cases of whatever ails you (like arthritis), as it was explained to me. WHATEVER

--No sooner than I walked out of the medical building, it started to pour. Glorius, beautiful rain. I wish I could say it cooled things off, it did not.

--It was so nice to get home by 3 instead of 7 pm. I did absolutely nothing. NOTHING.

--We are watching two storms out in the Atlantic: Humberto and Imelda.

LOLOL. Pretty much. Thank you all for the kind comments and visits. You really brighten my day.

~Peace Out~

Falling Behind...

 Good morning. Apologies, it seems I am falling behind in visiting blogs and answering emails.

I will try to catch up at some point. Early day for me than off to the dr. nurse practitioner--NOT looking forward to that.

P.S. Since I really can't talk about it, I am too busy trying to keep my rear out of the proverbial frying pan at work and after two days of having it in the fire, I have decided to lay low. I have to remind myself

But it is...you want me to do my job, but you don't. Oops, said to much.lol

Have a beautiful peaceful day.

Falling into the Hodgepodge

 Good morning, another swampy day here. Thanks, Joyce, for another fun Hodgepodge.

1. Fall officially rolls into the Northern Hemisphere on Monday (9/22)...what's your favorite thing about fall? 

from when we lived up north

It used to be the change in the weather, the apple picking, pumpkin hunting, fresh apple cider...the list goes on and on.

2. What's one thing on your real or proverbial autumn bucket list?

 3. Apples, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, butternut squash and cranberries are some of the top fall foods. Which one is your favorite and how do you like it prepared? Any on the list you don't eat? Which one have you had most recently? 

I like all of them...apple pie, turnovers, pumpkin pie, pumpkin yogurt, sweet potato casserole, baked cranberries with cinnamon, cranberry relish, squash with spaghetti sauce, all of it.

4. 'Fall is proof that change is beautiful' is a popular sentiment. Would you agree or no? Elaborate.

 Be the change. Period. Change in attitude is everything. Just saying.

5. Is there a spot near you where people go to see the leaves change color? Will you try to leaf peep somewhere this fall? Lonely Planet lists the following ten places as the best for leaf peeping...of those listed which would you most like to visit? 

Stowe, Vermont~Shenandoah National Park, Virginia~Columbia River Gorge, Oregon~Zion National Park, Utah~Tennessee/North Carolina border~West Virgina~Northwestern Wyoming~Wisconsin Northwoods~Northern Nevada~Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway, Arkansas

I've been everywhere but Wyoming...and would love to go again. Would love to see Wyoming and Montana. But honestly, I love the Hudson Valley.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Speaking of change...I started a lesson yesterday in class about Latitude and Longitude. Do you know how many folks cannot read a map? Do you know how many folks don't realize that every single place on this beautiful Earth has a Latitude and a Longitude and why etc.? I do believe my students / inmates enjoyed finding places on the maps they had. Thank you for the brass who allowed me to bring in whatever I needed, of course, it stays there now, lol. 

~Peace out~

Tuesday Meme...

 Good morning and thank you for the overwhelming response to yesterday...

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4... are you ready for Autumn? Monday, September 22 is the Autumnal Equinox, the first day of the Autumn season.  Autumn is the name of the season and fall is the term for the time of Autumn when leaves begin to fall from the trees. Let's discuss it.

1. Are there pumpkins or chrysanthemums on your porch or are you planning on putting some out? No, it is way too hot and humid here, they would melt. We will at some point put something out.

2. Are stores around you showing Autumn clothing and decor now?  LOLOL. Way past Autumn, they have delved into Christmas. Here in New Jersey, leaves on some trees are changing slowly and temperatures are way down. What is it like in your neck of the woods? Umm...Florida...palm trees and oak trees. No color change yet, sadly.

3. Do you have plans for Thanksgiving yet? Nope, not yet...my husband has something medically going on around that time (his esophagus), it looks like surgery for an ongoing issue. Not sure when this will happen, but he has to meet with whomever to discuss it / that Monday before Thanksgiving.           

4 . If we can arrange an autumn trip or get away for you, where will you choose to go and why? Umm...wish I could head back up north. Sure, would like to see the leaves etc.

Whatever is going on etc...someone needs to see this, not sure who/whom, but God's Got This. And frankly, I sure could use a reminder.

Peace out.

Christ is King

 Yesterday's church was awesome; can I get an Amen? I'm here to tell you, that

Period. 

Put that crown on, straighten it and start acting like it. That is more for me than you all. 

Peace out.

Currently 21 Days in...

 Good morning. Another swampy day...what else is new, right? 😉

Fixing to keep it real.

yes, I know it's a Christmas graphic, lol.

Currently

Weather: at 9 am is 76* real feel is 76, humidity 86%. 

Listening to: Oops forgot too lazy to take the laundry out of the dryer yesterday, so listening to that.

Watched: The Gators loose yet again. Time to make a $65 million change Florida and a quarterback change. Just a saying.😉--

Did get caught up on: YouTube: American Highlander, The Scottish Isle.

Going to Watch: the forbidden topic --that I cannot talk about today at 2. Going to have church. Splendid, I did read that.

Thinking: Multiple things

--Did not buy a car yesterday...actually, this is how the conversation went:

Hubby: How much time can you spend today looking at cars? Because I told the guy no white, no red or black SUVS and he assured me he had multicolored vehicles for you to look at. 

Me: 20 minutes (got the look), ok an hour.

Hubby: deal

No hunting, got all the way to Pearson Nissan and guess what? They lied, yet again, they wanted to show us white and red SUVS. NO. That is not multicolored, I do not like white or red. I need color in my life. My current SUV is called Surfer Girl Blue.

--My one-year anniversary working in the current job assignment is coming up on Oct. 25. Need to get my rear in gear and get signed up for school. I have been just dragging it with that.

--My newer job assignment is being discussed. I will go wherever they send me...One needs to be afraid of this...and I am.

--the grifter finally left my mil's basement apartment and left it a mess and stole the fixtures etc., including the sink fixtures, doorhandles/locks. My sil (husbands oldest sister) sent photos. My husband might have to fly up there and take care of things etc.

--My husband's brother called last night (every Saturday about football) and he has me thinking. He said my brother posted on FB that his wife's father passed away...did you know his wife never knew he (my brother) has a sister/me? (my bil had to explain to her who he was)-- That seems to be the common thread. It is sad. Truly. And my husband, "After this news, I am going to stop pushing you." We (hubby and bil) talked a long time about other migrating factors and how it really affected our son. How cruel families are.

Feeling:

needs no words

Going to: Eat breakfast and then head out to the pool and then come in and have church.

Dinner: Hubby is making Lasagna soup. I will be quiet; can he make lasagna soup? That is my thought. 😁

Making me smile:

Wanna make God laugh? Tell HIM your plans. (oh wait, can I talk about God?)🤷‍♀️

Have a beautiful day, peace out.

So...Currently

 Good morning...So...Currently 

Weather...75* at 9 am. Humidity 90%. Another warm one on tap.

Listening to...hubby talk. He wants to go look at cars today, as in, want to trade in my SUV in as the warranty is up. SIGH

Watching...nothing. We came home from dinner last at 8:30 and I went straight to bed. I was exhausted.

Not Loving...Straight from the governor's office. We all have been told to watch our social media. Yes, folks are being fired for even posting about recent events. I will be deactivating FB as of today. I will keep it, unfortunately, I am not allowed to post anything or like etc. But I will keep it for the IM.

Feeling...

Blue

Thinking...

--How good that Tiramisu Martini was last night with pizza. I don't normally drink. But, due to recent events at work-can't talk about it-I needed a drink to soothe the nerves. And I did pay for it dearly, knowing better to have a drink.

--What a sad state of affairs we are in where folks, gvt. officials, etc. are being threatened etc.

Celebrating-nothing

Going hmm...

Hubby had a fire in the backyard the other night and it set off a glow in the kitchen window. It was spooky. It lit the kitchen up.

View from another window.

Enjoying... The bossman came in and cleaned house so to speak, not allowed to discuss it.

As my late son would say, Peace out.

Being your own advocate...

 Good morning, the week started off cooler than normal, now, we are back to humid again. I wanted to touch on a very hot topic...being your own advocate. Well, some of you might think it is...I just want to make people really think about things...especially when it comes to your health.

This bears repeating in an email I sent to a fellow blogger and friend, Barbara...To make a very long story short, I had contacted my dr. in NY to have my records sent and I had asked why never a urine test and the reply was that the new protocol doesn't require it and the blood work up doesn't require it. So, I asked my new nurse practitioner here and she said, "I don't care you will do what I tell you." She completely shut it down. So, that is when the whole find a new dr. happened—to which I am still looking. So, that is it in a nutshell...I just have very mixed feelings about all this and until I can get an honest answer, I am just saying no. It also seems odd to me, after looking at my medical records from up north to here, it is odd all of sudden they are pushing this and that medication. As my numbers have gone down...just some odd/weird things going on. To which, I am not getting answers too. So, sometimes, you just have to say STOP and be your own advocate. And to be honest with you, it's all coming to ahead as next week I see her, mind you, I don't have a dr. I have a nurse practitioner. Never seen a dr. except for my arthritis. And what is up for every 4 months instead of 6? I don't like being put in this "you're in that category because of age" thing. All of sudden, certain pills are being pushed etc...more tests, more this...and all I am getting is "because of your age". 

I am reminded of something the bossman said yesterday. He had me go with him to meet the new teacher (to get her through security) who taking over the class I have been subbing for. When introduced he goes, "Here is Mrs. Conley. She is my troubled child. Headstrong, brutally honest, but has a heart of gold, that is, until you cross her, so don't cross her and by all means, never ever play mind games with her, she will crush you like a bug. She is also highly competitive, but will let you win, occasionally." That made me smile and burst out laughing almost to tears....and he goes, "What? Was I lying?"🙄---the folks in security, they were about dying too, one said, "Ms. C. note, you just got owned."lolol bahwaaaaa...that poor woman, later she told me she took an instant liking to me. She probably thinks were cracked eggs.

 Anyways, in such a dark world...be unique, pray, stand up for yourself, say no, or say yes...whatever it is, just be you. Be strong. 

Over and out...have a great day.

Hodgepodge

 Good morning. Joining in on the Hodgepodge.

1.  Are you more life of the party or more party pooper? If your answer is somewhere in the middle which side of the middle do you lean towards more?

 

I am more of a wallflower and prefer to be that way. No rhyme or reason.

Birthday party, beach party, cocktail party, dinner party, charity fundraiser, surprise party, costume party, garden party, Christmas party, reunion...what's your favorite kind of party? beach party, cocktail party, dinner party, or probably, "Just meet me somewhere".

2. Cheese, wine, and balsamic vinegar all improve with age. What would you personally add to the list?

Hmm...gotta think on that one. 

3. How do you feel about your birthday? Nope, no thank you...LOL How do you want to be celebrated? Or don't you? Nope, I prefer to celebrate other folks. And I want to be remembered as a Christian, good mom and wife who spoketh the truth, period.

4. What remarkable feat, interesting piece of trivia, or historical event occurred on your birth day and month? Not necessarily your same birth year, just the same date/month. From the internet:

5. Share two good things about your life right now. 

My husband and the fact we have kept a house over our heads, no matter how expensive things (utilities, insurances etc.) have gotten. So, yeah, all in all, things are good. I probably should say having a job that keeps those things from going sideways LOL.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Amen, period. All it takes is one person. 

See you all on the flip side.

P.S. I know I owe y'all a story about the testing...I'm getting to it. lol

Tuesday Meme

 Good morning. Welcome once again friends to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 and how about talking about blogging this week since it's something we all do anyway. Get yourself a cuppa, come sit down at your computer and let's think about blogging for a bit.... Blog is short for Weblog, a log or diary on the World Wide Web or internet. Your journal or diary can hold personal stories, ideas, opinions of all kinds and can be private or public as you wish.  It is an excellent way to document your life or interests.

1. Why did you begin blogging? I begin blogging many years ago to communicate with other homeschoolers. 

2. What benefits does blogging offer you? It can become a diary or journal of sorts. It will be here long after I am. It also helps bring a community or people together and lifelong friendships have developed.

3. Have you made friends from blogging? Of course. I also have met many fellow bloggers in real life and quite enjoy their friendship.

4. Where do you get ideas for things you blog about? Just random stuff or other blogs who have memes, like this one.  Do other bloggers influence you? Yes, as does current events.

P.S. The medical tests were my regular 4 month (what is up with that? It used to be 6)--I'll put a post later on the why of not wanting a urine test, stay tuned.

Monday...

 Good morning from a rather cool Central Florida (62*).

Ha, yeah, that is how I am feeling. I already had my blood work (6 am, had to leave at 5:30--yes traffic even at that hour). The lady told me I couldn't leave until I did the urine test. I started laughing and walked out---here I am thinking, I have never been kidnapped before or held for ransom and the more I got to thinking about it, the madder/angrier I got🙄🧐. I don't normally go against authority, but this time...well, I did.

LOLOLOLOL. I have been awake since 3:45--going to be a long day, gotta head to the zoo soon😉. Wishing you all a beautiful day. Nothing to really chat about. Thank you all for the kind comments.

😁

Y'all are such magnificent little sunbeams

😊

Sunday Chat...

 I'm getting a little of a late start this morning. I had gotten up early and then promptly went back to bed. Sigh...

Weather: 69* Sunny. No worries, back to near 90 today. Another faux fall day here in central Florida.

Drinking: finished a cup of French Roast with Italian Sweet Creamer.

Watched: A day of college football yesterday. And I did get caught up on some of my YouTube videos: Kirsten and Joerg, The Scottish Isle and some Charlie Kirk videos (are these young people really that dumb? The answer is blissfully ignorant more like it).

Made: sweet and sour meatballs yesterday. We snacked on them all day.

Did yesterday:

Halloween wreathe that no one sees, because we don't get visitors.

Managed to get some fall stuff out.

The 2 Jacks are back as is the gnome, who remains nameless, because seriously, I can't think of a name.

It's a work in progress.

Frankly, I was thinking, why I bother.

My husband still has work on the outside of the house to do. That is if he can find the stuff🤣.

Thinking:

--Not looking forward to blood work done early tomorrow morning and having to pee in a cup. Which, I told her I was not going to do---and I am not going to do. Then the dr. appointment, still have not found a new dr. I'll tell you, as for the hundreds of dr.'s here in Marion County, the wait is ridiculous and the insurance rules even more so.

--What's for dinner? Hmm...haven't a clue.

--Still have ironing to do and grocery shopping today.

--Strangely, no hurricanes??? What's up with that? My husband said, "Hush your mouth!"😁🤣

I'm feeling...

sums it up about above: dr.s and Monday's, lol.

Ready for cooler weather. 

Just ugh over the housing market and how it hasn't really budged. Never did go see that house, btw, why? Because the realtor never got back to us. Yep...so sorry, Caldwell Banker, you're not getting my business. Onwards.

I'm enjoying...well, not really like all in it or anything, but transitioning into heartier meals and leftovers. Although it's still hotter than hades here.

Hmm...and I will leave with this thought...----it's just not Florida that has rules and regulations---While I sit on the fence about this, there have been a lot of firings going on since Charlie Kirks assassination. It clearly states in my contract what can or not be said and how our behavior as educators is upheld to a higher standard. The vileness coming from some people and especially educators, it's just plain awful. There have been several firings of educators here in Florida due to this. 

Amen...

See you on the flip side. Have a great day.