Life is Grand But Watch Out for the Pricks

Once again Terry visited the Plant Parenthood section of the parking lot at work. This is where people bring in plant starts of all varieties and share them with veterans and their families. He had choices of cacti and succulents among others. 

My hubby walked in with both of his hands full and shared his findings with me. I loved the selection he adopted! In this photo, we see a small cactus that I love. All of these plants, and especially this variety, will have to be kept in the office, as we own a Kit. Kit is a beautiful, intelligent, curious Birman who loves to investigate everything. When I say everything, I mean everything. 

Bringing in groceries, Kit immediately plants his face into the bag to see what we may have brought home for him to eat or play with. I began making dinner last night and he stood on his hind legs, placing a couple of claws into the package of hamburger sitting on the counter. He pulled the coveted meat toward him. I caught him this time, fortunately, and put the meat further back on the counter. When Terry and I first met, he pulled the package of meat onto the floor, giving Jasper the chihuahua an opportunity to begin a raw meat dinner choice. I walked into the kitchen only to find Kit watching the dog dig into the package of meat as if he had absolutely nothing to do with it. 

The prickly glochids would get into Kit's skin and we would spend hours, I'm sure, pulling these spines out of the cat's paw. We don't need that and neither does Kit. Either that or he would make an attempt to eat the little cactus. As I said, the plants will have their permanent home in our office. 

Pachyphytum hookeri is the odd name for this little one. I can work with this later to propagate and achieve a garden of these little succulents if I choose to. Anyway, he chose a very healthy, nice plant to add to our collection. 

The final plant he brought home for our group greenery is the aloe vera plant. I love aloe! Most people know the benefits of the plant. I used to cut up huge leaves and drop the aloe leaves into a blender. Blend it until liquid, then add orange juice. The combination of juice and aloe can be poured into a glass and added to a healthy breakfast. Aloe is just as good for your digestive system as it is for your skin. Elephants and other creatures eat the aloe plant to help heal themselves in the wild. I have always believed that nature provides everything we need to heal ourselves. This is one of those natural healing options. 

Still a baby, the aloe plant has a ways to go to become an adult. I am more than happy to help it grow to its full potential. Our little plant collection has become larger over the past couple of months. Now I need to transplant them into nice planters to keep them in the office. 

I do love plants! I used to have lots of plants in my living room, but life happened. Little people were growing up in my house and I had plenty of pets to care for, taking time away from my plants. But that's okay. I'm now in a new phase of my life and there is nothing in the way of growing them all to lush, beautiful, full potential. 

We have a jade plant. 

Another succulent with a long name attached is called the sedum reflexum, or Spanish Blue. 

We ended up with two spider plants after visiting Plant Parenthood. It's not the name anyone has given the VA plant giveaway. It's something Terry came up with one night while in a discussion with me about plants. I loved it and it stuck. 

The red geranium is a favorite of mine. Some geraniums are perennials, some are annuals. I'm going to take a stab at caring for this one in hopes that it comes back next spring. 

We garnered about nine Swedish ivy plants too. I divided them up into separate planters, giving each planter three plants. I really love ivy-type plants when they grow out. 

Our collection also contains three orchids given to me over the past year. I love orchids, too! I kept them green after they bloomed, but I have not seen them bloom since. I'm working on it. 

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I have to admit, I have been remiss about the blog for this past week. Not because I've lost interest in writing about our memories. In fact, just the opposite. I have been biting at the bit to have more happening in our lives to write about, and when it hit, well, it hit. This means last weekend and this weekend and all that took place in the week will be in this one post. Yeah, that's right. Two blog posts in one!

The week became quite busy when Terry went to work as usual, but he had a painful pinched nerve in his neck. Sleeping in the recliner isn't his favorite, but he can't get his head comfortable in bed. I feel awful knowing he is suffering from it and there really is nothing to do for it. Yes, chiropractors, but I side with him in the fact that there is no way I want someone messing with my neck and spine.  

He knows a trip to the doctor means a nurse will be pushing a needle in the neck in an attempt to relax the muscles to release the nerve. However, that is another thought that horrifies both of us. Yes, he may have nothing left to do, meaning he has to deal with it. So, sleeping in the recliner it is. 

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The week was full of painful situations, yet we did have some good moments too. Spencer, our second great-granddaughter turned one year old! I can't believe a year has passed since her birth, but it has. 

Happy birthday sweet little girl! You are such a blessing. 

***

Well, here we are, the last day of October and our car is still sitting in the shop. No word from anyone about what is going on either. So we wait. I'm going stir-crazy, as I said in the last post. This gives me a lot of time to think about things, and as I said, my thinking is not always a good thing. 

Not only did I choose to put all of the six totes and three peg boards full of jewelry from past Paparazzi sales up for sale again, but I came up with a new idea to keep me occupied. This idea will take some real thought, some effort, and definitely a lot of work. I'm ready!

I have been researching this idea for the past month. Speaking with my husband about the project left me with more ideas and further research. He left me with, "Babe, I'm 100% behind you, whatever you choose to do for work." Never, ever give a bored Capricorn that much open freeway. The thoughts, plans, ideas, and projects filled my mind with joy. The customary Grinch smile forms across my face. 

My ideas turned into not only more research but testing. Yes, I had to take a test. I haven't had a test for many years, but this new idea took a test to bring it to fruition. 

A pretty simple test, that's for sure, but a test nonetheless. I passed with flying colors and am ready for the next phase of my plan (insert evil laugh here). 

The first phase was the research. Check. The second was testing. That's done. Now for the third phase and that will happen tomorrow. I have set up a Facebook page that's ready to accept all of my project events, in pictures and sharing of the grand opening and other events that take place as I go along. 

Thursday, October 30, 2024, is the official opening of Sweet Mama Macrae's Cottage Bakery! A cottage bakery, for those who do not know, is a home bakery operating from your kitchen. My future includes baking brownies, cakes, cupcakes, scones, biscuits, sourdough and white bread loaves, various flavors of fudge, and edibles that we all love. I will be taking orders as soon as I have my first day of baking, which will be today, Friday, October 31, 2024. Yes, I open my doors wide on Halloween. Why not? Our basement friend, Harry can help me. Wouldn't you want to eat something crafted by a basement-dwelling ghost?

And so it begins. Today I will bake my first batch of chocolate chip cookies, banana nut bread, and of course, my first doggie treats, called Togo Treats. These treats will be pumpkin-flavored since the holidays are upon us. May the flour fly, the yeast yield, and the pumpkin prevail. Sweet Mama Macrae's will take orders for Tuesday, November 5, 2024, the first day of sending baked goods out of the kitchen. 

My thought process took me to Tuesdays and Thursdays for baking days and taking orders for baking days in between. We'll see how it all plays out, but this will give me items to bake and display, keeping my silly, bored, wandering mind occupied. If nothing else, Terry and I will get very fat. 

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Speaking of fatness, my hubby came home last night (Thursday 10/30) and chose to take me out to dinner. Not only that, but he came home with another aloe vera plant and a lovely lamp he purchased from a shop nearby. Now, either the man really thinks about me or he has done something very wrong. Either way, I guess I score!

I love this lamp and the designs on the wall and ceiling it leaves upon illumination. It's perfect and so is the husband. I love you, sweet man, and thank you once again for the amazing lamp!

***

On top of giving me a new plant and the beautiful lamp, I was also taken to a new place to eat. It's called The Blac & Bleu. It's a local bistro, with a fresh, modern look. I would have snapped some photos of the place, but it was packed full of hungry people, watching the World Series on the TV above the bar and on the smaller televisions around the restaurant. I chose not to piss people off while they were enjoying their visit. Small place, very crowded, but I guess that's a good thing. 

The waitress we met was nice and accommodating. She checked back with us just enough, but not to the point of being annoying. The food was excellent! Terry ordered a Reuben and I had a turkey club. Both came with sweet potato fries, ketchup, and something called Goop. Yes, Goop. 

Goop consisted of the typical "secret sauce" mixture of mayo and ketchup but with a dab of horseradish mustard as a unique twist. It was good, but I guess I found it to be a bit spicy. Nothing to write home about in terms of, "Wow, I now have a hole in my gut from the spiciness," but just the mild kick of horseradish. It was unique and actually enjoyed by both of us. 

Terry's Reuben sandwich looked inviting. 

Although I was quite busy devouring my turkey club. 

The place had the usual bar food that was prepared well. We discussed the venue upon our return home and both of us decided we would love to go back to the Blac & Bleu in the future. Great place to eat!

***

Today is Friday again. Halloween night! My daughter and I used to watch a scary movie and stuff ourselves full of pizza, soda, popcorn, chips, apple slices, caramel, and of course, the typical Halloween indulging of candy. Sweet, lovely candy. But by the time we got around to eating candy, we were usually so stuffed full of pizza and the rest of the pig-fest foods that we couldn't eat much of the candy. 

Well, to continue that tradition, Terry and I are getting some pizza and will be watching the Headless Horseman as he scares the shit out of people in the movie, Sleepy Hollow. Now, this is a tale that unfolds on Halloween in many homes around the US, but this movie has Johnny Depp in it. I love this guy as an actor. He can take you through forests of weirdness in his character interpretations or shoot you off the couch, leaving you cowering and crying under your bed in movies such as The Secret Window and others. It is my opinion that the man is a genius when it comes to his acting ability. So, Sleepy Hollow, it is. Bring on the Ichabod!

My next post just might discuss the peeing of my pants while watching the film, but I'll give it a try. I've always wanted to watch it, but let's face it, anyone who knows me understands that I'm a complete baby when it comes to scary, bloody, or bug-infested films. I have a soft heart and demeanor when it comes to anything but Pollyannaish behavior in movies. Give me a Hallmark and I'm happy. We will see how tonight goes. 

***

Since today was baking day for Sweet Mama Macrae's, I baked a loaf of no-sugar-added banana walnut bread. Actually, two loaves. The loaves came out nice and they taste amazing. I posted the pictures and announced the loaves were complete on Facebook. Now I wait. 

On that note, it's now time to begin the chocolate chip cookies and Togo Treats. I may be out of brown sugar substitute and in need of a trip to the store so the cookies may have to wait until tomorrow. But they will be baked, photographed, and posted on the bakery page. This also includes having to price them. Yes, the process is long, but fun. Pricing the cookies means each ingredient has to be calculated and then broken down to how much each cookie would cost. Time and use of electricity, plus any other packaging materials should be included in the price of these cookies. It's a chore, but I'm enjoying this first day of baking and figuring things into the scenario. 

But for starters, we have banana nut bread and a home that smells delicious. I have a banana nut bread candle, but nothing, and I mean nothing tops the aroma of the real thing baking in the oven on a cold day. Sweet Mama Macrae's bakery may give me more fun, joy, and air freshener smells that I can't find in stores or other adventures! I can't wait until I begin to bake bread. Tomorrow's agenda is completing my projects of today. First up will be bagels. Everything bagels to be exact. I have all the ingredients and I'm ready to roll. Let's do this, shall we? Let's shall!

***

Halloween night! All is quiet around the homestead and surrounding area. We ate our dinner consisting of bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches, accompanied by tomato soup. Hot soup, lovely sandwiches. All this made a nice meal to eat while watching a bloody, gory, head-chopping movie. All right. I've braced myself. Let the gore begin!

Sleepy Hollow is a film I have not watched before. I started it years ago but shut it off soon after it began. Now I remember why. Ugh. The chopping off of heads is not my thing. Not to mention the witchcraft and selling one's soul to the devil not sitting well within my soul. Definitely not my idea of a good movie. But I watched the back of my hand during the gory parts and made it through. Some parts, such as the witchcraft and other dark stuff mentioned I cannot unhear, but it's done now. 

Terry said he thought it was a great Halloween movie. I prefer a film such as The Haunting of Hill House or something in that realm. Very little blood and gore, but keeps you at the edge of your seat with macabre situations. Counting extra ghosts thrown into the mix but hidden in the darkest of corners and often missed because of the action on the screen makes the film an excellent Halloween choice. It's like a puzzle within a film. My daughter Brandy and I found an extra ghost by accident while watching and that spurred the research to find the fact they placed extra ghostly images in the reel, leaving it up to the viewer to find them all for fun. 

Anyway, Sleepy Hollow is a good movie in terms of acting, musical score, actors, writing, etc., but it's just me when it comes to the things I mentioned above that make the film a head-turner for me. No, not turning the head to watch, but turning away to not see a sword searing off the head of the townspeople. My adult years left me sensitive to viewing movies like this one. Whacking heads off in the movie didn't seem to bother Terry at all. Each to his or her own, I guess. I'm glad he enjoyed the film. I enjoyed it for other reasons, such as the acting and never losing the interest to see it for the first time. 

Halloween of 2024 is just a memory now. I've enjoyed time spent with Terry and now it's on to the next holiday of Thanksgiving. I love this holiday! Family, laughter, love, food, and fun. 

***

Terry and I had to rush to the Douglas County Courthouse today to visit the county clerk's office. Our mailbox tends to allow rain in it, leaving most of our mail soaked. Ballots were sent out last week and the envelopes used to put the ballot in the ballot box were already sealed because of the rain. We had to go in to grab another envelope. After they issued us two new envelopes with our names and addresses printed on them, we could place our ballots inside, seal them, and then sign them. Voting complete. I do hope everyone votes! Your vote is so important!

***

A call from the service center at Kiefer Kia came in today. Terry reported they still do not know what is causing the battery drainage in the Sportage. The car has been in the shop for almost a month, leaving me without a way to work deliveries. Terry informed them (again) of this issue and demanded they give us a loaner car, but to no avail. They reported they do not have a loaner available at the moment, but he will see what he can do. 

I do have my transcription and baking to do, along with posting the rest of the jewelry for sale, but this is getting old. Getting old very quickly. But, when all else fails, punt. We will ignore it all because it is making us both so angry now that we decided to not discuss it and to let it go. I'm willing to do this, yes. It keeps my blood pressure down. But I do have to say, I enjoy cussing them out to no end with my face pressed deeply into my pillow. My pillow and I have had some heavy, heartfelt discussions on this matter and many others. Pillows are my friend. 

I cannot believe it's been a month and they have no clue as to what is causing the malfunction. For battery's sake, give us another car to take the place of this defunct vehicle you have sitting in your shop, leaving us nothing. I get that things break down, but I also get that customer service is important for any company and I would think that is inclusive of getting a new item if the old one isn't working and can't be repaired. With the battery issues as it stands, they have no clue what could be causing the problem. If that's the case, would you not either replace it with something else or figure it out for your customer before a month is up? 

Terry and I discussed that they have had enough time to go from one end of the car to the other, following the flow of current from battery to battery and replacing every damn thing in between that is associated with the current. Terry did mention to the man on the phone today that they could have stripped the entire car down to the frame and replaced everything in it by now. We had both come to this conclusion at the same time. Great minds think alike as the saying goes, or pissed-off customers come up with like solutions. One or the other. 

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Tomorrow is Saturday, game day. I'll leave this all right here. Until our next post, we hope you have a wonderful evening. Take care of yourself and be sure to shine that beautiful light! We hope you enjoy this beautiful, natural artwork we are blessed with during the fall season. Incomparable.