TGIF! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I’m sure we did too, but since I’m writing this post early in the week since we’re traveling, I can’t tell you about it :-). But I should be able to answer this Friday evening or Saturday. Here’s my 5:

1. Packing is a pain, and I never know what I’m going to need or want. Also I never wake up young, slim and beautiful with an amazing wardrobe in my closet, which is always a bit disappointing. To compensate, I overpacked and probably still took all the wrong things. In the end, none of it will matter and we’ll have fun. I’m excited to see how Maggie does too. It’ll be a whole new experience for her.
2. I bought some very inexpensive outdoor/hiking boots. I’m not sure my wonky ankle can handle the boots because I have a permanently swollen joint that can get prickly when anything presses on it wrong. When that joint gets mad, it’s painful and looks uglier than usual. So these are my test pair. If I can break them in around my ankle and use them more than two or three times a year, then I’ll consider investing into a better pair. But I’m excited to try! I won’t use them for daily walking, but for going on offroad trails where I need more protection and stability than running shoes.
3. I made taquitos in my air fryer last night, and Wizard loved them. They are still a multi-step pain to make, but much less greasy in the air fryer and I enjoy making them. I like my air fryer. It’s fun and useful at times, but I still believe it’s not an essential tool like I consider my crock pot to be.
4. And talking about cooking reminds me, we had a guy out to finally align a few cabinets in the kitchen ( more than a year after we moved in!). To do that, he was opening the cabinets and drawers. When he came to my spice drawer, he looked up. “So you’re a chef.” That cracked me up. I’m so not even close. I’m an average cook on my best day, and I’m not being modest. I know I can bake — see not modest there! But I have more time to try things now, and I enjoy being in the kitchen. That spice drawer really brings me joy, and I was jazzed that someone noticed it.
5. The Mustang is at the dealer. Wizard has suspected something was off with the fuel tanks (the Mustang has two fuel tanks), and his suspicion was confirmed when he ran out of gas not even a block from the gas station. He called Triple A because our policy with them includes bringing us gas if we run out. The driver was at that very gas station filling up, and could actually see Wizard. Talk about weird and funny coincidence! The problem with the Mustang has been diagnosed and will be fixed. But dang, I didn’t realize how protective the two of us are about that car. Both of us are uneasy when it’s not in our sight or secured in our garage. That will get better with time, of course. But we’re kind of laughing at ourselves over it.

So that’s my five and now I really want to hear yours! I will answer Friday evening or Saturday. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

TGIF!! Let’s get right to sharing five random things about our week. Here’s mine:

1. Because we’re crazy, we moved a couple things around in the office, and ordered a second bookcase We have really done this the hard way. In our defense, we bought it in pieces to see how much storage we would need, and how things would fit. All that said, we really love the office so it’s all good. But it is funny how much time and thought we are putting into it. Once the second bookcase comes today…we should actually put something in them. But then I think about moving stuff out when we do floors next year and get really tired.
2. I got a Covid booster shot. I’d put it off because we were so busy and I couldn’t afford a sick day. I finally got the shot, and the only reaction I had was a mildly sore arm. I mean that’s good news, but all that procrastination was for nothing, LOL.
3. I have five containers of homemade cookie dough in my refrigerator — which is double batches of 3 kinds of cookies: Chocolate chip, macadamia white chocolate chip,  and lemon. I’m using different recipes for the first two because I have some kind of baking dysfunction that makes me keep trying different recipes. The lemon cookies I have made before and I wrote “good” on the recipe so maybe it is — we’ll see. Also after I made all that dough yesterday, I was rethinking my life choices. I mean one batch of each would have been fine, but my brain said: Double the batches and freeze them! It’s the holidays! Frankly my brain needs less coffee and more wine. Heck I don’t even know if I can get a lot of cookies into my new freezer, but I guess we’ll find out! Today I’ll be baking cookies for roughly a 100 hours. Good times.
4. I bought a couple inexpensive Christmas decorations including one that reminded me of Maggie. I’ll post a picture below. Maybe this weekend we’ll get our tree and other decorations out. It not, we’ll do it the weekend after Thanksgiving. I’m not buying all the stuff I wanted to get for the front yard this year, but I did get a pretty wreath and a Santa for the front porch for great prices, so I’m happy. Here’s the one that looks like Maggie:
5. This weekend, I’d love to run out to Middle Son’s to see their new kitchen, but it might not be feasible. We also need to plan out our Thanksgiving with Middle and his wife, which we’re really looking forward to. I don’t know if I’ll be able to see Turbo, as he and his family are still playing virus roulette. I really feel for them dealing with this! Oh! And I have a toy I need to take over to Youngest’s to give his dog, Phoebe. I didn’t buy Maggie a toy, just Phoebe, LOL! But Maggie doesn’t really care about toys, so she probably forgives me.

That’s my five. Now I’d love to hear yours! I hope everyone has a great weekend!

TGIF!! This was the shortest week in history! But here we are on Friday again, and that means it’s time to share five random things about our week. Here’s mine:

1. I made meatloaf! It’s been years since I made it. I used oatmeal which made it gluten free and it was fine.  Meatloaf isn’t my favorite but it’s good for something different. I really like it dipped in mustard, is that weird? Even better, I divided the leftovers into two more meals and froze it, so that’s a win I enjoy cooking, but I also appreciate have easy meals available, and stretching food dollars when I can. Next up, I’m trying my daughter-in-laws gluten and dairy free creamy lemon pasta dish — I’m excited about that one! I let you know what I think of that after I make it.
2. With all that’s been going on, I’ve been doing less yoga. I tried to keep doing some, and maintained a reasonable amount of flexibility and balance. But I am definitely going to work a bit harder to get all the way back to where I was. That said, all the yoga I’ve done for a couple years now really helped me keep up with what I needed to do these last few months I did keep up with the walking — Maggie and I generally do one and a half to two miles a day unless weather or obligations get in our way. Walking is a great way for me to manage stress, and it’s great for Maggie too.
3. While in Cambria, I had something called a Chevre Omelet for breakfast. It had roasted balsamic red peppers, spinach and goat cheese. I enjoyed it. I also had an ollaberry muffin that was delicious. I don’t remember having ollaberries before, but I could have and just forgotten. The muffin did have dairy so I only had a few bites, but it was soooo good! Those were the most new-to-me food I had. The last night, we ate on a patio overlooking the ocean. The food was good, but standard so nothing to really talk about. However despite it being dark, we could feel and hear the ocean across the street, and the weather was cool not cold. The atmosphere and company made it perfect.
4. I’m going to tease Wizard here. So we told him we were going to see the elephant seals. Evidently, what Wizard heard was elephants and seals. He never said anything until after we saw the seals. He told us afterward that he’d realized elephant was the species of seals. But when we’d first told him, he could not figure out how or why elephants would be there with the seals. LOLOL!! We cracked up. But honestly, I’ve done things like that, so I can’t laugh to hard. Plus on the way home from my brother in law’s service a few days before that, I was so tired, I told my son to check the weather when I meant check the traffic. My son and his wife tormented me for the hour long drive home about that (youngest son and his wife were with me as Wizard and his brother were driving the deceased brother’s Mustang). We all do silly stuff that makes people around us laugh.
5. Last night, oldest son sent pictures of himself on the roof hanging Christmas lights. Sigh…why do my kids do this to me? Even though they are all responsible adults, I always have a mom-moment when I see stuff like that! Trust me, they know it and do it just to freak me out But seriously, he’s going all out and making his house bright and fun for the holidays! Turbo loves it! We’re going to have to put up some lights and get some decorations for our house soon. But I haven’t thought that far ahead yet I will soon. Maybe…or not…and either way is fine.

That’s my five. Not super exciting, but it works for me. Now I’d love to hear your five!

TGIF!! Can you believe it’s November??? I’m not ready! But the calendar doesn’t care, so I guess the holidays are coming regardless of my readiness Okay,  before we jump into sharing five random things about our week, let me insert that I won’t be able to answer until Saturday (hopefully). It’s crazy time here in our lair, but this too shall pass Now I’ll start with my five things:

1. My brother-in-law is on his way from the airport as I write this on Thursday afternoon. Wizard is picking him up. Am I ready? Bwhahahaha!! But no matter, he’s easy to have as a houseguest and the sheets on the guest room bed are clean, so I’m kind of ready?
2. Today is Mike (Wizard’s brother’s) memorial service. Biker witch and Biker hubby are coming over to the house to hang with Maggie. I’m so grateful to not have to worry about her.
3. Saturday we’ll take brother-in-law back to the airport, and the hopefully catch our breath, and do a bunch of stuff.
4. Sunday we leave for a short two night trip. I’ll tell you guys about that when we’re back. I’m very much hoping for easy and relaxing.
5. Tiredness passes right??? So I had a dentist appointment that I was hoping would shed a little light on what is going on in my throat, and a bit on the roof of my mouth. You know what I got? “It’s time for you to see an ENT.” Oh, you mean that thing we’ve been fighting for three long months to do???? Really??? Sigh…I’m sure it’s going to turn out to be something minor and easily addressed, and I’ll be like, “Why did this have to be so hard?”

So that’s my whining, uh, I mean five random things Now I’d love to hear yours! I’ll be here (hopefully) on Saturday to read and answer comments. In the meantime, I hope you all have a fun and fabulous weekend!

TGIF!! I don’t know how it’s Friday again! It’s crazy how fast time is going. Halloween is next week and then we’re into the holiday season.  This has been a weird year. Okay let’s get to sharing five random things about our week (let’s see what I can remember, LOL!):

1. So I got my shirts for the memorial that’s a week from today. But I sent them back. Wizard was out, found a great shirt for me and bought it. I was so surprised! And this shirt I’ll happily wear over and over, so that’s a win all around.
2. Our bookshelf came for the office. It’s pretty, and I’m happy we have it. But it’s not going to be filled for a couple weeks. Wizard is handling some estate things for his brother, and I could see he just didn’t have the bandwith doing the work in the office, including some rearranging to make sure we have the best layout and see if we have enough storage. So I suggested we just put that on hold until he has a few pressing details handled. He was relieved, and I’m fine with it. We have a houseguest next week and the service, then a small trip. That’s more than enough right now.  Plus the office is so improved and functions so well, that we’re happy.
3. Today we’re going to check out another possible pet sitter for Maggie. She does it in her house, and only a few animals at a time. Now that Maggie’s getting older, it might be a more ideal situation for her. I know my sister would watch her too and Maggie would be very happy and well cared for. But things come up that might include my sister and Maggie needs a safe and comfortable place to go. It’s a deal Wizard and I made when we first got her, and it’s been more useful than I would have imagined. It’s an added expense to any trip, but worth it to know Maggie’s safe.
4. I took Maggie to the vet on Monday for a routine vaccine and other stuff. For an extra $15.00, they cut Maggie’s toenails too — they did a great job! She has black toenails and they often aren’t cut short enough for fear of hitting the quick. These are the perfect length! Then I gave her a bath at home, and did some minor (careful) blow drying. Maggie was so not pleased with me, LOLOL!! But she forgave me when I told her I had a special treat for her. She ran to the pantry and waited, then happily chewed her small treat bone thing.
5. This weekend, we’re going to see Oldest, Special K and Turbo’s house. We’re looking forward to that. I’m taking red velvet cupcakes because we didn’t really celebrate Special K’s birthday due to my brother-in-law being so sick. Special K was so sweet and understanding, but I at least want to take her the cupcakes I know she likes. Oldest is going to make hamburgers on his new grill too, so it should be nice!

That’s my five, now I’d love to hear yours! I hope everyone has a great weekend!

TGIF!! Let’s jump right into sharing five random things about our week.

1. Hot and Dry. So very dry. It’s supposed to cool off next week, but the dryness is getting to me. After all my whining about humidity this summer, it’s pretty funny that now I’m complaining about it being so dry. Also if weather is my biggest complain, then life is pretty danged good.
2. This week, I finally made a gluten free, dairy free chocolate chip cookie that I’m happy with! This was a win for me. I’ve probably tried a half dozen recipes or tweaks, and they all turned into runny pancakes in the oven no matter what I did. I finally found a recipe with cornstarch as the magic ingredient. Gluten and dairy free will never taste exactly like one made with flours that have gluten and real butter, but this one worked for me!
3. I also marinaded a boneless chicken breast in a lemon thyme brine (with thyme from my little garden!) and cooked it in my air fryer. We loved it and got two meals out of one large chicken breast. It was a huge chicken breast This is the first week in a while when I did some fun cooking or baking.
4. Last night, we went to dinner with Biker Witch and her hubby. I’m writing this yesterday right before we actually go, so all I can say is that I expect we’ll have a nice evening. We asked them to go because while we’re running a bit tired, we also want to do things with people we love and enjoy. We’re going to a Mexican restaurant, something we haven’t gone out for in a long time.
5. Middle son is the one coming out on Saturday with his wife and two dogs. They are living through a home renovation so we invited them for dinner hoping to give them a break from cooking in their fifth-wheel trailer or going out. Plus we just enjoy hanging with them And I get to see my two grand dogs as a bonus!

That’s my five, and now I’d love to hear yours! I hope everyone has a great weekend!

TGIF! It’s time to share five random things about our week. I want to hear all of yours. Mine will be a little different, you’ll see why in a sec. Please don’t take this post as sad. This is my week (the last few weeks, we’ve been focused on this below)

1. I’m sorry I didn’t answer Wednesday. I read them but…
2. Wednesday evening we lost our beloved family member. It was a blessing that he went peacefully to God and is free of suffering now. Of course we’ll grieve, but we also got the gift of time with our family member. I’m not going to say too much more right now, except that I had the honor of helping where I could in this time and I cherished every second that I could. I love Wizard’s family for trusting me to do that. To be clear there are many heroes in this story and I’m not one of them, I’m just part of a backup crew who helped where I could.
3. Maggie has been good as gold through all this. We have left her for such long blocks of time and she just accepts it, never has accidents and makes us feel welcomed and loved when we come home.
4. Though all this I made a new friend named Bailey. She’s a beautiful small dog who is afraid of strangers and she needs to build trust in her friends. We quickly became fast friends   However I have been sternly warned that I cannot steal Bailey. That seems completely unreasonable to me, but whatever :-).
5. As weird as it sounds, this week has brought so many moments of deep joys, sweet family connections and I have witnessed and felt so very much love. Of course there will be sad moments, more tears and a few more hurdles to jump, but mostly, there will be love and that is everything.

Please know, I’m sharing, not looking for sympathy. Now I very much want to hear five random things about your week. I care about all of you too. I have thought of you this week, I just haven’t been home to answer — but I should be home today!

Everyone have a safe and wonderful weekend!