Jennifer Lyon


Friday, March 11th, 2022
Friday Five

TGIF. I hope everyone has had a good week. Let’s dive into sharing five random things about our week.

  1. Maggie is pretty mad at me right now. Her blankets are in the wash and I put her thin car blanket on her chair. She’s not a fan of that blanket. What she wants is for me to go upstairs and get the one I keep up there in a closet. If I open the door (it’s a walk in closet) she runs in there and curls up on that blanket. One time I even accidently closed the door on her and left in in the dark closet for about 10 minutes until I realized she wasn’t following me around. When I opened the door, she was curled on her blanket–she didn’t care. But right now, she can’t believe I’m so mean that I’d force her to make do with her car blanket. It’s a rough life, people. For real.
  2. I practiced making Marshall from Paw Patrol out of fondant, It turned out so-s0, and then wilted because I forgot to put in Tylose powder (it helps firm up the fondant so it holds it’s shape).  I’m waiting for more fondant to arrive to practice again. I actually plan to use a plastic cake topper I bought, and the fondant Marshall will be an extra. So if I can’t do it, no big deal. Plus Turbo is young enough he’ll be fine as long as it’s chocolate cake. I’ve been so distracted by world events (depressed, outraged and worried are better words), that I haven’t obsessed in my usual way). I need to focus in because this cake is something I can control, the rest is not.
  3. I made dark chocolate sea salt cookies again at Wizard’s request. I froze most of them, and then we can pull them out as we like. Unfortunately we like them. A lot! But I’m doing yoga four times a week so it’s okay to eat cookies, right?
  4. Why do people stop in the middle of Costco aisles? Or leave their cart in the way of everyone to go look at something? Why are people so freaking oblivious in Costco? I see it in other stores, but it’s like some kind of zombie virus in Costco. On the upside, the lines move faster in Costco than anywhere else I’ve seen.
  5. The weekend is a mystery that I haven’t solved yet. In other words, we were busy with other stuff and it snuck up on us :-)  But I’m sure I’ll have something dazzling to say about it Monday…okay, I’m joking. My dazzle has dimmed lately :-)

Those are my less than dazzling five, now I’d love to hear yours! I hope everyone has a great weekend!

8 comments to “Friday Five”

  1. Diane Sirkin
    March 11th, 2022 at 4:23 am · Link

    Only one comment….my husband agrees with you about costco saying you have to drive defensively there…and they let their kids run…oh well – diane



  2. B.E. Sanderson
    March 11th, 2022 at 7:11 am · Link

    Ut oh, you stole all of Maggie’s good blankies. For shame. I expect all will be forgiven once they come out of the dryer all soft and warm. I’m thinking so-so is way better than most people could do with fondant, so go you! Ooo, cookies! People do the same thing in the Walmart here – maybe because we don’t have a Costco. Have a great weekend, whatever you do!

    1) I started working on the beta reader edits last night. I have them open with the manuscript and I’m swinging back and forth between everything. Weeee.
    2) Yesterday, Hubs had just closed the door after feeding the critters when I little merlin landed on the porch rail outside our front window. I expect he’s learned that when Hubs lays out birdseed, the hunting is good, so he’d stopped by for breakfast. We didn’t grab the camera fast enough to get a pic before he flew up into the cedars.
    3) It’s supposed to snow today. Again. Enough with the snow already. Geez.
    4) Last night, I made Parmesan-encrusted pork chops for dinner. So yummy that there were no leftovers.
    5) I’m re-reading Jane Eyre right now, for the first time in ages. It still holds up as a favorite (which isn’t always the case). He just asked her to marry him and they’re SO happy. But I’m sad, because I know what’s coming. :sniffle:



  3. Silver James
    March 11th, 2022 at 8:57 am · Link

    As always, what B.E. said! Of course, it helps to have a big dog with you in Wallyworld. People tend to give Jake and me a wide berth. Or they want to pet him. LOL Okay, my five.

    1. It’s snowing. The bad news is, the roads are yucky. The good news is, it’s supposed to get above freezing this afternoon and the snow goes on east by noonish. Next week, we’re supposed to be in the 70s. Go figure.

    2. Made the last payment on LG’s truck this week. That’s a relief. It’s paid-off and the title will be here in a week to 10 days. Yay!

    3. I think I mentioned I’m getting the rights back to four books. Building on the revisions in them before re-release, I hope to have a new Hard Target book to go out to. I’m writing every day, if not as many words as I’d like but so far, progress! I like the story and it’s timely, as it’s a rescue mission in Ukraine.

    4. Stormy’s come over after school a couple of times this week. Thankfully, he is NOT one of the kids who is lagging due to Covid and mask restrictions. He’s reading on a 4th and 5th grade level and the word he misspelled on his spelling test was “canoe.” That’s a hard one. LOL

    5. I have a “new” feral that visits occasionally. He’s a smaller, orange cat. He won’t go to the front porch–I think the cauldron of black cats freaks him out–LOL. He’s very vocal and at the moment, I’m calling him Mow-Mow because that’s what he says when I come out of the garage to put food in the driveway for him. If he becomes a regular, I’ll probably name him Pistol Pete (the OSU mascot). I can’t name him Cowboy because there was a huge orange tabby that used to hang around and that was his name. Also, this little guy actually let me pet him so there’s hope of a “capture” and rehoming. We’ll see.

    That’s my news for the week. Time for another cup of coffee and maybe staring out the window at the snow for a bit to get in the mood for more CROSSFIRE words. Have a great weekend all! 🥰



  4. Viki S.
    March 11th, 2022 at 3:50 pm · Link

    1. Poor Maggie. It’s so funny how they are just like kids and form attachments to comfort items.
    2. What a good grandma you are 🥰. Making Marshall will be extra special to Turbo. But chocolate cake will rule.
    3. Yes, yoga will make the cookies zero calorie😁.
    4. When people get inside Costco it’s as if ALL manners are thrown out the window. I don’t think I’ve ever shopped with so many nasty inconsiderate people as when I’m at Costco.
    5. I’m sure your weekend will be full and I hope you have a really good one!

    1a. My shoulder is rolling forward more than usual and the pain has become unreal. I am actively working to improve my posture which really hurts. Because of it being injured I think I stopped using my arm correctly and now it’s almost impossible for me to do anything w/o raising my arm. Trying to do the exercises to fix this is VERY hard work. But I will keep at it.
    2. Ellipse guy was just here and replaced the broken resistance button ☺.
    3. So eldest used to be the exhibit head designer at the Rock Hall before he quit and did a higher level job at the Natural History museum until Covid and the dept was laid off. He’s been doing graphic work but not happy. He is now going to be the head of design and creation of exhibits at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Yes, they are moving. Yes, Harrison and PawPaw are going to have it hard 😥.
    4. I made Spunk’s vet appointment. Thank you for the kick in the butt 🤣.
    5. I’m having a very hard time trying not to watch the news. I’m just heartbroken. So on a lighter note, it’s Queso’s 2nd birthday today. Middle took him to be groomed and this dog is so funny prancing around showing off how beautiful he is – such a ham 😊.

    I really hope you have a great weekend.



  5. Jenn
    March 11th, 2022 at 6:53 pm · Link

    Diane, it’s so true. Glad your husband drives defensively there, LOL. I don’t know what it is, but it’s maddening.

    Have a great weekend!



  6. Jenn
    March 11th, 2022 at 7:07 pm · Link

    B.E., Maggie forgave me, LOL. And I did another Marshall that came out better. I’m getting there. My Walmart is similar, but Costco takes it to a whole new level of ignorance and rudeness.

    1) If you’re having to toggle between the two docs, that can be a challenge. If you have two monitors, you’re smarter than me, LOL. (I’ve always meant to, but haven’t done it yet.) Either way, you’ll get the job done!
    2) The merlin sounds like a smart little guy! I really don’t doubt that they have figured it out–they survive in harsh conditions. Too bad you missed getting a pic :-(
    3) Hope this is your last snow of the season. Today was 70 degrees of perfect here. I wish I could share it with you.
    4) Parmesan makes almost everything taste better!
    5) Yay for enjoying an old favorite!

    Hope your weekend brings nicer than expected weather and lots of smiles!



  7. Jenn
    March 11th, 2022 at 7:23 pm · Link

    Silver, true! A big do would clear a path. Unless I’m there, then I’d keep trying to cross paths with you just to see Jake :-)

    1) Hope you were able to stay home today and avoid the yucky roads.
    2) Congrats on paying of LG’s truck! That’s always a milestone worth celebrating! No more payments!!
    3) Wow that is very timely. And maybe a way to pour out some of the helplessness and frustration most of us feel. I think it’s awesome! You’ll do a great job with all the books.
    4) Stormy is amazing and so smart! But he also has great parents and grandparents and that makes a huge difference in reading. So you all get credit for that one! “Canoe” stumps me too (and I was reading well ahead of my classes from early on). Stormy isn’t the kid who needed the support of schools, it’s the various groups of disadvantaged kids who were, and continue to be, so badly hurt. Of course you know this, but I’m fiercely passionate about this and it makes me grit my teeth so hard I aggravate me TMJ every danged time I think about it. But Stormy rocks!
    5) The feral talking to you is a good sign. Letting you pet him is even better. He sounds pretty smart and willing to trust a little bit. It’d be great if he can be captured and rehomed, but I understand that’s not always possible. Pistol Pete is a great name.

    Hope both the coffee and words flowed today. Have a good weekend!



  8. Jenn
    March 11th, 2022 at 7:36 pm · Link

    Viki, Maggie’s recovered from her sulk. She’s a little bit spoiled, LOL. We’re going to see Turbo tomorrow and watch his swimming lessons. Plans are forming!

    1) Your poor shoulder! That sounds awful. Do you know what is the root cause of it? I’m really sorry you’re going though this. I try not to remember how bad mine were before the surgery. Rehabbing it is so hard, and it’s sometimes difficult to decipher the the pain of progress from the pain of further injury. Take care and don’t overdo.
    2) Good news on your ellipse!
    3) That’s such amazing news about oldest new job! It’s a prestigious job at the Country Music Hall of Fame! I’m so excited for him and you must be so proud! The moving part is hard, and I’m really sorry Harrison will be farther away. But technology will help you all stay in touch between visits and this is such a cool opportunity for home. You’ve raised a talented, hardworking son! (All your sons are amazing!)
    4) I’m pretty sure Spunk won’t thank me for nudging you into making the vet appointment! I need to make Maggie’s groom appointment and procrastinated all week. No reason, just laziness.
    5) I’m with you, trying to limit my news intake. But picture Queso prancing around to show off after grooming makes me smile! He sounds like such a happy dog. I can’t believe he’s two now. Happy Birthday to Queso!

    Hope your shoulder pain eases and your have a good weekend!



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