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Friday Favorites

November GIF

November is an exciting month because there are so many events to look forward to!

However there is one event to look back on that took place on October 31st.

LB and I went to the annual Ballasso Halloween Party last night where we encountered every kind of character you could imagine.

Dressing up is one of my favorite things; almost everyone enjoys getting into costume for Halloween.

Favorite # ONE

Dressing Up

Here are some members of my family who showed their Halloween spirit this year:

Sydney as Sally

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Dillon as the Joker

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Levi as Owen of Jurassic World

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Thea as Princess Anna from Arendelle

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Chynnaand her lil’ pumpkin

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Gina and Sydney a Classic Halloween Witch and her Black Cat

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Lydiaas Glinda the Good Witch

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Rory as Dorothy Gale with her bothersome ruby slippers

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and even McCartney (Amanda’s dog)there’s a dinosaur mask around here somewhere.

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They are all fabulous!

One costume that I thought turned out particularly well is my

Favorite # TWO

LB as Woody

This may be the best costume LB has ever donned!

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Favorite # THREE

Costume Concepts

The inspiration for this year’s Halloween costume came from a recently watched movie

Toy Story 4I had my heart set on being Bo Peep, but there were no Bo Peep costumes to be found.

Since LB already had his heart set on being WOODY, I chose to dress up as

Jessie the cowgirl.~

Richard, Emily, Lydia, and Rory were inspired by the Wizard of OZ

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Favorite # FOUR

Trick or Treat

One of my favorite TREATS  this year is this ORANGE KIT KAT.Since it is TRICK-y to remove and replace my plastic mouthpieces, I’ve only had one…

but it was tasty!

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 I would be remiss if I submitted a post on November 1st without mentioning  my firstborn.

Last but certainly not least

Favorite # FIVE

StephanieHappy Birthday Dear Stephanie!

 

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Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Saturday Special

This was my Saturday Special:

From the Maple Street Biscuit Company

it is called

The Squawking Goat 

It is a Maple Street biscuit with fried chicken, goat cheese and pepper jelly which was delivered to my table by my own yungin’.He also brought Rory her chocolate chip waffles with strawberries (which she enjoyed quite a lot).

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Today is the last day of my annual FALL VACATION.

The Fall Vacation trip is the one that LB and I take annually to  do the same things in the same places.  Not because we can’t think of anything else to do, but because we love it.  However, on this Fall Vacation Trip, LB and I did something a little bit different: we detoured to Charleston.

Richard, Emily, Lydia, and Rory officially moved to South Carolina this past week.

  Because I know it is going to be difficult to live without seeing them regularly, LB rerouted us to Charleston and on Saturday afternoon….We met at the place where “Daddy is the BOSS”.

And Glammy got to see her girls!

Talk about a Saturday Special!

After enjoying our lunch, we followed Emily and the baby girls to see their new home.

The playground was especially fun to see!But there was more to do.

We opened housewarming presents (and put them together)Then we headed out to spend the afternoon having fun at a

Charleston Fall Festival

There were so many fun things to do!

There was

A Maze

and a prize if you were successful!

A Fun House

I was amazed that this little four year old marched herself into the fun house alone

and proceeded to run right through like a little pro.

There was

A Pumpkin Patch

which included an opportunity to pick a pumpkin to carve or paint.

Rory picked this one.Lydia did the paintingAnd she did an excellent job!

There were

Photo OpportunitiesBalloon Babies A HAUNTED HOUSE

I ain’t gonna lie… I didn’t want to go into the haunted house.  It was FINE WITH ME when Emily volunteered.  But as it turned out, it was a Haunted House especially designed for little ones, and Lydia asked me if I would go with her a second time.

The stop in Charleston was not planned well in advance, so LB and I would have to leave for Florida shortly after our visit had just begun.

 It was a HOT day, but a fun day with the baby girls!And we WILL be going back!

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Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

Today a coworker asked me if I have stopped blogging:

“Are you still doing that, or did it run its course?”

(you know who you are and [even now] I’m glaring).

I explained that I enjoy blogging, but can’t seem to make time to publish my posts.

😢

Right now I have 52 drafts waiting to be finished.

Nevertheless, I try to add a Friday Favorites post each week.

That said, my Friday Favorites from last week is still unfinished.  Reason being, last Friday Rory spent the night.

And Glammy let her do whatever she wanted to do

which was…

watch Peppa Pig take a bubble bath with ducks… and eat scrambled eggs… The little angel is no trouble at all, and I loved every minute of her company, but she and Lydia have my undivided attention when they visit.

I’ll finish that blog post eventually.

As for this week…

Favorite # ONE

Sleepover at Glammy’s

Peppa was the word of the day.

If we were in the living room, the television was tuned in to Peppa Pig.[with the exception of the few times that I tried to find Toy Story].

If Rory said “Toy Story” once, she said it 100 times.

After an unsuccessful attempt to find Toy Story on YouTube, LB searched online and ordered all four DVDs:

On Saturday afternoon, Lydia joined the party at Glammy’s.

Or rather…

Lydia hosted the party

Favorite # TWO

Happy New Day Party

Lydia set the table for all of her guests.

Once everyone was comfortably seated, she declared a need for party hats. The only party hats available were Happy New Year hats, which she agreed would be fine.

Lydia exclaimed “Happy New Day!” and served a healthy helping of salad (Easter basket grass) to her guests.Lydia is very particular about when her picture is taken.

In addition, she is VERY imaginative and and creative.

Our Tuesday visit included a Barbie night out at the movies.  Glammy’s treadmill is in the “Barbie Room” but that is certainly not a hindrance.

The treadmill served as seating for the girls as they enjoyed a showing of My Little Pony.

Favorite # THREE

Movie Night~

Favorite # FOUR

With all the recent discussion of Mema Reid’s recipes, I decided [to attempt] to recreate her multi-layer cake with chocolate fudge frosting.

Don’t judge.Okay so I don’t know what I’m doing.

This is going to take some practice.

Fortunately it tastes pretty good.

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Favorite # FIVE

I mentioned previously (here) that Grandpa left us on Monday.

He went to Heaven and we’ll see him again.

Members of my family have been sharing pictures of him on social media.

These are a few of of my favorites:

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Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

My Grandpa

My Grandpa

hasn’t been in good health for quite some time.

For the last two weeks, was being monitored by hospice from his home, but was admitted to their facility this past weekend.

At some point after a Saturday evening sing-a-long with the best of the family vocalists, Grandpa went to sleep.

On Sunday Mama reported that he was unresponsive.

Lying in a hospital bed and struggling to breathe, isn’t the way you want to see your loved one, however, several family members gathered in his room to be with him.  I took my turn by his side and held his hand.  Before I left, I told him I loved him, and gave him a kiss on the forehead, as I always did.

And that would be my last goodbye.

My plan to go visit again after work on Monday was interrupted by a call from my sister at 2:58 on Monday afternoon.

It was hard to believe that he was gone.

His service will take place on Tuesday.

Only a few weeks before I had mentioned that he was well.

Grandpa grew up during the depression.  He served our country in WWII.  Not a clear pic, but that is him!

Grandpa loved to sing and had an excellent bass voice.

He had a fondness for picking up items that others might see as impractical.   His collection of things is incredible.  Grandpa was active, always busy, but always made time for his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He loved his family and friends.

He was patient, gentle, kindhearted and dear.

And he loved the Lord, always addressing Him as “Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father” when he prayed.

In the last two weeks I have spent time with him reminiscing about the past and the people we love.  I reminded him that he was going to be 95 in December and he replied, “yes, on the 15th”. He was almost right; his birthday is December 17th. But that was the only slip-up I caught; he was pretty sharp.

I had the opportunity to “catch up” with my aunt Debbie, who lived with and cared for Grandpa, and my cousin Melissa, who was there very often.  While visiting we looked through old photos of people we could not identify and chatted about growing up and the unusual things that we did.  We discussed Mema’s recipes and Grandpa’s favorite television programs.  It has been somewhat a family reunion and I believe, as bad as he felt, Grandpa was happy to see us all together.

Now Grandpa is enjoying another family reunion.

He has been reunited with his wife and son, the two I affectionately refer to as “Mema” and “Daddy”.  Grandpa is also experiencing peace and joy in degrees that we cannot imagine as he basks in the light and love of his “Most Gracious Heavenly Father”.

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In Memory of Harold Ernest Reid 1924-2019

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Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

it’s

Favorite # ONE

Family Photos

Grandpa hasn’t been feeling well so everyone has been going by his house to see how he’s doing.

During a recent visit, my aunt shared several photos that she had discovered:

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Favorite # TWO

Grandpa wanted to go to church for Founders (Homecoming) Day on Sunday.  Several members of the family also went.  One little family member who was displaying her creativity, kept Glammy busy holding the notebook during the service.While she created a masterpiece:

Once finished, Lydia handed the notebook to LB and asked him to draw himself:

Favorite # THREE

LB’s Self Portrait

She liked it!

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Favorite # FOUR

Making a Change

Since the new sofa and rug purchase, LB and I decided to change the red walls in the kitchen.  The problem has been finding a color that we both like.

The Sherwin-Williams app will allow you to see your own room painted in the color of your choice:

But not very well.

LB decided to take a cue from a well-known trademark and

Just Do It

Favorite # FIVE

 

Yes we sampled all three colors: Sherwin Williams Raisin, Reticence, and Nuthatch.But, alas, we are no closer to picking a winner.

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Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

My plan is to keep things positive on my blog, but I have to confess that this week has been weird and my emotions have been all over the place.  Nevertheless, I am blessed and grateful, so I’m going to pick five favorites and focus on the good things.

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Favorite # ONE

Lunch with Family

Last Sunday, my immediate family met for lunch to celebrate Richard.  September 15th marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life as he left his hometown and moved to South Carolina.  Richard will be managing a Maple Street Biscuit Company restaurant.  He is a smart and brave young man.  I’m proud of him!

To help send him off properly, we did what any red-blooded American family would do…

EAT!

We met at BurgerFi in Riverside, where I got to spend time with some of my favorite tiny people.  After we rearranged the restaurant to suit ourselves, we enjoyed burgers and had a fun time visiting together and watching videos of puppies and/or kitties on Glammy’s iPhone.And although one little girl had a hankering for a PB&J, I had a hankering for a burger.  I discovered that BurgerFi makes one of the best hamburgers I’ve ever had.

[que angel chorus]

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Favorite # TWO

The Hyppo Café

I never intended for this post to be all about eating, but since this was another first in my life, it should be documented.

My first Hyppo experience happened after lunch with family on Sunday.   At The Hyppo Café

there are Popsicle flavors beyond your wildest imagination. 

The Hyppo‘s Gourmet Ice Pops are delicious and even more so when dipped in chocolate.  LB chose the chocolate dipped strawberry cheesecake pop while I chose the chocolate dipped toasted coconut.

Favorite # THREE

The

Artwork

at The Hyppo Cafe is interesting and entertaining.One of my favorites is this mural that features Richard and Kyle aboard the Avocado Ark

After the burgers and pops, LB took this photo to mark the eventful day.We love Richard and hope that eventually he’ll be moving back.

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LB and I have been planning to replace our living room furniture.  While we were out Sunday, we decided to check out a couple of furniture stores in Orange Park.  It was on this day that LB found the furniture of his dreams.  With that, it would be time for another farewell.

Say goodbye to

Favorite # FOUR

My Living Room

Today it is on FB Marketplace.

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Speaking of today…

it is National Pepperoni Pizza Day!

Favorite # FIVE

This man enjoying his Friday night pepperoni

PIZZA

An LB Friday Favorite Forever!

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

National Grandparents Day

My Although it is not a federal holiday, congress passed legislation in 1977 proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as

Grandparents Day

In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed the proclamation.

Grandparents Day was initiated in 1970 by Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade to:

  1. Honor grandparents.

  2. Give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children.

  3. Help children become aware of the strength, information and guidance older people can offer (source).

My own Grandparents were a huge part of my life.

And today is

National Grandparents Day

Three of my Grandparent have moved on to Heaven and I know one day I’ll see them again.  I’ve included them in blog posts before, and because they were and are such an important part of my life, I’ll include them again today.

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Papa [Duck] went to be with Jesus in the spring of 1996.

He was a strong and serious man but always managed to break a somber mood with his Donald Duck impression.  He had a distinct whistle that he used as a way to call us.  Papa had his own chair in the living room; after a hard day in the garden he could be found snoring in that corner chair. Papa sang bass in the choir for as long as he was able to attend church.  He would stand on the end of the back row, turned slightly sideways towards the rest of the bass section. He had a larger than life personality that demanded respect, while also emanating humbleness.

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Mema [Reid] went to be with Jesus in autumn 2007.

Mema had a larger than life personality x2.  She is the one with whom I spent the most time.   Mema always had Juicy Fruit gum in her purse that she would share with me during church.  She was also known to remove her jewelry and give it to me during a sermon.  I still have rings that she slipped on my hand on two separate occasions.  Mema was the one I would call to come get me if I didn’t feel like staying at school.  She taught me to bake and make divinity at Christmastime.  She taught me that I am important.

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Mema [Duck] went to be with Jesus in the winter of 2010.

Papa and Mema Duck were my neighbors from the time I was about 4 until I moved out of my parent’s house at age 18.  Mema was always within walking distance.  When I rode the bus home from school I would stop at her house before heading to mine.  Mema and I shared an interest in soap operas.  By the time I reached her house in the afternoon, it was time for The Guiding Light.  She would make us a snack and we would watch together.

According to Mama, it was Mema Duck who initiated the “pretty is as pretty does” mindset.

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My Grandpa Reid is alive and well.  He will be 95 in December.

It wasn’t until I was 30 years old that I learned that Grandpa adopted my Daddy.

Grandpa was in the army and spent time overseas during World War II; he fought in The Battle of the Bulge.

Later, he worked driving a fuel truck for Texaco for many years.  Grandpa is tall, skinny, and strong.  If you stand in front of him long enough, he will give you a most excellent shoulder massage.  He is sweet and soft-spoken and rarely calls me by name, but uses pet names such as Doll and Sweet’eart.

Grandpa [like Papa] also sang bass in the choir, and will still add his bass harmony to any song he hears, whether he knows the words or not.

My sweet brother-in-law Stuart and nephew Clay always make sure Grandpa comes to be with the family at holiday and birthday gatherings.

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In 2015 I became a grandparent (a Glammy to be precise) when Lydia was born.

I hope I will mean as much to these two as my Grandparents have meant to me!

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

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