2019 - A Year in Review

It's time to take a look back at everything that happened, both good and scary, during the year.

Here are some of the highlights of 2019 on Scary Journey:

We learned that I'm the snow thrower in this family.  We sold our snow blower that we inherited.  I'm hoping that there isn't a huge snow storm.  I'm not sure if I can survive shoveling tons of snow on my own.

I learned about the utensil separator in the dishwasher.  I still use it.

I made a new purse purchase this year.  Still on the look out for the next one. (it pays to start early)

Another 2 or 3 can openers died this year  We didn't name them because we didn't have time.  My kids  child killed them off before we got to know them.

We spent an entire day using the word historic.

We met the cracker snatcher that steals all of Bella's snacks at school.

We made a list of things to do on a rainy day because of all of the rain we were experiencing.

We learned about my obsession with drying unusual herbs.

We got disinvited to a party.

Bella and I are thinking of starting our own show of us driving around and drinking tea.

My daughter listens to 80's music.

We find out that Bella is a tea snob

We talked about Spilling the Tea

You learned about our secret song when out hiking..  Take me Home, Country Roads....

We bought a new popcorn machine and find out I'm addicted to popcorn.

My nail clippers had to enter the witness protection program once again.

We decluttered 25 years worth of shi  stuff

We discover my obsession addiction to corn nuts

Found out my least favorite day of the week (Thursday)

I got a new job!

We watched a little golf this year (I had to go to the car dealer a couple times this year)

My new obsession with freezing everything.  I'm taking after my Mom!

Celebrated Harvey Wallbanger Day.  And, celebrate it a lot more often now that I know how to make them.

Who can forget celebrating World Vinegar Day?  Probably the most important day EVER!

We also talked about my Dad's Compost Pile


We learned lots about RT this year. 

We learned how he gets in Vacation mode and gets up really early on trips

How he went days without coffee when coffeemaker died

We learned about his love for espresso and how he can't have just one...more like 4!

his lucky penny he found on vacation

his fight with next door's landscapers cutting our grass

Proof of his napkin hoarding tendencies when Alex worked with him this summer

Butt texting problems

His famous purchase of Dead Guy Shoes

We learn that he is a Shoe Hoarder.  Oh, and he still hasn't gotten rid of any more shoes..

And his style of wearing "Dad Jeans"


And, we can't forget My Weird Dog!  

His love/hate relationship with cold weather

His need to sleep in our room

Pippen makes an appearance at the vet and loves it there

Pippen and the vacuum cleaner.  Wants to make sure you know that he knows you are vacuuming

Houdini breaks the latch on the front gate.

Can't forget when Pippen got skunked

His fear of the nail clippers

Doesn't like music, or just doesn't like it when I play the piano

His fear of going outside at night because he might get skunked

Stayed away from our Christmas tree thanks to RT and his quick thinking of making the nail clippers into an ornament.


We cooked a little bit this year.  Here are some of the Recipes that we made:

Red Lentil Tomato Soup
Vegan Spanakopita
Quinoa Chocolate Cake
Black Bean Protein Bites
M & M Cookies
Chocolate Chip Blondies
Fettucine Alfredo
Chocolate Pudding (vegan)
Potato Soup
Hamburger Helper
Chocolate Chip Chokies
Chick Pea Tikka Masala
Garlic Naan
Mexican Quinoa Dish

And, sadly, we had a HUGE loss this year

Miss you, Marga!

Thanks for sticking around for all of the craziness.  Looking forward to lots of fun in 2020!

Happy New Year!

National Thank You Note Day

As I always say (or write), people love getting handwritten letters and notes in the mail.  It's always the first thing someone reads when they bring in the mail.  I would rather read a letter from a friend or family member before diving into the bills.

Sure, it's easy to send off an email or a quick text to thank Aunt Sally for the ugly Christmas sweater.  But, Aunt Sally would much rather receive a nice handwritten Thank You note in the mail from you.

Today is National Thank You Note Day!

I'm unable to find out how or why this day was started.  Some say it was created because of all the presents people received on Christmas Day.  I, on the other hand, believe it was started by my Mother, The Queen of Thank You Note writing.

I remember being called down to the kitchen a couple days after Christmas.  On the table there were three place settings.  At each spot there was a sheet of paper with list of names and gifts that they gave,  and a pen.  In the center of the table there was a stack of Thank You note cards, stamps and an address book.  You had to find your spot at the table.  The rules?  Write a Thank You note to everyone on the list, address and stamp the envelope.  Oh, and you can't leave the table until you are finished.

My Mom never taught us how to write a Thank You note.  My brothers would hurry, scribble some stuff and leave the table.  I would be stuck there for hours asking my relatives how their dog is doing and trying to figure out how to nicely thank someone for the gift they gave me  (money is always difficult to thank people for).

If you do participate today, and I hope you will, you can use #NationalThankYouNoteDay on social media.

If you need any tips on Thank You Note writing, I'd love to help, especially if you want to know how the family dog is getting along.

Merry Christmas

"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you:  You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."

And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:  "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth, Peace, goodwill toward men!"  Luke 2:8-14

Merry Christmas Eve

I always loved reading this book to the kids.  I read it so much, that I remember Nick would recite it while we were in the grocery store.

Since my kids are older and probably don't want me to read this to them, I thought I would share it here.


 "The Night Before Christmas," 
by, Clement C. Moore

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse:
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there:

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads,
And Mama in her 'kerchief and I in my cap
had just settled down for a long winter's nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter
Away to the window I flew in a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow
gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below;

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear?
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver so lively and quick
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:
"Now Dasher! Now Dancer!  Now Prancer and Vixen,
On Comet!  On Cupid!  On Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch!  To the top of the wall!
Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!"

As Dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the house top the coursers they flew
With a sleigh full of toys and St. Nicholas, too.

Then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound;
He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot
And his clothes were all covered with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys was flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes, how they twinkled!  His dimples, how merry,
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry;
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of his pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk,
And, laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprung to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew, like the down of a thistle;

But, I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.




by the way....I typed all of that from memory....

Merry Christmas everyone!

The Great Toilet Paper Debate

I thought I would give you a topic to discuss with your family and friends this holiday season.  The Great Toilet Paper Debate.  Should it be over or under?

You always hear people talk about how the toilet paper roll should be placed on toilet paper holder.  There are some people that insist that the roll be place on the holder and the paper goes over the top.  Then, there are others that insist that the paper be placed so that the paper rolls toward the back (toward the wall).

It's interesting.  People go to great lengths to prove their point on which way the toilet paper should roll.  In fact, if you search, "toilet paper debate" you get quite a few articles, along with videos and diagrams, explaining which way is the correct way the toilet paper should roll off your toilet paper holder.  The funny thing about these articles?  Each one states that they have the end all answer to this great debate that has been going on for years.

Some stats:

Over the top:
Easier to tear off number of squares
Easier to locate end
less chance of scraping the wall with knuckles
Personality trait:  Likes to take charge, over achiever, stays organized

Under:
Less chance of it unraveling
Less chance of child and pet unraveling the roll
tidier appearance
Personality trait:  Laid back, artistic, dependable

Some people bring up the original diagram that was presented for the patent.  The roll of toilet paper was drawn so that the paper goes over the top.

Do you have an opinion which way the toilet paper is placed on the holder?

Do you change it if you see that it isn't "correct?"

Do you even care which way it's placed?

Let me know in the comments.

National Regifting Day

I didn't believe this one until I did a little research.  Here's what I found out.

First of all, how about a definition.  Regifting is when you get a gift from someone, you don't use it,  and then you give the gift (wrapped up) to someone else.

There is a specific day dedicated to regifting unwanted presents.  It is the Thursday before Christmas (TODAY!).  Apparently, most office parties are held on this day and 40% of gifts given at these parties are regifted.  The idea of regifting was one of the topics that was thoroughly discussed in a Seinfeld episode.  And, some people believe that regifting is becoming more popular as a way to recycle unused or unwanted gifts.

Here is some regifting etiquette, in case you want to participate today.

Regift only if you know that the recipient will enjoy the gift.  If at any time you have referred to the item as junk, a dust collector or clutter, then it isn't re-giftable.

Regift only if the item is brand new, never used and in original packaging.

Don't regift an item that is handmade or personalized.  You don't want to upset Aunt Bertha by giving away those neon yellow crocheted potholders

If you aren't sure who gave you the item, then don't regift it.  You don't want to accidentally regift the item to the person who gave you it in the first place.

Don't regift the item if the receiver knows the person that gave you the item originally.  That could be embarrassing.

When rewrapping gifts, make sure you remove all previous gift tags and wrap

Be prepared to answer, "Where did you find this gift?"  And, "What made you decide to get this gift for me?"

If you feel uneasy or nervous about all of this, then, regifting isn't for you.

You can use #NationalReGiftingDay as your hash tag when posting on Social media.  If you don't want the person to know that you are regifting, then, stay away from social media on this one.

My Weird Dog

This year we decided to go with the live tree.  Well, is it really a live tree if it's been cut down?  A once living tree?  Or is it a dead tree now?  We got a live dead tree.  Well, you know what I'm trying to say....

My biggest worry was that Pippen would think that we were installing an indoor bathroom for him.  I made sure we bought the tree early in the day so we could keep an eye on him.

Well, of course, we had to run some errands.  RT, who always has my back, sensed my nervousness about the dog and decided to take matters into his own hands.  He grabbed the dog's nail clippers and, using string, tied them from the tree.  Yes.  Like an ornament.

I've mentioned in previous posts about Pippen and his fear of the nail clippers.  How it takes the two of us (sometimes three of us) to pin him down sweet talk him and clip his nails.  You can't even go near the nail clippers with out him getting up and going down into the basement.  If we even talk about cutting his nails, he gets nervous, sometimes hiding his paws.

I, of course, thought RT's plan was brilliant and put it to the test.  I showed Pippen the clippers on the tree.  He took one look, turned and went down into the basement.  I said, "Well, I guess we won't see him until the tree is gone in January."

RT thinks we can now use the nail clippers instead of a dog gate.  Just hang the clippers in the room or area that you want to be dog-free.  Pippen will avoid that room/area until he knows the clippers are gone.

I think it's pretty safe to say that Pippen won't be going near the Christmas tree this year.

International Tea Day

I'm not sure how I missed this holiday.  It should be a HUGE holiday celebration in our house.  Tea for everyone!

International Tea Day has been celebrated on December 15 since 2005* in tea producing countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Kenya, Malaysia and India (just to name a few).  It was started so they could draw attention to global tea trade and the impact on workers and growers with the hopes for price support and fair trade.

*2005 is very fitting because Bella was born in that year.  Maybe that is why she's a tea aficionado?

How to celebrate International Tea Day

How about having a cup of tea?

Try a new brand/flavor of tea

Have a tea party

Research tea brands that support fair trade and (maybe) switch to their brand.  Or try out one of their fair trade teas.

Oh, and when posting to social media, use #InternationalTeaDay to help recognize the day and to educate others about the tea industry.

I'll make sure I mark this date on our calendar for next year.  I know I won't want to miss out!

Cheers!

New Job Update

I have been working for a couple of months at my new job and thought I would give you a little update.

I am enjoying the fact that I'm actually doing something during the time that I am at my job instead of staring off into space.  Sometimes it's a project or updating the features with new merchandise.  Maybe I'm putting new merchandise out on the floor or doing mark downs.  Or, maybe I'm a cashier.  The time goes by much faster and I get to move around the store quite a bit.

Here are some things I've experienced in the last couple of months.

1.  They play a lot of country music in our store.  They do throw in some pop (from about 5 years ago) every once in awhile.  Unfortunately (or fortunately?) they are the same songs every. single. day.  I think I know them all by heart and I know which song is going to come on next.  Yea.  Pretty scary.

2.  They haven't started playing Christmas music.   I'm not sure if they will ever play Christmas music this holiday season.  All I can say is at least they aren't playing Kidz Bop!

3.  Working with the public can be quite interesting.  I think you knew this one was coming.  I'll have to give you some examples.  This is my warning... skip to number 4 now if you have a weak stomach  don't want the details.

OK.  You were warned.

I have found that some people don't bathe.  Ever.  I have had this experience with a few customers where I have walked by them and accidentally inhaled and almost passed out.  I'm not sure if these people are oblivious to their stench  stink  odor.  Do they realize that no one wants to smell their nastiness?  I think they should warn you before you take a job like this that working with the public can kill you be hazardous to your health.

Then, there are the farters.  Those are the people that walk around (or stand in one place/area) and just fart.  A lot.  I was helping a customer and had to walk to the back to check if the item was there and passed a smelly guy and walked into the biggest fart cloud ever.  You laugh, but, I COULD HAVE DIED!  I thought there was something wrong with our bathrooms again (see #4).  Turns out, it was some guy who must have been REALLY gassy.  I know this because somehow the fart cloud moved to another area and the same guy was standing there.

4.  The bathrooms.   I'm not sure what goes on in the bathroom that the public uses.  Maybe they use too much TP or they don't go for a week and then decide to finally go when they are at our store.  The store had some issues with the sewer.  The back of our store smelled pretty bad and the bathrooms were (obviously) out of commission for the day.  We had to use the bathrooms next door.  Thank God for Whole Foods!

5.  Management is pretty lenient.  There are quite a few employees that call in a lot or don't show up for work and they still have a job!  Management also doesn't know when you come in or leave work.  They also have no idea what you are doing during your scheduled work time.

6.  As an employee, sometimes I'm a personal mannequin for customers.  I have had customers tell me that the person that they are buying for is exactly my size and I have to try clothes and coats on for them.

7.  Sometimes I'm a personal shopper.  Finding items for customer to buy.  Telling them that something doesn't look good on them (I did that for a few guys buying coats).

8.  I have realized that I always have a good story after my shift.   Oh, and they are usually pretty funny.

The Holiday season is just starting.  I'm sure I will have a few more stories as time goes on.

Sometimes We Can Be Embarrassing

Bella went to hang out with some of her friends  The cool thing to do for teens in our area is to hang out "downtown."  Fun shops, including a Starbucks (a hang out the kids like), and a nice little Riverwalk.  They meet up and will hang out for several hours on the weekend.  The parents are pretty cooperative and we usually carpool, with one driving them there, the other picking up.

This particular weekend, the friends' parent drove them there.  I let Bella know to text me when they are ready to be picked up.  I already had it in my mind that RT would be on pick up duty.

The time arrived and I received a text from Bella.  She tells me the time and place to be picked up.  And then she tells me that I am not to send RT.

Bella and RT get along really well.  They goof off together.  She doesn't get embarrassed by us.  I think I've mentioned that my kids think we are fun (probably more funny than fun).  I'm sure that sometimes we can be embarrassing.  I was curious as to why he wasn't allowed to pick up.  So, of course, I had to ask.

The answer?  We were also driving a boy home.  A boy that Bella really likes.  In other words, RT will (probably) embarrass her.   I don't know....ask him too many questions?  Maybe talk about how he likes Katy Perry songs?  Play one of his dance playlists?  Once I told this to RT, he really wanted to pick them up, but, I promised Bella that I would go.  So, I had to get dressed up  get a make over  get myself together,  hop in the car and head on over to Starbucks.

I did my best and tried not to embarrass Bella during the car ride.  I almost belted out lyrics to the songs on the radio, but, I held it all back.  I'm saving that for the next time.

*I'm thinking that this should be sponsored by Starbucks since I mentioned them several times during this post.

Shoe Hoarder

I know I have mentioned in various blog posts about RT and his shoes.  I'll try to fill you in if you missed all of the shout outs  to his shoe hoarding  collection.

Over the years, I have noticed the growing number of shoes that RT has accumulated.  Yes, that includes Dead Guy Shoes.  The shoes have been gathering dust  accumulating by the front door, in the front hall closet and the basement closet.  I find that the shoe obsession  collection is a sore spot.  I ask that the shoes that haven't been worn in the last twenty years  be donated.  Seems reasonable, right?  Unfortunately, this suggestion is not happily received.

Once in a great while, RT will go through his shoes and part with one pair.  We are talking once every five or ten years.

This past summer, we were going through our house and getting rid of things.  I carefully approached RT about his shoe collection.  RT did oblige and three pairs left the house.

Last weekend, RT told me that he needed a new pair of running shoes.  Bella overheard this request for another pair of shoes and immediately said, "No!  You don't need any more shoes.  You have more shoes than Mom and I put together."

They both agreed that RT would get rid of one pair of shoes for every pair purchased.

On the way home from the store, RT was telling me how he recently got rid of a pair of shoes.  Just tossed them in the garbage.  I'm not quite sure if I believe him.  I think he's just saying this so he doesn't have to go through with the whole process of letting go a pair of shoes.

By the way, this all happened last weekend and no shoes have been tossed from our house.

Compost Pile

I briefly mentioned my Dad's compost pile on this blog post about raking leaves.  I thought I would expand a little more on my life of compost piles.

The dictionary definition of compost is:  a mixture of various decaying organic substances, such as leaves or manure, used for fertilizing soil.

When I was really little, I remember Yiayia saving food scraps in a milk container on the counter.  The milk containers back then were a waxy cardboard.  She would cut the top off and fill the container with scraps.  Once the container was full (more like over flowing), Yiayia would take it to the garden, dig a hole, empty the container and cover the scraps with dirt.  Seems simple and easy.  The only problem was the smell from the container in the kitchen.  Oh, and the little fruit flies hanging around the container.  Yiayia did have a great garden though.  I'd like to think that her composting helped out a lot.

I briefly mentioned my Dad's compost pile here.  My Dad had a HUGE compost pile in our back yard.  It was at the back of the yard behind some trees.  My Dad would put all of the grass clippings in this pile during the summer months.  He would throw in branches and sticks.  In the fall, we would put all of the leaves there.  My Dad would tell me that everything we put there would decompose and turn back into dirt.  I was impressed.

At social gatherings, my Dad got a kick out of telling people about his compost pile.  He was quite proud of it.  Then, one day, it happened.  My Dad was boasting about his compost pile and the couple he was telling asked, "What do you do with the dirt?"  That silenced my Dad for a little bit.

My Dad never did anything with the dirt.  We didn't have a garden.  He didn't use the dirt when my Mom planted flowers.  The dirt, leaves and grass clippings all remained there in the back yard in a huge pile just decomposing.

The composting "bug" has reached me.  I feel my garden has benefitted from my composting, probably because of what I've learned over the years.  I compost from April through November in my garden.  My bin that I keep in the house has a lid.  Yes, I learned from Yiayia's experience.  And, I learned from my Dad because I compost in my garden, so I know that the compost is being put to good use.

Vegan Diaries - Mexican Quinoa Dish

Time for another edition of Vegan Diaries.

I found another vegan dish to add to my list of recipes.  I've made this Mexican Quinoa a few times.  It's been a success with the family and I plan on adding it to the meal rotation.  It's pretty easy to toss together for a quick dinner.  You probably already have all of the ingredients on hand.  

Oh, and don't tell everyone that it's vegan.  Sometimes just using the word "vegan," "vegetarian" or "healthy" seems to put a bad taste in everyone's mouth.  Well, it definitely is off putting to some of the people in my house.    

Anyway.... Here's the recipe:

Mexican Quinoa Dish

ingredients:

1 TBSP olive oil

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 jalapeno, minced

1 cup quinoa

1 cup vegetable broth

1 can black beans, drained, rinsed

1 can diced tomatoes

1 cup frozen corn

1 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp cumin

avocado, diced

lime, juiced

2 TBSP chopped cilantro

directions:

Heat the oil in a large skillet.  Add the garlic, jalapeno and onion*.  Cook for 2-3 minutes.

Add quinoa, broth, beans, tomatoes, corn, chili powder and cumin.  Bring to a boil.  Cover and reduce heat.  Simmer until quinoa is thoroughly cooked (about 20-25 minutes).  

Serve with chopped avocado, lime juice and cilantro.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

* I add some chopped onion (one small onion should be just right)

**I also serve this with a little salsa. You can add to the side or put directly on top when serving.

Enjoy!

Christmas Crafts and Holiday Gifts

It's that crazy time of year again!  

Snow.  Holiday Parties.  Snow.  Crafts.  Gifts.  Gift wrapping.  Snow.  Cookie making.  Hot Chocolate.  Sledding.  And, more snow!

I thought I would make your life a little easier and put some links up from my blog to some easy Holiday Crafts and Gifts that you can make yourself, with kids or even a Girl Scout Troop.

Here we go:

Christmas
Animal Ornaments 
Brazilian Holiday Flower  (great children's craft)
Candy Cane Sleigh 
Christmas Cards and tags
Felt Heart Ornament 
Foam Gingerbread House  (children's craft)
Foam Ornament Gift Tag 
Jingle Bell Bracelet (children's craft)
Mitten Gift Tags 
Mosaic Christmas Tree (children's craft)
Picture Frame
Snowman Ornament 
Stocking (out of construction paper) (children's craft)
Winter Scene (children's craft)
Snowman Ornament
Snowman Winter Craft (children and adult craft)
Ugly Christmas Sweater Felt Banner


Gifts
Homemade Bubbles
Bath Bombs
Laundry Detergent (powder)
Homemade Hair Detangler
Homemade Liquid Hand Soap
Homemade Lip Balm
Homemade Lotion


Miscellaneous Crafts/Gifts
Bangle Bracelet (wrapped)
Blank Books 
Bubbles (homemade)
Book Mark
Bottle cap necklace
Cork Board using Old Picture Frame
Decorative Wrapping Paper 
Dryer Balls
Fun Scrapbooks
Gift Box
Paint Chip Monthly Calendar
Pumpkin Soap Recipe
Twine Napkin Holders 
Note cards  
Homemade Sidewalk Paint 
Sit upon (a cushion to sit on)
Wrapped Bangle Bracelet


Don't forget to make some cookies this season.  They go great with hot chocolate!  (They go great with everything!)  Here are some links to cookies that appear on the blog:

Cookies:
Butterscotch Chip Cookies
Avocado Chocolate Cookies
Chocolate Chip Blondies
Chocolate Chip Blondies (vegan)
Chocolate Chip Chokies (Mom's famous recipe)
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Deep Dish Cookie Pie
M & M Cookies
Nutella Cookies 1
Nutella Cookies 2
Peanut Butter Bars
Peanut Butter Raisin Bran Cookies
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sugar Cookies
Vanilla Pudding Cookies

My favorite cookies are the pumpkin cookies and the M & M cookies.