Friday, December 31, 2021

2021 - A Year In Review

 Alas, it is that time once again to take a look back and see all of the scary frightening things that we did this year.

Here are some of the highlights on Scary Journey:

We learned 

 politics brings out the ugly side of people
I provided you with some mask pick up lines
The lost art of cursive handwriting
There are lots of Karen Stories that I shared, just search Karen on the blog
I ran out of dental floss (my GoFundMe is still taking donations)
my new exercise videos titled, Cardio with Curly
I added a few more purses to my collection
Curly and the dumb bells
the secret group chat (that I am not a part of)
the meaning behind red easter eggs for Greek Orthodox
I played hooky from work (and had lots of fun)
Masks are still around and people feel the need to whisper when wearing them
if you want to work in retail, search retail problems on the blog for some insight
my new career as a mosquito whisperer
my kids like to watch TV with subtitles
we got a new toaster and I have mastered how to burn toast (well, I was already an expert)
things to do at 4am
my attempts at making Rice Krispy Treats (I'm determined to master the recipe!)
we celebrated 10 years of A Scary Journey (YIKES!)
grocery store music has changed over the years
how different states react to the "Student Driver" sticker on your car


We learned a little about RT this year:

he has his "own knife" (that I sometimes use, SHH!)
his sexy look (shorts, long socks and shoes)
his procrastination skills


And, of course, we learned some things about My Weird Dog

Pippen now gets regular manicures
Pippen had a rough fourth of July
Pippen and his CBD "trip"


Oh yea, we made some stuff

Pupcakes (cupcakes for dogs)

Sadly, we said good bye to a couple of people this year.  We will miss you, Mark and Paul.
  
It's been 10 long  scary  frightening  wonderful years here on A Scary Journey.  Once again, I thank you for sticking around.  Happy New Year everyone!

Cheers!

Sunday, December 26, 2021

National Thank You Note Day

  As I always say (and 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 a pile of bills. 

Sure, it's easy to send off an email or a quick text to thank Aunt Sally for the ugly Christmas sweater.  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 us, 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 up and scribble some stuff and leave the table.  I would be stuck there for hours asking my relatives how their pet is doing and trying to figure out how to nicely thank someone for the gift they gave me (how do you thank someone for money?).

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.

Don't worry, Mom, I already wrote my Thank You notes this year!

Saturday, December 25, 2021

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

Friday, December 24, 2021

We have plenty of time

 There are two types of people in the world.  Those that like to get stuff done as soon as possible and those that like to wait until the last minute.  Sometimes these two people marry each other.

I am a person that likes to get things done ahead of time.  It started in school.  When I was given an assignment that was due in a few weeks, I got started right away.  I mean, if I'm not busy doing other homework and studying for tests, why not work on and finish that project now?  The same goes for other tasks in life, like, well, things like Christmas shopping.  I like to have that peace of mind as it gets closer to the holiday that I have things under control.

Christmas shopping can be done throughout the year.  You can be an over achiever and start your Christmas shopping the day after Christmas.   Some people start their shopping in July or August.  They don't like having anything hanging over their head.   I'm not that crazy, but, if I do see an item that I know someone might like, I will purchase it or put it on my list.  Yes, I am one of those crazy people that have a list that I keep on my phone.  I try to remember to update it when people mention a gadget or a book that they would like to read.  

Whenever the holiday approaches, I am the one that gets nervous that the shopping isn't done.  I was saying this last week.  I mentioned to RT that Christmas was a week away.  I don't think he has that sense of time in his head because he brushed it off by saying that it was more than a week and that "we have plenty of time."

It's Christmas Eve and guess who is running out to the store?

Are you a last minute shopper?

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

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!  (Well, cookies 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
Icing for Sugar Cookies 
M & M Cookies
Nutella Cookies 1
Nutella Cookies 2
Peanut Butter Bars
Peanut Butter Raisin Bran Cookies

My favorite cookies are the pumpkin cookies, M & M cookies and of course the Pfeffernusse Cookies.