National Fall Foliage Week

 This year I am celebrating interesting national weeks throughout the year.  This week is National Fall Foliage Week.

National Fall Foliage Week was created in 2014 to bring families together to observe the changing colors.  For many people, Fall is their favorite time of year.  Crisp, cooler days, pumpkins, pumpkin spice, leaves changing colors.

How to observe the holiday:

Go for a walk or hike in the woods.  Sometimes you can just walk down your street.

Go for a scenic drive.

Visit a National Park.

Go apple picking

Check out some of the local fall festivals in your area.

Visit a pumpkin patch.

Splurge on a fun, fall drink (pumpkin spiced latte, perhaps?)

Use #fallfoliageweek on social media.

National Indoor Plant Week

 This year I am celebrating the interesting National Weeks throughout the year.  This week is National Indoor Plant Week.

This week is set aside to promote the importance of live plants in our homes (offices, etc.).  Indoor plants are much more than a decoration.  Plants clean the air, reduce noise, create oxygen and remove carbon dioxide. They are also known to lower your risk for illness and boost your mood.  If you name your plants, they can also become friends or family members.

How to observe the week:

Buy a plant for your house

Already have plants at home?  If you haven't already, how about showing them a little love by fertilizing them.  Clean their leaves (they collect dust).  Take a plant class to learn how to care for your plants.

And don't forget to use #IndoorPlantsWeek on social media.

A Scary Journey Inside My Life

 It all started with that first post.  You can read it here.

Today marks 11 long  frightening  torturous years for A Scary Journey Inside My Life.  Honestly, I didn't think it would last a year.  I told you early on that this journey was going to be scary and I think I have made good on that promise.    

A few things have changed since that original post.  

My children are 11 years older

Newton is no longer with us

We don't sell security cameras 

We now have a weird dog named Pippen

I changed jobs....AGAIN (but it's not at all like the fun job I wrote about here)

Some things have stayed the same:

Still married to RT (poor lucky guy)

Still live in Illinois (hopefully my days in this state are numbered...)

My brain is still living in Zihuatanejo

There are lots of inner workings in my brain, many gears going and some at the same time.  And of course, there is a lot of scary stuff going on in my life.

Oh, yea, and My Life is still scary.

Who knew that my family (and dog) would provide so much entertainment many stories?

You can thank RT for giving me that push to start this blog.  Little does he know; he has provided quite a few stories.  (No, he still isn't allowed to read the posts)

If you have been here since the beginning, you are a saint   I'm sorry   God Bless You!  thank you for putting up with me and my craziness all of these years.  If you have just joined the journey,  RUN   hang on tight.  This crazy  scary ride is not over yet!

Cheers!

Have a Great Day

 A customer came up behind me at work and asked, "Can you do the alcohol or are you too young?"  Of course, I was very flattered and said, "I know I don't look it, but I am over 21."  She replied, "Oh, yea, you turned 21 yesterday."

"Every smile makes you a day younger."  Chinese Proverb

Sick

 Recently, I came down with a little cold.  Sorry to disappoint, but it was not COVID.  I realized as I started to feel bad that no one was going to take care of me.  My healing was going to be all on my own.  At this point, I felt sad because I really miss my mom.  

I remember, back in the old days, when I was a kid and got sick, my mom took care of me.  My mom wasn't a doctor, she had a college degree but, no proper medical training under her belt.

It's funny to think back about the illnesses that I had as a child:  the flu and the common cold (both viruses).  And my mom, a nonmedical professional, taking care of me and helping me overcome these illnesses.  She didn't have all of the modern technology, access to medicine or shots.  Her medical bag was limited and consisted of a thermometer, aspirin (baby aspirin, in my case), Vick's vapor rub, hot or cold wet towel, blankets, humidifier, hot water bottle, heating pad, a bucket and, of course, saltines and 7UP.

It's amazing to think back to those times and realize that I survived.  My mom did not call the doctor to discuss my symptoms (well, I'm also the third child, so...).  She knew that it was a virus and let it run its course.  She made me comfortable during the process and, I lived to talk (and write) about it.

Anyone else have bad flashbacks to those Vick's Vapor Rub days?

Labor Day

 On September 5, 1882, New York City honored its workers, the men and women who build this country, by observing the very first Labor Day.  The US relies on it's workforce for infrastructure. Streets, buildings, transportation and security.   The observance moved to the first Monday in 1884 and was officially recognized by the government in 1885.  Congress declared Labor Day a national holiday in 1894.

Labor Day also marks the end of the summer season.  Those who work hard need time to play, too.  The extended weekend gives everyone time to get out and explore and enjoy what remains of the summer.

How will you spend your day today?

Greek Life, Greek Wife

 Apparently, my husband, RT, is teaching a class on, "How to Get a Greek Wife."  

I made a suggestion that he should just dab a little of the vinegar behind his ears instead of bathing in it.  Maybe throw in a little olive oil for luck?

Seats for this class are going quickly, so, you better sign up soon.

I think the second lesson has to do with oregano.

Translation:

RT broke a bottle of balsamic vinegar this morning.  I came home from my morning walk to a REALLY strong vinegar scent in the house.  RT did clean up the vinegar mess, but his socks absorbed quite a bit of the Greek love potion vinegar.  I bought a new bottle of balsamic vinegar and require supervision for RT when he is near the bottle.