i don't even want to

look at my Facebook memories today.  It's Halloween and for the first time in a while, we're not doing anything grand to scare all the kids.  Then again, Halloween has started out that way a few times before and ended with me in costume on the front porch with lights and smoke.  This year though, not only am I thinking about getting my Christmas tree up this weekend, but it's supposed to rain.  Thinking back though, it was supposed to rain last year AND the Astros were in the World Series so we had two things going against us... and it ended up being awesome.  I don't know.  I'll probably drag out my hooded robe and a mask at the last minute.  I might even change out a light bulb or two.  One thing is for sure, Eric and Paige are coming over and we're watching Ghost Adventures.  I'll make burgers and chili con queso for this evening.  Anyway, that's that.

I tend to buy the same candy every year.  I make sure to get Snickers (Cosme's favorite) and Kit Kat (my top pick among Halloween candy) and then there's everything else.  Like most people, we spend the few days before Halloween picking through and snacking on what we like.  When Halloween comes, I make sure to give the little kids Dum Dums and for the rest, I focus on getting rid of everything else (going easy on the Reece's cups), hoping any leftovers will be what we like.  This year though, as I was dumping all the candy into the tub, I noticed the assortment bag also had Heath bars.  My absolute favorite candy bar is Skor... so basically, Heath.  And once again, because I can't go to the store and buy an actual candy bar for myself, I've been digging out and hiding all the Heath.  They might only be about as big as my thumbnail but it's the first time I've had them in the mix and I like it.

Okay.  I can't take it.  I just had Alexa play some creepy music and ate a Heath.  We won't be going all out tonight, but I will scare a few kids.  It just won't be Halloween if I don't.  Now I need to start planning and setting up.  I know it's supposed to rain but I will at least set up the entryway to scare a few kids.  Hopefully, we'll still have candy left.

i just made my

pre-op appointment and it's the day before my surgery.  I also asked and I know I'll have to stay at the hospital for at least 24 hours.  So, it's all about to happen.  I know people, well, women have this done all the time and there are people having worse things happen but I am 46 years old and the only surgery I've ever had was having my wisdom teeth taken out.  I've never had stitches or casts or anything like that.  The only time I used crutches was when I fell in the backyard and twisted my ankle.  I'm about as inexperienced as they come.  I'm not complaining about that but it sure doesn't help.

I will complain about this though.  I wanted to get the refrigerator and freezer cleaned out yesterday.  I didn't get it done but did manage to finish the refrigerator this morning.  I just went to take the can out to the street and it looks like I just missed the garbage truck.  Now I've got a lot of old food, litter box, and dirty diapers all sitting out in the trashcan until Monday.  I might need to keep the garage door open.  Don't be jealous.

I've been on a chicken tender and chicken nugget kick lately.  I was being a little adventurous and dipped them in ranch dressing instead of ketchup.  I thought it would be nice to have some sweet and sour dipping sauce or even Chick-fil-a's Polynesian sauce so I looked up some copycat recipes on Pinterest.  I mixed it up and it was pretty close.

Yesterday I finally got around to trying it on nuggets.

No.  It's actually not close at all.  It wasn't bad but it wasn't Polynesian sauce.  I decided it'd be easier to buy a jar of sweet and sour sauce... or just go back to ketchup and ranch and save the sweet and sour for McDonalds and Chick-fil-a.

I've really got to TCB today.  I need to work on portraits and go pick up the book of the dead from the church that needs to be finished by Wednesday.  I also need to schedule in some time to worry about surgery stuff.

you know those headaches

you get when you don't get enough sleep but then you get more sleep and you have a different headache from sleeping too much?  That happened yesterday.  I had it under control and then the rain came.  I read a cousin's post on FB about no line for voting in the rain and thought I'd try that Angleton line again.  I got dressed and headed over, walked right in, and voted.  No line at all.  It's amazing what rain will do for you.

I knew I wanted to wear a hoodie and t-shirt.  I didn't necessarily need to be waterproof but I did want the hood and a little protection from the breeze.  I pulled a Texas t-shirt off the hanger, one of my new birthday presents from Mom and Dad that I picked out at Madeline's, and threw it on.  I put on a pair of shoes and decided against them.  I bought a pair of black Vans for Las Vegas when Lauren and John got married but I don't know, there's something about them that just doesn't feel right.  I've just always felt like they look weird on me.  Anyway, to go with my red Texas t-shirt,

I put on my red Converse.

I grabbed my purse and hoodie and headed out the door.  When I got out of the car and started walking into the Courthouse Annex, I all of a sudden felt like the diehard fan at a football game who ends up on camera with the painted face.  Don't get me wrong, I see nothing wrong with my red t-shirt and red shoes but with all the political drama and the #redwave, I felt like a rebel.  I was hoping nobody there thought I was trying to make a statement because that definitely wasn't the case... not that there's anything wrong with that.  It's not that I was scared that people would think I was voting red because maybe I was or maybe I wasn't, it's nobody's business, I just simply don't like drawing attention to myself.  I try not to get too political on social media because I've seen normally nice people get really ugly and I don't need any of that.  Anyway, as usual, my brain was probably making more out of the situation than it should have.  I didn't make eye contact with the few people I saw on my way in or out so I didn't notice if I got any glares but I also didn't get any high fives like our team just scored the winning touchdown.  Also, nobody poured their beer on me so I guess that's always a plus.  

I made it back to the car and headed to the grocery store.  By the time I got home, my head was THROBBING.  It was horrible.  This was a sinus headache.  UGH.  I worked on it and it finally mostly went away.  It really messed up other things I wanted to get done yesterday but I managed to get over to vote and picked up a few things for dinner.  The funny/awesome thing is Eric called to see what we were having for dinner and said they'd probably come by to eat.  I changed the menu from a new chicken recipe using things I had to pick up at the store to take-out Chicken Express.  My head really enjoyed that.  Now I'm excited that yesterday's dinner will be today and I don't have to go to the store in the rain again.  Oh, there's also one drumstick leftover so I know what's for lunch.   

Let's get this headache-free morning started!

it's been a slow

morning.  Eric and Paige went to the movies last night and we babysat.  Time out.  I don't know if I'm going to mention the baby's name on here, being all public space and everything.  I think we'll refer to the baby as Little E.  Okay, so Eric and Paige went to see Halloween last night and we watched Little E, or as it might one day be shortened to, Lil E.  They left when Eric got back from class.  Not long after they left, Little E got hungry so we warmed up a bottle and she ate.  One thing we've noticed about Little E is she has a few hours at night where she likes to fight sleep.  She finished her bottle around 10:00 and wanted to look around at things and then she was done.  She was ready to fight sleep.  Cosme had already gone to bed so it was just the two of us at this point.  She got tired of my bouncing, talking, and patting so I did what I have done a couple of other times and pulled up some classical music on YouTube.  A little swaying and a few notes of Mozart later, she was relaxing and the "I might just doze off" zone.

Just a few minutes later, Eric and Paige let me know they were on their way to pick her up.  By the time they got here, she was ready for more food and a new diaper.  Anyway, I got to bed a little later than normal so I've been dragging a bit today but nothing too bad.  That's one of the benefits of not having anywhere to be the next day, I can stay up late if I want.  As if I needed any encouragement to chill a little longer, it started raining not long after I told Cosme I was going to get back in bed.

I might go try to get a few things done now... or I might sit and listen to the rain.

without getting myself too

worked up with anxiety and nerves, I need to start seriously getting into TCB mode for surgery.  It's 2 weeks and 2 days away.  I need to do some serious prep work.  I've already made a color-coded laundry instruction sheet for Cosme (with pictures).  Did anyone expect anything different from me?  I need to print it out, insert into a page protector and hang in the laundry room.  I need to think of other things I'll want/need that I probably won't feel like explaining.  Today I need to sit down and figure out what all needs to be done and make a big ol' to-do list.  One of the first things will be cleaning out the freezers and refrigerators, but mainly the freezers.  I need to get those stocked up with plenty of tv dinners.  I guess I also need to call my doctor's office this week and make sure we're still on for November 7th and see if there's anything else I need to do.  I'm pretty sure there's a pre-op appointment I need to schedule.  I also want to know how long I can expect to be in the hospital, without her telling me exactly what she plans to do.  I just want to be surprised when I wake up.  Don't tell me how many incisions or how big they are.  Yes, I like to plan but I also tend to worry.  Let's save the planning for fun stuff like which cabinet I'll clean out today.  I'll have a bag packed for the hospital, just in case I need to stay longer than planned.  I'd just rather not know details until I wake up after surgery.  Enough of that.  I need to focus on getting everything cleaned and organized and ready for recovery mode.  I figure I can tackle one project at a time.  I plan to set aside at least one day for each task.  I also have a list going of things I'll need to pick up from the store before then.  Oh, I also need to work on getting portraits out this week too.

Before anything though, I need to get dressed and go vote.  One of the things I worried about with my original surgery date of October 10th was getting out to vote.  After being rescheduled to the 7th, I was relieved that voting wouldn't be an issue... especially since I always vote early.

Time to get busy.

i have one more recipe

to share.  Red Beans and Rice.  Hey, it's chilly outside and I had a loaf of french bread we were finishing.  Anyway, I've made this recipe before and we really liked it.  When I made it before, I posted a picture on Instagram and I had some NOLA people assume I lived there and tell me how good it looked.  I corrected them and told them I'd take that as a compliment.  I'm not sure about this time.  They probably wouldn't have said anything with this batch because it didn't quite look the same.  Also, as for the picture, I think I overdid it on the rice.  I had to go back and add more beans to my bowl.

I don't know if last time I didn't add enough water or if this time I added too much but I'm thinking it was not adding enough last time.  I just remembered that last time I didn't soak my beans first.  I'm sure that had something to do with it.  I guess it was a combination of the two.  Maybe this is how they're supposed to be and last time they were too thick.  Whatever, the flavor was good.  Next time I probably won't soak the beans because I really don't see much point.  You know, maybe that's why I had to use a bigger pot this time.  I was starting off with swollen beans.  Ahh, it's all starting to make sense now.  You see?  This is the exact reason I share recipes here.  I not only have quick access but now I'll remember how to make my beans soupier, if desired.

Oh well, I probably won't share another recipe for a few days... unless we get sick of beans.

i think i might be

a little more prepared for the weather today.  There was a reason I wasn't feeling it yesterday, sinus and allergies.  I didn't feel like making breakfast when I got up from the computer and went to lie down instead.  That tea I made?  It came right back up.  After I lost my morning tea, I rested for a few minutes and then came into the kitchen for a little breakfast.  That helped.  What also helped was putting on my hoodie and warm, cozy house shoes.  This morning when I took the dogs out, I was ready.  I'm feeling so much better this morning.  It's also a little earlier than when I normally take them out (I usually wait for the sun to come up).  I didn't want to sit there under the bright patio lights so I just turned on the string lights, turned off the patio lights, dressed accordingly and chilled on my iPad.

The only thing missing was hot chocolate... and socks.

There is one thing that sucks about this morning.  I have to go to the store.  I pulled out my red beans and rice recipe last night and realized I didn't buy any sausage.  I have the bacon and ham hocks but no sausage.  What was I thinking?  Simple.  I wasn't.  I have my bacon cooking now and as soon as that's ready, I'll change clothes and head to the store.  On a positive note, I'll have a bacon sandwich for breakfast.  Things are already looking up.

so yesterday I made

the roast and baked bread as I had planned, amped up for the cold weather.  I'm over it now.  Today it's in the 50s and I'm ready for the 60s-70s.  I wasn't made for chilly weather.  I'm feeling it too.  I woke up needing a nasal decongestant (nothing new there) but I just feel the cooler weather.  It's literally something in the air.  I don't like the whole vibe it's putting off.  I'm not ready for needing a hoodie and socks.  I put thieves and peppermint in the diffuser.  I made myself a cup of hot tea but put ice cubes in it so I can tolerate it right now.  I think I put too much ice.  I added local honey because it couldn't hurt.  I want to go back to bed.  Wake me when the temps rise a little.  Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the break from the heat but isn't there a happy medium with the weather?  Oh, wait.  I think they call that California.  I'll suffer with the Texas temps.

This was yesterday, not today when it was too breezy and chilly.

The dogs, gathered at their drinking hole.  Well, one of their drinking holes.  They're weird.

I need breakfast.  I'd love oatmeal but I don't feel like making any.  I'd use an instant package but I'm running low and would rather save it for a time when I'm really needing oatmeal but don't want to make it in a saucepan... times like this morning, but more desperate.  I don't want to waste it on a morning when I'd just love it.  Maybe I'll make toast.  I need something.  I need to eat something and go sit by the diffuser and absorb cold-fighting stuff.  That's what it is.  This weather reminds me of being sick and I'm not in the mood for being sick.  It'd help if this sinus drainage and allergy crap would go away.  Maybe then I'd appreciate the cooler weather and not associate it with my itchy, watery eyes, itchy nose, and sneezing.  I'm done.  I'm not going to sit here and dwell on it.  I'm going to have some toast, do some chores and catch up on some dvr.  I'll pretend it's yesterday when it was 78 degrees.

i tried a new recipe

and we loved it.  I wanted something sweet.  The other day I pulled up a recipe on Pinterest for a cinnamon cake or cinnamon roll cake or something.  I clicked on the link and planned to make it until I saw a recipe listed for this Honey Bun Cake.  I had to investigate.  I had all the ingredients and needed to try it.  It sounded too easy to pass up.  The base of it was a boxed yellow cake mix and it's made in a 9x13 pan.  I added a little bit more cinnamon to the brown sugar middle part and ended up having to double the icing.  I also cut the cooking time down by about 5 minutes because it was starting to smell a little too done.

The recipe said to let it cool but we didn't.  How could we go wrong with a hot honey bun?  That sounds impossible.

It was really good.  You can see how moist it is in the picture.  I poured a full glass of milk to go with it.  Good move.  I'll for sure make this again.  In just about 24 hours, it was half gone.  It won't last much longer.

I was scrolling through recipes on the blog and saw the one for Egg Roll Bowls from January 22.  I still can't eat egg rolls.  They were SO good I couldn't help myself from overdoing it and overdosing.  I just wonder when I'll be able to eat another egg roll.  Who knows...  I haven't had a pistachio in about 5 years.  After eating so many one Halloween and coincidentally waking up with a stomach bug the next day, being horribly sick is all I can think of when I see pistachios.  I can actually look at a bag of them now.  For a while, I couldn't even do that.  I couldn't even look at the word PISTACHIO without my mouth getting the vomit waters.

While I'm on the topic of food, I'm about to start a roast for tonight.  A cool front is coming through and I'm ready for it.  We'll have roast tonight and tomorrow I'll make red beans and rice.  I hope the cooler temps stick around because I'm in the mood for that and the slow-cooking food that comes with it.  I think I'm also ready to not have to go anywhere.  Doesn't everyone hunker down when the temps drop to the mid 60s?  No?  Oh well.  Imagine how bad I'd be if I lived up north... and by up north, I mean north of Houston.  Oh, I should probably bake some french bread to go with the beans and rice for tomorrow.  Now we're talking.  I've really missed fall.

I think I'll go put on some socks and something plaid or a hoodie and sit here and wait for the fall weather.  That sounds awesome.

i miss my

MacBook.  I just had a really hard time getting this computer to start up where I needed it to start.  Maybe that's an operating system?  That sounds good.  I have a feeling it's because the electricity went out for a few minutes yesterday.  Anyway, I needed it to start up in a certain operating system and it took a while.  Whatever.  I'm back up and running and using this one until it craps out.  Before I focus on computers though, my next upgrade will need to be a phone.  Mine is getting a little sluggish.  I guess that's expected since I will have had it for two years next month.  I'll probably go in and upgrade in November.  I really do miss iPhone but the two most important things to me on my phone are the camera and memory.  Samsung beats Apple in those two categories (in my opinion) so I'll stick with Samsung.  Oh, then there's also the wireless earbuds.  I'd lose those things within the first hour.

Today was the day my surgery was originally scheduled.  I would be fasting right now and would need to leave in two hours.  Instead, I just ate peanut butter toast and will pick up Paige and Ellie in a bit and go to Madeline's.

This is weird.  I just got a popup notice from Pinterest letting me know that someone saved one of my pins.

The notice isn't weird but the person's name, ABriana Brandt.  Although ABriana is unusual, it's the Brandt part that's odd, in case it wasn't clear.

I need to go finish some laundry and dishes so I can get ready to go to WC.  That sounds like so much more fun than having surgery.

the sun is still shining and

it's pretty awesome.  Just ask Archer.

I took my camera outside with me and was sitting on the patio.

He knew I had it and I'm pretty sure this is what was going on in his head.

"OMG.  She's back at it with that stupid camera."

"Maybe if I ignore her, she'll give up."

"Wow.  She's persistent, I'll give her that.  Maybe she'll stop if I just give in."

"Here, woman.  CHEESE."

Then I stopped and we were both happy.

we had our second day

of sun yesterday and today is starting off the same.  I don't know what to do with myself.  The dogs enjoyed it.  If I get several mosquito coils going this morning, it would make it better.

I got a call from my doctor's office.  It looks like the Christmas tree is going up the weekend after Halloween.  I love having an excuse to put the tree up early.  Sure, I could do it whenever I want but this seems like a legitimate reason.  Oh, crap.  I just realized something.  The surgery is scheduled for 8am and I have to be there two hours early.  That means I have to leave the house around 5am.  Oh well, I guess it's better than when it was scheduled for 1:30pm.  That's a long time for fasting... like I'd be able to eat anything anyway with my nervous stomach.

I really wanted french fries for lunch yesterday.  They sounded good and I was about to make some until I remembered I needed to post two recipes for easy access.  I had a frito pie instead.  I could've had chili cheese fries but I don't think this chili would be good with fries.  It's not like hot dog chili, but more like taco soup in a way.  I've made it a few times and might have posted the recipe link before but if I did, I can't find it.  THIS is it.

I put it in a cutesy little paper boat like they would do at a concession stand.  Not only did I think it would look cute for the picture, but it was one less dish I had to wash afterwards.  I might need to do that more often.

I need to go clean shrimp now.  It's garbage day and I need to hurry and get the shrimp debris out.  Too bad shrimp and grits wouldn't work in those concession stand paper boats.  Oh, but fried shrimp would...

when I was cleaning out

my phone pics yesterday, I found these of the dogs.  I don't think I've shared any of them but then again, maybe I have.

Here's Archer wanting to check out the mosquito coil.

Here's Maggie with her arm around Archer.

Something was going on out in the street in front of the neighbor's house.  It was so interesting, but probably not as interesting as the dogs thought it was.  I guess if it had been, I would've gotten a picture of whatever was going on instead of the dogs looking at it.  Also, remember back when Archer was the smaller dog and could walk under Maggie?  

 Here's Archer using Maggie as, I don't know, not quite a pillow.  It's a good thing she's not a gassy dog.

The dogs came inside and got in the cage.  Well, Archer got in the cage.  I don't know what was up with Maggie.  Did she think she was in the cage?

She stayed there like everything was normal, looking around like she was waiting for me to close the door.  Was she pretending to be in the cage so I'd shut it and forget about her?

Side note: There have been a few times when I've let them in the cage and walked away, clearly not thinking, without shutting the door.  One time I was in the laundry room and heard crazy breathing.  I turned around and saw a dog standing there.  I screamed.

Yesterday I did my post then went on with my old routine of feeding the dogs, starting laundry, washing dishes, starting dinner in the crockpot, etc.  That was the first time I'd done that in a while.  I've been blaming my lack of motivation on being worried and only having surgery on the brain but there was one thing different about yesterday than most of the days we've had lately.  It didn't rain.  Maybe it's a little bit of everything making me draggy, weather and worry.  Or, maybe I'm just looking for an excuse to slack off...

Speaking of getting back into my routine, I've actually done some cooking in the last few days and need to share the recipes here.  It's things I've made before but like I've said, I need easy access.  I guess I'll check today to make sure they're not already up.  I just assumed they weren't.  I could do it now but oatmeal and toast are calling.  I need breakfast.  I'm outta here.

I was cleaning out some

pictures from my phone.  Here are a few of the things I don't think I ever shared.

I was looking at ladders online.  I think I found one I want at Harbor Freight.  It's that one that folds and extends and does different things.  Giant something or something Giant, I think.  Anyway, I found a good price on it there.  I took a closer look at the product's picture.

I am definitely no handyman but this picture bugs me.  Where is the paint on his roller?  The only paint I see on his tray looks white?  Is that even paint?  Is it a liner?  If it's a liner, then where's the paint?  Why is he wearing safety glasses?


Speaking of bugs.  I was taking a break on the bed.  I was lying there and reached for my iPad when I noticed this cicada by my head.

I squealed and quickly got up.


This was one of the mushrooms I swung at in the backyard.

We went for bbq one day and for some reason my brain added the word "weed" in there.

I read "We're smokin' weed in Texas"... okay?

I had to polish some silver and decided the job could be easier.  I went to Walmart and picked up some TarnX to use instead of the cream I already had.

OH. GOOD. GRIEF.  That was the WORST smelling stuff EVER.  It was like a mix of tar, sulphur and dog mess.  I opened windows, lit candles, started peppermint in the diffuser, and then I put it under the sink and started scrubbing a little harder with the cream.

That's a few of the things that have been going on while I haven't been posting.  Tomorrow I'll share a few pictures of the dogs that I found.

i realized something

just now.  I think this whole time I've been totally unmotivated, it's been raining.  Sure, there's a lot going on and I've been stressed but it's also been raining almost every day.  I'm so tired of the rain.  That being said, let's move on to the other thing keeping me unmotivated... stress.  I was supposed to go to a pre-op appointment this morning but I cancelled.  I asked my doctor to reschedule my surgery to November for a few reasons.  I haven't heard back but I sure hope it's doable.  I know it might seem crazy to schedule a surgery that'll have me in bed for a while right before Thanksgiving but I think it'll work out better that way.  It also gives me more time to get stuff done and ready.  I told Cosme he might have to cook the Thanksgiving meal and he's fine with that.  I'll help as much as I can but there's always the chance that I can't.  I really hope it all works out.  Also, just to be on the safe side, our Christmas tree will go up before surgery.  I don't care if it's scheduled for November 1.  I cannot risk not being able to put the Christmas tree up.  I'll have it up on Halloween if necessary.  I could just put it off until I'm recovering so that Cosme would have to do it but it's the Christmas tree and that's when my control-freak comes out big time.  So as nice as it would be to sit back on the couch while I direct and point at what needs to go where, wait... maybe the tree doesn't have to be perfect.  Maybe one year of me not doing it won't be horrible.  I don't know.  I talk a good talk but when it comes down to it, I won't be able to stop myself.  There's no way I can direct him on getting that bow arranged up top.  It might not matter.  The doctor could call back today and tell me how I messed up and should've kept the October appointment because now she can't do surgery until days before Christmas.  Nope.  No can do.  Looks like surgery will have to wait.  Christmas is more important than surgery.  Then again, after paying for surgery, there might not be much to Christmas.

Now that Negative Nelly has voiced her opinion, I'll try to end this on a positive note.

- Yes, it's been raining every day but it wasn't in the form of a hurricane.
- Planning for surgery is a hassle but it's an option.
- I could put our Christmas tree up right now if I wanted to.

Now I'm off to look for motivation somewhere.