Ball Games, Halloween Shows and Anything Else I Can Think Of!

10/8/2019

I understand baseball much better than football. There aren't moving lines, or flags thrown. I know you hit the ball, run the bases and, if you're lucky, make to home base. I think, but I'm not sure, if there's a game tonight. 

Yesterday afternoon, Jeff, Bella and I went to WalMart for our weekly shop. We didn't buy a lot of things. Just going to live off the groceries we have in the pantry and freezer. Believe me, with the exception of needing the trifecta: milk, eggs, and tomatoes. Probably should have been arrested for spending so little.

While Bella and I were sitting on the bench waiting for Jeff, a man approached us. He asked if he could pet Bella, and I very nicely said no. He then asked if the reason he couldn't pet her was because she was aggressive. Really? A service dog is not aggressive. They have a job to do, and they do it well, even with distractions. People can and do have trouble staying away from her. Not to brag, but she's a beautiful dog. This stock picture will show you approximately how beautiful (I'm not biased I swear) she is. The other picture is a terrier that looks almost exactly as Daisy!






 Right now on television, is shows that are things Halloween. I love these shows. The creativity that these contestants have is mind blowing. Their is a show where contestants have to use pumpkin. The things that the contestants can sculpt from a pumpkin, is amazing.  I know when the boys were little, the only carvings we did on a pumpkin, was the basic: eyes, nose and mouth. Easiest carving ever. To be fair, I only watch these cooking shows when Jeff isn't around. He doesn't have the same love affair with these shows, as I do. Fair enough. Soon it will be movies on the Hallmark channel, sappy, and same plot. But, I love them just the same.

Cooler weather now. I don't much like winter, because it's cold and sometimes snowy. Winter weather, when I was working, used to put me into a spin - do I go to work - do I not go to work, etc. Right now, it's long sleeves, sweaters and pants. All very comfy. We have already had the gas fireplace serviced for the winter. Stacking and bringing in wood is a thing of the past. Thank goodness. When the boys were home, these chores belonged to them - and then they moved out! When we left WalMart, Bella told me that it was time for ice cream. Went to McDonald's, and bought two cones. Bella loves ice cream and sometimes you have to remind her, that she doesn't get to have the whole cone! This she simply doesn't understand. It would make more sense, but certainly messier, to buy Bella her own cone! Spoiled much? Nah.

Running off. I think today, I will try and organize all the Tupperware. I've tried putting a number on both the bowl and corresponding lid. That did work for awhile, but then after several washes, the ink wears off. Back to square one. I also know that if I don't have a lid to fit a bowl, I should simply toss out these lids.

Gotta run. Things to do. Will I actually get them done? Um, it's 50/50.

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Inside My Head!

10/7/2019

Don't worry. Whatever is or isn't rattling around upstairs, isn't catching!

Yesterday, Jeff and Scott drove to Ohio to pick up Scott's "new 2013" Expedition. His old Expedition just couldn't be really fixed even with duct tape and glue. 

When I searched for gently used Expeditions, I was surprised by the number of miles on cars that people were selling. Apparently, if you own an Expedition, you basically just drive it into the ground. They just seem to last forever. Scott was really happy with the car. Unlike his old Expedition (2001), this relatively new one had a bunch of bells and whistles he hadn't had before. While it took probably a month to get the deal closed (paperwork and delays), in the end it was worth it.

On Sunday, while Jeff and Scott were off to Ohio, I "attempted" to put together my metal laundry cart. Notice I said attempted. I got all the pieces put together (mostly), but had so much trouble getting each shelf to line up on both sides. And putting on casters - forget about it. When Jeff came home, he did take up where I had left off, and was able to assemble a very nice cart. I took the cart into the laundry room yesterday, and was able to take all the bottles of bleach, soap, and other necessities, and put them on the cart. The laundry room has never looked so organized.

My next challenge is to take all the tupperware out of the cabinets. Put them on the table and match lids to bowls. I'll have to use the theory that if I don't have a match for either the lid or bowl, then the orphan item has to be tossed. Once I have accomplished this, I'll let you know how it went. Fingers crossed. Right now, I have tupperware  pretty much in every cabinet in the kitchen. Time to do something with my present "stuff and go" and then ultimately "forget" where all that stuff is!

It may get warmer later, but right now, putting on a light sweater and jeans. And, as an added bonus, pretty much everything fits. Let's hear it for weight loss. Now, the challenge will be to keep the weight off. I have two bags filled with "fat" clothes, and Jeff is going to put them somewhere, probably in the basement. I wore a pair of capri pants to therapy. My trainer told me that when I got home, I should put them in the trash, because it was obvious they were too big. And, when I got home, I did just that.

Today, is "shrink time". Like a car that needs it's oil changed regularly, my brain has to be tweaked once a month.

Have an excellent day.

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Road Trips

10/5/2019

This morning, at O dark thirty, Jeff and Scott set off to I believe Oklahoma (although that's about 19 hours of driving), so I may have heard their destination wrong, to pick up a utility trailer. The trailer will meet all of the Bassett family needs. Luckily, the trailer will stay at Scott's house, until one of us needs to use it.

I've checked how many hours it will take to reach their destination, which would be something like 19 hours each way. I have probably said the wrong state. A brain cramp is not exactly unusual for me.

Then, big day tomorrow, Jeff and Scott are once again hitting the road. Destination: Ohio. Reason: to pick up Scott's "relatively new" Expedition. I can't remember what year it is, I do know that the expedition met all of his wants: color, low mileage, and a bunch of gadgets that his old Expedition did not have.

So glad that I don't have to make these road trips. I'm sure that Jeff and Scott will take the convertible. This will work, particularly if the weather is as nice, as it is now. But, eventually I think that the outside road noise will have them put the top up. Tomorrow's trip is only about 6 hours - piece of cake. 

Either trip will wear both of them out. It's like when we go to Hopkins in Baltimore, and spend many hours there. It's exhausting, but you actually haven't done any work!

Meanwhile, the girls and I will be having a low key, stress free days here at home. It was all quiet here, just a moment ago. But, then the neighbor drove into his garage, and Bella went nuts. I know that Bella is trying to protect the house, but a falling leaf is not a threat to her people.

I hope the weather is gorgeous where you are. It's a beautiful day here, which should make my loops around the circle more inviting.

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You're Either In Or You're Not

10/4/2019

Ominous title, don't you think? Well, it's probably not what you're thinking. 

It's open enrollment time for Medicare and Medi-gap coverage. Jeff and I have always selected "Plan F". The premium cost is somewhat higher than for other plans, but on the plus side, Medicare pays 100% which covers most of our medical needs. Between the two of us, I have more medical expenses than Jeff does. 

In 2020, if you aren't already in Plan "F", you can't select that plan. This is where you're in, or you're not comes into play. We happen to like Plan "F", and see no reason to opt out for another Plan. That means, we're just going to stay where we are. We don't see any reason to change, especially when we are happy with the coverage we get with Plan "F". 

This same analogy applies also to certain investment  offerings. I have had money in a certain fund for years. If you already in this investment, you can add more money, if you like. But, the fund is closed for any new customers. This is another case of "you're in or you're not". This means, that if at anytime I leave the fund, I can't go back. It's as simple as that.

Jeff and I aren't the ones who worries when stocks go up or down. We all know that stocks do this, so we don't panic. After all, it is what it is. Most of the time, we don't even bother to see how our investments are doing. You can't do anything about it anyway, unless you decide to sell. Which we don't.

Jeff and I are old school. We don't need or want changes in our lives, for the most part. You could even call us stagnate, we're okay with that.


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All The News I Can Stand!

10/3/2019

I think we can all agree that the news for the past few months, has been more than a bit interesting. I used to pay little or no attention to newspapers, or the news on television.

But, then the news became more interesting. Every day there is something happening in the political arena. And, I will admit, that I'm fully engaged in reading or seeing all the little bits and pieces that make up our history.

No political bias or bashing on my part. As they used to say on the show "Dragnet" (some of you may remember the show). My favorite line, in every episode was "just the facts ma'am. In other words, keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself, unless you are sure that the other person shares your views. Otherwise, it will just become a dog and cat fat.

Impeach? Not to impeach? We know that the wheels of democracy move s-l-o-w-l-y. Campaign promises, are not always implemented. I guess that's just Washington. The two sides of government (house and senate) can seldom agree on much of anything.  Down side? Nothing very much gets done, to the disappointment of we regular folk.

There are one or two Democratic candidates, that I like better than others. But, I'm not naming anyone. I do feel sorry for Bernie Sanders, who had to have heart surgery to put in two stents. Unfortunately, Bernie is 78, and this may bias some voters against him.

Doing my on-line research: longest living President is Jimmy Carter, who is now 95. Ronald Reagan was 73 and Trump is now 70. Perhaps age shou
ldn't be the only reason not to vote for a candidate. A candidate's health is something people take into consideration as well.

Here's what I know for sure. The election next year will be interesting, and "perhaps" at times entertaining as well. We'll have to wait and see.

P

 
 

Favorite Things to Do

10/2/2019

I am, and have always been an avid reader. I've been reading books for years, and once I'm engrossed in a story, the world could be falling apart. I wouldn't care.

I am now on book two of a series. It annoys me that I have to put down the book in order to be somewhat productive. Emphasis is on the word productive.  

 I have finished book one of a series, and because I'm really invested in the series, want to move on to book number two, etc.

I have a Kindle, and because of the super large font that I've selected, it makes it easy for me to read. Trouble is, that sometimes it's cheaper to buy a real book! I always check out the prices for both used hardback and paperback books. With my reading glasses and bright light, I can read "regular" books. 

I have stopped and started this blog several times this morning. I stop when I have to take a call (I'm very important you know), make or cancel appointments, as well as just stuff.

I've bagged up my "fat" clothes. While my weight is holding, and I go up or down one or two pounds. There is a part of me that fears if I get rid of these clothes, that I might need them someday. As hard as I've worked on my "diet" if you will, I hope that I will never need these clothes again. I went to training last week, wearing a pair of "bigger" clothes. My trainer suggested that when I get home, put the pants in the trash can. And, I did. I could donate these clothes, but then I'm back to the same problem, the "what if's" if you will.

I am following the things that Jeff and I were taught when we were preparing for barbaric surgery. Small plates, small forks and spoons, don't drink with a meal (I do this anyway), and most importantly STOP when you are no longer hungry. I still crave dessert, and perhaps I always will. When the family gets together, I do take a small piece of dessert, but generally don't eat all of it. This takes a major amount of willpower on my part, and I don't always win!

Talk to you tomorrow.

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Proof That You're You!

10/1/2019

I don't know about your state, but here in Maryland and Virginia, we have to prove who we are. We have until 2020 to do this, but I'd rather do this sooner than later. With the kind of luck I have, it's a possibility that I'll get to the MVA and need another document. Grrr.

You have to show your social security card - check

A bill or some other evidence like that, to prove I guess your address - check

Birth Certificate - I actually didn't have one, and don't know why I didn't, but had to order this certificate from Illinois. And, it took forever to get here - check.

A Social Security Statement - check 

And, obviously your driver's license - check

I think I have everything I need. Good news is that you can actually make an appointment to present the documents. Once you're "good", you get a new driver's license with a star in the corner. The star means that you have provided valid documents and that you're "legal". 

For some people, this process might be arduous. Where is the birth certificate, statement of Social Security Benefits Statement, and other documents as well. And, until you get to the MVA, you might not know what documents(s) you really need. This takes up a lot of time, not to mention energy, to get this done.

Luckily, I have a folder entitled "Marriage and Divorce", where most of those documents live. And, I typed the folder label. Some of you may remember the typewriter. All the files that I created years ago, are now yellowed with age. And, those labels may be old, but they are still stuck on the folders!

For instance, I have a folder for each car - whether we still have it or not. Payroll stubs - why do I keep these? Jeff doesn't like change, but I don't like throwing out memories. For instance, in the days when you actually carried a checkbook in your purse, there were copies of each check you wrote. I have kept them all. Why? Because the checks to the Gingerbread House (pre-school), groceries, and everything in between, remind me of a long ago time, when Jeff and I were young. Going through the check registry brings me back to the 70's. I don't remember when we, as well as others, started using credit cards, and moved away from writing checks.

Did a little research (and you're saying to yourself, of course I did). The first credit card was a Diner's card in 1950. The first Visa card came out in 1958. I know you all have been dying to know this information !!!

Signing off. I'm reading a book, which I'm enjoying very much, and want to start reading again.

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