Husband's father died this morning.

Photos from Lake Albemarle

I debated

whether to leave yesterday's post up or not. It felt silly, but then it was the point that I wanted to make.

It was silly. To judge a person on who they are by answering 10 questions that the author deems important but really are so random is silly and takes credibility away from the essence of the article written.

Who Am I?

The Washington Post has an article in it's Outlook section titled - Are you part of the new elite?

Well, I don't know. Let us take a look.
(and questions will be paraphrased)

1. Who is Jimmie Johnson? The guy with all the hair that doesn't seem to move on TV on Sunday football. (No I don't watch football. It puts me to sleep.)

WRONG. It is a NASCAR driver.

2. Can you identify military ranks by uniform insignias?

I used to be able to when my dad wore a uniform. But he has not worn one in years.

3. Do you know what MMA and UFC stand for? No.

Something about martial arts and a fighting championship. That I may/may not stop on a wrestling show when I surf the channels obviously does not count.

4. Do you know what Branson, MO is famous for?

Yes. Music.

5. Have you ever attended a Kiwanis or Rotary club meeting? No.

6. Who replaced Bob Barker? Drew Carey.

7. Have you ever lived in a town with fewer than 25,000 people? Yes.

8. Name authors of Left Behind series or read Harlequin romances?

??? and did in high school.

9. Do you live where most people lack college degrees? Yes, actually. Surprised even me as this is a big college town.

10. Can you identify a field of soybeans?

Yes, that and a corn field, timothy hay, and tobacco, among others. I can also identify some cows and milk one by hand (if I had to).

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So my life, based on 10 questions and the belief of a Charles Murray, is rated as I "need to get out more".

Between family, work and home, plus the outside groups that I have joined I'll get right on that. But after I take a nap. Husband has football on.

More Hawaii Photos

A few of them I recognized from watching Hawaii Five0 reruns. :-)

Saturday night

was a meet and greet at a neighbor's house. We have a little more than a handful of houses on our street, so when a house turns over and a new family moves in it is quite a big deal.

The neighbors had the perfect set up in their front yard. Tables with lit candles on them graced the front of the house. Hanging lanterns lit the side bricked gardens.

It was a cold evening when the sun went down but we had homemade hot soup and hot grilled items to feast on along with dishes to pass that everyone else brought. We now have 6 children on the street, 5 of which played chase and rode bikes (which drove my dogs crazy).

Only one strained moment and that was when Guy from Next Street Over wanted to talk politics with Small Business Man. (We have a tight race in our for H of R going on.) I had to leave our tiny table for awhile. Too stressful to listen to.

But then there was the funny statement from the husband and wife of the new family. A question actually - asked in a hushed tones (usually reserved for things like "do you have rats, is the one neighbor a little odd,") etc - "Do you have stinkbugs?" We just laughed and said "Do we!!!!"

After a cup of coffee to warm ourselves up after dinner, we said goodbye to the neighbors and walked home under the stars to our barking dogs.

The new family fits right in.

Pumpkins, Mums and Cornstalks

 

at the local nursery.

Indecision weighs on my mind

at the moment.

I will turn 50 next month and it has brought about some deep thinking. I am conscious of the fact that life is short. And what do I want to do with the rest of it.

Do I want to change professions?

Not at this time. But the thought is there and I'm open to new ideas.

I would like to open an Etsy shop but have postponed that until . . . I don't want to do it halfway and it needs more thought. As in I'm afraid that what I think will look great will look pathetic.

I would like to travel more but then there has to be a balance in that. But I also know that age catch up with me eventually and by then I want to be satisfied with what I've seen and have few regrets.

Giving to others with time and talent. How best to do that.

Blogging - do I write some of the pieces that I keep revising in my head?

And how not to feel like I have to do everything at once. That there still may be lots of time.

That is where I am.

Above the clouds, waiting for the stars to come out

Taken by S1.

Today is

husband's birthday. He is still trying to get used to east coast time after getting back from Hawaii on Friday. Here are some photos that he took.

Alive here but busy

Painting the livingroom.
Making applesauce.
Work of course.
Made a pillow but am not crazy about it.
Reading.
Watching Netflix - Doc Martin was one.

The insurance claim papers came the same day that the renewal notice for S2's lease came. I laugh at the irony. He is looking for another place to rent for next year.

Octoberfest in Staunton, VA

It was held at the Frontier Museum. The food was awful. Music was good. The exhibits are interesting and child friendly. Lots of hands on things to do. S1 was in second grade the last time that I went (field trip fun). I went early which was a good thing as parking seemed to be a problem by 2.

A life more exciting

than mine at the moment. Husband is visiting S1 in Hawaii. I will upload some of the photos that he has sent.

Word of the Day - Stymied

to leave hopelessly puzzled.

I'm running low in my bag of tricks.

On the brighter side I had Pad Thai for lunch/dinner and have enough for tomorrow.