I had plans today.
Vague, unstructured, selfish plans.
But I was a little groggy this morning because I took a sleeping pill last night…so it was a slow start.

Then my little MeggiePoo came over and she had a new coat from TarJAY.

As I was workign on cleaning out my CrapRoom, I got a call from an old friend and she came over a little later with her baby Grace and her mom.
That was a really nice visit.
Then I had to go buy more candy because I was having my regularly scheduled "panic attack before a holiday"…….you know, the one where your brain says "there isn’t enough____________"
fill in the blank……
Mashed Potatoes or Halloween Treats or Beer or Presents or Valentine Heart Message Candies or Marshmallows for S’mores or Whatever!
Because, as Grandpa Emory used to say, "If one is good, TWO is better!".

Instead of going out, I then made a rockin bucket of PotatoCornChickenChowda and some homemade croutons.
And we sat and ate our soup in front of the fireplace and answered the door when Trick or Treaters came
and
we
LOADED
their bags
with
KitKats
because we have AT LEAST 20 bags of the little buggers!

Just a few of the people who spent a beautiful Sunday afternoon knocking on doors, talking with their neighbors about the School Bond Issue.

And Channel 3 came to take video for a story later. And Channel 4 was there to interview Dan, talk to homeowners, and get video of the proposed new school site.

And we ate some great chili, cornbread and dessert from Jakes.

And when we got home and turned on the KPTV 9 p.m. news….

What a great day.
And it’s a bit of what makes the United States different from many other countries. The freedom to congregate, talk about issues, and vote.

That photo is for my family in South Florida.
You are missing one of the most beautiful fall season’s I can remember!

you have everything.
All my parts are in great working order, and I’m so glad I had a physical a few weeks ago.
It’s something  you have to make time for….and it’s really not that bad.

I recently read Robin McGraw’s book Inside My Heart-Choosing to Live with Passion and Purpose.
She mentions several times that women need to make time for their health.
Check-ups, exercise, nutrition, skin care.
Because we take care of others and
they
depend
on
us.

And I heard that again today on The View.
A mother of 4 had died of breast cancer and she
left
behind
a husband and 4 children
who
still
needed
her.

Nobody is saying that she could have lived longer with check-ups.
But there IS a bigger picture and one has to step back and see it.I

So here’s the checklist…
1. Don’t Smoke
2. Wear a Seatbelt
3. Get Regular Check-Ups
4. Laugh
and
5…VOTE!

at girls who wear glasses….

I’ve had’em for about a week now and, to tell the truth, they are HARD to get used to!
I went the bi-focal route. Bottom for reading, top for walking!
But I find myself looking OVER the top.
They are in my way.
I can still read without them, so I don’t NEED them to read.
I’m not sure if I should wear them all the time?
Or just to read?

In other news,

that airplane in the center of the photo is Matt.
He flies alone now.
Yesterday was a perfect fall day in Nebraska, they got out early from school, and he went flying.
And, I wasn’t nervous.

really.

Megan and I will be attending Silver Bella in a few weeks….a weekend filled with girls, food, shopping and crafting.
It is put on by a woman who just goes ahead and DOES things.

In college, my advertising professor gave us HIS definition of creativity.

Creativity is the Freedom From Fear.

Teresa is that definition.
She is creative and MAY have fear, but does it anyway.

I need to spend some time around that energy.
I want some of it.
Cause I want to get the creativity again.
Something happened to it and I better start looking for it!

Here’s a fun question and answer game they sent out to all the participants. I hardly ever answer these….
 

* Diamonds or pearls?
Pearls
   
* What do you usually have for breakfast?
Toast and coffee with Bailey’s
   
* What is your favorite cuisine?
Bread, Butter, Dessert
   
* What food do you dislike?
Sushi
      
What is your favorite yummy (treat, bon bon, etc)?
Eclair
   
* What is your favorite CD of the moment?
David Cassidy
   
* Are you a morning or night person?
Night
   
* What characteristic do you despise?
Snottiness
   
* What characteristic do you enjoy?
Pleasant, helpful, encouraging
   
* What characteristic do you wish you had?
Stepping up to the plate
   
* What is your favorite item of clothing?
Pajamas
   
* If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be?
New York City
   
* What was your most memorable birthday?
Number 40. We went to NYC.
* When is your birthday?
February 22
   
* What is your shoe size?
NINE
   
* What did you want to be when you were little?
Teacher
   
* If  you had the afternoon available, and money wasn’t an object, what would you do to pamper   yourself?
Nap
   
* What is your favorite flower?
Pale Pink Roses OR Sunflowers OR Gerbera Daisy OR Peony
   
* What date on the calendar are you looking forward to?
January 2
   
* Where do you go for creative inspiration?
My Mounds of Magazines
   
* What is your all time favorite color?
Black
* If you HAD to karaoke, what song would you choose to perform for your adoring fans? My Christmas Card to You by the Partridge Family
   
* If you could only use one crafting supply, other than anything normally found within a basic class kit, what would it be?
Marker
   
* If you could only use one kind and color of glitter for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
Silver
* If you could invent the most magnificent of all paper crafting supplies, what would your item be?
Something I would USE, not HOARD. I like old flashcards right now.
   
* What are you most hoping to gain out of the incredible Silver Bella weekend?
A kick-start. Some time away from home. Maybe a bit of confidence. Time with my incredibly talented and beautiful daughter. And probably 5 pounds!!!