A Pirate's Life for Me-Sunday Stealing



Not my kid, but I got this for my grandson my last visit.

 

1) What do you think is the best costume for Halloween?
None, I don't like to wear a costume.  Grandson will be a pirate this year. He is all about Pirates of the Caribbean. Yo Ho!

2) What would an alien think of humans if it came to Earth on Halloween?
It would think it had come home.  I loved the E.T. scene.

3) Who Would you haunt?
I wouldn't haunt.....I would be a guardian angel and watch over my family.

4) Are you afraid of the dark?
Not really.  I'm only afraid I would fall over something.

5) Do you pass out candy, or hide with the lights off?
This year candy,  We use to hide with the lights off, because we rarely had trick or treators.  I was always surprised that we would still have kids ringing the bell even tho the house was dark.

6) What Scary movie do you like best?
Tremors.

7) If you had to wear a costume for a week, what would you be?
A Bankerchick.

8) What do you think about Ouija boards?
Hokum!

9) Have you ever told ghost stories around a fire?
Sure when I was a kid.

10) Trick? or Treat?
Treat

11) Have you ever been in a haunted house?
No.

12) What would you do if you saw a ghost?
I don't really believe in ghosts

13) Question 13, should we have skipped this and jumped to 14?
Yes, these things are always too long.

14) Are you brave enough to walk into a grave yard after dark on Halloween?
I think so....See #4 and #12.

15) Do you like chocolate? what kind:
Dark chocolate with caramel.  Or Sees nuts and chews.

16) Who would look better in a clown costume? Obama or Romney?
Politicans give a clowns a bad rap!

17) Are you in the path of Frankenstorm?
No, I live in the middle of the country, although storms that go to LA or TX can sometime drop some rain on us.  Debbie did.

18) Post a link to any other blog: 
My favorite:
http://knockoffdecor.com/

Over the Rainbow-Saturday 9

1) Do you ever fantasize about flying, beyond the rainbow or anywhere else?
Do you mean flapping my arms and flying?  Actually, I dream about it every so often.  I would like to fly into space

2) Do you think you have seen The Wizard of Oz more than 10 times?
Absolutely, I saw it in the movies when I was about 6 or 7, frequently they would re-release classics, like Disney does now.  Then I saw it on TV the once a year, when they started showing it in 1956. I will still watch it  for a bit if I see it on Turner Classics.

3) Which Wizard of Oz character would you most like to dress as for Halloween?
Glenda, the Good.

4) What will Trick or Treaters get when they come to your front door?
Probably a mini candy bar or two.

5) Did you ever TP a neighbor's house or indulge in other acts of Halloween vandalism as a kid? (Don't worry, that statute of limitations is up.)
Nope.

6) Who annoys you more -- people who never respond to your texts/emails, or those who never look up because they're always checking their texts/emails?
I don't text and only send a few e-mails that are usually returned if need be, my family and friends are always polite.  I guess it would be the folks who always have their eyes on their smart phones.
 

7) Who was the last person you hugged?
Mr Bankerchick, also I hugged the furbabies this morning.

8) What two colors do you like to wear together?
Blue and greens.

9) Did your alarm clock wake you up this fine Saturday morning?
No, being retired, we rarely set an alarm.  Mr BC sets an alarm at 10am to remind him to take his morning medicine.
 

The Fascination of Fairy Doors

I am going to have to post pictures that inspire me, because I don't have any Fairy Doors of my own.  I have plans to have one in my house before too long, because they fascinate me.  I have always loved miniatures, since I was a kid and my Grandpa made a doll house for me.  These are some inspiration I have seen around the interwebs.


http://www.squidoo.com/Fairy-Doors?utm_source=google&utm_medium=imgres&utm_campaign=framebuster

This is one that really has some elaborate accessories, One of the first I ever saw. I don't think my baseboards and walls could stand up to the excavation.  It is charming.  I still believe in Fairy Tales.

http://www.enchantedfairydoors.com/

 You can buy them already made or you can design your own, I will probably buy the little door and paint it myself adding a little bling, maybe. 

http://fairyshack.com/contact.html

 I have some lovely gnarly Walnut trees in the yard, I could do something like this.  I remember reading someones blog, who wrote about talking a walk and finding a Fairy Door in a tree along her path.  I could go around placing Fairy Doors mysteriously, all around town. (See Video at end of post)

Mine will probably end up looking something like this

In this house I have excellent baseboards.  My winter project is to sand and repaint them, I like the cream color, but they were painted over without priming them first and the paint is peeling badly in many areas.  As soon as I finish I will create my Fairy Door.

 

 

 

 

Beautiful Fall



November 2011

I think Autumn is my favorite season. Today the air is crisp after storms last night. I have always wanted to do a fall colors trip of New England and we are planning it for next year.  I again live in an area where fall colors can be so beautiful.  When we drove back from California, last month, we took a different route, through the Rockies, and I took some pictures of the lovely aspens changing. It is a fantastic drive and deserving of classical music playing in the  background as you drive.

It was a beautiful day and we crossed the Colorado River several times and somewhere as we were driving up the Rockies we must have passed the origination.

We had to stop in the small town of Glenwood Springs (I Think) we took these pictures while we waited for our breaks to cool down.  It was a steep drive for the truck and trailer.

Our leaves started to die during the drought but the walnut tree are turning yellow and in the afternoon there is a soft Golden haze that filters into the living room.The wind is really blowing today and when I went out to take the picture, many of the leaves were gone.

 Last year the walnuts were dropping all over the place by now and I was twisting my ankles every time I walked through the yard. I have only seen a few this year and I don't think we will have to pick them up. November is the final drop month so we will see. The squirrels will be the ones that will really miss them.  From the picture it looks like not much is left.  The Maples on the north side of the house are just beginning to change, so I have posted last year's picture above.

Who Are you? Part 2–The Grown Up Meme

Sunday Stealing Part 2: Growing Up

15. How would you describe your childhood in general?
Very typical for the 50's.  We could go anywhere and our folks did not worry about us. We played all day from sun up to sun down. We went to the movies alot at an early age we had a theater practically around the corner.
16. What is your earliest memory?
I think I remember a time when my mom was upset that a peeping tom was looking at us through the window. I also remember going to Grandma's house for Sunday Dinner and I could not understand why my Mom complained about having to go every time

17. How much schooling have you had? 
I am about 15 units away from a degree, but I don't think I will ever go back to get it although, I love to take classes.
18. Did you enjoy school?
I enjoyed school but High School was a challenge. Too cliquish. I still enjoy learning.

19. Stop and count, Since you were born until today; how many homes have you lived in?
Fourteen or fifteen,  all across the country.  Key West, Fla, to Ohio, Michigan, to California, to Missouri. I lived in California the longest, until I married Mr BC and then we moved all the time.
20. While growing up, did you have any role models?
My Mom and Dad.
21. While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family?
We got along well, with only a little rebellion in my teens.  My brother and I got along well because there was a 7 year age difference.  I was the eldest.
22. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
The jobs that were considered appropriate for girls in the 50s.  Nurse or Teacher and eventually a wife.  If a girl went to college it was to get her MRS degree.  Then the Feminist Movement happened.
23. What were your favorite activities 3 years ago?
Spending time with my brand new grandson.
24. As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display
Obedient, easygoing, quiet and friendly.

25. As a child, were you popular?
I wasn't unpopular, I had many friends, but I didn't hang with the really popular kids. In high school I was on the chubby side so I was self-conscious
26. When and with whom was your first kiss?
Mike Moline, behind the baseball backstop in the school yard. I was in the 6th grade.
27. Describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today.
My high school best friend got me a job at Union Bank when I first got back from Key West and we both stayed in banking after that. 
28. What’s next?
Mr BC and I are both retired, we want to travel and enjoy our family.

Innocent Times-Saturday 9

1) "The End of the Innocence" is one of Crazy Sam's favorite songs. Do you like it? Loathe it? Or is it before your time?
I am before it's time .  To my knowledge I had never heard it before, although I seemed to be written about the Boomers.  I listened to Don Henley singing it on You Tube and it is a powerful reminder of lost innocence of childhood and times gone by.  

2) Obviously Don Henley was a smoker back in the 1980s. Do you smoke? Are you a former smoker? Or did you never start?
I smoked in my late teens, stopped during my pregnancies, then started again  but I quit for good about 30 years ago or so. It is a nasty habit.3) Childhood is generally considered an innocent time. In what town did you spend yours?
I spent my time in San Gabriel, in Southern California during the 50's and 60's. It was nicer then definitely more innocent.

4) Do you abide by "innocent until proven guilty?" Or did you come to your own, pre-trial conclusions about famous defendants like Casey Anthony and OJ Simpson?
I think I have my opinions on infamous cases based on news stories. This is easy to do since I am not on the Jury.  I have sat on juries and always stated that I believed in "innocent until...." and felt that it was important to look at the evidence and come up with a verdict.  I stuck to my principles and did not let others sway me into another verdict.  I was on one hung jury and one where we came to a not guilty because the evidence was not there. 
5) Is there an old TV show whose cast you'd like to see reunite?
The Gilmore Girls

6) Do you know how to ride a horse?
Yup, but I haven't in a while, at least  years 10 years. I rode one on a beach in Mexico on New Years Day in .  It was a lot of fun, I was with DD2 and my niece.

7) You're ordering ice cream. Cup or cone?
Usually a cup, I will buy waffle cones every so often at home, for a treat.
8) Do you believe a gentleman should help a lady with her coat?
It seems such a small courtesy, especially if the lady is struggling.

9) Which search engine do you use most often?
I mostly Google, but I really like Yahoo's home page.

 

Before and After

 

Before
Totem does not like the old couch.

 

After

Gwennie loves the new rug

I am pulling together the bones of the new living room.  The before picture of the ugly, old,  broken couch, was taken many months ago.  It is out on the Veranda now awaiting haul off with the old chair and recliner.  I found the rug this week at a furniture store that was going out of business. It was just what I was hoping for, round. Next on the agenda is putting up the new curtains and decorative rods I already have from Ikea.  They have so many choices of  long curtains and I have high ceilings. The couch was easy to assemble and Mr BC and I had it out of the box and put together in about an hour.  I know it is white but has a good review here for durablilty and you can wash and bleach the cover and change your room up by ordering  another cover.  I am looking for side tables  and accessories all the time.

 

Broken-MamaKat's Prompt

My plans for my living room have been delayed by a day or two but I haven't been lazy.  I have vacuumed, moved furniture and cleaned the woodwork all in preparation to shampoo the carpet. I got the ol' Bissel out of the garage, cleaned it out and proceeded  to shampoo the carpet.  It's still damp tonght because the extractor was not operating correctly.  It's BROKEN! The spots are gone, however they will be back because all of the shampoo I used, is still in the carpet.

This is at least the 3rd shampooer I have had in the last 10 years or so.   They don't really hold up that well for me.  having dogs, I use it alot. I looked at the removable nozzle, not knowing for sure it was removable at the time, and it was clogged with dog hair. Using my tool of choice, a kitchen knife, I tried to remove it, but it was stuck.   Being made of hard plastic, as most appliance parts are, I manage to break the top, leaving it cracked.  I broke it ! Not even duct tape rescued me.  I was so upset, I ripped the cord out of the wall and wheeled it out on the front porch, essentially kicking it to the curb for Friday's trash pick-up.

After I calmed down and set the fans up. I went to the computer to price a new one. Yowza! I dragged it back in to the house and looked it over again. I decided to see if Bissel had a replacement part and they DID and it cost $14.99. It is ordered and on it's way. Hope it works.  I am learning if it's broke, try to fix it.

Lazy Days

I have been lazy for the last month after returning from California.  I have so much to do to upgrade this house.  Hang curtains, shampoo carpets, paint the wonderful wood work, find an electrician and make some decisions about what I am going to do with so much wallpaper.  I plan to do the painting this winter but I want to have some of the surface decorating done by Thanksgiving so I have to push through the ennui and get started TODAY. 

I also have not been following the writing prompts and since that is a time filler, I will probably hold off on the writing until after the Holidays. The fun of blogging, memes and commenting will still be on hand as well as posting about what I am accomplishing.  Today I am finally getting rid of the ugly couch and putting together  my Ikea couch that has been sitting, boxed, on end in the dining room and shampooing the living room carpet, before put it in the living room. Mr BC is vital to this project so I am going to wake him up now!

 

I Don’t Know, The Same Things You Don’t Know (part one) -Sunday Stealing

1. What is your biggest pet peeve?
So many....I'm sure it has to do with driving...Yeah... People who speed up while you try to merge or change lanes.

2. Where and when were you born?
Pasadena, CA July 25, 1947

3. Where did your parents meet?
They met on a blind date, New Years Eve,1945 and married June 1946. Dad was still in uniform when they met and made for a very handsome Marine. Mom worked for Southern Electric and thought he was quite a catch.

4. Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like in four words?
My brother Rob is my only sibling. He is 7 years younger than me.
Funny, Smart, Good-natured. Sweet.

5. Where do you live now, and with whom?
Small town in southwest corner of MO.  I live with the inimitable Mr Bankerchick and Gwennie and Totem, our furbabies.

6. What is your occupation?
Um....Retired Banker Chick

7. Write a full description of yourself.
Isn't that what I'm doing?

8. To which social class do you belong?
Middle class senior citizen.

9. Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?
I'm old, of course I do! Well maybe not any diseases.

10. Are you right- or left-handed?
I am right handed.

11. What does your voice sound like?
Sweet and melodic or shrill and grating depending on whether you ask me or Mr BC

12. What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently?
"Really?"  "I think so" "Lovely" "You've got to be kidding!"

13. What do you have in your pockets?
 I'm still in my night gown, so no pockets.  Most of my pockets are decorative, so I don't have much more than a tissue in them.

14. Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics?
Um.... you know.... I talk with my hands and rather loudly. Mr BC hates when I don't hear (ignore) him.  I am excellent in tuning things or people out. 

Ain't No Other Man-Saturday 9

 

 1) Do you believe there's only one person (and there ain't no other) for you? Or do you think we can truly love several partners over the course of our lives?t

I am sure there are other partners that one person could love. I would be hard pressed to find someone who I care about as much as MR BC, to want to include in my life. Well maybe George Clooney.

2) Do you have this, or any other, Christina song on your iPod/mp3 player?

No.

3) Christina Aguilera won a Grammy for her performance of this song. What do you deserve an award for? And who would you thank in your acceptance speech?

Patience, I would have to thank my family and former co-workers and customers, for giving me so many opportunities to try it.

4) Christina Aguilera has her own brand of perfume. Do you have a fragrance or scent you regularly wear

Angel, Mr BC found it and we both love it.  



Angel by Thierry Mugler

5) Do you have any allergies?

 I have Fall allergies and very allergic to Bee stings.

6) There's an older lady who proclaims during a TV commercial, "I will give up beer, bread, wine or soda but I won't give up Life Alert!" No, we're not going to debate her diet. Instead the question is: What are some of the staples that are always on your grocery list?

Apples, Peanut Butter, Milk, Diet Sierra Mist, Juice.  I don't even write them down on the list.

7) What's your favorite sitcom of all time?
30 Rock is my all time favorite, I laugh every time.

8) When it comes to your socks, do you prefer solids, stripes or prints?

The wilder the better, definitely prints. But most of the time I put on the white ones.

 

9) At what age do you consider a person "middle aged?" And when do they transition to "old?

I guess 45 and 85.  Old is just a state of mind. 

A Little Bluegrass

 

 

We went camping this past weekend and went to a Bluegrass Festival in Clinton, Mo with our good friends Maggie and Jigs. It was so cold but a lot of fun. We took out our RV for the first time in at least a year and it held up well. We camped for 3 days. So cold, but the camper was warm.

I really enjoyed the music, it was playing non stop from noon to 10pm and we heard a lot of groups.  I am crushing on the young mandolin player from a group called the Bluegrass Brothers from Virginia.  He played with such passion and had a great voice as well.  It doesn't hurt that he is cute too.