NYE

little girl Katie always planned and threw an epic NYE party for her friends. no party today. I took car to Big O to have the TWPS calibrated, then Christmas Clearance at Walmart. I came home, did WalkFit and then I just crashed. no motivation. none. we're marked safe from yet another NYE watching Centerline at The Smokehouse, but did eat at Crazy Horse Cafe. then a quiet evening at home in our jamjams. Kevin is bingeing Blue Bloods. (I ain't gonna bitch, better than the bar on NYE)

it's always a wonderful day when the cousins can gather at Gramma & Papas and hang out....

for a couple of hours we had 2 of our 3 little Ks and 6 of our 7 little grands here under one roof. all the kids but Ian wore their Christmas jammies, which melted Gramma's heart. and since today wasn't a holiday, there was no big family dinner or present opening...the kids could just run and play and do their own thing. they didn't need any grownups, so I could visit with big people. Rip was calm and actually played with the kids. it was pretty magical. recommend 10/10.

KJ & fam over for Christmas when Kevin got home from work.

the girls decorated cookies, had a snowball fight, played Christmas Barbies and were in a jingle bell band. it was a lot of fun.

Sunday, December 28, 2025 Christmas with Koren & gang. .

took them gingerbread cryptid cookies to decorate. a wonderful wonderful day. rain, snow, blustery winds. some presents were loved, some not so much.

I took Barbies to visit their Barbies for Christmas. we played the floor is lava, hide and seek, statues. they trooped outside in their Christmas jammies on porch to make a jingle bell video, since Daddy was sleeping after working all nite.

the author of a book I posted on TikTok that I'm reading liked my post! that made me feel kinda special. and Chris & Tracy gave me a shoutout on the Niagara Falls video. which also made me feel kinda special...the good kind of special.

went through bank account to find the payment on Ian's missing Lego guns...then went through emails. found original confirmation email and sent them a message enquiring about order status. imagine held up in Customs somewhere....

a listing of the Haunted Holidays Advent Calender figures I received....will be on the lookout for another fun advent calender for next year!

some of these I'm guessing...not even Google Lens could tell me who they were.....so.

Mothman

Bigfoot

Ghost

Judge Doom

Wendigo

Goblin Grinchlet

Robert The Doll

Slenderman

Krampus

Carrie (or Wednesday Addams or Elvira or Lydia Deets)

Chupacabra

Alien

Another Mothman

Goth Santa Girl

Santa Bigfoot

Krampus Elf

Alien Caroler

Man in Black (or Zak Bagans)

Ghoul

Reindeer Elf Girl

Ghost of Christmas Past

Goatman

Hookhand

Christmas Goatman

it's Saturday. my day off. (chuckle.) they're all my day off now. there were years and years and years of 12 on, 2 off.

I slept in. did a walk. decided I'm baking cryptid gingerbread and taking to the kids tomorrow. got their gifts all gathered up. was going to take car to take mom her gift and do a Walmart run since the gift Kevin ordered Ian hasn't arrived. satellite flashes a screen. hard drive in box is fried. we just got this damn thing a couple months ago....replacing one we'd had for 2 million years that was 'out of date.' I want to leave, "we'll deal with this later." I already have stuff in car, so we climb in, get about the park, Kevin turns around. flat tire. we come back, he takes off tire while I load stuff into truck. change of plans, straight to Big O, which closes at 4, since our tire warranty is there. it's not the tire, it's the tire sensor. so they replace it. I'll have to go back in actual car so they can program it. that's on next week list. then I'll have to go again and take the Toyota truck so they can check his sensors, since it keeps throwing low tire alarm. we find Ian's gifts, then to Mom's. visit a bit, give her a gift. showed her the pics of Everett since she can't get on her Facebook. she has some Christmas decor up, little trees everywhere. she always decorated to the hilt for every holiday when I was a kid. she has rearranged the living room furniture and was in good spirits. then we head out of town, stopping at donation box on the way (cleaned out some closets recently.) we get home, Kevin puts tire back on car, I whip up some supper and bake some gingerbread, divide up the frosting and sprinkles. divided up all the gifts that we're delivering, and the jingle bell sticks for kids. have decided since there won't be a large chaotic Christmas, I'll just take pics from our 3 individual Christmases and put them in a collage. the shirts would be funnier if they all 3 opened them together, but we'll all get together next year, most likely. some years are just gonna be like that and I have to get over myself. be grateful for what I have. I'm starting to think that Kevin is serious about trading my car off. it's fun to drive new stuff but it costs a lot. A. LOT. Kevin calls dTv. they're having problems with new boxes. they'll ship one out, we can install ourselves. no cost.

on a Xmas Eve truck ride with Kevin I learned that his favorite Christmas song is Bing Crosby and David Bowie singing Little Drummer Boy.

I never knew. how weird is that?

today I took my car to Kirksville for a Free Happy Holidays Oil Change & Tire Rotation. then a Walmart run. finally resolved The Family Christmas Dilemma. we are not having a huge family Christmas. Katie is worried about having the baby around a lot of people, which is a valid concern, so Kevin & I will take presents to Koren's Sunday, spend next weekend at Katie's, and have KJ & Crew over when Zerelda gets home from her moms. I'll take Mom's gift to her tomorrow and show her pics of baby Everett.

all the after Christmas clearance specials are hitting online. bank fraud alert just called. can a gramma not buy silly goose gloves for her 7 grands for next christmas without throwing a flag? gee whiz.

Merry Chiefsmas to all and to all a good night!

a drizzly foggy day. a peaceful morning at home. Kevin watched football. I made gingerbread. supper at Mel & Dave's with KJ, Ann, & Iz. then here to watch the Chiefs play an interesting game of football where it almost looked like we could maybe win for a bit. Izzy wore the Grandma Grace nightgown, played hopscotch with the quilt squares, danced around a lantern, arrested people, and threw a pretend birthday party. she also gave her friend Rip treats and we all ate some gingerbread. she let me read her 2 Christmas books.

Christmas Eve continued...

got to town early so I asked Kevin to do a drive by of our 2nd apt. empty lot. the factory at the end of the street where sherry worked is also an empty lot. the laundry mat we walked to is still there. and the corner store where I walked to the pop machine... 16 oz glass bottles. Anaconda at matinee. drove through Simpson Park to say hello to Nessie, then a Tipsy Reindeer at Applebee's. Merry Empty Nester Christmas Eve. 🎄🎅🦌🎁❄️⛄🛷

Christmas Eve

Izzy came over for a bit while her mommy & daddy were buying stocking stuffers. she has a cold, poor dear. but was delightful company all the same. she brought her Christmas baby to meet me. I say I'm baking gingerbread today, but Kevin took an early out and now we're going to the movies and to see the Christmas lights. so maybe? watched Coyotes free with prime credits, cuddled in my chair in my xmas jammies, grinch socks, and new Christmas blanket. no walking or hooping. just plain old lazy movie watching. it was delightful. opened the last advent door. finished up the Christmas Haunted Holidays Advent Calender display. they all live in a gingerbread house...or is it a gingerDead house??? made glass jars of fake snow for the girls Christmas boxes at Dave & Mel's tomorrow. they are glued shut. used the new bag of snow...it is plastic shreds. clingy and nasty. nothing like the glitter snow I bought for Katie one snowless Christmas so she could have a picture blowing snow from her hand.

Tuesday hijinks

where are all these damn flies coming from in the grandkids room? I keep locking the windows. they have to be getting in there. it's like Amityville Horror in there. cleaned bedroom windows. took apart sweeper and cleaned it. retired the bigfoot and alien from my rear view mirror to Clarice, The Black Tree in The Creepy Corner. my emotional support knit bigfoot is now my car guardian. seemed like time for a change. have gifts to wrap and going on a Family Bible hunt to add Everett. (and maybe some other family events? hmmmmm. ) going to redo Grandkids sign to add Everett's clip. and ordered all new pics. going to make a collage in a big frame in Grandkids Room, ordered pics for that. and working on Everett's door sign is ALSO on my Today To-Do List. there's a movie on Prime I wanna watch too....are there enough hours in my day before Kevin comes home?

oh. The Big News. (I guess?) The Chiefs are moving to Kansas in 2031. we don't go to games anymore. doesn't effect me personally. and that whole area is basically the 'burbs of KC, anyway. would make traffic better on I-35. maybe? I dunno. we might have to use our life savings to go to one game in the new stadium. take all the kids and all the grands. we'd need a whole row of seats! right now we have 15. maybe another grandbaby or 3 in 6 years. we've created a dynasty. (insert heart emoji here.)

found KJ's birth certificate in basement at his request, but I don't have his SS card. he'll keep looking at his house. found family Bible and updated it with KJ's wedding and Everett's birth.

I took down the frames and pics in grandkids room. have ordered new pics to make a collage. and made Everetts grandkids door sign. he's The Grasshopper. have decided to put off the grandkids sign in LR till I get the new pics, then re-do it. Kevin made chili for supper. Katie called with baby life update. I had my first grilled pb&j.

today

I picked up Rip, finished the Christmas blanket, which turned out pretty damned cute if I do say so myself, and made Everetts book. also ordered a personalized book that will be for his first birthday....10 Little Everetts. I know I got the other grands some kind of personalized book for first birthday...like I Lost My Name or something, but that was long ago and this adorable ad popped up. Ian's big Xmas gift hasn't shown up yet. may have to do an emergency Walmart run. David's gift arrived today. I NEVER cut it this close. I. am. off. my. game. this year. made a shit ton of TikToks from all my Baby Weekend pictures. whew!

our Nebraska weekend.

had a wonderful weekend in Lincoln, Nebraska. Baby Everett Gregory arrived Friday, Dec. 19 at 12:49 p.m. 6 lb 15 oz, 19", black hair. he is perfect! (his middle name is for his paternal grandfather, which is why it was a secret. Brayden wanted to surprise his dad.) We stayed in the Haymarket District, did lots of chilly walks, ate meals together, and spent a couple of hours daily visiting at the hospital. we found a Christmas Village for the kids to explore, walked to a rumored haunted hotel, and played at an area park. we explored all the stairwells, and the kids would run the stairs from 3rd floor to lobby, racing the elevator. their room was right around the corner from ours, so it was easy to keep track of each other. we played hide & seek. I even found a couple of ghosts in their room that communicated with me vocally AND by text! on our way home, I walked a cemetery to find the grave of a spree killer, and walked around the grounds of The Clarinda State Hospital (former insane asylum). which were both bucket list items for me. and we were right. there. Kevin tolerates this. I think he enjoys the peace and quiet when I get out of the truck and roam around for a half hour or so. Millie, Mommy, and Papa went to an antique store, where Millie found lucite icicles for their Christmas tree.

booked hotel rooms for us and Koren & kids.

we'll head out tomorrow after Kevin gets off work.

today got a lot done on The Christmas Fleece Throw and visited the girls. it's fun just low key hanging out with them.

back to court house to finish business. started sewing my little fleece throw quilt together.

played with girls after school. talked to my girls, making baby arrival plans. KJ & Z wore matching Christmas jammies to school today for PJ day.

the old barbershop on Princeton square has been demolished. and they're knocking down the haunted house at the end of the street.

spent time at the court house paying our taxes

have to go back tomorrow to finish up. long story. what a day. picked up Rip from boarding. ordered pics on Snapfish. I didn't put code in box, then had to google it. I am kinda a deal.

we got everything back to 'normal' again....trips cause such chaos.

unboxed The Mystery Inc. gang and found them a spot in Katie's room. KJ & crew over to watch The Chiefs not make The Playoffs. I don't think any of us are surprised. so many injuries. Patrick went down today. is it the end of a chapter? we were fans in the bad years. we were fans in the good years. we had an amazing run. and we can ride out the bad years. Izzy had pillow fights with her mom and dad and helped Gramma arrange quilt blocks. I talked to Millie & Violet. texts from Katie and Ian. a good day.

a whirlwind weekend....

spent the night in the hottest hotel room we've had since that frat house in Ames. ate at Buffalo Wild Wings, hotel breakfast, Texas Road House. shopping at 1313 Mockingbird Lane. the owner is a rock star! follow him on FB. photos with Krampus. shopping at Bass Pro. Bert Kreisher at Cable Dahmer Arena. home midnightish.

today saw the completion and wrapping of The Special Homemade Christmas Gift.

bought next years Xmas wrapping paper half off at Tractor Supply....and (4) 10 cent halloween characters with air plants. supper at El Napol. saw Cindy Burkeybile Soptic there, and Viv's dad Glen, and our dentist.

last night was Ian's orchestra concert. it. was. amazing.

decided to wear my cheap boots I haven't worn in years cause they looked cute with my outfit, half the sole came off one walking into Koren's. I'd took my Mucks for snow, Koren loaned me a pair of Uggs for concert. AND Tracy finally received her well-traveled Xmas gift. spent night. treated myself to Hardee's cinnamin raisin biscuits, then the thrift store, where I bought a bunch of fuzzy xmas jammies half off to make into a tie quilt for me. and found a cute old polar bear, a baby hat and vest, I'll dress him up for the Coke collection. drove through Bethany McDonalds on way home, Grinch Meal was still on the drivethru board, I asked for one and they are out, so I just said "thanks" and exited stage left. I'll just buy myself some damn grinch socks. no big. snow all melted while I was gone. except the ice in driveway and on our street.

today is the oldest I've ever been. 61. I spent the day my favorite way...in my jammies.

birthday texts from my 3 little Ks and My Strong Handsome Hero. birthday calls from Izzy, Mom, and the girls. birthday video from Zerelda. made myself a doll that has been in the works for a while....was originally going to be a scarecrow. vaccumed. worked on my top secret Xmas project. the bulk is done. now on the finishing stages. finish -------, then wash, and wrap.

"We're ok, Melissa." -Andy Reid 0-10 halftime 🏈❤️💛

after a bit of really good football, it ended 10-20. at home. glad I watched this at home, at least it was warm. and Izzy's antics kept us from getting too bummed out. She can put on chapstick by herself now, by the way. Burt's Bees Watermelon. she talks like a grownup. big words. paragraphs. and she has quite the imagination. Kevin watched football all day. he made a FB snack, so we didn't eat until 5ish. which was Jethro's leftovers.

today we went to Des Moines.

snowed on way up and most of way home. spent our rebate checks at Menards, ate at Jethros, then spent Kevin's Hy-Vee Christmas gift card.

today was another wonderful gramma day in the books.

journeyed to Overland Park Oak Park Mall to watch Coralie sing in the Celebration Choir. then we got to hang out withe Ms. Niki and Zoe, eat lunch, and shop at the mall. what a fun day!

frustrating project morning.

something was wrong, I made adjustments. I ripped out. and ripped out. and ripped out. and repinned. made more adjustments. still not right. finally realized I was adjusting The. Wrong. Thing. and then it all worked out. but project has been put away. not taking any chances. I have to be in the right frame of mind. and obviously today is not the day. put white lights I found in basement in front window to frame tree. beautiful. next time I looked, half the lights weren't working. today is trash day, so there they went.

here's my worst nightmare.....have taken out personal info. but ugh.

A Missouri woman was found dead in the ------ after being reported missing a few days prior, according to the ----- County Sheriff's Office.

On ----, the family of --year-old ------reported her missing to the --- Sheriff's Office after concerns about her well-being and having no contact with her since ------.

The Sheriff's Office said it employed multiple law enforcement resources to locate -----. Some of which included a Facebook post asking the public for information on her whereabouts and providing the public with a description of the vehicle she was driving. (no no no no no no no!!!!!)

On -----, the Sheriff's Office received information leading to the discovery of ------ vehicle, which was parked and unoccupied on a field access road outside of ----, near -------

After a preliminary search of the area, ----- was not located.

The Sheriff's Office requested assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Missouri Department of Conservation ----rescue teams to assist in continuing the search of -----------

The -------------- search began on ------, with an accompanying land search of the outlying timber and row crop land bordering the-----. The search stopped due to the need for more specialized equipment, but later resumed on-------.

According to a news release from the-------County Sheriff's Office, at approximately ------., a female was found deceased in ----- and was later identified as ---------.

----- County Sheriff -------. said the investigation is still ongoing, and no other details can be given at this time.

Zerelda's Christmas Concert. I picked up Ann & Izzy, we picked Z up at school and took her to Walmart where we went Christmas sweater shopping, then hung out in Daddy's classroom and played History Jeopardy until time for her concert. Her mom, step-dad, brother, step-sister, aunt, ncle, & cousins were all there, her other grandparents, plus Daddy & Ann and her sister and grandma. she has quite the fan club.

I tried to make a snowman. not my best effort. snow not very cooperative.

Izzy invited me to play in the snow with her, so put my project away. she stomped and dug and threw snow in the air, declaring it The Best Day Ever and me her Bestest Friend. Kevin made chili when he got home, I could smell it as soon as I pulled into the garage. KJ & Crew put up their Christmas tree. they let the girls decorate it, which I find adorable.

decided to add Mothman and today's advent cryptid Goblin to my Gingerdead House.

had to do some evening out on The Christmas Project. but it is now square, and 2 rows are sewed together! so. much. sewing. my old fingers ache. but I should get it done in plenty of time.

tags on trucks, so cross that off the list. today is Ian's birthday. I have delegated one of my list items to Kevin. it was on YESTERDAY's list. he says he'll do it tomorrow. he had me do some research. Kevin did a grocery run after work. sunny and warmer today. wrapping gifts as they arrive. trying to stay on top of shit, because as a Tiktok ad for a $89 necklace reminded me, you don't know how many Tuesdays you have left.

December 1st.

super secret Christmas project hit a milestone today. I am on track. started advent calender. took a trip to PO to check on Tracy's traveling package that is back on the road - again. snowing - still. area schools cancelled today. wrapped gifts that arrived. took a pic by Christmas Tree - kinda like those glamorous 1960s pics, but in my jammies. just for me. changed sheets. distributed all Santa hats I've found. bought the Key West ticket to meet Robert The Doll in 2026. no more spending for me. most expensive ghostly ticket to date.

and just like that, November is over.

did some little cleaning things today. Kevin made popcorn and m&ms for supper. I made him enchildas for lunch, and opted for leftover chicken pot pie. not a huge fan of Mexican eats. with the exception of walking tacos and tacos and frozen chimichungas. cleaned out living room closet. found his cold weather gear and put in his trucks. my Muck Boots are in house.

nsv (non scale victory) last time I tried on my pig barn life bibs I couldn't zip them. here I am, November 29, 2025. zipped AND I can breathe.

scooped Rip's potty trail twice. both times I thought about how my great grandpa Lewis Brown fell over dead of a heart attack at age 55 scooping snow. and I'm 60.

Black Friday.

my super secret Christmas project is coming along....there have been some bumps in the road, but the only one more row to assemble... online Black Friday shopping...all the grands will get jammies for Xmas. first snow. Kevin had OT for the first time in years. decorated LR window.

'twas the day after Thanksgiving and deb was cleaning the oven... because while whole baked potatoes wrapped in aluminum foil and baked in the oven are a kick ass side dish....if you put them directly on the rack, they're gonna ooze all over the bottom of the oven. maybe next time I'll put them on a cookie sheet? or at least place one on the rack beneath them? 60 years of walking this earth (insert disappointed emoji face here.) but I am thinking I'm a genius for using my vacuum to suck up all the stuff I scraped off bottom of oven. way to use the old noggin. Kevin risked burns yesterday scraping the most of it (it was burning and smelled AWFUL, not at all complimentary to the wafting odor of roasting turkey)while oven was on, right next to the element...cause that's what good guys do when their wife has a colossal fuck up. not easy being married to deb for 42 years....just ask Kevin.

today was the first annual deb turkey trot gobble gobble 5K in my home with the wafting odor of roasting turkey.

KJ, Ann, & Izzy came over for Thanksgiving lunch. Kevin picked the menu: turkey, fried bread, noodles, baked sweet potatoes. he also bought a chocolate pie. I added a pitcher of Sweet Tea. Ann brought Better Than Sex Cake. Izzy helped me make tea, and we made sugar cookies with peppermint sprinkles. she loves eating cookie dough as much as gramma deb. The Chiefs lost. there were some exciting leap-out-of-your-chair-and-scream-and-double-high-five-your-youngest-grandchild moments.

while in the shower, I made the decision to cancel the upcoming test that Dr. told me after I scheduled it was 'probably not necessary.' quite easy to do on that blasted My Chart app. I am not one for going to the dr. for shits and giggles. I've only had the baseline mammogram. and have successfully avoided a colonscopy thus far. really don't want a tube shoved up my nose and down my throat. nope, nope, nope. especially knowing I am most likely never gonna meet Dr. Spencers criteria for surgery. unless I consent to gastric bypass. I could probably have that fuckin' tomorrow.

Happy Thanksgiving!

this week I have....

swept the basement steps. found Katie's MyTwinn doll & accessories for Coralie. sewed. a lot. done some day drinking. licensed the trucks. blared Christmas music. spent days in my jammies. wore Christmas hoodies. swept and mopped floors. had some phone conversations. made Rip a boarding appt. put money in a Salvation Army Bellringer Kettle. been a Grandma Christmas Angel. wrapped Christmas presents. hit x3 for the 3rd time. started using the hand weights. read. doodled. hooped. am I pushing myself too hard? not hard enough?

AND The House At The End Of The Road is getting a lot of attention. dragging shit out of house and yard. bonfires. I'm guessing house will be demolished. hope the guy found a place to sleep besides his van.

there was fierce wind yesterday and today. I admire those brave souls who stake out the inflatibles. they're optimistic folk.

Missouri Burial Facts.

Missouri: a death certificate must be filed with the local registrar within five days after death and before final disposition of the body. Typically, the funeral home, mortuary, cremation organization, or other person in charge of the deceased person's remains will prepare/ file the death certificate. (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 193.145 (2024).)

Embalming: process in which blood is drained from the body and replaced with fluids that delay disintegration. Though it's still a common procedure, embalming is rarely necessary; refrigeration serves the same purpose. Missouri: if you're using a funeral director, the body must be embalmed, refrigerated, or placed in a hermetically sealed casket if disposition won't occur within 24 hours. (Mo. Code Reg. tit. 20, § 2120-2.070 (2024).). Refrigeration or dry ice: usually preserve a body for a short time. There are resources available to help you learn to prepare a body at home for burial or cremation. The website of the National Home Funeral Alliance is a good place to start.

A casket is often the single greatest expense incurred after a death- average cost of a casket is between $2,000 and $5,000, the price can run into the $10,000 to $20,000 range for more elaborate designs and expensive materials. Whether due to the cost or for other reasons, some people prefer to forgo a casket altogether.

No law requires a casket for burial. However, you should check with the cemetery; it might have rules requiring a certain type of container.

No law requires a casket for cremation. On the contrary, federal law requires a funeral home or crematory to inform you that you may use an alternative container and to make such containers available to you. An alternative container may be made of unfinished wood, pressed wood, fiberboard, or cardboard.

Although funeral homes might sometimes be very pushy about getting you to buy caskets from them, federal law requires funeral homes to accept caskets that consumers have purchased from another source, such as an online retailer. (Learn more about your consumer rights under the FTC Funeral Rule.) You may also build your own casket if you prefer.

Most bodies are buried in established cemeteries, but burial on private property is possible in Missouri by establishing "family burying grounds." The burial ground must not exceed one acre, and it must be deeded in trust to the county commission, to be used as a family burial ground for the family and the descendants of the person who owned the land. You must file the deed with the county clerk within 60 days of transferring the land in trust to the county. (Mo. Rev. Stat. 214.090 (2024).) Before conducting a backyard burial or establishing a family cemetery, check with the county or town registrar for any local zoning laws you must follow.

In Missouri, there are no state laws controlling where you may keep or scatter ashes. Ashes may be stored in a crypt, niche, grave, or container at home. If you wish to scatter ashes, you have many options. Generally, use common sense and refrain from scattering ashes in places where they would be obvious to others.

You may scatter ashes on your private property. If you want to scatter ashes on someone else's private land, it's wise to get permission from the landowner.

You might want to check both city and county regulations and zoning rules before scattering ashes on local public land, such as in a city park. However, many people simply proceed as they wish, letting their best judgment be their guide.

Officially, you should request permission before scattering ashes on federal land. However, you will probably encounter no resistance if you conduct the scattering ceremony quietly and keep the ashes well away from trails, roads, facilities, developed areas, campsites, and waterways. You can find guidelines for scattering ashes on the websites of some national parks. For more information, begin your search at the website of the National Park Service.

The federal Clean Water Act requires that cremated remains be scattered at least three nautical miles from land. If the container won't easily decompose, you must dispose of it separately. The EPA doesn't permit scattering at beaches or in wading pools by the sea. Finally, you must notify the EPA within 30 days of scattering ashes at sea. The Clean Water Act also governs scattering in inland waters such as rivers or lakes. For inland water burial, you might be legally required to obtain a permit from the state agency that manages the waterway. For more information, see the EPA's page on Burial at Sea.

While there are no state laws on the matter, federal aviation laws do prohibit dropping any objects that might cause harm to people or property. The U.S. government doesn't consider cremains to be hazardous material; all should be well so long as you remove the ashes from their container before scattering them.

In all states, it's legal to have your loved one's body at home after they die. Missouri doesn't require you to involve a licensed funeral director in making or carrying out final arrangements. (See, for example, Mo. Rev. Stat. § 193.145 (2024), which permits "the funeral director or person in charge of final disposition of the dead body" to file the death certificate.)

If you won't be using a funeral director to carry out final arrangements, you must complete and file the death certificate yourself. Missouri law requires you to file the death certificate with the local registrar within five days of the death and before final disposition. (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 193.145 (2024).) The deceased person's doctor, another approved medical provider, or a medical examiner must complete the medical portion of the death certificate within 72 hours. The medical certification contains such information as the date, time, and cause of death. (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 193.145 (2024).) Missouri now uses an electronic death registration system, but you can still use a paper death certificate. You can obtain a blank death certificate and guidance from the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records by calling 573-751-6387

You must obtain permission from a physician, medical examiner, or coroner before removing the body from the place of death to prepare it for final disposition. For example, if someone dies outside the home, this authorization would be necessary to bring the body home for care. Or, if someone dies at home, permission is necessary to move the body to a location away from home for burial or cremation. (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 193.145 (2024).)

Some crematories require that you use a funeral director to arrange cremation. If you don't want to use a funeral director, make sure the crematory is willing to accept the body directly from the family. In Missouri, a completed and filed death certificate authorizes final disposition of the body, including cremation—no additional permit is required. (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 193.145; Mo. Code Reg. tit.19, § 10-10.100 (2024).)

BUT you do have to be embalmed to be in an above ground crypt cause smell. what if the crypt was on private land? out of the public? how far will the smell carry? hmmmmm.

important update. deb's death wishes.

if I go first, which I'm sure I will....Kevin is not ok. with donation to The Body Farm or cremation. I have decided I am ok with burial. in. a. mausoleum.

a mausoleum is of course a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or people. I'd like a cool one. stone. wooden door. fancy metal on it. a big old chain and padlock. haunted looking. that way no one can get in unless they have a key. or bolt cutters.

spent the day at Koren's for Thanksgiving with her family, Katie & Brayden, and Ed & Norma.

Koren is a wonderful cook, she loves to cook and you can really taste it. (unlike my substance cooking for survival.) the kids have all week off for Thanksgiving, Cody has Mon-Tue. off, and Koren Wed-Friday, so they have it covered. they are really making the dual career 4 kids in the house thing work. they've turned the Toy Room into The Guest Room and The Toy Room has been relocated to the basement, next to The Game Room. it is so fun watching them adapt as the kids grow and change.

on the way home, found Bottle Ugly Christmas Sweaters. and a Christmas hat and light up necklace for Z and Christmas Week. got home hustled to get steps in. usually I spread it out over the day.

the leaves are falling to the ground....the sun is shining after days of dreariness...it's a beautiful autumn day in north missouri.

yesterday bought 2 new sets of flannel sheets on Bass Pro Black Friday sale. time to retire the old ones...one is currently being repurposed into Kevin's Christmas gift...which is coming right along. I think?

also exchanged my new chair for kevin's old one. new deb has some back steps on her evolution, apparently...

Kevin has a full day to hunt today....and the sun is shining for the first time in days.

Thursday.

Toyota truck oil change, tire rotation, and inspected.

Izzy called and asked if she could come over to play. of course I said yes. foggy, dreary.

thought of a couple more Christmas gifts tailored to the kids.

got today's to-do list done, and some of tomorrows.

Kevin finally made it to the deer stand today. season started Saturday.

Saturday we drove to Wichita for the Joe Walsh VetAid concert.

on the way we saw a buffalo ranch. some beautiful huge old houses. oil derricks. our hotel was absolutely beautiful. with a grand name....Hotel at Old Town. a 1906 former warehouse on a brick street. within walking distance of our concert venue AND Old Chicago and Eggs(something) where we ate breakfast. parking garage next door. the leaves were absolutely beautiful. very quiet, peaceful hotel. elegant mirrored elevator. smooth ride and soooo quiet. a window seat. Gustavo haunted Room 203. did not feel haunted. but looks like it possibly could be. the spookiest part was walking home from our concert after midnight with dying phones and a vague idea of where we were going through throngs of young people out partying. I felt old and frail. just a matter of numbers. seeing Joe Walsh perform in person was fun. Life's been good to me so far....

Izzy came over today 'cause Mommy was sick.

we had a fun day (I think???) probably should ask Izzy...

speaking of Christmas....

every year when I drag out the ornaments, I find the Hallmark 1998 baby photo frame ornament someone gave Katie for her first Christmas. that I never put a picture in. I need to find a tiny one and remedy that. I also realize that Koren's baby ornament is missing. there HAS to be another Christmas Box! or I'm missing a tiny little wrapped ornament every year. (double checked the boxes I found. then triple checked.) and KJ never even had a baby ornament. what kind of mother am I? jeepers.

update. ordered KJ and Koren vintage ornaments off eBay. now to find teeny tiny pictures....

this just in....breaking news....we interrupt your previously scheduled program...I'm being told that deb went. to. the. basement. and. found. 3. baby. pictures. and Katie is NOW on the TREE. KJ & Koren will follow when their respective ornaments arrive. we now return you to your previously scheduled program, already in progress....

another message from dr.

she won't see me until I get my weight 'under control.' or lose AT LEAST another 20 lbs. whatever. it is what it is. at this point, I will most likely eventually die with a hiatal hernia. or maybe die from it.

a hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach pushes up into the chest through a small opening in the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the abdomen from the chest. A hiatal hernia results in retention of acid and other contents since the stomach tends to get squeezed by this opening in the diaphragm. These acids and other substances can easily back up — reflux or regurgitate — into the esophagus. usually not fatal. and of course... caused by obesity. common over age of 50. yadda yadda yadda. I really would like to find another dr. I don't care for this ones attitude. maybe eventually I will ask for a second opinion. of course this would be AFTER I lose at least 20 more lbs.

anyway. had a productive day. to Girdners to buy items on my list. started patching the holes and cracks in foundation. taped and did a coat of paint on ledge endcaps. started on Kevin's surprise Christmas present.

I remembered where my 1986 Heavenly Blessings Nativity set was! they've been 'missing' at least a couple of years. I started collecting them when I was an Avon Lady, using my discount. as the years went by, I'd buy one or two a season from Avon until they were no longer listed in catalog. then I'd buy a random one or 2 on eBay. I set them under the tree tonight and googled how many there are....13. I had 12. found my missing kneeling angel on eBay for $11.00. so, in a few days....my collection will be complete. A collection started in 1986 and completed in 2025. 39 years. (insert heart emoji here). I don't have any of the original boxes or packaging. Josephs head has been glued back on countless times. mama and baby sheep are no longer attached. but they still snuggle up just right. there are scuffs and chips. they've been moved 5 times.

still can't find Koren's first Christmas ornament with her baby portrait on it. so, there is another box somewhere....it was a gold teddy bear with her picture on the tummy. it used to be on the tip top of the tree.

replanted the free bulbs that I put in front of house last fall. now in day lily bed.

Wednesday post.

beautiful sunny day.

when I went out to scrape dirt away from house to paint, the hole is huge now. I think it needs fixed. therefore, no action was taken. took Ann to dr. then we went to truck stop and Walmart and McD drivethru. Izzy was delightful today. got a call about next test. it doesn't sound fun. and is same day as Ian's Christmas concert. finally got a MyChart message from surgeon. no surgery till AT LEAST under 200. I am sure she said 220 previously. me loosing 35 lbs. doesn't count for anything. will I ever lose 20 more lbs? probably not. this hiatal hernia can't be all that serious, anyway, the way I've been put off and all the conditions. (insert eye roll here.)

lights were supposed to be even better tonight. didn't see anything. oh well. I did see them through my phone last night, although my pictures aren't much proof.

update: Kevin did some googling, and gave me list of stuff to fix hole. so, that's on tomorrows list.

put up Christmas Tree, Christmas Robot, and Bumble. stockings are hung on the closet door with care.

Charlie Brown Tree and Plastic Santa are in place. warmer today. people were posting about Northern Lights. (or something lights.) I went out to look...a saw a pale pink swirl. nothing as dramatic as what people were posting. I guess there's always tomorrow...if I remember...

heard a plane go over house CLOSE and instantly....Red Dawn. The Russians Are Coming. it's my generation. I know it's a crop duster, but my first thought is always Red Dawn. the original. NOT the remake. all Xmas presents thus far are wrapped.

guys put the ledge on front of house today. looks nice!

made Bigfoot an ugly Christmas sweater...if you're cold, they're cold. also hung the Christmas solar lights and red unbreakable bulbs in his pine tree. mailed Tracy's package. called vet for boarding appt. and made hotel reservation for the upcoming Meet Krampus/Shirtless Comic Guy weekend. I found a haunted hotel in Lawrence, but it was pricy and we all know I won't see a ghost anyway. so just went with fridge in room and free breakfast.

spitting snow at bedtime.

and so it begins...

update.

every year I lose a christmas sack or 2. made replacements. all have new homemade name tags and a string of jingle bells....cause jingle bells will add to the merriment. wrapped grands gifts I have thus far and put in bags. finished Tracy's homemade gifts and boxed her stuff up to ship.

ordered baby a wild animal rattle set from Cabela's. found a ghost ring I'd got for Millie.

I ventured out into a blustery 35 degree autumn day in search of a Christmas Alien for Tracy. mission accomplished.

Kevin wasn't happy that I went. there were some text messages. he was having a football day. I baked brownies when I got home, he ate one. nothing was said. but when Sunday night football came on, he muted that woman wailing the song, so he still loves me. I do annoy him beyond belief by just being myself...grands Christmas sacks now have jingle bells - cause why not - and new nametags. gifts thus far wrapped and in appropriate bag. have to sort through the stack of books and notebooks...

also finished the gifts I was making for Tracy and boxed them up to go to Post Office (tomorrow, if I remember. I wrote it on the list, but somedays I don't even look at the list....I'll admit it. started RH app yesterday. I can't navigate it. Walkfit not counting the steps for the RH workouts. I don't want a diet plan and water reminders. so cancelled sub. it's good till Dec. 6 so I can do the workouts. confession: it is 10:13, I have not done them yet. but I will. in a minute. I've been busy. AND....today was my 150th day of hitting my Walkfit Step Goal. yay me! I am amazed. I am not known for my stick-to-it-ive-ness.

went to Kenton's wedding.

always fun to hang out with Brenda. weddings are so much more complicated these days....venue. photo booth. dj. catered food. various dances. speeches. bar. sunset pictures. it was a beautiful venue.

spent my afternoon sitting in a dealership having warranty work done.

then to Walmart to buy a few things. Kevin took me out to supper. Crazy Horse was packed.

November 6 2025

Project Clean The Basement has commenced.

some progress has been made. wrapped a couple of Tracy's gifts. attended KJ's family photo shoot. Zerelda wasn't feeling it. Izzy was all about it. the photographer is an elementary teacher that Z knows. she included her, asked her advice, let her pick poses, and after a few minutes, Zerelda was ALL about the photo shoot. from my angle, it was ADORABLE. The Beaver Moon was beautiful. beautiful.

City of Mercer has their Christmas lights up.

while Rip was getting groomed, I walked the trail. leaves are changing. beautiful day.

wrapped some more gifts. after my one-a-day-pepsi, had a violent urge to puke. didn't make it to bathroom. so the hall got a mop.

started on a burlap voodoo doll.

Izzy invited me out to play with her. cleaned out Christmas Trunk, broke down cardboard boxes, wrapped a couple of gifts. inventoried Santa Sacks and Gift Card Book Boxes.

on Monday.....

cleaned floors.

merrily working on Christmasy things. slept in AND lengthy chair nap. in Kevin's chair. my new chair is not a nap chair. I've decided that I am going to try for a 3X on Walkfit. that's 22,500 steps in a day. put this on my tomorrow list....(insert eye roll emoji here.) if I watch enough tv and walk the whole time I watch anythings possible, I guess...it's good to have goals.

last nite

while talking Rip for his moonlit bedtime potty walk, we didn't turn around at the first parking lot of park like we always do. it was such a bright, pretty night, we walked to the second parking lot. then I decided I was already at 17000+ steps, I'd just walk till midnite and see if I could get the 22.500 steps for my coveted first Walkfit 3X goal. and......found a YouTube video to walk in front of.....and at 11:47 p.m....mission accomplished. my own personal little victory.

the guys might be back today if the parts they ordered come into lumberyard, so set an alarm. something I did for years and years and years and now just do randomly to keep track of appointments, obligations, etc. mornings are my best sleep. I always suspected that. and now I know it to be true. back in the day it was an alarm clock. first a windup. then a series of digitals. there was the worry of electrical outtages and power failure. I always put it just out of reach so I couldn't hit the snooze. now it's my phone. my phone does EVERYTHING. I can calculate, check my calender, social media, look shit up, shop, play games, track my steps. it's a portable boombox. don't want to carry a book? read on your phone. (but I have to blow it up so big that scrolling is annoying. so I stick with REAL books except in extreme emergencies where I find myself without one.) what time is it? don't look at your wrist. it's on my phone. if I had a ring camera, I'd know who was at my house when I wasn't. I can communicate.

found out last night while Kevin was watching tv that there is an Australia Ghosts. hmmmmm.

"we" finished our 3rd section of fence! yay "us"!

daylight savings time. Katie's 27th birthday. how is that even possible? KJ and family came over to watch the Chiefs lose. and Idk what Rip ate when the grandkids room and Katie's doors were open, but he puked and puked and puked some more.

rainy. Kevin left to work on fence while I was mid-walk.

so I built my Miniverse Halloween Haunted House...glued pompoms on grands new X-mas bag gift tags...brought in some of the Halloween stuff...tossed the jack-o-lantern over the fence. He had earned eternal rest.

Happy Halloween.

I spent the day working on Violet's Christmas notebooks...the grands Christmas sack tags...made my first Spider Bread...carved a jack-o-lantern...whittled down the grands gift list...donned my witch garb...went to Trunk or Treat with KJ, Ann, & Izzy....opened my Mini Halloween Miniverse Ball...used prime credits to rent The Conjuring Last Rites. a perfectly wonderful day.

had some All Hallows Eve fun with KJ and family

they put out decorations and carved a big pumpkin.

"the guys" showed up bright and early to scope out the new siding ledge situation. I was still in my jammies. they had to order more stuff from Girdners and will come back next week when they get it. I took truck to Chillicothe for them to look at extra key fob. it's a goner. ordered a new one. went through gramma's barbie house, found a bed and crib for Millie and Violet. they only have one Barbie bed and one Barbie crib and sharing is hard. so made mattresses and comforters and pillows.

Aunt Mary had heard a movie was shot in Chillicothe, MO. so I googled it. (and then stuff filmed in Missouri, for good measure.)

there was a list of movies filmed in Chillicothe, OHIO. didn't find any in Chillicothe, MISSOURI.

"Christmas Vintage" is about Samantha Hermannhof (played by Karlee Eldridge) returning to her hometown to help her sister during the holidays. Hermannhof soon discovers that her sister cannot date the man she is interested in unless she attracts and dates the unpleasant Parker Williams (Ignacyo Matynia), an owner of a local winery. Nearly all of "Christmas Vintage" was filmed in Hermann, according to the Visit Hermann, MO website.

"American Honey" follows a girl named Star (Lane), who runs away from home and begins living and working with a crew of traveling magazine salespeople. Released in 2016, the drama was written and directed by Andrea Arnold. Set in several rural Midwest towns, parts of the movie were filmed in Kansas City, Missouri, according to IMDb.

"Gone Girl" is set in Carthage. However, the majority of the movie was filmed in Cape Girardeau, according to IMDb. Specific scenes were featured at The Bar in downtown Cape Girardeau, which is now closed, the Common Pleas Courthouse and several houses throughout the city, including the Dunnes'.

2010 thriller "Winter's Bone" was filmed entirely in the Missouri Ozarks, which did not go unnoticed by media outlets and locals. Sticking true to its roots, the film, which was directed by Debra Granik, is based on a novel written by Springfield native Daniel Woodrell. The story follows a 17-year-old Ozarks girl (Lawrence) hunting for her drug-dealing father, all while trying to keep her family intact. "Winter's Bone" was shot in Forsyth, Branson and a few other rural areas around Taney and Christian counties, according to IMDb. In addition to the local setting, several of the film's actors were from the Ozarks.

Filmed in various locations across the country, a few scenes of "Up in the Air" were filmed in St. Louis, including at the Cheshire Inn (now The Cheshire) and St. Louis Lambert International Airport, according to IMDb.

hmmmmm. I did not realise that Road House was based on Jasper, Missouri. wasn't filmed there, of course....

"Planes, Trains and Automobiles," the cast and crew did film at the St. Louis Lambert International Airport, according to IMDb.

In the first 1985 film of the "National Lampoon's Vacation" franchise, the Grisworld family makes a detour to St. Louis, passing by the Arch and stopping in East St. Louis, where the hubcaps of the family car are snatched. While footage of the St. Louis Arch was filmed in the city, the scene of the Grisworlds rolling into East. St. Louis was actually filmed on a Hollywood studio backlot, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

The majority of "Paper Moon" was filmed in Kansas, but a few scenes were filmed in St. Joseph, including inside the St. Charles Hotel (now The Charles Bed & Breakfast) and the former Missouri Valley Trust Co. Bank, according to IMDb.

finally! we could see the sky on our bedtime potty walk tonight...

clouds scooched out of the way..a bright half moon and brilliant stars! we missed you guys!

per Aunt Mary's latest missive, The Vaile now offers self-guided tours?

intriguing. could I one day arrange to have all my grands there to do a Christmas tour? is that possible? then go for a treat afterwards? hmmmmm.

had the most wonderful time at Ian's 6th grade orchestra concert!

I feel positively worldly listening to an orchestra. the girls were very well-behaved. I got to play Barbies with Violet and Millie before the concert, and in the morning before school. took Ian the Wii and stuff and erector set. and 2 coolers of meat for their freezer. Koren made homemade potato soup and grilled cheese for supper. got to hang out with her and watch Halloween Wars. a very nice visit. Cody made me a Bigfoot bumper hitch. he has made Koren some amazing Halloween decor. she has a very tasteful Halloween vibe going on. mine is rather chaotic. the girls are going to tumbling now.

correction: Violet wants CHRISTMAS notebooks and pens. so on the way home, I did some shopping at Walmart for Christmas scrapbook paper and things to decorate notebooks with. also at Dollar Tree, found cut out wooden shapes to paint for the kids and make gift bag tags, and sparkly pompoms to decorate them with. yesterday at thrift store found jeans for the Boy Scout skellie and a sweater to transform into Bigfoots Ugly Christmas Sweater. did not ask for senior citizen discount. wasn't asked if I was indeed a senior citizen. but I saved some $ and I do look in the mirror occasionally. (newsflash. I haven't been carded in years. and years. probably never, tbh.) and this morning, after I finally blundered onto Old Navy (I can't follow gps directions. and I cannot calculate 600 feet. or stop myself from turning left instead of right.) and it was 9 a.m. and they open at 10 a.m. nope. nope. nope. I can jingle jammie online, I guess. Could I have stopped further down the road? no. I could not. I would not. no. no no no no no. that's not who I am.

I've been listening to Sirius Scream.

I have a nomination for the Howl of Fame....Lance Henrickson. Pumpkin Head and countless B Bigfoot movies. I love you, man.

structured activities I remember from my youth...

the things I think of while driving....

Church Christmas Programs....Church Camp...Summer Reading Program at Princeton Library....sleepovers at Calleen's...weeks in the summer at Aunt Chardy's and Aunt Mary's...swim lessons. (still sink like a rock.)....Girl Scouts. Brownie. Junior. Cadette....twirl lessons. I always wanted to be a majorette. we got batons. did I ever try out? I never was a majorette. I was on dance team...

did the neighbor down the road move?

haven't seen his van there in days. curiousity tells me to drive past senior housing to see if he moved down there, but I guess I'm just not that curious?

there are several nicely decorated Halloween yards in Mercer this year. Cheryl's porch is too too cute. my favorite is the giant inflatable alien holding the cow...I wish I had one. I also love the inflatable monster....

journeyed out into the world, secured this seasons Gingerbread Cookie Mixes, and a stack of notebooks for Miss Violets Christmas wish.

and this years Christmas pins for the grands. I always give them a notebook and a book or 2, as well. need to get to work on finding those. still looking for 7 somewhat matching Christmas ornaments to use as gift bag name tags for kids....DG seems to receive everything in lots of 6... then on to lumberyard, where I bought paint and more rollers to paint bottom of front of house. not today....but soon. soon.

we journeyed afar to Kirksville Menards only to discover there were no end caps to order for our siding ledge, although the accompanying directions specifically mentioned end caps???

mmmmkay. sure our guys can figure it out. they are clever ones. got the green paint for my Zak Bagans Pumpkin and completed said pumpkin. hard at work on The Light Bulb Spider and Baby Freddy Kruger. the Hardees sign announced that CINNAMON RAISIN BISCUITS ARE BACK! so will definitely be checking THAT out in the extremely near future.

joined The Salem Witch Trials Virtual Challenge. 30 miles.

mowed at farm today. it was COLD. will THIS be the last time this season????

went to Jazmine's wedding. got to talk to Tracy & Chris a bit. the bride and groom cried during their vows. and the maid of honor cried during her speech. very emotional wedding. very close family. very delicious snickerdoodle cookies.

optimisticly started The Zak Bagans Pumpkin, and did more painting on The Freddy Kruger Doll. will need to buy more paint colors. I saw a FB post wanting Big Girls, 220 lbs. and over, to start their exercise program. so, I weigh ever so slightly under 220, depending on the day. I laughed merrily. ordered Tracy's voodoo doll.

ordered stamps online today.

I didn't realize they were 78 cents. each. I remember putting a dime in the mailbox for a stamp when I was a kid sending penpal letters....of course, that was a day or 2 ago...back then I wrote letters to my Grandma Pauline...an elementary school penpal in Pennsylvania...my friend Lisa...my cousin Robin...a guy friend of hers...

I was supposed to pick up Z at school and take her to her mom, but plans changed and mommy picked her up at school. which I am sure made Z very happy. So, I stayed home. Kevin came home and made supper. which makes me look kinda bad, I realize. I never know what I want to make or what I want to eat and I'm not the biggest fan of cooking, anyway....did put a roast in crock pot for tomorrow.

picked Z up from school.

we made homemade pizza for supper. then had hot cocoa with marshmallows and Little Debbie's for dessert. then she had a nice long soak in the tub, went through Aunt Katie's old clothes to find jammies, and took her home and tucked her in, then I hung out till her daddy got home from the JHBB game concessions. putting a baby to bed brings back a lot of memories. (insert heart emoji here.)

his-and-hers a.m. dentist appointments to fix cavities.

groceries. dog food. fence building. landlord duties.

the guy showed up to do roof thing while we were gone. sent Kevin an invoice on his phone. he figured out how to send it to me so I could print it off (and find address to send payment to.) I miss the old days of a bill tucked into the front door. so much easier. and Kevin found some small time drama on Facebook, which I corroroborated through today's Princeton Post Telegraph. I was SO excited to share this with the girls, cause they love them some small town drama, too....when I finally checked Snapchat hours later....Katie had sent it to me first. and she lives 4 hours away. (insert eye roll emoji here.) always a day late and a dollar short, why would I change now???? (laughing hysterically emoji.)

I was finishing the last grandkids x-mas gift book - Millie's - (unless baby Schultis arrives before Christmas and I remember where I put the extra 2 blank books....) and...

Kevin texted me and asked me if I was ready to go eat, so I won Wife-of-The-Year once again and we went to Crazy Horse, where he got his tenderloin smothered in white gravy and tater tots and I opted for a full biscuits and gravy and OJ.

I was just thinking I'd ordered myself a Bloody Beary Build a Bear for Xmas and it hadn't arrived....

I can't find an email or an order confirmation, so went on Build a Bear to order one....it. simply. doesn't. exist. did I dream this up???? so, I get off Build a Bear and just google it...and there pops up the August 19 FB post. which took me right to The Bear Cave where the spooky stuff is. so I'm NOT crazy. (or any crazier than I already knew myself to be.) so: Order Placed Successfully! Order W8730570 has been Confirmed.

Monday

picked Rip up from boarding. he sounds like a rich kid, doesn't he? I mowed yard. rec'd 2 more toll road statements in mail today. they make excellent travel souveniors!

spent the weekend in Nebraska.

Katie had a houseful of guests....Koren & kids, Kayla, Nicole, & Ashton. we stayed in a hotel. we went to her baby shower, and to their diaper kegger. it is wonderful to see they have a village there just as strong and fierce as the village they have here to help them raise Baby Boy Schultis. (heart emoji). saw the progress they're making finishing the basement. these 2 have accomplished some amazing feats.

remembered to redeem my $5 Fetch coupon when I did some amazon shopping....

all the fun stuff....eye drops...OTC meds....dishwasher dryer stuff....I've 'earned' $41 so far.

yesterday I checked email and new Ghost Adventures episodes have dropped! stayed up late, did my today walk after midnight. now it's 25 minutes. so I was still doing my walk when 2nd new episode ended and....accidently discovered there are also new House Calls episodes....yau! supposed to pick Z up from school early dismissal PT conferences, bake her cupcakes, then take her to meet her mom later. it was a beautiful day and she wanted to play at Princeton Park and then ride her Power Wheels here in yard, so that's what we did. you can always make cupcakes. I am so proud of how independent her play has become. she was running and swinging and sliding and trying to figure out the rock climbing wall. of course we played zombies. she ran screaming around the park while I zombie chased her. and she has finally figured out how to drive that Jeep. all. by. herself. she is on 3rd grade A Honor Roll. and need to pack for our weekend baby Schultis trip. Kevin put out the trash that I didn't get around to. and packed his clothes.

Wednesday.

The Hoarder House is finished! a bit of insomnia sped up the process. while I was napping today, Mom called and left a message that Russel found a place in the neighborhood, he and Jake stopped by to say they'd finish the side porch. I hooped. tried out the TikTok scrubber in tub and shower. the guy came to look at roof. he just crawled up there, got in his truck and left. then texted Kevin. did not come to the door. which is A-ok with me.

Locker called first thing, they'd found 3 more trays of meat for me to pick up.

got 2 bags squeezed in here, took a bag of hb to the farm. picked up last of silver and brought home. brought Izzy and Ann here for Pumpkin Pie Day. KJ & Zerelda arrived after school. we successfully made a pie from an actual pumpkin, and found some time to play a bit, too.

I started creating The Hoarder House.

inspiration: I gave homage to The Raised Toilet from Katie & Brayden's rental house. kitchen and bathroom might be done? working on attic now. wrapped Marie's quilts for baby shower. picked up meat. Kevin cleaned out freezers. made a pasture run. there will be some happy coyotes and other critters. changed sheets. swept and mopped floors. baked brownies. garden fresh zuchinni for supper. a good deb day. watched The BTK daughters Netflix show.

today we got 1 corner post set. it was a struggle. Kevin wasn't feeling well after lunch, and I'm not much help.

we started off the day mowing the yard at farm, I delivered their mail, talked to Izzy a bit, then we started on that post. left for Sunday Lunch Buffett at Crazy Horse, which was delicious. after we went back to the fence, things just weren't going well. finally got that one done and Kevin called it a day. we had a football game to get home to. A. Chiefs. V.I.C.T.O.R.Y. and some potato soup to eat. still have another corner post to set and more fence posts to drive, then braces to make, and 4 strands of wire to roll out, and then 5 strands of wire to clip. Rome wasn't built in a day. and neither was this fence. but it'll last long after we're gone. and the new fences are beautiful. blood, sweat, tears, time, and money are invested in them. and they spiff up the neighborhood.

I was up and at 'em early to help Lisa do some more cleaning on The Crazy Cat Lady House. I think we made a difference. I noticed a sharp drop in odor.

after I left, they went out to eat, and Lisa said upon returning it is Much, Much better. meanwhile, Kevin was ripping out fence posts, digging new holes, putting in corner posts, and stringing the first strand of wire on new fence. I helped him walk and spray for fence posts, then drove some at his direction. beautiful sunset. last night was an amazing clear star-filled sky.

Friday

Kevin took the day off. finished one fence. started ripping out another one. stopped by Dave & Mel's to pick up a Grandma Marie baby quilt for Katie. admired Mel's Very Cool Quilting Room. I may be a bit jealous. she has her shit together. then met Lisa at Mom's to 'help' clean. I just visited. but I'll skip a shower and go back in the a.m. maybe I'll actually help then? or maybe I'm moral support?

car oil change. apple crisp. Kevin made a batch of chili.

found cute snowman fabric at Walmart, now baby boy has a Christmas Sack. long phone convo with Katie on her way home from a successful public health event she'd planned. I am always proud of these kids. they're out there making the world a better place. the other day, KJ had active shooter training. he used a cable to secure his classroom door. he said it broke on second attempt to enter, but he made a decision. he took an action. I hope he never faces a real active shooter. but you just never know.

there is a The Conjuring House gofundme. I contributed $10. yesterday the news was the house was no longer on the market. today, Jason says someone bought the mortgate, but the gofundme is still on, trying to save the farm.

today our oldest is 40. where did the time go?

I finished mowing the yard that Kevin started yesterday. he took an early out from work and rolled out 4 more strands of barb wire by himself, then started clipping it, while I took Izzy to a dr. appt. that got cancelled, so we went to the park instead. then met Daddy & Z at Walmart to buy Z some school clothes.

had a good time in Branson.

went to Anthems of Rock and Tribute to The King. Pink Jeep crawl tour up Baird Mountain. ate at Lambert's, Starvin' Marvin's, and Dockside. Smallin Civil War Cave. Sunset on The Strip. everyone was polite. no homeless people in plain site. no pan handlers. I think Branson in the Midwest Vegas. didn't get downtown to ghost hunt this trip, either. although that abandoned parking lot behind The Majestic Theater had a spooky vibe....

another grandparents day in the books! s'mores, cookies, Bingo, coloring, and a picture with our girl❤️.

guys finished putting up new siding. paid them for work done so far. they'll be back when Zerelda's window and our ledge trim arrives. getting ready to head to Branson tomorrow.

a flying trip to Des Moines Menards....

yep. 2 nites in a row. we didn't buy enough stacked stone onyx siding....and last nite, we were practical people and special ordering trim was good enough for us. tonight we were extra special, cancelled our trim order, and special ordered the much more expensive onyx LEDGE. but man, is it gonna look sweet.

my book review went live on amazon.....kinda harsh, but I'll stand by it.

Daddy Was The Black Dahlia Killer

Customer Review

tallulah jane puffenstuff

2.0 out of 5 stars I Wish I Never Found This Book - even used.

Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2025

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

this is a difficult book to read. do you believe in repressed memories? should you accuse famous people of cruel sadistic acts? it wanders and meanders between the horrible forgotten childhood of the daughter of the supposed killer and how beautiful, talented, tormented, and damaged she is. It is easy to see why the police didn't seem interested in her 'facts' and suggestions to go through FBI files, dig up vacant lots, etc. Jan describes an awful life and I feel bad for her. very unsettling. I'll read any Black Dahlia book. wishing I hadn't found this one

finally took my passport back to bank box.

played with Izzy a while. met Kevin at The Junction and then rode to D.M. with him to buy onyx siding for front of house. success! supper Raising Cane's. ordered concert tickets for Kenny Wayne Shepherd. it's a Kevin thing. I can't plan all our events....

guys here. now we have a brand spanking new back garage door AND a brand spanking new screen door. and they both LOCK. so we can lock the house when we go and do our wild and crazy adventures.

I mean, if a bad guy tried the front door, the kitchen door, and the patio door, and the red garage door, they might not have tried the back garage door and found out it didn't lock....we've been lucky. no one is safe from sticky fingers.

they also repaired Rip damange to kitchen cabinet. then we went to Chillicothe looking for stone to put on front of house. they were going to call with an estimate. and got hold of a roof sealer guy in the area. he sent an estimate.

his & her dentist. hey, ma. we both have cavities.

lunch at Sonic. Hy-Vee. I met Taylore at Cameron and picked up Z. KJ had concession stand duty.

KJ & crew over to watch the Chiefs W-I-N!

Katie & Brayden went home. will see them again in a few weeks for diaper kegger/baby shower. our 42nd anniversary.

went to a wedding.

late nite McDonalds with the kids.

Ode to a Road Kill Squirrel

you're a dead squirrel.

on a gravel road.

just lying there.

you cast a shadow.

you still exist.

I see you .

but you're gone.

bought more fencing supplies.

set 2 corner posts and braced, first strand of barb wire rolled out.

all our meals were at Crazy Horse Cafe today. some days are just like that. Katie and Brayden here for weekend for a family friends wedding.

got to feel the baby kick. how is it possible that my little baby is having a little baby?

I took the meat order to locker.

the smell of a locker gets me every time. brings back memories of processing pigs. the smells....ugh. just part of it. mowed at farm. shouldn't have to do that many more times this year. cleaned house. another scale victory. keeping at the steps is working, even with my non-calorie counting ass. I am writing down WHAT I eat. not portion size. (despite the recommendation of nutritionist, I still haven't bought a food scale.) but keeping myself accountable.

loving the fall weather. Kevin got off work early and spent some time brush cutting and cutting trees where we're building the (next) section of new fence.

I took the 2 tail light bulbs Kevin replaced in Toyota and "made" them into hall way overhead lights in my Cardboard Farrar School House. worked on a couple of the grandkids books I'm making for Christmas.

today I got to take Zerelda to and from school. we saw the most amazing rainbow and 4 eagles and I learned her favorite things about fall 🍁🍂... Halloween, playing outside, playing in the leaves, apple pie, and hot cocoa.❤️

satellite guy was here, and Kevin won't be missing any more football games in the foreseeable future. and we no longer have a 'dinosaur' receiver.

beef went to locker. kids placed their orders.

Katie called p.m.

in the wee hours of the a.m. I went down to switch laundry and there was a snake on the stair ledge. I took a pic. it was there.

I grabbed some tongs and thought I'd pick it up by the head and give it a toss outside, but it slithered onto the shelf above the stairs and I went to bed. I cleaned garage today and did not find a snake. so. I did find an old Wii and Ian wants one, so that's something. and found Koren's old farm building set, so cleaned it up for grandkids room. my creepy corner has now moved to the other side of the basement....onto and over my craft dresser. my Salem trip inspired me. I've made a Witch Shop and a Coven in the Woods. and a twig broom for my original witch.

Kj, Ann, & Iz came over to watch the Chiefs win their first game of the season.

Kevin made the first batch of chili for FB season. I browned up a huge pan of HB and put in the freezer for later use. that makes me feel like a real prairie wife providing for my kin.

finally made the lace ghost on the glass bottle. and made 3 little witches out of twigs and peach pits and acorn tops to go with the little cauldren I bought in Salem. hopefully they're to scale....will see tomorrow. dumped 1.5" out of rain gauge.

today was the day. my One Hundred Day Streak of hitting my WalkFit Step Goal. I am proud of myself.

Kevin trudged out to farm alone after the rain stopped to work on fence. I had already cut out the baby stocking when I was putting quilt stuff away. I started on the stocking. I am not the best at understanding directions. there were a few meltdowns. I finally figured out my first problem and TA-DA! problem #2 hit me right in the face. after a short break, re-reading the directions, and watching the tutorial online, I realized that I was trying to put the wrong piece in the wrong place. problem solved. then I realized that the piece I'd cut to put there was the wrong color to block it out. I needed another piece of Grandpa Lije's blue shirt. there was juuuuust enough to cut it out. then I marked on the wrong side of it. couldn't be fixed. so I removed a pocket to have more fabric, which made holes in fabric. wouldn't work. so I cut out 2 other pieces, pieced them together. then STILL couldn't figure it out. meltdown #?. took a break. realized I was trying to attach it at the wrong spot. smooth sailing after that. the thing is, I made like SIX of these a couple years back when Katie found the pattern. ugh. I did get it done and it is adorable.

we have added another show and a pink jeep tour to our upcoming Branson trip.

Haunting at Farrar

I've recreated my favorite Haunted School House in my own fashion...of course it is fall. there are leaves. the school is decorated for Halloween. The Children are in their costumes. Mr. Potato Head is in The Principal's Window. The Shadow Man is in The Principal's Doorway. Big Barbie is in The Auditorium. there are candles on the table in The Library. rope lights on The Auditorium Floor. There is The Girls Bathroom with Bloody Mary on the mirror. Nerve Center with the big tv screen on wall. #thisdollhasseensomethings (now Agnes Allice Alloe Axsom) is sitting by the lockers. even have a tiny grave to symbolize the new ownership. Tracy & Deb have signed the blackboard in The Auditorium. The Front Doors are slightly ajar, mocking the No Trespassing and Smile You're On Camera Signs. I'm rather proud of this creation. I got the idea from a documentary with a guy who was on The Original Investigation and has went many times over the years. He made a perfect replica. mine is by no means perfect, it is The Farrar In My Mind.

I made the trip to Chillicothe to have GMC serviced. then rode along with Kevin to the chiropractor. he took me out to supper at Uprooted Kitchen, then we Halloween shopped at Tractor Supply (again.) this time, The Ghost Chicken rode home with us. it was only a matter of time, I guess....

today was a hocus pocus and hot chocolate kinda day.....

spent my afternoon and evening creating my own little Farrar School. used the buttons and scrapbook pieces I recently ordered. my own little whimsical Halloween edition. put #thisdollhasseensomethings by the lockers. Mr. Potato Head is right where he belongs, in the Principal's window. I created The Library, Nerve Center, Girls Bathroom, Auditorium, Hallway, and The Principal's Office. still have to paint my white lines for the 'bricks.' decided it looks red enough for me, although you can still read the Lowes logos all over the box....Kevin planned an autumn Branson getaway weekend.

not getting far spray painting the box. decided I'd make fabric bricks instead. left it outside to dry from this mornings (3rd) coat.

then Ann called in sick, and I went to get Izzy, then we went to get Zerelda and shop at Walmart for the girls to pick out Halloween sweatshirts and go to Dairy Queen....meanwhile, a storm blew up and the box got SOAKED. but I did make a homemade tiny Mr. Potato head and started on my Little #thisdollhasseensomethings. will see how it looks after it dries out....it's always something.

Rip groom.

some basic house keeping. made a Witches Shop. started The Farrar School. made an Indiana State Sanatorium sign. redid my States I've Visited Map. I did it all bass-ackwards, as per the course, but it got done. eventually. did some more vacay TikToks. Katie called. had a nice long talk.

slept in ridiculously late. but I did have quite the adventure in the very recent past....

weight & measurement day. have lost 2 lb in last month. and some measurements have adjusted a teeny bit. I'm in it for the long haul. and I'm happy. first time I've seen 220 on scale in years. (tbh, the last several years my only weigh in was my yearly dr. appt.) yeah, I'm still fat. but not quite as fat. and in my head I definitely can feel the difference. I look in the mirror more. I try on outfits more. I don't automatically reach for the 5X. I was on the road last week, eating out every meal. some days I just hit my minimum step goals. and I stayed the course. slow and steady. I'm a wee bit proud of myself. I know, I know, pride goes before a fall. but I am optimistic that I am evolving. that I can eat in moderation. that I only need 1 Pepsi a day. that I won't just give up and throw in the towel. that I do get a little bit of a high from hitting step goals. that I can dance like a crazy person and call it exercise.

I took a looooonnnnnnggggg afternoon nap.

was blogging and going through pics, etc. about 12:30 A.M. thinking about going to bed. mom's neighbor called, she was being loaded into ambulance. so got dressed and headed to hospital. hung out till 5:30 a.m. when they decided to admit her. came home, caught a nap. then back to Trenton to check on her, go to HyVee. got a few things for her fridge, too. picked up clean clothes for her, fed cats. put out trash. back to hospital to deliver clothes. she might get out tomorrow. she said pneumonia and UTI. no wonder she felt so bad. home to watch Chiefs lose (again) with KJ & family.

our most ambitious trip so far (and that's saying something!) Salem.

itinerary

/ī-tĭn′ə-rĕr″ē, ĭ-tĭn′-/

noun

1. A route or proposed route of a journey.

2. An account or record of a journey.

3. A guidebook for travelers

Tracy planned our iteniary after we all consulted on what we most wanted to do. she bought tickets and booked tours and figured out the route. this used to be my job. and she is SO much better at it. I was also once the driver. now Chris has assumed that position. again....whoo hoo. now I'm along for the ride. and I'm lovin' it.

we bought witches dresses and hats. I made witch brooms. I also bought hotel quality sheets so we could be ghosts, and matching skull dresses to go get a drink in. (ended up eating at a bar our last night in Salem since eateries closed so early, so just did pics on the staircase. maybe next trip...)I painted my nails black. (it started chipping the next day.)

we brought bags of car snacks. that saved a lot of $ on road time munchies. I also took a cooler, which saved $ on drinks. I stuck to my 1 Pepsi a day rule, although there was a Sweet Tea, a Chocolate Shake, and some Lemonade in there. hit at least minimum steps every day, even with all the hours in the car. only did one of the daily exerices all week. I had notebooks in car and suitcase so I could remember everything. wrote down what I ate every day (as in actual foods, not portions and calories, etc.)

I danced with Michael Myers at The Haunted House in Cleveland, Ohio. I was also stabbed by Michael Myers AND Ghost Face. there were turn pikes and toll roads. some cash, some electronic billing. (watch that mailbox.) road construction. wrecks. a time change. we went through Missouri (duh), Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Massachusets, New York, West Virgina, New Jersey (state law: an attendant MUST pump your gas.), Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania. walked across the bridge to Canada. the toilet paper is squares, not a roll. it's not a bathroom, it's a Wash Room. got Canadian change buying a Wendigo book. we pissed off the Canadian Border Guard (this is a theme, us pissing off people. stay tuned.) by not noticing the second he waved us into his little glass building. he bitched about this the whole time he checked our passports. no passport stamp. (insert sad face emoji here.) it costs $1 in quarters or $1.25 in Canadian to get back into USA. and on the US side, didn't even check our bags to see what we'd bought. just took our word for it.

I wore spooky apparel. Friday the 13th Hoodie and Sweatshorts Saturday. Michael Myers Hoodie Sunday. Lizzie Borden T-Shirt Monday. (at The. Lizzie. Borden. House.) Witch Dress, Hat, Striped Socks, and Boots Tuesday. Jack Skellington Jersey Wednesday. Zak T-Shirt Thursday. Nightmare On Elm Street Campshirt Friday. and of course my Oddities & Curiousities Hoodie when needed.

I had compliments on my Art purse and striped socks. a few glares at my Zak t-shirt.

we did photo shoots. the skull dresses on hotel stairs. our Witch apparel walking around Salem taking pics at Spooky Place. one woman told her dog "Watch out, they'll put a spell on you." was it amazing walking 'round Salem dressed as a witch? YES. we also did ghost pics with sheets. we did these in the hallway, in the elevator- where a woman in a suit and a hotel nametag that I assumed was The Night Manager offered to take our pics in elevator-on the stairs, and we sat in the lobby for one pic when The Night Clerk, who'd been a tad grumpy but otherwise polite the night before when we'd checked in, yelled at us that "NO! That Is Not Allowed!" and went on and on about how she'd told us and told us and told us???? so we apologized and went outside hotel to take pics in front, and in the park. she glared at us when we came back in, as well. she wasn't on duty our last night.

there were Black Squirrels at Niagra Falls. a road sign told us that our location on The Massassachussets Turnpike was the highest elevation east of South Dakota.

we drove past cranberry bogs. we saw The Plymouth Rock. drove thru Boston. the accents. ❤️ the 12' tall skeletons. the display we saw in Salem leaving town. we had to pull off the road and take pics. we had to. the couple who lived there were out decorating. and they were so nice. they are truly living the dream.

Ann was our Witch City Tour guide. she is a middle school history teacher and really explained the whole witch trial thing. I thought it was the bread mold. it was the rigors of their religious life. all the rules. the constant fear of The Devil. parking in Salem is at a premium. our hotel was located to a lot of stuff. and it was haunted. so was our hotel in Gettysburg. at The Ropes Mansion in Salem, one of the gardeners gave me a flower he'd accidently pruned while working in flower beds. said he always gave these flowers to the first person to compliment the garden. I had on my witch outfit, so it was extra special. we did The Trolley Tour. The Ouija Board Museum. The Monster Museum. The Halloween Museum. The Bewitched Statue. Hocus Pocus locations. The Witch House. Ropes Mansion. Old Town Hall. also walked outside The House of Seven Gables. a huge fire destroyed much of Salem in the early days. a lot of Salem is wharves they filled in. Salem was once a major sea port. and pirates were a problem. we drove past the yellow Jason Vorhees house on the Trolley Tour. couldn't find it later. the yards are small but bursting with flowers. and the porches are very decorative. it's election time. campaign signs everywhere. lots of dogs being walked. Dead Horse Beach. historic houses. narrow streets. restaurants close early. saw Winifred Sanderson in Salem! Gallows Hill. wrought iron fences. homeless.☹️ street musicians.😀 rock walls. cobble stone streets. brick streets. wonderful little shops. I found an altar in one and wrote a note to Dad and John. I realized that night that it was John's birthday. I have trouble keeping track of the days anymore, especially if I'm not home with my calander and to-do lists. I really missed Kevin on the night time ghost hunt. all these couples walking in the moonlight holding hands. and me all alone. Tracy told me next time I could hold hands with her. 🤣 it is believed the witches were hung from locust trees.

we only spent one night and a morning in Gettysburg. walked to Dobbin House...the oldest house in Gettysburg. ate by candlelight with period dressed servers. it was a surreal experience. then we walked through the misty streets back to our hotel. magical. the buildings are beautiful. I actually walked the streets where the battle happened. we also went to Little Round Top and Devils Den and drove through the park. again. surreal. we parked on the side of the road outside the fence at The Conjuring House. which is going up for auction on Halloween, so maybe someone will open it back up. but we could see it through the trees. We. Were. There.

we did a tour at The Lizzie Borden House. I sat on the couch next to mannequin Mr. Borden. saw mannequin Mrs. Borden lying on the John Morse bedroom floor. imagine being killed while making a bed. ☹️ our tour guide Elena was a story teller. afterwards we drove by Maplecroft and went to The Bordens Graves.

we went to Sleepy Hollow. found the old bridge. found Washington Irving's grave. found an adorable boutique. the leaves are turning. bought The Headless Horseman to read. not sure if I ever have???? saw black barns with tobacco ads.

went to haunted Sachs Bridge. Avon Haunted Bridge. our last paranormal adventure was Indiana State Sanitarium... a wonderful set of crumbling buildings we could pay $25 to free roam from 10-5. these are my favorite ghostie things. no one hurrying you along. no being bunched with strangers. just take your own sweet time. stare off into space. ponder. soak up the atmosphere. Tracy found a pile of old hospital gowns, so of course we put some on and did pictures on the stairs. Tracy is so much fun. we started out in one building and exited another. somehow we got into the tunnels and didn't realize it. we thought we'd seen it all. went back in with Chris and we'd missed half of both buildings. staircases everywhere. grand staircases. back staircases. patient belongings just left. I climbed sketchy stairs. I walked on the roof. I brought home a rock. and I wrote a note to a ghost.

we took turns buying gas. why didn't we think of this before? so much easier than trying to calculate gas money and split. we took turns paying tolls. The Hawthorne Hotel had a bed tax. I'm thinking $19? I wrote it down in one of notebooks I brought along.

life has been a whirlwind as of late.

there was getting ready for Salem, then there was Salem. but the day before: Donuts with Grandparents in Olathe with Coralie, Violet, & Millie. we spent the nite before in Olathe. after our wonderful morning with the girls, there was Halloween shopping for deb at Target and Spirit Halloween. and lunch at Longhorn. the specials are such a deal! half price of our usual bill. Chris & Tracy spent the night here before our epic adventure. AND the first Chiefs game of the season. yep. we lost.

#thisdollhasseensomethings keeps popping up on YouTube Farrar School videos...

I've started a notebook of sightings. and print out pics I screenshot for my Ghost Book. I have at this late date named her Agnes Allice Alloe Axsom. cause why not? tonight found her on Farrar Schoolhouse/Haunting at Farrar by Cardinal Crimes, 2 years ago, sitting on the stage in the auditorium. each sighting makes me happy. she is YouTube famous. I have recently found her on the floor, in The Principals Office, The Library, in odd corners, up on a speaker box on the wall, on top of lockers, on desks, in windows, on the bannister when you walk in the front door....investigators have interacted with her, a couple named her, all good clean fun.

Kevin took an early out. we went to Chillicothe and took care of some business.

we bought new overalls and gloves for fencing. car washed, detailed, vacuumed. cleaned out Rips box. Kevin said it stunk. I guess I'm used to it. trying on clothes. planning outfits. stacking clothes on bed to pack. busy, busy, busy.

today I:

got my steps in. caught up on laundry. put away clean dishes. vaccumed. visited Izzy. checked out new Mercer Dollar General. dropped off baby quilt to Karen. put out skeletons, hung ghost in tree, Bigfoot got his pumpkin bucket. finished up crafts. made phone calls (you know I hate 'em. I can't leave a coherent message to save my life.) the locker for butcher calf appt. the vet to board Rip in Nov. an appointment for baby quilt. and Martha Mae Maxwell arrived. I fixed her dress and she is sitting on top of the doll cabinent.

mowed at farm. nice cool day.

"we" ripped out woven wire fence behind farmhouse, strung and tacked up 3 rows barbed wire. cut down some scrub trees in the way. took out the gates that had blocked the hole cut in fence when Ron was doing demo and needed pasture access. a full days work. one more strand to go and attaching wire to hedge posts and that section will be done. a quick Izzy visit.

Kevin let me sleep in. he rehung gate to pasture behind our house in the rain.

we started on the fence around farm yard. got rained out. I sewed baby quilt together. (whew!) my Walk Fit renewed...3 months down. a lifetime to go.

up early to sell scrap at Leon.

then to Chillicothe for new tires for Toyota Truck. (and lunch at Applebee's, shopping at Walmart and Lowes where I lingered in the Halloween aisles....) Kevin patched screen door to garage (another item off get-er-done-before-winter list.) Dave & Mel invited us to supper.

today Kevin knocked 2 more items off the countdown-to-winter-get-er-done list!

cleaning out spot in barn for tractor AND checking KJ's gutters. we are getting so worldly, booking hotels for upcoming trips...and Kevin's like...why's that one so cheap? keep looking. who are we these days? we used to be Super 8 people. now we're all snooty and checking out the ratings and customer comments. got tickets for Joe Walsh in November...Kevin's like... you probably won't like it. country people, too. and I'm all like do you REALLY like to ghost hunt with me? Katie called. nice to hear her voice. Izzy showed me her vaccum again when I went to deliver Ann's package. she is so adorable. and very sincere in her love for her vaccum.. she may grow up to be Kirby salesgirl! plugging away on quilt. and got scraptrailer loaded and strapped down to head to scrapyard in the a.m.

very productive craft day.

finished Boo sign. painted the wooden ghosts and rubbed decals on them...my own version of cottage ghosts. made earrings and a choker for The Stanley Guest. Rat is in Trap and at The Stanley.

oil change appt. in Chillicothe. remembered the half off coupon I got in mail yesterday and turned it in. still spent waaaaaay too much at Walmart. time just kinda stands still in that place....

the girls came over and we magically transformed the apples they picked last night into tiny little apple pies. or maybe they're dumplings? Zerelda liked them. Izzy ate a few bites but the lure of the playroom....used a recipe from Grandma Grace's cookbook and it sure brought back memories of baking with my grandma. ❤️ Kevin climbed up on roof and took fixing our gutter off the to-do list.

I took girls to dr. appt. went back out to pick apples with the girls and hang out a bit.

Zerelda was Miss Ellsworth, the principal and teacher. Izzy was my mom, Mrs. Lee. I was the student who kept breaking the rules. sewed a couple more quilt strips together. still watching Farrar stuff. cause why not? seriously. anything from now to 2018. some of it I have to skim cause honestly, don't know how many more Estes sessions in the total blackout dark I can take. walk around with your lights on so I can look for my doll, huh? no more recent sightings. hope springs eternal. booked room for Grandparents Day and Rip's boarding. I feel accomplished. Aunt Mary is crying tears of empathy about her gentleman friends situation.

today "we" checked 2 items off our before-winter-to-do-list, filling in and fencing old well in pasture, and picking up the crap left from fence construction in cow lot.

after a lot of thought and consideration, I got on eBay and just bought that damn Little Orphan Annie Oilcloth Face doll. and she will remain here. I'll take her on ghost hunts, but she'll make her permanent home here. loving the cool weather, I walked at the park today.

mowed and lawn swept at farm today. I made Izzy sad when I stopped to say hi. too close to nap time.

another Walk Fit message worried about my activity level...dude, sometimes I worry, too. but then I just get on with my life. nice cool day. sent Katie another layout and she approved, so will start assembling rows tomorrow. will have to stock up on white thread. plan on going to Walmart Wednesday.

today was the day I returned to Farrar. in search of #thisdollhasseensomethings. who I didn't see.

our group had 8 guests, 2 investigators, and a dog. one investigator recognized the pic of doll I showed her, had seen it during her 9 years of investigating, but not since she'd started in October. she figured it belonged to The Olivers and they took it when they left, or another guest took it home. Ivy had no idea. she hadn't seen it. so. we had to stay in the group. no wandering off. no solo investigation. I didn't get to look for her. or walk through the quiet halls making a video. or use the equipment I had taken. they had the windows papered over. it was pretty much full on dark in the school at 6 p.m. we didn't get to go into every room. BUT did get to see the grave and the rope and the priestess script for the ceremony from Hell Week, which was cool. and got to go into the Team Room, which is where they do the intro now and the surveilance system is. kinda cool to watch yourself ghost hunting on camera. so, pros and cons. I won't be going back. I knew it wouldn't be the same without Will. it has lost some of it's charm when you can't move items about and do your own thing (within reason.) it's still a beautiful old haunted looking location. but I kinda felt like they were waiting for me to steal something on camera. we were told no bricks could be taken. not to peel paint off walls, etc. not a demonic vibe like the YouTubers want you to think, but no longer a peaceful, laid back feel, either. time marches on. change is inevitable. the youth is taking over the world. tickets were $85 each. in order to free roam I'd have to book a private investigation....web site says to call for price and availability. so. probably outta my price range. I'll just watch YouTube videos, check Instagram occassionally and see if she surfaces again. she'll always be there in spirit. when you donate something to a location, you should expect this, I guess. I am disappointed. I won't be going back.

I honest to Sasquatch took a link out of my Infinity Hoop today because while I was hooping to beloved music outside, it twisted around to my hip.

hmmmmm. did 5 songs. not 30 minutes. but every step counts, right? have my freshly laundered Farrar Shirt on, ready to leave when The Hubs gives The SignaL...cause tonite is the nite I return to Farrar in search of #thisdollhasseensomethings . and to lie in Sam's grave. and do a walking around on each floor video. and to take some pics of my new paranormal playdate doll. so. mainly to have a doll sighting. and get some steps in. see the improvements that have been made. and just see if the building still feels the same. and to feel the absence of Will.

while we were out (I say we loosely, Kevin does the work, I mainly get in his way ) clipping the fence

And. It. IS. DONE!!!!! I was watching the eagle flying majestically about. and the vultures. and butterflies. I'm like that preschool kid in the outfield on a pee wee team. he bought 2 new gates at Girdners and hung them, put the old gate back up, took down the broken gate in our yard and dug out a somewhat buried in the weeds gate in good shape to replace it, then cut up old gate and threw in the scrap trailer. so, "we" successfully replaced a section of fence that we ripped out. will replace the other section, have a bunch of it ripped out. I looked down while we were driving home and saw the flouresant orange spray paint we used to mark post placement, and it was PERFECT for my little wooden ghosts that I will use in projects. so, I was crafty today, too.

well, I didn't hoop today. but got in 18.7k steps.

made the body in a bag for creepy corner. it's a dwarf. I like it.

the doll dress is dyed. omg. it is gorgeous. I used black dye. it is a silky lacy dress with embellishments. very old.

it is now the loveliest shades of pale pink, violet, gray, and black. much better than I ever ever ever expected. win!

my clown now has legs. and one shoe. (waiting on Rip to chew the other shoe off his newest chicken toy.) werewolf has legs, feet, and tail. got him sitting higher in his chair, too. ironed quilt blocks. painted a wood sign black to make my Boo after I get a letter B and orange paint. a most productive day. now to look through the quilt book that arrived AFTER I started the quilt for layout ideas. and take some pics and send to Katie and wait for the go-ahead. she's in Hawaii so has other things on her mind....and some drama on the homefront that I won't go into. more Degrassi High shit. (sigh)

and get the trash out to curb, hoop, get in tons more steps, visit Z after school...

I've made 25 9-patch blocks.

now to iron them and try some arrangements with the plain blocks....

thinking my werewolf needs legs. and my clown needs some homemade pants. so.....

Becky lost 20 lbs in her 8 week WalkFit journey.

determination deb has lost some weight, too. I've stuck to one Pepsi a day. eating healthier. trying to get 10,000 minimum steps a day. (my WalkFit goal is 7500). the days we're outside mowing or fencing and it's hot, I get less. the days I'm in the glorious a/c are much easier. the last few days dreary, dark, dismal, defeated deb has been trying to take over. gonna get another Walkfit worried about you text. cause my average has dropped from 14,000 a day. but some days I just can't. it took me 60 years to get here, and I don't have 60 years to fix it, so one day at a time, sweet sasquatch, that's all I'm asking of you. I do miss living on crackers and sweet tea and Pepsi. maybe I need to make me a glass of sweet tea. just the one. maybe that's what I need. trying to fulfill my cravings by eating tiny amounts of what I think I want. yesterdays Double Decker Chocolate Moon Pie was disappointing. it was all smushed. and really not as wonderful as I remember.

so, I wish Positive Becky well. good for her. good for her. deb is still in her jammies at 8:29 a.m. but I did a workout. have been up and down basement stairs working on Creepy Corner. I'm doing me.

I mowed yard this morning. a breeze. cooler. still sweaty summer weather.

rearranged my The Shining display. decided I need a Jack now, too. sewed more 9 patch blocks.

swept and mopped all floors. finishing details on my ghost painting.

watched a shit ton of Farrar YouTube, found a lot of cool shit, which I am compiling for my ghost book. new pictures. a tantalizing lead that maybe she is a Little Orphan Annie Oilcloth Face doll??? made 3 quilt squares and got in some steps. finished newspaper ghosts and hung them up. I am extremely busy all day doing....not a whole lot of anything. Becky's journey is almost done....we're on Week 8.

we were out at farm mowing relatively early this morning.

grass was still wet. hopefully we didn't wake up our tenants. it was hot enough. then Kevin drove the last 3 fence posts we couldn't reach with bucket. then we came home and ate munchies and I took a 4 hour a/c nap. cause that is who I am, apparently. did a couple of quilt blocks. made Rip's next groom appt. scrapbooking. Walk Fit sent me another message. they are worried about my progress. 14,000 steps a day last week. I've at 9.5 at 8:17 p.m. I don't work out as much when he's home all day. especially when it's hot and we're doing stuff outside. I'm an a/c girlie now. I couldn't survive a summer day in a barn now with a gun to my head. no Becky today. no hooping. no wild dancing. that'll be back tomorrow. for an app that tells me I can take off 2 days a week without breaking my streak...(which is at 66 days, thank you very fuckin' much) don't slack off on the weekends. I also was craving circus peanuts today. opened the bag and ate 4. (120 calories, if you're wondering.) and a couple handfuls of Lays since Kevin opened them. and damn, they were GOOD! and tried a slice of Ann's homemade zucchini bread, which was delicious. didn't eat much supper, cause...well, duh. Bioama works. back at it tomorrow. time to shower and have my daily Pepsi.

while we were out unrolling strands 4 and 5 of the new barbed wire fence and tacking to every 10th or whatever post, the bank fraud alert called.

it is always nothing. (exactly why are my eccentric spending choices so suspect? the last one was my reservation at The Stanley Hotel. like I can't go to The Stanley and drop a bunch of $$$???) haven't had a call since early July so guess I was due. I called back. of course I had to speak to a customer rep. none were available. I asked to be put on a call back list. 10 minute wait. did some craft stuff. got out my clean clothes to shower. did some scrapbooking. it had been 30 minutes. called back. my case # is now invalid. I stomped downstairs to shower. they didn't call. back upstairs to make supper. I am about done with this courtesy service. guessing my debit card has been shut off. wonderful.

anyway, back to The Fence. it is FUCKIN' HOT. has been. I live in the a/c now. I am a princess. I overheat. I asked for a lunch break, I was dizzy and seeing spots. not long after we got back out working on fence, and I'm driving The General unrolling wire, he is out in the sun walking a bajillion miles in the sun, start seeing spots again. He sent me to play with Izzy in the a/c. (I am a disappointment. am I even an Axsom anymore?) she was napping, so hung out with KJ.

working on baby quilt again. cut out a bazillion 9 patch squares and more big one fabric squares, have to assemble the 9 patches, then start trying combinations.

lawn swept. Kevin had mower filled and lawnsweeper hooked up. he had chiropractor appt. I went to DT and found witch hats, plus some other craft supplies. witchies and their new skellie friend have their hats on and are up on the wall. now to find a large letter B and a board to make a sign with...