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....