Bye Bye October..

😞 Yes, my favorite month is on it's last hooray but what a way to go.  Happy Halloween and I hope everyone has a wonderful time of it even if no kiddos make it to your door!  We don't get trick or treaters here at the Pines but I decorate and enjoy it anyway.   I'll be taking everything down tomorrow except the outdoor ones go today since rain is coming this afternoon.  Poor kiddos will have to beg in the rain tonight.  It's very windy out and with the rain it will seem like a real spooky Halloween time.  Here's my decor that's on it's way back to storage until next year.  So sad...bye my friends!

Happy Halloween! Boo!

Sorry...Not Sorry

 This week we're at peak color season for our leaves.  I've been taking pics on walks with Annabelle and I sure wish the camera captured the true beauty that my eyes see!  So sorry for the following pics but this month is my favorite and I just can't help it!

Morning walk with Annabelle.

Our neighbor's trees along that walk.  

The not so creepy woods.  Our favorite walk place.

The sun going down and the trees behind our house are glowing!

This window in my kitchen holds a little metal pumpkin that looks adorable at night! And finally;

Every year I say I need to get rid of decor and sometimes that actually happens. However, sometimes I find something that finds me! This framed picture reminds me of my blog buddy, Robin, who has the best witch headers on her blog! I found this at a new store that my sister and nieces found when they were here.  Happy Halloween..almost!

75 In A 35!

 My post title does not mean I got a speeding ticket.  I read a thing that said September went fast but October is going 75 in a 35. So true!  The month is half over and I'm so behind in posting. I don't know where my days go but I need to get on the blog path or give it up.  So here's a recap of the past weeks.  We had our annual family Fall gathering last weekend.  The weather was great except a little rain came right before the party but thankfully stopped and all was good. Before the party on Saturday my sister and my nieces and little 'ol me put on our flannel shirts and headed downtown for Flannel Days.  All the stores had sales and discounts for wearing flannel! The town was super decorated up.  Free food at Home hardware but we didn't stop for any.  We found some cute treasures of course and enjoyed a beautiful morning at the farmer's market.

Lots of places for photo moments.  Here's Midge, Amy and Ella (Amy's daughter)

Katie, Amy and Ella.

The downtown area had tons of straw bales, pumpkins and mums to add color and fun.  After a few hours we had to head back to the Pines to get set up for the party at 5.  We had a good turn out and we enjoyed good food and fun!  

Amy, Midge, and Katie ready to party!

My Granddaughters, Summer and Driana.  Like last year I set up a little photo area.  

Summer and her boyfriend Coby.  He put on an amazing fire act for us. It was a surprise for sure and if I could figure out a way to upload the video I'd do it!

We had some silly games for the kiddos.  I know this is dark but the kids had to throw a ring around that thing on someone's head.  It was actually pretty fun!  Well, throw in a fire in the pit and more games and such and it turned out to be a great night.  I sure appreciate my family coming from Chicago and spending the time here.  They went up to Kalahari on Sunday and Midge and I and Jack just hung around the Pines and enjoyed the quiet time! All too soon they headed back home on Monday with the promise to see each other in December for our annual Christmas gathering.  Soon it will be here.  In the mean time, I plan to enjoy this lovely Fall.  We've had little rain and lots of sunny days and even frost on the pumpkins last week.  After a few warm-up days it will be cool again at the end of this week.  That's how fall goes in Ohio!  Here's a few fall colors in my neck of the woods:

My walk with Annabelle at the cemetery this afternoon.

Trees in the Creepy Woods.

Path to the Creepy Woods.

Love those leaves!  

You never know who'll you'll meet at the Pines!

Ghosts can be found in lots of the trees.

The spiders have been big this year!  

The sunsets have been fabulous!  So that's all for now...lots of pics I know but my blog book will appreciate it!  Night all!

Loving My Favorite Month!

 Yes, it's October and the month is going fast! First, Happy Birthday today to my brother Jim!  Lucky duck with a birthday this month.  On Friday my sister and her family are coming for our annual Fall fest.  I'm looking forward to seeing them all and laughing, playing games, and of course eating Fall foods!  My nieces, Amy and Katie, both have birthdays this month so a little celebrating with go on too.  There will be pics also.  Since I haven't posted this month I will have to do a post on my decor.  As always it's a little over the top but we love it.   Here's one that's shows different decorations I did in the alcove between the house and the garage.

Those ghosts were really meant for the gables on my house but the gable windows were too little to get them up so here they found a place and it's not too bad.

Last year I did a photo stop place for everyone. Last year I had straw bales but this year I went for a bit easier and not so messy set up.  The bench in front of the screen door used to sit on the enclosed porch of Jack's office.  He should be out of the office in a few weeks after clearing out over 50yrs of "stuff" that was his Dad's and his over the years.  Hard work!  But it's getting there.  So  now party goers have a spot for a selfie or a posed shot.  

Those large mums are from a local Amish farm and greenhouse.  I thought they were pretty for only $6 each.  

Jack pulled out our tomato and pepper plants as they were done producing...or I should say, I was done producing canned tomatoes!  The peppers weren't growing too big and were kind of bitter. The drought we're in hasn't helped but we did water the plants through the summer heat. It looks like my angel that sat here all Summer is praying and saying goodbye to the last of the crop.  We'll enjoy the veggies in their frozen and canned state over the Winter months.  That's all I have for now but will be going full speed for the next few days.  My car drama is still going on but hopefully will be settled tomorrow.  I contacted Hyundai corp and they have moved things forward since they didn't want to keep paying for a car rental until November when the dealership said the car would be done.  It's been a frustrating battle since August to get this fixed.  In fact, the case worker on my claim is meeting me at the dealership tomorrow when they deliver the car to make sure all is good. Fingers crossed for a good outcome and my car working!  One final note....One of my good blog buddies at "Shady Dell" said he has had trouble commenting here.  Have any of you who visit me had a problem?  I've tried checking my setttings and such but can't find a way to fix it.  Let me know if this has happened to you...if you can without being sent to a spam folder!  Take care and prayers for Florida and my family that lives in Tampa and Fort Myers!

And The Rains Came Down

In the last 2 weeks we've finally gotten much needed rain.  I'm not sure if the drought has been fixed but my grass is looking much greener.  I haven't mowed in almost a month!  I do feel so bad for our family and friends down south and send out prayers for all those who are really suffering with that horrible hurricane that has swept the areas in our southern states.  Our temps have remained mild and now it's a bit more humid than we've had all summer.  I really can't complain about the lack of mosquitoes!  Everyone seems a bit worried that our Fall colors will be drab.  Lots of stress on our trees.  But I'm thinking it will be a little later for color.  Our neighbor's tree across the way is changing nicely.

Notice the brown grass!  It's looking better today.  I've been busy working and decorating for the season. In 2 weeks my family from Chicago will come and gather with the clan here for our annual Halloween/Autumn party.  Midge and I have some ideas for the kiddos and looking ahead it looks like a chilly, Fall weekend.  Good for a fire in the pit!  Downtown Ashland has some activities going on that will entertain them and then I believe they are heading to Cedar Point on that Sunday for the Hallow weekends.  I've been helping out at the Historical Society Freer House again this year.  My friend, Bonnie, and I did up a couple of the rooms and I'm hoping to get it all done tomorrow.  They will have tours of the house starting on October 17th until the 27th.  I think it's looking pretty good so far.  They even have the basement open and decorated.  You see, the Freer House was called the Children's Home and it was where juvenile delinquents would go also.  There are actual jail like cells in the basement!  I saw them for the first time last week and just felt a terrible sadness down there.  I couldn't imagine children locked in those tiny rooms.  I'll take pics next time I'm there and show you.  In the mean time, here's a few pics of the room we've been working on.

A little story time by a kindly witch?

Maybe a nice lunch with some chatty skeletons!  I think once we're all done it will be even better than last year.  Again, more pics at a later date.  Finally, some Homecoming pics featuring our Granddaughter Addy Rae:

Lexi came down from Bowling Green University for the weekend to see her little but taller sister all dressed for the dance. Love those kiddos!  I can't believe that in a few days Addy will be 16!  I think her dad was just that age, right?!   Well, that's all I've got for now.  Just one note of sadness this week.  Annabelle's boyfriend, Cooper, died this week.   He was the sweetest little poodle that would come a couple times a week, bark until Annabelle would come outside, and they would sniff each other, run around a bit, then he'd head back home next door.   We were really sad when our neighbor called to tell us the news.  Cooper was 10 and was very active but developed Cushing disease and it took him quick.  RIP sweet Coop and say hi to your old buddies, Chubs and Arnold.  If you happen to see Eddy at the rainbow bridge, give him a kiss from us. 

We woofed you too buddy!
 

I Smell Fall In The Air!

We're in a bit of a drought here in Ohio that has kept the mosquito population at bay but boy my yard looks pathetic!  The leaves are changing and falling quickly.  We may get a few drops of rain this week...fingers crossed!  Even though the temps are in the 80's the nights are in the 50's and with low humidity it's really quite pleasant.  I was asked with Jack was retiring will I quit working.  For now, no.  I'm still enjoying the time and frankly Jack still has lots to do at the office before locking it up for good.  He's seeing some patients that he needs to finish care with and of course the cleaning out, packing up, and all that takes a little time.  I'll help where I can but we're still only with one car so getting back and forth and sharing a vehicle isn't ideal.  Don't get me started about the car.  The dealership hasn't even looked at it yet.  I've called so many times they don't even ask my name. They recognize the number!  If it's not looked at by Friday I'll be on the horn to Hyundai again.  In other news, Annabelle decided to take a little adventure walk last Thursday.  She was outside doing her business with me watching as usual.  She started to hike toward the creek but I quickly called her back.  She came running back and when she was almost at the deck I went inside quickly to turn off the stove.  I came to let her in and she wasn't there.  I went outside, walked around, called her name, checked the creek and then walked up and down my street. No Annabelle.  Jack was home for lunch and he and I went out in the car looking for her.  We drove all over the neighborhood with no success. He went back to work and I hiked up to the Creepy Woods and even took out our trail bike and rode around too!  Jordan came home from work and he walked the creek bed and also back in the woods.  Annabelle doesn't bark so we were worried if she was caught in a ditch or hole we wouldn't

 find her.  By 5 in the evening I was losing hope.  My neighbors were walking by and I told them to keep a look out for her.  They put a call out on Facebook and lo and behold a couple of folks said they saw a white dog running down 1302...that's a very busy road near us. Then on a Facebook page a lady said she found a little white dog on 1302 and had Annabelle's picture on her page!  After getting in touch with her we were able to go pick Annabelle up and bring her home safe and sound.  Thankfully the lady stopped and called her to the car and Annabelle jumped up into her lap! That crazy dog. She's never done that before and I will never leave her for a second alone again.  I really don't even know how she traveled that far that fast as I was right outside immediately.  Oh well, all's well that ends well.  The funny thing was when I checked this lady's Facebook page she only had one friend listed.  That one friend was my Granddaughter, Summer!  I guess Summer and her boys were friends back in high school. Small world!  

After taking burrs off her and a good bath she was tuckered out!  For a final note that tells me Fall is in the air, downtown Ashland is decorating for the season.  One of our retired docs and his wife donated some really cute pumpkin people.

There's 10 different ones set up all along Main Street.  They are super cute and folks are really getting a kick out of taking pics with them.  It's something that just makes you smile when you see it and don't we need a little more of that every day?  You bet!  Have a great week

A Few Other Things

 With the fun of having the kids from Oregon visiting last week and the gathering of the clan for a little anniversary party I failed to mention a few other things.  Jack and I went up to Lake Erie at the end of August (the 23rd) for a fish fry with friends from Jack's graduating class. We went last year and it was really nice and this year didn't disappoint.

The weather was perfect and the lake was beautiful and the fish was delish.  With our belly's full and after a good time with friends we headed back to Ashland.  Almost home the car started acting weird.  We were almost in the small town of Savanah (8mi from home) when the engine seized up and we were coasting. In a miracle that still makes me shake my head, our mechanic just opened his shop in Savanah on the main drag and we coasted right into his parking lot.  Whew.  Jordan came and picked us up and Scott the mechanic promised to look at the car the next day.  Well, a big surprise to us was that the car was totally out of oil!  No notice on the dash that anything was amiss.  This same thing happened to a coworker and also my daughter-in-law Evelyn. What is the common denominator in this?  Hyundai and Kia have had these problems with oil disappearing with no warning.  In fact, not even any leakage on the garage floor. To make a long story longer, I need a new engine.  We had to have the car towed to a Hyundai dealership for their evaluation.  Cost? $8-12,000!  I have called Hyundai and like my coworker and daughter-in-law, I'm sincerely hoping they are covering the cost.  I'm on the battlefield to get it taken care of as we are down a car and that is not fun.  I was really stewing about the whole thing but there's not much I can do so I have to suck it up buttercup and pray for a good outcome.  In other news, Jack told me back in August that he has decided to retire.  I was surprised at first because we always joked he would leave there feet first!  I know it was a big decision for him but now he's looking forward to some new adventures and these next few weeks will be filled with tying up everything, throwing out many things, saying goodbye to his loyal patients and then taking a deep breath! 47yrs in practice is a long run and he's a really good Chiropractor and has a lot to be proud of.

I'll miss seeing his sign on the corner of Center and Washington St.

The big old Victorian has been the office since 1981 when he and his Dad moved from the old office across the street.  We lived in the big apartment upstairs when our kiddos were little until we bought our first house.  We have many good memories here.

When Craig and the family were here he took a final tour of the office and sat out front for a final pic.  He learned to ride his bike in the parking lot as a 4yr old and told his kids how he and his older brother got in trouble for sledding down the hill in front of the office almost going into the busy street.  I had no clue they were doing that until they came in the apartment and soon after a policeman showed up after people complained about them! You never saw 2 more scared kiddos thinking they were getting arrested and me feeling like the worst mom ever!  Nobody was arrested and the cop was super nice and now we can look back and laugh! So we will take all our memories with us along with the many photos we have of our time there and move forward.  Congrats Jack on a career well done and a retirement well deserved.  It seems like only yesterday when you were a student at National and this was a looonnngggg way in the future.

Jack found this in the office and brought it home.  After dusting it off and laughing about my wonderful crafting I looked at the bottom and it was dated Dec, 1975, a year before he graduated! Again, the phrase that time flies is very, very true.  Congrats Dr. Starkey!