Mixing and Matching....

 Good morning from a chilly Florida. How about some mixing and matching today.

Currently

Time: 7:41 am

Scene: 46* Sunny and going to warm up to 71* today. This week will be in the 80's.

Drinking: 1st cup of Maxwell House Coffee with Italian Sweet Cream.

Meme Questions:

Do you own a crock pot, air fryer, and/or instapot? Yes, to all three.

Do you leave said small appliance sitting out? No, they are in the cabinet.

How often do you use it/them?  Crockpot once in a while, the Instapot once or twice a week, air fryer once in a while.

Favorite thing to make in one of these?  I like to make roasts in the Instapot. Fries in the air fryer. Soups and stews in the crockpot. 

Do you have a favorite brand? Explain.

Since moving back to Florida, I have had to change brands for various things...due to the extreme humidity and such.

Skin- soap Dove in Coconut scent. Jergens for lotion.

Hair-I use Paul Mitchell Awapuhi shampoo and conditioner.

Styling products-Sebastian Potion 9 leave in conditioner, Matrix Volume Booster, Paul Mitchell Wild Ginger Awapuhi for Humidity Hairspray. **on side note, I am unable to find or even afford to stick to one brand of hair products...and since I have 'source' (Sally's, TJ Maxx or Marshalls) for a lot of these, I go with what I can afford.)

So, I guess you can call me the brand girl-since I have thin hair, I go with the suggestion of the guy. who cuts my hair, and he is 100% correct, my hair looks and feels better oh and I get my hair trimmed/cut every 4 weeks...But other things such as food-its whatever. Be careful though--a lot of our process food is being bioengineered.

When was your first date and do you recall their name and where you went and what you did?

A boy named Ryan and we went to a high school football game and that is where I met my husband. My husband/that boy was actually rude, and I ended up pushing him down the bleacher stairs. Kismet--because on Monday he walked up to me and put an X on my forehead and announced I would be his wife one day. The nerve. lol-35 yrs. and counting of being married and 41 total.

Do you have any memories of your first job? I worked at the Ocala Movie Theatre here in Ocala when I was 14 until 19. It was the funniest job I have ever had. And the place I learned to love movies, The Rocky Horror Picture Show being one of them.

What do you think of hot dogs? I like them--we actually buy Hebrew Nationals or Nathans. And let's not have the discussion of what's in them, I am fully aware.

In a social setting, are more of talker or a listener? Listener, I prefer to be a wallflower and roll my eyes actually.

Doing today:

Not much...we did our running around yesterday and even laundry. I am trying though to decide what's for dinner: Sloppy Joes or Goulash.

I am looking at:

The calendar and deciding to take a day off on March 22-the day before my birthday-I hear the beach calling. Although I sure like seeing all that accumulated annual leave--but for my mental health...I need to use some time. 

Not liking...have to pay taxes. I feel like I am having to pay to work...thanks Biden for the mess you have us in. The economy sucks...and the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer. there I said it.

Currently...

 

Currently around these parts....

The Time: 8 am

The Weather: Pouring rain (still raining since yesterday). 48 degrees, 100% chance rain. I would actually say the word monsoonal applies to our area.

Drinking: first cup of Maxwell Breakfast Blend with Italian Sweet Cream.

Thinking:

We have had so much rain, might need a boat. ;)

Turned the heat on in the house to get the chill out; the house says its 63*. 

Loving: Having nothing to do, no place to go this weekend...although I do have to get out today and put gas in my car. NOT looking forward to that because of the pouring rain.

Thankful for: a full pantry and freezer...not really needing anything.

Looking forward: Sunshine. Florida has not def. been the Sunshine State lately. LOL

What's for Dinner? I will put in chicken breast, potatoes and prob. carrots in the Insta Pot. Yesterday I made Basil Tomato Rice Soup and Grilled Gouda & Ham Cheese Sandwiches for lunch.

Taxes: Not very happy...have to pay $400 in Fed. taxes. I shall refrain from the greedy government who is taking more and more of my hard-earned money. You want to talk about triple taxation? Tax here and there...think about it. We really don't live in a "free" society. 

Laughing over:

That's all I got...I really need more coffee, LOL.

Meme...Procrastination on my part

 Never on time or should I say, procrastination is king.

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 where we ask you just four questions weekly.

 The painting is named Banana Splits and is by Amos Sewell.   It tells a story but I think the story is left up to us to figure out.

1. What do you think the man in the painting is thinking?

Seriously, kid! You're going to eat that thing?

2.  In your story what kind of sandwich and beverage is he having?

He is probably thinking, "Oh to be young again." He is eating toast and drinking a cup of coffee, probably black. You know he wants a banana split, right? lol

3.  Do you think he is a stranger to the children, or does he know them?  Why do you think so?

I don't think he knows them, just by the look he is giving them.

4. Do you keep ice cream at home? Yes...well, 2 diff. Publix frozen yogurt; Key Lime Pie and Chocolate Chip Cappuccino. 

Banana splits usually have 3 or 4 scoops of ice cream.  What flavor ice cream should be in your banana split?  

Vanilla, Choclate and Strawberry and the toppings will be whipping cream, chocolate syrup, pineapples and marshmallow fluff.

Inserting my own thought...

I really wasn't feeling the Hodgepodge...but let me show you the Valentines Gift from my husband.

Meet Lolly the Llama. Isn't it adorable? What a nice surprise on Valentines Morning. Wishing you a beautiful day, it looks to be a heavy rain event here in central Florida for the next 48 hrs. We are just going to call it a staycation weekend (grin). I need to get the taxes done anyway.

Sunday Chat...

 Sorry for not posting yesterday, but we were really busy doing nothing aka shopping yesterday.

Time: almost 9 am.

Scene: 68* and partly cloudy, 87% humidity, dewpoint 64*. Suppose to warm up to the mid 80's with humidity.

Drinking: first cup of Maxwell House with Italian Sweet Cream. Fixing to get a second cup.

Thinking:

The new ac unit got installed Thursday along with a new pole/electrical box. It has been very nice coming home to a cool house. The days here have been very warm for the months of January and February. 

We got up early yesterday and headed down to the Villages to shop at the big Home Goods and Marshalls (I had gift cards) and got these pillows. We also got new bath towels for both bathrooms. I was thinking it has been a good 10-12 years since we got new towels, it was time. 

We had to stop at Walmart, and they had Paczki's (pohnch-kee). They only come out this time of the year for Fat Tuesday. My favorite donut. I'm not Polish (but Croatian), I can remember as kids, my mother would go to a local bakery here in Ocala and get them. Sadly, that bakery closed many years ago.

I was thinking, only in Florida do Palm and Pine trees grow together, lol.

Then later in the afternoon we drove the 4 1/2 miles to Belleview to Belleview Pizza on the advice of my parents (they are only open from 3-8). Belleview Pizza has a been staple in this area since 1975. I grew up with Loritos on Silver Springs Blvd., but they closed last year due to the rising costs. ANYWAYS, my parents have been going here for years now. I have to say, Belleview Pizza it is. 

truthfully, I haven't had good 'northern' pizza since leaving NY, but this...this was so good. Ok, new favorite place. My husband got a sausage sub, and he ended up bringing it home as he couldn't finish it. Leftovers for dinner tonight. Onwards to shoes...

Sketchers did not have my sandals in stock...so I went with a different company for orthotic shoes. These I can wear to work. Even with my dr.'s note, they are cracking down on us on what can be worn.

Since the warmer weather is upon us now...

I bought this wooden sign for my desk...we sure have some busy "social-talk behind your back" folks in my office...it has caused friction, so I am going to keep my big mouth shut and put this up. LOL

I noticed while folding laundry that my husband had the beach towels and swimsuits in the wash...and he goes, "Hey, It's almost time to head to the beach!" Umm...aliens must of have landed because he hates the beach...--I like the better new improved in agreeance husband, not the grouchy whiny person who hates the beach, LOLOL. So, seizing the seas will soon...

just in case I don't post this coming week.

Sunday Morning...Special Visitors

 Sunday Morning...special visitors to our little home.

Time: 7:25 am

Scene: 62*, humidity is 87% and look what's coming in about an hour

Drinking: first cup of Maxwell House with Italian Sweet Cream

Random Thoughts:

--It's a good day to just stay in pj's and be a sloth. lol

--We had special visitors yesterday.

such lovely people. Of course, they are, Benton has wonderful parents. grin

Benton and Rose drove down from Interlachen (an hour north), Pamela's son and daughter in love. Benton restores furniture: BenandRosesCountryWoodshop. They used to own Dixie Cottage, but they have since sold it as he wanted to concentrate on his woodshop. Anyways, they delivered this special piece to us yesterday.

It was supposed to go in the kitchen, but the husband commandeered it. I can assure you; it did not look like this back at Christmas when John opened his storage shed and Pamela said, "Hey, you guys interested in this?" LOLOLOL--OH OH I ratted her out, LOLOLOL. Benton and Rose do beautiful work. So, now, we (Benton) are on the lookout for another. It was a nice visit, we fed them (cold cuts/sandwiches), we prayed, and they went on their merry way. Benton is also going to work on a small table for us that my husband's late uncle had. It is in dire need of love, something neither of us have patience to do. I also have a special project for him, but it will have to wait until the table is done. I have a 150-year dresser that needs love...anyways, Benton has such a sharp eye for things...he will be the one to work on it.

--going to make a pizza for dinner and hubby is going to deep fry some chicken wings.

--laundry...enough said. I didn't get around to do that yesterday. So, laundry today.

Thankful for:

Friendships 

My Husband

Laughter and conversation that filled our home yesterday.

a job that provides our needs and other things aka 'wants' LOL..

Freedom to have prayer. (can't imagine living a place that you can't)

Reading:

it's Book 5 of the series. One more book in that series --hopefully she will write more.

Amen to above. Wishing you all a beautiful day.

Saturday Thoughts...

Saturday Thoughts...mixing it up

Time: 7:05

Scene: 40* Mostly Cloudy. Rain will be moving in tomorrow.

94% chance.

Drinking: Finishing the first cup of Maxwell House Coffee with Italian Sweet Cream.

Thinking: 

We will have two special visitors today: Benton and Rose, fellow blogger Pamela's son and daughter in love. They are delivering a special piece of furniture to us later this afternoon and honestly, I can't even remember what it looks like, LOL. Unfortunately, Pamela and John can't make it.

I did not have to go on the prison compound yesterday, instead, I had to attend a yearly seminar about Mental Health and guarding one's mental health when you work in/at the Dept. of Corrections. It started off nicely then it turned boring due to the presenter and his narcissist former cop look at me attitude. I was glad to get out of there at 3. It was a long day... I could have spent the day being productive at my desk, just saying.

The ac guy will here Thursday, the duct work guy will be here Monday. Unfort. there were foreseen issues, and the duct work (whatever it's called) will have to replaced. 

Thankful for...relatively good health. The foot/toes are improving and hopefully come Monday I will be back into shoes or flip flops, whatever. I am looking forward to it. I have been "uneven" for a month now--because the boot was much higher than my left shoe.

for a husband who made really good meals this past week, fried chicken breasts, meatloaf, spaghetti.

Questions from the blog world:

Who have you advised recently? Did they take your advice? I give unsolicited advice and it's your choice to take it. lolol

If you were to go shoe shopping today, what would you be looking for? Sketchers or flip flops. Although my employer is cracking down on the dress code.

Something you currently find 'puzzling'? The current political scene. So many bad things going on from both sides of the aisle and folks are just like oh well...

What's your go-to dish to take to someone who needs a meal. Benton and Rose will find that we are simple people. So, Publix sandwiches and such. Finger foods. I shall run to Publix soon and get some things for today-what-I haven't decided but they will be fed and taken care, lol.

Wrap up your January in five words, with a five-word phrase, or with a five-word sentence. 

I AM OFF PROBATION (as of Feb. 2) AND PERMANENT. (state employee)

Thought:

Have a beautiful day all.