October Happenings

 And now that I got the trip posts behind me, I can move on to all the things we've been busy with since we got home. 

The day after we got home from Switzerland was our school's 15th annual fundraiser auction. I have worked as an auction cashier for quite a number of years, but this year they let me off the hook. (Originally we weren't even going to be there- we were planning to be in Israel.) Cashiering involves a lot of numbers and keeping one's head together because jumbled numbers create big headaches later. Keeping one's head together is not compatible with serious jetlag. So giving me a free pass this year was a very wise decision! I almost wasn't coherent anymore till the auction was over.  

The story behind this picture from the auction is my granddaughter really, really wanted the horse basket but was a little shaky on the details of how buying things at an auction works/what bidding is. Actually she wanted just this gold horse, but I explained to her that she has to take the whole basket- she can't pick & choose items out of it. She refused to budge off my lap, even to visit the popular kids booth, for fear of missing the basket. Knowing she would be devastated if she didn't get it, when the bidding started I handed her my bidder card and she held it up -kept it in the air- until she got the precious basket. She was an auctioneer's dream. LOL She was a happy girl and Grammie's money went to a good cause.  

We were expecting to miss the colorful leaves by being in Israel over that time, but instead we came home to the peak. It was extra pretty this year.  

If you remember from my previous post, my birthday was less than stellar. Bless her heart, Avery was concerned about my birthday party before we ever got home from Europe. I told her I would love if she would plan it for me. But that I needed a few days to recover from jetlag first. She planned a very "interesting" menu, like only a 5 year old can, but then called me to say she wants to take me out to eat instead. This is her taking me out to eat.  (At least one of us is fashionable.)

As we drove away from her house, I asked her where she wants to go. Because over the phone she had told me I can pick whatever I want, a drive-thru or anything. 😉She thought for a minute, then said I should pick because its my birthday. This is us at Bob Evans.

This is my shrimp meal that she paid for. (While she hid under the table because she didn't want to be in any more pictures. Too bad at 52, I can't pull that off anymore- when introverted me had enough of people.) I often splurge on shrimp when Richard isn't along. 

After we ate, I asked her if she wants to go anywhere else but she said no, she is ready to go home. For birthday cake. However, as we turned onto her road she commented that she's afraid we're coming back too soon and mama won't have the ba-balloons up yet. I love her joie de vivre! PopPop & auntie Arianna were at the party already but the little people could hardly contain their excitement till uncle JJ got there. 

This year their mama took them shopping for each of our birthdays and let them pick out whatever they wanted. It's been so funny, adorable and interesting. Dollar Tree wasn't good enough for Grammie; they went to Marshalls for my gifts. Colton stole the show when he picked a toilet brush for my gift. 😁

These flowers Jeremy bought for my birthday lasted almost 3 weeks! 

NOW I feel properly celebrated. 

October ended with a heavy frost. The morning view from our back deck was stunning. Fall was rapidly disappearing. 

I don't dread winter like I used to, since Richard isn't force dispatched. I'm actually glad I live where there are seasons.