Sunday, March 17, 2024

Social Media Break

Happy St. Patrick’s Day ! That means Lent is nearly over and I have to admit this Social Media Break has been a little tougher than in years past. I haven’t really missed it …. I’ve thought about keeping this break going through the election. I promised when we started this thing that I would avoid politics and I meant it. It does grind my gears that all these years later and we are back where we started and that just seems stupid on so many levels.

However during this break I have thought several times about specific people that I “check in” with on the various social media apps and wondered how they are doing. Golden has kept me informed of news events I need to know about and she has apparently created a TickyTock playlist for me assuming that we are all still allowed to use TickyTock by the time I get back.

So what have I been up to ?

I got to take a work trip in late Feb. as part of that trip I got to see Golden, walk around a bookstore and eat some good food. I also got to go watch my boss get inducted into the Engineering Hall of Fame which was really really cool. See he’s amazing. I helped prepare his application for induction even after he told us to stop. He said he wouldn’t win so I doubled down. I really wanted this for him. When we found out he won he looked me right in the eye and said I want you there. I said yes sir. I booked my hotel room and waited fro someone to steal my seat. Turns out he bought his OWN table for his family (brothers/sisters) and I had a seat at that table. I felt super important and got to meet many people who I’ve e-mailed many times over the years but never talked to in person. That was pretty cool.

My nephew and his wife just celebrated their one year anniversary. I think they had a good time, they are hoping to take a trip once the summer starts to really celebrate it. I hope they do. They have been through a lot this year but they are still standing, things are still moving forward. They are about to move from a cramped townhouse to a starter house (renting) with a yard for their big furbaby. My nephew is about to finish his college life and I think that’s sinking in some. The real world is waiting I’m not sure he’s ready but he’s going to figure it out quickly.

I just got a new phone …. I got the Samsung S24+ mine was ok … but it was starting to lag and kept telling me it had no storage even though I had removed everything I could off of it. I just got tired of fighting it and said I’m gonna get a new one.

My Auburn Tigers have just lit up the place in basketball and my gymnastics team is gearing up for the SEC tournament. My poor Gymnastics team they were doing so well and the last few meets seemed to have gone off the rails. The SEC Gymnastics championship are in Baton Rouge and I almost bought tickets but cooler heads prevailed. I mean I just bought a phone, taxes are coming up, and work is still moving pretty fast. I like to think they miss my peptalks.

Golden and I did secure out Dragon Con memberships the other … yippie something to look forward too! :D I am also hoping to get to her house for her birthday again this year. If nothing else we’ll be in the same room. We might both be sleeping through the movie of choice …there will also be laughter, fun, and good food.

So until I get back online … I hope you are all doing well, having a good week/day and I’ll see you all again soon!

 

Marcy

Monday, January 1, 2024

Happy …. Whatever.

It must be a New Year cause everyone keeps telling me that it is, and people are posting these long eloquent write ups about what kind of year they have had and their hopes and prayers for the aforementioned new year. I know I should be one of those people. The kind of wants to document the year prior, see if there is anything I can learn form it as I move into a new calendar but I just don’t have it in me this year. 

I didn’t have a BAD year per say nor did I have a great year with things that stand out so that makes this process hard cause it feels like another wasted year. Let’s see the year started off with me battling a kidney stone, but I didn’t know it yet (cause I’m stubborn and don’t like doctors). Then my mother almost blead to death, which was super unpleasant. Mom’s emergency surgery took place not even a week after my kidney stone surgery so helping her recover while I was still recovering was a challenge, but she’s doing great so that’s a positive. She has like the smallest stomach in the world but she’s here and she cooked New Year’s Day lunch today, which was delicious, and for that I’m grateful. Then about a month or less after mom got out of the hospital my oldest nephew got married. Literally. Like from one massive activity to another in very quick succession. I broke his heart cause while mom was still in ICU he asked if she was going to make it to the wedding and I told him that was the least of my concerns at the moment. I meant what I said and I said it with my whole chest. My mom surviving was my entire focus at that moment and while I hate I broke his heart I’d do it again. She did in fact make it to the wedding, was dragged all over that church by the photographer and she never complained. She was exhausted and spent for the next 4 days but she watched the baby she helped raise (she kept him while his parents worked until he started school) walk down the aisle and get married. She had already made my dad and I promise that we would go even if she couldn’t and we had made plans incase she couldn’t go. Lucky it all worked out, but it was a very stressful Jan/Feb/March to say the least.

Oh and in the middle of all that I turned 44.

In April, I took my younger nephew and his friends to play Top Golf for the first time in Birmingham (the closest facility to where he lived) and we had a great time. I got to stay with my older nephew and his new bride (first houseguest for them), I got to spend a crapton of money on the nephew, and I had a really good time. It was a quick trip. Up on Friday, back on Sunday kind of trip but a good one. It was on that trip that I made a very important decision. See Golden was supposed to join us for Top Golf. However, her beloved Beetle … well blew up. Literally. As I am driving my parents van home (large enough to hold the group going to b’ham) I couldn’t stop thinking about Golden’s situation. See I have been watching a Hyundai Kona for years … I am going to say 4 or 5 (maybe longer) and I really really really really really wanted that car. However, my Hyundai Sonata was too good a car to just give up. I thought about trading it in but it was just too good of a car to even think about getting something else. So I waited. Every time I saw that car drive by tho I pointed it out. I loved that car. I had a very specific car in mind that I wanted tho. Hyundai Kona N Class Grey with grey interior, red accents, sport seats, and a sunroof. I must have built that car like a thousand times on their website only to back out cause I didn’t “need” a car. On that drive home it hit me ….. GOLDEN NEEDED A CAR …. I had a car … and I wanted a new car. The wheels started turning. I got home called Dad and immediately told him my plan. He said and I quote, “That’s a crazy reason to buy a car.” Then mom looked at him in disbelief and looked over at me and said “I think it sounds brilliant. You deserve this … do it.” I had been saving like a miser to get this car for a very long time. I had the budget to do it.

I usually get to work about 45 minutes early. Around here traffic can turn on you very quickly. 5 minutes on either side of the clock can cost you 15-20 minutes very easily. I’d rather be there early than risk being late. I used to go right in and get to work. Lately I’ve been sititng in my car playing on my phone for about 30-40 minutes then drag myself out of the car and into the building (I really gotta get out of that habit). On this day I used that time to do a search on the Hyundai website for my Hyundai. I found one yall….. like 30 minutes from Golden’s house. It was PERFECT! Like someone was telling me to do this for my friend. I filled in the information and asked someone to call me back. I had a call back in less than 2 hours. I spoke with the guy, we settled on some things and I explained what I was trying to do. I asked if he could hold it. He said yes but not long. See I still hadn’t talked to Golden. Maybe she doesn’t want my car. So, I hung up promising to give him an answer by the end of day. I texted Golden and asked if she had a few minutes to talk. She said sure is everything ok. I shut my door. I called her and I really believe she was in disbelief about what I was telling her. I basically told her that she could go out and buy something or I could do this, and she could have more time to get something she really wanted/liked as opposed to what was there. My car was a 2013 (bought in 2012) so it wasn’t like I was giving her a new car, but it was well cared for. It wasn’t going to last her forever but could last her another 3-5, maybe even 10 years. It wasn’t perfect it has some dings; the dash was cracking like crazy, paint was chipping in a few places but it was and is a good car. She really didn’t know what to say and I think she was afraid of getting her hopes up.

I got with dad, told him what the guy and I talked about, he suggested I counter with this other price, and I was like um ok… the guy said let him see what he could do. They countered and met us halfway. I was pleased. He was gonna get the paperwork going. I called Golden to say it was a Go. While we were on the phone the car guy beeped in. Another dealer had just sold MY CAR. I was devastated. I knew it was all coming together to easily. He tried to sell me on another and I said no it has to be that car, that set up, those colors that’s the car I want. That’s the car I’ve been dreaming about for years. He said let me see what I can do. I called Golden and we were both exhausted by this roller coaster. The dealer asked for me to give him until Lunch. I said ok. 10am … he calls. I found it, I don’t have it yet but I found it. I’ll call you back as soon as I have it. I said same car as yesterday he said yes. I’ll send you a picture as soon as I have it. I was confused by that but said ok. I called dad, I called Golden and I called the bank. I didn’t know how long it took to get a cashier’s check. Then I didn’t hear from him again until nearly 10 pm. I was like well there we go it was all too easy. Sigh. Golden was trying to figure out how to get to work the next day and I was sad. At 10 I get a text from the dealer. It was a picture of a car in a parking lot. It had just arrived from the swap me made with a dealer in TN. It was MY CAR, same color, same trim, same accessories as the one had and it was perfect. He said the next morning the guys would do the Hyundai inspection on it, and they could be driving to me by 10am. I was like wait the whole point is getting mine to Golden. He said due to all the trouble the dealer was willing to drive it down to me and drive my car back for Golden to pick up for free. I was like I’m sorry, what? For no additional money they were going to do that for me. I said let’s do it. He told me the total, I paid the deposit on my credit card, the rest by money order and I had purchased a car, mostly via text which blew my father’s mind. I called Golden and I tossed and turned all night. The next day was like a weird dream. I went to work, waiting for the bank to open so I could get the cashier’s check then came home and cleaned my Sonata like it had never been cleaned before. I almost cried when it left my driveway and prayed that the guy wouldn’t have any problems on the drive back I got my dream car and helped a friend out at the same time. We did the bill of sale stuff Golden sent me a check, I sent everything with the car so she could do the tag thing and to this day I’m afraid some glitch in the matrix happened cause it was all too smooth and perfect. I am still waiting for something to go wrong, even after all this time. It was a win win win and I was so very happy to do it. To this day it’s the coolest thing I’ve ever been able to do for a friend and while that was awesome, I can’t tell you how happy this car has made me. So, for me that’s my highlight of the year. I don’t know if I’ll ever top that nor will I try. Mighty, Golden's furbaby was very confused as to why my car was tehre but i was not. 

In May, a month after the car swap, I drove to Golden’s to watch her niece graduate and to celebrate Golden’s birthday. We went to the zoo, a tradition I haven’t been able to participate in years, and I had a very lovely time.  In Aug/Sept Golden and I made it back to Dragon Con for some much-needed time away, fun and laughter. We decided to venture north and found a really cool bookstore, which made for a nice relaxing drive to the con. Which was nice cause life was trying to suck the very life out of me and Golden and continues to do so. Golden's niece has just finished her first semester in college and seems to be doing really well there. I am very proud of her. 

In October, my oldest nephew and his wife suffered a devastating heartbreak and while they are still dealing with the aftereffects of it, they are still intact as a couple and are going to come out of this stronger I truly believe that even if they don't yet. 

In November, I started dealing with some more weird health issues. I used to have really high blood pressure but suddenly I have very low blood pressure. It runs in the family, and I am not a small girl, and I have a horrible diet. I'd tell you I'm going to work on that, but history says otherwise. However suddenly this year it started just dropping out of nowhere. I'm walking along and boom all dizzy and grabbing at walls about to pass out. I can hear my heartbeat, I can feel my heartbeat (sometimes it feels like it's about to leap out of my body...most of the time it feels like I'm on vibrate, or there is a techno show happening in the front yard). I haven’t taken my BP meds in over a month, and it keep bottoming out which is just crazy pants. I have been keeping a journal of my blood pressure since my last visit and have a follow up later this month. I think it’s stressing Golden out too. There really doesn’t seem to be a rhyme or reason for it. In December Golden had a very invasive sinus surgery which she is still recovering from. So when I say 2023 can go ….. I mean it can go and I’m ready for a New Year I’m just not optimistic that some of the 2023 crap won’t come with it.

So, consider this my year in recap I guess …….. and I didn’t even get into the work stuff which had its own drama and hell running through it but that’s another post … maybe.... or maybe I leave that in 2023. 

I hope everyone has a great start to 2024 and that we all keep moving forward cause at the end of the day that’s all we can do.

Marcy

Thursday, November 30, 2023

2023 Christmas TV Calendar

 I have a confession ……… there’s too much Christmas … I mean honestly, everyone slow down. I can’t imagine as an actor how it feels to be all Christmasy in like February but then again they shoot Halloween Wars in January so BOOM take that Christmas! I’ve always wondered how they keep their pumpkins so fresh …. and how do they convince a farm to hold out that many pumpkins ?! Maybe they delay their planting and use greenhouses ….. wait … this one is about the big guy in the Red suit, the reindeer with the red nose, the snowman in a magic hat, the geeky mouse that broke the clock, and the poor 4 eyed kid in a pink bunny costume! In case you are living in a cave with no electricity it is already Christmas, or as my bestie calls it Crimmus. Not sure how that happened but calendars don’t lie ….. the clocks often do but calendars are always trustworthy. You could think it’s 3 but it’s actually 1 or worse it’s 7 … but even if you think it’s Tuesday and it’s actually Thursday well it will never NOT be Thursday it will always be the day it’s suppose to be. Every.Single.time. Trust me. It’s a thing! Wait … how did you get my calendar in your cave?!

I will admit that this one was easier than Halloween, but it usually is. It’s crammed tight with nostalgia, new offerings, and remixes of old fun family favorites told in what they hope is a new and “interesting” way…spoiler alert it’s usually not. By the way … THIS … is how holiday fun should be. Now I admit, Hallmark just went stupid, as they do every year, and started showing these things in like March. Truth is that I’m not even sure they have a time when they aren’t showing Christmas offerings. God love em they know their audience and they deliver the goods. I do admit hearing the Freddy Theme Song as you also hear Jingle Bells coming from the next room is a little discombobulating, yet…oddly comforting too. No bad Marcy …. This is about Crimmus not Halloween. Get it together!

To prove my point, I present you with this …. there’s Hallmark Channels 2023 “Countdown to Christmas” which I believe started a few days before Halloween ended and replaced their Christmas in July or some jazz like that …. there’s UPtv’s “Uplifting Christmas” with over 600 hours of holiday cheer (yet oddly didn’t really make my calendar cause I don’t get that channel anymore *sad face* … I think even Hallmark said sit down UPtv …. There’s “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” on well…Lifetime (come on guys some of these are easy) …. TBS is having a “Winter Break” …. you can find the “The Best Christmas Ever” on AMC, “Nickmas” is on Nickelodeon (Question…. how many Nicks are in the Nickelodeon theme song … asking for a friend… who is me – PS I say 7, if you say 8 we can’t be friends anymore, just kidding we totes can but you are wrong) and of course “25 Days of Christmas” on Freeform …the OG of Holiday fun. Not to mention all the streaming stuff cause well you have all heard my rant about that and I just don’t have the energy for that again.

So, my point is the calendar is full … it’s the fullest calendar I’ve done in years and frankly I really enjoyed it. You might need a magnifying glass to read it but that’s what ZOOM is for right?! Right?! I tried to include as many new offerings as I could and yes sometimes a beloved had to go. Sorry Clark! While Halloween was kind of a catastrophic failure on my part, I hope I have redeemed myself with this one. I know I have renewed my love for doing these so I am going to take that W.  

A few items of note because I don’t want you to miss these and that is the purpose after all…

·       TBS is airing the new A Christmas Story Christmas released on HBO/MAX last year!!!!!! Oh, Happy Day!!!!! Don’t worry tho the Christmas Day Marathon is still the original movie only, I checked! I mean they aren’t that insane. You don’t mess with tradition. But the fact that this one is now going to get to be watched by the masses makes me happy. They are showing equal love to the original but oddly the sequel from 2012 isn’t getting any love at all. If you have seen it you know why! Don’t yell at TED it’s not his fault. I have to warn you my mom finds A Christmas Story Christmas to be a bit depressing but what does mom know, well a lot but still it is a good movie. The gentle nod to the original, the returning original actors, a catch up of the characters and what they have been up to, a lot of love to the Old man and an original story all make up for the sadness. Give it a go let me know what you think cause I love it! Thanks Marvel for giving us back Ralphie! IYKYK

·       NEW Shows for the Win! As stated, there are several new items on the calendar, I haven’t watched them, but I am interested in many of them cause well at least they are new. I like new. I like original. I enjoy the old school seen it a thousand times, but will watch it again and again whenever it is on too but new … makes me giddy. Do some research before you put Sally in front of the TV with popcorn or plop little Bailey down in your lap for something that you deem inappropriate …that’s not my mess. Take it up with your facebook friends on how horrible it is so they can justify themselves as well by sharing in your fake outrage. Or just take it for what it is .. a lesson learned for both you and your offspring. You are welcome!

·       Speaking of Bailey …  God Love Hallmark for getting Scott Wolf and Lacy Chabert back together for a new Christmas movie called “A Merry Scottish Christmas” and no before you ask these two are not love interests, but are in fact playing siblings. I think they even realized how problematic that could be. I have seen it cause of course it premiered in November as part of their lead up to Christmas. I not only set my DVR but counted down the minutes until it started and I could wait 30 minutes or so in an effort to not have to watch commercials. I didn’t succeed. It’s good, predictable in a Hallmark movie kind of way but … good. I’d watch it again and I plan to. I am so excited about this movie, for many reasons that have little to do with the story line of said movie … so it’s getting a lot of love on this calendar and I’m not even going to apologize for it. Full disclosure … Don’t show up if you are expecting Bailey and Claudia (HEY Fox isn’t it time to find out what the Salinger clan has been up to all these years?). Bonus points if you catch the nod to their FOX show Party of Five. However, do show up if you still love Scott Wolf’s dimples, which I do, or like seeing Lacey’s doe eyed look every time those dimples are on display. If you haven’t seen Party of Five and are like what is this crazy lady talking about … I have all the episodes on VHS and DVD and can hook you up. I’m just gonna need you to put down a deposit and leave a note saying you promise to take care of it and promptly return it or I’ll send over the law. It’s that good. For me it’s right up there with Sports Night, another excellent show that you should totally check out … you know in January after all this holiday madness ends.

·       AMC is the marathon machine…. Like for reals. At various points of the month, they have dedicated theme nights. Dec. 9th is “Merry 80’s Marathon” …. Dec. 10th “So Many Santas Marathon” …. Dec. 16th “Best Elf Marathon” …. Dec. 17th “Holiday Hijinks Marathon” ….. and my favorite Dec 26th as the “Holiday Hangover” I think there’s even one for Reece Witherspoon. If you are stuck and can’t figure out what to watch check out AMC and see what they are offering.  

·       CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute will air on Dec. 10th at 7. It’s always a great reminder that in the doom and gloom of the world there are people attempting to make things better and good for them, better for us.  

·       Kennedy Center Honors  will air on CBS Dec. 27th at 8 it’s another good program to remind you that there are very good humans in this world but this one leans more to the celebrity side while CNN’s version is for the everyday man. This year’s honorees include Billy Crystal, Reneee Fleming, Barry Gibb, Dionne Warwick and my Queen …. Dana Owens.

·       As always if you are looking for something to throw the littles in front of while you wrap gifts, bake, shop online, drink a glass or three of wine, scroll on your phone, or just need a minute … Freeform is the place for you. Their love for Claymation is admirable and while not all the offerings are eyeball worthy they do have a very impressive lineup again this year. May we all bow to the awesome that is Freeform this time of year.

Now for …the rules. If you are an OG user of this calendar, feel free to skip ahead. If you are new to the party …. Well, you want to read on or face my wrath.

·       NO E-MAILS about taking Christ out of Christmas, it’s just a really long word and using X-Mas allows for more shows on the already full calendar.

§  Thanks for your understanding.

§  For those that don’t understand I’ll be glad to remove you from the list, just let me know.

·       I live in the central time zone, the times on this calendar reflect that, adjust accordingly.

§  That said unless otherwise stated the times are PM

·       Late Hour Focus, but hour round fun. For you work from home people, stay at home mom’s, or employers who have access to good wifi ….  they run these specials all day long, and while my calendar focuses mainly on the after-work hour times since that is when I can watch (especially during the week), fire it up as background noise for that meeting that you are totes paying attention to, or while you edit that really long annoying document.

Much like the Halloween one ….. I have been doing this one for at least 15 years …. The goal is to set aside some time for the holiday cheer to enter your soul …. for those shows and stories we all grew up with to fill your heart with happiness … and most importantly to stop…breathe…take a minute … then jump back out there into the madness that is the holiday season.

Merry Christmas to you all …. and I hope you each have a wonderful and safe New Years. Here’s to a fantastic 2024 for us all !

Marcy




Monday, November 27, 2023

Blog with a purpose – Giving Tuesday

What I’m doing two blog posts this week!? It must be a holiday that … or I’m avoiding cleaning. I’m not really sure why holiday’s make me remember that this thing exists, but they do and here I am.

One of my all-time favorite shows, Sports Night, did a show called “The Quality of Mercy at 29K.” It’s truly a fantastic episode (then they all were really) that was about these guys climbing to the top of Mt. Everest which the sports network CSC, that hosts “Sports Night,” is covering. However, it’s the side stories that stay with me. One of the main characters “Dan” had some “extra money” that he needed to use or be taxed on and walked around the office all day asking people what do they like to give their money too. The show, which I really suggest you find and watch, highlighted a lot of charities and organizations that are worthy of your time and your money. Some said homelessness, some said cancer research, some said the arts (shoutout to Montgomery, AL), a few jokingly said food and rent, and some just gave money to the guy down on their luck as they walked to and from the office which is based in New York. Then one of the characters, Natalie turns to Dan at some point and says, “The Key is to get in the game.” Meaning it didn’t matter where he decided to put his money to but he just needed to give. Every little bit makes a difference, and you just need to find a group you are passionate about and give to that. You can’t give to everything, but you can give something. That always stuck with me. . . . I mean to this day I had forgotten all about the Mt. Everest business until I looked it up for this blog. So Nat…. I’m getting back into the game.

As I have mentioned before I decided that this blog needed more of a purpose than a place for me to list journal entries which is what this thing has pretty much become. Interesting enough but I could be doing more with this space. At least every once in a while. In between some computer issues and life, I ended up with 2 ….. 2 of these “Blog with a Purpose” postings … and well that’s just sad. There are 265 days, 12 months, and roughly 30 days each month and I only came up with 2 of these … well I can’t have that. So here’s the next one … oh 3 … :D go me! Heck by the end of the year I might make it 4 … but no promises.

Incase you are wondering the postings so far have included: 

Triumph over Tragedy 

DEBRA 

As many of you know Thanksgiving was last Thursday, then we had the holy grail that is Black Friday, a wonderful day of knocking your fellow man down for a TV or the hottest toy of the season etc., and of course we will then have Cyber Monday and in the last ten years or so that’s all followed by #GivingTuesday. The theory being that you have now spent enough on yourself and others that if there is any left it would be good to give it back. Giving Tuesday has taken on many forms …. Online donations … volunteering at local food banks and shelters…whatever you decide to do is fine as long as you do….. something. Much like Dan you just have to get into the game. Not saying a blog posting by me here would boost anything, but at least I can say I gave it some spotlight if only for a small moment in time and with the tiniest bulb out there. What they do with it after that … well that’s on them!

So here are a few organizations that I feel are worthy of your time and dollars if you are, like Dan, looking for something to give those extra dollars to this time of year.

Triumph over Tragedy

The Brother’s Trust

Make-A-Wish     this link is to the account that a friend of mine runs to raise funds for Make-A-Wish (for full disclosure)  

Kids Need To Read

Cause we are a duo … I asked Golden what she’d add to this list and these are her suggestion for charities/organizations worth your time and possibly your dollars …

Trevor Project

True Colors United

Doctors Without Boarders/Medicins Sans Frontiers

NAMI

Reading is Fundamental

Dolly’s Imagination Library

Many of these organizations are having matching funds to really maximize your donation. 

If you are looking for something closer to home .... You can go to your local elementary or high schools and see what support they need or pay of a student's fees so they can start off the new year without that hanging over their head. Don’t get me wrong I know that this time of year it’s hard to scrape together a few extra bucks for anything but just know that your money is not the only thing that these organizations need. Donate time to animal shelters or drop off food, toys, treats, clothing, puppy pads. You can also drop off newspapers or gently used blankets/comforters/towels and donate those items as well. Find and support your local little libraries found in your town (locate one near you by going here …. ) by dropping off books or reaching out to the person who stocks them to see what they need. Food banks, blood banks, nursing homes, there are various ways to get involved that only cost time you just have to look for them. Time is very valuable, but the reward is also very high. Again, it’s all about getting involved in any way that you can. 

Then there are Angel Trees, Sock Drives, Hat & Glove Ministries, Toys for Tots, Salvation Army buckets at every major store this time of year... once you fall down the rabbit hole you end up like Dan and paralyzed to do anything. So just leap cause it really is true ... any amount no matter how small or how large makes a difference. That's really the point after all ... making a difference. 

Who are you reaching out to this year that’s not in the list above but should be ?

Marcy


Thursday, November 23, 2023

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!

It’s Turkey day !!!! I hope by now the Turkey has been consumed, the dressing is safely in your belly, the pie and cakes have been sliced and the drunksgiving antics are fully underway wherever you are as you read this. We had over 10 at our table this year and all the food was delicious. We had turkey (cooked by my nephew on his new big green egg), dressing (made by me using this recipe), green bean casserole, candied sweet potatoes, creamed corn (all made by mom), lima beans, deviled eggs (made by my niece), and broccoli salad (made by my SIL). It was Andrew's first time manning the turkey and he did a great job with it. 

                                                     

I am very thankful for my family, even if I did fall asleep on the couch after lunch and missed the hanging out and catching up time with them today. I don’t snore! Ok I might. Look I live alone a little snoring has never bothered me. I am lucky to be surrounded by my parents who are still together (53 years strong), my older by 4 years brother and his wife live nearby, their boys still want to come over and spend time with the family. My oldest nephew who just turned 24 got married this past year and his wife (my new niece), also 24 is a fantastic addition to our family. They are still learning to navigate the pitfalls of married life but they are a great duo and are finding their way. They are so far navigating the my family or your family aspect of life and holidays. My other nephew is a sophomore in college and has the most adorable girlfriend who joined us today for the holiday. She and he will be having Thanksgiving dinner with her family tonight. 

As I waited on my family to arrive today I thought about the athletes, coaches, support staff and their own families sacrificing time to play the sport they love from the collegiate level to the pro level to play the sport they love. It must be a pretty lonely thing when you are the one who can't fill that chair at your families table. I bet their families miss them very much. 

I remember holidays spent in cars driving from one hose to another and spending a few hours at each and eating and playing and wishing it were time to go back home. I slept in this morning, helped prepare our house for the onslaught of people, ate dinner and never left the house once. It’s a nice way to spend the holiday.

I haven’t been very active this year on this blog but I’ve been having some computer issues. I have just gotten it back from the shop so hopefully I can be more active as we start up another year ahead. Golden is getting ready to have another set of eye surgeries …… she’s going to be fine … but she’s going to have some downtime over the next few weeks. Maybe I can talk her into another blog, you know once her eyesight returns. She has decorated her the holiday in anticipation of not wanting to do it after her surgery. She spent the morning watching the Parade and her family will be getting together tomorrow for their celebration. 

I have once again been neglecting my PTO and will either lose some or take some over the next month …… which is nuts cause I have taken more time off this year more than others but I guess I’m still ahead from 2020 the year that no one did anything and taking time off seemed silly if I were just going to be at the house anyway. I passed a pretty big milestone recently of 20 years at my job it's been quite a ride. 

My Christmas TV calendar should be out any day now so be on the look out for that.

 Have a wonderful thanksgiving holiday, be safe during your black Friday shopping and WAR EAGLE!

Marcy

Sunday, October 1, 2023

2023 Halloween TV/Movie Calendar

15 years …. For 15 years I have prepared this calendar and this note for your holiday enjoyment. I hope that at least once in those 15 years these efforts have made you smile, if you laughed out loud then that’s a bonus for me. 15 years is a long time to anything and while I realize that at some point all things must come to an end 2023 will not be that year. What’s in store for the future … well I don’t know but let’s face it we could all die in a fiery ball thrown from the Sun tomorrow so why stress about that right?!  Kinda puts this calendar in perspective huh?! 

That being said, I was kind of excited about this one. No disrespect to the writers or the actors but I thought ok this is the year that the networks take everything at their disposal and use it since they won’t have fall programing in the way of all that holiday goodness. I thought this is the year that Garfield makes his Halloween come back, or that Nickelodeon dusts off those Alvin and the Chipmunks Trick or Treason, or the Smurfs and the Legend of Smurfy Hollow, Ichabod and Mr. Toad cartoons would fill the void left by all the striking humans. Long live Animation!!!! However that excitement was sadly short in life. While I’ve long since given up hope for the Peanuts to make it back to network TV I was hoping that others might rise and take their place. Heck at this point I’ll settle for Poohs’ Heffalump Halloween gracing my screen. Something …. Really anything … but it looks even worse than in past years and that makes for a very sad Marcy and is the reason for staring this on such a negative note.  

As you will see the calendar is dominated by a few specific networks, the OGs of this calendar if you will. My Halloween Ride or Die. Tho I warn you that I have been unable to find hardly any of the things that I used to find that routinely made the calendar’s of years past and new content well that’s apparently no longer a thing. Each network is associated with a specific streaming service that can air these things without messing with their precious lineups? So why waste the air waves and the advertising dollars. Has it finally happened, has Digital made this thing …. Obsolete ? Maybe so but let’s do it at least one more time cause well I am not ready to let this thing die, and while last year I said it was on life support this year I fear we might soon be calling hospice.  

I admit I’m a little behind on this thing so that’s also not helping, but also seems to be the way my world works these days. I was going to work on it prior to my annual Dragon Con trip over Labor Day weekend but was too caught up in the insanity that was packing for a Con and told myself it can wait. Then when I got back my self said it was too early cause most of the networks weren’t ready to discuss their line ups and I had laundry to do, aka sleeping. Then boom next thing I know it’s the weekend before October and I’m like OH MY GAWD SELF WHAT?! … and now I’m back in College mode cramming for a last minute test I knew was coming but forgot all about. However, it is AU vs GA weekend and as a Tiger fan really … what else do I have to do on this lovely Saturday. WAR EAGLE!  

For those new to this party, and there are several of you, I will re-state the rules, for those veterans out there please forgive me for giving a short explanation and allow your attention to wander freely if you’d like. (thanks for that line Albus! – 10 pts for your house if you can tell me which Harry Potter book that’s paraphrased from…RIP Michael Gambon).  

The Rules:  

  • I live in the central time zone, the times on this calendar reflect that, adjust accordingly if you have traveled north of the Mason Dixie Line or spread your wings out West. Don’t call me cause you missed your “favorite” show/movie, that’s not my mess. Be a big girl or boy and crank up that DVR and find out when it comes on again cause odds are it will.  
  • Time Zones are hard and sometimes I screw up the conversion from Eastern Time Zone to Central. See Note above for how I feel about you finding a mistake of time on the calendar.  
  • Unless otherwise stated the times are PM, this calendar is also geared towards the after work hours of life cause well it’s about me and that’s when I can watch. My office seems to think it’s a distraction if I watch while at work, I mean I still do it but like they expect that. For those WFH peeps or stay at home moms feel free to check out these channels throughout the day for spooky goodness.  
  • Lastly this calendar shows things I want to see, movies and specials that take me back to my childhood or that just make me happy. Some are kid themed and some are more adult oriented. PLEASE be mindful of that before you sit down with your little and they can’t sleep cause Freddy might get them. That’s your mess not mine but Kudos to you for showing them a classic. Seriously don’t be that person and there’s always one. This is supposed to be for fun, if you make it not be for fun well you won’t get it next year. PS if you don’t get this one you don’t get the Christmas one either so be sure that’s what you need/want before firing off that e-mail. This isn’t the internet where you can say whatever you want without consequences.   

If you are a digital user the easiest way is to saving it to your phone so you can check it on the fly, I mean who hasn’t gone to the bar keep at the local restaurant to ask them to switch from the game to Friday the 13th ? Just me …. Yeah, the crowd didn’t think it was a good idea either but I stand by the request. When I print it, and I do, I print it 11X17 but 8.5X11 is often good enough, especially this year with so much additional space on it.  

Now I must warn you … these networks have some kind of dyslexia cause I have noticed that they will show the movies and their sequels sometimes in order sometimes but often not so much …. I’ve only listed one or the ones I want to try and catch in the idea that if you are watching you will also be alerted that the next show after Halloween Town is well Halloween Town 2.  In the case of Halloween or Friday the 13th or even Nightmare on Elm Street when there are more sequels than the Queen had jewels (RIP Liz) they really got dumb. If it’s a full night of say Halloween fun I just put Halloween Marathon and it’s up to you to find what you want to watch, that’s right you don’t get out of doing some work on this thing too.  

As always I’ve highlighted shows I hope to catch in purple but also wanted to alert you to a few items of note below, assuming that you are still with me and if so …. Wow congrats!  

Freeform - 31 Nights of Halloween  They 100% understand the assignment. I will admit when they went from ABC Family to whatever they were then to Freeform I was nervous. However, I think they know what their core audience wants so for the entire Month of October (and for Christmas they do even more (Nov/Dec)) they show seasonal programing all month long. That’s not to say that everything they air is worthy of your time, or that they aren’t re-airing things so much it feels like watching MTV on the weekend, but if you are looking for something the littles can watch while you scroll your phone grab a chair, get a blanket, and some popcorn and enjoy. This is my go-to when I can’t find anything else to watch that particular evening. They rarely disappoint, tho they got close by having a few nights of Twilight marathons which made me shake my head. Their addition of Cruella however allows me to overlook that.    

Syfy - 31 Days of Halloween – SYFY also understands the assignment. If Freeform is where you go with your littles, SYFY is where you go after your littles trot off to bed. It’s truly the greatest place to watch Halloween fun this time of year cause they don’t hold back at all. They show classics and new movies and everything in between. They are having a love fest with Chucky this year but they are also highlighting their new TV show, which this calendar isn’t about. I’m also mad at SYFY for not giving me back Reggie the Vampire … but I pray that’s a casualty of the strike and will be coming soon cause I love that little Vampire! There is a little too much Mummy on their schedule for my taste but I guess it’s not about me.  They are also gracing us with Pride and Prejudice and Zombies which is a fantastic book and the movie did it justice. Not something you’ll hear me say often. The thing that does sadden me is that SYFY hasn’t released the entire 31 days …. Come on SYFY get your *hit together.  

AMC - Fear Fest starts – AMC is where you go for Classic horror. I admit over the years I’ve had a love hate relationship with Fear Fest over the years cause at one point the Walking Dead took it over and I ranted that it’s not about the Walking Dead or the many spin offs and talk shows it created. However, when that was all winding down I was excited thinking ok let’s get back to business but I understand there was yet another spin off and thus it’s going to be in the way again. Sigh …. However their love to Halloween and the Exorcist makes me want to forgive them.  

Fox – The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror - The Simpson's Halloween special on Fox likely won’t air until Nov … which infuriates me but I’m going to tune in just like everyone else so they can put it where they darn well please. Not much to be told about this up coming season but it looks like the animators get to have some anime fun which should be interesting.  

Disney Channel – Monstober - Halloween themed related movies and shows throughout the month and as the faithful to this calendar know ..that’s not what this is about but they do have a few “original movies” that might be worth your time or just fire up Disney Plus and watch Hocus Pocus. The fact they have not embraced Disney+ and re-aired some of their classics is something I will never understand.  

Food Network - Once again Food Network jumped the Halloween gun by airing most of their programing in September, which totally makes sense. Halloween Baking Championship, Halloween Wars, Halloween Cookie Challenge and Outrageous Pumpkins have already started airing …. If you missed them …. Sorry … yell at them not me.  

Nickelodeon is showing A Really Haunted Loud House which sounds really cute but Nickelodeon is being all secretive about when it airs so good luck finding that one on your own. I think it will be worth the hunt.  

Let’s talk Digital … since that fills me with all the rage …  

I give up guys, Digital and Streaming has taken over, heck there is even a strike cause of it and instead of embracing what’s at their respective disposal network TV has decided ….. to …. Well .. buckle. Heck my nephews don’t even have cable anymore. So, they use the calendar to look up show names as opposed to setting DVRs. I knew it was coming and this calendar was my way of trying to keep it at bay, but it’s still sad to me that we are in fact here. While it’s fun having these shows at our fingertips it also takes away from the anticipation of it, at least to me. That I am sorry I can’t do anything that night cause whatever is on and I don’t wanna miss it moments are now a thing of the past. Heck even most network TV will be on Hulu within 24-48 hours, so go have dinner with that friend after work and don’t worry you can catch whatever online tomorrow, but you won’t cause something else will come up and in 2 years you’ll still be telling people “No I haven’t seen Hubie but its’ on my list” …. Which is one of the last original Halloween programs we were given. Lord protect Adam Sandler with all that you have.   

So for my digital folks, of which I admit I am now one, see the links below but I will admit that all of me believes if we calculated up the “subscriptions” for all these services we’d see that Cable had its advantages. PS rumor has it AppleTV+ is going to have like a free week where people can log in and watch during both Halloween and Christmas …. Thank you Peanuts for that. While you are there check out the Crowded Room, it was and is still living rent free in my head.  

https://www.halloweenmoviesontv.com/stream-halloween/ 

In closing, assuming you are still with me and God only know why you would be, the intention of this calendar, is to get you and your loved ones to pause and spend some time making memories. Maybe carve a pumpkin while watching, create some fantastic Halloween Treats from your various Social Media sites while watching, or work on your costume – don’t forget the props - and RELAX  and unwind from the busy work day, work week.  

So sit back, scare yourself, and have a GREAT Halloween! It’s fall people enjoy it and feel free to share it far and wide ... but remember to tell them the rules! ðŸ˜„ 


Marcy  

Sunday, June 11, 2023

Blog with a purpose – DEBRA

Did you miss me ?! I mean I’ve been gone a really really long time … Did you even notice I was gone?! ….. I’ve packed a lot into those months but that will have to wait for another post. Late last year as I pondered the existence of this blog, for lack of a better word (diary might be a better fit), I realized if I’m not going to use this thing as my “creative outlet” like originally intended (and I’m still holding out hope that I might) I’ll use it to spotlight organizations and groups that I’ve discovered over the years that are making a huge difference in this world and could use a boost. Not saying a blog posting by me here would boost anything, but at least I can say I gave it some spotlight if only for a small moment in time and with the tiniest bulb out there. What they do with it after that … well that’s on them!

The first one can be found here  .. Blog with a purpose “Triumph Over Tragedy Foundation” which exists to help families financially, who have had loved ones that have been in traumatic accidents that have left them either paralyzed or severely impaired. They support the family unit through biblical principles from the initial impact of tragedy or illness to the ongoing circumstances faced in the years to come. Thanks to Bryan White for putting them on my radar. Loyal readers know how I feel about him. IYKYK

This one is also one I found through my love of someone else but is still a really great thing they are doing with their star power. I love Tom Holland as Peter Parker …. He’s exactly who I pictured in my head as I read the comics all those years ago. The super not confident when walking but super confident flying through the air quality of how he portrays that character is something special. I will admit tho my favorite Tom Holland outing to date has been Cherry …. But the Crowded Room is a very close 2nd best at this moment (tho if you log into Apple TV+ for Peter Parker... well just don't). I’ve watched those 3 episodes about 3 times each already and each time I watch I catch something I missed before. The more I learn about this man the more I like about him. 

However, this blog isn’t really about Tom Holland but it kind of is. See his family started The Brother’s Trust as a way to use his "star" power to do some good. They support charities that are doing great work but don’t get a lot of love. They are helping the every day person and doing the best they can and the Brother’s Trust exists to boost them up, give them a platform like no other to allow them to continue to do good works in the world. One such organization is DEBRA a registered UK charity that supports people affected by Epidermolysis Bullosa Also known as EB.

The Brother’s Trust also works with Epidermolysis Bullosa ResearchPartnership which is a USA Based non-profit organization dedicated to funding research to treat and ultimately cure EB. What is EB you may be asking yourself ? Cause that’s what I asked myself the first time I heard about it. It’s basically where the skin doesn’t function as skin. It tears and rips at the slightest touch and often results in large gaping, painful wounds all over the body. This of course also affects the inside that the skin is supposed to protect. It's a pretty debilitating disease and pictures i'm sure don't do it justice but they are also very graphic. Look them up to see but just know that while it's hard to look at, imagine living with it. Especially  when you realize there is no cure for this life limiting and often fatal condition.

However today the focus is going to be on DEBRA, which was established in 1978 by Phyllis Hilton whose daughter, Debra, who suffered from EB. DEBRA is a support group for people living with EB supporting patients, family members, healthcare professionals and researchers as they work to live and fight EB.

Just before The Crowded Room press tour started a fundraiser was established in which Graeme Souness, famous UK football star (soccer for those of us on this side of the pond) is swimming a 21-mile stretch known as the English Channel to raise awareness about EB, raise money for DEBRA, and support those living and fighting EB daily. Tom has mentioned it in several of his interviews and that's how it ended up on my radar. They are over halfway to their goal of over 1,100,000 raised in support of this swim (his jersey number was 11). The more I learn about this charity and EB I can support anyone who is supporting any effort to make the effects of this disease less painful for those living with it and supporting thos watching people living with it.

So I encourage you to learn more about it … donate to the swim if you can and support this effort links are below.

Donate directly to Graeme Souness and Andy Grist swim of the EnglishChannel

Media coverage of the swim     



I hope you like these ..... I am enjoying writing them up cause I always learn something new about the organization I am highlighting so they will continue even if you don't enjoy them. If you know of an organization I should spotlight drop it in the comments below or hit me up on Twitter @beaslma 

If you haven't watched The Crowded Room yet on Apple TV what are you waiting for !? Get on that now. Next episode comes out next Friday! 

Thank you,

Marcy