OUR TRIP TO MONTANA

I always enjoy seeing the piles of hay. 

We did see a lot of yellow trees along the way. 

Flowers for my birthday.

Finley with grandpa.

On October 6th Amber and Dylan got remarried in the courthouse. They had divorced years ago for a very short period of time and then got back together. Since they recently bought the house there are papers that Amber's name needs to be on and she will also be getting on his insurance from the hospital. It was a very special moment for us. What was funny about being at the courthouse is that you 

Celebration dinner.

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE #624

Thank you Joyce.

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1. Do you make an effort to see/hear live music? Last time you went somewhere for the live music? 

No, we really don't make an effort and I can't remember the last time. 

2.According to HGTV the colors of the year for 2026 are mostly decided. Top paint companies declare a color of the year, and decorators will incorporate that into their new year home and room designs. Here's what's on tap in terms of paint trends for 2026 (check out the link here to see photos)

• Sherwin Williams-universal khaki (inspired by heavy canvas and outdoor gear)
• Behr-hidden gem (a confident shade of teal)
• Valspar-warm eucylyptus (a warm sliver tinted green)
• Dutch Boy-melodious ivory (a honey tinted beige)
• Glidden-warm mahogany (a classic brick red)
• Krylon-matte coffee bean
• Clark and Kensington -Hazelnut Crunch (warm reddish-brown)
• Graham and Brown-Divine Damson (cherry red with a subtle violet undertone)
• Dunn and Edwards-midnight garden (the green that works everywhere) 

First question-did you know there were so many different paint manufacturers? Which color on the list most appeals to you in terms of your own decorating style? Do you have plans to do any painting in your home in the coming year, and if so might you choose a color from this list? 

Now, forget painting walls, which color name appeals to you most? 

No, I didn't know there were that many manufacturers. I have to say I don't think I got to the right page. I tried both of your links twice. Anyway, I usually like a yellow or a green. We have no plans to paint. 

3. What's something in your life you have to do-watch-or participate in that's about as exciting as 'watching paint dry'? 

That would be doctor's appointment this week. 

4 . Tuesday, October 14th is/was National Dessert day...did you/will you celebrate? Tell us how? What's your absolute favorite dessert. Yes, just one. I know!! 

No I will not celebrate, however, we will be having some delicious cupcakes that Adam and Gabby are picking up for us. We will be going to their house on Thursday to celebrate James' 7th birthday. We are going out to eat at Benihana's. James enjoys it there. I believe we did that last year for his birthday too. 

(2024)

I personally like cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory.

5. Perhaps today is the day I will _ start to feel better. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We got back from Montana on Thursday last week. I will do a post when I can. Mark has a sore throat and my entire body still hurts. I have two doctor's appointments this week and I pray we find some answers. It's my left leg that is the biggest issue. Would appreciate your prayers. 

I also want to say to you "JOYCE", you write the most beautiful posts. 

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE #622

Thank you Joyce.

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1. What's your favorite fall scent? Would we find this in or around your home right now? 

I went through all of my candles several months ago and took a box of them to Amber when we visited in June. I really like a drizzle melt from Swan Creek Candle Co. called Roasted Espresso. I am also a big fan of Christmas Balsam candles. 

2. October is Country Music Month...are you a fan of country music? Do you have a favorite country artist? Ever been to Nashville? In terms of lifestyle are you more country mouse or city mouse? 

I do like some songs and a few singers, but for some reason I have never been a big fan. I have never been to Nashville. Hard to say, I could be a little of each mouse. 

3. How about 'country cooking'? (loosely defined as rich flavors, familiar foods, large portions, often fried, and often associated with the southern region of the US of A)?  

chicken and dumplings-fried chicken-shrimp and grits-biscuits and gravy-mac and cheese-fried green tomatoes-cornbread-collard or turnip greens-deviled eggs-'barbecue'-gumbo-banana pudding 

Which of the foods listed is your favorite? Any on the list you haven't tried or would say a firm no thank you to if offered? 

I can't really say that we do any country cooking. We both grew up with Bohemian food like pork, dumplings and sauerkraut. 

4. What's something that always has a positive impact on your mood? 

You all know the answer to this one, it is James. We were there on Saturday and I will write a post about my birthday celebration with them. He baked some chocolate chip cookies so he was eating one and they were very good. Not sure if they were made from scratch. 

5. As we say so long to September share a noun, a verb, and an adjective that tells us something about how that month looked for you. 

I have no clue how to answer this. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We left for Montana on Tuesday. This post will show up but I'm not sure I can link it but I will try in the hotel room in the morning. I also will not be around reading posts while I'm gone. Thank you for understanding.

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Also for those of you that do not know this, I posted this on Facebook recently. My MRI of my pelvis, which the doctor had done because of my leg pain, showed a cyst on my ovary and my colon was swollen. So now I have more issues to deal with. I called and set up appointments for when we get back. Like I've said before, this is not my year and I would appreciate your prayers. 

Thank you so much. 

Love, Debby

SOME PHOTOS FROM OUR ROAD TRIP

I have to admit that it is a beautiful drive to Montana. We get on the 15 Freeway here in CA near our house and it takes you all the way to Great Falls, MT. I know where some of these were taken but for now just enjoy them. 

This is called "Our Lady of the Rockies" and it is in Butte, MT. It's never easy to get a picture of it when you are driving. 

A beautiful rock formation.

I always enjoy seeing the haystacks. 

This isn't very far from Amber and Dylan's and it is called The Buffalo Jump. When you stand at the top of it, it looks like it goes on forever. 

Native people stampeded vast herds of bison off this massive semicircular cliff, using them for for food, clothing, shelter and provisions. We went there a few years ago. 

A bridge I always love seeing each year. 

Beautiful countryside. I always enjoy the clouds in the sky. 

I believe this is a section of Arizona that we drive through.

The whole drive is so pretty except for driving through Salt Lake City. It seems to go on forever.

I always enjoy seeing the cattle along the way. 

SOME BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS

AMBER AND DYLAN'S MONTANA HOUSE

I decided not to show the bedrooms, they have 3. You can see the door to one of them, then there is one to the right, a bathroom to the left and some storage closets. 

This is their beautiful kitchen. I am so in love with it. 

Close up of her collections.....

The eating area....

Laundry room and the door out to their 3 car garage. Down the hall from here is a beautiful master bedroom with a beautiful huge bathtub. 

The large family room across from the kitchen. There are doors out to the patio/yard from behind the couch. 

They have plantation shutters throughout the house and this is their backyard which is finally being finished with sprinklers and grass. 

Dylan, Amber, Debby and Mark

Amber and Dylan

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE #583 AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

Thank you Joyce and Happy New Year!

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1. Oxford's Word of the year for 2024 is 'brain rot'. Are you familiar with this term? Do you suffer from the condition? Ha! This is a term used to 'capture concerns about the impact of consuming excessive amounts of low-quality online content, especially on social media'. If you were choosing a word to capture 2024 (for the nation/world, not your own life personally) what word would you choose? 

I really haven't heard it at all. I hope I don't suffer from it. 

TURMOIL   "A state of great disturbance or unrest"

2. It's National Polar Bear Plunge Day (January 1)...will you be participating in one of these events (or even your own)? How will you spend the first day of this brand new year? Do you have a traditional New Year's Day menu? 

No, I have no plans to ever do that. 

I'm not sure how we will spend the 1st day of 2025. 

No we do not have a traditional menu, but I think years ago when we moved to California and ate with my Aunt and Uncle, I believe she did a ham. 

However, Mark and I always stay up and watch the shows on New Year's Eve, eat some snacks and have a glass of champagne at midnight. 

3. What's something that brings you joy and how will you do more of it in this new year? 

You know my answer....spend more time with James, along with Adam and Gabby. We will definitely go to Montana to spend time with Amber and Dylan. Miss them all the time.

4. Do you struggle with the January blues? What's one thing you can/will do to keep them at bay?

I don't think I do other than taking down decorations. However, this year starts out with a lot of doctor's appointments. I pray for a good year of  health and healing.  

5. Will you choose your own personal word of the year for 2025? What about a goal, resolution, or maybe even a bucket list? Elaborate as much or as little as you like. 

I just did....

HEALTHY - This word implies full strength and vigor, as well as freedom from disease. 

I want to work on spending a lot of time with family and decluttering. Praying to get to a family wedding at the end of April in Georgia. I haven't seen my Florida family since before the pandemic.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

GREAT HEALTH AND HAPPINESS TO EACH OF YOU. 

MAY GOD BLESS YOU.

PHOTOS FROM OUR DRIVE TO MONTANA

We hit a rain storm on the way home.

I always love seeing the clouds.

There are always beautiful mountains along the way.

I love the rock formations.

We always see this bridge. 

We went to Giant Springs while we were there.

Mark likes to go there every time we visit. 

I always enjoy seeing the dinosaur at the Sinclair station. 

We don't have any in California. 

We stopped at our favorite Chicago pizza on the way up.

Aurelio's in Las Vegas. 

And on the way home it was White Castle.

Another Chicago favorite in Nevada.