Scads of Beanie Babies!

Finally found the motivation to go through and sort all the Ty Beanie Babies we have, OMG!

I sorted them all, pairing up the duplicates and triplicates, etc..  I then put all the singles into one pile, keeping the ones with tags or the better condition tags and bagged up all the dups, which totaled over 110!

I did the ole Google search for "most valuable Beanie Babies" and then sadly confirmed, like all my lottery tickets, that I have NONE of the desired and rare ones, alas.

I sold the bag of 110, which went fast but not sure what to do with the rest.  Either way I made progress and whittled down the number of plastic bins taking up space to house these fad items of a time gone by...

Hello Up There...

I was being watched on my walk the other day!  This hawk wasn't bothered by me in the slightest and except for an occasional glance, this dude had other things on his mind.

Seems like there are more and more hawks around these last couple of years.  Hoping, like the Bald Eagle, which have also been spotted here in our town of Franklin, they're making a come back. We sure could use the help controlling the scads of chipmunks, grey squirrels and rabbits, that seem to also be thirving...  

The Gavel, Yum!

Emilie and I went to The Gavel Public House restaurant, located in Wrentham, one last time before she headed back to college.  It has become our favorite place to go when we have the munchies! All the food I've had so far has been delicious, especially the nachos, which are Emilie's favorite!

I Cannot...

 

A Reminder of Times Gone By

As I mentioned in previous posts, I've been going through some of my old stuff, as well as my folks old stuff in an effort to make sense of what's what and to make some headway in cleaning and clearing things up.

I enjoy the process, which always brings back such fond and wonderful memories.  I cherish each and every one of the memories as they come back to me with smiles and tears.

Here are some of the signatures on cards and letters from loved ones no longer with us - 

Homemade Hamburger Helper

I made, what we call, hamburger helper the other night.  It's nothing fancy and not complicated but it's delicious and hits the spot.  Brings back some nice memories of not too long ago.

I used ground chicken versus the beef we'd use in the past.  I also used a quart of my home grown tomatoes that were canned last year.  The fresh canned tomatoes is the key and really what makes this dish so appealing and SO darn good!  I got three meals out of it and enjoyed each and every one, down to the last drop on each plate, literally!

I'm actually enjoying planning my meals, figuring out what I need at the market and spending the time in the kitchen preparing.  I'm far from perfect but getting better with each meal.

Deer It's Cold Outside

I spotted four deer in the backyard a couple afternoons ago. First time in quite a while I've: a-seen the deer period, especially during the day and b-more than one!  I've seen one here and there at night, when I let Trixie out to do her business and I've seen their tracks in the few snow falls we've had but only one or two.  Seeing the four was nice, especially with how cold and frigged the temps and wind chills have been.  Looked like two adult does and their young'ns.

Happy Birthday Uncle Joe

As a general rule of mine, I don't typically post pictures of myself or of family or of friends.

Today, I am making an exception and it's with a heavy heart that I do.

This is a late 70's, early 80's throwback picture of me and my Uncle Joe in Tennessee.  I have SO many great memories of my uncle, of time spent just he and I, as well as time spent with our families.  Whether out fishing, gigging frogs, driving back roads off the beaten path, finding good eats or just tagging along when he had errands or side jobs, I was always my happiest.  I wish I could go back in time and relive some of these adventures.

Sadly, Uncle Joe passed August 4, 2021, a very sad day.  My uncle remains and lives in my thoughts and memories and they always bring a smile to my face and pull me out of my funk.

It's his birthday today and I want to wish him a BIG happy birthday!

I miss you Uncle Joe...

Last Of My Eggs

Alas, I cooked my last two eggs this morning from the chickens I used to have.  Sadly too I bought my first dozen eggs at the market last week.  It's been over a year since I had to buy eggs.

I did savor and enjoy every bite.

One Day

Throwback Picture

Here's a throwback picture of Sasha, our dog we had growing up back in the 80's.  We got her as a wee puppy from the Canton dog pound.  She turned out to be the best dog we ever had.

Old Boston Globe Clippings

I came across some more of my dad's paperwork yesterday and spent some time going through it.

Here are several Boston Globe clippings he had saved from years ago.

Truth be told, I wish I had more boxes of my dads stuff to go through.  The process brings back some great memories and keeps my connection to him alive.  I miss him and sure could use his wisdom and advice right about now.

The Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI)

Join the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), I did!

Get started today https://bddy.me/3zHVIDW

Scored 4 Rapid Test Kits!

FINALLY!

I was able to score (4) rapid covid tests yesterday.

Emilie and I have been looking for these for over a week now.  We've tried numerous local pharmacies this past week and they were all sold out each and every time.

Just happened to be checking out Facebook and there was a posting stating the Walgreens in Medway had boxes of them, so off I went as fast I could.  I was surprised to see there were oodles of test kits available AND no limits, so I grabbed four.

Making Chili, Take One!

Following my walk I finally tackled my maiden try at making chili in my slow cooker.

I had purchased all the necessary ingredients weeks ago but wanted to wait until we found ourselves in a cold spell, and here we are!

It's not rock science, so I really can't epically fail at this but the proof will be in the taste later this afternoon.  I'm already looking forward to my dinner! 

Sure does smell good, if that's a good sign!

A Brisk Walk This AM!

Even though we got over 12" of snow yesterday, I still headed out this morning for my 2+ mile walk.  I was on the fence about it, thinking I would have to trudge through the snow covered sidewalks, but I was completely SHOCKED to see when I opened my shades that the town had plowed the sidewalks all the way up to the school!  I took that as a sign and off I went!  It was slippery in spots, as it was only about 16 degrees out when I departed, but was careful and made it back without any incidents.

A Powerful Image of Grief

First Snow of 2022

Here are several pictures of our first snow storm of the season and year!

Here in Franklin, we got about 12"!  

It was a quick moving storm, so fortunately it didn't linger.  Also, the 12" is fluffy light snow, so not too bad for the first of the year.

Always so peaceful and calm before all the mutants stir and venture out to ruin it all...

Positive!

So, this happened!  Last Saturday Emilie tested positive for Covid using a rapid take home test, UGH!  She had been sick on and off for a month or so but had been testing regularly, all negative, but not last Saturday.  She was congested, had a cough, sore throat and was tired.  Thankfully, nothing too serious.  Almost a week later and she's feeling better!

We've been looking high and low for another home rapid test but they're no where to be found.  When the local pharmacies get them in, they don't last long at all, as everyone is hunting for them too.

A bummer for sure, especially since this is her Winter break, but thankful she's on the mend.

Quack Quack

Every day since May 18, with a couple exceptions, I've walked 2+ miles down to the grade school and back.  Along the walk is a series of wetlands that run along both sides, and under, the road and yesterday was the first and only day in all my walks that I've seen ducks.  It's not the greatest pic but there are two pair of Mallards there.  Not sure why they're not there more often, perhaps they know something I don't but certainly nice to see them.  Brings back fond memories of growing up on Burgess Ave, which abutted wetlands, and we'd always see Mallards visiting.

Happy New Year 2022

Wishing my family and friends a happy and healthy 2022!