We Had a Lovely Turkey Day - Turkey and a Beloved Movie to Top Things Off

 I hope all of my US readers had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. I had a turkey in the oven for much of the day, and it turned out PERFECT! I was delighted. DH and I are looking forward to the left overs for a few more meals. He spent most of the day in the computer room playing his on-line game, which allowed me to be in the kitchen, undisturbed, playing various solitaire games on my phone while basting the bird every 20 minutes. 

The turkey turned out spectacular. I used my plant-based 
butter to melt, and added an herb mixture to it. It was really 
tasty. I also had my hand-made cranberry sauce. I skipped 
stuffing but I think DH might have made some for himself. 
One thing I did that I hadn't done before, was cut up an 
onion and put it inside the turkey while it cooked. It helped 
keep the meat really beautifully moist. 

After dinner and the dishes were done, he announced he wanted to watch "The Fellowship of the Ring" since we hadn't seen it in quite some time. What a delight, to re-enter Peter Jackson's world of Hobbits, Elves, Men and evil entities. Of course there are things I don't like about the triad, but generally, the first movie, that wonderful visit to Hobbiton, ending with grief in Lorien ... there's nothing much better. It has aged well. 

I always enjoyed the first of the Trilogy the best - 
in the books, as well as in the movies. There's just 
so much of Middle Earth to explore, and it isn't 
all battle, battle and more battle. LOL

I'm trying to get to the swimming pool today. We have the first day of our two-day inventory reduction, after Thanksgiving Day sale today. We changed things up quite a bit for this year's sale. We're not reducing the price on our seed beads at all. I'm sure we'll still sell some of them, but we're focusing on larger beads and Swarovski crystal beads instead. So, we'll see how we do. It's a BOGO, which is also a much larger sale than we've done in the past. I am hoping we'll be super busy. 

I'm not fond of sales, but we do a major sale every Black Friday 
and Small Business Saturday. We changed things up a bit 
this time - no seed beads are included (although we're happy 
to sell some - LOL). We're focusing on larger than seed beads 
for both days of the sale this year. 

DH was busy on our huge ladder yesterday, replacing light bulbs, so hopefully we've got some good lighting around the place today. I'll need to print our our Holiday Hours handouts, and I'm hoping to get some of the sparkling garland up, but if not, I'll get to that tomorrow. It's not that important. I will have to print out a copy of our customer email to remember exactly what's on sale today - LOL.  

Sol I'm off to the pool. Have an excellent Black Friday and I'll be back tomorrow to wrap up the week. Slava Ukraini. 

It's a Blowy and Snowy Wednesday - Winter Has Finally Arrived

So, it's snowing. We got the leaves raked and the patio put away just in time! I'm proud of us (and rather surprised that we managed it). Although originally they had predicted around five inches, I suspect it will be closer to three. Still, I'll have to shovel the driveway soon. I think my grocery store will be running their usual hours, so if I get out there around 7:30 am, I should be fine. There are a few things that I HAVE to get - I'll be running out otherwise - and I need to make a batch of Ogre Juice today for the upcoming week. I won't get Friday off, so everything has to be accomplished today. No chicken for dinner, however, since I have a 14 pound turkey in the refrigerator waiting for Thursday morning. 

I'm thinking about making another batch of sweet 
potato spears. It's such an easy recipe and they're 
so very tasty. 

I'm skipping swimming today because of the snow. We got anywhere from 3"-5" inches overnight, although it really didn't start falling on us until around 2:30 am. It's not bad by any stretch, but I have to get the driveway shoveled. Of course, I forgot to charge the batteries for my automatic shovel, and I'm uncomfortable about using the snow blower (although DH has demonstrated it for me several times). So, I'll have to shovel with my trusty lime green shovel. It's not my first rodeo, but it is my first real snowstorm since my cancer surgery, so I might be exercising muscles that don't get used in my swimming or treadmill days. 

Turkeys are actually pretty easy - they cook themselves while 
we watch football - LOL. It'll just be nice to have a day off 
before jumping into the holidays with both feet. 

Speaking of the treadmill, on Monday it came up with an error code. That was disturbing, but I was too busy at the shop to put any time into it. I was too busy yesterday as well, I'll have to contact them today, though. I unplugged it overnight to see if it might reset on its' own when I restore power later this morning. It sure would be nice if it did. 

I adore my treadmill, but having the virtual scenery is 
essential to my being on it. Otherwise, it's just too 
boring. Right now, however, it's coming up with a computer 
error code. So ... I unplugged it and will check it out again 
today. Just one more thing - LOL. 

So, that's it for me on this snowy Wednesday. I won't actually post tomorrow (except to wish people a Happy Thanksgiving Day). I'll be back on Friday, however, the first day of our two day sale - Black Friday. The e-mailer went out (I'll double-check that a little bit later today), the store is a disaster, but that's because we're working so hard on getting everything ready to clear out next year. We'll manage, but a good holiday season is mandatory, so Friday and Saturday will be crucial. I'm not sure I'll put up garlands, but I don't need to have them up for the weekend, I can do that early in December. DH wants to change ballasts in our overhead lights (something he absolutely HATES to do), so we're both looking at some early morning hours to actually be ready for Christmas. Have a great day and a good Thanksgiving and I'll be back on Friday. Slava Ukraini. 

Winter Will Arrive Today in Style *sigh*

We're under a Winter Storm Watch for the next 24-48 hours. Of course, my luck, those are also pool days, so if it does snow overnight, I'll have to shovel before I leave for the YMCA. Just one more thing on my possibilities list - do this, do that, do the other thing. And, of course, into the mix comes DH and his very uncertain and volatile temper these days. We're both under a lot of pressure. I internalize it, he strikes out verbally. I'm tired of being yelled at for something I didn't do. 

I don't think we've seen a single flake of snow in the Twin 
Cities yet, but we're solidly in the red for a Blizzard Warning 
for the day and into the night. *sigh* Nothing like having 
Winter arrive with a fist of fury. 

The latest is my oldest niece. I had spoken to her about an idea I had for a Family Trust several months ago, but eventually she had decided the role I had requested for her simply didn't work for her. No problem, I withdrew the offer/request. But DH wants her to be in charge of a different Family Trust, and that one is structured very differently. What she would have to do would be minimal and almost just exist on paper. No real effort on her part. She's still uncertain about accepting the role, however, and DH is blowing up at me for having "ruined" it for him. Well, he'll just have to explain, in detail, what she would be expected to do. The funds are being handled by our brokerage, and hands-on would be minimal at most. 

My oldest niece might not accept the position that DH 
would like her to hold after we're dead, but it's totally 
her choice. I don't think DH has explained her role in 
any depth, and it really isn't much. Just overseeing things 
to make sure things are above board and the investment 
firm isn't siphoning off funds under the table. 

But DH got home late last night, and blew up at me for "ruining things with" my niece. Of course, he stayed late at the shop working, and didn't get home until I was ready to go to sleep. Then he wants to "talk" to me about it, which means "yell" at me about it, and I simply said "No. I'm going to sleep. I have to wake up in six hours to get to the YMCA for swimming. I'm not discussing anything right now." And I turned around and did exactly that. He'll be fuming today, I'm sure. It should be an "interesting" day at the shop. 

Catie's Mom had turned down the position of administrator 
for her Dad's estate, tossing that job to DH instead. In fact, 
I don't recall having see my sister-in-law even pass in my 
Father-in-Law's house after he passed. There were a lot of 
bad memories, I guess. Maybe my niece thinks it might be 
somewhat horrid. I suspect it will be rather boring. 

Plus, when we add in the possibility of some potentially serious snow ... well, things are very interesting right now - LOL. Personally ... I really don't like living in "interesting" times. I'm hoping you have a really uninteresting day ahead of you. Interesting is highly overrated. LOL I'll be back tomorrow. Slava Ukraini. 

It Was a Beautiful Weekend and We Got a LOT Done

Sunday was a beautiful day - sunny, no wind. It was on the cool side (some would say cold, but we're in Minnesota - LOL).  DH started the day out working at the shop, so I went over also - I'm the one running the tumbler to get everything shined up, he's going through the inventory, item by item, repricing and retagging. I was going to try to get some computer work done for our After Thanksgiving Day sale days, but I ended up working the tumbler instead. I'll do the sale flyer today. It won't take long. 

Looking South, you see the patio stretching out 
before you. The row of tomatoes and peppers 
that were lining the patio are completely gone, and 
only the wired-in planter remains. That will have 
to stay outside for the season - there's no room left 
in the shed (which you can see on the upper 
left - light brown which lighter framed doors. 
The cantilevered structure in the rear center is the 
woodshed that DH designed and made several 
years ago. It's actually three sections, each 
roofed separately with the center section higher 
than the two sides. The whole roof slants to 
resist rainfall and leaf fall. 

When we got home, DH changed into work clothes and started raking the front yard. He's MUCH better at raking than I am, and had it cleared and stacked at the edges of the ravine quite quickly. Then he moved to the lower back yard, and then the upper back yard. I helped as I could, once I found our second large rake. I knew we had a second one, but it wasn't hanging. Turns out it was in the garden shed - who knew! LOL

Here's the rest of the patio area - the wrought-iron table has 
been put away in the shed, along with the four chairs and 
umbrella. All that remain are bags of soil and those can 
stay outdoors for the winter. We'll probably bring the 
fertilizer into the shed, but not necessarily. You can 
easily see the two lobes of our "castle walls", and the back 
curved wall in this photo, with our beautiful maple centered 
along our fenceline. It's a nice yard and we spend a lot of 
time in it during the warmer months. 

It probably took us 2-3 hours to get everything raked up and the yard bucket filled (which won't be picked up until next Spring, but it's covered and out of the way now). He then started working on the patio - getting everything put away properly into our storage shed. It's rather like a Chinese box puzzle - everything has a space, and everything must go into the shed in order to leave room for the table and chairs, etc. We pulled up the dead plants (mostly tomato varieties for my container garden) and I did bring the small pot of Oregano indoors. It fits fairly well on my over-the-sink shelf. I'll put a label onto it to remind me to water it regularly. 

Black Friday and Small Business Saturday mark the beginning 
of our holiday season. I guess I'll have to grab my staple gun 
and replace the garlands for one final time. *sigh* I really hate 
putting them up and taking them down, but it has to be done. 
I also give up my Sundays to work at the shop. Ick! We're 
only open on Sundays from noon until 4:00 pm for three Sundays 
only, but still ... *sigh*. 

So, it's the beginning of Turkey Week, which ends at midnight on Thanksgiving Day when we jump into our Holiday Sales season. It's NOT my favorite time of the year because it's hectic, and we work a lot of extra hours. I'll be sending an email reminder out to our customers late today, and once again on Thursday. The biggest sale we hold every year are for the Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving, but we still have to decide which Sundays in December we'll be open for limited hours. We rarely get much for sales on those days, but it's important to be open, I think. Have an excellent Monday and I'll be back tomorrow. Slava Ukraini. 

It Was a Week of Accomplishment!

It's finally the end of a very busy and stressful week. I had an excellent fast walk on the treadmill this morning, and have my first cup of herbal tea next to me while I type this. I've started a Xmas Gifts for me list for my DH, leaving in on the refrigerator door in hopes he'll see it. I desperately need a new set of Nike running shoes for my treadmill days, and a set of running shorts for the hotter months would also be beneficial. We'll see if he actually does anything much. His gifts over the years have been getting sparse. 

Today's run went from Venice to Cinque Terre in Italy. There 
were some canyons too. It's one of my favorite runs, except 
for Venice. I'm not very fond of running through cities, even 
if they are as charming as Venice. 

I'm anxiously awaiting the physical court verdict so that I can take that with me and get an updated Driver's License and begin to get a new passport. It's really those two things that spurred the whole issue in the first place. My documentation was not accepted, but with the court order, a lot of things will change - in my favor. As it is, when my driver's license expires next May, I wouldn't be able to renew it. NO BUENO! LOL 

I'm waiting for the paperwork to get a "Real ID" card 
from the state. It's basically a driver's license with a few 
extra parts to it that will allow me to board airplanes, etc. 
Rather important, I suspect, since I plan to travel when 
I'm finally rid of the shop. 

So I'm going into the weekend with a feeling of accomplishment, at least. I found and looked through all of the house documents yesterday, but no problems there. My name is exactly as I have in the court document throughout. I guess things were a bit less strict in the mid 1980's when we bought this place, but I'm very grateful that I won't have any issues with my name as listed on the purchase agreements or the Title of Deed. 

I'll have to start a small "To Do" list. I'm 
not fond of lists in general, but they can be 
helpful when trying to make sure everything 
is completed. My mother ran her life with lists, 
but I tend to run mine with short lists that 
will be current for a day or two only (except 
for the grocery list). 

I'll have to start a list of things to check, however. Things like bank accounts, stock and securities accounts, etc will all have to reflect my proper name. I don't think I'll have any issues with them - most of them are probably already using the name I have now legalized. But, I'm sure there will be something that will crop up as I go through things. Probably something I rarely use, but that still has importance and needs updating. 

Have a great weekend. I'm hoping to get some more of 
the leaves raked up. It'll be the last nice weekend we'll
have, maybe until Spring! 

So, I'm wrapping this up, having breakfast, and heading off to the shop. I hope all of you have a splendid day and a wonderful weekend. I'll be back on Monday morning. Slava Ukraini. 

My Name Is Now Official! Court Was Successful!

Virtual court was very successful, and I won my case. I'm sure it didn't hurt that I had my oldest niece, Catie and Chickie Mama as my witnesses. They've both known me practically forever - LOL. I should be receiving the official judgment in the mail and then I need to get busy getting a bunch of things taken care of - first of which will be an updated Driver's License. I'll have to start a list, though. There are a lot of governmental entities that will need to be contacted to make sure my information is up-to-date and accurate. I might be able to finally get a new passport too! That would be delightful. 

Thank goodness for my days with WildFit during the COVID 
shut down. I got used to using Zoom at that time, and it wasn't 
horribly difficult to get back into it. The lens cover for my camera 
is quite a small slide lever. Getting the video turned on so that 
I could appear on screen was almost the hardest part - LOL. 

DH, of course, was totally grumpy about the whole thing. He's already grousing because we need to check my signature on the deed for the house. It has to have my legal name, and if not, I'll have to arrange to get it revised. I'll check that out this afternoon, I think I know where he has it. I'll also check on hours at the Social Security office to make sure I can be at one of the locations in tine to be one of the first people let through the door for service. 

I will be drowning in documents for a while. I'll need to make 
sure that everything is updated to my legal name ASAP, and 
then I can arrange for other things that may need to be tweaked. 

Anything and everything official will need to be checked. My driver's license is the only thing I know I don't have problems with; my problems with renewing it is what led to this whole thing. I simply didn't have the correct documentation to be able to get a new license and my current license expires on my birthday next year. 

I'm extremely fortunate in my friends - near and far. For 
the court, my oldest niece and my dear friend Claire 
stepped up to the plate for me to be my witnesses. I can't 
thank them enough! 

Claire and Catie - what fabulous friends and relatives. I couldn't be luckier. They've both known me practically forever, Claire since 1993, Catie since I moved up here in the mid-1980's. They were the perfect witnesses. I think the Judge appreciated an easy case for a change - LOL. Now the harder work starts, as soon as I receive the official judgement, I'll need to get it notarized, then I can have a copy for me and a copy for whatever entity I'll need one for. My bank can do that for me without any problem. 

I'm celebrating today. Although I still have a lot that I'll 
have to do, the major roadblock has been removed. 

So ... whew!!! Whoopie!!! Thanks for all of the positive thoughts and prayers - they worked! LOL I'll be back tomorrow to wrap up the week. Slava Ukraini. 

Today is My Virtual Court Day - A Lot is On the Line

Today is my virtual court hearing for my official name change. It's not like I'm changing to something outrageous or even new, I'm trying to get official recognition of the name order I've used for decades. I use my middle name as my first name, and because I have a hyphenated last name, I just drop my original first name completely out of the picture. 

We'll see how this all goes today. I'm hoping it will go 
smoothly, but there are no guarantees. I have my two 
witnesses lined up to state that they have never known 
me as anyone other than who I say I am, but since I didn't 
supply documentation to back everything up, I'm not 100% 
sure things will be resolved today. *sigh*

It's bittersweet, but it has to be done. My first name was my father's choice, and he was a student and aficionado of Greek mythology. I was raised with Greek mythology for my bedtime stories, not Raggedy Ann and other more mundane tales. But Dad chose a minor character for my name, one that rarely appears at all. I'm fine with rare, but this one was too rare. It was like a chain around my ankle, following me wherever I went. I couldn't blend with others because the name always set me apart. 

Although I like my given name, I don't enjoy using 
it. It's mispronounced and misspelled all the time. 
I stopped using it in late 1966 and have never looked back. 

So, when I entered Middle School in a new area of town where no-one knew me, I switched my name. My Home Room teacher, Mrs Brooks - whom I will hold in high respect for my lifetime - asked each of us what name we wanted to be known by and called in the class. I chose my middle name then, and I've never looked back. 

Mom felt that Paul and Pauline would be 
rather like a circus act. She was totally 
against that appearance, so switched to 
her middle name and used that name for 
the rest of her life. 

There is precedence in my family for that, but it was a lot easier in the days past. My mother was Pauline, my Dad was Paul. Mom felt when she married him that having the two names that similar sounded rather like a circus act, so she switched to her middle name, and was known as Eva for the remainder of her long life. So there was family precedence for what I'm trying to accomplish today. 

I'm really hoping today's court hearing will wrap 
things up, that the court will agree with me, and 
that the judge will rule in my favor. Of course, I 
probably won't know until I receive official 
documentation, but I'm hoping that will be soon. I 
need to get a new Driver's License and can't even 
do that until this is resolved. 

Of course, I can't present documents to the court in a remote session. If the judge decides he needs to have the paper trail, I'll have to schedule a second hearing, probably pay another ridiculous fee, and I'll need to arrange for the documents to be received by the Court for the second hearing. I'm really hoping it won't come to that. But there is a possibility that it will be remanded for a later hearing when documentation has been received.  So, I'm heading out to swim off some of my fears and frustration. I hope you have an excellent Thursday and I'll be back tomorrow. Slava Ukraini.