Sentimental Journey

 So, I could have Slept In since Princess T doesn't Work on Mondays, but, Amber called at 7:00 a.m. to ask if she could drop a Dozen Tamales off for us on her way to Work.  *Le Sigh*   Whaddya gonna do or say, Right?  She'd come over Yesterday to tend to their Kitten that we're still Pet Sitting until they can find a Home for her, and she'd forgotten said Tamales she said her Boyfriend Santos' Mom had made too many of, and would we like a Dozen of them?   I've never had Tamales from her Boyfriend's Family, but I said sure, I'll never turn down Christmas Homemade Tamales as a Gift.  *LOL*  But, being Woke Up too Early, on a Rare Day we could Sleep In, sucked too.  Even with someone bearing Gifts of a Dozen Homemade Tamales.  *LOL*

She doesn't like her Boyfriend's Family very much, but she lives with them and so she's more critical of them than someone mebbe more objective.  His Mom would be the proverbial MIL from Hell I guess.  *LOL*  So, her critique about the Woman's homemade Tamales versus her Family's might be unduly harsh and highly biased?  *LMAO*  However, that said, Amber's Family do make some of the best Tamales I've ever had, so I'd see how they'd be critical of anyone else's.  *Smiles*   I'm sure Santos' Mom makes a decent Tamale, she's an Immigrant from Mexico and I've never had a bad Tamale made by a Mexican National whose using an Old Family Recipe for them, just sayin'.  So, she just dropped a Dozen off by 7:30 a.m..

Amber's Critique of Santos' Mom's Tamales was accurate so I concur.  They were just Okay.  Not much of the Beef filling and hardly Spiced, so rather bland flavor, too much Masa to filling ratio, the Masa wasn't moist and rather dense.  The Man will like them a lot, I only had the One and I probably won't have any of the others coz I threw most of the Masa away and the Meat was minuscule so I was still hungry.  *LOL*  Ah, well, it was generous for Santos' Mom to Labor in Love to make them for the Holidays and give them to Family and Friends.   I could see Why Amber's Family were Polite in accepting what she gave to them but quickly asked everyone else if they'd like to have them instead.  *Smiles*

I've re-written not only the Post but the Title several times now.  A lot of what I wrote felt good to Write but not Publish, irrelevant really.   Princess T had been a Diva this Morning but Chilled Out by late Morning.  It was her Day Off but she didn't wanna leave her Room and only wanted me to make a Run for Popeye's Chicken for her and I.  Luckily the rest of the Family didn't expect her to Treat everyone and The Son was still at Work.  The Daughter had invited too many Friends over and it had aggravated Princess T.  Coz she just wanted them all to go Home and not overstay their Welcome... which, some tend to do.  *LOL*   I had to remind The Daughter that they need to visit a little while, then Leave.  *Winks*

I don't mind extended basic Hospitality, but, these are not MY Friends and so since it's MY House, and it's already filled with 3 Generations of Family... I don't need a lot of Spare folk hanging around all the time.  Especially those who stay over without asking The Man or I if it's Okay.  The Man said he doesn't wanna wake up and see someone in the Kitchen cooking Breakfast and he doesn't even know who the Hell they are coz they're Friends of an Adult Child and he's not even had a proper introduction!  *LOL*  The Son and Princess T are good about their Friends visits being appropriate, The Daughter tends to allow people to overstay a Welcome and take advantage of her Hospitality.

Princess T said her Brother sent her Pixs of his Rainbow Jesus, which she knew had once been the White Statuary we'd always had when they were growing up and I'd given it to him before they left for New Mexico.  She didn't know how to respond coz she didn't know what he wanted her to say?  I just told her to put a Thumbs Up Emoji then, so as not to hurt his Feelings by not responding or saying something he might not receive as validating his Artistic Aesthetic.  She's very Artistic too, so realizes all Art is highly Subjective... either you like it or you don't. 

 The Son and I have been binge watching a NetFlix Series called "The Madness".  Tho' it began intriguing, and a decent Thriller, nearing it's end, like a lot of short Series, they seem in a hurry to wrap it up and it's deteriorating and less believable, to the point it's becoming stupid and Comedic to us.   Don't particularly like the Lead Actor, Colman Domingo, his range of facial expression seems to be a One Trick Pony of gaping Mouth open a lot, regardless of Emotion he's trying to evoke.  *LOL*  The Son is like, does the Dude have COPD and can't catch his Breath or something?  Then we began to count how often he has the stupid looking gaping Mouth expression, after I had said it was irritating me like Laura Dern's lack of Acting range in Expression did in "Jurassic Park".  *LOL*

The Son and I have similar Gallow's Humor, so now we're laughing so hard about what should be Thrilling about the Conspiracy Plot.  And we found it even more hilarious that Deon Cole's role was good and seriously Acted, and he's the actual Comedian by Trade!  AND, even more hilarious, there was an Older Actor, Stephen McKinley Henderson, who looked like a Black Colonel Sanders in this!!!!!   Which had us rolling coz I thought so right away, but didn't say it out loud... and then The Son says, "Is that Colonel Sander's Mulatto Half Brother?!"   So, I knew then I wasn't imagining the stark similarities in his looking like a slightly Darker Colonel Sanders!!! *Bwahahaha*   We have only 1.5 Episodes left, I Hope the Ending isn't totally Moronic?  The glaring Writing flaws of some Characters are just so bad now I just Hope they don't get even worse?!  *LOL*

We're yelling much too often, "NOOOO Muncie, don't do it!", LMAOROTF... coz the Main Character's lack of Street Smarts and Common Sense for an alleged Journalist, his Character is meant to be, is just Eye Roll worthy and I think the Acting is marginal, even tho' Critics Praised the Performance.  WTF, did only Friends and Super Fans of the Actor Critique it?!   And if they don't have the Stupidest version of an FBI Agent in Actor John Ortiz' Role as Agent Quinones, it's embarrassing and totally unbelievable, so much so it's Comedic.   It's really failing to Deliver overall, the Plot really is struggling and needed far tighter Writing IMO.  But, for a Made For TV Series, I've seen far worse.  Alas, a lot of the Series start Strong and get Weak or downright unwatchable as they go, so, I'm not Surprised either and Why I've not finished so many after starting to watch them and totally losing Interest and not wanting to Waste any more of my Time.

 This is my Mom during the Years they Lived in France and Dad was Stationed there when France still had American Military Bases in the 1950's.  Funny Story, that Car was so Slow and a Hooptie they could only afford on an A1C Salary and were so Proud to Own, that my Dad said French People on Bikes going Uphill could pass them by and did!!!  *LOL*   I can just picture my Young Parents, feeling like they had so much Swagger in their first Car, and then having a French Bicyclist pass them and wave, tipping his Chapeau, as he sped past them on his Bike, going UPHILL, how humiliating!!!  *LMAOROTF*  

 By comparison, my First Car was a 1971 Maverick Grabber with a 302 V8, that Baby could move without any modifications and could max out at 210.  *Smiles*  This is not mine pictured, but exactly like it.   And tho' I preferred Mustangs, and my Brother used to Restore and Customize Mustangs for Resale, in the Arizona Desert Heat, the Grabber had a bigger Radiator, so wouldn't overheat as often as a Mustang.

After that I got a 1973 Mustang Mach 1 exactly like the one pictured above, also not mine.  I never Photographed my Cars back then, imagine that!   I remember on the Mach 1 Wheels I had 100-Spoke Chrome Custom Rims, tho' they looked Swag, what a Bitch to keep Clean and Shiny!!!  And my Boyfriend at the time was a Pro Race Car Driver, he was a Crazy Italian American, and had a Shelby Mustang that could blow the Doors off a Porche.   It was Gunmetal Grey and I remember part of the Engine was in the damned Front Seat, he'd taken the whole back Seat out and had a Rollbar mounted in the Interior where the Back Seat had been!!!  Crazy Motherfucker he was!  He had an Identical Twin Brother, but after a Bad Accident while Professionally Racing, had to have massive facial Surgery reconstruction and now he and his Identical Twin no longer looked alike!!!

He also worked at Max of Switzerland in Scottsdale as a Mechanic on high end Cars like Rolls Royce and such, Max's was a Luxury Car Import Dealership.   I heard he eventually moved to Cali and owned his own Auto Repair Business.  I'm Surprised if he's still alive given his habits and lifestyle tho', it was too much in the Fast Lane for Yours Truly, so, we parted ways.   There were certain Scenes in the 70's especially that I didn't want to be in the Orbit of... tho' I did know some folk in that Orbit or Worked with them Professionally, but Personally, Nope.  That's also Why I try never to get so Old I forget what it was like to be Young.  A wayward or Fast Youth can give you some Stories to Tell, but only if you Live long enuf to Tell them.  *Winks*

I'm strategizing how to keep in Survival Mode should the Country go to Shit and Chaos reigns after the Transfer of Power occurs in early January.   I'm trying not to overthink how bad it can get, but after seeing what transpired in South Korea when their Democracy was seriously Threatened, well, you just never know how the masses will react?

 

   Above is The Daughter with her Retired American Pilot Friend Mark, who lives part time in Mexico and part time in Cali.   She made many American Ex-Pat Friends while living in Mexico and helped most of them out with looking after their 2nd Homes when they were in America.  Cleaning, shopping for and cooking for the Elderly Men, doing Caregiving Duties for those who lived Alone and didn't always speak Spanish as fluently as she did.   She did the same for a lot of Wealthy Mexican Nationals too.  All her Friends and Clients Adore her and speak highly of her, they are Amused and Entertained by how Loca she is and how transparent she is about her extent of Disability and not the least bit ashamed of having SMI.  As it should be, if Society weren't so Biased and openly Prejudiced about Mental Illness.  There should be NO Shame associated with any Illness IMO.

  Above is The Daughter's closest Friend in Mexico, he jokingly calls me his Mother-In-Law and I jokingly call him my Son-In-Law.   He is Ride or Die with The Daughter and jokes with her Dad and I that if we get Tired of her, just send her back.  *LMAOROTF*   One of his Younger Brothers lives in Cali and The Daughter has often gone to visit his Relatives on this side of the Border as well.  They're another Family that own Properties and Work in both Countries.   Most of the Americans and Mexican Nationals that are The Daughter's good Friends have Property in both Countries and spend time in each.  I've thought about it too, I wouldn't mind Buying a Home on the Beach in Mexico in an area that has a lot of American Ex-Pats, so is like Home away from Home with a nice blend of Americans and Locals.

   Above is a recent pix of my Godson, Gabriel with his Mama, whose one of my BFF's Daughters and grew up with our Kiddos.  They are more like Cousins than Friends and their Mom is like a Sister to me, so most people actually Believe we are related by Blood and not just by Chance.    We've been thru a LOT of La Vida Loca together, their Family and ours.  *LOL*  I remember when Amelia was giving Birth to Gabriel her Mom was to be the Birth Coach and asked me to Deliver some Chinese Food to them at the Hospital during Amelia's long Labor.  I ended up Helping DELIVER the Baby too, coz my Friend couldn't do it!  She'd had 5 Kids... couldn't handle the Birth of her First Grandchild, it was Funny, she almost Fainted.  *Smiles*  Having Worked at the DA's Office for Years, and seeing all I have seen, seeing a Birth isn't a Big Deal.   And, I watched Two of my own Grandchildren's Birth and assisted.

Above is her Daughter and mine now, Amelia is slightly Older than The Daughter, they've been Friends since Childhood.   And they were quite the Prodigal Child Duo back when we all Lived in Da Hood of the Old Barrio.   But now, Amelia is a high end Attorney for the Government, very Intelligent Young Woman and put herself thru Law School, after having Grown Up rough in The Projects, we're very Proud of her.

Her Mom now {above}... whose been my Bestie now for many Moons and is more like a Sister to me than a Friend.  I miss that they no longer live in Arizona.   She lives with her Youngest Daughter in Texas now {Photo of that Daughter is Below}, the other lives in Florida and she has an Oldest Daughter that lives in D.C. and Works for the CIA.   I watched all but her Oldest Daughter Grow Up, that Daughter stayed in New York with an Aunt who lives in The Hamptons.

 

Anyway, I Miss their Family a lot, but they like living in the States they've moved to and have nice Homes there.  It's more affordable than Arizona and her Kid's Work have taken them to where they're at too.  You gotta go where your Company sends you in some Career Fields.  My Friend has Lived with each of her Daughters for Years becoz they are her Caregivers and she's helped each of them with the Grandkids too.  One has Four Kids and the other has Three, and my Friend J'Adores her Grandbabies and only One of hers is Grown now, whereas damned near all of ours are Grown now.

The Daughter has been Organizing a lot of my Photos, so we've had some Nostalgic Trips down Photo Memory Lane and it's got me Feeling all Nostalgic and on a Sentimental Journey now.  *Smiles*  Hence, over Sharing of Family and Friends, who are like Family, in this particular Post.  *LOL*   I dunno, you get Older and it seems you get all the more Nostalgic and more Sentimental... or mebbe that's just me?  

  

Above is a Pix of Princess T's Dad, he's only slightly Younger than my Younger Brother and a lot Older than The Daughter, he's always looked a LOT Younger than he is tho'.  I don't have many Pixs of him.   Usually only the ones the Grandkids in Mexico now Share with us.  I don't know Why, but in all the Years he and The Daughter were Together, I just didn't take a lot of Pixs of him... or mebbe he eluded being Photographed... a lot of folks don't like being in front of the Lens.  I have Friends like that who act like you're aiming a fucking Gun at them instead of a Camera!   *LMAO*  I respectfully do not Photograph someone who doesn't give me permission to and loses their shit about being Photographed.   I do like to mess with them and ask if it's becoz they're in the Witness Protection Program or something?  *Bwahaha*

 Above, a Blast From the Past of The Young Prince with his Dad and Paternal Grandpa.   I've never met Bobby's Paternal side, I'm only Friends with his Mom and Youngest Sister.   I met the Older Sister once at a Party, most of his extended Family live in Cali and The Young Prince used to visit them there with his Aunt, the Youngest Sister.   He's still pretty close to his Paternal side and they've been very involved in his life, unlike Princess T's Paternal side, who haven't been.   So, Bobby's Family have always included her as if she's Biologically connected too, and bought her Gifts anytime they bought her Brother any, which I always appreciated. 

One of the Granddaughters in Mexico just sent me a Pix of their Dearly Departed Abuelita, Saint Maria, with one of her Nephews, that I can give to Princess T.   She got to meet Saint Maria a few times when Maria would visit Arizona to see Family, she has a lot of Family who Legally live in America, Own Homes here and also Own Homes in Mexico.   So the whole Family Travel back and forth a lot.   But Saint Maria is the only one who kept in touch and ensured Princess T has some contact with her Younger Sisters that her other Grandmother was Raising.  Now that the Old Lady is Gone, I'm glad the Three Girls are now Old enuf to keep in touch themselves with us, and they do.  We often have Video Chats with The Daughter Translating, they are Shy about Face Time with us becoz of the Language Barrier making them self-conscious.

    And now enuf of Family Time with Dawn.  *Bwahahahahaha*  Above is some Christmas Stockings Created out of Old European Grain and Feed Sac Materials, mostly German ones.  I'd of liked to have found the Manufacturer of them and Bought one, but it was just a Pinterest Fav I put into Holiday Photo Archives for Inspiration.

It's not that you can't find them For Sale Online at Sites like Mercari and Etsy, but, I don't like using those Sites and haven't had the best Buyer Experiences when I have.   Plus, I Eyeball Pixs and some look Suspect to me for Authenticity of the Product being actual Vintage European Grain Sack Material they're made of.  Some look quite legit, other's don't to me and I wouldn't risk paying what they're asking and get it Wrong.  I won't put on Blast that which I personally think is Suspect, since, I could be Wrong about my Suspicions.  Let us just say One of the Trio I looked up Online and have Shared, isn't convincing me it's an Authentic made of actual Vintage European Grain Sack Material.  There's so many repops out there giving The Look but aren't The Real Deal.  *Winks*

 

I have an Obsession with Vintage and Antique Fabrics and Trims... and have done Fabric Art for Decades.   So, I don't Deal with Reproductions, don't need to, prefer Owning The Real Deal even if it's Fabric Art.   It is becoming harder to Source whatever Trended and became more Mainstream tho'.  I like when it falls back out of Favor and Popularity, so that I can Buy it at reasonable Price Points again.  *Smiles*  I Sold Off a lot of my Christmas Stocking OOAK Collection over several Christmases.  I have Kept some made of Vintage European Grain Sack and Old Quilt Materials tho'.  I'd be loathe to part with them and was Surprised how many Cross Stitched elaborate Stockings I was willing to Sell Off over the Years that I'd Owned for many Moons.  I just wasn't Displaying them much anymore so felt it a shame to just have them Stored away Unseen and Unused.  They Sold well and quickly, becoz you just don't see them anymore.  Craft Stores used to have completed Samples of Kits that you'd Buy unmade.

Well, when a lot of those Craft Stores rotated out their Seasonal Merch or run out of a specific Kit, they'd then Sell Off the Completed Sample Stocking and I'd always Buy them.  They were never Cheap, but a lot of Handwork had gone into the making of them and I never personally ever finished a whole Cross Stitch Stocking from a Kit, only Ornaments.  *LOL*   They are a Labor of Love if you ever receive one from someone who Cared enuf about you to make one for you.   Suffice to say the Christmas Stocking with Teddy Bears around a Christmas Tree that I bought as a Kit for The Daughter the Year she was Born, was still unfinished by the time her Kids were Born!   And I finally gave up working on it and gave it to a German Immigrant Friend, Bridgitte, who did a lot of that kind of thing as a pleasurable Hobby.   I'm sure she finished it in no time. *LOL* 

I'm not one to get immersed now in lengthy Craft or Art Projects, it isn't Zen to me if I doubt I can finish what I've begun.  *LOL*   I just finished picking up the Popeyes Chicken, Princess T bought me a Meal but The Man had already eaten my leftover Meatloaf I'd given him from our Diner Meal.  He Loves that and I just wasn't feelin' it so I gave it to him, it was a lot of Meatloaf and I'm not a big Carnivore anymore.   The Daughter had gone to the DMV with Steven to get an ID Card and found out she can qualify for an exchange Phone from the State to replace her broken one... we pick it up Tomorrow, she provided all the most current paperwork they required to prove she still Qualifies.   We will be picking the New Phone up at DES this Morning now.  We're also Hopeful she Qualifies for some Nutritional Assistance again?  It only goes for 3 Month increments now per Year... as if they only need to Eat for 3 Months out of 12.  *Eye Roll*

But, I'm not EVEN gonna take a Deep Dive into flaws in the Current System, since, I'm positive it's gonna get much, much worse after the Transfer of Power in January!   The most marginalized and vulnerable of Society are gonna suffer most under The New American Nazi Party's changes and dismantling of Systems and Safety Nets for Americans at most Risk.   Thus deemed Undesirables by that Administration and their Supporters, where Cruelty and Hatred seems to be The Point and Driving Motivation, they've already Promised us that and I take them at their Word.  

 

 

And I find it VERY Interesting that on TV Interviews, their Side says the rest of us should stop "Fearmongering" when we merely repeat the exact Words their Side has Said Out Loud themselves!   Why is it they say it's "Fearmongering" if it's just direct Quotes, backed up by Visual and Verbal Evidence that it's THEM that said it, we didn't Say it and we're not making this shit up to try to Scare anyone, we're just taking them at their Word!   Shouldn't we be taking them at their Word, are they not Men and Women of their Word?  Which is it?  You can't have it both ways!   And be Talking out both sides of your Mouth... without it being something to Question and hold you Accountable to now.  *Winks*  Either you expect us all to take you Seriously, or... you don't... which is it?   And if you're not Serious, Why Say what was said?  It doesn't Square.  It's clearly what got you Elected and your Base/Voters want!

  If it's not Fearful, or anything anyone should be Afraid of, then why would their own side now call it Fearmongering when it's repeated?  Especially when they're asked to offer the rest of us some explanations and Why they Support and want to Implement such things?   I'm rather Sick of the Sycophant Dance they all do, being the wishy-washy Cowards they clearly are, Kissing The Ring and his Ass, but then trying to do a Bojangles when Interviewed about what they know is not good PR for them aligning too hard with it all, coz they full well know it's damaging, abhorrent and dangerous to the Nation.   They know these Cabinet Picks are a demented Clown Car filled with accused Sex Offenders, Grifters, the Criminally inclined, the Incompetent, Inexperienced and Unhinged.  I do Wish a Journalist would ask THOSE Questions and DEMAND Answers, I fucking would Call them Out on it and really hold their Feet to the Fire 'til they burst into Flames!   *Winks* 

 

They let 'em off too easy and only lightly Interrogate them and let them shun going on The Record... as they Tap Dance around actually Answering the Hard Questions and give Vague Non-Committal responses so they don't become Partisan Pariahs of their Side's vengeance and retribution Tour.  Coz they know the Lists are being Drafted of who to go after and they sure as Hell don't wanna be on THAT List, tho' they'd be loathe to admit there is a List and that it's totally immoral and illegal to even have one in a functional Democracy.   We're clearly going back to J. Edgar Hoover Days of how the FBI is sure to be Transformed under Kash Patel.  Mebbe his Freak Flag flies as high as ole' J. Edgar, who knows?  *Winks*   Let's dig to find some spilled Tea on ole Kash... might be salacious and juicy, don'tcha think?  I do.  Not many in DonOld's Circle that don't have a sketchy past and present.

The Daughter just had the Sweet Lady drop off her New Free Phone at our House as a Courtesy, knowing she didn't have her own transportation.  That was so Kind of her to do.  She seemed like a very compassionate Woman who truly enjoys helping people and meeting them at their point of Need.  She gave The Daughter a big Hug, I appreciated her doing that for us, it helped me out.  As it is we had to cancel The Daughter's Doc Appointment again that was Scheduled for this Afternoon, she's too anxious to go and didn't get her Lab Work done either a Week ago for it.  She just doesn't want Bad News and often gets Paranoid about Doctors, so I never force her to go when she becomes agitated about an Appointment and it seems to be overwhelming to her.

   

Half the time she won't and doesn't take any Meds they give her, suspicious of what it is.   Paranoid Schizophrenia makes for a very distrustful State of Mind about so many things and you really can't and shouldn't argue with them about any psychosis they're having that is very Real to them.   You would become part of the imagined Conspiracy against or after them otherwise.   I just told her if she doesn't have a Peace yet about going, just make sure she cancels in Time.  And I'm helping her to make those Calls on her own too, to assist her in some semi-independent living.  I am not gonna be an Immortal, so it's important, I won't always be here for all of them and The World won't Care and can't be Counted on to Look Out for them either.

So, she's excited to have a functional Phone again... so am I.  There's a Fire in a Subdivision near us so Emergency Vehicles have been streaming by and a huge plume of Smoke rising so close by that the Lady who dropped off the Phone thought the Fire was in our Neighborhood!   Not good, the Subdivisions around us are much newer Residential than our Mini Farms, and nice expensive Homes with Spanish Tile Roofs and Manmade Lakes in their Subdivisions.  Before Buying the McManse, we had an Offer in on a Short Sale of a huge McManse on the Lake in the Subdivision directly to the West of ours.  I called it The Lake House and we were the Backup Offer on it, I really wanted it but after Months had given up on getting it.  Wouldn't ya know only HOURS after Signing the Paperwork for Villa Boheme' we got a Call from the Bank that the Buyer ahead of us couldn't perform so that Sale fell thru and we could have the House, we were Pre-Approved and could have Closed Quickly!   Fuuuuck!

That Lake House was even bigger than Villa Boheme', and Two Stories, with Huge Balcony outside the Upstairs Master, facing the Lake.  So a ridiculous sized Home, and had a Fireplace and Wet Sauna in the Master Bathroom!!!  The Custom Walk-In Closet was actually a whole Room and had Cherrywood Built In Cabinetry and was like a Celebrity Closet you see on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.   It had a full MIL Suite Apartment with Private Access and was the biggest Lot on Garden Lakes Subdivision on one of the Big Lakes!  It came with a Pontoon Boat, had a big Pool and outdoor Jacuzzi, Fireplace in the Den too.   I could have Bought it for only $345,000 at the time and now it's worth over $800,000, so, would have been more of an Investment Vehicle.  I don't know if we would have stayed had we gotten that one... perhaps we would have, same School System we now have since that Home is Walking distance from this one actually.

Their HOA Maintains all Front Yards so no harassment about Maintenance since it's included.  Tho' I do prefer NOT having an HOA and it's Monthly Fees.  I like our Mini Farm a LOT, but feel pretty sure I might have been reluctant to Sell that Lake Home had we ended up with it.  I still have Pixs of it and tho' this Home has more Modernized Upgrades, since it was Remodeled less than a Decade ago now, even tho' it was built about 30 Years earlier, each could have been easily a Forever Home for us.   I take Comfort in knowing everything is as it Should Be so it all Played Out satisfactorily in The End.   Lots of Properties we didn't Buy would have been Idyllic, each in their own way, had Sellers been able to Perform, which always ended up being the problem.  We weren't and were Pre-Approved to Close quickly on anything we chose and could be Sold to us without problems regarding the Sellers.

I remember our Realtor, whose also a Good Friend, was Amazed I always found such great Properties, I'm very thorough when I Research anything.  I don't leave a Big Investment up to Chance or someone else finding for me.   So, all our Realtor had to do was arrange a Showing and Seal the Deal with the Sellers for us.   Germaine said so many people would like to Buy this Home so IF I ever changed my Mind... which I won't... but... *LMAO*

And, if you're looking for an exceptional Realtor to Buy from Locally, I'd highly recommend my Friend, his FB PAGE has some of his current Listings so I've Linked ya.   He's got one Listing with a Black Kitchen I'm Lusting after.  Not a lot of Black Cabinetry available when we were choosing our Forever Home, but, now it's Trending and tho' I do Love my White Kitchen and Fabulous Granite Countertops, I do still sometimes Lust after a Black Cabinet Kitchen.   If we do build a Bunkhouse on the Property I'm gonna do a Contemporary Black Cabinet Kitchen with the same Countertops we currently have, since, they're still my Favorite type of Granite.   So, anyway, if you hit Germaine up, tell him I sent ya and you're a Blog Friend.  He won't do ya Wrong my Friends.  *Winks*

Well, seems South Korea is now in total Chaos and Martial Law... Not Good.  On the Turn of a Dime that could be us too come January, and that's not hyperbole.   The World is unraveling quickly and Poor Leadership being installed is mostly to blame.   When you Elect Poor Leaders, expect Chaos and things to go badly fast.   Sadly, so many Voters aren't Voting with reliable information from Sources that are trustworthy.  They run with low information and don't do their due diligence about who they're even Voting for or what they're Supporting.   Do you know how many Adults I've had to explain simple Definitions to of such Words as Fascism, Theocracy and Authoritarianism, they don't even know what THAT IS!  Which is just Mind Blowing to me when they're Supporting someone with that Ideology and Intent!  And when they are told the Definition of what it is, they're like, oh no, I wouldn't want THAT!  Really, well, ya fucking Voted for it!

Sure, some are fully Aware of what they're doing and Supporting or having their Wet Dream Fantasies about.  So they shouldn't be the least bit Shocked when it goes the way it will, they're getting exactly what they think they wanted and asked for, and so thus DESERVE.  Anyway, shit's hitting the Fan Globally and unraveling quickly, so, 2025 should be quite Interesting from The Jump.   I'm glad my Family has been preparing for the Worst while Hoping for the Best.  Princess T said Timmy is taking on a 2nd Job coz Home Depot is not paying that well nor giving him consistent Full Time Hours.  So, he went back to Work at SUBWAY too, they had been wanting him back and will work his Schedule around his other Job now he's agreed to come back on those Terms.  He was Co-Managing that location when he left and is a good little Young Worker, very Mature and Responsible for his Age.  But it's a damned Shame when anyone has to Work 2 Jobs to make the ends meet and even then sometimes it's not enough!

 

He helps his Grandparents, who Raised him, out a lot now he's Grown.  They're Raising his Two Young Female Cousins who became Orphaned when their Dad, his Uncle, got Murdered.   His Grandparents juggle their Careers, they're both too Young to Retire yet, with Raising a 2nd Generation for the past 19+ Years now.   The Two Cousins are Grade School Age, so they've still got Years of Raising Grandkids ahead of them still, well beyond actual Retirement.   So, they still got a house full of Kids too.  Not the Retirement Plan any of us Old Folks had Counted on Navigating.  *LMAO*

 

I made some Homemade Chili with Ground Buffalo, Ground Lamb, Diced Tomatoes, Chili Seasoning/Spices, Pinto Beans, Kidney Beans and Navy Beans, chopped Vidalia Onion and Shredded various Cheddar Cheeses.  It turned out very good for a quick Crockpot Chili and the Kids all had Seconds, so, clearly liked it.   I don't make it Spicy, since The Man can't handle Spicy Foods, so the Kids and I add our Cayenne, Chile Flakes and Jamaican Seasonings to our Bowls only, to Spice it up more and keep the Base Chili Mildly Seasoned for anyone who can't handle Spicy Chili.  You can always Spice it Up, you can't Spice it Down.  *Winks*

The Man and I did some Environmental Cleanup, we hadn't done any in a while with not feeling 100%, but, it was 78 Degrees and gorgeous Outside so Perfect Weather to be out in Nature and not around People.  The Nature Preserve was fairly deserted on a Tuesday Morning and we got quite a haul of Aluminum.  So, filled up the Truck Bed and then passed by one of the Mini Farms near the Preserve that had Four Carved Wooden Chairs with a Sign saying FREE.  They need some Work on the Seat, but, we liked them and they were sturdy, with Seat Pads they're Fine to sit in even before doing any Restorative Work on them and they look good around our Found Table that we got for FREE and have out front now to sit around.  {See Below}

And, while we were picking Princess T up from Work, it was Senior Discount Day there, 30% Off, and I found this Cheech and Chong pair of Men's Chonies for Two Bucks.  Hadda get 'em and will give them to The Grandson, he'll wear them and think they're as hilarious as I do.  They look Big, but they're actually a Smaller Size than they appear in the Pix.

And look what I FINALLY found at our Sprouts Market, my La Fermiere Lavender flavor Yogurt!!!   I've so been wanting to try that Flavor, I like their other Floral Flavors but hadn't been able to find the Lavender locally until just now.   It's a very Mild Lavender, not as strong as my Lavender Coffee Simple Syrup, but, I do have Lavender Simple Syrup at Home if I do want to make it have a bit stronger Lavender Flavor Profile.  I like it and would definitely Buy it again.  They only had Two in Stock so I bought them both... and was really Jazzed to finally Score some.   The Orange Blossom Honey is another fav Flavor and I like the Rose too.  I've not had a Flavor of theirs I don't like, but I tend to prefer the Floral Flavor Profiles you can't get in other Brands.   The Matcha Lime is good and the Yuzu Ginger, you can't find those Flavors all the time tho'.   I haven't been able to find their Creme' Pistachio either yet.

 I Save and Wash the Terra Cotta Pots of this Brand coz I've bought a bunch of the Bamboo Lids with Mandala Design on Top and the Seals on E-Bay to use them for Storage.   The Terra Cotta Pots come in different Colors depending on the Flavor of Yogurt and sometimes the Season.  People Recycle the Pots so they make Lids specifically for this Brand and when I get too many, I can Sell them too and Fund more Yogurt Purchases with the proceeds, Win-Win and can make eating the Product Free to me.   The more Lids you Buy from the E-Bay Seller, the lower the Cost so I always Buy them in bulk, they come in Sets of Four and I just order several Sets to get the lowest Price Point offered on Volume Buys.  Most of the time they run Specials on Free Postage too.

There is a big Semi-Annual Warehouse Sale at HIGHLAND YARD VINTAGE on 12th-15th of December, so I think I'll Calendar that Event.  And SWEET SALVAGE is having their December Event of "The Giving Season" Theme December 19th-22nd.   STUDIO 108 COLLECTIVE is competing with an Event Scheduled for 12th-15th too.  Otherwise, I think that's all before Christmas arrives.  I'm not needing to Shop for Gifts, we all decided not to do a Gift Exchange, just immerse ourselves in the Holiday Vibe and Atmosphere Created at these Holiday Events.   So, no pressure to spend for Christmas, Princess T has already pre-ordered all she wants Online and most of it has already arrived.

 

The Chili is Smelling stronger and more Fragrant the longer it simmers in the Crock Pot.  I don't know we'll end up with any Leftovers since the Kiddos keep going back for more.  You can see the Lines in the Crockpot showing how far down it's been eaten already from how full it was before.  *Smiles*  And The Son wants to take some in for his Lunch at Work.  *LOL*   I'm glad they liked it so much, now I know a quick/easy Recipe for something they all Like and is a good Comfort Food for Winter Weather.   Chili is like Salsa, there's so many different Recipes for it that no Two have to be alike to be good.  Our Family tends to prefer a Meaty Chili... but I've also made Vegetarian versions... Beanless versions... thicker versions... thinner versions.  This one was a thinner version and is favored above the thicker ones.  An oversized Crockpot of it is almost gone, only One Serving Leftover for The Son to take in to Work in the Morning now.  *LOL*

I have Stocked Up on everything I think will increase once the incoming Administration jacks all prices up due to their poorly thought out Economic debacles they are planning to implement.  He's trying to Bully all other Nations and I really am not sure they'll be extorted like that with Threats and punitive action to inhibit Fair Trade and just roll over and give in to his Tyrannical Demands?   I think it's gonna be a Cluster Fuck of epic proportions once the Clown Car of Characters is installed in their Positions they're totally unqualified to handle and manage appropriately with their Extremist agendas as the only 'Plan'.   We'll see how quickly it unravels and if they destroy so much that running Damage Control in their Wake may take Generations or be irreparable Damage?

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Keep on Keeping on my Friends... Happy Holidays... Dawn... The Bohemian