Happy Halloween!
Ours is going to be a quiet one today. Jim left this morning for a business trip, while Holly works tonight. Currently, she is participating in a trick-or-treat event sponsored by the high school. The dogs and I are settling in for a peaceful afternoon. Because trying to keep two dogs from running outside every time the door is open is more than I can handle, I won’t be handing out candy. Instead, I’ll be lighting some candles in lieu of a bonfire and reflecting on the end of the year and family who are gone.
Holly spent this week finishing and submitting five different college applications. There are two more schools to which she wants to apply, but their deadlines are later in November. Don’t ask me where she wants to go. Her schools are all across the country, and she doesn’t have her heart set on any of them. She is looking more at the programs they offer and even they vary from school to school. Where she ends up deciding to go will come down to who accepts her and how much in scholarships and financial aid she receives. It’s anyone’s guess right now!
The last two weeks are a bit of a blur. Holly and I toured a university last week. It rained the entire time, but it was still nice to get away for a day. Lots of appointments – physical therapy, doctors’ appointments, hair, nails. Jim has, of course, been working seemingly nonstop when he’s not going for a run, walking the dogs with our neighbor, or washing the cars. Based on the 17 books I finished this month, I spent most of my free time reading since I still cannot work on my cross-stitch thanks to my shitty elbow. I expect November will be more of the same.
Wishes to all for a blessed All Hallow’s Eve and Samhain!

I am having PTSD over the college application process. At least the virtual auditions are behind us, kind of.
My daughter is going for The Princess Diana musical. She just told me this. I guess she figures if she gets a spot she will defer college while she tours. That is what they do in musical theater. She is in Brigadoon this weekend which she is very excited about as it’s a professional production. We are also deep into the apartment lease process. I cannot believe she is of age to lease an apartment. But she needs a kitchen badly. The dining plans in the midwest are all fried everything and this California girl needs her smoothies and Acai bowls.
Holly’s application process has been painless. Now, depending on which school she accepts, she will have to worry about dance team tryouts this spring, which is of course her busiest season of them all. But, we will cross that bridge in a few months.
It is…some.
We’re going to be lighting a couple of candles in a way this Tuesday as Kim will be remembering her mom and best friend who died last year. They both would have celebrated their birthdays Tuesday.
Kim mentioned something about that to me when we were chatting back and forth about some things. Hopefully, it brings some peace to you both.