Sunday, November 1, 2026

And just like that, Halloween is over! Not only is it over, but it was gone gone gone from Target and Home Goods today! Like, not even any clearance items that I could see (other than maybe a couple leftovers, like the cinnamon sugar flavored pretzels Ian got at Target today). At Home Goods, I expected to see all kinds of clearance Halloween items, but I didn't see the first one! And I know they didn't sell all the stuff they just had! So all I can figure is that they had such a bad year (as has everyone, thanks to this bumbling idiotic administration) that they couldn't afford to sell the stuff for half price and are holding onto it until next year. Last night, I'd taken Ian to the Petal Walmart so he could get one of his dolls that were only available there, and they had gotten rid of all of their Halloween candy. There were a few decorations and costumes left, but all those bags and bags and Halloween candy were gone. And it could be that they legitimately sold - I went to Sam's yesterday, and the my gosh, the city was bumper to bumper with traffic, and Sam's was packed solid! I don't know if these hordes of people were purchasing for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just for the weekend, but good God they were everywhere! Like, legit, who has money (besides the super rich) to purchase so much stuff in this economy?

Ian's mom, dad, and cousin (?) did end up coming down yesterday, and we met them at The Lucky Rabbit, as I figured we would. They were a tad late getting started, so we didn't meet up with them until after 2pm. And my gosh, downtown was just as crowded! There was an art show or market going on as well, and several streets were blocked off, so trying to get through was a pain, as was parking. I ended up parking somewhere I wasn't happy about, and Ian wasn't either, but there wasn't much of a choice. His parents found a parking spot after much circling and searching on the other side of the Rabbit than us. It was nice going through the store, although we really only had time for one of them before it got late and we decided to go and get something to eat. Ian and his mom decided we were going to try out the new place, Off the Hook, which has opened where Golden Chick used to be. It's clear on the other side of town from The Lucky Rabbit, and it took a bit to get there due to all the traffic, and then when we did - there was no way we could eat there. The line for the takeout window was around the building, cars were everywhere in the parking lot, and there was not even standing space inside the restaurant. We decided right then and there we'd have to eat somewhere else.

Ian called his mom, and we were trying to decide where to eat, so I suggested that we try Po-Boy Express (or "Shrimp Basket" as Steve calls it, even though the Shrimp Basket is a completely different restaurant), and they agreed. It turned out very good! I think Ian's parents enjoyed what they had, and Ian and I both had the shrimp basket (hence Steve's nickname of the place), him with fried shrimp and me with grilled. We sat there and talked for a while after we finished eating, then it was time for all of us to go. They headed back north and Ian and I headed back to our house.

Later in the evening, Ian saw a doll he wanted at the Petal Walmart, so we hopped into the car and headed off once again. I looked for the sales I'd mentioned and was very surprised not to find any! Like what in the world? And then today, I needed to get a pedicure and Ian wanted to shop the strip mall, so I dropped him off at Home Goods, then I went on to the indoor mall. I was going to go to the good nail place, but it was already busy, so I went to other one. I usually end up going to the other one anyway. The very first time I went there, they massacred my feet, but they weren't as busy and they are cheaper, so I gave them a second chance and they've been fine every time since then...except today, once again they massacred my feet. But not so badly that they hurt when I left, but considering all the lotion they used on them afterwards, they really should have been better by then! After I left, I went to get him and we went into Home Goods (he didn't go in when I dropped him off, probably because he knew I'd want to go myself), but neither of us got anything. Then we went down to Target for me to get my medications and I picked up a few groceries while there as well. And then we came on home and I wrote this blog entry as well as the one for the Gulf Shores memories.

As for the images below, the first is of an exhausted Cooper who has come to realize we'd be leaving him for a little bit yesterday. Poor little fella! The next 5 are from The Lucky Rabbit, some outside and one inside. The Lucky Rabbit is not just an antique store, it's an experience! The two hats are ones I saw inside. The first one I need for work lol. Certainly feels like that most days, and occasionally it's not just a feeling. The second hat is one that all three of us need! Because all three of us are professional overthinkers! That watercolor of Mississippi is an inspiration to me, as I want to learn to watercolor. Not sure if I've mentioned that before in the blog, but I do. Then again, my ADHD makes me want to do all kinds of things that I'll never get around to doing because of, well, my ADHD! Next are three AI images. I asked ChatGPT to render some images from WoW: Forever for me. The first one is of a Forsaken (Undead) Paladin, the second of a Human Hunter, and the third is a romantic image of the two of them together. The next three images are of Steve from a few years ago when he was starting his rose garden. As he stated, most of those roses in the images are dead now. Roses are some odd plants. One little thing is not to their liking and they'll just wither away, whereas something innocuous, like a dandelion, is excited to grow in concrete. Next is an image of Ian from a couple of years ago, and then we have an AI generated image of what it felt like getting my pedicure done today! Lol, generated while it was going on! After that are the before and after images of my toes/toenails. As you can see, they looked pretty terrible going in, but so much better afterwards! The injured part of the big toenail on my right foot is slowly growing out towards the edge. The big toenail on my left foot is the new one that grew in under the injured old one, and it's nearly grown out to the edge as well.

And that's it my lovelies! I hope everyone had a great Halloween, a great weekend, and will have a great Monday! Until next time, keep both feet on the ground!

George