RIDE AROUND
We had a ride around scheduled for today…yucky day.

WHAT NIGHTMARES MAY COME
Cara is a Nightmare Before Christmas freak. She gave me one of the nine copies she had and I still never watched it. I don't really know how to use the DVD thing and think I actually disconnected it and every time I put it in the computer I fall asleep so I'm not sure if I'll ever see it. I saw this on Instagram and thought it was cute, though...

JUNK/FOOD
Cindy and I left work and went to the St. Vin that is closing… everything was 90% off.  I think they paid me to get this stuff - it was so cheap.

Everything was for sale in the store - racks, etc… and you know how I like my racks. I didn't get any. I've been looking for a (store) hanger holder and they had a few there - NFS. I hate those three letters - Not For Sale. I always want the NFS stuff. Always. ;-)

I met Chrissy for dinner after since we won't see each other this weekend. We had to get our date night in. We went to Olive and Peppers. I got the Apple Cider Brined Pork Loin… with apple butter, gorgonzola crumbles and balsamic drizzle - sautéed spinach and pumpkin mascarpone risotto.

Chrissy's response when my dish arrived - "I hate EVERYTHING about that plate." ;-)

LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE
We are doing laughter yoga at work… it's kind of a good thing that my dad has so many props.

ITSY BITSY SPIDER
I bought this little guy at Traxs. I'm not a fan of black and white but I was somehow drawn to his cute face. His arms were standing straight up in the air and, honestly, I thought that was weird but was like whatever. I finally figured out that they were all twisted together and separated them and brought them down and realized he is a spider. Duh. I love him so much.

I decided to keep my globes up and love that too. My pumpkin girls are the best.

AND BINGO WAS HER NAME-O

I went to OUTrageous Bingo tonight with Sharon and Carey.

We might have to start doing these games at work?!?

Maybe not…

They would like the cover all being called "cover your ass".

It was a full house with fun and entertainment.

…and Reubens from Murray Avenue Grill.

TRAX OF MY TEARS
Oh how I love you, Trax Farm.  We went on a field trip there today…  The fall festival hasn't started yet but this trip was so popular last year that we decided to put it on for September and October this year.  They were just starting to set up the pumpkins…

Aren't you pretty?

Oh my - those green ones… XO

They had a nice selection of fairy garden stuff… I bought those boots and now regret it but whatever.

Even though it's fall - I still like looking at the Christmas stuff - of course.

Check out these guys… OMG. How cute? Way too expensive. Maybe they will be in Marshall's next year!?

Everyone had a great time there, looking around and having lunch. We love you Trax Farms.

PARTY ANIMAL

A 102 year old resident (that I'm sure never had a party for a dog) said it was a "great time" and "so much fun" and there was "so much to look at."

We did good.

The party girl got her dress on and made her entrance to her Birthday Party.

Residents even got get "gifts" - taking stuffed animals they had and "wrapping" them for her. Some even had their family bring milk bones.

They absolutely LOVED the movie Milo and Otis which played during the party while we set up.

Lily made her rounds saying hello to everyone and looking cute.

My vision came to life… tying those bows on the water bottles (which took way too long) paid off!

Everyone got treat bags - graham cracker bones. Thanks, Scooby Snacks. Those saved me a lot of time.

What's a party without pup-cakes?!

We even raffled off Glo's stuffed pug.

Lily is one lucky party girl to have so many friends to celebrate with!

EIGHT IS GREAT
Wait!  What do you mean - I'm 8?!?

Eight years old… HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LILY BUD DIGIOIA!

Wasn't I just taking her 1st birthday pictures??  MAKE A WISH!

She cooperated for her photo session.

She didn't even eat her smash cupcake but did think it smelled good.

Love this little pup.

Click here for Lily through the years… #lilybudthepug

PARTY PREP
This party is turning into a big thing…
I needed one more box of bones… and had to go to multiple stores to get little water bottles.

I couldn't find Milo and Otis at the house… maybe Dave kept it?!  So I had to go buy another.$5 at Target.

I couldn't find the right cupcake toppers so I made them out of a toothpick and 2 pieces of confetti that matched the place settings.

Put bows on the water…

Printed signs for the tablescape…

I'M PLANNING SOMETHING
I had to go to the party store tonight to get a few things…

I was leaving and saw this lady trying to wrangle these balloons…

I think you're going to need a bigger car…

THINGS I BOUGHT IN OHIO
 I was inspired to start decorating after our shopping trip the other day…

I had to work tonight - girl scouts and boy scouts came for a bonfire and entertainment from our polka band. After,  I took some of my fall friends out. My halloween stuff makes my heart sing. I don't have room for everything so I had to limit it this year.

Got these little  Hallmark candle cups from Thrift King for 75 cents each…

Can't decide…

Oh, here's that star I got in Ohio with the book… How to catch a star... Sigh.

… I couldn't pass up the sunflower - also from The Cracked Crock. I'm a sunflower whore.

Got these pumpkins at The Western Reserve. The pumpkin head was a little pricey but he's awesome. Love him.

These mini bowling pins from The Red Hen were a steal and I can't pass up a good J block.

I'm on an old tin kick now so… yeah.  This is probably not going to be a good thing. Got these at Piney Creek.

RIDE, SALLY, RIDE
Chrissy's friend Sally asked me to come along on their road trip to Ohio this week. She wanted us to check out some of her favorite places.  I'm working on Friday so we planned for today but a lot of stores aren't open on Thursday…  that doesn't stop Sally, though!  She called and had the shop keeper open just for us!  We were lucky ducks to get a private shopping experience.  First stop was Piney Creek Primitives in North Lima, Ohio - her home has been featured in Prim magazines…

Next stop - a junk store. The Little Red Hen in Salem. Sally doesn't like junk but she graciously let us look around. ;-)

One of her favorites - Bridgewater Primitives in Alliance.

… this one too - Meander Hill in Youngstown. What a great name.  Reminded me of Old Allegheny Shops

This one - The Cracked Crock in Canfield, had a nice mix and upstairs was a section of kids story books with handmade items that went along with the story - what a great idea. I actually bought a book about a star that came with a stuffed fabric star. Love.

I liked this place - The Western Reserve Antique Shop also in Canfield

It was on the same road as a farmers market that looked really nice. We have to go back and check that out some time.