Five Things Friday: Reasons to Love October

Oct 6, 2017 | 2 comments

by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy

Y’all may have picked up on this month’s theme: Autumn. Go figure. But, for realz. What, I’m gonna blog about the Easter Bunny? Nah. Not for at least six weeks.

As soon as the calendar turns to October, I turn to Fall. Even in the SoCal desert with it’s almost-80-degree temperatures and you-call-that-a-yard?-dirt, there’s something quite lovely about it all. Scarves come out, Pumpkin Spice Lattes are everywhere. It’s as if the Pumpkin Grinch himself dusted everything with pumpkin seed glitter.

The Pumpkin Grinch

I could go on and on, but since this is just a five item post, let me share my top reasons for loving October:

  1. It’s at most eleven weeks away from Christmas. For me, the first of October kind of jump starts the holidays. I’ll be lacing the car stereo with my Harry Connick, Jr Christmas CDs this weekend. #truestory. And in a few weeks the family will start to get cryptic texts like “For ransom: Doo Dads. Send money now.” [Note to self: Coupons are awesome. Start clipping.] Pretty soon the decor will come out of storage, the evenings will get longer. It’s one of my favorite times of year.
    Frankly, My Dear . . . : Holiday Doo Dads

    Frankly, My Dear . . . : Holiday Doo Dads

     

  2. Baseball. Yup. That’s right. ‘Tis the season for my Yankees to bring it on home. And to watch Field of Dreams. And to eat Cracker Jacks. All these wonderful things are the zenith of my baseball watching experience. And I love it. Every. Single. Year. Does it matter that Jeter’s no longer on the team? Nah. We’re doing okay with Aaron Judge.
    Frankly, My Dear . . . : If You Build It

    Frankly, My Dear . . . : If You Build It, They Will Come

     

  3. Pumpkin everything. I know, know. Y’all see it everywhere and are burnt out. This Girl say whaat?! How can you be burnt out of pumpkin? Pumpkin Spice Latte, pumpkin soup, pumpkin flavored Belvita crackers, pumpkin carving, pumpkin seeds. Did I mention Pumpkin Spice Latte?
    Frankly, My Dear . . . : Hello, PSL

    Frankly, My Dear . . . : Hello, PSL

     

  4. Autumn TV/Movies. This time of year is a guarantee you’ll find me watching The West Wing, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the aforementioned Field of Dreams, Something Wicked This Way Comes, Autumn in New York, The Godfather, and of course, Nightmare Before Christmas. I’m a sucker for all things autumn, New York, crispy leaves, and Disney. But I think all y’all already knew that, yes?
    Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Bread and the Nightmare Before Christmas

    Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Bread and the Nightmare Before Christmas

     

  5. Cat Cuddles. Like I could leave my furfamily out of this. They’re the best part of this time of year. This year, in Lizzie’s absence, Little has already taken to sleeping on the pillow, and Iris is always by my side. Berry is always with me, and Sparkles has even warmed up to being in my general presence without argument.
    Lizzie Cat tortoise shell feline looking out a window

    Frankly, My Dear . . . Lizzie Cat

     

There are so many more things I love about October, but these are the best. My bonus reason is it’s my mom’s favorite time of year, too, and when she’s happy, I’m happy. [Hey, Mom. Let’s go Christmas shopping this weekend, okay?]

TWEET THIS: What are your favorite reasons for October? @RealMojo68 #fivethingsfriday

With an orange scarf and pumpkin latte,
Happy Autumn, y’all!
~Molly Jo

And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!

Sweeten my tea and share:

Lessons Learned: The World Series Edition

Oct 28, 2012 | 0 comments

  1. Sometimes luck is all you need.
  2. Sometimes, luck will get you through the door but skill will keep you going.
  3. You can’t win ’em all.
  4. But you should always try.
  5. Just because you were good once, doesn’t mean you still are.
  6. Keep your eye on the prize.
  7. Don’t be distracted by the glamour.
  8. You can’t hit if you don’t swing: take the chance!
  9. Greatness is a heritage for some and a moment for others.
  10. Sometimes, the job is to succeed. Sometimes, the job is just to move.
  11. Hurts happen.
  12. It’s never okay to take your frustrations out on someone else.
  13. But sometimes, it happens anyway.
  14. Look up. You can’t catch what’s coming your way if you’re looking at your shadow.
  15. Run full force into walls. It’s the only way to go.
  16. Acrobatics required. Not always. But definitely often.
  17. Run fast. Run straight. Stop only when you have to.
  18. Pay attention to the game.
  19. Appreciate your audience.
  20. Success isn’t always winning. Sometimes it’s just getting farther than you were yesterday.
  21. No matter what, celebrate a job well done.

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

Sweeten my tea and share:

Lessons Learned (October 4, 2011)

Oct 4, 2011 | 3 comments

by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy

1. It’s okay if the Yankees don’t win now and then.

2. The Yankees are, by far, the greatest team in Baseball.

3. Breakfast at Tiffany’s is still a great movie.

4. There are “friends” who use you and manipulate you, friends who need you more than you need them, friends who know what you need, and Friends who take care of you.

5. I try to be a Friend to my friends; but I know I sometimes fail.

6. Income is not the same as a job; and work is not the same as a career.

7. God is bigger than the Boogie Man (Veggie Tales!), and He’s bigger than anything I can think of.

8. The world is incredibly old; there is no original idea left. What was once science fiction is history. What is the future was once someone’s dream. What is now is now. All I have that’s unique is perspective.

9. God will give me the desires of my heart… as long as I delight in Him (Psalm 37:4).

10. I like double-speak for creative writing. I hate it in politicians.

11. Life is not hopeless.

12. Everything is temporary.

13. The colder the weather, the snugglier the cat.

14. October changes people.

15. It’s easier to heal with good foods than bad medicine.

16. Dental work doesn’t always hurt.

17. Complacency is brain-atrophy ~ never a good thing.

18. Biographies can be fun.

19. Forgiveness is important. Guidance is important. Understanding and compassion are important. Love is most important.

20. Flashpoint is still the best show on TV, no matter what network it’s on.

21. Flashpoint peeps are still the best no matter how we connect.

22. Facebook and twitter secretly hate each other.

23. Hockey is not boring, but is sure is hard to follow!

24. Bunco is worth it. No matter what.

25. Christmas is one day. The Christmas spirit should be eternal. Commercialism should be killed.

26. My mom and dad did know more than me when I was a teen. I should have listened more.

27. Someday I’m going to be a famous writer… preferably while I’m young enough to enjoy spoiling my family and securing their futures.

28. God loves me. No matter what. No. Matter. What.

Sweeten my tea and share: