Random 5 for August 27, 2023 – Pumpkin arrives, costumes, eyes, projects, cleaning out

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That’s Gracie trying out a bed spot.

Good lord how did that happen? – This week Starbucks has been crowded. Really crowded. After a summer of peaceful trips, I thought it was early for such business. Ha! Pumpkin lattes are back. I can tell by the hordes. Someone must explain to me why people who don’t drink coffee everyday flock when the pumpkin lattes come out?

Not Halloween! – Our local mall has opened its Halloween shop. It’s a large store with a lot of costume selections and other ticky-tacky. Is Halloween really that close? So not ready!

Yet another checkup – I had a follow-up with my eye doc this week. Finally, she was happy. No procedures, no new drugs, just an appointment for another follow-up next year. Woohoo! After eighteen months of constant doctoring, many procedures and different drops, my eyes are stable. For now!

Time to breathe – The beloved husband finished a big project this week. He made a desk and storage area for me. I’m short so a standard height desk is too high for me. I have to jack up my chair and my feet dangle. The new desk is the perfect height. I have my feet on the floor and look straight ahead to the computer. The cat tree has been displaced and the cats are not happy but they have a long counter in front of the window to sleep on. I will get some cushy beds for them. In the meantime, I need to find a new spot for the cat tree. We have three cat trees, so they are not deprived.

Cleaning out – Getting a new desk meant cleaning out the old one. I have a bad habit of keeping something just in case I need it. I usually say, “if I don’t use this in six months, I’ll toss.” However six months turns into years. This week I said goodbye to a lot of stuff that I had no idea what the original purpose was. Also calendars! I get a dozen from charities each year. I keep a few (just in case!). I use my computer calendar for most things, so I never need more than one paper calendar. I wish the charities would save their money.

So how was your week?

 

81 thoughts on “Random 5 for August 27, 2023 – Pumpkin arrives, costumes, eyes, projects, cleaning out”

  2. A Halloween shop already? Too soon.

    Your new desk set up looks gorgeous. I’m glad you’ll be more comfortable while doing your very important blogging work! 😉

    We get those paper calendars, too. They are a waste for me but I give them to Goodwill hoping someone can use them.

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  3. I suppose I’m one of those Starbucks customers you are referring to, Kate. I don’t go to Starbucks very often and I don’t often indulge in a latte, even a plain one. But as soon as I start hearing about the Pumpkin spice I start planning when I’m going to indulge! I haven’t yet–it’s still too hot–but as soon as fall arrives, I’ll be there.

    Your new desk area sounds really wonderful! Handy husband! 😉

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  4. It’s about to turn into September. Soon, I will start to complain about the cold but for now, it’s nice to be not quite so hot. I used to like pumpkin lattes. I don’t know if they’ve changed them or if they’ve gone the way of the raspberry to my taste buds. I love many pumpkin things but I can live without the lattes.

    I really like your desk set up. How did I not know that? I know it’s impossible to find the right chair for me but it would be handy if my desk was several inches shorter. Good job hubby!

    And congratulations on the improvement of your eyes! I’ve said it before but stuff with my eyes scares me. And chronic dry eye (which I only experience in the worst of hayfever season) is miserable. I am so glad that you are feeling better.

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    • My tastes have changed too. Fortunately mocha lattes are still wonderful but there are some other things that I don’t enjoy anymore. I love strawberries but it’s either me or the weather but I didn’t have a good one all year. Most people experience dry eye to some extent especially as they age but the severe type is debilitating. At my worst, I was sensitive to light so I was wearing sunglasses in the house. The new doc did wonders to stabilize it.

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  5. Hi, Kate – I’ve noticed Pumpkin Spiced Lattes and Hallowe’en decorations at shops around me. Is it that time of year already?? I think that the crowds at Starbucks and everywhere else are trying to savour the last bits of summer outings. At least for that, I can’t blame them! 😀

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  6. I didn’t know you were short. Me too! I’ve tried so many desks, and nothing has worked for me. I have to use a foot stool so my feet don’t dangle. BUT – I’m jacked up on the chair so high that my thighs are too tight under the desk bottom. I don’t have enough room for that really nice desk you bought. I just have a small desk that is too high. 😕

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    • Here is a calculation for how high the desk should be based on your height. Can you cut off the legs to lower it? I didn’t do well with the foot stool and yes with the jacked up chair I hit the bottom of the desk top.

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      • Thanks for the tip, Kate. I can’t cut off the legs, but my very handy husband might be able to. I’ll ask him. 👍

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  7. I like the pumpkin spice smell, but it’s toooo early!!! Holding out for traditional seasons and seasonings.
    I’ll wait until it’s cooler (anything under 98F is cooler now, but not cool enough for Pumpkin spice)- and Oct.
    Cheers on your eyes! Couldn’t ask for better news.
    Desk area is fabulous…sure the cats are ready for seasonal scenes out the window…accompanied by peeps’ fall pumpkin spice smells to make them feel warm, sleepy and fall-ish – a lovely time for looking out the window before winter!

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    • You rarely smell pumpkin spice smells here. I don’t do the pumpkin lattes and the beloved husband doesn’t like pumpkin anything. I do like a slice of good pumpkin bread though. So moist!

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  8. As a pumpkin spice person, I can explain that! I do drink coffee every day, but not from Starbucks. I only go to Starbucks for PSLs. 🙂
    That is a fabulous desk!! Awesome job by DH! The cats will definitely do OK, especially with cozy beds right by the window like that.

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  9. That is quite a DESK! Applause to the craftsman. Pumpkin lattes don’t taste like coffee so maybe that’s why non-coffee people like them. The retail system starts holidays so early that I get worn out before it actually starts. It certainly takes away from them in my opinion. Very glad to hear you received an all clear from your eye doctor. Happy sorting those papers. It always feel good after you are done.

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  10. I love the office space. I sure could use one. My paperwork and crap is just laying around all over the house!! Gracie has a primo spot, too. Congrats on the eyes. I do love fall, I’m so glad it’s on its way. But I’m not a big fan of pumpkin in my coffee.

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  11. WOW on the “made for you” desk – bravo and kudos to your hubby! I have an “overcrowded top” kind of desk but if I had some room to stretch out I’d probably just collect more stuff. Never had a pumpkin latte but I do love pumpkin pie….hmm…maybe I should try that latte? When I think of Halloween I think of Fall and we are SOOOOOOOOO ready for Fall even if it won’t be very pretty with colorful leaves this year due to the drought we’ve had. GLAD to hear your eyes are fine!!

    Hugs, Pam

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  12. I love your new desk and storage cabinets. So nice to have a skilled builder in the house. It reminds me of our houses growing up when Mom detailed ideas of how the houses should be built, and Dad would go along with her … to a degree.

    I blame elementary teachers for why people make such a big deal out of Halloween. They feel that they have to change the classroom decor every month. September is what? colorful leaves. And October is definitely Halloween. We grew up that way, so October isn’t October for us without ghosts and goblins.

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        • I don’t remember much of that even at Christmas. I went to a small Catholic school. Maybe we taped leaves to the windows in the fall and a snowman at Christmas time but they didn’t decorate. Maybe nuns weren’t as into it.

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  13. School has started here, so that may also account for more Starbucks traffic by the high schoolers and teachers.

    I also have that problem with chairs and desks. My husband mad me a beautiful walnut top that he placed on a standing desk that can go low enough for me. I never stand, due to my knee, but I lift it up so I can pedal on a fancy under-the-desk machine. I hope your cats enjoy the new setup!

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    • The cats love it. Although we had another cabinet they could sit on under the window, the new top is longer and fits three cats much better. Morgan never goes up there. She reigns from the top of the various cat trees.

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  14. That is a beautiful desk and storage area Kate. Your husband did a great job, custom-made for you. I’d be tons more organized if I had more room. Since I don’t have hard copies of anything work related, nor don’t print anything at home for work, I just use my kitchen table as my work space and it truthfully is not ergonomically correct. But, I need more space everywhere else I have encroached on my own space and I often wonder how my parents and a bird lived here too. 🙂 I heard the ads for PSL on the radio today … yep, everyone is rushing to buy them now. Your morning routine will be harried now. I did see a Halloween store crop up and thought the same thing – Halloween is getting earlier every year. They used to at least wait until the back-to-school supplies and gardening supplies were put away, then put out Halloween everything. That’s wonderful news about your eyes.

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      • Only Detroit school started back today; the rest start next Tuesday. The tourism bureau protested. Our morning news gave a primer on yellow flashing lights and red flashing lights on the schoolbus. I try not to go past any schools in the school year … not so much for buses, but the drop-offs are congested. I forgot to mention in my comment yesterday that Coffee Mate and International Delight have their Christmas flavors in liquid creamers. I saw them last week when grocery shopping. Too early for gingerbread!

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        • I’ve never used creamers in my coffee. Before mochas I drank it black. Our local schools are in full force. Not only are there school buses on the road but Facebook is full of first day of school pictures! 🙂

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          • I always drank my Starbucks black – the stronger the better, but since it’s just me, I use instant darker blends with powdered flavored creamer. I like Nescafe Taster’s Choice Columbian and French Roast best. The kids are toting more than we did and all in their backpack which makes for cute faces.

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  15. I don’t like pumpkin flavored anything, but I love Halloween. I am doing Halloween in August with my great nieces tomorrow- I told them to bring a costume when they come over. My hubby and I are going to each answer doors to 3 rooms and hand out candy and pretzels. 🙂 Your hubby sounds like a keeper.

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  16. Great desk! I don’t have a desk. I really don’t need one. I sit at the kitchen table when I pay bills and on the sofa or my swivel/rocker chair when I play on the computer or read.
    Not much for coffee here, more of a hot chocolate or ice tea peep.
    Three cat trees! Keeping that news to myself. Jack and Sophie just have one to share.

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  17. I love your desk. Glad you had good news about your eyes. I was at a store today and all the Halloween is out. Next month we’ll probably start seeing Christmas.

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  18. Wow, your new desk is beautiful… your husband does amazing work!

    For some reason, I’m not as put off when stores stock for Halloween early as I am when they do that for Christmas. Maybe because Christmas seems to come earlier and earlier (sometimes even before Halloween now) or maybe because I’m a big fan of Halloween. Anyway, I wish they both weren’t shoved in our faces before the month they occur in.

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  20. Most excellent news about your eyes! Your husband did some beautiful work there. That room has great light. It looks like a wonderful place to spend some time and create your blog posts. I see a little step stool! A nice stretch of room for the cats to sit and snooze by the window.

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    • I tried a pumpkin latte a long time ago and nope. Love pumpkin, just not in my coffee. I’m sorry about your eyes. I have severe dry eye which makes me house bound when it kicks up. I’m grateful they have treatments these days.

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  22. Congrats on your eye checkup! My wife had a similar “all clear” (pun intended!) with her eye doctor and was told she didn’t need to return for a year — she’s not holding her breath! But she’ll take the win regardless, as you deservedly should too. Good grief that’s a beautiful new desk, Kate. I’m so jealous. – Marty

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  28. Ah, what a small world – I see you know my close friend, Justin Case! We go back years! I have never understood why seemingly otherwise intelligent people go “gaga” over pumpkin spice anything! Surely, I can be the only one who understands that the words “pumpkin spice” relate to a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Just buy the spices, mix them together according to your liking, and store the mixture in with your spices and you can have anything “pumpkin spiced” at any old time of the year! And congrats on the good news about your eyes!

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  29. In a word…marketing. Starbucks has successfully created the perfect campaign to boost their bottom line. Gotta give it to them, creating scarcity makes people lose their minds when they unleash that promos.

    Halloween decor has been prominently displayed here for most of the month. Good lord…give me a break. I’m expecting some Christmas items to appear at my next Costco run over the next two weeks. I get that the supply chain has been disrupted but for all that holy, it’s just too doggone soon!

    Your desk area looks AMAZING! I don’t think my desk area ever looked that good, even before I filled it up with all the necessary stuff within my fingertips.The cats would not be happy campers in my studio. Have a great week in the new beautiful space.

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    • Our Costco had Christmas trees this past week. Yikes! The cats would lay down on top of your stuff. They aren’t fussy. If they can disrupt they are happy. Today Gracie did a maga barf from the top creating a wide splatter pattern of rotisserie chicken. Boogers.

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      • Christmas trees? Oh for heaven’s sake! Your kitties would have a field day in my arty studio swatting watercolor pens, bottles of ink and sparkly gel containers off the desktop. I keep asking myself how did things get so crazy? I swear there must be a couple of elves hiding in there someplace creating the chaos. 😉 I think this week may be a supply roundup so I can find things easily again. It’ll likely only last a couple of days (more like hours) but it’ll give me some semblance of control.

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  30. Love the new desk set up and am super envious!! The cats will cope. And great news about the eyes too. And stores can do what they want – Halloween candy displays are up here in the grocery story. But I’m ignoring anything Halloween right now…too early. Christmas stuff will probably be starting to appear in a month or less. Argh.

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  31. Did he make the desk from scratch in order to customize the height? It looks great. Lots of surface area for you . . . and the cats!

    Someone must explain to me why people who don’t drink coffee everyday flock when the pumpkin lattes come out? ~>~> Maybe it’s for the same reason that people who don’t do church all year join the flock for Easter and/or Christmas. “Fear of future reprisals.”

    In other words, maybe Linus was right about The Great Pumpkin. 😀

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  32. On my morning walk yesterday I smelled pumpkin spice and laughed. Every year, someone on this one quiet street makes very pungent pumpkin spice coffee (I think) from about September to the end of the year. I can smell it as I walk by. I forget about it the rest of the year. We don’t have many trees that turn here, and September is our hottest month, but at least I have pumpkin spice to remind me of fall.

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