Chris Keniston's Blog, page 5

I survived LOL.

I'm delighted to report that I did not undercook the turkey or burn the sweet potatoes or set the oven on fire (yes I've done that more than once).  I'm going to give the lack of fires credit to the convection feature of the oven. Though if it matters to anyone, setting marshamallows on fire doesn't burn down the house! And - the burnt white fluff can be scraped off and the sweet potatoes salvaged--but--that did not happen this year. 

My Uncle took charge of the turkey and he did a great job. I leaned on Costco for a few sides that I doctored up with extra butter and then I made my daughter's favorite green bean casserole, though every year I say I'm going to make two and never remember!  I did take a photo of the table when I was setting it, but of course, forgot to get a photo with the food! or the people! I love the holiday table - the dishes are my grandmother's, the silverware for the first time was my mother in law's - first time we've had "K" silverware at the table. We still used some of my grandmother's pieces to fill out the missing pieces from my mother in law, making it a lovely combination of two families! 

Every day my foot is getting a little better- though I still hate hobbling around on this darn walking boot- but - it's better than not moving at all! I do spend a good deal of time just lounging without the boot in the ace bandage and the warm fluffy socks my friend gave me for my birthday. The socks make a nice cushion and keep my toes warm LOL. 

Of course, my favorite part of the holidays, is the family time. I have a puzzle table always set up in my family room and anyone who wants can wander over and work the puzzle - my two sons, the one I gave birth to and the one I was gifted on my daughter's wedding day, working the puzzle. I didn't do much this year since I was staying off my foot as much as I could. 
An extra little tidbit - the painting in the background of the Thanksgiving table is a scene from the Central Park Zoo painted by my mother - the two folks in front are my uncle and me when I was just a little girl. 

The good news - I finished book one Sweet Beginnings of the new series and it is now in my editor's capable hands. Fingers crossed she likes it! 

Now I have to sort through plans for the second book - not sure what's going to come, but I'm sorting through tropes - what do you think of secret child and the one that got away? 

While I let it simmer, I'm enjoying the movie Gigi on TV - I love the old MGM musicals - such a happy world! 

Melting Plastic

After my tumble down the stairs and bungling my ankle, I was determined to not miss out on my promise to help my friend go shopping for her new retirement house--or as she calls it--melting her plastic. LOL. 

After spending five days and nights on the sofa with my foot up on cushions higher than my heart - I got the swelling and discomfort down enough that I could walk in a boot - or sit in a boot LOL - you can see me at the airport and in my seat ! LOL.  My favorite part of flying is I got words on the page for Sweet Beginnings - still trying to finish that book off!  Anyhow - first night we stopped at a major chain furniture store to get a feel for my friend's taste, then the next morning the realtor let us in so I could see the house and measure some rooms and walls, and then the shopping began in earnest!  of course - Day one we followed billboards to a furniture store and bought a lovely entertainment center and kitchen table and the best part, unlike the big chain stores, they were able to deliver the next day! 

So - our day two started out with my friend signing for her new house only to rush over to the house to accept delivery and unpack some things she'd brought with her from her home up North, and celebrated with a little bubbly and snack!  the shopping continued, thank heaven for the big stores that have those little carts for folks like me that made perusing the entire store easier. I managed to hobble in the smaller stores but the big ones, I needed wheels LOL. 

My favorite shops were the small family owned - that's how you were able to get things delivered quickly. We found a sleep shop and bought a mattress for the guest room, they threw in the box spring and frame, and delivered it that afternoon!  We also discovered a phenomenal door buster sale at Best Buy - if anyone needs a 55 inch TV, they have TCLs for only $179!  We also pulled out every camping chair my friend has and borrowed a couple from the house we were staying at to determine a potential living room set up.  Oh and if you're wondering, her furniture from her old house were hand me downs twenty five years ago, time for updating! 

By the way I was not only the cheerleader, I was the navigator! In sunny Florida you need sunglasses, but I can't read the GPS without my reading glasses, so I pretty much mastered the multiple eyeglasses look pretty quickly!   By the time our five day shopping spree was over, my friend has a place to crash comfortably while waiting for the rest of her furniture. We found a nice bedroom set on day one and on day five circled back and bought it - that will be delivered the day she drives back with more of her things, as will the two comfy recliners we finally decided on. I've learned I love power recliners especially with the head adjust, but my new love is the quick exit button. Some recliners have a small button that puts the seat back to regular position with one touch. I don't know about you, but I'm always pressing buttons that lift me higher or lay me down while looking for which one sits me up so I can get up LOL. I am in love with that quick exit button! Needless to say the new recliners have that!  Once they're delivered, then there will be careful consideration made for what else goes in the living room! 

The thing that did amaze me was all the spanish moss.  In Texas we have a LOT of Live Oak trees. I have one in my backyard and two in my front yard, but we don't get the spanish moss, it makes the trees look so different! 
On the flight home I got more words in so I'm hoping this goes off to my editor sooner than later! Now I'm preparing to hobble my way through Thanksgiving. I think costco is going to be sharing kitchen duties with me this year LOL. 

​Do you do anything special for Thanksgiving? 

Life is What Happens While You're Busy Making Other Plans.

Well, as you know, last weekend was fun and different for me.  This week - not so much. 

After Austin I headed to Houston for a joint business meeting on Tuesday - the meeting went  well and the plan was for me to drive home on Wednesday night after putting the grands to bed. Thursday morning I needed to accompany a friend to her follow up appointment after her nose surgery. Then Friday and Saturday were supposed to be spent tying up some loose ends with my uncle moving into my mom's house, prepping for a trip to Florida, and everything in between. 

well. I've always told my kids if they decide to bury me to write - life is what happened while she was making other plans - on my tombstone. lol. 

Wednesday night, grands are all tucked in, Oma is all packed and ready to go, she walks down the stairs and on the last step- yep - I slipped. Jammed my right ankle on the child gate at the bottom of the stairs. And here we go again. Ankle swelled up like a tennis ball immediately and all plans of driving home or accompanying my friend went out the window. By the next day it was obvious that any plans of tying up loose ends were also shot to hell. 

Being a very good girl with my leg up, higher than my heart both day and night, and consistent icing as well regular doses of ibuprofen, I was able to drive home Friday night. Of course it would have been easier if cars still had bucket seats, but I did it. For those wondering how the heck did she drive with a twisted right foot - In college - the first time I tore the crud out of my ankle - I learned to drive with my left foot and have done so every time I've messed up my right ankle (I've lost track if it's four or five times now) or when driving long distances and my right foot gets tired, I just switch feet lol. 

Here are a few shots of me being a good girl icing at my daughters, my new wheels for getting around, me elevating here at home and the new homemade cushion cover (no laughing allowed lol) for the new wheels.  With a lot of help from friends and hubby - I'm all set to travel to Florida tomorrow - crutches are going with me - I'll be wearing an orthodics boot, and praying a lot. My friend in Florida is looking into renting a knee scooter to help with getting around, otherwise it will not be fun spending five days on crutches! 

with all the babysitting, and falling, and hobbling involved in the last two weeks, no updates in the book writing world, but feel free to tell your friends that Hannah from Farraday Country is on sale for free at the moment, and that this is bell pepper celebration month, and this coming week, there will be lots of opportunities for give aways from lots of good authors so keep a lookout! 

I Still Got It lol

This has been a surprisingly busy week. My Uncle is still settling into my mother's house. The roommate situation seems to be going well and everyone says Mom is improving in her alertness and her mobility - so well maybe be downplaying things. 

The other interestingly fun news is that my grandmother - almost 100 years ago - wrote a short book. One part of the book was a children's story, and a University Press has reached out to me wanting to publish the story portion for children. First time in 70 years that the book won't be out of print. It will be nice to read it to my grands soon. 

As for my weekend, I'm watching my nephews for a few days. They're tweens so it's not the same as having my little grands, but it's still bringing out the mama in me. So far I haven't missed getting up early enough for school drop off or weekend soccer and I taught one nephew that grilled cheese and turkey sandwiches are way better than cold sandwiches!  Hopefully he'll always remember his Aunt Chris when he has a grilled cheese sandwich! 

Did I mention guarding over the kids means also watching over the dachshund puppy? You may remember his photos from visiting my house and playing with my golden retriever grand pup. Well here he is in my lap riding back from dropping the nephew off at school. I was told he just curls up in the seat and sleeps during the drive but apparently he wasn't given the memo. I finally after a few stop lights got him to stay in the seat beside me, but he wasn't very happy with me. I suspect because on my lap he could see out the window, but not so in the seat. They do have crazy teeny legs LOL.  But the best part of all this weekend was the card one of my nephews gave me. Just melted my heart! Makes me feel badly for people who don't appreciate family -  I also posted another video snippet of the view from my cousin's backyard in suburban Hill Country. You can find it on my YouTube channel - as always like and subscribe and tell your friends too - I'm at 330 subscribes with a goal of 500! so tell the world!    ​

Remember to Make Memories

This has been a busy as heck week for me. My first challenge iss that I hold a Texas real estate license. I don't use it any more professionally, but it's a good thing to keep for friends and family - especially when my daughter bought and sold her house, mama's license saved them lots of money on both deals! But we have to do continuing education every two years- 18 hours worth. Guess who realized this week that my license expired on Thursday?? Yep - me! So for three days all I did was the online classes, no writing, no housework, no laundry, nada but, I made the deadline! 

My joy at my successful efforts was quickly diminished by the sad news of the passing of a long time neighbor, Carol. A wonderfully sweet woman who was ever so kind to all the neighbors. Her granddaughter and my daughter played together often, for years, so my neighbor has a sweet place in all our hearts. She and I organized an estate sale for my next door neighbor probably twenty years ago - I've had three neighbors since Camille moved away, but Carol was a dependable constant in our lives. She rightly convinced me not to stain my wooden fence but to paint it - she said it would make my yard look softer, and it did. A landscape architect by trade, she kept the entrance to our neighborhood beautiful and had a gorgeous backyard that any park would be jealous of.  While I have a nice sized lot for a major city, across the street along the creek, the lots are gigantic. Carol's was a show piece she and her husband happily shared with all the neighborhood kids for decades. Just about anyone who grew up on our street had their prom, homecoming, and sometimes engagement photos taken in their yard. I've posted a snippet of the yard on YouTube that I took at the family home after the funeral.  Carol was so talented. And not just with flowers. Her skill for decorating was just as strong. For my daughter's wedding when we had about 100 people over the night before for a party, Carol helped move everything around to accommodate all those folks and still made it look nice! 

Listening to all the friends and family share stories of Carol reminded me how important it is to make memories. Long after any of us are gone, our kids and grandkids, or friends and their kids, will tell stories about us. If we're blessed, they'll make people smile. But we have to make an effort to do so even when we don't feel like going to the family gathering, or friend's party, or dinner, or whatever.  And you never know what a small kindness can mean to another person, or the blessings that will come back to you because of it. Carol was always kind, and always kept her eyes to the lord. She will be greatly missed. 

On a more business note - because November is bell pepper month (who knew! LOL) a group of authors decided it would be fun to celebrate with a month-long Pepper Romance Event.  You can find all the books here:  https://subscribepage.io/bellpepper
Today I take my friend to her cataract surgeon for her one week post op - on day one her vision was 20/25 and she was amazed, the next day it went blurry and she'd digressed to 20/50 - which is way better than what it was with cataracts, but a bit disappointing. Today we'll find out where her vision settled. The moral of the story- if you have cataracts, don't wait till they're the worst the doctor has ever seen to get them taken care of! 

The other bright side of the week - hubby has been having trouble at work ever since a computer crashed last month and he's been trying to make due with his laptop - it couldn't sync with the printer and then the back up was giving him grief - so Sunday we finally made time in the afternoon to buy a new desktop and then we bumbled our way through transferring backed up files and recreating files and hallelujah, it worked! 

To thank you for being so patient with me - I thought I'd share a very little snippet from the new book in the new series - the hero and heroine are talking - this is one of those little things in books that actually is based on real life: 

      They discovered they both adored having Mr. Wheeler for history and could have done with anyone but Mrs. Mahoney for biology.
     “I’ll never forget the day I walked into her office to buy the tickets for the school play.” Preston chuckled. “I was a freshman and had no clue who this woman was, other than one of the biology teachers. I did as I had been taught, smiled charmingly at her and asked for two tickets. When she stared at me a moment and then said, “you’re a freshman aren’t you?” I wondered if she was psychic or if someone had pinned a 'kick me' I’m a freshman note somewhere that I hadn’t noticed.”
     “Did you? Have a note on you?”
     He shook his head. “Nope. I asked her, “Do I look that clueless?” Then she frowned and replied, “No, you’re smiling at me.”
     Sarah couldn’t hold back the burst of laughter that erupted. “Oh, I can so picture Mrs. Mahoney saying that. She really did have a mean streak.”
     “I considered that perhaps it was just my perspective as a student and I’d understand better once I grew up.”
     “Did you?”
     “Nope. After a decade I concluded she was just plain mean.” 
​
On that note, I shall bid y'all a fond farewell till next week! 

Another Monday

I sure hope your week has been easier than mine! LOL.  On the bright side - I actually was able to finish another chapter in the New Series book one.  Only two chapters to go!  Yay. 

My mother is very happy that her brother has moved in with her. It's taken a good amount of work to make the place comfortable for him too, but so far it's working really well. As you know Mom has Alzheimer's though it's digressing much more slowly than at first- which is good. Mom still walks and cares for herself and dances when prompted - that's pretty good for 89! Having her baby brother live with her gives her more motivation to move around the house which is also good, so all is as well as can be on that front.

We posted a video on the YouTube channel today of a neighbor around the corner's Halloween decorations. It's seriously amazing, y'all need to pop over and look! Sanderson Sisters, Where are You?

My friend who I have been chauffeuring to and from doctor visits is having a little post surgery disappointment - Part of what has made this last week tough with surgery, post op, and then another appointment to see why her vision is digressing. I wouldn't complain if you said a few prayers for her original post surgery vision to return - it's a shame to have surgery and still need glasses, though it's better than being blind as a bat! 

Remember my recent trip to Houston for a Writer's conference? The one I posted a few videos on YouTube about my view? Well here was something I didn't mention - One day while looking out the balcony I spotted something on the museum across the way. Realize it was a person, then zooming in realized he was on his phone. Whether he was talking or playing games, who knows. But what hit me more - is who the heck wants to be walking out on that roof!  I had hoped to have a garage sale this coming weekend along with the Greek Food Festival near me to capitalize on the extra traffic, but I don't see it happening. Not with the week I've had. I used to love it for decades while raising a family as a stay at home mom. If you look around my house, there are very few pieces that were bought new. I can actually count them (not counting TVs) on One hand ! If it wasn't inherited, it was bought at an estate or garage sale! Do you have garage sales? Do you enjoy garage saling?

Now - blog business. If you haven't signed up to be notified when the blog is up, fill in your email address and click sign up now on the right side of the screen. If you are signed up and not receiving the notices, please email me at Chris@chriskeniston.com - a few of the names are bouncing and I have no way of reaching these people to ask why. 

Now - last if not least- if you like ebook box sets - the last of the current Barons set- Books 10-12 - is available early now from my store - tell all your friends - and remember anyone can get a 10% discount when buying direct from the store - Billionaire Barons of Texas : Boxed Set 3 Books 10-12​ Until next week - everyone have a good day! 

Working Weekend

Did y'all have a good weekend?

​Mine was spent at a writer's conference in Houston.  I did take a short video from my hotel balcony - the varied landscapes of Houston are quite interesting at times. I'm pretty sure I was once told they don't have strong zoning regulations so a mansion might be next to a grocery store. You can see the view from the balcony on my YouTube page ​https://www.youtube.com/@chriskenisto... Of course, please like and more importantly subscribe - I feel like a mother reminding their kids day after day  to brush their teeth before bed so forgive the repetitiveness, but it's very helpful to me. In this photo you can see the massive red tile roof buried in the tree tops in front of the hotel - though the fountains are lovely, I can't imagine owning a house that big in the middle of a busy business district by main street - and yet - there it is. Is anyone a Melanie Harlowe fan? My daughter absolutely loves her books and it was so fun bumping into her and getting this photo for my girl. Though I will add that this photo is motivation to start that diet - today ! LOL.  Now, shall we discuss food? I am a firm believer in life is short - eat dessert first. LOL.  And this particular hotel has the best chantilly desserts - the first day was all the berries and the second lunch was just the strawberries -both were very very yummy and yes I ate them first! 

Then there were the flavored martinis - y'all know I have a weakness for tasty drinks that don't taste like alcohol.  The first day I had a chocolate martini - it was delicious. The second day - well - it was almost dessert : a creme brulee martini! It was definitely yummy. I was having dinner with my entertainment attorney and she ordered the expresso and I had the creme brulee. I'm not a coffee fan but I love creme brulee!  I now have a long to-do list after this conference so I'd best get to work. As a reminder, later this month the next box set for the Barons is releasing. So, if you're one of those folks who prefers box sets over individual books, keep an eye out! 

I think I'm done for the day - back to book work! 

What A Day

well - I'm sure y'all have noticed - I'm late. Yep - it was one of those days. 

My morning started like a scene out of a sit-com. Allow me to set the scene.  I have a friend from long ago, she was in my bridal party, but through the years we drifted apart. No rift of any kind, but when I married my husband and I moved 20 minutes north of where I used to live and she already lived 20 minutes south of me.  That alone wasn't a huge deal just made things more difficult. Then I had my son, that does change everything. Who has time for dinner or coffee dates with a baby? Then there were two babies. The church we both attended had split up and dissolved by the time my daughter came along. Our new paths simply didn't cross anymore. There was the exchange of Christmas cards and an occasional phone call every decade to make sure we were still alive, but that was pretty much it. Well, we got to meet up recently and I realized she had some health issues she was ignoring. Anyone who knows me knows, I don't cotton to ignoring unpleasant things. So, with a good deal of pushing and nudging and okay, badgering, by me, we have several doctor's appointments lined up over the last couple of weeks to which I drive her because she can't read maps, street signs, and yes, she has severe cataracts. 

this morning was the preop appointment for the cataracts surgery - at 8:15 am. 

Now comes the sit com: I told hubby that I needed to be up around 7:30 because I had to leave the house no later than 8am to meet her there at 8:15. Since he's the early riser, this should have been fine under normal circumstances. We all went to bed early. All of a sudden I feel my husband whack me gently on the back and yell. "OMG it's 8 oclock." He springs out of bed, I yell, "Really?" Spot the clock. 7:58 am - Now I spring out of bed. The two of us bump into each other at the foot of the bed, him heading for the bathroom, me to the closet. I grab some clean clothes and hurry back to the bathroom. Now we do that 'shall we dance' move with me trying to get to the sink and him trying to get out of the bathroom. All in all, I made it out of my house at 8:10.  The challenge, a 15 minute drive to the doctor made longer by rush hour traffic. I managed to rush into the office at 8:30, thankfully my friend was still waiting her turn in the office. Whew! 

If anyone is curious - I actually got to read while waiting from test to test. A booky by Carolyn Brown. Forgive me - I have no idea what the title is and my nook isn't anywhere near my right now. But it was a free ebook so go look and see - so far it's as good as I remember Carolyn's books.  (some of you may not know that I don't read often. It's usually a toss up between write a book and read - and writing always takes priority) 

Three hours later, I dropped her off at her house, we made some plans for tomorrows morning appointment with the surgeon for her basic cell cancer (told you she was ignoring a few things) to have the stitches removed. By the time I made it back to my house it was almost one o'clock. Sigh. First stop, my mother's house to see how the handyman was doing making changes in preparation for my mom's brother moving in with her. We're doing all we can to keep mom in her own house for as long as we can. So far so good. (she has moderate dementia due to alzheimers). 

All is going well there. Next stop, to Tmobile for a new phone. Last week on thursday I realized my phone wouldn't take a charge. Marvy. After a visit to the local shop, I received good and bad news. The bad, the phone needed to be replaced. The good, the one year warranty expires this week. Seven days from the discovery - woot! Again more bad, I couldn't get a replacement until today.  So - turning my phone off to conserve the battery, I made it work through the weekend and today was pick up day. 

Has anyone noticed that in all this recounting there has been no mention of food? Well, there's a good reason for that- It's after two and I still haven't had time to eat! 

Do you also happen to know that transferring info from one phone to another isn't a fast thing? I do now! lol. I stood while they tinkered with the two phones, asked me a few questions- for the record I had to provide my ID more times to change my phone than I would have to board an airplane!  Anyhow, the process began and I was told to wait, and wait, and wait. On the bright side - that's the motto of the day, there's always a bright side - I got in 3,000 steps pacing around the store waiting for all things to transfer! 

So - a pretty long day was about to get longer. I'd barely made it back home, when my cousin asked me to help her move a few things. My cousin and her husband had been living with mom and bought their own house, which is why my uncle is moving in now. Food will have to wait till later- off to move a dresser and some clothes! 

Are you tired yet? I sure am!  I did manage to eat finally, and get some admin work done, and now- very late, here I am updating y'all! 

How was your day?

Welcome from Big Tex

It's State Fair time in Texas!  Does anyone remember the old (and I mean old lol) movie with Ann Margaret and Pat Boone titled State Fair? It was filmed at the Texas State fair - besides being well known for the original home of Fletcher Corny Dogs, it's also the home of the largest permanent Ferris Wheel!  The odd thing of course is all foods fried!  Of course there's more than food.  All the new cars are out in pretty colors and styles to sit in and play with - I think there are two buildings for those. There's lots of music stages and shows for kids. If you love animals, there are cows and pigs and goats and rabbits and some of these sell for a small fortune! There are trick dog shows and lots of craft halls. One in particular made me think of my friend author Elizabeth Essex who always makes the best historical costumes. And we can't forget the carved butter - yep - Butter! Every year it's something different and always interesting. This year there was an interesting display in progress at the Hall of State (where my daughter had her wedding reception) of what I call houses of cards.   If you'd like to see the short videos I took at the Fair, you can find them on my youtube channel - here's the first one - Hello from the State Fair of Texas (youtube.com) the rest will be posted over the next couple of days. And if you pop over, don't forget to like and subscribe! 

Just in case you think the above display is the only fried food list - ha! SO much fried food Everywhere around the fairgrounds! 
I didn't take photos of the craft areas. Some were rather impressive, the woodworks, yarn work, a few paintings, not as many as in years past, the cookware was everywhere. I picked up a small leather bag for when a purse is too big, that was handy. There was one purse I totally coveted but at $70 it was crazy high for a bag I would only use once or twice a year. I was however fascinated by these candles. The only problem is if I had them in my house I'd be hungry all the time! LOL. Can you believe those are candles and not a bowl of food? 

I have no new updates on my books. Between family events (weddings and showers and babysitting) and not feeling my best thanks to allergies aggravating my overall health, I've not gotten near as much writing done as I wanted.  I am however happy with how many new readers I've found since my publisher put the first box set of the Billionaire of Barons on sale for 99 cents - This is a great bargain to share with all your friends who haven't read my work! 

To everyone in the path of Milton - please stay safe. 

Do You Like Weddings?

Seriously, who doesn't like a nice wedding? I had the honor and privilege of attending my niece's wedding in Texas Hill Country.  While everything was so pleasantly peaceful (talk about a sea of stars in the sky!) the best part was the sweet couple. I hope I can remember the looks on their faces when I write my next hero and heroine!

Here's the only photo I have of hubby and me at the wedding, and a lovely photo of the garden in the house we stayed at - you can see my grands loving the fountain!  now the actual ceremony was just beautiful - the bride looked so lovely, and they wrote their own vows - incredibly sweet, not a dry eye in the place! LOL. The reception was a load of fun - well - there was one moment that almost gave me a heart attack.  The groom was born in the USA but raised in Spain. Apparently there's this tradition I didn't know of - friends gather around the groom and the next thing I know he's being tossed up in the air like a stuffed toy! well, that wasn't too bad, he knew what was coming. When I looked up and saw a brunette in a long white gown being tossed up, I almost keeled over! Dear heavens they were tossing the bride! my niece! I think I actually screamed when I saw her up in the air - really HIGH in the air! 

As with all weddings, there was lots of dancing. My uncle - who happens to be 82 years old, danced more than anyone else in the place!  Below he's dancing with my 89 year old mom - she doesn't move as well as she did a year ago, but she still tries. My hubby's phone camera isn't the best, so the photo of my uncle and me dancing is more blurry, since I was obviously moving - as you can see by the bare feet, the new heels were a disappointment. I kicked them off VERY early in the reception. I intentionally purchase low kitten heels so that I can wear shoes for hours, not these. But I still had a nice time!  On the book front I have not gotten many words in - it has just been too busy, but I do have good news about The Billionaire Barons Box set. My publisher has put it on sale and it has hit the bestseller lists at Barnes and Noble.  SO much fun to see!  And of course the ebook set is on sale at all vendors so tell your friends!  In the meantime, I've got many a friend who is knee high in water thanks to this storm, others who are trapped in their neighborhoods, all thankfully in good physical shape. I'm praying all of you out there are safe and dry and not challenged by Helene. 

That's my report for the day!  See y'all next week. Same Chris time, Same Chris Channel LOL (okay it's lame but I couldn't help it - if you're too young to remember what I'm making fun of, sorry lol)