I wasn’t in attendance Friday night but, the beginning of the Christmas holiday took place at Westmoreland Mall as they held their annual Light Up night festivities. I read that the event had its best turnout in five years (pre-COVID). While COVID is still a thing and will always be around, it appears the social distancing and lockdowns are a thing of the past. Seeing people out and about to celebrate the start of the season had to be a good feeling for the mall. With the demise of Century III , it’s more important than ever for those of us in Westmoreland County to frequent this mall. The casino is bringing in business and they just need something to take the place of Sears, another anchor, junior anchor or hotel. South Hills Village is still going strong and is adding an anchor new to our area to replace that Sears. Anyway, back to the holidays.

I’ll be checking out the glitz and glamour of the holiday season very soon while being sure to rock a nice holiday outfit. Plus, I’ll be sure to enjoy a Peppermint Mocha at one of the Starbucks kiosks. Think of the bigger malls in the Pittsburgh area like South Hills Village, Ross Park Mall, or the Mall at Robinson. Downtown Pittsburgh’s Light Up Night will be next week and I’m sure it will be crowded. Ligonier’s in November 24 and if I’m available that night, I will make it out there.

Toastmasters returns this week for me as I’ll be attending online meetings for Laurel Highlands and Greensburg. Since I got my new webcam for my laptop, I’ve been enjoying attending the online meetings. Having to use my iPad or my phone was a nuisance, and I always hated using so much screen time on my phone. When I attended Winter TLI in December 2020 at the height of the pandemic, I put six hours of screen time on my phone just for Zoom alone. I can see more faces on my computer now and it’s better than touching the screen so many times. Plus, my extreme close-up won’t look so awkward.

I was going to give a speech Wednesday but decided to push it back to after Thanksgiving since our seasoned members will be back in attendance. Plus I’ll have just published my 500th blog post.

I took advantage of the amazing weather Sunday afternoon and drove out to Ligonier. I don’t get out much and wanted to enjoy my day off, thus taking a nice Sunday drive up Route 30. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in my little Stars Hollow and the perfect Hallmark Christmas town.

Most of the color on the trees has disappeared, leaving the trees bare. But you can still find color if you look hard enough. There was some yellow on the trees heading out of Latrobe going towards Idlewild and Soak Zone. I spotted some orange as I was coming home from work this morning. The reality is that it’s mid-November and everything is past peak. The only color to look forward to will be from the Christmas lights as people will be out decorating their yards. Perfect week to do it as it will be dry and mild.

In Ligonier, the lampposts are looking festive inside the Diamond and the tree is up in the bandshell. The center of town was a perfect writing spot for me to work on this blog today and watch people go by. In just a few short weeks, families will be coming here to have holiday pictures taken. Memories will be made and this town will sparkle when the tree is lit. I’ll have to plan a trip out to Ligonier at night and take in the holiday atmosphere. I took a few pictures with my iPhone and made my way back home as the sun began to set and Mom, Katie, and Annabelle were coming back from Children’s Hospital. I enjoyed the sounds of the season going to and coming back from Ligonier as I listened to WISH 99.7

Finally, Mom visited Benny at Children’s Hospital this afternoon and Katie and Annabelle came along for the ride. Benny is making good progress from what Mom had told me plus my aunt provides updates on Facebook. Fingers crossed he’ll be able to come home soon. Mom will be there all day on Saturday; thus, giving me an opportunity to get out after I wake up. I’m off Saturday night and making plans to check out some Christmas decorations. I’m also hungry for another Thanksgiving feature. Primanti’s has a “Primanturkey” sandwich and Eat’n Park and Bob Evans have their turkey dinners. I also want to go to Market District and buy some holiday goodies. So while Westmoreland Mall seems the favorable place to go, I may just have to venture out into Pittsburgh for this trip. We’ll see what happens once I get closer to Saturday.

Last night, I drove out to Monroeville and ate dinner at Mad Mex, located in the Miracle Mile shopping center. It was the perfect time of the year to try their seasonal staple, the Gobblerito. For me, this was my second time expereiencing this culinary masterpiece. Last year was my introduction and I got an excellent first impression.

I arrived at dinnertime so there was a huge crowd. The whole plaza was packed so finding parking was a miracle. Who says the economy’s tanking? Time for a history lesson. At one time, Miracle Mile was home to JCPenney and Kresge (which eventually became K-Mart). They had two grocery stores at one point (Kroger being one of them; they left the market in early 1984). Where Lowe’s is now was Kaufmann’s (now Macy*s) Department Store. Meet me under the Kaufmann’s clock. Monroeville has grown into quite the suburb of Pittsburgh and a thriving shopping mecca.

Anyway, back to dinner.

I had no trouble ordering and I picked a seasonal margarita to complement my Gobblerito. My server even provided me with water. I always hold myself to one drink since I’m going to be driving home afterwards. I savour my meals and this one was no exception as I ate it slowly. It paired very well with the cranberry sauce which I used for dipping.

My fall pumpkin spice coffeehouse tour failed but I was able to enjoy Fall coffee at home going between Pumpkin Spice and Creme Brulee. However, this mini Thanksgiving tour is going well. I enjoyed my Pilgrim last week and of course my Gobblerito. But where to next week on this tour?

After I finished my meal and left a nice tip for my server, I set off on US 22 and drove home through Murrysville. I contemplated making a Market District run in the near future. Pretty soon, I’ll be starting to see Christmas lights in my travels, especially throughout Penn Township and Westmoreland County.

Monday night began the Holiday Baking Championship on Food Network and the Discovery app. While Halloween is fun and scary at the same time, Holiday is more the exciting competition and with the better host to boot. My next seven weeks will be spent cheering on the best baker to win the Holiday Baking Championship. Also, I’ll be learning new culinary terms along the way.

Speaking of holiday baking, let’s talk about this shelf in my mom’s pantry cupboard. Giant Eagle had great deals on baking supplies last week; therefore, Mom took advantage of the sales and loaded up for the cookie rush. I can’t wait to see what she has in store. I’m sure it’ll be the usual (thumbprints, red devil’s food, etc.) with a few new creations in store. I’ll be making my Elf sugar cookies in a few weeks as well. Speaking of Buddy the Elf, happy 20th anniversary to this iconic holiday movie which is in good company with others for G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time).

Finally, I’ll be digging the holiday T-shirts this weekend and buying some newer designs. I’ve retired a few older shirts (Simpsons and Christmas Story) and acquired a few newer ones over the years (Elf and Bob Ross). I’m still hanging on to the Eat’n Park Star as well as Elf. The Ugly Christmas sweaters? That’s another project for another time.

This weekend has been a treat with mild temperatures and dry conditions replacing the rain and cooler temperatures that seemed to dominate the October landscape. Color is starting to fade in most of Pennsylvania or is already past peak. Some of you saw snow to kick off November. We saw a few flurries but nothing else out of the ordinary. Just a sign that winter will be here soon.

WISH 99.7 is playing Christmas music this weekend to get its listeners into the Christmas spirit? A little bit early? Maybe, but I’ve been giving in since Fall began. A little bit at a time until the middle of the month and then it’ll be full blown holiday tunes. Christmas Mariah Carey is almost defrosted, kids.

Yesterday, I ordered a Pilgrim sub from Getgo Cafe and Market and it was the best thing ever. It’s not my first time as I’ve had them for several years now. The Pilgrim is definitely a holiday favorite and it was the perfect lunch yesterday before I laid down for my afternoon nap.

Last year, I ate my first Gobblerito at Mad Mex and it was worth the money and the drive to Monroeville. I’ll be making it a tradition once again when I go next week on one of my nights off for dinner. My cousins rave about this Thanksgiving treat and now I am too. Even my aunt enjoyed hers when we went last year the week before Thanksgiving.

Back to my review of the Pilgrim. It was well prepared. The bread was very savory, and the combination of turkey, gravy, and cranberry sauce made this a tasty lunch. Be prepared as it is a messy sandwich. I enjoyed mine with a bag of chips and a bottle of Cherry Coke.

I felt more alive this Saturday than I did the last few weekends. Perhaps the weather had something to do with that. I’m also not sick like I was two weeks ago. Boy was that an ordeal. I won’t take this weekend, or any other, for granted. Last week I could have done some things but didn’t want to go out on account of the weather. I felt like I cheated myself, and could have taken the time to sit in a cafe or bookstore and do some writing for a future blog. Oh well, I learned my lesson.

Wednesday night, we held our Greensburg Toastmasters meeting. It was exclusively online on Zoom due to our usual meeting place being prepped for Election Day activity. Get out and vote this Tuesday, everyone. For me this was the first online Greensburg meeting since I got my new webcam which makes the Zoom meetings much more fun to attend. I even gave a speech about change in my life that took place during 2021. I referenced the book “Who Moved my Cheese?”, which goes into detail about change.

I’ll be speaking again next meeting (to be held online on 11/15). My project is one that will be near and dear to me, “Write A Compelling Blog”.

Finally, I got a nice compliment and a new perspective on what it means to slay. I’ve used that term and have been complimented with it due to my fashion sense. I talked about my growth over not just the last couple years but the last dozen. My “sister” Sara praised me for also slaying at life and being my true, unique self, in addition to slaying my outfits. I won’t ever stop doing my fashion journey, but I can look at the term “slaying” differently now thanks to one of my biggest supporters.

Hard to believe I almost let a national talking head discourage me and almost cause me to quit, even in 2023.

This month, I’ll be celebrating two years with Giant Eagle (November 22) and it was one of the best moves I made. At the end of the month, I’ll be publishing my 500th blog. I’m definitely happy with my life and where it’s going.

I don’t know about any of you reading this, but I thought that little touch of snow was a welcome sight Wednesday morning. As I left work, I was faced with the task of cleaning off my car and scraping some of the ice that had frozen to my windshield. I’ve also had to scrape off the frost and bundle up with morning lows in the 20s and 30s. Warmer weather is coming next week but we know the 40s will eventually win out as November rolls on.

Without further ado, here is my recap for the month of October.

We celebrated Annabelle’s birthday and had our Gaffron family reunion the first weekend of the month. The cooler weather sure made it feel like fall after we began with summer-like weather. Held at Mammoth Park, Annabelle’s birthday party had a Harry Potter theme from the table setting down to the cupcakes and party favors. The amount of pizza ordered was enough to feed all the adults and children. I discovered the giant slide that Mammoth Park is famous for and slid down it a few times, pretending I was doing the luge in the Winter Olympics. When we got home, we got to watch Annabelle open her birthday presents. I got her art supplies from Michaels but I think the coolest gift was all the Harry Potter funko pops that she got from her aunt.

The next day we had our Gaffron family reunion at Laurel Hill State Park. We had the indoor pavilion reserved and it came in handy with the cool weather that was forecast. The pavilion had a fireplace and plenty of firewood to keep us warm, but we did a considerable amount of time outside. We ate plenty of good food, I supplied the coffee which I got from Dunkin’ Donuts, and there was even a charcuterie board. I spent a lot of time talking to my cousins and watching the younger Gaffron cousins chase each other around. Jonathan took group pictures during the afternoon (you see one of them up top). One is reminiscent of the old cousin photos that we took on Mother’s Day. The only ones missing were Jason and Nik , both of them doing their own thing. We remembered my mom’s cousin Greg who passed away the day before.

When the reunion wrapped up, I stopped in Ligonier and spent some time in the diamond writing a blog post covering the weekend’s events. I witnessed engagement photos being taken in the gazebo as I got ready to come home. On the way there and home, I saw plenty of color as the leaves began changing along PA 711 and US 30. It’s November 3 now, and most of the color is starting to fade or is already past peak. Remember, some of us saw snow to start November, be it a dusting or several inches.

I bought cheetah print tops from Old Navy and throughout October, I confidently wore them and got compliments from family and friends. At home, I overthink and worry about what will be said but that shouldn’t really be an issue. I wore my t-shirt to dinner with Mr. Clougherty, my sweater at the reunion, and my cardigan to the Fall Symposium. Maybe one day I’ll wear them all at home with joy and without feeling ashamed.

The Fall Symposium was a success. I was lucky to attend the event because of my schedule and was grateful for a free night on Friday so I could get up the next day and attend. Our speakers all did a fantastic job helping us take good information back to our clubs. We awarded our Toastmasters and District Leaders who came to play in the most recent Toastmaster year. Before we ended the event, all the Distinguished Toastmasters in the District got together to welcome those new to the DTM club.

The second half of October was marred by sickness and not really going anywhere. I spent whatever days off I had indoors fighting a cough and cold. I got better just in time to have dinner with Mr. Clougherty. It was our final meeting in the 2023 Dinner series and we met at Kings in Hempfield. Only a few cars in the parking lot at dinnertime made me think that they don’t have much time left. Kevin enjoyed his K-Boy because it might have been his last one.

Maybe that quiet second half of October is what I need to get me ready for the busy holiday rush ahead. I’m looking forward to posting that 500th blog at the end of the month and feeling accomplished.

Ten more blog posts to go!

I‘m feeling much better than I did last week as my cold and cough have gone away. Despite feeling better I stayed inside due to the inclement weather all weekend. That gave me an opportunity to watch football. Not much else I could do even I wanted to. I don’t need to shop for anything and if I do, it’s online because there’s more of a selection and I don’t have to worry about feeling judged. But it feels nice to get out of the house.

Here’s my look ahead to November and when it’s time to defrost Christmas Mariah

I’m interested in updating my winter wardrobe very soon. I still stand loyal to my Columbia jackets (which I’ve had several years now) and love my patterns. Cheetah and leopard print are my trademark, with houndstooth being a close second. If you can find a pink cherry pattern, please send it my way. I have my eye on a houndstooth coat, as well as some leather gloves, a wool scarf, and maybe a matching hat to complement that coat. I’m looking at Old Navy and online at fashionnova.com for inspiration.

November is a month to celebrate for me. Four years ago, I began this blog while on a work road trip to Erie. I posted my first blog from my phone in my bedroom. Two years ago, I ended my long run at WIS International and got hired on at Giant Eagle. I’m grateful for a short trip home every day, working full time, and having personal days and great benefits. Later this month I’ll post my 500th blog and that too will be a cause for celebration.

As of now, Thanksgiving plans are up in the air because of Benny’s recent health issues. It’s looking like he will be in the hospital for at least a month but I am not certain. We may be home once again or we may be in Somerset County. I’ll post when I know what’s going on.

Pumpkin season is wrapping up and soon it will be Egg Nog, Gingerbread, and Peppermint Season. I bought some holiday things yesterday at Target, including some Egg Nog and these really cute Elf sugar cookies that you can make in the oven. Once Thanksgiving ends, I will be enjoying these more along with other tasty Christmas treats. I’ll begin listening to Christmas music within the next week. I have been bringing it gradually, especially on the cooler days. Yesterday, I played my Backstreet Boys Christmas CD in the car on the way to and from Target. It’s almost “defrost Christmas Mariah Carey” time, kids!

Plus, I’m welcoming the snow flurries tomorrow morning. There’s just something about the first snow that makes me smile. It’s not a welcome sight in April or even May but in November, yes. A little bit of snow is just right. Nothing too out of the ordinary.

Finally, I’m wrapping up the Halloween Baking Championship tonight. For the last three years, I’ve enjoyed this competition that is shown on Food Network. The bakers that take part in this eight week show are very talented and all are in it to win the grand prize. The creations that they come up with are very good and the judging for this competition is very tough. As this series wraps up, I’ll be looking forward to the Holiday Baking Championship next week. In my mom’s opinion, the latter is the better show but I think both shine in their own way.

Someday, I will check out the Spring Baking Championship.

Last weekend was an absolute disaster. I was going through the misery of being sick, having come down with a cold and feeling congested. This began on Friday and ran through the early part of the week before I got better around Wednesday. By Thursday, I was feeling good enough to have dinner with Mr. Clougherty. It was our last time having dinner together for the year as he would begin swimming season soon enough. He was going to be too busy for us to have dinner and we agreed to meet again in April. It was a series wrap for our eleventh season eating together and as always, it was a great time. A good night at work followed which provided a nice road into the upcoming weekend. I didn’t expect a long weekend so I wasn’t looking a gift horse in the mouth with the holidays coming soon.

In the last year, I’ve begun to feel more content and don’t spend as much on unnecessary things. I’ve gotten into the habit of saving my money every month, which is what I need to be doing at my age. Elsewhere, my money goes to groceries, rent, bills, and anything car related. I don’t buy books like I used to and have settled in with the Harry Potter series. I’m still involved in Toastmasters and my home club is having a successful year. I have updated my wardrobe in the last couple of years and have had hiccups along the way mentally. Despite questioning my fashion journey at the end of spring once again, I came out victorious.

I gave five bags of clothes to Goodwill last month and that helped me clear space, clear my mind, and improve my mental health. I have CDs that I will be going through and will likely give most of those to a church or to the Salvation Army. I’ll be digging out my Christmas music soon but I realize I can listen to the same thing on Amazon too.

As I was saying, my spending habits have improved, as well as my priorities and my contentment.

It’s not the end of an era this weekend, but the rain falling this weekend is a metaphor to remind me of seasons in my life coming to an end. Four years ago on Halloween, I was getting ready to move back home from my grandma’s old house. It was a rainy, windy night and I was sick. It was a good night to stay indoors but I was working that night. Two years later marked the last day our office was together before we broke into two separate divisions. We worked our last inventory as office 3609 at a Rite Aid in Lawrenceville, not far from Children’s Hospital. It was an emotional, bittersweet day. The next day, the change officially took place. I worked there for three more weeks before getting hired by Giant Eagle.

November 22 will mark my two year anniversary with “the Eagle”.

It’s great getting back to what I love doing after being sick most of the week. I fought a cold all week and still went to work without calling off. That’s what I call dedication. I still attended my Toastmasters meeting Tuesday night and had dinner last night with Mr. Clougherty.

Tonight, we’ll begin with a look back not at this week but about 20+ years ago. It’s the Fall of 2001 and I’m living at the Hiram G. Andrews Center and attending class at the local community college. In my first semester of college, I was enrolled in a life skills program that centered around learning to drive. This class was like your high school driver’s ed course but without the fun of using the simulator to practice driving. I was given the Driver manual to study in my spare time. Eventually, we scheduled my written test at the local DMV in Johnstown, near Richland Township. I passed, but barely, and now officially had my learner’s permit.

In the Fall of 2001, my name came up to start training behind the wheel. For the first month, I practiced driving around the school. Eventually, I got out of my comfort zone and learned to drive in the residential areas in and around Westmont. The training wheels came off when I learned expressway driving on PA 56 going towards the mall. There were a lot of learning curves that came with my training behind the wheel. I experienced adverse driving conditions a few days before Thanksgiving when it snowed while I was practicing driving on Scalp Ave. My biggest tests came at the end when I learned night driving on PA 56 towards Seward and going towards PA 954 near Indiana. The next morning I did my final test and passed with flying colors, even with so much distraction hindering me along the way.

For all the work that I put into Driver’s Education at HGA, I didn’t put any of it to practice afterwards. From the duration of my time in Johnstown through my stay at Slippery Rock University, I didn’t drive at all. It would have really come in handy with a limited public transportation system in Slippery Rock. There’s lots of things I’d still redo about my experience there and that would have been one of them. I finally got it right in the summer of 2006 when I practiced with a state trooper. One day was all that I needed and I was set. I drove to work for the first time in October of that same year (15 minutes down the bypass to Kings).

I did very well for myself and finally mastered driving on the Parkway a few years later and even drove a company van for WIS for several years before I stepped down from the company in late 2021. I’m not driving as much now since I work five minutes from home at Giant Eagle but I still like traveling every so often.

Last night, I wrapped up the Dinner Series for 2023 with Mr. Clougherty. We had our last meal of the year at Kings in Hempfield. Maybe it was a slow night, but seven cars in the parking lot during the dinner rush is pretty sad. I was told they are more busy at breakfast and lunch but what I saw last night was not a good sign. This once proud restaurant chain offered me my first job out of college. Kings is now down to four locations and on life support as it is. Please don’t tell me this is the next Kings on the chopping block. Kevin ordered a K-Boy and I ordered the Country Fried Steak.

Kevin enjoyed his burger because it might be his last K-Boy and I enjoyed our time together as always.

This blog was inspired by a recent post from my cousin Katie who wrote about the 18 Fall Treats that you can enjoy besides Pumpkin Spice. She even included a fall activity to go along with it. Today, I am here to talk about the many other things that you can do besides wasting your time on social media outlets. Don’t get me wrong, I find many good qualities about social media but lately, the good has outweighed the bed. I’m getting pages suggested for me that I don’t like and I get sucked in anyways. Plus, all the ads posted on Facebook and Instagram are very annoying. If you’re a social media influencer, all the power to you. It’s just not something that piques my interest.

Facebook and YouTube and I go all the way back to the mid-2000’s. In fact, Facebook is one of my last links to my time at Slippery Rock University. I’m newer to Instagram. I believe all of them have become too big for their own good. I used Facebook to keep up with friends and YouTube for the nostalgia. Nowadays, with my fashion journey (that’s what we’re calling it), I crave so much attention and get discouraged and disappointed when no one likes my stuff or comments on it. YouTube and Facebook are the biggest time wasters, but Instagram isn’t far behind.

Anyway, I’m getting away from what I really want to talk about in this blog. There are many hobbies that can replace the time I spend on social media. I won’t be doing away entirely with Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube but I want to cut back on how much time I spend (or waste) on them. So get ready as I unveil my ten hobbies that can replace the brain cells I lose from getting involved in Facebook drama.

1- Read the latest Harry Potter book which I just got last week. I started Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban a few days ago and my goal is to have it done by Thanksgiving. That’s when I want to begin Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I’m not far behind my 11 year old niece right now.

2- Do a set of lessons on Duolingo. I’m over 550 days strong on this app and have been learning multiple languages.

3- Cook up new recipe ideas from my Betty Crocker cookbook that I got this summer. I’m sure that I can whip up Chicken or Eggplant Parmesan with a little help from Betty.

4- Come up with a new home decor project that I can find in one of my new books that I got in September or October.

5- Let’s go outside for this next one. It’s a perfect weekend to get out and view the leaves as they are at their peak in our region. Keystone and Linn Run provide perfect spots for taking pictures of the yellows, reds, and oranges.

6-Put together a perfect winter ensemble. I’m in the market for a houndstooth coast to keep me warm for the upcoming winter months. I’ll be purchasing it soon.

7- Buy a coloring book or learn a new craft. For me, I would like to take up drawing. Also, I saved some pictures from our Family Reunion on my phone and I’d love to print them out and frame them.

8- Work on my upcoming speech for my next Toastmasters meeting. One of the electives in my path to write a compelling blog. We’re almost done.

9- Get a Christmas playlist ready to go. It’s almost time to defrost holiday Mariah Carey and torture yourself with “All I Want for Christmas is You”. You know you love it.

Finally

10- Read your Bible and pray. I may be away from the church but I’m not away from my faith. This has been on my heart and this list wouldn’t be complete without it. Christmas is coming and what better time to grow your faith than by reading The Christmas Story.

Over the summer, I started reading Harry Potter. I was inspired by my ten (now 11) year old niece as well as my many cousins who have read the books. Next book in the series for me will be Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, which I will begin tonight. My goal is to start Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by Thanksgiving. The books get longer from here on out.

In addition to Harry Potter, I’m also reading Part of My World by Jodi Benson. She is the lady who voiced Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid. In the book, she talks about her faith, chasing her dreams, and of course her voice acting and stage experience. Jodi has also voiced Barbie in Toy Story 2 and 3. Reading this book has encouraged me to have a Disney Princess movie night down the road.

In the past, I’ve read various genres, most of which were inspirational or sports-related. Some of my favorite authors include Tony Dungy and Jeff Pearlman. Quiet Strength was one of Tony’s books that really caught my interest. In it he talks about his life, and his NFL experience as a player and coach. Some of those things mentioned in the book include finding a Godly wife, faith in God’s will for His occupation, overcoming bitterness from being fired from a head coaching job, and the crushing suicide of his 18 year old son just before Christmas in 2005.

Jeff Pearlman has written mostly biographies of famous athletes but one of my favorite reads from him was Showtime. This book highlighted the Lakers dynasty of the 1980s with Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Pat Riley leading the way. I also enjoyed Gunslinger, which highlights the life and career of Brett Favre.

As for the Harry Potter series, this isn’t my first rodeo. I read the first three books in the Fall of 2018 when I began to seriously question whether of not WIS was still in my best interests. I stopped after reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and was getting ready to start Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. However, other things came up and I never got back to reading the series. Fast forward to 2023 and with inspiration from family and friends and colleagues, I get back into reading the books once again.

I owe my love of books (as well as Jeopardy! and ginger snaps) to my late grandmother as well as many of my aunts, uncles, and cousins. She instilled a love for reading in all of us and always taught us to think for ourselves.

Time to close off the blog.

Even though it’s fall, it’s never too early to start thinking about the highlights of 2023. I’m in the process of gathering up those newsworthy events that shaped the year for me. There’s a lot that can go into the list so it will be hard to whittle all of it down into one list.

Benny‘s hospital stay; getting my laptop; Canadian wildfires; Dylan Mulvaney; becoming club president; seeing Greensburg become a Club of Champions. We’ll see what comes out on top.

December 23 will be the day that I post my yearly Top Ten.

This weekend’s Fall Symposium is in the books. Was it a good one? I would say so. To tell you the truth, I wasn’t sure I was going to attend until the week before. I didn’t want to ask off having a busy weekend just before that. But the Giant Eagle scheduling gods were smiling down on me and gave me Friday night off so I could attend. Did we make it three in a row next week so I could attend SRU Homecoming? No, and that’s OK too.

This was only my second Fall Symposium I attended. I did briefly sit in for the awards portion of the 2020 Fall Symposium before heading off to a wedding in Pittsburgh.

I braved the rainy weather getting there and coming back home. However it made for a nice drive on PA 819. In a way, the rain was a metaphor just as it was two years ago and four years ago on Halloween. When I arrived and got signed in, I met up with a few Toastmasters. One I knew well and another whom I didn’t so we introduced ourselves and got to know each other. We also talked about our bags. For most of the day, I kept the electronics in check and preferred social interaction more.

I’m not trying to do away with my phone, but I am trying to spend less time on the social media platforms. That, and not relying on everyone’s approval in my fashion journey. If I like it, that’s all that matters. Anyway, back to the Symposium.

Our presenters did an amazing job. Russell Drake, Distinguished Toastmaster and past International Director, kicked off the morning talking about leadership. To lead or not to lead. That is the question. Fursey Guatico (Mr. G) presented online to us and had us doing physical exercises to show us to do our gestures better when speaking or giving feedback. Our newest Distinguished Toastmaster James Teague shared his experience being part of Jest Speaking. Everything all had something to say and we kept our Toastmaster busy yesterday morning. A big thank you to Russell, Fursey, and Jim for giving us their time and energy yesterday.

Fursey did mention metaphors and other types of grammar yesterday. I talked about the rain being a metaphor of its own yesterday. It was the same a few years as WIS made changes and I would soon make my exit there, and again on Halloween 2019. A rainy and windy day and night marked one of my final nights living in my grandma’s house (she passed away in June of that same year).

Lunch was excellent and WCCC’s culinary staff always does a bangup job. The chicken and pasta were the chef’s kiss. The potatoes and green beans with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese were a great compliment. While I’m on a pumpkin spice kick and could have easily gone for the pumpkin pie, I chose the cherry pie instead (because you know, I love cherries).

The moment we were all waiting for was the awards ceremony. We heard the winners, both clubs and individuals. Priority Speakers, Erie Insurance, Indiana, and Bakery Square all came away in 2022-23 as great clubs in their divisions. I’m off Thursday night which may give me the opportunity to visit Indiana Toastmasters Friday morning. Greensburg made Select Distinguished so it’s up to me to keep the streak going and get us to President’s Distinguished.

We have three new Distinguished Toastmasters in our home club, plus our longtime Toastmaster Mike Dalton won the Commitment to Excellence award yesterday.

Greensburg is a Club of Champions, and it was worth a Saturday morning to attend this great event.

Winter TLI will be held December 2. By then I’ll have published my 500th blog post.