Well wasn’t that a lovely break?
Didj’all miss my rants, my insights, or just my nonsense? Know what? Doesn’t matter. We both know I don’t pretend to care here on my Not A Nice Lady Blog.
I took eight days off from blogging, while my kids had nine off from school. I read some of you some of the time, the same way I still drove to school during that time. There weren’t too many cold, dark mornings and there were few late nights. I owned most of my days. In typical Joey fashion, I did some cleaning and reorganization, but I also had more time to sleep and snuggle, to read and watch shows. I always aim for balance.
catticus, lettin it all hang out
I had a peaceful Thanksgiving, breezy as ever. I love Thanksgiving. I’m especially fond of after Thanksgiving, when one can eat pumpkin pie for breakfast and cold, dry turkey sammiches for lunch — and that last day of turkey, when I make the noodles. Oh y’all, the noodle time, it is upon us!
noodles all up in my lap
On the Saturday after, I like to put up my tree. Putting up the tree is one of the happiest days of the year for me, and I treat it like a holiday. I went back to an artificial tree this year. Chose a slim model. Skinny trees make good sense when you live in a bungalow.
I had my birthday yesterday, which added white-on-white cake to pumpkin pie.
look at all that glistening fat and sugar!
There are two more birthdays next week, adding even more cake. What a great time of year!
For stretchy pants.
the cake eater at 44, raw and unfiltered
I continue to age naturally, and hopefully with some grace. I started this at 40 but most of you weren’t reading me then. I hope to inspire others to embrace the whateverness they’re experiencing as time goes on. In my case, drying, crinkling, the appearance of old sun damage. I think “29 Forever” is lame as fuck. You’ll never hear me complain about lookin old. I am grateful for every bit of my age. It’s a sort of morbid gratitude, like my immune system is eight hundred years old but none of the diseases have killed me yet and my kids will all be old enough to remember me when I die, but still, it’s sincere gratitude.
When I got out of bed at 5:08 this morning and immediately wobbled into my bedroom wall and tangled with my curtains, I still looked out the window and thanked God for another day. And I get to live here, where it’s cold outside in November and the sun isn’t trying to kill me. How fortunate am I? SO fortunate!
crunchy leaves underfoot ftw
The weather this week is my ideal, lots of 50s and some rain expected. The Mister found us a woolly worm last week, and I collected him to see what he had to say about the upcoming winter. His bristles told me there will be no winter, Mary. Not a speck of black to be seen.
behold the lying woolly worm
So, how’ve you been? What’s been goin on? Got any predictions? Have you any CAKE?
joeyfullystated 
Sounds wonderful. My place was kind of crowded, but hey, pumpkin pie for breakfast this morning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right on!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy belated birthday, Joey! Like you I love post-Thanksgiving. These leftovers taste so good! And eating dessert for breakfast is the best. Yum!
My tree is up too. So early for me that it will be my French Friday themed-post 🙂
Love the upcoming month. I’ll try to take it a day at a time to anticipate Xmas and the kids’ arrival, a great way for me to appreciate the good things and people in my life.
Enjoy Joey!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh nice, I look forward to your post 🙂
I enjoy casseroles for second breakfast…
Thanks!
LikeLike
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving too, Joey. And I love your attitude about aging. I feel the exact same way and I refuse to get into this craziness about young forever. I can actually admit that with aging I have gotten more beautiful. Even with the lines and the creases and yes the sags there is now a softness to my face that was not there before. And oh by the way happy birthday to you! You are looking great at 44, dear friend! I hope you have a really great day! FYI… Your cat has got the right idea! LOL 💥🐾🎄💥
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you agree. That softness is real, Amy. I can see it. Alit from within helps, too ❤
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awe Joey, your words really struck home. Thank you!
LikeLike
First off, you need to produce a line of cosmetics because you look wonderful. 🙂 Happy Birthday, and enjoy every bite of that pumpkin pie followed by cake with frosting. Life doesn’t get much better than that except when you can eat that while looking at your beautiful tree. Hope the season is a happy one for you and your loved ones.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Judy, and you too 🙂
It may be a lack of products helps my skin. I basically only use food on it, lol! Yay, Rosacea! lol Also, good genes. Very kind of you though! Thanks again!
LikeLike
I have plenty of tales of intrigue and romance and stuffs for you joey, theyre just not for public consumption. 😛
I PREDICT: A long cold winter. Once it gets here. Hopefully it will go North of yall.
I was quite thankful to have a quiet dinner w/ ma for thanksgiving, but alas…no cake. Not even pie. Im ok with this.
Sorry I missed your Bday. Hope it was nice.
Happy Monday. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Was good day. This day is also nice, for I am alone in the quiet once more 🙂
I have a lot of not-safe-for-public-consumption shit to tell you, too. Unfortunately, some of it keeps me busy.
I’d like a lot of snow. Unpopular I know, but I lurves me snows.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Eeee! I was waiting for yesterday all week and then forgot because Facebook didn’t warn me. Or did I miss it? Can’t be! I still managed to enter “Joey” in our Scrabble though. 😉
It’s great to hear about your great holidays and celebrations, and I especially like how you think of ageing. Now I read what you said at 40 and I love it even more. ❤ Frankly, too bad for everybody else who think differently. When I was watching the films from the Seven Up series (my penultimate post), I was reminded that life goes in the right direction and it only gets better since everybody, more or less, sometimes reluctantly, slides into their own idea of happiness.
I love it what a friend said at seeing me again after a decade or so: "You look great as you always did, it's just more of you." 😀 😀 😀
Which clearly doesn't apply to you. 😉 Happy birthday and cin cin!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I took it off Facebook to avoid thanking all the people? Awful, selfish? I dunno, I’m just keepin it real. Then my aunt asked about it on my wall and my mother answered her and people saw it and I still haven’t gotten to the thank-yous yet. I enjoyed the playing of my name, as all JOEYS do 😛
You’ve got me addicted to the Seven Up stuff!!! I agree, life does seem to work itself out.
I have more of me too, mostly round the middle where they took out babies and bits, but still, it’s ME, the real deal ❤ I earned the stripes, the sag, and the scars.
Thanks, Manja!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hihi, good to hear. You give one collective thank you and it will do. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy belated birthday!! And have a wonderful week 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
You prolly noticed, I got behind. You let me catch up. Thanks. I noticed and would’ve missed you, but I’m in a whirlwind cuz we’re planning to move. I’m working a post. Takes me a while to get it together. Have a great week/month/rest of year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Goodness. Moving? That sounds … Moving is such an ordeal
I should like never to do it again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have said “never again” often.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oof!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the picture – it is very good, and somehow captures how I think of you. Happy Birthday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Happy Birthday for yesterday! I’m glad you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and time to chill out for awhile. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! Isn’t yours right about now, too?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, yes, it was on Thanksgiving Day. 🙂 We had a good time over at my daughter’s house. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh good! Happy belated! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
you have incredible post with beautiful photos and lines…well done!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike
Happy belated birthday (you don’t have to thank me). Your picture is great. You don’t look 44. We had a quiet Thanksgiving as well and I had to work at Michaels from 5 to 9 but it wasn’t bad. No tree for us yet. I’m thinking a real tree this year since we had a Charlie Brown tiny one for the last couple of years and the kids were a bit disappointed. I’m starting December Reflections in a couple of days as I’ve missed blogging this whole month!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I HAVE to thank you! Thank you! 😀
I wouldn’t mind to work mornings, either. It’s the evening that feels like turkey time to me. I am surprised Michaels was open, though! I love the Charlie Brown trees, too! I always enjoy a real tree because of the fresh smell. I’ve had both off and on for years, they all have their ups and downs. I hope your kids will love your choice!
I’m looking forward to reading you again 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a gorgeous picture, gurrl! But white on white don’t even count as cake. Not even. Say, how you make them noodles? They look scrumptious!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
Yeah?No white cake for you? I love white cake. Wedding cake. Mmmmmmm. That’s the cake I crave most often. What’s your fave?
Imma share the noodle bit with you in email and on Twitter.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Chorklit. Nothing but chorklit is worth the calories. Well, and spice or carrot cake with cream cheese icing. In a pinch, lemon poppyseed. HUMMINGBIRD CAKE OMG!
LikeLike
We all need that WP break once in a while…glad to see you made the best of yours. T’giving went off well…and I made pasta yesterday, retired all the turkey and fixings…some to the freezer. Your noodles…yum. I hope that wooly worm is right, I am loving the cold, but could do without all the snow and ice. Your unfiltered pic is gorgeous…44 looks great on you. Isn’t it fun to have so many special occasions around national holidays ?? Birthdays, anniversaries…so many happen for us in these 30 days !! Enjoy them all, and eat all the cakes !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will there be turkey tetrazzini at your house? Or pasta totally unrelated to turkey? I almost never make pasta. Pretty much only ravioli and gnocchi. Cause I hated cleaning the pasta maker. I’m a very bad Italian. Shh. Fresh pasta is soooo delectable! Yum yum!
Thanks so much! Yes, December is full steam ahead and all these treats mean I’d better be full-steamin to the gym 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nope. Ground sirloin, mushrooms, cheese, wine, tomato sauce. We ate our weight in cold and hot turkey sandwiches…time for something different. Delightful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Niiiice! 😛
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Birthday to you! Sounds like you had a nice respite. That noodle dish look like fantastic comfort food. Did you make the noodles or buy them? They look so nice and plump, like homemade ones.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I will share the noodle bit on Twitter, for you and Marian. The trick is to cook them for a few hours on low, like on my range, I put them at 2. They get fluffy nom 😛
Thanks again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll definitely try them. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy birthday, happy Thanksgiving, and happy tree raising! That little guy is the caterpillar of my childhood. Now if I google caterpillar all these creepy tentworm guys show up on my computer screen. But yours is a cutie. As are you who look about 32.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
Yes, woolly worms are my fave. If any of the others were my fave, I’d know their names, right? I’m sorry about the tentworms
Thanks again 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, the tentworms give me nightmares. Those woolly guys are so dang cute. Fur is a very redeeming characteristic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Birthday! Enjoy your next trip around the sun. I’m a fan of stretchy pants and cake. Didn’t see the correlation until just now. 😉 No, I do not have cake and that makes me sad. BUT! I have mix and the ingredients. I shall bake this weekend, just because. Thanks for the inspiration!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, yes, Tara, get more cake and more stretchy pants for winter — I suppose noodles as well 🙂 Thanks so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am for balance too. Regarding aging naturally, I’ve always said that when they come out with a facelift in pill version I might consider it…..
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would not. I find the taut faces unnerving, although not as frightening as the frozen faces.
LikeLike
I always miss your nonsense when it’s gone.
I love noodle time, and Happy Birthday!
Having ready access to both pie and cake seems like Heaven to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Dan! It sure has been a good week 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy belated birthday, Joey! 😊 Lots of birthdays and cake around here too this past week! 🎂 44 looks great on you, cutie face! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! I’m glad y’all made the most of it 🙂 Did that baby one get some sweet potato? 😛
LikeLiked by 1 person
That baby one is a picky eater and wouldn’t even taste her sweet potatoes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! Oh pity!
LikeLike
Happy Belated Birthday! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Birthday again my friend 🙂
Welcome back. It sounds like you had a nice relaxing and well-deserved break.
Our tree and Christmas decorations will go up next week-end. I’ve just never been able to get into it before the start of December even if there’s snow on the ground.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
Is it very American? I suppose Canadians would not enjoy Christmas trees following their Thanksgiving. Would make for a long season… But here, I think it’s the norm, Norm 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Birthday week! I like your tree. And the white cake plus pumpkin pie: yum! I LOVE pumpkin pie. We had some after a quietish Thanksgiving dinner with high school girlfriend and her siblings. Different, but nice. I really appreciate your views on aging. Immune system intact and getting to know my grands. There was a time when I would’t be caught dead in stretch pants. Now, it’s all I want to wear in the winter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
Right? Some leggins and some good shoes and we’re off to fetch our dreams!
We’ve had some Thanksgivings with friends, and that’s always been pleasant. As you say, different, but nice.
Thanks again 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Birthday! November birthdays are big around these here parts too for my son, his wife and sister. No cake where I was but pumpkin pie… birthdays were celebrated at mom’s house back east and I didn’t get there, was here being available for my grandson. It’s been a couple years since I’ve been back – might change that this next time around.
Love your perspective on aging. I’ve always felt my body tells a story about me, what I’ve been through, having kids, AND if “you don’t like what you see look somewhere else”! When I turned 21 I knew I didn’t have to get older, meaning, I was finally old enough that no door would be closed to me. I was 100% responsible for myself and old enough to get in everywhere. That responsibility didn’t scare me. I considered 21 the perfect age. I guess it’s my outlook, but yeah, the body ages… in fact as of Dec 1st I’ll be officially retired, still have to work but less hours and I am looking forward to that. It’ll be nice.
Mom always made turkey soup with rice… that was ready for Thanksgiving day along with the rest of the feast. Afterward there’s turkey pot pie, turkey a la king. cold turkey and cranberry sauce….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
Turkey tetrazzini and turkey pot pie here. I hope you get the opportunity to go back east and visit with family next season or earlier. Maybe this partial retirement of sorts will allow more of that?
Your perspective on 21 is how I felt at 25. It’s interesting, I’d never thought about that before. At what age could we have stopped with the numbers?
LikeLiked by 1 person
My mom who is now 83 has to acknowledge the number, basically now they’re like milestones but they don’t impress her much… she says, “It’s still me” …
What numbers? 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Belated. I knew it was coming. Wasn’t sure when. Tree time already? Our Pink Barbie Cat Tree will be going up soon. Cake? Did you ask about cake? I always have cake. Cake is my new hobby. We opted for boneless breasts this year. Thought about steaks with baked taters but knew we would miss the dressing. Cold turkey and dressing sandwiches. Doesn’t get any better than that. Have a happy week.
LikeLike
Happy belated – and condolences regarding the “no snow” woolly worm. I hope he’s foolin’ ’cause I know you love winter.
LikeLike
I did notice the absence. I’m glad that you had a nice break. Happy Belated Birthday!! Sweet Treats-Yum! We have no birthdays here until February…but Christmas time is cookie making time for the me and the girlie. 🙂 We plan to get our tree this weekend. I’m hoping to go to a farm where they cut it or we cut it down. I’ve never done that and it seems that I should. I’m hoping to embrace more of your aging gracefully and being thankful for being alive and having a new day to embark upon. I do recognize the beauty of that mindset. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
I’ve never chopped down a tree, either. I’m sure you’ll get some great snaps to share with us! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Belated Birthday 🙂 When was yours? Mine was last Wednesday 😀 Also I met a similar woolly worm few days back, which basically meant winter is here (as wintry as we can expect that is).
Holiday mood is getting the bones! Difficult to get out of bed and embrace working life. I am thinking of baking some cookies and fudge brownies but then again, my feet are just so warm in my furry socks. How has it been getting back in the real world?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sunday 🙂
It’s been pretty good, I can’t lie. Balance, always.
Baking is excellent on a cold night. I recommend cookies, because they’re better with tea and fuzzy socks!
LikeLike
Love Catticus a’snoozing or a’stretching on the furniture. Your Christmas tree looks so pretty. I’ve never thought of “tree putting up day” as a holiday but I like your idea. You had a happy birthday I take it, so here’s to many more. Also, I haven’t seen one woolly worm this fall so I’m jealous of yours.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I believe you should celebrate tree-putting-up day 🙂
I was beginning to think we wouldn’t see a woolly worm. We usually see them at buckeye time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
such a delightful post – and omg cheers for the “it’s okay to be getting older and not try to look like you are 18” – or as you said – the “29 Forever” shenanigans.
oh and happy belated birthday –
now did you know that one of my most memorable comments from you (on my blog) was regarding a cake. such a little thing – but I think of you because of it –
it was a white cake I posted a picture of – homemade and all –
and you said something like “for some reason I want cake now”
well it was just this fun comment and stayed with me….
I just tried to find the post and could not – maybe it is on my other blog.
—
anyhow welcome back – and wish I could sample snack that noodle dish…..
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder when that was… that cake comment. About two months ago, I had a strong hankering for white cake and baked one. It was a labor of love and well worth it.
Thanks so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
If I find it i will come back – but it was a long time ago and pretty sure not this year ….
I am now determined to find it – well eventually – so I will be back at some point to follow up –
LikeLiked by 1 person
No winter? Really? Can the Indiana wooly bear speak for Wisconsin? I sure hope so…
Glad you had an awesome eight days off, but I did worry one day for a few minutes that something happened to you. Then one of Dan’s bunnies ran by, the cat puked on the bed and time ran away with the spoon.
The photo of Catticus is adorbs. You should submit to Katzenworld UK for Tummy Rub Tuesday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“The time ran away with the spoon!” LOL! That was my first giggle of the day, thanks!
Yeah, I don’t believe the woolly! He was a month late at least, and seemingly unprepared to be examined. I wish you a mild winter! 🙂 Thanks for coming over.
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Joey! It’s always a good thing when the day starts off with a giggle. Have an awesome Thursday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You too! Thanks!
LikeLike
Your Thanksgiving and Birthday sound like they were perfect for you!
My Thanksgiving was wonderful. I had my little family all together so He-man and I felt complete, and after dinner very FAT! We had Cake! I made a Peanut Butter Chocolate Triple Layer Cake for Big Baby Boy’s Birthday. We celebrate his Birthday during Thanksgiving b/c he lives 400 miles away.
Happy Belated Birthday! You look amazing! I stopped coloring my hair about 5 yrs ago. I’m 50/50 gray or maybe 60/40. I’m so over coloring my hair. I started adding blond highlights at 14 when I went totally mousy ash brown. Fortunately I got my Mom’s graying gene. Her hair when it went gray looked fab and took forever to go totally gray. Her hair is darker than mine, but it works for me at the this stage in my life.
I’m very vain so use fillers, and have used botox, but at the moment I am botox free. I love me some Botox and Fillers though.
I started adding 5 yrs to my age when people asked in my mid 40’s so I always looked a wee bit younger. Not sure it works now that I’m really old and a Granny. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! What’s good for you is good for you! You’re gorgeous and I would never judge your vanity!
I stopped ‘coloring’ my hair this summer and went to highlights. My mother has beautiful silver hair and that’s how she did it. She did the highlights until it was silver enough to let it go. I’m overdue for my foils, but I’m glad to be done with ‘coloring’ too.
You’re not really old. Really old people don’t get up and trek for miles in the morning!
I am a granny, too. I’m okay with it, from an age perspective. It’s good. More people to love ❤ (And I don't have to raise those babies! haha!)
Thanks for your comments, you always have interesting things to add!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 My goodness you’re a very young Granny. My sister under me was too/is too. Yup, more people to love. ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is the first blog post of the morning that I’m reading and you’ve left me with a big smile – glistening globs of fat and sugar. Yes please!! I’m sign up for some of that cake with a side of pumpkin pie. Yes, yes, yes. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
Some mums were talking about getting into their Christmas outfits and here I am, working towards my winter weight, taste-testing the 70 jillion cakes I baked for the school fair, and then more which I froze, and more which I gave to friends. I’m from Iceland, I don’t even consider shedding the blubber until at least April. It’s a survival thing. Shall I send you some cake?
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! Always send me cake 😉
LikeLike