Baker's Dozen

• No matter how many times I’ve seen it, it still gives me the creeps! – commenting on the film Jeepers Creepers“
• This Halloween we spent $200 on candy; we don’t buy the cheap bite sized ones, we go full size, baby!” – co-worker
• The boys were chased up a tree by a stray dog, their first bad encounter with dogs.
• Freedom, Netflix DVD service canceled!
• "I would've put the other pillow in the garage for the boys." 

"No, the other one had a lot of the girls fur on it, I thought it might traumatize them."

"Good Lord!" - conversation between Boo and me

• Bought Audible versions of Steven Jobs Biography and Stephen King's IT (which is whopping 44 hours)
• I managed to squeeze in Black Christmas the horror flick that let the audience build suspense by filling in the blanks with our imaginations. We didn't need slash & hack films.
• Optometrist gave me high marks in the health of my eyes - woo hoo!
• Dined at Salvatore's after a 5 year estrangement the food is still good.
• Boo fixed my mom's commode and saved her a $90 plumbing bill
• Celebrated Tonie's birthday at Wood Ranch
• "Seriously. It's not even Halloween yet and they have Christmas trees displayed!"

Homemade Pizza

So it should no surprise that I love pizza it's one of my favorite meals. Usually we buy take out from Genovese's or we make quasi-pizzas from Thomas English muffins as the crust and then top with pasta sauce, cheese and favorite toppings. We shop at Trader Joe's a lot and Boo noticed that they sell pizza dough. 

Tonight we bought the Garlic & Herb seasoned pizza dough and prepared a pizza at home. Wow, it was delicious and the dough was seasoned just right, we didn't need to "doctor it". Our pizza was more deep dish than we like so next time we will halve the dough for the size pan we use. The house smelled so good!

Altar or Memorial?

Dia De Los Muertos is celebrated Nov. 1 - 3 so it's common to see makeshift altars erected at accident sites as Halloween nears. These flowers were very fresh and vibrant, sadly this location has seen many accidents.

Baker's Dozen

• Watched P2, Halloween 1 & 2, Carrie and Afterlife
• “The little witch went behind our backs and got a tattoo, she’s only fifteen!” – Co-worker’s comment about daughter
• The film crew continues occupying Story Park
• "How can you make a movie about people stuck on a ski lift and make it suspenseful?" - Teenage nephew commenting on the film 'Frozen'
• Ice and Boo streaked across the street to greet us without first looking for traffic. Boo and I were freaked out!
• Spotted a woman walking her dog as she read a Kindle. The best I can do is walk and chew gum!
• Amazon acknowledged receipt of my returned Kindle and said I would not be charged
• Blowing out Netflix DVD rental turn around this month since we’re canceling DVDs and paying for streaming only
• “Uh, now that Halloween’s almost come and gone, do you think you can return my Halloween quilt pattern?”
• Oak Glen had absolutely gorgeous weather and we found plenty of goodies to eat and enjoy. 
• Mom enjoyed the treats we brought her from the mountains. The carnitas weren't too shabby either!
• "This tricked out motorcycle is the width of a Smart Car or Toyota Matrix and it has a hitch. I wonder how you drive it with such a wide rear end?"

Gaining Perspective

I spent the day with my mom and sister discussing general family matters and discovering that each of us has made adjustments in our finances. I evaluated mine and realized that I had made significant changes. Changes that I can't say I have missed or will miss in the near future.

Another change I am implementing this Wednesday is cancellation of the Netflix DVD service. At a separate cost of $7.99 monthly for one DVD rental at a time we've decided we do not need it. Since Netflix has deemed the rate increase a necessity of doing business, we've deemed their increase unnecessary and inconvenient to our budget.

We will keep Netflix Streaming but if this becomes too costly, flaky or unreliable we will easily and quickly move on to Amazon's Prime Service which I have heard great things about. Since I patronize Amazon receiving two day shipping for all orders would be a great incentive to join!

I don't know anyone who isn't trying to divest of services or products that are not necessary. Everyone is experiencing challenges in this economy and the more ways that I can cut cost, the better. I am focused on convincing Boo to cut the cord. This is proving more challenging than I thought but I'm determined. Our cable bill, like yours, is outrageous!

I wish my city would encourage competition by allowing two cable providers along with DirecTV to offer service in my area. As it stands I have one cable provider and DirecTV. Why most communities operate like mine I don't know. Why can't I have more than one cable company serving my area? Why do I need to feel like a cornered duck out of water? As consumers we should have options.

Baker's Dozen

• Watched Friday the 13th parts 1 & 2, The Candyman, Frozen and Dolls way too corny flick).
• Listening to paranormal podcasts is like having someone read me a scary story!
• “OMG, who suggested this movie!” – reaction to watching The Collector
• I received Jim Harold's Campfire: True Ghost Stories, my first non-Kindle book
• Thank God I've received my replacement Kindle
• Our neighbors decorated for Halloween!
• We ate our first home grown sunburst squash and tomatoes!
• Occupy marches are building momentum
• Helped my sister set up parental controls after her son ran up a $1300 cell bill
• It’s getting darker earlier Halloween lights now go on at 6:30 p.m.
• Dined at Asakuma, Sherman Oaks but miss the West L. A. location but no their shoddy service
• Yea, the couple put out more Halloween decorations and their neighbor has cool inflatables!

Steve Jobs' Memorial

We shopped at the Glendale Galleria today and passed the Apple Store which was a hub of activity: inside all stations were in use with Geniuses busy helping customers, outside a line of 15 people patiently waited for the iPhone 4S and onlookers read the post-its of Jobs' memorial.

Ghost in the Wires

Finished reading Ghost in the Wires by Kevin Mitnik whose brush with the FBI has interested me since he has always claimed that he never profited from his hacking. Interesting read that any geek would enjoy and could possibly learn from.

Baker's Dozen

• Watched Misery, Prom Night (remake), Prom Night (original) and The Uninvited
• Shopped for replacement bowl for Cha Cha and couldn't find one we liked
• Bed, Bath & Beyond has good coupons and a fantastic candle selection!
• So much DVR'd programming, so little time
• Experiencing another heat streak which means it's time for Cha For Tea
• Disappointed the Kindle Fire doesn't have external storage
• If you want to watch something really spooky watch A Haunting by the Discovery Channel. Hint: Sam's Club sells this set.
• The boys have adjusted to the new garage configuration which gave them more room
• The new vacuum has strong suction 
• The landlady's sister has departed for home
• The film crew continues occupying Story Park
• Sam's Club has the coolest Halloween decorations and they sell the iPad 2

Baker's Dozen

• Woo hoo, I received my replacement Kindle in two days!!!
• Excited that Sprint will carry the iPhone since I am eligible for an upgrade
• Celebrated Chris' birthday at Black Angus and had homemade banana cake
• The new menagerie has significantly increased the pet food budget
• Love Animal Planet's The Haunted and hope new episodes are released soon
• "I like looking at cute garden flags but I wouldn't spend money on them." - neighbor commenting
• The warm weather is great for exercising
• I hate the Netflix price increase
• BJ appeared one last time just to show everyone at work how truly lax our security is
• Damn, I replaced my defective Kindle and Amazon announces the new tablet...envy
• "Without cooler temps we can't light our fire pit." - Californians are never satisfied
• The L. A. County Fair was outstanding and sizzling hot!