Optimistic October

October is the tenth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and the sixth of seven months to have a length of 31 days. The eighth month in the old calendar of Romulus c. 750 BC, October retained its name (from the Latin and Greek ôctō meaning "eight") after January and February were inserted into the calendar that had originally been created by the Romans. In Ancient Rome, one of three Mundus patet would take place on October 5, Meditrinalia October 11, Augustalia on October 12, October Horse on October 15, and Armilustrium on October 19. These dates do not correspond to the modern Gregorian calendar. Among the Anglo-Saxons, it was known as Ƿinterfylleþ, because at this full moon (fylleþ) winter was supposed to begin.

October is commonly associated with the season of autumn in the Northern hemisphere and with spring in the Southern hemisphere.

October's birthstones are the tourmaline and opal.  Its birth flower is the calendula.  The zodiac signs for this month are Libra (until October 22) and Scorpio (from October 23).

The last two to three weeks in October (and, occasionally, the first week of November) are the only time of the year during which all of the "Big Four" major North American professional sports leagues schedule games; the National Basketball Association begins its preseason and about two weeks later starts the regular season, the National Hockey League is about one month into its regular season (check out this beaut of a goal from the last night's Stars game vs. Detroit:  https://youtu.be/FTvmQcjW7jQ ), the National Football League is about halfway through its regular season, and Major League Baseball is in its postseason with the League Championship Series and World Series. There have been 19 occasions in which all four leagues have played games on the same day (an occurrence popularly termed a "sports equinox"), with the most recent of these taking place on October 28, 2018. Additionally, the Canadian Football League is typically nearing the end of its regular season during this period, while Major League Soccer is beginning the MLS Cup Playoffs.

October also celebrates the following festivities: 

• American Archives Month
• National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
• National Arts & Humanities Month
• National Bullying Prevention Month
• National Cyber Security Awareness Month
• National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
• Filipino American History Month
• Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month
• LGBT History Month
• Polish American Heritage Month (more info to follow!)
• National Work and Family Month
• And of course, it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  If you haven't already scheduled your mammogram, pick up the phone now and call your doctor!  https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month

Here's the link to this month's Action for Happiness calendar: 
https://www.actionforhappiness.org/media/810489/october_2019.jpg

Happy Anniversary!

Today in History . . .

On this day, 2007, "Make Mine A Cosmo" was originally introduced as www.cos4.blogspot.com! 

The blog was similar to the Seinfeld show.  It was basically a blog about nothing.  With a little focus and the addition of a professional blog design, the little blog about nothing eventually evolved to the blog it is today:  www.makemineacosmo.com

Make Mine a Cosmo is still basically a blog about nothing.  Nothing specific, sometimes the blog is about travel, about make-up and skin care, new products, the weather.  Sometimes the blog is about sports.  Sometimes the blog is political, sometimes it's raw emotion.  Very rarely is the blog about food or recipes, however the posts are often about family.  Make Mine a Cosmo also reviews books and movies. 

Blog Statistics . . .
Since starting Make Mine a Cosmo, the author has:

• lived in three different states (Alabama, Maryland and Texas)
• has traveled to the following countries:  Italy (Rome twice, Florence twice, Pisa, Assisi, Pompei), Spain (Barcelona and Mallorca), England (London), France (Paris and Marseille), Mexico (Cabo and Playa del Carmen), Caymans, Jamaica
• viewed the Sistine Chapel twice
• climbed a Mayan ruin
• swam in a crystal clear cenote
• learned how to paddle board
• climbed Dunn's River Falls
• sipped champagne at the top of the Eiffel Tower
• gazed upon the Mona Lisa
• climbed all 284 steps to the top of the Arc de Triomphe
• has had both daughters graduate high school
• has had one daughter graduate college
• has lost a gall bladder
• successfully recouperated from a hysterectomy
• celebrated her parent's 50th wedding anniversary
• celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary to her high school sweetheart
• celebrated her (and her husband's!) 50th birthday
• uncovered some interesting facts about her ancestry

If you've been reading Make Mine a Cosmo regularly, thank you!  Looking forward to another 11 years of blogging!

Go Pack Go!

Attended our first football game of the season this weekend and I have to say Ravens fans are insane!  They were really, really, really into the game!  The tailgating was big and the fans were in crazy get-ups (everything purple and black -- boas, sunglasses, camo pants, Mardi Gras beads, jerseys, etc.).  The rain held off for the game but poured during our tailgating festivities.  Good thing we were parked under an overpass and were able to keep dry!  Very different from tailgating in the Grove or the Quad at Alabama but it was still fun.  Just a little more urban. 

Saturday, Cosmo's b-day, we met TT in Baltimore for dinner at Cheesecake Factory and had a really nice, relaxing dinner.  It was great to catch up w/ TT and hear about his job.  Can't believe he's been w/ the Packers 10 years already.  Before we met up w/ TT we walked around the Inner Harbor and watched a really good street performer.  It was a lovely afternoon and we had a great time people watching. 

Friday was our 21st wedding Anniversary and we had a low key night.  I made one of our favorite pasta dishes and we had chocolate fondue for dessert.  Cosmo sent me the most beautiful arrangement of roses and surprised me in the morning with a B&N gift card.  He has never, ever in 21 years of marriage forgotten to send me flowers on our anniversary.  Sometimes it's roses, sometimes it's a fall arrangement, sometimes it's cut flowers.  This year's arrangement is a beautiful mixture of red, yellow and coral colored roses in a pretty copper flower bucket. 

In other, super exciting news, T is coming "home" for Thanksgiving!  We originally thought she needed to be on her floor until late Sunday night and return by Friday afternoon but that's not the case!  So we got her on some great flights and can't wait to see her!  Whoop!  Whoop! 

It's In the Bag

Our week-long Annual Cos Family Extravaganza has begun!  Tomorrow is our 21st wedding Anniversary and our niece Britt's b-day, Saturday is Cosmo's b-day, Sunday is KJ's b-day, Monday is my Aunt's b-day and Tuesday is my mom's b-day.  Whew!  Cards, presents and fun galore! 

Sunday we have tickets to the Ravens vs. Packers game compliments of our friend who is part of the Packers front office.  We actually met him when we lived in Cincinnati and he played for the Bengals.  He then went on to play for the Seahawks and has been a part of the Packers program for several years now. 

Unfortunately, Clay Matthews, T's favorite player, has a bum thumb and we won't get to see him in action on Sunday but please enjoy the following:  http://youtu.be/NHfRR5c1yNo or http://youtu.be/NHfRR5c1yNo and on Ellen:  http://youtu.be/J77exWQX6vg

It is my understanding that if I'm to bring a bag into the stadium, it's got to be a clear bag.  Seriously??  I don't know if this is a NFL-wide thing or if this policy is specific to M&T Bank stadium.  In any event.  I'm not happy.  #1 I'm not thrilled about everyone being able to see everything I own -- my wallet, my car keys, personal items, etc.  In all honesty, I never have much cash in my purse and my wallet is actually worth more than the cash inside.  #2 if I decide not to bring a see-through bag then I'm forced to leave my belongings in the car.  Um, no.  #3 I can bring in a gallon-size Ziploc baggie.  Wow.  That's super classy.  #4, I have an expensive camera and some great lenses.  I'm not going to carry it around in a Ziploc baggie.  #5, I don't know about you but I always get stuck carrying everyone else's stuff.  It's not all going to fit in a stupid baggie.  #6, Ziploc baggies don't have handles.  What am I supposed to do with this Ziploc bag during the game?  Put it on the ground under my seat?  Is it just me or does this come across as not very female fan friendly? 
 http://www.nfl.com/qs/allclear/index.jsp

Celebratory Recap

Whew!  Survived the Annual Cos Family Celebratory Triad -- 20th Anniversary, Cosmo's 45th b-day and KJ's 13th b-day.  One celebration right after another.  I don't mean to sound like I'm whining but it's tough.  I don't want to slight anyone or make them feel like their special day is less important but poor Cosmo always seems to get the shaft. 

Thursday night we made one of our favorite dinners, shrimp scampi, and had a nice night at home.  Cosmo had been traveling earlier in the week so he was very happy to just chill at home for our anniversary.  He sent me a gorgeous bouquet of deep, hot pink roses and my mom & dad also sent us a beautiful bouquet of cut flowers.

Friday was Cosmo's big day but KJ had a b-day party to go to that night.  We had him open up his presents the minute he walked in the door and I think I did good this year.  He is SO incredibly difficult to buy for.  Most wives can buy their husband clothes or gifts relative to their special interests or hobbies (hunting, fishing, sports stuff).  Well, Cosmo wears logo golf shirts for work and he owns his own lacrosse store.  Kind of makes it hard to buy him gifts.  We bought him two folding stadium seats for Vaught-Hemingway and KJ picked out a fleece jacket for him. 

We had KJ open her gifts a day early because we knew her actual b-day was going to be a bit crazy.  Cosmo bought her an Ole Miss jersey to wear on Saturdays and a bunch of shirts from the Polo Outlet (she's always stealing T's).  He loves to buy the girls gifts and I'm happy to let him!  He also bought her an iHome thingy and as a special treat from him, he bought her a sweet, sweet Sidney Crosby jersey.  She lost her mind!!!

So, after we dropped her off at the party we went to dinner, just the two of us.  That hasn't happened in a long, long time.  Very nice to catch up with each other and have some adult conversation.  After dinner we picked KJ up from the party and called it a night.  Aahhh....the middle school years.  I remember those days vividly with Taylor.  All we did was drop off and pick-up at some clubhouse or house party.  The parents would be all lined up outside and it looked like the after-school car pool line.  A couple of years later its KJ's turn and nothing has changed. 

Saturday AM Cosmo participated in the Trashcan Lax Tournament.  Smaller teams, no goalie, you just had to get the ball in the trashcan.  It was for all ages and it sounds like everyone had a good time.  It's important to change things up so the kids don't get bored doing the same ol' thing.

While Cosmo was playing, KJ & I had a morning of beauty.  I had about 6 inches cut off and had my hair colored and KJ got a hair cut too.  I offered her a mani and/or pedi or her eyebrows waxed but she declined.  After our hair appointments we went to Hobby Lobby to buy some decorations for her b-day party.  We had lunch out and also stopped at GiGi's Cupcakes. 

She had 10 or so girls spend the night.  Cosmo made a fire and they had hot dogs and s'mores and slept in the tent.  The were very giggly and very loud and around 2 AM and I had to tell them to go to knock it off and go to sleep.  My neighbors are probably not very happy with me.  Every dog in the neighborhood was barking. 

Sunday I woke up with a migraine from hell and could barely move off the couch.  I took my Imitrex, took a nap but nothing really helped.  Went to bed miserable but woke up this morning feeling good.  It rained during the night and the barometric pressure wrecks havoc with my head. 

Social Sunday

Today didn't start off too great.  Or maybe Saturday night never really ended?  Too tired to tell the difference.  All I know is insomnia and a migraine are not a good combination.  I was up until 5:30 AM.  Wide awake.  With a raging headache.  No Bueno.  But the Bagel Boy took good care of me.  I do luv me some Bagel Boy on Sunday mornings! 

So we're down to the ten day mark.  In ten days T-bone will be leaving for college.  The Auburn girls were moving in today (I think Rush starts tomorrow) and I know the Alabama girls can't be far behind.  Thinking of all the moms (and dads!) today.  I know it's going to be much harder on me (and Coach) than it is T.  She's excited to start this new chapter in her life and I'm going to have a hard time letting go.  And I can tell you right now Coach is going to be a wreck.  This is the man who cried when the girls got their ears pierced. 

Ok!  Moving on to Social Sunday!  So excited for this week's questions!  I luv, luv, luv the Fall.  It's the best time of the year in our house . . . my b-day in September, our 20th Anniversary in October, Coach's b-day the day after that and KJ's 13th b-day the day after that!  I hate Alabama summers but luv Alabama Autumns!  I luv being able to open the windows and get some fresh air.  I luv sleeping with the windows open.  I luv waking up with a slight chill in the air.  I luv football season.  I luv having friends over to watch football on the back deck with a bonfire going.  I luv decorating the house for Fall.  I luv decorating the house for Halloween.  I luv Thanksgiving.  Yup.  Best time of the year for me! 

This weeks questions:

1. What is your favorite Fall activity? I absolutely luv everything about the Fall so this is going to be a tough one.  I would say Friday night high school football games, Saturday college football games and Sunday NFL games.  Decorating the house for Fall, bonfire evenings, and Halloween.

2. Do you follow a football team? if so which one and why? We've always been Alabama fans and of course this is a New York Jets house.  I guess this year we'll need to root for Ole Miss, too.  

3. What is something fun about Fall in your area? We've been going to the same pumpkin patch since we moved here 13 years ago.  It's a family tradition.   And Coach carves the pumpkins with the girls.  It's just one of those "dad" things.   

4. Fav Fall outfit staples? Jeans, a long-sleeve V-neck t-shirt from either Gap or Old Navy.  Cute scarves.  Lots of bracelets.  A great brown leather bag and brown leather boots with a heel because I'm vertically challenged in a big way. 

5. Thing you are looking forward to most about this coming Fall season? I am really, really excited about football season.  I'm really looking forward to tailgating in the Grove.  I'm looking forward to seeing Brye play and Rory cheer!  

6. Favorite Fall holiday? Traditions? Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday.  It's just such a simple holiday.  No cards.  No gifts to buy.  It's just a day to reflect, be thankful and spend time with your loved ones.  I luv cooking the turkey, I luv the textures of Fall, I luv the smells.  I luv having the girls help in the kitchen on Thanksgiving day (they like to make the mashed potatoes and crescent rolls).  I luv when Coach carves up the turkey.  

Next Week's Questions:

If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

What's your guilty pleasure/comfort food?

What's the weirdest/craziest thing you've ever eaten?

What foods do you avoid at all costs?

What meal reminds you of your childhood?

Share one of your favorite recipes and the story behind it.

All Good Things Must Come to an End . . . .

Yet another Cos Family Fun Festival has come and gone. And what a good week it was! My goal this week was to cook as little as possible. I think I succeeded.

Monday the girls & I met up w/ some friends for a little M&M (Mexican & Margaritas). The mom's all met through our girls when they were in kindergarten and we've all managed to say close through senior year. The girls have all gone off in different directions with various sports and activities but they are still friendly. We've got a new little addition to our group, LR, and we passed her around like a sack of potatoes. What a cuddly, snuggly baby!

Tuesday Cosmo & I celebrated 19 years of wedded bliss with a romantic dinner at GianMarco's. OMG. I'm still stuffed. Great bottle of wine, delicious appetizer, great entrees and Tiramasu for dessert make for a very happy Mr. & Mrs! T picked KJ up from volleyball for us and the two of them went to a karaoke fund-raiser.

Wednesday was Cosmo's b-day and I made shrimp scampi for his b-day dinner. It was a funny, funny night. KJ was in rare form and had us laughing with some of her stories and antics.

Thursday was KJ's b-day and we all went to Cheesecake Factory to celebrate. The waitstaff sang to her and T swiped a big glob of whipped cream and smeared it all over KJ's face. She got her pretty good!

Friday was the Hoover vs. Vestavia game kicked off with a pep rally. The Bnettes did their annual Halloween dance. It's always so creepy. The kids love it but it's not my favorite. The school surprised a brave little boy and his family with a trip to Disney World from their homecoming fundraisers and there was not a dry eye in the place. It was very sweet.

Friday was the first time I had ever chaperoned the Bnettes to one of their away games and it was a lot of fun. I got to ride the bus w/ the girls (I could get used to that! Police escort to/from the stadium, no red lights, didn't have to pay admission to the game either!) and sat w/ them during the game. Those kids in the band work SO hard and have a wonderful, supportive group of parents. It truly takes a small army to get those kids where they need to be. Even though I don't have a kid playing an instrument, chaperones stay after the game in the band room and help organize uniforms, gloves, hats, chickens (the feathers that go on top of the hats), gauntlets, etc. I didn't even know what half this stuff was.

Saturday KJ had 3 vball games @ OLV (she had the 9 AM, the 10 AM and the 11 AM games). The played the other POP team and lost both matches miserably. They played OLV and actually won both of those matches (very exciting!) and then went on to win both games against another POP team (it was a nail biter!). After KJ's games I treated her to a spa day for her b-day. She had been bugging me to get her eyebrows waxed and we both got pedi's. She also got a mani. T had to volunteer at the band competition during the day and then performed on field in the evening. She went out with some friends afterward.

Sunday the girls & I walked in the Buddy Walk with some friends. We walked out to the car and both of the girls said, "That was really fun!" I'm glad we went and were able to support our friends and their beautiful little girl. The weather was incredible and they had a great crowd out at Regions Field.

We weren't wearing our official Buddy Walk t-shirts because my friend left them in our mailbox and I guess we hadn't checked the mail in several days. So, when we got home I checked the mailbox (and yes, the t-shirts were in there) and T also rec'd 2 college acceptance letters. Unfortunately, she was at lax practice and still doesn't know she rec'd the letters in the mail. She will be very surprised and excited when she gets home! Whoop! Whoop!