Thursday, October 29, 2026

Coffee, Clothes & Chaos : Nancy Drew, Creepy Clowns & Pathetic Dinners

Hey Peeps!!!

I'm here on a Thursday bringing you a week's worth of caffeine, wardrobes, and the usual zaniness that comes from being in Samma's House.

Sit down, buckle up, and get ready, because we've got fashion (or lack thereof), hair rollers, Nancy Drew, creepy clowns, and pathetic sad dinners to talk about!

🐾 The Doggie Diaries

As far as the puppers go, it's been relatively quiet around here this past week. Of course, all H-E-double-hockey-sticks will break loose now that I've said that!

Rouxby Sue is still a toy fanatic, but sometimes she can't decide if she wants to nap or play with her toys. Obviously, the best solution is to lie on top of them in case you wake up and decide you want to play. Priorities, people!

I swung by the vet's office today to pick up Reggie's calming meds since his appointment for shots is next week. Let's just say I hope that when I call tomorrow, they have some idea of something stronger because what we tried didn't touch that crazy boy.

I feel like I'm getting ready to watch The Exorcist play out with a dog next week!

Hmmm… this seems like just the sort of chore a newly retired husband should take on. I'm just saying!

👚 What I've Been Putting on My Body to Go Out in Public

Let's take us a little trippy-dippy trip back to Wednesday, October 21st, shall we?

If you saw my new Happy Hour post, then you know last Wednesday was the day we went to The Bearded Lady for Happy Hour and dinner. Needless to say, I had to get dressed, shoes and all.

Wonders never cease!

These are my olive-green shorts (27) from Evereve and my blue Nora Muscle Tee (s), also from Evereve. I was apparently a walking billboard for Evereve that day!

The belt is OLD, but it pulled the two colors together perfectly. And I so thoughtfully took a close-up of all three pieces together.

I know. My generosity is incredible!

Oh, and in case you wondered, I slipped on those very old and much-loved Born mules. Perfect for some patio sipping when you venture away from your back porch.

Oh, in case you wondered, I slipped on those very old and loved Born mules for shoes. Perfect for some patio sipping when you leave your back porch.

Thursday

Moving on to Thursday, Hubster headed to Louisiana, and I got dressed again to do some volunteer work with the Silver Frogs at The Welman Project.

Y'all, if you're like me and didn't know anything about this amazing nonprofit, click over and read all about them. It's an incredible organization that helps teachers make their classrooms fun and exciting without having to spend their own money.

I pulled on my jeans (2) and that fun Snoopy T-shirt (s), along with a very old and very well-loved pair of Vans(8) tennis shoes. I needed to be comfortable and ready to do whatever work they needed.

Now, I need y'all to understand something. It's well known that I CANNOT cut a straight line with scissors.

So what do you think they had me doing???

Cutting fabric for sensory books.

To all the teachers who receive the packets containing my fabric squares, I sincerely apologize. I tried!

After that, I did super-exciting things like stopping by the bank, the car wash, and the post office.

Try to control your jealousy over my glamorous lifestyle.

Also, does anyone else have a near panic attack trying to get the car lined up on those car wash rails? I swear, I need a spotter!

Friday

Friday brought another exciting day of watering all the outdoor plants, visiting the post office AGAIN, and cleaning the bulk of the downstairs.

My clothing was presentable yet comfortable, and what else would you expect from me?

The same green-and-white Wallyworld shorts (s) you've seen a bajillion times, along with my Disturbed concert tee.

Can you take any more excitement???

Saturday: Rock-n-Roll MeMaw Meets Nancy Drew

Saturday was a busy day, so I had to get dressed to take care of some things before my big evening out.

Those blue Sanctuary shorts came out of the closet, along with my Led Zeppelin tee from the Tar-jay.

And then there were the Velcro rollers, which stayed in my hair ALLLLLLL day long while I finished cleaning the downstairs.

I looked like a rock-n-roll MeMaw!

Then it was time to become…

NANCY DREW!!!!

My skirt (2) and navy cardigan (s) (which was WAY too warm to wear) are both from Walmart. My green Nancy Drew T-shirt (s)and knee socks came from Amazon, and those loafers (8)were a Nordstrom sale purchase this year.

And that headband…

KILLED. MY. HEAD.

I actually think it bruised the area behind my ears. That sucker went straight into the trash!

Anywho, I stopped by one neighbor's house for an October birthday party. She has an October birthday, as do many of her family members and friends, so she threw herself a little shindig.

I was about the only person in costume. Most everyone else went home and changed before heading to another neighbor's Halloween party.

Crisper always goes ALLLLLLL out for her Halloween party, and I couldn't miss it!

Here is Nancy as she's leaving the party with that super-creepy clown thing.

Nancy is checking out the clown for clues. Notice that I'm wearing sensible loafers in case I need to run from that creepy butt clown!

A detective must always be prepared.

Sunday

Sunday arrived, and I needed to get some things done around the house. But first, I had to wash that hair.

Lordy, the amount of product and hairspray Nancy Drew needed to keep that style in place was REDONKULOUS!

I also did a keratin treatment, and y'all, it took me almost two hours TOTAL to get that hair done.

No wonder I don't do it more than twice a week!

I pulled on those now-famous blue Walmart shorts and my Paducah, KY, T-shirt.

And no, shoes were never put on all day!

shorts (2) shirt (s) -similar sandals (8)

Manic Monday

Hubster was coming home, but first I had lunch with my Silver Frogs Gen-X group at Flower Child over on University.

We had a lovely lunch on the patio because HELLOOOO, the weather is still divine! We got to know each other a little better, enjoyed some yummy food, and then I headed home.

We ended up going out to dinner with RK and JK later that night, so I just wore the same thing.

Because changing clothes twice in one day is clearly asking too much.

Tuesday

I didn't have much going on Tuesday, except that I needed to clean up Hubster's office upstairs.

You know, it's not a work office anymore. It's a fun office, and it needed a good scrubbing!

I grabbed my gingham shorts (s) and my very old AMUK AMUK AMUK shirt. I figured I should wear my Halloween shirts this week because, you know, it's almost Halloween.

I did have to put on shoes and run to the ATM for cash and check Five Below for an item a friend was looking for.

My best guess? Silver Birkenstock sandals. Seems like a safe bet!

And speaking of exciting Tuesday activities, our lighting folks came and put up our Christmas lights!!!

WOOOHOOOO!!!

Yes, I know it's not Halloween yet. No, I do not care. Christmas lights make me happy! Plus those young firemen are very busy and repeat customers get their lights first before they take on new clients. But as soon as Sunday hits, I'm going to start decorating for Christmas so shut your face about it!

Later, I ran to Dunkin' Donuts and picked up a box of Munchkins to take to a little neighborhood ladies-only Happy Hour on a neighbor's back porch.

See? I'm not the only one who appreciates this weather!

I grabbed my J.Crew shorts (4) and cropped rugby polo (s) and threw on my Topsiders (8) before heading out.

HAH! Bet you thought I was going to say silver Birkenstocks, didn't you? Fooled you!

Also, I needed a sweater and failed to take one. It was a chilly ride home on the golf cart!

Apparently I also need a golf cart sweater to go with my car sweater. Geez!!!

And That Brings Us to Today…

I pulled on my Gap shorts (XS) and Vineyard Vines T-shirt. I only had to run to the vet's office to pick up meds and take Hubster to the car dealership to get his truck.

They've had that truck for a WEEK AND A HALF and STILL haven't fixed it.

GRRRRR.

He should've bought a Sewell. IYKYK!

I did put on my old, ratty Converse shoes for the trip out of the house, so there's that.

And that, my friends, is the glamorous life of a newly retired household!

🍔 Let's Talk Food

Given that you've just listened to me ramble about what I've worn and where I've been, and the fact that Hubster was gone for part of the week, you shouldn't be surprised that the food situation is lacking again.

Let's see if I even have anything worth showing you!

You already know we went to The Bearded Lady for Happy Hour last Wednesday and had the $5 burger and fries. Here's another look at half of my burger.

Thursday night was the first night Hubster was gone, so I made myself an egg salad salad.

I put some spring mix in a bowl, topped it with egg salad, sprinkled on some bacon, and added sliced cherry tomatoes.

It's SOOOOO good!!!

At some point that day, I also roasted some butternut squash for me and my little Rouxby Sue.

It's got fiber, which is supposed to help her anal glands.

JUST when you thought we'd get through a post without me talking about my dog's butt glands!

Joke's on you!

Now we've come to Friday, and you know what that means???!!!

🍒

POP-TARTS!!!!!!

Yep, I was home alone and celebrated a little Pop-Tart Friday.

And people… that is literally ALL the food pictures!

I promise I did eat… sort of.

Haha!

Let's do a recap and pretend there are amazing food photos to go along with it. Use that imagination!

Friday night: A piece of leftover pizza from about a week earlier. 🍕
Saturday: Party night! There was plenty of amazing food at both parties, but ya girl needed to talk and talk and TALK, so I barely nibbled. Priorities, people.
Sunday: Leftover pasta with marinara sauce. I'm pretty sure it had been in the fridge for over two weeks. I mean, I DID get the refrigerator cleaned out! Okay, I checked the calendar. It was over THREE WEEKS old. Good GOSH!!
Monday: Burgers at JD's. I had the kids' slider basket, and it was the perfect size for me.
Tuesday: Hubster didn't feel very good all day. 💩 Too much TMI? I made him chicken noodle soup, and I'm sure I ate something. I couldn't tell you what it was, but you KNOW it wasn't chicken. I'm also sure Hubster insisted I eat something.
Wednesday: Hubster made himself a big salad while I enjoyed Happy Hour munchies with the ladies. I really didn't eat much because I was talking and talking. If talking burned calories, I'd be SO TINY!
Thursday: Hubster and the MereBear headed down to Austin and planned to have dinner on the road. I had a bowl of cereal.

I feel like my diet looks like that of a four-year-old!

Maybe next week I'll actually cook something. Or go grocery shopping. Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

📚 Reading

I finished Family Ties & Alibi's, #28 in the Made in Savannah series. I love this series! It's fun and an easy read, and the mob families, casinos, and treasure hunts lead to some hilarious antics by the Garlucci clan.

I also started Primrose Murder Academy, the second book in the series. This was an ARC from NetGalley, and it doesn't release until March 2027.

I'm only a few chapters in, but so far, it's pretty good. And the little girl in the story isn't a complete brat like she was in the last book.

That's progress!

I'm also listening to The Impossible Fortune the fifth book in The Thursday Murder Club series.

I'm only a few chapters in, but it already feels like going home. I love these books and these characters!

And if I ever have to move into a retirement community, I'm totally starting a Thursday Murder Club of my own.

Consider yourselves warned.

📺 Watching

Obviously, I finished watching Halloween Baking Championship, and my favorite baker won!

WHOOP!

I'm about to wrap up this blog post so I can pour myself a glass of wine and watch The Traitors. Well, it's so late now that I'll probably skip the wine, or I'll be up tinkling all night.

We'll watch Survivor when Hubster gets back home, and I might catch The Amazing Race tomorrow night.

I also watched my first Christmas movie of the season, AND The Gilded Age returns Sunday night!

It's looking like a good TV week!

📅 What's Coming Up?

Tomorrow, I have a hand-embroidery class with Silver Frogs, and we're making a Christmas ornament this semester.

Y'all just try not to be jealous of my many talents! 🤣

Of course, Saturday is Halloween, and Hubster will be home to help me pass out candy to all the ghouls and goblins!

And then Reggie goes to the vet next Thursday for his attempt at getting his shots.

Peace be with us.

Hopefully, I'll get back into the swing of cooking, and we'll manage to squeeze in Happy Hour with Hubster. He was a little pouty about us not working one in this week.

I might even attempt a trip to the grocery store.

Shocking, I know!

Until next time…

Peace, Love, & Talk Talk

Cocktails, Calories, & Chaos: Our New Happy Hour Adventures

Hey Peeps!!

So, on October 15th, the Hubster officially graduated from working, and we decided that each week we'd find a new place to enjoy a little Happy Hour fun.

I'd say Date Night, but I'm not gonna lie, I find that a wee bit cringey. But hey, you do you, boo!

Our first “We've Got Nothing But Time” Happy Hour happened on Thursday, October 15th, after Hubster completed his very last day of working. And let me tell you, retirement is already looking pretty good!

Stop #1: Thompson's Bookstore

Where We Landed

We headed downtown to Sundance Square and Thompson's Bookstore. Now, I know what you're thinking. Samma… you took Hubster to a BOOKSTORE to celebrate retirement?

Just hold your horses there, Nellie! Thompson's is a bar, cigar lounge, and speakeasy. The only books you'll find are part of the decor. 😂

Here's a peek at the space from the big leather chairs where we were seated. We were the only people in the bar area for a while, although apparently the cigar lounge was hopping.

The speakeasy doesn't open until 7 p.m., so we'll have to go back sometime and pay full price for our drinks. I've been wanting to visit this cute place for quite some time, so I was equally excited to finally get there.

Oh, and I kept Hubster in the dark about where we were going. Just for this first outing, anyway. He'll probably help me pick places going forward, but a surprise was definitely in order!

The Happy Hour Scoop

These folks know how to do Happy Hour!

Thompson's has Happy Hour all day Monday and from 3–8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and Sunday. Classic cocktails and wines are $7.50, Tuesdays feature 30% off tequila drinks, and Whiskey Wednesday gets you 20% off whiskey drinks.

Next time, we'll probably go on a Wednesday and try to hang around long enough for the speakeasy to open at 7 p.m.

I mean, it ain't like we've got somewhere else to be!

Cheers to That!

And THIS is why we should keep up with our blog posts, y'all. I have absolutely ZERO clue what we ordered for our first round of drinks. I had to look at the menu and rack my aging brain, and on top of that, I neglected to take a picture.

Let's just blame it on the excitement of finally making it to this bar. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

I ordered your basic Old Fashioned, and Hubster had the Strawberry Fields.

Look, this Kentucky girl loves a good Old Fashioned. I almost ordered the Alohamora, but I wanted to see what their standard, classic cocktails were like first. I was NOT disappointed.

Sometimes simple and timeless is the way to go.

Hubster's Strawberry Fields was sweet and fruity, just the way that man likes his drinks!

Now, they don't have a lot of food options. And by not a lot, I mean we're talking a small bag of Cheez-Its and some trail mix kind of choices. They did the job, but I definitely wished they had a few more snacks to munch on while enjoying those lovely cocktails.

For round two, Hubster ordered a Paper Plane, a drink he discovered in Chicago, and I went with the As Above So Below.

Funny story: the bartender was wearing paper-plane earrings, so we all got a kick out of that. And I ordered As Above So Below because that was the theme of our Mardi Gras parade two years ago. So… yeah. Of course I did!

Hubster's Paper Plane was perfection, and I'm betting it'll become his new drink of choice. Mine was delicious, too. I probably would never have thought to put those ingredients together in a drink, but somehow it worked perfectly!

AND I managed to snap a quick photo this time!

The second drink was lovely, but the first one was better. I mean, I wouldn't turn down the second one if you wanted to buy me one! 😃

And then there's cheesecake. They have cheesecake, so naturally, Hubster had to try one. The cheesecakes are from Sweetie's Cheesecakes, and it did NOT disappoint!

Next time, I think we've got a plan: enjoy a round of drinks, head next door for some food, then come back before Happy Hour ends for another drink and cheesecake for dessert.

Now THAT sounds like a retirement plan!

Stop #2: The Little Red Wasp

Let's Eat!

Okay, two drinks in, and we needed to get some food into this girl!

We originally planned to head next door to The Archibald for wood-fired pizza, but they were closed for a private event. So we wandered around the block and ended up at The Little Red Wasp instead.

First up, Hubster ordered himself an Old Fashioned, while I had a nice Diet Coke because I was driving us home.

Look at me, being all responsible! Somebody give this girl a gold star. ⭐

Then we ordered an appetizer to share.

Pimento cheese dip with homemade chips.

It was goooo-oooood!

Since it was Thursday, I ordered the daily special: tomato basil soup with grilled cheese.

I finished my soup and brought half of my grilled cheese home along with the leftover chips & pimento cheese dip.

Hubster had Shrimp & Grits, he had no leftovers.

We had planned to head back to Thompson's for a bit but the sky was looking very ominous so we headed home. I mean Amy Winehouse (the car) does not like to be out in bad weather.

I finished my soup and brought half of my grilled cheese home, along with the leftover chips and pimento cheese dip.

Hubster had the shrimp and grits, and he had NO leftovers. I think that tells you everything you need to know about his dinner!

We'd planned to head back to Thompson's for a bit, but the sky was looking pretty ominous, so we decided to head home instead.

I mean, Amy Winehouse (the car) does NOT like being out in bad weather, and I'm not about to upset her!

The Vibe Check

The atmosphere at Thompson's was awesome. Granted, it was a Thursday around 4:30 p.m., so things were pretty quiet, and we were the only people in the bar area for a while. But it's such a cool space, and I know it gets super busy.

Big leather chairs, comfy velvet sofas, and a totally relaxed atmosphere. What's not to love?

The bartender was nothing short of fantastic. Even though we were the only ones in the bar area for a bit, she wasn't overbearing. She gave us just the right amount of attention, and her drinks were spot-on!

We had a great time, and I'm already looking forward to going back.

Would We Go Back?

Abso-freaking-lutely!

I loved it. Like I said, next time we'll grab a round of drinks, head over for pizza, come back for another cocktail, and finish with cheesecake.

The place gets crowded on weekends, but hey, we're retired and have all the time in the world now! We can visit during the week and enjoy the place without fighting the crowds.

Retirement perk number one: Happy Hour without having to squeeze it into a work schedule!