It's the Halloween Season, Charlie Brown

Began the morning with breakfast and the 2003 Strawberry Shortcake. Strawberry is eager to hold "A Festival of Friends" and invite girls from all over the world to visit Strawberryland. Her guest is Asian Tea Blossom, from Plum Blossom Province, and her panda Marza. Strawberry is afraid to hurt Tea Blossom's feelings and doesn't tell her that she's not a fan of her tea. Tea Blossom feels the same, until a wild ride on the river ends with Tea Blossom almost leaving the festival. Meanwhile, Angel Cake refuses any help in making friendship cakes for the festival. Everyone finally learns that real friendship involves being honest and accepting help, and that friends don't always have to like the same things. 

Switched to the Peanuts while I vacuumed and swept my rooms. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and Linus is very excited about the annual non-arrival of his favorite holiday icon. Against her better judgement, Sally joins him in the "sincere" pumpkin patch. Meanwhile, Charlie Brown has trouble trick-or-treating and Snoopy looks ahead to Veteran's Day as he fights the Red Baron.

Started dusting as It's Magic, Charlie Brown began. Snoopy takes a book on magic out of the library and holds a show for all the gang. It's something of a bust until he makes Charlie Brown invisible. Charlie is upset when Snoopy can't bring him back right away...until he realizes that Lucy can't pull the football away if she can't see him coming...

Had lunch while watching Bugs Bunny's Howl-oween Special. Witch Hazel pursues Bugs, leaves Speedy in charge of her cauldron, and wonders how he managed to turn Daffy into something out of "Duck Amok" in this collection of bits and pieces from various Looney Tunes horror and Halloween shorts. At the very least, they use horror shorts and two actually set at Halloween, unlike the random cartoons on Bugs' Easter special that were totally unrelated to the holiday.

Headed to work after Bugs ended. Though it wasn't quite as busy today as it has been, I still had a hard time keeping up with everything. I'd have to race around to sweep and clean the bathrooms and put cold items away and get the carts done. At least the weather held. It was cloudy, cool, and humid all day, but it never rained (and still hasn't). 

I found out why we've been so short on help when I got my schedule. To my dismay, I had two 8 1/2 hour days on Monday and Wednesday, and two 6 hour days on the weekends. Apparently, one of the cashiers got fired, and I know another retired a few months ago. They only have the head bagger to take their places. Neither has been replaced, though supposedly they are in the midst of bringing in more people. 

Had a little grocery shopping to do after work ended. Had online coupons for yogurt, Made Good breakfast bars, and Listerine mouthwash. Picked up bagels for lunch and treated myself to a slice of pumpkin cream cake with pudding and cream layers and whipped topping. 

Went straight home and into Match Game '77 after that. Perpetually nervous Bill Daily, sweet soap star Trish Stewart, and crusty Mary Wickes joined in for these episodes. Richard wished his younger son Gary happy birthday at the end of one episode. Brett angrily claimed "I love all the people Anita Bryant (anti-gay singer who sold orange juice in the 70's) hates" when she had to give her as an answer to a question in another episode. (And the look on Charles' face when he had to give that answer. He wouldn't even say her name.)

Finished the night after dinner and a shower with Mystery Science Theater 3000. Ring of Terror was a 1961 horror film about a college student (George E. Mather) who is almost literally scared to death when trying to retrieve a ring from a mausoleum as part of a fraternity initiation. There was one surprisingly effective sequence when Mather drove off a snake that attacked him and his girlfriend in their car. Otherwise, the movie was obviously cheap, with way too much padding and sequences showing the students in dull lectures. Not to mention, those "students" were notoriously way too old for their roles, something Joel and the robots frequently made fun of during the movie. Frankly, the episode of the serial "The Phantom Creeps" with Bela Lugosi having too much fun as a mad scientist was far more interesting. 

Dolls On a Busy Day

Began the day with breakfast and The Scooby Doo Show. The gang's saying "Hang In There, Scooby Doo" when he gets caught on a hang glider before a tournament and ends up in a cave. The tournament and cave are being harassed by a half-man, half-pterodactyl who is seen flying into the caves. The gang follows him and some familiar music in order to figure out this high-above mystery.

Headed out to run errands next. It was the perfect day for it, too. The weather couldn't have been nicer for early October, sunny, breezy, and warm, into the upper 70's. No wonder the Westmont Plaza was so busy when I arrived. There were tons of kids everywhere, girls gossiping and boys riding around on bikes and getting in everyone's way. I forgot today is the start of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. They must have been out for the holiday or gotten out early. 

Thankfully, despite their screen saying the wait was almost an hour, Great Clips wasn't busy and had no wait. The tall, slender girl with the long face and cute bob style was a sweetheart and did a nice job on my hair. It's a lot shorter than I wanted, half-way up my neck, but maybe that's not a bad thing. We are coming up on the holidays. Might be nice to just put a headband on and go during the busy season. It does look very curly, layered, and darling.

Everyone must have been at Dollar Tree. They were mobbed, with lines down the aisles. My toddler niece Aurora and good friend Amanda had birthdays October first. I got them greeting cards and was able to get Aurora a gift card to Carter's and OshKosh, but the pet store cards I wanted for Amanda wouldn't work. I hated holding up that long line! I just got another card instead.

Target was busy, but when I couldn't find the mouthwash I wanted in a smaller size, I just moved on. Had more luck at Sprouts. Grabbed coconut milk for cheaper than the Acme has it and more of those dried raspberry-lemon mango slices in a bin. Found peanut butter bakery cookies and a brand of probiotic soda I'd never heard of before on clearance. Thankfully, they were not busy and I was able to get in and out.

Had lunch at the Westmont Diner, a block down on the hill under the Haddon Township Library. They were also busy with high schoolers and families having lunch together when I arrived around 1:30. I opted for one of their lunch specials...and boy, am I glad I did! The salmon burger was incredible, a perfectly cooked salmon patty with fresh lettuce and tomato and tasty Old Bay seasoned skin-on fries. Even the house salad that came with it was good.

Made one last quick stop at the PNC Bank in Collingswood for the rent and money for the Collingswood Farm Market and Book Festival on Saturday. Rode up to one of the outside ATMs, got my money, and rode home (dropping books at the East Clinton kiosk as I went). 

Went straight into dressing the dolls for October when I got in. Samantha is in her blue windowpane check Play Dress and Pinafore with the black and white boots from her Flower Picking Dress. Josefina gets her current meet outfit with the lovely red, blue, and orange flower-print skirt. Molly and Whitney sport hand-made dresses from local seamstresses. Molly's in blue gingham, while Whitney sports pink polka dots with a smocked bodice and pearl trim. Barbara Jean goes mod for Halloween in an orange, coral, and black chevron-print knit skirt with a white bodice and wide orange collar, with the flats from Josefina's Christmas dress and stockings from her Christmas dress. 

Jessa gets to try on one of the outfits I bought from Cottage Resale back in August, the rare late-90's Artist's Outfit. She looks adorable in the rainbow-blotched shirt, matching high-tops, and rolled-up overalls. Ariel looks very hip in her white satin blouse, pink tie scarf, orange knit vest, and plaid pleated miniskirt. Felicity and Kit are in their original meet outfits. Felicity's orange, red and brown print Rose Garden Dress is very appropriate for fall. Kit wears her lavender twin set with the floral skirt. 

Listened to more of my recent CD purchases while I worked. Little Richard was one of the great pioneers of early rock, bringing his flamboyant and dynamic personality to dance-a-thons like "Rip It Up" and "All Around the World." "Tutti Frutti," "Long Tall Sally," and "Good Golly, Miss Molly" are probably his most famous hits today, and the songs most associated with him, He also did two numbers in the 1956 rock comedy The Girl Can't Help It, it's raucous title song and "She's Got It." 

Avenue Q debuted on Broadway in 2003 as an adult-oriented Sesame Street parody. At the time, the idea of children's entertainment being used to comment on grown-up matters was a novelty. In this case, a group of Muppet-like puppets and three humans co-exist together in a dilapidated neighborhood in one of New York's outer boroughs. They're all parodies of the typical post-college slackers of the 90's and 2000's, from mismatched layabout and Republican roommates Nicky (John Tartaglia and Rick Lyon) to TV-obsessed Trekkie Monster (Lyon) to sweet teacher Kate Monster (Stephanie D'Abruzzo), who wants to open her own school for monsters. For all the goofy and potty-mouthed satire, my favorite number from this is the mature and pointed ballad "There's a Fine, Fine Line." Kate wistfully wonders where her relationship with Princeton (Tartaglia) is heading and why things work out the way they do.

The film and soundtrack of That Thing You Do! were surprise hits in 1996. This comedy about a rock band in 1964 who land a hit single, but find it hard to maintain their fame afterwards, remains a lot of fun today thanks to its energetic young cast and realistic music. Unlike the soundtrack from Eddie and the Cruisers, which sounds like the 80's version of early 60's numbers, the songs on this CD could pass for real hits from the early-mid 60's. The title song was so catchy, it ended up being the choice dance jam on real radio stations throughout the fall and early winter of 1996-1997.

Switched to Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter after I finished with the dolls. I go further into this adorable vehicle for English band Herman's Hermits at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter

Did a little bit with the inventories next. Added That Thing You Do! to the soundtracks and Avenue Q and Flora the Red Menace to the cast albums. After I did those, I had a quick dinner while watching Match Game '77. Charles tossed out jokes about Orson Bean's earring, then tried to make one himself with one of his blue cards.

Finished the night listening to that double disc Johnny Mathis set while working on my Mrs. Brown review. Warm and Open Fire, Two Guitars are different names for what amounts to the same idea - intimate standard ballads performed in quiet settings that are perfect for running on chilly nights by a roaring fire. Warm does feature Percy Faith and His Orchestra, but I like the later Open Fire better, especially "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face," "I'm Glad There Is You," and "There Goes My Heart." 

Too Much Is Too Much

Got a quick start this morning with breakfast and The Busy World of Richard Scarry. Huckle is surprised to learn about "Peter's Visit" after he and Lowly return from a Scout camping trip. Peter Penguin is Sally's imaginary friend. Huckle finds him to be annoying at first, until he really gets into playing with him. Little Scandinavian resident Bernard creates "The First Skis Ever" to help get his brother out of an avalanche. Poor Dennis the elephant gets "Stage Fright" and tries to duck out of a public speaking contest at school. He's scared to death, until he remembers a poem his mother told him about fear.

Hurried off to my 8 1/2 hour work shift after that. I really wish I hadn't. It wasn't bad when I got in at 9...but once it hit 11:30-12 and the noon rush hour crowds arrived, everything started at once. I would be trying to sweep when someone would want me to put away cold items, and there would be more cold items, and I would have to try to get to the bathrooms and run out and gather the empty carts, too. And the managers kept telling me how to do my job, even though I'm an adult and know darn well how to gather carts. I got so flustered and frustrated and angry. 

Near the end of the day, I was about to go on my last break when I was called to clean up a broken glass jar of tomato sauce that somehow managed to go everywhere in the frozen foods department. One of the managers did start to help me, but she was called away. It took me so long to finish by myself, I had to skip my last break so I could get everything done before I left. I went home in frustrated and angry tears. 

Went straight into Match Game '77 when I got home. I needed Gene and the others and all the craziness. Ate dinner while watching Scoey Mitchilll drool over a pretty teacher in one episode and the champ hold the microphone while Gene answered a Head-to-Head in another. Elaine Joyce got a bit snappish with Scoey for talking over her answer at one point, too.

Finished the night cheering myself up with cartoons, starting with Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. Teacher Harriet tells O the Owl "You are Special" when he tries to imitate the things the others can do for Show and Tell. He finally learns what's special about him when he remembers he has an ability the other kids don't - he can fly. Dan Sr. reminds his son that "Daniel Is Special" during a walk to gather fall leaves for a picture.

Upped the action quotient with PAW Patrol. "Pups Save a Space Rock," or what they think is a space rock left with them by a friendly alien. Captain Turnbot, his brother Francois, and Everest the Husky follow the walking purple rock, only to be caught in a rock slide. The others have to rescue them. "Pups Save a Good Mayor" when Mayor Goodway goes on a camping trip and loses her phone. Humdinger claims he's the substitute mayor and starts handing out tickets and making absurd rules. Ryder and the pups finally get fed up and look for her by air. 

Catch Me If You Can

Began the morning with breakfast and The Muppet Show. Actress and future politician Glenda Jackson appeared in one of the most unique episodes of the fifth season as a pirate who takes over the show and somehow turns the backstage area into a ship at sea. The remaining Muppets continue to do their acts while trying to figure out how to get their stage back. The Swedish Chef would rather figure out how to get Jackson's parrot into an oven.

Hurried off to work after the show ended. Boy, do I wish I hadn't. We were busy for most of the afternoon. It's the beginning of the month and our Senior Discount Day. I tried to keep up with the carts and doing the sweeping and cleaning the bathrooms every hour on the hour, and I got called to help older people load bags into their cars. No one was in a good mood, including many of my co-workers. I was so happy when I got done!

Had a little grocery shopping I couldn't put off. I mainly needed bagels and fruit for lunch this week. I bought apples and oranges on sale. Grabbed more probiotic soda, including that tasty Crisp Apple Olipop, one yogurt, and a bag of brownie cookies from the bakery with a online coupon. 

Not happy with my schedule this week at all. On one hand, I only work today, tomorrow, and Friday...but I have an 8 1/2 hour shift tomorrow! I'm guessing the college boy who was working in the afternoons must have gone back to school. It's not even the head bagger working a cashier's shift - Wednesday is her day off.

After all that, I wasn't up for anything but Crown Chicken and Gyro. I bought a tilapia sandwich with their tasty fries and a Diet Pepsi. Watched the antics of a funny toddler girl as she chased a bouncy ball around the dining area, sat in a booth with seats not much bigger than her, and climbed into her mommy's lap to wait for her food. Poor darling was playing with her ball under the table when she reached up and bonked her head. That really got her wailing! Good thing Dad came over with their fried chicken and rice dinners at that point.

Had dinner at home after I changed, took out the trash, and brought the laundry downstairs. Watched Having a Wild Weekend while I ate. I go further into this surprisingly charming romantic vehicle for musician Dave Clark at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Having a Wild Weekend (Catch Us If You Can)

Finished the night as I worked on my blog and brought my laundry upstairs with two of my recent CD finds. Began with the Bette Midler Hello Dolly! revival in honor of its Cornelius Hackl, Gavin Creel, who passed away yesterday. Though he won a Tony for his lovely "It Only Takes a Moment" and sounds like he's having fun with his part of "Put On Your Sunday Clothes," he's overshadowed by Midler and her unlikely Horace Vandergelder, David Hyde Pierce. Pierce is on more even footing with Midler than most Horaces tend to be, with both of them equal hams. He even gets an additional song that was originally cut from the show. "Penny In My Pocket" explains how Horace made his millions and why he's so cheap. 

Mingus Ah Um was inspired by a series of jazz workshops Charles Mingus conducted in the 40's and early 50's. He wanted to bring spontaneity back into jazz with jams like "Pussy Cat Dues" and "Open Letter to Duke." One of his most famous compositions, "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat," can be found here.