friday bits & bobs

jack-o-lanterns
not my house, I’m not this organized!

Just a few random things from the week…

Our neighborhood is a Trick Or Treat Destination, and many of our neighbors really get into decorating. Wednesday night’s crazy Santa Ana winds played havoc with some of the yard decor I’d planned to photograph yesterday, but did manage to find these two yards intact while out walking the dogs early in the morning.

trick or treat decorations

I’ve held off on carving my pumpkins until tomorrow; because of this heat they’ll mildew quickly, and I wanted them at their best for their big night. We usually get between 300-400 trick-or-treaters, and with Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, I’m anticipating even more than that. If jeune homme decides he wants to go out, le Monsieur will take him, while I hold down the fort with a glass of wine and basket of goodies.

We celebrate at the office too, which means as part of the management team I’m in costume for at least part of the day. I’ll share some of my costume photos on Instagram later today.

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Now for some VERY exciting news…if you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, you have an opportunity to meet Tish Jett, author of Forever Chic and her eponymous blog next Wednesday November 4! She’ll be signing books at a Christmas Open House at Bianco, 418 N. Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95030. Hours are 10-5:30. I’m planning to be there too, hope to see you!

tish jett, forever chic, French women
Forever Chic by Tish Jett

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Last weekend I noticed my upper lip right under my nose was a little sensitive to pressure. I didn’t think much of it, just assumed it might be a developing zit or cyst (yes, even in my late-50’s I sometimes still get them). Tuesday morning as I was brushing my teeth, I realized it was actually my gum that was sore, and very swollen and red. Fortunately my dentist was able to see me that afternoon. She took some x-rays to rule out root or bone problems, and said it was an abscessed gum. She deep-cleaned around the roots, and deposited some slow-release antibiotic up under the gum line. (Yes, there was novocaine first.) She told me that if there is a recurrence she wants me to see a periodontist for evaluation and treatment to avoid more serious issues. Lesson: even if you are diligent about brushing, flossing and getting regular dental cleanings (which I am), gums tend to recede with age, and it’s easier for small hard food particles to become lodged up in those pockets, where bacteria can flourish. Left untreated, infection can spread to the bone and roots of teeth, causing tooth loss. So if you notice any soreness, bleeding or inflammation of your gums, don’t wait…get to your dentist! The good news: three days later everything is back to normal.

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I’ve updated my SHOP page with some of cool-weather travel essentials. If you have any travel planned over the holidays or other winter travel on your calendar, do check it out.

winter travel wardrobe

Happy Halloween and bon weekend!

Linked up with Style Crone’s Hat Attack.

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20 Comments

  1. Really enjoying this fun and different post today! Wish I could walk your neighborhood on Saturday night. Thanks for the dental tip too. I am a very careful flosser–no mater how tired I am, but I guess you never know. Looking forward to your costume pics!

  2. That’s some pretty spooky pumpkin carving. Talented!
    In our town, if you have your porch light on from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., trick or treaters know they can come. If your porch light is dark, they don’t knock. It’s a nice system. Last year I weirdly had my foot surgery scheduled for Hallowe’en morning, so that night we kept the porch light off, and it worked! Since we get droves and droves of trick or treaters, we might try to get away with it again this year. Mean of us, but a bit of a relief!

    Thank you for passing on to us the dental warning– so typical of you to think of others and want to share important info!

  3. So is that a real cat sitting next to Mr. Pumpkinhead’s bench in the first photo? If it is, doesn’t it know not to wear white after Labor Day? ; )
    Nice pictures. Halloween night will be fun, what with a neighborhood full of hundreds of kids all hopped up on sugar. YeeHaw!

    1. spot, yes it is, and I didn’t notice it until I was editing the picture. Sugar + full moon = frazzled parents!

  4. I enjoyed your pictures. We get very few trick or treaters here anymore, although people still decorate like mad.
    I had the antibiotic into the gum line thing done a year ago, and it worked like a charm; I hope yours does, too.

    I’ve been meaning to add on to last week’s post about packing for colder weather: If you really were going to take all of the clothes in your capsule wardrobe, that carry-on bag would never work. Winter clothes take up more space, boots take up more space, and the hat and gloves and warm scarf that you forgot to pack would take up more space as well. You will need to either take less clothing on your imaginary trip, or a bigger suitcase. It was a nice try, but I think you will have to actually visit Chicago, or Minneapolis, or Boston in January…and go sightseeing…before you truly understand.

  5. Thank for all the travel gear and wear tips. I’m going to Paris in early December and am putting them to the test. Working on footwear decisions now and will check the weather report just before leaving to determine how bundled up I’ll need to be.

  6. OMG, that’s a ton of kids in your neighborhood! I’ll be lucky if I get 10-12 🙂 Thanks for the dental info .. it’s always good to learn about these tips.

    Monica.

  7. The whole thing about teeth is so depressing. Some of the stuff is just inevitable with age, that age-old expression “long in the tooth” suddenly revealing its unavoidable significance. Really hit me last visit that no matter what I do (and I do! I’m really very good!) teeth will break and rot and fall out and gums will recede. Ugh! Sorry! Sorry for getting carried away and sorry you had dental stuff BUT very pleased it resolved quickly and that you will be having a visit soon with your good friend Tish.I’m sure that book signing will be very well attended.
    Your Halloween decor is marvelous, as always — I’m stunned, again, by the numbers of trick-or-treaters you get. Happy Pumpkins!

  8. Wow…I cannot believe you get so many kids at your door for Halloween! It’s like a full time job that night!

    The teeth are difficult to maintain as we age. Glad you got it looked after.

    bisous
    Suzanne

  9. Thanks for the great heads up about our gums! Glad everything is resolved! I’m excited to come meet Trish and you finally! Yay! Maybe we could grab lunch or coffee.

  10. Sorry about the gum problem!

    It’s good they’ve were able to take care of it promptly. I hope the discomfort is gone. Sometimes dental work can take a long time to settle down.

  11. Have a wonderful Halloween!! Sorry to hear about your dental woes but it sounds like you lucked out and got prompt and excellent treatment. Good advice about getting prompt dental care–and timely. My friend just had a similar event but alas her infection had gotten into the jaw bone.
    Wish I could be in SF to meet you and Tish! Still here in Honolulu until February. Thanks for the winter clothes tips…won’t be needing them this year!
    Stay well. Look forward to seeing your Halloween costume!

  12. You are adorable, Susan. I cannot wait to see you and gossip and catch-up and all the rest.xox

    (Poor you, dental pain is awful. Glad all is well. I love your smile.)

  13. We’ve had fewer & fewer trick or treaters each year. Last year, we turned off our light and went a couple of blocks over to a friend’s, where several of us sat out in her driveway and handed out candy to the kids (while having snacks and wine ourselves!). Planning to do that again tomorrow, if the rain holds off.

  14. I’m a longtime Bay Area fan of yours and will try to make it to Los Gatos next Wednesday if only to meet you! Between traffic and my job in SF, though, it may not work out. But here is something you must do while you are in the Bay Area: go to the Eileen Fisher Factory Store on Marina Blvd. in San Leandro. Near the Oakland Airport. Huge inventory and deep discounts. You must go!

  15. Hope that you enjoyed your Halloween festivities and your busy weekend! I’m happy to hear that your dental issues have resolved and that you’re off to meet Tish on November 4th. Sounds like great fun~

    Thank you so much for sharing your beauty and your headwear with Hat Attack!

  16. Did she give you any tips on prevention. My previous dental tech recommended a massage my gums with Sensodyne toothpaste to help prevent/slow down receding gums