So it's the middle of college football bowl season. As I have said before, I prefer the college game over the pros. There are so many games to choose from to watch! Now, many of those don't really interest me, but others I'll watch just because.

When I was in high school and college, my dad and I would spend a decent amount of time just game surfing over the weekends. Trying to watch maybe two at the same time, or going one to another. It was fun. Even if we really had no interest in who won the bowl game. It was just enjoyable to watch for some decent games and some will surprise you as to how good they turn out to be!

It's your FINAL WEEK to win an awesome prize for concert fans on your gift list just in time for Christmas! Christmas in The Country...Fest!

You could win a pair of commuter passes to The Country Fest in August at Clay's Resort Jellystone Park when you hear the sounder each day this week. Kane Brown, Sam Hunt, Jon Pardi, Dustin Lynch & more will be there...and you know you want to be there too!

Listen the rest of the week for your chance to win - GOOD LUCK!

If you were wondering where I was Wednesday-Friday last week...I was on Bereavement Leave. My dad passed away late Tuesday afternoon from cancer and other conditions at the age of 70. As of now, I am doing pretty good actually. Services with family and friends are this week. We haven't passed a day where I would normally see him yet, so I don't know if it's fully sunk in.

Myself and one of my brothers were in the hospital room with him when he actually passed. He was a great travel companion and loved spending a day at Cedar Point or Dollywood together. We spent many evenings at baseball games - both major and minor league.

He was an only child, so my siblings and I are joking that he's now back with his parents (who were HUGE Indians fans) debating what to do for the upcoming season, etc. Also, he's trying to finally help them get their VHS collection sorted. His parent's front coat closet had an entire upper shelf with tapes of movies, TV shows and Indians games on them. NOT JOKING - the ENTIRE 1995 World Series, the 1997 All Star Game, the ENTIRE 1997 World Series and more! They'd tape EVERY game, then watch the news to see if the Indians won. If they did, they'd watch the game. If the Indians lost, they'd just tape over it the next day! LOL

So we're thinking my dad is with them trying to get them to sort out and part with SOME of those VHS tapes! RIP Dad. <3

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to do something I usually don't with my schedule...go out for breakfast! On Sunday I was craving some waffles, so I went to Wally Waffle in Tallmadge. I love the food there!!! OMG! 

I get The Patriot. It's a waffle with strawberries, blueberries, and bananas (see the red, white and blue?). I also get it a la mode ;). Can it get any better than that?! Everything was so delicious and it was great to get a brunch out and about.

I have not been sleeping well lately. Over the weekend, that all changed! Man, did I catch up on sleep!

Friday night I was out by 8:30 and slept until 11:00 Saturday morning...it felt GREAT! Saturday was quite similar.

Even catching up on all that sleep I was still able to get things done that needed to be done. So, it was a great weekend and I hope it was for you too.

I had a few errands to run on Thursday evening (ugh), and also went to dinner with my mom.

She chose to go to a staple on our list of dining establishments - Hartville Kitchen. It was SO GOOD (as usual)! Also, it's not a trip to the Hartville Kitchen without getting pie for dessert is it? My favorites are either their Chocholate Cream or Chocholate Peanut Butter Cream...they're awesomely delicious!

We had to wait in line for a table for about 15 minutes but it was SO worth it! 

We are now into another time of year where a daily battle takes place in many houses - the temperature on the thermostat. Luckily for me, it's just me and the cat...whatever I say goes and he has no say no matter much he may try ;) lol.

Also luckily for me, this has never been a battle in the houses I have lived in. It was comfortable growing up, then my ex and I always agreed on a temperature which was great! I keep it right at 68 during the day and when I'm sleeping, I turn it down to about 65. In the summer I try to keep it around 73 or 74. I just like to be comfortable - not freezing or hot. Not to mention trying to save money! lol

In the off chance you haven't heard yet, the Guardians made quite the signing Tuesday afternoon! We signed 1B Josh Bell to a 2-year $33 Million deal! I'm excited to see what he can bring to the team!

All of a sudden I'm ready for March to roll around so they can get out to Phoenix for Spring Training! If I'm being honest, it's not just for the baseball. It's also because after the end of this month I have no more use for the cold weather and am ready for sun and 70s again lol.

Almost $81,000! Thank you so much from WQMX and NEOPAT for helping us raise all of that money for military families in the area! It's such a fun weekend for us too, hanging out in the lobby getting donations and watching as more strands on the tree outside get lit up. I enjoyed seeing families come by to see the reindeer Friday afternoon. I got to the station right as Santa and Mrs. Claus were leaving, but that would've been great to see all the kids coming to get pictures taken with them as well.

Again, thank you so much for your help, and how about we do it again next year? :)

Now that my siblings and I are all North of 35 in age, we decided several years ago to quit buying Christmas presents for everyone. There are two exceptions: we will still buy things for the kids, or for each other IF we say EXACTLY what we want.

It's so nice and a lot less stressful this time of year doing it this way. I have virtually no Christmas shopping to do. I don't spend my time worried about what I am getting someone that they don't already have or don't need, etc. Also, my bills for the season aren't much different than they would be in any other month. My parents will still buy a few presents, but it's a lot less than it was even 10 years ago.

I have come to realize that I don't really miss the gift giving either. If you DO have Christmas shopping to do - good luck and have fun!