Monday Quiz About Me....

Monday Quiz About Me #MQAM

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Heather & Wayne from Acting Balanced.  We are continuing to answer questions together.  

Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered!



Here are the Questions:

1. Tuesday is April 1st - will you be participating in April Fool's Day?   Probably not. Sometimes I try to pull the old... Your shoelace is untied...thing, but no one ever really looks anymore.  It is usually good for a giggle or two!

2. Describe the month of March in 5 words or less...  Much too busy!

3. Do you like fish?  Have you had/would you have an aquarium in your home?  I like to eat fish! No, I have never had an aquarium, nor do I have any desire to have one. We have five cats!!

4. April is National Poetry Month - do you write/read poetry?  Share a favorite if you have one!  No, I do not write poetry, and don't regularly read poetry.  I have read poetry a few times. Not something I pursue or especially enjoy.

 

I won't add a #5. If one of these questions strikes your fancy, please feel free to answer it in your comments!! Wishing you a good Monday!!

 

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Catching up on the weekend....we had a wonderful time, down in Naples, visiting with Tristan, Kathy and Jim. We also got to see friends, Rob, Jenny and their son, Brett. I can't believe that I didn't get any pictures to share! It was just crazy busy and I didn't think to snap any photos.  We were treated to dinner at Bonefish Grill on Friday night.  Tristan took us to see the movie The Grand Budapest Hotel, on Saturday. It was one of those quirky films that makes no sense at all, but is thoroughly enjoyable. We really liked it. After that, we met up with Rob, Jenny and Brett for dinner at PF Chang. Delicious!! We left Sunday morning, around 10:00 and were happy to be able to drop Kathy off at the airport on our way home. She flew to Philly, out of the Ft. Myers airport. She will be up there, on business, until Thursday. It was nice to be able to help them out, and we would go right past the airport on our way home, anyway.  She will ride the company jet back on Thursday, and it lands in Naples. So, that was our weekend! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Peace, love & hugs, on this last day of March! Hard to believe the first quarter of our year is over.

 

 

 

 

 

Long Weekend Starts....

Yesterday was my Friday! We are off to Naples this afternoon, to spend the weekend with Tristan, his mom and step-dad.  Tristan is taking us to a movie tomorrow. We are going to see The Grand Budapest Hotel which I hadn't heard of until he asked if we wanted to see it. It does sound good, and oh my goodness, the cast is amazing! I'll let you know how we like it.

Polk Museum of Art had a table at the Chamber's Diversity Luncheon, yesterday. I got to attend with nine of my co-workers.  It's is always nice, and the speaker is usually good. This year's speaker was Marilyn Crouther, who is the Senior Vice President and General Manager of the U.S. Sector, HP Enterprises Services, Hewlett Packard Company. She brought a good message, about rising above humble beginnings, and how different perspectives can bring good things.

Have you heard of the poem "The Blind Men and the Elephant"?  It is all about perspective, and how it takes many views (perspectives) to arrive at a total picture.

The Blind Men and the Elephant
John Godfrey Saxe (1816-1887)

It was six men of Indostan To learning much inclined, Who went to see the Elephant (Though all of them were blind), That each by observation Might satisfy his mind.

The First approached the Elephant, And happening to fall Against his broad and sturdy side, At once began to bawl: "God bless me! but the Elephant Is very like a WALL!"

The Second, feeling of the tusk, Cried, "Ho, what have we here, So very round and smooth and sharp? To me 'tis mighty clear This wonder of an Elephant Is very like a SPEAR!"

The Third approached the animal, And happening to take The squirming trunk within his hands, Thus boldly up and spake: "I see," quoth he, "the Elephant Is very like a SNAKE!"

The Fourth reached out an eager hand, And felt about the knee "What most this wondrous beast is like Is mighty plain," quoth he: "'Tis clear enough the Elephant Is very like a TREE!"

The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, Said: "E'en the blindest man Can tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who can, This marvel of an Elephant Is very like a FAN!"

The Sixth no sooner had begun About the beast to grope, Than seizing on the swinging tail That fell within his scope, "I see," quoth he, "the Elephant Is very like a ROPE!"

And so these men of Indostan Disputed loud and long, Each in his own opinion Exceeding stiff and strong, Though each was partly in the right, And all were in the wrong!  Coworkers Loren, Kalisa and Adam    Our boss, Claire, introduced the main speaker. I will check in as I can, this weekend. I probably won't be able to catch up until Sunday, though.  Wishing you a good weekend!! Thanks for stopping by! I look forward to your comments!  Peace, love & hugs

Throwback Thursday....

The first photo is of my dad (left to right), Uncle Bill, Aunt Phyllis, Granny & Pawpaw.  I'm guessing this was in the early 1940s.  Dad was born in 1926 (youngest of the three), and he dropped out of school his senior year, to join the Army, right at the end of WWII.  Everyone is gone, now. Uncle Bill was the last to go.

This photo was taken (another guess) in early 1980s (maybe 1981 or 82). Maybe my sisters can help with the date?  Left to right, Patti, Randy, me, and Tammy.  Obviously it was Christmas time (tree behind me) and it was before Mom and Dad sold the 'big' house. I wore contacts for a few years, back then.

Wishing you a good Thursday!! Thanks for stopping by!  Peace, love & hugs.

It's Hodgepodge Time Again!!

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 168

Welcome to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Newcomers are always invited to join the fun. Answer the questions on your own blog, then hop back HERE to add your link to the party.  Here we go-

1. March is known as the windy month. Which of the following phrases best fits your March so far...'throw caution to the wind', 'three sheets to the wind', 'run like the wind', or 'see which way the wind blows'?  Well, I don't run anymore, with my bad knees, but the month has been so crazy busy that I have to say "run like the wind"!!

2. Your favorite green food? Your favorite dish made with your favorite green food?  I love ALL green vegetables, except okra.  I really can't name a favorite, but one that I don't get often (because Joe doesn't like it) is Brussels sprouts. I love them steamed and dripping in butter!

3. Ever been locked out of your home-car-office-anywhere? Do tell!  I've never been locked out of my car, but when we first moved into our house (25 years ago), I couldn't get used to the back door not unlocking when you opened the door. You have to turn the lock to unlock it. Turning the door knob doesn't unlock it automatically. So yes, I got locked out several times before remembering what I had to do!! It is actually what prompted us to get a keypad lock on the garage door.

4. Yoda, Kermit, Shrek, The Wicked Witch of the West, Oscar the Grouch, The Grinch, or Mike Wasowski (Monsters Inc.)...of the green characters listed, which one's your favorite and why?  Oh, they are all lovable in their own way, aren't they?  The only one from my childhood is the Wicked Witch of the West, so I'll pick her. I LOVE "The Wizard of Oz" and remember the first time I got to see it on a color TV....when the door opens and the world is in color, it was breathtaking to see the first time.  The the Wicked Witch was really green!!  And she does (we now know) have her own story, doesn't she!

5. "The first task of a leader is to keep hope alive."~Joe Batten Do you agree? Why or why not?  I don't know if I would say it is the FIRST task, but a good leader does want to keep hope alive. I think it takes the entire team, though, to really keep hope alive and breathing - to keep a company or organization viable. Anticipation is half the fun, if not all the fun!! We hope for (anticipate) success in everything we do. We all want to believe....

6. Share a favorite song with an emotion in it's title.  I really don't have a "favorite" song. I love lots of songs and the only kinds of music I don't care for are rap (none) and opera (only in small doses).  The first song that jumped into my mind when I read this question was "Love Will Keep Us Together" by Captain & Tennille.  Now, don't ask me why, because I hadn't thought of that song in forever....but there you have it.

7. What's a road trip you'd like to take?  I would love to just take off and travel the USA. I've never really been west of the Mississippi.  I've been to New Orleans three times, and I've been to Boulder, Colorado, once on business (no site seeing).  I would not do the RV, camping thing, though. I want a comfy bed, and nice bathroom with room to shower, and someone else cooking the meals and making the beds. It won't happen, because it would be too expensive and would take too long, but I love the idea and so do lots of folks, since there is a website about it HERE.

8. Insert your own random thought here.  I am SO excited that my dear friend, Karen, and her husband, Lee, are coming through Lakeland next week, and will be stopping at our place for a couple of nights!!  Karen and I have been friends since grade school.  I talk about my BFF Elaine, who lived across the street from us.... Karen is my other BFF.  Elaine was a year ahead of me in school, while Karen was in my class. (Oh my, the stories we could all tell....!!!!)  Elaine and Karen were both in my first wedding.  I'll have to find some photos. I think I kept a few.  Karen and I lost touch for many years, but the internet let us find each other again, and the years fell away.  Anyway, I intend to take a day or two off so we can spend some time together!  It's been awhile since they were here last time.  Karen is on Blogger, and you may have seen her comment on my site a few times.  She is Flamingo K and is an amazing seamstress, mom, grandma, wife and friend....not necessarily in that order. She is also a great cook!  Her latest blog is about a friend and school chum who died recently.  She mentions our senior prom, and I will just say that the other couple she mentions was me and my date.  Love you, Karen, and can't wait to see you!

Thanks to Joyce for another great Hodgepodge!! And thank you for stopping by!!  Peace, love & hugs.

Tuesday Tidbits....

• Good Tuesday morning to you!  Feeling a little more rested today, than yesterday!!

•  Sam, the handyman, came yesterday to fix the screen panel that Lucy escaped through, and he will be back next week to begin some more major work for us, including re-doing all the screen panels and spline in the entire pool cage.  It is past time, and probably why Lucy was able to get out so easily. The heat and sun beating down make the screen and spline brittle after a few years.

•  Tristan is planning to take us to a movie on Saturday, when we are in Naples for our visit. Not sure what he is planning for us to see, but it will be fun to spend time with him.

• Lucy is behaving herself. I keep checking her for fleas, but haven't seen any so far. We don't do flea treatments often, since they are inside cats. It has only been a problem a couple of times, but I don't want an infestation, so want to stay on top of it.

•  We are so hooked on the series "House of Cards" with Kevin Spacey. It is very good, and also very scary.  It is frightening to think that stuff really happens in Washington, but we all know it does.

•  I haven't been on Pinterest in ages, and at one time I was really hooked. Are you on and still active?

•  I am having lunch with my friends, Helen and Cheryl, tomorrow. Thursday I will be at a luncheon for the Chamber of Commerce, on leadership.  Of course, Friday we are driving down to Naples, and will be home on Sunday.

Thanks for stopping by!!  Wishing you a good Tuesday.  Peace, love & hugs.

Monday Quiz About Me....

Monday Quiz - 4 questions to learn more about each other! Link up!

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Heather & Wayne from Acting Balanced.  

Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered!



Here are the Questions:

1. Wednesday is "Make Up Your Own Holiday day" - what will it be for you?  I have no idea. Let's just celebrate Hump Day, and be happy the week is half over!
2. Is your March full of madness?  March has been crazy, so yes. Between work, weekend events, missing pets....madness for sure, and it has nothing to do with sports!
3. Yesterday was National Chip and Dip day - are you a fan?  What is your favorite dip, favorite chip?  I like Ruffles and Hellofagood French Onion dip. I also like Scoopable Fritoes and salsa.
4. Is it a good idea to write about discord in your workplace on your blog?  Fortunately, there is no discord in my workplace, but writing about it in a blog would not be a good decision.  As an HR person, I always Google applicants, to see what I can find out about them on line. Not everything is as secret as one might think it is.

As usual, I don't have a 5th question, but look forward to you answering one or more of the above four questions in your comments.

For those who read yesterday's blog, Lucy returned around 4:00 a.m. and sashayed in like nothing was amiss. She ate and went to her favorite spot to sleep.  Just thankful she is home, and now wishing I could sleep a few more hours. We were up about every hour, all night long, looking to see if she had returned. Gotta love 'em. 

Happy Monday!! Wishing you a good week ahead.  Peace, love & hugs.

 

Lucy, our escape artist...

Lucy escaped again. The cats were out, enjoying the nice day around the pool when I heard a terrible sound.  I went to investigate and saw this, and Lucy running around the side of the house...

She climbed the screen and found a weak corner to rip into. Now we need to re-do the upper panels, as well as the lower, with the pet-proof screening.

Lucy is still missing, since 10:30 this morning. We have seen her several times here in the neighborhood. I don't think she will go far, since she was born in the house across the street (new people and they have pit bulls). I just hate that it is dark, and she hasn't come in yet.  We left the screen door open a bit, so she can get back into the patio area. Prayers for her safety and safe return would be appreciated.

Signing off for Sunday night. Wishing you all a good week ahead. Peace, love & hugs.

Saturday's Disappointment....

Today was the Lake Morton Historic Home Tour, which I look forward to every year.  We got there around 11:30 a.m. (starts at 11:00), got our wrist bands, a bottle of water, and our tour books.

The first home on the tour was the new Usonian House, by Frank Lloyd Wright. I've written about it before. It is the newest building by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, designed in 1939, but not built until 2013. It now serves as part of the welcome center for Florida Southern University and the street it fronts on was renamed Frank Lloyd Wright Way (used to be McDonald Street).

This is Mr. Wright's likeness, ready to greet all visitors.

 The back of the Usonian House.

 Looking out the Master Bedroom window, at the gift shop and starting point for the tour.

This is the master bedroom, but it is set up with benches and a TV, to tell visitors about Frank Lloyd Wright.

 A FLW designed lamp in one of the rooms. Notice how low the ceilings are! They are only 6 feet 8 inches.

  

This is the dining room.

The next house was actually empty and is for sale. 

 It is one of only two or three houses in Lakeland that actually has a basement (we are too near sea level for dry basements!). I didn't go into the basement, or upstairs (knees!) but the hardwood floors are beautiful, as are the built-ins and stained glass windows.

Below is the dining room, with great built-ins!

B

 After house #2, we actually saw #3, but I totally forgot to take a photo of it. The inside had been completely gutted and re-done. It was very nice, especially the bathroom and kitchen!

 

 House #10 on the tour was close by, so we went out of order. A sweet young couple, expecting their first baby, own this house. The inside is nice, but they really haven't done anything to it. The upstairs was not on the tour, but the owners told us it is only storage right now. There were two bedrooms on the first floor.

 

Now is when the disappointment came in. I got a phone call from my boss, and had to go to the Museum for a special meeting at 1:30.  It as 12:40, so I had to run Joe home, then come back for the meeting. We missed the rest of the houses this year.  Stuff happens. Oh well.

I got home in time for Mass, at 4:00, then we went out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse, and did some grocery shopping at Publix.  Tomorrow I'll clean a bit and do the laundry.

Hope you have had a good start to your weekend, and I wish you a good Sunday!! Thanks for stopping by!! Peace, love & hugs, dear friends!

Five on Friday....

• The City of Lakeland takes care of the Museum's landscaping, and we allow the City's Main Library to use our parking lot. It is a win-win situation, since the parking lot is between our buildings.  Yesterday, the City's crews came to work on the lovely palm trees in the parking lot. They trim them two or three times a year, and I have a bird's eye view!!  I took these from my office window....

I think it would be fun to ride up in that bucket!!

 He is cleaning up the "stubble" on the truck of this tree.

When I started working at the Museum, the top of this tree

was below the window! Whew!

Dead fronds gone, and all the stubble cleaned off! 

Ready for Spring!!

• Tonight is the Members' Opening Reception, for our new exhibit:
  
  Site Specifics: Dan Gunderson & Barbara Sorensen
  It is a very interesting exhibit, and our security guards are already worried about all the touching that will happen. Unless it is an interactive exhibit, there is no touching in museums! But these sculptures and installations are so inviting. It will not be fun for the guards.

• Tomorrow is the Lake Morton Historic District Home Tour!! We look forward to it every year! I know I'm not the only person who likes going into beautiful homes - especially when they are 1920s Craftsman Style homes that have been beautifully renovated and/or preserved.  Here are the photos I took at last year's:  2013 Home Tour

• Next weekend, we are going down to Naples, FL, to visit with our grandson!! Looking forward to that! Our wonderful neighbors will be taking care of the house and our cats for us. They are going on a cruise next month, and we will return the 'favor' for them. They have two cats (Murphy & Millie).

• Speaking of cats, our Lucy (the escape artist) pushed through the screening again and was gone for about five hours a few days ago. We had our new handyman come and replace the screen panel, and he told us about some pet-resistant screening, with a super-duper spline that we can use. He can install it, so we are going to have him get it done for us. I can't worry about the cats getting out. They are inside cats (outside only in the protected pool caged area/patio).  Lucy and Lilly were feral and are probably street-savvy, but none of the other three know about dogs, cars, nasty kids, vultures, etc.  My fur-babies need to be contained and protected!! The spline is drying out, and that is how it loosens and allows Lucy to push through. It's like she has a radar for the loose corners!  Sam promises that the new stuff will not come loose and the cats won't be able to tear it or push it out. Counting on it!!  He is retired from installing pool cages, so he really does know what he is talking about.

That's my five for Friday.  I hope you are having a good day and wish you a good weekend! Thanks for stopping by, and your comments are appreciated!! Peace, love & hugs.

Thankful Thursday....

I am so thankful this week (and every week!) to work in a place that nurtures an environment of camaraderie.  I've said before that I love my job and my co-workers. There are only 23 of us, but we all, without exception, care about each other.  There is no competition between departments, and everyone is willing to help wherever needed.

Our Manager of Marketing and Public Relations, Sandy, has been studying for a test that will give her initials after her name....Accredited in Public Relations (APR).  The coursework and the test are very similar to the CPA exam or the BAR exam.  Candidates have to have a certain level of education and experience before they can even sit for the exam. 

Sandy took the exam on Tuesday.  She told us that the test is 4 hours and 45 minutes long, and they made her take off all her jewelry, frisked her and used a metal detector on her before she went into the testing room. She could have a bathroom break, for 10 minutes, but would be frisked again before she could return to the room. (Needless to say, she held it in!)  BUT - she passed on her first try. Only a small percentage pass the first time. 

We are SO proud of her.  We rallied around and got some things to decorate her cubical with, early yesterday morning, along with some muffins to share. We are taking her to lunch today, to celebrate!! Her mother-in-law and niece, who are in town, are joining us!

Here are a couple of photos I took....

She said it looked like a Barbie Explosion, with all the pink (her favorite color) balloons (which her daughter will love!). She was happy that we surprised her with silly balloons and streamers, I think.  She does such a good job for us!!  Her new credentials are good for the Museum, too.

I am thankful for so many things, but right now, I just want to acknowledge my place of employment and my wonderful co-workers, including Sandy.

Wishing you a great Thursday!! It is Friday Eve!! Peace, love & hugs.

Hodgepodge Volume 167....

A Springy Hodgepodge - Volume 167

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge...answer on your own blog, then hop back HERE to link up with all the other peeps who  join the party. See you there!

1.  Thursday marks the first day of spring...to celebrate would you rather plant a garden or go for a walk in the woods? Would either of those activities be possible on Thursday where you live?  I loathe yard work, so of these two, it would have to be a walk in the woods.  Yes, both of these would be possible right now, in central Florida.

2. When did someone last spring something on you? (or when did you last spring something on someone?)  My days, at work, are full of surprises!  I am the accountant and human resources person, so people are in and out of my office all day, for one thing or another. Keeps life interesting, but also makes it difficult to concentrate and get major projects done sometimes.  I try not to spring things on people, because I know how disrupting it can be.

3.  We often think of spring as a time for new beginnings. What's something you'd like to start doing this spring?  I would like to get back into being creative, either with my jewelry making or my art. Not sure it will happen soon, but perhaps over the next few months.

4. Where do you like to sit in a movie theatre? When did you last sit there, and what were you watching?  We don’t go to the movies very often. We try to sit on an end and in one of the rows that gives us more leg room. The last time was to see Lone Survivor. It made me sick with a terrible headache. I closed my eyes for a good part of it.  Movies are on TV within three/four months and I would rather pay $3.99 to see it On Demand, than to pay $14.00 to sit in a theater watching. My PJs and my own popcorn make an at-home movie much more enjoyable.

5. When you meet someone for the very first time, what do you want them to think about you?  Oh my, don’t we all just want someone to like us?  I want them to think I’m nice, genuine and trustworthy.

6. March is frozen food month (yes, really!). Besides ice cream (gotta make you think a little) what's your most often purchased frozen food item?  Veggies. We probably eat more frozen corn than broccoli, just because Joe loves corn. I love any veggie (but okra) that is green.

7. What's something you avoid?  Conflict. Public speaking.

8. Insert your own random thought here.  I started yesterday morning at a breakfast event for Girls Inc.  It is a wonderful organization, for which one of my co-workers is a Board Member. She invited me to attend and learn more about Girls Inc.  Are you familiar with it?  Click HERE.  Their motto is:
 

Inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.

I am very impressed with what they do for ALL girls, but especially those in challenging situations. We heard several stories of how Girls Inc. helped girls to be celibate (or careful!) and not become a teen parent, to stay away from drugs and alcohol and gangs, and to make good grades in school, then go on to college. Not all make it, but there are many success stories. The breakfast was to ask for scholarship donations, which I am happy to help with, in a small way. Every little bit helps....

This is from the Girls Inc. website:

Luna Flores , Girls Inc. of Alameda County
Participating in EUREKA!, a Girls Inc. program that encourages girls to explore career paths in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), helped Luna learn about college preparation, problem solving, and leadership. Through a paid internship, she not only gained hands-on experience that supported her goal of becoming a professional photographer, but it also taught her to speak up, ask questions and share her ideas and opinions.

Wishing you a good Hump Day!! Thanks for stopping by. Peace, love & hugs.

 

Tuesday Tidbits....

• Good Tuesday morning, after St. Patrick's Day! I'm not a beer drinker and we don't have any Irish Whiskey in the house, so no hangover for me (tee hee). I feel sorry for those who over-did it last night and had to go to work today. It's a bummer when St. Pat's Day falls on a week day.

• I had my quarterly doctor visit yesterday morning. I was expecting the worst, since I have not been good about my diet, but thankfully the numbers were all good from my tests, and some even better than last time. The only concern was that I showed up being slightly anemic for the first time ever in my life.  She asked me if I had just donated blood, and I had. She was satisfied that was the reason, but cautioned me about continuing to donate as I get older (sheesh!).  I explained that one more pint and I'll have donated 10 gallons.  She cautioned me again, so I told her once more for my 10-gallon marker, and I'll stop. I really had no idea that it can even mess up your bone marrow sometimes, if you donate too much. I thought every eight weeks made it safe, but I guess our bodies are all a little different.

 Sorry for the bad lighting. I took it off the wall and that didn't help either, but you can see that I'll have a whole bunch of empty spots, when I stop at 10 Gallons. Sigh.

• My doctor's daughter attends the Museum's Summer Art Camp every year, and has since she was old enough to come (age six). Dr. Asuncion has framed some of her art and the pictures can be found in all of the exam rooms. I snapped a photo while I was waiting....

• I snapped a photo of our sweet Vinny, while he was relaxing. I guess I snap him more than the others, since he is "new" and I have so many of the other four.  He is a trip, this boy is.

• Our Women's Council meeting was a good one last night, and it was fun putting the Easter Baskets together for Sister Giovannina's shut-in ministry. She has 20 women and 6 men, and we all had a list of things needed and were asked to bring a few things from the list.  Our women always come through, especially when Sister needs something. Take a look at all the stuff that was donated. We over-filled the baskets and there are leftovers that Sister can use later.

Empty baskets to be filled, for the women.

The men got the yellow plastic buckets.

I think the shut-ins will be pleased with their Easter baskets!

Wishing you a good Tuesday!! Thanks for stopping by! Peace, love & hugs.

St. Patrick's Day Monday Quiz About Me....

Monday Quiz #MQAM - The St. Patty's Day edition!

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Heather & Wayne from Acting Balanced.  We are continuing to answer questions together.

Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered! 

1. March 17th is St. Patricks Day - where do you think the Leprechaun hid his pot of gold?  Are you celebrating in any way?  I only know that Leprechaun is a crafty little guy, and I’ve never found his pot of gold. Of course, we all know it is at the end of the rainbow.  No, we do not celebrate St. Patty’s Day, but I do always wear green and my shamrock earrings.

2. What kind of luck do you have?  I have no luck at all.  How’s the song go….”If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all….”  Really, I never win anything.

3. Do you have a favorite pair of shoes right now?  Any of my Crocs, and I do have a favorite pair of sandals.

4. What is your current theme song?  I don’t have a theme song.

I don’t have a #5 for you this week.  I just wish you a happy Monday and St. Patrick’s Day.  Joe always likes to remind me (my maiden name is Kelly, by the way) that St. Patrick was born of Italian parents.

Peace, love & hugs!!

Sunday....

Just saw how late it is! This day has gone much too fast.

We have had beautiful weather, and could have the doors and windows open to fresh air. The pollen is beginning to get bad, though, so these days are numbered.

I cleaned the house, the last load of laundry is in, and I have been doing home bookkeeping most of the rest of the day.  Feels good to be crossing things off the list, though!

Church was good last night, and we went to Saigon Bistro for dinner. Love the Chicken Pho. Yum.

The weekend is nearly gone, and I have a busy week at work coming up. I also have my church women's group tomorrow evening, and we are doing Easter Baskets for shut-ins.  That's how I'll be celebrating St. Patrick's Day. I have corned beef and cabbage, but told Joe we will have it on Tuesday night for dinner, instead of tomorrow night. I won't have time to put it together tomorrow night.  I'm sure St. Patrick will understand!

Joe and I have started watching a series on Netflix called House of Cards, with Kevin Spacey. It is all about politics in D.C., and how corrupt everything is. We are really enjoying it. My boss suggested we watch it. She lived in D.C., and so did we (years ago). It is fun to see the sites as they film the show. If you are looking for a good show and have Netflix, take a look. We're hooked.

Hope you have had a good weekend, and I wish you a great week ahead!!  Peace, love & hugs!!

Spring is here!....

I took these photos yesterday, when I walked over to Mr. Fish for some lunch.  Mr. Fish is an eating establishment and a fixture, in the historic neighborhood where the Museum is located. The food is delicious, and they were very busy, but the secret is to call in your order about 45 minutes ahead of when you want it. It is carry out only - no place to sit, so I took it back to my office.

Anyway, I thought you might enjoy the photos of the Museum, our sign, and some of the pretty spring flowers that are blooming in the parking lot. It was a beautiful day, in the mid-70s. If you click on the top photo, of the Museum, I typed above my office window so you can see where I spend my days.

Thank you for stopping by my blog! I hope you are having a good Saturday!  Peace, love & hugs!!

Friday Five....

Friday Five Throwbacks! (I just made that up!)


I am having so much fun scanning the old photos (hundreds and hundreds to go!), that I will share five more throwback photos on this Friday....

Joe, his brother Nick, and their dad (also Nick);

Joe's dad was a butcher and they had their own meat market.

 Joe's dad, Nick, at age 22. He came to the USA, from Italy, at age 18.

This is his citizenship photo (he immigrated the legal way!) in 1933.

 Joe's parents, in front of their home, in Berwyn, Pennsylvania;

Nick and Julia D'Orsaneo. His mom was born here in the USA, 

but her parents came from Italy.

 Isn't her wedding dress amazing?!

This is Joe's Aunt Mamie and Uncle Benny (his dad's brother).

Joe and I were still dating when this was taken, probably in 1984. 

Joe's Aunt Delphine is between us. She was his mom's sister.

Aunt Del was a wonderful woman. I loved her so much!

The familia accepted me and pulled me into their circle of love. Blessed!!

Thanks for checking in!! I wish you all a good Friday and a great weekend! I'm getting my hair colored on Saturday morning, but we have no other plans. Maybe something fun will present itself!! Peace, love & hugs.