Friday Foto Friends...

My dear friend, Debbie, hosts Friday Foto Friends where we share a few photos from our week.  You can find her blog, Breathing In Grace, HERE and link up with us!! Thanks for hosting, Deb!!

My new part-time job is in a doctor's office so I can't take any photos there.  I have today off!! We are never open on Fridays.  I must admit that it has been tiring, getting up early again and being "on" at work.  It won't take long to get back into a routine.  I'm happy to have Kim with me tomorrow and next week.  Then I will have three days on my own before we take a break until after Christmas. I'm happy to have the holiday time, but don't want to lose my momentum!

So... here are some photos from this week that I can share!

We went to the farm (Joe's client) on Monday this week.

(I didn't start work until Tuesday.)

Met this big guy as we went in.

The horses were all over the place so the goats

got most of my apples and carrots. These Nubians

are so cute and so aggressive when you have food for them! LOL

They also love to be petted, but do expect a treat!

We are continuing to work on getting Christmas decorations

done. I decked out Pink Floyd Flamingo a few days ago.

His facelift (new paint) is holding up well.

We also put this sign out for Christmas.  It is

nice to see them posted at quite a few homes here in Mas Verde.

Vinny HAS to be in the middle of anything happening in the kitchen.

I tell him to get down and he does but comes right back immediately.

Doesn't he look innocent?

He is actually watching me cook and knows there are pork chops

under that lid.  He can be as aggressive as those Nubian goats! LOL

Cat people understand. I will tell you that I go through

lots of Clorox wipes, sanitizing countertops, etc..

Just in case you are ever here for a meal...

NOTE:

Linda Eller has a new blog link and I told her I would help get the word out so you don't miss her!  Here it is!  https://ramblingsofaretiredlady.blogspot.com/

Thanks again to Debbie for hosting this link-up!!  

Thanks to you for your visit!!

Peace & hugs!  God bless!

Thankful Thursday Link-up....

How did Thursday get here so fast?!!  Rebecca Jo hosts a Thankful Thursday link-up over on her blog, Knit By God's Hand.  You can find Rebecca Jo HERE if you want to join in!!  Thanks for hosting us, Rebecca Jo!

** I am thankful for my new part-time job AND thankful that Kim is with me for five more days before she leaves and I am stuck by myself!!  I was a lot younger the last time I started a new job!

** I am thankful for our wonderful neighbors here in our community!  Jill (next door) invited us to dinner last night so I wouldn't have to cook after my first day at work.  She is so sweet and I am so blessed to have her friendship!  She made a delicious chicken pot pie with puff pastry, a fruit salad, and a veggie salad.  She had carrot cake for dessert. So good!

** I am thankful that we have an entire week between Thanksgiving and the beginning of Advent. I am decorating a little each day instead of going crazy the weekend after the turkey to get everything done.  While I am at it, I am cleaning out and getting rid of decorations I never use anymore.

** I am thankful that Joe has been feeling better!! Praise God!

** I am thankful that our son Jeff called on Tuesday evening!  We haven't talked with him in months. He works two jobs and we never know when to call. We text and catch each other on Facebook, but there is nothing like hearing his voice!!

** And speaking of sons, we also got to talk with Joey, from Kuwait, last weekend. We hear from him more often, but it is always good to hear their voices.

** I am thankful for each of you!! Wishing you all God's blessings!!

Peace & hugs.  God Bless!

The 11-28-18 Wednesday Medley...

1.  On November 28th, 1995, President Bill Clinton ended the 55 MPH nationwide speed limit that began in 1974 as an energy saving measure during the Mid-East oil embargo.  If you are old enough to remember this (I sure am) did it make you happy?  Do you have a heavy foot when driving or does 55 MPH sound good to you?

As mentioned above, I do remember this and how crazy people went when the speed limit was raised back to 70 MPH on the Interstates.  I do tend to have a heavy foot and use my cruise control all the time to stay on track. 

2.  You are home alone on a rainy/snowy Sunday afternoon.  What Christmas movie will you watch?

There are many that I love!!  I would probably pull out "A Christmas Story". I can watch it over and over.

3.  What is something you have tried that you will never try again?

Snow skiing.  Oysters.  

4.  Today is National French Toast Day!!  Will you have some?  Do you like French Toast?

Probably not today, but I do love French Toast.  I make it now and then for breakfast and order it for breakfast in restaurants. I would rather have French Toast than pancakes.

5.  The Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center will be lighted today, as will the one at the White House in Washington, D.C.  Do you have your tree up and is it lighted?  Have you ever been in New York City or Washington, D.C. to see the trees all lit up during the holidays?

Our tree is not even up yet but will be by Sunday.  I lived in DC for 12 years, so have seen that tree many times. I have never been to NYC during the holidays (nor would I want to be! Too cold!).

6.  Tell us something random about this week of yours.

Not so random, but I did start my new part-time job yesterday.  The woman who is leaving is very nice. She has been there four years or so and is leaving to spend more time with grandchildren.  The doctor is nice.  The office is NOT automated so everything is done by hand. It will probably drive me crazy, but I will need to get used to it.  They don't want to buy the expensive software doctors have to use to satisfy all the federal rules for HIPPA, etc. so rather than use a computer.... it is all by hand.  My biggest challenge will be learning his handwriting so I can update the patient files... BY HAND!  LOL  It will be okay. I just need to dive in.

Thanks for your visit today and if you are joining in, please be sure to leave your link below so we can all visit each other!!

Peace & hugs!!  God bless!!

Questions for the Wednesday Medley 11/27/18...

Here is a medley of questions you may choose to answer on your Wednesday blog.  There aren't any rules and there is no obligation. Link up if you want to.   I'm doing this to fill my Wednesday (since we lost the Hodgepodge - and my hat goes off to Joyce Daley for 10-years of the Hodgepodge; this is not easy!)  and if you are interested, then join in!!  It might be fun!!

1.  On November 28th, 1995, President Bill Clinton ended the 55 MPH nationwide speed limit that began in 1974 as an energy saving measure during the Mid-East oil embargo.  If you are old enough to remember this (I sure am) did it make you happy?  Do you have a heavy foot when driving or does 55 MPH sound good to you?

2.  You are home alone on a rainy/snowy Sunday afternoon.  What Christmas movie will you watch?

3.  What is something you have tried that you will never try again?

4.  Today is National French Toast Day!!  Will you have some?  Do you like French Toast?

5.  The Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center will be lighted today, as will the one at the White House in Washington, D.C.  Do you have your tree up and is it lighted?  Have you ever been in New York City or Washington, D.C. to see the trees all lit up during the holidays?

6.  Tell us something random about this week of yours.

Thanks for your visit!  Hope to see your answers tomorrow.  There will be a link so you can share your participation with others who have joined in!!

Peace & hugs!!  God bless!!

Weekend Recap on Monday...

I always back up to Thursday for my weekend recap, but that was Thanksgiving and I posted those photos on Friday.  I will reiterate that we had a lovely day with friends and the food was good if I do say so myself.

My Thanksgiving apron. The only one I ever put on.

Our table.  We are still eating leftovers!

Friday Joe and I headed for Bartow Ford to have them, once again, try to find the slow leak in our tire. Well, they did find it and couldn't repair it as it was on the side. We now have a new tire, back right. At least that worry is off my mind. I hated getting in the car and not knowing if we would have a blow-out. Peace.

Friday evening, we went to the Clubhouse to play Nickels with our friends. So many folks are back for the winter that we had three tables playing (21 of us)!  When we left at 9:00 (have to be out of the Clubhouse by 9:00) this was the scene as I walked toward the car.  Kind of creepy and yet beautiful.

Saturday was laundry day and we I started getting Christmas decorations out. No tree yet, but in a couple of days...

This is my Avon collectible Nativity.  My mom was an Avon Lady

for years and got these pieces for me as they came out over several

Christmas seasons. It is 40 years old plus/minus.  I love it!

These are just a few doo-dads I have placed so far.

Here is my two-tiered centerpiece, ready for Christmas.

On Sunday, we went for our third week to Covenant Presbyterian (PCA) and enjoyed it.  I was invited to a Women's Ministry Christmas Dessert on December 3rd.  I think I will RSVP.

I pulled these two photos from the internet. They aren't very good

but this is our new church.

When we got home, I grabbed some of the leftovers to start making my favorite turkey soup.  Officially, it is called Williamsburg Turkey Soup and you can google that to find the recipe.  I don't really follow it because I use chicken broth, rather than boiling the bones of the turkey.  You start with a rue and then add onions, celery, carrots, rice, turkey.... yumminess!!  Our neighbor, Sharon, loves this soup so I gave them enough for three/four bowls.  They just got home from Thanksgiving in Chicago with their son and are still thawing out.

This picture is from the internet but mine looked just like this.

The rue makes it so silky.  I love the texture.

Today, we are off to the farm because the client is going away for a few days.  Going forward, we will be doing an afternoon with them, or Friday mornings because of my new part-time job which starts tomorrow!  It will all work out!

How was your weekend?  I wish you a good week ahead and thank you for your visit today!

Peace & hugs!  God bless!!

Sunday Stealing... Hooked on Memes

From our hostess, Bev:  These are lifted from hooked on memes, which seems to have disappeared since I stole it.

Hooked on Memes

1. How many states have you been in?  20 - Ohio, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisianna, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, West Virginia, Washington, DC, Indiana, Florida, and Colorado.

2. If a sexist Man is called a pig, what is a sexist Woman called? I don't know. How about ignorant?  That sexist man is ignorant too.

3. You see the one person who you absolutely despise. If you were guaranteed that he/she couldn't say or do anything back to you... What would you do??  First of all, I can't think of one person I despise.  But, to answer the question, I would just walk away. 

4. How many states are to the right of you? And don’t give us a map to look at.  None. The Atlantic Ocean is to the right (East) of Florida.

5. You can go anywhere in the world for free. Where are you? Scotland.

6. HOW MANY FINGERS AM I HOLDING UP? What? How do I know?

7. Are you a boxing fan? No.

8. What is the most disgusting thing you have ever eaten? Oysters.

9. Is it cloudy right now?  Yes, there is a cold front blowing in.

10. Someone gives you a $500 gift card to WalMart or Target. What are you going to buy?  Gosh... I would just go "shopping" and see what jumps into the cart!

11. When you were little, what did you want to be "when you grow up"?  I wanted to own a horse ranch in Colorado.  And, how much different is your occupation now from where you thought it would be when you were younger?  Ha!  So far from reality, it isn't even funny!

12. What was your favorite toy as a child?  Books were my favorite "toy".

13. What is the last place you had a good cry and why? I haven't had a "good cry" in a long time. It was probably my brother's funeral, 15 years ago.

14. Which Sesame Street Character do you relate with the most and why?  I don't really know all the Sesame Street Characters. I guess I'll go with Cookie Monster! 

15. Did you ever make what you believed at the time to be a horrible mistake - that in hindsight turned out to lead you on the best path in your life?  Can't think of a thing.

16. What’s your favorite show to watch on television nowadays?  I've answered this one before with a whole list of TV shows I like. I can't just name one.

17. Do you believe there is life after death?  I absolutely believe in life after death.  Read John 3:16!!

Thanks to Bev Sykes for this week's Sunday Stealing! You can find her HERE.  

Thanks to you for your visit today!  Happy Sunday!

Peace & hugs!  God bless!

Saturday 9: Black Magic Woman

Black Magic Woman

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: Black Magic Woman (1970)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune: Hear it here.

 

1) Black is this week's signature color because Friday, November 23, was "Black Friday," when retailers cut their prices and consumers flock to the stores. Did you score any "Black Friday" bargains?  There is nothing I need badly enough to go shopping on Black Friday. No thank you!

2) On busy shopping days,  carts often litter parking lots. After loading your items into your car, are you careful to return your shopping cart to the store or the designated cart receptacle?  If the cart receptacle is near enough.  We park in Handicap spots because of my knees and Joe's bad heart, so the cart usually fits right in front of the curb.

3) Who on your gift list is hardest to buy for?  No one anymore. We have stopped buying for everyone but the grandkids, who aren't kids anymore.  They are 28  and 22 and we rarely see them.  They get gift cards in the mail.  Things ain't like the used to be. Sigh.

4) Feasting and football are also popular Thanksgiving weekend pastimes. Do your Thursday-Sunday plans include enjoying leftovers or watching a game?  Both. Absolutely.

5) Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade is an annual event. It began in 1924 as a local event in New York. Today it's nationally televised. Did you watch it?  It was on. I watched when I could get out of the kitchen.
  
6) What did you give thanks for on Thanksgiving 2018?  Faith, family, friends, good food...

7) At the first Thanksgiving, there were no forks. Pilgrims ate with spoons and knives, and forks didn't become popular until the 18th century. Think about your Thanksgiving place setting. Did you have both a salad and a dinner fork?  I did not serve a "salad" on Thanksgiving. I had a jello salad that could be eaten with a fork or spoon.  We did have a dessert fork above the plate.

8) Pies are a popular Thanksgiving dessert. What kind of pie did you enjoy?  I had a slice of pecan pie.  Or did you have ice cream? Or did you skip dessert?  We had ice cream available, but no one wanted any. I did not skip dessert, but probably should have!! I also had a slice of a pumpkin roll with cream cheese filling!  LOL
  
9) This week's featured band, Santana, was named for its founder, Carlos Santana. He was born in Mexico. When at a Mexican restaurant, what do you usually order?  I love Mexican food, especially spicy Mexican food.  I love and order tacos, enchiladas, burritos, rice... Yum.

Thanks to Crazy Sam WInters for this week's Saturday 9!  You can find here HERE and join in!  I love listening to Santana, by the way!

Thanks to you for checking in today!  Happy Saturday!!  

Peace & hugs!  God bless!

Friday Foto Friends...

I'm not sure I will eat anything until at least tonight!  Is it really necessary to over-eat on Thanksgiving?  Hard to stop when everything is so good.

I'm sharing some photos from our blessed day with other friends who are linking up with Debbie over at Breathing in Grace for her Friday Foto Friends!  You can join in HERE!  Thanks for hosting us, Deb!!

We had a wonderful day with dear friends, Helen, Cheryl, and Jill joining us around the well-laden table.

I rarely wear an apron, but this one

says Happy Thanksgiving!

Blessings abound!

Terrible selfie, but here we are!

Joe, Cheryl, Helen, Jill and me.

Desserts included lemon meringue pie, pecan pie,

pumpkin roll with cream cheese filling, and

homemade pumpkin bread (not mine).
Everyone brought desserts to share! 

I won't be cooking much for at least three more days!  The turkey that cost $.28 a pound was very good.  We went back on Wednesday and bought a 12-pound turkey for the freezer. It was $3.45. Amazing price!!

If you didn't see yesterday's post, I need to report that I got the job as a receptionist at a very small one-doctor medical office.  His wife interviewed me and they are very nice.  I'm hoping to stick with it for at least six months, maybe a year. We just need to get back on top of things again and this is an easy (hopefully) way to accomplish it.  The hours are great.  9:00-1:00 Monday through Thursday. Fridays off and every other Saturday 9:00-12:30.  I can deal with that!  Thank you to those who said some prayers for me!!

With that, I will stop!!  I am looking forward to reading about your Thanksgiving celebrations!! Thanks for checking in today!! Happy Friday!

Peace & hugs!!  God bless!

Thankful Thursday...

A quick link-up with Rebecca Jo at Knit by God's Hand for her Thankful Thursday!!  Join in HERE!
I said I wasn't going to post today, but I did this last night to post this morning with love & hugs!

I am thankful for each of you!!

AND... I am thankful that I got the job!! 
More later about that!

Wishing you all a Blessed & Happy Thanksgiving!

Peace & hugs!  God bless!

A Thanksgiving Wednesday Medley Link-up...

1.    What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food?  Do I have to pick just one?  The turkey and hopefully there will be enough leftovers for a couple more days... sandwiches, soup, etc.!

2.   What’s the happiest Thanksgiving memory of your childhood?  My happiest memories of Thanksgiving center on those from my early childhood when all the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins gathered at Grandma's house. Lots of noise, lots of fun, and lots of food!! I mentioned earlier my memory of seeing three electric roasters on the counter in my grandma's kitchen, but I also have a memory of walking by and seeing all the women in the kitchen after dinner, doing dishes and I distinctly remember thinking that I don't want to do that many dishes when I grow up! LOL  But they were washing and drying and stacking dishes (no dishwashers back then) and just talking and laughing and enjoying the camaraderie.  I am happy for the dishwasher now, but I would give anything to have that kitchen full of helpers again!!  I really miss those big, noisy, family holidays.  Those of you who are still blessed to have them, please know what a blessing it is (in spite of all the work involved)!

3.   Who is the most consistently grateful person you know?  Well, I am consistently grateful for all that I have and I know that Joe is too.  All of you who are connected here are always thankful, too.  We do have so much to be thankful for!

4.   If you could thank one person today—near or far, living or dead—for their influence on your life, who would that person be?  Of course, I have to mention Jesus (I do thank Him daily in my prayers, though He is not with us in the flesh), but I would be remiss to leave out my wonderful parents. They have been gone many years and I would love to have the opportunity today, as a mature adult, to thank them in so many ways for so many things.

5.   Who’s one person you’ve never thanked for their contribution to your life, but would like to?  I think I have to go back to some of my teachers, especially in elementary school. That makes it more than one, but so many of them influenced me in reading, good handwriting, team playing, learning to handle disappointment, learning music... and I know I never thanked any of them.  Miss Hill, Mrs. Everhart, Mrs. Merriweather, Mrs. Gablehouse, Mrs. Whittington, Mr. Nairn, and Mr. Hoeltzel.  Thank you!!

6.   Tell us something random about your Thanksgiving week. Well, I have my job interview today (12:30) and after that Joe and I are having lunch with a former co-worker and friend, Gregory.  I will be cleaning a bit and prepping food for tomorrow's big meal and will be thankful to not have to cook for at least another day or two!  Leftovers are the best part of Thanksgiving!!

Thanks to you all for your visit today and if you played along, please leave your link below so we can all visit!

I wish each of you and your families a very happy Thanksgiving tomorrow.  I will be taking Rebecca Jo's Thankful Thursday off because our thankfulness will be expressed around the table!  For those of you who are not in America celebrating with us, thanks for your tolerance as we celebrate!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!  Peace & hugs!!  God bless!!

It's a Thanksgiving Wednesday Medley...

Here is a medley of questions you may choose to answer on your Wednesday blog.  There aren't any rules and there is no obligation. Link up if you want to.   I'm doing this to fill my Wednesday (since we lost the Hodgepodge) and if you are interested, then join in!!  It might be fun!!

1.    What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food?

2.   What’s the happiest Thanksgiving memory of your childhood?

3.   Who is the most consistently grateful person you know?

4.   If you could thank one person today—near or far, living or dead—for their influence on your life, who would that person be?

5.   Who’s one person you’ve never thanked for their contribution to your life, but would like to?

6.   Tell us something random about your Thanksgiving week.

Thanks for your visit today!!  I hope you will link up with us tomorrow!!

Peace & hugs!!  God bless!!

Weekend Recap on Monday...

The Mondays do roll around quickly!  Backing up to Thursday, we went to the farm because the client had a doctor's appointment on our usual Wednesday. I posted photos from our visit there on Friday.  From the farm (Joe's accounting client) we stopped at Bartow Ford to have the oil changed in the car, and the tires rotated. They couldn't find a slow leak in the one tire I was concerned about... so we shall see if rotating them has somehow fixed it.  At least we are good for another 5,000 miles.

Friday was laundry day, Joe had labs at the VA Clinic, and we went to the clubhouse to play Nickles!  I won the first game and I won the last game of the evening! Made me feel pretty good!! There is no skill involved whatsoever. It is purely the roll of the dice.  It was still fun!!

I took these pictures on Friday...

The cats must have heard us talking about Christmas decorations!

When I walked into the living room on Friday morning,

I was met with a green and a red crunchy ball on the floor.

I waited in the car while Joe was in the VA Clinic and 

found Christmas music to listen to while he was inside.

I don't know why, but I have a fascination for taking pictures

of the sky through tree limbs.  I just love to look up through

the branches and see the beautiful blue sky and/or the sun.
This was a tree by the car, where I parked at the VA Clinic.

I spent Saturday getting ready for our dinner guests.  Kalisa and Donald have been friends of ours for a long time, but they live up in the north end of town and are both still working, so we don't get to see them often.  Kalisa works at the Museum, so I see her when I pop in there. We are on Facebook, and chat there a couple of times a week.  I made pasta, salad, garlic bread and made a chocolate pie for dessert.  We opened a bottle of wine, too.  It was a fun three hours.

Yesterday we went to Covenant Presbyterian again where we were welcomed by so many people!  I think we will hang in there for a few more weeks before we make any decisions.  When we got home from church, Al and Theresa came by to help us get the Christmas decorations out of the loft in the shed.  Joe and I can't crawl up there anymore.  We are so blessed with dear friends who are willing to help!  We don't use half of this stuff so a whole bunch of it will be tossed or donated this year!

When Al and Theresa left (we had a nice little visit), Joe and I had been invited to a very special birthday party.  Judy and I have been friends for many years.  She was a member of our Relay For Life Team for the seven years I was team captain.  She is a breast cancer survivor and acts like she is in her 70s instead of turning 99 years old yesterday!!  Wow!!  We saw lots of good friends from our old church, which is where the party was held.  Before the party broke up, they announced an even bigger celebration for her next year, same day, same place.

Judy, me, and Joe.

Good friends, Luisa and Mary Ellen.

Me, Mary Ellen, and Luisa with the guest of honor!

Me with my friend, Shirley.

Joe was conversing with "the boys" and we all had

sparkling grape juice for the birthday toast.

Judy with her two sons, thanking everyone for coming.

We sang Happy Birthday after that and the cakes were cut.

Lots of people there to honor this special woman!

Before the Thanksgiving decorations get put away for another year and Christmas comes out, I took a couple of photos around the house to share:

Helen and Cheryl stopped in for a short visit yesterday evening.  Helen had mail for Joe (he takes care of business for her) and they invited us to their church's Christmas Cantata and luncheon.  We went last year and enjoyed it.  It is December 9th.  Whew!!  It is coming, folks!!

Today I will get cortisone shots in my knees!!  Hooray!!  I'm a month past due for them and my knees have been hurting for a couple of weeks now. My fault for not getting the appointment scheduled soon enough. Relief is just ahead!

And, today would have been my mom's 88th birthday. I always want to honor her memory on her special day.  I will never forget her!!  This is a favorite photo of her in a boat on Buckeye Lake. She loved going out on a boat (this one was my sister's (at that time) boyfriend's boat).

That's enough!!  I would love to hear about your weekend!  Thanks so much for your visit today!!

Peace & hugs!!  God bless!!