Tuesday 4

 

You...

It's time again for Tuesday 4 in memory of Toni Taddeo, our founder.  Join in HERE!

Thanks to Annie for today's questions!

Let's talk about you this week.

1. How are you unique or different from your friends or family?  I'm not so different from my family but I am a lot taller than most of my friends!  How typical are you?  I'm not sure what typical means.  I could go several ways with that but will just pass on typical.

2.  How do you spend your spare time? books, hobbies, visiting, tv, etc.  I watch TV more than I should, I spend a lot of time on the computer while watching TV.  I read and I visit friends, I go out to eat...

3. What was high school like for you?  Lots of fun! I enjoyed school.

4. This question has multiple parts:

a. Handbag: designer style or any will do?  I'm picky but can't afford designer bags.

b. Pajamas or nightgown?  PJs.

c. Shoes: sturdy or pretty?  I wear a 12W.  Rarely are my shoes 'pretty'.

d. home decor: classic, modern, farmhouse style, traditional?   Eclectic traditional.

e. Movies: feel good, drama, romance, action?  Nice when there is a little of each but it really depends on my mood. I like them all.

Peace & hugs!

Jesus loves us!!

PS:  I learned last night that my daughter-in-law's mom passed away last night.  She had been in the hospital for five days with covid.  Cecelia was 91. Prayers for the family, please.  This is extra hard for Darlene with Joey so far away right now. She is still recovering from covid herself. Horrid disease in so many ways.

Monday's Weekend Recap...

 

Another very quiet weekend for me.  

Our small group met on zoom Thursday evening. First time in a while, but several folks at church were out with Covid and one of our couples is super careful so six of us zoomed for an hour.  Most of us are quite weary of zoom meetings - I sure am.  Our group of 14 people has dwindled and it is sad.  Feels like taking steps backward.  But, it is what it is...

On Friday, I went to Fred's Market (a buffet) with Shirley for dinner. Her birthday is this week so I treated her to dinner and gave her a birthday card. She will be 85 but is still driving and is sharp as can be.  We have been friends for 12-15 years.  

Saturday allowed me to sleep in a bit... or I should say the cats allowed me to sleep in a bit. They are used to my new work schedule and think I should be up at 6:00 every morning.  I did some cleaning and baked some brownies.  Before I got the brownies out of the oven, Al and Theresa knocked on the door.  We had a nice visit and they helped eat a few of the warm brownies!  I also talked with my sister, Tammy, for a while so we got caught up.

Sunday school and church on Sunday and I got some laundry done.  My sister, Patti, and I talked for a while. She had her first infusion on Friday and said it went well. That's about it.  I did watch a couple of fun, old movies in the afternoon.  Overboard, with Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, and then Grumpy Old Men came on with Walter Matthau and Jack Lemon.  Both are lots of fun. Have you seen them?

Back to work today and tomorrow evening I am having a late lunch with my friend, Kalisa. We are going to try a new restaurant here in town called Mr. & Mrs. Crab. 

Have a good week, all!

Peace & hugs!

Jesus loves you and me!

Sunday Stealing...

 Thanks to Bev Sykes for today's questions.  You can join in HERE!

One Direction Asks

Hi! I'm your host Bev Sykes of the blog "Funny the World". . Welcome to Sunday Stealing. This feature originated and was published on WTIT: The Blog. Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. Cheers to all of us thieves!

 

Stolen from One Direction Asks

1. Are you a Jeopardy fan?  Who do you want to replace Alex Trebeck?.  I watch Jeopardy now and then but haven't seen it since they have been using other people. I don't really care who they get.

2. What’s your favorite horror film?  Silence of the Lambs is pretty scary.

3. Are you a possessive person?  I don't think so.

4. Who’s your idol?  Jesus.

5. List five things you can’t live without.  I'm going with things since things are not people...My faith, clothing, food, water, shelter.

6. Where do you feel at home?  Right where I am.

7. What are your three best qualities?  I don't know.  I care, I try to be kind, I can be trusted.

8. Name three things that make you happy.  Things again... coffee in the morning, hearing from loved ones, working WiFi...

9. What helps you when you’re feeling down?  Prayer, talking with loved ones, counting my blessings...

10. Which big cities have you been to?  Miami, Columbus OH, Washington, DC, Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Jacksonville...

11. What’s your favourite lovestory? ( Book, film, etc. )  There are lots of good movie love stories... Sweet Home, Alabama, Pretty Woman, The Holiday, Sleepless in Seattle, While You Were Sleeping, When A Man Loves A Woman...

12. Talk about the best concert you ever attended.  Herb Alpert & the Tiajuana Brass when I was 15, with my mom.  We were both trumpet players and loved Herb Alpert.  I've been to a few other concerts but concerts aren't really 'my thing'.

13. What’s one thing you don’t ever want to change?  It's a little late to say my marriage with Joe but the years we shared remain wonderful memories that will never change. 

14. What scares you?  Six months ago I probably would have said living without Joe, but here I am.  I was pretty scared for a few weeks, but I'm doing okay now.

15. What are three things you want to do before you die?  I don't have a list of things to do before I die.  Right now, especially, I am just getting by, day to day.

Peace & hugs!

Jesus is the way...

Saturday 9...

 

Friends in Low Places

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: FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES (1990)

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Garth Brooks tells us he wore boots to a black-tie affair. When did you most recently get dressed up?  Probably the last Gala we attended at Polk Museum of Art if you mean real fancy.  What did you wear?

2) The lyrics refer to The Oasis, which was a real bar in Concordia, Kansas. What's the name of the last bar or restaurant where you ordered a beverage? (Yes, Dunkin' counts.)  Last week at Miller's Ale House, with Tim & Judy.

3) Garth was having a stellar 2021. He kicked the year off by performing "Amazing Grace" at President Biden's inauguration in January, and then over the summer he received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor. Now that we're past the halfway mark, how's your year going?  Each month gets a little better, but 2021 is the worst year of my life so far.

 

4) But earlier this month, Garth canceled the remaining August and September dates of his big concert tour. He's provided refunds for the 350,000 tickets that were sold. How do you tend to react when plans change?   I can usually roll with the punches. Are you easily annoyed, or do you roll with it?  I can usually roll with it. I would probably be more disappointed than annoyed.

5) Before he sang about having friends in low places, Garth hung around in some. When he was a struggling performer, he supported himself as a bouncer. What's the most physically taxing job you've ever had?  Probably cleaning rooms at a motel.

 

6) According to the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), Garth surpassed The Beatles as the top-selling recording artist of the last 30 years. Who do you listen to more often: Garth or the Beatles?  I have never been a big Beatles fan, so will go with Garth.  I listen to Willie's Roadhouse and The Highway on SiriusXM more than the 60s station.

7) Garth and singer Trisha Yearwood have been happily married for 15 years now. Trisha says that as much as she loves her husband, his whistling drives her crazy. Come clean: what's your most annoying habit?  Joe isn't here to ask but I'm sure I annoyed him (and others) with one thing or another.  I can be stubborn.

8) In 1990, when this song was a hit, Soviet President Gorbachev traveled first to Ottawa to meet Prime Minister Mulroney and then to Washington DC to meet President Bush. Do you have any travel plans?  No.  We want to hear about them, even if you aren't meeting any politicians or heads of state.  Other than going to see Darlene sometime next month for a long weekend, I have no travel plans.

9) Random question: Your dear friend spends weeks planning a party. After just 30 minutes, you find yourself having a terrible time. Would you leave at the earliest (polite) opportunity? Or would you stay till the bitter end out of loyalty?  Unless I offered to help with clean-up, I would leave at the earliest polite opportunity.  Frequently I will be the first to leave a party, especially if it is getting rowdy and loud.  I am not a big party person - never have been.  Keep it small and manageable.

Peace & hugs!

God is so good!

Friday Fotos...

 

I only have one new photo this week but wanted to share a couple of old ones with you...

Yesterday was National Dog Day.  You all know me as a cat lady, but I do also love dogs.  The last dog I had was a 90lb. collie named Sarge (Sargeant Pepper).  My ex-husband got custody of Sarge and he later had to be put down because of cancer, but he was a sweet boy.

This is Sarge and me (the mid-1970s) with a frozen Lake Erie in the background.

Me with my long hair and mini-skirt, and sweet Sarge.

Our house was on a street that ended at Lake Erie.

We lived in Huron, Ohio (near Sandusky and west of Cleveland).

I do love dogs (especially big ones)!

Last week, I heard from the funeral home that took care of my Joe last February.  The brass marker for our 'niche' was done and had been put in place.  I went there after work a few days later and took this picture.  I did send it to our boys that evening but am sharing it here with you, today.  I'm doing okay with it.  I will say it was strange seeing my name there, but then it is also comforting for me.  I'm glad arrangements are made and paid for and I'm not leaving that worry for anyone. (And yes, my "real" name is Teresa.)

I decided to give one of those meal delivery companies a try and ordered six meals from Freshly.  They will be delivered on Monday.  I am interested to see how they taste.  Will keep you posted!!  They are pre-cooked and just need to be heated in the microwave!

Peace & hugs!

Jesus loves us!!

Whimsical Fashion Fun 2021...

There are no rules and there isn't a linky.

Check out the dress and tell us in the comments which shoes you like best.

It is all in fun and just a whimsical thing!

Photos are always from The Storybook of Dreams & Beauty.

I am sorry to offer another wedding gown but when I saw this one, I just loved it.  It is so classic and classical.  I even like all of the shoes (couldn't wear them) and that is not always the case with some of the strange offerings that come with some of the dresses.  Count down 1-2-3 and tell us which shoes you would pick for this bride.  What do you think of the gown?

My thoughts:  As mentioned above, I just couldn't pass up sharing this lovely wedding gown with you. It is just so classic. I wish we could see that back.   As for the shoes, they all make my feet hurt just looking at them, but I'm sure the model could wear any of them.  I'll pick #3 but also like #1.  What are your thoughts?

Peace & hugs!!

Jesus loves you and me!

PS... has anyone heard from Katie, Preppy Empty Nester?  I miss her posts and wonder about how the house is coming along in Texas. I emailed her but haven't heard back.  Just concerned.  

The Wednesday Hodgepodge...

 A big thank you to Joyce for today's questions!  Become a Hodgepodger and join in HERE!

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 431

1. Is school back in session where you live?  Yes. Is everyone in person or does your system still offer a virtual option?  Since I don't have kiddos in school, I haven't paid too much attention, but I believe it is all in person now.  Are kids wearing masks?  Masks are not mandated in Florida but that doesn't mean parents can't have their children wear masks.  

2. Something you still do 'old school'?  I read my Bible rather than using my Kindle or phone for my Bible reading and devotions.  It's about 50/50 in my Sunday school class.  I like having my Bible with me, in person.

3. One lesson you've learned in the 'school of life'?  That there is very little we really control in our lives.  Just when you think you have it figured out... you figure out that you don't have anything figured out!!  God is in control!!

4. When you were in school did you pack a lunch or buy a lunch?  I usually bought my lunch in the cafeteria.  We only lived one block from school, so we were allowed to go home for lunch if we wanted to.  I still ate in the cafeteria 98% of the time.  Your favorite thing to see on the lunch menu or inside your lunchbox back in the day?  I loved the baked chili.  It was delicious.  

 

5. August is National Family Fun Month. Tell me something fun you’ve done this month.   Nothing with the family since I had to cancel my trip to Brunswick, but I did have fun at dinner with my grandchildren, with ladies from church (Femaleship dinner) and I always enjoy going out to eat with friends.  I visited my blogging friend, Barb, at the end of July and that spilled over to August.  That was a very fun weekend and included Pamela and Lily Grace!  

6. Insert your own random thought here.  You may remember that my electric recliner broke several months ago and I was given insurance money to pick out two new chairs.  They told me it would be September before they would be ready, but I got them yesterday!!  Ahead of schedule.  Here they are... not electric this time!

Peace & hugs!  

Jesus loves us!!

 Thanks to Annie for today's questions!  You can join in HERE.

Tuesday 4

Let's Cook!

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 kept in memory of her.    

Let's talk about food this week, shall we?

1.What is/are your favorite meal(meals) to eat and to cook?  I am not a picky eater and have lots of favorites.  Depends on my mood and what sounds good at the time.  I like to cook Italian food but also like to make fajitas and tacos.  I make pretty good soups, too.

2.How often do you cook at home and what kind of meals do you make?  I have not been really "cooking" since it is just me.  I have been buying lots of frozen things that are easy to heat up.  If I cook, it has to be something I don't mind eating for two or three days because I haven't learned to just cook for one.  I didn't really cook for two either. I learned to cook for six and still pretty much always make enough for six.

3. When you go out to eat what foods do you find yourself ordering most?  Pasta and/or shrimp.

4. Can you recommend a restaurant in your area?  We have lots of good restaurants.  Why do you like it?  Il Forno has great Italian Food.  Tapa Tio has great Mexican food. Shells and Fish City Grill both have good seafood. Keke's has great breakfasts.  What's not to like!!

Peace & hugs!!

Jesus loves us, this I know!

Monday's Weekend Recap...

 

Not much excitement to recap, since I had to cancel my trip to Brunswick to see my daughter-in-law/love Darlene because she and her mom both have covid. She did a post on FB that she is better but still has pneumonia.  No report on her mom so hoping she is also getting better.  Will have to regroup and make some plans in a few weeks. I will miss the photography exhibit, though. 

Of course, I already posted that I was able to close on the sale of Helen's house. I am so glad to have that behind me.  Thursday evening, I went out to eat with Tim and Judy, and I did celebrate with an adult beverage (Grey Goose Mule). 

On Friday, after work, I went to visit with Helen.  She was in her room and looked well.  We talked - she talked and I nodded.  I did make a call to her sister-in-law, Ginny, so they could talk.  Helen made no sense, even when trying to answer Ginny's questions, but I'm glad they got to hear each others' voices.  Ginny is a year older than Helen (94) but still lives at home and is doing well.  She is a retired nurse and wanted Helen to come live with her in Virginia.  I told her that I am the POA and health care surrogate.  I couldn't do right by Helen if she is out of state. Besides that, Ginny is in no position to care for Helen the way she is being cared for at Brookdale.

I stopped to speak with Helen's Hospice Nurse on my way out and she is pleased that Helen is doing so well. She is not being combative anymore and hasn't had a fall in weeks.  She said Helen also goes to the dining room on her own for all three meals.  This is all good news. Next visit, I want to ask the nurse what she thinks about Helen coming for Christmas.  I have to work on Thanksgiving but Christmas is a Saturday.  We'll see what the nurse thinks.

On Saturday, I did get some cleaning done and worked a little more in the den/Joe's office. Little by little I will get it done.  I went to Sunday school and church yesterday and got home to get some laundry done (and not much else).  Off to work today. 

Peace & hugs!  

Jesus loves you and me!!

Sunday Stealing...

 Thanks to Bev Sykes for today's questions!  You can join in HERE!

Sad and Sleepy

Stolen from Who I am Hates Who I've been

1. Has anyone ever made fun of your taste in music?  Not to my face.

2. Do you have pop-tarts in your house right now?  No, but I do like them.

3. Does someone owe you over twenty dollars?  No one owes me money.

4. When was the last time you burned any part of your body?  My finger on a hot dish right out of the microwave.

5. What kind of booze did you last take shots of?  I've never taken shots, but I did have a Grey Goose Mule at Miller's Ale House to celebrate the sale of Helen's house.

6. If you could see any musician live, front row, who would you choose?  

  
7. If I gave you ten dollars, what would you spend it on?  Lunch.

8. Does/did either of your parents serve in the military?  My dad was in the Army.

9. Do you like sour candy? Yes.

10. What do you do to stay awake when you’re tired?  Nibble on a snack.

11.Do you wear your shoes around the house?  Yes.

12. Is there ever a time that you enjoy cold showers?  I take cooler showers in the summer months but not cold.

13. Are you good at filling the silence in awkward situations?  No.

14. Any TV shows you sit down weekly to watch?  Oh my, too many to list.

15. Are you one to sneak food into movie theaters?  Yes, and a bottle of water, too.

Saturday 9...

 Thanks to Crazy Sam for today's questions!  You can join in HERE!

Woman in Love

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: Woman in Love (1980)

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

1) In this song, Barbra dreams of love. What's something you've been dreaming of, or wishing for, lately? (It doesn't have to be romantic.)  For an end to this pandemic; for world peace; for sanity to return to (at least) our country...

2) She sings that she and her lover are oceans apart. Tell us about someone who is far away, and that you wish was nearer this Saturday morning.  Joe, of course, but I know that isn't possible so it would be nice if our son, Joey, was back home so he could be taking care of Darlene as she battles COVID.
 
3) This was a #1 hit for Streisand, so popular it knocked Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" out of the top spot on the charts. Are you a Freddie Mercury/Queen fan?  I don't call myself a "fan" of any musical groups but I do like Queen, and I like Queen a whole lot better than I like Streisand and her politics. Enough said about that!

4) This song was written specifically for Barbra by Barry and Robin Gibb of the BeeGees. During the late 1970s, when the BeeGees were riding high on the success of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, she let them know she was a fan and would love to record one of their songs. The collaboration went so well that they ended up writing not one but nearly a dozen songs for her. Tell us about something that went way better for you than you predicted it would.  I don't know. Perhaps the sale of Helen's house. It sold fast, the inspection went well, as did the title search. I signed a bunch of papers and no longer need to be concerned about Helen's house.

5) Barbra traveled to Miami Beach to record this song in Barry's favorite studio. Have you ever been to Miami Beach?  Yes, I have. What an experience!

 
6) Barbra went to Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn. She had a mad crush on one of her classmates. That boy was Bobby Fischer, who grew up to be an international chess champion. Do you remember one of your big high school crushes?  Yes. Do you know whatever became of him or her?  I was infatuated with an upperclassman who was one of the star football players. I let him copy my homework (business arithmetic).  It was all one-sided and just as well!!  I have no idea where he is today.

7) Barbra is responsible for the Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center at Cedars-Sinai. It's dedicated to the study of heart disease, its impact on women, and the search for more effective treatment. If you could fund a not-for-profit, as Barbra has done, what cause would you champion?  SPCA!  My church!  Polk Museum of Art! New Paths Horse Sanctuary! 

 

8) In 1980, when "Woman in Love" was popular, Macaulay Culkin was born. He's best known for the Home Alone movies. Have you seen them?  Yes.  If yes, did you enjoy them?  I always enjoy the first one at Christmas time.  Did not like the second one.  Most sequels don't stand up to the originals.

9) Random question: On social media, people keystroke LOL all the time. When is the last time you literally laughed out loud?  I probably laugh out loud at least once a day, if not more.  It's good for the soul.  Just let it out!! Look for a reason to laugh out loud!  Do it!!

Peace & hugs!

Jesus loves us!!

Friday Fotos...

 

I took some photos yesterday at my "new" office.  Over the last month, my office has been moved from the back of the building to a larger space that used to be where the public came in to pay the fees and get their passes for whichever lake they wanted to fish (or path to hike...).  There are some personnel changes coming up and my boss wants a conference room beside his office.  The person currently occupying that space will be moved into my old office.  I am quite pleased with my new digs. I can clearly see everyone coming and going now.  Please bear in mind that the building is old and the paneling is everywhere!!

My desk...

A wall of storage drawers and cupboards where I have moved all the office supplies and many of the pamphlets needed for the public.

The "window" where people would walk up to pay the fees. 

I can see everyone coming and going now.

My car is parked right outside my window...

Looking left of my car...

To the right of my car and that's my boss's truck...

And the restroom and little kitchen are right across the hall from my office.

Yes, that sign is about fishing... and that's a real fly-swatter hanging there, too.

After work yesterday, I went to the title company to sign the papers finalizing the sale of Helen's house.  It went smoothly and is done.  Praise God.

No news from Darlene yet. She can't talk on the phone without coughing.  I hope she and her mom are resting and taking the meds. Since I have the weekend now, I will be working in the den/office again and will also get some cleaning done that I've been putting off.

Thanks for your visit!!

Peace & hugs! 

Jesus loves us!

 

Whimsical Fashion Fun 2021...

 

There is no linky and there aren't any rules.

Check out the dress and pick the purse you like best!

It is all in fun and just a whimsical thing!!

Photos are always from the Storybook of Dreams & Beauty!

What a lovely summer dress!  All the purses are by Dolce Gabbana.  

Which one should she choose?  Count down from the top, 1-2-3.

My thoughts:  The dress really is lovely and I would definitely try it on if it came in my size. Not sure where I  would wear it...  As for the purses, I think they are all too small, but I will go with #2.  All of them match the shoes.  What are your thoughts?

PS:   I have Darlene's permission to tell you all that she is battling COVID and so is her mom.  I will not be going up to Brunswick this weekend.  I would love to be there to take care of both of them, but I can't afford to miss work and would have to quarantine myself for two weeks when I got home.  She is on meds and is a few days into this.  Believers, please add Darlene and Cecelia (her mom) to your prayer list, if you would.  Thank you. 

A Roller Coaster Wednesday Hodgepodge...

Thanks to Joyce for today's Hodgepodge!!  Join us Hodgepodgers HERE!

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 430

1. Monday, August 16th was National Roller Coaster Day. Are you a fan?  I used to be!  Did you celebrate?  Nope.  Last place/time you rode a roller coaster?  Too many years ago to put a number to it.  Joe and I used to both enjoy the roller coasters at all the theme parks when we went with the kids.  Later in life, our medical problems (and my larger backside) kept us off the crazy rides.  I do think the last one I rode was Thunder Mountain at Disney World.  It is more gentle and the seats accommodate a larger frame (if you get my meaning!).  Still probably a dozen years ago or more.

2. Tell us about a time in your life where it felt like you were figuratively riding a roller coaster.  Easy. The last six months.

3. Favorite treat to eat at an amusement park or state fair?  Elephant ears, funnel cakes, sausage with onions & peppers, sugary fresh squeezed lemonade...

4. Are you easy to get along with?  I sure like to think so.  I try to be.  Elaborate.  I have family and friends who care about me and Joe stuck with me through 38 years (35+ married).  I can be stubborn (bull-headed - another thing I got from my dad!!) but I try to not be difficult!!

5. Something on your calendar to see-do-read-accomplish or just enjoy before month's end?  The closing on Helen's house is this week!!  I may have an adult beverage to celebrate!  I am also driving up to see daughter-in-law/love, Darlene, and the animals!! 

6. Insert your own random thought here.   I am looking forward to settling on Helen's house this week so I can jump off THAT roller coaster.  I contacted the electric/utility company and her lawn service.  The phone and cable were stopped months ago.  Helen seems to know, on some level, that her home is no longer hers.  She never talks about it after asking me once if her house had been bulldozed yet (her words).  Instead, she talks about when she and Al lived in Virginia and how she would like to go back there.  (That is where Al is buried and where she will be.)  I always wonder just where her mind is when she talks about it.  

I am just sad for her now.  She does seem to be 'happy' in the world she has settled in.  She is being well cared for and looks healthy.  Hospice got her a hospital bed which has stopped her falls.  It is lower than her own bed and has made a difference.  They got her a wheelchair, too, but she is still using her walker. I found these pictures of her the other day when I was filing papers (a pile!).  This is how I want to remember her!!  (She modeled in a style show at a luncheon... 2nd from left.)

Peace & hugs!

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life...