The Saturday 9...

Thanks to Sam for today's questions and for another year of fun!  You can join in HERE.

 

The Last Song

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 to answer questions, however, and here are today's questions!

Saturday 9: The Last Song (1972)

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

This is the last Saturday 9 song of 2022. 

Thanks for another great year.

1) In this song, the lead singer admits he leaves the light on when he goes to sleep. Do you leave any lights on in your bedroom? Or do you prefer it completely dark?  I don't leave lights on but there are night lights in the bathrooms and the kitchen.  I do leave the front door porch light on.

 

2) He sings that he can't stop wondering where his old girlfriend is. Do you know whatever happened to any of your exes?  I am a small-town girl with lots of contacts from my hometown so I know about most of the guys from my high school days.  My first steady is actually deceased now.  I got married when I was 19 and was divorced 11 years later.  Not long after that, I met Joe.  We were married for almost 36 years.  Not that many old boyfriends in my past!!

3) He says this is the last song he'll ever sing to his girl. What's the last song you sang?  Christmas carols.  Where were you when you sang it?  Church!

 

4) Edward Bear was a Canadian group that took its name from Winnie the Pooh. As written by A. A. Milne, Edward Bear was Pooh's "proper" name. Pooh's favorite food was honey. Is there a food you can't get enough of?  Oh gosh, I've mentioned Pho (soup) before. I do crave it sometimes but I also crave pizza now and then, salty chips, tacos...  pasta, shrimp, crab... just food.  I crave food.  LOLOL

 
5) In 1972, when this song was popular, Disney's Winnie the Pooh was quite a celebrity in his own right, appearing on the cover of the 1972 Sears Christmas Wish Book. That year, kids asked Santa for plush Pooh, Tigger, and Eeyore. Did you have many plush toys as a child?  No. If yes, do you still have any of them?  I do not.  The last one I had was one of those pot-bellied bears that were so popular.  My grandpa gave me one for Christmas, even though I was an adult and married! 

6) Enough about 1972! Let's look back on 2022. What's something you learned or rediscovered in 2022?  I've learned that I can do life alone.  My faith is strong, and I am blessed with family and friends who care about me... I've always known this.  I was on my own after my divorce and before I met Joe, so this isn't my first rodeo but life is very different without my best friend beside me.  I'm doing fine and counting my many blessings!

7) Can you think of a moment in 2022 you'd like to do over?  No.  It's silly to dwell on do-overs.  It's not possible and keeps you from having peace.

8) What are you looking forward to most in 2023?  More time with those I love.

9) Random question: Who received the last email you sent?  My blogging friend, Patti, who told me she found my name twice on Facebook.  Someone created a page with my picture and my name was spelled just a little wrong.  It is now gone, thanks to FB, but I found another one (with no picture) that I have asked to be removed.

Peace & hugs!

Wishing you all a very happy and blessed 2023!

Friday Fotos...

 

I have a few new photos from this week!! I am working today and then will see Helen after work. I finally have answers and will address those later.  It is working out, even though not the way I wanted.

On Tuesday, Kali (my son Jeff's girlfriend) and her parents came to Lakeland.  Her sister, Leslie, was working from home and couldn't come with them.  I was sorry to miss seeing her but we had a great time with Kali, Stuart, and Maureen!  We met them at our beautiful Hollis Gardens.  Stuart is a photographer (as a hobby) and brought his camera.  

I didn't take many photos of the Gardens since I have been there so many times.
I did snap this one of Maureen, Kali, and my sister Tammy.

Stuart was all over the place snapping photos!

I wanted to have lunch at the Garden Bistro, but it was closed for the holidays.

I took them, instead, to the Black & Brew Café, by the Museum.

It is also by Lake Morton, our bird sanctuary lake.

Stuart was snapping photos like crazy.  Kali was putting quarters in

the feeder and had fun feeding the waterfowl.  It was fun.

From there, we went back to the Museum and visited the gift shop.

Tammy and I said goodbye to them from there.  It was such a fun afternoon.

This photo isn't mine, but my co-worker, Paolo, snapped it

outside the office and texted it to me.  He was working late and stepped outside to see

this large bobcat right by the mailbox I check every morning.

Beautiful capture!!

That's all I've got.  I worked all day yesterday (Thursday).  Not used to that but I was happy to have the day off I made up for.  I am working today and Monday, even though everyone else is off.  I will take the Christmas tree down in our lobby and will work on an inventory of the pamphlets we have on each lake.  Paolo thinks we need to order more for the coming year.  I will have enough to do while everyone enjoys another 4-day weekend/holiday.  I have no plans for New Year's Eve or Day but will be seeing Helen and talking to folks at Opis, where it seems she will be staying. 😒

Peace & hugs!

As the dawn breaks on a new year, let us give thanks for all we hold dear: our health, our family, and our friends. Let us release our grudges, our anger, and our pains, for these are nothing but binding chains. Let us live each day in the 

most loving ways, the God-conscious way.

Whimsical Fashion Review (last one in) 2022...

 

There isn't a linky and there aren't any rules.

Check out the dress and pick the shoes you like best for the model.

It is all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

Photos are from The Storybook of Dreams and Beauty.

Such a classy dress for a special event!! Count down on the shoes, 1-2-3, and tell us which ones you like best for this lovely lady to wear...

My thoughts:  I really love this dress, even though it isn't something I can wear now (or could ever wear!).  It made me think of a fancy New Year's Eve party or, perhaps a mother-of-the-groom dress.  None of the shoes would be in my closet but I'm choosing #2.  What are your thoughts?

Catch-up/Update:

My sister left yesterday morning and she arrived back home, in Georgia, safely.  She was thrilled that there wasn't much traffic and she only saw one accident.  I have started gathering Christmas decorations from around the house and piling them on the dining room table. That is usually how I start the 'undecorating' process.  I will put it all away this coming weekend. 

I spoke with Helen's hospice nurse yesterday.  She was just getting back from the holiday and said she would see Helen later that day.  I didn't hear back. I also left a message for the Director of the assisted living/memory care home.  He also hasn't returned my call.  

I work all day today, to cover being off last Monday.  This coming Friday and Monday are holidays for state employees but I am working.  The Mas Verde Thursday dinner group is going to Mellow Mushroom tonight but I begged off.  I just want to get home from work and chill a bit.  I will see Helen on Friday, after work. 

Wishing you all a blessed and happy new year!!

The Wednesday Hodgepodge...

Thanks to Joyce for today's questions.  The last of 2022!  Wow.  Be a Hodgepodger HERE. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 489

1. Did you set any goals for the new year this time last year?  Nope. Did you meet them or miss the mark?  Not applicable.  Tell us more if you're comfortable sharing.  I quit setting annual goals or making resolutions many years ago. I'm not picking a word for this year either. 

2. What are three words that might describe the kind of person you were this past year or describe in some way how your life looked? widow-sad-alone

3. What's something new you ate, saw, heard, or experienced in 2022? What did you think? I held an alligator!!

4.  Oxford Dictionary has announced its word of the year for 2022, and it's this - goblin mode. Huh? Have you ever heard this phrase? Used this phrase? It's defined as "a type of behavior which is unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly, or greedy, typically in a way that rejects social norms or expectations."  I've never heard that phrase.

This year they allowed the public to choose amongst three finalists. You can read more about that here. 

If you were in charge, what word would you declare the word of the year for 2022?  I'm not up on new lingo. I don't listen to the news anymore.  I do listen to oldies... Maybe we could give PEACE a chance again...

5. Any special plans for an end-of-year celebration in your house or town? The travel channel says the world's best New Year's Eve celebrations will happen in Copacabana Beach-Rio de Janerio, the Orlando theme parks in Florida,  London, Sydney, New York's Time Square, Edinburgh Scotland, and Paris. If you could attend any one of these which would you choose? Tell us why?  There is a NYEve party in our clubhouse, but I'm not planning to go.  I got covid at an Orlando theme park last month.  There is a reason I don't like crowds.  That being said, I wouldn't want to attend any of those celebration locations. I'm an old lady... okay... I'm an old lady fuddy-duddy!  Put me in my happy place with some British TV on the telly.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  I'm tired. I'm ready for normal to return.  Christmas has been fun with my sister here. We had a good time. I'm just tired of a full calendar and kind of emotionally drained by Helen's situation. Still trying to sort all of that out. 

Peace & Hugs!

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth 

peace to men on whom his favor rests."

A Quick Christmas Update...

 

How could I have NO photos from Christmas Day?

Christmas Eve, Tammy and I went to pick up my friend, Shirley, so we could attend my church's candlelight service.  It was beautiful.  I did take a photo of Tammy and Shirley.

The luminaries along the driveway to the church were lighted and lovely.  You will have to take my word for it (no photo).  Shirley invited us in to visit when we brought her home.  She had cookies and made us all a rich cup of hot chocolate.  We enjoyed an hour or so visit before Tammy and I headed home.

We opened our gifts on Christmas Eve and enjoyed a speakerphone visit with our sister, Patti.  I took a picture of the gift bags (no wrapped presents) before we opened them...

Santa was good to us. We watched some TV and had shrimp and other goodies before heading to bed, quite happy and sated. 

We went to church Christmas morning.  Arriving early, Tammy and I helped collect the luminaries from the night before.  It was COLD and many hands got us all inside quicker than just one or two working on it would have done.  Our Christmas service was full of beloved old Christmas hymns.  So nice.

Before we left for church, I had put the turkey on in my roaster. When we got home, the house smelled great!.  Gregory couldn't come because of a migraine so we put his plate away.  Cheryl arrived at 2:00 and we ate turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, broccoli, cranberry sauce, a pickle plate (with beets), and rolls.  Cheryl brought a coconut cream pie.  There were also cookies and candies.  We ate well.  

Tammy and Cheryl had yet to see the new Elvis movie.  I told them it was on HBOMAX and I was happy to put it on if they wanted to see it.  They did, so I started it for them while I cleaned up the kitchen and put the food away, then joined them.  They enjoyed it.

I sent Cheryl home with some of the leftovers.

Yesterday, I made omelets for our breakfast with onion, sweet peppers, and cheese.  I also had bacon.  Coffee, of course.  We went out for a little shopping, mostly just looking but it was fun. We went to Gosh, Asian Bistro, and had Pho for lunch.  Leftovers for dinner.

I am working today and (unless something changes) Kali and her family are coming to Lakeland for lunch.  Kali is my son, Jeff's, girlfriend.  She came down for Christmas with her family.  They live about an hour north of Lakeland, in Clermont.  It will be great seeing them.  Last year, we met at a Starbucks - a halfway point.

Her dad Stuart, her sister Leslie, Kali, me, and her mom Maurene.

This was the first time we met them, in 2016.  Jeff was down that year, and we were invited to their house.  Left to right, Jeff, Stuart, Joe, me, Kali, Maurene, and Leslie.

Tammy leaves in the morning.  It has been a very nice Christmas week with her.  Now it's time to start deconstructing the decorations and getting the house put back in order.  On to February when Elaine and Jim come for a nice visit!!  Happy New year to all!!

Helen update:  I saw Helen on Friday and she was awake.  I could engage her in some conversation!  There were a few times when she seemed to understand.  She asked me "why am I here" and I told her she broke her hip and needs to heal.  She also asked me to take her out of there.  I told her she needed to get stronger and work hard with the therapist.  The nurse asked me to bring her some nightgowns of her own so I went to her room (a building next door) and gathered two gowns and a robe and dropped them off for her.  The nurse said she would request another evaluation from the therapist.  Of course, nothing is happening fast because it is Christmas.  Please keep her on your prayer lists! Thanks.  Cheryl told us she saw Helen on Saturday and she was awake and seemed to recognize her.

Christmas Weekend Away...

 

I will be enjoying time with my sister and friends over the next few days.  I will be back on Tuesday!

Wishing you all a blessed Christmas as we rejoice 
in the birth of our Lord.

(Pray for Helen. She has to stay in the nursing home. I am sad but I understand.)

Whimsical Fashion Review 2022...

 

There isn't a linky and there aren't any rules.

Check out the dress and pick out the shoes you think compliment it best.

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

Photos are from The Storybook of Dreams and Beauty.

I couldn't resist sharing this vintage Christmas outfit!!  Taking us back to the 1950s but I really think someone could pull it off today for a fun Christmas party.  Count down on the shoes 1-2-3 and tell us which ones you choose for the dress.  It is all in fun and just a whimsical thing!!

My thoughts:  Oh, to be that thin again!!  Reminiscent of the poodle skirt I had back when I was 10 or 12.  As for the shoes, they are all cute and all match, but I'm choosing #1 for the lower heel.  What are your thoughts?

Peace & hugs!

Warped Wednesday/No Hodgepodge...

This one made me chuckle.  I went looking for a Hodgepodge to share from the past and came across this post from another Christmas time vacation for Joyce...

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

My Wednesday Feels Warped Without Hodgepodge!!

What is there to write about without the Hodgepodge?  I don't hold it against Joyce at all for skipping Christmas week!!  But what are we to do?

Play this Christmas Balls game!!!  Click on the link and have fun!!

Christmas Balls

Or how about this one....Christmas Crunch!

Christmas Crunch

I don't think the links will still work, but it was fun finding this post.

Peace & Hugs!!

Ephesians 2:17

He came and preached peace to you who were far away 
and peace to those who were near.

--------------------------------

No update on Helen.  Still back and forth between the three services.  

Frustrated.  

A Christmas Tuesday 4...

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

Tuesday 4

Counting Down to Christmas

Hello and welcome once again to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 where we hope that 4 questions help you to blog, meet people and think about things in general.     Sometimes the simplest questions can be difficult to answer.  I hope you enjoy these questions, but if you can think up better themes and questions, please let me know!   I want to keep this going and make it nice for you.

Let's talk about the countdown to Christmas or Chanukah or both!

1. What was the countdown to the holidays like for you as a child?  It seemed to take forever!  Special projects at school.. at home.. with friends?  When I was very young, I remember going to Columbus (the BIG city) to see the Christmas windows at Lazarus (a department store).  Think about The Christmas Story Christmas window with the animation and toys every kid would want.  Before they took Jesus out of the schools, we would do a concert with the chorus singing carols, and the band would also play carols. It was actually called our Christmas Concert.  My school chorus did The Messiah one year. I sang first tenor for that concert.  Was a big deal made of the month in your family or town?  My birthday is exactly two weeks before Christmas so many years we would decorate the (real) tree on my birthday.  Back then we didn't decorate right after Thanksgiving.  What does your countdown look like now?  No little ones anymore so that innocent and joyful fun time is gone.  Christmas just comes and goes now.  Yes, I celebrate and am blessed to have my sister coming. We are both widows so we are creating new traditions and memories.  I really miss the big family gatherings of the olden days, though.

2. As a kid did your family stay home on the holidays or go visiting around ... what do you do now?  My family celebrated three times.  The Sunday before Christmas we celebrated with my mom's family and the Sunday after Christmas was with my dad's family.  That way we had Christmas day at our house.  The grandparents would usually show up but we had the BIG gatherings at their homes with aunts and uncles and cousins the Sunday before and after.  It worked for us during our growing-up years.  Now... not nearly as much fun but that allows me to spend more time on the real meaning of the season.  I am happy we have church on Christmas morning this year!

3. What foods did Mom and Grandma make for those days? Loads of food at the grandparents' homes.  Turkey, ham, and all the trimmings.  I remember at least three of those big roasters sitting on the counters in grandma's kitchen.  What snacks were out? I don't remember snacks at the grandparents' homes but my dad loved ribbon candy so that was always part of Christmas.  We were also big cheese eaters.  Cheese and crackers were front and center.  Mom always made a red velvet cake for dessert.  What is the food situation in your home today?  Since I had covid for Thanksgiving and had to cancel 9 people, I will be serving the turkey for Christmas.  Seventeen pounds for four of us.  Leftovers will be shared!!

4.  Did you have a traditional way of spending the day with time to open gifts, visit,  special breakfasts, special dinners, or guests?  Gifts were always opened on Christmas morning.  We did open one gift on Christmas eve.  My grandma made flannel nightgowns for me and my sisters every year for years and years, and those got opened on Christmas eve so we could wear them.  

My girlfriends (Elaine and Barb) would come over.  Sometimes we went ice skating on the lake if it was frozen by Christmas.  What do you do now?  Joe and I used to go to a movie on Christmas evenings.  My sister will be here and we will probably chill with a movie here at home.  And eat. We Kellys are very good at snacking.

Peace & hugs!

Matthew 1:21 (NKJV)

"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call 

His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."

---------------------------

Helen update:  Writing this on Monday night.  No word on getting Helen moved. I spoke with all three entities involved and they all just said they would call the other and try to get it done.  I will be back on them today.  I will make it more urgent today and still be nice but make sure they know it has to happen. The nursing home has no motivation because a filled bed is money.  I need to work on Hospice and Brookdale to make it happen now. 

Note:  Some of my longer-term blogging friends might remember fellow blogger Chuck Carmichael who was a retired airline pilot and loved cruising... He died a few months ago and I just learned that his wife Pat has also passed.  Chuck had many health problems and was in the hospital.  I don't know about Pat.  I am always so sad to learn a blogging friend has died. 

Monday's Weekend Recap...

We are cruising fast toward Christmas!  Oh my goodness!!  I'm feeling ready, though.  Got the groceries in, and my little bit of gift shopping is done.  Gift bags will be filled up soon and stashed under the tree.  My sister arrives on Wednesday!!

After church yesterday I went to see Helen.  Her roommate had gone home, so she is there by herself.  The nurse had her TV on but Helen was in the same position she was in on Friday. They do have pillows around her and she looks comfortable.  I couldn't get her to wake up.  I held her hand, stroked her forehead (that always felt good to me when I was sick and mom would do it), and prayed for her.  She didn't move other than her breathing which was steady.  The nurse told me that she isn't eating and they are only able to give her Tylenol (liquid, I'm sure).  There was a styrofoam glass of water with a straw in it on her table. They do know that she will be moved back to Brookdale but didn't say when that would happen.  I will keep after them to get it done, hopefully, today.

Backing up to Friday, the holiday get-together at Tim and Judy's house was fun.  There were around 20 of us there.  She had tons of food, including turkey and ham. There were lots of desserts, too.  We sat and talked, ate and talked, and sat and talked some more.  Marlene and Duane rode with me.  They didn't want to stay late and I didn't either so we were home before 7:00 (started at 4:00 and we ate at 5:00).  This is their Christmas tree...

I slept in a bit on Saturday but was taking Marlene and Duane to the Tampa airport. We left at noon and I had them dropped off and headed home by 1:00.  I got home at 2:00 so had time to putter around the house getting some things done.  I kept working on my Christmas movie stack and watched two Scrooge movies, back-to-back.  Same story, yes, but each version is just a little different.

When I got home from seeing Helen yesterday, I did some laundry.  I will get Tammy's bed made today and will do a quick cleanup through the house on Tuesday. 

I am working a full day today so I can have Friday off. Yay!!

Peace & hugs!
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, 
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Update on Jim!  I spoke with Jim and Elaine yesterday.  He is doing well, getting therapy three days a week and the only problem is that their dog, Bella, doesn't understand why they aren't taking their usual long walks each day.  That will come in time, Bella!!

Happy 4th Sunday of Advent!

 

Wishing you all the blessings of LOVE this Sunday and the week ahead as we anticipate the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus!!

Peace & hugs!

There were shepherds taking care of their flocks at night. An angel appeared to them and told them not to be afraid as he brought good news, “This very day in David's town your Savior was born – Christ the Lord!” They would find the baby wrapped in cloth, lying in a manger.

Helen update: I did not see Helen yesterday.  I had to take the neighbors to the airport which I did and was happy there wasn't horrible traffic either going or coming home.  I didn't hear from anyone at the nursing home and will see her tomorrow after church.

-----------------------------

Someone yesterday asked to see my cat tree t-shirt...

Saturday 9...

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

The Christmas Song

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 to answer questions, however, and here are today's questions

Saturday 9: The Christmas Song (1964)

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

 
1) While this song was published as "The Christmas Song," many people refer to it as "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire." Have you ever roasted chestnuts (in an open fire or in the oven)?  I LOVE roasting chestnuts and do it every year (in the oven).  I don't have a fireplace or a fire pit so I do them in the oven. Love them!

2) Ricky Nelson sings that turkey helps make the season bright. Many of us just had turkey last month for Thanksgiving. Do you enjoy turkey all year around? Or do you consider it a seasonal dish?  I like turkey and don't know why we don't have it year-round.  I do consider it seasonal.

3) He wishes "Merry Christmas" to kids from 1 to 92. Who is the youngest person you will celebrate the holidays with? Who is the oldest?  The youngest will be my sister, who is 9 years younger than me.  That makes me the oldest!!

 

4) "The Christmas Song" is a perennial favorite and gets lots of play this time of year. Is there a holiday song that you think is overplayed, and that you hope to not hear again (at least not until December 2023)?  I don't like Elvis's version of Blue Christmas. 

5) This version of the song is from The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, the sitcom that ran from 1952 to 1966. There were 435 episodes in all. Is there a series whose every episode you've seen?  LOL... my regular readers should know I'll say "Somebody Feed Phil".  I've seen every episode at least a half dozen times if not more.

 

6) Life magazine coined the phrase "teen idol" to describe Ricky's popularity. In your younger days, did you have a crush on a teen idol?  Yes. Ricky Nelson!! LOL  I also saw him in person at a concert in Hershey Park and thought he was still hot!!  

 

7) Do you have a funny/ugly holiday sweater?  No sweaters, but my favorite t-shirt has a Christmas tree of cats.  It's cute, not ugly.

 

8) Have you received many holiday cards this year?  Quite a few.  Did you send many?  I mailed 92 and hand-delivered a dozen more.  Christmas cards are one of my favorite traditions.  I take time picking out my card.

9) If you were Santa, what cookie would you like kids to leave for you on Christmas Eve?  I love a good sugar cookie or a homemade chocolate chip cookie.  Also, those round ones that are covered in powdered sugar... wedding cookies. Yum!!  Don't forget the milk!

Peace & hugs!

Proverbs 17:17. A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” True friends love you at all times. Love is a language of the soul, it excites, encourages, and makes friendships meaningful and fun.

Helen update:  I spoke with Carlotta, the head nurse at Brookdale. She did see Helen and said they will be happy to bring her back to her room.  We both understand that this is end-of-life.  It won't happen until Monday (hopefully Monday).  Since she was never removed from Hospice care, it should be an easy move.  Prayers continue.