The Tuesday 4...

 A big thanks to Annie for today's questions!  You can join the fun HERE!

Fall Traditons & Memories

Welcome to another Tuesday 4 a fun meme started by Toni Taddeo.  

It is Halloween , all Hallows Eve and tomorrow is All Saint's Day. Originally these days were to remember the deaths of Christian martyrs but things have certainly changed and the dark, the scary and remnant of Samhain (So-Win) have been introduced.

 1.  What is your opinion of Halloween?  It is fun for the little kids.  I've been over it for a long, long time.

2.  Memories are important. Some of them are seasonal good times.  What fall memories and traditions can you share with us?  Going WAY back, Thanksgiving at Grandma's with all the aunts, uncles, and cousins.  There would be around 30 people and there were three or four roasters on the kitchen counters, full of yummy food.  I grew up with lots of cousins and cherish the holiday memories.

3. Stews, soups and chili dishes warm the tummy on chilly fall days. Have you a good recipe to share for a good fall dish? I agree that all of those are good but I don't use recipes for soups.  I just throw things together and it comes out good (99% of the time).  Even if it's a new soup and I have a recipe, I probably won't follow it exactly. 

4. Fall is football season. Are you a fan of any teams? Do you watch games?  I will always be partial to the Philadelphia teams because of Joe.  Since he died, I haven't watched a game but I pay attention to how the Eagles and Flyers are doing.  I do like football and hockey, but it isn't fun for me to watch by myself.

Peace and Hugs!

We’ll praise His name forever 

We’ll praise His name forever 

We’ll praise His name forever 

Christ the Lord

Monday's Weekend Recap...

 My weekend recap...

I have been so bad about taking pictures lately. What's wrong with me?  On Friday, I met my friend Shirley for lunch at Glory Days.  We almost missed getting together in October!! We are pretty good about touching base at least once each month.  In early September, I had Shirley and her son David over for a birthday dinner.  At Glory Days, Shirley had shrimp and I had a Philly Cheesesteak. We were both happy!  We always sit after we eat and talk.

I left there and went to the optician's office to order my new glasses.  I was tested on Thursday so had my prescription.  They will probably be in this week.  I had to choose from the least expensive frames but what I decided on will be okay for a while.  My insurance gives me new glasses each year.  The cataract glasses are "medical" so I won't have to live with them for ever if I don't like them.  A new year is coming...

I popped in at Publix for a birthday card and a pot of mums to deliver to Dee (across the street).  Today is her birthday and I hate that they are still recovering from covid and still tested positive yesterday.  Bummer to be isolated for a birthday.  Anyway, they were happy for the flowers and her card.  I can't take them food because Dee is a vegetarian (Bill is not) and she is allergic to eggs and wheat and some vegetables... I need to find a soup recipe that they can both eat.  Dee is also allergic to cats, so I can't host them in my house. That really hurts my heart because I love having friends here.

Oh, I nearly forgot.  While at Publix, I did get my covid booster and my flu shot.  My arms were both pretty sore Friday night and through Saturday.

I slept in on Saturday.  I did get up at 6:30 to feed the cats.  When I went back to bed, this happened... sorry it's dark, but I had a cat on each side of my feet...

I eventually got up (LOL) and cleaned out my refrigerator.  I always laugh when I find something that expired because I think of that commercial when the aunt shows up and starts in "expired" "expired" "expired"...  That is really the only work I did.  I used sore arms as my excuse to not move the rest of the day.

Sunday school and church yesterday.  I needed a few things from the grocery.  I first thought about going to Aldi but went to Publix instead.  I like the Publix Spring Water and can get three cases for $10.00 so that helped make my decision. 

Today I have a dermatology appointment after work.  I have to go every six months since I had a pre-melanoma a year ago.  Other than that, it's an easy week ahead.  Hope the same for you!!

Peace and Hugs!

Holy, Holy,Holy

Merciful and Mighty!

God in Three Persons,

Blessed Trinity!!

Sunday Stealing...

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

Stolen from League of  Extraordinary PenPals 

1, Do you decorate for Autumn?  A little bit. A fall wreath and a few fake pumpkins.

2. How often do you clean out your closets?  When I get disgusted.

3. When was the last time you planned a surprise for someone?  It's been a long time.

4. Are there foods you really don’t like?  Okra, oysters, snails...

5. What is something you recently learned?  It's a little easier to ask for help.

6. Items you’re most likely to buy at a convenience store. A cup of coffee when traveling.

7. Do you believe in the paranormal?  I believe in Angels.

8. How would you describe your spirituality?  Strong. John 3:16.

9. Do you make plans far in advance.  Not too far but I do look forward.

10. Do you like being scared for fun?  Nope.

11. What has been difficult for you lately?  Working.  I'm really tired of working.

12. Have you ever written or read fanfiction?  I had to look it up. No.

13. What type of wall art do you have in your home?  Most are photographs.

14. Are you more likely to be private or overshare?  I share a good bit on my blog because it is my journal but I don't over-share (believe it or not!).  Some things are private.

15. What have you recently learned to live without?  I am blessed to have what I need. I don't necessarily have some things that I want.  Learning to live without Joe is ongoing and hard. I miss my best friend and companion every day.  I am so blessed and look forward!

Peace and Hugs!

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty 

All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea 

Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty 

God in three persons, blessed Trinity

The Saturday 9...

Thanks to Crazy Sam for today's 9 questions!  You can join the fun HERE!

Spooky Scary Skeletons

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: Spooky Scary Skeletons (1996)

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

 

1) In this song, Andrew Gold sings that these skeletons send shivers down his spine. Do you often involuntarily shudder or shiver?  No, I don't do either.  

 

2) While they appear frightening, these skeletons are harmless and only want to socialize with us mortals. Can you think of something -- or someone -- that intimidated you at first but that you were more comfortable with as you became more familiar?  I'm not easily intimidated by much of anything, anymore.  Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.  Let's not talk about public speaking, however.

3) The video for this song was originally created in 1929. Skeleton Dance was a short movie produced and directed by Walt Disney himself. In 2006, Disney Studios paired Gold's song with this animation for a Halloween DVD. Do you have any DVDs that you watch seasonally (every Halloween, every Thanksgiving, every Christmas, etc.)?  Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is a must for every Thanksgiving.  Halloween would be Beetlejuice and Hocus Pocus.  I have over 20 Christmas movies... all the standards.

 
4) You may not realize it, but you likely already know one of Andrew Gold's songs. He wrote "Thank You for Being a Friend," the theme to TV's Golden Girls. Blanche, Dorothy, Rose or Sophia: Which is your favorite?  I loved them all.

These questions will help us get into the Halloween spirit ....

5) Introduced in the 1880s, candy corn was originally called Chicken Feed. It was developed by a candy manufacturer who gave it the orange/white color and special name to differentiate it from jelly beans. Do you like candy corn (a) all year around or (b) at Halloween only or (c) never?  If someone has some candy corn and offers it, I will eat a few pieces but it is not something I buy or look forward to any time of year.

6) What candy will trick-or-treaters get when they show up at your front door?  Nothing. We don't have beggars in this retirement community.

 
7) Halloween was a 1978 movie by John Carpenter about Michael Myers, who kills while wearing a ghostly mask. In the original movie, the mask used was a $2 Captain Kirk mask, painted white. Both Halloween and Star Trek are successful franchises of more than a dozen movies. Have you seen more of Michael Myers or Captain Kirk? I never watched Halloween or any Star Trek shows.  I've seen clips and pictures, that's all.

8) In 2022, a survey of California schoolchildren revealed that Buzz Lightyear was the top pick of Halloween costume. When you were little, did you prefer to dress up for Halloween as a hero, like Buzz, or a scary monster?  I have no recollection of costumes I wore for Halloween, but I remember my brother and sisters in store-bought costumes with those terrible masks.  I do remember my dad taking me out in the neighborhood for candy when I was very young.

 

9) Some long-time White House employees claim they have seen Abraham Lincoln's ghost wandering the halls of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Have you ever seen a ghost?  I've not seen a ghost. 

Peace and Hugs!

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

(the only Ghost I believe in!!)

PS NOTE:  My neighbors who have covid are both feeling better today!!  I saw them both (stayed 6 feet away) and was happy they looked so much better and they seem to have turned a corner.  Thanks to those who kept them in your prayers!!

Currently...

I don't have any new photos again so I decided to try doing "Currently" instead.  I swiped the prompts from Stacy...

Outside my window:  Right now it is dark, but earlier the sky was blue, the sun was bright, and there was a sweet breeze that blew away the humidity.  Our weather has been delightful!

I'm enjoying:  The weather mentioned above!!

I'm grateful:  For my faith, my family, my friends - including each of you, my home, my job... and the weather in October, in Florida!!

I'm loving:    That my community here is filling up with our northern friends again.  John and Ginny were with us at Cheddar's for dinner last night.  So good to see them again!

I'm a little sad:  Because my friends, across the street, are both very sick right now with covid. Bill came down with it Sunday morning and Dee on Tuesday.  She is really having a hard time with it.  This is the first time they've had it.  I've been checking in every day but they say they don't need anything.  The doctor called in a prescription for them that was procured from the drive-through window at Walgreens.  They think Bill picked it up at the gym, where he goes three times a week.

In the kitchen:  I still have leftover meatloaf and potatoes from Tuesday night's dinner with my church group.  I'm enjoying them, but had a break last night at Cheddars. Chicken and shrimp over rice with a side of broccoli. It was good.

A thought:  God is so good all the time.

Giggling at:  https://www.facebook.com/reel/703116401706278?mibextid=kcDB8O

I hope you can open the link.  It is a very cute Halloween video with cats and dogs.

Peace and Hugs!!

And all the time, God is good!

Whimsical Fashion Fun...

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

 Check out the gown and then pick the purse you like best to go with her dress.

It is all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

Photos are from The Storybook of Dreams and Beauty.

It's a little early for New Year's Eve events but that's the first thing I thought of when I saw this gown.  Of course, it would also work for a bride's maid dress (or MOB/G).  Anyway. she has three options for her purse.  Count down 1-2-3 and tell us which one you pick for the model.  It's all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

My thoughts:  I wouldn't wear this dress now, but probably would have 40 years ago!  LOL  As for the purses, I will choose #3 and hope it has a handle hidden inside.  What are your thoughts?

Peace and Hugs!

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

The Wednesday Hodgepodge!!

Joyce gives us the fun questions each week!!  Thank you, Joyce!! You can join in HERE!

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 524

1. October 25th is International Artists Day...do you have a favorite artist? If so tell us who and why.  Having worked at an art museum for 20+ years, I have lots of favorite artists but I think I mentioned Don Nedobeck before.  I met him in person and have a few of his prints.  Fun art!!

2. Would you describe yourself as artistic? Kinda/sorta. Elaborate.  I wanted to be an art teacher at one time in my life. I'm not super creative and am 50 years away from high school art class but I do think about painting again someday.

3. What's a skill, task, hobby, or job you've done so often you now have it 'down to a fine art'?  My job at the museum was like that after 20 years.  I'm also pretty good at cleaning cat litter boxes.  LOL

4. How often do you dine out?  Usually once a week with my Thursday dinner group. Fast food, fine dining, or somewhere in between?  Somewhere in between.  We are going to Cheddar's this week. Tell us about a less-than-stellar restaurant experience you've had recently (or not so recently if that's easier).  We have a new BBQ place here in town called 4Rivers.  It was pretty bad.  The food was just edible. The service was sloppy and the atmosphere less than stellar, for sure.  I won't go there again.

5. Do you celebrate Halloween?  No.  To what extent? Are there trick-or-treaters where you live?  We do not have trick-or-treaters.  This is a 55+ community.  I think there will be a golf cart Halloween parade.  I don't have a golf cart.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  I hosted my church community group last night.  I did meatloaf, Au gratin potatoes, green beans, and a fruit salad.  Two ladies brought desserts.  Everyone seemed to enjoy it and two wanted some to take home (there were leftovers because four people didn't come at the last minute).  I have leftovers for myself, as well, and am happy about that. I am blessed with a great church and to be part of this small group.

Peace and Hugs!

Trick or treat?

Trick or treat?

Give me something good to eat!

Cookies, chocolate, jelly beans,

Happy, happy Halloween!

Tuesday 4...

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

Automobiles

 Hey there... welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

We rely on cars to get just about everywhere today, so maybe we should talk about them a bit. Okay?

1. What is the earliest car you remember your family owning? Do you recall the color or the plate number?  As a young child, I only remember that our family car was a station wagon.  Later, when I got my license to drive, I learned on a Rambler Station Wagon, with gears on the column.  It was green. I never knew the plate number.

2. What does your states license plate look like?  

Do you like it?  Yes, I like it but I chose to have "In God We Trust" instead of "Sunshine State".  There are close to 150 different specialty plates available in Florida. Crazy.  When I worked at the art museum, I did have the specialty "State of the Arts" plate.  (fondly known as the bikini plate)

3. What color is your car now?  Silver.

4. Did you have a car as a teenager?  Nope.  We were not rich.  Mom and Dad both worked so we had two cars.  I had to nearly sell my soul to get to use one of the cars on the weekend or in the evening. I also had to buy my own gasoline.  If the tank was on half, it had to be on half when I got home.  Sometimes that meant stopping at a gas station for two gallons of gas. If yes, what kind was it? N/A.

Peace & Hugs!

Why should I gain from His reward? 

I cannot give an answer 

But this I know with all my heart 

His wounds have paid my ransom.

Monday's Weekend Recap...

Another weekend has flown by.  Good grief.  Slow down!

I totally forgot to take pictures Friday evening, when Cheryl's kiddos were here for dinner.  Such a lovely family and I'm so happy they are settling into their home in Lakeland.  I had a good time and hope they did too.  I served baked ziti with meat sauce, a salad, and garlic bread. We all made our own ice cream sundae for dessert.  Vanilla with chocolate syrup, caramel syrup, sprinkles, and whipped cream. The kids seemed to have fun with it.

On Saturday, our Wisconsin snowbird neighbors had a get-together for the immediate neighbors.  Duane grilled brats, Marlene had potato salad and slaw.  Deborah brought beans in a crockpot, and I took a cornbread casserole. Dee and Bill were also there so we had a good time catching up and eating good food.

Sunday school and church yesterday, as usual for me.  I did laundry when I got home. I've been watching Grantchester on PBS so I streamed a few episodes.  Casper crashed in the recliner with me...

When he wasn't crashed with me, he took turns with Vinny sleeping in the new cardboard house I got for them.  There is a scratching pad inside and I sprinkled catnip on it.  They actually had a few spats over who could be inside it.  Brothers...

Dee (across the street) knocked on the door Sunday afternoon so I could see her latest quilt topper that she just finished.  Bill hung it on their front porch and I swiped his picture from Facebook.  It is very pretty.  Dee is in a few quilting clubs and they have deadlines on finishing squares so she is just busy sewing all the time.  Her work is beautiful.

Today I will go to Sam's Club after work.  I haven't been in a long time and my Sam's Club list has grown.  I need to get ground beef because I am making meatloaf for my church group tomorrow night.  Even ground beef costs a fortune these days and Sam's Club has the best prices in bulk packages. I need five pounds, I think.  I will also do a quick vacuum in the living areas.  My friends don't mind cat hair.  They all have cats and dogs and understand shedding. I don't sweat it.

With that said, may each of you reading this have a blessed week ahead!!  Thanks for visiting!

Peace and Hugs!

O come behold the works of God, the nations at His feet He breaks the bow and bends the spear, and tells the wars to cease O Mighty One of Israel, You are on our side We walk by faith in God who burns the chariots with fire.

Sunday Blessing...

 

Have a blessed Sunday and week ahead!

Peace & Hugs

The Saturday 9...

Thanks to Crazy Sam for today's 9 questions!  You can join in HERE! 

Something More

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: Something More (2005)

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

 

1) Sugarland's lead singer Jennifer Nettles describes a busy morning that begins with a cup of coffee. Do you start your day with a cup of joe?  I certainly do!  Rarely do I miss having coffee in the mornings.

2) When she gets home from work, she sings that her house is dirty but says housework can wait until she has a glass of wine. Is there a particular chore on your "to-do" list that you keep putting off?  I really don't like cleaning.  It's a necessary evil.  I do procrastinate but know it has to be done.  I guess the "den" is still waiting for me to get it purged and re-organized now that the leak is fixed and I don't have that excuse anymore.

3) The lyrics tell us happiness is something we can create. Do you agree?  Yes, I do.  

4) In the video of this week's song, the members of Sugarland ride along in a vintage Cadillac. Are you one of those drivers who has a nickname for your car?  I have never named one of my cars.

5) The group hitches a ride in a red truck. The auto insurance industry tells us that Americans favor vehicles in the grayscale colors. Nearly 80% of cars on the road today are white, black, gray or silver. What color is your vehicle?  Silver.  There is a turquoise car parked at a house a few streets over that I see when I get my mail.  At first, I really loved it.  Now when I see it, I'm glad it's not mine. My last car, a Kia Sportage, was also silver.  Ho hum.

6) Nettles achieved her dream of performing on Broadway when she took over the role of Roxy in Chicago. What's your fantasy job?  Being retired again!!  LOL  I'm old and tired of working.

7) She wrote a cookbook with her mom called Sweet, Savory and Simple. When it was originally published, it was spiral bound. That way, it could be laid flat on the counter as the cook tries one of the recipes. How many cookbooks do you own? I haven't counted them.  I got rid of 30 or so when we moved.  I still have 20 or 30 but admit to only using 2 or 3 of them. Pinterest is much easier.

 

8) In 2005, when "Something More" was topping the country charts, Paul McCartney won a People's Choice Award for his concert tour. Do you have any plans to enjoy music performed live between now and the end of the year?  No, but I sure did enjoy Sean Dietrich (Sean of the South) a few weeks ago, with my sister.

9) Random question: Who received the most recent compliment you gave?  My neighbor, Dee, I think.  She is a quilter and finished one for Halloween. It is very cute and we were talking about it outside yesterday.

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

I had a great time with Justin, Angie, and the six kiddos last night.  Cheryl's son and family came for dinner.  The baked ziti was a hit and was all gone!  Most had seconds and for dessert we made our own ice cream sundae.  We talked at the table and then into the living room for another round of conversation.  We talked about reptiles, spiders, food, cats, dogs, job searches, church... just about everything! Such a nice family.

Peace and Hugs!

I will not boast in anything no gifts, no pow’r, no wisdom 

But I will boast in Jesus Christ His death and resurrection 

Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer 

But this I know with all my heart His wounds have paid my ransom

Friday Fotos...

 

As usual, of late, I don't have any new pictures to share.  BUT... both of my grandkids have birthdays in October.  Tristan's was the first week and Lauren's is next week, so in honor of their birthdays, I will feature my precious grandkids today...  Tristan turned 27 and Lauren will be 34.  Time goes by quickly.

Lauren and Tristan's mom is Kathy (she and Joey divorced years ago).  Kathy took photos of the kids at the beach, from behind them.  It was something she liked to do.  The first picture is one of her photos.  The second one is a painting I did from the picture to give to Kathy one year for Christmas.  (I am blessed to have a good relationship with Kathy and her husband, Jim.)

                                      

Joe's mom with Tristan.

We had lots of fun with the kids when they were younger.  

This was at Disney, I think.  Might have been Cypress Gardens.

A favorite of mine.  Kathy took the photo and sent it to me.

Tristan's college graduation.  Two degrees, 

one in Economics and one in Engineering.

Southern Methodist University - SMU, in Texas.

Lauren's First Communion. Kathy made the dress!

Both kiddos.

Lauren and I just a couple of months ago.  

We are scheduled again for Nov. 11, coming up!

Lauren loved VW Bugs so she had to pose in front of this one 

in the Museum parking lot.  She came to our house every summer

for two weeks and went to Summer Art Camp at the Museum.

Lauren's college graduation, from Monmouth University. Her degree is in Communications.

I love this photo!

Joe also loved his grandkids.

Thanks for looking!  I enjoyed looking through the hundreds of photos 

I have of these dear people!!

Peace and Hugs!

I love my family!