The days have been flying by! Hubby and I went out of town this long weekend for his brother's birthday. His brother lives in Salinas, CA  348 miles one way. We left at 5 am and got there noon.  The weather was beautiful! We went through some beautiful farmland. We saw miles of almond trees and vineyards. Later, field of greens everywhere. Central California is known for salad production. It also produces most of the almonds for the United States and most of the world. Dairy and Grapes are the other two industries in California that rank high. I also found out that it takes a lot of bees to pollinate the trees and a lot of water to keep the trees growing. Smaller farms have taken a hit from the drought and had to plants other crops.

We went to Hobby Lobby before getting an early check in at our hotel room. The party started at 2. The next day we drove to Monterey CA, on the coast and visited Fishermen's Wharf and Cannery Row. Monday, we visited Solvang, the city with Dutch Influence with bakeries and windmills. Our last day it rained almost all day. 

So I am thankful for....

The fact that my husband is close to his younger brother and wanted to attend the birthday party in spite of the high gas prices and the distance we had to cover, almost 800 miles!

The nice drive over there, enjoying the beautiful wide open farm land! 

The beautiful coast after leaving the Los Angeles traffic and the valley pass.

My crafts and study I could work on during the long stretches an in the hotel room.

The bathroom/gas/food stops along the way.

The use of our phones for help with navigation.

That my husbands stops at craft stores like Hobby Lobby and Joann's.

The ice chest and snack basket in the back seat.

The left overs we could eat,

The family birthday party, the taco man there and the great weather!

The nice Holiday Inn hotel that was clean and had comfy beds and a nice breakfast,

The day trip to Monterey where we had the best clam chowder at Fishermen's Wharf.

We saw these pretty flowers growing there.

Salmon with artichoke's and spinach along with shrimp at Cannery Row. Hubby had to get a roasted artichoke after seeing fields of them.

John Steinbeck statue. He was an American Novelist, Nobel and Pulitzer winner. He wrote Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden and Of Mice and Men. We at lunch at the Fish Hopper.

The walk by tidepools and the drive in Pebble Beach where we saw deer on one of the golf courses!

Arriving at our second hotel just as it got dark and being able to watch some of the Oscars while enjoying our leftovers.

The nice hot bath to relax in.

The McDonald's breakfast my hubby got to go with the coffee and pastries provided.

The nice time we had in Solvang  including lunch at Andreson's and eating the Split Pea soup they are known for.

Hubby driving in the rain and it got pretty heavy at times.

Our leftover picnic we had in the car at the Sprouts parking lot in Pasadena. home of the Rose Parade.

My daughter and kids who stayed at our house and watched Minnie so we could go!

Thank you Lord for a safe trip.

Thank you that I could rest up these past few days!

Thankful for my Lifegroup that I am off to now. Happy Thursday and last day of March!

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Memories (2019)

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

1) This song is a toast. Have you ever performed an official toast (at a wedding, a graduation, a retirement party, etc.)? Yes I toasted to my sister Terry when she got married back in 1976.

2) According to Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine, this is a "toast to the ones here today." Tell us about someone in your life that you're especially grateful for. My parents.

3) Levine is the song's composer. He said he was compelled to write it, to help him cope with the death of a friend. His lyrics acknowledge that "everybody hurts sometimes." What advice would you share with someone who is struggling? Depends on what the struggle is. I would refer them to a counselor and doctor. I would also invite them to my church if they did not go to church.

4) Adam Levine was one of the original judges on The Voice. Are you a fan of the show? I have seen it a few times. I like to watch American Idol and have been to two tapings. I was about 20 feet from Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. I also went to see the 2006 finalist tour. One of my favorite artist was in the top ten. Mandisa. 

5) Among his friends, Adam is known to be an excellent Scrabble player. Is there a game you're
particularly good at (or you especially enjoy)? I like to play Word with Friends. It is like Scrabble I play on my phone. I loved playing Farmville on my laptop, but it ended at the end of 2020.

6) Though he's a multi-Grammy winner, Adam wasn't always successful. In fact, he was fired after just three hours at his first job as a waiter. Have you ever had a job that just wasn't a good fit? I only had a few job before I began my postal career. I worked under a social worker in my senior year of college. It was so depressing. I guess that is why I did not leave the postal service after I graduated.

7) In 2019, when this song was released, Joaquin Phoenix gave his Oscar-winning performance in Joker. Heath Ledger also won an Oscar for is portrayal of the same character in a different film, and Cesar Romero was The Joker on TV. Today The Batman is doing great business at the box office. Do you have a favorite super hero, or arch villain? Darth Vader is the first person that came to my mind.

8) Also in 2019, two familiar names had books on NY Times best seller list: John Grisham with The Guardians and Janet Evanovich with Twisted Twenty Six. Are either of these authors among your favorites? No. My dad liked John Grisham. I like to read biblical historical books.

9) Random Question: What's something you wish you'd figured out earlier? That I did not have to be a perfectionist. To be the real me, and not the person I thought I had to be. How important it is to exercise to ward off osteoporosis. I was always asked if I did exercise. I got a lot of walking while I worked at the post office. I had stairs in my previous house. If I had known that, I would have stayed at the house, even if I had to work part time after I retired. I just started walking with my friends, and I want to get back to the gym.

Headed to central California today. Then to Monterey, Solvang and then home.

Click on the link above to join.

1. What's something you never seem to have enough time for? Time with my family. I love when my family all gets together, but time gets in the way. Life gets in the way. Actually, life happens. I should be thankful that my kids and grandkids are all doing well. We raise them to be independent. We raise them to ask for help when they need it. We have been able to do that. 

2. If you could turn back time and relive just one day in your life, which day would you choose and why?  There would be lots of days I would like to go back to. I would just love to have one full day to ask my parents a million questions. My mom was a private person and did not share a lot. We were busy raising our kids and we moved away. I do remember one day I got off work early and I met my parents for lunch for my birthday. They gave me a diamond shape crystal that was very special. My mom got Alzheimer's and by the time we knew what it was, it was too late to ask those questions. 

3. Something you enjoy making that takes a long time to prepare/cook?  Cooking wise it is my tacos. 

I teach Bible journaling with my Lifegroup friends once a month. It takes time to study for the lesson and prepare the materials. I make up little kits for each woman that will allow here to do several pages. I love to see how the women are blessed as they work on their pages. 

4. A time recently where you needed/gave yourself a 'time out'? How do you do that?  On Sunday, I went to my room and worked on my Lent study. I listened to the leader share for an hour and 15 minutes and took notes. I stayed working on things until dinner. No tv, no radio, just me in the Word. Tuesday I went walking with a few friends and it was really nice. I use to sleep in because I am an night owl and most of my friends are not. So I don't want to miss out.

5. Something you've done recently that you'd describe as a 'good time'?  Walk with my friends and spend time with family this past weekend.

6. Insert your own random thought here. Today I was talking to my friend about my Lent study. I shared how excited I was to hear my pastor speak from John 6. The thing that stuck out was how we focus on the how and why instead of on the Who. Then I sat and read my Lent study on Sunday and the very same reading came up. I have learned through various situations that though I did want to know the how and why, I put my faith in the Who- Jesus. I love what I am learning. I try to Bible journal with my grand once a month. I remind them that the only thing we take when we go to heaven in the Word of God we put in our heart. 

Weekend Recap

For Today, Monday morning, March7 8am

Outside my window..Sunny, birds singing and warming up.

I am thinking....of all the projects I have to do. Lent study #1. Picture sorting.

From the learning rooms..  The things I am reading about atonement from the Bible.

I am thankful for...my God, my family, friends and health.

From the kitchen... clean for the most part,

I am wearing...pajamas and a robe.

I am reading... "in several Bibles, enjoying the study notes.

I am hoping... that that I can get some purging done this week.

I am creating... my March Gr8teful journal.

Around the house...Mostly clean, need to do laundry.

One of my favorite things...seeing all my grands at church.

Picture to share: .

Three generations celebrating on the 30th anniversary of our church.

My older two grands were with my daughter at her company fun day at Knott's Berry Farm.

My son met his wife at church when she was the same age as my grand daughter Audrina.

They were in Sunday School and youth group together. Andrew proposed to Marina at a Wednesday night Bible study. They got married in 2005, a couple of months after the new building opened.

Audrina with her grandmas. She is practicing to be a part 

of the youth praise band, playing the keyboard.

1993

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: GET ON YOUR FEET (1989)

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

I was fortunate to hear Gloria Esteban and the Miami Sound Machine in concert back the 80's.

1) In this song, Gloria Estefan encourages us to stand up and make it happen. What's something you want to accomplish this fine Saturday? Later we are going to our churches 30th anniversary. We started going one month before it turned 1 year. Our kids went to Sunday School there. My eldest son Andrew met his wife there. He proposed to her at Wednesday Night Bible study and they married in 2005. We are blessed to have all our grandkids going there. The event will have food trucks, and family activities. My older two grands will be at Knott's Verry Farm with my daughter's work event. Here is a picture from Easter 1993 when our church met at a school. 

2) She sings that we've all been through some nasty weather. How has winter 2021/22 treated you thus far (weather wise)? The weather has been pretty nice. We have had a few cold days, but this week we were in the 70's and next week we will be in the 80's.

3) Best known as a recording artist, Gloria is also a best-selling author of children's books. When you were a kid, were you a big reader? Yes, I loved reading! I loved going to the library. My mom also bought me the Trixie Belden series that I still have. My 7th grade teacher read Great Expectations and the whole class enjoyed it. My parents both loved to read and had a bookshelf filled with books and Encyclopedias. Later they turned a bedroom into a library. One wall was filled with books. I read Gone  With The Wind around 7 times between Jr High and High School. I loved James Michener Books. I also read Alex Haley's Roots, and Gary Jennings Aztec, and Nicolas and Alexandria, the last king of Russia. I started reading Christian historical books in the 1990's. I have list here. I slowed down on my reading when I started Bible journaling in 2016. I mostly read  just the Bible now. I went from three book cases when we moved to this house. I donate some to church, gave several to my nephews and kept my favorites. I do have quite a few Bibles.

 

4) In addition to music and writing, she's a linguist. As a college student, she supported herself as an English/French/Spanish translator at Miami International Airport. When were you most recently at an airport? Were you traveling yourself, or picking someone up/dropping them off? We were at the airport in November of 2018, returning from Hawaii. I will be going to the airport in May to fly to Texas. Here is one from the airport in Hawaii, 2018.

5) Gloria made her acting debut in 1999's Music of the Heart, a Meryl Streep movie about music teachers in Harlem. Did you have music classes in school? Have you ever taken private lessons?

I had music in grade school. I also took private piano lessons for several years while I was in grade school. I could never play in front of groups because of performance anxiety. My grand daughter does not have that problem and has been taking piano and voice lessons. She will start playing for the youth soon. She has been going to the praise band practices to get use to being on the stage. My grandson is taking drum and guitar lessons.

 

6) Today Gloria is one of the celebrity residents of Star Island, a man-made island in Biscayne Bay. Star Island is connected to the mainland by MacArthur Causeway, named for General Douglas MacArthur. Tell us about a street in your neighborhood, and who it's named for. I live off of one of the main streets in my town and it is called Main Street! Another popular street is Grand Blvd. and it goes in a complete circle. They use to have car races back in 1910 -1916.

7) 1989, the year "Get on Your Feet" was popular, was the year of the first HDTV broadcast. By 1998, high-def shows and TVs were dominant. How many TVs are in your home? Do you watch shows on your computer or phone? We have five. One in the family room, and one in each bedroom. I sometimes watch movies on my laptop.

8) Also in 1989, The Simpsons premiered. It's now the longest-running prime-time TV show ever. Are you a fan? No, I can't stand that show.

9) Random question: Should husbands wear their wedding rings? Yes for the most part. But I know it can be warn for some job because of safety issues. My husband lost his original band by taking it off. Later I bought him one for our 15th wedding anniversary with a diamond for each child.

Thankful Thursday

Yesterday was 

Today I am thankful for so many things!

I have been working on my Lent study daily. 

Thankful for

Picnic and fun at the park!

Thankful for lunch at Olive Garden after church.

Thankful for my friends. Lunch on Tuesday and Bible study too!

Thankful for nice weather. Enjoying the green plants and grass 

as I Bible journal in the backyard. 

Thankful to be able to Bible journal and prepare for my Bible journaling group today.

Thankful for decorations that make things fun!

Thankful for hubby's tacos he made for dinner.

Thankful for the time we enjoy our shows like Survivor, NCIS and Blue Bloods.

Thankful that my daughter is okay after getting hit from behind.

Thankful that the other drive has insurance.

Thankful for my church that is celebrating 30 years this Saturday!

Thankful for a comfortable bed.

Thankful for alarms to wake me up.

Thankful for my friends that visit me here.

Thankful for my blog,

 but having a problem adding friends to my list.

Thankful for Minnie!

Thankful for cute graphics!

Saturday 9

Beautiful Day (2000) Unfamiliar with this week’s song? Hear it here.

S1) This song is about finding joy in an imperfect world. What brings you joy today? Studying the Bible. Time with my grandkids. The morning welcome from my dog.

2) The lyrics mention being stuck in traffic. A poll of Boston commuters revealed that drivers have a variety of responses to be stuck in traffic — everything from bored to impatient to angry. How do you feel when you’re stuck in a traffic jam? It depends on whether I have to be somewhere on time, or not. I try to just enjoy the music because the traffic is out of my control.

3) This year Bono and his wife, Ali, celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. Who is the longest-married couple you know? My friend's parents just celebrated 68 years. We are going on 48. My parents were married 57 years when my mom died in 2010.

4) When Bono inducted Frank Sinatra into the Grammy Hall of Fame, he complimented Frank on his “swagger.” Do you think you have “swagger?” Nope!

5) When U2 guitarist The Edge did a charity concert at the Sistine Chapel, he became the first rocker to perform there. If you were to travel to Rome, what sites would you be certain to visit? The Vatican, The Sistine Chapel and Museum, St Peter's Basilica, the Colosseum, and the Trevi Fountain

6) This week’s song was chosen because St. Patrick’s Day is coming up, and U2 is one of Ireland’s most famous exports. What else is Ireland famous for? St. Patrick, Food, castles, pubs, Leprechauns. Cliffs of Moher and the Kissing Stone.

7) Corned beef and cabbage is a traditional St. Patrick’s Day dish. Is it a favorite of yours? I have had it and it was good. It is not something I would say is a favorite.

8) St. Patrick is credited with driving snakes out of Ireland. Ophiophobia is the fear of snakes. Do you suffer from ophiophobia? Yes!

9) St. Patrick’s Day fantasy: A leprechaun will share his gold with you, but you must request a specific amount for a single item. How much would you ask for, and what would you buy? I would ask for 3 million to by a huge estate that would house all my kids and grandkids. It would have a large swimming pool, basketball court, and a huge Craft room for me. Not sure I could get that here in So Calif!