Friday Fav Five & Saturday 9

There is always something to be thankful for. I am joining Susanne for the Friday Fav Five.

1. Thankful that we could have lunch with my son and his wife to celebrate his Dad's birthday. We were able to meet up after church at a Mexican restaurant and hubby ordered fajitas.

I got soup and soup to go for my aunt. We visited her after our lunch. She is my mom's baby sister and is 82. She is a breast cancer survivor She fell twice during Covid and broke her hips but made it through that. My mom would have been 89 this October. My aunt told me she loved her big sissy.

2. Thankful that my son got a promotion at work and he and his wife are saving for another cruise.

3. Thankful that I got to meet up with a couple of friends and Bible journal. They were not able to meet with the group last week. We met up at a coffee shop at a church nearby. I ordered my usual lavender latte. We were there for 4 hours!

4. Thankful that granddaughter asked us to come to her school carnival. Her Cologuard was hosting a group. We got to meet our grandson's girlfriend too.

5. Thankful to see my cousins on my dad's side. I am the oldest. We were at the after funeral gathering for my uncle that has passed. We took some pictures and here is one of them along with one from over 55 years ago. It was so nice to be with family but I overdid the driving and I think I have elbow bursitis.

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? Yes, on occasion.

 

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 can think of a lot of things. When I was working for the postal service, I worked under a Retail specialist. She gave me one of her programs to maintain. It was the vending program- buying stamps in vending machines. Our postal district had 10 offices that were ranked 2-10 in top sales in the nation. I worked with the employees to make sure they were keeping up with their machines. They send me revenue information each week that I input on a computer and the information went to headquarters in DC. Grand Centra Station NY was #1. My manager told me they were going to have this big marketing meeting and I had to explain things to all these other mangers and postmasters. Was I scared, Yes! My manager took me in the bathroom and prayed with me and the girl that was going to talk about her program. She said I would be okay, because I knew the program. I had to go in front of all these people and show pictures on a overhead projector. Later, the girl that ran toastmasters said I did really well and the only way she could tell I was nervous was seeing my pencil shake a bit. A lot of people said I did great, and they learned a lot about the program. It gave me more confidence to speak in front of large groups.

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.)? 

We had DVDs of all of them. Not most are on Disney Streaming

 

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? Rose, but I like all of them and still watch them on the Hallmark channel.

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? 

(b)I do like candy corn, and so does my grandson, so I will get a small bag for the both of us.

6) What candy will trick-or-treaters get when they show up at your front door? 

I usually get a large bag of Dum Dum suckers and take them to our church Trunk N Treat.  I explained that in my last post and included a lot of pictures. There are also pictures from my granddaughter's Cologuard performance.

 

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? Captain Kirk.

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? We got the cheap boxed costumes when we were kids. Halloween was more innocent when I was a child and not scary like it is now.

 

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? No, don't believe in them, but I do believe in angels and fallen angels.

 

Wednesday Hodgepodge, lots of pictures.

Happy Birthday to my husband!!!!

1. October 25th is International Artists Day...do you have a favorite artist? If so tell us who and why. My favorite artist is God, Creator of all things! Michaelangelo and Vincent Van Gogh. My grandkids!

2. Would you describe yourself as artistic? Elaborate.

I would say I am creative. There are lots of things I like to craft. Since I started Bible journaling, I realize I was always creative. I like to add the fine details to make things look special. I enjoy putting things together to teach a craft or Bible journaling. I started water coloring in my Bible and as I let go of perfect, I could enjoy the process.

3. What's a skill, task, hobby, or job you've done so often you now have it 'down to a fine art'? 

I don't think there is anything that I have "down to a fine art". I am a work in progress and learning is a joy. I enjoy creating with the graphics other make. 

I just made this rag wreath. I need to get a wreath hanger and it will go on the backside of the front door.

4. How often do you dine out? Fast food, fine dining, or somewhere in between? Tell us about a less than stellar restaurant experience you've had recently (or not so recently if that's easier). 

We go out to eat after church on Sundays. We go out or get takeout about once a week. A couple of Sunday's ago, we ate at a Mexican restaurant with my son's family. Later my husband and I said we enjoyed our meal at Sizzlers better, but we wanted to eat with the family. Our favorite Mexican place closed down. I had lunch last Friday with a few friends at another Mexican restaurant, and we will suggest that for next time.

5. Do you celebrate Halloween? To what extent? Are there trick or treaters where you live? 

We don't celebrate "traditional" scary Halloween.  I like to decorate with a fall theme and I love to use scarecrows. We don't pass out candy at home. Our church provides an outreach Trunk N Treat as a safe alternative.  There is usually a theme each year. One year it was Star Wars. Another year it was the Greatest Showman. This year it is called Ride the Pumpkin Express. My husband and I have participated in this over the years. Now our youngest likes to help pass out candy, 

We usually have about 40 cars at our Trunk N Treat. The kids dress up and they can go around as often as they want, and they get loads of candy. We also have hot dogs, popcorn, sweets and hot chocolate.  There are games, contest and a photo spot.  We always have a huge turnout. It is fun for everyone and a safe alternative. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. I just watched Dancing with the Star and the tribute to Len Goodman. They whole professional group did a beautiful waltz. Picture from ABC/Disney

Friday Fav Five & Saturday 9

Hello friends, here is my Friday Fave Five and Saturday 9. The links are on the left column.  I have been busy crafting and working on my Bible journaling kits and study. I am also trying to get back to exercising. My ribs are good now, but shoulder still bothering me. We have been in the 90's this week, but we drop to the high 70's next week. This is pretty typical for So California. The evenings are much cooler. Thinking of my mom as I write this. It would have been her 89 birthday today. She passed in 2010 from Alzheimer's. I sure miss her! She had 3 girls and 1 boy that got her green eyes. We got our dad's brown eyes. 

1. I am thankful for being able to get back to my exercise routine. Thankful for a good Physical therapist. Once the weather stays cool, I plan to get to the park to walk. 

2. Thankful to see how my grands are all doing well. My 13-year-old granddaughter sings in the praise band at church. This past Sunday she said a few things before she led the song. Makes me think of the times that I would sing to her when I watched her, her first two years of her life. I also sat her on my lap and let her play on the piano. She has that piano now and plays the keyboard at church too. 

 My 14-year-old granddaughter is very busy with her Cologuard and had her first performance last week. Their division won second place. I didn't even know that used 2 flags. Pretty good since most of the girls are freshmen. She has another competition this Saturday that we get to watch.

3. Thankful to be able to work with Operation Christmas Child. We are passing out the boxes for the next couple of weeks. My husband likes to fill a box. Last year I did mine online. We are also a community drop off location. I can't work at the processing warehouse because of my injuries.

4. Thankful for my Bible journaling group that met on Tuesday. We went over a few of the "list" from the letters that Paul wrote in the New Testament. We also did a page to pray for Israel in Psalm 122:6

Thankful for Facebook memories. This was taken from my Farmville game. I played for 11 years.

Saturday 9: Something More (2005) by Sugarland

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? Yes, just one cup and currently enjoying it with pumpkin spice.

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? Yes, my China cabinet needs dusting. Every time I dust, get a sneeze attack.

3) The lyrics tell us happiness is something we can create. Do you agree? I think my frame of mind can play a big part in how it goes.

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? No.

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? White, it is what my husband wanted big of a "deal" I wanted dark silver.

6) Nettles achieved her dream of performing on Broadway when she took over the role of Roxy in Chicago. What's your fantasy job? I am retired and no plans to work again. But if I could pretend, I would run a Christian bookstore with an emphasis on Bible journaling. I would hold classes and provide a snack area.

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? About 10.

 

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? Just at church each week. My granddaughter sings on the praise team.

9) Random question: Who received the most recent compliment you gave? The women at my Bible journaling group. They enjoy the packs I make for them along with the information I give them about the topic.

 

Saturday 9

Goodbye Cruel World

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

 

1) This week's song has a circus theme. Have you ever been to a circus? If yes, did you enjoy it?

I haven't been in a long time. I think we were the in the late 80's. We took our young boys when it was in our city. When I think of the circus now, I think of the movie The Greatest Showman. All my grands saw it during the Covid Shutdown.

 

2) James Darren sings that he's running away to join the circus. When you were a kid, did you ever run away from home? No, but I did say I would.

 

3) While he understands intellectually that this girl is no good for him, he tells us his heart is stubborn. Do you have a stubborn streak? I think I have a bit of one and I am sure my husband would say yes.  

4) Though he had three top 20 singles, including this one, James Darren found more consistent success as an actor. Between 1959 and 1963, he played surfer Jeff Matthews, aka "Moondoggie," in three Gidget movies. Have you seen any Gidget movies? Yes, but on tv, not at the movies because I was too young. What about the TV show, starring Sally Field? I did watch the tv show when I was a preteen. 

5) "Moondoggie" got his unique nickname because he enjoyed surfing in the moonlight. Looking back on Summer 2023, did you visit the beach (by moonlight or otherwise)? Yes, this past August, and we were on the beach during the day and our room looked out to the beach. I was in Hawaii back in 2012 and enjoyed the moonlight at night after coming back from a sunset dinner cruise.

June 2012, Maui

 June 2012, Maui

San Clemente CA, August 2023

6) While he was playing Gidget's teen dream, he was a married man. He wed Danish beauty queen Evy Norlund in 1960. They met when she came to Los Angeles to pursue a career and they were both working at Columbia Studios. More than 60 years later, they're still together. Tell us about the longest-married couple you know. That would be my friend's parents. They have been married 69 years. We just celebrated 49 years married.

7) James Darren also played Officer James Corrigan on ABC's police drama, TJ Hooker. Have you ever considered a career in law enforcement? No.

 

8) In 1961, when this song was on the radio, matching his & hers mohair sweaters were on trend. Do you have a favorite sweater? I have a few. I usually take a sweater with my to wear at church or in a restaurant. I do have several holiday sweaters.

9) Random question -- They say we're all young at heart. In what ways are you childlike? I like my collections. I like to decorate, and I am creative. These are the things that take me back to my childhood. Music is something I have enjoyed and some of my earliest memories have to do with music.

Tuesday 4 October

October

1.  What does this picture make you think about? A painting by my mother-in-law.

Leaves also remind me of my dad. I would go outside with him as he raked the leaves from the big tree out front. I would play in piles and enjoy time with my dad.

2. If you could spend a week in that cottage would you do it and who would you bring along with you?

I would take my family, if the place had internet. If not, I would take a few friends that like to Bible journal.

3.  What kind of meal do you think represents October best? How about cookie or cake or dessert?

Any kind of soup would be great, especially albondigas which is meatballs and veggies. Oatmeal cookies and Apple pie with vanilla ice-cream.

4.  Thinking of October, what song would go well with the month? What song would go well with this picture? 

Autumn Leaves came to my mind at first. I went to You Tube and listened to it. Then a list of Christian songs played after that. I listened to for about an hour. It made me think of changing seasons. October is my mom's birthday month and she loved music and musicals. She loved the song, You'll Never Walk Alone. I watched many Rogers and Hammerstein shows with her. She also liked Barbara Streisand.  I remember her telling me that when she died, she wanted this song at her funeral. My cousin sang it at her service. I owe my love of music to my mom.

Friday Fav Five and Saturday 9

Saturday 9 is listed below Friday Fave Five

Click on the Logo above to join the Friday Fave Five

1. Thankful for the week I spent with my sister. I got a lot of time to rest while she worked and visited with her son. I hope to go back in November. She introduced me to the Netflix series called Call the Midwife. We watched the first season while I was there. I have been watching the rest since I came home. I might have to get the book. Here are a few picks from my sister's home. My dad planted several roses for my mom when he owned the house.

2. Thankful for the 2 week of fall weather we had which is unusual for So California. It was nice until Wednesday and now we are back to the 90's which is normal for us. Thankful for air conditioning and the break of not running it for 2 weeks.

3. Thankful for being with my family this past Saturday. My grandnephew turned 5 and there was a big family party with lots of great food. The little bit of rain we got did not mess things up. Sadly, we did not take a sibling picture together. Our uncle passed a couple of days ago and I am sure we will all be at the funeral.  We do get in touch through text messaging.

4. Thankful for my physical therapist who encourages me as I work on my shoulder. My rib is almost healed. I only have occasional, mild pain. I did lose some muscle and have to work hard to get back to feeling the way I was before my fall back in July.

5. Thankful for my computer to stay in touch with my online friends and family. To learn crafting things and purchase both Bible journaling and fall graphics. I am working on things for my next Bible journaling group when we meet in a couple of weeks. 

Saturday 9 Gloria 1982

Hear it by taping on the record.

1) In this song, Laura Branigan is advising her friend to take it a bit slower in her pursuit of a particular man. Did you more recently give or receive advice? Give.

 

2) Gloria seems determined to rush ahead, regardless of the consequences. Do you consider yourself a big risk taker? I used to, but not so much anymore. Last Sept I went hiking. The love enjoying the outdoors allowed me to hike higher and longer than I thought I could.

 

3) Laura herself seemed to be impulsive in love. She met a lawyer at a party in 1978 and they married months later. It worked out, though. They were married for almost 20 years, until his death. Thinking of your circle of friends, has someone more recently been married, divorced, or widowed? No. I do have a friend and her husband has a brain tumor. She has him home on hospice. 

4) "Gloria" was originally recorded in 1979 by Italian singer Umberto Tozzi. His version was a Top Ten hit in Switzerland, Belgium and Germany. Have you ever visited any of those countries? No.

5) In 2018, decades after its initial release, this recording of "Gloria" enjoyed a surge in popularity. The St. Louis Blues used it as their victory song whenever they won a hockey game at home. What's the most recent sporting event you attended? I haven't been to a sports event in a long time. I went to an Angel game about 3 years ago. My jet ride on the Rogue River was like a sporting event.

6) After Laura Branigan died of a cerebral aneurysm at the age of 52, her high school established a scholarship in her honor. When did you most recently return to your old high school, and what was the reason? I went to my 50th high school reunion at the end of this past August. There were pictures of our high school. I moved away from my hometown in 1990.

 

7) In 1982, when this song was popular, the Sears catalog sold an at-home blood pressure monitor that ran on four C-batteries and sold for $190 (that's $600 in today's dollars). Amazon's current best-selling monitor is cheaper ($40) and smaller, running on AAA batteries. Is high blood pressure a concern of yours? No, it is usually normal unless I am stressed.

 

8) Also in 1982, The Compleat Beatles, a two-hour documentary about The Fab Four was released to good reviews. Do you enjoy documentaries? Yes, I do enjoy them. I am currently watching a series of Call the Midwife on Netflix. It is so good!

9) Random question: Which of these chores to you enjoy the least: doing the dishes or the laundry? Laundry.

 

My Website is at Susan's Garden of Friendship The link is to the left. Lots of inspirational pages too. I hope to see you there!