Friday Fav Five and Saturday 9

1. Thankful to start my Christmas shopping and finding good sales. I shopped at Kohls and got some toys for a few grand niblings.(grand nieces and nephews.) I did not use my credit card either!

2. Thankful to go to church and see my granddaughter sing on the worship team. We had lunch after at Chilis. Later, I was able to decorate and work on my study.

3. Thankful for Hallmark movies. Clean and entertaining.

4. Thankful for the memories I have as I decorate for Christmas.

5. Thankful to finish my Gratitude Documented 30 day devotional study.

Tomorrow I start my Advent study with Illustrated Faith

Saturday 9: Rollin' Stone (1958)

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

 

1) The title comes from the proverb, "a rolling stone gathers no moss." What do you suppose that proverb is trying to teach us? A person who exercises, will gain less fat. Action get results.

 

2) The lyrics warn us not to be lazy stay-at-homes but to go out and learn about the world around us. Tell us about a place you haven't visited yet but would like to. I would have liked to visit Jerusalem. I can't sit for long hours and it is a long flight. I can read about it. I am currently reading a book called the Roc, the Road, and the Rabbi written by Kathie Lee Gifford. It's her journey through Jerusalem and what she learns about each city and Jesus Life. Each area/city of described. The Rabbi gives us a lot of insight to the culture and customs of Jesus time there. 

 

3) Karen and Cubby were Mouseketeers on the original Mickey Mouse Club, a TV show which ran from 1955 to 1959. Then, from 1962 to 1967, local TV stations reran it in syndication. In 1989, there was a Mickey Mouse Club reboot, which launched the careers of Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. So The Mickey Mouse Club has entertained generations of kids. What shows did you enjoy as a child? I watched the Mickey Mouse Club and liked Annette Funicello. I remember watching Sherrif John and Rompa Room when I was very little. We watched a lot of cartoons. I also liked Lost in Space but my favorite was I Love Lucy!

 

4) Karen was Karen Pendleton, among the youngest of the original Mouseketeers. Producers discovered her at a local dancing school. Have you ever taken dance lessons? No

5) When The Mickey Mouse Club ended, Karen left show business. She went to public school, graduated, got married, and had a daughter. When she was in her 30s, she was involved in a car accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down. Still, she went back to college, earning first her bachelor's and then master's degrees in psychology. Have you considered continuing your education? What subject would you pursue? I am too old to go back to school, but I am always learning.

I got a degree in Social Ecology in 1977 from UC Irvine in CA. I worked for the Department during my senior year and the cases made me so sad. I also wanted to start my family and went through infertility. I was working part time for the postal service and taking courses of interest at the local jr college. Then I got a job as a preschool teacher. I kept getting cold and my infertility doctor told me I had to give it up because I was doing to much and getting pregnant would be harder. 4 years later I had my first son. I stayed part time with the post office. Years later I was a lay counselor for my church. I eventually went from throwing mail to the marketing department.

6) Cubby is Cubby O'Brien, a drum prodigy who began playing professionally when he was just 8 years old. After the Mickey Mouse Club he went on to The Lawerence Welk Show. As he entered his teens, he prioritized school over TV. He later returned to television as musician on The Carol Burnett Show. He also performed in concert behind The Carpenters. Do you have a favorite Carpenters song?

There are so many of their songs that I love and a few of them were played at my wedding. We've Only Just Begun and One love. I have the Singles album and the Greatest hits on CD. I also have their Christmas CD. 

7) In 1958, when kids were watching the original Mickey Mouse Club during the day, adults were watching Westerns. The most popular TV shows of that year included Gunsmoke, Wagon Train and The Rifleman. Have you ever fantasized about life as a cowboy/cowgirl? 

Maybe as a child and I did dress up as one. I think I was one also for Halloween one year.

 

8) Also in 1958, Dwight Eisenhower became the first President to appear on color TV. Not many Americans saw him in color, though. It wasn't until 1972 that color TVs outsold black-and-white sets. Did you ever own a black-and-white TV? My parents did in the late 50's and early 60's.

 

9) Random question -- Did you pass your driver's license test on the first try?

Yes I did at age 16. My parents were thrilled because they could send me on errands.

Tuesday 4

Hello and welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

Hollywood magic is well named. In Druidism the holly and it's wood were used in magic. Magic wands were often made of holly wood.   Lightning will not strike holly so it is often planted next to homes to protect it. The word holly comes from the word holy and the holly tree was sacred in times past.  Today Hollywood still churns out 'magic' and 'spellbinding' displays as well as 'stars in the firmament' who entertain, mesmerize and influence us. 

Hooray for Hollywood

Let's talk about it....

1.  Do you have a few favorite holiday movies you enjoy watching year after year? Do you make some popcorn to eat while you watch movies at home? 

Yes, there are the traditional ones I like to see like The Christmas Carol, White Christmas and It's A Wonderful Life and Charlie Brown Christmas. Then there are the fun ones like National Lampoon's Christmas. A Christmas Story and Home Alone. I also Like Rudolf and Mickey's Christmas Carol. Finally, the millions off Hallmark Christmas movies.

2.  Have you had a celebrity crush? Can we ask who it was?

Clark Gable. I love Gone with the Wind and I had a poster of Rhett Bulter kissing Scarlett - Vivian Leigh. 

3.  Do you have favorite actors/actresses whose movies you don't want to miss and what movie would you say is your all time favorite from those stars? 

I just answered that one with #2. I also like to see The Ten Commandments every year.  Most of my favorites are musicals like Fiddler on the Roof and The Sound of Music.

4. Have you met any famous Hollywood people in person or would you like to?     Why or why not?

I have seen a few celebrities at Disneyland and Magic Mountain. I didn't go up to them. I am not really interested in meeting anyone. My husband did get to meet President Bush Sr. He was a judge in a food contest my husband was in. My husband said he was nice. He also saw Farrah Fawcet at a gas station in Newport Beach.

Friday Fav Five and Saturday 9

Click above to join!

1. Thankful that my grands can perform in front of crowds. I always got performance anxiety when I had my piano recitals. My granddaughter plays the piano/keyboards, sings, and is learning how to play the guitar. Last Saturday she did it all and she was sick with a sore throat.

She sang Lauren Daigle's new song called Thank God I do.

She had gone to her concert the night before in Los Angeles.

Then there is Elijah who always end his performance like this!

2. Thankful for the Thanksgiving tea potluck on Monday in honor of our friend visiting from Texas. 

3. Thankful for our Minnie who turned 7 on Wednesday. This picture is from last year. This year she was recovering from a back injury and we had quiet day. We ordered her steps and are rewarding her with carrots when she uses it. She is feeling better.

4.Thankful for Thanksgiving that was at my son's house.

Our daughter in laws family was there too.

 

I forgot to take pictures of the food, but here is the dessert table!

5. Thankful for my family. Thankful that we could all message each other and remember our parents

and Thanksgiving Day of the past.

Saturday 9: Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress) 1972

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

1) This week's song begins with Hollies' lead singer Allan Clarke telling us of a Saturday night trip downtown, taken at the behest of the FBI. What are your plans for Saturday night? (No, we don't expect you to tell us you'll be working undercover for a government agency.)

Not sure yet.

2) At a bar, he meets a woman in a black dress. The LBD, or little black dress, is a wardrobe staple for many women because it's appropriate for almost any occasion. Let's say you get a last-minute invitation for a "dressy" dinner this weekend and you don't have the time or money to buy something new. What's your go-to outfit from your closet? I have several black dresses and a few other nice dresses and shoes.

3) Everyone at the bar starts to run when they hear sirens. Do you often hear sirens in your neighborhood? We have a fire station about 8 blocks away, so about once a week. 

4) In 1972, the year this week's song was on the charts, Popeye's opened their first fast-food chicken restaurant in Louisiana. Now that the Thanksgiving feast is over, will you be eating any carry-out this weekend? We are eating leftovers. We usually go out to lunch after church.  I plan to make turkey soup when we get some rainy weather.

5) Black is this week's signature color because November 24 was Black Friday, when retailers historically have slashed their prices and the holiday shopping season begins. Have you begun your gift shopping? Yes, I went out Friday and bought 5 gifts for grand nieces and nephews. I also ordered some cards from Amazon.

6) Walmart, Best Buy and Target all advertise heavily on Black Friday. If you could have a $100 gift card from one of those stores, which would you choose? What would you buy? 

I ordered some things from Target, so probably from there.

7) This Monday is sometimes known as Cyber Monday because shoppers can find big savings online. Do you shop confidently online, or do you worry about security breaches and identity theft?

 Yes I do shop online. Mostly from Amazon.

8) What are you thankful for this year? Lots of things, but mostly for my family and good health insurance that helps minor mishaps.

9) Random question: Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone (texting doesn't count)?

My husband. I call him when I am in the car.

 

Tuesday 4 Thankful

Hello friends and welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.  

Thanksgiving Day is about here. Let's talk about the holiday and thankfulness.

1. Whether you are from the USA or not, thankfulness is beneficial to a nation and people.  Is it a natural thing for you to think of being thankful or is it something you must be reminded about? I try to be thankful every day. Somedays I get sad about the things I have lost, or did not get. But then I have to remember all the things I have. I have everything I need. I guess there will always be things I want, but as long as I have what I need, I am okay. I have my faith in God, I am blessed with a family and I have friends. I have fairly good health and good insurance. 

2.  Plimoth Plantation is the site of the original settlement and everything is authentic to the 1600's including how they speak. Have you been to Plymouth Rock?   How about the Plimoth Plantation (yes that is the proper spelling). Would you like to go visit these places?  What places are you thankful for having seen? No, I have not been there. I have been to New York for a few days before going on a New England Cruise. We visited Boston Massachusetts, Kennebunkport Maine and Canada. I have been on a cruise to Alaska and spent a few days in Seattle. I have been to Hawaii 4 times and hope to go one more time with my family. I have been to a few other states and visited different cities in Mexico back in 1969. I have seen the Grand Canyon 3 times, Las Vegas several times. Would I like to travel more? Yes but only God knows what is to come. My friend invited me to her home in Texas again for next year. In 2018, my family and I went to Hawaii the day after Thanksgiving. It is the only time we did not eat a Thanksgiving dinner at home. We are at Poly's Pies.  

3. Do you tune into the Macy's Parade? I do try to watch it. My husband records it so we can watch it after I wake up. I remember going down 5th Ave and passing Macy's while on a tour, but we did not get down. There was just not enough time. But we did get to see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway.

4. What will you be eating on Thanksgiving Day this year? We are going to my son's home this year. We are taking a ham, stuffing, green bean casserole and a candied yam. My daughter in law in making a roast, and her dad is cooking a turkey. My son is making the mashed potatoes. My daughter is taking macaroni and cheese. My daughter in law's mom is making her stuffing, gravy and something else. Her brothers are bringing the pies. That is a lot of food!

Friday Fave Five and Saturday 9

Hi friends, seems like the days just fly bye! Last weekend I started packing up my fall decor. I have to go slower since I am still recovering from my left shoulder rotator cuff injury and right elbow tendonitis. I am getting better; I just have to be more careful and ask for help. 

I am joining Susanne for 

1. I am thankful for having a grandson that can help me with my holiday boxes. I have always done it myself. But I have to be smart and ask for help. Hubby set up my big Christmas tree. I am thankful that I have healed enough to decorate. I decorate the whole house, so I take my times. 

2. I am thankful for my Bible journaling group. This month's theme was on praise and worship.

 Thankful for the great graphic artist that being life to our creations!

3. Thankful for great weather. Love 50's at night and 70's during the day.

4. Thankful that my family likes to decorate and entertain for the holidays. Birthdays too!

5. Thankful for Operation Christmas Child that provides a Christmas box for kids around the world. I helped pass out boxes and our church is a community drop off location. I can't help at the processing center because of my messed up arms. 

Saturday 9: Last Train to Clarksville (1966)

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

 

1) When did you most recently take a train? Last December at Disneyland.

2) The lyrics promise "coffee-flavored kisses and a bit of conversation." Have you more recently had coffee, a kiss, or a chat? I am drinking coffee as I type this and listening to Christian music on YouTube.

3) The record opens with a guitar riff inspired by The Beatles' "Day Tripper." Can you play guitar? I have not played since my teens. I can play one or two notes. My granddaughter is taking lessons now. She already plays the piano.

4) The lead vocals are performed by Micky Dolenz. He is the only surviving member of the Monkees. Without looking it up, can you name his bandmates? Davy Jones

5) The Monkees starred in an award-winning sitcom for two seasons. In Season 2, Micky surprised fans by appearing with a curly perm. Do you curl, straighten or color your hair? Yes, to all. My hair has curl in it, but I have to tame it. I have to straighten it a bit, then curl it in the direction I want. It will stay that  way for a couple of days. My hair grows fast and need to be colored every 4 weeks. But I do it every 6 weeks and use a root spray to hide the grays.

6) Micky also did a stint at WCBS radio in New York. He spun the oldies every morning and helped his listeners get ready for work. Do you turn on the radio or TV when you first wake up? Just depends. I like music when I shower. Then I will watch tv while I eat breakfast. Then I go on YouTube and listen to Christian music when I Bible journal. No music when I am studying.

7) Micky's daughter, Ami, followed her father into show business, appearing in several movies and a recurring role in General Hospital. If you followed your father into his profession, what would you have done for a living? He was the Director of HUD for Orange County. He would travel to Washington DC and meet with the Secretary of Housing Urban Development. He would speak to many groups. He was involved with the city. He saw that his cities got Senior affordable complexes.

8) In 1966, when this song topped the charts, miniskirts took the fashion world by storm. What have you recently added to your wardrobe? A couple of Christian themed T-shirts from a place called Love in Faith online. They have great prices too! I am wearing one in the picture above.

9) Random question -- You order chicken noodle soup and a packet of saltines arrives with the bowl. Do you: 1) break the crackers into pieces and stir them into your soup or 2) squeeze them in your hand and sprinkle the crumbles into your soup or 3) leave them untouched? Leave them untouched. I would rather have a warm tortilla with butter.

Saturday 9

Happy Veterans' Day!

My aunt Rosie and my dad.1954

P.S. I Love You                    Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

 

1) In this song, a man fills his lover in on what's going on in his daily life, including that he was in bed by 9:00 PM. Do you have a regular bedtime? Usually around midnight. I am retired.

2) He reports that yesterday it rained, but all in all, he can't complain. Do you often find yourself discussing/complaining about the weather? Not unless it is over 100 degrees.

3) This song was recorded many times, by artists as diverse as Rudy Vallee (1934) and Bob Dylan (2017). It's endured because the theme -- reaching out and staying in touch across the miles -- is universal. Is there anyone in your life with whom you regularly correspond? If yes, do you prefer cards/letters, emails or texts? I have lots of online friend. I message a few. Sometimes we do FB live.

4) This 1953 version was a hit for The Hilltoppers. The band members met at Western Kentucky University and took their name from the nickname of their school's athletic teams. What was the name of your school's team? The Santa Ana Saints. UCI Anteaters.

5) The Hilltoppers always performed in W sweaters, for Western Kentucky. Do you own any sweaters, caps or jackets that celebrate your alma mater? 

I have a T-shirt somewhere. I have a sweatshirt from University of Irvine(class of 77) that my grandson likes to wear. He wants to go there to be a doctor. He turned 16 yesterday.

6) By 1960, The Hilltoppers' records weren't selling anymore. But they continued to perform and in 1970 they became the house band at The Holiday Inn in Fort Walton Beach, FL. They were so popular with tourists that they played at that Holiday Inn for years. When did you last stay in a hotel, motel or Airbnb? We stated in a really nice hotel in August that had a great view of the ocean. It also served a nice breakfast. It has a desk that I could work on my Bible journaling. 

7) In 1953, the year this recording was popular, the Eisenhower's moved into The White House. First Lady Mamie Eisenhower was known for her down-to-earth style. For example, she often shared her recipe for Million Dollar Fudge, saying that since it's easy to make and foolproof, she recommended her fudge as the perfect hostess gift. When you're invited to someone's home, do you bring a hostess gift? 

I take flowers from my garden.

 

8) Also in 1953, radio personality Arthur Godfrey made news for having one of the nation's very first hip replacements. Have you/would you ever be part of a clinical trial, either for a new drug or medical procedure? 

No. But back in 1981 when my son was born, the nurse asked me if they could use my newborn son to try out an emergency apron that held 7 newborns in case there was an emergency and they had to evacuate the nursery quickly. I said yes. If they had a full nursery and only a few nurses, this apron would allow them to get as many babies out as possible.

 

 9) Random question -- Do you fold your socks or roll them? I role them.

 

Tuesday 4 and Wednesday Hodgepodge

1.  Tell us 4 songs that define your life.   I know.. this one is hard but it's not written in stone!  Feel free to be serious or silly as you choose.  Maybe even some songs that you would like to describe your life!

Jesus Loves Me because I have been singing it since I was a toddler. I sang it to my kids and grandkids. Lots of Motown music.  Avalon's song called You are everything to Me. So many Christian songs I can't list here. I Can Only Imagine is one that I want played when I die.

2. A song or songs that are special to you in some way. Sunrise, Sunset was one of the songs played at my wedding. It if from the movie Fiddler on the Roof. Tapestry Album from Carole King that I still have from the 70's.  Amy Grant's Collection CD from the 90's.  Hillsong and Shout to the Lord is one of my favorite praise songs. This would also answer question 1.

3.A song you and your sweetheart loved, or maybe your Mom's or Dad's favorite? My parent's taught us how to slow dance to Sabor a Mi. I put the video on my previous post. We all had it played at our weddings.

4. A movie soundtrack you have enjoyed, or a theme to a TV program or commercial you like/liked. Name as many as you like! If you have no favs, then how about ones you remember well?  Some songs just stick in your head!

There are lot of soundtracks I love. I remember my parents buying the several albums. Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, Fiddler on the Roof. My parents loved music and musicals. We watched a lot of musicals on television like The King and I, Carousel, 7 Brides for 7 Brothers and of course, The Wizard of Oz. I bought the soundtrack to the Original Star Wars. We waited 2 hours in line when it first opened. When the second movie came out, I took my son to see it and he loved it! He was around 3 or 4. We played with Star Wars for hours. He is 42 now and he buys and trades Star Wars figures as a side business. Star Wars is my ringtone when he calls. Hubby and I got to see Phantom of the Opera in Las Vegas and I saw it on Broadway with my parents. My second son got to see the play and my ringtone for him is from Phantom. My whole family loved The Greatest Showman that came out the same year as Coco that had the top song Remember Me. I got the soundtracks for those too. I also got the DVD for The Prince of Egypt and the grands watched the DVD along with a few other movies. One good things about the Covid lockdown, lots of movie time. We had popcorn too! Here is the movie song. The song was a hit when it was sand by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.

 

1. Are you too hard on yourself or not hard enough? Elaborate. 

I used to be really hard on myself. It took a long time to not be. Perfectionism would get in the way. I am more relaxed now. I am more real now, the person God created me to be instead of being who I thought I had to be.

2. What's the role of gratitude in your life? It is very important! I am currently working on a 30 day project called Gratitude Documented.

3. Where do you get your news these days? How much attention are you giving it currently? I try not to watch to much news other than local news. I hate politics, especially since it is so divisive. Then world news is getting worse as the US is drawn into it. I have to limit news and focus on my loved one and my relationship with God. He is in control whether I understand things or now.

4. Do you like potatoes? Last time you prepared potatoes in some way? Which of the following is your favorite...baked potato, mashed potato, French fried potato, sweet potato, hash brown potatoes, roasted potatoes, or potato salad? I love them, but I limit them. I just had sweet potato fries with my meal when I went out with friends on Monday. I put potatoes in my tacos. My family wants me to make my sweet potato dish for Thanksgiving. I think I will make breakfast potatoes this week. My mom made some awesome twice baked potatoes, back before there were microwave ovens.

5. Are you a veteran? Are there any veterans in your family? Will you do anything special to honor them on Veteran's Day/Remembrance Day this year? No. I have one uncle that is alive that served in the Korean War. I have a cousin that served in Navy. My dad served in the Naval Reserves for years. My aunt, his sister was in the Navy. An uncle that also served in the Korean War has passed. Two great uncles that served in WW2. Picture includes my aunt Rosie, and my dad with my aunt Evelyn and my grandma Louisa.

6. Insert your own random thought here. My grandson turns 16 on Friday, the 10th!

So happy for cooler weather!