Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. February is coming to a close. Give us a two-word phrase that tells us something about how yours went. Rain & earache.

2. If you had to describe how you're feeling right now as an amusement park ride, what ride are you on? Explain. The train ride at Disneyland. It is moving slowly, stops at times and T realize I am tired. It starts up again and I see something I like and I get excited, but then we round the corner and then behind a wall. Then we come out and we near the next stop that I love and feel happy as we pass it by. I need to stay on that train until it makes it final stop. It was a long slow ride, and I am ready to get off and explore. Here we are in front of the train station at Disneyland.

3. What's something on your desk or a nearby wall that cheers you up when you see it or walk past?

Mostly pictures of the family. I do have a picture of my parents on my bookcase that I like to see. I used to be sad when I looked at it because I miss them so much. Now it gives me peace that they are in heaven and I will see them someday. I have a shelf and bulletin board that has buttons and Mickey & Minnie plush that I got when we went for Disney's 60th birthday. We went on my 60th birthday to celebrate it and our anniversary and also took the Walt Disney's private tour. We also go reserved seating to see the firework show in front of the castle. George Lucas sad about 3 rows from us. 

4.  Are you a salad eater? How many salads do you typically eat in a week. What is your favorite salad?

I do enjoy salads but don't like the time to make them. My husband makes good salads. We have salad about twice a week. I like a mixed garden salad and I add chicken to my salad for the extra protein. I love balsamic vinegar. I also enjoy topping my salad with tuna that I have prepared to go with a sandwich. I add chopped celery, pickles and carrots. I am getting hungry now.

5. Without telling us the category give us your top five 

 God, Family, Friends, Health, Faith. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

My ear is feeling better now and I can hear better. I will have it checked on Friday.

Friday Fave Five & Saturday 9

Saturday 9 is below Friday Fave 5

Both are linked on the right if you want to Join.

Thanks to Susanne and Sam for hosting!

1. Thankful to be able to watch church online. I missed going, but taking care of my ear right now is important. Saturday was a painful day and I could not sleep so I slept in on Sunday. While I could not sleep, I was looking at my cell phone and found a verse on Instagram.

1. Thankful for a relaxing, rainy President's day. Hubby and I enjoyed watching several episodes of The Chosen. We are now in season 3. We hope to finish this weekend and go to the movies next week for 4.

We also got to facetime our grands. Even the dogs were barking to each other!

2. Thankful for Memories. My cousin Joanie and I started Bible journaling on Feb 20. It is nice how Facebook has reminders of special times.

3. Thankful for meeting up with my friend Linda at a Christian Coffeeshop to talk and Bible journal.

Crafty Me group live time later in the day for a creative scavenger creation. Find an item in a magazine. I added the ice-cream. Add something that someone gave you. The card on the upper left and mid right. Add at least 3 hearts. Smear 2 colors of paint. Add some Washi tape, butterfly and your name. And so on. Just a fun time where we put are page together. Now it is in my crafty book

4. Thankful for a clear day before more rain comes which means more snow. I sure hope we can get up to the mountains sometime this season. Thankful for an encouraging word too!

5. Thankful for breakfast with my friends before my doctor appointment later. Doctor appointment went well. I don't have pain now, but I can't hear very well. He vacuumed out my ear and put more medicine in it. My eardrum looks better, but still swollen. I go back in a week.

Saturday 9: Shambala (1973)

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

1) This week's song refers to the mythical kingdom of Shambala. Can you think of another song that mentions to faraway, mythical land? 

The Beatles had their magical Mystical tour. Fantasy by Earth Wind and Fire is the only other thing I can think of. I did not like heavy metal music and lost interest in the Beatles when their music got crazy.

2) "Shambala" is performed by Three Dog Night. The name is derived from an Aboriginal Australian legend. In the outback, hunters would sleep with a dog beside them. If it was very cold, they would sleep between two dogs. If it was freezing -- you guessed it -- it was a three-dog night. Was it cold last night where you are? 

Cold for So California in the low 40's. I don't ever want it to get to freezing because it would hurt my plumeria plants that also grow in Australia and are known as Frangipani. If it does hit freezing, I have to go out and put bags over the buds.

3) The lead singer is the late Cory Wells. Early in his career he was a member of the house band at the famous Sunset Strip nightclub Whiskey-A-Go-Go. Cory was a bit of an anomaly at "The Whiskey" because of his sober lifestyle. When did you most recently enjoy an adult beverage? 

I had a sip of my husband's margarita at the Superbowl party. I should have drank it all to numb my ear pain. They would have had to carry me out because I don't drink. I took a Motrin and made my own drink with diet peach tea and a bit of pineapple juice and lots of ice. 

4) Bandmate Danny Hutton auditioned to be a member of The Monkees TV show. He didn't get the part. While he was a talented singer-songwriter, NBC was looking for musicians who could also act. Have you ever fantasized about a career as a performer? No.

5) Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys was an early supporter of Three Dog Night's. What's your favorite Beach Boys song?

I have several favorites since I am California girl and enjoyed most of their songs from my preteen days to later. He is a little list. I found a Spotify playlist of their greatest hits. I am listening as I type this out. Brings back great memories/feelings.

Good Vibrations (1966)

Wouldn’t It Be Nice (1966)

California Girls (1965)

God Only Knows (1966)

In My Room (1963)

Surfin’ USA (1963) Reminds me of my uncle Manuel at Doheny Beach.

I have been to a lot of the beaches mentioned in the song.

We visited Waimea Bay, Hawaii in 2018. The waves were so high, they closed the beach.

This is me at Waikiki in from of the King of surfing, the Duke Kahanamoku.

6) In 1973, when this song was popular, one of the best-selling toys Curious George plush doll packaged with a Curious George book. Can you recall a favorite book from your childhood?

Little House on the Prairie series, Black Beauty, Swiss Family Robinson and Trixie Belden.

7) The Exorcist was in theaters, terrifying audiences. It's still ranked among the scariest movies of all time. Have you seen it? Did it scare you? Yes! I was in my first year of college and we went as a group. Someone had thrown up in the theater. Maybe that is why I don't like scary movies.

8) Roller skates were a big seller in 1973. While most rinks had skates available for rent, committed skaters had their own pair. Are you better on roller skates or ice skates?

Regular skates. Our youth group went to the Skating rink in the winter of 1973. I asked my then boyfriend to skate when it was girl ask boy. Then we started talking about albums. He and his brother came over to borrow our War album and that was when we started dating. Hubby and I did try ice skating but it killed our ankles.

9) Random question -- Here's $100. What will you spend it on? 

Stock up on groceries.

Tuesday 4

 

Let's talk about firsts in your life.

1. Do you remember your first pair of grown up style shoes, maybe high heels? How did that go?

I think I was in 9th grade. Chunky heels were in style. I never wore the pencil thin hills. I was

always for comfort over anything else. I did not have a job I needed them. I remember my mom wearing them. I hurt my back a few times while working and had to wear low healed shoes.

2. When was your first date and do you recall their name and where you went and what you did?

My first official date were in my junior year of high school. His name was Kevin. We started out as study partners for chemistry. I really liked him, and I know he liked me. But he pulled away. Years later I asked him what happened. He said he was a new Christian, and I was a temptation. So he gave me up for
Jesus and that made me happy! I met my husband the winter after in my senior year. My husband met Kevin when my cousin got Married. The first picture is Kevin and the second is my husband.

3. Do you have any memories of your first job? 

I was 14 when I got my first job for a toy store called Toy City. There were 9 cities in Orange County owned by Bill Griffith. My mom was his manager over the stores.  I got to work at the store in my city for one summer with a student work permit. Mom would drop me off and then leave to check on the other stores. I loved that job! Harriet was my supervisor, and I learned a lot from her. I unboxed merchandise and found he invoice and price tags. I tagged things and stocked the shelves. The old NCT cash register was intimidating, and he had a tax table taped to the counter. They offered free wrapping with red and white paper. I was never idle. My mom told me always look to see what needed to be done. Organize shelves, return stock, sweep when needed and ask Harriet to see if she needed something done. I was never alone in store.

I loved the book section. I liked going across the street to eat at Woolworths. I would sit at the counter and order a BLT and soda for around $1.00 At the end of the summer, I bought a sting ray bike that my little brother rode and left outside and it got stolen. I also worked during the Christmas break and it was busy! When I was 15, I worked the summer as a Candy Striper, no pay. I did not work again until the end of my senior year. I was too busy with homework, competitive athletics and extracurricular activities.

4. What do you remember about your first home away from Mom and Dad?

I left when I got married at 18 and turned 19 two days after. I loved our first apartment. We were on the second floor and saved money by living on a corner unit. We had a long patio, and it was filled with plants. We had everything we needed. The place was pretty new, and it has a gym and several pools. They had a nice laundry room too. We lived there for 18 months and then rented a Craftsman duplex. We lived in the same town as my parents and grandparents. I sure miss them!

Friday Fave Five and Saturday 9

Joining Susanne and Sam for the memes. Links are on the left.

1. Thankful to be able to go to church in spite of ear issues.  Granddaughter was singing with praise band.

2. Thankful to be able to go to the Superbowl party at my middle son's home. There was a lot of food and fun games. As the day wore on, ear pain increased. But still, I was glad to see family and friends gather together. 

3. Thankful that the pain calmed down enough to celebrate our 50th Valentine's Day celebration. Friends on Facebook thought we were celebrating our 50th anniversary, but that isn't until August. We gave the older grands their Valentine's goodie bags in the morning.

4. Thankful to see the doctor after our lunch as she said it appeared that besides in eternal middle ear infection, I have a secondary outer ear fungal infection because of the antibiotics. So now I have to take ear drops for that. A culture was taken too. 

5.Thankful we saw the younger grands and gave them their Valentine's gifts. Thankful that the nurse got right back to me Thursday about pain radiating down the side of my face. I figured it was the lymph nodes inflamed as I fight this infection. Nurse called back this morning saying I had to go get a stat CT to rule out abnormalities. Doctor just called to say I needed another round of antibiotics and continue drops. I go back Thursday for a cleaning. Doctor is waiting for a more detailed report on the fungal infection. I already had out on my pj's so hubby went to pick up my prescription. I need to use a warm compress too. I declined taking an opiate pain medication at this point. 

6. Thankful that my husband has been so supportive through all this. Also, that my insurance covered the CT. Thankful for those that are praying for me.

Saturday 9: Paper Doll (1943)

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

1) The song is about a fellow who is exasperated by men flirting with his girl. Do you have a jealous streak?  I don't think so.

2) He's blue after a quarrel with Sue. Did you exchange harsh words with anyone recently? No

3) "Paper Doll" was #1 for 12 weeks in 1943-44, sold 11 million copies and remains one of the best-selling singles of all time. Had you heard it before today? No, but it reminds me of my dad.

4) As kids, the Mills Brothers worked on their harmonies in front of their father's Piqua, OH, barbershop, much to the delight of passersby. Do you often encounter street musicians in your neighborhood? No. But my granddaughter was practicing her songs on our piano on Thursday.

5) The Mills Brothers were a long way from that street corner when, in 1936, they became the first African Americans to perform for the British Royal Family. It's about 4,000 miles from Piqua to London. What's the farthest you've ever been from home? 2564 miles to Oahu Hawaii.

6) In the early 1930s, the Mills Brothers not only performed songs on radio, they sang jingles for Standard Oil and Crisco. What commercial can you recall having seen (or heard) lately? Ozempic?

7) In 1943, when "Paper Doll" was popular, WWII was raging and the US Mint began producing steel pennies because copper was needed for ammunition. Do you have any pennies in your pocket or wallet right now? Yes I do. When I was 12, we visited the Denver Mint.

8) Also in 1943, a bottle of Coke was a nickel. When did you most recently have a soft drink? What was it? I stopped drinking sodas back in 2010. Carbonated beverages are not good if you have osteoporosis. 

9) Random question: Have you learned more from your successes, or your failures. My failures.

As of this writing, my ear is hurting! This is me with my ear issue.

Hodgepodge Wednesday

1. What does love mean to you?

Love means a whole lot of things. Intimacy, not necessarily sexual, but feeling safe enough to be yourself. It means giving your heart to someone because you want to. It means accepting the whole person, in spite of flaws. There are different types of love and love changes over time. As a Christian, I believe in what the Bible teaches that God is love and He wants us to love others. It is not an easy thing to do. But one can try right? 

2. Is love blind? 

In a way, yes. I think that new "love" is infatuation that caters to feelings and emotions. Love is also physical, and that can really draw a person in. We show our good side and so does the other person. It keeps us from seeing the real person. We are blinded to the truth. I am sure we have all been there at one time or another, either with a boyfriend, ex or even a friendship. It takes time for love to grow. 

3. How do you remember Valentine's Day as a kid? Do you have any special plans for the day this year? 

Making cards and passing out cards was always fun. I am sure parents felt a relief when boxed cards were available. We got cards and made gift bags for our grands. I passed out card to my Bible journaling girls today. Hubby and I are going to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch.

4 Are you a fan of the movie genre known as 'rom-com'? What's your favorite (or one of your favorites)?

I do like to see them on occasion. Sleepless in Seattle, Pretty Woman and Fools Rush In.

5. What's something you recently put your heart into? 

My Bible journaling kit that I do for my ladies. Each lesson includes a name of God, one or two people from the Old Testament, and a few things on love. We talked about Judah and Tamar and the Good Samarian. It is a great time fellowship and food too! The other things is fixing Valentine bags for the grands. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Hubby asked me what I wanted to do for Valentine's Day and I told him. I had been wanting to go to special scrapbook store and plans had to change. My ear is still acting up and I was able to get an appointment with ENT for 2pm. So, we changed our plans and will go to the store another day. We always go somewhere for lunch because we don't like the busy dinner crowd, we like to save money and lunch is cheaper and we still have to pick up our grands. So, it all works out. At least my ear isn't so bad that we can't do something.

Friday Fav Five & Saturday 9

Thanks to Susanne and Sam for the Memes. The links are on the left.

Thankful to be seen by an ENT doctor this past Monday. You can read about the ruptured eardrum on my previous post. I have a secondary sinus infection but the antibiotics should help that too. The doctor was so nice. Hopefully my hearing will improve soon.

Thankful that my husband was able to drive me to my appointment. It was raining heavy the day of my appointment. I treated him to some hot soup at El Torito after the appointment.

Thankful that the antibiotics have not made me sick. So thankful for good insurance! The last time I went to ENT I paid $45 for my appointment. This time it was $10.00.  I got two prescriptions and some Vicks Vapor Rub all for under $30.00. 

Thankful for memes. They are great at bringing up memories. In my previous post, there was a question on grandparents and I added some pictures of them a day after I posted. I was blessed to have great grandparents. Grat parents too. Dad passed 11 years ago the 8th. Mom will be gone 14 years. I miss them both and know I will see them someday. Thankful for pictures, those in print, digital and in my heard.

Thankful for the rain. California needs the rain even though it does cause problems in certain areas that have had fire damage or for houses build on hills. Our doxie, Minnie does not like the rain and hubby spoils her with the umbrella. He has towels by the back door to dry off her feet too.

Saturday 9: At Last (1960)

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

 

1) Etta James sings that "life is like a song." What song reflects how you feel about life these days? 

Sunrise, Sunset. It was on Fiddler on the Roof and was played at our wedding. They days go by so much faster now. Every day is a new day, a gift from God.

2) She is delighted to have found the love she has always dreamed of. Have you found true love to be the way you imagined it would be? Or has it surprised you? Love changes over time. True love allows for change and growth. True love is a commitment to one another in spite of life's ups and downs. We will be married 50 years this summer.

 

3) Etta's mother encouraged her to not just sing but perform a song, telling her daughter, "Even if a song has been done a thousand times, you can still bring something of your own to it." Is there a singer whose performances often touch your heart? Carole King and Amy Grant. I have seen them both in concert. I think they are both talented women. I loved the tribute concert I went to for Carole King and one of her songs was sung by Amy Grant!

 

4) As a teen, she was considered a gospel prodigy and churches all around Los Angeles requested she "guest" at their services. Do you have a favorite religious song?

I have lots of them. One of them is Shout to the Lord. I am including the video from the Women of Faith Conference I went to in the 90's in Anaheim California.

5) "At Last" is one of the most often requested songs for the newlywed's first dance at the reception. What song reminds you of a sweetheart? Color My World, by Chicago played at out wedding.

This is the last Saturday 9 before Valentine's Day and so this morning we shall focus on the upcoming holiday.

 

6) It's been reported that millions of roses are grown specifically for Valentine's Day each year. What's your favorite flower? I love roses and grow them in my yard. I also love plumerias and have a few of those plants too.

 

7) The earliest recorded celebration of Valentine's Day was in Paris in the year 1400. Obviously you weren't around for that one. What do you remember from one of your earliest, childhood Valentine's Day celebrations? Valentine's card exchanges.

 

8) About 20% of pet owners say they give their dogs, cats, birds or bunnies a Valentine. Is your pet getting something special on February 14? We usually get Minnie something.

9) Of all the professions, teachers are #1 when it comes to receiving Valentine cards. Did you ever have a crush on a teacher? Yes I did. It was my 9th grade biology teacher, Mr. Early. He had reddish blonde hair, green eyes and a pretty smile. I think he had a moustache too.