Friday Fave Five & Saturday 9

1. Thankful for a great Palm Sunday Service at church. I love when my granddaughter sings with the worship team.

2. Thankful for all the groups I am in at church. It is never too late to improve and grow. I will continue to work on my spiritual, emotional and physical self.  By sharing our life experiences with others, we show that we all go through ups and downs in life. Picture below is from When Calls the Midwife.

3. Thankful for glasses! My daughter asked if I could change out the buttons on the suit my grandson was wearing to his great grandmother's funeral service. I was able to use buttons that I had with my sewing/craft supplies. 

4. Thankful for Facebook memories!

5. Thankful to be able to Bible journal and share it with others.

Saturday 9: Two Easter Sunday Sweethearts (1954)

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

1) This song is about a couple dressed in their "Sunday Best." Will you be getting dressed up this weekend? 

I normally wear a dress to church on Easter Sunday. It will be raining that day. I do have a pair of black boots that I can wear with pants or possibly a dress. I have only missed on Easter Sunday at church and that was because of Covid. We watched service on You Tube. that Easter and I dressed up in clean pajamas!

2) The happy couple is walking up the street arm-in-arm. Have you recently seen a couple holding hands or walking arm-in-arm in public? Were you one of that romantic duo? I have not seen it recently.

3) This week's featured artist, Vera Lynn, was a beloved English singer who is affectionately remembered for her tireless work entertaining the troops during WWII. She famously sang "There'll Always Be an England" during outdoor concerts in Egypt, India, and Burma, even as battles raged nearby. What is your favorite patriotic song? America the Beautiful.

 

4) Though she became a celebrity at 19, Vera continued to live with her parents until she married at age 21. How old were you when you left home for good? I was 18 when I got married and turned 19 two days later. 

 

Now, here are some questions in honor of this weekend's holiday ...

5) More than 1.5 million Cadbury Creme Eggs are produced every day. Do you enjoy Cadbury Eggs all year around, only at Easter, or not at all? Only at Easter.

 

6) Pretzels are considered a delicious Easter snack in Germany. Do you more often crave salty treats or sweet ones? Salty.

7) We've been talking a lot about sweets this morning. The only holiday that generates more candy sales is Halloween. When do you eat more candy: Easter or Halloween? Halloween.

8) Easter is considered the season of rebirth. What makes you feel refreshed or rejuvenated? 

Easter is Resurrection Sunday. As a Christian we are reborn and filled with the Holy Spirit. We will have eternal life. Jesus is the reason for all seasons!  That refreshes my soul! Now the season of spring is a time to enjoy God's beauty as nature comes to life again. That also includes the rain we are getting Easter weekend.

9)  This year, April Fool's Day happens to follow Easter Sunday. Do you expect to fall victim to any pranks? I hope not. We leave to Sand Diego that day and the weather will be sunny and in the low 70's. 

Tuesday 4& Wednesday Hodgepodge

Thanks to Annie and Joyce for the Memes. Links are on the left.

1. What is your favorite sandwich? What kind of bread, roll.. toasted or not? Butter: salted or sweet?

My favorite sandwich is a BLT with Avocado. Lots of mayonnaise. Butter on toast.

2. Do you have a favorite soup? Do you make homemade soup often? What kind?  What's your favorite store bought soup? We buy Campbell's chicken noodle and rice for the grands. We make homemade chicken soup is what we make the most during cold weather or when someone is sick. We make a side of rice or noodles to add to the soup. My favorite is albondigas which is a meatball soup with potatoes, zucchini, carrots and rice. Hubby and I also Vietnamese Pho. At Christmas we like to make posole.

3. What kind of cheese should be on a grilled cheese sandwich and should it be served with tomato soup or some other flavor? We like to use Colby-Jack. We get the large block at Sam's and grate it. Hubby and I will have it with tomato soup about once a year. Canned soups have a lot of salt and so does cheese!

4. Is it a Hoagie, a Sub, a Zeppelin, a Grinder, or a Hero or maybe a Dagwood?  What's on it? Oil.. vinegar, onions, peppers, mayo? I like the turkey and avocado with lettuce, tomato, pickled pepperoncini's, pickles, mayo and mustard. I prefer sourdough bread, lightly toasted.

This meme has made me remember my mom making a potato soup with a tomato broth that was really good. I need to try making it one day. Maybe hubby will help me pill the potatoes!

1.What do you love about your life right now? Being a grandparent and retired.

2. March 26th is National Spinach Day...are you a fan? If so, how do you like yours prepared/served? 

I like it mostly in my salads and in an omelet. I had it in my scrambled eggs this morning. I also added a bit of cabbage, mushrooms and cheese. It was so good!

3. In this current season would you say you need to spend more time looking inward or that you need to get out of your head? Tell us why. 

I am taking 2 classes and the books have us looking inward. I try to look too much ahead. I try to take one day at a time for the most part. I am just in a busy season right now. I am also in 2 life groups. One is my women's and the other is a retired married group.

4. Are you following the 'March Madness' madness? (That's US college basketball in case you're out of the loop) What's something that feels like actual madness to you right now? 

Our weather! Lot of rainy and cool days. We are getting rain this weekend. That will put a damper on the community Easter outreach on Saturday. We still do an egg hunt for the grands and that is still planned. There is money in the eggs!

5. How will you celebrate the Easter/Passover holiday this year? 

We are going to church on Sunday. I have only missed one Easter Sunday in my life and that was during the Covid Shutdown. We will be going to my son's house for dinner. Not sure what is on the menu, but I do like to eat lamb.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I always look forward to Easter. I have so many good memories. My whole family will be together since my middle son has that day off for a change. This was last year.

 

Friday Fave Five & Saturday 9

Thanks to Susanne and Sam for the memes, links on the left.

1.Thankful for family celebrations! My daughter in laws birthday was Monday the family celebrated on Saturday. There was lot of good food and games. 

2.Thankful for church on Sunday. Good message on the events around Palm Sunday. Afterwards, hubby and I went out to lunch. There was so much, and we had more for dinner.

3.Thankful to be able to help a friend who said goodbye to her husband. Our lifegroup provided food for the after service. The pastor gave a good message, and several people gave their life to Jesus. 

4.Thankful to be able to sleep in. I know I have said that a few times, but I have many days I have disrupted sleep because of health issues. 

5.Thankful for beautiful sunny weather, low 70's and a slight breeze. I was able to go outside twice this week to soak sun while I read from my books for my classes. I also did a bit of gardening. I plan to go out tomorrow again and do some Bible journaling.

Saturday 9: If You've Got the Money (1950)

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

1) In this week's song, Lefty Frizzell is eager to go out on the town and hit all the night spots. What are your plans for the weekend? 

Maybe a visit to the farmer's market. Church on Sunday.

2) He tells his girl he'd rather ride in her Cadillac than his old car. Back in the 1950s, Caddys were quite the status symbol. Lefty bought a white one with the profits from this record. Elvis also had a fondness for Cadillacs and preferred pink. Have you ever owned a Cadillac? 

No, but my parents owned a couple.

3) Lefty was a big deal in Big Spring, TX. He was a popular attraction at local bars, a favorite among oil workers who liked to unwind by listening to live music. How do you relax after a tough day?

I like to listen to music, Bible journal, craft and read.

4) This was Lefty's first hit. He wrote "If You've Got the Money" and recorded a demo for producer Jim Beck to play for established singers. When no one else wanted to record it, Beck decided to give Lefty a shot. The result was a million seller that spent 22 weeks on the country charts. Tell us about someone who took a chance on you.

A woman named Ruth. In 1987, I was injured and working at Nixies, the place that damaged and undeliverable mail was sent. I had thrown mail for 12 year. One day I went to the window section and asked about a poster they had with a rose on it. They directed met to Ruth G. I asked her and she said she would find out. A few weeks later she brought me the poster and asked if I had any computer experience. I told her I had just taken a computer class that included word processing, spread sheets using D-base programming and video graphics. She asked if I wanted to help out upstairs. I end up being there until 2010 when I retired. I was retrained and learned a lot!

5) After this record became a hit, success came quickly to Lefty, perhaps too fast. He signed conflicting contracts with promoters and managers which resulted in lawsuits. Have you recently consulted a lawyer or had a document notarized? 

Not recently. We did get a living trust set up. My son is studying to become a notary public. 

6) This song hit number one on the country charts twice: first this version and then in 1976 by Willie Nelson. Do you have a favorite Willie Nelson song? Always on My Mind,  To all the Girls I've Loved Before. -duet with Julio Iglesias. 

7) In 1950, when this song was popular, Americans began using credit cards. Do you pay with a credit card to get rewards? If yes, what rewards are you accumulating (cash back, airline miles, etc.)? No.

8) Also in 1950, Sears Roebuck and Co. acknowledged a major spike in catalog sales and took the unusual move of devoting the cover of their Spring/Summer catalog to their "satisfaction guarantee." This was meant to allay the fear of customers uncomfortable with ordering by mail instead of buying in person. 74 years later, Amazon delivers more than 3 million packages every day. Would you rather check out a product yourself in a store, or do you prefer the convenience of ordering from home? 

If I am buying clothes, I go to a store. I use Amazon mostly for office and craft items.

9) Random question -- You're singing along with the car radio to your favorite song when you reach your destination. Do you wait until your song is over to get out of the car? 

Sometimes, if it is a song I really love.

  

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

1.   Name a TV series show or shows in which you have seen every episode at least twice:

Little House on the Prairie, When Calls the Heart. I Love Lucy. I have seen When Calls the Midwife once and I plan to see it again on Netflix. Season 13 just started on PBS last night.

2.   Name a show or shows you can't or would not miss: 

Grey's Anatomy. Hubby and I have been watching Survivor for years. We also watch Blue Bloods and the Good Doctor.

3.   Name an actor or actors that would make you more inclined to watch a show:

I am more about the Storyline. I love medical shows, so I watch most of them.

4.   Name an actor or actors who would make you less likely to watch a show: 

None that I can think of on shows I see. There is one insurance commercial I do not like that has an actor causing disasters everywhere. So annoying!

1. Spring is officially upon us, no matter what the weather may be in your neck of the woods. Is there any 'spring cleaning' on your to-do list? What's your most dreaded task? The blinds need cleaning and I want to organize my linen closet. The dread cleaning is dusting. I am going to see if my grandson wants to earn some extra money and help me out. There are also some boxes I need to go through and purge. My hubby said he will help so we can make more room in the garage. Our city is having a hazardous materials drop off this weekend.

2. What's something many people seem to love, but to you feels like 'watching the grass grow'? 

3. Mint grows in abundance during the spring season. Are you a fan? What's your favorite food with a 'minty' flavor? I used to enjoy mint, especially tea. But it high on the list of what not to eat with acid reflux. I had to give it up.

4. It's been said, 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder.' Agree or disagree? Explain. Yes, for the most part I think it is true. Just depends on what the situation is. I appreciate my parents so much more now that they are gone. When I am away from my family, I appreciate them more. 

5. Are there any festive spring events in your city or town? If so, will you take advantage of them? 

There is an arbor day event. The Eagle Scouts will help plant a lemon tree that was grafted from a grove of trees dating back to 1892. The park near my home and my might attend the event. Our city was once known as the "Lemon Capital of the World". At the height, there was 7,500 acres producing 300,000 cases a day. I moved to this town in 1990 and there were still a lot of citrus groves. We even got our Christmas tree at a Christmas tree farm in town. Most of the groves are now housing tracks. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Spring is a time of new growth, and I am looking forward to what is to come. My husband and I joined a retired married life group and the first meeting went well.  I have a busy week. My ears are well now and I hope to get to the gym. I need to get my new glasses ordered. My eyes are worse, and I will eventually need cataract surgery. I am doing a lot more reading now, and have dry eyes, so they eye doctor recommended some drops I could take. I am spending less time on the computer to give my eyes more time away from the bright screen.

I posted my book list on the previous entry.

Friday Fave Five & Saturday 9

Thanks for Susanne and Sam for the memes, links on the left.

1. Thankful for my grands. I miss when we all went to the same church. Thankful that they all go to church, even if it isn't the same one.

2. Thankful for small group. My Monday night group will be reading Battlefields of the Mind by Joyce Meyers. My Tuesday Life Group, My Wednesday Zoom group is using Untangle Your Emotions by Jennie Allen. Our Marriage group starts next week.

3. Thankful that my hearing is back. I see my eye doctor today. I think I need new glasses. Thinking of trying Progressive.

4. Thankful for a beautiful sunny day. I hope to get outside to read. I am still reading from the Left Behind Series. Then I have to read for my groups. 

5. Thankful for my tall craft cart with the removable desktop.  My lower back and hips are hurting. I think I over did the exercises. So, I am standing up typing this. 

Saturday 9: Charlie Mops (2007)

Not familiar with this week's song? Hear it here.

 

1. This week's song is about a legend, Charlie Mops, the man who invented beer. Tell us about something you enjoy so much you could sing about it with the same enthusiasm the Salt Sea Pirates sing of beer. My love for Jesus.  I Could Sing of Your Love Forever.

2. The lyrics tell us beer goes well with breakfast, dinner and snacks. Think about what you dined on yesterday. What beverages did you have with your breakfast, your dinner, and your between-meal snack? 

Water and one cup of milk. Not coffee right now because of acid reflux flare up.

3. "Charlie Mops" was chosen because it's an Irish drinking song and Sunday is St. Patrick's Day. Do you expect to raise a glass in honor of the day? 

No, I rarely drink I hate the smell of beer.

4. Beer is not the only beverage often dyed green for St. Patrick's Day. In 1970, McDonald's introduced the Shamrock Shake, a milkshake made with a minty green syrup. If we were to go out for shakes right now, what flavor would you order? 

Chocolate or strawberry if I could have one but can't because of the high sugar content.

5. Legend has it that wearing green makes you invisible to leprechauns, who can be mischievous pranksters. Is there anyone you would like to avoid today? No

6. For all our talk of green, it was not the original color of St. Patrick's Day. Through most of the 18th century, blue was worn across England and Ireland to honor St. Patrick. The Irish switched to green to express their independence from the English. Which color do wear more often: blue or green? Blue.

7. Today St. Patrick's Day is observed all over the world. In Tokyo, it's not a single day but a weekend celebration. When you think of Japan, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Kimono

8. One of the biggest parades each year in Buenos Aires is for St. Patrick's Day. Have you ever participated in a parade? No

9. Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA, crowns a Miss St. Patrick's Day. Tell us about an event you recall from your college days. 

Streakers were the rage of the time, 1974. I There was a wide-open space between the different buildings and I remember watching the streakers run across that field. Being the first in my family to graduate from a 4-year university, in 1977. All of my family was there including my grandparents.

From this Side of the Pond, link on the left.

1. Thursday is National Pi Day...are you good at math? No, not at all. It was my worse subject. What was the last thing you had to calculate? My bills.

Did you use your head or technology? Technology. I keep a spreadsheet and let it do the calculations.

Last slice of pie you ate? Cream cheese. 

2. What makes a house a home? 

The people, pictures, things that make it comfortable, like throw blankets, the sound of the clock ticking, the smell from the kitchen, and the basic of utilities and food.

3. Your current favorite green thing? Zucchini. I can eat it with my scrambled eggs in the morning or have it later, sauteed with onions and mushrooms and topped with grated cheese.

4. How do you define achievement? Getting where you want to be. It usually comes in stages.

How does your personal definition look similar to, or different than, society's definition? I don't know about society's because that would differ with everyone and their life experiences. My life experiences and desires for achievement have changed over time. Being the first in my family to receive a degree at a 4-year university was a big achievement for me and my family. I felt that part of that was to please my parents. I told my kids that I wanted them to go to college if they wanted to go. If they did not, then to pursue a field that would give them satisfaction and pay the bills. I told them not to put themselves on a timetable because life happens. 

What's something you think is worth achieving in life? A relationship with Jesus and having peace knowing where I will be when my life is over. My family is an achievement and a blessing!

5. What song is a good soundtrack for your life right now? Peace, be Still.

6. Insert your own random. I am in bed writing this. I had planned on being at Senior fellowship at church, but I listened to my body and knew I needed to rest after a busy few day. We watched our grands Saturday and Sunday. We went to church and then lunch. On Monday hubby and I got our passports and later I went to a study group at church. I ate dinner late and then had a flare up of acid reflux. On Tuesday morning I went to my life group. Later in the day my head started hurting because I missed my morning coffee. No coffee, chocolate and spicy food until my acid reflux is better. I had to sleep upright last night and had an uncomfortable night. I decided to stay home and rest, read, and Bible journal.

I have my ENT appointment in the morning, so sleeping in today was nice!

Currently

Outside my window... Sunny at 5:45 pm. It made it to 70 today.

I am thinking... of many things today. We got our passports done today. It lead me on a search of

my parent's information.

I am thankful for... getting 8 hours of sleep!

I am remembering... my parents, I sure miss them!

On my mind... I need to organize my papers. I need to make some copies of things and distribute

things to other family members.

I am pondering these words...Let go and let God.

 From the learning rooms....studying the Bible

 From the kitchen...left over from Chiles.

 I am wearing...blue jeans, stripped shirt and a blue sweater.

 I am creating...kits for my next Bible journaling day.

 I am going...to a new Bible study group tonight.

 I am reading...A Left Behind book called the Regime by Tim Lahaye and Jerry Jenkins.

 I am hoping...my headache goes away.

 I am hearing...the bird chirping outside.

 Around the house...pictures

 One of my favorite things...My grandkids!

A few plans for the rest of the week...Busy week. Bible study tonight,

Life group gathering on Tuesday. Senior Fellowship on Wednesday. ENT appointment on

Thursday and Eye appointment on Friday.

 Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

Friday Fave Five & Saturday 9

Thanks to Susanne and Sam for our memes.

The links are on the left.

Thankful for being able to go to church and then out to lunch. We enjoyed the Sizzlers Senior salad bar that includes all you can eat goodies and a drink.  I really enjoyed the soups they offered.

Thankful for improved hearing! I was really glad to hear that my right ear had improved. Though my left ear showed hearing loss, the dr. said I should get see improvement as my sinuses cleared. Our bodies are so finally tuned and when one thing goes wrong, it effects other things. Now that my ear is okay, I hope to get to the gym starting next week.

Thankful for my Bible journaling group. I love studying as I prepare each month. I am thankful for the graphic artist that create the graphics I can use to illustrate what we are learning. I love how the women love working in their Bibles.  My friend drew this crown and colored it with Prisma Color pencils.

 

This is a page I did 7 years ago using watercolor.

Thankful for getting some better sleep. I have been going to bed earlier and reading instead of being on my electronics. I am currently reading the 6th book of the Left Behind series.

Saturday 9: Hold Me Now (1983)

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

1) This week's song begins with a young man gazing at a picture of himself and his girlfriend in happier times.  Are there any photographs in the room you're in right now? Yes, there are several. One of my husband and I when we went to see Phantom of the Opera. There is one of my parents at their last Christmas together. There are a one over the bed that has the grands and one on a wall that has our kids when they were young.

2) His girl tells him he's a dreamer. Do you consider yourself more a dreamer or realist? I would say when it comes to every day life, I am a realist. When it come to my creativity, I can be a dreamer.

3) "Hold Me Now" was a big hit for the British pop band, The Thompson Twins. They got their start in the late 1970s in the English city of Sheffield, so named because the River Sheaf runs through it. Do you know how your town got its name? Corona means crown and our city is also known as the Circle City. There is one street that goes in a circle in the middle of the city. In the early 1900's there would be races around the circle. Most people know about Monster Energy drinks and they are made in this city. Ezekiel Bread is made in Riverside, the next city over.

4) Today lead singer Tom Bailey performs solo and is an outspoken advocate for veganism. Vegans abstain from consuming animal products, particularly in their diets. Are you a vegan, or have you ever tried to stick to a vegan diet? No, I love my meats.

5) Tom's former bandmate Joe Leeway has left show business altogether and concentrates on a career in hypnotherapy.  This therapy is commonly used to treat insomnia, smoking cessation and obesity. Is hypnotherapy something you have tried, or would consider? Not at this time of my life.

6) In 1983, when this song was popular, Motorola introduced the first cell phone. Today cell phones are an essential part of our every day lives. Do you still have a landline? No.

7) Also in 1983, American West airlines took off, flying between Las Vegas and Phoenix. Where did you travel to on your most recent flight? Oregon.

8) In 1983, Princess Diana was the world's top cover girl. Are there any magazines in the room you're in? If yes, who or what is on the cover?  Healthy Food and Gluten Free Recipes.

9) Random question: Is anyone on your bad side this morning? No.