Friday Fave Five & Saturday 9

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

Sharing 5 of our favorite blessings from the week.  

Thankful to be able to Bible journal with my grands on Saturday. I posted pictures on my previous post.

While they were over, my other granddaughter was at her last Color guard competition and their team came in first!

Thankful for a great message on church on Sunday. My granddaughter played the keyboard this time. So many of the people on the praise take turns when several of them have different talents. She is also playing for youth now. 

Thankful that I was able to visit my aunt Rosie at the rehab facility. She is going home Friday!

She is my mom's baby sister and will be 82.

Thankful for all my groups. On Thursday night a bunch of girls from my church went to see the movie Unsung Hero. We went to eat first. The movie was so good! Thankful that there are more good movies that are faith based. 

Thankful to be able to get through this busy week while feeling a bit under the weather.

Saturday 9: Stay (I Missed You) 1994

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

1) In this week's song, a woman is accused of only hearing what she wants to. "Selective listening" is when you choose to focus on what's important to you and ignore what isn't. Are you often, sometimes, or never guilty of selective listening? I have ADD, so it is hard for me when there are several people talking. I think parents learn to do that with kids. 

2) She turns the radio up when she hears her favorite song. What song have you recently sung along to?

Several of Mandisa's songs. God speaking is one of my favorites.

3) This week's featured artist, Lisa Loeb, has always been a big reader. Her band was called Nine Stories as a tribute to her favorite author, JD Salinger. If you were to name a band to honor your favorite author, what would you call it, and why?

I have been reading the Left Behind series by Tima Lahaye and Jerry Jenkins. I am on book 11 called Armageddon. I would name the band Soul Harvest, the 4th book in the series. 

4) This week's song is her first and biggest hit. "Stay" was on the soundtrack of Reality Bites, a movie starring her friend and one-time neighbor Ethan Hawke. Ethan gave this song to the film's director, Ben Stiller, who agreed it was perfect for the film's closing credits. When you watch a movie, do you stick around for the closing credits? Yes, when I am with my husband. I was with friends and left when they did. The credits at the end were too small to try and read.

5) In the 1990s, Lisa was popular for her style and appeared on many magazine covers, causing People magazine to comment, "Though she rose to fame as a singer, she's probably just as well known for her glasses." Do you wear glasses? If yes, do you consider your eyewear purely functional, there to improve your sight, or are your glasses an extension of your personal style? I can't see without my glasses, so the main thing is function. But I did get new frames and they hide my bags which is a plus.

6) Today Lisa does a show on Sirius Radio, and she enjoys broadcasting while her favorite collaborator, her cat, sits on her shoulder. Is there a pet in the room with you as you answer these questions? 

No, she went to bed already with the hubby. I like to stay up late.

7) Lisa raises funds for SCOPE, a charity that helps children from low-income families attend summer camp. When you were a kid, did you go to camp? 

I went to church camp. I was a day camp counselor in my early 20's for low-income kids. It was a fun and busy summer. 9-4 walking several miles a day. Then my part time job from 6-11pm. 

8) In 1994, when this song was popular, the nation's attention was riveted to a white Bronco driven by a man named Al Cowlings. Without looking it up, can you recall why this was newsworthy? OJ Simpson .

9) Random question: Can you do a cartwheel? Ha ha, no! I wouldn't even try. I have osteoporosis and I could break something!

 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Thanks for the questions, Joyce! Link on the right.

1. When did you last have cancelled plans? Were you happy about that or disappointed? 

I decided not to go to my Tuesday Lifegroup. I did not sleep well the night before and was tired. I decided to listen to my body. My husband and I caught up with some of our programs. I went to my study group on Monday night and have an online group on Wednesday. Our marriage group meets on Thursday. So, I am not disappointed with my decision. Worked out good, I went to visit my aunt who is in the rehab hospital.

2. On a scale of 1-10 how much of a planner are you? 1= I go where the wind takes me  

10=I've got a power point on it, no matter what it is. I am about a 6. We have a calendar for all the activities that involve the grands. I have my regular groups and I also use my iPhone calendar. I have tried to use the nice desk calendars, but I get busy with other things. 

3. Do you have a menu plan for the week? If so tell us one or two things that are on it. If not, what's your plan for not having a plan lol? My husband does most of the cooking. He cooked beans on Monday and the grands are aways happy with that. I cooked some veggies and bought a salad mix. I am cooking garbanzo beans as I write this on Tuesday.

4. The Hodgepodge lands on National Bucket List Day. Do you have a bucket list? Is it written down or just in your head? What is one thing on your bucket list? If you don't have a list, what is one thing you'd add to a list if you did? Yes I'm going to make you think about it. 

There are a few things I want to do. I want to go to Hawaii one more time. It is a 6 hour flight and I hope I can make that since I can't sit for long periods of time. I have never shot a gun, so I would like to try that. I want to get my pictures in order, digitally and the real ones. I am going to pass some onto my niece who has an interest in family history. 

5. Rain buckets, a drop in the bucket, couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, sweat buckets, cry buckets...which 'bucket' idiom applies to your life in some way currently? Sweat buckets.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  I love Bible journaling and sharing it with my friends!

And with my grandkids!

 

Friday Fave Five & Saturday 9

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

Thankful for my new glasses. I can see way better now. I like my old frames and I can get lens for just reading. I may do that, especially since I am doing a lot more reading now. Speaking of reading, I am on book 9 of the Left Behind series. I am at the part where the Jewish people have fled to Petra. The Anti-Christ is going after people to get the mark of the beast and if they refuse, they get their head cut off. This is all based on the Bible. 

Thankful that I was able to visit my 82-year-old aunt on Thursday at the rehab care facility neat me. She fell and broker her pelvis. My cousin is planning to take her in when they release her. I know how much work it is to be a caregiver. I helped take care of both my parents. Mom passed in 2010 and dad in 2013. I sure miss them! My aunt is my mom's baby sister.

Thankful for the groups I am in through church. Our pastor is doing a series on stress and worry. We discuss the questions in our small group. One key thing is to take it to God and try not control something we can't.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 

Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Thankful that the weather is getting warmer. Hubby and I got the pile of bags we had in the garage for giveaway. I have several boxes I have to go through and purge. 

Thankful for our daughter. She turned 35 on Tuesday and could not make the party on Tuesday so we took her out to lunch Thursday for Chinese food. 

Saturday 9: Only Love Can Hurt Like This (2014)

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

1) In this week's song, Paloma Faith sings that she thought she wouldn't care if her lover left but now she's begging him to stay. Can you think of something you were surprised you missed when it was gone or over?

We can miss material things, but we seem to find something else to fill in. One material thing I miss is my Roman soaking tub from my old house. Some things can't be replaced. I lost my parents back in 2010 and 2013. I miss them everyday. It is not the I am going to die feeling when I first lost them. It is more a realization of how much I miss them, and questions I have that I can't ask now that I am gone. 

2) Paloma obviously has a powerful, versatile voice. She's also a trained dancer. Tell us about two things you do well. I am gook at Bible journaling and I think I am a good Mema!

3) She was a judge on two British TV shows: The Voice and The Voice Kids. Do you watch competition shows (The Voice, American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, etc.)? If so, are you any good at picking the winners? 

Yes, I do love many shows like Dances with the Stars and American Idol. I chose correctly on the last 2 contestants. I was so sad to hear that the singer Mandsia passed away at the age of 47. She was a contestant on American Idol in 2006 and was also a Christian. I was able to hear her when AI went on tour near us. She came out and praised God when she came out on stage. I was also able to hear her at a Toby Mac Concert. I read her book Idol Eyes and may read it again when I am through with the Left Behind series.

One of my favorite songs on her True Beauty CD is God Speaking.

4) This week's song was written by Diane Warren. She's one of America's most successful song writers,

 having written more than thirty Top 10 hits. Think of your favorite song. Do you know who wrote it?

Shout to the Lord by Darlene Zschech. 

5) She's made a fortune writing love songs, mostly from her Hollywood Hills office. Diane spends up to 10 hours a day in a room she describes as "cluttered," and admits it's an unlikely setting to write about romance, yet it works for her. Describe a setting you consider romantic. 

Celebrating at the beach. We usually go for my birthday and sometimes our anniversary.

6) In 2014, when "Only Love Can Hurt Like This" was popular, Joan Rivers died. Best known as a comedienne, she was also a successful businesswoman, promoting her jewelry line on QVC. Do you ever watch shopping networks? No.

7) The Apple Watch was introduced in 2014. Are you wearing a watch as you answer these 9 questions?

Yes, I have Fitbit watch my son gave me for Christmas a couple of years ago. I use it to track my steps and sleep.

8) One of the best-selling books of 2014 was The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. It won awards for best YA (young adult) fiction. Is YA a genre you often read? No, but my granddaughter does.

9) Random question: What's something on your to-do list that you just can't get around to doing?

Decluttering! It is slow going, but I am more encouraged to get it done.

 

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

Happy Tuesday and Happy Birthday to my daughter and my grandson! We will be celebrating Elijah tonight and we are taking our daughter to lunch on Thursday. Today I had my Life group and last night was my class. This past Sunday my grands had their recital. My grandson sang Taking Back what the Enemy stole from Tauren Wells. He is used to performing on the drums, but singing was harder for him. He did great! My granddaughter who already sings and plays the piano, played the guitar and sang. She sang The Goodness of God.

1.   Food: ~ Do you buy brand names or go for the cheaper store name brand? 

Depend on what I am buying. I like the Lactose free milk from Aldi's better than Lactaid. I buy some things at Sprouts even though it is more money.

2.   Clothes: ~ Wear designer jeans/slacks with a brand name or regular department store jeans/slacks?

I rarely buy name brand and if do, I get it at a place like Marshall's.

3.   Handbags: ~ Buy a designer bag or look for a less expensive copy? 

Copy. Not going to spend the money for a an expensive purse when I can get it for cheaper. I also want to make sure it has the features I want.

4.   Shoes: ~ You get the drift, designer or a cheaper copy? 

I will try to find things on sale. As I get older, I have to really look to find what looks nice and is comfortable. I wear a size 6, and it is harder to find the smaller size and sometimes I do have to pay more.  I try to use what I have instead of buying new.I found some really cute, comfy flats at Walmart. 

1. What's a skill you think everyone should have? 

How to make good financial decisions.

2. Do you have a special place or organizational system for gift wrapping? Do you still buy 'real' cards to send for birthdays, anniversaries, get-well, etc?

I still buy cards and I go to the Dollar Tree. I buy gift bags for presents. We wrap for Christmas.

3. It's National Banana Day...are you a fan? What's your favorite thing to make with bananas or, if you're not a cook, your favorite thing to eat that contains banana? 

I do enjoy bananas. Lately I have been eating sliced bananas with peanut butter. 

4. Do you believe in second chances? Elaborate. 

Yes, for the most part I do. Thankfully, God gives us lots of second chances!

5. What is your idea of fun? 

Being with my family. Going on outings with my friends.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My days have been busy, and I am happy that I can live life the best I can. I have been spending less time on social media and doing more reading, mostly in the evening. I am on book 9 of the Left Behind series. 

Friday Fave Five & Saturday 9

Thanks to Susanne and Sam for the questions, links on the right.

1. Thankful to be able to see my granddaughter perform at her Color Guard competition. Her division had 10 schools and they won first place! We took her and her mom out to Olive Garden afterwards. She has practice 10 hours a week and even had practice during spring break. I had no idea they used multiple flags and the wooden rifle. I know she has lost a lot of weight since last summer. I thought they were more into marching styles. But there is gymnastics and ballet in it too! She does this and is several honors classes too. She also tutors grade school kids at the library. She does not like to take pictures.

2. Thankful for my being able to be in a few groups through my church. I took tuna salad to share . We take turns brining goodies. Many of the women is this group are also in my Bible journaling group.

3. Thankful for the beautiful weather this week. Sunny and in the high 70's.  Rain is coming in on the weekend, but that is okay, the rain makes everything green. The roses are looking really good and the plumerias are budding too. Lots of flowers on our Meyers lemon tree too! I also enjoy sitting out and watching the birds chirping away. Now of the mosquitoes would just stay away, that would be great!

4. Thankful that I could watch my grandson play on his Volleyball team.  He is really good too. I know I sound like the biased Mema, but I could hear the people around me say how good # 8 was.

5. Thankful for being able to read the Left Behind Series again and she how they used Bible prophesy to see what will happen in the future. I am on book 8 now and that doesn't count the 3 prequals I also read. I also have my two books I am reading for my classes. I am also thankful for being able to order my new glasses so I can see better! I am spending less time on the computer now that I am reading more.

6. Since it was National Pet Day on the 11th, I will say I am thankful for my dog!

Saturday 9: She'd Rather Be with Me (1967)

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

1) In this week's song we learn that this particular girl would rather be spending time with her lover. Instead of answering these 9 questions, what would you rather be doing? 

Enjoying a day at the beach.

2) Lead singer Howard Kaylan was a very good student. First he won a Bank of America Fine Arts Award, then he was the valedictorian of his graduating class, and was awarded a scholarship to UCLA. 

Tell us about something that distinguished your high school career. I was happy when I made the senior teams in competitive athletics. When I won the Betty Crocker Award for my school. When I made VP of Girls League and getting accepted to UC Irvine.

3) Howard Kaylan formed this week's group, The Turtles, with Mark Volman. They met while performing in their high school choir and continued working together for 55 years. Are you still in touch with old friends from high school?  

Yes I am. I also went to my 50-year class reunion last summer.

4) First Daughter Tricia Nixon was a big Turtles fan and brought them to the White House to perform for a private party. They almost didn't go. When the engraved invitation came, tied with ribbon, the boys thought it was an elaborate practical joke. Have you ever successfully pulled off a practical joke? 

No, I am not a joker.

5) The Turtles' bass player was Chip Douglas. He left the band in 1967 to produce The Monkees. It's Chip that Davy Jones refers to at the beginning of "Daydream Believer" ("What number is this Chip?" "7A!"). What's your favorite Monkees song?  I'm a Believer. I was in 7th grade in 1967.

 You can hear their album here.

6) The Turtles broke up in 1970. Pressure from their record label to do more and do it cheaper was just too much of a hassle. But Howard and Mark continued to work together, renaming themselves Flo and Eddie. They sang backup on records by Frank Zappa, Alice Cooper and Bruce Springsteen and on children's TV shows like The Care Bears. Backup work provided less money but more fun. Given the choice, would you rather do a job that paid well that you didn't enjoy, or a job you liked that earned you a smaller paycheck? My job for the Postal service was that job.

7) In 1967, when this song was popular, the RMS Queen Mary was retired after 31 years of service. Now docked in Long Beach, the ship has been refurbished with state-of-the-art wifi, satellite hookups, and projection screens and is a popular choice for conventions and annual business meetings. When were you most recently on a boat or ship?

I took a cruise in 2006 Alaska & 2008 New England. I have been on the Queen Mary for a Sunday brunch as it was great! We also spent the night on the Queen Mary in 1992. They had a Queen Tribute concert going on the night we were there. 

8) Also in 1967, Elvis married Priscilla. You don't need last names to know who we're talking about, do you? Can you think of another couple with whom the world is on a first-name basis? Sonny and Cher.

9) Random question: If your phone were to ring right now, who do you think would be calling?

 My granddaughter Audrina. There is a video of her singing in the previous post.

 

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge.

Let's talk about animals today!

1. What pets do you have or have you had? Do you have any now or if not, why not?

We have a mini long haired black and tan doxie- Dachshund. 7 year old Minnie is our 3rd doxie. We had Reina from 2000-2009. We had missy from 1977-1993. Minnie's mom Rey belongs to my son's family. They also have Coco.  When I was first married, we had fish and hamsters. We raised hamsters and sold them at a pet shop. We had Alfie and my sister had Pepper and they made lots of baby hamsters that did not get named.

2. How did you find names for your animal friends? What are their names?

Here is Rey Rei, Coco Bean and Minnie mouse/monster. All Disney names.

3. Any special or funny story concerning pets you would like to share?  It could be someone else's as well as your own. Reina would bark at the sprinklers and it made us all laugh.

4.   What benefit do you find having animals in your family? What are the cons of having them? 

Dogs have a way of bringing out our true love emotions. We love our pets like children. They have their own personalities. Our Minnie is the most clingy dog we have owned. I think because we worked with our first two and were retired when we got Minnie. The picture below is Reina.

Reina means queen is Spanish and she did rule the house! Pets can be expensive! I spent $7,000 on Reina and she still died. But what she gave us in love was worth it.

 The Bible says we are to care for our pets. I am working on that for my next Bible journaling meet up. Proverbs 12:10. The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel.

1. Do you complete your own tax returns or hire out? Something you've found taxing lately? 

We have had the same tax person for over 2 years. High gas prices!

2. It's spring (in the northern hemisphere anyway)...would you rather spend the day hiking in the great outdoors or planting a garden? Do you/will you have a garden this year? Flowers, vegetables, or a bit of both? I would rather go hiking, but I live in the city and would have to drive a distance to get to a place that to enjoy a real nice hike. I don't garden much. I do like to make a few succulent bowls to give as gift. I like to cut my roses when they bloom. I don't like trimming them, but I do.

3. Do you consider yourself a patient person? In what sort of situation is patience not desirable? Are you happy with the degree of patience you have in your daily life? If not, what can you do to cultivate more of this quality in your life? Just depends on the situation. There are times certain people try my patience. But I have to remember grace.

4. Do you like the flavor cinnamon? If so what's your favorite something made with cinnamon? Yes I do like cinnamon. Mexican hot chocolate!

5. Learn by watching or learn by doing? Elaborate.

Both. Before the days of computers and YouTube, I would see a craft I liked and would buy it. I studied it. Then I make it. Sometimes it was trial by error, and I think that is a good way to learn. Now you can go to YouTube and watch their step-by-step instructions, and even stop the video or rewind. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. I went to my Women's Life group meeting today and we discussed the topic of worry based on the sermon at church. My friends were telling me how much they enjoyed my granddaughter singing Good, Good Father. Do we go to the Father with our worry-concerns, or do we try to find a solution on our own? 

The video below is from my church service on April 7.th If you go to the 1.02 hour spot, you can hear the song Good, Good Father, sung by my granddaughter. She started out by playing the keyboard. The girl on her right is her music and piano teacher. I thank God for giving her a talent and serving at a young age. She is 13, the youngest on the praise team. I played piano for years but had performance anxiety. She practices on my piano that my grandparents gave me when I was 8.

Previous page has San Diego pictures.

Friday Fave Five & Saturday 9

1. Thankful for a wonderful Easter. In Spite of the rain, all went well. Church was packed! So thankful for a special day to remember what Jesus did for us.

2. Thankful that my whole family was together! The kids enjoyed the indoor egg hunt since it was raining. There was lots of good food too! For the first time we had an Italian menu. Spaghetti with meat sauce, fettucine with Alfredo sauce, pesto sauce and gluten free noodles. We also had salad, zucchini with parmesan cheese and garlic bread. We had shrimp scampi and grilled chicken strips in a light sauce.

3. Thankful for mini vacation in San Diego CA which is about 90 minutes from us. The weather was sunny all week. 

4. Thankful for the comfortable room we had at the Marriott Pulse in Downtown San Diego. We ate Mexican Food at El Coyote In Old Town SD. We ate at the Cheesecake Factory at Seaport Village. We had pizza while on Coronado and some great ice cream too! The breakfast at the hotel was good too!

5. Thankful that my son and his family include us!

Saturday 9: Diamond Girl (1973)

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

1) This week's song is by Seals and Crofts, a pair of Texas boys who met when they both joined a local band called The Crew Cats. Have you ever visited The Lone Star State? If yes, where did you go?

Yes, I was there twice in 2022 and once in 2023. In 2022 my friends and I flew into Austin to visit our friend who lives in Georgetown, about 40 minutes from Austin. We also visited the Alamo and Riverwalk in San Antonio and the Magnolia Silos in Waco. I went back a few months later. Flew into Austin, stayed in Balthrop, went to a craft camp in. Then I flew out from Houston, changed planes in Denver and headed back home with Covid!

2) Lead singer Jim Seals compliments his girl by comparing her to a precious stone. What's the nicest compliment you have ever received? Who was it from? 

My dad telling me I was his beautiful little girl, and loving daughter. This was right before he passed away.

3) Diamonds are birthstone for people born in April. What's your birthstone? Do you wear it often?

My birthstone is a peridot, and no, I don't wear it.

4) In ancient times, Hindus believed diamonds brought good luck. Do you have a good luck charm? No.

5) On the other hand, some believe that one of the world's most famous gems, The Hope Diamond, is cursed. 14 of its owners have died from unnatural causes. Those who possessed the diamond committed suicide, were murdered, tortured to death in prison, and even torn apart by dogs! If you received a beautiful piece of jewelry that was rumored to be cursed, would you be concerned? Or do you think curses are silly? I think curses are silly. If I got a diamond that big, I would sell it!

6) Rare diamonds share an element with the common pencil. Both contain graphite. Sam is crazy about pencils, pens and felt-tip markers. Do you enjoy shopping for office supplies? 

Yes, I am Bible journaler, crafter, so I do like office supplies.

7) In 1973, the year this record was popular, Shelley Hack was a hard-working and well-paid model. She regularly appeared on the pages of catalogs, on magazine covers and then launched Revlon's popular Charlie cologne in print and on TV. What commercial have you seen recently? Did you watch it on TV, online or on your phone?

8) Also in 1973, Motown great Stevie Wonder was in a car accident that left him with a scar on his nose. Tell us about how you got one of your scars. 2 Cesarean's. A scar on my hand from when my dog bit me as a puppy. An arrow shape scar on my wrist from when my arm hit the corner of a table.

9) Random question: What's your perfect day -- weatherwise? 

We had perfect weather day while we were at Coronado in San Diego. It was about 72 with a slight breeze, Clear blue skies too! It rained and hailed while I wrote this on Friday. Warm weather coming next week.