Friday Fave Five & Saturday 9

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

1. Thankful for nice weekend. Hubby and I met my son and grand at the Farmers Market and got some fruit and veggies. The cherries were great. I got some zucchini and tomatoes and cooked them later with onion and then added some mozzarella before I served it. Granddaughter sang at church and that always makes us happy. Hubby and I spent Sunday and Monday catching up with tv programs. We enjoyed the National Memorial Day concert.

2. My Bible journaling group met on Tuesday and it went very well. This is a collage I put together.

Here is one of the pages I did to honor my mom and grandmas.

3. Thankful for Dr. appointment on Wednesday. The doctor listened to all of my concerns and ordered a lot of blood test and an x-ray of my lower spine. Thankful for good insurance! Thankful that the clinic is only 7 minutes away.

4. Thankful for our Retired married group. We had a BBQ to end our session. We won't have a study again until August. We are planning a dinner at the beach and bay cruise in July.

5. Thankful that the grands all did well this school year. Thankful that most of my blood test came out well. I am still borderline diabetic. I am eating less unhealthy carbs and eating more veggies and high protein grains and legumes. I might have to give up milk because of the high sugar content. I am hoping the back x-ray come out okay. The doctor is trying to figure out why I am having numbing feeling in my legs, but mostly when I am in bed. I can go back to the gym, but not overdo it.

Saturday 9: 5-10-15-20 (1970)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here. I remember this song!

1) In this week's song, The Presidents sing about a long married, very happy couple. Who is the longest married couple you know? Who is the happiest? Are they the same couple?

My friend's parents just celebrated 70 years. I believe they are happy. We will be married 50 years this summer. My parents made it to 57 when my mom passed of Alzheimer's. We saw how mom depended on dad. She lost the ability to talk. One day she took his hand and bend over to kiss it. and put it on her face. Dad would dance slowly with her and play their old love songs. It made her so happy. Marriage has its ups and downs and takes work.

2) The lyrics ask repeatedly: "Aren't we happy?" Are you feeling happy today? Why or why not?

As of this writing on Thursday night, I am. Even when I feel down, I don't stay down long.

3) This happy couple enjoys watching children at play. Is there a park, playground or schoolyard near you? Yes, there is a school just down the street. I can hear the kids playing at recess. It reminds me of my childhood days.

4) This song reminds Crazy Sam of when she used to recite the multiplication tables. 

Think back to your school days. Was math one of your favorite subjects? Not at all! It kept me from going into the medical field. 

5) The Presidents seems like a good name for a band formed in Washington DC. What would be an appropriate name for a band from your hometown? My city is called Corona. It is also known as the Circle City. One street goes in a 3 mile diameter. and they used to have races back in 1914 and 1916. Circle City Band sounds nice to me!

6) DC trivia: The street names are letters, but J was skipped. That's because in the 1700s, the way many wrote their alphabet, "J" looked like "I" and so "J" was passed over to avoid confusion. 

Tell us something we may not know about your hometown (or state). Monster energy drinks are made here.

7) In 1970, when this song was on the Billboard chart, The Mary Tyler Moore Show premiered on CBS. The theme song said Mary could "turn the world on with her smile," yet in real life, MTM was self-conscious about her "wide mouth." Are you comfortable looking at photos of yourself? 

Yes, I am who God made me to be with the help of my parents.

8) Also in 1970, Dinah Shore became one of the first women to host her own national daytime talk show. Today, Kelly Clarkson, Drew Barrymore, Tamron Hall, Jennifer Hudson and Kelly Ripa all have their own shows, and The Talk and The View are both hosted by women. Who is your favorite talk show host? I would say Tamron Hall.

9) Random question -- Would you rather have a job that has you on your feet all day, or one that has you parked in a chair? I liked when I was on my feet throwing mail and moving around until I got hurt. Then I got a desk job. I liked what I learned, but the job was more stressful with more responsibilities. If I had to do it again, I would have got help in math and continue in the medical field. But at least I was home with my kids when they were little.

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

Missing my mom today. She passed 14 years ago today.

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

 Taco Tuesday was coined by a Taco John's owner back in 1980 when he needed to jack up sales for Tuesday the slowest day of the week.   His franchise began offering 2 tacos for 99¢.  It was a huge hit and Taco Tuesday became a big hit in America.  But it's original name was Taco Twos Day.

1. Do you take part in this nationwide ritual and have tacos on Tuesday or do you like them any old time? Whenever we want some, depends on the kind of tacos too. Hard shelled tacos or soft shelled.

I grew up eating homemade hard shelled.  

2. This particular Taco John's was in Wyoming.  Does your state have a favorite fast food place and do you like eating there? 

I am in So CA and there are taco places everywhere. The popular place is called Miguels. They make semi crunchy tacos with shredded beef or chicken. I think they sell more beans.

3. Taco Tuesday was trademarked in 1989 in 49 states except New Jersey where the Gregory Hotel owns that trademark.  Taco Bell wants to sue over the use of the term.  What do you think about that? 

Taco bell should stay out of it. Their tacos are awful.

4. How do you like your tacos? Soft or hard shell? Hot, medium or mild salsa? Cheese? Sour cream?

My favorite tacos are my mom's recipe made with ground beef and potato. We add the meat mixture to a warmed corn tortilla and place it in hot oil until it is crisp. We drain it on paper towels. Then we add shredded cheese, lettuce and tomato. We also make soft tacos, usually with chicken. My husband makes a good salsa. But for everyday use we used Bulls hot sauce that has vinegar in it along with the peppers.

The top two are tacos.

 The bottom one is a tostada with homemade beans.

These are two soft tacos we got last summer in San Clemente CA

Two types of beef used. My husband ordered these.

He likes onions and cilantro in his. I don't.

1. Growing up, at what age did you think you'd become an adult? 

18 At what age did you actually become an adult? I started college at 18 and got married 2 days before I was 19, so I thought I was an adult back then. Hubby and I were both responsible being firstborns. We bought out first home at age 23 & 24. First child at age 26.

2.  What's a favorite item you've bought this year?

I got a bracelet for my granddaughter I liked, and it inspired me to make some beaded bracelets again. Most of the things I have bought are craft related and I got them on Amazon.

3. May 28th is National Hamburger Day...are you a fan? If so, how do you like yours? When was the last time you had a hamburger? Besides the backyard grill, what's your favorite place to go for a burger?

In and Out Burgers.  They peel the potatoes right there, so they taste really good! They are Christian owned too and put verses on the cups and containers.

4.  How have your priorities changed over time? Yes,

5. What's one thing
on your June calendar you're really looking forward to? 

A beach day next week.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I have been having some health issues and I see the doctor tomorrow. I know I need some blood test. Prayers appreciated. Thank you!

Friday Fave Five & Saturday 9

Thanks to Susanne and Sam for the memes. Links on the left side.

It is late Friday afternoon and I finally can post after a busy morning. 

1. Thankful to be able to see our third grandchild promote to high school! She started Bright Beginning's Academy since she was 3. She and her classmates all started Kindergarten together. They have had the same teacher the whole time that has moved up with her students. They had a beautiful. intimate ceremony they had which included a lovely lunch. 

2. Thankful to all the staff that has made this school such a great learning experience in a small setting.

3. Thankful that my Lifegroup could go out to lunch to celebrate May birthdays.

4. Thankful for the time I can study my Bible as I prepare for my Bible journaling.

5. Thankful for a 3 day weekend so my working kids can rest and we can remember those who served

our country.

Saturday 9: God Bless America

Unfamiliar with Deanna Durbin's rendition of week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Memorial Day was introduced after the Civil War. Originally called Decoration Day, this is when memorials, as well as the graves of veterans, are to be decorated with flags and flowers on this day to show our appreciation. Is there a war memorial in your neighborhood? 

Riverside, the large city next to us has the Riverside National Cemetery.

2) Andrew Johnson, our 17th President, was in office the first time Memorial/Decoration Day was celebrated. Have you ever met one of our Presidents? My husband met President George Bush back in the 1980's at a Menudo contest hosted by the city of Santa Ana. home of the country seat for Orange Country, CA. 

3) According to the AAA, more than 30 million Americans will hit the road this weekend and drive more than 50 miles. Will you be traveling far from home this weekend? No plans for this weekend other than church and maybe a BBQ at my son's house.

4) Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food? Corn on the cob.

5) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or fan on? 

No, it was in the high 60's today but going up to the low 80's starting on Monday.

6) Though she's belting out one of America's best loved patriotic songs, Deanna Durbin was born in Canada. Is there anyone in your family or circle of friends who wasn't born in the USA? 

All my close friends were born here in the USA. 3 of my grandparents came here legally in the early 1900's and became US citizens. My mom's mom was born here.

7) No longer a household name, Ms. Durbin was once one of the biggest stars in the country. One of her most popular films was 1937's One Hundred Men and a Girl, which was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. Recommend a movie that you really like, but don't think many Saturday 9ers have seen. 

All the Star Wars movies. Call the Midwife on Netflix.

8) Back in 1938, Deanna Durbin had her handprints cemented in front of the TCL Chinese Theater on Hollywood Blvd. Have you ever visited that Los Angeles tourist attraction? 

Yes, I have, a couple of times. Los Angeles is about an hour from me.

There are handprints on the stones, but you can't see them.

9) Random question: What food did you hate as a child, but enjoy now? 

Lots of veggies, but I love most of them now except lima beans and okra. I eat a lot of broccoli and zucchini.

Tuesday 4 and Wedneday Hodgepodge

Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

Books are such a big part of many people's lives. Maybe we should talk about that.

1. Do you have some books in your home? If so what subjects are they? Which is your favorite?

I used to have 3 bookcases filled with books at my last two homes. When we moved to our current home, I had to downsize my books. My nephew took a lot of my classics for his library. I donated some to my church library. I kept my favorites. Those are the one in the bookcase below. Those are my different study bibles, faith journals and Bible journaling Bibles. I have a smaller bookcase that has gift bibles and various books from classes I have taken. I need to let go some of these books next.

2. Do you enjoy browsing around bookstores?  Do you have a favorite you like to go to? I do like bookstores and there is a used bookstore in my city I go to. Our library has a large used bookstore that I like to visit. If I am on vacation and there is time, I like to find a bookstore. When I went to Oregon last year, we visited a city that in bookstores? had a wondaful used bookstore that had a lot of faith books, Bibles and some classics. I do like to collect bookmarks from places I visit. 

3. Do you think real books are clutter or do you just love having them around you? 

I try to keep my books organized. I don't see them as clutter, just one of my favorite collections.

4. What is the oldest book you've read and what is the newest book you've read or are reading. 

I have a book that my Sunday School teacher gave me about 60 years ago. I have read is my mom's copy of Gone with the Wind from the 60's. I have read it 7 times over the years. I also have a Bible that belonged to my grandma that my mom gave her. I also have a Bible from both of my grandmother's. I have several Bibles in different versions. I like to read the study notes with the extra large print. The last newest books I have are a set from Call The Midwife. I have 2 sets of series book in my collection. One of the Left Behind series. I am on book 12 now. I also have a set called AD Chronicles that I want to read again. Oh, I just remembered that I still have my Trixie Belden books and those are from the 60's.

1. What are you currently juggling in your life? 

I don't feel like juggling anything, but my plate is full right now with my classes and groups. We also had all 4 grands over on Friday and two through Sunday. Grand dogs too!  Most of the groups I am in are breaking for June and July. One ends. I won't be making a kit for my Bible journaling group for July, but we might still get together.

2. How often do you buy new clothes? What was the last piece of clothing you purchased? 

I don't buy clothes to often. I went shopping for both Easter and Mother's Day and the women's tea, but I end up using what I already had. The last thing I got was probably a t-shirt from Love and Faith. I wore one today when I went to lunch with my friends after our study.

3. What food festival would you most like to attend? If you need help here are links to some of the bigger and more popular food events around the world This is a loaded question! 

We used to go to the International Street Fair in Old Town Orange CA. There are several blocks that set up booths from many countries and it happens on Labor Day weekend. We haven't gone in years because it was so crowded!

I chose one main place for each of the links listed.

-Ten Food Festivals Worth Traveling To Find    I chose the Big Apple BBQ. We are going to Hawaii in April of 2024 and we will have to try something new. I do like Helena's authentic Hawaiin Food.

-The US2024 Best Food And Drink Festivals And Events In The US   I would like to try the Original Lobster Festival in Huntington Beach (Orange County CA) this September.

-20 Popular Food Festivals Around The World In 2024 For Your Unconditional Love Of Food

My husband and I like to try new places when travel. I prefer a sit-down dinner at a nice location.

We have been to the Garlic Festival in Gilroy CA. I would like to go to the Maine Lobster Festival.

I did have a great lobster roll in Kennebunkport Maine in 2008.

4. May is the 5th month of the year. Tell us something you remember about your 5th grade year. 

We had two classes. For half the day we were in the resource room. We had a tub that we pulled out of a shelf unit and the container fit into our desk. Music, science, history, art and conversational Spanish were taught in the am by two teachers. After lunch we went to smaller class for English and Math. The 6th graders went to the larger class. The room was also a cafeteria. They planned it all really well. All 5th graders had to do a state report and mine was on Nevada.

I did not like English and Math, though I did like reading. I liked all the other subjects in the big class. The biggest thing I remember during this time was my parents driving me to the new university that was being built in Irvine and they said they wanted me to go there. I graduated from UCI in 1977.

5. What are your favorite five words right now? Trust, Faith, God, Family, Friends

6. Insert your own random thought here. Last Saturday(May 18) my daughter and granddaughters and I attended a garden themed tea at our church. It was so nice! The food was great, the music and speaker were too! It meant a lot to me to have my girls there with me. I helped to put on many spring and Christmas teas over the years while I was on the board from 1995-2006. I have also hosted teas for a charity event called Crystal Roses. It was really nice to go to an event and just enjoy it. I know how much work it takes to put on an event like this one.

Friday Fave Five and Saturday 9

Thanks to Susanne and Sam for the questions. Links are on the left.

1. Thankful that my grands were a part of the worship/recital program last Saturday.

2. Thankful for the wonderful Mother's Day celebration with my kids!

3.Thankful for Books I am reading. Left Behind. I am on book 12 now, Kingdom Come.

 Also Untangle Your Emotions and Battlefield of the Mind.

4. Thankful for all the groups I am in this season. It has been busy, 

but socialization is important for our emotional and physical well-being.

Also that my husband was willing to join the retired marriage Lifegroup.

5. Thankful to be a part of our grandkids life. 

Took Eddie to youth group to met some friends at school.

Took Jazzy to the bookstore, dinner and her ballet class.

Younger grands coming for the weekend.

Women's Tea with my grand girls on Saturday!

. Thankful the friends that visit my blog!

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

1) In this week's song, Doris Day tries to convince her lover to share a kiss in the Tunnel of Love. What's your favorite amusement park ride? Disneyland is my favorite place and I like Star Tours in Tomorrowland and the new rides in Star Wars Land.

2) In the 1950s, when Doris recorded this song, Tunnel of Love rides were popular in the US. Couples would climb into small boats that only seat two and float through a dark tunnel, accompanied by romantic music. Today less than 100 of these rides still exist. Have you ever taken a ride through the Tunnel of Love? No. There is a boat ride in Las Vegas at the Venetian and it is like riding at the Venice Canals. It does go under some bridges.

3) This week's featured artist, Doris Day, made approximately 40 films and a TV series. She said one of her favorite things about being an actress was the clothes. She loved collaborating with the experts who created her wardrobe. Her contemporary, Betty Grable, found all the fittings boring and just let the wardrobe department do their job without offering much input. Imagine you are a performer: Would you be more like Doris or Betty? I think a bit of both. The wardrobe could help me get dressed, but I would like to add the accessories. 

4) There was persistent rumor that, after Doris appeared on Bob Hope's radio show, the two had an affair. She always denied it. Have you ever been the subject of workplace gossip? When I was in my early twenties, a co worker told me that my friendliness could be taken in the wrong way by some men. I think I was just trying to fit in since most of the crew were men. I am thankful for his advice.

5) Doris never liked to fly and her fear increased as she got older. After she retired, she refused to fly at all. This caused her to decline lifetime achievement awards and other events in her honor. Have you more recently extended, accepted or declined an invitation? I am a social person, so I like to get involved. I am an extrovert and my husband is an introvert. I was shocked that he agreed to join the retired couples group at church, but he did. I invited my grands and my daughter to the Women's tea at my church for Saturday.

6) After show biz, Doris devoted herself animal welfare. She used to say that we should be more sensitive to the loneliness and sadness people feel when they lose a pet. Think of a time when you were grieving. What words or gestures helped you get through the difficult time? Having a few close friends to talk to was nice. My daughter really took over the house knowing how depressed after my dad died. That meant a lot to me. I end up seeing a Grief counselor which really helped too. She said I never really grieved my mom because I was busy with my dad. I miss his hugs.

7) In 1958, when this song was on the Billboard chart, "The Purple People Eater" was also popular. It's a silly song about a creature from another planet. Have you ever seen a UFO (unidentified flying object)?No, but I do remember this song. We do see the spaceships streak by in the sky from Vandenburg AFB.

8) Also in 1958, Americans were watching 77 Sunset Strip. The show revolved around the LA-based private investigators whose office was at that address. Who is your favorite TV PI? Magnum P.I.

Sad that they are taking it off the air and NCIS Hawaii too. 

9) Random question -- In the 1950s, stewardesses used to famously ask passengers, "Coffee, tea, or milk?" If asked that right now, which of these three beverages would you prefer? I still drink a glass of milk in the evening, so I guess it would depend on the time of the flight time.