Friday Faves 5 & Saturday 9, Cruise update

1. Thankful for the rain we got this past weekend. Praying we get more rain this winter.

2. Thankful for starting physical therapy for my thumb and continuing PT for my shoulder. 

3. Thankful to be working on my next Bible journaling lesson on seeking the Lord.

4. Thankful for hot, healthy soups to enjoy during our cold weather.

5. Thankful for the many pictures we took on our vacation so that I can share them here so you can have an idea if you want to take a cruise. I would love to take another cruise and we plan to start saving now. We spent a lot for this cruise because it was for our 50th anniversary. We won't spend as much next time, but don't regret doing it this time. We had a great time!

Saturday 9: Rikki, Don't Lose that Number (1974)

   

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

 

1) In this song, a man asks a girl to spend more time with him and suggests they go out for a ride together. Do you ever take a leisurely drive, just for relaxation and pleasure? Or do you always have a destination in mind when you get behind the wheel? I always have destination in mind.

 

2) He repeatedly suggests that she could have a change of heart. What's something you've changed your mind about recently? Nothing recent. Don't let fear define you.

3) This week's featured artists are the duo Steely Dan. They earned the reputation as perfectionists, requiring take after take in the studio until they got their sound just right. Do you consider yourself a perfectionist? Or do you more often find that "good enough is good enough?" I am a recovering perfectionist. I have improved in several areas. I remember when I first started Bible journaling. I had my journaling Bible for a month before I did anything with it. I was afraid of making a mistake. But, Shanna Noel, the founder of Illustrated Faith said that we make the rules on how  we want to connect with God in our journaling Bible. It is not perfection, but the process of connecting to the Word of God in the way were created to do. Bible journaling let me connect to God in a deeper way through a creative way. I still study out of several study bibles and reading through the year using the Bible Recap program. There is a link on the top menu about illustrating my faith.

 

4) The Rikki of the title is a writer/poet who met Steely Dan's Donald Fagan when they were both students at Bard College. He had a crush on her and gave her his number, which she refused to call because she was married. She went on to teach in the English Department at the University of Denver, where her students would probably be surprised to learn she was the inspiration for a famous song. Is there something we would be surprised to learn about you?

I have shared a lot of things in my 22 years of blogging. I know I have shared that I wanted to go into the medical field but didn't because I was not good at math and the fear of failing. I went through infertility and lost 3 babies. God blessed me with 3 children and 4 grandchildren.

Going through infertility allowed me to really appreciate the privileged of being a mom. I knew all the stages of fetal development that I learned in college and other classes. But something really hit me hard when a friend's mom called for me to come and help because her daughter was sick and in the bathroom. By the time I got there she was having her baby at 18 weeks. She brought the phone, and I spoke to a nurse, and I explained what was happening. She asked if I was a nurse, and I told her no but had some medical knowledge. I credit God for getting me through what I had to do. I got to hold an 18 week, perfectly formed little girl in my hands for a few seconds and was in awe of her perfection. She was not alive. I had to separate my feelings and tend to her mom who was not doing well and very hot to the touch. We got them to the hospital, and I told the nurse she was burning up. I had asked the mom to put ice in a towel and put it around her neck as we left to the hospital which was a short drive away. The nurse kind of acted like it wasn't much, but then her temperature was taken and was 106! Things really moved at that point, and I had to leave the room. To make a long story short, my friend end up in the hospital for a week with an infection. That infection caused her to lose her baby. She was able to have twins a few years later. I will never forget that day.

5) Another woman who played a role in Steely Dan's success is Barbra Streisand. She recorded one of their early songs, "I Mean to Shine," for her 1971 album, Barbra Joan Streisand. It was her thirteenth album and though 13 is often considered unlucky, it reached #11 on the Billboard charts and was certified as a gold record. Do you have a lucky number? No, I don't.

 

6) In 1974, when this song was a hit, The Magic 8 Ball was still a top-seller at toy stores. It retailed for just $1.99, and promised that all you had to do was gaze at it, concentrate, and wait to learn your fate ... "if you dare!" If you could get an answer to one question about the future, what would you ask? 

I don't believe in magic. When does the Rapture happen?

7) Also in 1974, Good Times premiered and the character JJ (played by Jimmy Walker) became a sensation with the catchphrase "Dy-no-mite!" What's another phrase that is forever connected to a TV character? Yaba Daba do!, Fred Flintstone. 

8) 1974 was the year Barry Manilow became a household name with his first major hit, "Mandy." Do you have a favorite Barry Manilow song? I liked Mandy because our doxie was called Mandy. There are several songs of his that I like. I Can't Live without You, Copacabana, Looks like we made it, and I Write the Songs. You can find the songs here.

9) Random question: Imagine a beautiful little church on a hillside. Quiet, with stained glass and lovely pews. Well-maintained grounds with plenty of parking nearby. Seats 150. Perfect for a wedding ... or a funeral, because it's located in a cemetery. Would you consider getting married at a cemetery? 

There is a cute chapel at Fairhaven Cemetary where my parents, grandparents and great grandparents are buried. There have been weddings there and I am okay with that. I might have my celebration service there if that is what my kids want that. Our funeral arrangements are all paid for. If they want to have it at out church that is okay too. I will be at the wedding supper of the Lamb in heaven and at total peace!

Day 2 of the cruise is posted, linked above.

 

Thanks to Susanne and Sam for the memes.

Friday's Fave 5 & Saturday 9

Thankful to get a lot of things done this week.

So thankful to remain healthy!

 I know there are lot of things making people sick right now.

So thankful for physical therapy. I start PT on my thumb next Monday.

This week it was time for my shoulder.

Waiting to hear if my insurance will allow

 more time with my lower back.

Clothes for giveaway ready to go & Christmas is all packed up.

Thankful to be caught up with my Bible reading.

I am using the Bible Recap method.

This will be the 5th time reading through the whole Bible.

Pictures uploaded to Walgreens at 50% off!

Not to work on my cruise pictures here.

Day 1 is listed on the top, under the heather under topics.

Saturday 9: A Summer Song (1964)

   

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

 

1) Are you enjoying winter? Yes I am enjoying it. Or do you daydream about summer? Not ready for summer yet. We need some rain. I sleep better in the winter.

 

2) In this week's song, trees sway in the breeze. Is it windy where you are today? Yes, we have had several windy days this week. Not good because it makes it easier for fires to start. 

3) There's rain outside their window. Have you more recently seen rain or snow? No and we need it!

4) This week's artists are the duo Chad and Jeremy. As a teen, Chad Stuart was very versatile in the arts. While he enjoyed drawing, he showed real promise in music and won a scholarship to London's Central School of Speech and Drama. When you were a teenager, what were your best classes? Anatomy and Physiology, Psychological literature. Psychology, Sociology, Home Economics and Competitive sports.

5) Between 1965 and 1966, Chad and Jeremy played British pop stars on a variety of American TV shows, including The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Patty Duke Show, and Batman. Which of those series do you remember? Dick Van Dyke and The Patty Duke Show. I wasn't into Batman.

 

6) While those TV appearances were good for the duo's record sales, they sowed the seeds of dissent between the friends. Jeremy Clyde realized he enjoyed acting far more than music and began threatening to leave the act. Chad finally got tired of dissuading him. Between Jeremy's dramatic aspirations and contract disputes, they broke up. Later they both admitted they regretted the split, but as Chad said, "we were just kids." Is there an old friend you've drifted away from but miss? Yes, a few.

7) In 1964, when "A Summer Song" was popular, the #1 movie in the country was Mary Poppins. Have you seen it? I saw Mary Poppins with my family when it came out in 1064. We also got an album to pay on our record player.

8) One of the biggest news stories of 1964 was Elizabeth Taylor's wedding to Richard Burton. The bride wore yellow, with yellow and white flowers in her hair. The groom wore a dark suit, red tie and yellow boutonniere. What did you wear last time you got dressed up? On the cruise ship. There were two formal nights. I shared the first formal night picture a few post ago. The dress I am wearing is the same dress I wore on our actual anniversary on August 10, 2024.

The dress I wore the first formal night is the same dress I wore

on my first cruise back in 2003! I was happy to wear it again.

This is how the camera guy told me to pose.

I should have done a more upbeat pose.

9) Random question: When you're in the backseat, do you wear a seatbelt? 

Yes! Speaking of cars, my daughter bought a car for our grandson. 

She got a great deal and not he just needs to get his license.

 

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

January Updates

I have been busy very busy since returning from my cruise.

1. Unpacking cruise things.

2. Packing up Christmas.

3. Physical Therapy

4. Grocery shopping

5. Working on my pictures from the cruise. (page 1 is done, linked at the top.)

There are so many pictures to go through. We took a lot with the Princess photographers and our package included all the free downloads of the pictures. Then there is a lot that we took, mostly from my husband's phone and some from mine. I want to put them in a scrapbook and in my travel journal. Walgreens is having a 50% sale on all photo things that ends on Thursday, so I need to work on uploading which is a slow process.

I am also getting things together for my next Bible journaling meet up in February. So, I won't be posting much until Friday. 

Here I am in my dad's recliner, wearing  my mom's robe, 

holding a mug that has the grandkids that I got for Christmas.

Stay warm!

 

Friday Favs 5, Cruise, Sat9

It's a sunny cold morning today for So CA. We got down to 39 degrees in the early morning. Our younger grands are here for a while and the older grands left last night. We will all meet to celebrate our son's birthday on Saturday. Our other son joined us on Wednesday for birthday celebration. I am thankful for:

My family, they mean everything to me. Thanking God for another New Year too!

Your prayers for California. Praying those that need help will get it.

My visit to the orthopedic, my splint is off and not I will start PT to get range of motion back.

Good health, on board with 4000 guests plus staff and we stayed healthy!

Time to put away my Christmas decorations. Just have to pack up the Disney ornaments.

I made my first page for the cruise, and it is listed above under the title header. Cruise 2025 Day1

Saturday 9: Careless Whisper (1985)

   

 

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

  

1) In this week's song, George Michael sings that, when it comes to relationships, "there's no comfort in the truth." Have you ever learned something about a friend, lover or relative that you wish you didn't know? Yes

2) Though this was the top song of 1985, George wrote it years before, when he was still working as a dj at a restaurant outside London. He recalled the moment the sax solo popped into his head. It was while he was on the bus on his way to work. If you go to work, how do you get there (car, bus, train, etc.)? 

If you don't work outside the home, tell us about a trip you make regularly. 

We go to church almost every Sunday.

 

3) The video for this song was very expensive. It was filmed on location all around Miami, including the luxury Grove Towers Condominiums, but then much of it had to be reshot because George didn't like his hair. Are you having a good hair day today? Yes, I cut it before I left and it is easier to care for.

4) 1985 was a big year for George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. As Wham! they had three songs 

on the charts and became the first Western pop music act to tour China. Have you ever visited China? Would you like to go?No and no. If I could travel, I would go to Spain, Italy and Israel.

 

5) When he wasn't working, George was a creature of habit. For example, he never tired of Cocoa Puffs

 for breakfast and roast chicken for Sunday dinner. Is there a menu item you find yourself eating again and again? I eat eggs every morning. I like to snack on nachos, and I like peanut butter with apples for an evening snack.

6) George enjoyed living quietly in Highgate, North London. It wasn't until after his death that his neighbors learned he was the "anonymous resident" who had been funding Highgate's Fair in the Square for years. Held in June each year, The Fair is known for its dog show, arts and crafts booths, music and food. Tell us about one of your community's annual events. 4th of July parade and firework show.

Community Christmas tree lighting with music, food and activities for the family.

 

7) According to Car and Driver, when "Careless Whisper" was popular, so was the Chevy Cavalier, a compact car.  Nearly 40 years later, the vehicle landscape is very different. There are fewer compacts sold and last year, the most popular Chevy was the Silverado, a light duty truck. Do you drive a car, a truck, or an SUV? We have a Kia Sorrento SUV. We got the extended version to hold our Grandkids.

8) Also in 1985, Bill Shoemaker's earnings reached $100 million, making him the world's most successful jockey. Do you follow horse racing? No

9) Random question -- In which race would you do better: the Iditarod, with sled dogs in Nome, 

or speeding in a race car at the Indy 500? The race car. But it would be nice to see the sled dogs.

 

Tuesday 4, Wed. Hodgepodge & Fires.

As I sat down to do the Tuesday 4 questions, my mind went from winter nights to deadly fires. I have lived in So California all my life and have experienced earthquakes and high winds. I have been on an evacuation call from the fire department because of the dry brush on the hills that surround our city and many cities in California. People forget that California is pretty dry We have not received much rain this fall and winter.  Every year the Santa Ana winds come. I remember that from my childhood in the 60's. When it gets really dry, our city like many cities in California will go to water conservation mode. We have to get our water brought in from the rivers and reservoirs in and out of state. We actually moved from our home in the hills to the city because of the fire risk and higher taxes.

Fire stations are prepared to handle fires that are on a much smaller level than what happened during the firestorm caused by the hurricane force winds. I am sad to hear some of the political meanness of those trying to blame California for what has happened. When I hear of the hurricanes and floods in other states, I pray they get the help they need. I see our church send money to those that need help. We pray over those states, not blaming a state over something that was caused by nature. I am thankful for the help we are getting from some states, Canada and Mexico and other countries. So please pray for California and I know more people care because they understand humanity and have empathy. More wind is in its way.

1. Do you find yourself a bit more lazy or tired as the nights get longer or does it not seem to do much to you? In general, how are you doing this winter? I like to keep busy in all seasons. We don't get a really cold winter. Today it was 66 and sunny. I was able to wo to my life group and it was good!

2. Do you appreciate the extra hours of dark that allow for more sleep, more leisure, less travel and hurry or not? I do not like the early night hours. I like the summer lights more, but not the hot heat we get in the summer. I tend to go to bed the same time year round.

3. I know I love a hot drink on a chilly evening and the quiet of the streets outside as people stay inside more on cold nights.  I feel more relaxed in the winter.  How about you? I live in the city and though we have mild winters compared to other cities, I tend to stay in where it is warm. I do drink more warm drinks in the winter. I am enjoying a decaf green tea with honey as I write this.

4. Do you ever gaze out of your window like Miss Kitty in the picture just watching the world go by? How do you find yourself relaxing on a chilly evening? I do like to look out my bedroom window as I sit at my desk. I have to keep myself busy, so starring would not last too long. We watch tv, and use blankets to stay warm. During the windy season, we can't wood fireplaces. 

1.  It's been said January is 'the month of opportunity, inspiration, and change." Which of the three do you need most right now? Elaborate. I would say inspiration. Specifically spiritual inspiration. I have joined people from church that are reading through the Bible chronologically using the Bible Recap program. 

2. Do you consider opportunity as something that comes to you or something you create for yourself? I think you have to look for it for the most part. Opportunities are out there. It is just a matter to pursue what you really want to do.

3. The British Museum opened on this date (January 15th) back in 1759. Do you like visiting museums? Do you have a favorite? I do like them but have not had a lot of time to see them. I enjoyed the Ronald Regan Museum. I also like the Museum of Natural History in Los Angeles, the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena and the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angles were we go to meet a survivor of the Holocaust I have also been to several Museums in San Diego.

4. It's National Oatmeal Month (yes, apparently it gets a whole month as opposed to a single day). Do you like oatmeal? How often do you eat a bowl of oatmeal? How do you like yours? What about an oatmeal cookie? Is that a sweet treat you enjoy? Yes, I do like oatmeal. I had a really good oatmeal cookie while I was on a cruise. I do like to eat oatmeal, but I prefer protein in the morning and that is usually eggs with toast and avocado or cottage cheese.

5.What's something useful you learned in high school? Get involved in activities. I was in Competitive sports, Girls League, Usherettes, Student Relations, Spinsters and Honor Society. They helped me to interact with different people and also helped me get into college.

6. Insert your own random thought here. I think I wrote it at the beginning of this page.

We were on the cruise when the fire broke out and most people seemed pretty concerned.

I am working on my cruise picture. There are a lot to sort through. I have been busy packing up Christmas too. I would love to take another cruise and I learned a lot from this one. I read several revues and tip. I am so glad I ordered the packing cubes!  I got the assortment pack and used every one. 

Friday Faves Five & Sat. 9 & Cruise

Hello friends! The week has flown by, and we have had the best time on our Princess Discovery cruise! I will have to create a page just for the millions of pictures I took. We also have to download all the pictures that were taken by the ship photographers. We each get 3 8x10's so we had an 8x10 of us made for each of our kids.

It is Friday and we have almost finished packing. We have dinner at 5:40 at the Catch and then the Rock Opera at 7:30. We have to be up 6am if we want breakfast before we go to our embarkation luggage pickup. So I want to get this post done now so I can pick up our large luggage before 10pm.

1. I am thankful that we have remained healthy for this trip and the great weather!

2. I am thankful for all the great meals we had and all the people who make it happen.

3. I am thankful for the great entertainment on board.

4. I am thankful to have done this cruise for our 50 anniversary which was in August.

5. I am thankful for our friends Margil and Coreen who fixed our fence that the wind blew down.

6. I am thankful for family who brought us to the pier, watched our house and dog and the pickup tomorrow.

We had the sunsets on our way to Mexico. We had to change our time an hour ahead twice.  As much fun as we have had, we are anxious to get home and see our dog and the wind damage to our fences.

Thankfully, the fires are an hour away. Our hearts go out to the many people affected. We always pray for the victims of the hurricanes and tornadoes in other states. Please pray for California.

Saturday 9: Calendar Girl (1960)

  

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

 

1) How will you keep track of your days/weeks in 2025? Do you have a desk planner? A wall calendar? A pocket planner? Do you use the app on your phone? I use them all!

2) Consider your typical week. Which day tends to be your busiest? 

I am retired and our schedule can vary depending on the grandkids and church activities.

I will have a orthopedic appointment on the 15th which is also my son's 43rd birthday.

 

3) This week's artist, Neil Sedaka, is one of pop music's most prolific singer-songwriters, but his first love was classical music. He was so good that he trained at Julliard and won the accolade, "Best New York High School Pianist." Recall one of your passions from your high school years.

My favorite classes in my senior year were physiology and anatomy and competitive athletics. I also enjoyed my home ec classes because they were art classes. Little did I know that I would take me many years before I realized how I valued my creative side.

4) Elton John has always enjoyed Sedaka's music and in the 1970s, when Elton was one of the world's top stars, he requested a meeting. If you had the power to contact and then meet anyone in the world, who would you choose? That is a hard question. We did get to her a performer on the ship that played Elton John songs and I loved when he sang Crocodile Rock.

 

5) Sedaka appeared as the musical guest during the second season of Saturday Night Live. What's the most recent show you watched on TV? Was it live, from your dvr, or did you stream it? 

I haven't watched tv in a week, but it was probably a Hallmark movie.

6) His daughter Dara sings on TV and radio commercials. What advertising jingle sticks in your head?

The Love Boat theme comes to my mind. They have played it a few times on the cruise as the sail away horn blows.

 

7) In 1960, when "Calendar Girl" was popular, To Kill a Mockingbird was first published. Have you read it? Yes.

8) Also in 1960, John F. Kennedy, Jr. was baptized in the Georgetown University Chapel. His godparents were Charles and Martha Bartlett, the couple who introduced his famous parents. Do you have any godchildren?

Yes, My nephew Paul that I got to see him being born. He opened his eyes as his head came out. This was in August 15, 1979. My nephew Sergio born in 1984. We have two Goddaughters, from friends. We have not seen them in many years.

9) Random question -- Which did you enjoy more: the last week of 2024 or the first week of 2025?

The first week while we were on our cruise!

Thanks to Suzanne and Sam for the questions! Link is on the left.

Friday Faves 5 & Saturday 9

                                                                     

Thankful that I stayed healthy through the holidays.

Thankful that we had a week to get ready for our Princess cruise. We leave Saturday the 4th.

Thankful that I got money for Christmas, and I finally got my hair cut and colored.

Thankful that I was able to get my nails done today and the lady was careful with my thumb.

Thankful that I am all packed. When I am through here, I will back up my computer to take on the cruise. We have mini suite that gives up plenty of desk space and we have a wi-fi packaged

 Saturday 9: Something New (2017)

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

Welcome to the first Saturday 9 of 2025.

1) We're beginning the year with a song about new beginnings. What is something new you'd like to try in 2025?  A Zumba class for senior women.

2) The lyrics recall what was said "in the mist of the midnight hour." Where were you when the new year dawned? Watching tv and taking down so Christmas things. I did not get a lot done. I have been busy getting ready for the cruise. 

 

3) The Axwell of Axwell and Ingrosso is Axel Hedfors. He began as a drummer and moved on to experimenting musically on the computer, eventually mastering music sequencer software. Do you consider yourself more a technophile like Axwell, who loves technology and digital devices, or more a technophobe, anxious about learning new programs? Somewhere in between.

4) His musical partner is Sebastian Ingrosso. Sebastian became interested in dance music when he accompanied his father, a choreographer, to the studio. When you were young, did you ever go to work with either of your parents? Yes, I did. When I was 14, I got to work at Toy City for a summer and Christmas season. My mom was the head manager of 9 stores. She would drop me off before visiting the other stores. Harriet, the store manager kept me busy, but I loved it! I visited my dad at his work a few times. I liked the view he had since he was in a tall building.

5) Axwell & Ingrosso gave their premiere performance at the 2014 Governors Ball Music Festival in New York City and their last concert at the 2017 Ultra Music Fest in Miami. Looking back on 2024, did you attend any outdoor music or theater performances? Not this year.

6) In 2017, when "Something New" was released, we lost the TV star who could "turn the world on with her smile." Without looking it up, do you know who that is? Mary Tyler Moore.

7) Also in 2017, Today Show anchor Hoda Kotb announced she had adopted her first child. Do you know anyone who is adding to their family in 2025? Not anyone in my family. 

8) Have you made any New Year's resolutions for 2025? Read the Bible again using the 

Bible Recap program. To continue to my physical therapy and eat better.

 

9) What was the first thing to make you laugh in 2025? Minnie playing with her new toys.

We don't get snow where I live. It will be cold Saturday, high 63, low 41. That is for So. CA

So I like to decorate with winter here.