Friday Faves 5 & Saturday 9

1. Thankful for a few days to be home and get more things organized.

2. Thankful for another great discussion at our marriage group and the yummy food we had.

3. Thankful for the lady that helped me with my Medicare reimbursement checks. Also, for the lady at the bank that was patient with all the checks I had to deposit back into my savings account.

4. Thankful for being able to watch Bible study online and my crafty group time too. I won some prizes!

5. Thankful for another fun day at Disneyland. The weather was in the 80's so I got to go on the Tiana ride, formerly known as Splash Mountain. I am second from the top and only the corner of my shoe got wet.

I took this in Star Wars Land. Jupiter is to the right of the moon.

We were there 10 hours, and I got just under 18000 steps.

Saturday 9: Big Star (1962)

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

1) Shelley Fabares sings that when she hears her lover's records on the radio, they bring back memories. Do you prefer familiar songs or do you seek out new music? I prefer what I know.

2) Shelley introduced "Big Star" on an episode of The Donna Reed Show, where she played daughter Mary. She remembers the show's star and her TV mom, Donna Reed, as "an extraordinary woman." Who is your favorite TV mom? I liked Donna Reed. I liked The Walton Mom and the Little House on the Praire mom, Carolyn.

3) Speaking of big stars, Shelley made three movies with Elvis, who said she was his favorite leading lady. What qualities do you value in a coworker? Being friendly, kind and respectful. Funny you mention a co worker. I have been retired since 2011, but I saw a coworker at Disneyland on Friday. I mentioned about my work in a couple of post ago and the program I was in charge of. He was one of the techs that serviced the vending machines. He retired after me and got a job at Disneyland.

4) Though best known for comedy, Shelley appeared as Cathy in a made-for-TV adaptation of Wuthering Heights. Have you ever read the Emily Bronte classic? Yes.

 

5) Shelley Fabares' aunt was Broadway, film and TV veteran Nanette Fabray. Do you have a favorite aunt or uncle? I have 3 aunts left. I love them all and the ones I the ones I have lost.

 

6) In the 1990s she was twice nominated for an Emmy Award (Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy) for her work on Coach. She didn't win. Millions of viewers got to see her applaud graciously when Laurie (Roseanne) Metcalf's named was announced both times. If you were nominated for a major award and the ceremony was televised, would you get all dressed up and go? Or would you prefer to watch from home? I think it would be fun to go and get all dresses up.

 

7) In 1962, when this song was first released, Jack Nicklaus launched his legendary golf career. Do you enjoy playing golf? Do you watch golf on TV? I have had fun playing miniature golf, but I don't watch it on tv.

 

8) Also in 1962, Marilyn Monroe bought her first home at the age of 36. Up until then she had always been a renter. Marilyn was residing there at the time of her death that August. How long have you lived at your current address? 10 years.

 

9) Random question – According to a survey, the average American will kiss 15 different partners over their lifetime. Do you estimate your personal total is more, less, or right on track? Less.

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

1.   What was the best place you've ever been? A Place you would love to return to again and again.

I love Hawaii and have been there 4 times. I was last there in 2018 with my family. We had hoped to go back, but it has not worked out with the kids. So I am going to Israel with my church in October.

2.   What was the best book you have ever read? The Bible would be the book that means the most to me. I have read so many books and Gone with the Wind has been a favorite. I plan to re-read the Left Behind series again. I plan to take notes to the biblical references. You can read a list of books I have read here.

 3.   What is the best food you've ever eaten? How about the best restaurant? My mom's tacos will always be a favorite. My grandma's homemade tortillas with freshly made butter are forever in my mind. I have eaten at a lot of good places. I really liked the Bellagio's buffet in Vegas. We had the best Hawaiian food at a little restaurant in Oahu and have been more than once. It is called Helenas. 

4.   What was the best movie or TV series you've ever watched? There are so many movies. Gone with the Wind and The 10 Commandments make my list. Fiddler on the Roof is a favorite I have enjoyed the Chosen movies. I have watched Greys Anatomy since the beginning. . Hubby and I have several shows we like to watch. CSI, NCIS and Survivor.  I enjoy medical shows. Speaking of medical shows, my grandson volunteers at our local hospital and he says he mostly does clerical and a few other things that prep for surgeries. He wants to see more action, and I hope he gets the chance.

1. I live in the south so we're pretty much only talking about the weather right now. Give us a weather report from where you live. Does the kind of weather you're having today affect your mood in some way? The weather has been fine. Warm the first week, a few 80 days. Rainy, and then cool in the 60's. It will reach the high 80 by Friday which is great because I am going to Disneyland.

2.  Avocados, kale, cauliflower and cottage cheese have all had their time to shine. 2026 brings us the year of the cabbage. Is this a vegetable you like? If so, what are some of your favorite dishes that call for cabbage?  I do enjoy cabbage. I prefer to eat it cooked. I like it as a stir fry with any kind of meat and veggies. I also like it with scrambled eggs. I buy a bag of shredded cabbage and broccoli that I stir fry with some onion and tomato, and I eat it with scrambled eggs or chicken. I try to eat a mostly protein breakfast with veggies and or cottage cheese. I need extra protein to build muscle.

3. Was a Cabbage Patch Doll a part of your childhood? Or maybe your children's childhood? What's a toy trend from your childhood you remember wanting for your own? I bought my son a boy cabbage patch doll that he actually played with. Then another older boy told my son he had hair like a girl. Then he didn't want his cabbage patch doll anymore because it had hair like his. I think his doll had overalls and tennis shoes. I think I gave it to my niece. I still have a doll I got for Christmas when I was 8. 

4. Something you've spent a lot of time doing lately? crafting and Bible study. Catching up with the Revelation videos from my pastor. They are on YouTube.

5. Somehow it's the last week of January...sum up your month in just three sentences. Transition. Snowflakes, Resting.

6. Insert your own random thought here. It does not snow where I live in So CA. I would have to drive about 1 1/2 hours to get to a mountain community. So, every year after Christmas, I decorate with snowflakes and country snowmen. It may come down this weekend.

Friday Faves 5 & Saturday 9

Thankful for another great week ! Joining Susanne for:

Friday, a fun day at Disneyland and a mostly restful day on Saturday. I wanted to go to Daiso so I suggested dinner at Chilis after Daiso. I had not bought any crafts since before Christmas. We each had the 3 for $10.99 at Chilis and we had enough left over for Sunday!

Sunday was a nice day too. We went to church and I was able to talk to a few people about our trip to Israel. We stopped at Aldi for a couple of things end up getting more. Not good to take the hubby with you! But we did need more than I thought. I printed some things for the party my daughter in law had to make vision boards and I shared that on Tuesday at lifegroup. I liked what I did so much, that I also did it in my faith journal that I am keeping this year.  Sure glad Monday was a rest day!

Thankful for our marriage group on Wednesday. We talked about grace and how the enemy does everything to keep us believing that God loved us when we trip up. I shared how I went through a deep period of depression and anxiety. How I needed to get help for it and went through counseling and see a doctor. God used me in spite of it and then I was able to counsel with women going through depression. I had issues I had to deal with and was going through perimenopause too. 

Thankful that my plans for today were canceled on Thursday because I needed the extra sleep. Plus the weather dropped from a sunny 79 on Tuesday to a cool and cloudy 62 with some rain.

Saturday 9: Up the Ladder to the Roof (1970)

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

1) Many people are uncomfortable with ladders. Some feel unsteady on the steps, others have a fear of heights. Then there's the superstition that warns against walking under ladders. Are you afraid of ladders? No, and I still use them as safely as possible. Not afraid of heights either.

 

2) In this song, the Supremes advise us to go up the ladder to the roof to be closer to Heaven. While poetic, that's not really why most homeowners climb onto the roof. They're more likely replacing shingles or cleaning the gutters. Have you ever been on the roof of your building? Not this house, but I was at my previous home. Probably before I knew I had osteoporosis.

 

3) The record was the Supremes first and biggest hit without Diana Ross. When Jean Terrell replaced Diana as lead singer, the two ladies appeared together at a press event to launch this new iteration of the Supremes. Have you ever met your replacement at a job, or perhaps the person you replaced? Yes, I had to train the girl to take over my place since I was being moved out. She kept calling me and interrupting my work and the supervisor told the Postmaster and he told them to stop calling me. The marketing manager went above the postmaster and I was brought back. I was the coordinator of the vending machines. Those were the machines you could put money in and choose the stamps you wanted. There were 16 choices. The program was being closed down in 2010. So I was in charge of closing the program down and there were over 400 machines in our district. We were number 1 in the nation for revenue. One of our locations was number 2 in sales and fell under Grand Central station in NY. Unfortunately, I had to leave after the program was closed down. They changed my hours and I could not car pool with my husband so I decided it was time to retire. I used all my vacation and sick time and then submitted my paperwork.

 

Skagway Post office, 2006

4) Mary Wilson was a member of the group when it was formed in 1959 and stayed through 1977, when the Supremes officially disbanded. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American stays at a job 3.9 years. Looking over your job history, how long did you typically stick with an employer? I was with the postal service for 36 years,

 

5) The third Supreme performing on this record was Cindy Birdsong. After the group broke up for good, Cindy finished nursing school and practiced at UCLA Medical Center. When did you last interact with a nurse or nurse practitioner? At my last appointment on Dec. 19th.

 

6) In 1970, when this song was popular, TV shows about doctors like Marcus Welby, MD and Medical Center ranked high in the Nielsen ratings. Medical shows are still popular today, with Grey's Anatomy entering its 22nd season and The Pitt earning critical accolades. Do you have a favorite TV doctor? I love medical shows and watched them all. I have watched Grey's since it started. I don't have HBO, so I don't watch the Pitt. I thought George Clooney was good looking in ER. I like all the doctors, but I have enjoyed watching the Chief of Grey's Anatomy. He has been there since the beginning and now is being treated for prostate cancer on the show and In real life.

 

7) Also in 1970, when this song was popular, audiences were lining up to see the movie  Love Story. Without looking it up, complete the film's most famous line:  "Love means never having to say you are sorry.." I was not much of a crier back then, but that movie made me cry. I ran into the actress Ali MacGraw sunbathing on the beach in Malibu and she was topless. We were visiting a friend that was a few houses down on the beach and my little boys were running her way. I had to grab them. She looked up at me and held her top to her body and smiled. I just told her sorry and left. On a side not, our friend we visited was Maria Florio and her mom Ida. Maria won an Oscar for a documentary called Broken Rainbow. in 1986. My boys were 3 & 5, so they probably don't remember the lady on the beach.

 

8) Slumberchums™ were all the rage among pre-teens in 1970. These sleeping bags had 

attached pillow "heads" that made it look like you slipping into sleep inside a plush bear. 

When did you most recently sleep in a sleeping bag? I can't remember but I know I did not like them!

 

9) Random question: Did you take a multivitamin this morning? If yes, did you swallow it or chew it?

I take a vitamin D3K2 every morning after breakfast. It is a gummy, so I chew it.

Thanks to Susanne and Sam for the meme. Link list is on the left.

Previous post, pictures from 2016

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

 My daughter in law had a vision board party. 

I took my own things and made this.

1. Where did your mother and father grow up? They were born in Orange Country California.

2. Where did you grow up? I grew up in the same city and my parents, Santa Ana.

3. What was your favorite meal your mother made? ground beef and potato tacos.

What is your favorite recipe to make? I used to make those tacos too, when the kids were home. I don't make them very often because we don't eat a lot of fried foods. My mom was a great cook. I used to cook a lot to but cut back when hubby retired. 

4. What are the advantages you enjoy where you live? The weather her is pretty nice most of the year. We get mild winters with some rain and no snow in the most in the area I live.  We do get hot in the summer months. We are an hour from the beach, 1-2 hours to mountain communities where we see snow. We are an our from Los Angeles, 90 minutes from San Diego. We are about 30 miles from Disneyland. All my family and extended family are less than an hour away.

We are close to our medical clinics and hospital, church and stores. Freeways are always busy!

1. Ice skating, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, playing in the snow, or a snowy walk...which winter activity do you choose? Have you done any of these activities so far this winter? We don't get snow where I live. I would have to drive about 1 1/2 hours to get to the mountains where it snows. I would build a snowman!

2. Everyone is posting pictures from ten years ago on their social media sites so let's jump on the bandwagon too. Share one photo and one thought to go with said photo from the year 2016. And maybe everyone isn't doing this, but many are and we're going to be part of the fun. I have had a blog since 2002. I still have my old site and I grabbed some pictures from there. I also checked FB and my Iphone.

Here are a few things from January 2016.

Disneyland, Space Mountain.

Looking for my first journaling Bible.

I was also planning for my lifegroup called

Finding your purpose in your senior years.

My cousin and I at her daughter's bridal shower, black and white theme.

Double rainbow over our church.

3. What's a trend you hope disappears in this new year? I don't know.

4. 'They' say there's a day for everything and January 21st proves it. National Granola Bar Day. Do you like granola bars? How about just regular granola? Do you like bars of other kinds? No granola for me.

5.  A frozen lake, a trickling stream, a raging river, or a deep well...which one describes something about your life right now? Elaborate as much or as little as you like. A trickling stream. The days go by steady, some busy and some slow.

6. Insert your own random thought here. I was reading my blog from 2016 and I wrote that I did not manage my well. I still have that problem, and it probably has to with my ADD. I feel like I get a lot done, but I have so many distractions. I don't always sleep well, and that throws things off. I am retired and I feel like time goes by so quickly! I am looking forward to my trip to Israel in October with my church. I am buying insurance for a number of reasons because "life happens."

Thanks to Annie and Joyce for the memes. The link is on the left column.

Friday Faves 5 & Saturday 9

Linking with Susanne a little late. It was a busy week, but never to catch up!

Thankful for the Facebook memories that pop up. Most are pictures of family, friends or events. I love to see the Farmville pictures. I played this game for over 10 years. I was introduced by a few of my country website friends that had gone to FB. I was reluctant at first, but a friend invited me to play a game called Farm Town, and later Farmville (2009). We created "a farm" that grew as we played the game with others. Then they added farms with themes and farms were always fun to put together. Playing could be time consuming, but they filled my downtime. Hawaii was my favorite and I even played it while I was in Hawaii. My dad would tease me but sometimes watched as I played when I visited him. I think this Farm was from 2010. You can learn about it at Wikipedia. The game ended at the end of 2020.

Thankful for another great meet up with my Bible journaling group. Our group was missing 4 girls, but was nice and I could sit at the table with all the girls. The last two years we went over the names of God and the names of Jesus. This year we will be going over the cities that Jesus was at. So we started with Bethlehem. Other verses were based on walking with the Lord in the New Year.

Thankful for our marriage group as it met for the first time this year.

Thankful to see my son turn 45 and how we were able to celebrate. We went back to our favorite Chinese food place to eat, then back to our house for cake.

Thankful for a fun day to Disneyland on Friday. We went early for rope drop. They let people in at 7:30 to walk down Main St USA. Then they can walk to the an area by the entrance to the different lands. Then at 8am, the ropes drop and everyone takes off to the area they want to be in. We went to Star Wars land to get on the Rise of the Resistance. The park was not so busy, so we got on several rides before heading to California Adventure. We got on Soaring and the Little Mermaid ride. We left by 1:30 to get home before the heavy traffic. We stopped for lunch and then picked up Daisy from the vet. We go back on January 30th. The morning was 46 when we woke up but it was 82 when we left Disneyland. 

Saturday 9: Man I Need (2025)

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

 

1) In this song, Olivia Dean is looking for a man who wants to really communicate and doesn't make her "read between the lines." Tell us about a time when you felt you had to work hard to figure out what someone was trying to tell you. I have to work on me. To not be distracted by other things.

 

2) She's eager to meet his best friend and join their friend group. Have you made any new friends recently? Not recently. Maybe I will this year!

 

3) "Man I Need" was a hit in the fall of 2025. It was so popular that, in addition to CDs, a special vinyl release was scheduled in time for Christmas (2025) gift giving. How do you listen to music most often? Do you play CDs, download, stream, or play vinyl records? I listen on my cellphone with Pandora. I also listen when I am on the desktop. I usually listen on YouTube. 

 

4) Olivia Dean recalls that her first public performance was singing at a school talent show. If we had a Sat 9 talent show, what would you do to entertain us? Present a PowerPoint presentation of the highlights of our cruise to Mexico with music.

 

5) She says she loved listening to her parents' music collection. How about you? Did you and your parents share musical tastes? How about you and your kids? Yes, I did share it with my parents and a little with the kids. Funny to see how vinyl has come back.

 

6) Olivia likes to be dressed up when she gets onstage, favoring gowns and heels. She says of her audiences, "If you guys paid good money that you worked hard for, let me give you a show." How do you feel when you're invited to an event that calls for you to dress up? Are you enthusiastic about choosing your outfit, or would you rather keep it casual? It depends on the event. I loved dressing up for dinner on the cruise. I got dressed up for the last ladies tea I went too.

7) She enjoys classic film and lists Singin' in the Rain as her favorite. What's the last movie you watched? Do you recommend it to other Sat 9ers? The last movie I saw in the theater was Wicked. I did recommend to a few. I have recommended Fiddler on the Roof too. 

 

8) In 2025, when this song was popular, the average price tag for a new vehicle was $47,690 and $25,100 for a used one. Are you planning to make a big purchase in 2026?  Yes, my trip to Israel.

Last year it was Air Conditioning and a water heater. 

9) Random question: Are you better with love or money? I know love is more important, but money sure helps, especially when it used to help others.

Thanks to Susanne and Sam for memes that are linked on the left.

Fridays Fave 5 & Saturday 9

There is always things to be thankful for. In spite of what is going on around the world, I chose to be positive and thankful for my many blessings. Here are a few from this past week.

I am thankful for many relaxing days. I have been busy in the house, but I have not gone to many places and that is okay. No dashing for sales or classes. We went to church on Sunday and afterwards we went out to lunch with son's family. We chose Chilis and then headed home in the rain. 

Thankful for the online craft class for my crafty group. I love learning new things and getting ideas. I also had time to listen to the Bible on my phone. I am using the Bible Project this time. I wrote out a verse in my faithful planner. Hubby and I watched some tv and we just enjoyed the quiet. Our older grands have been off school and been staying with their mom and I know they have enjoyed the rest too.

My PT for Tuesday was cancelled. I really just wanted to stay in since it was raining, and I got more Christmas things put away. I spoke to the Insurance group that is covering our tour. Thankful for my online friends that make life interesting.

Thankful for the time I have to study and prepare for my BJ class. I like how the Lord drops ideas in my head for the lessons. How He gives me confirmation. I make folders for each month and put my ideas/verses/graphics in the folder. I may even get a wait on an idea or move it to another folder. I had Isaiah 41:31 in my folder for from last year. I even printed out the graphic and had the extra things for the pack and then I felt led to not use it yet. I wasn't going to use it this month either, but then I felt like I should. Then I had a dream that an eagle came down and hovered over me, and it was big. I thought I was going to be taken and eaten! But then the flapping calmed and before I knew it, the huge wings enfolded me and I felt peace. Then the eagle flew away. I don't always remember my dreams, but this is one I won't forget.

Thankful to be getting my house back in order. I took off the ornaments on the big tree Sunday. I packed them up on Monday and Tuesday. Hubby put the tree back in the garage today. It is hard to see it go. I do keep a seasonal tree that stays up all year. The seasonal tree has country snowmen and pinecones. I have another tree in the kitchen that has snowflakes. 

Thankful for a good physical therapy session! We also go to pick up the younger grands and spend some time with them. Its going to be a cold Friday here is So CA. 61 with wind is cold for us.

Saturday 9: Volare (1960)

 

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

This song reminds me of my dad. I was 5 when this song and I remember him singing along with it.

1) The word "volare" is Italian for "to fly." Say something else in Italian. grazzi-thanks,  buono-good amore-love, bella bambina-pretty baby girl.

2) This week, Bobby Rydell invites us to take off with him up in the clouds and promises we'll find a rainbow. Countless lyricists have included rainbows in their songs. Can you name another song that mentions rainbows? Somewhere Ove the Rainbow.

 

3) His happy heart is singing. What is making you happy this morning? Bible journaling.

 

4) Bobby Rydell, like Frankie Avalon and Fabian, was a 1950s teen idol who hailed from Philadelphia. Home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, Philly is Pennsylvania's most populous city. Have you ever been there? No. I saw a replica of it at Knott's Berry Farm.

 

5) Bobby was such a perfect example of a clean-cut American boy that when Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey sat down to write the play Grease, they named their fictional high school Rydell High after him. Do you have a favorite song from Grease? Hopelessly Devoted to You.

 

6) In addition to singing, Bobby also acted. His most famous film role was opposite Ann-Margret in Bye, Bye, Birdie (1963). Have you seen it? Yes

7) In 1960, when this record was popular, so were hand-loomed, 100% virgin wool sweaters from Italy. You could order one from the Sears catalog for $12.60 (approx. $135 in today's dollars). That sweater was labeled "dry clean only." Do you have any garments waiting to be picked up from the cleaners? No.

 

8) Also in 1960, Princess Margaret married photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones. They met when he was commissioned to take her official portrait. Who took the most recent photo of you? My granddaughter.

 

9) Random question: Is your oldest friend also your best friend? Not counting my sisters, it is my cousin Joanie. I keep in touch with my friend Lissette, we met in 7th grade and we met in 1967.

to God

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

Tuesday 4

1.  Would you tell us about a book you particularly enjoyed? 

Gone with the Wind has always been a favorite and I have read it 7 time back when I was in my teens and a young adult. I like history and romance and Clark Gable! But I also think I like it because my mom liked it and she took me to see it and let me read her book. I own the book now. Hubby and I just watched the movie but there are more details in the book. I hope to read it at least one more time.

I had read Isreal My Beloved a few times and plant to read it again and take notes. It is the story of Israel written like a love story. It is written by Kay Arthur and I got the book from her and it signed.

2.  Do you have a favorite book series?  How about a favorite series when you were a kid?

I love the Left Behind Series by Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye. I have read the whole set twice and plan to read it again this year, but I want to take notes this time.  I also want to read the AD Chronicles again. Each book highlights a person or persons that Jesus encountered. I have all these books in my library and I grabbed the pictures online. Dallas Jenkins, the producer of the Chosen is the son of Jerry Jenkins.

I read all the Trixie Belden and Little House on the Prairie series as a child.

3.  Is there a book that you just did not like or one in which you just could get interested? I read a few of Frank Peretti books like Tillie, This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness. I could barely read The Oath because it was scary and also about demons and angels. 

4.   Is there an author whose books you don't want to miss or one whose books you avoid? I don't read as much as I used to. I read a lot of the from the 70's-90's. Then came the computer. I read a lot of non Christian books sets and historical fiction through the 80's. I started reading mostly Christian based books in the 90's to now. I used to keep track of them HERE. There are pictures of me with some Christian authors that I met at Women of Faith conferences in the 90's.

Most of the reading I do now my daily reading of the Bible and reading to learn new things. I really study before I teach my Bible journaling class. This year I will talk about the cities that Jesus visited or were mentioned in His lineage. I use the internet and my Study Bibles that I pull out of my bookcase.

I am currently reading :

I had a lot of the classics and historical books but I gave them to my nephew when we downsized.