Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

Tuesday 4 What do you call it?
1. In New Jersey you put your groceries in a paper bag or plastic bag.  In Athens, Ohio where I went to

university, you put them in a paper sack. Is it bag, sack or something else where you live? Bag.

2. Though no one seems to wear them anymore, NJ says  Stockings.  Athens, Ohio used to call them "hose" and in Britain they are tights. What about where you live? We called them nylons.

3.Soda, Pop, Coke? Hero, sub, grinder, hoagie? Soda, sub.

 

4. Shopping cart or trolley. buggy? What do you call it? Cart or basket.

1. What's something you enjoy now that your younger self would never have appreciated? Time

2. What was peaceful about today? 

3. It's National Blueberry Day (July 8). Will you celebrate?  You can have one of the following right now-a slice of blueberry pie, a warm blueberry muffin, or a stack of blueberry pancakes...which do you choose? Pie.

This or that-blueberries or raspberries? blueberries or strawberries? 

4. Do you need a break? From what? A break from back problems. 

5. What has surprised you most about getting older? How quickly the days/years go by. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. I still can't believe I am almost 71. My mind does not feel that age, but my body reminds me. My youngest grand is a pre teen at 12. My oldest is 18, has two jobs and starts the university in the fall. He still hangs out here, so I guess I won't be getting my craft room back. But I am okay with that. Someday it will change. When we were busy raising kids and working, our parents were doing things with their friends. Then we were doing things with our church. When I look back and see why my parents worked into their late 60's. They had a successful real estate business. They enjoyed having the family over on weekend. Then mom got Alzheimer's. She was 75 when she died. For a few years I had this mental clock running that was working off that 75. But a verse in the Bible reminded me that only God knows our time. I can live life to the fullest for as long as I can. If it is safe, I will be going to Israel in October. I really want to go, but I don't, I will plan something else. Taking care of my health is important. Wednesday is senior fellowship and I plan to go. Socialization is important.

Minnie update. She is holding steady right now. She is always hungry because of the steroids and because we have to feed her smaller amounts. So we feed her 4 times a day. The stool softeners are really helping. she doesn't walk slow like she is hurting. She bumps into things. We looked into her left eye and you can see that the pupil look bad. She is content for now. A couple of weeks ago we thought we were going to lose her. Thanks for your prayers. We will enjoy each day as we can. All my grands and grand dogs are here as I write this and they are still asleep at 10 am. Thanking God for family.

Wednesday Hodgepodge & Prayer Request

1. Summer's here!  In the northern hemisphere anyway. If you're in the southern hemisphere substitute winter for the word summer. What do you love most about summer? What's your biggest summer pet peeve? Since I am retired summer days are just another day. I do enjoy the down time from all my groups to catch up on projects. I do not like the super hot days we get in July-mid October. We seem to get more days in the 100's but at least we rarely get humidity. The worst thing is the mosquitos! The rest of the year is mild since we live in So Calif. We were more active when the grands were younger. Now they all want to do their own things. We still get to see the grands often and will be here more to help with Minnie.

2. What song always reminds you of summer? Anything Beach Boys

3. What's something you remember about your childhood summers? Do you think kids today get to enjoy summer the way you did as a child? Elaborate.

I have a lot of good memories of summers as a child. Most of them are playing outside. Playing in the sprinklers on a hot summer day. We loved the Slip N Slide. Swimming at the community plunge, beach days, riding our bikes in the evening with playing cards on the spokes. Lots of outside time, sunshine and friends. I don't thinks kids of today get the same experience that we did when life was simpler. Electronic takes more time. Neighborhoods are not the same anymore. Kids not can't just roam the streets in safety. One thing that is true, kids love to be out of school! 

4. We celebrate Father's Day on June 21st. Do you favor your dad in looks or temperament? Tell us something about your dad. Or your husband as a dad. Or a son/son-in-law as a dad. Or your grandpa.

I favor my dad, both in looks and temperament when it comes to the social aspects. We both like to be around people. Dad passed in 2013 and I still miss him so much. I shared pictures of him in my last post.  My husband and son Andrew are good dads and they both cook too!

For those of you who read my last post, I am the girl on the left.

 A summer memory taken outside my dad,

 

5. Let's wrap up with a summer this or that-

flip flops or sandals~sandals

beach or pool~beach

watermelon or peaches~peaches

shorts or sundress~shorts

iced coffee or ice cold lemonade~iced cold peach tea

amusement park or water park~water park for sure...Waterpark and Disneyland! 

6. Insert your own random thought here. I mentioned in my previous post that we were taking Minnie to a specialist. She has a large mass in her colon. We discussed options and surgery would be over $10000 and that does not include medications and chemo. Because the mass is big, they suspect that it probably has metastasized. So, we are going with the second option of making her comfortable, loving her and then helping her when her times comes to cross that Rainbow bridge and join her mom and other family dogs. I would appreciate prayers during this hard time. 

Fridays Fave 5 & Saturday 9

Joining Susanne and Sam for this weeks memes. Links on left.

On Saturday, our granddaughter sent us a video from Huntington Beach because her family was at the Weiner fest. Our Minnie would not like it at all. She has social anxiety and hates water! 

Coco and Daisy did well!

2. On Sunday, Hubby and I greeted, and our granddaughter sang on the worship team. It was nice to see so many getting baptized. Hubby and I went out for a quick lunch. Then I had to go back for a meeting for the people going to Israel. We will be taking shuttle vans from our church to the airport in Los Angeles that is around an hour away. We stopped at Aldi's to get fruit for our married group.

3. On Monday, Eddie went to his grad practice and picked up his tickets for the family. I went to my doctor appointment. I told her all that was happening with me, good and bad days. I told her I was doing my exercises and eating well. I told her about going to Israel and she gave me the number to call for our of country travel. They will let me know information about health and traveling. She put in for me to get all my labs done. I like my doctor and she is good at responding to my email messages too. Afterwards we had lunch at The Hat and then went to my son's new apartment. It is so nice and closer to his new store. Thankful for a good doctor and calendars that keep us on track!

4. Tuesday was graduation day and Eddie went to breakfast with his girlfriend, then came home and I helped him get flowers ready for his girlfriend. My daughter drove us, but parking was crazy busy. Another school was getting out as his school was trying to get there early to get good seats. While we were in line, Eddie's dad joined us. He lives in another state. He gave Eddie a lei made with $100 dollars worth of bills. Renee has a custom-made sash to wear and made him a money crown. The ceremony started right at 6:30 and ended at 8:00. Luckily Eddie went down the aisle closest to us.

Eddie and his girlfriend.

Missing Marina who was sick.

We went out to dinner after at BJ's and they were so busy! We got home close to midnight, but it was worth it to celebrate. Thankful to see how happy the family was for Eddie!

Our married group met on Wednesday and we were so tired and we did not want to miss since it is our last meeting until the end of August. It was nice. There was lots of food and we started out by singing some older songs and then we had communion. Thankful for our friends!

Thankful that there is no cost for labs. So, after fasting 12 hours, I went in for my blood test. All my test came back normal except my cholesterol. My AIC test was in the top of the normal! My liver was normal too.  I got a call from the nurse saying my doctor wanted to know if would be willing to try cholesterol medicine again? I agreed to a lower dose. I will go today and pick it up. I also went to the bank to pay the balance of my Israel test. Thankful that I had the money for this trip.

Today will be busy preparing for Eddie's party that is Saturday.

Saturday 9: For You (1963)

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

1) In this song, Rick Nelson tells us he'd give his girl the stars from sky or a string of pearls. Have you more recently given or received a gift? What was it? I gave my grandson a Graduate Mickey with a Disney button with his name on it.

2) By the time this record was released, Rick was already a show business veteran. He had been a regular on his family's sitcom, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, since it began airing on radio when he was just 8. Most of us weren't child performers but many of us had chores around the house. When you were young, did your parents give you an allowance? I do remember getting an allowance as a teen and we would buy 45's. 

3) The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet moved to TV, where fans saw Rick grow into a teen who drove a 1932 Roadster. The car really belonged to Tony La Masa, who collected classic cars and rented them out to TV and movie producers. Have you ever earned or raised money with your hobby? Yes, I have sold crafts that I made for money. One year my cousin and I had booths at a hospital Christmas boutique. We each made around $400! Another time I made air freshener angels and sold them to my friends at work. My friend Coreen and I have been in a few Christmas boutiques. 

4) Paul McCartney has called Rick Nelson an "underrated singer who could really carry a song" and said Rick was one of his influences. Who do you believe you have influenced, professionally or personally?

I hope I have influenced my kids and grandkids. They are the most important to me. My women in my Bible journaling group always say how much I have encouraged their love of Bible journaling along with the teaching I give them.

5)  This week's song was already an oldie by the time Rick performed it. "For You" was recorded the first time by Casa Loma Orchestra in 1933. In those days, most records were 78 rpm discs, thick and usually only able to hold 3 to 5 minutes of sound per side. Most record companies stopped producing them in the 1950s. Have you ever seen a "78?" Yes, my parents had some. But they had more albums. They loved music and had a nice stereo system.

 

6) The lyrics to "For You" were written by Al Dubin. After Al left college he supported himself as a singing waiter. That's really two jobs in one. Which would you do better at: singer or server? Neither!

 

7) The music was written by Joe Burke, whose last hit song was "Rambling Rose," recorded in 1948 by Perry Como. Have you ever heard of Perry Como? Yes, my dad really liked him and had some of his music.

8) In 1963, when Ricky's recording was on the charts, the Zip Code was introduced. How many different Zips have you lived in? 6. 

 

9) Random question: When you were in high school, were you taller or shorter than your classmates? Or were you the average height? Shorter, 5 feet.

Friday Faves 5 & Saturday 9

Thankful that in spite of the AC going out, we have had a place to stay with our kids.

Thankful for the fun day with my friends on Saturday. We took a train ride from our city to San Juan Capistrano which is about 40 miles away. We only had to pay$5.00 roundtrip because we are seniors. San Juan Capistrano has a mission, and we were last there in 2018 when we took the grands to see the mission. But we did not go to the mission. We did take a trolly ride around a part of the city. Some out of state people were there and one man had a little to much to drink and was happing and joking the whole time and a few things were not to nice, but we offered grace, and his friends got him off the trolley as soon as they could. I painted the tunnel on the picture below and found a train for the tunnel. I did these pages for my Crafty August book.

Thankful that we could go to the early church service this Sunday. Then we picked up Minnie and headed to my daughter's home. They went to Disneyland for the day. Thankful to have a cool place to hang out. We spent Monday with our son during the day and my granddaughter and I went shopping. Then we went to my daughter's home and spent the night. Wednesday-Saturday here at my son's. Dogs are happy they are with us as my son and his family are at the beach. 

Thankful that we are credit union members and were able to get the $ to get our new AC Unit. It is supposed to get installed on Sunday.

Thankful that my face biopsy is almost healed and looks a lot better. 

Saturday 9: It's So Nice to Be Nice  (to Your Neighbor) – 1947

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

 

1) In this song, Monica Lewis encourages us to greet our neighbors with a smile and a hello. Tell us about one of your neighbors. One of my best friends lives down the street. She lets me take my grands swimming at her house. she is a great listener and very generous. She is a craft person like me and can really paint nice things. We met at church over 25 years ago.

 

2) She reminds us that it's "nice to be nice." Who has recently shown you kindness? Our kids who have let us stay at their home since we lost our AC where the temps are in the 90's daily!

 

3) Monica Lewis was born in Chicago, where her mother performed with the Chicago Opera Company. Have you ever been to the opera? Phantom of the Opera on Broadway 2008 and at the Venetian in Las Vegas in 2007

My parents waiting for the show to start. It was about 30 minutes longer that the Vegas show.

 

4) Her family moved to New York City, where she attended college by day and worked at radio station WMCA in the evenings to help support her family. Which do you listen to more: the radio or podcasts?

The Radio.

5) In the 1940s she appeared all around New York – in nightclubs, on Broadway, and on radio shows. It was then that she got her best-known and longest-running role: the voice of Chiquita Banana. For decades she was heard singing the jingle, "I'm Chiquita Banana and I'm here to say ..." Do you have any bananas in your kitchen now? Yes, there are some here at my son's house.

 

6) Around 1950 she moved to Hollywood. She had recently divorced and wanted a fresh start. There she dated an actor who was also newly divorced: Ronald Reagan. Obviously she never had to ask, "Whatever became of him?" Who is the last former romance, classmate or coworker that you looked up on the internet? I don't remember, but it was someone from my class that I did not know well. Someone posted a link that keeps classmates updated.

 

7) In 1947, when this song was popular, actor Ted Danson was born. He's best known as Sam Malone, the bartender at Cheers, "where everybody knows your name." Is there a bar or restaurant where you are recognized on sight? No.

 

8) The 1947 Studebaker Champion was one of the first cars to have an adjustable driver's seat designed to accommodate motorists of various heights. When you're driving someone else's car, do you usually adjust the seat? All the time. I have short legs.

 

9) Random question: When someone takes advantage of you, are you angrier at them for doing it, or at yourself for letting it happen? Just depends on the situation though it does not happen very often.

I am writing this Friday night and I have to go to bed early because the grand dogs are tired.

Friday Faves 5 & Saturday 9

Another week has flown by. Here are my answers to Friday Faves 5 & Saturday 9. Thanks to Susanne and Sam for the memes and the links are on the left.

So thankful that Hubby and I went to the beach on Sunday after church. We found parking facing the water. Then we walked a few blocks to eat at our favorite restaurant there called The Crab Cooker. We have been going there since we were dating back in 1973. After we ate, we walked back to our car to get our chairs, umbrella and beach bag. We found a spot close to the water. Then I went to the bathroom to change. I put plenty of sunblock on my face and wore my hat. I wanted to really enjoy my time knowing I had to go for my biopsy on Monday. My husband took pictures of me on the beach to celebrate me turning 70 and feeling good to enjoy my time there. I only got my feet wet but it was great!

Thankful for insurance. I know I say that a lot.  I got my statement for July and they had the itemized break down of my blood work and ultrasound of my abdomen. That was over $2000 and I only paid $10.00 Thank You Lord!

Thankful for the birthday lunch with friends and Bible study on Tuesday night. We are in the book of Revelation, chapter 3 and we do a lot of cross referencing. 

Thankful for lunch with my friend Alice on Wednesday. We spent 3 hours catching up with life. Before I left, I got a phone call message and I had to call the doctor back up. I have basal skin cancer on my left cheek. It is not malignant and I am thanking God for that. Now I just need his peace for the next step. I have to let the biopsy heal and I will see an oncologist that specialized on surgeries for skin cancer that is the least evasive. It is called a MOHRS procedure. Thankful for the prayers of my family and friends. My kids all called me for the details and say they were praying for me. Thankful that I could still go to my Book study at church later. 

Thankful for a great worship night at church Thursday night. Our pastor prayed over people and I went up for prayer. I love seeing my granddaughter leading in worship. She really has a gift and stays humble about it. Thankful that her and her parents and brother are going to a resort at the beach for a few days. My son left Thursday to set things up for the work conference. Thankful that my daughter and her kids are doing most of the dog sitting. 

Thankful to get to see our granddaughter perform at the first football game of the season tonight. And for our granddogs along with our Minnie who love me.

She will be standing on this box set up at the game.

Saturday 9: We Belong Together (2005)

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

This month we're going to recall Summer Songs. These will all be records that topped the charts during August.

1) Number 1 on the charts in August 20 years ago, "We Belong Together" is about the end of this romantic relationship. Mariah sings that now she won't have anyone to talk to on the phone until the sun comes up. That was then. Today many people prefer to text than to talk on the phone. Are you one of those people? Texts are okay for short messages or when you know they can't be on the phone but they can check a quick message. I had two conversations by phone this week and both were over an hour long. Then I had 3 shorter conversations that were about 15 minutes long.

2) The video for this song features an elaborate wedding. Tell us about the last wedding you attended.

It was about a year ago, September. My Brother in law's daughter got married at a relative's winery.

3) Mariah believes she inherited her musical gifts from her mom, who was an opera singer and vocal coach. When things were hectic in their household, Mariah recalls that music helped bring her and her mom closer together. Share a happy childhood memory featuring you and one of your parents.

4) After graduating from high school in Long Island, Mariah Carey went to Manhattan in search of stardom. While waiting for her big break, she enrolled in beauty school and waited tables. Both stylists and servers receive gratuities for their services. Do you consider yourself a good tipper? I usually tip 20%. Sometimes I will pay more if the service is really good.

5) The Fresh Air Fund operates six camps in the New York area to provide kids with a chance to learn and explore outdoors. They named Camp Mariah in Ms. Carey's honor to thank her for her support. Here's your chance to toot your own horn. Tell us about an honor you received. (Anything from a major award to a handmade drawing that says "World's Best Mom" counts. We want to hear about it.) I got a several awards in high school. I got a few cash awards at work. The funniest award was the one I got at the servants banquet at church for 12 step computer geek or something like that. I have a picture somewhere and I know that trophy is around somewhere too. I think it was in the later 90's and pastor and others knew I worked on a computer at work and then would be on it writing the women's newsletter and other computer things. 

6) Mariah has mentioned she enjoys pizza and red wine. Will you be enjoying either pizza or red wine this weekend? No.

Let's look at the summer of 2005.

7) The biggest news story that summer was Hurricane Katrina. This deadly and destructive storm killed over 1,000 people and did more than $100 billion in damage. Have you ever endured a natural disaster (such as hurricane, flood, landslide, tornado, blizzard, wildfire)? Thankfully, no.

8) Popular that summer was Kingda Ka, the new roller coaster at Six Flags Great America in Jackson, NJ. At the time, it was the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world. Have you been to any fairs or amusement parks this summer? No and I miss Disneyland. The last time I was there was December 2022, and I rode several roller coaster rides.

9) Award-winning American figure skater Alysa Liu was born in August of 2005. NBC Sports and their Peacock network report that figure skating events get high ratings. What's your favorite sport to watch on TV? Figure skating and gymnastics.

I shared my senior picture on the previous post along with my grandson's kinder/senior picture.

Friday Faves 5 & Saturday 9

Joining Susanne to share 5 things I am thankful for from this week.

Joining Sam for the Saturday 9, both links on the left.

Thankful for church on Sunday. I have shared pictures of my granddaughter singing at church. This Sunday she spoke before singing the song called Centered. She spoke of Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus. She said it came to her after learning the song at practice. She asked the worship leader if she could speak and He said yes. Another time the Holy Spirit has touched her heart. 

Thankful for a women's worship night. Audrina was played the keyboards that night. I still remember putting her on my lap to play my piano. So thankful that she could play and sing in worship. I sang in school and church choir, but I could never play because of performance anxiety. A part of my walk has been letting go, in many areas. So, when they asked people to freely worship and even go forward, I did.

Thankful for my Bible journaling meet up on Tuesday. Several girls were missing for various reasons. So I got to sit on the main table and share about the kits and how the HS lead to a theme on Word and Jesus's baptism, I have been using names of Jesus each month. I shared how at Sunday's service, pastor read two of the verses I used, confirming my topics.

Thankful for time with the younger grands on Wednesday and my book study in the evening. and first day of school for the older grands on Thursday. Eddie is a senior and VP ASB. He has shorter hours this year, and will go back to his volunteer job once he is settled with his AP classes. Jazzy has a busy schedule with AP classes, Song leader and Sports health medicine. So thankful that all our grands are doing well! 

Thankful to have lunch with my middle son and his wife. They told us about their vacation to the Napa wine area of California. They also told me how the plans were coming along for the family birthday party this Saturday for me turning 70, my granddaughter Jazzy turning 16 and my grandnephew turning 10. The main thing is the whole family being together! 

Saturday 9: Shout (1985)

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

This month we're going to recall Summer Songs. These will all be records that topped the charts during August.

1) Number 1 on the charts in August 40 years ago, the lyrics to "Shout" encourage us to "let it all out." When is the last time you raised your voice? A week ago.

2) This week's featured artists, Tears for Fears, were a duo -- Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith -- who met as teenagers in Bath, the largest city in Somerset, England. Bath has been named one of The Great Spa Towns of Europe. Popular spa treatments include massages, facials, body scrubs and wraps, mineral baths, manicures and pedicures.  If you could treat yourself to a spa treatment today, which would you choose? A facial.

3) When they first met, one of the things Roland and Curt bonded over was that they were both raised by single mothers. Who was your best friend during your teen years? What did you two bond over? I had a few friends. Some were from church. I met my friend Lissette in 7th grade. She sat in front of me in math. She had just come from Cuba. I befriended her with my broken Spanish. She helped me with my math. We didn't have a lot of classes together, but always had GAA which was last period. We took that class through high school. We had lunch a couple of years ago. I also  met my friend Anita at school in 19th grade because she heard a conversation I had about my old boyfriend and his brother Tony. I met her at Christmas, and we had lunch together last year. We also keep in touch on FB. My other friend was Mary Beth and she was my maid of honor. We keep in touch on Facebook.

4) Curt's wife, Frances Pennington, has had a long career in marketing, beginning in the record business and transitioning to fashion. Which industry do you think you'd enjoy more -- music or fashion? Music!

5) Roland married his childhood sweetheart, Caroline Johnston. They were together for 35 years, until her death. Do you know whatever became of your childhood sweetheart? My first real boyfriend was Oscar in 7-8th grade. We mostly saw each other at church youth group. I ran into his sister about 15 years ago. Shee said that Oscar was a Fire captain in San Diego. I told her to say hi and that is the last time I heard from her.

Let's look at the summer of 1985.

6) That summer, Chicago teenager Balu Natarajan won the National Spelling Bee. Are you a good speller? I would say average.

7) Tinker Bell took her first nightly flight at Walt Disney World in Florida. Do you recall which Disney movie introduced us to Tinker Bell? Peter Pan.

8) Derek Hough was a baby in the summer of 1985. In 2007 he became a regular on Dancing with the Stars, acclaimed for his ballroom dancing. Are you good on the dance floor? I don't know about good, but I did like to dance. It is harder now because of my lower back disc problem.

9) In 1985, Michael J. Fox became the first actor to have the #1 movie at the box office and the #1 TV show in the ratings. The movie was Back to the Future and the TV show was Family Ties. Have you seen the movie? Were you a fan of the show? My husband and I both saw the movie at the show.

It was okay. My husband liked it more than I did. I did like to watch Family Ties.