Friday Fave Five & Saturday 9

To join Susanne, click above.

1. Thankful for a mild cold winter so far. The lows are hitting the 30's and high are low 60's. Other than winds, we are okay. So sad to hear about the damaging weather in the US. I finally turned on the heater mostly for the hubby who tends to run cold and I hot.

2. Thankful that all my family is doing well overall. Both my sons have some health issues and are working with their healthcare providers. But things could be worse. Grands are all doing well.

3. Thankful for the Senior fellowship at my church. We all bring something to share and coffee and water is provided. It is a good way to meet new people. We pray over those that are sick. We talked about some issues and prayed over each other. Then we played bingo. Our senior pastor sat at our table to play a few games during his break. We were in our mid 30's when we started going to our church. Now pastor and I are a couple of years from 70!

4. Thankful for gluten free options for our granddaughter. Though expensive, she can enjoy her pasta and not get a stomachache and ill feeling. I make her what we call Sopa and they call Mexican macaroni and cheese. I get pasta and semi-brown it in oil and onions. Then I add seasoning, tomato sauce and 3 cups of water and bring it to a boil. Then I lower the flame and let it cook the pasta until ready, but still a bit firm. The grands like to add shredded cheese. I take what I want while it is still soupy and add lemon juice. To make a meal, I add ground beef and zucchini to it, but grands like it plain. It was one of the first things I learned to make when I was around 12.

5. Thankful to be able to meet up with some longtime friends today in Old Town Orange.

Saturday 9: Hotel California (1977)

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

 

1) In this song, Don Henley called the hotel's front desk and asked, "Please bring me my wine." He was told they haven't had wine since 1969. When did you last have a glass of wine? My husband got a glass at my 50th reunion and I took a sip. I preferred my water mixed with fruit juice.

2) The lyrics refer to wine as a "spirit." That is incorrect. Wines are fermented, not distilled, and have a lower alcohol content than spirits. When "Hotel California" was popular, listeners who were into wine called radio stations to let them know about the mistake. Are you a wine aficionado? Are any of your friends or family knowledgeable about wine? My sister worked for a winery in Temecula CA. She did wine tastings for private and public events. Back in the 2002, a few of my online Bible study friends were reading Secrets of the Vine, based on John 15, by Bruce Wilkerson. I told them about my sister, and I asked them if they would like to go on a tour and we did. You can read about it here.

3) In the song, Henley sings about looking for the door that will take him "back to the place I was before." Don says that refers to a loss of innocence and a longing for a simpler time. When you think about "the good old days," where does your mind wander to? 

The 70's when I was a teen, a college student, married in 74, Disco days. I graduated from college in 77. Our first son was born in 1981. Here is a picture of us prior to going to a disco in Newport Beach with a few couples. It was a fun time and we never did the drug scene.

4) With five #1 singles, six #1 albums, and six Grammy awards, it's generally agreed that the Eagles were one of the most popular groups of the 1970s. Which decade produced most of your favorite songs? I would say the 60's and 70's. I loved the Motown sound and soft rock the most. 

 

5) The Eagles were formed in 1971 when four of them happened to find themselves hired to play back up for Linda Ronstadt. The men found they really hit off and wanted to keep working together when the gig with Linda was up. Tell us about how you met someone important in your life. That is a big question and there are a few people I could list. My friend Lissette helped me get through the trauma of infertility and miscarriage. My supervisor Vera encouraged me to get back to church on a regular basis. We had taken the kids in the 80's, but I still felt distant. In the early 90's we found a great church. It was my cousin Joanie that really opened my heart to grace and truth in love.

 

6) The Eagles are still on the road, filling big arenas for their Long Goodbye tour. One explanation for their enduring popularity is that their music spans genres. They scored hits on the rock, pop and country charts. Other popular categories of music include classical, gospel, jazz, Latin, reggae, New Age, and rap. Which do you listen to most often? Which did you listen to most recently? Christian radio station in my car today.  Hubby and I like to listen to Oldies when we go for long drives. In the 1980's we went with my siblings to hear Linda Ronstadt when she was touring with her band singing Canciones de mi Padre(Songs of my father) We don't normally listen to Mexican music unless we go to a wedding or gather together for memories of our younger days. Edie Gorme is another singer that we enjoyed because our parents would play her album when they taught us to slow dance. You don't have to understand the words to feel the song in your heart.

I played Classical music for years, so I do listen to that on occasion. I love musicals and have watched many from the 50s and more. I actually like the series Glee. I love to watch the stories told through song and dance. I do not like heavy metal and most rap though I did like the rap part from Alexander Hamilton. I was lucky to see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway with my parents and in Las Vegas with my husband. I feel most at peace listening to Christian music. 

 

7) In 1976, when "Hotel California" was topping the charts, the trend in home decor was vibrant. Intense copper, bright pink and vivid avocado were among the popular colors for bath towels, mats and shower curtains that year. If we were to peek into your 2024 bathroom(s), what colors would we find?

Back in the 70's we were in an older home that had a mauve colored tub and we stayed with neutral colors. I have black, grey and white in my bathrooms now. I have a snowflake shower curtain in the guest bath right now. We did have a harvest gold refrigerator and stove in that first house.

 

8) Handbags were big in 1976. Not just in popularity but in size. Purses routinely had compartments on the inside and pockets on the outside. When you leave the house, do you travel light? Or do you prefer to carry a lot with you? I travel light. I have lightweight bags that I can use as a crossover. My shoulders can't handle heavy purses anymore. 

9) Random question -- How different is your life today than it was a year ago: (a) a lot; (b) a little); (c) not at all? (B)A little. I am a bit heavier and not in any major pain. Last year I hit my knee after Christmas, and I had several injuries. I am praying I don't get hurt. My left shoulder still does not have full range of motion. Now I need to get back to exercising!

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing   Thought Provoking Questions

Some of these were really hard to answer!

1. Do you own your things or do your things own you? To be honest, there are some things that I do hold dear to my heart. There are other things that I really need to let go. I have collected a lot of things, but they don't mean the same and I don't have the room.

2. Would you rather lose all of your old memories or never be able to make new ones? I would like to hold onto the old memories. Then I would write down the new memories and read them. The old memories are a part of me. But sometimes life happens, and things are forgotten anyways. 

3. When you are 80-years-old, what will matter to you the most? That I lived for God. That my family is saved. That I can not be a burden to my family if I live that long.

4. What do you have that you cannot live without? My memories!

5. When you close your eyes what do you see? Gray, white blur.

6. What sustains you on a daily basis? My faith in God, my hope though Jesus, the Word of God that I try to read daily, the love of my family and my friends.

7. What are your top five personal values? Love God, be true to myself, to love my family, regardless of personal views, to be kind and be grateful for what I have. 

8. What personal prisons have you built out of fears? The fear of death. Not the part about leaving, because I am a Christian and will be in heaven. The fear of the actual death. I saw my grandpa die of cancer, my mom die of Alzheimer's and my dad from liver failure, possible liver cancer. Just give me the drugs and let me go. I don't want to be a burden for my kids.

9. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? There are a lot of things I want to do, but money is a factor. Health is another. I would have liked to try skiing or snowboarding. I would like to have visited the Holy Land. I would have liked to see more states. I would love to see a grandchild from my middle son and his wife. 

10. If you haven’t achieved it yet what do you have to lose? Not much really. I can want to do lots of things, but reality tells me to be grateful for what I have and what will be will be.

11 What three words would you use to describe the last three months of your life? The last three months?
Concerned, thankful and blessed.

12. Is it ever right to do the wrong thing?  Is it ever wrong to do the right thing? Life is not black and white. I would say yes to both questions. In the end, I answer to God.

13. How would you describe ‘freedom’ in your own words? Freedom in Christ.

Free to exercise my rights as an American citizen. Free to be the real me, not the person I thought I had to be.

14. What is the most important thing you could do right now in your personal life? Let go and let God.

15. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich? Teaching other's about Bible journaling. Having all the resources I need to do so.

Tuesday 4

Pondering Odds & Ends

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 kept up in her memory.

We offer 4 questions for you to ponder and consider each week.   Hopefully they make you stop and think and even get to know yourself and other Bloggers a bit better. Here we go discussing some personal thoughts this week....

1. Do you have a favorite gemstone? Why is it a favorite. They are all pretty. My favorite is the diamond because of the way it sparkles. My husband gave me a promise ring with a spec of a diamond and my mom said if I got engaged, to get at least a half carat. That is what I got. My mom gifted me with a beautiful multi mini diamond band that I love. I also inherited one of her diamond rings. 

2. Do you know and understand the doctrines of your religious faith? If you are not religious, do you have a personal doctrine you believe and live? I don't have religion, I have a relationship with Jesus Christ. I believe in the Word of God-the Bible. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God. He died on the cross for our sins. He rose on the third day. I believe in the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three in one. When you believe in Jesus, you are saved by grace. You can't earn this. You put your trust in Him and try to obey the teachings of Jesus. I believe in what Jesus said below. Only God knows the true heart of a person. He is the only judge.

I have a black and tan long haired mini doxie named Minnie. 

Minnie and her mom Rey

3. Do you have a favorite décor style... as in classical, traditional, modern, mid century, colonial, etc?  I would say most of what we have is traditional. I also have pieces of furniture inherited by my parents. Most of my bedroom has antiques still waiting for a make over.  What do you like about it? Comfortable and functional. I had a formal living room and dining room at my last home. It was nice, but not very practical. I am in a smaller home, and I have grandkids. We have comfy couches that I don't have to worry about when they are here. I had a beautiful coffee table my parents gave me.  I loved it but it was too big for this house, so I gave it to my sister. I was with her this weekend and it makes me happy to see it at her house. She gave me a mirror and chair.

4. Are there any books or movies you want to see this summer?

We just saw Redeeming Love and it was really good. I read the book long ago and again during the Covid lockdown. I am currently reading a book called When Jesus Wept by Bodie Thoene. It is a fictional book about the relationship of Jesus and Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha. I have read the 12 books of the AD Chronicles, written by Brock and Bodie Thoene. Each book focuses on people that Jesus encountered during his life. I might re-read them again if I get a chance.

1. How will you celebrate Easter this year? This year we will watch the service online. Not sure if I will get changed or stay in my pajamas. My daughter and her kids will come over for an egg hunt and dinner. We will share vidoes with our other grands. We normally go to their house for the egg hunt and dinner.

2. Is it easier for you to receive grace offered or extend grace to another? Explain. The church I grew up in seemed to focus on judgement more than grace. I also grew up thinking that I had to be perfect and of course I wasn't. So grace was hard to receive and give. It took awhile for me to accept the grace that God offered me. I felt like I did not deserve it or had not earned it. But God gives it freely because He loves us. It was freeing to finally accept that.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:8-10).

"Grace may be defined as the unmerited or undeserving favor of God to those who are under condemnation." – Enns2

I looked up the word grace and this is the one that I thought explained it. "a disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency." So saying something nice instead of putting someone down when they make a mistake. To offer forgiveness instead of punishing someone for their behavior.

3. Do you say grace before meals? If so do you have a standard dinnertime grace or is it more 'off the cuff' ? Do you say grace when dining out? Do you have a favorite grace? Any special memory associated with 'saying grace'? Yes we say grace before meals and yes when we go out. We take turns saying the prayer and it is said from the heart. All my grandkids know how to pray and will do so when asked, even when we go out. I remember my dad leading a prayer one year and he asked us to hold hands. It was so special.

4. What are some challenges you think the next generation will face? (Generation Alpha-born between 2011 and 2025) I think that the next generation will do okay for the most part. Sometimes I think that the younger generations rely to much on electronics. What would happen if something happened and we lost electricity or internet capabilities? I think that we are surviving this season because we are connected with others through electronics. I pray that they will see the value of having other options and then adapting to it. I think they are seeing some of that now. I am hoping that these younger generations will appreciate what they have.

5. Share a favorite quote or lyric featuring the word faith. If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest.” Corrie Ten Boom Corrie was a great example of a woman of faith. Here is a picture of me by her grave in Orange County. My parents and grand parents are there and I will be there also someday.

Hebrews 11:1 Good News Translation
To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.
My faith means I trust in the Lord. I can't see Him, but I still believe in Him and that He will take care of me.

6. Insert your own random thought here. I liked doing this today. It made me stop and think about things. These past few weeks and given me a time to really reflect on my trust in God. I know that I am trusting in Him. I am normally a worrier, and have dealt with depression in the past. I have been more at peace than I thought. Every year I ask the Lord for what one word I should reflect on for the year and it was PEACE!

1. If there's a personal god, what quality would you most like that person to have (and why)? There is a GOD and He posses many qualities. Love, grace and mercy are the ones that mean the most to me.

2. What's your death-row meal? Ground beef and potato tacos the way I learned from my mom.

3. Assuming we make it through this outbreak with minimal loss of life, what do you think our big takeaway should be? To be prepared. Our government should allocate the money needed to fight this from many directions. People who study viruses and other professionals should work together and then tell the government what needs to be done. Many thing should be made here and not in another country. Medical equipment needs to be made year round and then stored so that it is available. I have been making face mask for my daughter and her office. They had to turn in their good mask to the hospital and are limited with the ones they have.

I made my daughter one that has 3 layers. I had to make ties because there is no elastic. Once she wore it at work, her doctors and nurses have asked for one. I heard that 45 doctors have died in Italy. We don't need to spend billion of dollars for walls and space programs if we can't even keep a virus from spreading globally without the means to battle it.

4. Whom do you find yourself missing more than you would've predicted? Before this virus thing, my parents. Now I miss seeing my kids and grand kids the most. I miss my friends.

5. What brings you the most joy? Not happiness, not contentment -- JOY.Joy for me is having a personal relationship with the Lord. Joy is knowing that all my family believes in Jesus and know matter what happens on Earth, we will all be together forever in Heaven. My family is my joy. When I am with them, both my immediate and siblings and family, I am joyful!

6. Do you find yourself regretting anything you've said or done on social media?No. I was taught if you can't say something nice, don't say it at all.

7. What are your favorite and least favorite things about your body and face?I like the smooth skin texture of my face which is pretty good for my age. But since I lost weight, my skin is sagging. But overall okay with it. My tummy is my least favorite.

8. and your life? My most favorite is my family which includes my dog. My least favorite is having osteoporosis because I can't do the things I want to do.

9. How's the self-isolation affecting your libido? I am doing fine but that is too personal a question.

10. Which three places in the physical universe would you most like to visit? I am fine here on Earth and our next trip is going to be in Maui. I wanted to go to New York and DC with hubby but now I don't think so. I would like to go to Yellowstone with my family. If I could afford it I would like to go to the Holy Land.

11. On whom did you have a crush years ago? Have you ever told them? I have been married for 45 years and hubby was the last crush so yes he knows.

12. How have your religious views changed since you were in high school? Yes they are stronger and I understand so much more know. Less legalistic. I have more grace than I did probably because of the grace I have received.

13. If you could change one law, what would it be?No high power assault weapons allowed for most people. I do believe in having regular firearms.

14. If you could add one commandment to the original ten, what would it be? I would not change it because God wrote it.

Thought Provoking Questions

1. Is it more important to love or be loved?
Both are important but showing love means more now.

2. If you had the chance to go back in time and change one thing would you do it?
Ask my mom and dad lots of questions about themselves.

3. If a doctor gave you five years to live, what would you try to accomplish?
Go to Disney World with my family. Do as many thing with my family to make memories.

4. What is the difference between innocence and ignorance?
Innocence is not knowing at all but the child/person is willing to learn. Ignorance is is not knowing and not wanting to learn or refusing to accept instruction by choice or circumstance. I think there is a lot of grace given to the person who wants to learn what they do not know. I think there is more negativity associated with the person who is stubborn and refuses instruction and correction.

5. What is the simplest truth you can express in words? God is love.

6. What gives your life meaning? At my age, spending time with my family and sharing about Jesus. spending time learning from my Bible. Also spending time with my friends. Like today, my lifegroup friends went to breakfast and then we went to a Women's shelter and threw the kids a Valentine's party. I made my own cards to pass out to the kids and stamped "God loves you!" We passed out gift bags and cards. Some of the ladies baked goods too. We hope to go back again. Here is a picture of us waiting for the kids to come in.

7. Can there be happiness without sadness? Pleasure without pain? Peace without war? They are all a part of life. Good verses bad. I think we will only have joy, pleasure and peace in heaven.

8. What’s the one thing you’d like others to remember about you at the end of your life? I loved God and my family and I was a loyal friend and a creative person.

9. Is there such a thing as perfect? No, only God is perfect.

10. What do you love most about yourself? I try to see the good in people. I am creative.

11. Is it more important to do what you love or to love what you are doing? I am retired so I do what I love for the most part.

12. What do you imagine yourself doing ten years from now? Hopefully watching my grankids graduate from college and high school. I hope I am still in good health.
My mom died at age 75 because of Alzheimers and in 10 years I will almost be 75.

13. What small act of kindness were you once shown that you will never forget? A woman gave me some great words of encouragement on a plane ride home that pertained to my daughter. After we got off the plane I was following her and in a second I lost sight of her. I think she was an angel when I really needed one.

14. To what degree have you controlled the course your life has taken? I think a lot of it and not always for my best. There are a few things I wish I could do differently. A few things were out of my control and then I had to decide what I wanted to do with the course change. Praying to God now really helps too!

15. If you looked into the heart of your enemy, what do you think you would find that is different from what is in your own heart? I can't say I have any enemies. There is one person that really broke my heart. My heart became more compassionate to others. I think hers became more selective. I really don't know. I have given it to God and made many new friends!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5