Friday Fave 5 & Saturday 9

Hello! Another week has flown bye. Life has been busy and I am thankful for that.

Last weekend was nice though cold and cloudy. We went to a family baby shower at a park and they had a taco man. The food was so good! Church was good on Sunday and I was a greeter again. We met up with our son and granddaughter for lunch at In and Out Burger. I was really tired on Monday and thankful to sleep in. Monday evening I went to the Women's Bible study, and they provided burritos, chips and salsa since it was Cinco de Mayo. 

Once I got home I found out that my grandson got into the volunteer program at the local hospital. Over 100 kids applied and only 20 made it. He was really happy because last year he missed it by one day. He wants to be a doctor and this is a good way to start getting experience in the medical field. His volleyball team has made the playoffs too!

Tuesday morning, I went to my lifegroup and took sandwiches. There is always lots of food. Our last meeting is June 10th and then we break until mid-August. It is really nice to fellowship. Later I went to my PT and the massage on my back really felt good after all the exercises they put me through.  I am always thankful to have good insurance to cover it, and they have approved my back therapy again for a 3rd time. I plan to make my other appointments next week. 

Thankful for a good night sleep and I woke up refreshed on Wednesday. Then we went to our grandkids school to see the science experiment my grandson did along with other classmates. I am thankful that we could go see him and show our support. Later hubby dropped me off at Staples so I could look at printers. My printer died and I need another one. I hope to go back and get one this weekend. 

Thursday our married lifegroup drove to San Juan Capistrano for lunch. We were a block from the mission but did not go. We ate at a place called the Adobe restaurant and is a historical building. One part being build in 1797 and the other part in 1812. The bottom of one building once held the jail. It was converted to a wine cellar and not it is a private dining room. Another underground place was a stop off for the stagecoach, until 1888 when the trains started coming through. I love the local history. While on our way to the place which is an hour away, we heard that new Pope was selected and is American. I am not Catholic, but I was happy about it. We took a long way back home through the hills and it was a really nice drive. 

Happy Mother's Day in Heaven to my beautiful mom!

Saturday 9: Mama Liked the Roses (1970)

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

1) In this song, Elvis tells us his mother loved tending the roses in the garden. Do you have a green thumb?  A little bit. I do grow roses and plumerias. I have also been taking cuttings from succulents and make new little pots to give to my BJ group.

2) Mama would put the roses in a vase in the living room. Do you have cut flowers in your home right now? Yes, my roses are blooming.

 

3) Elvis sings that he found Mama's rose petals pressed in the family Bible.  Have you ever pressed petals in a book? If yes, what occasion were you commemorating? Yes I have. My grandmothers and parents.

4) OK, so now we know Mama liked roses. What about you? Would you prefer white, pink, yellow or red roses? I love them all. My favorite is the double delight because it smells so good!

5) Elvis' own mother, Gladys Presley, had a major impact on pop culture. When her son was 11, he asked for either a rifle or a bicycle for his birthday. She deemed the rifle too dangerous and the bike too expensive, and so he chose a guitar instead. The rest is history. Tell us about a special birthday gift from your youth. Getting a big girls 2 speed bike for my 10th birthday and a big surprise party.

 

6) Abraham Lincoln credited his stepmother, Sarah, for her lasting influence on his life, saying she ignited his love of reading and learning. Tell us about a woman -- mother, stepmother, grandmother, aunt, Godmother, teacher, neighbor -- who changed your life for the better. I was lucky to have many woman that had a positive influence in my life. My mom, my grandmother's and aunts. Also my youth counselor from church and later a supervisor at my work. 

7) Mother's Day is almost upon us. According to the National Restaurant Association, we like to eat out on this holiday, with revenue up more than 80% on Mother's Day weekend. When did you last dine at a restaurant? Was it a special occasion? We went out to El Adobe restaurant in San Juan Capistrano, a block from the mission. We were with friend from our married group celebrating 4 birthdays.

8) Candles are a big seller for Mother's Day, too. What's your favorite candle scent? I don't burn candles because of my allergies. I diffuse essential oils. I like lavender and peppermint.

9) Sam is celebrating Mother's Day with her mother's favorite, Hershey Bars. Would you prefer classic milk chocolate, dark chocolate or chocolate with almonds? Dark chocolate with almonds.

I loved playing Farmville and designing my farm with lots of flowers!  I sure miss the game.

 

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

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

Here is another of Tuesday 4 invented by Toni Taddeo and kept alive in her memory.  While June is the month of roses, they do bloom all summer long and well past September in many places. 

1. What is your favorite color of roses? Do you have a favorite kind of rose? My favorite is Double Delight, pretty color and almost fruity scent. I have a Mister Lincoln and it has a deep rich rose smell. The two Double Delight are on the right of the picture below.

2. Do you ever buy flowers for your home? Rarely, because I have roses and plumerias.

3. Are there any roses in your yard or neighborhood? 

Yes, I have about 12 rose bushes. I also grow plumerias. . If not what kind of things grow around you? The rest of our plants are succulents and a cactus plant that blooms once a year.

4. What do you see when you look out your front door? Our big pepper tree and the neighbor's house. How about out your kitchen window? Looks out to the neighbor's kitchen window. So we planted a bush and the white jasmine on the ground grew on it. So now I see the white jasmine and it blocks the neighbor's window. We don't have a back door, we have French doors. We look out to the patio. We can see the birds at the birdbath. 

From our bedroom.

1. Do you feel older or younger than your age? Elaborate.  

Depends on how I feel each day. I find it really hard to believe I am going to be 69! My mind feels younger, but my body reminds me that I am not. I have been told that I look younger than I do. But there have been changes the past few years that reminds me I have aged. I have lost a lot of muscle and last year I gained weight in my middle. I am skinny-fat.

2. What's one thing you should toss right now, but just can't? Lots of clothes. papers in the garage. I actually just through out 2 bags and am on a roll!

3. Have you visited many of the 63 National Parks in the US of A? You'll find a list here. Do you have a favorite?  Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Redwood all in California.  Grand Canyon and Petrified Forest in Arizona.  Mesa Verde in Colorado. Bryce and Zion in Utah. Hubbard Glacier-Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Alaska. Crater Lake, Oregon. Love all of them!

What National Park that you haven't seen do you most want to see? Yellowstone, Joshua Tree.

4. How often do you get take out? What's your favorite? 1-2 times a week. Miguel's and In and Out.

5. Do you have many (or any) subscriptions? Not necessarily magazines, but thinking more along the lines of boxes or products that companies offer, and you can sign up to receive on a regular basis. Could be weekly, monthly, quarterly, even daily. Tell us about them. No subscriptions.

6. Insert your own random thought here. I had a busy 4th weekend. Thursday we went to my brother's  and I posted pictures in my previous post. On Friday the grands came over and we went to the movies and they spent the night. Saturday we went with my son's in-laws for another 4th party. Sunday we went to church and my granddaughter sang the National Athem. Then we went out to eat with our married group and to Newport Beach sunset cruise. It end up being a dolphin show as several pods were swimming and jumping around our boat. It was amazing!

Friday Fav Five & Saturday 9

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

Thankful to be seen by an ENT doctor this past Monday. You can read about the ruptured eardrum on my previous post. I have a secondary sinus infection but the antibiotics should help that too. The doctor was so nice. Hopefully my hearing will improve soon.

Thankful that my husband was able to drive me to my appointment. It was raining heavy the day of my appointment. I treated him to some hot soup at El Torito after the appointment.

Thankful that the antibiotics have not made me sick. So thankful for good insurance! The last time I went to ENT I paid $45 for my appointment. This time it was $10.00.  I got two prescriptions and some Vicks Vapor Rub all for under $30.00. 

Thankful for memes. They are great at bringing up memories. In my previous post, there was a question on grandparents and I added some pictures of them a day after I posted. I was blessed to have great grandparents. Grat parents too. Dad passed 11 years ago the 8th. Mom will be gone 14 years. I miss them both and know I will see them someday. Thankful for pictures, those in print, digital and in my heard.

Thankful for the rain. California needs the rain even though it does cause problems in certain areas that have had fire damage or for houses build on hills. Our doxie, Minnie does not like the rain and hubby spoils her with the umbrella. He has towels by the back door to dry off her feet too.

Saturday 9: At Last (1960)

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

 

1) Etta James sings that "life is like a song." What song reflects how you feel about life these days? 

Sunrise, Sunset. It was on Fiddler on the Roof and was played at our wedding. They days go by so much faster now. Every day is a new day, a gift from God.

2) She is delighted to have found the love she has always dreamed of. Have you found true love to be the way you imagined it would be? Or has it surprised you? Love changes over time. True love allows for change and growth. True love is a commitment to one another in spite of life's ups and downs. We will be married 50 years this summer.

 

3) Etta's mother encouraged her to not just sing but perform a song, telling her daughter, "Even if a song has been done a thousand times, you can still bring something of your own to it." Is there a singer whose performances often touch your heart? Carole King and Amy Grant. I have seen them both in concert. I think they are both talented women. I loved the tribute concert I went to for Carole King and one of her songs was sung by Amy Grant!

 

4) As a teen, she was considered a gospel prodigy and churches all around Los Angeles requested she "guest" at their services. Do you have a favorite religious song?

I have lots of them. One of them is Shout to the Lord. I am including the video from the Women of Faith Conference I went to in the 90's in Anaheim California.

5) "At Last" is one of the most often requested songs for the newlywed's first dance at the reception. What song reminds you of a sweetheart? Color My World, by Chicago played at out wedding.

This is the last Saturday 9 before Valentine's Day and so this morning we shall focus on the upcoming holiday.

 

6) It's been reported that millions of roses are grown specifically for Valentine's Day each year. What's your favorite flower? I love roses and grow them in my yard. I also love plumerias and have a few of those plants too.

 

7) The earliest recorded celebration of Valentine's Day was in Paris in the year 1400. Obviously you weren't around for that one. What do you remember from one of your earliest, childhood Valentine's Day celebrations? Valentine's card exchanges.

 

8) About 20% of pet owners say they give their dogs, cats, birds or bunnies a Valentine. Is your pet getting something special on February 14? We usually get Minnie something.

9) Of all the professions, teachers are #1 when it comes to receiving Valentine cards. Did you ever have a crush on a teacher? Yes I did. It was my 9th grade biology teacher, Mr. Early. He had reddish blonde hair, green eyes and a pretty smile. I think he had a moustache too. 

I love flowers and grown them in my front yard. We grow a lot of succulents too. I also love plumerias, but they are not as easy to grow. I love the way they smell. My birth flower is the

                                    My birth flower is the gladiolus.      

 

My state flower is The California Poppy.

 

We like to cut the roses and plumerias and bring them in.

I like what we have in our yards now. If I can add one thing, it would be a fountain because I love the way they sound. I am glad my husband enjoys working in the garden. I love all the beautiful colors that God blesses us with. I also love how we can express it in art.

Monday the grands came down for an overnight. The boys played in the spa and the girls played with the doll house. Ampa got then Wendy's for dinner. Then I sat with them to do Bible journaling. The girls read Psalm 100. I explained it to them and talked about generations starting with my grandfather, Papa David. Then they worked on their pages. It blessed me so much to be able to teach them from the Word of God.

 

They also celebrated Minnie's birthday and some included it in their Bible.