Friday's Fave 5 & Saturday 9

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On my previous post I talked about my thoughts from 911. I am watching the tribute ceremony as I write this. It made me think of when I met a Holocaust survivor and he told us, "Never forget" Never forget the times that help us remember that life is precious. That we grow strong if we can focus on the good.

Thankful for the wonderful time we had celebrating at our granddaughter's Sweet 16 birthday party last Saturday. Our son and his wife also celebrated their birthday's last week.

Thankful for the rain we got on Sunday and Monday because we need it. Not used to the humidity we got with it, but it came from a tropical storm coming up from Mexico. We have been in the 100's this week so thankful for air conditioning!

Thankful for another fun time at our Senior Fellowship. There is always lots of food because it is a potluck. The games are always fun. Thankful that my friend Linda could take me.

Thankful that my friends and I could get together on Thursday to work on the travel journal kits I made them for our upcoming trip to Israel. We will get our travel information kits on Sunday. I have received certain things I ordered for the trip. I am just waiting for my shoes to come in. I will use some of them when I go with some friends on a 4 day get away on Monday. Thankful that the weather will come down.

Thankful that I have learned so much from Bible journaling. 

Saturday 9: Devil in the Bottle (1974)

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

1) This song begins with T. G. Sheppard taking off his shoes to slip into the house with disturbing his sleeping wife. Are you wearing shoes as you answer these questions? No

2) His wife hears him anyway. Are you a light sleeper? Yes

 

3) This is the first of 22 consecutive #1 hits for T. G. Sheppard. Not bad for a high school dropout. What's the last year of education that you completed? Bachelors in Social Ecology, University of CA at Irvine. Also took 2 years of courses I liked at the local junior college while waiting to get pregnant.

 

4) He was born William Browder and chose the stage name T. G. Sheppard just because he liked the sound of it. He says "T. G." doesn't stand for anything, and he gets a kick out of fans who insist there's some secret meaning behind the initials. Since most of us didn't choose our names: Is there a story behind your name? Did your parents tell you why they chose it? (If you did choose your name, share what influenced your decision.) I was named after two people, my grandfather and Susan Hayward.

 

5) It was after hours at a Memphis roller rink when he first met Elvis and his entourage. As T. G. was leaving, Elvis was entering and asked if he wanted to stay and skate longer. T. G. was confused because he knew the place was closing for the night. "Not for me," Elvis replied and T. G. skated with Elvis and his buddies until dawn. Are you good on roller skates? I was when I was younger. I would dare not try it now or I would break if I fell.

6) T. G. loves NASCAR and was an associate sponsor of the Folgers Chevrolet. He enjoyed the collaboration with the coffee company and has performed the familiar jingle – "the best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup" – in concert. Are you loyal to a particular coffee brand? Hubby and I drink Folger's Half-Caff.

 

7) T. G. understands the lifestyle of his fans. That's why he named his live country music venue Guitars and Cadillacs. If you were going to name a business after two of your favorite things, what would you call it? Susan's Garden of Friendship. It's the name of my website. I used to love to garden, http://www.garden4mylord.com/  I was combining both physical and spiritual. My website has over 200 pages. One of the pages is linked to the candle on the top.

 

8) In 1974, when this week's song was on the country charts, Linda Ronstadt was getting a lot of radio airplay with "You're No Good." That song is about a real cad. Let's turn that around: Who is the nicest person you know? I know many nice people. My cousin Joanie, several of my friends and my granddaughter, Audrina.

 

9) Random question: Have you ever had your palm read? No, and I would not.

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

Fridays Fave Five & Saturday 9

Every Friday I stop to list things I am thankful for from the week and link with Susanne

I am thankful that the medicine has helped our sweet Minnie. She is walking better now and has even started barking again. Now that the stool softener is working, she is not struggling as much to potty. I am sure the steroids have helped with pain. For those that have not read my last few blog post, she has a mass blacking her lower bowels. The specialist and regular vet both suspect she has cancer and that her time is limited. We are determined to make her as comfortable as possible. She is always hungry, probably from the steroids. We have to give her smaller amounts of food, but we feed her about 4 times a day instead of two. I can tell she has lost weight, but her past increased weight might be from the mass.

I am thankful to those of you have read my blog and shown your concern.

I am thankful that our life is slow right now so we can take care of our Minnie. My husband's family reunion was a success and all our kids and grands went. I stayed home with Minnie. He will stay home this weekend so I can go to church and maybe do some shopping.

Thankful that I can have time to work on my crafts and Bible study/journal. I did this spread in 2020 and want to do it again in my Faith workbook. 

Thankful for the beautiful weather we have been having. 70's and 80's is great but we are heading to the 90's next week. That is still okay. We do get several days of 100 and thankful for air conditioning!

Thankful for my family and that they are all believers. Thankful to be a part of the USA!

SATURDAY 9: God Bless America 

Unfamiliar with Connie Francis' version of this song? Hear it here.

1) Irving Berlin's lyrics celebrate our mountains, prairies, and oceans. Which of these geographical features is nearest your home? The beach is about 35 miles from me. The mountains are about 50 miles. The desert is about 50 miles in another direction.

2) Berlin donated his royalties from "God Bless America" to the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America. Were you ever a Scout? Yes, I was a Girl Scout. 

 

3) While this week's song has been recorded many times, we're concentrating on Connie Francis' 1959 version. It was never intended to be a hit, released as the B-side to her popular "Among My Souvenirs." But it took off when it was played at school rallies and patriotic events. Do you know all the lyrics to "God Bless America?" Could you sing along with Connie? Yes, I learned it in Elementary school. 

4) After she wrote her autobiography, Connie said she wanted Valerie Bertinelli to play her in the movie. Even though Valerie isn't known for her singing, Connie liked that they were both Italian-American and 5'5". If we made a movie of your life, who should play you ??? I am only 5 feet tall!

 

5) Connie had a passionate romance with Bobby Darin, and their relationship is included in the Broadway show about Bobby's life, Just In Time. While Connie expressed her support for the production, she never saw the show because hip problems made flying difficult. How about you? Are you dealing with any aches or pains today? Yes, I have disc issues in my neck, mid back and lower back. I use my heating pad a lot. I can't pick up anything more than 8 pounds. I take Motrin when I have to. I have a cavity that is bothering me and it will get fixed in a week.

 

6) The Fourth of July means we're in the middle of summer. Are you careful about applying sunscreen? Yes, I have too. I got skin cancer on my face last year. Sadly, most skin cancer from today is from sun exposure in the past.

7) More beer is purchased for the 4th of July than any other holiday. What beverage will be served with your July 4th meal? Ice water with fruit and a touch of Snapple diet peach tea.

 

8) Emergency rooms expect an increase over the July 4th holiday. The most common causes are sports injuries (like jammed wrists and wrenched knees) and the unwise use of home fireworks. Have you  been to the ER or Urgent Care during 2026? No, thank God! But my precious Minnie has a few times.

9) New York is home to Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest every year on the 4th. Will hot dogs be consumed in your household this weekend? Hubby made some last week, and I would prefer a hamburger for this weekend.

Previous entry has my 4th decorations.

Thanks to Susanne and Sam for the meme questions, links on left.

Friday's Fave Five & Saturday 9

We left to Las Vegas las Saturday. I am thankful that we were able to rent a nice SUV that has heated, massaging seats. It was nice that it was a six-seater so that my son's family could fit in ours when we had to drive places. It takes 3 1/2 hours to drive there and I took my crafts to work on during the drive.

It was nice to be able to enjoy our son's timeshare at the Grand Chateau Marriott Resort. We stayed in a family unit. When you walk through the door at the end of the hall, you can go right into a 1-bedroom condo. Or you can go straight into the 2-bedroom condo. We have gone before with more family and used the couches that turn into a bed too. I was able to use our small table to craft on. Meals were eaten on the large 8 seat table in the larger unit. Once we got settled we went out for dinner and walked around. Later I was able to work on my Faith Journal.

It was nice to enjoy the pool on the 5th floor. We ordered lunch a breakfast and a lunch at the pool grill. I had two eggs over avocado toast with bacon, and it was so good. The cauliflower crust pizza was really good too! I used lots of sunblock was there. Thankful that many things were walking distance. I had bought sunblock but left it at home. I found what I needed at a Target and Walgreens. 

2017 and 2026. Eijah was trying to recreate the look!

Thankful that my granddaughter and I got to enjoy a few hours at Disneyland on Thursday. She enjoyed sitting at the front of the monorail. She went on it as a baby but did not remember that. The monorail was closed last time we went. We went on the carrousel too which we had not been on all year. We enjoyed lunch at the Plaza Inn and share the fried chicken meal. It came with a breast, thigh and drumstick, mash potatoes and gravy, green beans an a roll. She ate the potatoes and I ate the green beans. It was plenty for both of us.

Today I am thankful to have a pajama day after a busy week!

9: Mystical Magical (2025)

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

1) This week's song is about a new love affair, and Benson Boone bounces between frustration and optimism when he thinks about it. Does anything inspire your mixed emotions these days? My faith and my family. 

2) The lyrics mention "moonbeam ice cream," which is something Benson just made up. Last summer, when this week's song became popular, ice cream shops were inspired to create flavors with that name. What's your favorite ice cream flavor, and will you take that in a cup or cone? I just had some ice cream/gelato in a plastic cup at the Venetian Las Vegas. It was passion fruit and pineapple and reminds me of Hawaii. I kept the small cup to use when I watercolor.

 

3) He sings that "once you know" about a love like this, "you know." Tell us about something you had to experience to fully understand. Lots of things! Isn't that what life is about. Pregnancy and Labor and mothering. Being a grandma-Mema.

 

4) He composed this song at the piano. Do you play piano? I used to but I have not played in years.

5) He first sang in public at a high school talent show, which he only entered on a dare. Can you recall any dares from your junior high or high school days? I can't think of anything.

6) Benson was a good high school athlete and competed in diving at the state level. Can you execute a dive off the diving board? I used to be able too. But I would not try now with all my back issues.

7) When he was 18, Boone auditioned for American Idol. What were you up to when you were 18? I was dating, going to UCI, got engaged and got married two days before I turned 19.  

  

8) Benson has a dog named Max. He's not alone in this. "Max" is one of the most popular pet names in the US today. Have you ever known anyone (furry or otherwise) named Max? My pastor had a dog named Max.

 

9) Random question: If we knocked on your door on one of your lazy, stay-at-home days, what would we likely find you wearing? if it is morning, I would still be in pajamas.

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

Friday's Faves Five & Saturday 9

It is almost midnight so I am going to get my Friday's Faves 5.

1. Thankful that hubby and I could go my hometown and leave flowers at our mom's graves. We also stopped at a stationery store in the same city. Then we went back to our city and met my son and grandkids for Chinese food at our favorite place. 

2. Thankful to be able to go to first service to hear my granddaughter sing. They passed out really nice keychains to all the mothers'. I need to take a picture of it. Then we headed to my daughter's church and we enjoyed the worship there too! Hubby wanted to take me out, but I just wanted to go home and eat my Chinese food leftovers and be with Minnie our furbaby.

The grands got to spend the day with their moms, and I got to relax and watch tv with the hubs.

3. Thankful that I could sleep in on Monday. Monday was Women's study on Exodus and that teaching will be on Monday at a home where we will enjoy the final lesson and dinner.

4 My daughter took me to the movies on Tuesday, and we saw the Michael Jackson movie and it was pretty good. Took me back to my youth young adult hood.  Later my hubby and I met our other son and his wife at Olive Garden to celebrate Mother's Day. They gave us some gifts from their vacation in Japan. I am blessed that each of my kids took time to celebrate and make Mother's Day special.

5. Thankful to have our younger grands here for the day and they are spending the night so that their parents can celebrate their 21st anniversary at the beach.  It has been a busy day and now they are in bed. I am blessed to have my family close bye.

Saturday 9: Fun, Fun, Fun (1964)

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

1) This song is about a girl who borrows her father's Ford Thunderbird. When is the last time you drove someone else's car? I can't remember. Do the cars at Disneyland count? Last fall.

2) The teen in question is well known for ability to drive "like an ace." If we were to ask your high school classmates what they remember most about you, what do you think they'd say? My friends would remember me being in a lot of service clubs and GAA-Girls Athletic Association.

3) She told her father she needed the car to go to the library but used it instead to meet friends. Can you recall a time your parents caught you in a fib? No.

4) For this girl and her friends, fun centered on cars and fast food. What did you and your friends do for fun during your teen years? The thing I remember the most was being active in my church youth group. We did a lot of fun things year round. I remember football games and going to Bob's Big Boy for hot fudge Sundays.  ushering the school plays and special events in the auditorium. I liked going to the beach in the summer. I liked buying 45's when I could and mostly listening to music. I loved to watch American Bandstand and Soul Train. Here we are dancing at a summer youth group party. I am in the back right and I made my outfit.  I am dancing with the Helmut, a foreign exchange student from Germany. Clean fun, no alcohol.

5) Legend has it songwriters Brian Wilson and Mike Love got the idea for this song from a Salt Lake City disc jockey. He told them he'd lent his T-bird to his daughter so she could go to class at the community college but discovered her deception when the car was ticketed in front of a fast food restaurant. Can you think of another song inspired by true events? 1967 White Rabbit, Go Ask Alice a song by Jefferson Airplane, about teens and the drug culture. They made a movie about it. I never did drugs. The movie opened my eyes to the struggles of teens and drugs. I could list lots of songs, but this post would be too long. This was one of the songs and movies discussed in my Psychological literature class in high school. 

6) As in the song, the disc jockey punished his daughter by taking her driving privileges away. Were your parents strict when you were growing up? My mom was stricter than my dad. They were strict about a few things. I was a pretty good kid, and for the most part, I followed the rules.

7) This song was recorded on January 1, 1964. The Beach Boys had to work on the holiday because they were under pressure to meet a February release date. How did you spend New Year's Day 2026? We stayed home, watched the Rose Parade, had left overs and just relaxed. I probably crafted.

 

8) 1964 was a great year for Capitol Records. They had chart-topping hits by the Beach Boys, Barbra Streisand and, most spectacularly, The Beatles. The Capitol Records Building in Los Angeles is considered iconic and it's a stop on tourist bus tours. Have you ever been to Southern California? If yes, what did you do?

I have lived in So CA all my life. I have done many things. The beach is less than an hour

away. I have been to most of the amusement parks like Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Magic Mountain, Universal Studios, Marineland. I have been to San Diego many times and visited all the fun things there. I am 1-2 hours for local mountains and an hour to Palm Springs and Los Angeles. A couple of years ago, I got to see the Hollywood stars walk of fame, I have been up the coast and the 395 along the high mountain ranges.  I have been to several museums, including the Richard Nixon and Ronald Regan library. That is just So California. Lots of places in Central and Northen CA.

 

9) Random question: What's the last compliment you received? Wednesday at marriage group,

I was thanked for sharing something.

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

Friday Faves 5 & Saturday 9

The week flew by as usual I am going Susanne to recap the 5 things I am thankful for from the past week. Dec 26-Jan2

1. Christmas was so special, and I am happy my whole family was here to celebrate. Thankful that we relax the day after and not go anywhere. I used to get up early to hit sales, but not anymore. I was able to craft and do my Bible reading. I also started taking down one of the trees in the Master bedroom.

2. Thankful that I could start back up with physical therapy. During my whole skin cancer ordeal, I lost weight and muscle. So, my doctor decided I would benefit from a repeat session. Then I will get to the gym. I need to do home exercises daily. I am doing strength training, not aerobic activity. I also plan to start walking with my friends.

3. The weekend was low key. We went to church and enjoyed the sight of snow on the mountains. after church we went out to lunch.  When we got home I worked on my craft book and Advent study.  Then I took down more ornaments and ornaments. I take pictures before I do.

4. Thankful that my son and the grands came for a visit on Tuesday. The grands spent the night. My older grandson was there too, and he and my granddaughter were both drawing. They are both great sketch artist. I got the kids to bed at midnight because they were playing games. When I finally crawled into bed, it was December 31, so, I read the last entry for the Bible Recap program and completed reading the whole Bible! I also signed up for my Isreal trip! Later we went to my son's house to bring in the new year. My son Daniel was feeling better and had cabin fever so his wife brought him. He says it hurts to drive because of the muscles in the back that hurt which pull on other muscles. Thanks for the prayers too!

5. I am thankful that I have been able to get a lot of things done and feel good about it. It is sad to take down Christmas, but I am ready for the New Year. I do put up winter decorations and enjoy the snowmen and white lights. I am excited about learning more about the Bible and making new memories! I am looking forward to getting fit so I can be ready for my trip to Israel. Next step is getting travel insurance.

1) In the lyrics, Taylor Swift promises she'll not only be there for the party, but for the clean up afterward. As we say move on from the holiday season, could your home benefit from a thorough cleaning? Yes, I am packing Christmas away and there are needles and clutter that have to go.

 

2) This song describes a party where guests took Polaroid pictures. Have you ever owned a Polaroid camera? Do you have one now? I did own one in the 80's but I do not own one now. I do have a Cannon mini printer that prints 2x3 photos from my phone.

3) Taylor sings that we should "hold on to memories." What special memory from 2025 memory will you hang onto? There are a lot of special memories. Our Mexican Riviera anniversary cruise last January. My 70th birthday, my grandson's 18th birthday. Several family members getting baptized, my family showing support of my son. 

 

4) Taylor Swift grew up on a Christmas tree farm in Pennsylvania. Have you taken your tree, or other holiday decorations, down yet? If you didn't decorate at all, let us know that, too. I started taking things down a couple days after Christmas. I decorate my whole house, so it takes days to take it down. I started with the master bedroom. I still have a couple of trees up and they will be decorated for winter. I have taken off the ornaments from the seasonal tree that had nativities and have put up country snowmen and pinecones.

5) Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement, but no wedding date has been shared. 

Do you anticipate attending any weddings in 2026? No, I don't think so.

6) Travis' team, the Kansas City Chiefs, is currently 6-10. Not exactly the record their fans hoped for. 

According to a 2024 Pew research study, 53% of Americans said football is their favorite sport. 

Have you watched much football this season? Not on tv, but I have been to a couple of the high school games and one was at the Rosebowl.

 

7) In 2017, when "New Year's Day" was released, Wonder Woman was a hit at the box office. While Wonder Woman's superhero abilities vary depending on which TV show, movie or comic book you refer to, some of her powers remain consistent: a) immense strength, b) superhuman speed, c) the ability to almost instantly recover/heal from injury. Which would you like to possess – a, b, or c? C for sure!

8) Have you made any New Year's resolutions for 2026? I want to get healthier. Spiritually, physically and emotionally. There is always room for improvement.

 

9) What was the first thing to make you laugh in 2026? When I read the last verse on the Bible Recap program, I read it around 1 am, December 31. This is my 5th time reading it through, the first time on my phone with an app. I was not going to do it again, but I decided to start it with the Bible Project. My goal is to read it  through 7 times. As many times as I have read Gone with the Wind! I have told my grands. The Word of God you put in your heart, is the only thing you take with you when you go.

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

Friday Faves 5 & Saturday 9

Thanks for all the prayers for my son and he appreciates it. (see previous entry) There is always so much to be thankful for, and I am joining Joyce for a recap of my weekly blessings.

1. Thankful that we were able to go watch our grands perform at their school's performance. There were continuous music performances. Then there were groups that were taken on a tour of the living Nativity.

My grandson played the part of Elijah talking about Isaiah 9:6. My granddaughter played the keyboard and guitar and helped with staging. My son Daniel and Melinda were able to come and visit before they headed to Christmas parties. Daughter Renee and granddaughter helped pass out presents at their church. Grandson was working and bought gifts for everyone with his first check. They also had a bake sale fundraiser with lots of goodies.

2. Thankful to be able to go to a satellite church to hear our granddaughter sing. Thankful that my family all showed their support for Daniel, both at the hospital and during the week. We decided to have Christmas dinner at our favorite Chinese food place. The boys liked watching the Christmas Story and always suggested we go have Chinese food so that we could relax more after Christmas.

3. Thankful for being able to get all my shopping done and by Tuesday. We went to Andrew's house and I was able to take my December study with me. My granddaughter was busy painting her Christmas gifts. We did the last of our grocery shopping afterwards for our part in the big breakfast.

4. Thankful to be able to have time to wrap last minutes gifts and get the table ready for breakfast.

Got all the stocking filled and the house ready for Christmas. I enjoyed watching Christmas movies and remembering my parents. I was not able to go to the Christmas eve service because of the rain and I don't drive at night because of cataracts. 

5. Thankful for a wonderful Christmas! Daniel was very sore so we had him sit and it was nice to see all the family carefully give him hugs. I was happy seeing the family love. I could tell Daniel was in pain, but he said he would not miss it. Thankful for his caring wife. 

My grandson Eddie said a wonderful prayer before we ate. We took pictures and then opened presents. We normally start with the stockings, but we decided that we would do it after dinner. Daniel and Melinda made everyone laugh with the last present, giant 6-7 balloons. Then they retired to our guest room and all left. Later we went to Hiong Kongs that was so busy. We hate to wait for seating and the place was so busy. The food is so good there and worth the wait. We came home, opened up stocking and places Left, Right, Center. We had Mexican hot chocolate and dessert. After everyone left, I was able to watch the Christmas Call the Midwife special. Thank You Lord!

Dinner at our favorite Chinese food place-Hong Kongs, Cantonese style fresh fiood.

Saturday 9: Bye Bye Bye (2000)

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

1) In this song, a man predicts his lover will start an argument. Is there anyone in your life who can be quarrelsome? Yes

2) He says he's had it, he's checking out and signing off. Can you think of a time you were glad you walked away from something? Yes

3) This week's song was performed by the band NSYNC. The group was formed in Orlando, FL, which is world famous as home to Walt Disney World. Today there are 12 Disney theme parks located around the globe. Have you ever visited one of these Magic Kingdoms? Yes, the original Disneyland. I am as old as this park being born a few weeks after it opened in July 1955. I have gone over the years and seen many changes. I am happy to have my pass again!

4) They made a celebrity appearance on The Simpsons. What's your all-time favorite cartoon show?

The Looney Tunes was fun when I was a child.

5) In 2000, the year "Bye Bye Bye" was popular, Brad Pitt was named People's Sexiest Man Alive. Are you crushing on anyone right now? I think a few actors have aged well like George Clooney.

Let's look back on 2025 ...

6) What's the farthest from home you traveled in 2025? We went on a Mexican Riviera cruise in January and we were 1511 miles away from home. That is based on land, so might be a little more than that.

7) What was the biggest purchase that you made in 2025? Air conditioner system.

8) What was your favorite book of 2025? The Bible, I will have completed reading through the Bible at the end of the year with the Bible Recap Girl program. I plan to re read the Left Behind series again.

9) What are you looking forward to most in 2026? A possible trip to Israel with my church.