Friday's Fave Five & Saturday 9

Look back this past week to the things I am grateful for and linking with Friday's Fave Five.

Thankful for a wonderful Easter. I miss the times that my whole family would get together. It was always fun to watch the kids collect eggs. This is the first Easter the grands did not collect eggs and they were all okay with it. Thankful to see Audrina lead worship at the Good Friday Service. Thankful that I was able to go to two services and see my grands. Thankful that my daughter was a part of a new church planting. She greeted and ushered and my grandson worked the merchandise center. Thankful to watch my older grand praising the Lord. Thankful that my youngest grand remembers to give me hug at church.

Thankful that my son and his family can take a much-needed vacation at the beach. Thankful how we can all help out with the dogs who have been staying here with us. They get picked up today.

Thankful for the fun time I had at senior fellowship. Thankful that my friend could take me. Thankful that in spite of our age, we can still have fun. Thankful to Pastor Erin who oversees this ministry. I am in the middle and Pastor Erin is in the striped shirt.

Thankful for ice packs and heating pads and physical therapy. Also thankful for physical therapy!

Thankful for my Bible study and faith journaling and Bible journaling that helps me through the rough times. Thankful that I will be leading a group for our Women's ministry that begins on Monday. Pastor Erin oversees that. We had a Zoom last night to go over things. Praying that my physical issues don't get worse. I welcome your prayers. 

Praying for a safe return for the astronauts of the Artemis mission. They will be splashing down in San Diego, which is an hour and a half from me.

Saturday 9: Leather and Lace (1981)

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

1) As you answer these questions, are you wearing leather, lace, or both? No

2) This song is a duet between members of two superstar groups – Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac and Don Henley of The Eagles. Which band do you listen to more often, Fleetwood Mac or The Eagles? I am more familiar with The Eagles.

 

3) In this duet, "lace" tells us she is stronger than we know and "leather" admits that sometimes he's vulnerable. Do either side of this lyrical equation apply to you? Do you think you're either tougher than people realize, or more sensitive than they know? For many years I only showed the tougher side of me. I am actually more sensitive. I have learned to accept that part of me too. 

 

4) Both Stevie and Don are born Westerners. Stevie spent her early childhood in Arizona and Don was born in Texas and stayed there through college. Today Stevie has two homes – one in Pacific Palisades and another in Phoenix – while Don has a beautiful home in Dallas. Do you feel rooted where you are? Or can you see yourself moving to another city or state in the future? I have always lived in So California along with the rest of my family. We are happy here and no plans to move.

 

5) Stevie and Don were romantically involved in the 1970s, but after they broke up they remained friendly. Not only did they record this song in 1981, they went on tour together in 2005. Have you recently heard from an ex? No

6) Stevie admits a lifelong passion for Animal Crackers, those little cookies shaped like tigers, bears and elephants. Is your go-to snack sweet, like Stevie's, or is it salty? I prefer salty. But even salty turns into sugar! So I have to limit both!

7) Don likes Velveeta on his burgers. Describe your ideal cheeseburger. I don't eat cheeseburgers.

8) In 1981, when this song was popular, both Maserati and Mercedes Benz introduced luxury convertibles. Have you ever owned a convertible? Would a convertible be practical for your lifestyle? No and no.

9) Random question: What are you most looking forward to this week?  Seeing my whole family on Sunday. We will be celebrating my daughter and grandson's birthday. It will also be a go away party for my middle son and his wife who are going on vacation to Japan on the 15th.We will be studying from the book of Exodus.

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

 

Fridays' Faves 5 & Saturday 9

Linking with Susanne for the Blessings for the week,

Thankful that we could use a gift card to celebrate Valentine's at one of our favorite places. Event though the place was super busy, we still had great service and great food! 

Thankful for another successful Bible journaling meetup. We were missing 4 girls so we all fit at one table. I shared about

That is a heart shaped brownie on the right.

Thankful for another great meetup with our marriage group! After our study, we had a great potluck lunch. Lots of great food! Loved the new things they had. A flour tortilla filled with peaches. A flour tortilla quesadilla filled with cream cheese and blueberries. We all talked about the crazy storm we experienced. Thankful for the much-needed rain. We are not used to crazy wet weather with wind, thunder and lightning. Our water tables and reservoirs are filling and lots of snow in the mountains.

Thankful for a day of rest on Thursday. I was able to work on my Bible journaling, faith journaling and Lent reading. I am trying to get through my Bible reading plan too. I was also able to take some of the Valentine decorations. Thankful to be able to enjoy the Olympics. The US women's hockey team won! They all sang along with the National anthem, and I sang along with them too. Happy that US won a gold and the two Japanese girls were so good. I like how Alysa Liu was so friendly with the other skaters. 

Thankful for family! My sister is giving my grandson a desk and bookcase that belonged to my dad. I am going to a Galentine party tonight hosted by my daughter in law. It should be fun. I am taking chicken egg rolls. 

Thankful for this Facebook memory. I started my Bible journaling with my cousin, 10 years ago today!

Saturday 9: With or Without You (1987) 

 

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

 

1) "With or Without You" is about the pain of love. What song reminds you of an old romance? Is it about the joy of love or the pain? Never Can Say Goodbye by the Jackson Five. Tell me Have you seen her(him) by the Chi-Lites. Both songs make me think back to two of my boyfriends. When I hear them, they make the teenage in me a little sad. One is alive and one passed away from diabetes. 

 

2) U2 lead singer Bono has admitted that, when the group recorded this song in the 1980s, he was wrestling with his real-life commitment issues. He was trying to resolve the responsibilities of being a husband with the demands of his career. He worked it through, and decades later both his marriage and his career are still going strong. Do you feel you have been more successful in your personal or professional relationships? I am retired now, but I felt I had a good relationship with most of my co-workers and bosses. I think I have good personal relationships with my family and friends.

 

3) Bono credits his wife Ali with helping him through a tough period of writer's block, saying she put the pen in his hand each morning. What time of day finds you the most energized, productive or creative? I am a night own. I "wake up" in the afternoon and evening.

 

4) Bono likes to pedal around town when he's not onstage. What do you do for exercise? I do strength training exercises to build muscle. I can't afford to lose any weight.

 

5) Bono is U2's lead singer, backed by three very talented bandmates: The Edge, Larry Mullen, Jr., and Adam Clayton. Bruce Springsteen is a big fan of U2's concert performances. If Saturday 9 were to bestow upon you a free ticket to any see any band or performer live, who would you choose? Chris Tomlin is coming to Los Angeles in September. I would like to see him again. Does that include lodging?

 

6) U2 got together 50 years ago, when they were school boys in Dublin. Have you ever visited Ireland? If not, would you like to go? Never been and not in my plans. I am going to Israel in October.

 

7) In 1987, the year this song was popular, Cher won the Academy Award for Best Actress. Her most famous line was, "Snap out of it!" Without looking it up, can you name the movie that made her an Oscar winner? Moonstruck?

 

8) Also in 1987, the first Starbucks opened. What's your standard Starbucks order? Cafe Latte, decaf or half caff, add whip cream and cinnamon.

 

9) Random question – Which self-help book would you be more likely to pick up, the one designed to improve your body or your mind? One to improve my body. To be healthier.

Fridays Fave Five & Saturday 9

1.Thankful for family Last Saturday, I met with my sibling for lunch. Later we went to my cousin's house We shared a lot of memories. We are here with her aunt who turned 85 on the 15th.

Sister Terry, BIL Ernie, sister Ann, Aunt Evelyn, me, SIL Cindy and brother Scott. Hubby did not go. 

2. Thankful for all the things our church does for the Christmas season. During the day you could take a picture with Santa. Santa brings gifts to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I love the teaching on Advent we are going through. This weeks reading was from the book of Luke. If you ever watched the Peanuts Christmas, you have heard Linus reciting the verses. Also thankful for the fun time at the Senior Christmas party. 

That evening, I lit the pink, third candle of lent for Joy. I also lit the first candle of Hannukah. I use battery operated candles since I can't use real candles because of my allergies.

3. Thankful that I was able to make over 80 gingerbread cookies on Monday for the cookie exchange on Tuesday. It was a lot of work, but I learned some new things. They came out pretty good too. I used a Betty Crocker cookie mix that I found at Target. I am not a baker, but I started baking cookies with my grands and it has become a tradition.  Thankful for the fun cookie exchange with friends from church. We each brought 6 cookies for each girl and 6 for the cookie trays to go along with the potluck food we brought. I made tuna sandwiches. Afterwards, I went to Hobby Lobby and got cards and wrap for next year. I also stopped at the Post office.

4. Thankful for a day of rest. I finally got caught up on my sleep. I worked on cards and hubby and I caught up on Christmas movies. The grands had their last finals and now are on a 3 week winter break.

5. Thankful for how my visit went with the ophthalmologist on Friday. The nurse loved my purse as she is a Disney enthusiast like me. I loved the doctor! He was so friendly and couldn't understand how his nurse or I could go do Disney by ourselves. He looked at my eye and said I have SEBORRHEIC KERATOSIS. It is a non-cancerous growth that occurs in people usually older than  50. I need to apply warm compresses or a teabag to soften it and sometimes that will remove it. But the doctor made an appointment to remove it if it is still there in a few weeks. We made an appointment for the end of January, after my next visit to Disneyland for my son's birthday. 

1. As you can see, when Sam Winters was a little girl, she loved giving her annual wish list to Santa. If you could ask Santa for anything at all, right now, what would it be? Kindness for all people and to know Jesus, the reason for the season.

2. Are you currently on the Naughty or Nice list? How did you get there? I will say nice.

3. Are you traveling this Christmas? If so, are you going by car, plane or train? I am not traveling.

4. Did you ship any gifts to friends and family this year? If yes, which one traveled the farthest? I did not ship any gifts. I have sent out a few cards for card exchanges. I also sent out a small box for a homemade ornament exchange to WV. I have one more exchange to send out and a few cards.

5. Did you buy yourself a gift this year? I bought several ornaments, mostly Disney for my Disney tree. I also go a purse. I found a great deal the day after Thanksgiving online.  

6. Which do you prefer: candy canes or gingerbread? Gingerbread. I baked six dozen gingerbread cookies for an exchange and to pass out.

7. Can you see any holiday decorations from where you're sitting now? Yes! I am in the family room watching tv and I can see many decorations; I change the mantle every year. It is Disney this year and last year it was Snoopy. The year before it had one of my Nativity sets on it. I can see the 4 smaller trees. My seasonal tree has Nativity and angels. The next one is the Peanuts Gang. The other side of the fireplace has a family ornament tree and a pet tree. The baby grand has my Willow Tree Nativity set. 

 

 

The Nativity in on the piano that is left of the fireplace.

8. What's your favorite winter beverage? Mexican hot chocolate. Click on the girl for the recipe.

9. Share a memory from last Christmas. There are two that stand out. I taught the women in my Bible journaling group about Hanukkah. I set a table up and had some food to share and lights on the table.

We worked on a Hanukkah bookmark and a Clothespin Nativity. My whole family got together last Christmas season, but since we all were together in August for my 70th, just my siblings and I got together. 

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge.

Christmas is fast approaching for billions of people...

1. Do you have a favorite Christmas carol and if so is there a particular version you especially like?

I like Hark the Herald and Oh Holy Night.

2.Do you have a special dinner for the holidays? What foods are included? When my in-laws were alive, we would go to their house on Christmas Eve and have tamales, potato salad, rice, beans and fresh tortillas. Once my son got married, he went with his in-laws to celebrate with his wife's family. 

All our parents have passed away. All my kids go with family on Christmas Eve. All our kids come for Christmas morning and the me make the breakfast. We usually have eggs, bacon, French toast, and sometimes country style potatoes. After breakfast we open presents and drink Mexican hot chocolate. Later they come over for dinner. We sometimes have Mexican food like green chili enchiladas, rice, beans and sometimes chicken pozole which is a chicken soup with green chili base and hominy. When my parents were alive and we all went there, mom would make a great roast and sometimes a honey bake ham. We girls all made the sides. Not sure what is on the menu, but most like the Mexican food.

3.Holiday movies ... which do you like to watch? We always watch National Lampoon Christmas after Thanksgiving dinner. We also watch It's a Wonderful Life and Elf that weekend too. I like the traditional movies and hubby, and I watched White Christmas Sunday night. I like the older version of A Christmas Carol. I like to watch Hallmark and Christmas specials too

4. What traditions do you continue to keep year after year for the holidays? I give each child an ornament at Thanksgiving. We all have fun filling up the stocking. Opening presents on Christmas morning and we are all in our pajamas. We go to Christmas Eve service and it brings back fond memories of my childhood.

1. Do you struggle with the commercialization of the holiday season? What helps you keep your focus when the season’s busyness and commercialism start to take over? I don't pay too much attention to the commercialization. I know what I like and I find out what my family wants.

2. What's one small thing you want to savor before the year ends? I really enjoy looking at my decorations. I take pictures on Christmas Even when the house is clean and quiet. I look at the things I have collected over the years and enjoy the memories I have.

3. December 9th is National Christmas Card Day. Do you still send Christmas cards? If so does yours include a photo or is it a more traditional card, or maybe homemade? How do you feel about the tradition of exchanging cards at the holidays? I still do a few cards and mail to those that are not on social media and a few out of state. Last year I started handing out cards because stamps or so expensive. I usually send out more that I receive. I hope to start on my cards Wednesday. So far, I still include a picture, and it is usually the one we took at Thanksgiving.

If Hanukkah is the holiday you celebrate in December, do you send cards to mark the occasion? I am not Jewish, but I do set out a few things for Hannukah.

4. What's your least favorite holiday related task? Taking things down after Christmas What's your favorite? Decorating and thinking about past Christmases. 

5. Let's do a little holiday this or that? 

shopping or wrapping

baking or decorating

eggnog or wassail

real tree or artificial

turkey or ham

white lights or colored lights 

ugly sweaters or matching pjs

peppermint or cinnamon 

presents Christmas Eve or presents Christmas Day

6. Insert your own random thought here. I am a little behind on my schedule I finally got the last of my gingerbreads up. I had to redo the swag that goes over the kitchen window. I had lunch with my friends on Tuesday. I have to finish up cards for an exchange and get them in the mail I have to finish my shopping. I am going to Disneyland with my son's family on Thursday and have to get my clothes and backpack ready. Friday I have to finish the gifts for my family. Saturday, I meet with my siblings for lunch as we exchange gifts. We did the whole big family last Christmas. Since we all go together in August, we decided to not have the big family Christmas. It is hard with all the different schedules.

Sunday my husband and I greet at church. Later is the Senior Christmas Party. No resting on Monday, I will be baking for a cookie exchange on Tuesday. I am busy and that is okay. I am happy I am well enough to do it all! Sharing a picture of my parents from 2008. Mom passed in 2010 and dad in 2013.

Thanks to Annie and Joyce for the memes.

Friday Faves 5 & Saturday 9

1. Thankful that my family could get together on Sunday and celebrate the September birthdays. We had lunch and then headed to my son's home for dessert and play games. It is harder to get all the grands together at the same time. So, it was a great time to get a picture.

2. Thankful to get all my errands done and my Bible journaling kits finished. Hubby and I finished one Robert Redford movie and started another one. After Friday, I will be home recovering and hubby and I have more movies to watch and the new season series will begin. We both like to watch Dances with the Stars and Survivor. So thankful I have a husband that likes some of the things I do.

3. Thankful for my Crafty Me craft group. I like learning new things. Here is a project I did while following the prompts our instructor gave us. Make a bookcase. Add books, add a clock, plants, globe, cup, globe and frame. This was all freehand. Since I had to do a frame, I decided to add a picture of me!

4. Thankful that my Bible journal met up was a success. Lots of food and fellowship!

5. Thankful that the AC is working great and so is the new water heater.  Today I change my sheets and enjoy my hot shower. Nice to be able to appreciate the things we take for granted. Today I will pack a bag for my procedure tomorrow. They said I would be there for up to 6 hours. So thankful I have a pillow I can sit on, my small Bible craft bag, and my cellphone and back up battery so I can listen to

music.

The Entertainer (The Theme from The Sting) 1973

Unfamiliar with this week's song. Hear it here.

Chosen in memory of Robert Redford: Aug. 18, 1936 - Sept. 16, 2025

1) The Sting marked the second teaming of Robert Redford and Paul Newman. The two enjoyed almost 40 years of friendship. One passion they shared was sports cars. Newman raced Porsches professionally and Redford was deft behind the wheel of a classic Karmann Ghia convertible. Think about one of your longest friendships. What did you two first bond over? First day of junior high-7th grade.

2) During their first movie together – Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid – Redford was late so often that Newman joked they should change the title to, "Waiting for Lefty." Do you have a friend who is perpetually tardy? Or are you that friend? Yes, my cousin is my best friend, and she is always late.

 

3) Back in 1936, when Redford was born, baseball's Hall of Fame opened in Cooperstown. Coincidentally, two members of his high school class of 1954 are represented in the Hall: Redford, with memorabilia from his baseball film, The Natural, and his teammate on the Van Nuys Wolves, Don Drysdale. "Big D" was inducted for his stellar Dodger pitching career. Have you recently spoken to, or corresponded with, one of your high school classmates? I had lunch with my friend Anita and her husband in August. We met in 10th grade. I also have been chatting with my friend Lissette. We met in 7th grade. We had no classes in high school except GAA, competitive sprots for girls. She was in my wedding. I met Mary Beth in high school and she was my maid of honor. We keep in touch through Facebook.

4) Redford admitted he had a few run ins with law enforcement during his teen years. He specifically recalled being picked up for breaking into the neighbors' back yard and swimming in their pool. Were you a mischievous kid? I had a few moments of tomboy independence. I had permission to ride my bike to the school park and had done it many times. This time I packed a large lunch but rode to a bigger park much further away. I loved riding my bike. Things were much safer back then. Less cars and no fear.

5) Redford went on to CU Boulder. He confessed to being a distracted student and only lasted a year and a half. While not good in class, he was popular with his coworkers at his after school job, mopping floors and cleaning bathrooms at a restaurant called The Sink. The restaurant is still thriving, and Redford returned whenever he was in Boulder. He wore a Sink t-shirt during a national press conference in 2018 and when asked what The Sink was, he was happy to plug his former employer. Do you often wear graphic tees, decorated with a favorite band, restaurant logo, team mascot, vacation destination, etc.? I have a lot of Christian t-shirts.

6) When he was a struggling New York actor, he and his wife lost their first child to crib death. Redford told AARP magazine that he blamed himself, and said it's a wound that never healed. Tell us about a time you felt guilty but shouldn't have. Not spending enough time with my mom to learn things about her and me. Life happens.

7) Legendary costume designer Edith Head said she liked putting Redford in hats because they balanced his strong, square jaw. Do you take your figure flaws into consideration when you choose your clothes?

I usually don't have issues when I wear dresses. I am small on the rear, so I have to make sure the pants I wear don't look like they are falling down.

8) Forever fit, Redford credited his physique on exercise and genes, not diet. He said, "Healthy food is good for the conscience, but Oreos taste a helluva lot better." What's the last cookie, candy or treat you indulged in? My friend brought pumpkin cake to our Bible journaling group.

 

9) Random question: Do you prefer to bathe or shower first thing in the morning, after work, or before bed? Depends. I sleep better when I shower at night. I shower in the morning if I am going out. When our AC went out I took 2-3 showers a day. I will have to use the handheld shower head after my surgery. I prefer the over the head rain shower. 

 

Thanks to Susanne and Sam for hosting the memes!

Links are on the left.

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.