Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

2. What was peaceful about today? 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday Hodgepodge & Prayer Request

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 A summer memory taken outside my dad,

 

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

flip flops or sandals~sandals

beach or pool~beach

watermelon or peaches~peaches

shorts or sundress~shorts

iced coffee or ice cold lemonade~iced cold peach tea

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

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

Fridays Fave 5 & Saturday 9

I am thankful for my family! I love how everyone came together to give Eddie a wonderful Graduation party! I am thankful that my boys like to cook. I let them play in the kitchen when they were young and they watched their dad and grandpa cool, along with the women. I am glad my daughter was able to make all the decorations look so nice. I did the same for years with church events and she helped me then and I could help where I could. Thankful to my daughter in laws too!

I am glad I did not have a busy week this week. I really needed the rest.  As tired as I was in Sunday, I still made it to church and Audrina was singing Then I went home and had leftovers. During the week I was able to hem Eddie's church that he wore to Disneyland on Tuesday. I was able finally sleep in. All our group are on summer break, and I can continue with my declutter project and crafting.

Thankful that the grands are enjoying their summer break. Jazzy gets to stay home with her rabbit and read as much as she wants. She is also looking at all the college information she is getting in the mail.

She wants to go to school outside of California. She just completed a few dual admission courses. She did that, cheered, and was a part of Sprots health. She is pretty quiet and I found out she was the head of her ASL club. I did not know that she could take that class-hand signing as an alternative to a foreign language. She will be more than ready for college. Eddie is working part time at a local amusement park and still volunteering at the local hospital. Thankful that all my grands are doing well!

Thankful for a good vet. Minnie has been having lots of stomach issues, and we have had to make several trips to the vet. They are really good with her going over everything and then checking in with us with text messages and phone call. I sure wish we had pet insurance, but you have to start it when they are babies. Thankful for my Care Credit card, just for her expenses.

Speaking of insurance. I am thankful for dental insurance. I delayed my last appointment and that was a mistake! I have gum disease and it was doing well at my last visit, but not so much this time. So after my free checkup today, the x-rays showed one cavity, and I need a deep gum cleaning and some other things. So, I will pay $400 instead of $3000! Thankful that my back is feeling better! The exercises are really helping. Hopefully I can get back to the gym next week!

Saturday 9: Accidentally in Love (2004)

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

1) In the video for this song, a young man dances alone in the kitchen while making 

breakfast for his lady love. When no one's looking, do you often bust a move? I have at times.

2) "Accidentally in Love" was featured in the animated movie Shrek 2.  In this video, 

a plushie from the movie is shown on their bed. Do you have any plush toys in your bedroom? 

Yes, I have several Mickey and Minnies. I have some Winnie dogs too. Some were my moms.

3) The lyrics liken falling in love to strawberry ice cream that he just can't resist. What sweet treat would hit the spot right now? Iced peach tea with fruit.

4) He sings about lightening. Astraphobia is the fear of thunderstorms. 

Have you ever suffered from astraphobia? No, because we do not get them very often.

5) This song is about falling in love when he wasn't looking for it. Has this ever happened to you? Yes, I didn't plan on falling in love with my husband when I was so young. I planned on going to college first. I finished college before our 93rd anniversary. Going on 52 years this August.

6) This week's artists, The Counting Crows, got their start in San Francisco. A famous quote, often attributed to Mark Twain, says, "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco." 

How has the summer weather been where you are? Mid 80's to mid 90's. No humidity, slight breeze.

7) In 2004, when this song was popular, Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook. Have you checked Facebook today? Yes, I check it daily. I love the memories that pop up.

8) Also in 2004, we lost President Ronald Reagan. Before entering politics, he had a decades-long career in Hollywood and appeared in 53 films. Have you ever seen a Ronald Reagan movie? I think I have seen a couple, but long ago. He became president when I was taking my firstborn home from the hospital, around 45 years ago!

9) Random question: Describe your favorite pajamas. I have several pair of soft short sleeve and shorts sets that I wear all year long. I do have warm pajamas I wear before bed and in the morning during the cold months, but I get too warm at night, so I wear the short ones to bed. If I had to choose one, it would be the one with dogs on it. 

Previous entry is full of our grandson's graduation party!

Thanks to Susanne and Sam for the blogs. Have a great weekend!

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

The party was a success! More pictures on the bottom.

Summertime means travel time for many people. Let's talk about travel and holidays.

1. Will you be traveling this summer at all? We just took a vacation at Vegas. We might spend a few nights in San Diego. I hope to go to Israel in October as long as it is safe to go.

2. Will there be day trips in store for you? visits to the beach, evenings out? We do plan to go to the beach which is about 35 miles away. I am blocked from Disney until the 2nd week of August. We will do something with the grands. My husband and his brothers have planned a family reunion the last weekend of June. I mostly need to get in shape for Israel.

3. Do you eat out more in summer... do you go for ice cream or treats more? I don't think we go out more often. We usually go out on Sunday's after church. After a busy week with graduation, we will take it easy until Father's Day. I don't eat ice cream to often. It has too much sugar!

4. What is your favorite place to visit and what is the most exotic place you've been to? I love to go to Disneyland! My favorite exotic place is Hawaii and it all goes well, we might go one more time.

1.  How would you define 'the good life'? My relationship with Jesus. My kids are saved and doing well. My extended family are doing well and we all get along. We have all that we need. A steady retirement income, a home, good church and friends.

2.  What's the most used app on your phone (and are you proud of that)? I check my email first. I check messages next and I take a lot of pictures! I like to play Words with Friends and use Facebook and Instagram.

3. 'Every rose has it's thorn', 'everything's coming up roses', 'looking through rose-colored glasses', 'it's no bed of roses' or 'stop and smell the roses'...which rose idiom best relates to something in your life currently. Explain. Stop and smell the roses is a good one. I want to take in everything now and relish it. I will be 71 in a couple of months. Each day is a gift from God. I will try to be positive and see the good in my life, even when things don't always look too good.

4. How do you feel about floral flavorings in food or drink (rose, hibiscus, elderflower, lavender)? I don't mind it in teas. I just tried Starbuck's new drink because I had a gift card. It is called the Tropical Butterfly Refresher. A visually striking drink with layers of guava and passionfruit flavors, mango-pineapple popping pearls, and a butterfly pea flower infusion. I added the coconut milk and it was so good. I added water because it was so sweet and only drank about a third of it.

5. Over the course of your life what have you probably spent more time pondering than anything else? 

My life as a believer of Jesus Christ.  Growing up in church, not going often for several years after being married and then rededication and walk over the past 35 years.

6. Insert your own random thought here. I have been resting for a few days after having survived my grandson's graduation and party. My daughter did a lot to make it special and I was so proud of my family and how they all made the day so special! my husband made shredded beef and it was so good! He cooked a chuck roast for hours after marinating it. My younger son and his wife made the marinated chicken and the rice. We got beans from a favorite place in town. I made the guacamole and bought the chips to go with it at a market that has the best home made tasting chips. Hubby made the salsa too! One of my sisters brought salads and my other sister and her son brought all the fixings for the tacos. My oldest son made quesedillas and "crispers" fried tortillas that are topped with cheese and then zapped in the mocrowave oven. The boys ate them like that with salsa. Some added beans and meat to make tostadas. My older son had everyone come in and he prayed for the boys and the food.

There was a whole dessert table that was a hit after the food and games. The best part for the boys was a giant jumper! That is what Eddie wanted. The boys spent several hours is it. My sister who is a marriage and family counselor said that was the best thing they could do after going through the trials of finals and all the senior things. My son has gone to school with some of these boys since kindergarten!

All these boys are off to college.

My sisters, I am the oldest and Ann on the right is the younget.

She did not stay long because she had to get back to her grandson's grad party!

My brother Scott and his wife Cindy and sister Terry.

Scott and Cindy were off to my nephew's party after ours.

My brother is the baby of the family.

Thanks to my son and his wife for hosting the party!

My beautiful grands. The youngest grandson was playing video games upstairs.

Jazzy graduates next year. She doesn't want a party. 

She wants the family to go to Disneyland!

Previous post has grad pictures.

Thanks to Annie and Jocye for the memes. Links are on the left.

Fridays Fave 5 & Saturday 9

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

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

Coco and Daisy did well!

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

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

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

Eddie and his girlfriend.

Missing Marina who was sick.

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

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

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

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

Saturday 9: For You (1963)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

Tuesday 4

1. Is anything interesting on TV this week?  What will you be watching? Most of my evening shows are on break.  Brillant Minds is back. I don't like when the shows I like leave. Not sure what I will watch, but tonight we will be watching our grandson graduate from high school. We are so proud of him!!!

2. Any books on your horizon right now? What will you be reading? I am reading the Third Watch, the 3rd book in a 12 book series called A.D. Chronicles. I will be reading the whole series.

3. What's been on the menu lately?  Any new recipes caught your eye? We were at Stonefire Grill Monday with my son and his wife. They moved and they invited us over to see their new place. My son made some guacamole before we left and it was good. On Wednesday our marriage group is having its last meeting until September. The host are providing a burrito casserole, chips and salsa. Everyone is bringing side dishes. I am eating shrimp, broccoli and pasta for dinner. After the graduation we are going out to BJ's.

4. Who will you spend time with this week? Tonight it will be my family as we watch Eddie graduate.Then on Saturday my sibling and Eddie's friends will join the family for his graduation party. My husband is cooking a roast that he will shred for tacos. My middle son is making the chicken. My older son is hosting the party. He will be making home made strawberry lemonade. He uses fresh lemons  and strawberries. He will also make quesadillas for the party. I am making beans and getting the chips and salsa. My daughter in law is making the rice. We had a smaller version of this for his 18th birthday party and his friends loved it. One of my sisters in making a potato salad and the other is bringing things for the tacos. My daughter already bought sodas and water. She is also making cupcakes and Oreo cake pops. I am sure there will be leftovers for Sunday. 

I hope to change my decor to Patriotic this week.