Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What are your current priorities in this season of life? Elaborate as much or as little as you like. 

Continue with my walk with Jesus. growing and sharing. Taking care of my health and staying positive. Making memories with my family. Having fun with my friends. Trusting in God.

2. What's one thing you wish you had more of? Muscle! Would love some more sit down padding! But seriously, good health and time to enjoy life with my family. I just turned 69 and neither of my parents made it to 80. My grandparents did and my Uncle is 88, my aunt just passed at 83. But only God knows my days.

3. Do you celebrate Halloween? If so, what are your Halloween traditions? Any special plans for Halloween this year? We are actually doing nothing this year. Our church had a musical theater production and all the kids got bags of candy. We have had Trunk N Treat over 20 years that we participated in. Probably good that we rest since I am injured. Older grands are going with their friends. Younger grands are going with their friends and parents. They will send us pictures. I will go down the street and hang with my friend for a bit. Minnie will bark at the noise outside.

4. Last thing you ate that contained chocolate? Last thing you made that called for chocolate? I had a small piece of chocolate with some peanut butter a few days ago. Oh, and chocolate dipped strawberries at my husband's birthday party on Saturday. My grandson was passing them out. He helped make them.

5. Do you prefer laid back weekends or do you like to have a lot of plans? Thinking back to this past weekend... which was it? It was very busy this past Saturday because of the party. Pictures on previous post. We rested on Sunday. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. Hubby and I went to the movies on Tuesday to see the movie called Conclave. We left our home late and got to the movies late and getting popcorn took forever. We walked in and it was so dark. People had our seats, and they said they we had the wrong seats. So, we left and decided that we would change our date so we could be on time. They let us get tickets for Wednesday at the same discount price of $6.00. They would also let us get another large box of popcorn for free. We got to the car and I realized I had left my cushion in the lounge area. Some young boys that worked there found it for me. After we left, we stopped at the Dollar Tree so I could get a few more things for my shoebox for Operation Christmas Child. My grandson seen above helped my husband fill a box for a boy. I am doing a girl. I will turn it in this week. I work the OCC table this coming Sunday.  We got to relax and watch the World Series. Guess what team we are rooting for?

I went to the doctors on Monday for shoulder pain and numbness. He put me on some steroids, referred me to Physical Therapy and sent me for x-rays. I see the orthopedic on Friday. They will probably send me to physical therapy.

Friday Fav Five & Saturday 9

There is always something to be thankful for. I am joining Susanne for the Friday Fav Five.

1. Thankful that we could have lunch with my son and his wife to celebrate his Dad's birthday. We were able to meet up after church at a Mexican restaurant and hubby ordered fajitas.

I got soup and soup to go for my aunt. We visited her after our lunch. She is my mom's baby sister and is 82. She is a breast cancer survivor She fell twice during Covid and broke her hips but made it through that. My mom would have been 89 this October. My aunt told me she loved her big sissy.

2. Thankful that my son got a promotion at work and he and his wife are saving for another cruise.

3. Thankful that I got to meet up with a couple of friends and Bible journal. They were not able to meet with the group last week. We met up at a coffee shop at a church nearby. I ordered my usual lavender latte. We were there for 4 hours!

4. Thankful that granddaughter asked us to come to her school carnival. Her Cologuard was hosting a group. We got to meet our grandson's girlfriend too.

5. Thankful to see my cousins on my dad's side. I am the oldest. We were at the after funeral gathering for my uncle that has passed. We took some pictures and here is one of them along with one from over 55 years ago. It was so nice to be with family but I overdid the driving and I think I have elbow bursitis.

Saturday 9: Spooky Scary Skeletons (1996)

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

 

1) In this song, Andrew Gold sings that these skeletons send shivers down his spine. Do you often involuntarily shudder or shiver? Yes, on occasion.

 

2) While they appear frightening, these skeletons are harmless and only want to socialize with us mortals. Can you think of something -- or someone -- that intimidated you at first but that you were more comfortable with as you became more familiar? 

I can think of a lot of things. When I was working for the postal service, I worked under a Retail specialist. She gave me one of her programs to maintain. It was the vending program- buying stamps in vending machines. Our postal district had 10 offices that were ranked 2-10 in top sales in the nation. I worked with the employees to make sure they were keeping up with their machines. They send me revenue information each week that I input on a computer and the information went to headquarters in DC. Grand Centra Station NY was #1. My manager told me they were going to have this big marketing meeting and I had to explain things to all these other mangers and postmasters. Was I scared, Yes! My manager took me in the bathroom and prayed with me and the girl that was going to talk about her program. She said I would be okay, because I knew the program. I had to go in front of all these people and show pictures on a overhead projector. Later, the girl that ran toastmasters said I did really well and the only way she could tell I was nervous was seeing my pencil shake a bit. A lot of people said I did great, and they learned a lot about the program. It gave me more confidence to speak in front of large groups.

3) The video for this song was originally created in 1929. Skeleton Dance was a short movie produced and directed by Walt Disney himself. In 2006, Disney Studios paired Gold's song with this animation for a Halloween DVD. Do you have any DVDs that you watch seasonally (every Halloween, every Thanksgiving, every Christmas, etc.)? 

We had DVDs of all of them. Not most are on Disney Streaming

 

4) You may not realize it, but you likely already know one of Andrew Gold's songs. He wrote "Thank You for Being a Friend," the theme to TV's Golden Girls. Blanche, Dorothy, Rose or Sophia: Which is your favorite? Rose, but I like all of them and still watch them on the Hallmark channel.

These questions will help us get into the Halloween spirit ....

5) Introduced in the 1880s, candy corn was originally called Chicken Feed. It was developed by a candy manufacturer who gave it the orange/white color and special name to differentiate it from jelly beans. Do you like candy corn (a) all year around or (b) at Halloween only or (c) never? 

(b)I do like candy corn, and so does my grandson, so I will get a small bag for the both of us.

6) What candy will trick-or-treaters get when they show up at your front door? 

I usually get a large bag of Dum Dum suckers and take them to our church Trunk N Treat.  I explained that in my last post and included a lot of pictures. There are also pictures from my granddaughter's Cologuard performance.

 

7) Halloween was a 1978 movie by John Carpenter about Michael Myers, who kills while wearing a ghostly mask. In the original movie, the mask used was a $2 Captain Kirk mask, painted white. Both Halloween and Star Trek are successful franchises of more than a dozen movies. Have you seen more of Michael Myers or Captain Kirk? Captain Kirk.

8) In 2022, a survey of California schoolchildren revealed that Buzz Lightyear was the top pick of Halloween costume. When you were little, did you prefer to dress up for Halloween as a hero, like Buzz, or a scary monster? We got the cheap boxed costumes when we were kids. Halloween was more innocent when I was a child and not scary like it is now.

 

9) Some long-time White House employees claim they have seen Abraham Lincoln's ghost wandering the halls of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Have you ever seen a ghost? No, don't believe in them, but I do believe in angels and fallen angels.

 

Wednesday Hodgepodge, lots of pictures.

Happy Birthday to my husband!!!!

1. October 25th is International Artists Day...do you have a favorite artist? If so tell us who and why. My favorite artist is God, Creator of all things! Michaelangelo and Vincent Van Gogh. My grandkids!

2. Would you describe yourself as artistic? Elaborate.

I would say I am creative. There are lots of things I like to craft. Since I started Bible journaling, I realize I was always creative. I like to add the fine details to make things look special. I enjoy putting things together to teach a craft or Bible journaling. I started water coloring in my Bible and as I let go of perfect, I could enjoy the process.

3. What's a skill, task, hobby, or job you've done so often you now have it 'down to a fine art'? 

I don't think there is anything that I have "down to a fine art". I am a work in progress and learning is a joy. I enjoy creating with the graphics other make. 

I just made this rag wreath. I need to get a wreath hanger and it will go on the backside of the front door.

4. How often do you dine out? Fast food, fine dining, or somewhere in between? Tell us about a less than stellar restaurant experience you've had recently (or not so recently if that's easier). 

We go out to eat after church on Sundays. We go out or get takeout about once a week. A couple of Sunday's ago, we ate at a Mexican restaurant with my son's family. Later my husband and I said we enjoyed our meal at Sizzlers better, but we wanted to eat with the family. Our favorite Mexican place closed down. I had lunch last Friday with a few friends at another Mexican restaurant, and we will suggest that for next time.

5. Do you celebrate Halloween? To what extent? Are there trick or treaters where you live? 

We don't celebrate "traditional" scary Halloween.  I like to decorate with a fall theme and I love to use scarecrows. We don't pass out candy at home. Our church provides an outreach Trunk N Treat as a safe alternative.  There is usually a theme each year. One year it was Star Wars. Another year it was the Greatest Showman. This year it is called Ride the Pumpkin Express. My husband and I have participated in this over the years. Now our youngest likes to help pass out candy, 

We usually have about 40 cars at our Trunk N Treat. The kids dress up and they can go around as often as they want, and they get loads of candy. We also have hot dogs, popcorn, sweets and hot chocolate.  There are games, contest and a photo spot.  We always have a huge turnout. It is fun for everyone and a safe alternative. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. I just watched Dancing with the Star and the tribute to Len Goodman. They whole professional group did a beautiful waltz. Picture from ABC/Disney

Saturday 9

My previous post had a lots of Halloween costume memories

and our latest family picture.

Saturday 9: Haunted (2013)

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

 

1) In this song, Beyonce sings that she's sure if a man is haunting her thoughts, she must be haunting his. Who is on your mind this morning? It is 1am and my is on getting this post done. Washing and packing for vacation on Sunday.

2) The lyrics mention her "wicked tongue." Have you said anything recently that you wish you could take back? I am sure I have but can't think of anything at the moment. 

3) Beyonce says her lucky number is 4. Her birthday is 9/4, her mom's birthday is 1/4 and her husband's birthday is 12/4. She chose 4/4 for her wedding day. Do you have a lucky number? Not really.

 

4) Beyonce told an interviewer that, while on the road, she loves to eat Popeye's fried chicken and the fast-food chain offered her free food for life. She admits she's been too embarrassed to take them up on it. If you could get free food for life from any restaurant, which restaurant would you choose? Probably Red Lobster so I can eat all the shrimp and lobster I want!

These questions will help us get into the Halloween spirit ....

5) Candy corn is a trick-or-treat staple. Do you like it? Yes I do!

6) In 2019, the most popular pet costume was a pumpkin outfit designed for dogs. Have you ever dressed your pet in a costume? Yes

7) According to the Guinness Book of Records, the award for highest number of jack-o-lanterns in one place went to Keene, NH, where in 2013 there were 30,581. How many carved pumpkins will be at your home on Halloween? None. We don't pass out candy. We normally go to our church Trunk N Treat. But we will be on vacation. My house is decorated with lots of fall florals, scarecrows and  ceramic/cloth pumpkins. Here is a friendly ghost!

 

8) In years gone by, the Irish celebrated Halloween not with pumpkins but by carving turnips, potatoes and beets. Are any of those foods in your kitchen right now? Just potatoes. I don't like beets and have not had turnips.

 

9) Some Elvis fans believe they have seen his ghost hovering in the trees over Graceland. Have you ever seen a ghost? I don't believe in ghost.

Tuesday 4

1. Do you give out candy on Halloween to neighborhood kids? Did you ever.. have you always?

We have not passed out candy in 30 years. We have participated at our church's  Harvest/Trunk N Treat events where candy is passed out. For years we have either had a booth or decorated a trunk for our church. I will miss it this year. We usually go all out. They had a drive through event for 202 and 2021. This year we will be on vacation with our son's family.  Here is one of our set ups from a few years ago.

2. We must dress up as this Halloween. Yes, you have to!  What will your costume be this year? I have a hippie costume I like. I might pack it and take it with me. There is a huge mall that we will probably takes the grands to for treating. We will be in Las Vegas and will probably stay off the streets that night.

3. Have you ever carved pumpkins?  Have you visited the gorgeous Hudson Valley in New York state?

Yes, we have carved many pumpkins we happy faces. I have only been to New York city before leaving on a New England cruise. I would love to go back again. The trees were just starting to change while we were there. Maine had the most trees that were changing. Not like the picture below. I would love to hike here!

4. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving takes place in Sleepy Hollow a town known today as Tarrytown, NY. a lovely town in the Hudson Valley not far from the Catskill Mountains, site of Rip Van Winkle. The Hudson Valley is considered one of the most beautiful places in America. The Hudson separates NY from New Jersey. Do you know the Legend of Sleepy Hollow? How about Rip Van Winkle? Do you believe either could be based on true stories as some believe?  Why/ why not? I do remember hearing the stories at school and watching on tv. 

Hodgepodge Wednesday

1. Is Halloween a big deal in your neighborhood? We haven't participated in neighborhood Halloween in 30 years. Our church holds a safe Harvest event. We pass out candy. Sometimes they have a theme. For years we passed out candy at Trunk N Treat. This year there will be candy stations throughout the backfield of our church and we will be participating. 

Was it something you celebrated as a child?  With your own children? We did the neighborhood trick and treating as children. It was much safer and innocent back then. We did it for a few years with our kids until we started going to our church 29 years ago. The picture below was around 1992

The picture below was around 1965

Do you like candy corn? Yes I do!

2. Are you a scaredy cat? About what? For the most part no. I  am concerned about my heath but I am thankful that I have good health insurance.

3. Last time you were somewhere that should have been busy but felt like a 'ghost town'? Lots of places during the Covid lockdown.

4. Do you like chili and if so how do you like it? Beans or no beans? Meat or no meat? Beef or chicken? Spice or no spice? Favorite toppings? I love chili with hamburger meat and beans and the traditional seasoning. My daughter makes it with ground turkey and it is really good too. I sometimes top it with grated cheese.

5. Would you describe yourself as a night owl? What time of night qualifies? What are you doing while everyone else is asleep? Do you then 'sleep in'? Define 'sleeping in'. Yes I am a night owl. I rarely get to bed before 11pm, and usually around midnight. I am retired so I can sleep in. I usually sleep until 8 unless I am really sleep derived. After I came back from vacation I slept 10 hours.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  It's midnight and I need to get ready for bed!