Friday Faves 5 & Saturday 9

Hello! Life has been busy but good and I seem to be a once a week blogger at the moment. 

1.Thankful for a nice lunch with my son and my grands on Saturday. We ate at Chilis and then went shopping at Daiso, a Japanese based store, similar to the Dollar Tree, but nicer. Then I went to a few stores to look for something to wear but end up wearing something I already had.

2.Thankful to go to our church for first service. They gave all the woman a long stem rose and a light weight canvas bag. my granddaughter was one of several people that went up to read a thankful letter to their mom. Afterwards, Audrina came back to sit with us. After first service, the rest of her family got to church and we were able to take some pictures. Then hubby and I left to my daughter's church. It is a much bigger church with more upbeat music and we enjoyed the message. They gave all the women a lip gloss after service we got in line to take pictures. After that we went out to lunch at Olive Garden.

3.We were able to go to the cemetery on Monday and then we went to the antique store. I found a bookcase for $25.00 because the space was closing out. Then we went to one of our favorite restaurants for lunch. It once was a church. The weather was so nice in the low 70's after having been at 102 on Saturday. We had plenty of leftovers to eat for dinner. We caught up on tv shows and Hubby and I watched American Idol. 

4. Thankful to be able to go to my women's lifegroup, physical therapy and Bible study on Tuesday. It was a busy day, but I new I could rest a bit on Wednesday. Pastor Jim started Revelation, and I did not want to miss the first night. I hope to go to this as long as we have light. Then I will go back to watching it on YouTube.

5.Thankful to be able to go to the lunch with my other son at Sizzler. He had to work on Mother's Day and so I got to eat out 4 times this week!

After we got home, I was able to set up my new printer.

6.Today I will be going to Walmart to get a new crockpot with the money I got for Mother's Day. I will get a few other things. I plan to get extra printer paper before the prices go up again. Maybe a few other things since Walmart said they were raising prices because of the tariffs. Thankful that I am still getting my retirement income on a regular basis.

Saturday 9: Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now (1987)

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

1) In this song, Gracie Slick challenges, "Let them say we're crazy!" Tell us about something you're glad you did, even though your friends or family may have advised you against it. 

I got a tattoo in Maui in 2012. I thought about it for a few years. You can find the story here.

 

2) Slick is the lead singer of Jefferson Starship. This band got its start in 1965 as Jefferson Airplane but updated their name in 1974. Part of their reasoning was that by the 1970s, airplane travel was commonplace. In 2023, an estimated 820 million Americans flew domestically. When was your most recent flight? When is your next one? 

I flew to Oregon back in August 2023. If things work out, we will fly to Hawaii in the spring

 

3) Songwriter Albert Hammond said the song was inspired by his divorce. After years of legal wrangling, he was finally free to marry his long-time, long-suffering girlfriend. They're still married today. What is something you waited a long time for? Was it worth the wait? Having a child. We were married 6 1/2 years before we had a baby.

4) Albert Hammond is perhaps best known as the one-hit wonder who sang, "It Never Rains in Southern California." Is rain expected where you are today? There is a 20% chance.

 

5) He co-wrote the song with Diane Warren. In January, she lost her home to the Los Angeles fires. When a friend is confronted by heartache or tragedy, what can you say or do for them? What shouldn't you say or do? I am not pressing her to do anything.  I just send her texts to say I love her and inspirational things. Grief is very personal and it can't be rushed.

6) "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" was the love theme to the romantic fantasy Mannequin. In that movie, a department store mannequin comes to life and falls for a struggling artist. While it was a moderate success at the box office, the gritty Vietnam drama Platoon was a much bigger hit. When you sit down to watch a movie, what genre would you prefer (fantasy, romance, comedy, drama, etc.)? 

I did see Platoon and never hear of Mannequin. I can only see a war movie once because of the sadness. I like fantasy like Star Wars, romance and drama, I love historical movies. Comedy is usually the last on my list and nothing scarry!

 

7) In 1987, when this song was popular, Aretha Franklin became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Aretha was proud of her Detroit roots. Have you been to Michigan? If yes, where did you go? I have not been to Michigan.

  

8) In 1987, the Chevy Corvette made news by adding a low tire pressure light to its dashboard. When you're driving and a yellow warning light comes on, do you handle the issue promptly? Or is it something you'll get to when you get around to it? Depends on how close I am to the intersection and if it is safe to go through.

9) Random question: A magic mirror reflects your appearance five years from today. Would you look at it? More wrinkles, thinner and maybe gray if I stop coloring my hair. I am working hard to stay fit and healthy, but I could eat better.

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

Friday Fave Five and Saturday 9

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

1. Thankful that my grands were a part of the worship/recital program last Saturday.

2. Thankful for the wonderful Mother's Day celebration with my kids!

3.Thankful for Books I am reading. Left Behind. I am on book 12 now, Kingdom Come.

 Also Untangle Your Emotions and Battlefield of the Mind.

4. Thankful for all the groups I am in this season. It has been busy, 

but socialization is important for our emotional and physical well-being.

Also that my husband was willing to join the retired marriage Lifegroup.

5. Thankful to be a part of our grandkids life. 

Took Eddie to youth group to met some friends at school.

Took Jazzy to the bookstore, dinner and her ballet class.

Younger grands coming for the weekend.

Women's Tea with my grand girls on Saturday!

. Thankful the friends that visit my blog!

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

1) In this week's song, Doris Day tries to convince her lover to share a kiss in the Tunnel of Love. What's your favorite amusement park ride? Disneyland is my favorite place and I like Star Tours in Tomorrowland and the new rides in Star Wars Land.

2) In the 1950s, when Doris recorded this song, Tunnel of Love rides were popular in the US. Couples would climb into small boats that only seat two and float through a dark tunnel, accompanied by romantic music. Today less than 100 of these rides still exist. Have you ever taken a ride through the Tunnel of Love? No. There is a boat ride in Las Vegas at the Venetian and it is like riding at the Venice Canals. It does go under some bridges.

3) This week's featured artist, Doris Day, made approximately 40 films and a TV series. She said one of her favorite things about being an actress was the clothes. She loved collaborating with the experts who created her wardrobe. Her contemporary, Betty Grable, found all the fittings boring and just let the wardrobe department do their job without offering much input. Imagine you are a performer: Would you be more like Doris or Betty? I think a bit of both. The wardrobe could help me get dressed, but I would like to add the accessories. 

4) There was persistent rumor that, after Doris appeared on Bob Hope's radio show, the two had an affair. She always denied it. Have you ever been the subject of workplace gossip? When I was in my early twenties, a co worker told me that my friendliness could be taken in the wrong way by some men. I think I was just trying to fit in since most of the crew were men. I am thankful for his advice.

5) Doris never liked to fly and her fear increased as she got older. After she retired, she refused to fly at all. This caused her to decline lifetime achievement awards and other events in her honor. Have you more recently extended, accepted or declined an invitation? I am a social person, so I like to get involved. I am an extrovert and my husband is an introvert. I was shocked that he agreed to join the retired couples group at church, but he did. I invited my grands and my daughter to the Women's tea at my church for Saturday.

6) After show biz, Doris devoted herself animal welfare. She used to say that we should be more sensitive to the loneliness and sadness people feel when they lose a pet. Think of a time when you were grieving. What words or gestures helped you get through the difficult time? Having a few close friends to talk to was nice. My daughter really took over the house knowing how depressed after my dad died. That meant a lot to me. I end up seeing a Grief counselor which really helped too. She said I never really grieved my mom because I was busy with my dad. I miss his hugs.

7) In 1958, when this song was on the Billboard chart, "The Purple People Eater" was also popular. It's a silly song about a creature from another planet. Have you ever seen a UFO (unidentified flying object)?No, but I do remember this song. We do see the spaceships streak by in the sky from Vandenburg AFB.

8) Also in 1958, Americans were watching 77 Sunset Strip. The show revolved around the LA-based private investigators whose office was at that address. Who is your favorite TV PI? Magnum P.I.

Sad that they are taking it off the air and NCIS Hawaii too. 

9) Random question -- In the 1950s, stewardesses used to famously ask passengers, "Coffee, tea, or milk?" If asked that right now, which of these three beverages would you prefer? I still drink a glass of milk in the evening, so I guess it would depend on the time of the flight time. 

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge & Mother's Day

1. Do you jump out of bed or hit the deck running as I call it or are you slow to get up to speed in the morning? I am not a morning person. I am a night owl so in the morning I am slow to get up. By the time I get to the kitchen, my hubby has already had his breakfast. I only get up early when I have to go somewhere.

2. Do you start the day with coffee or tea?  Or do other things help you wake up like washing your face, etc.? I try to drink some water first. I rinse my face and brush my teeth. Then I will go and serve my coffee and drink it as I make breakfast.

3. Is the best part of waking up some Folgers in your cup? What brand of coffee or tea lights your fire?

Hubby and I drink Folgers Half Caffeine. I drink one cup with a little bit of sweetener.

4. In the Netherlands toast with hefty style chocolate sprinkles are a usual breakfast.  Italy also begins the day with rolls or cookies.  Britain and America are eggs, bacon, toast, or cereal.  What about you? What is a typical breakfast for you? I always have some type of protein in the morning, usually eggs. I am writing this on Monday evening. This morning, I scrambled an egg. Then I added some diced chicken, tomato and brown rice left over from my Sunday dinner. It was really good. I could have added some mozzarella for extra protein. Sometimes I will have sourdough toast.

1. What impresses you? My kids and grandkids. I may be biased, but they are the most important people in my life. I notice what happens. I have seen their ups and downs and what they have done to overcome thing. I see how they deal with life, and I admire their decision to do what is best for their families. Looking back, I am impressed with all my parents and grandparents did to provide for their kids and grandkids. 

2.  Where are you in your family birth order? Do you fit the stereotype of that particular slot? In what way? I am the first born and yes, I pretty much portrayed the attributes of the firstborn. Then I realized I played the part for many years as I tried to emulate my mom who was also firstborn. I lead when I need to and not such a control freak or competitive as I was when I was younger. Our church has taught about personality temperaments and those traits really helped me understand myself and those around me.

You can read about it here. 

Key Birth Order Traits of Firstborn Children (list found on the web)

• Go-getter
• Responsible
• Role model
• Determined
• Rule follower
• Hard worker
• Cautious
• Bossy
• Timely

3. What motivates you more-a reward or a consequence? Elaborate. A reward. It works like having a goal or challenge to get something done and the satisfaction of finishing the task. I know I can get the task done, so I am not worried about the consequence of not doing it. But the perfectionist side of me does make things more difficult to get through the process. The reward is being thanked for a job well done.

4. May 14th is National Buttermilk Biscuit Day. Who thinks biscuits deserve their own day? Do you like biscuits? Make your own? Grab one for breakfast at a drive-through now and then? Which drive-through makes the one you like best? What do you like to put on a biscuit? What's your favorite food or dish that calls for buttermilk? I don't eat them very often. I do like the biscuits from Knotts Berry Farm. Maybe because they are covered with boysenberry jam!

5. Are there any weddings on your summer calendar? What's your favorite part of a wedding/wedding reception? No wedding that I know of. I like it all!

6. Insert your own random thought here.  The first question was a real eye opener. It would be easy to think of other people. The older I get, the more I realize that family is the most important to me. My walk with God is the thing that impresses me. My walk gets stronger, and I want that to guide me and share that with my family. 

I was impressed with how each of my kids wanted to celebrate Mother's Day with me that worked with their schedule. My middle son took me to lunch on his day off. He let me order what I wanted and that was ribs. My husband can't eat pork, so it was a treat for me.( Picture on previous post) My firstborn son took me to lunch with his kids on Saturday and his wife went with her mom. We all went to the kids worship presentation first. That way he could take his wife and kids to the beach because that is what she wanted for Mother's Day. I see them at church every week. I did end up seeing them because my granddaughter was singing. I told my daughter I wanted to go to her church, and she was happy about that. She gave me a beautiful bouquet of flowers that smell wonderful! We went out to eat afterwards to a place that we both like called Paninis. It was a very nice Mother's Day for me and 3 meals is a plus!

I got roses from my garden from my furbaby.

 

Friday Fav Five & Saturday 9

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

This has been a super busy week and I am thankful that I have been able to do so much.

1. On Sunday we went to church and was surprised to learn that our granddaughter was getting baptized.

This is the granddaughter that is on the worship team. I still remember the day she got dedicated. I posted the first picture on my previous post. Sasha is up next and that is who we were there for at first.

We all went to my son's house after for a lunch and celebration. My daughter in law helped to baptize her daughter. She was on staff at the church, but not is a teacher for the school on campus.

2. On Monday I was able to get to the gym. Later I was able to get to my class. We are going over the book called Battlefield of the Mind. On Tuesday morning my Lifegroup met. We all shared some of the things we are thankful for. We talked about thinking positive instead of negative. Then I had my Zoom group and we are using the book called Untangle your Emotions. Thankful to remember that we can make a choice on how we decide to respond to situations in life, even when we can't control the situation. It is never too late to learn new things and grown in the Word of God.

3. Thankful that we were able to go to our grandkids science fair. Senior fellowship met at the same time, but being with family comes first.

4. Thankful that we were able to go to our married, retired Lifegroup. Afterwards, I met my son for lunch that he was treating me for Mother's Day since he has to work on Sunday. Later my daughter came to spend time with her kids and we end up watching 911 together. We also went outside to see another Space X launch in the sky.

5. Thankful that we are going to visit our parents at the cemetery. I will visit my grandparents there and great grandfather. Some of  you might have heard of Cori Ten Boom, a Dutch woman that helped hide Jewish people escape. She got caught and was sent to a concentration camp. Her story came out in a book and movie called The Hiding Place. She is buried about 25 feet from my parents. Thankful for my beautiful mom, Madeline. I am looking forward to the day I see her again in Heaven.

Saturday 9: (God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time on You (1998)

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

1) In this song, a boy celebrates the life of love he's received from his mother, saying it's more precious than any diamond or pearl. Do you have a piece of jewelry that means a great deal to you? Yes, in 2002 my parents gave me a beautiful diamond ring. It means a lot to me. I was reading my blog from 2002 and my other site and this reminder was there. I sure miss them!

2) NSYNC licensed their name and likenesses for use on a variety of products, and their official key ring was a big seller. Tell us about your key ring. Nothing fancy, just a car key and house keys attached to a clip that I attach to my purse.

3) NSYNC's lead singer, Justin Timberlake, is now a parent himself with two sons. He enjoys sitting on the floor so they can play Legos together. Today Lego sets for adults and adult coloring books are popular. As a grown up, do you enjoy coloring books or Legos? I color in my journaling Bible. I do have a few Legos that are mine. I got the Mandalorian and Yoda on May 4. I have Legos I set up when I do the Illustrated Faith Camp. I have Santa, snowman and a harvest set. I have tons of sets that I have bought over the years for the grands. They don't play with them as often. The downfall of electronics.

 

4) In 1998, when this song was popular, Seinfeld ended its 9-season run. Were you a fan? No.

 

5) This week's song was chosen in honor of Mother's Day. Some mothers will find themselves treated to breakfast in bed this weekend. Is that a luxury you would appreciate, or would you worry about spilling food on the sheets? My kids did serve me breakfast in bed when they were little. But they are grown and don't live her. My son took me to lunch on Thursday to celebrate since he has to work on Sunday. I am going to dinner with my son's family on Saturday after their worship recital. I am going to church with my daughter and her kids and we are going out afterwards.

6) Garrett's Popcorn offers a special tin for Mother's Day (the "O" in MOM is a daisy). When did you most recently have popcorn? I went to the movies a couple of weeks ago to see the movie unsung hero. We had popcorn then.

 

7) Florists see a spike in sales for Mother's Day, too. Would you rather receive a plant or a bouquet of flowers?

8) Crazy Sam's own mother is big on couponing, while Sam thinks coupons simply aren't worth the effort. Are you more like mother or daughter? Like daughter.

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

 

Friday Fav Five

Joining Susanne for a few things I am grateful for.

1. Thankful to have been able to see all my kids this past week.

2.Thankful for my furbaby!

3. Thankful for Facebook memories. 12 years ago!

I sure loved playing Farmville! It ended at the end of 2020.

4. Thankful that I have good medical insurance. 

I just got a reminder to have a mammogram.

5. for day to relax and work on my Bibe journaling.

June's topic will be the bride.

Saturday 9 Mothers Day

I thought I would stop in to wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day.

I have been busy since coming back from Texas.

Saturday 9: Mama Said (1961)

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

1) This week's song is about a girl who remembers wise advice she received from her mother. Tell us about someone who advised you years ago and to this day you think, "They were right!" My cousin told me. "choose your battles wisely." I think we were talking about teens.

2) She sings about hearing chapel bells. Can you hear church bells ringing from your home? 

No, but I can here singing and music from the church on the corner. It is a Vietnamese Catholic church, and they go all out for some occasions. It does not bother me. It is nice to see that so many go to the Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday services.

 

3) This week's featured artists are the Shirelles, a group formed in New Jersey in 1957. They are credited for beginning the girl group genre. Name another popular girl group. The Supremes, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, The Chiffons, The Marvelette's.

4) In 1961, when this song was popular, Jacqueline Kennedy appeared on the cover of Ladies Home Journal three times. Is there a printed magazine in your home right now? If so, who is on the cover?

I have some crafting magazines.

5) This song was chosen in celebration of Mother's Day. More phone calls are made on Mother's Day than any other day of the year. Who was your last phone call from? My son Daniel.

 

6) Salons see a bump in appointments around Mother's Day every year. Partly because moms want to look good for their day, but also because hair, spa and nail services are a popular Mother's Day gift. When did you most recently go to a salon, and was it for your hair, complexion, or nails? I got my hair cut before I went to Texas. My granddaughter did my nails.

7) Similarly, restaurants experience a spike in reservations on Mother's Day. Where did you last dine out? Was a reservation required? The last restaurant I went to was in Texas. We had bbq. We went to several places to eat while we were there. We went back to the Magnolia Table before going to Magnolia Silos.

 

8) The most popular Mother's Day gift is still the greeting card. Where do you card shop: drugstore, bookstore, card shop, etc.? Dollar Tree for cards.

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