Friday Fave 5 & Saturday 9

The week flew by and I got a lot done! 

Hard to believe a week ago I was at Disneyland in the rain. Well part of the day and then it end up being a beautiful day. We go back in December. 

Thankful that I did not have to go anywhere this week and I got a lot of Christmas decorating done.

Thankful that the younger grands came to stay for Wednesday-Thursday to help decorate.

Thankful for a beautiful Thanksgiving!

Thankful to get some shopping done without a lot of crowds and good sales.

We are on are way to the Rosebowl!

Saturday 9: Thank You Girl (1964)

 

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

1) Who were you talking to the last time you said, "thank you?" My daughter.

2) Paul McCartney recalls that "Thank You Girl" was inspired by all the female fans who had written them fan letters, pledging undying love. Have you ever written a fan letter? If yes, did you receive a response? No, I have not.

3) Recording engineer Geoff Emerick remembered that John Lennon was easily winded while recording this song. John had a bad cold and went back to bed when they were done for the day. We're in cold/flu season right now. How are you feeling? I feel fine as I write this. The Santa Ana winds were here this past week and brought warmer, dry weather that messed with my sinuses. I felt better by Thanksgiving. 

4) "Thank You Girl" is this week's song because November 27 was Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for this year? My faith in Jesus, my family and my friends. Also, for good health insurance!

5) While the big meal is referred to as Thanksgiving dinner, most Americans enjoy it earlier than they usually serve dinner. 3:00 PM is the most popular time for the holiday feast. When did you have dinner on Thursday? 5pm

6) Cranberry sauce has been a Thanksgiving staple since the late 1800s. Was it on your menu this year? My hubby forgot to make it. He likes it but nobody asked for it.

7) The Thanksgiving Turducken is said to have originated in New Orleans. Chef Paul Prudhomme is often cited as the first to stuff a deboned chicken into a deboned duck into a deboned turkey. Prudhomme's recipe has more than 85 individual steps and takes a full day to prepare. Did you face any challenges while cooking your Thursday dinner? Everything turned out great!

8) Leftovers are popular after Thanksgiving, especially turkey sandwiches. Some cooks recommend serving cold, sliced turkey on wheat bread, but white bread, pitas and flatbread are also popular. When you head into the kitchen to make a sandwich, what's your go-to bread? Sourdough. But we have left over Hawaiian roles that we will use for sandwiches.

9) The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday, the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season and sales. Black Friday got its name in Philadelphia back in the 1950s to describe the traffic clogging both highways and side streets as consumers raced out in search of bargains. When is the last time you were stuck in traffic? On our way to Disneyland on the 11th.

Friday Faves Five & Saturday 9

It is late Friday, and I had a great week. Joining Susanne for the Friday's Fave Five

Went to a baby shower for my niece on Sunday.  I stayed the night with my sister, and my husband picked me up on Monday. I felt off and got my things packed for my Bible journaling class and went to bed early.  I woke up at 3 am sick.

Thankful that my husband could take the things to my friend's house. Thankful that my friend who host our group went over the instructions I gave her. The women really enjoyed the craft I had for them.

Thankful that I was only sick for 24 hours and could go to the store and get some things for Thanksgiving. Thankful that our grandson could get out all our Christmas trees.

Thankful that I could go to my son's house who made breakfast for diner. We were getting up early for our Disney visit.

Thankful for the fun day we had at Disneyland. It rained in the morning, and the park was not so busy. We got to go on several rides and we left early. We are going back next month. My grandkids football team won their playoff game and are going to Rosebowl next Friday for the final division game. I missed the game because of Disneyland.

Saturday 9: The Lady in Red (1986)

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

1) Is red a color you often wear? Mostly around Christmas and Valentine's Day.

 

2) In this song, Chris De Burgh is thrilled to be dancing with the woman he loves. Do you recall what was playing the last time you stepped onto the dance floor? No

 

3) Chris says he wrote this song about the first time he saw his future wife, who wore a red dress when she came to see his band perform. Tell us about a memorable concert going experience.

The last concert I went to was in February 2025. We saw Cece Wynans. I went with my granddaughter who is on the praise team at church, her mom and grandma. It was great!

 

4) Chris' father worked as a diplomat for the United Kingdom. Former US ambassador Robert D. Blackwill believes a diplomat should possess strong writing/speaking skills, meticulous attention to detail, historical knowledge, and stamina. Do you have any of those attributes? Attention to detail.

 

5) Chris' family owns Bargy Castle, a 15th century fortress in County Wexford, Ireland. Bargy Castle has been converted into a hotel. What's the last hotel you stayed in? Does a floating hotel count? We went on a cruise in January 2025. We stayed in a Marriott in San Deigo back in 2024.

 

6) Chris is a wine connoisseur who sold a collection of vintage reds for over $500,000. If you suddenly came into $500,000, what would you do with it? Pay off our house, give some to church and give some to our kids.

 

7) In 1986, when this song was popular, singer/actress Lady Gaga was born in Manhattan. Have you been to New York City? Yes, back in 2008  Waiting to see Phantom of the Opera with my parents and sister. We were there before leaving on our New England cruise.

 

8) Also in 1986, NHL Hall of Famer Jacques Plante died. Are you a hockey fan? I played field hockey in high school and loved it.  I don't watch it now except for the Winter Olympics.

 

9) Random question – You just slid behind the wheel and are about to embark on a long road trip. 

Which of these famous Williams would you choose as your navigator: Willie Nelson, Bill Murray, or William, Prince of Wales? The Prince of Wales.

Friday Faves 5 & Saturday 9

1. Thankful that my granddaughter checked the Disney schedule and found a Friday reservation for this month. It was closed when I looked earlier and it is closed again.

2. Thankful that we could pick up our grands from school on Tuesday and bring them to our house. Thankful to take this picture and think of all God has created.

3, Thankful that my grandson Eddie is enjoying his "field trip to see universities in California. He was really impressed with University of Santa Cruz and the town. He loved all the pine trees and more country like atmosphere. He also got to visit Berkeley, Stanford, UC Davis, Pepperdine and a few others. He first said he wanted to go to University at Irvine in Orange County where I went. They have a really good medical school. He is really smart, and I know he will be accepted at many schools. It will depend on what kind of financial aid he gets. I would love for him to get the experience of living on campus. I was a commuter student. There are California State and California Universities.

Eddie and his girlfriend who is also a senior.

I wish he would smile, but he does not like to show his braces.

4. Thankful to be getting things done around the house that needed to be done. Thankful that I can still do some things. Eddie cleaned my cabinets before he left and he will clean the floors when he comes back. He is really excited about his friends coming over for his birthday/movie/sleep over. The hottest day of the week in on his birthday which will be nice when they come over. They will be camping in the backyard.

5. Thankful for a great worship night that was opened to all 3 campuses. There was a time of prayer at the alter and my son, granddaughter and I all went up for prayer.  The pharmacy had called to see if I needed to refill my prescription and I told them I was not taking them because they messed up my stomach. Later I got a call from my doctor's office because my doctor wants to see me. I see my doctor on Monday to discuss my cholesterol and loss of weight. I am thankful that I have Kaiser medical insurance. I am praying our rates do not go up to drastically.

Saturday 9: That Funny Feeling (1965)

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

 

1) In this song, Bobby Darin admits he cares more for the girl than he should. What's something you have recently overdone (eaten too many potato chips, stayed up too late, etc.)? Staying up late is my downfall. 

 

2) Bobby wrote this as the theme song for a movie he starred in with his wife, Sandra Dee. That Funny Feeling (the movie) turned a profit at the box office and "That Funny Feeling" (the record) made the Billboard Top 40. Can you think of another movie and song that were both popular?  Sound of Music, Star Wars, Titanic, Grease, not just a song, but a whole soundtrack! I just watched The Way We Were this past weekend. It made me sad. Just hearing the song reminded me of my parents. My mom loved Barbra Streisand. There will be Miracles from the movie called Prince of Egypt. The song was made even more popular when it hit mainstream radio with Mariah Cary and Whitney Houston.

3) While Bobby had a successful movie career and earned an Oscar nomination, he didn't get the part he wanted most: Tony in West Side Story. While he could sing and dance very well, producers didn't think Bobby looked like a romantic leading man. What actor or actress makes your heart skip a beat? When I was a teen, I had a poster of Clark Gable-Rhett Butler from Gone with the Wind. I think George Clooney has aged well. Robert Redford too since I have been watching a lot of his movies.

 

4) Elvis enjoyed watching Bobby perform, but understood that if he sat in the audience, he would be a distraction. So, Elvis always watched Bobby from the wings. Think about the last thing you saw in a theater (concert, movie, play). Were you distracted by another audience member? Was anyone crinkling paper, checking their phone, whispering, etc.? Yes, crinkling paper and it was my husband. Years ago we took our teen sons to the movies. I was sitting down with a bucket of buttery popcorn, and I accidentally spilled it on top of him. Both the man and my sons moved to other seats. We still laugh about it.

 

5) When the editor of a teen magazine asked if he could cook, Bobby not only said yes, but he also offered up his manicotti recipe. What's your favorite pasta dish? (To eat, not necessarily to whip up in your kitchen.) My son makes a good manicotti. I do like the shrimp scampi at Olive Garden with the slivers if asparagus.

 

6) In addition to cooking, Bobby's friends recall he loved talking about classic cars and baseball. Which of those three would you be most comfortable discussing? I know about baseball thank classic cars.

 

7) In 1965, when Americans were listening to "That Funny Feeling," aspirin was the top over-the-counter pain reliever. You could get a bottle of 200 tablets for just $1. Is there aspirin in your medicine chest right now? No, there is Tylenol and Motrin.

 

8) Also in 1965, I Dream of Jeannie premiered. The sitcom about a beautiful genie living in the suburbs was developed to compete with Bewitched, about a beautiful witch living in the suburbs. Which show do like better? I liked them both. I guess I Dream of Jeannie.

 

9) Random question: After a friend leaves your home, you spot a small, bound book on the floor next to your sofa. You flip through it and see that her journal fell out of her purse. It's mostly shopping lists and appointments but also includes personal observations, once you realize what it is, do you close it and keep it closed until you can return it to her? Or do you continue reading? I would close it and call her and let her know about it.

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

Friday's Fave 5 & Saturday 9

Another week has flown by! The days just seem to go faster and faster. I thought retirement was a time to slow down. It may for some, but it has been busy for me. But there is always something to be thankful for. I am joining Susanne for the meme.

I am thankful for this laptop that lets me connect to others. I am thankful for the digital artist that provide content for my Bible journaling and crafting. I am thankful for free programs like Blogger.

I am thankful for the Facebook memories that pop up that bring smiles to my face.

Lake Tahoe October 2019

October 2019

October 2021

October 31, 2020

Thankful that my scar is healing and I can now wear the scar tape.

Thankful to be able to go to Disneyland on Thursday. I had not been since December of 2022. Hubby and I had lunch at Downtown Disney and walked around. I got a few ornaments. Then he left and I headed to California adventure. I got to go on The Guardians of the Galaxy ride and Grizzley Rapids where I got soak and wet. The wait was about 45 minutes. I got to talk to a young couple from Mexico and a group of 4 college age kids that were very nice to me and helped me in and out of the ride. After getting out of that ride, my son and granddaughter met me. We got to go on the Cars ride and see the Coco/Familia section. We went to the Disneyland side and had a great dinner. Then we went on the Pirates of the Caribbean  and Star Tours. We left before it closed to avoid the traffic. 

This is the ornament I got since I turned 70 three weeks after Disney did.

Thankful to be able to sleep in and lounge around and watch tv with husband and get some things done on my laptop. I start my Gratitude  Documented 30 day devotional study with Illustrated Faith.

Saturday 9: Angie Baby (1974)

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

 

1) This week's song is a spooky one about a young man who breaks into the bedroom of a troubled girl named Angie. Their encounter doesn't go well and he's never seen again. Though there's been gossip, no one knows for sure what happened to him. Does your town have any scary legends that have been passed down through the decades? No

 

2) Songwriter Alan O'Day said he drew upon aspects of his own childhood to come up with "Angie Baby." He was an only child who often stayed home sick from school, with only Top 40 radio for company. What do you recall when you think about sick days as a kid?  I don't remember me being sick often but my sister was because of her asthma. Grandmas were always there and that was a blessing for us and our parents. But in 1968, I got the Hong Kong flu and I was so sick. Both my parents took care of me. I remember that I missed the youth group Caroling Event and that made me sad. 

 

3) Helen Reddy said she enjoyed hearing what her fans thought happened in "Angie Baby." Can you think of another song that is open to interpretation? Not at the moment.

 

4) When Helen and her husband/manager Jeff Wald heard "Angie Baby" the first time, they immediately agreed she should record it. She went into the studio that afternoon and in less than 10 days, disc jockeys were playing it and "Angie Baby" became an international hit. When were you glad you acted on impulse? Getting Minnie, our third doxie.

 

Questions inspired by Halloween .... 

5) Though best known as a recording artist, Helen Reddy also acted on occasion and appeared as a singing nun in Airport 1975. A nun's habit is a popular Halloween costume. Will you/did you dress up this year? No

6) In 2024, more Americans than ever dressed their dogs up for Halloween. Have you ever taken your pup with you trick-or-treating? No.... well not our current dog. She does not like to be out in public. Our previous dog did not mind. Eddie with Reina, 2009.

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. Did you carve a pumpkin for Halloween this year? No

 

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? Potatoes.
 

9) Some Elvis fans insist his ghost hovers in the trees over Graceland. Have you ever seen a ghost? No.

October, around 1964. 

Friday's Fave 5 & Saturday 9

1. Thankful for another week of blessings! The older grands celebrated homecoming last Saturday. My grandson got ready at our house and then his Mon took him to his girlfriend's house. He mom took them for pictures before the homecoming. My daughter took my granddaughter to homecoming. She was going to meet up with friends there. So glad kids don't have to have dates to go. 

Jazzy and her brother Eddie and Daniela with Eddie.

2. Thankful that I could be at church to greet. I am to old to worry about having a bandage on my face. 

3. Thankful for another successful Bible Journaling Day. I gave the girls two kits. One for October. Then the other is for November. They will work on a little 30 day gratitude journal. I got the little journals after Vacation Bible school ended. I found a graphic online and printed out a lot of graphics. I also included a 30 day Bible reading program for November. The gratitude journal is something I have done with Illustrated Faith for years. Here are some of the pages the ladies did.

4 Thankful that the dermatologist/surgeon was able to check on my incision. He said I am healing well. He removed a couple of stitches. He said to continue doing what I was doing. I still have a bit of pain at the top of the scar, but that is to be expected.

5. Thankful to be able to go to another football game to support our granddaughter. Eddie drove me and my son, and his family were able to go to the game too. My daughter met up there too.

Do You Know the Way to San Jose

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

 

1) In this song, someone moves to Los Angeles looking for "fame and fortune" but ends up with a job "pumping gas." Today, the majority of service stations are self-serve, so very few people pump gas for a living. Can you think of another job that used to be common but doesn't exist anymore? We used to have a milkman that delivered to our home back in the late 70's. 

 

2) The San Jose travel bureau advertises "300 days of sunshine" every year. How is the weather where you are today? Sunny and 83 today. It will be 86 on Thursday when I am at Disneyland. It is 26 miles from me.

 

3) Lyricist Hal David became fond of San Jose when he was stationed there while in the Navy. Tell us about a place you visited that you have affection for. Hawaii! Here were are at the Disney Aulani in 2018 for the character breakfast. We stayed close to it at the Marriott Resort.

  

4) Composer Burt Bacharach grew up and worked primarily in New York until his marriage to actress Angie Dickinson. She had to live in Los Angeles for her career, so he relocated and remained a Californian for the rest of his life. Where do you feel most at home? (It doesn't have to be a city. It could be your favorite chair.) My home, either in my dad's chair in the family room or the bedroom where my desk is. I journal there and I enjoy the view in the backyard.

5) Dionne Warwick thinks this week's song is "dumb." She won her first Grammy for "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?" and, decades later, still sings it in concert, but she has not changed her opinion of the song. What is something everyone else seems to like but you just don't get?

 

6) Now in her 80s, with more than 60 years in show business, Dionne still enjoys performing. She told a reporter that she loves looking out into the audience and seeing an arm go around a shoulder, or a couple begin holding hands, when they hear her sing "their song." What song reminds you of a special romance? There are lots of songs, but I will go with Just my Imagination by the Temptations.

 

7) In 1968, when this song was popular, The Doris Day Show premiered. The show was, initially, a surprise to its star. Her manager/husband died suddenly without telling her he had committed her to a weekly sitcom. She was not pleased but honored the contract. Think of the last time you were surprised. Was it a happy or sad surprise? My cousin made it to my 70th birthday. I had not seen here since the previous November.

 

8) According to the Social Security Administration, the most popular baby names of 1968 were Lisa and Michael. Are there any Lisas or Michaels in your life? I have a cousin Lisa and my sister-in-law is named Elizabeth but called Lisa. I have a nephew named Michael.

 

9) Random question: What are you looking forward to this week? My husband's birthday on Saturday. Pumpkin Bash in the evening. Turning in our operation Christmas Child Boxes. Going to Disneyland on Thursday!

Previous entry had Homecoming game pictures.

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