Friday Favs 5 & Saturday 9

Thankful for another week of life! Here are my Friday Faves Five hosted by Susanne

1. Thankful to find a calendar on clearance at Hobby Lobby. Also came with a digital download!

2. Thankful for great Sunday at church and Superbowl party at my son's house.

We took shredded chicken, beans and the toppings for tostadas.

Beans on the right, chicken on the left.

lettuce, tomato, cheese and salsa. Yum!

3. Marriage group meeting and lunch afterwards. 

4. Thankful for a nice lunch today with hubby at Outback steakhouse and we used a gift card!

5. Thankful for......

Day 4 of our cruise is posted now, linked above.

Saturday 9: Cupid (1961)

 

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

1) In this song, Sam Cooke enlists the help of Cupid, the Roman god of love, to help him get a girl. In Greek mythology, the god of love and lust has a different name. Do you know what it? Eros.

 

2) Sam Cooke was inducted as a charter member into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The museum and hall are located in Cleveland, OH. Cleveland is proud of the six major museums featured on its website. When did you most recently visit a museum? The Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. We got to meet a Holocaust Survivor. Kobe Bryant died that same day. January 26, 2020

3) Sam went to Wendall Phillips Academy, the same Chicago high school Nat King Cole attended. Can your high school claim any noteworthy alums? Bill Medley-one of the Righteous Brothers,  Diane Keaton-actress, Chuck Smith-founder of Calvary Chapel, Gerald Carr-Astronaut, Greg Louganis-Olympic medal swimmer. I did this page for my crafty group school project a few years ago.

4) "Cupid" was released in 1961. One of the major news stories of that year was the death of Ernest Hemingway. Have you read any of his works? Yes The Old Man and the Sea.

  

Since February 14 was Valentine's Day...

 

5) Sweethearts, those small heart-shaped candies printed with messages like "Be Mine" and "Kiss Me," are top sellers this time of year. Did you enjoy them as a child? Do you enjoy them now?

I did enjoy them as a child! I don't eat them anymore. I prefer chocolates.

 6) While Valentine's Day is popular in Mexico, it's celebrated a bit differently than it is here. For our neighbors to the south, it's a day for love and friendship, with no distinction between romantic, familial or platonic love. Do you tell your friends you love them? Or do you reserve "I love you" for your partner and family? I do say it to some of my friends.

7) In Poland, Valentine's Day, or Walentynki, is often celebrated with a gift of "tea and sweets" -- a tin of black tea paired with candy. Do you more often drink tea or coffee?

I drink a cup of coffee in the morning. I drink a cup of tea in the afternoon.

 

8) One of London's top accounting firms did a study and reports that in England, Valentine's Day is a 52%/48% affair. 52% of the participants planned on buying at least one card or gift, while 48% did not expect to spend anything on Valentine's Day. This year, were you one of the 52% or the 48%?

52%

9) A similar study in Rome showed that today's young lovers would prefer to share a romantic experience on Valentine's Day – a stroll through the gardens of Villa Borghese was a popular choice – than exchange gifts. Would you rather do something memorable for Valentine's Day or receive something you can retain as a keepsake? 

We always go out for a nice meal. As long as I get a card, I am happy!

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

Friday Fave Five and Saturday 9

Joining Susanne and Sam for the memes. Links are on the left.

1. Thankful to be able to go to church in spite of ear issues.  Granddaughter was singing with praise band.

2. Thankful to be able to go to the Superbowl party at my middle son's home. There was a lot of food and fun games. As the day wore on, ear pain increased. But still, I was glad to see family and friends gather together. 

3. Thankful that the pain calmed down enough to celebrate our 50th Valentine's Day celebration. Friends on Facebook thought we were celebrating our 50th anniversary, but that isn't until August. We gave the older grands their Valentine's goodie bags in the morning.

4. Thankful to see the doctor after our lunch as she said it appeared that besides in eternal middle ear infection, I have a secondary outer ear fungal infection because of the antibiotics. So now I have to take ear drops for that. A culture was taken too. 

5.Thankful we saw the younger grands and gave them their Valentine's gifts. Thankful that the nurse got right back to me Thursday about pain radiating down the side of my face. I figured it was the lymph nodes inflamed as I fight this infection. Nurse called back this morning saying I had to go get a stat CT to rule out abnormalities. Doctor just called to say I needed another round of antibiotics and continue drops. I go back Thursday for a cleaning. Doctor is waiting for a more detailed report on the fungal infection. I already had out on my pj's so hubby went to pick up my prescription. I need to use a warm compress too. I declined taking an opiate pain medication at this point. 

6. Thankful that my husband has been so supportive through all this. Also, that my insurance covered the CT. Thankful for those that are praying for me.

Saturday 9: Paper Doll (1943)

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

1) The song is about a fellow who is exasperated by men flirting with his girl. Do you have a jealous streak?  I don't think so.

2) He's blue after a quarrel with Sue. Did you exchange harsh words with anyone recently? No

3) "Paper Doll" was #1 for 12 weeks in 1943-44, sold 11 million copies and remains one of the best-selling singles of all time. Had you heard it before today? No, but it reminds me of my dad.

4) As kids, the Mills Brothers worked on their harmonies in front of their father's Piqua, OH, barbershop, much to the delight of passersby. Do you often encounter street musicians in your neighborhood? No. But my granddaughter was practicing her songs on our piano on Thursday.

5) The Mills Brothers were a long way from that street corner when, in 1936, they became the first African Americans to perform for the British Royal Family. It's about 4,000 miles from Piqua to London. What's the farthest you've ever been from home? 2564 miles to Oahu Hawaii.

6) In the early 1930s, the Mills Brothers not only performed songs on radio, they sang jingles for Standard Oil and Crisco. What commercial can you recall having seen (or heard) lately? Ozempic?

7) In 1943, when "Paper Doll" was popular, WWII was raging and the US Mint began producing steel pennies because copper was needed for ammunition. Do you have any pennies in your pocket or wallet right now? Yes I do. When I was 12, we visited the Denver Mint.

8) Also in 1943, a bottle of Coke was a nickel. When did you most recently have a soft drink? What was it? I stopped drinking sodas back in 2010. Carbonated beverages are not good if you have osteoporosis. 

9) Random question: Have you learned more from your successes, or your failures. My failures.

As of this writing, my ear is hurting! This is me with my ear issue.

Hodgepodge Wednesday

1. What does love mean to you?

Love means a whole lot of things. Intimacy, not necessarily sexual, but feeling safe enough to be yourself. It means giving your heart to someone because you want to. It means accepting the whole person, in spite of flaws. There are different types of love and love changes over time. As a Christian, I believe in what the Bible teaches that God is love and He wants us to love others. It is not an easy thing to do. But one can try right? 

2. Is love blind? 

In a way, yes. I think that new "love" is infatuation that caters to feelings and emotions. Love is also physical, and that can really draw a person in. We show our good side and so does the other person. It keeps us from seeing the real person. We are blinded to the truth. I am sure we have all been there at one time or another, either with a boyfriend, ex or even a friendship. It takes time for love to grow. 

3. How do you remember Valentine's Day as a kid? Do you have any special plans for the day this year? 

Making cards and passing out cards was always fun. I am sure parents felt a relief when boxed cards were available. We got cards and made gift bags for our grands. I passed out card to my Bible journaling girls today. Hubby and I are going to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch.

4 Are you a fan of the movie genre known as 'rom-com'? What's your favorite (or one of your favorites)?

I do like to see them on occasion. Sleepless in Seattle, Pretty Woman and Fools Rush In.

5. What's something you recently put your heart into? 

My Bible journaling kit that I do for my ladies. Each lesson includes a name of God, one or two people from the Old Testament, and a few things on love. We talked about Judah and Tamar and the Good Samarian. It is a great time fellowship and food too! The other things is fixing Valentine bags for the grands. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Hubby asked me what I wanted to do for Valentine's Day and I told him. I had been wanting to go to special scrapbook store and plans had to change. My ear is still acting up and I was able to get an appointment with ENT for 2pm. So, we changed our plans and will go to the store another day. We always go somewhere for lunch because we don't like the busy dinner crowd, we like to save money and lunch is cheaper and we still have to pick up our grands. So, it all works out. At least my ear isn't so bad that we can't do something.

Friday Fav Five & Saturday 9

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

Thankful to be seen by an ENT doctor this past Monday. You can read about the ruptured eardrum on my previous post. I have a secondary sinus infection but the antibiotics should help that too. The doctor was so nice. Hopefully my hearing will improve soon.

Thankful that my husband was able to drive me to my appointment. It was raining heavy the day of my appointment. I treated him to some hot soup at El Torito after the appointment.

Thankful that the antibiotics have not made me sick. So thankful for good insurance! The last time I went to ENT I paid $45 for my appointment. This time it was $10.00.  I got two prescriptions and some Vicks Vapor Rub all for under $30.00. 

Thankful for memes. They are great at bringing up memories. In my previous post, there was a question on grandparents and I added some pictures of them a day after I posted. I was blessed to have great grandparents. Grat parents too. Dad passed 11 years ago the 8th. Mom will be gone 14 years. I miss them both and know I will see them someday. Thankful for pictures, those in print, digital and in my heard.

Thankful for the rain. California needs the rain even though it does cause problems in certain areas that have had fire damage or for houses build on hills. Our doxie, Minnie does not like the rain and hubby spoils her with the umbrella. He has towels by the back door to dry off her feet too.

Saturday 9: At Last (1960)

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

 

1) Etta James sings that "life is like a song." What song reflects how you feel about life these days? 

Sunrise, Sunset. It was on Fiddler on the Roof and was played at our wedding. They days go by so much faster now. Every day is a new day, a gift from God.

2) She is delighted to have found the love she has always dreamed of. Have you found true love to be the way you imagined it would be? Or has it surprised you? Love changes over time. True love allows for change and growth. True love is a commitment to one another in spite of life's ups and downs. We will be married 50 years this summer.

 

3) Etta's mother encouraged her to not just sing but perform a song, telling her daughter, "Even if a song has been done a thousand times, you can still bring something of your own to it." Is there a singer whose performances often touch your heart? Carole King and Amy Grant. I have seen them both in concert. I think they are both talented women. I loved the tribute concert I went to for Carole King and one of her songs was sung by Amy Grant!

 

4) As a teen, she was considered a gospel prodigy and churches all around Los Angeles requested she "guest" at their services. Do you have a favorite religious song?

I have lots of them. One of them is Shout to the Lord. I am including the video from the Women of Faith Conference I went to in the 90's in Anaheim California.

5) "At Last" is one of the most often requested songs for the newlywed's first dance at the reception. What song reminds you of a sweetheart? Color My World, by Chicago played at out wedding.

This is the last Saturday 9 before Valentine's Day and so this morning we shall focus on the upcoming holiday.

 

6) It's been reported that millions of roses are grown specifically for Valentine's Day each year. What's your favorite flower? I love roses and grow them in my yard. I also love plumerias and have a few of those plants too.

 

7) The earliest recorded celebration of Valentine's Day was in Paris in the year 1400. Obviously you weren't around for that one. What do you remember from one of your earliest, childhood Valentine's Day celebrations? Valentine's card exchanges.

 

8) About 20% of pet owners say they give their dogs, cats, birds or bunnies a Valentine. Is your pet getting something special on February 14? We usually get Minnie something.

9) Of all the professions, teachers are #1 when it comes to receiving Valentine cards. Did you ever have a crush on a teacher? Yes I did. It was my 9th grade biology teacher, Mr. Early. He had reddish blonde hair, green eyes and a pretty smile. I think he had a moustache too. 

Tuesday 4 Valentine's Day

 

$24 billion dollars are spent on Valentines Day gifts!  145 million cards are sent out and the average spent on gifts is $197.50 per person.

1. As a kid did you exchange Valentines at school with the other children? Yes of course! It was always a fun day. We wrote each classmate's name on the envelope. I am sure we made cards for our parents a teacher too. My younger grands are in a Christian School at our church, and they are having a Valentine's party. 

2. Do you have special traditions for the day, or does it pass on without much hoopla? My husband and I always exchange cards. We usually go out for lunch or an early dinner. We will be going out to Olive Garden on Wednesday. We went for lunch on Monday and want to and skip the business of today. We celebrated at our church's Valentine party this past Friday. We gave cards to our grandkids. The younger two got stuffed animals and candy. The older two got gift cards and candy. I noticed that Easter things are out. I will be getting things for the grands's baskets.

This morning I will be with my women's life group. We are having a Valentine Tea/Brunch. I am taking chicken salad on croissants. I also made card and a goodie bag to pass out. This was on one of the cards. I gave them a word search based on Corinthians 13, Love is.... A teacup card with their name, a paperclip bookmark and some chocolate. I am sure it will be a fun day.

3 Today is the number one top day for flower and candy gifts.  The only other holidays that approach it are Christmas and Chanukah.  Do you ever receive candy, jewelry or flowers for the day?  Which is your favorite? I do not ask for anything other than a card. We grow roses and hubby cuts them and brings them in when they are in season. I do not like him spending money on them. We had a gift card for Sees and went after we had lunch on Sunday. We both chose chocolates we enjoy. 

4. Zoos and Pet rescues will name cockroaches or unpleasant animals after your ex and issue you a certificate.  They will even write your ex's name in cat litter for you. What do you think of this "tradition"? Never heard of it and not sure how this is related to Valentine's Day.