Friday Fave 5 & Sat. 9

So hard to believe I am now 70! My mind doesn't feel that old, but my body does remind me I am. But I am trying to take care of myself better. I just can't believe how quickly the days and years go by now. I have been blogging since 2002, first at my website and then here at Blogger since 2021. So now for Friday Faves 5 and Saturday 9

1.Thankful to have lunch with my son Daniel and his wife Melinda last week. They did a great job planning the family birthday party! There were about 45 people and a few missing. It was just great to have the family together! I posted pictures on my previous post, but here is the whole family. I was also happy to see my cousin/bestie at my party and she took this family picture.

2.Thankful for our 51st wedding anniversary. We were going to go to the beach, but we were so tired, we just stayed home until dinner. Then we went to Kings Fish House in our own city.

3. Thankful for dinner at Hong Kongs on Monday since it was closed on Tuesday.  It was nice to go home and have cake and include the fur babies.

4. Thankful that my hubby took me to a scrap store and then Olive Garden for lunch. Renee picked up Eddie and Jazzy and took them out for Jazzy's birthday and shopping. I was able to go to Bible study.

5. Thankful to go to senior fellowship on Wednesday morning and a relaxing day in the spa today.

Saturday 9: Colors of the Wind (1995)

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

Summer Songs. These will all be records that topped the charts during August.

1) Number 1 on the charts in August 30 years ago, "Colors of the Wind" is from the Disney hit, Pocahontas. Have you seen it? Yes, we saw it at the El Capitan theater in Hollywood/LA when it came out. We bought the VHS when it came out and we have seen it on Disney channel. My daughter got all the Pocahontas things that Christmas. I think I still have some McD toys.

2) This song celebrates the glories of nature. Have you spent much time outdoors this summer? If yes, what have you enjoyed doing? I have not spent much time outside. Just a few times in the spa. I can see the hummingbirds and bees by the flowers. I can see the breeze blow the flags and chimes. It is peaceful out there. Oh, the family party was outside, and the weather was great! 

3) Lyricist Stephen Schwartz said he was inspired by the works of Chief Seattle, Henry David Thoreau, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Who is your favorite author? Margaret Mitchell who wrote Gone with the Wind, James Michener and the men who wrote The Left Behind Series. Tim LaHaye and Gary Jenkins. His son Dallas Jenkins is the writer/producer of The Chosen.

4) This week's artist, Vanessa Williams, came to national attention as Miss America 1984. In the talent competition she sang "Happy Days Are Here Again." Over the years, contestants have sung, recited original poetry, danced, twirled batons, performed gymnastics and demonstrated martial arts. Which of your talents would wow the judges? Bible journaling.

5) Her family tree includes William A. Fields, who served in the Tennessee House of Representatives in the late 19th century. Are you interested in genealogy? I joined Ancestry.com to learn more about it. But only US information was included in the basic level. I did not want to spend money for the international. 

6) Vanessa supports the non-profit Dress for Success, which helps unemployed and underemployed women prepare with career coaching, networking and professional attire. Have you ever gone into a job interview found yourself unprepared? Or, if you prefer, tell us about an interview you confidently aced. It has been a long time since I had a job interview. 1975 for my post office job. The one that was more challenging was to be a day camp counselor in 1979. There were a lot of college applicants, and my sister and I both got in. It was for a 6 weeklong summer program or underprivilege kids. We took a weeklong vacation with the money we made, and the experience was rewarding.

Let's look at the summer of 1995.

7) 1995's best-selling new car was the Ford Taurus. That summer, dealers were promoting a 6.9% APR loan or $1,500 cash back with purchase. This summer, drivers with good credit might get a better deal because the average APR for new car loans is a little lower. Do you keep your eye on fluctuating interest rates? No

8) English yachtswoman Lisa Clayton made history by sailing solo around the world. It took her 10 months. Would you be comfortable spending months and months alone? No, but I would love to take another cruise!

9) Legendary New York Yankee Mickey Mantle died in 1995. How is your baseball team doing this season? The Angels are doing good, and the Dodgers have not done as well so far.

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

Tuesday 4 GWTW

Gone With the Wind is an epic novel and a big silver screen hit.

1.  Have you read the book or seen the movie Gone with the Wind and what did you think of it?

I have read the book 7 times and plan to read it at least one more time. There is more in the book that is not shown in the movie. I have my mom's copy in my bookshelf. I have seen the movie several times on the big screen and on TV. In fact, my hubby and I watched it last weekend. We watched 2hours on a Saturday and 2 hours on Sunday. I also own a DVD of the movie.

We watched it the week before the Academy awards. 

The 1939 classic movie, “Gone with the Wind,” received a record 13 Academy Award nominations in 1940. The movie won 8 Academy Awards. This film held the record for, winning the most Oscars. Vivien Leigh won best actress and Hattie McDaniel got best actress and the first time a black woman received an Oscar.

2; Which character was your favorite? 

I like many of the character. I loved Scarlet of course! Vivien Leigh was perfect for the part, but I also liked to Melanie. I loved Olivia De Havilland and also Hattie McDaniel who played Mammy.

If you didn't read it or see it. who is your favorite fictional character from a book or movie and why?

3. Are you a fan of big epic films like Dr. Zhivago, Gone with the Wind, etc." If not, what kind of films do you enjoy the most? 

I like many of those epic movies. My mom and I watched many of them together and read the books. We saw Nicholas and Alexandra 1971 and I read the book. We also enjoyed musicals. I have been watching more movies from Turner Classic Network and recently saw Great Expectations Hubby and I plan to watch Fiddler on the Roof and To Sir with Love next weekend. In the past couple of weeks, we saw Ben Hur, Ten Commandments and

Birdman of Alcatraz. I am glad we can see these movies together. 

4. The Ante Bellum era is indeed gone with the wind.  Is there an era in history that you are interested in or that you have a good deal of knowledge about? Perhaps there is an era you would like to learn more about?

I read several books on the Civil War in high school and college. I also read the sequel to GWTW called Scarlet. I wish Margaret Mitchel had written a sequel. I love historical Christian fiction. I plan to re-read the AD Chronicles. I read all 16 books from the Left Behind series last year. I spend a lot of time studying the Bible to prepare for my Bible journaling class.

Right now I am doing a Lent study on the names of Jesus. So my number one book is the Bible.

Season 14 of Call the Midwife starts this weekend on PBS. The rest of the series in on Netflix and I have read three books about the series.

Here is a list of some of the books since 1992. Pictures of me with the authors at Women of Faith.

My Library 

GWTW graphic dolls purchased many years ago for my Country web home. Link on the left.

Friday Faves Five & Saturday 9

Thankful for another week!

1. I am always thankful and blessed to see my granddaughter leading a worship song.

2. Thankful for another year of Bible journaling. This year we went over a name of God. We learned about the Jewish Holy days and celebrations. The things that Jesus would have experienced. Hanukkah pictures on the previous page.

3. Thankful for a good visit with the doctor/Orthopedic regarding my shoulder. I decided not to get a pain shot in my shoulder. I don't want to not feel and then over do it. If I want to have full use of my arm, I will need an MRI and possible surgery. A torn rotator will not heal by itself the way my finger is healing.

4. Thankful for the Advent studies I am doing. The focus in that Jesus is the light of the world!

5. Thankful for a day I don't have to go anywhere. I am in my pj's as I write this!

Saturday 9: Hurt So Bad (1980)

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

I heard that song in the 60's. It made me sad. Little Anthony and the Imperials sang it in 1965.

1) Do you have any aches or pains this morning? I am feeling pretty good this morning, but something usually hurts.

2) In this song, Linda Ronstadt complains that her ex doesn't get what she's going through. Have you recently felt misunderstood? Yes

3) Now let's put a positive spin on it: Is there someone in your life who gets you completely? Yes, my sister Terry and a few close friends.

4) Linda recorded a best-selling album in Spanish, and has also performed in French, German and Italian. How many languages do you speak? I can speak basic Spanish. I understand more than I can speak. I took 1 year of French in 1968 and can pick up a few words. In the late 1980's my family went to Linda perform Canciones de mi Padre with a Mariachi band. I think it was at the Pacific Amphitheater in Irvine CA. I also have the CD. We didn't grow up listening to a lot of Spanish music. Linda won an Emmy for her album in 1989.

5) Linda once dated George Lucas of Star Wars fame. Who is your favorite Star Wars character? 

That is a hard question because I like so many. Hans Solo was funny! I also have seen George Lucas up close. He sat 3 rows in front of me at Disneyland. We got VIP seats to the firework show for my 60th birthday in 2015. We saw him go bye when it was done and I got a side picture of him. The Star Tours ride is one of my favorites.

6) Steve Martin has spoken affectionately about Linda and their romance in the 1970s. Are you a Steve Martin fan? Yes, I enjoy watching him.

7) Linda worked consistently and successfully with record producer Peter Asher throughout the 70s and 80s. Tell us about someone you enjoyed working beside. 

I liked most of the people when I worked in the marketing department at the postal service. It was higher management I did not like. I retired in 2011.

One of the girls I shared an office with was fun to work with. We both liked old school music. I also listened to Christian music, and she would listen and would be honest and ask me to put my headphones on. I shared what was going on in my church. In 2004, our church had a day we could write names of people you wanted to know the Lord on the cement before they put in the carpet. I told her and she was touched. In 2013 I found out she had accepted the Lord and she had shared it with a friend. She end up going to our church until she moved to Texas. There was also Vera, my supervisor who encouraged me to go back to church and she mentored me and taught me to take over one of her programs. I took over that program when she retired. I will always thing of her fondly.

8) In 1980, when this song was popular, People magazine named author Stephen King one of the year's most intriguing people. Have you read any of his books or short stories?

I have not because I do not like scarry books. I did go by his country house in Maine back in 2008 while on a bus ride to Kennebunkport for lunch. Our cruise ship was docked in Portland Maine.

9) Random question: Looking back on last week, would you describe it as exciting or boring? 

It has been busy and not boring.

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

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.

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

How about now? September is still a new beginning to the year.  What will it hold for you?

1. As summer's heat fades do you get out and about in nature often?  Where do you go, what do you do?  What would you like to do? There is a park I like to go to, so maybe next month. I live in the city and surrounded by a lot of cities. No country places around here

We have been over 100 all week. I think we got to 108 this past Saturday. School started August 13. They get 1 week of at Thanksgiving, 3 weeks off after Christmas and 1 week for spring break. It doesn't usually cool off until the end of October. 

We did go to the movies today and saw Regan. It was a good movie.  I like historical movies. I remember the day President Regan was inaugurated. I was watching it on screen as I was getting ready to leave the hospital after my son was born. 

2. What has changed in your life that you miss/regret the most? My health. I have what I need material wise. I have lost a lot of muscle, and it is hard to sit for long periods of time. I can't eat all the food they say. My doctor is sending me back to physical therapy. I am having a MRI on Wednesday. I have a mammogram on Friday. The doctor said not to lose any more weight.

I really miss my parents. I have questions that won't get answers. I miss their hugs. 

I miss my old house and the neighborhood. I don't miss the high taxes!

3.  Money is no object; nothing stands in your way. are you going to move or stay where you are? 

Oh I would definitely move to a bigger house! I would love a pool. 

4.  How can you improve your life? Besides the physical part I mentioned, stay active with my family and church friends. To keep enjoying my Bible journaling. We are going on a cruise in January and Hawaii in April so I need to really strength train to build up muscle strength.

1. When the Hodgepodge lands on September 11th I want to acknowledge that. Will you purposely pause to remember, pray, or attend any sort of ceremony on 9/11? Share any thoughts or memories you'd like to share about this day. I will be having a MRI on Wednesday. Maybe I will think about the day while I am in that chamber. I still remember hearing about it as we got in the car to drive to work. It was about 5:30 in the morning and we could not believe what we were hearing. I worked for the postal service we went on alert since we were a government building. The breakroom was full of people and I remember watching the second tower go down. It was so sad. You don't forget something like that. I don't forget the day President Kennedy was shot. I was 8 years old. They sent us home from school.

2. Growing up, did you spend a lot of time with your grandparents? What's something you learned from a grandparent? I did get to spend a lot of time with both sets of grandparents. I have lots of great memories! My grandparents said we were lucky to be an American citizen. We were blessed to have all that we had, mainly our family. This is a picture of my grandma's from 1994. My grandma Louisa on the left lived to 87. My grandma on the right lived to 79. She got an infection, then sepsis. I loved them both and I have both of their bibles.

                              This picture was from 1973. Grandpa Susano, and Grandpa David.

3. What's your go-to breakfast? I eat eggs every day. Sometimes over medium, sometimes scrambled, and I even make an omelet once in awhile!

4. Tell us the story behind one of your favorite photos. Family trip to Oahu in 2018. I had the best time with my family! We stayed a whole week at the Marriott Ko Olina. On our last full day, we went to the Disney Aulani for the character breakfast. We all loved it!

Dole Plantation

Aulani

Sunset at the North Shore

5. This week Friday lands on the 13th. Are you superstitious in any way? Do you like scary movies, and if so what's your favorite? I am not superstitious. I do not like scary movies.

6. Insert your own random thought here. I sure enjoyed looking back at the pictures from Hawaii. We will be going back with my son and his family. My daughter and kids will not go this time. They will be watching our dog and taking their own vacation at the end of the school year.

Friday Fave Five & Saturday 9

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

Thankful for:

1. My husband's great salsa that he made for everyone!

2. A great 4th with my family! Lots of great food.

Many family members were missing.

Old movies of when we grandparents were little.

My little brother, barbecued carne asada, marinated beef

and chicken then chopped up for soft tacos.

3. My plumerias are blooming now!

4. Watching Despicable Me 4 with on comfortable reclining chairs.

5. Relaxing in a warm spa after a cold theater.

Saturday 9: The Star Spangled Banner (1991)

... because Thursday was the 4th of July and we're still celebrating!

Unfamiliar with this Whitney's rendition? Hear it here.

1) Whitney Houston originally performed this in front of over 73,000 at the 1991 Super Bowl. What's the biggest crowd you have ever been in? Harvest Crusade at the Angel's Stadium. (42,000) and Honda Center (18,000) Women of Faith Conference, Michael W Smith, Third Day and Maxy Lucado.  American Idol tour 2006.  Does Disneyland count? 70,000.

2) Whitney's version of The National Anthem was released 10 years later, after 9/11, and the proceeds went to support New York's first responders. It was her last Top Ten single. What's your favorite Whitney Houston song? All her songs are great, but I Wanna Dance with Somebody is fun and upbeat. I also love the duet she did with Mariah Carey called When you Believe from Prince of Egypt.

3) Whitney's friends recall she loved lavender -- both the color and the scent. What's your favorite color? What's your favorite scent? I do love lavender essential oils that I get from Young Living. I also love the scent from my plumerias. my color choices depend on my mood and the season. 

4) Whitney had a sweet tooth and loved Fruity Pebbles. If you reached for a snack right now, would it be sweet or salty? Salty. If was hungry, I would have my husband's salsa with chips from Superior Market.

5) Whitney's grave marker bears the words, "I Will Always Love You," so clearly her family is proud of her best-selling recording. How would you like to be remembered? A woman with a strong faith and who loved Jesus and the Bible. A woman that loved her family. A woman who was creative and shared her creativity with others, especially Bible journaling.

6) Going back to 1991, when this recording was first popular, consumers who had a cell phones likely had flip phones. Technology has come a long way, hasn't it? What did you most recently use your cell phone for? (Calling, texting, looking something up, taking a photo, posting on your blog or social media ...) Taking pictures.

7) In 1777, Colonists celebrated July 4 with the firing of cannons and muskets, followed by a public reading of the Declaration of Independence. What did your neighborhood to celebrate the 4th of July? Our city had a big fireworks show at a big park near us and we can see some of them from our house. But I watched them inside because there was a lot of illegal loud one in the neighborhood. It really scares our dog. So, I watched them on tv.

8) The Revolutionary War still raged during that summer of 1777. General George Washington allowed his soldiers to celebrate with a double ration of rum on July 4. Do you know anyone who is serving in the military this 4th of July? Not personally. On of my friends at church has a son that is in the military and is stationed in Hawaii.

9) Celebrity chef Rachael Ray says she considers mini-hamburgers, or "sliders," the All-American food. What will/did you dine on to celebrate the 4th of July? My niece made poppers. Small grilled peppers and shrimp wrapped in cheese and wrapped in bacon and baked. They were so good! My brother cooked carne asada and chicken on the grill and then chopped it up. There were small corn and flower tortillas so that you could make soft tacos or mini burritos. My sister Ann brought home made beans and potato salad. My sister Terry took strawberries and a sweet dip made with cream cheese and cool whip. My husband made large pot of salsa and there was enough for dinner and for everyone to take a batch home. We also bought two very large bags of tortilla chips. There was also a lot of fruit. There was homemade peach cobbler and vanilla ice cream for dessert.