Sunday Stealing.....

Shop On The Corner Meme

Welcome back to Sunday Stealing which originated on WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of memes from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent memes. You may have heard of the expression, “honor amongst thieves”. In that age-old tradition, we try to credit the blog that we stole it from. We also provide a link to the victim's meme in our "Previous Victims" widget. (It's our way of saying "Thanks!") Sometimes we edit the original meme, to make it more relevant to our global players, to challenge our players, to select the best questions, or simply to make it less repetitive from this new meme or recently asked questions from a previously featured meme.
Cheers to all of us thieves!!!

Shop On The Corner Meme

Stolen from: FYeah Surveys

What kind of job did your mom have when you were growing up?

She worked at the Post Office and was a Postmaster at the end of her career.

Have you ever known anyone that’s been on tv, including you?

I've mentioned before that my 2nd cousin is Justin Chambers. He is on TV every week.

What was the most interesting animal you have seen in the wild?

Buffalo.

What holiday do you enjoy the most?

Any holiday that brings family together!

What was the first video game you ever played?

Pac Man

What is the one thing you own, that if it got lost, you would be bummed?

Losing my cell phone or computer would send me into a panic - more than bummed!

Do you have a favorite breakfast item?

Eggs. I love eggs.

What do you find yourself buying all the time?

Food! We are at the grocery and/or Sam's Club at least once a week!

When was the last time you got a real letter in the mail?

I can't remember the last letter I got. I receive cards now and then, but no letters.

Do you have a most prized piece of jewelry?

My wedding ring rarely leaves my finger.

Do you own any board games?

We have a closet shelf full of board games!

What chore seems the most daunting right now?

Right now, I am dreading Christmas decorations. I love the season, but am not feeling the decorating this year.

Were you born in the state you live in?

Nope.

Have you ever lived in a house that has been broken into?

Praise God, no, but Joe's office was robbed once.

What is your favorite cheese?

Cheddar, if I can only pick one.

Who do you know that watches the most sports?

My husband watches ALL sports, all the time! Especially football and hockey, but also basketball and golf.

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I am probably decorating as you read this.  It needs to get done, but I am cutting way back this year. I even told Joe to not put lights on the house this year. It's just too much. 

Thanks for coming by!  Our holiday weekend, and the month of November are nearly over.  Peace & blessings!

Saturday: 9 Paints It Black....

Paint It Black

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: Paint It Black (1966)

Not familiar with this week's song? Hear it here.

1) This song was chosen because yesterday was Black Friday, the traditional day of sales. Have you begun your Christmas shopping?  Yes, I have started, but I don't "do" Black Friday.

2) Are there any Thanksgiving leftovers in your refrigerator right now?   Absolutely.  It is why we cook a huge bird and three times as much as we should!  Leftovers are the best part of Thanksgiving!

3) AAA says Thanksgiving is a big travel weekend. Did you venture far from home for your holiday dinner?   We didn't even step outside the house, except to see our friends off, after dinner. 

4) Keith Richards likes France but, alas, the French authorities haven't always been fond of him and his criminal record. Have you ever been to France?  I have never been to France, and really have no desire to go to France. 

5) Mick Jagger jokes that, to be polite to fellow hotel guests, he always finishes trashing his room by 10:00 PM. What kind of hotel/motel guest are you? Are you rockstar rambunctious, or are you quiet? Are you neat? Have you stolen any towels, bathrobes, etc.?   I think we are nice hotel guests. We don't steal (or even take extra shampoos).  I cleaned rooms at a motel, two summers when I was in school. I remember!!  I always make sure to leave a tip for housekeeping, too.

6) Mick Jagger got his financial savvy as a student at the London School of Economics. Are you good with money?  I'm an accountant. It's my job to be good with money....and I keep our books at home, too, even though Joe is a CPA.

7) In the early 1990s, a then little-known actress named Angelina Jolie appeared in a Rolling Stones video ("Anybody Seen My Baby?"). Name an Angelina Jolie movie.  'Maleficent' is her latest, I believe.  I'm not a huge fan.

8) In the early 1960s, the Stones nearly avoided tragedy when their tour bus skidded off a bridge. Tell us about a near miss you're thankful for.  I guess I have been fortunate. I can't think of anything.

9) In 1966, when this week's song was popular, CBS telecast How the Grinch Stole Christmas for the first time. What's your favorite Dr. Seuss story?  I think Dr. Seuss stories are all great, but guess I am partial to "Green Eggs and Ham".

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I am a big Rolling Stones fan!  I well remember when this song was on the radio every hour!  The grandkids left late yesterday afternoon. Sure wish they could have stayed longer this weekend, but Lauren has a cat (Catherine) who does okay for two nights all by herself, but not longer. We understand.  Joey is staying until tomorrow morning, so we are enjoying his company for awhile longer.  Darlene is taking care of her brother, who has prostate cancer, and is also dog-sitting for her daughter's dog. With all of that (recent happenings) and their own two puppies (who are always welcome here), she decided to stay in Georgia with Tony and the three dogs.  We have missed her, but are happy for the time with our son, and it was good for Lauren & Tristan to spend time with their dad!  We did get through Joe's box of old family photos, and started getting them sorted out and handed down appropriately.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!  Wishing you a good Saturday!  Peace & blessings!

The Day After The Feast....

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  The grandkids arrived just after noon.  Our son, Joe, arrived around 1:30 and right behind him were Helen and Cheryl.  We missed our daughter-in-law, Darlene, who couldn't come at the last minute because of some family things she had to do on her end.  In spite of missing her, we still had a great time.  The recipes all turned out good, and we were all pleasantly stuffed.

After dinner, we watched the Eagles stomp on the Cowboys!!  That was exciting and wonderful!  We spoke with my grandmother, and then we got out the Webster game.  Grandpa won, after coming from behind.

No alarm clocks for any of us today!!  No Black Friday shopping for us, either!

 The table, before it was loaded with food.

Lauren & Tristan brought me a lovely centerpiece! It made the table beautiful!

Tristan and Lauren - Let the game begin!

Happy Friday!  Thanks for stopping by! I think we will begin to get Christmas decorations out today, while I have some willing help!  :)  Peace & blessings!

Thanksgiving Throwback Thursday!

In 1976, Joe was the Chief of the local Indian Guides group. It was a YMCA program, like Boy Scouts. Joey and Jeff were in Indian Guides.  Their Indian names were Joe-Dark Cloud, Joey-Bright Cloud, and Jeff-Light Cloud.

Joe wore his Chief's headdress at the Thanksgiving table that year, as a joke. Loretta (Joe's late wife) took several photos of the group.  It was long before I knew any of them. They still lived in Pennsylvania when this was taken. I think he looks quite dashing as an Indian Chief!!

I wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving Day!! When we count our blessings, you are all on my list!

Wednesday Hodgepodge #199....

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 199

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back HERE tomorrow to share answers with your friends and neighbors.

1. Besides U.S. Thanksgiving, it's also National Game and Puzzle Week...what game have you played most recently, and who were you with? Have you worked a puzzle of any kind in the past week?  We have a home-made board game (by a family friend) that is played with two decks of cards and marbles. We call it Webster, but it is really just Aggravation on steroids.  Everyone who plays it, loves it, and it usually comes out when family and friends are at our house.  Joe works the jumble puzzle in the newspaper every morning. I'm terrible at puzzles, so rather than feel stupid, I just ignore them! LOL

Grandpa and Lauren, playing Webster. I think that's the last time we had it out.

2. What is one place you were thankful for this year?  Our home. So thankful for our home.

3. Take a nap, watch football, go for an after dinner walk, or hit the stores...which ONE is on your must-do list for Thanksgiving day? For those of you playing along who aren't in the US, answer as it relates to any big holiday meal.  Since the Eagles are on TV, we will be watching football.

4. Besides Thanksgiving, what's your favorite home cooked meal?  You can't beat pot-roast, with potatoes, onions and carrots cooking around it in the oven or crock pot.

5. What product from an infomercial would you most like to own?  I haven't seen anything lately that made me want to pick up the phone or go online.  Awhile back, though, Joe saw a battery powered blower that he ordered and it really does work. He loves it (and so do I....keeps the leaves out of the garage and from around the front door!).  It is called the WORX, and I would recommend it if you have someone in your life who likes to get useful gadgets....

6. Christmas shopping? Have you begun? Finished? Will you shop on Black Friday? How do you feel about stores opening on Thanksgiving Day? What percentage of your Christmas shopping is done online?  I have a few things, but we really don't do a lot of shopping anymore. We send money or gift cards, since most of the family are far away.  I have never gone out on Black Friday, and think stores should be closed on Thanksgiving Day.  I do as much online as possible - all the time.

7. What are you most grateful for that adds beauty to your everyday life?  Grateful that we were able to get the outside of the house painted, and all the ugly bushes pulled out.  It looks so much better, even with nothing in the beds.  Beauty is as beauty does.  My life is beautiful. I am blessed, every day.

8. Insert your own random thought here. Why is it, that when you make an appointment with your doctor, so you can be his/her first patient of the day and will presumably be able to get in and out quickly, that you still end up waiting an hour?  My appointment yesterday was for 8:00 a.m.  I was the second person to sign in, at 7:50.  THREE people were taken back before they called me for x-rays (which I was not expecting).  I got x-rays at 8:25, was taken to a room in the back at 8:50 and finally saw (not the doctor, but the PA) at 9:00.  And that's another beef I have.  I have to pay a bigger co-pay with my health insurance, to see a specialist, but rarely do I really see a specialist. I see the PA (physician assistant) instead.  Maybe any of you who were or are nurses or medical technicians can explain this to me so I can stop being so aggravated.  Grrrrr!!!  BUT - I am thankful to have a good health insurance plan through my work, and I am thankful for a car that took me safely to the next town for my appointment. Perhaps those elderly people who went ahead of me had a more pressing need.... but I am thankful, and need to work on having patience.  As my Joe says, though....doctors have patience, not accountants!  LOL

Happy Wednesday Hodgepodge!! Thanks for stopping by, and many thanks to Joyce for another fun meme!!  Peace & blessings!

Tuesday Tidbits....

This is my last day at work until December 1st!  I am ready for a few days off, and am looking forward to having family and friends around our Thanksgiving table this year.  The grocery shopping is done (though there will probably be a mad dash for something!). I am trying a few new recipes this year. Maybe silly to try without testing them, but they are pretty straight forward.

We enjoyed seeing friends at Judy's 95th birthday party, last Sunday. Her kids planned a great afternoon for her, and the cake was really beautiful - and different from any I had seen before!  The party was held in the outdoor pavilion at our church, and the weather was absolutely perfect for an outside party!

The lovely cake, covered in roses.  

Lots of friends and family were there to celebrate a great lady! 

 Judy, talking to Fr. Ivan, our Assistant Pastor. We love him!

Judy blew out the number 95 candle, then made the first cut.

I am trying to get month-end stuff caught up, at work, since today is my last day to work this week. I am happy to have Wednesday as a vacation day, to get beds made and to start all the food prep. There are several things I can do ahead, which will make Thursday's cooking go much easier.

I get cortisone shots in my knees this morning, and it is past time. They have been hurting so bad for about two weeks now. The good news is, they will be feeling pretty good (better, at least) while I'm preparing dinner and enjoying the kids. 

Thanks for stopping by! I'm counting my blessings already, and they include all of you!  Peace!!

Memory Monday...

Memory Monday is all about MOM this week.  I've written about my mom so much that I don't know what else I can tell you about her.

Visit Retired Not Tired to join this Meme!!



My mom, Helen Louise Cameron Kelly, was born in 1930 to Ethel Jane and Robert Cameron. She grew up in Washington Court House, Ohio, graduating from high school in 1948.  Mom played trumpet in marching band, and she had a close group of friends, who stayed friends long after high school.  I knew them as "the card club" and even after we moved 60 miles away, they still got together every few months to play canasta. Two or three of them came to mom's funeral. That's friendship....the original BFFs!

My folks were married 40 years, before we lost dad to cancer, in 1989.  We had a nice celebration for them, with all the anniversary trimmings.  That was in October. Dad was gone in December. He was only 63.

Mom wanted to be a grandma for years before she finally became one!  Here she is, at her anniversary party, holding Sara Elizabeth...#1 Grandchild.  Look at the happy in her face!!

My parents were "the best" and I know how fortunate I was to grow up with parents who loved me and supported me, and allowed me to become the person I am.

Mom's senior picture. She was so pretty.

Mom and Dad's wedding photo.  See the ivy around the cake?  It was live ivy, and dad took cuttings from it to replant at every house we lived in. It always thrived.  Dad's brother introduced them. My dad flew single engine airplanes, and mom wanted to take a plane ride. My uncle set them up.  Five months later, they were married, in October 1949..

Mom worked at the Post Office. We lived in a very small town. Everyone knew us, and we knew everyone.  Because we had no house-to-house mail delivery back then, everyone had a P.O. Box, and most saw my mom on a daily basis.  She also sold Avon, and was active in Band Boosters, Mother's Club, the church choir (sang alto), and she also worked in the church office after retiring from the post office.  She was such a good cook. I've mentioned that in other blogs. Everything she touched was delicious. She was also very creative. She was a seamstress, she could do any craft. She painted. She loved painting barns and lighthouses. We all have one or two of her paintings.

Mom always wanted to go to Hawaii.  After my dad died, mom had some lady friends, also widows, who were able to travel, and she finally got to go to Hawaii.  They also took a road trip one year, and went west to see Yellowstone, Mt. Rushmore, the Black Hills.  She really had a blast traveling with her friends.

Mom was diagnosed with colon cancer. She fought it hard. She had a couple of good years, in remission, but it really didn't go away. Sneaky, horrid cancer was just infecting the rest of her body. Cancer in the bones is painful. She never complained. She had two colostomy bags and never complained. Amazing, faith-filled, strong woman.  She gave her whole self to dad and to us kids. We always knew we were loved.  We lost her to cancer in 1995. She was only 65.

I was so blessed.  Joe tells everyone that mother-in-law jokes don't fly when talking about my mom. She was an angel on earth, and I know she is in Heaven watching over us. He loved her like his own mom. Blessed.

So thanks for stopping by and reading about my mom. There are four of us "kids", by the way. I'm the oldest. Peace & blessings!!

Sunday Stealing....

Thanksgiving Meme

It's Thanksgiving in the States! Wishing everyone a lovely holiday!

This week's Thanksgiving Meme comes from the archives!  Click HERE to join the fun!

1. Are you celebrating Thanksgiving at home or elsewhere this year? With whom will you spend Thanksgiving Day? We will be here at home, and I'll be cooking. Our oldest son, his wife, our two grandchildren and friends are joining us. There will be eight of us at the table. Praise God.
2. What do you have for breakfast on Thanksgiving?  Usually some pumpkin bread, because I make two loaves so we can enjoy one ahead of the big meal.  And coffee, can't forget coffee!

3. Do you go to a Thanksgiving parade or watch one on TV?  We always have the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on TV.

4. Do you serve appetizers, lunch, or snacks during the day?  We will have some appetizers, because people will be arriving at noon and we aren't eating until 3:00.  No lunch, but some snacks.

5. What do you wear on Thanksgiving?  We rarely dress up at home. Casual and comfortable. The pants have to expand!!

6. What's your Thanksgiving table like -- do you use special plates/silver/glasses, etc? Do you have a centerpiece? A color scheme? Candles?  I try to always set a pretty table for special meals. There won't be a big centerpiece because we need room for all the dishes, but I use my nice Pfaltzgraff dishes, a nice table cloth, no planned color scheme, and no candles.

7. Do you serve buffet-style or family-style? What do you have to drink? Family style, when we all fit at the table. I will open some wine, everyone will have water at their place. Coffee with dessert.

8. Once you're at the table, do you say grace or a toast or does everyone go around and say what they're thankful for?   We say grace, which includes being thankful for family & friends.

9. Do you have dessert right after the main meal or later on? Usually right after the meal, unless the general consensus is to wait for awhile.  We tend to hang at the table, talking, for awhile, actually.

10. What do you do with your leftovers?  I try to send some home with folks, but am stingy with the turkey. I love turkey leftovers and we will have them for a couple of days before putting them in the freezer to use in soup, later.

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We have been working HARD this weekend, and still have work to do. Getting it done, though, and that feels good.  Thanks for stopping by!  It's a short work-week for me!  I am off Wednesday Thursday (of course) and Friday!  Peace & blessings.

Saturday 9: The Main Event (1979)

The Main Event

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: The Main Event (1979)

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

1) This is the theme from a romantic comedy set against the backdrop of boxing. Sam admits she's not crazy about boxing. What about you? Do you enjoy boxing, martial arts or wrestling? No to all three, though lots of friends have kids in martial arts, and I think it helps with discipline, self-confidence and team playing. Boxing is too brutal for my taste. I can't even watch Rocky movies. Wrestling...eh.

2) If you went to a dance club on a Saturday night in 1979 or 1980, you might well have danced to this. What are your plans for this Saturday night?  PJs and a movie on TV with my dear hubby.  We rarely go out on Saturday night, and certainly not to a dance club!

3) Gilda Radner was one of the original Saturday Night Live performers and in 1979, she parlayed her TV popularity into her own one-woman show on Broadway. Who is your alltime favorite SNL cast member?  Gilda was a definite favorite, but I loved ALL the SNL folks back in her day.  I can hardly stand to watch it today.

4) Sally Little and Nancy Lopez were at the top of the LPGA  in 1979. Do you golf?  I did, back in the 70s. Sold my clubs and have never gone again. I was not very good. Now, if you want to talk Putt-Putt.....

5) The movie The Main Event co-starred Ryan O'Neal. He is better known for Love Story, and saying the line, "Love means never having to say you're sorry." When did you last apologize?  Oh gosh, I am always saying I'm sorry, or Excuse me.  I don't remember specifically, but it does not hurt me to apologize, when I am wrong.

6) O'Neal got his big break on the nighttime soap opera, Peyton Place. He played Rodney Harrington, the handsome golden boy that all the girls dreamed of dating. Tell us about your big high school crush.  Ha!  Freshman girl in the marching band, in love with the star football player (number 34, Karen - you know who he is).  He asked to drive me home from a party one weekend night. I accepted, and then was terrified of him! No experience with guys. I'm sure he got a good laugh about it, after I said thanks and jumped out of the car before it even stopped in front of my house! What an idiot.... I can laugh now.  You can see that I still remember his football number!

7) In researching this week's Saturday 9, Sam discovered that The Main Event is a popular name for sports bars all across the country. Do you enjoy sitting at the bar or do you look for a booth or table?   I prefer a booth or table, but Joe and I will sit at the bar when a restaurant is crowded, so we don't have to wait. We have actually really enjoyed talking with the bartenders, at times, while eating our meal there.

8) The Mane Event was the salon Sam went to for years. She switched when it got too hard to get Saturday appointments. As a consumer, what's more important to you -- convenience or price?  Convenience first, but price is a close second. I don't mind paying a little more, if it is really convenient, but don't double the price on me!!

9) More than 50 years after her first million-selling album, Streisand recently had a #1 hit with her current CD, Partners. What's the last song you bought/downloaded?  I actually just ordered Pentatonix's new CD for Christmas. It has one of my favorite Christmas songs on it.  I've listened to it three times already.

Thanks for stopping by!! Happy Saturday!  Hope you have something fun planned. I am cleaning, cleaning, cleaning!! Have to get it done.  Peace & blessings!

Friday Fun....

I really don't have much to post this lovely Friday, except to say IT'S FRIDAY!  Not sure why that is so exciting, since I have to do some major cleaning this weekend, but maybe that is exciting, since the dirty house is starting to make me nuts.

My "Cloud 6" Thanksgiving, which fell from my being on "Cloud 9" now has me back up to a "Cloud 8" which is where I think I will stay.  Lauren and Tristan really are driving up for Thanksgiving and the weekend!!  Kathy (my daughter-in-love and their mom) has been working in Philadelphia for a couple of weeks, and is just going to slip down to Virginia to spend Thanksgiving with her folks.  Lauren and Tristan will get to spend a few days with us and their dad and step-mom, which is wonderful.  Jim has to work on Friday, so he is going to just wing-it on his own, down in Naples. Seems like it will be lonely for him, but I guess it is all working out the way it is supposed to. I'm just thrilled that the kids will be here!

One of our Thanksgiving traditions will be to watch "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles".  It is one of my favorite John Candy and Steve Martin movies.  If you've never watched it, try to catch it. It can be a little much here and there, but the end is worth all the silliness. It makes me laugh AND cry.  Here is a short clip of them (two stranded businessmen, who didn't know each other before), trying to get home for Thanksgiving....

I'm doing this on Thursday evening, to post in the morning, so will go ahead and say that I have my facial tonight (Thursday), and have a feeling I will fall asleep on the table.  I am really, really tired.  The funeral Mass for Caroline was lovely this morning.  There were about 30 of us, from the church women's club (RCCW), and we were able to lead the procession down the aisle, in front of the Deacon and Priest, to begin the Mass.  Caroline would have been very happy at the turn-out for her.  She was such a special woman.

This Sunday, we are going to a birthday celebration, in our Church's outdoor Pavilion, for our oldest member of RCCW.  Judy turned 95 this week, and her son and DIL are throwing the party for her.  She is an amazing woman, who could pass for 70. She is sharp, active, still driving, and funny as can be.  I copied these photos from Facebook.  She was quite the looker when she was younger!!

I want to be just like her when I grow up!!  She is strong in her faith, and has a heart of gold.

Thanks for stopping by!! Have a great Friday!!  Peace & blessings!!

It's really Thursday!!

I thought Tuesday was Thursday, then all day yesterday, I kept thinking it was Thursday. What is that about?  It wasn't a long weekend to get me out of whack....

Last night was the Museum's annual Harrison Hooks Lifetime Achievement Award Banquet. It is held at the Lakeland Yacht & Country Club.  This year's recipient was David Bunch.  He is a wonderful, generous man (his wife, too!) and deserved the honor. One of my departments, at work, is Building & Grounds. We have a Board committee for B&G, and David has been the Chair for many years. We work together well and have respect for each other.

The architect for our building, Ernie Straughn, died last year. He was also a great man, a great friend of the Museum, and served on the B&G Committee.  We also honored him last night, and his widow accepted on his behalf.

I didn't get home until nearly 9:30, so didn't get on the computer.  Here are some photos from last night and HERE is the link to the newspaper story that is in today's paper.

 My co-workers, Pal and Lisa, checking people in (on the left).

I sat at Table 10.  We had a nice group for dinner. Lobster & Veal on the menu.

My boss, Claire, making some remarks about David.

David, accepting his award, which was a photograph.

 David Bunch

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And since it is Throwback Thursday, I found this old photo of Joe's Uncle Bennie and Aunt Marie. Uncle Benny's hair and expression make me laugh, but Marie's dress is just beautiful (I think).  These old wedding photos always make me long for "those days" when fashions were so amazingly beautiful.  I can't help but wonder what people will say about today's wedding fashions, when they are looking back at an old crumpled photo.  Actually, there probably won't be old crumpled photos, because they will all be digital!  I don't mean to imply that there are no beautiful dresses today, because there are, but so many are downright inappropriate and ugly.  Think I'm kidding?  Check these out!!

I got to meet Uncle Benny before he died, but not Aunt Marie.

We still see and stay in touch with Joe's cousins, though!

I have to attend a funeral Mass today, at 11:00, for a friend and fellow church women's group member.  Caroline will be missed. She was a wonderful woman who loved the Lord. I'm sure she is already in Heaven.

That's all I have for today!  Happy Friday Eve!!  Finally!!  Thanks for stopping by! Peace & blessings.

It's Hodgepodge Wednesday!!

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 198

It's that time again! Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to join the party.  See you there!

1. What's something you take for granted, that when you stop and think about it you feel truly grateful for?  Oh my, so many things!!  I am guilty, I'm sure, of taking my husband for granted now and then. I take my home for granted. I take my paycheck for granted. I take my freedoms for granted. I even take my faith for granted. How blessed I am, and how ungrateful I can be by not remembering all of my blessings each and every day. So many have nothing.

2. The color brown-love it or no? What's your favorite shade of brown? Most loved something in your home or closet in a shade of brown?  I don't know that I LOVE brown, but I do have browns in my closet. It is a warm color.  I like a deep, dark brown and I also love the beige/tan colors, too.  I don't know that I have a most loved anything in my home or closet that is in the brown color family. I guess my tan jeans, if I have to name something. They go with everything and cross the seasons!

3. What's something you're looking forward to today?  Getting a lot done at work, and seeing my friend Teena, who will trim my hair this afternoon, on my way home from work.

4. The word 'feminism' is not new, but it has been generating all kinds of headlines in recent days and months. What do you think/feel when you hear the word? If you're a woman, do you want to be described as a feminist? Why or why not?  When I hear the word, I immediately think of Gloria Steinem. I think of angry women burning their bras. I think of angry women.  I do not want to be described as a feminist. I am not an angry, bra burning woman.  I do know women get the short stick, still, when in comes to positions and pay, which isn't right. If I am the best qualified, I should get the job and the same pay that a man would get for doing the same job. BUT, I am so against dumbing-down jobs to give women and/or minorities a chance to be promoted. I do not believe in affirmative action. You are either qualified or you aren't, and there should not be separate scales by which different people are graded or judged. If my life depends on someone performing their job, I want someone who can really perform. Not someone who got the job because of gender or race, and was allowed to get by with fewer points (so to speak). I also think it is fine for a woman to stay home to care for and raise her family, and consider that probably the most important job of all. That said, if the man wants to stay home and care for and raise his family while mom brings home the paycheck, that is also fine. Equality. Men and women will never be the same, but there is no reason they cannot be equal.

5. What's something you personally can't eat without making a mess?  BBQ Ribs!! 

6. When did you last surprise someone with a little gift or when were you last surprised by someone with a little gift? What was it?  Awhile back, there was a "Pay-It-Forward" thing, on Facebook, that I participated in. I had six people to surprise with a gift, sometime during the next year. I sent out little gifts to them, and then completely forgot about it.  Last Friday, I received a box in the mail from a Facebook friend who was paying it forward to ME!!  What a surprise! It was like Christmas coming early. The box was full of so many goodies!  A fun note pad, a fun pot holder, lotions and potions, candy, ornaments and a beautiful quilted place mat/hot dish pad, a purse tissue cover....good golly!! What fun I had with that nice surprise!!  I'm still smiling!

7. Share a favorite quote, saying, song lyric or scripture relating to gratitude.  Oh my!! So many!!

 Now Thank We All Our God....

I remember this hymn from my childhood and love the message!

 

8.  Insert your own random thought here. The little Clementine oranges are in all the stores right now, and they are so fun to eat.  They peel easily, there are no seeds, and they are so sweet!  Do you get them there, in your stores?  Oranges always taste so good to me, at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  We used to get an orange and an apple in our Christmas stockings (and mixed nuts, candy canes, and a little gift), but we thought is was SO special to have an orange.  Smelling an orange always reminds me of my childhood Christmas stocking.  Do you have a taste or a smell that reminds you of the holidays?

Another fun Hodgepodge, and thanks so much to Joyce for continuing with the Meme, even as she and her daughter are planning a lovely wedding for right after the holidays. Thank you, Joyce!  

Thanks for stopping in! Happy hump day!  Peace & blessings!

Tuesday Tidbits....

• We had rain all day yesterday, with some tornado watches thrown in. Lots and lots of rain, which I would much rather have than snow!

• I am always glad when the monthly Board meetings are over. Over for this month!!

• We have the same cold front moving through today that y'all are also experiencing. It is cold for us, though some of you would think it is shorts and tank top weather! Ha!

• My cardiologist, at yesterday's appointment, said my echo cardiogram was fine. No changes from four years ago. Good news!

• I get my hair trimmed after work today. Just a trim, because next month I'll be getting color again, and she likes to cut my hair when she does it (two different ladies).

• My sister and brother-in-law are not coming for Thanksgiving now. I talked with her Sunday evening. She can't get off work, and has to work Thanksgiving day. The two people they hired to help, have both either quit or been let go, so she is back to working double shifts again. Nice money, but hard on her, and sad for me (sad for her, too...she is bummed).  My cloud 8, is down to cloud 6 now.

• BUT... Lauren and Tristan are planning to drive up together, and may be coming for Thanksgiving!!  My cloud 6 might bump back up to cloud 8!  I'm afraid to get my hopes up again, though. Fingers crossed. Waiting for confirmation.

• Age and experience have taught me to deal with disappointment, but I am still disappointed that Jeff, Tammy and Bruce can't come.  I have been so looking forward to a big family holiday.  Then I remember Christmas Vacation and Clark Griswold, and how his hopes for an old fashioned family Christmas were dashed, and then recovered - somewhat.  Time will tell!

• So, I will leave you with this pretty awesome video jukebox, sent to me by my dear friend, Hattie Murphy. Check it out. I was pretty blown-away by it.  JUKEBOX

That's enough for now! Thanks for stopping by today, and for your friendship!  Peace & blessings!

Memory Monday...

It's time for Memory Monday, and the subject for this week is to talk about the most influential person in our life.  Join the fun in this new Meme, hosted by Retired Not Tired.

I have been thinking about this one all week. It's really a hard one, because I have been blessed with so many wonderful people in my life who have influenced me. How can you not honor your parents as having the most influence in your life?  My dad's sense of humor and his love for his family.  My mom's great faith, and love for her family. I have also been influenced by my dear husband over the last 30 years. Grandparents put their stamps on my life, my brother and my sisters have influenced me. My teachers, my bosses, my co-workers, my friends, my blogging friends.  How can you care about someone and not be influenced by them?  See my dilemma?

So, to pick one, I decided to write about my step-grandfather, Robert M. James.  He and my grandma were married when my mom was a pre-teen, so he was always in my life.  He was a carpenter, an electrician, a plumber, and could fix any appliance or motor.  He bronzed baby shoes (lots of bronzed shoes around our house, when I was growing up).  But he was a master craftsman and built beautiful furniture.  He was also in the Lion's Club, and was a Christian and attended church regularly.  He ALWAYS bought his 'girls' a corsage for Easter Sunday.  I so looked forward to getting my flower to wear to church!!  On Christmas mornings, he and my grandma would rush over in time for the paper to fly (they just lived across the street), and he would stamp his feet on the porch and yell "Ho Ho Ho" as they came in. He did it every year.

I LOVED working with him in his basement shop.  He let me make furniture for my Barbie, with wood scraps and all the nails I needed.

He had this picture of me in his wallet, when he died. I was so touched when Grandma gave it to me.

This is him, in later years, from a church directory photo.

Papaw James died of a heart attack, one morning.  He got out of bed early, because he was going to help the pastor of our church, at his tree farm, do some work in the house there.  Grandma said she was getting up, putting her robe on, and heard him say something, then heard him fall to the floor. He was gone before she got to the kitchen.

I was working at Nationwide Insurance, in Columbus, Ohio, when he died.  My mom called me at work, to tell me he was gone.  It was such a shock.  Totally unexpected.   He didn't suffer, but it really hurts to not be able to say good-bye, and I love you, one more time.  Hearing those feet on the porch, and that Ho Ho Ho was really missed the next Christmas (and every Christmas).

He was a gentle, patient man who I would have loved to have more time with as an adult. I was barely 21 when he died.  I honor him in this Memory Monday post, as (one of) the most influential people in my life.

Thanks for stopping by!! I wish you a good Monday and week ahead!! Peace & blessings!

Sunday Stealing....

Taking Stock Meme

Welcome back to Sunday Stealing which originated on WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of memes from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent memes. You may have heard of the expression, “honor amongst thieves”. In that age-old tradition, we try to credit the blog that we stole it from. We also provide a link to the victim's meme in our "Previous Victims" widget. (It's our way of saying "Thanks!") Sometimes we edit the original meme, to make it more relevant to our global players, to challenge our players, to select the best questions, or simply to make it less repetitive from this new meme or recently asked questions from a previously featured meme. Cheers to all of us thieves!!!

Taking Stock Meme 

Stolen from: The Blake Collection

Making: Nothing, at the moment.

Cooking: Breakfast - eggs, bacon and toast, with coffee and orange juice

Drinking: Coffee!!

Reading: Molika'i, by Alan Brennert

Wanting: To retire.

Looking: For Christmas gifts.

Wasting: Too much time on the computer!! LOL

Wishing: Our lotto numbers will win tonight!

Enjoying: Planning Thanksgiving dinner!

Waiting: For the painter to be done with the house, so we can start landscaping!

Liking: That our house will be full of friends and family for Thanksgiving.

Wondering: If my sister and her husband are coming for Thanksgiving. Haven't heard a confirmation yet.

Loving: Life; my husband; my family; the holidays....

Listening: To the sounds around me. Enjoying the newspaper over breakfast with Joe (he reads things to me).

Needing: Nothing.

Smelling: Maple bacon!!

Wearing: Jeans and a t-shirt (normally a PJ day, but the painter is here.

Following: Thanksgiving posts on Pinterest.

 Noticing: Lots of people have more talent than me!!

Knowing: I am loved.

Thinking: About all I have to do today!

Feeling: Loved.

Bookmarking: Recipes on line!

Opening: Cupboards, because I need to get started cleaning them out.

Giggling: I giggle at the cats, especially when they have to stay in the house (the painter is here).

These memes aren't as fun as some of the others. Some of my answers are kind of lame.

The Art Crawl went very well yesterday!! The weather was beautiful, and the artists all seemed to be happy.  I got a lot of work done, in spite of cruising the art a couple of times, and visiting with friends who stopped by. Joe was home all day with the painter. Don should finish today!  Yippee!!

From my office window.

 A project for kids. Balloons filled with paint on the canvas, and the kids threw darts, to break the balloons. Lots of fun!

 A friend, James Singer, in his booth. He is a photographer and was having a great day!

Not a good picture to see the art, but the artist uses all kinds of broken glass to make beautiful pieces.

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy your Sunday!  Peace & blessings!