Hodgepodge Wednesday and Last Day of August....

As always, a special thanks to our Hodgepodge Hostess, Joyce!!  If you want to join in on the Hodgepodge, hop on over to From This Side of the Pond, grab the questions, write answers on your blog and then go back to add your link. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 279

1.  Are there any men or women in blue on your family tree?  Our nephew is an officer in the Marines and our son is a federal agent.  Perhaps not what you meant.  A dear friend of mine is a retired lieutenant with the local Sheriff's Department.  She is pretty amazing and was the first woman on duty in our county, back in the day. 

2. Are you someone who suffers from the Sunday night blues? What helps you get over it?  I don't suffer from the Sunday night blues, but I do have trouble going to sleep on Sunday nights.  Not because I am worrying about anything...it's just knowing I have to get up and go again.  Retirement will fix that!!  :)

3. I read the color blue is an appetite suppressant since there are very few naturally blue foods out there. How do you feel about blue cheese?  I like it in dressing.  Love it or blech? It's okay, but I don't want a slice of it.  If you're a fan, what's something you like that's made with blue cheese?  Salad dressing.  I like it chunky.

4. We can't head into the Labor Day weekend without a related question, can we? Complete this thought:  I work best when  I am interested in what I'm doing.

5. 'Everything yields to diligence.' Antiphanes Your thoughts? (on this particular quote or on diligence in general)  He was probably right, but I'm not sure EVERYTHING yields....how about 98%.  Diligence doesn't always pay off, and I know I just get tired after awhile.

6. The National Park Service turned 100 years old on August 25th. Have you been to many of America's National Parks?  Yes.  If so share with us a favorite or two. Which National Park would you most like to visit before the next birthday rolls around?  I've only been to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and the Everglades National Park here in FL.  I'm not that into it so don't really care about visiting any in this next year.  My knees hurt too much to hike (or even walk very far) and I loathe camping so National Parks are just not on my radar.

7.  Bid farewell to August in seven words or less.  Goodbye to the heat and humidity!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.  I mentioned the "R" word above.  My original plan was to actually retire at the end of March when my 20 years are complete at the museum.  One day this week my boss told me she really needs me  through June, please.  I can do June.  It is nice to be asked.  I do love it there.  But June is it.

Thanks for your visit!!  I do enjoy Hodgepodge Wednesdays!!  Peace & hugs.

Tuesday (Throwback) Tidbits....

Well, we made it through Monday.  At work, I have been cleaning out and boxing up old files for storage until they can be shredded.  We have a document destruction policy that we follow.  Some things can go in three years, some in seven, and some never.  I have to make sure the boxes are labeled correctly with contents and destruction dates.  I am also tossing a whole bunch of stuff that does not need to be retained and I have no idea why I let files get so full of garbage!!  Still sensitive and for the shredding truck, but definitely does not need to be kept on file. Whew!!

Left over chili and cornbread for dinner last night was yummy. Chili always tastes better the second day, and it was pretty good on Sunday (if I do say so myself)!  I need to post the cornbread recipe for you.  It is the best I have ever had and comes from my Church Women's cookbook from probably 12-15 years ago. I use it all the time.

I was so sad to hear about the death of Gene Wilder.  Those of us who remember the BEST Saturday Night Live years, with Gilda Radner, Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, Lorraine Newman, (et al) will remember how horrible it was when we lost Gilda to cancer.  Hard to believe Gene was 83. Good golly where do the years go?  He started Gilda's Clubs, which are all over the U.S. now.  "No One Faces Cancer Alone."

Of course, I hadn't planned on that being a 'tidbit' so will tell you about the one that I did have planned.  I've posted about the Museum's Mayfaire art festival each year.  Joe and I used to always buy at least one piece of art at Mayfaire and called it MY Mother's Day gift and OUR anniversary gift to ourselves.  We have pottery, lamps, knives, lots of artwork and the piece that gets the most comments from our guests is this one that hangs in the guest bathroom.

When we bought it, I asked the artist if he would pose with it for a picture and he was happy to.  You can click on the picture to enlarge it for a better look at the bathroom art.  LOL

I am happy to profile him here and wish we would see him back at Mayfaire some year!

Here is a link:  Dr. Kenneth Dames

....and some information:  Dr. Kenneth Dames is a New York State licensed doctor of clinical psychology and an artist of 25 years. After leaving New York City’s School of Visual Arts, Ken continued to develop his art while living in the Dominican Republic. There his drawings gained national artistic recognition when he became the first foreigner to win the prestigious Philip Morris Corporation National Art Contest. Ken’s art remains a permanent part of the Corporation’s National Cultural Center and Museum of the Dominican Republic.

That's all I have for you today.  I appreciate your visit and love it when you comment!  Wishing you a good evening and lots of peace & hugs.

Weekend Recap on Monday....

Here we are at Monday again.  Weekends always seem to go so fast.  We have a three-day weekend coming up though. Something to look forward to (and Labor Day is also Joe's birthday!).

Friday evening, we took Helen and Cheryl out to supper, just because.

Helen had a bad week, getting into a parking lot fender-bender that the police ruled was her fault. Fortunately, no one was hurt but her Volkswagon Passat is pretty messed up on the front passenger side.   She called Joe, who was able to get there quickly.  It was less than three miles from home. He called me at work, so I could stop at her house on my way home and pick him up.  His car was still at the CVS parking lot, so we had to go pick it up.  We're helping her with estimates and insurance issues.  She said she is going to stop driving. Probably a good idea since this was her second accident in six months. She is 88 years young.  Joe and I have power of attorney and help her with her business concerns.  She and her late husband have been friends of ours for 27 years.

Cheryl, Helen's niece (who lives with her now), started back to work. She is a school bus attendant and the bus she is on picks up kids who are troubled and/or in troubled homes.  Tough stuff.  So getting out was good for all of us!  We came back to our house for some more visiting and dessert.

It was lovely sleeping in on Saturday morning. We're marathon watching Inspector Lewis, starting from season one.  We're on six now.  Vegetables in front of the TV.  Good stuff though!

Church was bittersweet.  We love our two priests, Fr. Charles and Fr. Ivan.  Fr. Ivan has been with us for three years and we were his first Parish assignment out of seminary.  Such a holy man and such a good Priest.  He has been reassigned, as the Diocese does for new Priests. They are moved around for the first 4-6 years, before getting their own Parish.  There was a pot-luck dinner for him after Mass which we didn't stay for, but we did have a card and monetary gift for him (customary) which we gave him after Mass.  He was the Vicar of our school too, so will be missed by many. He was great with the kids.  Glad his new Parish (over near Orlando) also has a school.

I discreetly snapped these photos at the end of Mass, when Fr. Charles was bidding him adieu.  We were sitting waaayyy in the back because a lady sat in front of us, where we were originally seated, who had bathed in perfume.  I just can't sit through that so we had to move.  I really don't know why women (and some men) have to put on so much perfume.  It makes me nauseous and gives me migraines if I can't escape. I know I'm not the only one who is affected that way.  (Soap box - sorry!)

We usually don't have a choir for the Saturday Vigil, but the main choir sang, making it extra special for Fr. Ivan.  It was good to hear them since we don't usually get to. They are quite good.

Sunday, we slept in again.  More Inspector Lewis, laundry and I made a pot of chili and baked some corn bread for our supper.  Someone on Facebook mentioned chili and it sure did sound good for a change.  Went well with our rainy day.  Best part....plenty left over for dinner tonight!

Thanks for your visit!!  Wishing you a good week!  Peace & hugs.

Sunday Stealing....

Thanks to Bud Weiser and Shannon W for today's questions.  Pop over and link up to join in the fun! 

Shannon's Moment Meme, Part Two

Welcome back to Sunday Stealing which originated on WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of memes (or surveys) 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 the expression, “honor among thieves”. In that age-old tradition, we try to credit the blog that we stole it from. When possible, we contact the owner of the blog where we stole the post. 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.

We found this gem when a few weeks ago we asked for memes to steal. Shannon W (my friend and the author of Moments of Introspection) gave us this one but did not tell me where shegot it. It's long so we broke it up in two parts. Today is the second and final part. And please don't fret, Kwizgiver will be back soon. She'll straighten this all back out!

Okay, now time for me to shout:

Cheer to all of us thieves!!

Sunday Stealing: Shannon's Moments Meme, Part Two

23. Have you ever gone to the “dark side”?  I'm not real sure what that means, so no.

24. What shirt are you wearing right now?  A t-shirt I got from a bloodmobile for donating.

25. What’s important about a bed to you? Like type of sheets, size or whatever.  King size is best.

26. Can you sing?  I can sing, but not as good as I used to. Be glad you aren't near me!!

27. What is something about you that would surprise us?  I haven't left much (if anything) out of my blogging posts, but perhaps someone new doesn't know I played trumpet in high school.

28. Have you been a pirate, Renaissance Fair, or other costumed event?  Nope.  If not, would you for the right event or say cause?  I might be persuaded, but it's really not my thing.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower?  I don't sing in the shower. Never have.

30. Favorite girl's name?  I always said if I had a daughter I would name her Miranda.

31. Favorite boy's name?  Never really gave a boy's name any thought.

32. What’s in your pocket or purse right now?   My purse is too big and full of way to much junk.

33. Last thing that made you laugh?  I laugh at things on TV all the time, but the last big guffaw was at work on Friday when we tried to film a video of staff members stating "we are members" of the museum, for our website.  It was bloody awful. (Hope you can play it!)

34. Best toy as a child?  I loved getting art supplies.

35. Worst injury you have ever had?  Broken humerus; fractured wrist (7 places); and a torn rotator cuff that required surgery. All at different times and years apart.

36. Where would you love to live?  Money no object?  The Amalfi Coast.

37. What type of TV do you have? LG  Flat screen 52" HD. Would you’d like an upgrade?  It's only a year or so old, so hope we don't have to for a long time.

39. How many dogs do you have?  None.

40. Do most folks trust you?  I sure hope so. 

41. What book are you reading?   A book called "On Folly Beach" by Karen White

42. What’s your favorite classic TV show?  The Carol Burnett Show is one of them.

43. What’s your favorite sports team?  The Philadelphia Flyers (Hockey). 

44. Favorite month and why?  December!  It's my birthday month and Christmas!

Thank you for playing this week on Sunday Stealing! Please leave a comment or link when you have posted. Stop back and visit other player’s posts. That is really what this is all about, making new friends! Have a great week. See you next Sunday!

Thanks, always, for your visit today!  Sunday blessings to you!  Peace & hugs.

Saturday9....Hello by Adele

Joining in for the Saturday9 Q & A, and thanks to Crazy Sam!!

Hello

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: Hello (2015)

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

1) This video begins with Adele and her flip phone. Is your cell phone a simple or a smart phone?  Mine is a smart phone.  Galaxy S7.

2) As soon as her cell is fully charged, Sam disconnects the adapter from the outlet to save electricity. Are you careful about conserving energy?  Not overly so, but I don't leave lights if I'm not in the room or water running for no reason.

3) Adele sings that she must have a called a thousand times but her former lover never picked up. Think about the last call you made. Did you get through? Yes. Did you leave a voice mail? Or did you just hang up? 

4) Adele brews a cup of tea in the video. How often do you drink tea? Year round? Only in winter? Never?  I drink tea sometimes in the afternoons at work and sometimes in the evening at home, but not regularly like I do coffee.

5) Adele told Glamour magazine she like two sugars in her tea. Do you watch your sugar intake?  I take two sugars in my tea, but drink my coffee black and unsweetened. I don't watch my sugar intake, but I don't really crave sugar.

6) This song is about reaching out to someone and extending an apology. When is the last time you said, "I'm sorry?"  Shoot...I probably say it at least once a day!  "I'm sorry to interrupt..." is most common at work.

7) Adele was a heavy smoker who enjoyed the habit and didn't quit until 2015, after doctors convinced her it contributed to her chronic throat problems. What's something you know you should do for your health?  Lose weight.
 
8) Even though she is one of the world's highest-earning entertainers, she recently had her credit card rejected while shopping at H&M. She admits she was "mortified." Have you ever experienced that moment at the counter when your card was rejected?  It has happened a few times. Most recently it was because I got a new debit card with a chip in it and the expiration date changed so I had to remember to change all of the automatic payments.  I missed a few and got that email....oops, your card was rejected.....

9) Random question: When you were a kid, did you keep a neat or messy bedroom?  I kept a very neat room.

 
Thanks so much for joining us again at Saturday: 9. As always, feel free to come back, see who has participated and comment on their posts. In fact sometimes, if you want to read & comment on everyone's responses, you might want to check back again tomorrow. But it is not a rule. We haven’t any rules here. Join us on next Saturday for another version of Saturday: 9, "Just A Silly Meme on a Saturday!" Enjoy your weekend!

Thanks for popping in today!  Happy weekend!  Peace & hugs.

Friday Foto Friends....

Linking up with Deb over at Breathing in Grace, for Friday Foto Friends!

Earlier this week, I had a special visitor in my office, at work.  My co-worker and our friend, Gregory, brings his dog, Paisley, to work once in awhile.  She comes running into my office to say hello.  I scoop her up into my lap and she has to get on my desk, where she lays down.

She is such a cute girl.  When she really relaxes, her tongue sticks out!!

Visits from Paisley always make me happy, so this qualifies as my 25th August Happiness Challenge post, too!!

Visit from my blogging friends also make me happy!!  Wishing you a blessed Friday!  Peace & hugs.

Thankful Thursday....

Thankful Thursday rolls right into our 25th day of the August Happiness challenge!!  I am thankful for my girlfriends, and I get to have lunch with a couple of them tomorrow and supper with Helen & Cheryl (and Joe) tomorrow evening!  Can you see my smile?

On a political note, I just wanted to share this article written by a Pastor. I've not heard of him before, but my cousin, Becky, posted it on Facebook earlier this week.  I have read through it a couple of times.  For the most part, he thinks the same things I think about our two choices for President in the coming election.  In the primary, I voted for Rubio but (as you know) I have gotten behind Trump. I always stand with the Republican platform of smaller government and more power to the states and to individuals.  The link is below.  If you are still "on the fence" he brings up some good points.  I'm thankful that we live in a country that still allows us to voice our opinions and not be jailed for them!  I know we are all getting weary of being bombarded so this allows you to look if you are interested.

 http://raygano.com/if-youre-on-the-fence-about-your-vote-this-pastor-clarifies-how-the-very-future-of-america-is-at-stake/

Thanks for your visit today!!  Wishing you a blessed Friday Eve!  Peace & hugs.

It's Wednesday Hodgepodge Time!

Our Hodgepodge Hostess gives us the questions to answer.  Hop over to her site and link up with all the Hodgepodgers!!  Here we go.....

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 278

1. It's National Waffle Day (August 24th)...what decision are you currently 'waffling over'? (or share one you've recently 'waffled over')  I don't think there are any I have waffled over, actually.  I'm usually pretty decisive.

2. It's the middle of August, but I'm already seeing lots of autumn-related posts. Do you think we rush the seasons?  Yes, the retailers rush it, for sure!   If so, does that bother you?  Not any more. I do my own thing when I'm ready - regarding home decorations for Fall and Winter holidays.   I saw (here) an end of summer bucket list that included-  

make s'mores, read a new (or favorite) book in the park, eat something delicious and bad for you at a state fair, be a tourist for the day, have a pot luck picnic, book a last minute summer getaway, relax by or in the pool, take a hike to watch the sunset, have a day on the lake, try a new summer recipe

Which activities on the list might you squeeze in before summer officially comes to a close?   Of all those, I might relax by the pool a few more times.  We can swim up through October usually.

3. Your favorite summertime 'art' found in nature?  Sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico.

4. Stephen R. Covey is quoted as saying 'We judge ourselves by our intentions, and others by their actions.' Agree or no?  Probably agree.  We don't always know someone else's intentions.  Do you define yourself based on your intentions, your actions, or something else?  Gosh, I've never thought about defining myself by anything.  I'm just me.  I try to be the best I can be so perhaps I need to answer "intentions".

5. Are you useful in a crisis? Elaborate. Actually yes.  I've been tested a few times and can handle a crisis fairly well.  Afterwards I might fall apart, but when I'm needed, I get it done.

6. What's been your go-to dish this summer?  Recently it's been pulled pork BBQ from Sam's Club.  Warm it in the microwave, put it on a bun and dinner is served!  Is it something you'll continue making as the seasons change?  Indeed I will.

7. Adult coloring books are a thing now. Have you jumped on the bandwagon?  I am now the proud owner of four adult coloring books and two sets of colored pencils.  If not is this something you think you might enjoy?  I'm sure I will enjoy it if I ever make the time to actually open one and color.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.  I'm just going to quote my Happiness Challenge picture quote for my 24th installment...."Happiness is anyone or anything that's loved by you."   Might want to add that feeling loved back also makes me happy!

Thanks for your visit today!! I appreciate your time and comments!  Peace & hugs.

Everything Happens For a Reason.....

....or does it?

My friend, Teena, shared this on Facebook and it spoke to me.  I wanted to share it here and hope you take the time to read all of it.  I am so guilty of saying "...everything happens for a reason" and I believed it, but this article has twisted it around a bit. I won't say that again, in the same way I have said it in the past.

Dear Christians, Stop Saying “Everything Happens for a Reason”

I spent years searching for answers, trying to find reasons that would bring an end to my pain. I thought that if I could find the cause, I could treat the condition.

By Christine Suhan

Have you ever found yourself, in the midst of unimaginable grief, pain, heartache or despair, wondering how you are going to make it through another day? Wondering where your next breath is going to come from? Your world has crumbled beneath you and you are left feeling shattered, empty and hopeless.

And then a well meaning friend or family member comes along and drops the infamous “Everything happens for a reason” bomb. You smile kindly and nod—that’s all you can do to keep yourself from punching them in the face.

You can’t possibly imagine a reason for what just happened. 

The more you stew about a possible reason for your pain, the angrier you become. You try desperately to make sense of a situation that won’t ever make sense. You reach for answers but none come.

I spent years searching for answers, trying to find reasons that would bring an end to my pain. I thought that if I could find the cause, I could treat the condition. But what I found through years of searching, experiencing and living is that often there is no reason for why tragedy has occurred.

Sometimes bad things happen for no reason other than we are human beings having a human experience. Pain, heartache, grief, loss, disease and death are inevitable parts of the human experience. 

We hear people say “Life dealt me a crappy hand” as if pain and hardships are not the norm. We assume that life is supposed to be easy and when things don’t go our way, we feel like we have been wronged. Human beings seem to have an innate sense of entitlement. We think that we are owed a pain-free existence.

But the truth is that human beings are not exempt from the human experience. And struggle is an innate part of the human experience. None of us are exceptions to this rule. We all struggle. We all suffer. We all experience pain, heartache and loss. And sometimes, there’s just no reason other than we are human and pain is a part of the process.

I recently had a conversation with a friend who was struggling to find peace with “God’s plan” for her life including the recent death of a loved one.  “How could this possibly be God’s will?” she asked.

Here’s what I’ve come to know about God’s will:

God’s will is not the path we walk, but rather how we walk the path. 

God’s plan is never for someone to have cancer. God’s will is not for an innocent child to be brutally murdered. God’s will is not for a teenage girl to be raped. God’s will is not chronic pain, illness, disability or death.

God’s will is not an event that happens to us, it’s how we respond to what happens. 

God’s will for us is to walk with Him through the cancer. Through the abuse. Through the death. Through the illness. God’s will is for us to draw close to him in the midst of pain. God’s will is for us to use our painful life events to carry his message of hope, grace, forgiveness and mercy. 

God’s plan was never for pain to be part of the human experience. His plan was for us to live in peace and harmony with Him. The human experience became painful when sin entered the world. Our own free will weaved threads of tragedy, loss, heartache and pain into the human experience

God is not responsible for our pain. We are not responsible for our pain. What happened in the Garden of Eden is responsible for the human condition. And the human condition is hard wired for pain and suffering. God is not causing us to hurt. He is hurting with us. What we do with our hurt is what matters. How we handle tragedy is what brings purpose into our pain.

There’s hardly ever a justifiable reason for the bad things that happen in life. Tragic loss is not laced with inherent specs of good. I used to get so mad when people would say, “You can find good in every situation.” That’s just not true. There was nothing good about being raped. There is no good in murder or abuse. We have to create the good. We have to choose to respond in a way that brings good into an impossible situation. We have to choose to give purpose and meaning to our suffering.

Not everything happens for a reason. But in everything that happens, there can be a reason to bring hope and healing to others. God can use our pain for a greater good if we choose to let Him in. 

About the Author: Christine Suhan is a wife, stay at home mother to three wild toddler boys and writer/creator at www.feelingsandfaith.net. She has a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and enjoys helping people through openly and honestly sharing her journey of life, recovery, mental illness, marriage, parenting and more. You can also find her on her Facebook page.

I am very interested in what you think about this.  Your comments make me HAPPY and will count for the 23rd August Happiness Challenge!   Thanks for your visit today!  Peace & hugs.

Weekend Recap on Monday....

We spent a glorious weekend doing pretty much nothing.  I didn't get up until 10:00 on Saturday and made myself get up at 9:00 on Sunday.

Joe and I actually got in the pool for awhile on Saturday. We watched more episodes of Chicago Code and more episodes of Inspector Lewis on TV.  I baked brownies. I got the laundry done. I did a little cleaning...very little. I did cook breakfasts for lunch and dinners.

I was happy to see on Facebook that my cousins had a big party over the weekend (in Ohio), celebrating a special anniversary, a birthday, a cancer-free report AND a surprise wedding. These are cousins on my mom's side of the family and includes Justin Chambers, who was there with his family. His girls were part of the entertainment.  They have a band and are quite talented.  Here are a few of photos that I lifted from Facebook pages.....

 Justin with Tatum and Tia.

Justin with Stacy (Tatum & Tia's mom), Corey and Cory's wife Jenny.

Stacy and her girls were at our beach reunion last summer.

Justin is one of the stars of Grey's Anatomy. He plays Dr. Alex Karev.

 Justin's girls.

  My cousins, who I grew up with...

Jim, Bob and Pam (Justin's mom).  They were all at our beach reunion last year.

Cousin Mia (Justin's sister) and her new husband.

Mia lived with Joe and me in Alexandria, VA until she got settled in a new job and could get an apartment on her own. That was 30 years ago!  She lives in Colorado now.

So that was my weekend....living it vicariously through photos!! LOL  Thanks for your visit! I wish you a blessed week ahead!!  Peace & hugs.

Sunday Stealing.....

Shannon's Moments Meme, Part One

Welcome back to Sunday Stealing which originated on WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of memes (or surveys) 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 the expression, “honor among thieves”. In that age-old tradition, we try to credit the blog that we stole it from. When possible, we contact the owner of the blog where we stole the post. 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.

We Found this gem when a few weeks ago we asked for memes to steal. Shannon W (my friend and the author of Moments of Introspection) gave us this one but did not tell me where she got it. It's long so we broke it up in two parts. As it says above, we edit and change questions. Mostly I hate yes or no questions. That also allows the person I stole it from to play. That's not a goal but it is reality. If you think hosting a meme is easy, try it once. Okay, now time for me to shout:

Cheer to all of us thieves!!

Sunday Stealing: Shannon's Moments Meme, Part One

1. Do you like blue cheese?  Yes.

2. Have you ever smoked cigarettes?  Yes.  If yes, how did you quit?  Cold turkey.

3. Do you own a gun?  Yes.  How are your feelings about gun control/2nd amendment rights?  I believe in our right to own weapons and be armed. I have a concealed carry permit and so does Joe.  I think it would be fine if all law-abiding citizens were armed and knowledgeable in how to properly handle a weapon. There would be less violent crime if criminals knew someone was most likely armed. I grew up with guns in the house. I have a healthy respect for them.

4. What is your favorite flavor of water or liquor flavors?  I like Spring Water and don't have a favorite liquor flavor.

5. Do you get nervous before a doctor visit?  No. Why?  I like and respect my doctors. Blessed.

6. How do you like your hot dogs?  With mustard and relish.

7. Although it’s been asked a lot, tell us about a favorite movie that you haven’t shared before.  I can't think of any.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?  Coffee.

9. In a dating situation, have you ever misrepresented yourself to seem cooler or hipper? (Yes we know for most of you it was long ago…)  Nope.  Doing that only gets you in trouble...and it has been a very, very long time since I was dating.

10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry?  My wedding ring.  Why?  It matches Joe's, rarely comes off my finger and represents our love and commitment to each other.

11. Favorite hobby?  These days, blogging seems like a hobby. Tell us about it so we understand it.  If you are here, reading this, I think you understand.  It consumes a lot of time!!

12. Do you have A.D.D., or have you suspected it?  No to both questions.

13. What’s a thing you dislike or would change about yourself?  It would be nice to be a more average height (I'm nearly 6' tall) and weight (too heavy) and I would love to have a smaller foot (size 12).  Shopping for clothes and shoes is not fun for me.

14. Middle name?  Lee.  Like it or not?  It's okay. I rarely use it, choosing L. instead.  It was my great-grandmother's middle name - Verda Lee.  Better Lee than Verda, I think! :)

15. Name three random thoughts you might have on this week:  I'm cleaning out files at work and have been wearing jeans and a t-shirt to work;  why am I putting off cleaning things out at home?; waiting to hear when granddaughter Lauren is coming for a visit.

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink.  Water, coffee, orange juice.  Tell us a bit about them.  I try to drink 40-60 ounces of water a day. I drink one or two cups of coffee each day and I have orange juice every morning. What more is there to say?

17. Current worry:  I don't worry anymore. Truly, I don't worry about things anymore. I choose to give it to God. My worrying changes nothing.

18. Current annoyance:  One of our cats is peeing where he shouldn't and I don't know what else to try, to get him to stop. Never had that problem before. Any help from any of you?  Yes, he is neutered, loved and he is not sick.  It started when we lost Onyx a year ago, who was the master of the house.

19. Favorite place to be in the summer?  Wherever it is air conditioned, here in Florida.  Give us a wee bit more than “the beach”.

20. How do you usually ring in the new year?   At home. If forced (how we’d do that without Judd coming to your house if you even know who he was) to do something new, what would it be?  We have had little parties at home a few times over the years. I would do that, but have no desire to be out in the crowds or on the roads with drunks.

21. What have you done this summer that’s special? Pictures please.  I've posted photos and blogged about our niece's wedding and our beach vacations, both at Folly Beach, SC and at St. Pete Beach.

22. Have you ever walked into a room with just shoes on?  I don't remember. Probably not is my guess because if I'm naked, I most likely don't have my shoes on.

Thank you for playing this week on Sunday Stealing! Please leave a comment or link when you have posted. Stop back and visit other player’s posts. That is really what this is all about, making new friends! Have a great week. See you next Sunday! 

Thanks for your visit!! Thanks to Bud and Shannon for posting the questions for today!!  

Peace & hugs.

The Saturday 9.....

Big thanks to Samantha and for Stacey's suggestion for today's Saturday 9.  This meme always makes me HAPPY so it counts for the 20th August Happiness Challenge too!

The Trolley Song

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 Trolley Song (1944)

... Because Stacey suggested Judy Garland. Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this movie clip, just about everyone (except Judy) is wearing a hat. Do you wear hats for fashion, for warmth or for both?  I look AWFUL in hats. I would love to be able to wear a fashionable, kicky hat, but....I look AWFUL in hats.  Happy that I don't need one for warmth here in Florida!

2) This song is from Meet Me in St. Louis, which was a huge hit and the second highest grossing movie of 1944. When is the last time you watched a movie in the theater?  Just a couple of weeks ago. We saw Jason Bourne.  I love musicals but Joe can't sit still for them so I rarely get to see a musical.

3) The movie follows the Smith family as their hometown, St. Louis, prepares to host the 1904 World's Fair. What's the biggest thing happening in your hometown?  In August, even the downtown Farmer's Market takes the month off. It's too darn hot and humid to do anything other than stay in where it is air conditioned.

4) This week's featured artist, Judy Garland, is best known as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. That movie is shown so often that Sam thinks she may have seen it a dozen times. Is there a movie or holiday special you've seen over and over?  I have loved The Wizard of Oz since I was old enough to watch it and understand that the monkeys weren't real.  I've seen it so many times, I know the dialog and all of the songs.  There are a lot of movies I've seen many, many times, though....Groundhog Day, Independence Day, A Christmas Story....we shouldn't even start naming Christmas movies.

5) Judy admitted to being perpetually tardy. Are you usually prompt? Or are you always running late?  My pet peeve is people who are late. I am always early. If I'm not the first one there, I'm probably sick.  AND....I know that being early is just as annoying to some people as being late is to me. But, that's how I roll.

 
6) Judy's first professional performance was a rendition of "Jingle Bells" when she was just two. How old were you when you entered your chosen profession?  Is this my chosen profession?  I just kind of fell into accounting when I was a wet-behind-the ears newlywed at age 19.  Been doing it ever since. It kind of chose me.  I've strayed a few times, but always end up back at the spreadsheets. Probably Karma of some kind.

7) Thinking of "Jingle Bells," here's a wintery question for a hot summer day: What's your favorite carol?  Mary, Did You Know.

8) Judy was a very demonstrative person. She enjoyed hugs and admitted that, when she nervous, she took emotional support from physically reaching out. Are you demonstrative?  I like to hug and be hugged and don't back away from a kiss on the cheek, but I don't gush over it.

9) She told Barbara Walters that people would be surprised to learn that she was a good cook and specialized in desserts. Do you have a sweet tooth?  You know, I really don't crave sweets. I am happier with pasta and potatoes.  Given the choice between a candy bar or piece of cake and mac & cheese, the mac & cheese would win every time.

 

Thanks so much for joining us again at Saturday: 9. 

Thanks for your visit today! Wishing you a blessed weekend!  Peace & hugs!

Friday Foto Friends Makes Me Happy for August 19th....

Join the Friday Foto Friends over at Deb's blog, Breathing in Grace.  Post a photo or a few, then link up with others doing the same.  Thanks for hosting, Deb!

This is our grandson, Tristan, trying to get out of the pet door that we installed in a window.  He was actually stuck and was proclaiming loudly.... "Mom, I stuck....I stuck".  Kathy and I both grabbed our cameras (before cell phones had cameras) and took pictures of the poor little guy before we set him free!  We haven't let him forget it either!  He wasn't quite three here and is almost 20 now.

The pet door is still there and still being used by our cats to get out to the enclosed pool area  A friend found the sign in the window several years ago and gifted us with it. I think it is perfect!

Friday makes me very happy!!

Happy Friday!  Thanks for your visit!  Peace & hugs.