Friday Foto Friends....

It's time to link up with Debbie, at Breathing In Grace, for her hosted Friday Foto Friends!!

Y'all, I actually got off my keister and went for a walk around the Museum yesterday.  Took some pictures to share with you!  This walk around the block was prompted by my visit with a new chiropractor on Wednesday afternoon.  I really like him and am taking his advice to get up and move from my desk a few times a day, and to also STRETCH!!  Feeling better already!

I have shared many pictures taken from my (old) office window.  Since I have moved from that office, I don't have a window anymore (well, not a good one anyway) so the pictures I have for you today are from street level!

 I really love the purple and lavender flowers that the City landscapers planted for us. The yellow 'french fry' sculpture (really named "Hudson" 1986) is by John Henry and has been in front of our 'new' building since it opened in 1988.  (The Museum has been in existence since 1966.)

The landscaping reflects in this sculpture by Gino Miles, called Introspection, 

located by our front entrance.  It was donated and installed in 2015.

 Here is a close-up of the purple flowers. I have no idea what they are.  I just know they are pretty!

 This palm is located at the back corner of our side parking lot. I think it is unusual and also pretty.

 We have this grand back door on the property that is never (rarely) used.  It could use some attention from those landscapers!!

 I have walked through that door twice and both time were during fire drills.  It is always locked tight and alarmed.  Kind of a shame, actually!

 This clever and cute sculpture-looking 'assembly' is actually our bike rack!!  Love it!

It doesn't get used often because people think it is art rather than a useful installation.

 Speaking of bikes...we are a location for Lakeland's bike sharing business. It works great! The bikes come and go all the time.  I've seen as many as 10 out there and as few as three.

 We share our parking lot with the City's main library (can you see the building way over there?).  The city takes care of our landscaping and the lot in exchange for us allowing library patrons to  park here.  It's a win-win situation!

 Back around to the front door and these beautiful crotons and schefflera.  I do know what they are because we had them growing at our old house! 

The reflective sculpture from the back side, which is what a visitor sees as they exit our building (even though I was entering the building).

I did feel better after my little walk around the building/block!  I need to do it every day now - at least until the horrid heat and humidity come back.  The weather was delightful yesterday!

Thanks for checking out my Fotos today!  Happy Friday and good-bye to March!!  Peace & hugs.

Thankful Thursday Link-up....

I am linking up with Rebecca Jo, over at Knit By God's Hand, for her Thankful Thursday link-up!

I am so thankful for family and good friends!!

I am late getting this posted today.  Too much going on last night!  We took Helen and Cheryl out to eat at Olive Garden.  Yesterday was Helen's 89th birthday.  After dinner, they followed us back to the house and we had ice cream cake from Dairy Queen.

I forgot to get a picture of the cake before we cut it, but we all dug in and enjoyed our dessert!  We also talked about the need to throw a much bigger party next year, to celebrate her 90th!  Hoping God will bless us with that opportunity!!

My 'baby' sister, Tammy and her hubby, Bruce, are coming down for Easter weekend!! We are excited about that!  Helen and Cheryl will join us for Easter dinner at our house, so it will be very festive around our table!

Tomorrow night, we are taking our friends, Teena and Randy, out to dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse.  No meat for us on a Friday, but it will still be good!  Teena is the one who told her friends about our house going on the market (before it went on the market) and the friends bought it from us!  We told Teena we at least needed to treat them to dinner for helping to get our house sold!

I am thankful and blessed with the beautiful people in my life, and that includes my dear connections here on Blogger too!  Thanks for your visit today!!  Be blessed!!  Peace & hugs.

The Wednesday Hodgepodge is a Beauty!

Many thanks to our Hodgepodge hostess, Joyce, for this week's fun!!  Click on her 'button' below and join in the fun!

Wednesday Hodgepodge-Volume 302

The Wednesday Hodgepodge is rolling around again, and you'll find this week's questions below. Answer on your own blog then hop back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. See you there!

1. 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder' What's something you've seen recently that you thought was beautiful? At the risk of sounding smug, I just wake up every morning to another beautiful day.  No matter what it may bring, it is God-given and beautiful.  I am so blessed.

2. Our culture and beauty...your thoughts?  Much too much emphasis is put on beauty in the media (especially). I read somewhere recently that was meaningful on this subject:  Society's standard of beauty will get old, but being comfortable with yourself never will.  Beauty is molded by society.... (and we let it happen).

3. Age before beauty, beauty queen, beauty mark, beauty sleep...which beauty-ful phrase resonates with you today?  Sleep.   Why?  Sleep is always beautiful!  LOL  I also appreciate more and more the 'age before beauty' thing!

4. I read here a list of the top ten beasts/animals that scare us the most-

alligators, coyotes, black bears, birds (but pigeons in particular), sharks, bats, bed bugs, rats, rattlesnakes, and the black widow spider.

Which 'beast' on the list scares you the most?  Those only scare me if one of them takes me by surprise.  What is the likelihood of you having an actual encounter with that particular beast?  Here in Florida, any of those could jump out at you!  Did a movie contribute to your fear of this creature?  No.  Have you ever had a real life encounter with any of the animals listed?  Alligators only at a comfortable distance; coyotes were running in packs killing cats in Lakeland, but I never encountered them; black bears are around, but I've only been close to the taxidermy kind; sharks at the beach, yes, but not close enough to have to swim for it; bats - in my childhood bedroom and Dad shot it with birdshot!; bed bugs thankfully no, but I always check in hotels; rattlesnakes - yes, I killed a pigmy rattlesnake once; and black widow spiders - yes, several, and squashed by me.

5. Where were you when you last heard a bell ring?  The doorbell rang on Sunday, at home.  My phone rings several times a day.  Was it alarming or musical?  Our new-to-us doorbell is not pretty sounding so it is always a little alarming.  My phone, on the other hand, is more musical because I chose more musical tones.

6. What's your favorite carb? I have to name one?!  Pasta, in many and any form!   How's that for random?  Good one! :)

7. Let's wrap up another month of Hodgepodging and life with an acrostic. Recap your month using the word MARCH.

March
Arrived before I was
Ready for the 
Changes it brought, but I am
Hanging in there, with the Grace of God!!

8. Insert your own random thought here.  That little acrostic makes life/change and moving into our new home sound almost hopeless, but instead of being about me, I hope anyone facing change will find some strength in God's abiding love.  A friend of mine is facing a terrible change in her life. The second loss of love in five years.  I'm so sad for her.  Sometimes life can be so darn hard.

Thanks again to Joyce for this week's questions!  Thanks for peeking in today!  Peace & hugs!

Just a Tuesday Blessing....

Wishing you a blessed day!!  Peace & hugs!

Weekend Recap on Monday...

I was happy when Saturday arrived.  My 'procedure' went well on Friday, but it sure makes for a long two days.  The slight inconvenience and discomfort are a small price to pay for maintaining a healthy colon! Ha!  It's true and if you haven't had one yet, you really should get one scheduled.

Saturday saw more unpacking and organizing. Sometimes it seems like it will never end, but I know it will. Reading blogging friend Joyce's statement that they are still unpacking and settling in after four months in their new home makes me feel a little better.  Thanks for that, Joyce!

Saturday evening, we were invited to our friends, Mike & Mary Ellen's for dinner.  Mike prepared corned beef and cabbage for a late St. Patrick's Day celebration.  It was delicious.  We hadn't seen them for months and months (other than on Facebook) so it was sure good to catch up with them.  They live about five minutes away now and welcomed us to the neighborhood.  We ended up being there four hours!  Good conversation and some ice cream drizzled in a liqueur for dessert made for a lovely evening.

Sunday found Joe working on clients' tax returns. He finished three. I emptied two more boxes before starting to feel a little overwhelmed. I'm tired.  Joe says it is still the residuals of the anesthesia.  I'm older and don't bounce back quite as quickly as before, I guess.  I stopped and we watched basketball.

The cats were sleeping on the bed all afternoon. You can see the medium blue curtains I got for the windows. We are happy with the look and evidently so are the cats!  This is as close to each other as they get.

I did get the laundry done!!

We have a busy week ahead, including a birthday celebration for our friend, Helen, on Wednesday evening and dinner with our friends, Teena and Randy, on Friday evening.  I also have a chiropractor appointment on Wednesday afternoon. Oh, and of course there is work (for four more months). Among other things, I need to do payroll this week. Can't let that go!

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

Sunday Stealing....Questions! Questions!

Thanks to Bud for this week's Sunday Stealing!  Join in HERE and link up with others!

The Kathy Aay Questions

Welcome back to Sunday Stealing which originated on WTIT: The Blog

Authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. 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. We also provide a link to the victim's questions 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 recently asked questions from a previously post.

We found this gem from my wife Kathy. She has a popular YouTube show (click here to see it) about makeup for women over 40 (She's got over 8,000 subscribers). They get tagged for questions occasionally and when we watched this video we asked for the questions to save us heavy lifting. Please "like" us on Facebook!

Cheers to all us thieves!

Sunday Stealing: The Kathy Aay Questions

1. What is the meaning of your blog’s name?  Pretty self-explanatory.

2. Why did you start your blogging?  Seemed like a fun thing to try.

3. What’s your usual bedtime?  During the work-week, I go to bed at 9:30 or 10:00.

4. Are you lazy?  No, I'm not lazy but I enjoy being lazy when I have time!

5. Do you miss anyone right now?  I miss my folks all the time.  

6. How would you describe your fashion sense?  Comfortable.

7. What are your nicknames?  Terri is a nickname for Teresa. In high school I was called by my last name, Kelly.  My dad used to call me Tee or TeeLee.

8. Are you a patient person?  It depends. Not when I'm driving!  LOL

9. Are you tight-fisted or frivolous?  I probably lean toward frivolous, but I understand how to save and spend.

10. What magazines do you read?  Readers' Digest; Garden & Gun; The Lakelander....

11. Are you stubborn?  Yes.  Maybe not as bad as I used to be, but yes.

12. When is your birthday?  December 11th.

13. What book are you currently reading?  The Undoing of Saint Silvanus, by Beth Moore.

14. What phone do you have?  Galaxy S7

15. Do you have any pets?  Yes, three cats.  Vinny, Lilly and Lucy.

16. Do you have siblings?  Yes, Randy (deceased), Patti and Tammy.

17. Any children or grandchildren?  Yes, Lauren, Tristan, Steve and Rita.

18. What do you order at Starbucks?  I don't go to Starbucks.

19. What did you do for your last birthday?  Joe took me out to eat.

20. What’s your occupation?  Accountant and Human Resources for a non-profit.

21. Do you live in the country or the city?  City.


Thank you for playing this week on Sunday Stealing! Please consider liking WTIT on Facebook. Click here. 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!

Hard to believe the weekend is winding down! They go much too fast!  Thanks for your visit today!  Peace & hugs to all!

The Saturday 9.....

Thanks to Crazy Sam for this week's Saturday 9!  Join in and link up HERE.

Heat of the Moment

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 Heat of the Moment (1982)
 
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) What's something you did or said "in the heat of the moment?"  I'm sure there are things I've said and then wished I had not, but right now nothing comes to mind.

2) Asia's founder and bass player, John Wetton, passed away in January. One of his bandmates remembered him as a reliable performer who made everyone around him look better. Do you enjoybeing the center of attention?  No.  Or would you, like Mr. Wetton, prefer to play a supporting role?  I am happy staying in the background.  I am not a "center of attention" kind of person.


3) Asia is a British band who played their first US concert at Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York. The nearest major city -- Ottawa, Canada -- is a 90-minute drive from Pottsdam. When you were last in the car for an hour or more?  Where were you going?

A month or so ago, we traveled up to my sister's house in Georgia.  

4) The song refers to disco hot spots, which apparently, by 1982, no one wanted to go to anymore. Let's make that negative into a positive.Describe your perfect night out with friends. Where would you go?  At my age now, the perfect night out is at home (or their home) with dinner and good conversation and laughter.

 
5) In 1982, the year this song was popular, someone laced bottles of Tylenol with cyanide. That's why we now have tamper-proof caps on many products. Have you used anything in a tamper-proof bottle yet today?  Oh yes. I have daily prescriptions in tamper-proof bottles.

6) In 1982, Time Magazine's Person of the Year wasn't a person at all, it was "the computer." What do you use your computer for most often?  Work things and social media.

7) 1982 also saw the premiere of The Weather Channel. Where do you learn the day's weather forecast? (Watching the local news on TV, checking your phone, looking out the window ...)  We ask Alexa every day what the weather will be and then dress accordingly.

8) In 1982, Arnold Schwarzenegger's movie, Conan the Barbarian, was a hit in theaters. When you settle down to watch a movie, is it usually a fantasy, like Conan? Or do you prefer another genre (action, comedy, adventure, romance, drama, classic ...)  We're not really into fantasy but we both enjoy action, comedy and adventure movies.  Classic movies are also fun.

  
9) Random question: What is something you try to avoid?  Anything that steals my joy.

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 your visit!  Happy Saturday!  Peace & hugs.

Finally Friday....

I don't have photos to share for Friday Foto Friends (LOL - be glad!), but wanted to check in and let you know I am home from "the procedure" and all went well.  Still need to wait for lab results, but the doctor was happy and not concerned.  I always have a few polyps to be removed.

Fortunately, the anesthesia doesn't put you under too far and is easy to wake up from.  It was COLD in the procedure room and the anesthesiologist  asked me if I wanted to go to sleep a little before the doctor got there.  I said yes, so I'll stop shivering!  Next thing I knew, I was in the recovery room, all comfy in some warm blankets and Joe was on his way from the waiting room to sit with me while I had some ginger ale.

All done.  Taking it easy the rest of the day.....

Thanks for your visit and for your prayers!  Peace & hugs.

Linking up for Thankful Thursday....

Today I am linking up with Rebecca Jo, over at Knit By God's Hand, for Thankful Thursday!

There is always so much to be thankful and grateful for!  Today, I am on a clear liquid diet to prepare for my procedure tomorrow morning.

It seems like a fitting time to get serious about losing weight (again) so I am also mentally preparing for another stab at a low-carb/high protein diet.  I know it works and it really isn't that hard to stay on.  I get to keep dairy in my life and I love eggs and green veggies. Meats are also allowed.  I don't miss sugar/sweets.  My downfall is potatoes, rice and pasta.  Sigh.  I AM happy and thankful that I saw a bag of frozen riced cauliflower at Sam's Club!  With that in the freezer and ready access to spaghetti squash, meals will still be satisfying. I can pretend I'm eating carbs!! LOL

I took the whole day off today and I am thankful to have sick leave saved up that allows me extra time when needed.  Sleeping in on a Thursday was really nice.

I am so thankful for Joe!  He got up before me this morning and took my car to the car wash.  It was so dirty from the pollen and still had leaves in it, tracked in from the old house.  I am so thankful we left those live oak trees behind!!  We only have palm trees at our new house!!  No more leaves!

We have been invited to dinner with friends on Saturday evening.  It's been several months since we saw Mike & Mary Ellen so it will be fun catching up with them.  They are cooking a late St. Patty's Day meal with corned beef.  I know it will be good!  Thankful for re-connecting with good friends!

Wishing you a thankful Thursday!  Peace & hugs!!

March Madness Hodgepodge....

Joyce is back this week with the Wednesday Hodgepodge!!  Join in HERE and link up with all of us regular Hodgepodgers!!  

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 301

Happy Spring y'all! Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then run back over tomorrow and add your link to the party. See you there!

 

1. Setting aside the real March Madness (NCAA Basketball) describe something happening at your house this month that might earn the title 'March Madness'?  Unpacking, filling nail holes, hanging curtain rods and curtains, trying to remember where I put things....madness indeed!  We have been watching basketball, but were sad when Villanova lost early.  :(

2. What's a favorite made up word from your childhood or a favorite from your children's childhood? Does your family still use the word today? If there's a story behind the origin please share.  One of my sisters (if I name names, one will say it was the other) called vinegar (something like) bingally.  I still say it now and then.  Grandson Tristan (he was probably four) wanted a Lego set while here visiting.  I told him he could get it ($50+) and he said..."but Grandma, that be spensive".  Yes, we still refer to things that are expensive as that be spensive.  

3. Will you be doing any spring cleaning now that the season is upon us? I read here a list of 15 quick (under one hour) spring cleaning tasks. They were-

clean out a drawer, vacuum furniture, whiten tile grout, dust the nooks and crannies you don't get to year round, degrease kitchen cabinets, wipe down walls, go behind furniture, wipe down ceiling fans, vacuum the mattress, clean the range hood, wash baseboards, shine the stainless steel, clean out vents, tackle the windows, and wipe down gadgets

Of the fifteen 'quick' tasks listed which two most need doing at your house? Will you do them?  All of those things (except vacuuming the mattress - ???? - I did wash the mattress pad) got done, both at the old house and the new house.  I did not do it.  Joe agreed we could hire MaidPro to do both cleanings for moving out and moving in.  God bless him!!  Yes, they all were needed - range hood and windows were the worst!

4. A favorite movie set in Paris or New York?  Well, the first thing that popped in my head is Sleepless in Seattle....the best scene is at the end at the top of the Empire State Building.  I'm not fond of things French, but I did enjoy the movie Julie & Julia, which had many scenes in Paris.

5. What's put a spring in your step this month?  Our new home makes me very happy!

6. Did you ever want to be a teacher? Why or why not?  Yes, I did.  I wanted to be an art teacher because I love art, loved my art classes and thought being a teacher would make a great career.  I had plans to major in art education and minor in English (I was enrolled at Ohio University).  So what happened?  My high school sweetheart got out of the Marine Corp and home from Vietnam (after 3 tours there and a stint in Japan). We got married and I worked so he could go to college on the GI bill. Ten years later, he had his Master's degree, a career with the federal government, and decided to move on from our marriage.  I was devastated at the time, but it's the best thing that could have happened, in retrospect.  I finally got my BA degree at the age of 50 and I have had a terrific career in accounting and human resources, working for the last 20 years in an art museum (and for four years before that, in a Catholic high school as business manager). I have also had a wonderful marriage of 32 years with my best friend, Joe.  I only longingly think about teaching during Christmas break, Spring break and Summer break......

7. What's your favorite floral scent?  Heavy floral scents give me headaches, so I avoid them like the plague. I even told Joe that if there are flowers (especially lilies or gardenias) at my funeral, I'll sit up in the coffin and ask that they be removed...I don't want to go through eternity with a migraine!!  Do you have this somewhere in your home or maybe in a perfume?  Absolutely not.  I don't own perfume of any kind and kindly ask people to not wear it around me.  How do you feel about florals in food?  ???  I've eaten orchid petals before, but florals are not something I seek out or use myself when cooking.  How about wines with floral notes-yay or nay?  I prefer a dry red wine, but that's as much of a wine connoisseur as I get.  I have been to tastings, but I can't say that I can pick out "notes".  I either like it or I don't.  SMH...no class here!  LOL

8. Insert your own random thought here.  Not really random, but I will ask for prayers and/or positive energy to be sent my way on Friday.  I'm not worried or anxious, but I lost my mom and my younger brother to colon cancer (we did genetic testing and there were no markers) so I look forward to hearing there were no problems found after my colonoscopy (my fourth one in 18 years).  The procedure is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.  Thanks in advance!!

Thanks to Joyce for another fun and interesting Hodgepodge!!  Thanks to you for your visit!!

Peace & hugs.

Tuesday Blessings.....

Weekend Recap on Monday....

Oh, my goodness!!  The weekend came and went and I worked my hind-end off.  I haven't read any blogs and I didn't get a post done on Sunday.  My apologies.

BUT....it was a good weekend.  We spent Saturday morning running errands.  Picked up dry cleaning for Joe, we put gas in my car ($2.13 a gallon!!), we went furniture shopping at Badcock and found the shelves we have been looking for.  They will be delivered next Monday. It's the last piece needed to get the rest of the boxes emptied.  Artwork and 'pretties' can finally come out.

Then we went to Sam's Club before heading home. Some of the curtains have arrived and I spent Saturday afternoon ironing and preparing to hang them.  The guest room is done, the guest bathroom is done and finally, the living room is done.  The living room/dining room required taking down valences and filling screw holes, then painting and waiting for it all to dry.  We are very pleased and it finally feels more like us.  The very pretty French Country look that was there just did not go with us.

I am still waiting on the kitchen curtains and we need hardware for our bedroom and the den.  Getting there.  I emptied another box and organized our linen closet.  I got the laundry done.  We attended a homeowners association meeting Sunday afternoon.  Whew.  Yes, I'm tired.  This old lady can't wait to be done with the "moving in" so weekends can be fun again!

Oh, I roasted a small turkey in the crock pot yesterday. It fell off the bones and was SO good. I never think about turkey, except at Thanksgiving time.  I saw them at Publix and decided it sounded good.  I also prepared fresh green beans.  Delicious!  It will also be dinner tonight (and maybe tomorrow night).

This week will be a little crazy.  It's time for my colonoscopy (sorry if that's TMI) and it is scheduled for Friday.  I have Thursday and Friday off from work.  Those of you who have been through one know that the day before is the worst.  I get one every five years because of family history.  I'm about six months past due.  Can't put it off any longer.

I promise pictures of the house when I get things put together.  I'm just not ready for a photo tour yet.

Thanks for your visit!!  Wishing a week full of blessings for all!  Peace & hugs.

Saturday 9.....

Joining in for Samantha's Saturday 9.  You can find her HERE.

Alone Again, Naturally

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: Along Again, Naturally (1971)

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

1. Friday was St. Patrick's Day, March 17th! Did you celebrate with green beer or a green milkshake?  Nope. I'm not a beer drinker (any color) and would only order a chocolate shake.

2. Did you remember to wear green?  Indeed!  My maiden name is Kelly!!  It would be a sacrilege if I didn't wear green - and I also don't like getting pinched!! 

3.  What color do you look best in?  Green!  LOL

4. This week's featured artist, Gilbert O'Sullivan, was born in Waterford, Ireland. Waterford is famous for Waterford Crystal. Do you have glassware that you save for special occasions?  Not anymore. I packed up my Lenox crystal glasses for our granddaughter, Lauren.

5. This week's featured song includes the line, "To think that only yesterday I was cheerful, bright and gay." How were you feeling yesterday?  I was feeling cheerful, bright and gay because it was Friday and also St. Patty's Day!

6. It begins with reference to a wedding that didn't quite come off because the bride left the groom at the altar. When were you most recently at church?  Last Saturday evening. Was it for a holiday service, a regularly scheduled service, a special event (a wedding or baptism)?  We are usually going to the 4:00 Vigil Mass on Saturdays now, so it was a regularly scheduled service.

7. In 1971, when this song was popular, Malibu Barbie was a big seller for Mattel. This doll had a perpetual tan. For a human to achieve this, a tanning bed or self-tanner is usually required. Have you used either method to give yourself a tan?  I don't tan, I just burn so I don't even try anymore.  I've thought about a spray on tan, but can't afford the really good ones that don't look orange.

8. In March 1971, James Taylor appeared on the cover of TIME magazine. What's your favorite James Taylor song?  Well, I happen to really, really like James Taylor and can sing along to most of his songs.  How about Handy Man....

9. Random Question: What word or phrase do you hear yourself saying too often?  I really have no idea and I asked Joe - he had nothing.

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!

Happy Saturday!! Thanks for peeking in today!  Peace & hugs!!

Thankful Thursday and Friday Foto Friends Combined!

I am so thankful for a beautiful day today!  March 16, 1997, was my first day at Polk Museum of Art.  Today marked 20 years there and I expected it to be like any other day.  My co-workers had a different plan in mind.

I was invited out to lunch by our friend and resident techie guy, Gregory, so I was expecting to go out to a restaurant and have maybe a few others join us (just because that's what we usually do for special anniversaries).

This morning, Gregory told me that too many people wanted to go to lunch and they couldn't find a place that could take us all on short notice.  Instead, we ordered pizza and had our little party in the conference room/library.  Joe was also invited.  He's pretty good at keeping secrets (though I did kind of expect him, because that's what we usually do for special anniversaries).

It was great fun.  I even got a gift (a lovely framed photograph of Lake Mirror) and a card signed by most of the staff. I really do love my coworkers and will sure miss them when I retire.  Of course we will still be in touch and will maintain our membership for events and openings. It's not like we are moving out of state.  Still bittersweet.  Four more months.

Here are some photos from my special day.  I'll be linking up with Deb over at Breathing In Grace, for Friday Foto Friends.

I am so blessed and do not take the blessings for granted.

It's been a long week for me and I am happy it's Friday!!  Happy St. Patty's Day!!  Peace & hugs!!

Wordy Wednesday.....

Wordy Wednesday....that's a play on Mari's "Wordless Wednesday" posts!  I can't just post a photo without writing about it!

I've mentioned that our cats are doing so well in the new house.  They really are!!  Joe and I both believe their bad behavior had more to do with outside stimulation because we let them go out around the pool at the old house.  There were other cats, squirrels, neighborhood dogs...  Here in our new home, they are completely inside cats and they are slowly becoming friends!!  Never, ever, have they all three been on the bed at the same time, Never. Joe said they were there most of the day....

We are thrilled at the changes!!  No more marking things. No more hissing and spitting. Wow.

Thanks to everyone for your curtain ideas and links for places I hadn't tried.  I think I have all the windows covered now....just waiting for them to arrive. Not sure I have enough hardware, but that is easy to fix at Walmart.  I also got two new area carpets (5 x 7) ordered.  They should arrive tomorrow. Slowly getting there!

I moved out of my office at work.  I've been in there 20 years this week.  We have a new Director of Development coming the first week of April and she will be getting an office that three employees have been sharing. Two of those from the education department are moving into my "old" office.  I volunteered to vacate so everyone could get settled.  I think it surprised everyone when I said I would move.  I've only got four more months to go. I can deal with a different space - no longer private and much smaller - for four months.  It feels very, very strange.  I'm happy that Ellen and Salina will be occupying my old office. It will be good for everyone.  Time moves on, and so do old ladies!! LOL

Our new community here at Mas Verde is like a small town.  We are meeting our neighbors and got the word that our next-door neighbors, Bob and Sharon, are at the hospital because Bob had to have emergency surgery last night for a hernia and bowel obstruction.  Paul and Ann, from across the street, are taking care of their dachshund, Angel. It's actually nice to know people care and that they are helpful when needed. We look forward to joining the ranks (so to speak). I grew up in a small town where everyone knew everyone (and everyone's business) so this feels like home to me already!

That's all for my Wordy Wednesday!  Joyce will be back next week with another Hodgepodge!  She is enjoying a visit from Daughter1 and son-in-law this week.  She will be a first-time grandma in about four months, and we now know it's a boy!!  Congratulations to Joyce and family!!

Thanks for your visit!!  Peace & hugs.

Happy Tuesday....

May blessings surround you on this day!  Rain, snow..... 

it's still a good day.

It is also Pi Day!!

Thanks for coming by!!  Peace & hugs!!

Weekend Recap on Monday....

I apologize if this offends, but I was looking for a .gif about getting things done and this one just made me giggle....

I did indeed get some stuff done this past weekend.  It felt good to get some curtains ordered, to get five more boxes emptied and my side of the den organized. I got laundry done, we enjoyed supper out with friends on Saturday and I cooked dinner last night. Our new house feels more and more like home.  Did I mention that the cats have been amazing?!

We popped into the consignment store that has our old dining room set.  They sold the table and six chairs!!  We'll be getting a check at the end of the month for a little over $200!!

I have a busy week at work so not much will be done in the evenings this week.

For those who have been with me awhile, you know about my brother-in-law's stroke two years ago.  He is doing so well now!  He is making good progress with this therapy.  Tammy sent this picture of him yesterday.  He really looks happy and healthy!

Thanks so much to those who still have him on your prayer lists!  They are planning to come down for a visit sometime soon!

That's all I have.  Thanks for your visit!  Peace & hugs.

No Sunday Stealing....

I peeked at the Sunday Stealing meme last night and decided I was too tired to think of that many answers! Ha!

We got up early yesterday to get going but got going first at IHOP for breakfast.  I think everyone in Lakeland was out for breakfast yesterday! It was crowded!

Since IHOP is in Walmart's parking lot, we went there for curtain rods.  Best place to buy hardware. They were half the cost of Bed Bath & Beyond.  I'm still searching for curtains, though. Good golly, no one has kitchen or bathroom swags anymore. I guess they are out of style right now.  I'll have to do another on-line search I guess, or change my 'wants' and pick something else.

I'm not a Target shopper, but out of desperation, we did stop there.  They have swatches hanging with tags that tell you to order them online.  I found a couple of textures and colors I liked so took a photo of the tag to do my research later.

This has sure been a learning experience.  I'm not one to change things once I find what I like.  In 28 years (almost) at the old house, I maybe changed curtains and paint twice in most of the rooms.

We hadn't seen our good friends, Helen and Cheryl, for a couple of weeks, so I called to see if they wanted to meet us for supper at Panera.  We went to 4:00 Mass and met them at Panera shortly after 5:00.  I had my usual broccoli and cheddar soup with the ham and swiss sandwich for my Pick-Two.  It was good!  They came back to the house for a visit afterward.  They hadn't been here since the move so it was changed big time!

Yesterday afternoon, my friend Betty popped in to welcome us to Mas Verde.  She has lived here for more than 10 years and is the "welcome lady".  She took information from us for a "bio" that will appear in the April Mas Verde Newsletter.  She answered some questions we had about the HOA and some of the activities. I've known Betty since 1998/99 when I joined the church women's group.  She was President that year and recruited me for a couple of committees.  She and her husband Ken moved here when he retired.  Not long after, he got really sick and died a couple of years later.  There are a few folks in here who go to our church.

Today is a work day.  Laundry and trying to get a few more boxes emptied. I also need to start organizing some of the spaces where things have just been 'put'.  I miss my laundry room cupboards and that garage!!  LOL  JUNK. JUNK. JUNK.

Thanks for popping in and following this crazy move!!  I appreciate your advice!!  Love & hugs.

The Saturday 9: Loretta Lynn/Fist City

Thanks to Samantha for this week's Saturday 9 Q & A!    

Fist City

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: Fist City (1968)
 
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song is about a wife warning another woman off her man. Who received the last warning, of any type, that you issued?  Gosh, I haven't a clue.  Probably someone driving too slow in front of me, and they didn't even hear what I said about them....

2) Loretta sings that when her husband picks up trash, he puts it in a garbage can. She's being metaphorical, but we will be literal: If you spot litter on the sidewalk, do you pick it up or just walk on?  I must say that it depends on where it is and what it might be.  At work, yes I usually pick it up.  Out in a public place without gloves or a ready trash can...probably not.

3) She taught herself to play guitar. If you could learn something new in 2017, what would it be?  I'm so tired right now that just the thought of trying to learn something new makes me shudder.  I would love to pick up a guitar again (used to know a half dozen chords) and/or take a stab at the piano again.

4) She broke her shoulder in a fall and surgery was required to repair it. When were you last in a hospital?  A year ago when Joe had his stroke.  Were you a patient or a visitor?  I was a visitor.

5) In the 1970s, Loretta Lynn was the first country singer to appear on the cover of Newsweek.  Who is your favorite country singer?  I was really "into" country music back in the 80s.  I love a bunch of the oldies...Waylon, Hank, Jim Reeves (wow!), Ricky Scaggs, Alabama, Haggard, Loretta, the HeeHaw gang....  

6) Rowan and Martin's Laugh In premiered in 1968, when this song was popular. What's the last TV show you watched?  Walking Dead.  Did you watch it live, did you stream it, or catch it on DVR/Tivo?  DVR.  We DVR nearly everything these days so we can skip the commercials.

7) In 1968, Jacqueline Kennedy shocked the world by marrying Greek billionaire Aristotle Onassis. What's the last thing you heard that surprised you?  I guess it sounds callous, but nothing much surprises me anymore.  This world has gone crazy.

8) 1968's top-rated car was the Chevy Corvette. Could your car benefit from a trip to the car wash this morning?  Oh my gosh yes!!  This is pollen time here in Florida. My silver car looks like this one... a putrid greenish yellow. Yuck!!

  

9) Random question: You're staying in a hotel and find you can faintly hear the couple in the next room. Would you ignore their voices, or try to hear them better?  Ignore!!  We travel with one of those 'noise' machines so we can block out outside noises in hotels....

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!

Another weekend to concentrate on organizing and getting a few more boxes unpacked.  We are really down to boxes with our "pretties" in them and I need to find a double bookshelf unit for the living room before I can get those out (shopping!).  We also need to decide on artwork, but I don't want to start hanging things until curtains are up and we are sure about furniture placement.  Ugh.  Why does it take so long?!  I'm old and set in my ways. I want this all done!!  LOL

Thanks for your visit today!  Peace, love & hugs.