Weekend Recap on Monday... and the Final April Challenge

Well, this weekend was a little more exciting than last weekend that's for sure!  Granted, exciting might not be the right descriptive word.  I am coughing less and my voice is slowly returning so that I don't think I'll try the doctor today.  Joe's sciatica has had him grounded most of the weekend. I did get him out on Saturday morning.

Our old neighbors, Bob and Ginny, went out of town and they asked us if we could take care of their cats on Saturday (2 visits) and Sunday (just 1 visit).  Of course, I said yes. It is only about six miles to our old neighborhood.

Millie is diabetic and needs insulin with each feeding.  Murphy is in kidney failure (15 years old) and needs subcutaneous hydration three times a week. We were happy to not have to do that for him, but we did do it for our Inky and it kept her healthy for about a year. I wasn't able to catch Millie with the camera because once she gets her shot, she is gone.  She was good about eating and getting her injection.

This is Murphy enjoying Joe's strokes.

This is Bonnie. She has six toes in front and is very curious.

After our Saturday morning visit, we decided to go to Joshua's Kitchen for breakfast. We hadn't been there in a very long time. It is owned by Christians and there are Bible quotes on the walls and there is a prayer request chalkboard.  Good food and a good atmosphere. It was nice to see it crowded and we were happy to find a table.

That was the extent of our 'excitement'.  We returned to the cats to give them their supper and bring in the mail.  Sunday, Joe wasn't up for going so I went by myself for the morning run. It was good to see our old neighbors' cats.  They hadn't forgotten us.

Joe is doing stretches and is following suggestions from the internet on dealing with sciatica.  I hope he starts feeling better soon. I think I'll call about an appointment with a rheumatologist for him.  He hasn't been to one in a few years.  I really don't want him going on a strong painkiller. Those are no good.  He does have a few herniated disks in his back and there isn't much they can do for him.

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The April Challenge Finish...

#30  One thing you are excited for.

I have a couple of things to be excited about. My sister, Tammy, and her hubby Bruce are coming for a visit in May, as long as Joe's heart surgery isn't happening at the time they are planning to come. Bruce sees a VA doctor in Gainesville, FL.  That puts them about halfway to Lakeland from their home in Georgia, so we are hoping to see them for a few days.  In June, as I've mentioned before, we have more family coming down and a weekend at the beach planned.  We are not excited about Joe having open heart surgery, but we are excited about him feeling good again and able to enjoy life again.  It hasn't been fun for him lately.


Thanks for your visit here today!  Wishing you a week ahead full of blessings!  Peace & hugs.

Sunday blessings & April Challenge...

Wishing you and yours a blessed day and week ahead!

April Challenge...

#29  What you did for your most recent birthday...

My birthday was in December we didn't do anything too special.  Helen and Cheryl took us out to dinner and had a cake for me back at Helen's house.  It was lovely.  Joe had been in the hospital the week before with that blockage, so having our friends take over the celebration was extra nice!

Thanks for peeking in today!!  Peace & hugs!

A Lowdown Saturday 9 (and the April Challenge)...

Lowdown

From Crazy Sam:  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: Lowdown (1976)

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

1) In this song, "the lowdown" is an unpleasant truth. Tell us about a time when you had to do like Boz and give someone "the lowdown."  Oh gosh, I've had to level with a few people over the years, working in human resources.  It's not fun when you have to fire someone and I've had to do it a few times.  Those are the only ones I can think of right now. I'm sure there have been a few family times too.

2) The lowdown Boz delivers is about the woman his friend is seeing. Specifically, she's gossiping about his finances. If you discovered something negative about a friend's romantic partner, would you share it with your friend? Or would you keep it to yourself?  I would want to know, so I would probably have a conversation with my friend.
  

3) Boz was born William Royce Scaggs, but in high school, he was given the nickname "Bosley" -- later shortened to "Boz." His friends thought "Bosley" sounded nerdier than "Bill," and Scaggs was quite the music nerd. What is something you're nerdy about?  Joe says he doesn't think I am nerdy about anything.  I think nerdy has a different meaning today than it did back in my school days. 

4) His son Austin Scaggs is a contributing editor at Rolling Stone. What magazines are in the room you're in right now?  Polk Life, Garden & Guns, and Joe's CPA Today.

5) Boz and his wife own a vineyard in Napa. Do you prefer white or red wine?  Red, always.

6) In 1976, the year this song was popular, movie queen Elizabeth Taylor needed an escort to one of the nation's Bicentennial celebrations. Former Under Secretary of the Navy John Warner was asked to take her to the event, and within months he became her husband. Have you ever had a "blind date" that turned into a relationship?  Nope.

7) Also in 1976, Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs founded Apple in Jobs' parents' garage. Does your garage serve as your office, workshop or studio? Or is it just home to your car?  At our old house, it was a workshop and home to my car (Joe's workshop... his car was outside).  We have a carport here at our new home and it is just home to the car and our trash cans.

8) The Bionic Woman premiered in 1976. Because of her "bionic parts," Jaimie Summers could run faster than most cars, had superhuman strength, and super-sensitive hearing. If you could have one of those qualities enhanced -- speed, strength or hearing -- which would you choose?  I'll go with speed. Why not... that would mean my knees worked!! LOL

9) Random question: When you lean in for a kiss, do you tilt your head to the right or to the left?  Right.

Thanks to Crazy Sam for this week's Saturday 9!!

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The April Challenge...

#28  The word/phrase you use constantly

I say "geeze louise" a lot.  I say it so often that Joe has started saying it too.

Thanks for your visit today!!  Happy Saturday!  Peace & hugs.

Friday Foto Friends (and the April Challenge)...

Fridays still bring a special 'good' feeling when they roll around, even though I'm retired now.  And the best part of Fridays now is linking up with Deb over at Breathing In Grace for her Foto sharing meme!

My nephew, Mike, is finishing year two of medical school and will be doing his internship when he is done next month.  He posted this photo on Facebook after their last rotation.  I'm so proud of him!! Mike is the tallest and third from the right.

Joe and I have lived in Mas Verde for a year and three months and this week marks the first time we ventured to the pool and hot tub.  Joe's back and leg have been painful from sciatica.  He has a few herniated discs that are usually okay, but when they flare up, he can hardly function.  We are blessed to have these facilities in our community...

And speaking of Mas Verde, the ladies had a wine & cheese gathering yesterday.  There were only three tables gathered (about 25 women) since so many have returned to northern homes.  This photo I snapped makes it look like we were not happy at all, but there really was lots of good conversation and plenty of laughter.  I have come to really love these ladies and our neighbors.  All good people!

I worked on a new wreath for our front door this week.  I found some really fun yarn at Hobby Lobby. It is fuzzy and made a great wreath (I think).

I just wrapped the foam wreath with the yarn and tied it off. I added a yellow tulle bow and the little blue bird.  I think it will make for a good summer look.


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The April Challenge...

#27  What you Wore Today...

I don't do selfies well, but that is what I wore (yesterday) since I wrote this on Thursday.

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

Thankful Thursday... and April Challenge...

How did Thursday get here already?!  It's time to link up with Rebecca Jo at Knit By God's Hand for her Thankful Thursday meme!  You can join in HERE!

• I am thankful that I've gotten five hours straight sleep the last two nights!  Coughing makes sleeping hard sometimes and nothing I take for a cough, including the codeine prescription cough medicine the doctor gave me, has worked.  Joe says he doesn't even hear me coughing with his hearing aids out. That's good, at least. 

• I am thankful that we have had two weeks with no appointments or commitments that required us to be somewhere at a certain time (until today, anyway). It has made recovering from this horrid nastiness a little easier.

• I am thankful for so much more!! Blessed.

The April Challenge...

#26  Things you'd say to an ex

I really only have one 'serious' ex and that is my first husband. We were married 10 years plus a few months when we split. He was my high school sweetheart. It was years after our split and he was married and I was married to Joe when I saw him at my brother's funeral.  He and my brother remained friends after our marriage ended and that was okay. Our divorce wasn't full of hate or hurt. I actually hugged him, asked how he was and introduced him to Joe.  No big deal.  Our split was good for both of us. When I received my annulment from the Catholic Church so Joe and I could be married in the church, I sent a copy to him and his wife because I knew that she was Catholic. She wrote me a thank you note.  All very civil.  I guess this can be added to the thankful list!!

And I am thankful for YOU and your visit today!  Peace & hugs!!

Now or Never Hodgepodge and the April Challenge...

Thanks to our Hodgepodge hostess, Joyce, for this week’s questions.  Write your answers and link back HERE to join in with all of us Hodgepodgers for this fun meme!

1. They say you learn something new every day. What did you learn yesterday?  Yesterday I learned how to turn on the hot tub jets up at the clubhouse, so Joe could hopefully get some relief from his back pain.  I sat in the sun while he sat in the bubbles.

2. Have you ever had a now or never moment? Elaborate. I’m sure there have been more than a few but the first one I thought of when I read the question was from years ago (still in my 20s) when I went snow skiing for the first (and only) time.  I held onto the rope that carried me to the top of the beginners’ hill and stood there looking down for at least 15 minutes while little five-year-olds went whooshing past me. I finally decided there was no other way down… now or never.  I made it down without falling and never put skis on again. Not for me.

3.  April 25th is National Telephone Day. Do you still have a land line, or have you gone mobile only?  We still have a landline, bundled in with our cable and internet.  Same number we’ve had since we moved here almost 29 years ago.  When you receive a text message do you respond immediately? Yes, if I see it come in. Sometimes I miss one for a few hours. I’m not tied to my phone.  Last time you turned your phone off?  I silence it often but rarely turn it off.  In two or three sentences share with us a story/memory/incident from your childhood (or something current if that's too hard) where the telephone is featured.  It always makes me chuckle when I think of the (princess style) wall phone in our kitchen when I was growing up. It had a really stretched out, long cord that curled in on itself from being stretched from the kitchen and into the dining room and back to the kitchen again.  Some of us (ahem) liked to walk back and forth while talking to girlfriends and the cord stretched far enough to reach the ‘fridge and snacks on the counter.  It also hung right above Dad’s chair at the kitchen table.  If a friend called while he was sitting there, he could talk to my/our friends longer than we could sometimes… “DAD! Give me the phone please!!”  Great memories!  More than three sentences. Sorry!

4. Close call, at someone's beck and call, call the shots, call a meeting, call it quits, call in sick, call on the carpet, wake up call...which call have you 'heard' recently? Explain. Well, while Joe was really sick with this cold, I was at his beck and call and am again with his sciatica kicking up again.  I am ready to call it quits on this cold I’m still dealing with. The coughing just won’t stop. Sigh.

5. What subject do you wish you'd paid more attention to in school? I paid attention in school and had good grades. What I DO wish is that I had taken Spanish and really learned it well. It was the only ‘foreign’ language our school offered, and I wasn’t interested at the time.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  Joe and I have been watching “The Terror” on TV.  I find it extremely disturbing. It’s a true story and I know how it ends. It’s not pretty. It is extremely disturbing to me. Have you seen it?  The 'human condition' can be frightening, disturbing, (and also wonderful). 

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The APRIL CHALLENGE...

#25  Four weird traits that you have

1.  I am taller than the average female (just under 6 feet tall)

2.  I have big feet to go with my height (size 12, womens)

3.  I have crooked teeth in front from sucking my thumb until I was 9

4.  I am nearsighted and can read well without glasses

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Thanks for your visit today!  Peace & hugs!!

Tickled Tuesday... and April Challenge!

Happy Tuesday!! 

I am TICKLED this TUESDAY because Joe has won and I am finally winning the battle of the viruses!

I'm sure those of you on Facebook have seen these silly things that pop up now and then with lots of different subjects.  I finally saw one last night that actually has Joe's name on the list!!  Whoohoo!!

I'm waiting...


And now for the April Challenge...

#24  Something you miss.

Oh gosh, there are lots of things I miss. We're talking "things", not people here.  I miss being able to walk without knee pain. That's right up there at the top of the list.  But I can still walk a bit and the pain isn't putting me down. Counting that as a blessing.  But I do miss a nice long walk.


Thanks for checking in!  Wishing you a blessed day! Peace & hugs.

Weekend Recap on Monday... and April Challenge catch-up!

Whewie!  Another really exciting weekend at the D'Orsaneo's place!  At least the coughing and blowing has lessened, the sore throat and swollen glands are gone, and I am ready to embrace this coming week while shaking off the last of this horrid cold!

Does anyone else have their glasses fog up when you wear one of these over your nose?

I dutifully wore one for all of Joe's doctor appointments last week.

I decided on Saturday that I just HAD to get out in the sun.  Joe got one of our beach chairs down from the loft in the shed and I sat on our back 'patio' soaking in some Vitamin D for about 20 minutes.  The sky was lovely and the sun felt divine!

This is what we call our breezeway. It is a little screened in area between our den and Joe's shed. Our little back patio (really a dozen stepping stones) is beyond the door and is hidden from most everyone and made the perfect place for my peeling nose, untamed hair and sun-starved body.

Last night, our friends Al and Theresa decided to brave our house and stopped by for a visit. We hadn't seen them since before Easter!  This has been a three-week journey through a cold like neither of us has ever had.  Thank goodness we are almost done with it!!  Thanks again for your prayers and sweet words!!  Now...


I am so far behind on the April Challenge...

#17  A Quote You Try To Live By

"Worry is interest paid in advance for trouble that rarely comes."  I don't know who said it first but Joe says it all the time and over the years has turned me into a non-worrier.  Of course, the Bible has a lot to say about it too!

#18  Your Favorite Color and Why

I love color.  My favorites (plural) are jewel tones like red, purple, emerald green. I don't know why. I prefer to live with more neutral browns/rusts in the house though.

#19  Five Fears That You Have

I have 'concerns' but at my age and experience, I really can't say I fear things. Kind of goes with that worry quote above. I don't fear death, I don't fear cancer (been there, done that), I have never had a fear of heights.  I am always concerned by the threat of hurricanes and acts of nature out of our control, but I really do give it to God.

#20  Put Your Music Player on Shuffle and write the first three songs play and what your initial thoughts are

This one is easy. I don't have a music player.

#21  Your zodiac/horoscope and whether you think it fits you

I am a Sagittarian (December 11). I don't pay much attention to my horoscope so don't really know if it fits me. Gosh, it is what it is! LOL

#22  Your morning routine

I try to make myself get up by 7:30 or 8:00.  Feed the cats. Shower. Make the bed if Joe is up. Get the newspaper. Enjoy 15-20 minutes of prayer time and morning devotions while Joe gets ready.  Make some breakfast. Read the paper with Joe and finish our coffee. Then the day goes from there, depending on what's on the calendar.

#23  A fun family event upcoming or past

We are looking forward to seeing my sister-in-law Jo Anne, our niece Sara and her hubby Matt, and our nephew Mike in June. The almost two-week visit will include a long weekend at the beach and our son Jeff might also come down.


Thanks for making it this far!  I appreciate your visit and comments!  Peace & hugs!!

Sunday blessings...

Have a blessed day, dear friends!!  Peace & hugs!

Checking in...

First of all, thank you all for the prayers, suggestions, and good thoughts!  All much appreciated!

We are completely calm and comfortable with Joe's new doctor and with the direction his valve replacement is taking us. We have complete trust in God and in our doctors and know the prayers of family and friends will get us to a successful and complete recovery for him!! Thank you!

Joe is feeling so good that he went to the clubhouse this evening to play Nickels with our friends.

I am still coughing, blowing and not sleeping but each day gets a little better and I expect to be feeling as good as Joe does in a couple more days.  This was his cold that became mine and they are both running the same course so there is light at the end of the tunnel.

He has been taking good care of me, ordering in food, picking up prescriptions, etc., etc. Bless him!!

I am SO far behind visiting your blogs and my email is beyond digging out.  If I have missed something you want me to know, please call my attention to it!! I'll catch up but it will be awhile.

Thanks again for your concerns and your prayers!!  Love to you all!  Peace & hugs!

Update on Joe...

Some of you saw this on Facebook. I posted to a group of friends and family, but for those not included there, here is what we learned today from Joe's appointments...

Today was the day for all of Joe’s appointments.  We wanted to let you know what we learned and what we still need to know.

The cardiovascular surgeon, Dr. Streitman, was great. We both liked him. He wasn’t hurried, he took time and answered our questions. We so appreciate a doctor who doesn’t just run in and run out.

The echocardiogram that Joe had back at the end of March indicated that his aortic valve was at .9 pressure across or through the valve (I think that is how he explained it… not the size of the opening but the pressure across the valve (or through it).  Anything less than 1.0 is considered critical and that is why the red flag was waived and the catheterization was scheduled quickly.  Our cardiologist’s ARNP is the one who told us the TAVR procedure might be necessary.

The catheterization was done, and the aortic valve was showing 1.1 – 1.2 which pulled Joe out of the critical category.  There is still aortic valve stenosis, but we have time now to do more testing, work with a pulmonary doctor (lungs) and determine just when surgery will happen.

We were thinking the TAVR was a great procedure that would allow us to avoid open heart surgery, but Dr. Streitman explained that the TAVR and the artificial valve has a short life.  Good for older patients who can’t withstand open heart surgery.  He said that Joe is a very robust (his word) 80 year old and that the open heart procedure is definitely the preferred way to go.  The artificial valve may only last 5-10 years and if it fails at 5 years, Joe may not be quite as ‘robust’ to withstand open heart surgery.

So, we are now looking at May sometime before everything is pulled together, tests are done and decisions can be made.  We are good with this.

We appreciate your prayers and good thought and your caring!!  We feel the love.

Tickled Tuesday... Late

It is 6:00 pm and this is the first time I've opened my laptop.  So sorry to be missing your posts.

I am some better today and have been able to get almost 40 ounces of water into me, a half cup of coffee and a tad bit of orange juice. I have also eaten a little, but it still hurts to swallow. Whining still. :(

Joe's cold seems to be ALMOST gone, but of course, he is still struggling with his breathing and we look forward to the consultations tomorrow with the surgeon first, then our cardiologist, then the pulmonary tech.  I'm going with him and will just grab one of those masks to wear.  I've been on antibiotics since yesterday.

Thanks again for your prayers and good thoughts!  I humbly ask that they continue. Love you all.

Oh, and thanks for putting up with the whiny side of me. I'm just not usually sick.  I did get laundry done today and made grilled cheese sandwiches for our lunch (I ate half).  I'm being lazy, but I am getting things done.

Peace & hugs!!

Weekend Recap on Monday... and April Challenge Catch-up

There isn't much to recap.  I want to thank everyone for the prayers!  I'm sure they helped me turn the corner overnight.  The defining point was that "something" told me to try hot steam.  This was around 2:00 a.m.  I got up and started a pot boiling and added some Hawaiian Salt to the water.  It is a special pink salt that has a very distinct flavor. Don't ask me why. I was just doing what I needed to do.  With a towel draped over my head, I breathed in that hot steam and started praying.

I'll leave out the description, but just know that everything opened up and I got rid of some nasty stuff.  I waited about 30 minutes and did it again.  The glands have gone down in size and I am able to drink and take my medicine. Praise God!!  I am still feeling punky, but am so happy that I can hydrate and will try eating a little later.

Joe is MUCH better with his cold, and we both know that I got this from him. So it has been two weeks of nasty stuff around our house, but we are looking forward to being done with the colds and moving on to get Joe's heart valve taken care of.  The surgical consult is Wednesday.  Please continue the prayers!!

Vinny has been my 'nurse' all weekend...

I almost forgot to catch up on the APRIL CHALLENGE!

#15  Three pet peeves

--People who are late...
--An "Open Here" on a box that doesn't work
--Waiting more than 10-15 minutes for appointments or a table in a restaurant

#16  Bullet your entire day...

*Blow nose
*Cough
*Try to sleep
*Choke on water
*Repeat first three


Thanks for checking in!  Thanks again for all the prayers!  Peace & hugs.

Sunday Blessings...

Wishing you a blessed day.  I am not well.  Went back to the walk-in clinic yesterday but my problem is that my glands are so swollen that I can't swallow.  I've never experienced this before. I can't take a pill, I can't drink water. (or eat!). It hurts like the dickens to talk. Whine, whine, whine.  I've been sleeping in the recliner, staying upright. I've tried cold compresses and hot.  Whine again.

I will call my primary doctor tomorrow and try to get in to see her if this doesn't get better as the day moves along.

The good news is, I've lost weight!! And even better, Joe is feeling MUCH better.  He didn't have these swollen glands like I have (thank goodness).

Enjoy your day! Peace & hugs!

A High Noon Saturday9 and The April Challenge

Thanks to Crazy Sam for this week's Saturday 9!!  You can visit her and join in HERE!

High Noon

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: High Noon (1952)


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

1) What will you be (or were you) doing at high noon on Saturday?  Let's see. I'm writing this before Saturday so hard to say, but based on how I am starting to feel, I've caught Joe's malady and I will probably be laying low. Blech!  We share everything. 😞

2) In this song, Tex Ritter sings he doesn't know what fate awaits him. How strong is your sense of intuition?  I have pretty good intuition.  Tell us about a time you knew what would happen before it occurred.  I can't think of a specific thing right now but I always 'trust my gut' and I'm usually right.

3) This song was the theme of a hit movie western by the same name. It starred Gary Cooper as a small-town sheriff. When did you last interact with a member of law enforcement?  When our son was visiting a few weeks ago.

4) Grace Kelly co-starred as the "fair-haired beauty" mentioned in this song. Four years later, she gave up films to become Her Serene Highness, Princess Grace of Monaco. Which job seems like more fun -- movie star or royal?  I would not want either.  I don't think it would be any fun to be in the spotlight all the time with news people surrounding you every time you step out of the door. No thanks to either.

5) Though he cultivated a "just plain folk" persona, this week's featured artist, Tex Ritter, was really cosmopolitan and highly educated, earning a degree in economics from the University of Texas before going on to study pre-law at Northwestern. Do you think the "real you" is consistent with the image you convey?  Gosh, I have no idea.  I don't try to pretend I'm someone I'm not.  I like who I am and it is what it is. I hope that is how I come across.

6) Tex Ritter was the father of Emmy-winning comedic actor, John Ritter. John is remembered fondly as the voice of Clifford, the Big Red Dog. Clifford appeals to children because he is "gentle, friendly, loyal, lovable and clumsy." Do any of those adjectives apply to you?  Probably all of them in some ways, including clumsy.

7) Tex is also the grandfather of Jason Ritter, star of ABC-TV's Kevin (Probably) Saves the World. If you followed one of your grandparents into their line of work, what would you be doing?  My dad's dad was a farmer.  I could do that.  My mom's stepdad was a plumber/electrician/handyman. Not bad either. My mom's dad worked in a factory-like business but he could also cut hair and sold shoes for a while. Also not bad.  But farmer appeals to me most.

8) In 1952, the year "High Noon" was popular, Stopette, the first antiperspirant deodorant spray, was introduced. Do you use a deodorant spray, stick or roll on?  Stick.  Degree or Dove. Like them both.

9) Random question: What's something you have always wanted to own, but never have?  A pontoon boat. I miss going out on the water.  They are expensive and require a good bit of maintenance and upkeep and docking fees are atrocious. Ain't happening, but I still miss it.  Pontoon boats are so much fun!
 

The April Challenge!  You can find the Challenge from Kwizgiver by going HERE!

#14  Your life in seven years.

In seven years I will be 73 years old.  I will most likely be right here in Mas Verde, hopefully still taking care of my sweet husband who will be 87.  Doing my best to keep him healthy!  Hopefully, my knees will have been replaced and not hurting anymore!!

Happy weekend!!  Thanks for stopping by!  Peace & hugs.

Friday Foto Friends... (and the April Challenge)

On Fridays, I link up with Debbie at Breathing In Grace for her Friday Foto Friends linkup!  You can visit Deb and join in HERE!!

I mentioned yesterday that we didn't visit the farm on Wednesday because Joe was still feeling so bad. He wasn't much better on Thursday, but we went ahead.  He did okay in the office and I got to visit the horses, the ducks, the dogs, etc.  Below are a few of the photos I took.

 Erica was working with Hope yesterday.  Little G was back

in school, so Erica was on her own.

Hope was not cooperating. Young and stubborn!

 The ducks were quacking!

 Of course, the beautiful blue Florida sky!

My buddy, Doc, stuck his tongue out at me and

Pistle walked away when they figured out I didn't have apples.

(Winking.... LOL  I did catch Doc just right though!)

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The April Challenge can be found on Kwizgiver's blog HERE

#13  Your commute to/from work

This one is easy for me since I am retired!!  My commute used to be a mere 6 miles and took 10-15 minutes, depending on how I hit the traffic lights.  My work commute when I lived in Metro DC was a whole lot different and one of the reasons we left there and moved to Florida!

Happy Friday the 13th!! Thanks for your visit!  Peace & hugs.

Thankful Thursday and the April Challenge....

I am linking up with Rebecca Jo at Knit By God's Hand for her Thankful Thursday meme.  You can join in HERE!

I don't have a long list today, though I am thankful for so many things in my life!  First and foremost is that Joe is feeling a little better and is coughing less.  We skipped going to the farm yesterday (Joe's client) but are going today.  Thankful that he feels up to it!!  Your prayers are helping with his recovery and are much appreciated!!  So thankful for my friends here!

I realized that I skipped the April Challenge in yesterday's Hodgepodge post so I will do the 11th and 12th below.


The April Challenge by Kwizgiver.  You can join in HERE!

#11  Your current relationship and if single, discuss that too.

Of course, most of you reading this know that I am married to Joe and we will celebrate our 33rd anniversary in May.  Joe is 14 years older than me and his health is beginning to create some challenges for both of us.  God is good and we trust in Him always and for all things.

#12  Two words/phrases that make you laugh.

I'm going to cop-out on this one because I can't think of anything specific right now. There are lots of things that make me laugh and sometimes it is just an off-hand remark made at the right time. Joe makes me laugh all the time.  Laughter is the best medicine and I always look for things to make me laugh and be happy.


Thanks again to Rebecca Jo for hosting Thankful Thursday!  Keep the glass half full, people!!

Thanks for your visit!  Peace & hugs.

The Hodgepodge is Back!

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 347

Joyce is back this week with our Wednesday Hodgepodge!!  Thank you, Joyce, and know that I/we understand about needing some time with that sweet little boy!  He is ADORABLE!!

Join in HERE and link-up with other Hodgepodgers to see how they answered these questions!

1. April is National Jazz Appreciation Month. Are you a fan?  Yes and no.  If so what's a favorite you'd recommend to someone new to jazz listening?  I enjoy ‘smooth’ jazz (but NOT Kenny G!) and more of the old-timers.  I don’t have any recommendations and will probably get some flack for not liking Kenny G.  I prefer brass to woodwinds. Start out ‘smooth’.  Even Alexa knows what smooth jazz means!

2. Mandolin, ukulele, harp, accordion or banjo...which would you be most interested in learning to play? Or do you already play one of the instruments listed?  I used to play around with my brother’s guitar and knew a few chords.  Harp is difficult and I’m too old for difficult now, but the ukulele might be fun! I love bluegrass, but the banjo isn’t easy either.

3. Do you judge a book by its cover? Elaborate. You may answer in either/both the literal or figurative sense of the word. Not so much anymore, since my books are all on my Kindle and I rarely see a cover - though the covers do tell you what you might expect inside.  I won’t say that I never make a judgement based on what the cover looks like, because I do when scrolling through the freebies.  Scantily clad women and handsome muscle-bound men with hokey titles don’t even cause me to slow down. I’m not into steamy romance novels.

4. According to a recent study the ten most nutritious foods are-almonds, cherimoya (supposed to taste like a cross between a pineapple/banana), ocean perch, flatfish (such as flounder and halibut), chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, swiss chard, pork fat (shocking! but I don't think they mean bacon), beet greens, and red snapper. Are any of these foods a regular part of your diet?  Nope – not even when I am trying to be good, except for almonds. I do eat them.  Any you've never ever tasted?  I’ve never had cherimoya.  Which would you be most inclined to add to your diet?  I love fish and would eat it a couple of times a week, but Joe is not a seafood lover – not even a seafood liker.  He will eat catfish and stuffed flounder and shrimp. That’s about it.

I had to see what a cherimoya looked like.

5. Besides a major holiday what is the most recent thing you've celebrated with your people?  We have been celebrating with our northern friends who are all heading north this week and next.  Tell us how.  We just catch up with them for a nice visit and to wish them safe travels.  I will miss them this year! Last year at this time I was still working, and we hadn’t really met so many people. This year is different, and I will feel their absence.

6. Insert your own random thought here. I’m sorry if you are tired of me writing about my Joe, but I did take him back to urgent care yesterday morning.  This time we saw the doctor and he says it is a bad sinus infection/sinusitis and prescribed an antibiotic, some nasal spray and some codeine cough syrup.  Sleep will hopefully come back, and coughing fits will go away!!  I know many of you are keeping him in your prayers and I sure appreciate it!!

My friend, Shirley, did get to go home yesterday and the cancer cells were clear from around the tumor. She still needs to see an oncologist to determine further treatment, if any.  Good news!!

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