Thankful Thursday...

Thursday got here fast!  Monday holidays always mess me up, and when the trash pick-up day changes too... well, you get it.

I'll connect with Rebecca Jo at Knit By God's Hand for her Thankful Thursday. I'm not sure if she will post her link as she is still dealing with the sudden death of her beloved father.  She and her family have been in my prayers.

All I have for you is RAIN.  We are soaking wet.  I'm thankful for the rain and ready for it to be over for awhile.  We have a beach weekend coming up over the 9th of June and the 10-day forecast shows rain every day going forward. PLEASE give us some sunshine.

Our trip to the farm (Joe's client) yesterday was muddy and wet. Did I mention it is raining?  I wasn't able to visit any of the animals except the birds and the dogs (who were wet and muddy - LOL).  The lane to the house was a muddy mess. Two miles of mud puddles. The rain going home washed all the mud off, so I and thankful for that!

I am thankful that we got out for awhile, even in the rain.  We are not used to being house-bound in Florida, and with Joe still not walking well (or much) getting out for awhile was nice. Thankful!

We are looking forward to seeing our niece and nephews and my sister-in-law soon!! Rain or shine, it will be great to visit and spend some quality time together. We are thankful that they are coming down and want to spend time with us!!

Tonight we are going out to dinner with our friend (and my former co-worker) Gregory.  Looking forward to that!!  Longhorn Steakhouse, here we come!

Be thankful always!!  Thanks for your visit!  Peace & hugs!

No Hodgepodge Today....

Joyce has taken a much needed day off from the Hodgepodge. She has had a crazy busy May and will be back next week for the first Hodgepodge in JUNE!  How did June get here so fast?!!

I didn't do a Tickled Tuesday yesterday since I had a weekend recap to do instead.  I didn't like Tickled Wednesday so started thinking about something silly for Wednesday... who knew (should have) that you can find images for most ANY words you can come up with.  I thought of Wiggle Wednesday, and look what I found!!  Hope one of them gives you a wiggle giggle!!

Thanks for peeking in!! Peace & hugs!!

Weekend & Holiday Recap on Tuesday... and the Give-away!!

I hope you all had a nice long weekend and if you had to work, I hope it wasn't too busy for you!

Friday evening Joe and I went to dinner at Cheddar's with Al and Theresa. I didn't get a picture but we did have good food and a fun time. We started with their tower of onion rings, and I do mean it is a tower! They are really good.  This picture is from the internet. We ate them all.

Dinner was early so we still had time to get to the Clubhouse for Nickels with our friends. It was my night!!  I never win. Seriously, I never win... until Friday.  I won one game by myself and three games with another person. I was delirious!!  LOL  (not really, but it was fun to win for a change!)  Joe and I took two dozen cupcakes (from Sam's Club) to Nickels because it was Anne and Paul's birthdays.  Anne's was Friday and Paul's (our across the street neighbors) was Saturday. Everyone enjoyed the cupcakes, which we shared with the ladies playing Hand & Foot, and the group playing Texas Hold'em.  

Saturday and Sunday were lazier than lazy. We really did nothing but watch TV.  We got 'hooked' on Foyle's War and watched all 9 seasons in about five days. Good show that takes place in WWII London, 1940-1945.  Excellent.  We found it on Acorn TV.

Monday, Memorial Day, our HOA hosted a potluck at our Clubhouse.  They supplied the ribs, hotdogs, and hamburgers, and residents brought a dish to share. Boy-oh-boy was there food!! 

  

and desserts...

We invited Helen and Cheryl to join us.

There was a nice crowd of year-round residents!!

If you have been following my blog since Friday, you know that I was given a promotional canvas photo from the Canvas Factory and they gave me one to give away on my blog.  Several of you got your name put in more than once for mentioning the drawing on Saturday and/or Sunday too.  I did the drawing the old-fashioned way and had Joe draw the name...

He pulled out Martha Jane Orlando's name!! Congratulations Martha Jane!  Please message me on Facebook with your email address and I will give you the promotional code you will need to get your 16 x 20 canvas photo done!  They do such a good job!  You will love yours as much as we love ours!

That's all I have for this Tuesday! Thanks for stopping by!  Peace & hugs.

Memorial Day....

My weekend recap will appear tomorrow.  Today is a holiday for most of us reading here.  I hope you are spending it with family, friends, or just relaxing as you wish on your day off.  Let's all just remember why we have this day set aside!!

Thanks for your visit!! I've turned off comments.  Peace & hugs!!

Holy Trinity Sunday...

Sunday blessings on this Holy Trinity Sunday...


May we ever be "on the alert" to the presence of the Trinity in our souls! At Baptism, we became the adopted "sons of the Father," "co-heirs with Christ," "temples of the Holy Spirit!"

Gospel, Matthew 28:16-20

16 Meanwhile, the eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them.

17 When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated.

18 Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

19 Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations; baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And look, I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.'

Thanks for your visit!!  Mention the giveaway in your comment below for another chance to win the free Canvas Factory 16 x 20 photo of your choice!  It is only available in Canada and the USA.  Peace & hugs!!

Elvis is in the Saturday 9...

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

G.I. Blues

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: G.I. Blues (1960) 
Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.  

Memorial Day is a federal holiday that honors men and women who served and died in the United States Armed Forces. We want to make sure that message is not lost this weekend.

1) Are you a veteran? No. Are there veterans in your family? Yes!  My Joe, both of his brothers, and my dad.  Do you know anyone who is active military?  Yes, our nephew is in the Marine Corp. (We are grateful and want to hear about it.)

2) In this song, Elvis sings about marching and complains that the Army doesn't give Purple Hearts for fallen arches. Do you have any aches or pains to report this morning?  Ha!!  You have already heard about my broken toe!

3) This song is from the 1960 film of the same name. In the movie, Elvis is in The 32nd Armor Regiment of the United States Army. That's the same regiment he served with in real life. He had the 32nd written into the script as a shout-out to the soldiers he came to know but realized he'd likely never see again. Is there an old friend you're missing this weekend?  Not especially.

4) Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food?  Fried chicken, potato salad, deviled eggs... actually I can't think of a food I wouldn't like on a picnic! LOL 

5) Let's celebrate the Memorial Day holiday with ice cream. What's your favorite flavor?  Any flavor with chocolate, or butter pecan.  Cone or cup?  You don't have to wash a cone!!

5) This marks the weekend when Americans step up their outdoor activity and do things they may not have been able to do during the winter months. For example, when is the last time you applied mosquito repellent? I keep it in the car and use it on my ankles most weeks at the farm (Joe's client) to repel ticks, mosquitoes, and any other insects in the grass.

7) Or swam?  I haven't been swimming since we moved to Mas Verde, but I do plan to visit our pool here soon.  

8) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or fan on?   The AC is usually on here in Florida, so yes.

9) Random question: How do you define success? Contentment.

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 your visit today!  Peace & hugs!

Friday Foto Friends AND a Fantastic Give-away!!

Today is Friday and the day we link up with Debbie at Breathing In Grace for her Friday Foto Friends meme!  You can join the fun HERE and share your photos from this week!

And speaking of photos... I am also excited to share a product with you that I discovered through Pam's blog, Empty Nest.  I received a free photo canvas and the Canvas Factory has graciously given me one to give away to a lucky blogging friend!! I can tell you that I am thrilled with the photo canvas I received. It is high quality; very well made.

Here is a photo of my Canvas Factory piece.  It is my favorite photo from our trip to Italy 11 years ago. It is 16 x 20 and the colors are perfect. I hung it on the wall as soon as it was out of the box.  Look at that handsome guy!! 😉

I have one more photo to share for Deb's link-up.  I didn't take it but a friend did and posted it on FB. The Mas Verde ladies had a Wine & Cheese event yesterday and we had such a good time. Everyone brings a beverage of their choice (wine to share, if you want) and a snack to share with everyone.  I drank water and had made some pizzelles to share. This is the table I was at with good friends and neighbors.

Now, back to the drawing!!  If you want a chance to win a free 16 x 20 canvas photo from Canvas Factory, let me know in the comments.  I'll put all the names in a hat and will have Joe draw one out on Monday.  If you visit my blog on Saturday and Sunday, mention the drawing and your name will go in for each day you mention it.  Again, this is a high-quality product and would be great for a graduation gift (just a thought)!!

I'm sorry I didn't have many photos to share today, but I am excited about my very first giveaway!!

Thanks for your visit!!  Peace & hugs!!

Thankful Thursday...

I'm keeping up with Rebecca Jo's Thankful Thursday, even though she has been away for a couple of weeks due to her dad's death. Keeping her and her family in my prayers.

I was thankful for a sunny day yesterday!  We went to the farm (Joe's client) and I sat on the patio reading my book because it hurts my broken toe to walk very far, especially on uneven ground.  I took this picture because I loved seeing the American Flag and the blue sky. I missed connecting with the horses though.  We stopped for lunch at our favorite pizza place which is conveniently on the way home.  Joe had pizza and I had spaghetti. Yum.

I am thankful that my cold seems some better yesterday and today. Praise God.  Joe is moving around with less pain.  Praise God again and always!!

I am thankful that we have company coming in another week and we are so excited to spend time with our niece, her hubby, our nephew and my sister-in-law. We are so blessed with a wonderful family and extended family. Blessed and thankful!! This picture was two years ago, at Sara and Matthew's wedding, with Mike on the left and Jo Anne on the right. Love them all so much and can't wait to see them!!

Thanks for your visit today!!  Peace & hugs!!

It's a Royal Hodgepodge...

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 353

Our amazing hostess, Joyce, gives us the questions each week to answer and then link up with other Hodgepodgers on her blog HERE!!  Join in!!

1. The last place you visited/patronized where you felt like you were given 'the royal treatment'?  I blogged about our anniversary dinner at Bone Fish Grill.  They found out it was our anniversary and brought us a free dessert with candles!  We felt pretty special!  Maybe not “royal” but at least well celebrated!

2. The last task you completed that was a 'royal pain'? Anything lately gives me a royal pain because I broke my stupid toe.  My smart toe would not have gotten in the way, so it’s definitely my stupid toe that is broken.  I am treating it myself by doing a ‘buddy splint’.  There isn’t much a doctor can do for a broken toe. I just know it hurts like the dickens.  April and May have not been good months for Joe and me, between miserable colds and arthritis pain and now a broken stupid toe.

3. How have your strengths helped you succeed? How have your faults hindered you? Oh my. My strengths are organization and (perhaps) good common sense and I used those for over 20 years in my last job. I believe I was successful.  My biggest fault is that I don’t always have patience with myself or with others.  Not having patience is never good. I work on it daily.

4. If you found a remote that could rewind, fast forward, stop and start time, what would you do with it? Oh gosh. This is such a loaded question. Do you answer broadly with world peace going back in time to fix things going forward?  Or do you get your parents diagnosed earlier with cancer so they could still be with us (my brother, too)?  Maybe it is just that we managed our money better…

5. Any special plans for the Memorial Day weekend?  Yes!  Mas Verde is having a potluck at the clubhouse and we invited Helen and Cheryl to join us. The HOA buys the meat (hamburgers, hotdogs, and ribs) and everyone else brings a dish to share. Will you in some way honor or recognize the meaning of this day (remembering people who died in service to their country)?  We fly the flag and we do honor those who gave their lives that we can continue to live free in this great land of the brave!!  Have you ever been to Arlington National Cemetery? Yes, I have been there several times.  We lived in the metro-DC area for 12 years.  Does your town do anything special to mark the day? There is a ceremony at Lakeland’s Veterans’ Park.

6.  Insert your own random thought here. We have rain again today. I’m sorry for anyone who needs rain and wish I could send some of ours your way. It has been raining every day for well over a week and rain is predicted through the holiday weekend. Booo.

I took Joe back to the orthopedic doc today because the cortisone shot he got in his hip last week didn’t give him any relief at all.  This time Dr. M gave him a needle in the hip joint, rather than in the bursa. Since Joe’s knee has also been hurting, he got a shot in the knee too.  I sure hope he is feeling better in a couple of days.  I’ve been getting cortisone shots in my knees for over five years now. The pain does not go away, but it does become manageable. We’ll see what a couple of days brings for him.

I am back on antibiotics.  My cold has never gone away and is back with a vengeance this past couple of days. Seven weeks and counting. I’m SO tired of coughing and blowing. Yes… I’m whining again.

On that note, I’ll stop and just thank you for your visit today!! I thank Joyce for this week’s Hodgepodge!!  Happy Wednesday!  Peace & hugs!!

Tickled Tuesday...

We made it through Monday!  Here are a few things I found that tickled my funny bone! 

Hope one of them made you giggle!!  Thanks for your visit!  

Peace & hugs!!

Weekend Recap on Monday, May 21st...

We spent another weekend stuck in the house, like most everyone else!  It is STILL raining.  I have decided it will probably never stop. Enough is enough already!!  We needed rain, but not anymore.  Where is Noah?  We're gonna need another ark!!

Friday I went to the medical clinic for fasting labs. We have a patient portal where we can communicate with our doctor and test results are all posted there. By Friday night, I could see the results of my labs and I know going into my appointment with my primary this morning that my numbers all look good. Whew!

Joe was going to ride to the clinic with me on Friday and we were going out to breakfast afterward. He wasn't up to it, so I went off by myself and stopped at McDonald's on the way home for an Egg McMuffin.  Ate it in front of him while he ate his toast.  :)

Saturday, we slept in. I did not set the alarm for the Royal wedding, but I DID tape it to watch later.  I turned it on around 1:30 and fast-forwarded through much of the chatter. I enjoyed the service and the sermon and the faces of the Brits who are not used to American preachers. The music was AMAZING and of course, the couple beautiful.  I snapped a few photos while watching...

I think her dress is so pretty.  Classic!  The Queen looked amazing in her nearly neon suit and hat. I loved it. She is really something. The hats were mostly over the top and I'm really glad we don't have that tradition here.  I look awful in hats anyway so it's just as well for me!  Did you watch?

I intended to go to Publix yesterday because we are out of several things but - the rain...   Since I have to go out this morning anyway, I will stop there on my way home, rain or no rain.

Al and Theresa popped by yesterday afternoon, We hadn't seen them all week so it was fun catching up with them.  They just found out that their daughter is expecting their first grandchild (in January) and they are beyond excited about it!!  They aren't announcing it broadly yet until she passes the first trimester but Al is ready to yell it from the rooftops.  We made plans with them to go out to supper on Friday which will be fun. We're going to Cheddar's.  Haven't been there for several months.

That's all I have on this Monday.  I hope your weekend was good and thank you for your visit!  Peace & hugs!!

Sunday Blessings...

On Pentecost Sunday...

ACTS 2:1-11

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,
they were all in one place together.
And suddenly there came from the sky
a noise like a strong driving wind,
and it filled the entire house in which they were.
Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in different tongues,
as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem.
At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd,
but they were confused
because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
They were astounded, and in amazement, they asked,
"Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans?
Then how does each of us hear them in his native language?
We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites,
inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia,
Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,
Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene,
as well as travelers from Rome,
both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans, and Arabs,
yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues
of the mighty acts of God."

Wishing blessings for all!!  Peace & hugs!!

It's a DJ Saturday 9...

Last Night a DJ Saved My Life!

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: Last Night a DJ Saved My Life! (1982)

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


1) This song is about a girl who is heartbroken about a boy who won't take her calls. Do you screen your calls, deciding to let some go to voicemail? Or do you pick up whenever you possibly can? (We're referring to calls from people you know.)   Unless I am eating (home or a restaurant) I answer calls from people in my contacts. I won't interrupt a meal (unless I am alone) for a phone call.  If I don't know the number, I will let it go to voicemail or a hang-up.

2) When she was feeling her lowest, she heard a song on the radio that lifted her spirits. What's the last thing you heard on the radio?  I was listening to Sirius XM 60s in the car, but I didn't pay attention to what the last song was.

3) This song includes the sound of squeaky wheels, indicating a sudden stop and perhaps a near-miss. Tell us about your most recent traffic mishap. Thank the Good Lord and my Guardian Angels, there hasn't been a mishap in a very long time.

4) "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life!" is featured in the 2002 video game, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Do you spend much time on video games? I do not play video games unless Scrabble Solitaire and Spider Solitaire count as video games.

5) This week's featured artist, Indeep, was a trio. We've had many groups, some duos and tons of solo artists on Saturday 9, but not many trios. Can you name another popular trio? Well, I had to look up trios since I'm not much into music groups. I chose to mention 'Stray Cats' because... cats!  LOL

6) The last time Indeep performed together was in 1997, at a New Year's Eve show in Paris for French TV. Have you celebrated a holiday in another land?  We were in Venice, Italy, on their May Day holiday, but we didn't celebrate it. The locals were sure into it, though!

7) Britain's Royal Family is in the news this weekend, with attention centered on the nuptials. The Royals made news in 1982, as well. When this song was popular, Michael Fagan gained momentary fame by breaking into Buckingham Palace. He found The Royal Bedroom, where he came face-to-face with the Queen. He reports that Queen Elizabeth sleeps in a nightie that "reached down to her knees." What did you wear to bed last night?  I prefer a sleeveless PJ set with shorts here in Florida, and that's what I wore last night.

8)  In 1982, you could buy a loaf of white bread for 50¢. Today, the national average price for that loaf of bread is more than $2.50. When you go grocery shopping, do you comparison shop and make purchases at more than one store? Or do you prefer one-stop shopping?  We shop at Publix and Sam's Club, with specific lists for both places.  We rarely go anywhere else, unless we are close to Walmart where we will purchase cat food and cat litter because the prices are better. We don't make a special trip, though. The difference in price isn't so great that it is worth going out of our way.

9) Random question: What's the first famous quote that comes to your mind? Ha!  Nothing came to mind immediately and when I started thinking about it my mind was flooded.  From John 3:16 to Paul Revere's "...one if by land.." to John Kennedy's "...ask not what your country can do for you..."

Thanks to our hostess, Sam Winters, for this week's Saturday 9!!  You can find her HERE to join in!!

I'm glad you stopped by!!  Happy Saturday!  Peace & hugs.

Friday Foto Friends...

I don't have many photos for this week's link-up with Debbie at Breathing In Grace for her Friday Foto Friends meme, but here are a few.  Join us in the photo sharing HERE!!  Thanks for hosting, Deb!!

It has been raining for days and days now.  We have short clearings, but the rain always comes back and is sometimes so hard and loud that you would think it was hail.  Our summer rains haven't arrived early. This is just some kind of tropical depression that is hanging over us and not moving at all.

Two different trees for two different views of the blue sky in between rains.

I forgot about this photo last week when I took it.

This is in my doctor's office.  I had to snap the picture

Send it Up to God, and Gratitude turns what we have into enough.

And here is a link for a very short video of our Lucy Cat on the kitchen windowsill telling a bird on the back wall what she will do to him if she could only get out there...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/s6ZGS0RCc9J9TW1g1

I haven't figured out how to get my phone videos to post here, other than with a link.

It always feels good when Friday arrives, even though I'm retired. Maybe the feeling will eventually go away but I kind of hope it doesn't!!  The weekend is here!!

Thanks for your visit!  Peace & hugs!

Thankful Thursday Link-up...

On Thursdays, I love to link-up with Rebecca Jo at Knit By God's Hand for her Thankful Thursday link-up!!  You can find Rebecca Jo HERE!!

• I am so thankful for our wonderful neighbors here in Mas Verde. We are so blessed.

• I am thankful that Joe is doing better and better each day!  Praise God and our Prayer Warriors!

• I am thankful for the much-needed rain, even though it makes getting out to appointments a little wetter than usual.

• I am thankful for the fun we have seeing the animals at the farm (Joe's client), especially the babies!!

• I am thankful for old friends who have moved away but come back once a year and we reconnect like we were never apart.  We had dinner with Hattie and Murph last night, at Harry's Seafood Bar & Grill (New Orleans style food).  Always delicious and always fun.

Thanks for your visit today!  What are you thankful for this week?  Peace & hugs!!

Added Note:  I was so sorry to learn that Rebecca Jo lost her dad a few days ago. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.