Tickled Tuesday...

My Tickled Tuesday post will be short but full of goodness!!

Joe talked with our cardiologist today and his echocardiogram showed no changes from the last one, meaning no heart surgery anytime in the near future.  She also looked at his MRI results and will be setting an appointment with a back specialist for him.  She did say there is a lot of arthritis evident and also narrowing around the nerves. She doesn't think it is bad enough for surgery but is sure the specialist will be able to schedule an epidural for him. 

Tickled and thankful for this good news!!

Thankful for your prayers!!

Happy Tuesday!  Peace & hugs!!

My Weekend Recap on Monday...

I don't have any pictures, but we did have a very nice and laid-back kind of weekend.

Thursday evening, Bob & Sharon invited us over for dinner.  They live next door and just returned from a month-long vacation. Sharon cooked a Southern meal (her words). She is a Lakeland native and a Southern Gal.  Dinner was very good.  She had hamburger patties in onion gravy, black-eyed peas, mashed potatoes, yellow squash casserole, and collard greens.  We played a card game and then she served peach cobbler, made with fresh peaches they brought back from Georgia.  Delicious!!

Friday morning started bright and early for me, with tests for my upcoming out-patient surgery.  Everything went great and I even got to watch what the camera saw, right along with the doctor.  I loved biology in high school and still find stuff like that to be fascinating. Anyway, all is a go for the 13th.  I was there for about 90 minutes. It wasn't as bad as I was expecting it to be.

Saturday we got to sleep in, which felt great.  At noon, we met Al and Theresa for lunch at Miller's Ale House. It was fun catching up with them and seeing their vacation pictures from Daytona Beach. The food is good there.  Joe and I had ribs, Theresa had steak, and Al had chicken & steak fajitas.  Joe and I were so full, we just snacked for dinner.

Joe and I did go to the 4:00 Vigil Mass at St. Joseph's on Saturday.  It felt good and we filled out a registration to move there from Resurrection. It's official. 

Sunday allowed us to sleep in again.  I made us a big breakfast/brunch of home fries, eggs over easy, sausage patties and toast.  Don't forget the coffee, and reading the Sunday Newspaper!  I got the laundry started (and finished) and made meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn for our dinner. We started watching season one of 'The Sinner'. Season two starts this Wednesday on the USA Network and we wanted to catch up. Seems like a good detective show starring Bill Pullman.  I really like him as an actor.

That brings us to Monday. Our day is clear and that is a good thing! Last week was busy.  So how was your weekend?

Thanks for your visit!  Peace & hugs!!

Sunday Stealing Q & A...

Things You Can't Possibly Know

Hi! I'm your host Bev Sykes of the blog "Funny the World"... Welcome to Sunday Stealing. This feature originated and published on WTIT: The Blog. 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. (Past hosts include: Our first - Judd Corizan, Mr. L, Kwizgiver, and Bud)  Cheers to all of us thieves!

Thank you, Kwizgiver, for the following quesitons!
(Pretend there were 29 questions you already answered!) 

30. What color is your watch?  The watch face is white. The band is gold & silver.

31. What do you think of when you think of Australia?  Crocodile Dundee.

32. Ever ridden on a roller coaster?   Many times.

33. Birthstone?  Blue Topaz and/or turquoise.

34. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive through? Drive thru.

35. Do you have any friends on Facebook that you actually hate? No.

36. Do you have a dog?  No.

37. Last person you talked to on the phone?  Helen.

38. Have you met anyone famous?  Yes.

39. Any plans today?  Laundry.

40.  Where are you right now?  Living room/my recliner.

41. Biggest annoyance in your life right now?  Too many doctor appointments.

42. Last song listened to?  I don't remember.

43. Last movie you saw?  "I Can Only Imagine"

44. Are you allergic to anything?   Bee/wasp stings.

45. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?  Lately, my Croc flip flops.

46. What time is it?  7:58 p.m. (Saturday evening.)

47. Do any of your friends have children?  Most of them. Grandkids too!

48. Do you eat healthy?  Not lately. Too much comfort food.

49. What do you usually do during the day?  Depends on the day but I am enjoying retirement!

50. Do you hate anyone right now?   I don't hate anyone.  Hate just eats at you and it isn't worth the ulcers and heartache.  Forgive. We are called to forgive!

Thanks to Bev for this week's questions! You can join in HERE!

Thanks for your visit!  Have a blessed Sunday! Peace & hugs!!

Mary Tyler Moore Saturday 9...

Love Is All Around

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: Love Is All Around (1970)

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

1) This week's song is the theme from The Mary Tyler Moore Show, a sitcom that originally aired from 1970 to 1977. Were you a fan?  I was a fan!

2) The song tells us that Mary Richards can turn the world on with her smile. Yet the real-life Mary Tyler Moore said she was uncomfortable with her "wide mouth." If you could improve on one of your facial features, which would you choose?  My eyes that always look closed in pictures.

3) We also hear that Mary can "take a nothing day and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile." What do you think makes a day "a nothing day?"  A day with no appointments or plans.  But that really makes it a great day! LOL

4) Mary works in the newsroom at WJM. Her desk is neat as a pin. Are you neat? Or do you lean to the sloppy side?  I am organized and neat.

5) Mary's best friend, Rhoda, worked as a window dresser at Hempel's department store. What department store did you most recently shop at?  Is Target considered a department store?  What did you buy?  Flipflops and cat food.

6) Mary Richards lived in Minneapolis. What city is nearest to where you are right now?  Lakeland is a wonderful city, but the biggest and closest is Tampa.

7) Originally the part of Mary Richards was written as a divorcee, but in 1970, there were no TV shows that centered around a divorced woman. Think about the women in your life. Are most of them married, divorced, single or widowed?  Most are married but there is a good mix of all in my life.

8) The MTM production company logo featured a mewing kitten. The cat was found in a Minneapolis shelter, and, after her sequence was shot, she was adopted by a crew member who named her Mimsie. What's the name of the last cat -- or dog or hamster or rabbit -- that you petted?  Vinny, Lilly, and Lucy are our cats.  The last dog was our neighbors' dachshund, Angel.

9) Random question -- Would you rather have a job that kept you seated on your fanny or standing on your feet?  Seated!!  No contest.
  

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

Thanks for your visit!!  Peace & hugs.

Friday Foto Friends...

On Friday's, I love linking up with Debbie at Breathing In Grace for her Friday Foto Friends meme!  You can find Deb HERE and join us! 

I don't really have much new to share with you, but here are a couple from our visit to the farm on Wednesday (Joe's client).

The three horses who know I bring snacks.

Some baby guineas were rescued from the pasture right after

they were hatched and before they became prey.

Sorry the photo is blurry, but they are growing so fast!

The little ones are just as noisy as the full-grown versions!

My niece, Kelly, graduated from Ohio University in May.  Her dad's sister, Aunt Diana, promised her a trip to Europe as her gift.  Kelly chose Ireland.  My sister and Kelly's BFF Virginia decided to go too.  They are having such a good time!!  I borrowed these photos from my sister's Facebook page to share.  I'm so happy for them!!  My sister-in-law, Jo Anne, took nephew Mike to England, Scotland, and Ireland for his graduation gift. They went a few weeks before my sister, and they all actually met up in Dublin before Jo Anne and Mike came home.  What fun!!!

Loved ones in Dublin!

Sister Patti, SIL Jo Anne, Virginia, Diana, niece Kelly, and nephew Mike

What fun!

Diana, Kelly, Virginia, and Patti

My sister, Patti and her daughter Kelly.

They look more like sisters in this photo!!

Diana's hubby, Dan, and my brother-in-law Greg missed out on a fun trip but

I know the girls are loving it and making so many great memories!

Thanks for checking in today!!  Peace & hugs!!

Thankful Thursday...

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

** I am happy a couple of folks joined me in Black & White Memories yesterday, which I am doing to fill in where the Wednesday Hodgepodge usually is.  Joyce is taking the rest of the summer off - we are all hoping she returns in September (hint, hint).  Next week, I will have the Linky thing figured out so folks can link up if you want to join in and share an old photo or two and tell us about your memories around the photos!

** I am happy that Joe feels well enough to cancel his last three physical therapy sessions.  He is even walking some without using the cane.  Of course, we are waiting on the MRI results and the ECHO results...

** I am thankful I found Dr. Lindsey Hahn to help solve one of my problems!!  See Tuesday's post if you aren't sure what I'm talking about.

** I am thankful (always) for our wonderful neighbors here in Mas Verde!  Bob & Sharon are back from their month-long vacation.  I took their mail over and Sharon gave me the cutest Christmas ornament from Bonner's, where they got to shop in person while visiting up north! AND, they invited us to dinner tonight! Dessert will be peach cobbler, made with fresh peaches they picked up in Georgia on their way home. Thankful and so blessed!

** Every week you know I am thankful for our trips to the farm (Joe's client) where I get to visit with the animals and enjoy the beautiful views from their patio.  This is Doc and he is my favorite horse. I took carrots to share.  He really likes the carrots... of course, I want to believe it's me he likes but it is really the treats I bring. Ha!

** I am thankful for our sweet cats, here at home.  Lucy "belongs" to Joe. She adores him and most evenings, this is what I can see...

** Those of you who have been following me know that Joe and I have been having some issues with the Pope and have not been going to church regularly.  I even started researching some Protestant churches here in Lakeland and found one that I thought we might try.  Joe agreed, but I know it was hurting him.  I grew up Methodist and the transition 'back' would not have been that difficult for me, but it was weighing on Joe. We have decided to move our membership from our old church to St. Joseph Catholic Church. There is a new Pastor there (from Ohio!). We still have issues with the Pope, but perhaps we can pray about that even more and feel at peace in a new Parish.  Thankful a decision has been made.

Be thankful always!!  And I thank you for your visit today, and for your prayers!!  

Peace & hugs!!

Black & White Memories!!

Our Hodgepodge hostess is taking the rest of the summer off so I have decided to do "Black & White Memories" on Wednesdays.  I will share a photo or two from my distant past (in black & white) and say something about it.  So, here we go!  (Join me if you need a Hodgepodge replacement too!)

This photo from 1956 is in my childhood bedroom (sharing with baby brother) for

a special occasion of some kind because my two first cousins and I are

eating at my little table.  That means the grown-ups were in the kitchen.

Peggy, Tom and four-year-old me.  Both of my first cousins are gone from cancer, 

but Peggy had four boys who all have families now, 

and Tom had three kids who have also produced grandchildren.

Peggy was a minister's wife and could play piano (by ear) like no one I've ever heard since.

Tom was a pastor and now his oldest son is also a pastor.

This is my little brother, Randy, and me on our swings in the backyard.

Randy also died of cancer, 15 years ago in August. I miss him every day.

Randy was a wonderful son, brother, husband, dad, friend, and man of God.  He volunteered for

Habitat for Humanity, volunteered for many church projects, including the Emmaus Walk,

and had a great sense of humor.  He was loved and respected by so many.

We are off to the farm today. Fun for me!! Yesterday was busy for us, starting with an 8:00 a.m. appointment at the hospital for pre-admission paperwork, EKG, and labs.  Then we met with my doctor.  Joe went with me to that appointment so he could meet Dr. Lindsey Hahn (and she could see who he is).  I go Friday for more tests that don't sound fun at all, but necessary.

A huge thank you to everyone who shared experiences and offers of prayer yesterday. Thank you!!

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

Tickled Tuesday...

Just a few things on this Tuesday that tickled my funny bone.  Hope you get a giggle too!

And maybe this next is TMI, but I need to ask for some prayers!

This morning I have an appointment for pre-admission at the hospital for an outpatient procedure that will happen next month.  Getting older, having had a complete hysterectomy almost 20 years ago, and being over-weight has led to some bladder issues that I have decided to have addressed.  I have a great doctor and I have hopes that this will take care of my problem before it gets worse.  If any of my female friends here want more information, I'll be happy to answer questions in an email or Facebook message!! Just ask!  In the meantime, your prayers will be appreciated over these next few weeks. There are some tests that happen on Friday this week to make sure the doctor's diagnosis is correct and there aren't other things causing my problem. She is thorough.  Monday, August 13th is the date for the actual procedure. 

I will be TICKLED to have this all over with!!  I'm also tickled to have wonderful prayer partners here.

Thanks for your visit!!  Peace & hugs!!

Monday's Weekend Recap...

Happy Monday.  Another weekend is behind us and I really have nothing too exciting to report.  

Friday Joe had two doctor appointments and I had lunch with Cindee and Shirley.  We met at Olive Garden and I had a really good entre that was only 600 calories. Having calories listed on the menus is sometimes frightening but it does allow us to make better decisions. Sigh.  I could easily be addicted to Alfredo sauce...

Our son, Joey, called Friday evening from Kuwait. It is always good to catch up with him - always!  Daughter-in-law(love) Darlene called last week too. She is busy with the horses but is trying to get her daughter, Rita, to meet here in Lakeland for a weekend. Rita lives down in Boca Rotan and can come up on the train. Hope it works out. We would love to see them both!

Saturday we went to Publix for a few things and I did say WE.  Joe is doing so much better that he was able to do some shopping with me and he also got the mail (which is a little walk too).  The physical therapy is helping.  He gets the MRI on his back tomorrow and we are hoping it will show that an epidural will help. Fingers crossed!  Your prayers are welcome and much appreciated.

Saturday evening we watched "Paul, Apostle of Christ" and also "I Can Only Imagine".  Excellent.

Sunday was another rainy day. I did laundry and we started watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon.  It has been entertaining.  Not our favorite or something we usually watch, but it has us interested enough to continue watching.

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

Sunday Stealing... Food, Glorious Food!

Food, Glorious Food

Hi! I'm your host Bev Sykes of the blog "Funny the World".  Welcome to Sunday Stealing. This feature originated and published on WTIT: The Blog. 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. (Past hosts include: Our first - Judd Corizan, Mr. L, Kwizgiver, and Bud)  Cheers to all of us thieves!

Thanks to Bev for this week's questions!  You can join in HERE and link-up (or not!).

Here are some food questions from Swap-Bot:

1.  Do you like pie?  Not my favorite dessert, but some kinds are okay (custard!!).

2.  Italian or Mexican?  How can you choose?  I love them both!

3.  Can you bake?  Yes.  If so, what are your favorite things to bake?  Cookies & cake.

4.  Do you use cookbooks, or do you try to find recipes online?  Both.

5.  Do you own a kitchen aid mixer?  I do.  It is over 20 years old and still mixing!

6.  Ever cooked a meal for more than 15 people at one time?  Yes. I love cooking for a crowd, though I prefer eight or ten!

7.  Do you like hospital food?  I would prefer to not eat hospital food, but ours is not bad.

8.  Favorite fast food restaurant?  Taco Bell or Popeyes or Chick fil a.

9.  Any picky eaters in your family?  Joe is a picky eater.

10.  Soda or Tea?  Tea.

11.  Hot chocolate?  Yes, please.

12.  Favorite holiday dish?  My mom's pumpkin bread.

13.  What is the most tasteful strangest looking thing you have ever tasted?  Calamari.

14.  Fries or tater tots?  Oh, I love tater tots!!

15.  Do you like cheese?  Yes!  If so what kind?  Sharp cheddar is my favorite.

16.  Homemade or can soup?  Homemade.

17.  Do you like to eat out?  Indeed I do!

18.  What kind of food is popular where you are? (Like in Alaska it is seafood)  This is Florida, so also seafood.  Cuban would be a close second, probably.

19.  Do you like cotton candy?  Not especially.

20.  Turkey or Chicken?  Chicken, except for Thanksgiving. You must have turkey for Thanksgiving.

21.  Hamburger or tuna helper?  I like them both, but Joe will not eat either.

22.  Raw or cooked veggies?  Cooked, please.

23.  Do you like salad?  Yes.  If so, what is your favorite kind of salad?  Greek.

24.  Favorite pizza topping?  Pepperoni.

25.  Do you like meatloaf?  Yes, I do (and I make a good one).

Thanks for checking in on this blessed Sunday!  Wishing all a good week ahead!  Peace & hugs!!

The Saturday 9 is all about Gidget!

Gidget

The Theme from Gidget 

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: Gidget (1965)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here. 
1) Gidget was a sitcom that ran only one season. Have you ever seen it?  I LOVED Gidget!!

2) Gidget is a high school student who is more interested in surfing and boys than in the books. When you were Gidget's age, was your top priority for getting good grades? Or were you more involved in the social side of student life?  I think I lived a good mix of those two. I was an honor student but had lots of fun too.

3) Gidget's father was nearly always unflappable when it came to his daughter's high-spirited shenanigans. Who is the coolest, calmest person you know?  I have to say it was my brother (who died 15 years ago).  He was cool, calm, conservative, and a true believer in Jesus Christ.

4) Gidget spends as much time as she can at the beach, hanging out with her best friend Larue. Fair-skinned Larue doesn't share Gidget's passion for surfing and prefers to stay on the beach blanket, wearing a floppy hat that protects her from the sun. Are you a sun worshipper?  No!  Or, like Larue, are you careful about your exposure to the sun?  I burn in about 10 minutes without sunscreen.  I don't lay in the sun to get tan.
 
5) Gidget, the quintessential California girl, was created by Freidrich Kohner, an Austrian-born screenwriter. Can you think of another Austrian import?  Vienna Sausage?  LOL
 
6) Howard Greenfield and Jack Keller wrote this week's Gidget theme. They also wrote the 1960 hit song, "Everybody's Somebody's Fool." When is the last time you felt foolish?  Not a week goes by when I don't feel foolish for something I've said or done or thought.
 
7) This is the show that introduced Sally Field. She went on to win two Oscars and four Emmy Awards. When you think of Sally, what role comes to mind?  I love Sally Field.  Other than Gidget and The Flying Nun, she was amazing in Forest Gump, Norma Rae, Steel Magnolias, Murphy's Romance, and Sybil. 

8) Today Gidget is a grandmother. Sally reports that her grandchildren especially enjoy "sleepovers at Granny's." Where were you the last time you spent the night away from home?  When we went to St. Pete Beach with family last month.

9) Random question -- Describe your perfect lazy afternoon.  Sitting in my recliner with a good book and/or a good show on TV.  I am blessed to have lots of lazy afternoons these days!
  

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 visiting my Saturday 9 today!  You can join in HERE!!  Wishing you a good weekend!  Peace & hugs!

Friday Foto Friends...

I am excited to be linking up with Deb at Breathing In Grace for her Friday Foto Friends link-up!!  Thanks, Debbie!!  You can join in HERE!

After not having any new or interesting pictures these past few weeks, I have a whole bunch to share today!!  I met a blogging friend in person yesterday and if you have been with me for awhile, you know how much I love meeting up in person with blogging friends! Check out my page tabbed "Have We Met In Person" to see my picture gallery!!

Myra blogs on Respice, Prospice and she and her hubby just moved to Alabama from Arizona.  Many of you followed the move like I did.  I'm so happy they are settled in and enjoying their new home. Myra came down a couple of days ago to meet with her friend, Debbie, who lives in Tampa.  She drove over to Lakeland (our house) and the two of us took off for some Lakeland site-seeing!

We began at Florida Southern College and the Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.

This fountain was designed by FLW.  We were lucky to have someone take our picture!

We had a guided tour of the Visitor Center (which is a renovated Sears Kit house),

and then the FLW Usonian House.  Paul was our Docent/Tour Guide and he was great. 

The Usonian House from the porch of the Visitor Center.

Frank was only 5'7" but was quite the ladies man (we were told).

He had three wives and a girlfriend who was murdered by one of his workers.

I should look for a biography - sounds interesting!

Caught this photo of some pretty flowers growing over the fence.

I have no idea what they are - not a plant person - but there are pretty! 

Lots of glass (and no window coverings!) in FLW's designs.

Colored glass is used throughout his designs.

Very minimalistic designs. Those shelves are not wide enough or tall enough

for books.  He liked horizontals and no clutter.

The fireplace and bench in the living room.

The chair was actually somewhat comfortable. I sat in it for awhile.

Interesting chess set...

Next, we went to the museum.  I got to introduce Myra to many

of my former co-workers and she got to see where my office was.

Then we went to Hollis Gardens. It was a rainy day and by the time

we got to the gardens, we were hungry. The Garden Bistro was closed

for summer vacation (disappointed) so we went to the downtown Crispers

for lunch, then we headed back home.  I wanted her to get back on the road to Tampa

before the rush hour, so she was on her way by around 3:00 pm.

Myra is so much fun, she is very interested in everything around her, and
she is as genuine in person as she is in her blog.  I have never been
disappointed when meeting blogging friends in person!

Wednesday evening, I made some pizzelles and was able to send

some back to the hotel with her.  Hope she liked them!!

So happy Friday!  It will be hard to top my Thursday but we have doctor appointments today and I am also having lunch with my girlfriends, Shirley and Cindee!  

Thanks for your visit!!  Peace & hugs!!