The Wednesday Hodgepodge...

Joyce is our hostess and you can join in HERE!  Thank you, Joyce!! 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 475

1. Something you've labored over recently?  Finances.

2. How will you rest on Labor Day?  I have to work in the morning. My job has no benefits so I work on holidays.  It's all okay. I will be lazy when I get home!  It is also Joe's birthday, so I will be thinking of him celebrating in Heaven.

3. Margaret Mead is quoted as saying, "I learned the value of hard work by working hard." Would you agree?  Yes.  Well said. Where and how did you learn the value of hard work?  I grew up in a hard-working family, big on DIY, and was 13 when I had my first babysitting job that lasted the entire summer.  

4. It's National Eat Outside Day (August 31st). Will you? No!  Do you enjoy dining 'al fresco' or prefer indoor seating?  Totally depends on the weather. It is still much too hot to sit outside here in Florida.

5. Somehow it's the end of August. What was the best day of the month for you and tell us what made it so?  On Saturday, August 13th, I had lunch with my sweet granddaughter down in Punta Gorda.  It is always a "best day" when I get to spend time with one of the grands!

6. Insert your own random thought here.  Casper's former family members came to visit him last night.  They spent nearly an hour so we got to visit for a while. Casper was a good boy and they were happy to see how happy he seemed.  The woman who lives here in Lakeland is a hairdresser and I made an appointment with her in a couple of weeks!!  I'm looking for someone new (and now I hope she works out for me!).  She works at one of the fancier places (Mirabella's Hair Salon) and she knows the barber, Teena, who Joe and I used to see.  The two women are sisters and one lives in North Carolina but is here through the end of the year.  They are getting their mother's affairs straightened out and said things are falling into place fairly well. Their mom's death was sudden and not expected.  She was 87 but still self-sufficient and had just been shopping two days before she died.  We just never know, do we (statement, not a question).

Peace & hugs!

God's love is steadfast and unchanging!

-------------------------------------------

PS:  I stopped to see Helen after I had lunch with my boss and our friend, Wendy.  Lunch was so fun!  Helen was in her room, in her chair sleeping when I arrived, a little later than usual.  I spoke and touched her leg.  She looked at me and went right back to sleep.  I checked her bathroom for supplies and noticed her laundry had been done.  Her bed was made and all looked in order.  I snapped a picture...

 Thanks to Annie for today's Tuesday 4!!  Join in HERE!

Tuesday 4

Just four questions weekly

Summertime and the Living is Easy?

 

Well, we hope it's easy anyway.

Welcome back to Toni's Tuesday 4!   Always good to have you here. Let's concentrate on the little bit of summer left, shall we?  We need to enjoy every season to the fullest I  believe.. what say you? Not much more of summer left so we better enjoy it while it lasts.

1. What do you like to do in the summer?  In Florida, most of us stay inside, out of the heat, from mid-May to mid-September.  Our outdoor fun starts in October!!

2. What is your favorite summertime food and beverage?  I drink iced tea (sweetened with stevia) year-round. As for food, quick and easy.  No real "favorites".

3. How do you beat the heat?  See #1.  I stay inside or in the air-conditioned car.  Even going to the pool doesn't cool you off.  Even going to the beach doesn't cool you off. We wait for October!!

4. What do you really like about the summer season? We must get through it to get to October!!

Peace & hugs!!

“What dreadful hot weather we have! 

It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance.” – Jane Austen

PS:  Casper's family members couldn't come yesterday afternoon, after all.  They will try to come another day this week. They are getting their mom's things squared away and had to go to the bank, the last minute. I understand.

Monday's Weekend Recap...

 

Well, I made it to Monday again!  Here it is, the last Monday in August.  Hard to wrap my head around how fast this year is going.

Backing up to Thursday, when I was getting ready to leave work at 1:00, my boss and another co-worker were heading out to lunch.  They asked if I wanted to go too.  I said yes!  I followed in my car, since they were headed to The Egg Factory which is on my way home.  It was a fun time and I was happy to eat at a new-to-me restaurant.  My omelette was so big I took half of it home for breakfast the next morning.

The Mas Verde group went to Ford's Garage Thursday night.  I picked up Donna, who lives a few streets over from me.  She said she will drive next time.  (She lost her hubby a month after I lost Joe.)  It is always fun to eat out with neighbors who are also friends.

This is Donna, in the white shirt.
Our friend, Jill, is in the turquoise t-shirt.

Friday went fast.  I stopped at Publix for a few things I still needed for my little dinner party on Saturday.  I skipped stopping to see Helen. I will see her tomorrow after work and lunch with friends. Just an aside, the music therapist called me to let me know she saw Helen and tried to engage her.  She asked my blessing to stop seeing Helen.  She said Helen doesn't seem to respond at all.  Of course I told her it was fine.  I understand.

On Saturday, I did some cleaning and got things ready for dinner with my boss, Danon, his wife and our mutual friend, Monika.  We had a fun time, played my Aggravation marble game (two games) had dessert and then they left around 8:30.  I had made a little video to show them and they gave me permission to post it on Facebook so most of you probably saw it.  I am having fun with the Revive app that does all the animation and music.  I can't get it to show up here. Crazy Blogger!  This is the picture...

Yesterday was Sunday school and church.  As per my usual, I did some laundry when I got home. I had enough leftovers for my dinner which was great!  

Today, Casper's former family members are coming by to see him this afternoon.  I also want to mention that I lost my younger brother, Randy, to his 7-year battle with cancer, on this day in 2003.  It is sure hard to believe he has been gone almost 20 years. 

Thanks for coming by!! Y'all bless me by your friendship here and I appreciate that you leave a message when you visit. I hope you all have a blessed week ahead!!

Peace & hugs!

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!!

Sunday Stealing...

Thanks to Bev for today's Sunday meme!!  You can join in HERE! 

Upstream Life

 

 

Hi! I'm your host Bev Sykes of the blog "Funny the World". . Welcome to Sunday Stealing.  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. Cheers to all of us thieves.

 

 

Stolen from Upstream Life

 

 

 

 

1. Your favorite sport. Figure skating (I don't really have a favorite without Joe
to watch with).

2. A quote to live by. Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come 
to you without leaving happier.  -Mother Teresa

3. A city in the US you would like to move to.  I already did.  Lakeland, FL.

4. 3 beautiful little things in your life. Not little... faith, family, friends!!

5. What made you laugh today?  Casper!! He puts his nose in my business worse
than Vinny ever has!! 

6. A good deed you did today.  Gave some more money to Publix. LOL

7. Activities you like to do when you are bored.  Read. Watch TV. 

8. Are you a procrastinator?  (Snorting!) Call me queen!!

9. Your thoughts about dying.  I'm not afraid. I am ready but would like
maybe 10 more good years!!

10. What superpower would like to have?  I'm too old to have a superpower!

11. Top 3 Netflix series.  Somebody Feed Phil; Sweet Magnolias; Lilyhammer!!

12.  Things you want to do before you die.  Eat more crab legs; leave people
smiling; and finally clean the baseboards!!  (winking)

13. Your biggest fears.  I am respectfully fearful of fire, BIG water/waves, and
people who just don't get it.

14. What makes you angry?  People who just don't get it.

15. Do you listen to podcasts?  No, and for the same reason I can't do audio-
books.  I stop paying attention after five minutes.

Peace & hugs!

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

The Saturday 9...

Thanks to Crazy Sam for today's questions!  You can join in HERE! 

She's in Love with the Boy

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! 

 

She's in Love with the Boy (1991)

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

1) This song tells the story of Katie and Tommy. She waited for him to pull up in his beat-up Chevy truck. Tell us about your wheels.  I have a silver 2017 Ford Escape.

 

2) Katie and Tommy stay out until 12:30 AM. What time did you go to bed last night?  9:30

3) The lyrics tell us, "What's meant to be will always find a way." Do you agree?  I believe that God is in control and is directing my life, so yes, I will eventually hear what He is saying and find His way to get where I am supposed to be.  It's not that simple, but yes.

4) This was the first big hit for Trisha Yearwood. While she's found her greatest success in music, she's also written top-selling cookbooks. Are you a better singer or cook?  Definitely a better cook!! 

5) Trisha also appeared in six episodes of the TV drama, JAG. She played a medical examiner and forensic pathologist, which means her character had a medical degree and (at least) one year of additional training. That's (at least) five extra years of higher education. Do you enjoy taking classes?  No. Not anymore.  I am always happy to learn new things but I don't want to sit in a classroom anymore.

6) In real life, Trisha earned a degree in Business Administration before going into music. She uses what she learned in school, keeping a close eye on her finances and those of her superstar husband, Garth Brooks. She says she likes and trusts the people hired to their money, "but I check on them." Do you keep a careful eye on where your money goes?  Pretty much and it can be terrifying. I am working again because I have to, not because I want to.  It will all work out though. I am blessed.

 

7) In 1991, when this song was popular, Dances with Wolves was a hit in the theaters. Have you seen it?  Yes, I have seen it.  It is a beautiful movie but I can't watch the wolf being killed.  

8) Also in 1991, Seinfeld was a big deal on the small screen. It's still popular in syndication on cable channels and on streaming services. Do you more often watch broadcast TV or streaming/on-demand channels?  I rarely have regular broadcast TV on anymore.  I stream and stream and stream...

9) Random question: Have you ever gone a day without laughing?  Joe could always make me laugh.  There are days that I probably don't laugh out loud since he died, but I do giggle at the funnies in the paper and at silly things on TV.  My co-workers are all fun, too, and can make me laugh. Life was a lot more fun with Joe though, that's for sure.

Peace & hugs!

Job 8:21: “He will once again fill your mouth with 

laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.”

No Friday Fotos...

 

I haven't taken one new photo this week so I'm not even going to share something old this time.  Dinner out last night was fun.  Donna rode to Ford's Garage with me. Next week we are going to Shell's and that is always a favorite for me.  

I will see Helen after work today.  Tomorrow the boss, his wife, and Monika are coming for dinner so I will be cleaning a bit and prepping dinner. We always have a good time.

I am glad it is Friday and I wish you all a blessed weekend!!

Peace & hugs!

Jesus, my hope and salvation!!

Whimsical Fashion Review 2022...

 

There isn't a linky and there aren't any rules.

Check out the dress and pick the shoes you like best for the model.

It is all in fun and just a whimsical thing!

Photos are from the Storybook of Dreams & Beauty.

This one is pretty and elegrant.  Silvery gray...  Count down 1-2-3 and tell us which shoes she should wear (and why).

My thoughts:  I would like it better in a different color but the dress is beautiful.  I couldn't wear any of the shoes but will pick #1 for the model.  What are your thoughts?

Peace & Hugs!

My hope is always in Almighty God!

The Wednesday Hodgepodge...

Joyce is our Hodgepodge hostess, and you can join in HERE.  Thanks, Joyce!! 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 474

1. August 24th is National Waffle Day...what's something you've 'waffled' on recently?  I don't usually waffle on things so can't think of a thing.

2. Do you like waffles? Yes.  Make your own or 'leggo my Eggo?  Eggos are okay now and then.  Joe loved them more than I do.   I have a waffle maker but haven't used it in a long time.  Any favorite toppings or add-ins?  Blueberries are good.  Lots of butter and syrup.  Waffles or pancakes-which do you prefer?   I like pancakes better but, truth be told, I would rather have hashbrowns or homefries as my breakfast starch.  Once in a while, pancakes are good.

3. Do you have any mementos from this summer (or past summers)? What do you do with them?  I quit collecting travel things years ago and just take photos now.  I like having photos of places I've gone and who was also there.

4. One thing you'd like to do before summer ends?  Not a thing I can think of.  I'm looking forward to the D'Orsaneo reunion in October.

5. Life is too short to have regrets. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  I met my new across-the-street neighbors today!  Their furniture arrived and we were all outside at the same time.  Dee and Bill are not snowbirds.  They have been in Florida a long time, having lived in the Villages for 14 years and then in a community over in Winter Haven.  They wanted to move to Lakeland and liked Mas Verde.  I invited them to join in on Thursdays for dinner.  Dee said not this week but it sounds fun so next week.  Their dog is Princess.  My cats are bigger than Princess but she is very cute.

Peace & hugs!

My God is so amazing!!

The Tuesday 4...

Thanks to Annie for today's questions!  Join in here!

Tuesday 4

Just four questions weekly

House and Home

 Hello and welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4

Let's share our home secrets with one another.   Maybe you have some ideas other ladies would love to hear about.

1.   What household tool or appliance do you rely on a lot?  My stick vacuum cleaner.  It is quick to use and picks up cat hair, cat litter, and cat treat crumbs.

2.   Which laundry detergent, fabric softener, and dish detergent work best for you?  I use Purex laundry detergent. Love it. I don't use fabric softener but do use dryer sheets (whatever is on sale). Dawn dish detergent.

3.   What soap do you like to use?  Dove bar soap. Where do you have soap in your home... bathroom, kitchen, shower?  Yes.

4.   What is the secret to a clean home in your opinion?  Hiring someone else to do it!!

Peace & hugs!

Proverbs 10:4 Lazy hands make for poverty, 

but diligent hands bring wealth.

Monday's Weekend Recap...

Gosh, the weekend just flew by and the only place I went was to church!

After work on Friday, I stopped to see Helen.  She was still in the dining room, at her table alone. That seems to be her "safe" place.  I wheeled her to her room, but she didn't want to stay there so back to the dining room we went.  I stopped at a different table and sat down there with her and she just wanted to go back to her table.  When her wheelchair is against the wall and the table is pulled up to the arms of her chair, she can't get up or get out and I think she, perhaps, just feels secure there.

Saturday morning, I got up and fed the cats and then had some breakfast myself.  I headed outside around 9:30 to do some outside cleaning.  My trashcans were FILTHY.  I got the hose and some strong cleaner and went to work on them with a scrub brush I have with a long handle.  Turned them upside down in the sun to dry out.  I also hosed off the grill cover and the stacking chair cover.  I need to hire a pressure washer for the outside of the house.  It needs to be done a couple of times a year and one of those times is now.

Clean trash & recycle cans!
And that is my one live plant. Aloe. I water it once a month

I got a shower when that was finished.  My sweet neighbor, Susan, brought over some fresh blueberries!  They are delicious!  I froze half of them and have been eating the rest with vanilla ice cream!  My ice cream bowl fits perfectly in the bowl cozy that Susan made/quilted and gave to me a month or so ago.  Isn't it patriotic and festive?  And it keeps my ice cream from melting so fast!

I finally got a nice picture of Casper.  He is getting used to our routines here and has actually been playing with Vinny now and then!  No tussles or hissing in the last few days!!

I went to Sunday school and church yesterday morning.  When I got home, I did some laundry and a little cleaning.  I made a taco salad for my dinner that was good if I do say so myself. And, of course, I will have it again tonight. Our two men, Michael and Elijah (father & son) got home from Poland on Thursday last week.  They told us about their trip with the medical supplies for Ukraine and showed us some pictures they took.  If I see them on our church website, I will share some with you. They thank all for your prayers.  The mission was successful.

My new neighbors have started to move in.  I haven't met them yet, but they have been moving carloads a couple of times each day and they have a little dog.  Hopefully, I will catch them outside one day this week and be able to say hello.  Susan met them last week and said she thinks their names are Dee and Bob. 

I spoke with my sister, Patti, on Saturday.  She had more tests yesterday morning and I got a text that she was being released.  Her heart is behaving and she has new meds to take. They told her she could go back to work today (teaching) but I told her to stay home and rest.  Not sure what she decided but I am so glad she got home!!  She is thankful for all the prayers and I thank those who prayed, too!

I also spoke with my son Joe and DIL Darlene.  The D'Orsaneos are having a reunion in October and we are working out getting up to Maryland to join in.  We may take the train (overnight). I only have a couple of days off (as usual) with the hours to make up, but it will sure be fun to see everyone together. Also bittersweet because Joe, Lou, and Nick are all gone now. Joe loved his family so very much and I know we will all be feeling the loss of the D'Orsaneo brothers. All the more important to be together and make new memories! 

A busy week ahead! Tomorrow our small group from church will meet at Olivia's for pizza.  Wednesday I am having lunch with my friend, Diana, and Thursday our Mas Verde 'gang' is going to Ford's Garage for dinner.  On Saturday, I am having my boss and his wife, and Monika for dinner. No menu yet, but Mali will only eat chicken so chicken it will be.  I might make that rice, broccoli, and chicken casserole that I did for the church group two weeks ago. Everyone liked it.  I may make a blueberry cobbler for dessert!  There... menu done! 

 

Peace & hugs!

Jesus loves us, this I know!

Sunday Stealing...

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

Friday Fill-in

 

 

Hi! I'm your host Bev Sykes of the blog "Funny the World". . Welcome to Sunday Stealing. 

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. Cheers 

to all of us thieves!

Stolen from Friday Fill-in

 

 

1.   I am currently obsessed with Everybody Loves Raymond & The Crown
2.  Today I am happy because  I have another day to rejoice and be glad!
3.  The age I am is  70  and the age I feel is  70.  
4.  My favorite place is my home.
5.  Something I have been procrastinating on is cleaning (always).
6.  The last thing I purchased was groceries.
7.  The thing I love most about my home is my happy place (my recliner).
8.  My most prized possession is my recliner!! LOL
9.  If I could be one age for the rest of my life, I would want to be  40.
10.  My outlook on life is optimistic and contented.
11.  If you want to annoy me, be late.
12.  I am completely defenseless when it comes to cats & dogs.
13. The bravest thing I’ve ever done was move to Florida without jobs!
14. Something that keeps me awake at night is can't think of a thing.

15. My favorite meal in the entire world is low country boil with crab legs &
shrimp, corn, potatoes, and sausage (and lots of melted butter).

Peace & hugs!

My God is true, living, and everlasting!

Saturday 9...

 Thanks to Crazy Sam for today's questions!!  You can join in by clicking HERE!

Jack and Diane

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! 

 

Jack and Diane (1982)

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

1) The video for this song features lots of snapshots. Do you have many physical photo albums? Or do you store your pictures digitally?  I got rid of photos and photo albums (gave some to my sister, Tammy).  I scanned most of them and prefer having them at hand and not taking up space in a closet or on a shelf.

 

2) This song tells the story of "two American kids growing up in the heartland." Young Jack dreams of being a football star. When you were in high school, did you fantasize about stardom?  No, not even a little. 

3) Diane wears Bobbie Brooks slacks (at least briefly). Bobbie Brooks is a popular brand at Walmart. If you had a $50 gift card for Walmart, would you be more likely to use it toward groceries, clothes, household items, or electronics?  It wouldn't go far in the electronics department.  I would most likely use it for groceries.

4) They go to the Tasty Freeze. If you were to run out for fast food right now, where would you go?  I wouldn't run out.  I would have something delivered but there are many restaurants and fast food options within five or ten minutes of my house.  China Wok and Domino's Pizza are two favorites (and they both deliver).  Right up the street is Chili's, Longhorn, Fish City Grill, Grillsmith, Crispers, Papas (Greek), Subway, Jersey Mike's, Abuelo's, Burger King, McDonald's... etc. 

5) When John Mellencamp made this record, he was known professionally as "John Cougar," a stage name suggested by his manager. He has said that adopting a stage name is something he regrets. Looking over your life, if you could take a "do over," what one thing would you like to do differently?  I've answered this many times and it will always be the same. I wouldn't change anything because the past has made me who I am today and I am content to be who I am and right where I am.  Yes, I made mistakes but I learned from them. Life is too short for regrets.

 
6) Even though he suffered a heart attack, John Mellencamp continues to smoke, admitting that nicotine is something he simply can't kick. Do you have a habit you wish you could break?  Eating carbs. I admit to the addiction.  Pasta, potatoes, rice... So hard to stop.

 

7) John's daughter Teddi was one of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. She went on to join the cast of Big Brother. Do you watch any reality shows?  First of all, the "reality" shows are all rehearsed so they aren't really reality.  I do enjoy Swamp People, The Voice, the HGTV makeovers, and some of the cooking shows.  It's all good entertainment.

8) In 1982, when this song was popular, William Windsor was born. He's better known by his job title. Without looking it up, do you know who he is?  I don't have to look it up.  Prince William is a Windsor.  I have been watching "The Crown" over the past couple of weeks.  My first time watching it and I am enjoying it.

 

9) Random question: What do you do when you can't sleep?  I rarely have trouble sleeping but when I do, I just read a bit more. Speaking of reading, I just finished "The 56" and enjoyed it immensely.  Not my usual entertaining Cozy Mystery but I learned a lot and feel humble before those men who gave so much for this country.

Peace & hugs!

God is true, living, and everlasting!

PS: If you will, please pray for my sister, Patti.  She is in the hospital with atrial fibrillation, probably from the immunotherapy she has been getting for the melanoma she had removed. There are many side effects from it and irregular heartbeat is one.  Hoping they get her back in sinus rhythm quickly.  Thank you!