Whimsical Fashion Spree 2023...

 

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

Check out the dress and pick the purse that best matches the gown.

It is all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

Photos are from The Storybook of Dreams and Beuty.

I think this dress is so pretty.  I have no place to ever wear a dress like this but if I did, this would be in the dressing room with me!!  LOL  Which purse goes best?  Count down 1-2-3 and let us know!!  It is all for fun and just a whimsical thing!!

My thoughts:  I gave my thoughts away above.  As for the purses, I like them all but will choose #3 and hope it also has a handle hidden inside.  What do you think?

Peace and hugs!

Hurricane update:  Lakeland made it through Idalia okay. We had heavy rains and some gusty winds but no loss of power and no damage here or reported elsewhere locally.  Not so lucky were the folks on the Gulf Coast and across the panhandle into Georgia. Prayers for all who had damage or loss and thanks to those who offered prayers for all of us!    

A Wednesday Hodgepodge Archive...

 Joyce isn't doing a Hodgepodge this week because of a death in their family.  Heartfelt sympathy for them.  I decided to go back to the infamous 2020 for a Hodgepodge archive to post.  Life was just opening up again in August.  I didn't change anything...

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

The Wednesday Hodgepodge...

 

Thanks to Joyce for today's Hodgepodge! You can join the fun right HERE!

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 383

1. The Hodgepodge lands on National Dog Day this year (August 26th). Do you own a dog? Did you have a dog when you were growing up, or maybe some other kind of pet? Would you say you're more of a dog person or a cat person? Neither is okay too : )  We had a dog when I was growing up named Happy.  I had a collie during my first marriage and two cats.  We had to give up the cats when we moved to the DC area but kept the dog, Sarge.  My ex got custody of Sarge.  Joe and I have had cats (plural) here in Florida for the last 30 years.  We both love dogs too, but our lifestyle (working full time) kept us from getting a dog. Now, with three cats to care for, we just enjoy our friends' and neighbors' dogs.

2. Last time you felt 'dog tired'?  These days, staying at home with nothing special to do makes me dog tired.  Just going to the grocery perks me up!  LOL

3. It's said you can't teach an old dog new tricks. When did you last prove this idiom true or prove it wrong?  Well, I am old but do learn new things fairly quickly. I don't have a specific example to write about - who has done anything new these past five months? - but I am pretty good with techie things and am also good at putting things together, etc.  That might change in ten years...

4. A favorite book, television show, or movie featuring a dog. Why did you love it?  I loved watching Lassie on TV when I was a kid.  Lassie was smart and loved Timmy. These days, I don't really seek out movies or books with dogs in them.  So many of them have the dog die during the story and that always breaks my heart.

5. Last time you had reason to (literally or figuratively) exclaim 'hot diggity dog'?  When our church opened its doors to in-person worship again I was thrilled!

6.  Insert your own random thought here.  Joe is doing well with his tooth extractions. The bleeding has stopped and there isn't pain.  He said the numbing needles hurt worse than his gums did.  Guess I have that to look forward to...

Happy Hump Day!

Peace & hugs!  God bless!!

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Just a note that I am posting this at 9:00 pm on Tuesday.  So far, Idalia has just dropped some rain and it is very quiet out there right now.  Landfall is still supposed to be around 1:00 a.m. so we have more rain coming.  Thankfully for us, the cone has moved farther north, but we are on the backside which can spawn tornadoes.  Being watchful.  Hope all is well for my friends in the path.  I am off work today but back tomorrow.

Tuesday 4...

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

Toys

 Hello. It's time for Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.  I hope you are enjoying them.  I welcome ideas for questions or themes, so feel free to let me know.

Could we talk about toys?  Toys are important to children and sometimes to adults as well.   There are memories tied up with toys we loved, toys we miss having in our lives.  We found comfort in them, excitement with them and just fun times over all.

1. What was your favorite all time toy?  Books.  I liked to read.  

2. What kind of toys did you enjoy growing up?  Books.  I had a Barbie and made clothes and furniture for her but I like to read.  I had oil paints and like painting.  I painted dogs on velvet and sold them for $10.00!  Here is a very faded one.  This is 57 years old.  My grandpa did all the frames for me.

3.  I think certain bric a brac in the home could be a kind of grown up's toy.  What is in your home just purely to make you happy?  My entire home makes me happy.  I have lots of bric a brac but, seriously, if it all went away it would be okay.  I enjoy my art pieces and the photographs on my walls. It all makes home, home and the entire package makes me happy.

4.What games were your favorites and do you still play any games?  We played Monopoly a lot in my younger years.  My folks had my aunt & uncle and cousins for NY Eve and we kids played Monopoly until the ball dropped.  I am not excited about games but enjoy the camaraderie around the table playing whatever.

Peace and Hugs!

Holy, Holy, Holy...

Monday's Weekend Recap...

 

The week and weekend sure went fast!!  I was kind of dreading last week because of taking care of the boss's cats while they were on vacation.  I was happy to do it and love their fur babies but they have a security system and their house is in a remote location (but close to the office).  I was more apprehensive than dreading it.  And one of the cats is 20 years old and needs medicine each day.  After I got into the rhythm of it - getting up earlier and getting home a little later - all was well and it did go by quickly.  Samantha did fine letting me do the medicine and all but one of the cats allowed me to engage with them.  They got home early evening on Saturday and I breathed a sigh of relief.  Whew.

I was invited to have pizza Friday evening with Cheryl's son and his family!! If you missed last week's posts, Cheryl's son and family moved to Lakeland.  Cheryl is a long-time blogging friend (Sunlit Pathway) and we have visited in person 4-5 times over the years.  They are a very sweet family of eight!!  AND I got to meet their pets.  Three cats, a dog, and a few reptiles including a bearded dragon and a snake.  It was a fun evening!  I think they were impressed that I wasn't afraid of the reptiles, and I showed them the picture of me holding an alligator!!

After I got home Saturday morning from taking care of the cats, I started cleaning my house. It needed some attention. Got that done by around noon and it felt good to have accomplished something.

Sunday school and church are always good.  Sunday is my laundry day so I got that started and finished.  

Now we, here in Florida, are watching the next storm, Idalia, heading our way.  Right now the track just misses Lakeland but the track can change in a minute so I will do some grocery shopping after work today.  I hope it isn't too bad because I have my pre-op appointment on Thursday for my cataract surgery the following week.  I also have a haircut appointment and a couple of luppers (late lunch/early supper) scheduled with friends.

Peace & Hugs!

Your love surrounds me

In the eye of the storm

Sunday Stealing...

 Thanks to Bev for today's questions!  Join in HERE!

Sunday Stealing - Animal Questions

Funny questions about animals, from Swap Bot

1. If animals could talk, which one do you think would complain the most about their day?  Definitely the cats! LOL

2. What do you think cats dream about during their epic naps?  An open can of tuna.

3. If squirrels organized an Olympics, what events would they have?  Stowing acorns; Sprinting in Front of Cars; Tree Climbing; Breaking into Bird Feeders...

4. Do you think penguins ever get jealous of birds that can fly?  No. Penguins can swim!

5. If animals had their own social media, what kind of posts would we see from them?  How to beg for food; How to elude the clippers; How to hide from the vacuum...

6. What would be the title of the autobiography of a lazy house cat?  I'm So Misunderstood!

7. If you had to choose an animal to be your personal bodyguard, which one would you pick? A German Shepherd.

8. Do you think dogs secretly judge us for not being able to sniff out everything they can?  Probably.

9. If animals could wear clothes, which animal would have the best fashion sense?  Cats because they would only please themselves, not others.

10. If a group of owls started a band, what would their music style be?  A quiet jazzy hooting style with other night birds as background.

11. What do dolphins think when people swim with them?  They are entertained by our clumsy attempts to engage them.

12. What do you think squirrels gossip about when they chatter to each other in the trees?  I am sure it is all about food.  That's what I chatter about!  LOL

13. If elephants played hide-and-seek, where do you think they'd hide?  It would have to be in caves, behind mountains or buildings. They could also lie down and look like a rock.

14. What do you imagine a llama would say if you asked it about the meaning of life?  He would probably just spit at me.

15. If you could swap places with any animal for a day, which one would it be, and why?  I would swap with a cat because I would love to know what they are thinking, even for just ten minutes.

Peace and hugs!!

All creatures of our God and king

Lift up your voices and with us sing

Alleluia, alleluia

The Saturday 9...

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

My Sharona

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 to answer the questions, however, and here is today's questions!

Saturday 9: My Sharona (1979)

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

 

1) The Knack's lead singer Doug Fieger wrote this song for his girlfriend, Sharona Alperin. That's Sharona on the record sleeve shown here. Who took the most recent photo of you?  The waitress at Romeo's where I had pizza with my blogging friend, Cheryl, and her family last week.

2) Today Sharona Alperin is a realtor in Southern California. (The photo on her website is more demure than the record sleeve.) She specializes in high-end properties. Have you ever attended an open house, not because you were interested in purchasing the property but because you were curious about the inside?  I love crashing open houses and I also enjoy home tour events. 

3) Doug Fieger's brother is Geoffrey Fieger, a prominent attorney in Detroit. Have you ever consulted a lawyer?  Several times, most recently for my friend, Helen's, estate.

 

4) The Knack's record producer was Jimmy Miller, who also worked with The Rolling Stones. What's your favorite Rolling Stones song?  I have always been a Rolling Stones fan and have to say Satisfaction, Jumpin' Jack Flash, oh... and then there is Paint It Black, Brown Sugar...

 

5) In 1994, more than a decade after its initial release, "My Sharona" became popular with a new audience because it was included on the soundtrack of the movie Reality Bites. What's the most recent movie you watched?  I don't even remember the last one I saw at the theater (before covid) but I watched Moonstruck on TV not too long ago.

6) President George W. Bush said he loved listening to "My Sharona" on his headphones while riding his bike. Do you often have music on when you exercise?  Laughing hysterically...

 
7) In 1979, when this song was popular, the CBS TV show Alice was a hit. It was about a widowed mom who made ends meet working in a diner. Have you ever worked at a restaurant?  Ice cream parlor, but not a restaurant.

 

8) Also in 1979, the Voyager spacecraft sent back photos of Jupiter and its rings. Without looking it up, can you name all the planets in our solar system?  Not in order, but Earth, Mercury, Mars, Uranus, Saturn, Venus, Jupiter, and Neptune.  I think that's it.

9) Random question: If you could erase your most painful day from your memory, would you do it?  No.  Those days helped me grow and strengthen my faith. 

Peace & Hugs

Who holds our faith when fears arise? 

Who stands above the stormy trial? 

Who sends the waves that bring us nigh? 

Unto the shore, the rock of Christ.

Friday Fotos...

 

Not much new to share but I took a few photos...

The Mas Verde group went to Plaza Mexico last night.  It was good and 
the company was great, as always.

After dinner, I popped into Dollar Tree for some greeting cards.

Back at home, I don't think I've shared my ceramic CAT teapots before.

I bunched them together for the picture.

Here is another teapot and an antique cookie jar.  It was a gift many years ago.

This a photo of Joe's parents' Meat Market.  That's his mom and dad

standing in front of the door, along with the family Dalmatian, Jack.

Sorry for the glare on the glass...

My Uncle Jim took a picture of the picture and made a wooden meat market.

My cousin, Patti, found the little dolls and made the aprons for them.

She also found the little dog.  So creative and a gift we both loved/love so much!

Here they are together on the shelf in my living room.

A keepsake for all time.

Peace and hugs!

 All hail the power of Jesus' name!
Let angels prostrate fall.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all!

Whimsical Fashion Spree 2023...

 

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

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

It is all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

Photos are from The Storybook of Dreams and Beauty.

This dress is from 1955.  Those were the days (I was only three)!  That said, count down 1-2-3 and tell us which of these more modern shoes you like for the dress.

My thoughts:  I am happy to wear slacks most of the time but I really do kind of miss wearing a dress now and then.  It wasn't that long ago that I wore pantyhose, heels, and suits/dresses to work every day.  When I was in school, girls had to wear skirts/dresses.  We couldn't wear slacks.  That was our dress code through my senior year.  I won't give up slacks but it is nice to see dresses making a bit of a come-back.  I will choose #1 for the lower heel.  What are your thoughts?

Peace and hugs!

It was good for our mothers.

It was good for our mothers.

It was good for our mothers.

And it's good enough for me.

The Wednesday Hodgepodge...

Thanks to Joyce for today's Hodgepodge!  You can be a Hodgepodger HERE! 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 517

1. What's your earliest memory?   I have a few early memories but one that stands out was when I was 4 0r 5 years old and happened upon a wasp nest.  I got a dozen or so stings on my face.  Our doctor made a house call and told my mom to dab toothpaste on the stings.  I remember the wasps, Dr. Peyton's visit, and the toothpaste on my face.  I am allergic to wasp stings now.  My reactions to each one is a little worse than the last so I do my best to stay away from wasps.

2. What's something about you today that the old you would find surprising?  I'm a lot more confident than I used to be, I think.  I am also stronger than a younger me could understand.

3. Do you like to fish?  I do not like to fish.  I grew up in a fishing family but I was the baby-sitter for my two younger sisters.  Our summer vacations were always fishing vacations.  My dad, mom, and brother loved fishing.  I did have to help clean the fish and could filet like a pro!  Are you a fish eater?  I am, indeed.  Favorite fish (to eat)?  I like a mild white fish but really prefer shrimp, crab legs, scallops, and lobster.  Favorite way to prepare fish?  Breaded and fried, or grilled.  I cook salmon for myself in a skillet with just olive oil or butter until it flakes apart nicely.  Yum.

4. What's your biggest first world problem?  When there is no internet, perhaps.

5. What one word would you use to describe your year thus far?  Blessed.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  Taking care of the boss's cats has been fun.  They are sweet girls and the shy girl, Cinderella, comes to me for attention now.  Lil'bit gets on my lap. Spooky likes me to play with her and her feather toy, and Samantha, who is 20 years old and not doing well, meows at me, eats like a champ and goes back to bed. FOUR litter boxes.  Back when we had five cats, I had one very large litter box fashioned from a big storage box.  I cleaned it out twice a day and it worked fine.  Now I have two regular boxes for my two boys.  You just have to keep them scooped out.

Peace & Hugs!!

Though I may not see what the future brings, 

I will watch and wait for the Savior King. 

Then my joy complete, standing face to face 

In the presence of the Ancient of Days.

The Tuesday 4 and a little more...

 Thanks to Annie for today's Tuesday 4!!  You can join in HERE!

Summertime Easy Living?

 Hey! Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 where we ask just 4 questions each week to give you something to blog about, something to think about and a reason to visit other blogs!

♫Summer time and the living is easy says the song.  So how is summer going for you? Let's talk about it.....

1. How has it been so far?  HOT!!  Made me giggle!!  

2. What have you been doing this summer?  Staying in where the AC is on!

3. What are you going to do? Any plans?  Other than the same old, same old, I have no plans until the end of September.  Hopefully it will be cooler by then!

4. It's been hot in most of the country but here on the Jersey coast it's been perfect so far. Not too hot, not too cool but just right with breezes.   How are you weathering the heat. Any tips on staying  cool on hot, humid days?  Clothing, food, drinks, fans, air conditioning? Let us know your secrets to keeping cooler.  As mentioned above, I stay inside where the AC works.  Nothing outside at all until the humidity goes away and the temps come down some. 

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I have something to share that kind of blew me away yesterday.  After spending some time with my boss's cats after work, making the office bank deposit, and then doing a quick run through Winn Dixie, I had to go to Helen's bank with some papers I had to fill out for the investments.  I was tired, had groceries sitting in the hot car and walked into the bank, which is usually empty, to every seat taken in the waiting area and every office with people in them.  I just needed to drop off papers!! Fortunately, a staff person came up to me and asked if she could help.  YES... please just give this to Elizabeth, which she did and out the door I went.

I was checking emails later, at home, and found this from someone I didn't know and almost didn't open.  I am leaving her name off because I didn't ask permission to use it...

JG

4:32 PM

Hi Terry,
My name is J and I live in Winter Haven (next town over). I have enjoyed reading your 

blog for a few years now. Today I was at Truist Bank in Lakeland and I recognized you 

iimmediately!  I feel like I saw a celebrity!  Truly!!

I would have introduced myself but my husband and I were in a meeting with 

a bank associate. Anyway, I was thrilled to have recognized you. 

Your blog is so personal and well written that I feel like I know you, 

funny how that works. Next time! 
Take care,
JG

I sent her an email and she responded and agreed that we should probably try to meet in person one of these days.  She doesn't blog but shared a little about herself.  I have never had anything like this happen before.  I certainly have never been called a celebrity!!  Too funny and it is a small world!!  I believe paths cross for a reason.  Thanks for touching base JG!!

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PS:  Mammogram results hit My Chart already and I am good to go for another year, Praise God!

Peace & Hugs!

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow...

Monday's Weekend Recap...

 

I had a great weekend and have some photos to share!!

I met my friend, Shirley, for lunch on Friday after work.  We had Chinese food at Peking House.  It is the only Chinese restaurant around that has a nice dining room.  Most are storefronts in shopping centers with one or two tables to sit at while you wait for your carry-out food.  I am sorry I didn't get pictures from Friday.  This is from their website...

I left home around 9:15 for the two-hour ride down to Punta Gorda on Saturday morning.  It is a nice drive down Route 17.  There isn't much traffic and the road is easy to drive on.  I arrived a few minutes before my granddaughter, Lauren.  She has a shorter drive, but still a bit more than an hour.  I feel so blessed that she wants to spend a good part of her Saturday now and then with her grandma.  

I had the shrimp with spicey rum sauce, rice, and veggies.  Lauren had an Asian tuna wrap with fresh fruit. We were both happy!

We sat talking for a good bit.  The waitress came by and asked if we wanted dessert.  Lauren's eyes lit up so we, of course, said yes to the Mud Pie.  We did share it...

Saturday evening, I was so happy to meet up with blogging friend, Cheryl (Sunlit Pathway) and her hubby, son, daughter-in-law, and SIX grands. The kids are all lovely!  Smart, artistic, interesting.  I so enjoyed the couple of hours we spent over yummy pizza!!  Cheryl is one of my few blogging friends left who was on the Multiply platform with me before it was canceled and we moved to Blogspot.  I think we connected back there in 2007 or so.  I remember when the grands were little and a couple of them just born!  We decided they have visited us here in Lakeland four times (two while Joe was alive) and Saturday makes five!  Now that the kids live here in Lakeland, we might lose count of the visits going forward!!  They will be back in January and Cheryl and I talked about visiting Pamela in Interlachen while they are here.  Take note, Pam!!

Sunday school and church yesterday.  I went up to my boss's house mid-afternoon to attend to their cats. Three of them were happy to see me.  There was good interaction, purrs, and fun.  One of the furbabies is very shy.  I saw her glowing eyes in the back of the closet.  That was it for her.  Maybe she will warm up in a couple of days. We had rain off and on all afternoon but it is needed.

Today, I have my annual mammogram at 7:15 (Yawn).  I will visit the cats before going to the office and again after work.  I need to drop papers off at Helen's bank and I need to stop at Winn Dixie for a few things.  A busy day but my happy place will be waiting for me at home!! 

Thanks for your visit!!  Have a blessed week ahead!!

Peace & Hugs!

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee 
God of glory, Lord of love 
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before 
Thee Op’ning to the sun above