Whimsical Fashion Fun...

 

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

Check out the coat and pick the shoes you think go best!

It is all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

Photos are from The Storybook of Dreams and Beauty!

A vintage coat for these chilly days!! Count down on the shoes, 1-2-3, and tell us which ones you like best for her trip into town for some holiday shopping...  I can remember when we got all dressed up to go shopping in the city.  It was a big deal!!

My thoughts:  Sorry the picture is a little blurry. Not sure why.  It must not be too cold since she doesn't have gloves on. Hopefully no snow, either.  I'm going to pick pair #1 today.  What are your thoughts?  

Peace and Hugs!

Wishing you a blessed day!

The SON is shining!!

The Wednesday Hodgepodge...

 A big thank you to Joyce for today's questions!  You can be a Hodgepodger HERE!

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 528

1. Does anybody really know what day it is? Last week we skipped the Hodgepodge and I just assumed this week would find us in December, but nope. Still November. Do you wear a watch?  Yes!  Use a paper calendar or strictly electronic? Both!  What's your favorite hour of the day? 7:00 pm  Why?  That time is random, but my favorite time of day is when I am done doing and can plant myself in my my happy place (recliner) in front of the TV, with laptop on my lap multi-tasking with all of you bloggers and whatever I'm streaming at the time.

2. Tell us something about how you celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday. Those who read my Monday recap already know, but I spent most of last week with my nephew's in-laws-to-be.  I had such a fun time seeing him, meeting Megan and her family, and spending time with my niece and her family, and my sister-in-law. I also got to meet my great-nephew for the first time.  He is 18 months old and is adorable!  On Friday, we went with the bride-to-be and her mom, sister, and matron of honor, to find a wedding dress!! She did and it is beautiful... I am not allowed to show you.

3. What's a sound you hate to hear? A baby crying; nails on a chalkboard; someone singing off-key...  my alarm clock!!

4. Where do you not mind waiting?  Oh, I am so impatient but am working on it. I do not like waiting so to pick something I don't mind waiting for... good food at a favorite restaurant, perhaps.  

5. I really wish we could shake Satan loose from the grip he has on too many people. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  I turned the heat on last night!  It is cold here in central Florida!  I'm looking forward to this cold front going away tomorrow!! 

Peace and Hugs!!

Have a blessed day!

The SON is shining!!

The Tuesday 4...

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

Hooray for Hollywood!

 Hello and welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

Hollywood magic is well named. In Druidism the holly and it's wood were used in magic. Magic wands were often made of holly wood.   Lightning will not strike holly so it is often planted next to homes to protect it. The word holly comes from the word holy and the holly tree was sacred in times past.  Today Hollywood still churns out 'magic' and 'spellbinding' displays as well as 'stars in the firmament' who entertain, mesmerize and influence us. 

Let's talk about it....

1.  Do you have a few favorite holiday movies you enjoy watching year after year?  There are probably 20 or so!!  Do you make some popcorn to eat while you watch movies at home? Popcorn sometimes but it is more likely to be ice cream or chips.

2.  Have you had a celebrity crush?  Not really a crush. Can we ask who it was?  Sam Elliott!! 

3.  Do you have  favorite actors/actresses whose movies you don't want to miss and what movie would you say is your all time favorite from those stars?  I always like Sandra Bullock, Kate Winslet, Audrey Hepburn... Fred Astaire, Sam Elliott... I can't name an all-time favorite. It just depends on my mood and the season!!

4. Have you met any famous Hollywood people in person or would you like to?  Just my cousin, Justin Chambers.  Why or why not?  He is family.  I don't really care about movie stars/famous Hollywood types. 

Peace and Hugs!!

Have a blessed day!

The SON is shining!!

Monday's Holiday and Weekend Recap...

Where to begin?!!  If you have been following me, you know that I was spending Thanksgiving with my nephew's future in-laws.  They live east of Orlando and I was invited to join everyone over there, Wednesday through Saturday, along with my sister-in-law, nephew, and my niece and her family.  It was wonderful being with family and meeting new family members (soon to be).  They were gracious and generous and I am so happy for Mike to be joining them and bringing them into our family circle.  Here are some highlights...

The table was set on the lanai for nine.

Nephew Mike and his mom, Jo Anne

Megan, the bride-to-be, creating a yummy 

charcuterie board for an appetizer.

The sweet couple...

My niece, Sara

Our host, carving the turkey that he fried in the backyard.  

It was delicious!

We gathered for a few group photos...

Our host and hostess, daughter Maddie, Megan, and Mike.

Aunt Terri with gr-nephew, E...

I don't post photos of him but thought I could do this

to document my first meeting with him.  Such a sweet boy!

And here is the family... Mike, Megan, Jo Anne, Little E, Matt, Sara, and Aunt Terri

Our meal was delicious and included turkey, ham, and every side dish you

could think of.  Serious food coma!! 

On Friday, we girls got to go wedding dress shopping with Megan!

I did a pinkie swear to never post the lovely dress she said YES to, 

but here are a couple of the ones she tried on.  She looked beautiful in each one, but

the one she settled on is perfection!

After the session, the bride-to-be took us all out for lunch.  Her sister, Maddie,

took this selfie of us...

On Saturday, we watched the Ohio State/Michigan football game before Jo Anne and I headed for Lakeland.  Ohio State lost big.  We were disgusted.  Megan graduated from Florida State and will be finishing her Master's Degree there, so everyone was happy for their win later in the day.

Jo Anne went to church with me yesterday and we went out for Greek food on the way home  She headed for St. Pete Beach where she booked a room to be closer to the airport for her flight home today.  Happy that all of the other travelers got home safely.  

It was a blessed holiday week/weekend.  I am way behind reading your posts and see that there are over 50 for me to look through. I won't be able to comment on all of them but will catch up!!

Peace and Hugs!

Wishing you a blessed day

The SON is shining!!

Monday's Weekend Recap...

My weekend was all about getting groceries, cleaning, and a project!!

On Saturday, I saw Teena for a haircut (MUCH needed) and then went grocery shopping.  Publix was very happy to see me.  I am not cooking for Thanksgiving, but did buy a 10 pound turkey and plan to roast it next week so I can make "leftovers".  Can't beat the prices for turkey right now.  I did stock up on some goodies to share with my company this week.

When I got home, I cleaned the guest room and bathroom, and got the bed made for Jo Anne.  She will arrive today about the time I get home from work.  I'm working eight hours today (and next Monday and Tuesday) to get my full 20 hours a week in.

A few weeks ago, I bought a pet door to put in my bedroom door.  When company comes, I can't close my bedroom door because the cats need access to the litter box in my bathroom. I also have dry food and a water bowl for them in my room.  It's not a big deal when family visits but I have friends coming after the holidays and I would like to be able to shut my door.  Long story shorter, Bill (across the street neighbor) told me he would install it for me so Saturday afternoon was the time.  It is SO CUTE and he got it done in about an hour.  I took these photos in a dark living room, with my bedroom light on...

The cats both went right through it and then spent way too much time challenging each other, one on one side of the door and one on the other side.  It has become a toy but I am very happy to be able to have my bedroom door shut when I have guests.  I can shut their door when I want the cats to stay in the room or out of the room but it will be open 99% of the time.

On Sunday, we didn't have Sunday school so I just went to church.  Lots of folks are traveling. We only had 64 for church.  We usually have 90-110.  When I got home, I did my laundry and finished cleaning the rest of the house.  Dusting , vacuuming, and mopping.  Done.  We are going out for dinner when Jo Anne gets here.

I am planning to take the week off from blogging but will have a good catch-up soon.  I will check in as I can.  I wish each of you a blessed Thanksgiving, however you are spending the holiday.  There is much to be thankful for.

Peace and Hugs!

The SON is shining!! 

Love one another!

Remembering My Mom's Birthday...

My mom was born on November 19, 1930.  Helen Louise Cameron graduated from high school in 1948, and married my dad in October 1949.  I was born in 1951, followed by Randy in three years, then Patti three years after Randy, and Tammy three years after Patti.  Tammy will tell you they stopped when they reached perfection. She will.

Mom was a stay-at-home mom until we were all in school.  She went to work for the United States Postal Service and was a substitute Post Master before she retired.  When a Post Master was on leave, Mom would go where needed for short assignments. When she retired from the USPS, she became the secretary at our Methodist church.  She also sang alto in the church choir.  

Mom played trumpet when she was in high school so I followed in her footsteps and so did my younger sister, Patti.  Mom kept in touch with her high school girlfriends throughout her life, even after moving away from her home town.  They got together now and then and had great fun.  Mom was an Avon Lady for years and years so we all grew up with Avon products around.  She was in the "President's Club" most of the years she sold Avon and had loyal customers. 

We lived in a small central Ohio town.  Everyone knew mom because of her work at the post office and church.  She was well loved by all.  She was in a "Mothers' Club", she was in a card club (they played Euchre once a month, rotating homes), she sang in the church choir and loved the Christmas cantatas.  She was always at our concerts, ball games, and made sure we all learned to swim and could explore our interests, like music and dancing lessons. 

Mom was a Girl Scout Leader and also in charge of the cookie sales.  I can still see stacks of boxes in our living room when all of the cookies got delivered.  They were 50 cents a box back then!  (I wasn't a Girl Scout but my sisters were.)

Homemade noodles. A pantry full of canned veggies from the garden. Vegetable soup.  Ham and beans with cornbread. Red velvet cake.  My mom could cook!!  Oh. My. Goodness.  She could cook!!

She was a crafting genius and could make something beautiful out of most anything.  She could sew and made most of our clothes. 

Mom had a huge heart. She loved the Lord and set a wonderful example for us with her faith in God.  She was always concerned for us above herself. Always.  After Dad died, she and three of her widow friends decided to travel some.  They did a road trip out west and they also went to Hawaii another year. 

I could go on and on.  Mom really was an angel on earth.  She had colon cancer and fought a painful battle that she lost at age 65, in 1995.  We lost her much too soon and I miss her still.  I will always miss her.

Joe loved my mom and told people often that his mother-in-law was an angel.

Happy birthday in Heaven, Mom. She would have been 93 today.

(I honored my dad on his Nov. 3rd birthday HERE, if you missed it.)

Peace and Hugs!

Love one another and have a blessed SONday!

Saturday 9...

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

Last Train to Clarksville

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 questions, however, and here are today's questions!

Saturday 9: Last Train to Clarksville (1966)

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

 

1) When did you most recently take a train?  I am guessing it was around 38 years ago when we took a train from D.C. to Harper's Ferry. It was just a day trip.  We loved going to Harper's Ferry and took the train one Saturday (I think with Jim and Elaine?). 

2) The lyrics promise "coffee-flavored kisses and a bit of conversation." Have you more recently had coffee, a kiss, or a chat? Definitely a chat. I went to a memorial gathering yesterday afternoon for my former neighbor. Sharon and Bob lived next door when we first moved to Mas Verde.  They sold their house to Susan and Chuck and moved to North Carolina.  They came back a few months ago and bought another home here in MV.  Bob got very sick and passed away before the renovations were done on their new home. Sharon decided to have the memorial for Bob on his birth date (11/17). It was well attended and there was lots of food from many who contributed. I made brownies for the dessert table.  I was able to chat with several of our snowbird friends who just got back. Sharon is doing okay. Her family is here.  She was born in Lakeland and graduated from Lakeland High School so it's good that they came back when they did. She has lots of support and help.

Moving day...

3) The record opens with a guitar riff inspired by The Beatles' "Day Tripper." Can you play guitar?  No.  I learned four or five chords back when I was in high school but it's been many years since I even held a guitar.

4) The lead vocals are performed by Micky Dolenz. He is the only surviving member of the Monkees. Without looking it up, can you name his bandmates?  Nope. Not without Google.  I was never a Monkees fan.

5) The Monkees starred in an award-winning sitcom for two seasons. In Season 2, Micky surprised fans by appearing with a curly perm. Do you curl, straighten or color your hair?  My hair is a hot mess. It is curly and white/gray. I don't like messing with it so it is always a mess. I can't afford to color anymore. The last time I tried using a box from Walmart, my hair turned purple.  It is what it is now.

6) Micky also did a stint at WCBS radio in New York. He spun the oldies every morning and helped his listeners get ready for work. Do you turn on the radio or TV when you first wake up? Some mornings, I ask Alexa to play one of the stations on SiriusXM but never the TV and I don't even own a radio anymore (except in the car, I guess).

7) Micky's daughter, Ami, followed her father into show business, appearing in several movies and a recurring role in General Hospital. If you followed your father into his profession, what would you have done for a living?  Managed a warehouse for the Air Force (civilian, not enlisted).

8) In 1966, when this song topped the charts, miniskirts took the fashion world by storm. What have you recently added to your wardrobe?  Underwear (LOL).  I don't buy clothes very often. My budget isn't what it used to be. The last outerwear piece I bought was a blouse from one of the thrift stores I went to with my sister when she visited last summer.  I think it was $4.98.

9) Random question -- You order chicken noodle soup and a packet of saltines arrives with the bowl. Do you: 1) break the crackers into pieces and stir them into your soup or 2) squeeze them in your hand and sprinkle the crumbles into your soup or 3) leave them untouched?  I break them up inside the packet, then tear off the end and dump them into the soup. Yum.

Peace and Hugs!

The SON is shining!!

 

Friday Fotos...

 

I've got a couple of photos to share...

This is the parking lot outside my office at work.
There is a dead tree (center of picture) that had a bird perched in it.
I'm pretty sure it was a red shouldered hawk.  Could be an Osprey.
I was so taken by him that I walked outside to get a closer look.

There he is.  He stayed a long time and wasn't worried
about me being below him. I felt so honored to see this majestic bird.

This is how Casper has been sitting with me lately.

That's all I have.  It's been a crazy week and next week will be even crazier!

Good crazy, though!  Life is good.

Peace and Hugs!

My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear 
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear 
With confidence I now draw nigh, 
With confidence I now draw nigh, 
And, "Father, Abba Father," cry