Monday Musings...

 

We have a new week ahead of us, and this week also includes the start of a new month! How can it be April already?!

The past few days have been busy.  A lawn company came to see if my front patch can be salvaged.  He said yes, that I have plenty of St. Augustine grass among the weeds.  He will come today to treat the lawn, and then every three months he will be back.  He does my neighbor's yard, and it looks great, so my fingers are crossed.  New sod is expensive.

Grime Gobblers came on Saturday morning to pressure clean my house.  My siding is white vinyl, and that green yuck begins to show this time of year.  Now it is clean and bright, and I got it done before 'management' has to send me a letter.  Dee (across the street) said she has to put sunglasses on to look at my house!  LOL

I cleaned inside while he was cleaning outside, and that felt good too!  I spent the afternoon watching the World Championship ice skating, live from Boston.  It was fun seeing the USA couple win their 3rd Gold Medal.  I enjoy watching ice skating and didn't get to see much of it during the Olympics.  That's my excuse for sitting the afternoon and evening away!

Sunday school and church, as usual, yesterday.  An extra bit of fun started with a text from Mali to invite me to eat out with her and Danon.  I was to let her know when I was home from church, and they came over to pick me up and to see my painted bathroom and kitchen.  It was great seeing them, and we went to Lings Buffet for all-you-can-eat Chinese.  It was fun and yummy!  They both approved of my London Fog color, too!  (Yes, I also got my two loads of laundry done when I got home from lunch!)

This week I have a hair appointment on Wednesday.  Mr. G is coming on Thursday to (hopefully) finish fixing my sprinkler system.  Saturday is my son, Joey's birthday.  I gave him his card when he was here. 

Thanks for your visit and I wish us all a lovely week ahead!  No fools on the first!! 

Peace and Hugs!

 As comes the breath of spring,

with light and mirth and song,

so does your Spirit bring

new days brave, free and strong.

You come with thrill of life

to chase hence winter's breath,

to hush to peace the strife

of sin that ends in death.

This Week's Saturday 9...

  Crazy Sam brings us another Saturday 9.  Thanks to Sam, and you can join in HERE!

Can't We Talk It Over

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: Can't We Talk It Over (1950)

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

1) In this song, The Andrews Sisters plead for verbal communication.  Is there someone you'd like to engage in a heart-to-heart conversation?  I try to speak from my heart in all of my relationships, but it is more difficult with some people.  I'm just done with drama in my life, so there are a few folks I am careful around.

 

2) They want to sit together for this talk. Think about the most recent personal conversation you had. Was it in person, over the phone, or via Zoom?  In person.  I've had a lot of company these past couple of months.

 

3) This week's tune was written by Victor Young. He was prolific, earning 22 Oscar nominations in 18 years. (His one win came after his sudden death at age 57.) Think about your friends and family. Who is the most active, productive person you know?  A woman here in my community named Donna is busy with activities all the time.  Blogging friend, Jean is an energizer bunny!  Several of my blogging friends are energizer bunnies running rings around me!!

 
4) The lyrics were written by Ned Washington, who is perhaps best remembered for "When You Wish Upon a Star" from Disney's Pinocchio. Do you believe, like Jiminy Cricket, that dreams come true?  Yes, I think some dreams can certainly come true, but not from wishing on a star (sorry).  God is in control.

 

5) This week's song is performed by The Andrews Sisters -- LaVerne, Maxine, and Patty. Do you have siblings? If yes, are you the oldest, the middle child, or the baby?  Yes, I have siblings.  I am the oldest of four, and many of those "firstborn" traits can be found in me.

6) With more than 80 million records sold, the Andrews Sisters remain one of the most successful female vocal groups of all time. Name another girl group.  The Lennon Sisters!!  I grew up watching the Lawrence Welk Show and always loved the Lennon Sisters!

 

7) In 1950, the year "Can't We Talk It Over" was released, we were introduced to the Peanuts comic strip. Without looking it up, do you know who created Peanuts?  Charles Schultz is doing it today, so hopefully he created it.

 

8) In 1950, most suitcases were hard-sided rectangles, with no wheels and a small handle at the top. They came in colors like tan, copper, green, and blue. What does your luggage look like?  I have soft-sided luggage from Samsonite.  It is medium blue.  We bought good luggage for our trip to Italy back in 2007.  I have three pieces and gave my sister, Tammy, Joe's two pieces.

9) Random question: Who was the last person to phone you? Did you pick up, or did it go to voicemail?  I had to look.  It was Sheri, the woman who did my painting these past few days.

Peace and Hugs!

What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus;

What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Friday Fotos...

 

I promised photos of my newly painted kitchen.  Sheri finished it on Wednesday, and I cleaned it up and put it back together yesterday.  My kitchen is a galley kitchen that opens up to a seating area and my laundry closet.  It works great and has twice as much cupboard space as my old kitchen.  I also have a walk-in pantry that sold this house for me.  Hard to get photos, but I am so happy with the London Fog gray (the walls were white before).  It makes the white cupboards pop.  It looks better in person...

Looking from the dining room into the kitchen.

My pantry door...

My kitchen table and the laundry closet to the left...

Last week I wrote about choosing my new glasses.  These are the frames I asked total strangers in the waiting room to choose for me.  They differ from my last pair, but I'm getting used to them.  I wanted something different.

Peace and Hugs!

Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer!

That calls me from a world of care,

And bids me at my Father’s throne

Make all my wants and wishes known.

In seasons of distress and grief,

My soul has often found relief

And oft escaped the tempter’s snare

By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Whimsical Fashion Fun

 

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

Check out the dress and decide which shoes she should wear.

It is all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

Photos are from The Storybook of Dreams and Beauty.

Such a pretty spring/summer dressy dress!  She will need some shoes.  Count down 1-2-3 and tell us which pair you think she should choose.  It's all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

My thoughts:  A sweet dress for this model's figure!  I couldn't wear it now, but perhaps once upon a time...  As for the shoes, I'm choosing #2 this week.  What are your thoughts?

Peace and Hugs!

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

The Wednesday Hodgepodge...

 Thanks to Joyce for today's Hodgepodge of questions!  You can join the fun by clicking HERE!

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 595

1. Spring has officially sprung (in the northern hemisphere anyway)...did she roll in more like a lion or more like a lamb in your neck of the woods? What needs more of your attention in terms of a good spring clean this year-your house or your garden/yard?  Our spring starts in February, here in Florida, with blooming trees and bushes, strawberries, and blueberries.   It came in like a lamb.  Getting new floors in the entire house took care of my spring cleaning.  I don't do yard work.  My "yard" is teeny and I pay someone to mow and edge. Done and done! 

2. What's put a spring in your step lately?  I have had loved ones visiting, with more coming in April and May!  Friends and family visiting is always fun, and Spring and Fall are the best times to visit.  Summers are hot and humid.

3. When you were a kid, what was the best snack to find in your lunchbox? If you didn't do the lunchbox thing, tell us what was your favorite after-school snack.  I didn't take lunch to school.  I  ate in the cafeteria.  I also don't really remember after-school snacks.  I truly don't remember after-school snacking.  We got home from school (unless there was band practice) by 3:00ish.  Mom and Dad got home around 5:00ish.  We ate dinner when Dad walked through the door or very shortly after.  We did homework, and I sometimes helped get dinner started after school.  

4. In what area of your life are you planting seeds?  No seeds are being planted - right now, anyway.

5. Why do you live where you do? Would you consider living somewhere else? Why or why not?  I have lived in Lakeland, Florida, for 36 years now.  Joe and I came here in 1989 because we were tired of snow and ice, and crazy traffic in the metro DC area (we lived in Alexandria, VA).  My parents and grandparents were snowbirds, and we also considered being closer to them for half the year.  I have no plans to live anywhere but here.  I was born and raised in Ohio.  I have lived in Maryland and Virginia.  Florida is home now.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  My kitchen has its first coat of London Fog paint, and I am so HAPPY.  I've been second-guessing myself. Even after the bathroom turned out so nice, I wondered about the kitchen.  I will share pictures on Friday!!        

Peace and Hugs!

Standing on the promises of God my Savior

The Tuesday 4...

 Thanks to Annie for today's Tuesday 4!  You can join the fun by clicking HERE!

Gone with the Wind

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday4

I came across this Photoshop that I did a few years ago in which I replaced Vivian Leigh's head with my daughters head.  She is a huge Gone With the Wind fan.

It was an epic novel and a big silver-screen hit.  Very cute!!

1.  Have you read the book or seen the movie Gone with the Wind and what did you think of it?  It is one of my favorite books.  I have read it at least four times.  I own the DVD and have probably watched the movie a dozen times. 

2; Which character was your favorite? If you didn't read it or see it. who is your favorite fictional character from a book or movie and why?  I really can't say one character is a favorite.  Scarlett, Melanie, Rhett, Ashley, Ma, Pa, Mammy...

3. Are you a fan of big epic films like Dr. Zhivago,  Gone with the Wind, etc." If not what kind of films do you enjoy the most?  I love GWTW but the subject of the movie would tell me if I really want to spend three hours or more watching it.  Dr. Zhivago, not so much, but Schindler's List, Titanic, Godfather II... yes, please!

4. The Ante Bellum era is indeed gone with the wind.  Is there an era in history that you are interested in or that you have a good deal of knowledge about? Perhaps there is an era you would like to learn more about?  I have lately been very interested in ancient archeology, especially when proving Biblical history.

Peace and Hugs!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning

New mercies I see.

All I have needed

Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness,

Lord, unto me!

Monday Musings...

 

My avatar is from Bitmoji.com and they just did some updates.  Imagine my surprise when my avatar has a whole new look!  I played with it a little but I don't like it as much as I did with my original one.  Oh well. We'll see how it evolves...

My son left Saturday morning, early.  I got a text that he was home safely and he called later so I could talk with Darlene, too.  I am just glad he is done galavanting around the world now!!  

He told me to not get up, he would sneak out but I told him I would not let him leave without a hug.  I got up and made sure he had coffee, orange juice, and a couple of donuts (purchased at Publix on Friday).  I did go back to bed when he left, though.  When I got up a couple of hours later, I decided to do laundry so stripped the beds (guest room and mine) and gathered towels.  I usually do my two loads of laundry after church but just got it all done on Saturday.  I did some cleaning and felt pretty good about being productive.

Sunday school and church, as usual.  I am so blessed by my church and church family.  Our small group has been meeting hit or miss for a while now.  Our leader, Gary, had shoulder surgery and others have been sick here and there.  It is my turn to host so I gave Gary two dates in April. It's a good group and I have been missing our gatherings.

This week I have a lawn guy coming by today to treat my little front patch that is more weeds than grass.  Our management folks let us know when we aren't living up to the standards they want and I got a letter last month.  Sigh.  My irrigation system hasn't worked since before Joe died. I loathe yard work. The handyman, Mr. G, is working on my sprinklers.  I purchased weed and feed stuff last week and will do whatever the lawn guy tells me to do.  He was recommended by the mowing service we hired when we bought the house.  I trust them.  We'll see what happens.  Sigh.

Sheri is coming on Tuesday to start painting my kitchen.  I am going to do my bathroom, more because I am lazy than anything else.  I can do it in little sections and not have to take everything down and then use the guest bathroom while she paints.  I don't have to use a ladder in the bathroom either.  She will need to paint above the kitchen cupboards, so I am happy to have her do that!!

This is too long already so time to stop.  Wishing you all a blessed week ahead!!  Thanks for your visit!

Peace and Hugs!

What a friend we have in Jesus!!

The Saturday 9...

 Crazy Sam brings us nine questions for Saturday blogs!  Thanks, Sam!  You can join in HERE!

Photograph

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: Photograph (1973)

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

1) In this song, Ringo stumbles upon a photograph that reminds him of a lost love. Are there any photos displayed in the room you're in right now?  My living room (where I have my happy place) is FULL of photographs!!   Family, friends, cherished art photos... Yes.

2) While there are approximately 180 published songs credited to Lennon-McCartney, this is the only song written by Harrison-Starr. When you think of Ringo's old band, the Beatles, what's the first song that comes to mind?  I Want To Hold Your Hand.  She Loves Me is a close second.

 
3) George and Ringo wrote this song while on a yacht in the South of France. They, and their wives, had just attended Mick Jagger's wedding to Bianca in Saint Tropez and decided to take a little holiday together. What are your vacation plans for 2025?  I don't have any vacation plans yet for this year.  I have some ideas for a couple of trips north, but nothing set in stone yet.

 

4) At 5'8, Ringo was the shortest Beatle and the only one with blue eyes. How tall are you? What's your eye color?  I used to be just a tad under 6 feet but measure around 5' 10"  now.  Old age has caused some shrinkage. My brother was 6 feet 3 or 4 and one sister is about an inch shorter than me. I have been the tallest kid in the pictures my entire life... including Kindergarten...

5) Ringo gave his first wife, Maureen, a one-of-a-kind birthday gift. Frank Sinatra recorded "The Lady Is a Tramp" with special lyrics, written just for her. Do you have anything that's personalized? (It could be a monogram on a scarf, it doesn't have to be as cool as a gift from Frank Sinatra.)  The only thing I can think of is my wedding ring which was engraved TLD love JND on the inside.  His is also engraved JND love TLD. 

6) Ringo appeared as Mr. Conductor on Thomas the Tank Engine. He recorded the narration for the entire first season in just a week. Tell us what you did last week.  You just need to read my blogs from this week to see the fun I've had with my son, Joey, here visiting!!  He is headed back home today and I'll be missing him.

7) As a boy in Liverpool, Ringo loved watching American westerns. Do you like cowboy movies/shows?  It depends.  The older I get, the less I like seeing violence and hatred displayed on the screen.

 

8) In 1973, when this song was a hit, former President Lyndon Johnson died. Who was President when you were a kid?  Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy...

 
9) Random question: When you woke up this morning, did you know the day and date (before looking at your phone)?  Yes, I did, but sometimes I do have to check my phone to be sure!  

 

Peace and Hugs!

For the beauty of the earth

For the glory of the skies,

For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,

This our hymn of grateful praise.

Friday Fotos...

Wednesday was a road trip day for me and my son, Joey.  I have my mom's cedar chest, which was a high school graduation gift to her from her folks.  That was in 1948.  I promised it to my niece, Sara, and it is time to pass it on to her.  Blogging friend Pamela's son builds furniture and also refurbishes furniture, so I asked him to freshen it up for me before it goes to Sara.  Thus, the road trip three hours north!!

We arrived as planned around 11:30.  In time for hellos and hugs (and to use the facilities!).  I took a few photos of the beautiful Still Waters Pond and one of the Sandhill Cranes was there, too...

And I got to meet her Blackie.  Sunshine wasn't there.

We all rode over to Benton's house to give him the cedar chest.  That done, the six of us drove in two cars (girls in one, boys in the other) to Corky Bell's Seafood Restaurant, in Palatka and on the St. John's River.  It is a beautiful place and was very busy.  We signed in and then had time to walk down to the river and take some photos before we got seated and could order our food.  It was delicious and worth the wait!!

It was around 4:30 when we left there, and we were safely back in Lakeland by 7:30.  What a beautiful day we had, and thanks to Pamela and her family for the wonderful hospitality and for a really great day!!

This wasn't our first in-person meeting, by the way.  This was back in 2017 just after Christmas...

Joey and I have today left before he heads out early in the morning.  Plans are to visit the  Auburndale Flea Market and whatever might present itself...  It has been great having him here and bless Darlene for sharing him these few days!!  💖 The horse sanctuary keeps her busy and makes it nearly impossible to get away for any length of time. Her heart is as big as the moon.

Peace and Hugs!

All God's creatures...

Whimsical Fashion Fun...

 

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

Check out Brad Pitt (take your time!!) and pick the jacket you like best for him.

It's all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

Photos are from The Storybook of Dreams and Beauty!

Okay.  I ran across this one and decided I had to post it today.  It's been a long time since we had a man here and never Brad Pitt!! Count down on the jackets, 1-2-3, and tell us which one you like best.

My thoughts:  It is almost too warm for jackets like these so we need to hurry with our decision!  Any of them would look good on Brad but I will pick jacket #3 for no real reason.  Why not?!  What are your thoughts?

Peace and Hugs!!

Joey and I had such a lovely day, yesterday, with Pamela, her hubby, her son, and daughter-in-love!! I will write about it with more photos tomorrow in my blog, but here is one of us getting ready to have lunch at one of their favorite restaurants...

The Wednesday Hodgepodge...

 Thanks to our hostess, Joyce, for today's Hodgepodge!  You can join in HERE!

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 594

1. I write the Hodgepodge questions so they'll post on Sunday, which sometimes throws me off in terms of what day it is. St. Patrick's Day will be celebrated on Monday, March 17th. Did you mark the day in some way? Wear green? Make a special meal? Watch or participate in a parade?  I wore green, including shamrock earrings.  I ordered a Reuben sandwich from the Publix deli, so I would get corned beef and cabbage (kraut is made from cabbage).  It was quite good!  I did not see a parade.

2. Do you think luck plays a part in your life? Explain. No.  I don't believe in luck.  God is in control.

3. Of the 15 green foods listed, which one is your favorite and how do you like it prepared? Any on the list that is a hard no for you? In general, do you like fruits and veggies? As a kid did you eat them willingly or did you hide peas in your napkin hoping your momma wouldn't see? 

Asparagus, avocado, broccoli, celery, cucumber, grape, green bean, kale, kiwi, lettuce, lime, pear, peas, pistachios, spinach

The only green food I don't care for is kale.  I have always loved fruit and veggies and grew up eating them all.  Dad had a huge garden and all four of us "kids" ate well from it. 

4. What's something that makes you 'turn green'? (with envy or with illness... whichever way you want to run with it)  I am sorry to say that I can't eat oysters or snails.

5. Did you spend a lot of time outdoors as a child? Doing what? Do you spend a lot of time outdoors now? Doing what?   I grew up without a cell phone or computer.  I did spend a lot of time outside.  We hiked in the woods, we rode our bikes, in the winter we iced skated, in the summers we went swimming.  I read books - all of the Trixie Beldon and Nancy Drew books...  I do not spend much time outside anymore.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  Not very random, but my son Joey arrived yesterday!!  We have a fun road trip day today (watch my Friday post for more about that!)  but, bless his heart he did my tax return, he figured out what was wrong with the TV in the guest room that I couldn't get working, and he helped me load my mom's cedar chest into my car, ready for the ride up to blogging friend Pamela's house today!!  Bless him over and over.

Peace and Hugs!

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,

This our hymn of grateful praise.

Tuesday 4...

 Thanks to Annie for another fun Tuesday 4!!  You can join in HERE!

The Windy Month

Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 where we try to have fun answering questions about various subjects.

March, they say, comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.  It is called the windy month like Chicago is called the windy city!

1.  Has March come in like a lion or a lamb in your neck of the woods?  March came in like a lamb but these past few days have been more like a lion.  Wind and rain, but not as bad as so many others who had tornados and damage and death.

2. There have been some awful storms of late... have you suffered through them or have you ever suffered through a very bad storm in your life? (if so we wish you well)  As mentioned above, we did not get the bad weather so many others had but here in Central Florida, we did have a hard time during hurricane season in 2024.

3. Spring begins March 20th and ends with summer on June 20th this year.  Any plans for Spring in general? How about the spring holidays?  I have company coming (my son today!) and friends in April.  I will cook Easter dinner and hope a few friends will join me.

4.  What are your favorite springtime flowers?  Daisies, but any flower blooming outside.  Trees or shrubs?  Gardenias give me terrible headaches.  Azaleas are beautiful.

How about a song with a springtime theme to it that you enjoy?  How about "April Showers"...

Peace and Hugs!

What is our hope in life and death?

Christ alone, Christ alone.

What is our only confidence?

That our souls to Him belong.