Sunday Stealing says, "C'mon, Get Happy!"

 

Sunday Stealing says, "C'mon, Get Happy!"

 

Here are 10 things that make me happy:

1.  Jesus

2. Karl and Josh

3. Meisha (my dog)

4. My mom

5. My students/work

6. the sun/flowers (beauty to look at)

7. reading books

8. watching tv

9. music

10.  friends

Saturday 9: Up the Ladder to the Roof (1970)

 

Up the Ladder to the Roof

Saturday 9: Up the Ladder to the Roof (1970)

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

 

1) Many people are uncomfortable with ladders. Some feel unsteady on the steps, others have a fear of heights. Then there's the superstition that warns against walking under ladders. Are you afraid of ladders?  not really.  I am not comfortable climbing very high anymore, I am not as strong as I was, but I was on a (small) ladder today in my classroom.

 

2) In this song, the Supremes advise us to go up the ladder to the roof to be closer to Heaven. While poetic, that's not really why most homeowners climb onto the roof. They're more likely replacing shingles or cleaning the gutters. Have you ever been on the roof of your building?  I have not been on the roof of my house.  Karl has to go up there sometimes though.

 

3) The record was the Supremes first and biggest hit without Diana Ross. When Jean Terrell replaced Diana as lead singer, the two ladies appeared together at a press event to launch this new iteration of the Supremes. Have you ever met your replacement at a job, or perhaps the person you replaced?  When I left my preschool special education job, I knew the gal that replaced me at the preschool I worked at.  She had been working at another location.  She came in on the last day of school while I still had my families there.

 

4) Mary Wilson was a member of the group when it was formed in 1959 and stayed through 1977, when the Supremes officially disbanded. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American stays at a job 3.9 years. Looking over your job history, how long did you typically stick with an employer?  I probably have an average of about 10 years.  I was at the previously mentioned preschool for 10 years and I have been at my current school for 11 years.  I hope to finish my career there also. 

 

5) The third Supreme performing on this record was Cindy Birdsong. After the group broke up for good, Cindy finished nursing school and practiced at UCLA Medical Center. When did you last interact with a nurse or nurse practitioner?  My doctors are all MD's and they have practitioners, but they always see me themselves.  I have seen their practitioners, but it has been years ago.  I was with my mom one time she was sick and had to see a practitioner because her doctor was so booked.  That was about 3 years ago.  I guess the answer is years. * I read this question wrong, I was tired.  I only saw nurse practitioner and not nurse.  I interact with nurses all of the time with my mom in assisted living.  Her nurse texted me yesterday (just about the weather and how they are keeping them safe from the cold weather).  It was the summer that I saw a nurse for myself.  

 
6) In 1970, when this song was popular, TV shows about doctors like Marcus Welby, MD and Medical Center ranked high in the Nielsen ratings. Medical shows are still popular today, with Grey's Anatomy entering its 22nd season and The Pitt earning critical accolades. Do you have a favorite TV doctor?  I love to watch doctor shows.  I like Watson, Doc, Brilliant Minds and I just started watching Best Medicine.  I think there are more I watch, I am just tired and they are not coming to me.  I don't think I have a favorite; I enjoy them all for different reasons.

 

7) Also in 1970, when this song was popular, audiences were lining up to see the movie Love Story. Without looking it up, complete the film's most famous line:  "Love means you never have to say your sorry."  (something like that).  I always say I am sorry when I am wrong.  I think it is the right thing to do and shows respect to the other person.  Especially because I love them.

 

8) Slumberchums™ were all the rage among pre-teens in 1970. These sleeping bags had attached pillow "heads" that made it look like you slipping into sleep inside a plush bear. When did you most recently sleep in a sleeping bag?  I was a kid and it was in my house when family came to visit and took my bed.  I am not a camper.

 

9) Random question: Did you take a multivitamin this morning? If yes, did you swallow it or chew it?  I take my multi vitamin at night when my stomach is more full.  I swallow it.

Tuesday 4 Meme- We've Got Questions

 

We've Got Questions

 Welcome once again to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.   It's nice to have you take part.

Here are some questions for you.....

1. Where did your mother and father grow up?  They both grew up in

Muskogee, OK

2. Where did you grow up?  Reeds Spring, MO.  My dad got a teaching job in

Reeds Spring and they moved to Missouri and never moved back to Oklahoma.

My mom always wanted to move back.

3. What was your favorite meal your mother made? What is your favorite recipe to make?  Fried Chicken.  My favorite thing to make is lasagna or cheesy burritos.

4. What are the advantages you enjoy where you live?  I live in the country, so 

no one bothers me, it is quiet and it is pretty.  We have lots of trees and we have lakes 

nearby as well as cities with a lot to do.  I will always pick the country.

Saturday 9: Man I Need (2025)

 

Man I Need

Saturday 9: Man I Need (2025)

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

 

1) In this song, Olivia Dean is looking for a man who wants to really communicate and doesn't make her "read between the lines." Tell us about a time when you felt you had to work hard to figure out what someone was trying to tell you.  My friend Tanya does voice to text and it comes through to my phone all crazy.  It is hard to follow people during texting.

 

2) She's eager to meet his best friend and join their friend group. Have you made any new friends recently?  I don't think so.  I am pretty much at work or home.  We are hiring 3 new preschool teachers for next year, so I will be making new friends then.

 

3) "Man I Need" was a hit in the fall of 2025. It was so popular that, in addition to CDs, a special vinyl release was scheduled in time for Christmas (2025) gift giving. How do you listen to music most often? Do you play CDs, download, stream, or play vinyl records?  I usually listen on the radio, sometimes I listen on YouTube and occasionally I will stream if the radio is failing me.  I listened to CD's when I had my old car, but my new car only has streaming and radio.

 

4) Olivia Dean recalls that her first public performance was singing at a school talent show. If we had a Sat 9 talent show, what would you do to entertain us?  Oh geez.  Maybe sing, but it would not be great.  I could read you a children's book with a lot of emotion and voice.

 

5) She says she loved listening to her parents' music collection. How about you? Did you and your parents share musical tastes? How about you and your kids?  My mom had all of these records from the 50's and 60's.  I loved playing DJ and playing that music.  I had a pretty regular line up.  Oh!  Maybe that could be my talent (above question).  I could help Gal DJ!  Hahahaha.

 

6) Olivia likes to be dressed up when she gets onstage, favoring gowns and heels. She says of her audiences, "If you guys paid good money that you worked hard for, let me give you a show." How do you feel when you're invited to an event that calls for you to dress up? Are you enthusiastic about choosing your outfit, or would you rather keep it casual?  Having to dress up stresses me out.  I like dress clothes, but they make me so uncomfortable now.  I would rather keep it casual.

 
7) She enjoys classic film and lists Singin' in the Rain as her favorite. What's the last movie you watched? Do you recommend it to other Sat 9ers?  It was People We Meet on Vacation on Netflix.  I think some of you would like it, if you enjoy a rom/com.  I also watched 11.22.63 and HIS & HERS, they were both so good.  All based on novels and on Netflix.

 

8) In 2025, when this song was popular, the average price tag for a new vehicle was $47,690 and $25,100 for a used one. Are you planning to make a big purchase in 2026?   I sure hope not.

9) Random question: Are you better with love or money? love

Sunday Stealing Remembers the Good Old Days

 

Sunday Stealing Remembers the Good Old Days

When I Was Young

1. Tell us about a time when your family got a newfangled invention

 (your first air conditioner, color TV, VCR, microwave, computer, etc.).

I remember when my parents got a stereo!  It was in the living room

for a while and then it came to my room.  I loved that stereo so much.

That would have been in the early 80's.

2. Is there a particular song that sparks a childhood memory?  Footloose.

My neighbor Heather and I would record ourselves singing the songs

from the soundtrack.  I was probably in jr. high.

3. What is something an older family member taught you to do?  My dad taught 

me to tie my shoes, my Granie would take me shopping to learn about 

spending money and budgeting and saving to buy items.  My mom 

taught me to cook.  

4. Back in the day, what name brands would we have found in your family's kitchen?

I didn't pay any attention.

5. As a child, did you collect anything (rocks, shells, stickers, etc.)?  I had a 

rock collection when I was little.  There was fool's gold in the rocks on our 

road and  we would keep them.  My neighbor Candy and I did that a lot

for a while.

Saturday 9: Volare (1960)

 

Volare

Saturday 9: Volare (1960)

 

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

1) The word "volare" is Italian for "to fly." Say something else in Italian. Ciao

2) This week, Bobby Rydell invites us to take off with him up in the clouds and promises we'll find a rainbow. Countless lyricists have included rainbows in their songs. Can you name another song that mentions rainbows? Somewhere over the Rainbow.

 

3) His happy heart is singing. What is making you happy this morning?  That I am able to sleep later than 4:45AM.  I am so tired by the end of the week.

 

4) Bobby Rydell, like Frankie Avalon and Fabian, was a 1950s teen idol who hailed from Philadelphia. Home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, Philly is Pennsylvania's most populous city. Have you ever been there?  no

 

5) Bobby was such a perfect example of a clean-cut American boy that when Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey sat down to write the play Grease, they named their fictional high school Rydell High after him. Do you have a favorite song from Grease? Oh goodness, I LOVE Grease...funny because my son Josh hates it.  I have a lot of favorites from that one.

 

6) In addition to singing, Bobby also acted. His most famous film role was opposite Ann-Margret in Bye, Bye, Birdie (1963). Have you seen it? I probably have with Josh.  I'm not sure.

7) In 1960, when this record was popular, so were hand-loomed, 100% virgin wool sweaters from Italy. You could order one from the Sears catalog for $12.60 (approx. $135 in today's dollars). That sweater was labeled "dry clean only." Do you have any garments waiting to be picked up from the cleaners?  no, I try not to buy anything dry clean only.

 
8) Also in 1960, Princess Margaret married photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones. They met when he was commissioned to take her official portrait. Who took the most recent photo of you?  My co-worker at school (Debbie), one of the kids in our class wanted a picture with me, so Debbie took one of the two of us.

 

9) Random question: Is your oldest friend also your best friend?  I went to school with Debi, she and I were in cheer together, then in college in the summer we worked together and went out on the lake and had the best time.  She lives really close to me now (just down the road), I could walk to her house.  We have been friends a long time.

Update on my mom:  She went back to her assisted living facility on Wednesday and is doing good.

Also, I got Teacher of the Month for January at school!  I was so excited.

Sunday Stealing Feels Frustrated

 

Sunday Stealing Feels Frustrated

Questions to Answer when You Need a Break 

1. What would you rather be doing right now?  Nothing, I am home

and getting everything ready to go back to school.

2. What is always on your grocery list?  bread, milk, eggs

3. Have you ever used a fire extinguisher for its intended purpose? no

4. How many times did you text yesterday?  I had a back and forth with 

one friend.

5. Would you prefer a slow-paced, relaxing vacation or one filled with new

 sights and experiences? a little of both.  When I was young, I preferred

new sights and experiences and now that I am older, I need some relaxing too.