Tuesday 4 Meme- Designer's Choice

Designer's Choice (Use Photos If Possible)...
1.   My home would be in the style of?  Country French

2.   My kind of furniture style is?  Bright and clean, yet homey

3.   My floors would be covered with?  I like this stone or hardwood above.  Easy to clean.  I would need area rugs though, I would get cold.

4.   My landscaping would look like? I would have a nice patio attached to the house, but this also has a little area to sit and enjoy the pool and swim.  I would love to have an in ground pool.

Sunday Stealing- For the Queen's Curiosity

1.  What is the nearest book to you?  Your Kindle does not count.  I currently have these books, they are together on my end table.  I am reading The Night Circus first.  I just finished The Good Girl by Mary Kubica and I enjoyed it, so I grabbed Pretty Baby.

2.  When was the last time you took a "me" vacation  I do not know that I have ever had a "me"vacation...just for me,  but Friday night we traveled to Eureka Springs, AR to see The Great Passion Play...me, Karl and Josh.  It is the last days of Jesus and it was fantastic.  There is a big statue of Jesus at the location I am leaving a picture.  I think it is the 4th largest of these statues in the world.

3.  How many telephone numbers do you have?  2- cell and home 

4.  If you could fix one thing in the public school system, what is the one thing you would do immediately?  teacher and all staff salaries.

5.  Are you a big tipper?  yes

6.  Do you watch reality shows?  no

7.  Who is your favorite sports team player?  Yadier Molina (baseball), Patrick Mahomes (football)

 
8.  If you could travel in a spaceship to any planet, which planet would you like to visit and why?  Saturn, I think it is so pretty.

9.  When was the last time you sat in a church?  Ok, this is so embarrassing, but it is too loud at my church, so we stream it to our tv at home, but we were there for Christmas service in person.  I think I am just getting old.  I was in choir for a long time, it was never loud when I was younger.

10.  Are there any aspects of blogging that annoy you?  not really

11.  When someone follows you on their blog or subscribes to your Facebook page, do you automatically follow and subscribe back?  no.  If it is someone I end up visiting regularly and I really like their blog I do follow and add their link.  I do not allow following on facebook.

Saturday 9- Come and Knock on Our Door

Saturday 9: Come and Knock on Our Door (1976)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
 
1) This week's song was the theme to Three's Company, a sitcom that ran for eight seasons. Were you a fan?  LOVED it!
 
2) The Three's Company theme was composed by Joe Raposo, who also wrote the theme to Sesame Street. Can you recall any of the lyrics to the Sesame Street song?  Yes, I can sing all of it.

3) The lyrics to this song invite you to "come and knock on our door." What's the last door you knocked on (or the most recent doorbell your rang)?  My mom's

4) Three's Company was about three roommates who live together platonically, sharing a two bedroom apartment. Tell us about a roommate who shared your living quarters.  I had a roommate named Julie in college, she is from Illinois.  We became fast friends.  She is super sweet and had a boyfriend from back home.  I was wild as a march hare in college (believe it or not), but we are still friends to this day.  She was my matron of honor in my wedding.
 
5) Each of the roommates has a profession: Jack is a cook, Chrissy is a secretary (aka administrative assistant) and Janet is a florist. When did you last buy flowers?  Mother's Day

6) They often meet their neighbor, Larry, at a nearby bar called The Regal Beagle. What's the name of the establishment where you most recently enjoyed an adult beverage? Vino Cellars at the Lake.  My friend had her baby shower at this place a few weeks ago and I had a little wine...not much, but enough to relax me.  I never drink anymore.  It is beautiful there, you had a nice view of the lake, just gorgeous.
 
7) Their meddling landlord was Mr. Roper. He was cheap, nosy, and very talented at fixing things around the building. How much are you like Mr. Roper? Are you frugal? Nosy? A handy do-it-yourselfer?  I wish I were frugal, but I am not and I am definitely not handy.  I may be a little nosy....not like Mr. Roper though, he was so funny.
 
8) Three's Company was controversial again, more than 15 years after it ceased production. In March 2001, Nick at Nite re-edited an episode after a viewer called, alerting the network that a bit too much of John Ritter was visible in his blue boxer shorts. Have you ever called, emailed or written to, a TV station to complain?  no

9) Random question -- Is the screen on your cellphone cracked?  no

Tuesday 4 Meme- In Two Words...

In Two Words...
1.   Two words that describes you best?  Grateful optimist

2.   Two words that describes your personality?  Silly sweet

3.   Two words that describes your taste in clothes? comfortable casual

4.   Two words that describes your home?  country cozy

Sunday Stealing- Book of Questions

1. Do you think the world will be a better or worse place 100 years from now?  I hope it is better, I think it will be worse though.

2.  Would you accept $1,000,000 to leave the country and never set foot in it again.  I don't think so.  We live in a great country.  I wouldn't want to leave it.  I would never leave my mom and she would not want to leave the country.

3. If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the body or the mind of a 30 year old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you want?  mind

4. What would constitute a “perfect” evening for you?  It depends...sometimes I like to watch tv shows or a ballgame...other nights I want to read and be left alone.  My husband and I do not get out much...we really need to.  We had planned to try to get out of town this summer, but it has been too hot.  The things we have planned are all outdoors.

5. Whom do you admire most?  In what way does that person inspire you?  I really admire my co-worker Lori.  I know I talk about her a lot, but she is so positive and real.  She talks about her problems, but not all of the time and she never has a bad word to say about anyone.  She is amazing!

6. Do you prefer being around men or women?  Do your closest friends tend to be men or women?  Women and we have a ball together.  Most of the time I am with Karl and Josh, so to be with the girls is nice for me.

7. If you could use a voodoo doll to hurt anyone you chose, would you?  NO!

8. What is your most treasured memory?  When Josh was born and spending time with my Grandparents.

9. What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?  Is there anything you hope to do that is even better?  (Let’s exclude raising children, if you have them)  I work with children with learning disabilities.  I especially love working with children with autism, it is kind of my thing.  I find ways to communicate with them and work with them to get them to trust me so they can learn.  It is a process and it feels good when we make progress.

10. If you went to a dinner party and were offered a dish you had never tried, would you want to taste it, even if it sounded strange and not very appealing?  not really

11. Do your close friends tend to be older or younger than you?  older and younger both, but we are all very close in age.

12. How do you feel when people sing Happy Birthday to you in a restaurant?  I love it.

13. When you tell a story, do you often exaggerate or embellish it?  If so, why?  no

14. If a friend were almost always late, would you resent it or simply allow for it?  Can you be allowed to be on time?  I guess when I was younger I resented it.  One of my sisters-in-law is always late.  It was my son's birthday and she was late as usual, well the kids were all there, so I decided to start things.  My mother-in-law wanted me to wait.  I didn't.  It wasn't about her.  I had kids there and one child could only stay for an hour.  I think that was the last time she was late for an event I was having.  She was not mad.  She understands I am not going to wait for her.  I am always on time or early.

15. If you could have free, unlimited service for five years from an extremely good cook, chauffeur, housekeeper, or personal secretary, which would you choose?  I am going to say cook and I would have them cook me healthy food.  My guys like junk food.  I would really love to have a housekeeper too.  Wouldn't we all?

Saturday 9- Secret Agent Man

Secret Agent Man (1966)

Unfamiliar with this week's song. Hear it here.

1) This is the theme of a TV show that ran on CBS from 1964-1967. The series was produced, and originally aired, in England. The BBC has shared many shows with American audiences over the years. Can you name another?  Victoria?  I believe that one is from the BBC and we see it on PBS...does anyone know?

2) The show is about John Drake, a special agent dedicated to exposing plots that threaten world peace. A quick check of Netflix and Goodreads reveals that spy stories are just as popular today. Is espionage a genre you enjoy? Do you read books, or watch shows and movies, about spies?  Both

3) The lyrics tell us Drake travels from the Riviera to Bombay. Where were you when you last spent the night away from home? Why were you there (vacation, business, international intrigue)?  I think it was Oklahoma 4 years ago when my dad was still living.  We would go down every summer and visit family.  Sadly they have almost all passed away.  We do not go anymore.

4) The refrain states, "They've given you a number and taken away your name." In today's digital world, that could now be said of all of us. Are you good at remembering your computer passwords?  goodness no.

5) Patrick McGoohan, who played Agent Drake, went from being a good guy to appearing as a murderer on Columbo four times. Were you a fan of Columbo?  I am not sure I have seen that show.  I think I was too little.

6) Born John Ramistella, this week's featured artist, Johnny Rivers, grew up in Louisiana. He took "Rivers" as his stage name because he grew up along the Mighty Mississippi. If you were to change your last name based on the geography of the area where you grew up, how would you be known?  Lake or Forest...maybe Woods or Hill.
 
7) In 1966, when this song was popular, Jacqueline Kennedy was the woman most Americans admired. What famous woman do you admire most? (She doesn't have to be American.)  Maybe Laura Bush, I really do not admire women the way other people do.  She isn't my hero or anything.  I do LOVE watching her daughter Jenna Bush Hager on the Hoda and Jenna show.  That has been a fun show for me to watch this summer.  I more admire people in my real life.
 
8) 1966 also found another Jacqueline was in the news. Jacqueline Susann's first novel, Valley of the Dolls, was atop the best seller lists, even though it was savaged by the critics. What's your guilty pleasure? What book, movie, TV show, or song do you enjoy, even though you know it has little artistic merit?  My son is reading Valley of the Dolls right now.  My guilty pleasure is probably watching Hallmark movies.

9) Random question: Imagine you've been stranded alone in the woods for 10 days. No companionship, no internet or phone or TV. You have been sleeping in the dirt, living on berries and river water. Your rescuers drive you to a hotel. Upon check-in, what's the first thing you do?  Take a shower and then get some food...then go to sleep.

 

Wednesday Medley

NATIONAL PEACH ICE CREAM DAY

1.  Do you enjoy fresh peaches?  What is your favorite way to use them in a recipe?  Peach Cobbler

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NATIONAL WRONG WAY CORRIGAN DAY

2.  Have you ever gone the wrong way on a one-way street?  What do you think about Mr. Corrigan's story?   True or False?  I will say false, that I think he knew what he was doing.  I haven't heard this story before.  Interesting.  I have by the way gone the wrong way on a one way street.  I had to get off the road really fast.

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NATIONAL YELLOW PIG DAY

3.  Tell us about your life when you were 17.  I was a senior in high school, doing all of the fun senior things and getting ready to head off to college.  I had a big stuffed "pink" pig (pig day) that went to college with me.  My roommates all liked him.

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WORLD EMOJI DAY

4.  Do you use emojis when you text, email, or FB message? Do you have a favorite?  I use them a lot!  I use several of them over and over.  I use the cry one and the laughing one and I use a heart one a lot too along with many more.

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NATIONAL TATTOO DAY

5.  It has been asked many times, but do you have a tattoo?  Do you want to get a tattoo?  I do not have a tattoo and I never want one.  I do not like them...not for myself anyway.

6.  Last, but not least, please tell us something about your week!  My nephew Dalton got married last Friday.  It was a beautiful outdoor wedding and they are in Iceland for their honeymoon this week.  I have been reading as usual and we had to go to the dentist this week...no cavities!  Yay!  Here is a picture of Dalton and his beautiful bride Aubri.  I thought her dress was just gorgeous!

Tuesday 4 Meme- Dream Time ~ Have You Ever...

Dream Time ~ Have You Ever...
1.   Danced At A Ball?  no

2.   Flown A Kite?  yes, my dad would help me fly a kite when I was a kid.  We also  made kites and flew them at the preschool many years ago.

3.   Strolled Hand In Hand Along The Seashore?  no, I went to the beach with my sisters-in-law.  We did walk on the beach, just not hand in hand...hee, hee

4.   Sat On A Park Bench People Watching?  yes, when Josh was little I would watch him and the other kids play.

Sunday Stealing- Sad sleepy survey rambles

Have you ever been teased because of the things you like?  Yes, my son teases me all of the time for watching Hallmark and he makes fun of the music I listen to...my husband teases me about Hallmark too, but he watches it.
Do you hold grudges?  I have been known to, but only if someone hurts me really badly and does not seem sorry at all.  Most of the time I do not hold grudges at all.
Were there any classes you enjoyed because of the teacher?  I know in college there were for sure!  I had a few that were amazing!
Was there a dress code at your school?  no
Have you ever been a bad friend?  unfortunately I have at one time or another.
Has a friend ever replaced you with somebody else?  yes
Have you ever disliked something just because it was popular?  I don't think so.
Have you ever watched a movie just because it starred an actor you liked?  yes
Are there actors/musicians you have met?  no
Do you ever judge people based on the music they listen to?  no
What about your top five music albums?  The Cars, Queen, Garth Brooks, Billy Joel and Elton John....Greatest Hits albums
Do you remember the first album you ever owned?  Thriller-Michael Jackson
Do you still use an mp3 player, or just your phone?  phone
Do you like Elton John?  LOVE Elton John
Have any celebrity deaths hit you hard? Which one(s)?  Michael Jackson, Prince, David Bowie, Heath Ledger, Princess Diana.

Saturday 9- Bonanza

Saturday 9: Bonanza (1959)
 
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Bonanza ran on NBC for 14 seasons. Today it's rerun on Me-TV and TVLand. Were/are you a fan?  I was a little young too fully enjoy this show, but I do like it.

2) The show centers on The Cartwrights, who lived on a massive ranch in Nevada. License plates in Nevada read, "The Silver State." What's on your license plate?  The Show-Me State

3) Ben Cartwright made his fortune as a cattle rancher. What's the last beef dish you ate?  I am going to say a cheeseburger.  I cannot remember the last dish with beef. 

4) Patriarch Ben had his eldest son, Adam, with his refined, bookish first wife, Elizabeth. Unfortunately, Elizabeth died in childbirth. Still Adam inherited her love of the written word. What's the last book you finished?  The Smell of Sweet Magnolias and Memories by Celeste Fletcher McHale.  I am almost finished with Still Life by Louise Penny though.

5) Ben's second son, Hoss, was born to his second wife, Inger, who was killed as the family traveled West by wagon train. Hoss inherited her open, friendly manner and her way with animals. Are there pets in your home?  Yes, we have 3 dogs...Mandy a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Molly a part corgi an part blue heeler... she is a sister to Mandy....same mom different litter.  Then we have Meisha.  She showed up at our house and we have had her ever since.  She is part black lab and not sure what else.

 
6) Ben's youngest, Joe, arrived after Ben married a third time to the passionate Marie, who died in a riding accident when her son was only five years old. Little Joe inherited her impetuosity. Do you consider yourself more spontaneous or predictable?  I am mostly predictable, but every now and then I will do something spontaneous.  Usually in the form of a road trip.
 
7) Samuel Clemons was a reporter in Virginia City at the time when the Cartwrights would have been there, and a fictionalized version of Mr. Clemons appeared in an episode of Bonanza. Without looking it up, do you know Samuel Clemons' famous pen name?  yes, but only because I live in Missouri.  My roommate would always say...she was meeting her family in Hannibal...home of Mark Twain.  We learned about Mark Twain in middle school.

8) Hair was a big deal in the Bonanza dressing room. Three of the original four stars -- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts and Dan Blocker -- all wore hairpieces. (The fourth, Michael Landon, began dying his hair while still in his 20s because he was going prematurely gray.) Have you ever worn a wig or a hairpiece?  no
 
9) Random question -- Tell us the story behind one of your scars.  There is a really ugly scar on my right arm.  It is starting to fade, but it was so gross at first.  It seriously looks like I cut myself or something, but it is a scar from my curling iron.  My co-workers do not understand why I would have a burn like that since I have naturally curly hair.  They have a point. ...different curl pattern is the reason.

 

Wednesday Medley- NATIONAL CLERIHEW DAY

NATIONAL CLERIHEW DAY – July 10

1.  Try your hand at one of these Clerihew poems, or two or three!  

I have a dog named Mandy.

She really is quite a dandy.

She loves to eat, 

and smell my feet.

That is Mandy over on the right.

 

2.  Tell us something about your week so far.

I have been reading.  I finished The Secret to Hummingbird Cake and it was wonderful  If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it.  Then I followed that up with the author's other book called The Sweet Smell of Magnolias and Memories....it wasn't as good, but it was ok.  The author is Celeste Fletcher McHale.  I am now reading Still Life by Louis Penny and I checked out another book too.  Here they are.  Josh has been volunteering at the library still and is doing great.  I may be late making visits today, but I will be there.  I may be taking my mom shopping.