Tuesday 4 Meme- Looking back...

 

Looking back...

Hello friends and once again welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.   I am so happy to have people joining in and making this so much fun.

I am listening to a nostalgic music channel right now with songs of the 40's  and it  made me think that perhaps we could discuss some
nostalgia here.  I hope you will enjoy thinking about these questions this week.

1. What music were your parents listening to when you were a kid?  Does that music bring back memories for you?  My mom was a huge Elvis fan, so some Elvis, but mostly old country, Dolly, Kenny, Loretta Lynn, etc.  I love old country.  I am not sure that it brings back memories other than just being a kid.  It is the 80's and 90's music from when I was in high school and college that brings back specific memories for me of school and friends.

2. What was your favorite meal and beverage as a teenager?  Is it still or have things changed for you?  When I was a teen, I loved homemade pizza, but we did not have it very often.  I drank unsweet tea a lot.  I would say now my favorite meal is anything Mexican and I love sweet tea and Pepsi.

3. As a teen did you live in a city, country, small town?  What was it like for you there.   Tell us about your hometown please?  I lived in a small town.  Everyone knew everyone and I had great friends.  It is close to a tourist town, so I would go to Silver Dollar City and Table Rock lake a lot.  Josh is working at Silver Dollar City this summer, so when I take him to work I get to drive through my hometown.  I must admit, it is weird leaving and coming back to the town we live in now.  I think my heart belongs there.  So many good memories. 

4. Would you like to live in your hometown today? Why or why not?  I would love to still live there.  It is beautiful!  The hills and trees and the lake view is gorgeous.  The people there are awesome.  It is also where I work.

Saturday 9: Better Now

 

Better Now

Saturday 9: Better Now (2018)

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

1) In this song, Post Malone tries to assure his ex that he's better now ... but he's not. He's still hurting. Have you recently told someone you were fine when you weren't?  I do this a lot, but lately...not really.  I am a person that needs time to myself and if I get that, I do ok.  I also need to be careful and stay busy.  Josh and I went to visit my mom yesterday and did a little shopping.  That was good for all of us.  It is about balance for me.

 

2) He and his girl were so close he introduced her to his extended family, and now his aunts and uncles wonder where she's gone. Have you remained close to an ex's friends/family?  no

 

3) He sings that he never meant to let her down. What about you? Have you recently encountered anything -- big or small -- that didn't live up to your expectations?  not recently.

4) Post recently announced he will soon become a father for the first time. Do you know anyone who is currently expecting a baby?  One of the teachers I work with is expecting another baby.

5) Before making it big as a musician, he supported himself as a wedding DJ. Think back to the last wedding you attended. Did they have a live band or a DJ?  DJ

 
6) Not satisfied being a successful musician, Post has branched out and introduced his own rose wine, Maison No. 9. Will you replenish your beer/wine/spirits this weekend?  We do not drink.

 
7) Post Malone has more than 70 different tattoos. He designs them himself and is so into ink that he has tattooed his friends. Would you trust a friend or relative to do your body art (tattoo or piercing)? Or would you go to a licensed professional?  I am not interested in tattoos and my days of piercing...which I only ever pierced my ears numerous times...those days are over.  It would depend on if my friend were really good at piercing, but I do not know anyone that is...so I guess my answer is go to a professional.

 

8) In 2018, when this song was popular, Sears filed for bankruptcy. In the 1970s, Sears was known as the place "Where America Shops." As of 2021, there were only 23 Sears stores left. Did you ever shop at Sears, either at the store or through the catalog?  I remember when I was little we would go to Sears and I saw Winnie the Pooh there.  There was a clothing line I believe that was Winnie the Pooh themed.  I am sure we did some catalog shopping too.  As an adult I went to the store.  Sears has closed here also.  It was such a busy store for so long.  In the end hardly anyone was ever in there and the quality of the merchandise was not as good as it had been in the past.

9) Random question: What's your favorite way to spend an evening at home alone?  I like to read if I am alone.  Maybe watch a Hallmark movie.

Tuesday 4 Meme- Night Night!

 

Night Night!

Welcome back to the "I refuse to auto post" Tuesday 4 by Toni Taddeo, enhanced by complication from Blogger. 

 Yes folks, it did it yet again. But, better late than never some say so here we go with this week's questions.    I hope you enjoy them.

1. Do you have a set bedtime that you stick to?

When I am working, I like to be in bed by 9:00.  I watch the news and then I turn off the tv and try to go to sleep.  This summer, I usually watch the news and part of Jimmy Fallon before I go to sleep.  

2. What kind of sleep attire do you prefer and why is that?  I have some capri bottoms and a t-shirt to match.  I like these sets because they are cool and comfortable.  I also feel like I can get by with answering the door in these because they look like a regular clothing outfit.

3. Do you have a night time routine  before bed?   Wash.. brush teeth.. snack?  Yes. I turn on the tv to the news, set out my clothes for the next day, I fill my diffuser with water and essential oils and turn the diffuser on.  Then I wash my face, take my medicine, put on my pj's, set my alarm and get in bed and watch the local news and weather.

4. Quilts? Coverlet? Fluffy comforters? Woolen blankets? What do you need to sleep comfortably?  I need the sheet, a thin blanket and the comforter.  In the winter I add one or two (depends on how cold) thin blankets.  I get cold easy.

Saturday 9: Yesterday

 

Yesterday

Saturday 9: Yesterday (1965)

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

Chosen because June 18 is Paul McCartney's 80th birthday. 

1) Paul McCartney sings that yesterday all his troubles seemed so far away. Can you recall a time when your life seemed carefree? When I was in college and younger I didn't really have a care in the world.  Those were good times.

2) He has always insisted the melody to "Yesterday" came to him in a dream. Did you dream last night?  I did, but I cannot remember right now what it was about.

3) The lyrics were inspired, in part, by the death of Paul's mother when he was 14. Thirteen years later, he named his daughter Mary after her. Are you named after anyone? If you're a parent, did you name your children in honor of anyone?  I was named after my aunt Linda...my middle name is Lynn.  I named Josh after Joshua in the Bible.

4) Over the years, Paul has performed on bass, acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards and drums, but not the first instrument he owned: the trumpet. A present from his dad for his 14th birthday, he exchanged the trumpet for a guitar because, "you can't sing while playing the trumpet." Have you more recently a) exchanged a gift, b) donated a gift you didn't want to charity or c) regifted?  I don't really do any of those things with gifts, but maybe re-gift.  I am sure I have done that at some point.  I love everything people give me.

5) Paul grew up seeing how much his dad enjoyed placing a bet and then listening to the horse race from his favorite armchair in the living room, so he took his salary from making the film A Hard Day's Night and surprised his father with a racehorse. After father and son proudly watched Drake's Drum win at Liverpool's Aintree Racecourse, the horse retired to Paul's farm in Scotland. If money were no object, what gift would you give a loved one?  I would gift my family a new house and move my mom in with us.

6) Paul is considered one of the world's wealthiest entertainers, worth an estimated $1.2 billion. This month, as he approaches his 80th birthday, he is winding up a 16-city North American tour, during which he performs 30+ songs in a 2 hour, 40 minute show. If you had all the money you needed, would you continue to work? Or would you kick back and relax?  I would kick back and relax.  I love teaching, but life is not about work.  I would actually travel.  You guys know I never go anywhere.

7) Paul first joined the Beatles when he was recruited into the band by John Lennon. They met as teenagers when Paul showed up at a church picnic where John's band was performing. Paul recalls pedaling over on his bike to hear them, his guitar flung over this back. When did you most recently ride a bike?  Oh goodness!  It was probably in middle school or so.  I do not have my bike anymore.

8) Paul met his first wife, Linda, at a London club and then again four days later when she was a photographer at a press party for Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band. Think about one of your romances. Where did you meet?  I met my husband Karl at church.

9) TV journalist Barbara Walters played matchmaker for Paul and his current wife, Nancy. During the summer of 2007, when Paul was vacationing in The Hamptons, Barbara repeatedly and intentionally invited them to the same parties and picnics. Have you had any success in a matchmaking scenario -- as either the matchmaker or one of the dates?  no

I wanted to update you guys... if you are on my facebook you already know, but last Sunday Molly started being picky with her food and by Monday she was not eating or drinking.  She drank a little bit on Tuesday, but she was not feeling any good.  We decided to take her in Wednesday at 8:00AM and put her to sleep (she has had bladder cancer if you didn't remember and it was quick...she was acting great until last weekend and was having more blood in her urine and sleeping more).  This has been very hard on all of us including our dog Meisha.  I had a mammogram yesterday and when I got home Josh was on his hands and knees scrubbing the carpet of stains where Molly had an accident or threw up.  If you would not mind, keep us in your prayers, but especially Josh.  He did go back to work today, so hopefully that will help also to keep his mind off of things.  The first picture on the upper left is her puppy picture, lower left is a year old, upper right is about 2 years ago and lower right where the pic collage logo is was the day before she died.  She even looks like she doesn't feel good.  Well, she is with Mandy now and not in pain anymore.  We miss her so much.

Tuesday 4 Meme- ♬ ♫ Summertime and the Living is Easy. ♩ ♪

 

♬ ♫ Summertime and the Living is Easy. ♩ ♪

 Hey.. you're back!  Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 where we just want you to meet new folks and get to know the ones you already know a bit better. Besides, it gives you something to blog about too.

This week let's talk about Summertime.

1. What gave you the most fun in summer as a kid or as an adult?  When I was a kid it would be boating at the lake.  I would go out on the boat with my friends and we had so much fun.  As an adult, I enjoyed my pool.  I do not live by the lake anymore.  Here is a picture of it though.  It is down by where I teach now.  So, not too far away.

2. Does summer heat get to you? How do you cope?  It does.  I used to go out to my pool, but it got worn out a few years ago and we did not replace it.  I just stay inside now in the A/C.

3.  Do you have summertime foods and drinks you really enjoy eating?   Does your menu change in summer?  We eat more ice cream in the summer.

4. Do you enjoy sitting outside or on the porch in summertime?  How about some photos of where you enjoy being in summer.  I rarely sit outside in the summer.  The mosquitoes like to bite me.  The humidity is too bad this week, temps in the 100's.  This is our old pool where Josh and I would keep cool.  This picture makes me miss it.  I would lay on that pool mattress and get a tan.  I have not been in the sun for about 6 years now.  In know it is better for my skin to stay out of the sun, but I miss it.

Sunday Stealing- Unconscious Mutterings

Unconscious Mutterings

  

 

Stolen from Unconscious Mutterings

 

 

 

 

There are no right or wrong answers. Don't limit yourself to

one word responses; just say everything that pops into your

head.
I say ... and you think ... ?

Hurry! :: Up and wait.
Dumb :: not smart

Fudge :: sicle
Sturdy :: building
Printing :: press
Itch :: scratch
Creaks :: door
Paste :: glue
Waste of time ::  for me, probably playing games, but they 

relax me and take my mind off things.
Let down :: disappointment
Cancellation :: no more
Suspect :: bad guy
Fireplace ::  cozy
Spring :: flowers
Commute :: drive
Places :: home
Fraud :: fake
Adoption :: baby
Election :: day
Moving day :: school (because we still have to move

back into the classrooms).

Saturday 9: Let Me Love You Tonight

 

Let Me Love You Tonight

Saturday 9: Let Me Love You Tonight (1980)

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

 

1) Pure Prairie League was a country rock band signed by Casablanca Records in 1980. The label, known for disco hits, wanted to expand their client roster in case disco died. (Which it did, and Casablanca ultimately went bankrupt.) Disco can be a polarizing topic among music fans. Do you love it or loathe it?  I guess some of it is ok, but I do not really listen to Disco unless Josh is playing music.  He likes it more than I do.

2) In this song, lead singer Vince Gill encourages his girl to hold him tight. Who did you most recently hug?  My husband, Karl

 

3) Vince Gill left The Pure Prairie League in 1982 and went on to be a solo success. Tell us about a job you were glad you left.  I have told that story before, but my first teaching job is the job I am glad I left.  It was so toxic, and I didn't know any better.  I thought teaching would just be that way at any district.  It is not.  I absolutely love working at the district I am at now, which is also where I went to school.

4) He says his favorite song is the country classic, "He Stopped Loving Her Today." Do you often listen to country?  sometimes.  I like classic country and I have a couple of stations programmed in my car.  Mostly 80's rock stations though.

5) Vince joined The Eagles on tour after the 2016 death of Glenn Frey, taking over Frey's guitar solos. Do you have a favorite Eagles song?  I love The Eagles.  I am not sure which would be my favorite.  Desperado, Peaceful Easy Feeling, Hotel California.

 
6) Vince met future wife, singer Amy Grant, when she performed on his Christmas TV special. Have you ever had a workplace romance?  I did when I was young.  I worked as a cashier at a grocery store in college and I dated the guy that worked in the liquor department.

 
7) In 1980, when this song was popular, The Love Boat was a hit. Have you ever taken a cruise? If yes, where did you go?  no

 

8) 1980 also gave us the Post-It Note. What did you most recently write on a Post-It?  It was something at school.  I write on them just about every day at school, but I haven't written anything down since being on summer vacation.  I have put some appointments in my phone though.

9) Random question: You find yourself one of three strangers trapped in an elevator. Would you rather the other two people be a man and a woman, two men, or two women?  I guess a man and a woman.  Maybe one of us could figure out how to contact someone to get us out.

Tuesday 4 Meme- Coffee & Tea

 

Coffee & Tea

 

 Hello! Glad you are back for more of Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4..   If you knew Toni you would know that coffee was one of her great pleasures in life.  So friends, let's talk about those two popular drinks tea and coffee. Okay?  Let's go....

1. What is/are your favorite coffee? (brand or flavor)  If you are a tea lover, which tea is the best for you?  I do not drink coffee, but I like tea.  I do not buy fancy tea, just Lipton.  I have some single tea in the kitchen that is different brands.

2.  How do you take your coffee or tea? Sugar, cream , flavoring?  sugar...just sweet tea for me.

3. Do you go out for coffee/tea with friends?   Ever enjoy a real tea room or a  tea party?  I used to go to a tea room with my friend Kris.  We haven't been back since covid.  

4. If you could design a coffee shop or even a coffee/tea station in your home, what would it be like?  I don't drink enough tea to make anything special and I do not care for coffee.  I love the smell of it, I wish someone in my house drank coffee.

Saturday 9: Cinderella Rockefella

 

Cinderella Rockefella

Saturday 9: Cinderella Rockefella (1968)

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

1) This record and video were inspired by popular tunes of the 1920s. Looking over your lifetime, which decade produced more of your favorite songs?  80's, but I love music from the 70's and 90's also.

 

2) "Cinderella Rockefella" topped the charts in England, yet barely broke into the Billboard Hot 100 here in the States. Still, the number was known to American audiences, performed as a duet on variety shows like The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (Tommy and Kate Smith), This Is Tom Jones (Cher and Tom) and The Dean Martin Show (Nancy Ames and Dean). Do you remember watching musical-comedy programs? Did you have a favorite?  I remember the Sonny and Cher Show and the Donnie and Marie show, but I was really young, so they were not favorites.

3) It was written by Mason Williams, a prolific composer and comedy writer, as well as a talented guitarist. He is best known for "Classical Gas," his 1968 instrumental. Do you enjoy instrumentals? Or does a piece of music need lyrics to become one of your favorites?  I like instrumentals very much.

 

4) This week's featured artists, Esther & Abi Ofarim, were considered the Sonny & Cher of Europe. A married couple, they had hits in the 1960s in both the UK and Germany and were depicted in magazines as the perfect young husband and wife. Fans were disappointed when, in 1969, they quit performing together and divorced in 1970 after 12 years of marriage. Can you think of a couple you knew in real life whose split shocked you? Or can you usually see it coming?  When I was in high school my friend's parents got divorced and I was shocked.  We were pretty good friends, so I was upset about it.

5) Comparisons to Sonny & Cher are apt because, as with the Bonos, the wife's show business career fared better than the husband's, post-divorce. Esther's BBC specials were "appointment TV" in the UK during the 1970s. Today, with the advent of streaming and DVRs, viewers don't have to make sure they're in front of the screen when their favorite show airs. Tell us about the last show you watched. Was it live, streamed, on DVR or DVD/Blueray?  One of the only things I watch live are ball games...Baseball and football.  I am currently watching the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs play (Thursday night) as I type these answers.  The Cardinals have just tied the game in the bottom of the 3rd.

6) She had a solo hit with Esther in Kinderland, a collection of children's songs. Can you recall the lyrics of a favorite song from childhood?  Where did you learn it (home, church, Scouts ...)?  My mom had several 45's and I would listen to them on a record player when I was young.  I remember learning The Chipmunk Song.  I was at home.  I listened to the radio a lot too though.  I am not sure what the first song I learned was.  Probably Jesus Loves Me.  My parents taught me that.

 
7) Abi continued performing after the split, but more often worked behind the scenes as a record producer and music publisher. Would you say you have a good head for business?  not really

8) After they finished school, both Abi and Esther served in the Israeli Army, and Abi saw combat. Have you served in our military? Did you ever consider enlisting?  I have not served and no, I never really considered it.  I always wanted to go straight to college after high school.

9) Random question: How many keys are on your key ring, and do you know what each one is for?  I am pretty sure there are 5 keys.  My house key, classroom key, my mom's house key, car key and a key that I do not remember what it goes to.  I also have a key fob that gets me into my building I work at (primary school).

The Cubs just went ahead, and it is 3-2 in the 4th.  This is my favorite series that the Cardinals play.