Saturday 9- She's in Love with the Boy

 

She's in Love with the Boy

She's in Love with the Boy (1991)

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

1) This song tells the story of Katie and Tommy. She waited for him to pull up in his beat-up Chevy truck. Tell us about your wheels.  I drive a 2002 Toyota Camry and it runs great.  I love that car.  It was my grandparent's car.  When they passed away it was left to me.

 

2) Katie and Tommy stay out until 12:30 AM. What time did you go to bed last night?  I have been going to bed around 9:30 this week now that I am working again.  I get up just after 5:00AM.

3) The lyrics tell us, "What's meant to be will always find a way." Do you agree?  The more I live life the more I agree with this.  I don't worry too much about things.  God in in control.  That does not mean it is going to be flowers and rainbows though.  I was told when I was young that things just seem to work themselves out.  That has been true.  Sometimes things just do not go the way we think they will.

4) This was the first big hit for Trisha Yearwood. While she's found her greatest success in music, she's also written top-selling cookbooks. Are you a better singer or cook?  I am not great at either.  I was in college choir and our church choir, but I am an alto, so I harmonize.  I do not sing solos.  I can cook a fair bit, but nothing great.  I don't enjoy cooking.  

5) Trisha also appeared in six episodes of the TV drama, JAG. She played a medical examiner and forensic pathologist, which means her character had a medical degree and (at least) one year of additional training. That's (at least) five extra years of higher education. Do you enjoy taking classes?  I love learning.  I do love taking classes.

6) In real life, Trisha earned a degree in Business Administration before going into music. She uses what she learned in school, keeping a close eye on her finances and those of her superstar husband, Garth Brooks. She says she likes and trusts the people hired to their money, "but I check on them." Do you keep a careful eye on where your money goes?  I try to keep an eye on things.  My husband handles the money.  

 

7) In 1991, when this song was popular, Dances with Wolves was a hit in the theaters. Have you seen it?  Oh yes.  It is a good one.

8) Also in 1991, Seinfeld was a big deal on the small screen. It's still popular in syndication on cable channels and on streaming services. Do you more often watch broadcast TV or streaming/on-demand channels?  It is a mixture.  It is going more to streaming here lately.  Apple + has some good shows! 

9) Random question: Have you ever gone a day without laughing?  I am very blessed to have a job where I get to be with kids and laugh with them every day, but when my dad was dying, I don't think there was much laughing.  I was depressed through all of that.  I would stay in bed and watch tv all day.  I didn't realize I was depressed at the time.  I had to go and comfort my mom, but when I was home, I was in bed.  During the school year we had a snow day.  I decided I would lay in bed and watch tv that day like I did over the summer.  I couldn't do it.  I had to get up and get moving.  That was when I realized I was probably depressed over the summer when he passed away.  It was short lived though.  I wish Josh could feel better.  He seemed to be feeling a bit better, but then here lately he seems down again. Say a prayer for him if you think of him.

This was my first week back to school with the kids.  I think this will be a good class.  I am very blessed.  I am not seeing many problems anyway.  They are very sweet.  I am still missing my kids from last year.

Tuesday 4 Meme- House and Home

 

House and Home

 Hello and welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4

Let's share our home secrets with one another.   Maybe you have  some ideas other ladies would love to hear about.

1.   What household tool or appliance do you rely on a lot?  Vacuum, dishwasher and microwave.

2.   Which laundry detergent, fabric softener, and dish detergent work best for you?  Tide pods, downy and Downy Unstoppables for laundry then Bounce for dryer and Cascade pods for dishwasher.

3.   What soap do you like to use?   Where do you have soap in your home... bathroom, kitchen, shower?  I have Bath and Body Works soap in my kitchen and bathroom for hands.  I use Tone body wash in the shower and also Dial soap.  Then I have Dove unscented soap for my face.  The rest of my face wash routine is a whole different story.

4.   What is the secret to a clean home in your opinion?  Clean floors.  My friend Kat posted that when we were much younger and doing our websites.  She is right though.  If your floors are clean, the house looks clean.  My house is always picked up, so running the vacuum and sweep and mop make it look like I have been cleaning a lot.

Today is my first day of school.  I will come and visit when I get home.

Saturday 9- Jack and Diane

 

Jack and Diane

 Jack and Diane (1982)

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

1) The video for this song features lots of snapshots. Do you have many physical photo albums? Or do you store your pictures digitally?  I have several physical photo albums.  I do store many photos digitally, but if they are important to me, I print them and put them in an album...vacations, Josh and my dogs.

 

2) This song tells the story of "two American kids growing up in the heartland." Young Jack dreams of being a football star. When you were in high school, did you fantasize about stardom? If yes, what were you going to be famous for?  I wanted to perform on Broadway...mind you, that would never happen.  I just thought it would be awesome.  It was a brief fantasy.

3) Diane wears Bobbie Brooks slacks (at least briefly). Bobbie Brooks is a popular brand at Walmart. If you had a $50 gift card for Walmart, would you be more likely to use it toward groceries, clothes, household items, or electronics?  groceries.  They cost so much!

4) They go to the Tasty Freeze. If you were to run out for fast food right now, where would you go?  Sonic

5) When John Mellencamp made this record, he was known professionally as "John Cougar," a stage name suggested by his manager. He has said that adopting a stage name is something he regrets. Looking over your life, if you could take a "do over," what one thing would you like to do differently?  I always come up with good answers for this question at random times.  I will write it down next time I remember something.  I am sure there are several do overs I would like to do.  I would like to have been a nicer "kid" to the other kids.  I do think that is why I am so considerate now though.  I wasn't a bully or anything, I just remember times I was not nice.  I really do not like that I was like that.  It was in high school and middle school.

 
6) Even though he suffered a heart attack, John Mellencamp continues to smoke, admitting that nicotine is something he simply can't kick. Do you have a habit you wish you could break?  caffeine and sugar.

 

7) John's daughter Teddi was one of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. She went on to join the cast of Big Brother. Do you watch any reality shows?  I can't stand reality shows, but I watch The Voice and text my friend Rita while we watch.  We are able to catch up this way.

8) In 1982, when this song was popular, William Windsor was born. He's better known by his job title. Without looking it up, do you know who he is?  no, I thought it had something to do with the Windsor chair, but it is Prince William?

 

9) Random question: What do you do when you can't sleep?  I pray.  I like to believe God keeps me up when I forget to pray.  That gives me the opportunity to pray.  I usually fall asleep shortly after I finish praying.

Saturday 9- W-O-L-D

 

W-O-L-D

W.O.L.D. (1973)

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

1) This song tells the story of a man who has made a career in radio.  How many professions have you worked in?  fast food, grocery stores, working with the mentally handicapped and education. 4.  I have worked in 4 professions.

 

2) He describes himself as "45 going on 15." This morning, do you feel older or younger than your years?  I always feel older in my body and younger in my head.  I am just a big kid.

3) He estimates that he's traveled thousands of miles, from town to city, as disc jockey at various stations. Have you ever relocated for a job?  no.

4) This song is written as though he's reached out to an ex. Is there someone from your past who is on your mind this morning?  I had Open House tonight (as I am writing this...so Friday night).  I have lots of kids of friends from high school in my class this year (they would be grandkids).  I guess I am thinking about them.  It is so nice to see people you haven't seen in years.  BTW...I teach pre-K, so lots of families bring in the Grandparents.  That is a fun thing about pre-K.  It is exciting and new and everyone wants to be there. :)

5) Tell us about a radio personality you grew up listening to.  When I was a kid everyone listened to Woody P. Snow on Rock 99.  He was awesome.  He left the area for a while and then he came back to a different station years later.  I imagine he is probably retired now.

6) This week's featured artist, Harry Chapin, was an Oscar nominee. Before he became a musician, he wrote and directed a documentary about boxing called Legendary Champions. When you sit down to watch a movie, would you prefer action, comedy, drama, fantasy, horror, mystery, romance, thriller or documentary?  I like to mix it up.  I enjoy most genres of movies.  It is almost what type of mood I am in and what catches my eye at the time.

 

7) Today Harry Chapin is fondly remembered for his philanthropy. He filled his calendar with benefit concerts that supported local food banks all around the country. How would you like to be remembered?  I would like to be one of those teachers' people talk about saying they made a difference in their child's life or helped them love school...something like that, but I think that is mostly reserved for high school teachers.  My dad is fondly remembered that way.  He came up at Open House.  Makes my heart so happy to listen to people talk about my dad.

8) In 1973, when this song was popular, one of the top-selling toys was a Curious George book packaged with a plush Curious George. Can you recall a favorite book from your childhood?  I was in the Dr. Seuss book club or something.  I have all of them and I read them at school during Dr. Seuss week.  My favorite as a kid was probably One Fish Two Fish.  Now it would be The Lorax.

 

9) Random question: Here's $100. What will you spend it on?  I would spend it on Josh.  He had his birthday last week (4th) and then got covid.  We did not get to celebrate much.  He ended up going out with one of his friends.  They went to see the movie "Elvis".  He loved it.  He wasn't all that sick, but I got him the antivirals and those helped.  We still need to celebrate.  I think he wants to go to Cheddar's.  Here is Josh and Cryssi on his birthday at the movie theater.  Cryssi gave him that silly hat.  He loves it.

Saturday 9- Big, Bad John

 

Big, Bad John

August will be devoted to story songs. Here's the first:

 

Big, Bad John (1961)

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

1) This song tells the story of a stern, enigmatic miner. None of the other miners knew much about him. When people first meet you, do you think they see you more as mysterious or straightforward?  I feel like I am straightforward, but I really do not know how people see me.

 

2) During a serious accident, many of the miners panicked. But not John. Think of your family, friends and acquaintances. Who would be the most dependable in a crisis?  My in-laws are very dependable.  When my dad was alive, he was too.

3) His heroism allowed 20 miners to escape, but cost John his life. According to the lyrics, there's a marble slab on site of mine that honors him. Is there a memorial to a local hero in your town?  no

4) This song was written and performed by Jimmy Dean. He began composing it on a flight from New York to Nashville. How do you amuse yourself while traveling?  In the past it was by listening to the radio and visiting with my husband Karl, but now I might listen to an audiobook.

5) Jimmy Dean hosted a long-running variety show on CBS, which is best-remembered today for introducing Jim Henson's puppets -- especially Rowlf, a dog who sang and told jokes. While Rowlf didn't make it to Sesame Street, he was a recurring character on the Muppet Show. Are you a Muppet fan?  Yes, they were really popular when I was a kid.

6) Jimmy found success in business with The Jimmy Dean Sausage Company. He sold the company to Sara Lee in 1984 for $80 million. Today Jimmy Dean breakfast products are still popular in grocery stores all over the country. What's your favorite breakfast?  Eggs, bacon, toast and hashbrowns.

7) In 1961, when this song was popular, Vogue asked if fashion sense is inborn or if a woman could learn to be chic. What do you think? Do you think style is either something you have, or you don't?  I think people have an "eye" for what they like.  Maybe it isn't fashionable, but people need to be comfortable.

8) Also in 1961, Ernest Hemingway took his own life. Did you read Hemingway in English class? Can you recall any other novels you read for school?  I am not sure that I have read any Hemingway, but Josh is getting a book by Hemingway for his birthday which was the 4th.  He turned 24.  I read The Great Gatsby, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, The Grapes of Wrath, The Scarlett Letter and many others.

 

9) Random question: Think about the last "white lie" you told. Was it to make your own day easier or spare someone's feelings?  To spare someone's feelings.