Tuesday 4 Meme- October Reading

 

October Reading

 Welcome to Tuesday 4 in memory of  our friend Toni Taddeo..

Most people love to read.  It opens other world's to us.  Autumn weather is often conducive to reading as weather can be chillier and rainy. Cozying up with a book can be a lovely way to spend some time.

1. How do you relax in the evening after dinner?  I watch YouTube videos or news.
2. Do you read in bed? What kind of books do you read?  no, I read in my living room.  I do not read to relax right before bed.  It is typically part of my day.
   
3. Do you have a list of books you look forward to reading?  I have a list on Goodreads.
4. What is the best book you've ever read and why?  Or.. how about the worst book you feel you wasted time reading?  This isn't the best book I ever read, I read a lot of good books..but it did make a difference in my life.  It is a teacher book called Teach Happier This School Year.  It made me focus more on me and my family.  Teachers put everything into our jobs, we want to...but this book make you change little things.  Let yourself eat out, do things with your family.  Even just once a month, get out and forget about your job for a while.  Then at school it talks about how to give a small gift to a teacher friend to help them have a good day.  Being a teacher is stressful, but we love it and love those kids.  I think this book helped me be a better teacher.  You have to take care of yourself first.  Also, The Anxious Generation book explained why kids are acting the way they are.  If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it.  It explains the affects of social media, internet, video games...what they are doing to kids.

Sunday Stealing Looks Back on September

 

Sunday Stealing Looks Back on September

In the Past Month Meme

During September, did you ...

1. Drink alcohol?  no

2. Try a new recipe?  no

3. Go shopping with friends? yes

4. Eat an entire box of cookies by yourself? no

5. Dye your hair?  no, but I have an appointment coming soon.

Saturday 9: That's So True (2024)

 

That's So True

Saturday 9: That's So True (2024)

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

 
1) In this song, Gracie Abrams can't stop thinking about her ex. Who is on your mind this morning?  Always my mom.  I went to see her last night.  She was about the same, a little more confused than normal, but it was getting late in the day.  I had to visit after work.

 

2) She wonders if she should warn his new girl about him. Think of the last time someone offered you advice. Did you take it?  It would probably have been something about behavior at work, so yes, I would have taken their advice.  I will try anything within reason.

3) She concludes her old boyfriend wasn't worthy of her love and attention, and now sees him as "just another dude." What is something you regret spending time on? (It doesn't have to be a romance.)  Maybe social media.  It is a time suck and a waste of time.

 

4) On July 31, Gracie Abrams performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago. More than 100,000 attended the first day of the outdoor festival. It was sunny and 79º. Describe your perfect day (weatherwise).  Maybe more like 60's, sunny with low humidity.  I like to take a long recess when it is like that.

 

5) Gracie's father is J.J. Abrams, perhaps best known for directing the 2009 Star Trek movie and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Would you rather watch Star Trek or Star Wars?  neither really, but I will say Star Wars.

6) She is very much a 21st century artist in that she doesn't rely on radio to introduce her music to her fans, often sharing demos on TikTok. Do you watch, or create content for, TikTok?  I try to stay off there.

7) In 2024, when "That's So True" was released, Madonna set a record. Her free concert in Brazil drew the largest audience (1.6 million) ever. What's your favorite Madonna song?  Material Girl is kind of fun.

8) Also in 2024, former President Jimmy Carter died. In addition to his work in politics and philanthropy, Mr. Carter wrote more than 30 books. Who wrote the last book you finished? Carley Fortune- One Golden Summer-very good book.

9) Random question: What sound stresses you out? the phone ringing, I always think something has gone wrong with my mom.

Sunday Stealing: Memememe -- Part 2

 

Sunday Stealing: Memememe -- Part 2

Memememe -- Part 2

11. You can build a dream house anywhere in the world. Where would it be located?

I don't know, we might just stay in Missouri, but build the house near the lake

so we have a nice view.  

12. Have you ever taken a photo in a photo booth?  yes, those are so fun, but

I do not have the photo anymore.

13. What's your favorite kind of mustard (dijon, spicy brown, bright yellow)? I 

like spicy mustard.

14. What did you do on New Year's Eve?  We don't go out, we just watch the ball 

drop and then go to bed.

15. Did your parents ever share memories of their high school days?  a few

16. What's the most famous thing to happen in your home town?  Nothing

famous happens here.  The closest is Springfield, which is maybe 30 minutes

away.  Brad Pitt is from there and premiered one of his movies there.  It was 

one he was proud to show to his mom.  I think it was Meet Joe Black.  

Fun fact- we went to church with his brother Doug and wife Lisa.  When

Josh was really little, they were sitting behind us and Josh was starting

to fuss a little.  She held him for a little bit to calm him down.  They are 

great people.  Doug started a charity that sends food home with kids in

schools that need it over the weekend.

17. Did you ever have a MySpace page?  yes, this is when I first started

finding my friends from high school and college.

18. Will you eat a cookie today?  no, but maybe a brownie.

19. Who is the last person you spoke to – not texted with – on the phone?  My son

Josh.

20. Do you play poker?  not since college.

Saturday 9- The Entertainer (The Theme from The Sting) 1973

 

The Entertainer (Theme from The Sting)

The Entertainer (The Theme from The Sting) 1973

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

Chosen in memory of Robert Redford: Aug. 18, 1936 - Sept. 16, 2025

1) The Sting marked the second teaming of Robert Redford and Paul Newman. The two enjoyed almost 40 years of friendship. One passion they shared was sports cars. Newman raced Porsches professionally and Redford was deft behind the wheel of a classic Karmann Ghia convertible. Think about one of your longest friendships. What did you two first bond over? we bonded over teaching special education, make-up and curly hair products.  She is my teacher bestie.

2) During their first movie together – Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid – Redford was late so often that Newman joked they should change the title to, "Waiting for Lefty." Do you have a friend who is perpetually tardy? Or are you that friend?  She is that friend...she has a little boy and is often late, I am always early.

 

3) Back in 1936, when Redford was born, baseball's Hall of Fame opened in Cooperstown. Coincidentally, two members of his high school class of 1954 are represented in the Hall: Redford, with memorabilia from his baseball film, The Natural, and his teammate on the Van Nuys Wolves, Don Drysdale. "Big D" was inducted for his stellar Dodger pitching career. Have you recently spoken to, or corresponded with, one of your high school classmates?  I talk to high school friends on facebook all of the time, but not in person very often.


4) Redford admitted he had a few run ins with law enforcement during his teen years. He specifically recalled being picked up for breaking into the neighbors' back yard and swimming in their pool. Were you a mischievous kid?  no, not at all.

5) Redford went on to CU Boulder. He confessed to being a distracted student and only lasted a year and a half. While not good in class, he was popular with his coworkers at his after school job, mopping floors and cleaning bathrooms at a restaurant called The Sink. The restaurant is still thriving, and Redford returned whenever he was in Boulder. He wore a Sink t-shirt during a national press conference in 2018 and when asked what The Sink was, he was happy to plug his former employer. Do you often wear graphic tees, decorated with a favorite band, restaurant logo, team mascot, vacation destination, etc.? I do have several t-shirts that are STL. Cardinals, KC Chiefs and the school I work at Reeds Spring Wolves.

6) When he was a struggling New York actor, he and his wife lost their first child to crib death. Redford told AARP magazine that he blamed himself, and said it's a wound that never healed. Tell us about a time you felt guilty but shouldn't have.  I am that person that feels guilty about everything.  I have no idea why I am like that, but I hate it.

7) Legendary costume designer Edith Head said she liked putting Redford in hats because they balanced his strong, square jaw. Do you take your figure flaws into consideration when you choose your clothes? definitely

8) Forever fit, Redford credited his physique on exercise and genes, not diet. He said, "Healthy food is good for the conscience, but Oreos taste a helluva lot better." What's the last cookie, candy or treat you indulged in?  I had a Whatchamacallit candy bar.

 
9) Random question: Do you prefer to bathe or shower first thing in the morning, after work, or before bed? first thing in the morning.

I LOVE The Entertainer.  It is played a lot around here where I live in Missouri at the place Josh used to work...Silver Dollar City.  It is a theme park set in the 1880's.  The Entertainer is from 1899, so close enough I guess.

Tuesday 4 meme- Autumnal Equinox

 

Autumnal Equinox

 

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4... are you ready for Autumn?

Monday,  September 22 is the Autumnal Equinox, the first day of the Autumn season.  

Autumn is the name of the season and fall is the term for the time of Autumn when leaves begin to fall from the trees.   Let's discuss it.....

1. Are there pumpkins or chrysanthemums on your porch or are you planning on putting some out?  Not yet, but I will definitely be getting mums soon and hopefully a pumpkin or two.

2. Are stores around you showing Autumn clothing and decor now?  Here in New Jersey, leaves on some trees are changing slowly and temperatures are way down . What is it like in your neck of the woods?  It has been hot and dry, but this week we are supposed to get rain.

3. Do you have plans for Thanksgiving yet? no          

4 . If we can arrange an autumn trip or get away for you, where will you choose to go and why?  I would enjoy a weekend getaway to Arkansas, it is close to where I live and it is really pretty there.  Just a restful getaway with some shopping and driving around.

Sunday Stealing: Memememe -- Part 1

 

Sunday Stealing: Memememe -- Part 1

Memememe -- Part 1

1. The phone rings. Who do you want it to be?  My son Josh.

2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart?  not if I have

to take the cart to my car, I leave it at the cart return.

3. In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener? Listener

4. Do you take compliments well?  I get embarrassed.  I try to be thankful though.

5. Do you play Sudoku or Wordle?  I have played Wordle a few times.

6. Did you ever go to camp as a kid?  no

7. Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you?  no

8. Would you rather pursue or be pursued?  be pursued.

9. Have you ever fired a gun?  yes, handgun and rifle

10. Would you rather dine at Olive Garden or Panera?  Olive Garden

Tuesday 4 Meme- Let's Blog!

 

Let's Blog!

1. Why did you begin blogging?   Back in the day when we had country graphic family websites, we made a lot of friends and at one point many of those same friends began blogging.  Once I realized that you could better get to know your friends through blogging, I jumped on the bandwagon also.  Most of my friends that I started blogging with have quit blogging many years ago, but I have met new friends over the years and just enjoy blogging.  I am friends with many of my blogging friends on facebook.

2. What benefits does blogging offer you?  I am able to write my thoughts and things 

that are going on in my life.  I always feel like nothing goes on in my life, but I have

been able to go back and read posts and realize that a lot happens.  If I am being

real, the real reason I always come back, is I wonder how my blogging friends are

doing.

3. Have you made friends from blogging?  I have met a lot of friends blogging.  When

I first started it was just the next big thing after websites, so I was friends with a lot 

of those gals already.  I have met so many people since then and I love talking to 

people of all walks of life.

4. Where do you get ideas for things you blog about? Do other bloggers influence you? 

I used to blog about things that were going on in my life.  Josh was still little and

doing cute things all of the time.  I had plenty to write about, but now I mostly do

memes.  So I am thankful to Annie for keeping this meme going and Gal for the 

other memes I do.

Saturday 9: It's So Nice to Be Nice (to Your Neighbor) – 1947

 

It's So Nice to Be Nice

Saturday 9: It's So Nice to Be Nice  (to Your Neighbor) – 1947

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

 

1) In this song, Monica Lewis encourages us to greet our neighbors with a smile and a hello. Tell us about one of your neighbors.  We have a neighbor named Suzie.  She has lived here all of her life and is loved by this community.  She is so nice.  I see her every morning as I am driving to work.  She works here at the school district where I live and I work in another city.  We wave at each other every morning.  She can also be seen walking around town getting her exercise and she also mows lawns for extra money.  She is great!

 

2) She reminds us that it's "nice to be nice." Who has recently shown you kindness?  My husband.  I got home from work today and he had bought pizza hoe for dinner for us to have as we watch the KC Chiefs game.

 

3) Monica Lewis was born in Chicago, where her mother performed with the Chicago Opera Company. Have you ever been to the opera?  Not a real one.  Josh has though, he had a teacher in elementary that was an opera singer and she had all of the kids come up to watch a performance.

 

4) Her family moved to New York City, where she attended college by day and worked at radio station WMCA in the evenings to help support her family. Which do you listen to more: the radio or podcasts? radio, I listen to podcasts, but not in my car, I usually catch some on YouTube so I can see them.

5) In the 1940s she appeared all around New York – in nightclubs, on Broadway, and on radio shows. It was then that she got her best-known and longest-running role: the voice of Chiquita Banana. For decades she was heard singing the jingle, "I'm Chiquita Banana and I'm here to say ..." Do you have any bananas in your kitchen now? no

 

6) Around 1950 she moved to Hollywood. She had recently divorced and wanted a fresh start. There she dated an actor who was also newly divorced: Ronald Reagan. Obviously she never had to ask, "Whatever became of him?" Who is the last former romance, classmate or coworker that you looked up on the internet?  It was a classmate, I was thinking about them the other day and looked them up.

 

7) In 1947, when this song was popular, actor Ted Danson was born. He's best known as Sam Malone, the bartender at Cheers, "where everybody knows your name." Is there a bar or restaurant where you are recognized on sight?  no

 
8) The 1947 Studebaker Champion was one of the first cars to have an adjustable driver's seat designed to accommodate motorists of various heights. When you're driving someone else's car, do you usually adjust the seat?  If I am driving, absolutely.  I have to be able to see.  If I am riding, then no.  I just leave the seat alone.

 

9) Random question: When someone takes advantage of you, are you angrier at them for doing it, or at yourself for letting it happen?  I am probably angrier at them.

I am going to use some of my birthday sigtags, my birthday is Tuesday. :)

Tuesday 4 Meme- Coffee? Tea?

 

Coffee? Tea?

The longest living cat on record, Creme puff,  lived to be 38 years old and was given coffee at breakfast all his life.  Breakfast for him was bacon, eggs, broccoli and coffee.

The previous ownder of the record was Grandpa Rex Allen who\ lived to be 34 years old on the same diet.

Coffee reduces chances of Alzheimers, Parkinsons.  

Tea without adding milk can "tan" your bladder making for many problems  Milk binds the tanic acid making it safe to drink.

Homemade food increases an animal's life span too.  Let's talk about it, okay?

1. Coffee increases a bee's memory and does the same for you.      Bees love caffeinated coffee  flowers.  What do you love about coffee or tea?

I am not a hot drink fan, but I LOVE the smell of coffee.  I enjoy cold sweet tea and a frozen Carmel vanilla bean coffee.

2. If you opened a tea or coffee shop in your neighborhood what would it be named?  How would you decorate it? Would pastry or cake be served?  I would not do this because I am just not a fan.  I have to be passionate about what I do.

3. Beethoven required 60 beans per cup of coffee.  How particular are you about your coffee or tea?  I guess very particular considering I will only drink cold drinks.  I always wanted to love coffee because my dad drank it, but I do not care for the taste. 

4.Italian clergy in1600s  declared coffee the devil's brew and forbid it.

Pope Clement the VIII wanted to taste it, loved it and blessed it ... today, new research shows black coffee is drunk mainly by psychopaths... 

Sweden banned coffee in 1746 as dangerous and Islam banned it for causing free thinking!

How do you take your coffee you free thinking, radical and what's your favorite brand of devil's brew?  I never order coffee unless we are getting a coffee treat at school and then it must be frozen and have flavor...not coffee flavor.  Mine ends up tasting like a vanilla shake.  I do love a cold sweet tea.  I will on occasion drink a hot tea if I am sick and I drink only 1-2 hot chocolates in the winter.  Just not a hot drink fan.

Sunday Stealing is F.A.B.

 

Sunday Stealing is F.A.B.

Since it's Labor Day weekend, we're going to keep this simple. We stole this from a blogger named Idzie, who called this the F.A.B. (film, audio, book) meme.

F.A.B.

F. Film: What movie or tv show are you watching?  The Summer I Turned Pretty

A. Audio: What are you listening to?  I listen to a podcast called History and

Hearsay a lot.  I actually watch it on YouTube.

B. Book: What are you reading? One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

Saturday 9- Manic Monday (1985)

 

Manic Monday

Manic Monday (1985) 

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

1) In this song, Bangles lead singer Susannah Hoffs sings that "it's 6:00 already." What time did you wake up this morning?  I am filling this our Friday night, so I got up at 5AM for work.

2) She's running late for work and she wishes her bed was already made so she wouldn't have to spend time doing it. Do you ever leave the house without making your bed?  no, I sit on my bed some as I get ready, so I need it to not be all crazy.

 

3) She sings that it would take an airplane to get her to work on time. Are you usually early, on time, or late?   Early, teachers have a lot to do before we can start our day.

4) Since Monday is the start of her hectic workweek, she wishes it was Sunday because that's her "fun day." What's your favorite day of the week?  Saturday.  I like to sleep, so I usually get to sleep later on Saturday and I know that I do not have to work the next day, so it is a nice day.

5) "Manic Monday" was written by Prince. What's your favorite Prince song?  I like Purple Rain a lot and 1999

6) In 1985, when this song was a hit, Sears promoted sleepwear with characters on them in their children's department. GI Joe pajamas were popular. When you were a kid, did you have a favorite pair of pjs?  I had this little night gown when I was really little that looked like patchwork.  It was mostly blue with a little red.  I liked wearing that one.

7) A fashion tradition dating back to the early 1900s states that you should put your white slacks, shoes, jackets and belts away after Labor Day. Do you follow that rule?  I do, but not on purpose.  I am more of a wear what you want person.  I remember wearing white jeans in high school in the winter with a pink and cream sweater...the jeans were probably cream colored...maybe that is ok.  I wear what I feel like wearing though.

 

8) Traditionally Labor Day marks the moment when fans turn their attention to the NFL and NCAA football. Will you be rooting for a particular football team this season?  Kansas City Chiefs.  I live in Missouri and have cheered them on my whole life.

9) According to the auto insurance industry, the average American spends 52 minutes (26 each way) behind the wheel every day traveling to and from work. How do you while away the time when you're stuck in traffic?  I am not stuck in traffic on my drive home, but I do have that long of a commute.  I usually listen to the radio or an audio book.