Tuesday 4- Wayfaring

 

Wayfaring

1. Where have you traveled and what is the furthest you've been from home?

We live in Missouri, so we tend to travel south to the ocean and gulf.  We have gone to Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Alabama and Florida for vacations.  The furthest 

would be would have been Tampa, FL..1,128 miles.  This is Josh and I in Florida when we went to Disney World.  It was probably around 2003.  Josh was 5.

2. Is there a location other than where you are, that you think would be a nice place to live?  I loved Alabama, but holy moly, I bet it is hot there right now...

plus hurricanes.  I live in tornado land, but I worry about hurricanes, probably

because I have not had to ride one out.  This is Josh and I in Orange Beach, AL on a dolphin tour.  Josh was 9.

3. Do you have a photo or story from a favorite place to visit?  When we went to Orange Beach, Alabama, we drive over to Pensacola, FL to see the Blue Angels.  As we were leaving to go back to our condo, I spotted the Pensacola light house.  Josh was fascinated with lighthouses at that time, so we went up in it and this is Josh and I at the top.  This was August of 2007, I think.  Josh loved that so much!

4. What dream destination do you have tucked away in  your heart? Do you think you'll be able to visit them one day or are plans in the making?  I would love to visit Italy, France and Hawaii.  We will probably not make it there though.  You never know.

Sunday Stealing Follows That Dream

 

Sunday Stealing Follows That Dream

1. My bestie and I once ...  drove to Kansas City and on the way home she was 

getting gas and just drove off without paying.  Kids do the stupidest things.

We were in college.

2. When I'm nervous ...I bite my cuticles.

3. My hair ...is naturally curly and brown.

4. When I turn to the left, I see ...the wall in my house.

5. My favorite aunt ...Mildred!  She passed away, but she was so much fun.

We would go shopping together and buy matching shirts.

6. I have a hard time understanding ...harder mathematics

7. You know I like you if ...I talk to you a lot.  I am quiet, but if I feel comfortable, 

I will talk a lot.

8. When I was 5 years old ... I had my tonsils and adenoids out.

Saturday 9: It All Depends On You

 

It All Depends on You

Saturday 9: It All Depends On You (1959)

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

1) In this song, Shirley Bassey sings that she could be happy or sad. As you answer these questions, do lean more toward happy or sad?  Happy, I just went and had some bloodwork done for my doctor's appointment on Monday and then I went to see my mom...she was doing good.  I am glad to be back home.

 

2) She tells us that she can save money or spend it. Do you try to stick to a budget?  I try to stick to a budget and only buy things I absolutely need.

 

3) By the time Shirley Bassey recorded "It All Depends on You," it was already an oldie, written back in 1926. Can you think of a song, book, or movie that you enjoy today that you believe audiences will relate to 2125?  I am drawing a blank.  Some old movies like Gone with the Wind or The Sound of Music.  I hope they are still as loved as they are now.  Gone with the Wind is probably not P.C.  I love it anyway.

 

4) Though she has risen to the title Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE), her childhood allowed her little education. She dropped out at 15 and got a factory job to help her family. How old were you when you got your first full-time job? What was it?  I was 15 when I started working full time.  I just couldn't work over a certain amount of hours.  I worked at McDonald's

5) A favorite of the Royal Family, Shirley performed at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Party at Buckingham Palace. How would you like to celebrate your next anniversary or birthday? Are you in the mood for a big blow out, or would you prefer something low key? My birthday is coming up in September, but I would probably rather just spend it low key and have a nice dinner.

6) Madame Tussaud's has two wax figurines of Shirley – one in London and a second in Las Vegas. Do you enjoy wax museums, or do you think they're creepy?  I don't think I have ever been to a wax museum, but I think I would like it.  

7) In 1959, when this song was popular, most women wore nylons on a daily basis and the average price per pair was $1. What socks or leg wear – if any – do you have on right now?  Tommie Copper ankle socks.

8) Also in 1959, Alaska became our 49th state. Today, cruise lines showcase Alaska on 4- or 7-night cruises. What do you consider the perfect length for a vacation trip? Is a 3-day weekend too short? Are two weeks away from home too long? What's your ideal?  I liked our 2 week trip to Florida.  I think if we actually went on vacation more I wouldn't mind the shorter vacations.  We live so far from the ocean/mountains that a weekend is probably not long enough.

 

9) Random question: Which cable channel would you watch more often – one that shows nothing but classic sitcoms, or one that shows nothing but new movies?  probably the new movies.  I don't really watch movies except for Hallmark and those are new.  I watch shows on Netflix the most.

Tuesday 4- Sandwich Time

 

Sandwich Time

Welcome once again to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

Sandwiches are a lunch time favorite.  

In the 1930s two favorite sandwiches were ham, pickles and mustard and tuna with rice, capers, pepper and paprika.  I think it probably needed mayo!

Sandwiches can be a  simple peanut butter and jelly or a classy Monte Cristo.

1. What is your favorite sandwich and how do you make it?  I do not typically make sandwiches, but my favorite sandwich if I am eating out is a Club sandwich.  It has ham, turkey, bacon, lettuce and tomato...three slices of bread held together with toothpicks.  I do love sandwiches, it just seems like I do not make them very often.

2.  What is the best bread for making toast?  How about for making sandwiches?  I enjoyed a grilled cheese on texas toast one time with different cheeses and it was delicious.  Honestly, I mostly only buy regular white bread.

3.  If you go out to eat for lunch are you more likely to stay with a safe choice or be more adventurous?  It depends on where I am eating.  I do stay safe, but some places I have several items I might order, so it depends on my mood.  I only order things I know I will like (safe).  I am more likely to try new things at a Mexican restaurant or Italian.

4. Dagwood, hoagie, submarine, Po boy, grinder. Whatever they are called where you are, do you like them and if so what do you want on it?  They are called hoagies or subs here in Southwest Missouri.  I like the same items that were on my club on my sub...turkey, ham, cheese, bacon.

Sunday Stealing- Spill It!

 

Spill It!

1. If money wasn't an issue, would you move to a new home?  Definitely,  and

 I would like to move back to where I am from and live on the lake, well a 

lake view.

2. Do you listen to different music when you're happy than when you're sad?  

not really,  I listen to 70's, 80's and 90's music.

3. What's your favorite way to unwind after a tough day?  Watch tv and eat some

food.

4. What's the first book you remember from childhood?  Charlotte's Web

5. What made you smile today?  I haven't been up long, probably my dog.

This is Meisha.  She is getting old and time is short.

Saturday 9: Since U Been Gone (2005)

 

Since U Been Gone

Saturday 9: Since U Been Gone (2005)

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

 

1) In this song, Kelly Clarkson is dissatisfied with her relationship and she's moving on. What's something you've moved on from lately? It could be anything from a romance to the laundry detergent you've been using for years.  The only thing I can think of is my 2002 Toyota Camry.  We bought a 2025 Toyota Camry in February.  Josh is driving my 2002 Camry for now. Here is the new one.

2) She sings that she can now breathe. Studies have shown that July can be a good month for allergy sufferers because trees and grasses are no longer pollinating. How are your eyes, ears, nose and throat this morning?  Good!  I have allergies, but not trees and grasses.

 

3) Kelly complains that their romance reminds her of a "stupid love song." Let's be more positive: what love song do you associate with positive memories?  Kokomo by The Beach Boys.  I went to see them with my boyfriend at the time and Kokomo was a brand new song that had not been released yet.  I had just graduated high school and was starting college.  I felt so young and free.  I love The Beach Boys, I saw them in concert twice.  I was so sad of Brian Wilson's passing.  Josh bought me their CD's with all of their hits for Christmas one year.  Such a great gift for me.

4) While Kelly's first love is music, she's established herself as a TV personality. In addition to her daytime talk show, she's been a judge on The Voice and hosted an awards show. Have you ever been on TV?  We had a church choir for a while at our church and it is a big church.  The local network used to put our Christmas concert on tv, so I was in that and it was on tv.  We also had a 4th of July concert that we sang and they set off fireworks.  That was also televised.  The church does not have a choir anymore, even though they were known for the choir.  They do the 5-6 singers now that many churches do.

5) She has confessed a weakness for Doritos. Would we find salty snacks in your kitchen right now?  oh yes, chips and crackers.

 

6) Kelly has found her weight the source of public debate. Are you like Kelly, whose weight fluctuates? Or does it stay stable?  Mine stays stable and overweight.  

 

7) In 2005, when this song was popular, a motorist made news in Texas when he was ticketed for driving over 200 mph in a 75 mph zone. Have you ever been pulled over by the police?  Oh yes.  I have been pulled over a few times down by where my mom lives as I was driving home from her house at night.  I got pulled over for a headlight being out once and the last time I think he thought I was drinking and driving, but I wasn't.  The only ticket I got was when I lived in Kansas City and I was speeding.

 

8) Also in 2005, Tom Cruise had a pop culture moment when he famously jumped on a sofa. Do you remember where he did this?  Oprah?  I feel like I have a memory of him doing that on Oprah.

 

9) Random question: Tell us about a photo you wish you'd taken, but didn't.  Several years ago on the 4th of July at a fireworks show, I had a few of my friends with me, one from high school and one from work.  I had not seen my friend from high school in years.  I got a lot of pictures of her daughter and the kids playing, but none of the three of us.  I have always wished I had taken pictures of us then.

Tuesday 4 Meme- Summertime

 

Summertime

 

 Hey!   Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 where we ask just 4 questions each week to give you something to blog about, something to think about and a reason to visit other blogs!

♫Summer time and the living is easy says the song.  So how is summer going for you? Let's talk about it.....

1. How has summer been so far?  Has it been easy or hard or are things moving along as usual?  Is the weather getting you down or are you enjoying it so far?  I spent the month of June with my mom, she was in the hospital and then then skilled nursing, she is back to her assisted living facility now.  If you haven't read about my year so far, it is the post below.  I have also been doing training for school in June and finally I have started doing some reading.  The books I have read are over in the right column.

2. What have you been doing this summer?   Even the little mundane things count.  I did the things I listed above, plus I have watched a few shows on Netflix.  I also like to keep up with the news.

3. What are you going to do?   Any plans? What interests you this summer?  I have no plans. I need to stick close to home to be close to my mom and visit her.  I will keep reading and cleaning house.

4. It's been hot in most of the country  How are you weathering the heat ?  What are your ideas for staying cool in the hottest weather of summer.  We have had a lot of rain with storms here in Missouri.  It is hot here, but I just try to stay inside when it is hot and read or watch tv during the day.

Happy 4th of July and life update

   I have been missing so long, I wanted to check on and let you all know why while I was thinking about it.

The end of January my mom had a left occipital stroke.  I went to see her at her house, and she answered the door like normal, but the more I talked to her, the more confused she seemed.  I figured it was another UTI, so I packed some of her things and we headed to my house.  I took her to the ER, and they said her MRI showed a stroke and she also had a UTI.  She was in the hospital for about a week and then she was sent over to a skilled nursing facility.  Just as a reminder, I am an only child, and she had not had a power of attorney done.  I took off work for about 6 weeks.  She was still at skilled nursing when I went back to work.  I had to make the decision to send her to assisted living.  She has lost her short-term memory and her peripheral vision in her right eye is gone.  She is actually doing pretty good.  She enjoys the activities at the assisted living facility, she doesn't remember them, but I see pictures, and she looks happy.  She is closer to my house, so I visit as often as I can.  It has been hard.

In February, my husband took my car to get looked at and they told us the catalytic converter was likely going out.  This car was my Granie and Papa's car that I got when they passed away.  It is a 2002, but drove like a dream, so I was upset.  We decided to go ahead and get a new car, since I was driving a lot to see my mom.  We decided to keep my old Camry.  In fact, Josh is driving it until it cannot be driven anymore, but since we had it looked at, the maintenance light in the car has gone off.  I got a 2025 Toyota Camry and all of the new things cars have, I had to get used to.  I do love it though.  Here is a picture.  There is a church across the street from our house, so that is what is in the background.  I snapped this picture after we got it in February to show my sister-in-law.  I don't think I have taken any other pictures of it.  It sure is a nice car though.  I am enjoying it.

I finished my school year end of May and had started doing some curriculum work with another teacher and our curriculum director.  We got that done the week after school got out and I got a call from the assisted living place my mom is at and she was sick again.  I met her at the E.R. and she had another UTI.  No new stroke activity, so that was good.  She was in the hospital almost a week when they started the antibiotics, she got C-diff and she also had a little pneumonia and then went back to the skilled nursing facility she was at in the winter and last week she was able to go back to assisted living.

That brings you up to date.  I was able to get my mom to her accountant to get her taxes done the end of March and finally in April got a power of attorney.  We went through an attorney and it did not cost as much as I thought it would.  We have also started cleaning up my mom's house.  We were doing that in the Spring, it is too hot now.  We will work on it some more in the Fall.  She has a lot of stuff just all over the place.  She is messy.  I have stopped working on her house, but I have been working on our bedroom this summer.  It is much cleaner.

I hope you all have a wonderful 4th of July.  I am going to go visit my mom and then come home and be here with our dog Meisha since she is afraid of fireworks.  My husband's sister and her husband are having a 4th of July picnic, so maybe Karl and Josh can go to that.  I want to be here for Meisha and close just in case something goes sideways with my mom.  I am hoping to start blogging again soon.  I hope you are all doing well.