Tuesday 4 Meme- The End of the Year

 

The End of the Year

 Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 in the new year.  We wish you a very

 Happy New Year! 

1, 1892 Ellis Island opened it's doors.  Did any of your relations enter the United States through Ellis Island?  If not, do you know your family's history?  I never really learned much.

2. Januray's birth stone is garnet and the flower is the carnation.  Do you have favorite gem stones or flowers?  My birth stone is sapphire, so it has always been my favorite.  I love all kinds of flowers.  I enjoy carnations a lot in my house because they live a long time.

3. January 6 is Epiphany. Many take that day as the final day of the Christmas celebration

and take down their decor.   What about you?  We take our Christmas decorations down 

January 1st.  Then I have time to clean house before going back to work/school.

4. There is some scientific  evidence that January can set the tone for your entire year. 

What do you think of this? Do you make resolutions, etc? Do you pick a word of the year 

or have any traditions like that? 

I have not found that to be true and I do not make resolutions...I did once and it was

hard for me to stick to.  I have done word of the year a couple of times.

Sunday Stealing is F.A.B.

Sunday Stealing is F.A.B.

This busy holiday 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?  I am watching the tv show

Emily in Paris and Monday I am going to go see The Housemaid with my

teacher friend to get out and do something fun.

A. Audio: What are you listening to? currently listening to the tv Emily in Paris 

is on.

B. Book: What are you reading? Something to Look Forward to by

Fannie Flagg.

 

Saturday 9: Bye Bye Bye (2000)

 

Bye Bye Bye

Saturday 9: Bye Bye Bye (2000)

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

This song was chosen because it's time to say goodbye to 2025.

Thanks for participating in Saturday 9 this year.

1) In this song, a man predicts his lover will start an argument. Is there anyone in your life who can be quarrelsome?  

My husband's family.  They argue with each other all of the time.

2) He says he's had it, he's checking out and signing off. Can you think of a time you were glad you walked away from something?  

I had a job here in the town I live in teaching special education pre-school.  I loved it, but there came a time I had to leave.  I see now that it was so toxic (the administrators I worked with, not the kids) and now I am so much happier.

3) This week's song was performed by the band NSYNC. The group was formed in Orlando, FL, which is world famous as home to Walt Disney World. Today there are 12 Disney theme parks located around the globe. Have you ever visited one of these Magic Kingdoms?

Just the one in Florida.

4) They made a celebrity appearance on The Simpsons. What's your all-time favorite cartoon show?  

I like the Peanuts shows and the other cartoon Christmas shows.  I don't know about a favorite.

5) In 2000, the year "Bye Bye Bye" was popular, Brad Pitt was named People's Sexiest Man Alive. Are you crushing on anyone right now?  

My husband.

Let's look back on 2025 ...

6) What's the farthest from home you traveled in 2025?  

Not far because of my mom's health.

7) What was the biggest purchase that you made in 2025?  

My car. 2025 Toyota Camry

8) What was your favorite book of 2025?  

I read several that I really enjoyed.  I will say "Say You'll Remember Me" by Abby Jimenez.

9) What are you looking forward to most in 2026?  

I worry about what the year will bring with my mom's health and Meisha's age (15).  Good things happen and bad things happen.  I look forward to the good things...whatever they may be.  

UPDATE: My mom is out of the hospital and at skilled nursing.  Josh and I went and spent time with her on Christmas Day.  I think because of the holidays, she will be there a little longer than normal.  She is doing ok though.  Thank-you for the prayers.

Sunday Stealing -- Catherine's Questions

 

Sunday Stealing -- Catherine's Questions

Catherine's Questions

1) What one word describes your personality? upbeat

 

2) What's the best way to get on your good side? be kind

 

3) What person do you feel most comfortable with?  Josh (son)

4) Do you handle criticism well?  I think so.  I like to grow from criticism, 

sometimes it hurts on the inside.  I hope I don't show that.

 

5) Are you the type to tell someone, if asked, that their pants DO make them look

fat? I would never tell anyone that.

Sorry I missed Saturday 9.  My mom is in the hospital again.  She fell this

time. I was visiting her.  If you think of it, say a prayer for her healing. 

She is getting around pretty good, but sure does stink to get older.

Tuesday 4 Meme- Holiday Specials

 

Holiday Specials

 Thank you for joining in for Tuesday 4, begun by Toni Taddeo and kept in her memory.

Christmas is fast approaching for billions of people...

1. Do you have a favorite Christmas carol and if so is there a particular version you especially like?  I like O Holy Night.  Our music minister at church arranged a beautiful version of O Holy Night and I like it, but I do not have it to share.

2.Do you have a special dinner for the holidays? What foods are included?  We have ham, mashed potatoes/gravy, hot rolls, beets, green beans.  We will have apple pie and lemon meringue pie.  

3.Holiday movies ... which do you like to watch?  It seems like It's A Wonderful Life is always watched at our house, at school we are having a Grinch that stole Christmas day and we will show the original Grinch, polar express day, not sure if they can sit for the whole movie, but part of it.  I will make hot chocolate and popcorn.  We will show Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman.  The last week before Christmas is hard, so we will just try to keep them entertained.  We are also having 

fun dress up days.  We also have a classroom Elf on a Shelf, so that has been fun.

4. What traditions do you continue to keep year after year for the holidays?  When I was a kid,

 we opened presents on Christmas Eve and Santa gifts were on Christmas Day.  We open on Christmas now, but Santa Paws brings Meisha's (our dog) present on  Christmas Eve

 and Josh gets to open one present.  I used to put up my Granie and Papa's Christmas tree

and decorations on Thanksgiving Day and we try to keep close to that now, but it is usually

the next day since we host.  We have our outside lights early.  Karl always as Veteran's Day

off, so he puts them up that day.

Saturday 9: Ja-Da (1918)

 

Ja-Da

Saturday 9: Ja-Da (1918)

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

 

1) The lyrics tell us the melody is soothing. What calms you when you're upset or anxious?  I like to listen to music, prayer makes me feel better too.  Sometimes if I am really bad stressed, I take a nap.  I also take deep breaths.

 

2) There was a lot going on in 1918 – like WWI and the Spanish flu pandemic – that left people upset and anxious. In those days, radio wasn't yet a staple in American homes so people received their news through newspapers. Today with podcasts and 24 hour cable news and social media and other news outlets available, do you ever feel like taking a break from current events?  yes, and on the weekends, I will only watch my shows from the week and Hallmark movies.

3) In addition to newspapers, magazines were a big deal in 1918. Women turned to publications like Ladies Home Journal and McCall's for trends and tips about fashion and housekeeping. Do you have any printed magazines in your home now?  Yes, they are Missouri Conservationist magazines with animals and plants and I take them to school for the kids to cut up and make pictures with.

 

4) Today schoolchildren often learn "Ja-Da" because it's easy to sing and play. Was music part of your grade school curriculum?  Yes, I was in choir and I am not sure what grade I was in, but we played tonettes and did a concert.  I bet that was awful.

 

5) Composer Bob Carleton published more than 500 songs in his career. He had no songwriting partner, handling the words and lyrics himself. What's your favorite song? Was it written by a single composer or a songwriting team?  I don't really have a favorite song.

 

6) Bob got his start in his hometown of St. Louis, playing piano in his parents' saloon. When you think of St. Louis, what comes to mind?  The arch, but also the St. Louis Cardinals.  If you ever visit St. Louis, be sure to visit the arch and there is a big museum under it.  There is also great Italian food at The Hill.  The Hill is a neighborhood of Italians that live in St. Louis and they have great businesses there.  Also, Forest Park has a lot to do and much of it is free.

 

7) In 1918, Americans were buying more cars and Studebakers were a familiar sight on the streets and highways. Today that name is mostly forgotten. Can you think of a brand that used to popular but has disappeared?  Geez, back in the 80's we had all kinds of brands everyone thought they needed.  I don't think many of those are around anymore.  Z Cavaricci?  I had two other picks on here, but deleted them, but I guess they are still around...I had Kangaroo tennis shoes and OP (Ocean Pacific).  I never shop, so I do not know what is around anymore.

 

8) During WWI, Americans were familiar with "Meatless Days." Back then we were encouraged to cut back on the consumption of meat as a patriotic gesture to help the American and Allied troops. Today "Meatless Monday" highlights health and the environment. Think about your diet. Do you try to eat more grains, fruits and vegetables?  I have never heard of Meatless Monday.  I do not cut out meat, but I try to eat a balanced diet.  Karl's family has cows, so we get our meat that way.

 

9) Random question: Where did you get the shirt you are wearing right now?  I am wearing a school shirt, the one I have on was a gift from my principal.  It was her gift to the staff two years ago.  She got us a giant tote last year.