Wednesday Hodge Podge

Hosted by Joyce.

1. When is the last time you experienced nostalgia?   I enjoy watching  old time tv  programs on MeTv  like Leave it to Beaver the old Perry Mason and  westerns on  the Grit network.  These shows take me right back to the 50's and 60's.  I find them very comforting.  They lift my mind to a gentler time.  They bring back many memories of  my  informative years, when life  wasn't so dramatic or scary!

 2. September 29th is National Coffee Day. Do we need this? Ha! So are you a coffee drinker? If so how many cups per day, and tell us how you like it. Is there a recipe you enjoy that calls for coffee as one of the ingredients? I didnt start drinking coffe  turned 50...soon before I retired from teaching.    I spent  the next  10 years  trying to make  coffee and I got used to drinking  it  whether it was good or not..  I never could strike the perfect   cup. HUbs makes  delicious coffee. He only buys  Arabica coffee and it is a  dark and  toasty blend. It makes  a robust  and strong cup of coffee,  so I have learned to tone it down with  Sweet Cream by Coffee Mate, Natural Bliss.. a natural   creamer.  Oh, my, goodness I love  coffee, now  but I limit myself to 1 mug..

3. Do you find praise or criticism to be more motivating? Explain. The teacher in me  has always tried to be motivating and   encouraging.  It is odd though, I find that  for the most part, people are so trapped in their role    mostly of complacency, even if they appear to want to be motivated, they fail to budge  from their familiar path.  I find this in church, especially. Then there are the handful of   strong dedicated  people who  expend energy and  resources to  live according to their    gifting and  calling,  who  encourage me to keep on keeping on.

 4.  What's a television series you keep coming back to and re-watching? 

I really like to watch reruns of Blue Bloods,   Match Game, and old movies. 

 5. As the month of September draws to a close give us three words to describe your mood. 

'Expectant',  'happy'  for what October will bring, and 'trusting'  God in the uncertainty of our times.

 6. Insert your own random thought here.  Hubs finally  capitulated regarding taking trips to the beach and said yes  to the invitation to  join 4 of our best friends for a week in October...He can't back out now because we have already  paid for our  lodging. I could not be happier  about it!!!

Tuesday 4 Marriage

Marriage

 Welcome to Tuesday 4 in honor and memory of Toni Taddeo.

Hosted by Annie!

                 Marriage...

1. How did you meet your husband/wife?  Hubs and I met 

in High School,  senior year in economics class.On the first 

day the teacher  seated us in alphabetical order and we 

 ended up beside one another..I immediately noticed how

 clean and trim he was   and really admired his polished shoes.  One day soon I asked him to borrow is pen and Ive been borrowing it

 ever since!
2. How did you know he/she was “the one”?  Hubs was raised to be sincere, 

trustworthy,  polite and  respectful  of everyone.  Even though he was shy

  with others, he opened up with me. And he was a great kisser.   It was  a 

perfect match!

3. How did he propose?  We dated so long   it  had become a forgone conclusion.  

The summer before  I graduated college he  came home on furlough because

 his mom had passed away. those thirty days were crazy because I was living 

at home  and commuting to college 45 miles away every day to classes..   So 

wewere  dating every night  and I was  up  really early every morning  flying

 up the interstate trying to make my 8:00 classes..  All I know is  on weekends

  we talked about getting married  after my geaduation.  and  we spent time  

looking  for my engagement ring..  we did it together..  there was no romantic 

surprise.. it wa s another of the many things we were trying to get done 

during those wonderful hectic days!

4. Do you have any favorite stories from your marriage or about your   

husband/wife? I graduated  from college on a Saturday, Lynn was home the

 next Monday   from Germany,  we were frantic with wedding  odds and ends

  all week. Lynn and I broke up on Thursday, my mom went  ballistic   and 

took us out for breakfast on Friday morning to  mediate and  glue us back

 together . That night was the rehearsal and  dinner  and we married  on

 Saturday  at which time it  started to snow .  It was  a late afternoon into

 evening wedding. We got away from the reception  about 8pm   and we 

drove across town  to  Rt 220 on our way to Greensboro N.C.  Lynn  was so 

overwhelmed   we had to stop  at a  take out joint.  We sat in the car and 

 talked for  over an hour..   meanwhile it was snowing  and  really cold..

 finally about 10pm we  started out for our 90 minute drive to the hotel.  I 

might add, we were both a bit frazzled and  undone,  but  it was a rocky start

 that proved  that if we could make it through that tough time we  were

 made to make it through it all!

 

Sunday Stealing

Hosted Bev Sykes of the blog "Funny the World". . Welcome to Sunday Stealing. 

Stolen from Life Entirely

1. Something someone told you about yourself that you never forgot

Well, I can remember lots of things some   complimentary, and some not!  hmmm,  let's go with complimentary.. I received a thank you card yesterday and the writer  told me  she admired how I face life, what it may be with a smile!

2. What are your 3 top pet peeves

tail-gaters, low expectations, catty comments I over hear

3. List five places you want to visit

Scotland, The Cotswold, Cherry Grove Beach.. (soon), New England in the fall,,again, and especially acvk to see Amanda and the family!

4. Share something you struggle with

eating habits

5. Post words of wisdom that speak to you.

when trouble looms on the horizon give it all to God immediately before yhour thought and worry processes take over...He is bigger than the problem and is faithful to  bring  me through one way or another... TRUST!

6. Something you always think “what if....?” about

I have always had this fear...  from the early days  growing up...

"What if "the basement door wasnt locked..  which is crazy because it always is and it is like Fort Knox 

7. Five blessings in your life.

My faith, Hubs,    daughter and her family,  our home, our friends

8. Something that you miss.

I miss hugs,   I am a hugger especially at church..

9. Post about your zodiac sign and whether or not it fits you.

I do not go there!

10. Think of a word. Search for it on Google images. Write something inspired by the 11th image.

Autumn

11. Write about an area of your life that you’d like to improve.

My waist size  well, everything proportionately.. I'm working on it  down 2 sizes  but  at least 2 sizes to go!

12. What made you laugh out loud today.

A You Tube video

13. What are your goals for the next 30 days.

try to get stronger  in every area of my life,  my faith, my  body strength, my back,  my  legs  , my stamina

 

14. Your highs and lows for the month.

Lows:  my mammogram,   my blood work  , Hu bs  c-scan,  and further test

HIghs:  trusting for  good  results in all of them,  preparing for a  long  dreamed of trip   

 

15. Favorite movies that you never get tired of watching.

Anything with Doris Day, Cary Grant,   Ingrid Berman,  Gregory Peck

16. Books you have read more than once.

The Lynn Kurland series.. I can reread them again and again!!

17. Something about which you feel strongly.

18. Five things that make you really happy.

19. What are you excited about?

20. Three celebrity crushes

Wednesday Hodge Podge

Hosted by Joyce!

1. It's fall y'all. What's something you love about this season and also

 something you don't?   I love the  cooler days,   the crisp, mornings  when

  it's  prudent to turn on the fireplace and  sit  and  read  that next chapter..

  I actually started my new book yesterday... I can't think of anything I 

dont like about fall.  It is all  my favorite time of year!

2. When you think of the colors of fall, which one is your favorite? Is 

there somewhere you could easily day trip to see the leaves in all their

 glory? Will you? 

To me  you have to have the mix to  really   complet the  fall  beauty.  I Love the  bright reds,  the  sunny yellows as well as the russets

We live  right beside the Blue Ridge Parkway so  we usually do  drive   it in fall.  We like to drive up to  Peaks of Otter .. That section is exceptional!

3. What's one thing you've let 'fall' by the wayside during this season 

of staying home and staying away? 

Well, actually  not that I let it fall,  but  I just havent felt like reading.

I pick up a book and try to read, but havent been about to concentrate.

Yesterday I started a new book and  I suppose since it is fall, I could read

 it gleefully!

4. If you're wearing a sweater is it most likely a cardigan, crew neck, 

v-neck, or zip up hoodie? 

Today it is a cardigan.  Also, I have bought a couple of those duster sweaters

.. I really like them!

5. What's your secret to dealing with change? 

God taught me  20 years ago during a very difficult time..  give the trouble  to him and  just go with the flow.. Staying close to HIm  with prayer,  Bible reading,  and praise  keeps me  flowing along, always in the right direction!      

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

Yesterday Hubs found out he has a detached retina! It took us by surprise.  It has really upset our week..  No yard sale for him  which  means  we are down a vital man... for  helping move,   haul stuff away to the rescue Mission,  etc.. He really doesnt want me  driving his truck. I can, but not well,, it is  a stick shift, especially  with a  truck load of stuff.  and He woont even be able to go  because he will have to  hold his head downward  for a few days..  He sure does dread it..  Our prayer is that during these two days  his vision would n't be affected.  I wish the surgery was today!  Please lift up a prayer for him!

Tuesday Four

 

Your Home Routine

 Hosted by Annie!

Welcome to Tuesday 4 where we offer 4 questions of topics for you to 

discuss each week. Begun by Toni Taddeo, we keep it in her honor.

This week's topic is your home routines.

 1. What laundry products do you like to use or find best for you?  We like 

Arm and Hammer  Sensitive Skin Free and Clear.. great cleaner, great price, 

sensitive to my skin!  For  stains and  spots we use Spray and wash.. works

 great! 

2. Dryer, line or combination of both?  We do both.  We rarely dry anything

 except towels completely dry in the dryer. Most everything is slightly dried, 

then hung on our basement lines.

3. Do you have wood floors or carpeting and which is best?  Finally ,

all of our carpeting has been removed and the floors refinished.  Much

 cleaner, easier to keep clean, great against allergies, and I love to

swifter them!  For decor we have  wool Karastan rugs in each room.   We 

take them back to  NC  every  4 years and them deep cleaned and they  hold

 up  marvelously!  Should  be  heirlooms for our kids one day!

4. Housekeeping professionals give the following guidelines. 

Which do you follow? Do you have better ideas?

1. open windows first
2. clear up clutter before cleaning.
3. start in bedrooms first
4.give cleaning products time to work.
5.Always sweep or vacuum before mopping
6.use a toothbrush for hard to get at areas
7. keep things on a central cart if you can
8.dust everything
9.vacuum your furniture often, mattresses once a month or so.

Hubs and I shared duties and we  rarely do them at the same time..

He does his and I do mine and do not  really follow any guidelines.  

Just do a good job. I.ve been watching Leave it to Beaer and I notice

 just what a great  housekeeper the mother is in her  dress and pearls.

She has a little carry all  that  has all her   housecleaning  "Stuff'"in it, 

and carries   it from room to room.  What a role model!

Happy Homemaker Monday

Hosted by Sandra!

♥♥The Weather♥♥
Very excited about the fall-like weather!!!Fall is official on Tuesday! YAYAAY!!

Monday - Sunny, 68

Tuesday - Sunny, 66

Wednesday - Sunny, 74, welcomeAutumn!

Thursday -  Cloudy, 75

Friday - 74, cloudy

Saturday - 75, cloudy

 Sunday - 73, rainy

♥♥How I am feeling this morning♥♥
We  had a great weekend,  and our church sewrvice yesteray was full of blessing, so I am feeling  blessed today!.   

♥♥On my mind♥♥
I am extremely hopeful about something that we are planning..  I love to plan something..  haven't during this co-vid period and Im chomping at the bit...  I will share more  when it is  more   of a reality!!

♥♥On the breakfast plate♥♥
Cup of coffee and    fruited yogurt..  My hubby blesses me every morning!

♥♥On my reading pile♥♥
Book of Psalms in my Bible.  In His Image, Jen Wilken.

♥♥On my tv♥♥
 
Youtube  videos, Old movies on Pluto,  Laramie,  Hallmark movies  HGTV


♥♥On the menu this week♥♥
I need to plan...  It's been a busy weekend and we've eaten up all the left overs
Monday - 
Tuesday - 
Wednesday -
Thursday -  
Friday - 
Saturday -
Sunday -


♥♥From the camera♥♥
Our oldest GD off to first grade last week!  

♥♥Looking around the house♥♥
I am itching to get into my water color painting...    I'm getting an area  in the sunroom ready for my studio!


♥♥New recipe I tried last week, or one that we really enjoyed♥♥

I found and  fixed this recipe I found in my Taste of Home Magazine!

Spicy Potato Soup

♥♥To relax this week, I will♥♥

Actually begin painting.. I have watched numerous You Tube videso. and  am so excited to begin!

♥♥Something I want to share♥♥
I am playing a new game on my Iphone called Redecor..Home Design Game

It is a room decor app and you are given  a limited number of items to build a room around  and  it is a competition to see whose is the best.. Of course you are   playing with  folkws who have  more and more  items to use as you play along which makes it quite challenging.. but I really enjoy the challenge. I have done over 300 rooms    and  won 1st place on 10% of them...   pretty good, eh?

♥♥On my prayer list♥♥

Our president for protection, wisdom, courage, strength of body, clarity 

For our government  (William Barr)  for justice to be applied to the corruption that has plagued our country for some time. Protect him as  the indictments become  known.

For this coronavirus to stop in its tracks and not spread any more... Lord, protect the elderly and those in compromised health situations. Protect the health providers and the families where the virus is bringing suffering. I pray that this week we will begin to see a great decline in the number of deaths and the numbers o f healed will increase in Jesus name!.

I pray for inner healing in our nation regarding the ongoing problem with racism and it effects in our society. May the rioting stop in the name of Jesus..  I pray that the Antifa group would  dry up and  disband in Jesus name.   I have come to understand that  the protesters, are  really only wanting to disrupt and destroy our nation.. I speak to the evil one behind this and say, "Stop! in the name of  Jesus! You have no dominion here. get out! "

I pray for exponential wisdom  and truth to fall upon our media outlets. They seem to exist to keep turmoil riled up instead of bringing clarity to the situation. I pray they seek things of good repute to report on instead of always the bad..I pray they realize that pouring gasoline on a fire is more damaging than letting it go out of its own accord.  All of this is for political reasons  and yet  people's lives have been ruined  for that?  I pray for people of every nation, color and creed to learn to live amicably together, that love would heal the divisions in our country. I pray the schemes of the devil that instill more and more unrest to stop in the name of Jesus.  I pray that the demolishing of our national  treasures will stop in Jesus name..   You can not change history through this distruction!

 I now understand that  many fires out west have been and are continuing to be set...  firemen  are realizing this   and  almost becoming disillusioned enough to give up... meanwhile so much destruction a nd loss of life  by yet another evil..  Oh, Lord,  evil runs rampant in our nation..  the worst kind..straight from the pit!  Oh Father,  may your Spirit speak to your Children to  pray more, pray specifically!  We have government  saying child moleststion is ok,  we have  men and women in high placing practicing it!We  have  evil men and women roaming our streets  looking for unsuspecting people to  attack, maim. even kill. Then they  have so little respect for life they taunt  for their death.. We  have  abortion running rampant .The  respect for life and for your young people  , our children,  has evaporated all to appease the vile desires of the flesh.  Our schools teach  obscenities and lies  trying to turn the minds of our young people.  Oh father, we need You!  We see a small outpouring of revival sparking....  may it  ignite all over this nation and bring everyone to their knees!  In Jesus Name!!!!

Special prayers for Hobert..a n unusual form of cancer that  he ahs dealt with for years now and  they cannot seem to  find  a means to bring it into submission.  He bleeds through his pores and  other   symptoms that are  just  horrible!  

The lost in these divers places , that they will realize their need for a Savior and turn to God through Jesus!

For God's mercy to hover over the earth and give people rest and the forbearance to continue to persevere in their trials and testings! 

 

Devotional  ::

Wednesday Hodge Podge

Hosted by Joyce!

1. What's one thing you learned at the ripe old age of whatever age you are now?  You really are only as old as you act like you are.  I was dreading turning 70 in this already crazy year. I was a bit concerned about being old.  I actually feel younger at heart and mind than I have in some time. It is a state of mind!

2. I read here a list of foods that can help you look younger-

extra virgin olive oil, green tea, fatty fish, dark chocolate, vegetables, flaxseeds, pomegranates, avocados, tomatoes, spices, bone broth

How many of the foods listed have you tried? How many do you eat regularly? Your favorite from the list?I hadn’t really sought after these food except that I do like them.  I love extra virgin olive oil, avocados, dark chocolate, and vegetables. I am not a fan of tomatoes.  I used to love them,  but they don’t like me now!I love pomegranate juice! Yum!

3. Something you miss from the 'good old days'? When were the good old days anyway?  To me I grew up in the good ole days, when you didn’t need to lock your door, Families walked together to their neighbor church. Folks sat out on their porches and people were neighborly! Mom’s stayed home, cooked, made clothes, gardened, and put up stores for the winter. It was a wholesome time. No drugs, no violence on tv. I loved the early tv shows. Good fun entertainment. 

4. What are two or three of the most rewarding things to be found in growing older?  As a Christian, growing older means you find yourself loosening your grip on material . things.  Your fear of death vanishes, as you realize this is not your home. You really are a wayfarer passing through.  Your life becomes much mor3 peaceful..

5. What's your favorite part of your life right now?We both have learned not to eat so much.  When we go out for dinner we get 3 meals out of Take home. I don’t have to cook meals much anymore.  We find eating fruit and crackers are very satisfying. The dishes are much easier to wash, and weight is easier to lose!i love keeping a glass of ice water nearby. I actually always drink it and go refill it again!

6. Insert your own random thought here.I am so excited about the coming autumn. The temperatures are cooler, the trees are beginning to turn. Speaking of loosening one’sgrasp on things. In my life I have loved magazines, Victoria Bliss, Southern Lady, Tea Time, magazines that celebrate the seasons and the holidays. And I always had a very hard time getting rid of them.  I had actually become a hoarder. I think it was I couldn’t throw them away.  I had several racks brimming full, stacks on some book shelves, and stacks even piled on radiators in unused rooms.  I was so bad!  Well, yesterday I culled through all of them and have two heavy stacks of really nice recipe and decorating ideas ready  to take to the  yard sale. I figure some one might want one for a dime. After it’s over, if they don’t sale it will be easier to throw away knowing I tried to give hem a new home. 

Tuesday 4

 

Television 

Hello and welcome to Tuesday 4 where we give you 4 questions to 

answer each week. Tuesday 4 was begun by our friend Toni 

Taddeo and kept up in honor of her memory. Hosted by Annie!

1.Fall is usually the time that new series appear on TV. If you could 

make a show that you would really enjoy what kind and what subject

 would you like to see?I really miss  the wonderful  family entertain-

ment shows  like  Ed Sullivan,  even Lawrence Welk.  I actually have

  those  Andy Williams  show...  Good clean  entertainment  with  beaut- 

iful sets,  and  wardrobe.  They were uplifting and   eally made you 

feel good!

2.  You have a rare opportunity this fall: you can step into a movie, 

TV program or book and live out a week there, which would it be 

and why?  The book series by  Patrick Taylor, An Irish Country Village...

 life in a by-gone era,  in a quaint Irish village; I will hide when my 

week is over..

3.Are you decorating outside for autumn? What are you doing? 

Is it HGTV worthy?  I have bought 4 large potted mums  one yellow 

while,  purple, and rust...and an array of pumpkins  for the front 

steps and by the back door..The back of ur home is  more imporant that 

the front..  I do decorate the front, 

 

but  everyone comes to our back door.

4.   What's on TV this week you really are going to enjoy?

To tell the truth I do not really  look forward to much.. I have the

 tv on and  love to tune in to ancient Laramie and Leave it to Beaver 

episodes, then I turn it to HGTV or Food shows.  I have some Hallmark

 movies I like but  they have been run into the ground during covid so

  I just  have the tv on  but don't pay that much attention to it! It's on 

more or less for the company.

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

Hosted by Sandra!

Weather::

After today we will be experiencing much more fall-like weather..  highs in the  70's then 60's for the next 10 days!

How am I feeling this morning::
Allergies are  making me feel a bit dizzy,  but I started a new med so  hopefully it will  straighten out soon!

On my mind::

Our  oldest granddaughter  has a birthday coming up , so I   will be  wrapping and packing a  box to send  up north today...  Of course, I am adding a surprise for wee one.. She can't be left out!

On the breakfast  plate this morning::

This morning I had a cup of delectable coffee,  fruited yogurt, and a pbj toasted bagel! Delish!

On my reading pile::

 In His Image, by Jen  Wilkin.

On My TV::
I have been enjoying some of my favorite oldie but goldies.
Laramie,
Leave it to Beaver
Perry Mason
Frazier
Property Brothers

On the menu ::

Pinto beans and corn bread
Homemade Vegetable beef soup and crackers

Chef salad with chicken strips
Leftovers

From the camera::

My daughter is teaching her daughters  art and she is getting ideas from youtube..  She is learning to paint on her own,  with acrylics..  I'm impressed!

also, the morning glories have taken over the  trellis.. I love it!

Looking around the house:
After I get the gift wrapping put way things will look better for sure...

  

What I am listening to::

Pandora, my favorite  by Dan Gibson...  I love to fill our home with his music!!!!

What am I looking forward to::

We are still working pretty hard on getting the Yard sale ready at church..  Everyone had a busy week  on their calendar so we pick up again next week  with organizing, pricing and then moving  some things to the fellowship hall 2 flights down...  yikes, I will hide during part.  The cd's and  and dvds are already down there and I'm organizing them, behind closed doors!

To relax this week, I will::
I really, really want to  take some time this week to  start  my water color therapy painting. I know that will be very relaxing.

Prayer Requests:

Our president for protection, wisdom, courage, strength of body, clarity 

For our government  (William Barr)  for justice to be applied to the corruption that has plagued our country for some time. Protect him as  the indictments become  known.

For this coronavirus to stop in its tracks and not spread any more... Lord, protect the elderly and those in compromised health situations. Protect the health providers and the families where the virus is bringing suffering. I pray that this week we will begin to see a great decline in the number of deaths and the numbers o f healed will increase in Jesus name!.

I pray for inner healing in our nation regarding the ongoing problem with racism and it effects in our society. May the rioting stop in the name of Jesus..  I pray that the Antifa group would  dry up and  disband in Jesus name.   I have come to understand that  the protesters, are  really only wanting to disrupt and destroy our nation.. I speak to the evil one behind this and say, "Stop! in the name of  Jesus! You have no dominion here. get out! "

I pray for exponential wisdom  and truth to fall upon our media outlets. They seem to exist to keep turmoil riled up instead of bringing clarity to the situation. I pray they seek things of good repute to report on instead of always the bad..I pray they realize that pouring gasoline on a fire is more damaging than letting it go out of its own accord.  All of this is for political reasons  and yet  people's lives have been ruined  for that?  I pray for people of every nation, color and creed to learn to live amicably together, that love would heal the divisions in our country. I pray the schemes of the devil that instill more and more unrest to stop in the name of Jesus.  I pray that the demolishing of our national  treasures will stop in Jesus name..   You can not change history through this distruction!

 I now understand that  many fires out west have been and are continuing to be set...  firemen  are realizing this   and  almost becoming disillusioned enough to give up... meanwhile so much destruction a nd loss of life  by yet another evil..  Oh, Lord,  evil runs rampant in our nation..  the worst kind..straight from the pit!  Oh Father,  may your Spirit speak to your Children to  pray more, pray specifically!  We have government  saying child moleststion is ok,  we have  men and women in high placing practicing it!We  have  evil men and women roaming our streets  looking for unsuspecting people to  attack, maim. even kill. Then they  have so little respect for life they taunt  for their death.. We  have  abortion running rampant .The  respect for life and for your young people  , our children,  has evaporated all to appease the vile desires of the flesh.  Our schools teach  obscenities and lies  trying to turn the minds of our young people.  Oh father, we need You!  We see a small outpouring of revival sparking....  may it  ignite all over this nation and bring everyone to their knees!  In Jesus Name!!!!

Special prayers for Hobert..a n unusual form of cancer that  he ahs dealt with for years now and  they cannot seem to  find  a means to bring it into submission.  He bleeds through his pores and  other   symptoms that are  just  horrible!  

The lost in these divers places , that they will realize their need for a Savior and turn to God through Jesus!

For God's mercy to hover over the earth and give people rest and the forbearance to continue to persevere in their trials and testings! 

Devotional/Bible Verse~

We Need You, Lord!!