Currently

I am...

Reading... Happy Place by Emily Henry 

Watching... Expedition Unknown. You know a new season makes my nerdy little heart happy.

Loving... the new exercise chair I bought. It's light-weight, compact, and very versatile.

Thinking... about Tim's CT-scan on Friday.

Feeling... a bit disconnected.

Celebrating... nothing at the moment.

Grateful... while they have been issuing Code Red air advisories for our area, we haven't seen anything but a bit of haziness...NOTHING like the images of New York City.

Enjoying... cooler nights and better sleeping.

Weather... 63 degrees and clear tonight. Tomorrow's high, 68.

Giggles... for summer.

Sunday Stealing: Summer Plans

Welcome to Sunday Stealing, where the questions are stolen...but where credit is given. Thanks to Bev for keeping it going!

Stolen from League of Extraordinary penpals

1. What are your plans for June?  I really don't have any beyond hanging out in the pool with the grandkids and going to a couple of used book sales.

2. Your mid year resolutions or goals?  I don't make resolutions, but a goal would be to lose some of the weight I put back on over the winter.

3. Are you good at taking care of plants?  I am, thanks to my grandmother's love of plants and flowers. She taught me what I know.

4. What makes you feel nourished?  This a strange question. Food-wise, I guess I'd say a homecooked meal with plenty of fresh picked veggies. The kind of stuff I grew up on. Mentally/emotionally, I'd say it's time spent having great conversations with family or friends or relaxing on my own with a good book.

5. Which animals do you see most in your area?  I live in the suburbs so dogs and cats, but it's not unusual to see squirrels, rabbits, opossums, raccoons, groundhogs, hawks, or deer. We've even had turkeys, bears, and coyotes pass through.

6. Books on your summer reading list?  I don't have anything specific. I'll be picking up several books this month at a couple of used book sales and I already have stacks and stacks of books around here that need to be read. I just read whatever catches my fancy at the moment.

7. Projects you want to tackle this summer?  We have several. We want to finish the pool deck, put on a new front porch, take off the side deck and pour a concrete patio and put a roof over it.

8. Do you have weddings, graduations, summer celebrations?  My biologic father wants me to come to his family reunion in August. It will be the first one since covid and may be my only chance to meet some of his family. I have already missed my chance to meet two of his siblings who passed away last year. He only has one sibling left. I am unsure. I don't know what kind of reception I'll face as I was apparently the big family secret and was never to be mentioned in my grandmother's presence.

9. Which summer snacks are you excited to enjoy again?  Popsicles and watermelon.

10. How much time do you like to take for vacations?  At least a week, but longer would be nice. We really don't take many vacations. My husband is a bit of a workaholic and can't tear himself away from most projects.

11. How much has changed since last summer?  Other than I am working full-time, not much.

12. Something that would be out of character for you?  Hanging out in bars, being a real social creature, being neat and organized....take your pick.

13. What do you miss about winter?  Christmas. End of story.

14. Your favorite free / cost effective ways to have fun?  Picnics at one of the many parks around here, spending time with my grandkids, free community events...there are lots of things to do.

15. Who do you trust most to house & pet sit.  My daughter, my mom, and a neighbor who has been my friend since high school.

Saturday 9: The Best

Saturday 9: The Best (1991)

In memory of Tina Turner, who died on May 24.

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

 
1) In this song, Tina Turner sings that she can think of no better place to be than her lover's arms. Since we're entering summer vacation season, let's switch it to: What's the best place you've ever traveled to?  My happy place, Chincoteague Island, VA. It's a small town on an island and up until recently, it had avoided becoming too touristy. Now, thanks to government regulations that have forced the fishing boats out, people are having to either sell out or join in with the growing tourism industry.

2) Songwriters Holly Knight and Desmond Child originally offered this song to English pop singer Paul Young. He declined it. Can you think of a time when you said "no" when "yes" might have been a better answer?  Not really. I have tended to be more of a said "yes" when "no" might have been a better answer kind of person.

3) Tina Turner was born in Nutbush, TN. In 1973 she recorded a song about it called "Nutbush City Limits." Is there a song about your hometown?  Not that I'm aware of, though.....maybe Fred Rogers was inspired to write "It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" by my town. This is his hometown and many of the characters on his show were inspired or named after people here.

4) It was at Nutbush's Spring Hill Baptist Church that very young Tina began singing with the choir. She credited those early performances with giving her confidence in front of a crowd. Are you comfortable with public speaking?  I don't know. Getting up to speak formally in front of a large group has always given me terrible anxiety, but I haven't done it for quite a while and feel like maybe it wouldn't bother me so much now. For the sake of my clients or the kids that rode my bus or the kids I had in youth group I was and still am always willing to act like a ginormous goof in front of God and everyone if that's what it takes to make a connection or bring a point home.

5) When she was a teen, her mom relocated the family to St. Louis. It was here that Tina played on the high school basketball team. Can you make a free throw?  I used to be able to since I played basketball in high school, too, but it's been a long time since I've touched a basketball. I kind of doubt the skill is still there.

 

6) Tina met her second husband, Erwin Bach, at the airport. A record exec, Erwin went to Heathrow to meet her flight and help her prepare for her London appearances. The last time you were at the airport, were you a traveler or were you meeting or dropping someone off?  Meeting someone. I haven't flown since 2002!

 

7) In 1991, the year this record was released, Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury died. What's your favorite Queen song?  Crazy Little Thing Called Love

8) Also in 1991, Disney's Beauty and the Beast became the first animated movie to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. What's your favorite Disney movie?  Tangled

9) Random question: What's your perfect day, weatherwise?  Sunny, 75-80 degrees, low humidity.

Thanks to Crazy Sam for the music and questions!

Did you enjoy this meme? Join the fun here.

Thankful Thursday

Coming in just under the wire once again with my Thankful Thursday offering.

This week finds me thankful...

** the grands have finished the school year and today was the first day of their summer vacation.

** fun times in the pool with the kiddos...even though the water is still not very warm at 77 degrees. Both are doing great this year and not at all afraid. They are paddling all over the place with their life jackets on.

** a good day in the church nursery. The twins only cried for their mommy for a couple of minutes and then they were fine.

** the bug that got Colton sent home early the next-to-last day of school and kept him from attending the last day wasn't serious and is already a memory.

** Mom went to the ER early Tuesday morning because her "insides felt like jello." Many tests came back negative and she is feeling fine. She has a follow-up with her PCP next week, but it doesn't appear to have been anything serious.

** Our great-nephew (the one with the rare genetic condition) graduated from 4th grade this week and while he is still considered immunocompromised, he was able to go to school and participate in the ceremony. His latest check-up was great! Hopefully, by fall he will be able to go back to school like a normal kid. The big hang-up right now is that after all he's been through he has to get ALL of his childhood immunizations all over again. They can only be given certain intervals and it will take the whole summer to get them done.

** I had a big break through with one of my autism clients today. He was really wired this morning and I was expecting a rough day, but what we had was a day filled with firsts. He hugged me (more than once), held hands with another worker, played a game, and was more productive than he's ever been. It's so awesome to see the progress!

** Lots of good books lined up for summer reading and two used book sales on the calendar. I'm ahead on my Goodreads reading challenge this year. Woohoo!

** God has blessed me with my family and friends (both in-person and online), a job I love, decent health, and the privilege of being an American.

Currently

I am...

Reading... Muddled Through: A Maine Clambake Mystery by Barbara Ross 

Watching... Christmas Vacation. Yeah, I know, but it's steaming on Frndly and nothing else was appealing. 

Listening to... Daisy yapping every time Megan or the kids walk in...and they are walking in a lot as Cody started the demo on their only bathroom today to prepare it for remodeling while he's off work this week.

Loving... that the pool is ready for use and looks so nice with the new liner. The kids did convince us to get in for a bit today, but we didn't last long. The water was only 74 degrees. Brrrr!

Thinking... about tomorrow and wondering if I will get pulled from the shredding floor to cover someone I know is going to be off in ATF. I'm hoping so. My ankle has been bothering me all weekend as it is.

Also, that maybe I will be getting a 12 week break from shredding. One of my coworkers told me on Friday that she will be having back surgery on July 12 and will be off at least that long. Praying they pull me in on Tuesdays to pick up the slack.

Feeling... mellow. 

Celebrating... Memorial Day, sort of. I try to remember and give thanks for those who have fought and died to preserve our freedoms and we did have a picnic today. The picnic was not the best and I was feeling just about over family celebrations. 

Tim is not feeling well, but put pressure on himself to get the pool deck done today. It didn't have to be finished and ultimately, it didn't get finished but it is usable. But the not feeling well and telling himself he HAD to do that and being the one to do the grilling had him in a really nasty mood this morning. Then I don't know if the kids were up late or awake early, but they were soooooo whiney today. Finally, my mother, who has always been judgemental but has gotten even more so and has absolutely no filter these days managed to tick just about everyone off.

Yep, good times.

Grateful... to have the Lord Jesus Christ in my life to lean on when humans fail (and eventually we all fail someone) and the world seems out of control. It's hard to get too depressed about it when I know who wins in the end.

Enjoying... the new Cirkul peach iced tea cartridge I got. It's very good!

Weather... it was sunny off and on today and around 80 degrees. It's still 74 at 9:15. This week's forecast is dry, mostly to partly cloudy, and hot. By Friday we'll be staring 90 degrees in the eye. I'm glad the pool is ready to go!

Giggles...

Have a great week!

 

Sunday Stealing

This week's questions were stolen borrowed from Kwizgiver via Bev's efforts.

1. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive through?  Most of the time I just go through the drive through, but I do occasionally go inside.

2. Have you ever lost anything down a toilet?  Not that I can remember.

3. Do you have a dog?  Yes, Daisy is a diva of a Toy Poodle.

4.  Ever go camping?  Many times, but not any time recently. 

5. Have you met anyone famous?  Toby Keith and several of the Pittsburgh Steelers from back in the 70's and 80's who are now in the football hall of fame.

6. Any plans today?  I'm doing this Saturday evening so things could change, but as of right now the only plans for Sunday are going to church and doing household chores, including helping get the pool ready to go for Monday.

7. Are you happy?  Yes, I am.

8. Where are you right now?  Sitting in the recliner in the living room.

9. Biggest annoyance in your life right now?  That the tree guy didn't get here to cut down the tree that overhangs the pool before the pool company came and put in the new liner. That means when he does come we'll have to temporarily cover the pool to keep the mess out.

10. Last song listened to?  I don't know. Whatever was on the radio in the car.

11. Last movie you saw?  We watched Disney's Tangled at work Friday afternoon.

12. Are you allergic to anything?  A couple of antibiotics and something in the air...testing said it wasn't one of the 50 most common allergies, but the allergist didn't test beyond that.

13. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?  My Vionic flipflops and a cheap pair of "crocs" I found at Walmart. I am all about comfort when it comes to footwear. I wish I could choose shoes based on style, but those days are gone.

14. What do you think of when you think of Australia?  My daughter's trip there the summer before her senior year of high school.

15. Do you use smiley faces on the computer a lot?  Not too much. My phone is another story.

Saturday 9: Some Gave All

Saturday 9: Some Gave All (1992)

*My favorite Billy Ray Cyrus song and a touching tribute to our fallen heroes.

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

Memorial Day is the federal holiday designated to honor American service people who died in battle.

1) Here at Saturday 9, we regard everyone who served -- veterans and active military -- as heroes. Have you, or has anyone in your family, worn the uniform of our armed forces? We want to hear about them.  Many of them have from my long ago ancestors during the Revolutionary War to the current generation. They have worn the uniforms of the Army, Navy, Marines, National Guard, and Sea Bees. I know of only one who "gave all," my 3x great grandfather died on the battlefield at Shiloh...something I learned only after meeting my biologic father. Seeing his photo was rather shocking. My son is a dead ringer for him.

2) Memorial Day has its own flag etiquette. In the morning, the American flag should be flown at half staff in memory of those we have lost. Then, at noon, it should be raised briskly to full staff, in honor of all who have served. Where is the nearest flag flying from where you sit right now?  In our front yard. We are patriotic around here.

3) Since 1988, motorcycle riders have participated in Rolling Thunder. In events all over the country, including Washington DC, bikers "Roll Together" to draw attention to service members still missing and raise awareness of mental health issues our veterans cope with each day. When have you most recently ridden a motorcycle? A scooter? A bicycle?  Other than my exercise bike it has been years.

4) This week's song is the title track of Billy Ray Cyrus' best-selling album. Named for this patriotic song, the album also included Billy Ray's signature song, "Achy Breaky Heart." "Achy Breaky Heart" is a popular choice on karaoke nights. Do you know it well enough to sing along?  Not that I would, but yes. I was a Billy Ray Cyrus fan back in the day.

5) Sandy Kane, the hero of "Some Gave All," is based on a real Vietnam vet Billy Ray Cyrus met and spoke to about his sacrifice for his country. Can you think of another song based on a real person?  Elton John's Candle in the Wind was about Marilyn Monroe.

6) Memorial Day is the traditional kick off of the summer season. Have you packed away your winter clothes yet?  Actually, I did that last weekend. I'm pretty impressed with myself.

7) As you answer these questions, is there a fan or an air conditioner cooling your room?  Yes. I would be okay without it, but Tim thinks it's "roasting" hot in here.

8) Memorial Day is also a holiday for retailers. Ads promise great prices on everything from grills to lawn decorations to high tech gear and gadgets. Will you be shopping any sales this weekend?  Probably not unless it's something for the pool.

9) Random question: When is the last time you felt like a kid?  I'm going to say it was this past Wednesday. Another staff member and I took a few people out in the community to water the flowers in the shopping district (something we are committed to doing all summer as a way of getting our people out in the community and getting the community comfortable with them) and then to a picnic in the park. We had so much fun and laughed like I haven't laughed in a while.

Thanks, Sam, for the music and questions.

Play along here.