Currently

I am

Reading... Chapter & Hearse, A Booktown Mystery by Lorna Barrett.

Watching... Duck Family Treasure on Fox Nation. It's about Robertson brothers Jase and Jep teaming up with historian and metal detecting expert Murray Monroe to hunt for historical artifacts.

Loving... today's craft, which was my idea, making decorative firecrackers out of pool noodles turned out great and the clients loved making them.

Thinking... about dinner. My stomach is growling.

Feeling... sore. Well, my knee is. It was fine all day, but as I was walking out the door at work a pain shot through the back of my knee. It still hurts and the back of it is swollen....like when my IT band was inflamed. I don't know if I twisted wrong, if something is actually really wrong in there, or if I am just enjoying the wonders of getting older.

Celebrating... that I don't have to work in the shredding and sorting department tomorrow. Someone is off so I get to stay in ATF. Yay!!

Grateful...the thunderstorms that have been rolling through the last few days haven't been too bad.

Enjoying... this bit of time to myself.

Weather... cloudy, 77 degrees, and HUMID.

Giggles...

Saturday 9: It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over

Saturday 9: It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over (1991)

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

1) In this song, Lenny Kravitz sings about all the tears he's cried over this relationship. Scientists theorize that human tears fall into two categories: emotional and irritant. "Emotional tears" are most often shed over physical pain, empathy, compassion, depression, and anger/frustration. Think about the last time you cried. What triggered your tears?  Several years ago I was going through a LOT with both of our children and things with Tim and I weren't great, either. I cried quite a bit during that period. Honestly, I think I cried so much I ran out of tears because I very rarely well up now. I can't remember any time recently.

2) We also cry "irritant tears," which means we well up when a foreign particle gets in our eye. Over-the-counter drops can help. What's the last thing you bought at the drugstore? Was it a medication (OTC or prescription) or something else entirely?  I picked up our granddaughter's antibiotic last weekend for Lyme disease. (For those of you who knew about that...she is doing much better!)

3) TV actresses have played a big part in Lenny Kravitz' life. His mother was Roxie Roker, who played the neighbor Helen on The Jeffersons. His wife (and the inspiration for this song) was Lisa Bonet, who played one of the daughters on The Cosby Show. Their daughter, Zoe Kravitz, appeared in the HBO series Big Little Lies. What TV series do you never tire of, and could watch again and again?  The Big Bang Theory, M*A*S*H, and The Andy Griffith Show.

4) Thinking of Big Little Lies ... Zoe Kravitz co-starred with Nicole Kidman. Shortly after Kidman divorced Tom Cruise, she dated Lenny Kravitz. Have you ever been curious about a partner's past love?  No. I prefer to leave the past in the past.

5) Lenny Kravitz and Today Show weatherman Al Roker are second cousins (their grandfathers were brothers). Do you turn to a TV weatherman for the forecast? Or do you check a website or app?  I use the app for one of the local news stations. Or I just ask Alexa.

6) Also a talented photographer, Lenny's work has been displayed at the Leica Gallery in Wetzlar, Germany. What's the most recent photo you took?  I took one of a co-worker and I. We were making the "shhhhh" motion. I texted it to a client to show the others around him because they were making so much noise we couldn't hear the names they were calling at dismissal time and they weren't listening to requests to be quiet.

7) In 1991, when this song was popular, Murray Bicycles were the top seller among younger set. Popularity is fleeting, though. By 2004, the company filed for bankruptcy and no longer produces bicycles. Was your bike a big part of your summer when you were a kid?  Oh my, YES! My bikes were my favorite part of summer....and any season when I could ride it. Bikes meant freedom. My friends and I rode all over our neighborhood and town in "herds." It makes me sad that I rarely see kids out riding bikes these days, but glad that our two youngest grands ride all the time.

8) Also in 1991, Gene Roddenberry died. Mr. Roddenberry is best known as the creator of Star Trek. Who's your favorite Star Trek character?  The one and only...

9) Random Question: How do you think your high school classmates remember you?  Skinny, nerdy, smart, kind of quiet/shy, athletic, and a lil' bit goofy. Skinny and athletic are the only ones that don't still apply.

Thanks, Sam, for the music and questions!

Join the fun here.

Currently

The weather at 6:00 P.M. is a toasty 85 degrees with lots of sun. Tomorrow will be cloudy and 78 degrees with some scattered showers.

Reading Cottage at the Beach by Lee Tobin McClain. I'm not very far in so I don't have an opinion yet, but I'm not expecting much beyond a pleasant summer read. It's one of the books I picked up at all those used book sales last week.

Watching not much of anything. I haven't found anything new that appeals.

Grateful that granddaughter Leah is beginning to look and feel better after a few days of antibiotics for Lyme disease. This is what she looked like when she went to the ER Friday evening.

Loving all the cooler weather we've had so far this summer, but we still haven't been back in the pool because the water, especially after last week's rain, is FREEZING. Well, not really, but it's under 75 degrees and that is cold for pool water. The forecast is not for any particularly hot days in the next two weeks. I hope we get some hot days in July. It's crazy to not be using the pool at this point.

Still thinking about Tim's upcoming CT-scan and what it may find. He is complaining more and more about pain but refuses to consider going to the ER even this past weekend when he could barely move because of it. Why must men be so stubborn?

Feeling pretty good, but also dreading tomorrow. Tuesday is my day in manufacturing so I know I will be in pain at the end of the day and it will take my feet and ankle a day or two to bounce back.

Celebrating nothing today, but yesterday the whole family went to Jaffre's Stone Bar and Kitchen, a neighborhood restaurant, for Father's Day. They have amazing food. I had jerk chicken that was shredded and served over homemade macaroni and cheese with a maple bbq sauce and bacon. It was HUGE. I had three meals out of it. Mom, John and Tim had seafood...cod, salmon, and a seafood bowl. Our son-in-law had a macaroni and cheese burger that had mac and cheese, "drunken beans," cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and I don't know what else on it. He had to cut it up and eat it with a fork. We also enjoyed cornbread with maple butter and poutine as appetizers. Poutine was a lot better than I'd imagined.

Afterward we gathered in our daughter's yard to watch the Air Force Thunderbirds perform at the annual air show. If we're friends on Facebook you've probably already seen the video she tagged me in, but here are a couple of pics.

Enjoying the progress I've made organizing my office/library/craft room. It's been a huge disaster for months now and I kept ignoring it. All the books I bought sitting in stacks on the kitchen table turned out to be very motivating. 

Giggling at....

 

That's all, I hope you have a great week!

Saturday 9: Beautiful Boy

Saturday 9: Beautiful Boy (1980)

This song was chosen in honor of Father's Day. Hear it here.

1) Paul McCartney has said that "Beautiful Boy" is one of his favorite John Lennon solo songs. What's yours? (This link will take you to his greatest hits.)  Watching the Wheels

2) Lennon wrote this for his son, Sean. Father and son share an October 9 birthday. Does anyone in your life share your birthday?  My mom and I have the same birthday. We also have a cousin who shares the day.

3) John asks Sean to take his hand before they cross the street. Name another song that references holding hands.  I Want to Hold Your Hand by The Beatles, Hold My Hand by Hootie and the Blowfish

4) Today Sean Lennon is in his late 40s. He lives in Greenwich Village, creating art and music from his elaborate home-based music and film studio. Are you into the latest in electronics?  You're funny.

5) In Thailand, Father's Day is observed on the birthday of the current King. Are you celebrating any birthdays this month?  My twin aunts birthday was the 9th and two of our nephews (brothers, but NOT twins) share a birthday on the 10th. My aunt's birthday was the 18th, but she's been gone 9 years.

6) Crazy Sam vividly remembers her long-ago high school days when her father gave her driving lessons. Do you consider yourself a good driver?  Yes. I had to be. I drove a school bus for 16 years.

7) Sam's dad is a stickler about car maintenance and reminds Sam to change her air filter regularly so her a/c and heater can run efficiently. Share a car maintenance tip.  Check the fluids and filters regularly.

 
8) When he fills up the car, Sam's father also stocks up on his favorite candy: Life Savers. He always has a bag in the glove compartment. What's something you don't leave home without?  My phone, my keys, and my wallet (usually in my purse).

9) Random Question: How long can you go without checking your phone? Hmmm...I went all day yesterday without it (because I forgot it at home when I went to work) so at least that long. It was rough. So probably not much beyond that.

Thankful Thursday

Once again I find myself coming in late with a Thankful Thursday post. I'm just going to accept that if I'm going to keep working full-time this will be the norm. I toyed briefly with thoughts about letting the blog go, but like Rebecca, blogging and I go waaaay back. This is the 21st year I've been blogging. There are just too many memories and too many friends that I'd miss to let it go completely. So, if you can deal with my sporadic and late posts I'll keep hanging in there and post and visit when I can.

Anyway...

This week I have been blessed and am so thankful for:

** Rain. We were in drought conditions here after weeks of no rain. We got enough good, soaking rain this week that when I was outback this evening I noticed a 5-gallon bucket Tim had left sitting out was completely filled!

** Cooler temperatures. Well, I am telling myself I'm thankful for those. It really hasn't felt much like summer yet with daytime temps in the 60s or very low 70s and nightime temps in the 40s, but it has kept the drought from being any worse. 

** Our daughter standing up for herself. The awful boss and the "mean girls" at her job have quit. When she found out new hires who were no more qualified than she is were making nearly $2/hour more than she is, she went to management and talked with them. The outcome is that she is finally getting to begin training to become a med tech and getting the appropriate raise. It's a huge thing for someone who struggles with anxiety and self-confidence. We're so proud of her.

** The results of Leah's trip to Med Express. We found what looked like a bite on her leg Sunday evening. A bite with a red circle around it. Ticks and Lyme disease are a huge problem in this area so it was definitely a big concern. I guess they didn't test her, which I wish they had, but they went ahead and wrote out a script for an antibiotic but told our daughter not to have it filled or give it to her unless the bite/circle got bigger. They said it looked like a tick bite, but couldn't be sure. A little weird, but at least if it gets worse or she shows symptoms she has the prescription in hand.

** Church. It seems that life (ie., my family) conspire to keep me from going to church at this time of year and when I do get there I'm often scheduled to be in the nursery. I was feeling a bit disconnected. It was so good to get there and sit in the service and visit with people this past Sunday.

** Nature. From the little baby bunnies I see hopping all over the yard to the chirpy little bird who gave me quite a piece of his (her?) mind from the roof this afternoon...I love all the variety of God's creation.

** A meeting with a financial advisor. I was able to meet with the man who handles that for my employer today. We had quite a chat and he explained some things very clearly and helped me make the best decision about my retirement account. Tim has one, but I've never had a job that offered one before. I feel so grown up!

** Books! I went to two used book sales last weekend and today I went to the final day of the sale my mom helps with. Today was $5/bag day. I filled a bag...a few were for me, but the majority are Amish stories for a client at work. I'm set for quite a while with reading and it's nice to be able to do something nice for someone else.

I'm the second from the left.

** The rare chance to impress our grandson. He is into military and police stuff right now and he's very focused on jets right now as our airport is having an airshow this weekend. Usually they have the Blue Angels, but this year the Thunderbirds are here. We are not far, about 2 miles as the crow flies, from the airport and we are lined up with the approach to the runway. When the flying teams come to town we are usually treated to a great show from our own yard. Anyway, that's where Colt's mind is and yesterday I showed him photos from my years in Civil Air Patrol of me with the Blue Angels. He didn't say much, but I heard today that he was highly impressed. It made me smile.

** The safety of family who live in the storm zone down south.

There is so much more I am thankful for, but we'd be here all night and looking at the time I see that I really need to wrap this up and head to bed or I will be grumbling when my alarm goes off in the morning.

I hope you are having a wonderful week and look forward to catching up with you over the weekend.

Blessings to you!

Currently In the Middle of June

First of all, how did we get to the middle of June already??? For a month that has been cooler than normal, cloudy and/or smoke filled (choose your day), dry as dust, and lacking any particularly exciting events (it's been too cold to even get in the pool)...it's sure going fast!

We've finally been getting some rain the last couple of days after weeks of dryness. You can almost hear the grass sighing in relief. I am loving sitting here tonight listening to the rain on the roof. Thunderstorms are in the forecast for tomorrow. That was concerning before all this rain. Now I can hope it comes. I love a good thunderstorm.

The grandchildren have been spending time with us. More Colton than Leah, these days. She is in a phase where all she wants is to be at home and with her mommy or daddy. When she does go anywhere else it doesn't last long.

We took Colton to the big community park in Greensburg to see the Vietnam era helicopter on display there. He is very into the military and police right now.

Tim missed his CT-scan last week. I kept saying it was on Thursday. He kept insisting it was on Friday. Thursday evening he started getting everything lined up for it...and discovered it had indeed been scheduled for Thursday. I bit my tongue since he was pretty mad at himself as it was. He called Friday morning and got it rescheduled for July 5.

Our daughter was at the ER again yesterday with abdominal pain. After a CT-scan and an ultrasound they decided she had a cyst on her ovary (she has polycystic ovary syndrome so it's kind of common) and a stomach virus. She was really miserable, but was a lot better today and able to go to work this afternoon.

Leah needs to see the doctor and I was going to take her after work today but she threw such a fit about staying home with her daddy that he and I decided her mommy can take her tomorrow. She had better. Leah has a bite on her leg with a red ring around it. It needs checked to see if it is a tick bite and if she has Lyme. If she does, the quicker they get her on antibiotics, the better.

'Tis the season of used book sales and I went to two this past weekend and passed on a third. Here's part of my haul.

Lots of beginning kids' readers and two Trixie Beldon books I don't have in my set.

Some history books for my stepfather and the books I'm most excited about...four volumes of Charles Spurgeon's sermons. The ones on Revelation, the end times, and heaven and hell should be excellent!

A few devotionals and some rom-coms and cozy mysteries make up the balance. This is only part of what I got.

Right now I'm reading The Forever Girl by Jill Shalvis. It turns out that it's book #6 in a series, but so far it stands alone.

Work continues to bless me. I'm almost giddy some days over how much I love the work I do and the people I work with. My only regret is that I didn't fall into it earlier in life. This week's success was a small playground parachute I purchased at Dollar Tree a couple of years ago. I blew up balloons to put in the middle of it and the clients had so much fun flipping the parachute to make the balloons fly all over the place.

I saw the new live-action version of The Little Mermaid with a client on Saturday. Wow. In all honesty, the original was never one of my favorite Disney movies (apologies to those of you who may love it) but this one was so beautiful and with the digital special effects...a lot more intense. It also gave me some more ideas for my Halloween costume for work, if we stick with our plan for all staff to dress as Disney villains. I was already thinking about Ursula.

With the cooler weather and now the rain, our meals haven't been very summery. Tonight, for example, I picked up rotisserie chicken and we had chicken, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy. It really hit the spot. Big salads are on the menu one night this week. Beyond that, I haven't planned. I do know that on Sunday we are all going out for Fathers' Day.

That's about all that's happening around here. It's been a quiet month so far. I need to wrap this up and head to bed, 5:15 comes around all too soon. 

Have a great week!

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.