Ten Things Tuesday

I thought I'd give Ten Things Tuesday, borrowed from Kwizgiver,  a try today. The idea is just to list 10 thoughts, quick bullet points. I think I can handle it.

1. The circus we took the kids to was fun, but ridiculously expensive. $30 for each adult ticket (kids were free with adult tickets). $10 for each plastic cup of lemonade. I'm not sure of the individual prices, but the large bucket of popcorn and an order of nachos was $28. The light up bubble sprayer was $20. Ditto, the light up Minecraft sword. The camel ride was $15. A picture with a pig taken with my own phone, $10. Clown noses were a relative bargain at $2.

2. I still think I'm suffering with allergies and not sick, but I coughed so much due to postnasal drip today that I feel like I've run a marathon. I came home, showered and put my pjs on.

3. My coworker and I took our one-on-ones to all the local Goodwill stores today. He found the best bargain, brand new Nikes for $23. I bought the game Life for work and another game called Scramble. It's like Perfection, but two boards are connected and players race each other.

4. Watching all these tell-all books about Biden's presidency reveal everything so many of us were saying for the entire 4 years....it's really hard not to say, "We told you so!"

5. It's more than a little scary that there were that many people who felt their hatred of Trump justified lying to the entire country. I heard one person say they'd rather have Biden in a coma than Trump.

6. Prices are coming down! Gas has dropped to just over $3/gal. The 18 brown eggs I bought for $8 last week were a little over $5 this week.

7. It's cold and rainy tonight. I have my fuzzy socks on and am snuggled up in a blanket.

8. I've let my hair go curly again. The cat sits up on the back of the chair every evening. He thinks my curls are a toy.

9. Seven weeks until vacation.

10. The blind man I help take care of is doing fairly well at the moment. There's an "army" of people working to figure out what's been going on with him and get his health on an even keel.

Currently

Reading... I just finished Murder Marks the Page by Karen Rose Smith and started reading Buried in a Good Book by Tamara Berry. Both are cozy mysteries, light and fun for summer.

Watching... nothing right now. I'm waiting for Kevin Costner's show about the West to come on the History Channel at 9:00. 

Loving... the comfy new pj's I treated myself to. They're just a tee and cropped pants, but soft and flowy in gray with peach colored roses.

Thinking... about all the things that need to be done around here. Sigh.

Feeling... not my best, honestly. I keep telling myself (and everyone else) it's allergies, but I don't know. I'm having awful bouts of post-nasal drip that trigger coughing and while the coughing isn't as bad as it was last winter, my voice has gotten quite raspy. I also have that itchy/burning feeling in my throat and my eyes are watering and burning. It's not constant, but I never know when it's going to hit.

Celebrating... Memorial Day. It really wasn't much of a celebration. Our daughter and her family had other plans so it was just us and my mom and stepdad. We had grilled steaks, baked potatoes, and corn on the cob. We ate outside on the new picnic table we purchased this weekend. My stepdad isn't in very good health these days so they went back to Mom's house after we ate.

Enjoying... who the grands are growing into. I am amazed daily with the things they do and say.

Grateful... I'm not any sicker than I am.

Weather... it was beautiful and sunny today, but only about 71 degrees. Temps this week are supposed to be in the mid 60s to low 70s and we should see some more rain.

Giggling at...

8 Questions

Welcome to Sunday Stealing. Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. Cheers to all of us thieves!

These questions were inspired by a blogger named Becca. Back in 2007, Becca was asked to reveal 8 interesting things about herself. We're turning her answers into questions to learn a little more about YOU.

8 Questions

1. What habit do you wish you could break?  Where do I start? Procrastinating, snacking, farting around online, Diet Coke, and on goes the list.

2. Where is your favorite vacation spot?  It's always been Chincoteague Island, VA, the place that Margeurite Henry made famous with her tales of Misty. It's not the most glamorous or exciting spot on earth and that's why I have loved it. It always kept its small town feel. I'm sorry to say that the last 20 years or so have seen it become more and more commercialized. I still love it, but it isn't the same.

3. How many years of formal education have you completed?  I have 6 years of grade school, 6 years of jr/sr high school, and two years of college under my belt. I've taken some other courses and had lots of training over the years, but I don't think they are what you mean by "formal."

4. Have you ever had a job that required you be certified or licensed?  I had to have my CDL license to drive a school bus, but other than that I can't think of anything. Most of my jobs have required background checks and clearances, though, and I am someone who is considered a mandated reporter (like a doctor, for example, I am required by law to report suspected abuse). I have to do training and get fingerprinted and the like every 5 years for that.

5. Do you enjoy camping?  Probably not so much these days. I would enjoy most of it, but would probably not do well with the actual sleeping out bit. I can't get comfortable and sleep poorly in my expensive bed, I doubt things would improve in a sleeping bag on the ground or a cot.

6. Tell us about a time you got away with something.  When I was growing up my dad absolutely HATED jeans. His thoughts on them were that they were only good for playing at home and if you lived on a farm, shoveling manure. It was the 70s and early 80s...EVERYONE wore jeans! I wanted to be part of everyone so I'd take jeans to school in my big purse and change into them at school. In the afternoon I'd change before going home if my parents were going to be there, but a lot of the time I was safe as I was often a latchkey kid.

7. Where have you lived the longest, and what do/did you like best about it?  We've lived in our present home for 31 years. That's the longest anywhere by a long shot. I guess what I like the best is that it is near family. Sometimes that's also what I dislike the most about it, too.

8. When you were a kid, were more of your playmates boys or girls?  It was probably close to being an even mix.

Enjoy your Sunday! We are taking the Grands to a circus so I'll be around to visit after we get back.

Currently

Reading... nothing. I finished Poisoned Pin by Joan Hess (she is a favorite mystery writer from the 80s and 90s) over the weekend and haven't chosen another yet. I have three good candidates, however, after visiting Barnes & Noble today: Buried in a Good Book by Tamara Berry; Smile Beach Murder by Alicia Bessette; and Murder Marks the Page by Karen Rose Smith. 

Watching... American Idol is over (my boy didn't win) so I'm adrift until the next thing to catch my attention happens along. Right now I have Bible Secrets Revealed on, but it's more background noise than anything.

Loving... Prantl's Bakery. I just "discovered" this treasure and oh, my...click on the link and just LOOK at those goodies!

Thinking... about the older, blind gentleman I help care for. His health (and probably his mental abilities) has been declining in recent months. There are more and more times of confusion and/or health episodes. He has been on his own on the weekends. One woman cares for him Monday-Wednesday and I do Thursday-Friday, prepping all his meals for the weekend. They are finally searching for someone to work with him on Saturdays and Sundays following an episode this past Sunday in which the police came to his building and took him to the hospital because his sugar was low (I'm not sure why the police rather than an ambulance).

Feeling... annoyed with the tiny ants currently invading our house. I've finally resorted to liquid ant traps in strategic places after find quite a few on the kitchen counter this morning.

Celebrating... like most everyone else, we'll observe Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer this weekend. There will be no picnicking, however, as our forecast is for cool weather and rain. We'll still remember all those who served and I am hoping to take the grandchildren to a circus earlier in the weekend. 

Enjoying... watching our grandson work on the new front porch with Tim. It is so precious watching Tim pass on his knowledge to another generation who is eager to learn.

Grateful... that minor annoyances aside, we are blessed. The family is healthy, happy, and busy right now.

Weather... continues to stay cool with plenty of chances for rain for as far as the forecast goes. Where is the "summer" weather?

Giggling at...

Currently

Reading... I just finished Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry. I love her books. She is a brilliant writer. I'm hooked on her stories from the very beginning. This book, while it does have a romance, ventures a bit away from the romance genre. If you liked her other books or have never read anything she's written, I recommend you get your hands on this book. You won't be sorry.

Watching... Greg Gutfeld's new game show, What Did I Miss?, on Fox Nation. They put 4 people in an isolated house for 90 days. They had no access to media, phones, or other people. Now they are told stories and have to decide if it's real news from that time or fake news. It's pretty funny.

Loving... my new walking sandals from Vionic. They aren't dressy, but for everyday or work they are great. They have crazy arch support and the straps around the ankles and across the toes are padded and comfortable.

Thinking... about my lessons and activities for tomorrow. Wednesdays are my day to "run the show" so to speak. I usually try to find a theme. Tomorrow is National Dance Like a Chicken Day, so yes, we will be doing the chicken dance for some exercise, but we'll also be learning about chickens and making a chicken craft.

Feeling... pretty good. I've had a lot of leg pain lately so a day when it's not so bad is wonderful!

Celebrating... nothing right now or in the next couple of weeks. Like many, we just celebrated Mother's Day. Of course, there were gifts all around between my mom, my daughter, and I and the whole family went out to dinner.

Enjoying... Tim working a bit closer to home and getting home at a "normal" time.

Grateful... that Tim survived a round of layoffs at his company and is not in danger at all. Also, that gas prices have been dropping this week. Prices for regular unleaded are down to $3.29 as of this afternoon...the lowest we've seen in ages.

Weather... There's lots of rain and/or thunderstorms in this week's forecast and temps are kind of all over the place from the 60s to the 80s. It's not too bad. We'll take it.

Giggling...

Saturday 9: Mama Liked the Roses

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

1) In this song, Elvis tells us his mother loved tending the roses in the garden. Do you have a green thumb?  I used to have a fairly green one, but it seems to be getting a bit brown around the edges as I get older. Really, I think it's just that I am so busy these days that I often lose track of taking care of my plants.

2) Mama would put the roses in a vase in the living room. Do you have cut flowers in your home right now?  No. I rarely do.

 
3) Elvis sings that he found Mama's rose petals pressed in the family Bible. Have you ever pressed petals in a book? If yes, what occasion were you commemorating?  I pressed the first rose I ever received from a boy and Tim's boutonniere from our wedding. The first is long gone, the second is still around. You might find a few four leaf clovers tucked into a bible.

4) OK, so now we know Mama liked roses. What about you? Would you prefer white, pink, yellow or red roses?  In a bouquet I like pink roses, but the roses in my yard are gorgeous orange-ish gold.

5) Elvis' own mother, Gladys Presley, had a major impact on pop culture. When her son was 11, he asked for either a rifle or a bicycle for his birthday. She deemed the rifle too dangerous and the bike too expensive, and so he chose a guitar instead. The rest is history. Tell us about a special birthday gift from your youth.  The only one I remember is the wonderful special edition white and lime green Schwinn Stingray I got for my 7th birthday. I have tried and tried over the years to find a photo of one, but never have. I don't know if it was a one-of-a-kind or not. It had a sparkly lime green banana seat, lime green and white streamers (also sparkly), and lime green flowers painted on its white frame. I loved that bike!

 

6) Abraham Lincoln credited his stepmother, Sarah, for her lasting influence on his life, saying she ignited his love of reading and learning. Tell us about a woman -- mother, stepmother, grandmother, aunt, Godmother, teacher, neighbor -- who changed your life for the better.  I've mentioned my grandmother many times and she was without doubt the biggest influence in my life. She taught me to love the natural world and to indulge my curiosity. She was also my biggest fan and believed I could do anything I set my sights on.

7) Mother's Day is almost upon us. According to the National Restaurant Association, we like to eat out on this holiday, with revenue up more than 80% on Mother's Day weekend. When did you last dine at a restaurant? Was it a special occasion?  We ate out earlier this week. No special occasion. The whole family is going out for dinner on Mother's Day, though.

8) Candles are a big seller for Mother's Day, too. What's your favorite candle scent?  Yankee Candle's MacIntosh.

9) Sam is celebrating Mother's Day with her mother's favorite, Hershey Bars. Would you prefer classic milk chocolate, dark chocolate or chocolate with almonds?  Milk chocolate, please?

I'm off to our second craft show in a week and will catch up with everyone afterward. Have a wonderful Saturday and please, join in the Saturday 9 fun here.

Currently

I am

Reading... Great Big Beautiful Life, the new Emily Henry novel. I've loved all of her books and this one does not disappoint. Ms. Henry creates characters that are so well developed, funny, and very likeable. Her stories always grab me on the first page and keep me interested all the way through.

Watching... Expedition Files.

Loving... having daylight until 8:30.

Thinking... about the craft show this weekend. My daughter and I are busy little beavers this week making items to sell. Her new favorite thing to make is car charms (you hang them from your mirror or a knob if your car actually has those). She made these this evening and posted pictures on Facebook. The first one sold within minutes of being posted and she got an order for another one.

Feeling... tired. It's time to head to bed.

Celebrating... the success of last week's craft show. We sold a lot of things and made $600! I know that was probably a fluke, but I hope we still do pretty well. I know the beaded pens and such have been around for a while, but our area seems to still be fairly new to them. People haven't seen anything like it and are loving it.

Some photos of our set up. Don't you love the PINK tent I found? 

Enjoying... just about everything right now.

Grateful... to my daughter's friend for setting us up with our spot at last week's show...FOR FREE!

Weather... it's not raining, so that's something. We've had soooo much rain in the last week. It's still cloudy, though, and will remain so until the weekend. Temperatures are in the 60s to low 70s during the day and in the 50s at night. Next week we are shooting straight into the 80s.

Giggling...