Stealing Sunday Aw...Mondays Love is... Sparks

SUNDAY STEALING - swap bot

 Sunday Stealing 

 

1. Does love come from the brain, the heart or elsewhere?

God is love. This is what I believe and know to be true. You may read John 3:16. 

It is explained in The Word.

2. Have you ever given a shot?

No and I am not sure I could. I do not like them myself.  I wouldn't want to hurt someone.

3. Can you lick your elbow (diya try?) ?

No you can not, that is silly. But if you and I were felines I am sure we could. hahaha

4. If I was going to be talking to you for ten minutes,what would be something really interesting that you know a little about but would like to know more? 

I love the planets, the moon, the stars, the sun. I do know somethings but would love to study more. 

5. What do you think of the Sopranos? 

I am not much of a movie watcher where lots of violence is going on. But many people love that show. 

6. Have you ever had a crush on your teacher? How about your boss?

No. Nope . Never but as far as teachers go my husband had a teacher named Miss Truelove when he was a small boy in the first grade. Oh he had a huge crush on her. Young and so pretty.

7. Have you ever seen a movie in 3D?

Yes at the Museum of Nature and Science when we were young and newlywedded.

8. How difficult do you think it is for immigrants to come into your country?

Very difficult. My husband works for a mega law firm and they have an Immigration department. Yet it takes a long and very expensive process to become a legal citizen. I could write a book here but I will refrain. My grand girls husband is still waiting for his legal status and it has been years. Also another friend I know. Still waiting since 2001. Utterly ridiculous. I will now plead the 5th.

9. Do you have what it takes to go live in another country , maybe for years, where you don't speak the language as your first language?

I have no desire to live elsewhere. I have always loved my country and I hate to see what is happening to it. I am sad  that so many people would enjoy living under communism. Because they know zero about it and zero about their own history. 

10. Have you ever died in your dreams?

No but I was told years ago if you dream that someone you know died, they will have a long life. I think that may have some validity to it.

11. What book should our political leaders read and why?

The Bible. Everything happening, even at this very moment, is all written in the bible but you have to study it and understand  what you are reading. Hell is not going to be an on going party with your pals. You either will go to Heaven or to hell. Your choice not mine or anyone else who likes or dislikes you. It is serious and I don't like to see people poke fun at hell. 

In the words of Blaise Pascal and you may certainly research him. He said Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith can not be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain; you gain all, if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager then, without hesitation that He exists.

12. What is your favorite glass object?

I have a set of dollar store glasses that are very similar to ones my mother had when I was growing up. They have  colorful stripes and remind me of wonderful times and a beautiful childhood.

13. Do you like to window shop?

YES! In fact, we spent the day at Estes Park this past SONday. We did lots of window shopping but my daughter Rebekah bought me a reusable tote bag with Smokey the Bear on it. 

14. Are you more likely to buy one really expensive outfit  or a couple of cheap outfits?

I own way too many outfits, shoes, handbags....I am currently downsizing and gave Hannah and Jake at least three huge bags of nice quality clothing to share with his sisters and donate to their church. I have more to share with them. So other than a few matchy match t shirts Avery & I love to wear, I do not need a single piece of clothing.

15. If you could, would you wear something once, throw it out  and buy something new?

No! It is not my style, I think it is very wasteful. Give it away to someone in need or someone who is going through a rough patch.. Never throw good clothing out whether it is a Wal-Mart special or Macy's or Nike or whoever.

I saw this and literally said Awwwwww.......... go visit Aw...Mondays

love is...is so truthful for me. 

In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don't Blaise Pascal

Sparks...

Thankful Thursday and Friendly Fill In's and Learn Something About Me with Feline Friday and Pink Saturday

 Thankful ThursdayI'm thankful for all the different people in my life.  At social media my cousin Sissy, did this quiz to learn somethings about her. She is a recently retired Sheriff's deputy. Darn proud of her and the long career she had with her sweetheart Felix who also had a long career with the Sheriff's Office in our hometown. 

Here is that quiz:

First job- Clerk Pueblo County Treasurer's Office

Dream Job- Owner of a Tea Room and Doll Museum

Astrological Sign- Sagittarius\

Favorite food- Steak &Seafood and Mexican

Favorite Dogs - I love them all

Favorite Footwear - Brooks for Women

Favorite Candy- Mrs. Cavanagh's  Coconut Haystacks

Favorite Ice Cream - Pistachio and Haagen Daz Coffee

Pet Peeve - Dishonest people, Liars

Favorite Holiday - Easter

Night Owl - Some weekends

Favorite Day of the Week- any day I can be with my sweetheart

Tattoos - No

Like to Cook- Yes

Can you drive a stick shift- hahaha don't ask my sister Mary

Favorite color- Blue

Do you like vegetables- Yes

Do you wear glasses- Yes

Favorite Season- Spring and Fall

I am always happy  to do these and love seeing all the different answers

Thankful for everyone who will participate.

Thanking God today for the love of phamily. the loyalty of friends and the kindness of strangers.

Robert Brault rbrault.blogspot.com, 2020

Things to be Thankful for in nature

Blue skies and clear skies

clear starry nights

Rainy days

Soft breezes rustling through the trees

I am always searching for everything I could write down that I am thankful for.

When life gives you rain, play in the puddles.

Friendly Fill In's

Ellen and Lorianne host these fill in's. They each select two questions. Thank you both for all you do.

1. I would describe my home as ___________________________________.

2. I would never give ___________________to _______________________.

3. I share my secrets with _________________________________________.

4. Did I ever tell you_____________________________________________?

 Tomorrow I will share my answers here:

It is Friday and here are those answers:

1. I would describe my home as eclectic

2. I would never give up my friends or phamily for anything to be a snitch

3. I share my secrets with no one today. That was Vivian, who knew my heart and many thoughts.My dear sweet friend passed away in 2018. I sure miss her. She was honest, kind and loyal.

4. Did I ever tell you about the kittens in the fire? If you visit me at https://annesphamily.blogspot.com I wrote about them. 

Feline Friday

I am a sucker for tiny kittens. They sure can steal your heart away. I love seeing them find forever homes. This was a Pinterest find. I love them all! Pink Saturday

A sweet pink paradise to enjoy a cool summer breeze. We have been in the high 90's so mot much outdoor fun for us.  I do love pink, not just because of breast cancer awareness, or Barbie. But I do love Barbie. I have always loved pink.

 

A favorite photo of us. I do love that pink!

Thanks to everyone who organizes the blog hops, comments, visits and simply enjoys blogging. I am trying to get better about it and I think back to several years ago when my great cousin Mike B. encouraged me to write about our childhood neighborhood. I was dedicated to it and posted every day for a solid month. I need to encourage myself to do that again. There are so many stories yet to tell.

Wordless Wednesday

 

beauty-belleza-beaute-schoenheit...

Tuesday4 Happy Tuesday Maxine Cracks Me Up

 Tuesday4

Sunday, July 23, 2023

Friendship

".,,there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" psalms 18

 It's time once again for Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

 Let's talk about friendship.

1. Do you have or have you had a special or best friend or do you consider all your friends the same?

To be very honest, my maternal grandmother was my best friend. 

I love this photo. I am at her side along with my mom behind me and my mom's sister Annie. 

I lost my grandmother in 1967. All 

the wonderful friends who were confidantes 

are now gone too. 

2. Many in the past had close relationships and fell in love through letters.  What do you think of online friendships.. are they real ? Are there friends who last a lifetime?

I have several friends from blogging as well as pen pals when I was a young teen. So yes, you can have long time and life long friendships.  Depending on the person, yes I believe they can be lifelong friends. I had a friend I knew since our days in the playpen together. Her politics and mine don't blend so she choose to step away. Sad to say, she was a real honest to goodness Karen! I'm not kidding. 

3.  Are there stories, movies or TV programs that you enjoyed because of the friendship or relationship portrayed in it? I've read books where I loved the friendships. Those are always nice ones with life long commitments. RaeAnne Thayne is an excellent author in my personal opinion and she creates friendships that often withstand the times.

4. What does friendship mean to you?

Honesty, always keeping up with you, even to send a message to say hi how are you. But I truly value those who go beyond that. Mollye Self was one of these extraordinary friends. Even as she knew she time on this earth was limited she kept in close contact with me. That my friends, is a true friendship. People like Sally DiStefano who shared her faith and another sweet soul who was living in her last few years on earth. Another blog friend LaVoice told me she spoke on the phone almost daily with Sally. My dear friend Vivian took all my secrets I shared with her to her grave. She actually surprised everyone by donating her body to science. She was a hard working, unique person and had the most wonderful parents. I loved them all so much and one by one I lost them. People don't have many friends like that in their lifetime. My sister-in-law Cheri is another friend I love and cherish. I think because we have similar values and share so much that others don't understand. I was telling her recently how sad it is when a blood relative ignores you and she told me she would give anything to have a conversation with her younger sister she lost many years ago. Then my sister Patsy. She was almost a second mother to my sister Mary and I. We were all very close. I spoke with my big sis on the phone sometimes daily. She shared so much with me. Being an Army wife she had to pick up and leave everything she was use to to travel unknown roads. She is another real hero to me. Strong women. May we be them. May we raise them, May we know them. My grandmother had 2 sisters but her husband, my grandfather I never knew had 3 sisters. He was a very good man because he was raised with parents who loved all 4 of their children dearly.  My husband has a brother who no longer speaks to us and an older brother who passed away in 2015. He is very close to his only sister. I am grateful

Happy Tuesday 

It doesn't sound like this will be a happy story but I recently found out a gal I worked with for many years had passed away in 2013. It made me so sad . Lora was a tough chick, she had a few failed marriages and a daughter with Cerebral Palsy. She had two sons as well and there were times those of us who worked with her wanted to wring her neck! She always put a relationship ahead of her kids. But she found someone who seemed very genuine and moved to Tennessee to be with him. They married and I lost contact with her. So I choose to believe that she had found happiness  after all the sad failed relationships she had.  She was smart and we had many laughs and she once helped me host a Princess House show in a mobile home park where she knew the manager. She drove into Denver to pick me and all my stuff up. She helped me set up and took all the kids swimming while I hosted this show. She had a big heart and I hope she is enjoying heaven these days. Rest in peace Lora Jene. 

Lora didn't like her photo taken so this was a childhood photo. She struggled with her weight her whole life and I believe perhaps the gastic banding  surgery took her life as it  did the life of another friend  Michelle in 2010. Lora always reminded me of Mama Cass Elliot. She was a large woman and wore her long hair red.

She made me laugh out loud once telling me she didn't

 cook much, that a mouse had set up housekeeping inside her oven. 

Her dad was a mail carrier in their small Nebraska town. 

She was a
"Knowledgeable "Nebraskan. I loved to tease her because there was joke going around years ago that said,  U of Nebraska football players and their fans think the N on the football helmet stands for knowledgeable.

She was so proud of her degree from her birth state .

She could work on her own car and was extremely smart, except when it came to  men. 

Rest easy Ms. Lora Jene.

So we find, after all, that the things we thought small
      Loom colossal above all the host;
That the best of God's gifts are the friends we can call
      To our side when we need them the most.
~W. Dayton Wegefarth (1885–1973), "The Bright Things of Life"

"A good friend is cheaper than therapy." Author Unknown

"Only a true friend will tell you when your face is dirty." Sicilian Proverb

May all your days be filled with beautiful friendships. I appreciate you here. Ellen and Brian thank you for the advice for my C A T as Blake calls him. He loves that kid too!  We are going to get an appointment with him at the CSU Veterinary School of Medicine. I will keep you all posted.

Sunday Stealing Birthday Wishes Aw....Mondays Love is....

Sunday Stealing -- Either/Or

 Sunday Stealing

July 21, 2023

Stolen from Swap Bot

Would you rather...

1. Live on a boat or in a treehouse?

I'll take the treehouse. Boats are nice but I am not comfortable on boats all the time.

2. No computer use for a year  or no sweets for a year?

I wish I could give up sweets so.....I would have to stick to using the computer. If I was forced to give up my sweet tooth, I might fail or I might be surprised.

3. Have $2,000 right now or $100 a month for the rest of your life?

I would take the monthly $100 a month.

4. Be an  astronaut or an athlete ?

Athlete: ,maybe my knees would miraculous feel 100% and I could enjoy running again or speed walking!

5. Have 50 good friends or only one best friend?

I have lost so many good friends so  I will take all the rest of them left here especially through blogging. My very best friend was my  maternal grandmother and I lost her in 1967 when I was in the 6th grade.

6. Have bright blue teeth or bright blue hair? Ummmmm......neither! Too mature for blue hair hahaha and blue teeth don't sound appealing to me.

7. Have the power of flight or the power of invisibility?

Being invisible would be very cool. I could see what people are really thinking and saying about most everything.

8. Have a fun friend who is snarky or a boring friend who is kind.

Snarkiness is not for everyone and I try to be nice most of the time so I would take kindness everytime.  If you're kind, how can you be boring? You are cool.

9. Be incredibly rich without love or be poor but have a happy marriage?

Money, or rather the the love of it is sinful in itself. It usually leads to selfishness or narcissism. But I know a happy marriage is already what I have, so I will take it everytime! We have been through many tough times and our love never failed us because we center our marriage on more than love and  material things. I often have said if I had to live in a cardboard box under the Speer Blvd. viaduct with my husband, I would still be incredibly happy.

10. Have a freezing cold shower everyday or a pleasant hot shower once a week?

Summertime would be ok with a cold shower each day and I do enjoy a hot shower but I could never go without bathing or showering daily so I would get through the cold showers.

11. Be an only child or have many siblings?

Being raised with four older siblings and marrying a man who was in the middle of three other siblings, I will take the noisy, crazy, funny, loving, never let you down people I grew up and most all of them including a few in-laws too!

12. Quit video games forever or live in a desert for one month?

I don't play video games so give me a spade and a shotgun and I will go live in that desert for a month!

( I once asked a lady why she had a spade and a shotgun by her backdoor). She dryly replied, "Rattlesnakes."

13. Go on a one week trip to a foreign country of your choice or a month long trip in your own country?

I love my country so this is easy....I would travel in my own country because I have not seen all ofit.

14. Celebrate your birthday everyday or go on your favorite holiday once a year?

Celebrating my birthday everyday would be boring so I would go with my favorite holiday once a year.

15. If fish could talk what would you ask them?

Do they feel clean underwater all the time? Is it fun swimming around all the time or do they get tired or bored.

Birthday wishes on this day to my sweetheart of a husband, he is my favorite guy and I wish him the biggest and best HAPPY BIRTHDAY today! He shares this day with my dad so..... Happy Heavenly Birthday dad! My father loved my husband when he asked me to marry him. He knew he would take good care of us. 

He had a wonderful day surrounded by most of the phamily and had his favorite French Silk Chocolate pie.  He is the most kind, logical, wonderful guy and when I look back at my life choices he was the best one I made! His faith in God is number one. He cares for his loved ones and always knows just what to say. He will get tuckered out for the grandkids and help anyone in need. I would not trafe me for all the money, people or things in this world. 

Missing my dad today, watching the MLB Hall of Fame inductions at Cooperstown. Everything I know about life, baseball and love and kindness I learned from him. He was the best dad a girl could ever have.  Happy Heavenly Birthday Dad

1. “To keep the heart unwrinkled, to be hopeful, kindly, cheerful, reverent — that is to triumph over old age.” — Thomas Bailey Aldrich

 Aw....Mondays

Celebrating birthdays for people I love make me say Aw......Everyday! Happy Monday people!

love is...is the ultimate gift.

“Birthdays are inevitable, beautiful and very particular moments in our lives! Moments that bring precious memories back, celebrate the present times and give hope for the future.” — Babe Arish

LAUGHING OUT LOUD

 

"Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine. " Lord Byron

Thankful Thursday Feline Friday Friendly Fill In's Pink Saturday

 Thankful Thursday

Yesterday we had stormy weather all day long. Thankful we had no major damage. People posted photos from South Denver were hail the size of small ice cubes pummeled their property. Thankful no one was harmed and got under cover.

Thankful traffic was less congested so Avery could get home a little early. When any sporting events are going on or concerts, the traffic is a nightmare. 

Thankful just to be here and to be ok yesterday and every other day. Feline Friday

When I was young I had a similar poster. This is Pinterest find. A flag bearing the image of an upside down kitty. My poster said TGIF! With the wild kitty hanging on for dear life! My kids had that same poster too. Thankful for some fun in my life. 

Friendly Fill In's

Ellen and her co host Lorianne have put together these questions for all of us to enjoy. Thank you ladies. 

1. _______________taught me that__________________.

2. I wish I could remember ___________________.

3. I could be  convinced __________________only if_______________.

4. I had to delay ___________________because __________________.

My answers are here:

1. My parents taught me that kindness has to be first and foremost.

2. I wish I could remember titles of old movies and songs like my husband.

3. I could be convinced to move to warmer climate in the Winter only if I could afford it.

4. I had to delay yardwork because the storms keep coming. The rain is a blessing but the weeds are taking over our undeveloped section of the yard. 

Pink Saturday

I think this pink house is so cool. My husband might want a blue one instead.  There is an article attached if you click on the link Pink House I get that everyone loves pink but I sure do! The article was fun and I know there are places you can visit that are devoted to pink. 

Wordless Wednesday

 Wordless Wednesday

Paulea Beach photography by JoshRossPhotography

Tuesday4/Happy Tuesday and Maxine Cracks Me Up

 Tuesday4

BOOKWORM

Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 where we try and challenge you to think , discover and make new friends through blogging.

1.  Did any book besides the bible have an impact on your life or beliefs? I read a few autobiographies that made me really sad. One was about a famous Chinese actress  Anna May Wongin the 1930's. The racism was horrendous in San Francisco. Also the Joe DiMaggio autobiography. They were poor and the treatment the Italian immigrants received was also horrible. I do love my bible because I know all the truth in there is not sugar coated or fake. It is and always will be my favorite book. 

2.  What books influenced you as a young person.?

Profiles in Courage. I don't think we have had any presidents as courageous as he was. in many years  War is hard and yes I enjoy reading history.  Attending Catholic school I enjoyed reading the bios of the various saints. Their stories were always sad and yet I learned so much from them. A friend, who was a Lutheran once tried to school me on Saint Anne. She is the mother of the Blessed Mother and therefore I know her whole story. It was just funny. No one read the stories of saints like Catholics when I was a kid. 

3.  Do you continue educating yourself by reading books or listening to podcasts or lectures? I still read. Today I love lighter material but not any podcasts. I don't think I have attended a lecture since my college days. 

4.  Have you ever sat in a coffee shop/restaurant/cafe  reading a book?  What is your preferred place to read? No , not really. I usually would go to a coffee shop to met up with friends and chat and catch up with them. I do like to read in a quiet space and drink ice tea or lemonade in the warm months and hot tea in the cold months. 

Happy Tuesday

Somethings that make me happy:

Although it is required to eat this Coca Cola Cake with vanilla ice cream. I am having a small slice early in the morning with my tea. and a few fresh strawberries. I made it last night and it is delectable. When my grandson paid nearly $6 for a slice to home to Jacey I said I have all the ingredients, I can make a whole cake for $6! It made me happy!

Memories and my Happy Phamily, old memories, new memories, I love them all because I am happiest when I am with them or when I see them. 

Can't forget some of our favorite pets. I need to organize my photos better. Sigh....

Maxine says it well. 

Aw...Monday's Love is...Sparks

 

 Aw...Mondays

My brother Bill and his wife Joyce have been married for 60 years this month. Their children and grandchildren surprised them with a wonderful brunch yesterday and what a beautiful day it was. Zach and Rebekah and our Nick joined Avery and I as well as our Noelle. We had a splendid time and it was wonderful to visit with many relatives we have not seen in  quite a while.  Joyce and Bill looked surprised as their grandson Nick brought them into the brunch. We were able to step out onto the patio area and take many photos with  the beautiful foothills of Golden, Colorado in the backdrop after visiting and eating all the delicious food on the brunch. Stories were told and it was a beautiful day. Rebekah was able to catch a photo with her aunt and uncle as she spent some time with them several months ago to get some childhood memories. Avery and I were happy to pose with my big brother and beautiful sister-in-law. 

The day was filled with so many good memories and I found this meme and wanted to share it:

This touched my heart. I had my parents on my mind all day. They both had large phamilies and we often spent many special moments with them during my childhood.  I know my folks were shining down on us from heaven along with our son-in-law Roger and my niece Carrie's husband John. They were sorely missed by all.  The values I was raised with stick with me. I enjoyed the company of those we spent time with yesterday and also thought about how proud my mom and dad would be seeing everyone together.

Make the effort to try to be with those you grew up with. Those who love you even when you may think they don't. It was a blessing for me to see everyone, to chat with my nephew Rudy who I babysat long ago and to meet his four children. It was nice to see my sister-n-laws younger brother Bud and his precious wife Anne Marie. She is special to me because we both share the same given name. Having my other big brother Ed and his wife Cheri, my soul sister there along with three of our five children was a real treat. Ed and Cheri celebrated 54 years of marriage in June. Makes my heart happy.

Joyful moments, beautiful blessings, making memories.

 

Noelle takes excellent photos and I still need to check with Rebekah and Zach to get there copies too. What a fun day. 

love is...knows my heart.....

Sparks...

Feline Friday Friendly Fill In's Pink Saturday Humor

 Feline Friday

We have had lovely weather. Rain nearly everyday for the past several months. Cooler temps in the 70's and 80's but come Monday... the heat will be turned up. This guy just enjoys the cool air conditioned comfort of his kingdom. 

Friendly Fill In's

Ellen and her co host Lorianne came up with these ideas to share with us:

1. I am never without my shoes. Last summer I stepped on a wasp who came into my kitchen uninvited. I was barefooted. O U C H !!!

2. My favorite place for fast food is Arby's.

3. I feel like I am naturally good at encouraging others.

4. I would probably benefit from singing lessons!

Hope you joined in the fun.

We've been on vacation from home. Hannah and Jake were here last week. We had so much fun and went do many places. It was a great week.

They sent this Snapchat when they arrived home to shoot their fireworks and enjoy a cool evening. Hannah's Amber hoodie is something I gave her . Being a clothes horse and a one time shoe collector, I am downsizing and donated a ton of clothing and king size sheet sets to their church. I also gave Hannah a ton of clothing she could share with her sister-in-laws. It felt so good to send them away with a lot of things that hopefully can benefit others. Now to get into that shoe closet.....

I will always love Barbie. She looks so pretty in pink. Pink Saturday. Did you know today the new Barbies and her clothing are made from recycled plastic bottles?

Our son-in-law Zach is mastering the Kopy Kat Crumbl cookies. So far he has made the chocolate chip Crumbl and the Shortbread with pretty pink frosting. I need a jog after one of those delactabe cookies.