It is Snowing; Sort Of......Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Snowbird (1971)

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

1) In this song, Elvis wants the snowbird to fly away and take the snow back with her. Have you seen a measurable snowfall yet this season? As of Friday we have not. A tiny amount accumulated on the trash can this morning and it is cold.

I wish I still put up my Christmas Village.  I could make it so much more realistic with trash cans.😉

2) Drivers in snowy climes are encouraged to keep salt, sand or kitty litter in the trunk because those items can help a car regain traction in the snow. Do you have an emergency kit in your car right now? If so, what's in it? We have a first aid kit, and a quilt in the back of the truck, but that is about it.

3) Back in 2007, North Dakota set the world record for the most snow angels made at one time (8,910). Do you enjoy playing in the snow? 

  4) Chionophobia is the fear of snow. Astraphobia is the fear of thunder and lightening. Lilapsophobia is the fear of tornadoes and hurricanes. Do you have to cope with any of these fears? Tornadoes and lightening, living in the midwest.  Earthquakes were a really big fear when we lived in California. My mom hated lightening and when we were ever riding in the midwest, (Okla) she would ride with a pillow over her head.  Tornadoes and thunder and lightening not a big thing in CA.

 5) Elvis' daughter Lisa Marie split her childhood between Memphis and Los Angeles, so she seldom saw snow. When she was a little girl, she was whisked  off to Denver in her father's private plane so the two of them could spend an afternoon playing in the snow. If you could take off and spend the afternoon anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would go to Santa Barbara to visit these fellows.

6) At home and onstage, Elvis refused to wear jeans and only wore denim if a film role demanded it. This is because when he was young, classmates teased him for "dressing poor" in jeans and coveralls. What did you wear to class when you were in grammar school? In CA in the 50's and early 60 we still wore dresses or skirts to school.  I never wore pants until maybe high school, and I don't think we wore them, much then. Cold weather was not a big issue and I can't remember wearing tights. I did not wear jeans until I was in my 40s. 

7) Elvis and President Jimmy Carter are distant relatives (the President is the sixth cousin of the King's great grandfather). Your turn: Tell us about one of your more interesting relatives.  My Grandpa came to Oklahoma from IL in a covered wagon when he was a small boy. When he was 18 he was a school teacher in Homestead OK for a short time, because he was a high school graduate.  He had a farm with a yellow tile barn and was a rural postman.  He came to CA after WW2 to retire. He was a farmer all his life and always put out a garden, when he moved to Vista he raised rabbits.  He was rather a stern man but busy until he passed away in 1967.

8) In 1971, when Elvis released his recording of "Snowbird," You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown was a hit on Broadway. Who is your favorite Peanuts character? 
Lucy is bossy and somewhat self assured, I liked her because she was so confident. I think I liked her because she was everything, I wasn't.  I was a better big sister than she was....just ask my brother.

9) Random question: You receive a gift certificate from a gourmet food company that can be redeemed for one of these three things: 1 lb. of caviar, 5 lbs. of steak or a 10 lb., live lobster. Which would you choose? Live Lobster

 

 

Sunday Stealing-The Boat Questions

Still not sure why it is called the Boat Questions.

1. YOU HAVE 10 BUCKS AND NEED TO BUY SNACKS AT A GAS STATION. WHAT DO YOU GET? I would be on a road trip so I would get a couple of bottles of water, coffee, and nuts, popcorn or candy if I am driving next, a 5 hour energy.

2. IF YOU WERE REINCARNATED AS SOME SORT OF SEA DWELLING CREATURE, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? A manta ray, they are slow and beautiful swimmers and can be playful.

3. WHO'S YOUR FAVORITE REDHEAD? Julianne Moore and Prince Harry.

4. WHAT DO YOU ORDER WHEN YOU'RE AT A DINER? Usually breakfast as that is the time we would probably stop at a diner.

5. LAST BOOK YOU READ? I just finished the Harry Potter series.

6. DESCRIBE YOUR FAVORITE PAIR OF UNDERWEAR? Cotton and roomy.

7. DESCRIBE THE LAST TIME YOU WERE INJURED. I sprained my wrist, wrestling my brother in law's very large dog into my yard .  I fell on it, and went to the doctor.

8. ROCK CONCERT OR SYMPHONY? I love most music. LAST SEEN? Willy Nelson, last year.

9. IF SOMEONE WERE TO BUY YOU A GIFT, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE IT TO BE?
I would like it to be plane tickets to California to see the grandsons,any time I wanted.
 
10. WHAT TYPE OF SHIRT DO YOU (look) BEST IN? Well I wear T-shirts mostly.  I probably look best in a long sleeved knit shirt.

11. IF YOU COULD USE ONLY ONE FORM OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? A chauffeured limo.

12. WHAT IS YOUR DEADLY SIN? Sweets!
 

13. MOST RECENT MOVIE YOU'VE WATCHED IN A THEATER? RATE IT. Les Miserables, not as good as the stage play, but enjoyable.  We don't go out to the movies...mostly stream them on TV.  Last night we saw Joy, with Jennifer Lawrence and I really liked it. Very uplifting.
 
14. IF YOU COULD INVENT ONE THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? A transporter like in Star Trek. It would be excellent for travel.

15. NAME AN ACTOR/ACTRESS YOU'VE HAD THE HOTS FOR? Sean Connery, I have told you that before. 
 
16. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE CITY? LAST TIME THERE? London, I was there, a year ago.  I love England and would like to see more than London.
 

17. WHAT'S THE FIRST WORD THAT COMES TO MIND RIGHT NOW? Vampire, we are watching a travel show about belief in vampires in Romania, on the travel channel. Mr BC left it on that channel when he took his accidental nap.  He has the remote.
 
18. WHAT TYPE OF PET DO YOU HAVE? We have 2 funny dogs.
 

19. WHERE HAVE YOU LIVED THE LONGEST? In southern California, I grew up there and Mr BC and I lived there the better part of 30 years.

20. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON THAT SPENT $100 ON YOU? Mr BC.
 
21. WHAT'S THE LAST PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU BOUGHT? A couple of long sleeved shirts and a purse, last week at Ross.

22. WHAT WAS/IS YOUR FAVORITE JOB? When I did substitute teaching in elementary school about 48 years ago.
 

23. WHO MAKES YOU LAUGH THE MOST? Mr BC

24. WHAT ARE YOU CRAVING? Macaroni and Cheese.

25. WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND? My grandsons and DD1.  She is raising them right. Just got a picture of Лука 7 reading a book to Caшa 5, such a sweet scene!

Come to the Caberet-Saturday 9

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

1) In this song, Liza Minnelli encourages you to put down "the knitting, the book and the broom." Which of those three were you most recently doing: knitting, reading or housework? Housework is eternal, but I was reading last night before bed. I don't knit any more because needlework is just too hard on my eyes and my knuckles.

2) She sings that we shouldn't allow "some prophet of doom to wipe every smile away?" Do you know anyone who reliably looks at the downside of life?   Not so much, but when I was working, there was always someone who was negative.  I try not to let those folks into my life.

3) In 1972, when this recording was popular, so was The Brady Bunch. In the two-part season premiere, The Bradys went to Hawaii. Do you have any warm weather vacation plans this fall/winter? I am going to Santa Barbara in January and February, it is usually pretty mild in the winter....but, isn't always reliably nice in the winter. Seeing the grandsons is great no matter what the weather. Their birthday is just one day apart and Caшa, was born on his Mom's birthday, it just make sense to go and celebrate the fun.

4) Though not her uncle, just a friend to both of her parents, Liza always called  Frank Sinatra as "Uncle Frank." Is there an older person in your life who isn't a blood relative, but who refer to as "aunt" or "uncle?" No, but my mom was Auntie Jeannie, to a lot of kids when I was younger.

5) Liza collapsed onstage during a Christmas concert in 2007. She says she'd been nauseous before she went on and simply fainted. Sam has never fainted. Have you? I have been nauseous before but I have not ever fainted. One time my mom fainted from heat, in line at Blue Bayou restaurant at Disneyland, and we got right in thanks to kindly patrons.
 
6) People are often surprised when they learn Liza is good friends with Gene Simmons -- the KISS member with the long tongue. Tell us about one of your good friends.  I have been lucky with friends, one friend is special, as she is the wife of Mr BC's best friend from school. We have been friends since we first met, so many years ago, she is my mall walking buddy too, so we see each other a lot.

Maggie and Jigs BFF

7) Liza told US Magazine that she loves to eat at Olive Garden. Do you? We have only been there once or twice, several years ago. I don't think it is truly authentic Italian, I was raised in a very Italian neighborhood, growing up in our southern CA suburb. Christmas was delicious.

8) She keeps apple juice and yogurt in her refrigerator at all times. Would we find either in your refrigerator right now? Yes, if Apple Cider counts as apple juice.  This time of year I have a bottle of it in my fridge.  I have some cartons of yogurt, but they might be out of date. I mix it as the liquid in spiced Chai concentrate, instead of milk and.... poof.... spiced cider.

 
9)  Random question: Which would be a more frustrating dinner companion -- someone who won't shut up, or someone who won't say a word? Both are not a great thing at dinner.  I guess someone who won't say a word, would frustrate me more, and probably make me uncomfortable if it was just us at a table. 

 

Friendly Fill-Ins and Friday Fragments

 

http://mcguffysreader.blogspot.com/

Week 27: November 11, 2016

1. Cursive handwriting should be taught in schools. I know that many schools do not have this as part of curriculum any more. It will probably become a lost art.

 
2. The last item I donated: was a box of clothes and small household items to Goodwill. I always have a box or bag of items ready to go.  I am trying to divest this house of all the miscellaneous and duplicate items of my MIL and mine.  We inherited her house and contents and there are a lot of things that need to be  cleared out that we just put in boxes in storage.

3. My (personal) song is: Devil With a Blue Dress, because it is Mr BC's song for me when we were dating.

4. Three things I am thankful for this week are: Took the dogs to the vet this week and Gwennie's heart was strong and was taken off of Lasix, she is still on a diet, Totum got some allergy medicine for his intense scratching,  and the weather is beautiful, although we could use a freeze so the grass would stop growing.

Today is Veteran's day, where we remember and honor America's Veterans.  I want to specially honor my veteran.....Mr Bankerchick.

 

If you don't care for political conversations I suggest you don't read on. I usually don't talk politics but this election has been particularly problematic and maybe not so Friendly. 

My Friday Fragments pieces will be mainly about what every one is talking about....and not necessarily a fragment. It would be incorrect to say I was happy with the election results. Not because I was crazy for Hillary so much, but because I don't like Trump at all, and I am deeply disappointed and worried for the country.

DD1 and DD2 are of the same mind and were Hillary fans, acknowledging the same feelings I had with her opposition, and DD1 shared a lengthy text with all of us when DD2 asked about the boys. And the discussion she had with the 7 year old.  I have excerpted a bit of it since she had taken the oldest with her to vote on Tuesday, so he was aware of who his mom was voting for.  I think she had a great discussion with him, even though she was having a hard time Tuesday nite.

 

"Caшa,is pretty blissfully oblivious at this age, but  Лука, has been talking about the election the past few months since the US political process is a classroom discussion item. I explained to Лука,  that a big reason I don't support Trump is that he represents the polar opposite of everything I'm trying so hard to teach them about being a decent and good-hearted human beings. Лука, was disappointed when I told him that it looked like the man I have described as a bully will probably win, but I pulled myself together and let him know that this country has enjoyed good presidents and survived bad ones, and we can be grateful that the sun will come up in the morning and we'll get through this like we do any other challenge."
 
I sincerely hope that she is right, and the boys, (and the rest of us) will not be impacted negatively, by his administration. The news indicates that all is not well out there already.

Friday Fragments

Mr BC has switched over to a dialysis cycler, from manual dialysis.  It has made our days available to us again, because he sleeps through the night while it works its magic instead of doing it several time in 4 hour chunks..  Yesterday, we ran errands and had lunch out, at Panera, for the first time. I liked it.  I had a Thai chicken salad.

Spring is here, there are still blossoms on the redbud but the forsythia is leafed out green. Did you know redbud blossoms grow directly out of the bark of the tree?  I didn't.  I still have some bulbs that will blossom, though most have come and gone.  I was worried about a dry spring, but there are more storms to come on the weekend and next week.

Gwennie is afraid of thunderstorms, and spends the duration in the shower,  She can get quite wet if the shower has been in recent use.  I got a good sized teak bathmat?? to keep her up off the floor of the shower and less damp.  She seems to think the shower is more secure, than under the bed where she is most of the time.

We are preparing the RV for our trip to CA.  Have an appointment for servicing on Friday.  When we had some work done last time....at a provider, not to be mentioned. We paid quite a lot and the electrical...when switched to DC....quit working, and that made it hard to refrigerate while driving.
The guy told Mr BC to try something, that might work, but we still have a drip from the air conditioner and the servicing to be done.

I think I mentioned before we are getting a park, not far from where we live.  The entrance will be right on old Route 66 and we right down the street about 3 blocks.

Caшa has gone to Belgrade with his Daddy on his yearly spring trip to the University of Belgrade.  Лука is now in school and this does not coincide with his daddy's trip, so now it is the little one's chance to travel with daddy to Serbia and visit with family.  He is having a good time with his daddy, family and their kids. We get pictures almost every day.  The both boys were there for Orthodox Christmas in Jan.  Лука is having a great time too....Mama took him to the USS Iowa in San Pedro, for a day's adventure. 

He is a Lefty.....good try!

Ten Things on Tuesday

http://mindfulrambles.blogspot.com/

Can I come up with 10 thing?  Let's see....

1.  Last week I finally changed the slip cover on my Ikea sofa.  It will look very Christmassy, with the right accessories, and maybe stay cleaner.

2. Totem was in my face today. It has been 5 days since we took a walk... Rain and clouds. Totem wanted out early, since the sun was finally shining thru his window. I threw on a jacket for our walk and he was delighted.....Time to get out the knit hats and gloves for our daily dog walk, I thought my ears were going to fall off they were so cold, but the sun was shining but it was cold. I had to keep my hands warm with the poop bags. Today is a beautiful day but....Mr BC's, physical therapist said we would have an awful winter, last week when came for his first visit.  This weeks sunshine would belie that statement....but then this is Missouri and weather changes on a dime.

3.  Did you know that Medicare pays for a nurse and a PT, to come to your house when you are released from the hospital at no charge to us?  I didn't know that.  I am sure it depends on how sick you are, but Mr BC's failing kidneys apparently qualify.  It was good to have her around, when it turned out he had to go back to the hospital 4 days after his first release.

4.  We have had a real education on dialysis this week.  I was not aware that in some instances you can DIY at home, and not be chained to the 3 day a week schedule.  We are going to try that first, when Mr BC must go to dialysis...which he will. 

5. I told my grandson Caшa,3+ that I loved him to the moon and back,when we were on the phone and he replied he loved me to the moon and beyond. Snap...he wins.

6.  I don't know what I was thinking, when I went out to run a few errands on the weekend, the first chance I had in my busy week.....first free weekend with Mr BC out of the hospital and the first weekend in December, not smart.  crowds everywhere, even the pet store. I was in and out then home.

artimpressions.com

7. I also started back walking at the Mall this week.  It was nice visiting with some of the folks we see out there and catching them up with Mr BC.  They are looking forward to when he can join us again. The men folk wanted to know how he was doing and the ladies wanted to know how I was doing.....Well walking I am doing for myself.

8.  Since we will be home for Christmas, I need to bring a few things down from the loft to decorate.  It will be just us two and DD2.  The California contingent are going to make a trip to Serbia for a change and a different Christmas Day, Jan 7th.  My ladies who walk have a head start with their trees up already.

9. We both miss our Mr Caspar, he was a sweet guy and a good buddy.  It is bittersweet, that he no longer gazes every time I have something to munch on in front of the TV. I realize that now I can eat undisturbed, with out his sweet brown eyes looking longingly at my food and feeling so bad that I couldn't give him any.  He put on a few pounds under our care and I feel bad about that. It took a while for us to realize that he was eating anything not nailed down....including things left in the other dogs bowls.  He was a chow hound.

10. Mr BC and I are entering a new period in our life.  His health is still not back to any sort of normal.  He is in renal failure and that is not changing.  We have that and possible chronic heart failure to look forward to.  I have to be mindful when he request help from me that it is because he really needs my help.  I hear tones of voice enter my head and I need to make sure they don't exit my mouth. I pray for patience every day, and a good nights sleep.

Well, I meant to post to Facebook!

I guess this is as good a time to start posting again, as any,,,,,I really enjoyed this video of marching geese.

Hello, everyone!  We have had an eventful summer:

We spent July 4th weekend at Starvy Creek Blue Grass Festival  Maggie and Jiggs.  This was our first outing with the Motor Home.  As usual we had a great time.  We took the dogs, as fire works are not allowed, and they start the first of July or earlier in our neighborhood. vexing all the puppies.

In August we went to St George Utah, for my nieces wedding.  It was a true family reunion to have my brother and his family, DD1's family and DD2.  We had a grand time.  It rained all morning but the sun came out in the afternoon. and all was beautiful and fairly cool.
She had cupcakes instead of regular wedding cake, which Caшa, and Лука, enjoyed!  She did have an unusual smaller cake that the bride and groom cut.  It was decorate with blackboard and chalk frosting something she always said she wanted!

The reception was fun with lots of dancing and a photobooth Лука, who has been dancing since he could walk, danced all night along with his mother, or his brother or by himself.  Caшa was possessed by the photobooth.  He photobombed a number of guests and learned how to take the picture.  Every time we lost track of him he was sneaking into the photobooth.

The next event is our trip to Europe at the end of the month.  I have had the London segment pretty well planned for a month,  We are going 2 days earlier than the tour for some extra time.  I splurged on a 3 day London Pass for the extra days and I hope it will be a worth while expense.  One good thing about the pass was last week they sent me an email about some tickets for Buckingham Palace being available,  I went right to the website and scored 2 tickets for one of our non tour days.  It was really something I wanted to do that was not included with GoAhead Tours.

The Nosy Meme-Sunday Stealing

Nosy Meme 

Stolen from: FYeah Surveys

Average hours of sleep: 

Usually I sleep about 7 hours a nite.  I go to sleep ok, I just can't seem to stay asleep.

Last thing I googled: 

Doggie gates from Amazon

One place that makes me happy: 

Santa Barbara with my Grandsons, at the beach or playground or even Costco.

How many blankets I sleep under.

We are currently sleeping under 2 blankets and a set of flannel sheets, with our dogs, we are very toasty.

 What are you wearing right now: 

Jeans and a t-shirt and I am feeling a little cold.  Need to put on a sweater. I think I'll go get the new one I bought at TJ Maxx.

 Last book you read:

I am still reading the Princess Bride, the last book I finished was As You Wish, by the Dread Pirate Roberts, Cary Elwys. I should read my Kindle Fire, but I find myself playing games.

Favorite fictional character:

Jane Austen's Elizabeth Bennet or Louisa May Alcott's Jo March. 

Last movie I watched in the cinema: 
We watch most of our movies On Demand, so I think it was the Lego Movie with grandson Лука, it was a actually a pretty good movie. 

Dream vacation: 
Well I am taking Mr BC to London, Paris and Rome in September. But I think my dream vacation would be an around the world cruise or living in England for 6 mos in a cottage.

Dream wedding: 
I have been married for 47 years and I had the wedding I wanted at the time. A destination wedding anniversary would be nice.

Dream pet: 

One who will eat perfectly.  I have two on a veterinary diet to lose weight. And one who is a picky eater.

Dream job: 

One that involves travel and relaxing. It would be the only way I would leave retirement.

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? 

Probably 40.  Those were good years.

Which is worse, failing or never trying? 

Never trying keeps you from failing, but life would not be very interesting.

If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do? 

It's called responsibility and I must admit that as I grow older and have less responsibilities....I do more things that I like.