Checking My List-Wednesday HodgePodge

 

facebook.com/dundoredolls

1. What's left to be done on your Christmas to-do list? 

Shop for 2 more gifts

Wrap several gifts....i.e. put them in a bag.

Grocery shop for Christmas Dinner
Cook: I decided to have Lasagne for Christmas Dinner this year.  I am going to use the recipe from my old Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book.  It is very tasty.  I haven't baked it for many years, as I have been using vegetarian, Mexican, and quick version recipes of lasagne, when I have made it over the last few years. Christmas Eve is just us two, so it will be quiet, so I can finish this list off.
DD2, will spend Christmas Day with us, DD2 is in Belgrade with her husband's family. The boys are good travelers.  They are all going to make a side trip to Rome. 
 

2. The Hodgepodge lands on the first day of winter this year. What's your favorite thing about winter? That we only have 3 months to endure and then it will be Spring. That will be helped along when I go to CA for a couple of weeks.

3. In what area of your life are you immature? Feel free to elaborate or not. I still wait until the last minute to do things. Procrastination is my middle name.

4. What was the most (or one of the most) important lessons you learned in 2016? Where do I start? I misunderstood just how truly divide our country is now, and will be, for at least the next 4 years. Also, that I really have very little, in common with the folks of middle America, who are my neighbors. I am truly disappointed, and don't have a lot of hope, that HE will surprise us in a positive way.

5. It's Fried Shrimp Day...are you a fan? What's your favorite way to eat shrimp? Will there be shrimp somewhere in your holiday feastings? Shrimp Alfredo or fried shrimp.  We won't be having shrimp during the holidays.

6. What sound lulls you to sleep? The snoring of my sweet corgi, Gwennie. 

7. What one word best describes your 2016?  Grateful....that Mr BC made such a good recovery, and is doing so well with his dialysis.  Our life is getting back to normal just a little.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. I still have a lot of packages to come this week from Amazon. I did most of my shopping online, as did Mr Bankerchick. One interesting thing I found on Amazon was this: 

I got two of them, they really match my hardwood, and kind of disappear on the floor. I will put them in my stocking.  I also have a multiroom humidifier coming tomorrow.  My hands are like sandpaper and my nose is really dry.  I am hoping we will all feel better. 

Wednesday HodgePodge on Thursday*

1. Are you more task oriented or people oriented? Elaborate.  I think I am more task oriented,and even thoughI can be a procrastinate, things get done.  I love people, however, they tend to get in the way of a task.  I trained adults for most of the last years of my career, in a 6 week course, and to be honest, I would have to say that the year before I retired, I tended to get annoyed if we got behind....then, have to mend fences when it was brought to my attention.....I was ready to move on to retirement.

 
2. December 15 is National Wear Your Pearls Day...do you own/wear pearls? If you're a man answering the question, does your sweetheart own or wear pearls? Everyone share a 'pearl of wisdom' with us here today. I had a string of pearls, Mr BC gave me many years ago and I believe, one of the girls lost them.  I never really cared for pearls and rarely wore them.   Rightly or wrongly, I felt only the elderly wear pearls.  Now that I am elderly, I still don't care for pearls.
My pearl of wisdom:

3. Speaking of pearls...oysters? Are you a fan or not a fan? If you answered yes, tell us your favorite way to eat oysters? If you said no, be honest-have you ever tried one or does just the idea of eating an oyster make you gag a little?
I have tried oysters:

4. Time Magazine has named President-elect Donald Trump Person of the Year. Let's take presidents and presidential candidates out of the mix for a minute. If a political figure had not been chosen who would you name Man or Woman of the Year for 2016? I just checked Times short list and of those, I think Simone Biles would have been a better choice. The 19-year-old gymnast earned four gold medals and one bronze at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro to become the most decorated American gymnast ever. 

5. The Pantone Color of the Year for 2017 has been announced, and it's a vibrant green aptly named-greenery. Your thoughts? Is this a color currently in your home or wardrobe? Will you add something in this shade for the new year? Click here to see the color. As an accent color it is very pretty.  Mr BC would like it, green is his favorite color.  As a room color....too dark.  

2016 was really this color

6. Today I've had too much laundry to do.  We had plumbing problems and pipes burst and water was all over in the place.  I am currently washing almost all of the towels that got wet ......trying to mop up the laundry room.  We had to dig out the shop vac. Now that our water is back on I am trying to play catch up.

7. Share a favorite lyric from a favorite Christmas carol.
Here were are as in olden days
happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
gather near to us once more

Through the years we all will be together
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Went to the eye doctor today for check, it had been 3 years, because nothing was done last year due to Mr BC being so sick.  It seems the cataracts have grown such, that I need to be examined by a surgical ophthalmologist. Have an appointment in January and no new prescription and frames, because.......cataracts.  

*This post did not get published on time, because I did not hit publish before I left for shopping.

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

 

 

Fra-Gee-Lay Wednesday HodgePodge

1. Let's talk holiday decorating. On a scale of 1-10 where do you fall? (1=Scrooge and 10= Clark Griswold). What's your favorite corner-room-table-space to decorate? Is it done? I am about a 5 on the decoration scale. most of my decorations are currently on the dining room table, as I have just purchased some plants and got a neat new table tree. My dining room is the first flat surface near the front door so, it is usually stacked with mail and stuff.  
I also have another table tree that is still upstairs in storage that will set in another window.  My wreaths will come down at the same time.  I have to carry up the summer clothes and bring down the winter one, along with the ornaments.  I have a huge stash of Christmas up there but I have pared down the decorations. I will be finished by Christmas.

 2. Is there a nativity scene in your decorating somewhere? Post a picture or, if it's special to you in some way, tell us why. Or do both-it's Christmas! There is not a nativity scene up there, because it was broken beyond repair in the move. It was similar to this, though not as well made.

3.  Do you live in a social neighborhood? If so are you glad? If not do you wish you did? No, we are the only house on the block.  I wish we had more neighbors. I grew up in a very social neighborhood, in the 50's and 60's.
 
4.  As the saying goes, 'there's no time like the present'. How does that ring true in your life right now? For sure we are in our sunset years, so if we want to accomplish something there's no time like the present ! That is how we ended up in Europe last fall.  I just looked for a tour and made a reservation and deposit about 6 months before we left, and told Mr BC we were going.  So glad we did, as Mr BC got sick, soon after.  With dialysis, travel to Europe again would be problematic.  Although with our RV, we can still do North America.
 
5. Do you dread Mondays? Why or why not? Not so much, when you are retired, every day is the weekend, and Monday is just another day.  I have been sleeping poorly the past week or so, and I often can't make out what day it is when I wake up.

6.  Poinsettia, Christmas Cactus, Amaryllis-which on the list is your favorite holiday plant? Poinsettias Are any of these on display in your home right now? I got a centerpiece for Thanksgiving that had a Poinsettia in it, but that will be it this year. (See answer 1)  I found a beautiful Christmas cactus at The Walmart.

7. Share a favorite quote from a Christmas movie. This is our favorite Christmas movie.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

https://heatst.com/uncategorized/racism-row-erupts-over-mall-of-americas-black-santa-claus/ 

It's hard to deny racism is not alive and well in America.

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!

Breathless-Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Take My Breath Away (1996)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
 
1) When were you last breathless? Since I don't ever run....The last time I was breathless, I had a cold.

2) This is the love theme from Top Gun, and the romance was between a pilot and his instructor. Have you ever had a crush on a teacher? I can't think of anyone.

3) The pilots in Top Gun all had cool nicknames -- including Maverick, Goose, Merlin, Cougar and Stinger. Give yourself a cool pilot name. My nickname at home was Katydid and I think they fly, so that would do for me. I'd be a pretty blue one....not the uncool green ones.

 
4) The actress who played the instructor, Kelly McGillis, owns Kelly's Caribbean Bar/Grill and Brewery in Key West. It's known for its cheese and beer dip appetizer, served with warm pretzels. What's one of your favorite between meal snacks? Guacamole and tortilla chips.

5) The group who recorded this week's song is called Berlin, but they're really from Southern California. Have you ever been to Berlin? How about Southern California? We lived in Southern California for at least 30 years among other places, including Key West, before coming to Missouri for retirement.  Never been to Germany.
 
6) Lead singer Terri Nunn has a weekly radio show, Unbound on KCSN. How often do you listen to the radio? Do you tune in for music, comedy, news or talk? We listen to the radio while driving in the car.  It is usually tuned to NPR, but occasionally we listen to the oldies channel too. I'd say I like news and talk.
but I prefer liberal talk.
 
7) In 1986, when this song was popular, PeeWee's Playhouse premiered. While ostensibly for children, PeeWee Herman's show had many, many adult viewers. Do you watch still watch any kid's shows? Only with the grandsons, I kind of like Peppa the Pig. I think the closest thing to a kid's show might be Once Upon a Time. I enjoyed the different take on fairy tales.

 
8) Robert Pattinson, the actor who played Edward the vampire in the Twilight series, was born in 1986. Have you read the Twilight books? Seen the movies?
I have not read the books but we did watch the first movie on pay per view.....sort of dumb.

9)  Random question: In an alternate universe, which of these professions would you like to find yourself in -- United States senator, Ivy League professor, or imminent psychiatrist?  I would say that if Trump is not in this alternate universe, I would choose US senator.