Tuesday Meme

 Back to work today. I feel much better and thank you all for the lovely comments, IM'S, emails etc.

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

We celebrated Memorial Day on Monday... let's talk about memorials and memories.

1. Do you find memories comforting or troubling?

It depends...right now I am processing our son's death...and some of the memories are sweet and some are sad (not sad sad, just sad more bittersweet). Just keeping it real.

2.  Have you set up a memorial for a loved one or friend?

Yes. Our son has a memorial fund at the Hornell Public Library where we use to live. I was recently emailed that the funds are still coming in, wow. Our son's ashes / cremains remain in the marble urn upright in a Red Lego box with the Curious George family and Stephen the Sloth. Those animals are up to no good, just saying, grin. I swear I can hear them saying, "When we getting a house? When are we getting a house? When are we moving? When are we moving?" grin

3.  What songs bring back good memories for you?

Awww come on...Sweet Home Alabama.

4.  Have you visited Civil War or Revolutionary War sites?

Yes, we love them, and we love reenactments.

Short work week. AND the guys have announced they will be taking us over to Daytona Beach on Saturday for the day. How nice...but the real motive? They want to go to the Harley Davidson shop. LOL---they said they would drop us off at the beach, fine by me, grin.

Memorial Day

 Thank you for the kind thoughts, prayers, IM'S etc. 

Wishing each of you a safe day. We are not doing anything we did venture out to the Dunnellon Walmart (I slept well, the swelling is down a lot). I do know the guys will be BBQing Hot dogs, Brats, Burgers, Bacon, Corn, Mac and Cheese. Neither of the husbands know how to cook for just 4 people. ANYWAYS...

Have a safe day. smiles

Front Porch Chats...

 Thank you all for the kind thoughts, emails, comments and IM's yesterday. Recovering from an asthma attack feels like a 3-day banger, NOT that I would ever know about that---but I can only imagine. Due to the steroids, I am on, my feet have ballooned up to an uncomfortable swollenness...and so now the dr. has ordered complete bedrest or easy chair rest. Gotta get that swollenness down. ANYWAYS...at least I can get blogging and catching up to do, right?

our current living arrangements, which they have been very caring through my whole ordeal.

Linking back to Monica.

Time: 8:15 am

Scene: 70 and sunny. Suppose to be in the 90's today.

Drinking: I already had my cup of coffee with Italian Creamer and Kim made homemade pancakes, those were so good.

Today's Plan: Sitting in my chair. All.Day. Because not one of these other people that also live here won't allow anything else. NOR will the animals. One dog is to the right, the other left, the cat is on table starring me down and the other dog is looking in the glass door. LIKE THEY WERE COMMANDED DO THIS. LOL

Listening to: My hubby and Kim discuss dinner plans...I believe the Instant Pot has been bought out.

Watching: Since I am housebound, I have been catching up on my Youtubing. I really like

Danu's Irish Herb Garden---personally speaking, I think it's time to rethink things and start approaching my late adulthood in a more holistic way. Been thinking just not doing it for some time now. That goes with saying; I have been using paraben free/sulfate shampoo for a while now--and my hair is a bit more thankful--perhaps the body needs to be as well. When I went to the dr. the other day--the grief has taken a toll; a total of 45 pounds have been taken off. I don't think grieving is the way to go -Just saying.

***on that note we are both in agreement to shaping our little piece of land and making it a living garden, herbs, edible flowers, plants etc.

P.S. Yeah, Blogger is being Blogger and won't allow the Youtube, so you can just look it up yourself. She has a Youtube and blog.

Randomness: Nothing to report or discuss. The world is a cruel place, and the devil is walking freely. Enough of the lukewarmness folks.

Bible Quote:

I hope you all have a beautiful day, friends.

Been down and out...

 Just a quick hello. We had plans to head over to the beach this weekend, but you know that saying..."Wanna make God laugh? Tell HIM your plans."

However, I had a severe asthma attack Thur. (an orderly/inmate had come in and was spraying bleach as she was cleaning and that triggered it-I will let you guess on why she was cleaning with bleach as I cannot outright tell you 'why')--I have been down for 48 now hrs. even earning a trip to the Urgent Care facility. I first tested positive for the reason I can not tell you 'why' but the second test came back negative. ANYWAYS I am ordered to rest/bed for the next 4 days. I am also on strong antibiotics and steroids for the asthma issue. Apparently the bleach had burnt my lungs---then again I was so out of it,  might not had heard that right--but my husband said it was true. I do feel somewhat better today-the heaviness in my chest is almost gone. I am just so weak.

Have a safe weekend.

Front Porch Chats

 Linking back to Monica for the Front Porch Chat.

not exactly the front porch more like looking out the living room window

Time: 10 am

Scene: 79* and cloudy as you can see above. More like soupy and very humid.

Today's Plan: Hoping to get the laundry hung up/out when the wash gets done. And get my Fitbit set up-Fitbit has been down for maintenance (Liam, son I NEED YOU!) GRIN...gosh he was so smart and savvy he would know what to do.

Drinking: My second cup of coffee with Italian Cream.

Listening to: Kim trying to set up my and her Fitbit and Dave is talking to the dogs and the cat. More like bribing them with dog treats and a cat treat.

Watching: Nothing. I got caught up on Bluebloods last night.

Randomness: My arthritis is acting up. Friday while driving home I was in this awesome storm and ground to ground lightening. Since I have metal pins in my left foot--I don't know--that lightening had to have done something. Anyway, hobbling along seems to be the word for yesterday and today. Even my wrists and fingers hurt. Been tingling since Friday. My husband said I was falling apart, and I needed an overhaul. LOL

Scripture:

Thanks, y'all for visiting and I hope you have a beautiful day.

Late Simple Woman's Daybook

 Thank you for the kind comments you left here. I have been so busy at my new job and come home by 5:30 during the week and just crash. Linking back to Monica.

Today is May 21, 2022

Outside: Very cloudy and 76* real fee is 85 and it had stormed yet again and it's thundering and lightening again.

Thankful: for returning to back to the house before the weather got bad. Apparently, it rained here while gone---and it was pretty dark in town.

Thinking: That both insurance companies are dragging their feet. We had to go around and around today here and there and found that Florida as a depreciation lawsuit clause. yeah, our 2020 Nissan Pathfinder has depreciated by $12,000. And the accident happened on May 2 and the car/SUV still isn't fixed yet. We have hired an attorney. Yep.

Wearing: Still blue jean shorts and an aquamarine v neck t shirt and barefoot.

Creating: nothing

Going: went; here and there-Jenkins, Nissan, Ross, TJ Maxx and then Cracker Barrell. We did NOT plan on being all day.

Wondering: if the Archdioceses of San Fran. will continue their band of communion regarding Nancy Pelosi.

Reading: Nothing

Praying for our sweet friend Wanda back in Alabama, her sweet 92-year-old daddy entered Heaven's gates...and something tells us Liam was there to greet him; She told me something regarding his/her daddy's lucid moments (he had dementia) ...and I am thankful for their love and support. I wish I could be there for her and her family. We all sure loved Mr. JC and our son would often talk about him...now both are in Heaven having a good time.

Learning: My job and what a Classification Clerk does. Smiles

In the Kitchen: Nothing since we stopped at Cracker Barrel.

Around the Homestead: Drove pass Dave and Linda's and the land is cleared. They weren't home, LOLOLOLOOL. Sorry forgot to take photos.

Scripture:

Tuesday Meme'ng it..

 Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 and thank you so much for joining in!

Let's do a variety of questions this week, okay?

1. Did you have a favorite cartoon program or character as a young person, or even today?

That wily Road Runner, Bugs Bunny Pepe Le Pew, Marvin the Martian, Elmer Fudd

2.  Can you whole heartedly give people a second chance or do you find yourself still worried about trusting them?

It truly depends on the situation. I can forgive, just not forget. And since it depends on what the situation is, once you betray that trust you won't get it back again-EVER. Just saying. 

3.  Are there things/activities you'd like to add to your life, or do you feel you do enough to do, going on etc. to keep you satisfied?

If I had my way, I would be living the beach Bum life, LOL. Do I really need to elaborate more? LOL

4.  Can you live without your phone, TV, social media? 

I simply cannot live without the internet-the tv and social media yeah...but not the overall internet. Since we have been without tv since we moved here in April-I am ok without it.

Not that I am anywhere near the sand as I work in a concrete jungle so to speak, but we are allowed to wear flip flops/nice sandals to work. No beach flip flips like above though. I bought some nice ones at Walmart last week and I am loving not being confined. My feet thank me, LOLOL.

Front Porch Chat

 Joining in with Monica for the morning chat.

Time: 9 am

Scene: A warm 78* here in Central Florida

Today's Plan: Not much. I have the dirty laundry in the washer and will hang it out when it gets done.

***Today is Kim's 59th birthday. Happy Birthday -we did treat her to lunch yesterday- since she was kind enough to go with us to look at Modulars and Manufactured homes.

My husband and Kim. The three of us were sharing a Pineapple Milkshake. I was taking a photo to send to Bob (Kim's husband) and they both were like NOOOOOOO! LOLOL

Drinking: My first cup of coffee with Italian Cream

Listening to: The laundry outside. Kim actually has 2 washing machines and 2 dryers. One set is outside, and I love that one.

My husband said all of sudden I have turned into this country girl. Yeah whatever, lol.

Watching: Not anything right now. But I will be getting caught up on my YouTube channels.

Sow the Land

Bealtaine Cottage (Cottage Diaries)

Hollar Homestead

Elliott Homestead

Randomness:

Not much going on. I do believe summer is upon us here in Central Florida. To answer some thoughts/comments y'all left.

--we have a portable ac in our room. That is why I have been hiding out there.

--I found the RV to be too confining...I just can't do it.

--We do get along, we really do. She/Kim is like the sister I have never had--but she is a country girl thru and thru--all of us grew up without ac --but I am finding out the older I get, the more I need it. She and I are alike, both of us can't stand shoes. Both of us wear sandals to work, grin. She can't stand breakfast nor can I. etc.

--We did go to Clayton Homes yesterday. Sigh, unfort. even modulars have gone up to over $200,000. Yeah, our budget is firm at $150,000. Tough in this economy. Because you can't even buy a 'stick house' i.e. regular for under $300,000 here. Affordability has gone out the window, just saying. I can remember when one could buy a house for under $100,000, not anymore.

***we can go as high as 275,000, but we do NOT want to be house poor. Nope.

No matter how much I complain about the heat here, I firmly believe that Life is better in flip flops. grin

Simple Woman's Daybook

 I am going to link back to Monica as she is the first blog that showed up on my list.

Saturday May 14, 2022

Outside: Sunny and getting warm. 78* at 9 am.

Thankful: For starting my job at the Dept. of Corrections-strictly Admin. Although I am currently in Orientation for a week. Why I have no idea because I am in a room full of correction officers and the Orientation strictly has to do with them/guidelines, not my position. They off to "boot camp" next week though--so I have no idea what they will do with me.

Thinking: Not much-my brain is pretty foggy. Kim has decided because Bob isn't home-the ac has been off for the las 3 days...been very uncomfortable-the house is staying at 85. My husband said not say anything...so I won't (Bob said not say anything--although we have been paying the electric bill).

Wearing: Blue jean Lee shorts, blue v neck t shirt and pink flip flops.

Creating: Not much. 

Going: I think but not sure we are heading into town.

Post Office

Dog Food

Need gas in the car/SUV

**and If I can talk him into-I want to go over and look at Clayton Homes-a Modular builder.

Wondering: Once again how gas prices and food shortages are allowed in this country. I was also reading that the illegals are getting baby formula over the US Citizen. Pretty pathetic, but you didn't ask me for my true thoughts...grin

Praying: For all of you and just to keep it real, praying for my sanity over this issue of the ac (that is the present issue at the moment).

Learning: to be patient in dealing with living with another couple. I do spend much of my time in our room.

In the Kitchen: My husband made hot dogs and mac and cheese last night. I have no idea for tonight.

Around the Homestead: Not much.

Scripture for today:

and

I am trying, Lord really, I am...Have a beautiful day folks.

Sooooooooo....Thankful Thursday

 Soooooooo....late to the party blogging as usual. SO THANKFUL FOR EACH OF YOU...TRULY I AM.

So many things to be thankful for:

Sooooo...we went to Palm Bay yesterday to pick up a brand-new Corvette for Bob's boss (no not the celebrity but the "real boss man"). With all intent and purpose(s), the guys (Bob and my husband) were going to surprise me with a quick beach trip (they had asked me to tag along--giggling and whispering like little boys---two grown men nearly 60 yrs. old, should of seen them.)...yeah...umm...we left the house at 7 am.

P.S. BTW, listen boys, we use to live in Vero Beach all those years ago, I am firmly aware of where Palm Bay is. LOL

---we were just about into Hernando and Bob's truck blew a water pump. Yeppp...so we had to wait for the real boss man i.e. Tommy to come. Loaded up in this monster:

yeahhh...can you imagine this old lady (me) getting in that truck? It was like million feet in the air. I did it though, several times. Proud of myself.

---Got to Palm Bay--and when Tommy took the 'Vette out it blew some sort of belt...yeahhh...he wasn't happy. NO BEACH...But I could smell it/the ocean and this is where we were---I took it/the photo off the internet-Intercoastal Waterway. The car lot was right on the bay. Just like the photo. I had forgotten to take photos. Sorry

Yeah...it was like that. We did not get home until 10 pm. It was a very longgggggg day...But I am thankful...

P.S. I was ready to harm all 3 of those men...just saying and thankfully I thought to bring a book and I read all 400 something pages. JUST KEEPING IT REAL.

Lastly, THANKFULLY I start my new job tomorrow for the State of Florida- strictly administration/Clerical in the Admin. building at a prison. Nice welcome package/benefits etc. This is the job I have been waiting for. 

P.S. Which means, within 30 -45 days the house can be picked out etc. and hopefully by Sept. we will have a place to live.

Rolling into Hodgepodging...

Good morning beautiful people! 5 months today are son passed away, how can it be 5 months already? Just seems like yesterday...

 1. What do you never get tired of?

Pizza. LOL 

2. My mother made the best Lemon Meringue Pies, homemade Spaghetti Sauce and Meatloaf. No one beats her in that department. Speaking of mom, we had a lengthy conversation last night about nothing. ---I got the distinct feeling she wanted to ask me something--what I suppose I will never know.

3. What machine or appliance in your home aggravates you the most? Why?

Since we are currently staying with friends...I have to say the Keurig. I can't figure it out, so she (Kim) bought in the old one for me out of the RV...

btw, I prefer our Cuisinart Coffee Maker and I am looking forward to having my own kitchen. 

4. What are three things that brighten up your day when they happen? 

Not sure how to answer this...but here goes

--the guys and their constant back and forth. They might as well be brothers. 

--Friends Bob and Kim who have kept our minds off of Liam's sudden death; and for taking us in with no questions asked. They have offered their home without any hesitations and continue to do so. They have done more for us and our emotional wellbeing than anyone in our families.

--Laughter is indeed the beast medicine

--our sons face when I pull up to email someone, since he has always been first on my email contact list.

***oops, I named 4, LOL

5. Thursday (May 12) is National Limerick Day...write a limerick about relating to spring weather, spring blooms, or a spring event (five lines, the first two lines rhyme with the fifth line, the third and fourth lines rhyme together)

I am taking this off the internet. Sorry, I am cheating, grin.

May the Forest Be with you

Raised in the valleys and fed by the seas

Born on the breeze with the birds and the bees

Gifted with birth

From the womb of the Earth

My origins are not unlike those of the trees

 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We are off to Palm Bay. More on that adventure on why another day. Have a beautiful day friends.

Tuesday Meme...

 Joining in with the Tuesday Meme. First, let me say (to answer some questions/comments); not sure if we are putting up a manufactured home or a modular (a modular would require a concrete foundation and do you know the price of concrete?). We do have a manufactured home picked out. There is time-the land has to be resurveyed (according to Florida law), the septic/well etc. It's all good. Did I mention we are heading into Hurricane season? grin

Welcome to another Tuesday 4 . We keep Toni Taddeo's original idea alive here with 4 questions each week.

     

This week let's pretend we are in a book club but you choose your favorite book to talk about....

1. What book or novel did you like the most or which do you wish to discuss? 

Since I just finished above. How about I talk about that? For the record, I like his storytelling, I just don't agree with his personal opinions. His storytelling is one that he has lived and has taken many other ideas that folks have had and talked about or lived and put it on books. A short synopsis:

 Tully Mars breaks up with his girlfriend, Donna Kay, a waitress in Alabama. He had sent her a winning lottery ticket and asked her to meet him in Belize City, a date which he failed to keep because he was on the run as he was being hunted by his former employer --Tully had thrown a table through a plate window and the former employer had trumped up charges on him.

He sails with Captain Kirk, the captain of a shrimp boat, to a mythical place known as Punta Margarita, where he becomes a fishing guide at a local resort, The Lost Boys, named after characters in Peter Pan. He begins to settle into a life of leisure, fishing and drinking with his Mayan friend Ix-Nay, but his world is soon turned completely upside down when Donna Kay shows up on a pink seaplane and tells him that she will marry Clark Gable, a master horse trainer and friend of Tully's.

He leaves Lost Boys to take a few days off after this experience, and drunkenly falls asleep on the beach, where he is robbed in his sleep. When he wakes, a 140-foot schooner, the Lucretia, is anchored nearby. When the captain, 101-year-old Cleopatra Highbourne, comes ashore, they strike up a friendship immediately and Tully is offered a job as part of the crew. Initially, he turns down this offer, but after run-ins with two bounty hunters from Wyoming, where he has outstanding warrants, he finds himself on her ship just the same. It is at that point that she takes him to Cayo Loco, the salty piece of land referred to in the book's title, which is a small mythical island that is home to an old-fashioned lighthouse. Cleopatra puts Tully to work fixing up the ruin, as she intends the island to be her final resting place, which it is. Tully eventually happiness and love and marries Cleopatra's niece.

***BTW if you have ever lived or traveled below Mexico (as I have), one would recognize to what he is referring too. These are mad up names in the book but real places.

2. If you were making a movie of your favorite book who would you cast in the parts?

Not sure...this book has so many characters and it moves right along, Jimmy Buffett is a masterful writer, just saying. 

3. Did the author of your favorite book/story write anything else? Have you read them?

Yes many other books; 

A Pirate Looks at 40

Tales of Margaritaville 

Where is Joe Merchant

4. If you had to create a playlist of music for the book, which songs would you choose? 

Why, Jimmy Buffett's own songs... 

Havana Dreaming

Alot to Drink About

A Pirate Looks at 40

Cheeseburger in Paradise

A Sailor's Christmas

A Thousand Steps to Nowhere

Changes in Latitudes Changes in Attitudes

On another note, my husband refuses to wear flip flops and I am starting to wonder if he can walk in them, just saying. I 'm like, "Dude, free your feet! They will thank you." LOL---all these years I have never known him to wear flip flops or men's sandals. He prefers deck shoes. The kind you wear on a boat.

That man owns like hundreds of these. He has more shoes than I do, just saying...

Thanks for joining in! Have a beautiful day friends.

Simple Woman's DayBook

 Thank you all for the kind comments on yesterday's post. I was going to do a reflection post regarding to Mother's Day, but the photos for whatever reason are not coming through, so onwards to plan B. AND I wanted to say, I AM OK. Although a little sad, but I AM OK.

On this Monday May 9, 2022

Outside: It is going to be another steamy day here in Central Florida. It's already 71* and humidity is at 72% and dewpoint is 60*. Yep, steamy is the word.

Thankful: For many things; friends. Let me tell you, y'all have kept us going these near 5 months. Nope, not blood family, but friends...but when you have good friends and pray for you sometimes that is all one needs. Just saying.

Thinking: When I am going to start my job. My paperwork for the state job is sitting on someone's desk (she has been out on vacation and returns today). The warden has already signed off on it.

Creating: Because in my mind, the sooner I can get going i.e. working, the sooner the house can go up.

P.S. The land is cleared. Oh the guys have to clear away the tree stumps/branches...BUT all in all, its cleared. AND YEAH there is a tree dab smack in the middle, we have 2 orange trees on the property and the guys are waiting for me to move it/transplant it. Yes, it can be done.

Going to: Waiting for the laundry to get done so I can hang it up--the joys of living in the country, one can hang their laundry out on a line, grin.

Wondering: How much more can We the People sustain the rising costs? How much longer can we allow this evil to keep going?

Reading: I just finished once again for the umpteenth time

...and the gypsy in me is calling...the sea is calling. Hubby just shakes his head. grin

yep...that would be the husband. LOLOLOL

Praying: Keeping Monica, Barbara, Terri and all of you in prayer. God knows my heart and I am pretty sure I forgot a whole slew of friends last night when I was saying my prayers.

In the Kitchen: We had homemade chicken noodle soup last night. Kim made her own noodles and man, I am going to have to learn how to do that. TONIGHT  I am making tacos.

Around the homestead: See above photo. The land is cleared. The guys are currently cleaning the pontoon boat off and hopefully this weekend for Kim's birthday, we can get out in it. I am feeling the pull for some water time (see above). Apparently, the guys seem to think we are going to inner tube it down Rainbow Springs---yeah, nooooooooooo...

Scripture for the day:

Have a beautiful day friends.

Front Porch Chats...

 Apologies, been pretty busy around here; the land is being cleared, and we took a day trip yesterday. Joining in with Monica and the meme. I have also linked our day trip, so if you want a virtual tour just click on the links.

P.S. Apologies for not being around...Thursday I had to go pick up my husband and Bob from the airport/ Orlando. And Friday was just so busy with moving things out of one storage unit and here and there.

Time: 8:20 am

Scene: All is quiet. 72* and sunny and it's going to be another warm one today (ok, who am I kidding? Hot).

Drinking: My second cup of Keurig Publix Breakfast coffee with Italian Cream.

Today's Plan: Well...we did todays plan yesterday:

We headed over to Tarpon Springs, which is just an hour's drive (the husbands surprised us). 

It was already a beautiful, warm (HOT!) morning when we got there. Yes, there were some high clouds, but nothing to worry about. Tarpon Springs is known for their Greek heritage.

Tarpon Springs is also the Sponge Capital of the Word. They still deep-sea dive to retrieve the sponges.

We had lunch at Dimitri's on the water. We all had something Greek; my lamb hamburger had olives, some sort of Greek Dressings, onions. While my husband and Kim enjoyed an alcoholic beverage or (two), Bob and I decided not to partake. Bob and Kim also celebrated their 39th Wedding Anniversary.

Then we walked up the street to Fournos Greek Bakery.

The owners were so kind and allowed us to take photos. Gosh, that place smelled amazing! 

 Bought some Baklava. Then because it was so hot, Bob was kind enough to take me and Kim over to the Beach (The guys hmm'ed and hawed all day about doing this, grin).

Beautiful Sunset Beach. Finally, after 30 years, made it back to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

That would be Kim wading in the water. She is so brave. Not me, I prefer to just stick my toes in the water, thank you very much.

Look at those fat little piggies, LOL.

It was low tide at the time. The water was the right temp; not to cold and not too hot. Like tepid bath water. I did pick up 3 seashells and some other rocks...they are presently sitting on our sons box/urn. BTW, the funniest thing happened. While we were "window shopping" (mind you the stores play Greek music), Sweet Home Alabama started playing...ok, son...thank you. grin--and that is my thought and I am sticking to it...even out of the clear blue sky... Bob goes, "Thanks Liam! Your mom and dad appreciate that." I am sure folks thought we were nuts, LOL.

Listening to: Bob and Kim just came home from the store. She is asking me did I see her blanket in the wash? No, oh, we think Dave hung it up on the line already, grin. (Yep, upon further investigation he did, LOL)

Watching: Nothing. LOL---Oh wait, does our dog count? He loves Kim and follows her around. He is finally settling down and seems to have recovered from the move. He is still missing his boy though...and I suppose he always will.

Quote:

Have a beautiful day friends.