FRIDAY FRAGMENTS

Hosted by Mrs.4444 at Half Past Kissing Time
Click on the button to join in on Fragmented Fridays.

I decided to join Friday Fragments this week. I follow so many people who do this every Friday and I have some random things to share that are too big for my Post It Notes!

I have had such a craving for a restaurant steak for weeks now so Saturday Mark and I went to Claim Jumper. In case you didn't know they have one of the best Filet Mignons. So we shared a Cobb Salad, each had our filets with green beans + grilled veggies and had them wrap up the garlic cheese toast to take home for the kids. I also had a delicious glass of Pinot Noir.

Adam and Tristen made it home safely from Europe. I had my days mixed up so when I got a text from Adam that they were home I was so surprised. Actually it was kind of awesome knowing he was home without the normal worrying all day to hear from them!

When I blog I am in my office, often on the sofa with a cable premium channel on. Well let me tell you what a pleasure it is to hit one or two of those great days when so many great movies are on that you just want to do the happy dance! I'm talking about Splash, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, My Cousin Vinny, Moonstruck, Hanging Up, Terms of Endearment, Ever After and Beatlejuice~Beatlejuice~Beatlejuice! I was on a movie overload.

So even though Mark did not bring me home a gift from Europe :( we did receive a very nice book on Worcester, UK from Phil's mom. That is one of the towns we stayed in last summer and it was charming. Mark did have the opportunity to see Hampton Court Palace, Stonehenge and Warwick Castle on the weekends.

So I was watching The Witches of Oz the other day (which I just couldn't get into) and in the beginning of the movie Dorothy Gale is packing a suitcase. OMG was I shocked to see my suitcase that I received as a wedding shower gift 40 years ago. We sold this suitcase at a garage sale six years ago when we moved. Could it be mine? We do live in Southern California!

Here is some wonderful, awesome and amazing information. In February my doctor added Spiriva to my other medications for my COPD. He said that they have found great results when combined with Advair which I have been on for two years. OMG!!!!! Remember my post about Primatene Mist being discontinued December 31, 2011, that I had stocked up on it because for at least 35 years it has been the only rescue inhaler that works for me. Well guess what? I would normally use Primatene Mist anywhere from 8 to 12 times a day. I can now tell you that I don't even use it that often in a week! I can go days without reaching for it. I am still in total shock over this. I may just be able to live a more normal life then I have been living for years now. All Praise Be To God!


So Dylan's (SIL) boss got an email about not giving your dog products made in China. It said that many dogs have gotten ill from products manufactured there. So I tossed out two of Skye's favorites (Sweet Potato Fries and what I call Veggie Burgers) plus several others. Then I went to Pet Smart to do some research on finding products made in the USA. So we found several new ones that she likes. They are all natural products also. We can still give her a sweet potato treat but it's in a freeze dried form. FYI

Looks like I went a little long.....have a nice weekend :)

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

I love answering questions, don't you?

Head on over, click on the button and join in the fun!

I was so busy yesterday, as you will see in my random, that I totally forgot to do my Wednesday Hodgepodge. That's a first for me, I am always prepared in advance as soon as Joyce posts the questions.

1. What's the last job you did that required elbow grease?
When I cleaned the shower.

2. March Madness, aka the men's Division I basketball championship, is nearing an end. What sort of 'madness' has your house seen this month?
No madness here right now!

3. What's your favorite shop for browsing?
Lately it's been Target. I often stop on Tuesday after bowling. But favorite, favorite would be IKEA. Now if I am browsing on the internet it is often Coldwater Creek.

4. Is there ever a time when giving up makes sense?
I want to say yes, especially when you have tried to help someone who just doesn't want to help themselves. Now that answer would come from a third party view who isn't emotional involved. When the person is someone you love I believe it is impossible to give up on them.

5. What's a song you love that contains the name of a city, state or country in its title?
"My Kind of Town (Chicago is)" by Frank Sinatra 1964 and I agree!

6. When did you first begin using a computer?
It was about 16 years ago on a home computer. (back when you could talk to a human and they would help you with internet issues. They would see your screen on their screen)

7. Did you buy girl scout cookies this year? What's your favorite?
My favorite are Do-Si-Dos Peanut Butter Sandwiches. I did by some cookies this year but are not eating any because of my diet. I did not buy Do-Si-Dos!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Those who know me know that I normally go out of the house on Tuesday because of bowling, otherwise I am pretty much home bond. I try to make the most of the day running errands. Since one of our movie theatres has a $5. Tuesday I have been tying to go see a movie on Tuesday. Well I outdid myself yesterday.

I left the house at 8:15am to get to bowling by 9:00. After bowling I stopped at Stein Mart to check something out that my MIL saw in her Houston store that she thought I would look good in. Stopped at the P.O. for stamps and went to have my every 4-6 week pedicure. Then I went to Walmart for some items that I needed and quickly rushed home to put the cold items away. Said hi/bye to Dylan and the dogs rushing to make a a 2:45 movie.(Gone with Amanda Seyfried) Stopped at Michael's after the movie because I knew it was the one place that usually had Sixlets which I needed for an Easter Krispies Bar. Ran home, waited for Mark and off we went to see The Artist! As you know I l.o.v.e.d the movie before the Oscars and Mark thought it would be fun to see it on the big screen since they brought it back. (He loved it) Home at 9:00pm. How's that for a full day?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRISTEN

Today Tristen is 29....

Hope You Have a Fantastic Birthday!

Tristen is our son Adam's girlfriend, life partner and best friend.

We love her like our daughter and she is a special part of our family.

They just got home Friday from 14 days in Greece and Crete, Italy.

We will be celebrating her special day soon.

((Hugs and Kisses Tristen))

11 RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME TAG + AWARD

I was tagged by my friend Trennia at Still Serving Him Through The Storm. If you don't know Trennia please stop over and say hello to her. I am supposed to put up a picture of me, list 11 random things about me and then answer 11 questions from her. I would then tag people and give them questions to answer. Thank you so much Trennia for tagging me. I love your never ending friendship.

11 Random Things About Me:

Have a gazelle exercise thingy in my office that loves to collect dust.
I buy most of my clothes online.
My favorite chocolate is dove, favorite candy Reese's PB cups.
I never change out my earrings, they are in all the time.
Do not like changing bed sheets.
Collect Willow Tree and Jim Shore.
Haven't been a member of a church for 4 years now.
Use to collect and wear pins on my blouse everyday.
Recently discovered Almond Milk and I love it.
Have reading glasses in most rooms of the house.
Wear Birkenstock sandles everyday unless I have to leave the house on a rainy day which seldom happens. Then I wear Born shoes.

1. What is your favorite Bible verse?
I would say the 23rd Psalm
2. What did you want to be when you was a little girl?
I wanted to be a wife and mother.
3. What is your favorite homemade food?
Turkey dinner!
4. How many years have you been married?
I would have been married 40 years this June 24th. We were married in 1972, separated/divorced for 6 years and remarried in 1989 on June 24th so my answer is 34 years!
5. What is your favorite childhood memory?
Christmases are my favorite memories.
6. What is your favorite sport(s)?
Well I enjoy bowling. I don't mind watching golf on TV.
7. If you could visit anywhere in the world where would you go?
Back to London in the UK.
8. Do you prefer texting, phone call, or an email?
Email, texting, phone call, in that order.
9. What is your favorite season?
Spring is wonderful but I love Summer too.
10. What's the funniest thing that has ever happened in your life?
Answered the door once not realizing I had a green mask on my face.
11. Who do you miss most in your life?
I will say my mother, I was only 30 when she passed away.

I was given this award from Nani at The Chronicles of Nani. Thank you so much! Head on over and introduce yourself to Nani. (This is my 37th award)The rules for accepting this award are that you must thank the person giving it. Then share 7 things you think people might find interesting about you and select 7 fellow bloggers to give the award to.

Well here I go, I will try to come up with 7 things:

I want to be a Queen. (most of you know that)
I get a pedicure every six weeks.
Missing my "All My Children" soap opera.
Had a Lovebird named Kiwi. She lived for about 13 years.
I am 100% Bohemian from both sides.
Hate going to the dentist.
Love all my blog friends :)

Those of you who follow me know that I no longer pass tags/awards on but I will always post and give credit to those who give them to me. Thank you ladies :)

FRIDAY FILL-IN + FAF

Feeling Beachie


1. I love _a berry smoothie_ when I need a pick me up

2. No matter how hard I try, I just can’t _get off my computer_

3. _A new baby or puppy_ makes me feel all warm and fuzzy

4. I can’t resist a sale on _just about anything_!

Starting weight: 216
Last reported weight: 199
Current weight: 196
Weight +GAIN / -LOSS: -3
Total weight lost: -20 pounds

DOING THE HAPPY DANCE :)

In case you haven't noticed I haven't gotten caught up yet with reading posts. I have been farting around on Pinterest, doing mosaic pictures in Picasa3, writing some pre-posts and pretty much avoiding my reading. I did notice over the last few days that posts I have read have appeared again in my reader. What's up with that? I still haven't unpacked my bag yet from my trip to Florida because.... I want to be back on vacation!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend :)

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

Please click over to visit with Joyce and join in the fun!

1. The first day of spring is here...do you enjoy working in the yard? Weeding, raking, mowing, planting-your favorite springtime garden chore? How about your least favorite?
I use to love doing yard work but can't do it anymore. I loved mowing the lawn. Weeding would be my least favorite.

2. What puts a spring in your step?
Disneyland, vacations, dinners in restaurants, etc. See where this is going? Most things that happen away from home :)

3. Describe a time when you had to spring into action?
Well after my aunt passed away I had to spring into action because I was the executor of her will. I had two houses to sell and lots of accounts to close. It was very time consuming and a lot of work.

4. We're having carrots for dinner...would you prefer yours raw or cooked?
Well I always thought I only liked them raw but I have been buying those fresh veggie bags that you microwave for 2 minutes and I am loving the cooked carrots!

5. Do you take the shampoos and other sundries from your hotel room when its time to check out?
Guilty as charged!

6. What's the most enjoyable team or club you've belonged to and what was it that made it so?
Well I'm going going to say my bowling league. I have been on this league for like 20 years now and it's fun having girl time on Tuesday mornings. It is also fun because we bowl our sweeps in Las Vegas!

7. Is cloning a sign of progress?
I guess you could say yes to that but I'm not sure I agree with it.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Those of you who read me regularly may remember back in January when I had a prayer request for Marysa at bowling who recovered and is doing very well. Her two cousins were Andria and Ashley who I have know for many years. Ashley's brother Jeffrey who is Andria and Marysa's cousin needs your prayers. Over the weekend his wife and their unborn baby passed away. She had some chest pains on Thursday and went to the ER but they found nothing wrong. Then she went to her own doctor on Friday. I think he gave her some medication. She had trouble sleeping Saturday evening so Jeffrey got her set up in a recliner chair in the family room. They passed away during the night. It is so tragic. I can't even begin to imagine what Jeffrey is going through. Ashley was just working on the baby shower invitations the night before. Please keep all of them in your prayers.

I'M HOME ....

I am home safe and sound. Had a wonderful time with my Dad and family. I will write a post about it later with pictures. My flights home were very nice. On my flight from Houston to Ontario, CA I had the whole row to myself. Even took a few pictures.

I decided to buy a meal box of cheese, fruit and nuts. (already had eaten some of it!) I also bought some red wine. She didn't have any on her cart so she brought me two glasses from first class!

It feels good to be home. I didn't go on my computer yesterday. Today I am trying to read posts that I missed but honestly I don't think I will get to all 300 of them. I hope you understand but I will do the best I can. Missed you guys.

Hugs,

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

I am on my way home today from visiting my Dad in Florida. Hope everyone has a great day! See you soon.

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW

Her name is Dorothy and she is my Mother. Thirty years ago today my Mother passed away. If I remember correctly my Dad and Aunt Laurie were both at the hospital with her but she actually passed away at home. They never called us to come to the hospital. They went to my brothers house to tell him and then they came over to my house. Then my father asked me to drive with him to my sisters house which was further away. I had this vision of walking into her house, crying while we hugged. That never happened, it was kinda strange. Nothing against my sister but she wasn't a hugger. It wasn't until my mothers funeral when my best friend (Diane) walked in and hugged me. (I really needed that) My mother died from a massive heart attack. We played "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" at her memorial service.

I remember the evening she passed, getting home and checking in on my sleeping little ones who were 3 and 10 months old. Then I sat down in our family room and cried. I remember the light on the table next to me started to blink. It happened over and over again. I took that as a sign from my mother. I said "Hi Mom" and still do when lights flicker. Nothing was ever wrong with that bulb. I have had this sign from my mother several times over the years. Also at my parents home the clock above the kitchen sink had stopped running which we believe was the time she passed away. It was a plug in clock and no other power ever went out. After her funeral, going back to their home and sitting in the kitchen the clock started running again. We took it as a sign from her, see was okay.

I don't have a lot of memories of my mother. I don't like even saying these words but it is true. I am not sure if I was just born this way or learned to hide memories growing up. I know that my mother was a wonderful woman with a heart of gold. She never stopped helping people in need. She also had some hidden mental illness that was never shared with me as a child. People didn't share things like they do today. When you are younger and you are visiting your mother in the hospital, a place where she was locked in a ward, it would have been nice to have an explanation. I think I may have been in my own little world by then. She even tried to kill herself once and I know my sister found her. No one really talks about it. My family can be quiet about things. Me, I am not so quiet!

Little did I know that nine months after my mother's passing my husband would leave me and I became a single mother. We moved about a year later to a smaller place and I had to start working full time while my children went to day care. Those were hard years. I have never been one to look back and say I had a hard childhood. I remember good times and my needs were always meet as far as I know. I do know that my father worked nights and no one ever seemed to worry about me and my homework. I actually don't remember doing much homework. I look back and wonder how I actually made it through school. I wish I had more memories from my childhood.

Now there are plenty of things I remember about her when I was older and she was suffering in her mind. She also drank a lot. Those were sad times. I have always thought how nice it would have been for my mom to be here today with all the advancements in medications. I think she would have been happy. Back in the day they only gave out Valium and that only numbed her. I do know that when she passed I felt that she was finally happy. What can be better than being in Heaven with God? AMEN!

I miss you Mom and I love you with all my heart.

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

Click on the button to join in on Joyce's Hodgepodge!

1. St. Patrick's Day will be celebrated this coming Saturday...what's a favorite article of clothing you own that contains a touch o' the green?
I can't think of anything with green except for a new forest green sweater that I bought before my trip which matches my forest green Birkenstock!

2. What's a favorite 'green space' in the town, state, or province where you live?
I love the wooded mountains. I guess I would have to say Mammoth Lakes, CA.

3. Do you wish you were taller, shorter, or think you're just about right in the height department?
I would have liked being a little taller but it never bothered me to be short! I am 5'2" and my sister is 5'8".

4. What's the surest way for someone to pick a fight with you?
Disagree with me when I know I'm 100% right! Sometimes Mark does it just to get a reaction!

5. Broccoli-Spinach-String Beans-Peas...of the four, your favorite green veg? (Or the one you dislike the least if that first option's too hard. I just know there's some veggie haters out there.)
Spinach is my favorite. Don't care for peas but I like the others also.

6. March is National Women's History Month...besides friends, neighbors and the women you're related to, who's a woman in history you admire and why?
I have always admired Princess Diana. It wasn't easy becoming a Princess and living with a man who never really loved her. I love how she broke the rules and gave her all to showing her sons how real people live, along with showing them the suffering that goes on in our world.

7. Keep Calm and __Blog__on.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Still in Florida having a great time with my father and family. I will be by next week to visit with you. Mark flies home from Europe tomorrow, I fly home on Saturday, Adam & Tristen are in Greece and fly home on the 23rd. Please keep us in your prayers for safe travel. ((HUGS))

EASY PEASY PATTY MELT

I can make an awesome burger on the grill or sometimes I have a taste for a Red Robin burger or the ever famous In-N-Out burgers. But sometimes I am looking for a quick fix meal and this is one of them. A few years ago we came across the Angus Beef Patties at Costco and they are pretty darn good. They are easy to make in the microwave or you can grill them. For the Easy Peasy Patty Melt I will make open face grilled cheese sandwiches while the burgers are in the microwave and then just place the patty between the cheesy bread. There you have it and with the help of the low carb bread we bought at the Julian Bakery this was a low carb Patty Melt!

I also made these zucchini pizzas a few weeks ago. They are so easy and low carb. I think they baked for about 30 minutes. You can find them on Pinterest, I see them all the time.


I found this on Pinterest and tried it a few weeks ago. You use grapefruit and kosher salt to clean your shower or tub. I used it in my shower and I think it did a pretty good job. I started with the glass and used the grapefruit without the salt. The best part is that it didn't bother my lungs at all which under normal circumstances the chemicals in cleaners will set me back for days.

I'M IN FLORIDA

I'm in Florida. I flew here during Wednesday Hodgepodge. I decided to take a trip to visit with my father. I am doing this while Mark is in Europe so I won't feel so bad for not being there with him. But I did need to see my father. I cannot believe how much time can pass between visits.

My dad will be 89 this year so this will be 10 days of hanging with him, going to the casino a few times, taking in a movie and just enjoying each others company. There is also a great pizza I can't wait to have (topping only) and a Gyro to die for (meat only). I also get to see my sister, brother-in-law, my two nieces/husband, 3 great nieces and great nephew. Win, win!

And look at the 10 day forecast!

So I will be laying low, only spending limited time on my computer and will most likely not be reading all of your posts. I know you understand. Actually this will be much harder for me than for you! I really don't know how to separate myself from blogging. It's an addiction that is 3 years in the making.

It is nice to have adult children living with us so we don't have to leave an empty house or Skye in a kennel. Actually it is now two years since they moved in with us. I can't believe how much my heart has changed from then to now! I wanted the house to myself, I was selfish. God knew better. He always knows better giving us gifts we never knew we wanted :)

Two things that I am totally bummed about, my blog friend Alexis was given a great gift from her boss and is actually flew into California Wednesday night. I could not believe the timing. I so much wanted to meet her and her family in person. She is going to Disneyland which is less than 40 minutes away from me. I will miss seeing you Alexis. I also have another blog friend Christine who spent over two months in Florida and went home recently. She will be back in Florida about a week after I leave. Her family lives very close to where my father lives. I will miss meeting you both in person but I know God has a plan for us in the future. (Hugs)

Just look at how clever I am. I usually bring movies for my dad and I to watch each night. He really enjoys it yet he has never felt comfortable going out and renting movies. So it is easier not to bring the cases with me. Sometimes I bring a CD case but I brought a smaller bag this time so space was really limited for this over packer. Coffee filters worked perfectly to separate the DVD's!

So have a wonderful weekend and I will see you when I see you.

((HUGS))

P.S. I have a few posts ready to go, like this one, while I am gone.

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

1. Did March come in like a lion or was it something less ferocious in your neck of the woods?
I think it was less ferocious.

2. Speaking of lions, which one's your film favorite...The Cowardly Lion (Wizard of Oz), Mufasa (The Lion King), Elsa (Born Free), or Alex (Madagascar)? You may notice I left Aslan off the list. Including him would have made this question way too easy for many of you.
Definitely the Cowardly Lion. I didn't even know who Aslan was but I looked it up and I love the Narnia movies. I didn't know that was him name.

3. What's your favorite spot from which to view the sunrise or sunset?
Our backyard, cabin in Mammoth Lakes or at the beach!


4. To what extent is knowledge power and to what extent is truth power? What's the difference?
You lost me with this one. I don't have the brain power today to answer this. I spent 2 1/2 hours of waiting on two different airline calls and then talked with two different people for about 1 hour total and accomplished nothing. I can tell you that they didn't have any knowledge! Looking forward to seeing what everyone says.

5. What's something peculiar you've seen recently?
It's not peculiar but I always think it is funny when I see people walking backwards on their walks.

6. Bottled water...your thoughts?
We do have bottled water at home but I use it only on the run. We have filtered water with the refrigerator so I don't drink bottle water in the house. I always recycle the bottles. The ones I take with me I bring home again, like if I put one in my purse for the show.

7. What's your strongest sense?
I think that maybe smell is my strongest sense but I see well, taste well, hear well and touch well. (No sure how you meant this)

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I found out something very interesting about myself last Thursday. If I lived in a cabin in the back woods without power, I would have a very clean house and meals on the table every night. We had extremely high Santa Ana winds on Thursday and our power went out for 4 1/2 hours. No internet, no TV and basically no nothing! I cleaned out my bathroom cabinets and drawers. You can now see the counter top and it has nothing on it except for a few decorations, hand soap and my hand towel.

I think that is what life was like for me before I started to blog. I actually took more pride in my house and I miss that. I have to find a balance one of these days. Finding balance means not reading every post that my friends write. Feels like I would be letting everyone down. It hit home for me the other day when my dear friend Kristin @The Goat said this to me on Facebook. "You're reading someone else's life and not creating your own!" Absolutely true.

Do you notice God's blessing in your everyday life? His hands in the direction of your day? See on Thursday Mark was leaving for his trip. Amber said she would take him to the airport. She wanted to use his car while he was gone and also she had errands to run. (normally his car sits at the airport) I had planned on taking him since I had an errand to run too. So come Thursday morning she says I want to sleep longer, you take him mom. I said no, you need to run your errands and it will be good for you to get those things done before you go to work.

Now if I had taken him and run my errands all hell would have broken loose later because she never would have been able to get ready for work with the power out. You really can't dry your hair and do things in a normal fashion. On the other hand if the power hadn't gone out I would not have learned a very important lesson about myself. These little things are Godincidences. I know He is always here with me during the small stuff and the big stuff.