Friday Five - Double Up I am late to the party

  It's time for Friday Five! 

I haven't been blogging much lately (gaming and reading mostly) so I figured I would backtrack and do a double, even though I am a day late. As they say...
Better late than never! 😁

 

Friday Five February 19: BRR ❄️

1. What will you remembrr about this past week? That we broke records here in Texas.
   
   
   
   
2. What’s trying its best to clobbrr you these days? Trying to stay strong for my daughter, who has Autism and GAD. This pandemic has really screwed therapy sessions up these days.
   
   
3. What’s going on in the neighbrrhood? Well, considering the ice and snow that we just accumlated, this is a BIG change. LOL!
   
   
4. When were you recently required to summon some brravery? I feel like this on a daily basis. I guess that is why I have been diving into books so much lately.
   
   
5. Over what will you happily labrr this weekend? Reading. LOL!
   
   I live in Texas and we had a doozy of a historical storm sweep through here. No way was my state even prepared for what happened and I hope this was a wake up call. Just because we don't get weather like this doesn't mean we have to be unprepared. Hope everyone stayed warm!!!
   
   
   
   Friday Five February 26: A Clubhouse ain't
   nothing but a Sandwich 🥪
   LOL! I remember all the chat rooms of the 80s/90s. I also remember getting all flustered with some guy when he wanted to get personal. I flat out told him I was 13 and too young for him, asking if he still wanted to chat. I think that was the last time I was able to venture into chatrooms. My dad had a fit. I think I will pass on the Clubhouse app. Besides, I have an android. =D
   
   

   1. What is the longest you ever spent on the phone on one call? Oh my gosh, I used to talk on the phone all the time, when I was in middle/high school. Probably three hours. 📞
      
      
   2. When you were a teen, how important was the phone in your daily life? This was a staple in my life! I was on the phone all the time. In fact, if I got in trouble, my punishment was having my phone privileges taken away. And when that happened, I just hoped that I had quarters! 💰
      
      
   3. How much do you use the actual telephone function of your phone today? Um, I don't own an actual telephone line these days. But even with my cell, I don't talk very much unless it takes 84 years to type out in text. Then a phone call comes in handy.
      
      
   4. How well do you handle phone calls at work? I am not working right now, but even when I was, phone calls were only during breaks/lunch unless it was an emergency.
      
      
   5. What are some good telephone-themed songs? Haha! The one that gets stuck in EVERYONE's head!
      
      
      
      
      

   
   

   
   

 

Been a Bit Crazy...

I haven't been blogging all that much. It has been a bit crazy here where I live. Our weather has been absolute psycho and we set all kinds of records here in Texas. We never lost power, but our water pressure was non-existent and we were under a boil water ban for over a week. Our water plant in my city is still not online at the moment and we are still getting water from Fort Worth. At least we can do dishes, laundry, and take showers now! LOL!

Sunday Stealing - Coronavirus Questions

Welcome to Sunday Stealing - hosted by Bev Sykes.
Thanks for the questions each week Bev!!

In the past year have you–

1. Gone without a bra (Plastic Mancunian & Bud may skip this one!) Only when sleeping. LOL!

2. Skipped making your bed. Haha! I gave up on trying to make my bed when my husband I got married. My bed has to be made "military" style and the hubby has to have his feet sticking out. Now the covers just get pulled up because of the hairballs.

3. Ordered groceries to be delivered Nope. I refuse to order groceries. The first time I got a substitute instead of a message saying they were out was the last time. I didn't ask you to substitute. If it's not what I specified, then don't buy anything else in place of it.

4. Cooked a real meal. We cook quite regularly, although we do order a lot of pizza. 😆

5. Spent the day in pajamas? No. I always have to get up and get dressed to start my day. If I workout, I get up and dress for that, take a shower, then dress for the day.

6. Skipped shaving your legs. Not on purpose. I even shaved in the field when I was at AT when I was in the military. LOL! The last few days were a bit crazy. I live in Texas and we were so unprepared for that Winter Storm that slapped us upside the face. While we didn't lose power, we did lose our water pressure to the extent of not showering. I didn't shave for a few days and my legs were itching so horribly. Never again. I will whip out my bowl of water (heated) and razor first. It is so hard to sleep with fuzzy legs.

7. Spent hours on Instagram or Pinterest. Yeah, I don't use either of these myself, but I have looked up a few things on Pinterest.

8. Eaten in a restaurant. Not since Father's Day of last year. This pandemic has made me realize how little I need to actually interact with people, especially people who do not care about the welfare of others.

9. Skipped washing your hair. Again, not on purpose. LOL! I shower, wash my hair, and shave at least every couple of days, unless I am intensely working out, which has not been happening lately. My hair becomes very oily if I don't. Just gross.

10. Not folded the laundry. Um...yeah. I tend to forget this folding laundry thing sometimes.

11. Worked a puzzle. I haven't worked a puzzle since my mom passed away in October of 2006. This was something we used to do together. This and latch-hook. I miss those days.

12. Had Zoom calls. I can honestly say that I have never had a Zoom call. I have had many video calls, but never with Zoom.

13. Written letters. I used to write letters all the time. Now, I am lucky to get my Christmas cards in the mail.

14. Binge watched a TV show. Most definitely! 

15. Gone barefoot. Nope. Just like I always get dressed. I always have shoes on my feet, even if they are sandals. LOL!

 Sorry I haven't been visiting everyone lately! I hope to start doing that soon! 

 

Binge-reading - a mostly healthy obsession

LOL! Is it? Ever since I started reading books on my phone, binge-reading has become addicting. I think this series tops the cake, as in reading it in less than 24 hours. 😊

And then there is this...

But not until May. NOOOO! 

I support Autcraft!

 Proud supporter of one of my favorite Minecraft servers to be a part of!

Snow!

 We actually have the real fluffy white stuff, but underneath that fluffy white stuff is ICE. We always get ice before we get snow. LOL!

Sunday Stealing - Valentine's Day

  Welcome to Sunday Stealing - hosted by Bev Sykes.
Thanks for the questions each week Bev!!

Valentine's Day!
 

1. What is the meaning of Valentine’s Day in your country/area? What happens on this day? From a Pagan ritual to a huge commercialization of this day, I would say Valentine's Day has come a long, long way. It was not celebrated as a day of "love" until around the 14th century, and it wasn't until the late 1800's that the Valentine's Day card became a thing. What really happens on this day here in the US? LOL! People spend way too much money on flowers, cards, and romantic dinners!!

2. Is Valentine’s Day more for men or women? Explain your answer. I would definitely say women, and I have known some to believe themselves snubbed if they did not receive something on this day. 🌹💍 ✉️

3. Do you have any special plans for Valentine’s Day? What will you do? Years past, we have gone out to dinner at out favorite restaurant Edelweiss. Since Bernd had to sell due to health issues and he is no longer a part of the live band, it just isn't the same.  Now we just kick back at home with some Valentine's Day goodies. My hubby is not really into sweets and my kids are no longer little, but I still get candy, cards, and we play games.

4. Which traditional gift would you rather receive: chocolates, flowers, or a card with a personal message? Flowers! Get a bundle of wildflowers and I am good. 🌼

5. Is Valentine’s Day only about romantic love? Or is it a good occasion to celebrate friendship as well? Valentine's Day does not have to be about romance. I believe it can be about friendship and kindness too! In fact, on one of the Minecraft servers me and my kids play on just celebrated Love and Kindness Day! We played parkour, went on a scavenger hunt for Valentine's Day goodies, and took selfies! 🥰

6. Do you like romantic movies? What is your favorite romantic movie? I don't watch them that often, and I used to watch Hallmark all the time with my mom. Gosh, I miss her!! My favorite romantic movie is still Sleepless in Seattle.

7. Have you ever received a Valentine’s Day card or gift from a secret admirer? How did it make you feel? Nope. LOL.

8. Is Valentine’s Day the most romantic day of the year? If not, what day is? Well, according to just about any news worthy article you read, this day has to be one of the most money making days romanticized days of the year.

9. Valentine’s Day is promoted by companies whose only interest is making money. Discuss whether you agree or disagree. Oh, I definitely 100% agree with that one. Companies have commercialized just about every holiday we celebrate because of money and greed. 💰

10. Describe your perfect Valentine’s Day date. A nice, quiet dinner out. I definitely enjoy low-key these days. 🥂

11. How should a single person spend Valentine’s Day? What do you suggest? Grab some dinner, beverages of choice, a few awesome movies and just chill!

12. Do you enjoy playing cupid? Do you try to introduce people in the hope they will make a love match? Nope. I have never been the match-maker type.

13. Some restaurants charge higher prices on Valentine’s Day. Are you willing to pay more to dine out on this day? I honestly don't care about paying a bit more in price, especially for awesome food. It's the over-crowded restaurants that I just don't care for anymore.

14. Is a romantic gesture more powerful on Valentine’s Day or on another day of the year? I don't think so. 

😍 Happy Heart's Day!!!

 

 

Friday 5 - Couples Therapy

   It's time for Friday Five!

 1. Which celebrity couple, past or present, do you find particularly interesting? I have always loved the relationship that Danny Devito and Rita have shared all these years. I was sad to hear that they had separated yet again

 

2. A couplet is a pair of rhyming lines of verse, one after another. In the form of a couplet, how would you describe your weekend? I read this years ago and it definitely applies to me. I have been averaging almost a book a day! Yay!

Books have powers over me,
Inside a book I am not free.

 
3. With what (or whom) have you recently, consciously uncoupled? It really is sad that in so many instances, once you are no longer a "visual" presence in someone's life, you kind of get pushed aside. This has led to many friendships that have been "uncoupled" and become acquaintances.

 
4. When did you last purchase something in a two-pack only because it doesn't come in a one-pack? Well, for some reason here lately, I have not been able to find my printer ink in black on individually. Walmart wanted over $30 for a two pack, so I turned to Amazon and found a tri-color/black ink two pack for $24.00. I think I got the better deal!

 
5. What were you doing a couple of hours ago, and what will you be doing in a couple of hours? I have been gaming. LOL! I am playing Minecraft will probably play for the next couple of hours. This is how I de-stress.

This is definitely therapy for me. 😆

Throwback Thursday - Winter Storm

Winter Storm 10 years ago. I live in Texas, but on those rare random occasions, we get it. Not like some of you get it, but we do get it every now and then. LOL.

 

In the next week, we are set to have some more of this type of weather come through, and so many are not even going to know what hit them.

Tuesday 4 - Valentine's Day

Welcome to Tuesday 4 (the legacy of Toni Taddeo kept in her honor and memory).
Thanks to Annie for today's four questions!

Welcome to Tuesday 4. I am sure  Toni would be so pleased you are here.

Valentine's Day

Let's talk about St. Valentine's Day.

1. St Valentine paid for the weddings of poor girls. Today weddings can cost a fortune. What do you think about wedding expenses? My sister's wedding cost well over $30,000 and she didn't even buy her dress! I was married in a courthouse by a Justice of the Peace and I don't even have one wedding picture of my husband and I. Weddings are way overpriced and I am just as married no matter where my wedding took place. 😘

2. Do you or did you send Valentines to people? Not really. I have always bought my kids and my hubby cute cards and some Valentine's Day goodies!

3. Do you find Valentine's Day to be romantic? Not really. Too much hype and I have never bought into the "commercialism" this day has become.

4. Do you do anything special for Valentine's Day with partners or family? Cards, wildflowers for my table, and goodies for all. Oh, and games. LOL!  💖

Happy Hearts Day!!
Me and my lil pet, Mousse (Roblox)

 

Monday Memes

😅

 

Sunday Stealing

I feel like I have been out of the loop for a long while. I have not really been here or posting on FB. Just chilling with my kids and my husband (playing games and watching movies), and trying to keep certain family away because they refuse to head the warnings of Covid. Almost every single member of our family that I know of that has refused to wear a mask and follow EASY precautions has come down with this virus. The latest was my mother-in-law, and she almost did not make it. She was in the hospital for almost two weeks. I remember several family members getting upset with us because we refused to go to the last Christmas gathering the first week of January. Not two weeks after, several tested positive. Hoping I can get back in the swing of things.

   Welcome to Sunday Stealing - hosted by Bev Sykes.
Thanks for the questions each week Bev!!

MISC Questions

1. Can you eat with chopsticks? Nope, and if I don't want to starve, this is probably not the utensil for me. LOL.

2. Could you tell real money from counterfeit? Most of the time and I have dealt with money for years, but it's always nice to have one of those handy dandy markers.

3. What do you think about school uniforms? Not a fan. But I have homeschooled for the last seven years, so that has not been an issue.

4. What ancient civilization would you most like to visit? Dark Ages and early Medieval era. I would say during the Vikings and Saxons days. 

5. What would make a great new Crayola color? Um, now many more colors do we need? LOL!

6. If an art project is created with the intent of getting rich and famous, does that cast doubt over its significance as a work of art? I would not think so. 

7. What do you get in trouble for the most? My brutal honesty. 

 

8. Do you blow your nose in public? Yes, and I will try not to fling buggers at you. 🤣

9. If all the nations in the world are in debt, where did all the money go? Borrowing and trade offs.

10. Is it as easy to make you happy now as it was when you were a child? Just give me a good game of a book and I am happy. 

11. Who knows more...you, or your parents? Mother knows best! Sigh. Actually wish I still had my parents around. Miss them both, especially my dad since I never got a chance to tell him that I loved him. We had not spoken in almost six years.

12. What instrument would you like to be famous for playing? The only musical instrument that I could play was the clarinet. But I would rather listen than play.

13. Would you have sex with a stranger for one million dollars? Now that all depends on what type of indecent proposal is being offered. 🤣😂😅😆

14. Are you completely in control of your body? No, and I think my body sounds off way too often to let me know this.

15. What is the coolest web site you know of? Um....

Throwback Thursdays

 I love ships. All kinds of ships - from galleons to ocean liners. My favorite ocean liner is the RMS Titanic. This photo was taken on the way to Grand Cayman in July of 2007. Being out on the open water is so calming and beautiful.

A little hiatus...

Whew! It has been a bit crazy around these parts the last few weeks. We have had so many in our extended family come down with dreaded Covid. My MIL ended up hospitalized for 11 days because of it. There was a couple of days that we thought she was not going to pull through. Happy to say she is home. She is on oxygen, but home. 💜 Our aunt was in the hospital for the second time with another round of Covid.

If people would just take the precautions that are being thrown at us constantly, this virus might be contained. And don't give me that "I wear a mask, and I still got sick" spill. The masks were never meant to keep you from getting this virus. They were meant to slow the spread. There is a very big difference. Almost everyone in my family that has come down with this contagious virus has refused to wear a mask. 😑