Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Do you send Christmas cards? If so about how many will you send this year? How do you display the cards you receive? Or don't you? (gasp!)

Yes I do send out Christmas cards, about 50-75. We usually do a family picture, but I am totally behind this year.....! I always display my cards usually tape them to a door. I received my first one yesterday! Yikes I better get on it. 

2. When do kids become adults?

When they get married...or graduate from college or live on their own or all of above!

3. Does your 'beauty regimen' change with the seasons?

No not really...I perhaps use more lotion during the winter. 

4. What's something you like to eat that might cause another person to turn up their nose?

Apparently a lot of people do not share the love of PEEPs! WHAT !! 

I know weird!!

Source

5. Gloves or mittens?

Gloves

6. What's the longest queue you've ever been in? Was it worth it? Queue=line but doesn't queue sound nicer?

Recently on Black Friday at Lord & Taylor's shoe department it was a freaking nightmare. One hour to get the shoes and a half an hour to pay for said shoes! 

7. Besides Christmas, what is one thing you are looking forward to in the month of December?

Right now just Christmas.....but things could change, you never know! 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

We have been decorating for Christmas...it's been a battle! Why you ask! Well I would like to minimize and the family wants every inch of this house covered!!

So this Christmas I feel like it's a very gaudy West Christmas! 

Happy Wednesday all! Stop by Joyce's at From this side of the Pond and play along! 

Hello Tuesday!

Hello Tuesday NOVEMBER 29th.. already!! 

We came home Sunday night from a wonderful Thanksgiving getaway.

Came home to this beauty....

Almost totally bloomed.....

Isn't she pretty!

Spent yesterday....

Cleaning

Decorating

Hope to finish today....

What's your TODAY like?

Communal Global

TODAY

Happy Thanksgiving!

gobble til ya wobble....

Wednesday Hodgepodge

        

1. Let's start with something controversial...dressing or stuffing? What's it called at your house and what's included in your recipe...cornbread? oysters? sausage? chestnuts?


Stuffing in our house....Mom's recipe..bread chunks, celery and such...(she always makes it )

2. Who do you sometimes compare yourself to?

My old self....the younger version of me!

3. When were you last inside an airport?

In August when we flew to NJ

4. What is one side dish that absolutely must be included in a turkey dinner?

Mashed Potatoes hands down favorite!!

5. What Christmas song do you dread hearing?

Chipmunk Alvin and Theo....sings whatever Christmas song it is....(blah!)

6. If someone approaches you and asks for money do you give it to them? Do you drop money 'in a tin cup' that belongs to a person on the street? Do you have a specific charity you support during the holiday season and/or year round?

Where we live you rarely have panhandlers, just the Salvation Army bell ringers and I do support those. I have many charities I give to all year. This time of year try to focus on food banks. 

7. Share a favorite Thanksgiving memory. If you live in a country that doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving share a favorite memory associated with food.

My favorite memory or one that holds special is the year my hubby asked for my number and said he call....thanksgiving day he called went on a date the next night and have been together ever since....26 years later! It was also the only year we went to friends house and did not have my mom's cooking it was so different. I have to say I prefer what I'm used to.

Picture from our first date---Skiing!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

We are traveling to NJ for thanksgiving....I hope you all have a wonderful, safe holiday! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Stop by and wish Joyce a Happy Turkey day to at From this side of the Pond

Happy Birthday Mom

Happy Birthday Mom

I hope you have a wonderful celebration...

I love you with all my heart...

Cheers...

Prost....

Salute....

Weekend update..... 

We drove to Philadelphia over the weekend..

We were there for a Drexel University open house

Philly was busy this weekend....

25,000 other people were there running in the Marathon...

right past the University....

It was a gorgeous day

We all really liked the University...

some more than others...

sniff, sniff 6 hours away....

decision time is a ways off

thank goodness...

I need more time...

Drexel Dragon and my city girl

Bells

Campus

Came home to my Amaryllis almost ready to pop!

How was your weekend?

Happy Birthday baby...

♬♩Happy Birthday to you....Happy Birthday to you ♬♫

Happy Birthday to my number one guy! 

Love you with all my heart ♥

Friday already.....

Yesterday we had a little snow storm...Sophie loved it!

It was really pretty...from the comfort of my warm home!

I ♥ this sweater coat

I think I need it for the winter months ahead!!

Santa......take note!

Oh my... evil knocked at my door the other day....

in the form of this ⇓

damn you Girl Scout cookies....

Breaking Dawn

Team Edward

I know..

 I'm a 16 year old trapped in a 46 year olds body!

Happy Friday!!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What song reminds you of a specific time in your life and what is it about that song that makes you remember?

Prince's Purple Rain reminds me of the my high school graduation and freshman year in college. 

My friends and I listen to this song non stop...coin after coin in the jukebox yes I said juke box!! 
I think that was the first significant part of my life that I thought of first because of Katelyn, being in the thick of all this right now. 

2. What's something you've given up on?

Losing weight....I've tried and I'm throwing up my hands. Too many temptations with the holidays...I'll re visit in January. 

3. What's something you'll never give up on?

Being healthy...I know contradiction from answer above....no not really. I'm still working out and trying to make healthy choices, just not dieting and obsessing about it. 

4. If you had to cook something from scratch in the next hour what would it be?

Something along the lines of  baked goods or a crock pot meal. 

5. Have you started Christmas shopping? Decorating? Listening to Christmas music?

I have bought a few little gifts for Katelyn. Decorated outside of house to beat the bad weather  and yes guilty of listening to music, my car is loaded with Christmas Cd's and I may have bought Justin Bieber Mistletoe....

6. What do you know about your parent's wedding?

That my dad ate too many rolls at the reception, and that it was a beautiful day and they were surrounded by  family and friends....and really young looking...53years ago!

7. I can't believe I __________________.


actually had a good night sleep .....it's been so long! Feeling good and really rested! 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Getting my hair done today....it so needs it. WHY do I do this every time...push it to the limit of should I stay gray or dye again. Why do men look sexy with gray hair and women look OLD with gray hair!! It's so unfair! 

Happy Wednesday

Stop by and say hi to Joyce 

@

From this side of the Pond

Hello Monday!!

Not feeling it TODAY....

Should have stayed in bed...

Happy Monday

Repeat, rinse and try again....

Happy Monday...

Happy Friday!!

❄ Happy Veteran's Day--thank you to all the men and women who have fought for our country. 

❄ Last night I went the the Theater with my new theater group- we saw Million Dollar Quartet , I love it and highly recommend seeing if in your area. It was not a long play but it was filled with great music and wonderful performances. 

❄ Snowed last night just a trace...it was so pretty coming down and there is something about snow that gets you in the holiday mood!! Time to start Christmas shopping...40 something days people!!!

❄ Katelyn was accepted into her "reach" school Drexel University with a nice scholarship. We are so proud of her and all really excited. But in the back of my mom mind I'm think ......no no no it's too far away!! That's 8 hours by car!!! She has a few more applications to get out and then it's decision time. Congrats Katelyn....love you!

❄ Random comment....blogger to blogger..do you find when you talk to someone about your blog or a fellow blogger or anything to do with blogs to a non blogger they look at you with a blank stare or like you have three heads!! I find myself saying oh never mind!! 

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Stop by Mrs. 4444's at Half past kissin time 

for more Friday Fragments

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Of all the tools and gadgets you own which do you most enjoy using?

My iPhone, I love having everything accessible in one gadget. It's a 3G so I'm looking forward to this summer upgrading to the 4G. 

2. When (if ever) is impatience a virtue?

When timing is important or near misses....sometimes in life the squeaky wheel gets the grease,early bird gets the worm...I know they say patience is a virtue ...I'm not the most patient person...

3. What temperature do you keep your thermostat set to in winter? Do you have another way to heat your house besides a furnace of some type?

Usually in the day if home 68 and at night for sleeping 65. Sometimes if really cold I bump it up to 70 or hover around the gas fireplace. The gas fireplace is really not enough to heat the house just enough to take the edge off. 

4. Do/did you have a close relationship with any of your grandparents?

We moved across the country from Seattle Washington to New Jersey when I was 5 years old. So we talked to them on holidays and visited when possible. Back then it wasn't as easy to communicate like today or travel. Coming from a family with 5 kids you didn't fly like people do today.

5. When did you last have a family portrait taken?

This summer while at our family reunion we took our own portrait. I would like a professional one done before Katelyn leaves for college. One were photoshopping is involved!! 

Not exactly frame worthily!!

6. What does the word patriotism mean to you?

Love and loyalty to your country.

7. Do you like to play cards and if so, what's your favorite card game?

I love playing cards....Demon, Golf, Gin

8. Insert your own random thought here.

The news of  lately is driving me nuts....tired of the Michael Jackson doctor trial....I agree he is negligent but lets remember Michael Jackson abused drugs for a long time before Dr. Murray showed up on his door step.  And Herman Cain....well I'm changing the channel. We were in Germany during the last election and missed all the TV hoop la....I can't listen to this for the next how many months....! 

Joining Joyce today at From this side of the Pond....stop by and play along! 

Yes I did....

I've talked about PINTEREST way too much I know...

I'm obsessed 

So I got crafty over the weekend and made a banner for my fireplace

Free printable from here

I used kraft paper and brown ribbon from JoAnn's easy peasy..

Also printed out one of my other obsessions...the keep calm's 

Free printable from here

used the same Kraft paper....probably look better on white but that was downstairs and I was too lazy to get it....cheap frame from The Christmas Tree Shop..

Now I'm even more excited to get busy with some Christmas crafts...

Have a wonderful TODAY...

Sophie is six....

Today Sophie is 6 years old....

November 7th is her day....

I have a confession...

 some times in the past 

I thought her birthday was November 1st...

Like last year when I blogged about her birthday here..oops! 

But strangely the year before I got it right here..Yay!

It's kinda like how I think I'm 40 years old year after year!!

Anyways....she received new sweaters and lots of toys! 

No cake...maybe a few extra treats!

Happy Birthday Sophie....xoxoxoxo

Sunday in My City- The Basilica

Our Lady of Victory Basilica

Located in Lackawanna, NY

just 20 or so minutes from my house...

I had driven by once and was astound at it's beauty....

When my parents were here visiting I decided it was time to visit the Basilica.

Father Nelson Baker also known as Padre to the poor

85 years ago, his dream came alive....

"A true architectural wonder, the Basilica of Our Lady of Victory stands as a tangible symbol of one man's unshakable faith and devotion to his patroness, Mary. It is a place of wondrous beauty, radiating hope to all those who arrive at its doors in desperate need. Its hundreds of paintings, sculptures, and mosaics dazzle the senses and evoke awe in even the hardest of hearts. But, above all, the Basilica is a gift of thanks. A gift, offered by Msgr. Nelson Baker, V.G., to his helpmate, Our Lady of Victory, for more than 50 years of inspiration and spiritual assistance."

I have visited many grand churches while we lived in Europe and this Basilica is right up there with the best of them. My pictures really don't do justice. In the basement of Basilica is a museum and gift shop both just as impressive. I could go on and on about this amazing place and Father Baker...if your interested Wikipedia does a great description and much better pictures than mine. 

And if you are ever in or near Buffalo, New York it's worth a detour...

Now lets head over to San Francisco and see what UNKNOWN MAMI is up to! 

HAPPY SUNDAY!!

Soon....

It will be Christmas....everyone is ready, all the retail stores! 

Except Nordstrom!

Even the pet store today was decked out in Christmas garb....

♬some places are even playing music♬! 

Look here is the countdown↓

So today because time is running out ...

I planted my Amaryllis and Paper Whites!!

I'm late they say 6-12 weeks for blooms...

So either by Christmas or Valentines Day 

Not so pretty now but soon they will look like this ↓

Let the season begin....fa la la la la ♫

Weekend....

Happy Friday!!

This was a fast week...

I'm happy it's the weekend...

Weekend plans? I whole lot of nothing....

Relaxing with my tired overworked hubby....

and daughter....

I wish we were relaxing here...

or even here

Now my hubby would prefer here...

Hope you all have a great weekend!!

Did you see these two on Ellen a few weeks back....

They totally make me smile....

They are from England....I just love a British Accent!!

If you can at least watch to the 41 second point were Sophia Grace 

does her American Accent!! So cute!

Happy Friday! 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Who taught you how to cook?

In middle school we took home economics and after that, I remember taking a turn cooking for a while....but never really took to cooking until I was married. My hubby lived on his own and was a pretty good cook. I have gotten better over the last 24 years and as long as I have a recipe I'm pretty good to go! 

2. Have you been told you think too much? Are too much of a perfectionist? Are too sensitive? Were they right?

Not that I think too much, but I have been told that I read into something too much! Not a perfectionist I like things done right ....too sensitive depends...I'll leave it at that. 

3. As a child did you have a favorite blanket or toy? Tell about it.

I was a thumb sucker so I'm sure there was a blanket involved but I have no memory of it. 

4. What 'institution' do you have the most faith in?

The institution of marriage ...Kim Kardashians shame of a marriage makes me sick! 

5. Chrysanthemums-pansies-burning bush-ornamental cabbage...your favorite in an autumn garden?

Chrysanthemums for sure....

6. What superpower do the kids in your neighborhood seem to posses?

Cuteness! We have a neighborhood full of really cute kids...on boy last night while at my door trick or treating said I just have to say two things....I love your pumpkins and I love your dog! 
Another little told my her grandpa has the same slippers as me! Too cute! 

7. Are you a fan of the cranberry?

sure with vodka! oh did you mean the cranberry has in actual not juice....no! 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Today my baby is at her first interview for her program at one of the seven Universities she is applying to.  I'm sending her positive thoughts and prayers of good luck...She is nervous...she is 17 years old...I'd be nervous too and I'm 40 plus 6!


Have a wonderful day....stop by Joyce's Hodgepodge at From this side of the pond. 

PSA-Scams...

We all get them in our spam folder....most just delete

A relative of mine didn't 

It was for a Mystery Shopper

Now in her defense there are or were real jobs like that

 once back in the day.

She received this email and thought why not check it out..the first email was vague, 

the next email had some red flags, worded weird and lots of miss spellings.

My relative googled company no complaints so she preceded.

Here's were the scam comes in

She will receive a check and wait for instructions

She received a USPO money order for $850 

She is to go to her bank and cash it, take $200 for herself 

then go to Western Union and send the remainder of money order to the next person listed

RED FLAG RED FLAG

The next person is in the Philippines.

She did not go to her bank collect $200 and pass go to Western Union...

She googled the name on the Money Order and found the Fraud trail.

The buck stopped there....

But what if she didn't have google and her intuition to stop her 

in this economy we are all cutting corners and trying to make ends meet

What if and obviously this must work or why would it still be around

Be Aware 

That is my PSA for the week...

My blogger friend Petra posted this on Facebook

Now this Scam cracked me up....

Click to enlarge....

lol....

Have a wonderful day!