Bits of This and That

I want to blog more regularly and I'm trying to consider what I'd like to post on Mondays.  I'm thinking maybe if I come up with a format it will help me to start the week out with a post.  I've tried posting about my weekends as a lot of you do and that's good, but so many times my weekends are pretty quiet and I've taken no photos (maybe I just need to get better about taking pictures), so there's not much to share.  Sometimes, I do the currently post and I enjoy those, but I'm thinking maybe I'll do like a combination of those and other things and just make it a bit of this and that.  Maybe that's what I'll call it.  I don't know if the Currently posts actually belong to someone.  So if it does, please let me know, because I sure don't want to infringe on anyone else's ideas.

So right now it's 34 degrees with blue skies and sunshine, and it's supposed to get up to 50 degrees, which should make it nice for an early evening walk with my dog.

What it looks like outside the church front door.

I'm at church today with hubby and I've made myself a little nook or office in a room that hasn't been used for anything but some storage since my youngest used it to do her online schooling... she's 27 now, so it's been empty for awhile. lol  I'm loving in coming in once or twice a week and doing some stuff for hubby and taking care of some things I've always wanted to do and now have time for here at church.  I also work on my blog and upcoming Women's Spring Bible Study.  I get less distracted here than at home, where I keep seeing tasks I need to do and the dog wants attention, etc.  Anyway, here's a picture of what it looks like so far.  The stuff on the wall was from when my daughter was here, so I'm leaving them and I have some things I hope to add.  But mostly, I'm trying not to spend much money and just use what I have.  I love my little borrowed space.

That's my husband's bass guitar in the corner, which
I need to get him to start playing again.

I've worked a couple puzzles in the last week and I finished a series I've been reading and actually started a new book.

Hubby is currently preaching a series entitled Conversations With Jesus and I'm really enjoying them.  Yesterday he spoke about Jesus' encounter with the man in the tombs from Mark 5:1-17.  It was such a good message and the 3 lessons he drew from this encounter is:

        1.  You often have to reach the point of total desperation before you will run to Jesus for help.

        2.  You've got to be willing to name your demons.

        3.  Your greatest mission field is right where you live.

If you'd like to hear, he recorded it earlier last week and it's on YouTube at https://youtu.be/wAbTdyQNnNM.  I can't seem to get the link to work, so I'll just enbed it here.

Well, this is a start anyway on Bits of This and That, but I probably should end this and get to reading some blogs and then get on with some things I need to do for here at the church.  So thanks for visiting and I hope you have a wonderful day. 

Cathy 

Thankful Thursday on Saturday

Link here

I swear I do not know where the time is going so fast.  I thought I'd have lots of time when I retired and I guess I do, but somehow I just seem to have something going on all the time and don't get to other things.  Now mind you, I'm not really complaining.  I'm loving retirement and the freedom from having to take 8 hours of every day to go to work (although, I liked that too).  But just like I planned to do a Thankful Thursday post, but just never got to it and I really don't know why. lol  Anyway, here are a few things I'm thankful for.

I love spending time with my sisters.  On Wednesday morning my older sister and I picked up our younger sister from Assisted Living and took her too Walmart and then she wanted to stop and get a sandwich to take back with her.  And then I needed something from Lowes so we went there and then my older sister needed groceries so we went to Kroger's together.  Let me tell you, grocery shopping is so much more fun when you go with someone else.  So I'm very thankful for my sisters.

Hubby took Thursday and Friday off and I love the extra time we have together.  I thoroughly enjoy my days with him.

I love hearing from my girls during the week.  The youngest calls quite often and the oldest calls less frequently, but still I enjoy both their calls.  I used to seldom call them because I didn't know their schedules and they knew mine.  But now, I just call anyway and they tell me if they can't talk and I do the same for them.

I've been enjoying the time I have to read, crochet, knit and work puzzles lately (maybe that's why I didn't get around to blogging on Thursday.  lol

Puzzle I finished yesterday.

Adult hat and adult and child's head/ear warmer 

Anyway, I'm thankful for all these people and things and I'm thankful for each of you who visit here.

I hope you have a blessed weekend.

Cathy

Tuesday 4

 

Pondering Odds & Ends

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 kept up in her memory.

We offer 4 questions for you to ponder and consider each week.   Hopefully they make you stop and think and even get to know yourself and other Bloggers a bit better.

 Here we go discussing some personal thoughts this week....

1. Do you have a favorite gem stone? Why is it a favorite.  I love a blue sapphire and because I was born in August I love the peridot also.

2. Do you know and  understand the doctrines of your religious faith?  

    If you are not religious, do you have a personal doctrine you believe and live?     

I'm a born again Christian saved by the blood of Jesus Christ.  He loved me long before I even knew Him, so He died for me and rose again and is ever interceding on my behalf to God the Father.  Do I understand all of it?  No absolutely not, but that's why I study and pray and attend church and Bible studies, so I can learn more and become more like Christ.  I can't imagine going through this life with all it's problems without having Jesus to run to and talk to and be comforted by.  The older I get, the more I understand that there is nothing I can do to make Him love me more.  He loves me just as I am, even when I make a mess of everything, even when I get hateful sometimes, even when I just feel like I don't care anymore about people or their problems.  He gently leads me back and continues to love me and show me how to love Him and others.  I think that's my greatest desire...to know and love Him more and more.

3. Do you have a favorite décor style... as in classical, traditional, modern, mid century, colonial, etc? What do you like about it? I think I've said it here before.  My style is early American Garage Sale.  I'm very eclectic and I like what I like and just go for it.  A lot of what we have is furniture that was given to us or my dad made for us and then I have paintings, ceramics and quilts made by loved ones.  I just love it all!  I am starting to go through and get rid of some of the clutter and downsize stuff.  It's just getting too hard to keep it all dusted and clean and organized,  I think I just need less to take care of.

    

4. Are  there any books or movies you want to see this summer? Nothing in particular at the moment.  I'm completing a series right now by Jody Hedlund called the Orphan Train Series.  I'm not sure what's coming next and as for movies, I can't think of any at the moment.

Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a great day.

Cathy

Currently

 Currently I am...

Reading:  An Awakened Heart Book #0.5 of the Orphan Train by Jody Hedlund.  I was not aware of this book until after I had read 1-3 of this series.  I've enjoyed this series and look forward to reading more of this author's books.

Listening to: Spotify to a channel I created of the Collingsworth Family.  I love to hear them sing and they're from Ohio, in fact not all that far from where I live.

Loving: Having a little office at the church to come in and work to help hubby or a place to do some of my Bible study for our upcoming Women's Bible Study.

Thinking: Our upcoming study by Lisa Harper called How Much More is going to be a good one.  

Celebrating: Yesterday was National Love Your Pet Day and I missed it.  But here's a picture of Lucy while we were out for a short walk this morning.

Feeling: Happy.  Life is pretty good right now.

Grateful for: All my family and friends. 

Weather: 54 degrees and beautiful sunshine and blue skies, just exactly as I love it!

Enjoying:  Machine knitting some hats and have an ear warmer to make this week and I just bought some yarn to make a baby or lap blanket as I'm feeling the need to do some crocheting.  This is the latest hat and the ear warmer I'm making will be from the same yarn.  It's kind of hard to see in this picture, but it's got a twinkle to it when moved in the light.  Love this yarn.

Thank you so much for visiting and I hope you have a great day!

Cathy

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

 1. February 16th is National Almond day...are you a fan? If so what's your favorite food item or recipe that contains almonds? Yes, I like almonds.  Probably an Almond Joy Candy Bar.  Mostly though I just eat them alone or with a mix of almonds, cashews and pistachios.

 2. Something you are currently 'nuts' about? Working Jigsaw Puzzles

 3. Something currently driving you 'nuts'? Actually, I'm feeling pretty relaxed right now and not much is driving me nuts, at least nothing worth talking about.  lol

 4. Something you recently bought for 'peanuts'? Can't think of anything right now.

 5. Share a favorite quote uttered by any U.S. President ( if you're not an American, a quote made by the leader of your own country). 

“Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.”

― Abraham Lincoln

I believe this is so true.  And since retiring I'm making up my mind to be happy and therefore I am.

 6. Insert your own random thought here. My random is another quote by Lincoln.

 “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right.”

― Abraham Lincoln

Thanks for visiting me today and if you'd like to link up with Joyce and the Hodgepodge, just click on the button at the top of my post.

Cathy

Tuesday 4

 

Your Life

Welcome... This is Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 and boy are we glad to see you! Click here to link up.

In keeping with our theme of looking at the past, maybe we can talk about your past life and what it might have been like?

1. What was life like for you as a child of elementary school age?  Friends, games, TV, music, food, interests?  Tell us about it won't you?  I had many friends at school, but seldom saw them anyplace but school.  At home my friends were my brothers and sisters.  There were five of us.  Loved tag, hide and seek, Red Rover, playing the the sandbox, swinging, etc.  Food - mostly whatever mom or dad cooked and for a sweet, ice cream was a favorite.  TV on Saturday's was cartoons and in the summer we watched local favorites, Uncle Al and Captain Wendy and Captain Kangaroo.  Interests...when I got old enough I loved reading biographies for kids about historical characters and Little House Books and anything the teachers read to us and then I check them out at the library and read them myself.

2. Moving along to the teen years would you mind sharing some of the same things with us? What were you interested in?  What did you watch on TV or listen to on the radio?  Tell us all about you as a teenager.  I still loved reading and I also had learned to do embroidery, and some crocheting and did that.  I liked watching the 4:00 movie after school most days and then whatever we watched as a family in the evenings.

3. Would you share your college or young working years with us?  Did your interests change or grow in

your late teens or early 20s?  Did your friend come or go?  Did you live at school or home or have a place of your own?  So many questions only you can answer. No college for me.  At 16 I worked at Kings Island in the summer and fall and summer weekends and the year after I graduated high school I worked there again and in the winter worked at Gold Circle which was similar to KMart.  Then went back to Kings Island for the summer and then started the job I just retired from as a dispatcher for 25 years and then for the last 20 years I was clerical and dispatch when needed.  I lived with my parents until around age 25 and then my sister and I moved in together and I lived with her until hubby and I married.

4. And lately... what are the topics occupying your mind right now?   How have things changed in your life in the not to distant past. Are you okay with the changes?  As most of you know, the biggest change for me is that I just retired after 45 years of work.  I'm great with the changes although I suppose I'm still adjusting to all the changes.

Thanks for dropping by.. come again, won't you?

Cathy

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Thankful Thursday

 

Come and join us for Thankful Thursday.  You won't regret it.  Click here, here or here to link up.

These are the things I am thankful for today:

**I'm thankful for the ladies that do this link-up every week and remind me to be thankful for all God has done for me and given to me.  Thank you Rebecca, Jennifer and Leslie.

**Speaking of Jennifer, she posted a recipe the other day for Tortilla Soup.  I made it yesterday and it was delicious and, in fact, I'm eating the last of it this morning as I'm typing this post.  Thanks Jennifer.

**I'm thankful for my sister and my cousin who are keeping me supplied with jigsaw puzzles and I'm so thankful for the time to actually work some.

 

**I'm thankful for my hubby.  I bought a new laptop and he helped me get it set up and he upgraded it from Windows 10 to 11.  He started the upgrade after church last night and he even got up in the middle of the night to send it to the next step and then finished it this morning before going to work, so I would be able to use it today.  God so blessed me with this man.

**I'm so thankful for the new computer because now I'm back in my comfort zone in a windows environment...I just never fully adjusted to the Apple World, although I love my Apple phone, watch and iPad...just not the computer so much.

I added this sticker to my laptop so we could tell the difference between them at a glance

**I'm enjoying the books I'm reading.  Finding some, new to me, authors and then a friend at church brought me 3 new books that I haven't read, so I'm looking forward to that and I'm thankful for reading friends who like to share.

So these are a few of the things I'm thankful for today.  What are you thankful for?

Thanks for visiting (I'm thankful for you too) and I hope you have a great day.

Cathy

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

Click above to link up with Joyce at From This Side of the Pond

1. Besides the predictable name-rank-serial number, what's something you know by heart? I know some songs by heart and some scripture and that's about all I can think of at the moment.

2. Something recently that had you tickled pink? I know it seems like I mention it every post but being retired just tickles me pink.  I am so happy and content and as everyone says, I've been so busy I can't imagine how I ever found time to go to work.

3. How do you define the word romantic, and are you one? I don't consider myself a romantic, but I love my husband with all my heart, and I would do anything for him.  

4. Finish this verse with your own original thought....'Roses are red, violets are blue... 

Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

I'm loved, happy and content,

And I hope you are too.

5. Five little things you are loving right now?

Reading

Working jigsaw puzzles

Spending time with hubby

Cooking (who knew?)

Knitting hats and scarves 

 6. Insert your own random thought here.

Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a great day!

Cathy

Tuesday 4

 Meals Past and Present

 Hey!   Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 and if you are new we are so happy to have you join in.  The more the merrier.    Our goal is to help you blog, meet new friends and learn about other people and their interests and thoughts!  Click here to link up

This week let's talk about food and menus past and present....

1. What was your favorite meal as a child? Fried chicken and mashed potatoes made by mom As a teen? Buddie Boy and Onion Rings from Frisch's. As a young adult Chicken and Dumplings made by mom or grandma and what is it be now? A good steak and potato and salad.

2. What did Mom make for breakfast? Most days I remember eating cereal but sometimes on Sunday dad made pancakes for everyone Lunch? I loved balogna sandwich and chips best.   Dinner? Most anything mom made was delicious.  She and dad both were great cooks.  Do you recall the menus? Not really.

3. How was dinner time as a young newly wed? Plain.. fancy? I've never been a great cook because I worked and just really never enjoyed cooking that much.  Set the table of just catch as catch can? When the kids were young we always ate at the table together and as often as not, hubby cooked because he got home before me.  If you aren't married, how was dinner living on your own?  Do you invite people over or to go out to eat? I prefer going out to eat.  

4. Is it important for family to eat together at the table in the evening or for breakfast? See #3. Why do you think so or not?  I think it's important to have this time together to learn about each others' day.

Thanks for coming by and joining in.  You help make this more fun for everyone.

Thanks for the questions Annie!

Cathy

Friday Photos

 Here are some photos from my week. 

My daughter’s dog, Diogo

Lucy after her grooming on Monday

Waiting clear in the back of the grocery to check out

Now we’re more in the middle of the store 

Almost to the register

I thought this bird was cute sitting on the line over us

Made potato soup for lunch yesterday

Covering of sleet early yesterday

Finally getting to eat the soup and plan to have it today again for lunch.

This hawk flew up while Lucy and I were outside.

This is what it looks like this morning.  Winter Storm Advisory is over and snow supposed to end around noon.

So there's some of my week in photos.  Hope you all are doing well and thanks for visiting.

Cathy

Thankful Thursday

 Click above to link up with Rebecca Jo at Knit by God's Hand for Thankful Thursday 

Today I am so thankful that I do not have to go out in the nasty weather we are having.  Since I'm retired now there is no need for hubby (he got ahead on the stuff he needs this weekend and anything else he can do here at home) or I either one to be out.  We woke up around 7:00-7:30 and I took the dog out and then did my morning Bible reading.  Then I made us some frozen waffles (something we seldom have in our home since the girls are grown) and then I got the ingredients together for supper as we're going to make a chicken broccoli casserole.  And now, I have a pot of 3 ingredient potato soup simmering on the stove.  This is a recipe that is WW friendly and I used to make it all the time and I CAN'T WAIT for lunch.  The soup is made with frozen O'Brien Hashbrowns, Chicken Broth and a packet of Peppered Gravy.  Just mix in a pot and bring to a boil and then let it simmer so it will thicken up.  I always say I don't like to cook, but I must say cooking this stuff today is making me very happy and thankful.

Here it is pre-boil.  I just love all the colors from the peppers from the Potato O'Brien.

I'm also very thankful to have a nice warm home and a safe place to be in this weather.  It is not very nice outside at all.  Lots of sleet coming down.  But we are snug and warm inside.  We're also praying that there will not be so much ice that electric lines start breaking.  I know it could get pretty cold very quickly if that happens.  But we've got chargers for our electronics and lots of warm blankets and clothes, so we should be okay.  We also have plenty of things we can eat that wouldn't have to be cooked.  But I'm trusting that we won't need all that.  But either way, I still know that God is good and will be with us.

I'm thankful that I'm getting a new laptop and it's supposed to be delivered today depending on the weather conditions.  I'll be able to use it here at home and also at the church.  

I'm thankful for a really good Bible study lesson last night at church.  Hubby talked about Gideon and his fleece.  I love that story.

I'm also thankful for all of you.  

So what are you thankful for today.  I hope you are warm and safe inside wherever you are.

Thanks for visiting.

Cathy

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

Click above to link up with Joyce for the Hodgepodge.

1. The Wednesday Hodgepodge landing on Groundhog's Day sounds about right. Besides the Hodgepodge what else lands on your calendar just once a week? Is it as much fun as the Hodgepodge-ha!? I can't think of anything that comes up just once a week for me right now.

2. The Winter Olympics begin on Friday, surrounded by much controversy. Will you be watching? I seldom watch news, so I didn't know there is a controversy.  Will I watch...probably some of it anyway.    Why or why not?  Because I love ice skating.  Have you ever been to China? Nope!

3. Something in your life lately that has felt a bit like an 'olympic event'? Just trying to get all the insurance and retirement stuff straightened out...but it's going pretty good (Thank you God).

4. Do you like fondue?  Sweet or savory?    Never really had it much, so I don't really know.  Restaurant only or do you own your own fondue set? No fondue set.

5. Give us five short (2-3 word) phrases to sum up your January. 

1st retirement month

Was pretty busy

Good so far.

I wonder why

I waited so long!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I know it's February and you're supposed to pick a word in January.  I figured I would skip it this year, but I can't seem to get away from this word.  It is WORD.  The WORD is the scriptures, the Bible and Jesus is also called The Word.  I want more of both in 2022.  So I guess my word this year is "Word".

Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a great day!

Cathy

A Sentence a Day - January 2022

 Here's my January one day at a time:

1 - Saturday.  Hubby and I went to lunch at Outback and we knocked an almost full glass of pop off the table...thankfully we were getting ready to leave...great way to start the year.  lol 

2 - Sunday.  At church I delivered 2 hat and scarf sets and received an order for another...as long as I can make enough money to pay for my addiction to yarn, that keeps me pretty happy.

3 - Monday.  My first official day off work...went to church to meet with my cousin and a guy looking at the church organ...trying to decide if we should fix it or ditch it.

4 - Tuesday.  Took my sister out to shop and we had White Castle for lunch...fun!

5 - Wednesday.  Worked for a couple hours at church and picked up lunch for hubby and I and then I came home and relaxed and made some stuff for dinner and then off to church for a really good Bible Study.

6 - Thursday.  Spent the entire day at home and worked on my sister’s paperwork, started organizing the room I’m turning into my craft room finished reading Gideon’s Gift by Karen Kingsbury, and cut hubby’s hair…good day.  Also my brother’s first grandchild got to go home today after over two months in NICU…very good day!

7 - Friday.  Day 2 at home…can’t even remember the last time we spent 2 days at home…finished the hat and scarf set for a friend, read some, napped some, watched some TV and worked some. 

8 - Saturday.  Went to lunch as normal and then in the evening watched Bones and crocheted some more on a gray scarf I've been making for awhile.

9 - Sunday.  Went to church in the morning, then caught a nap in the afternoon and then back to church where I got to see a really beautiful sunset.

10 - Monday.  Started the day reading my Bible and drinking hot chocolate which is just about the perfect beginning to any day.

11 - Tuesday.  Hubby and I took his mom for cataract and glaucoma surgery very early (still dark for the first hour or so we were there) and then took her home and spent most of the day with her to make sure she was okay before we left...she did really well.

12 - Wednesday.  I took his mom for her 24-hour check-up...things going well (I sat in the car and read as I wasn't allowed to go in).

13 - Thursday.  Went out with my sisters and had Chick-fil-a for lunch and then did some Walmarting and went to Hobby Lobby...all in all a very good time.

14 - Friday.  Hubby and I took a drive to Plain City and went to an Amish style restaurant for lunch and it was delicious and then came home and then that evening I went with my sister and her husband to see our great nephew for the first time...he is beautiful and he is doing so well.

15 - Saturday.  I can't remember what I did this day, but according to my pictures I started another puzzle.

16 - Sunday.  Went to church in the morning and hubby cancelled the evening service due to snow, so we stayed in the rest of the day.

17 - Monday.  We stayed home in the morning due to the snow (only about an inch) and then headed out for lunch.

18 - Tuesday.  Spent most of the morning at church working on the nursery and also an office space for me and have a bunch of trash now to take out.

19 - Wednesday.  Made a white beanie hat with a black fur pom and went to Bible Study in the evening.

20 - Thursday.  Relaxed at home in the morning and watched some Better Together shows on TBN and then took my sister to an eye appointment.

21 - Friday.  Went to lunch with hubby and then to the grocery and that evening started a puzzle and also a navy blue beanie.

22 - Saturday.  Cooked some breakfast for hubby and I and spent most of the day at home.  Worked on the puzzle and then found out my nephew and his girlfriend got engaged.

23 - Sunday.  Went to church and then picked up some fried chicken for lunch and then spent the rest of the day at home due to impending snow (which there was never really much accumulation).

24 - Monday.  My daughter called early in the morning and told me she and her boyfriend got engaged on Sunday and I am so excited and happy for them...grabbed some Chick-fil-a for lunch (this is getting to be a habit) and then stopped at Joann's and bought a skein of red yarn (have an order for a red beanie with a white pom).

25 - Tuesday. Hubby and I went out to lunch at Chili's and I made the red hat that I bought the yarn for on Monday.

26 - Wednesday.  Went to the store with both my sisters and then picked up lunch and went to church with hubby and did some more work there...and I'm so enjoying spending this time at the church.

27 - Thursday.  Picked out the Bible Study we are going to do in the spring starting in mid-March.

28 - Friday.  We spent the day at home due to snow and extreme cold...there really wasn't that much snow, but we had no need to be out and it was so nice to just be home together.

It snowed off and on all day, so we really ended up with more than this. 

29 - Saturday.  Another day spent at home, which we seldom do and I so enjoyed reading, puzzle work, TV, some cooking and just being together...hubby also spent the morning setting up his new laptop and mine should be here in the next week or two...I can't wait.

Lucy's favorite spot when we're all home.

30 - Sunday.  Yay! Our local team, the Bengals are heading to the Super Bowl!

31 - Monday. Took Lucy to be groomed and picked up some lunch for hubby and I and took it to him at church, then went to the grocery and time to pick up Lucy, who looks so cute after being groomed.

Although I must say she doesn't look very happy. lol

I decided to try one of the 1 second a day videos.

Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a wonderful February.

Cathy

 

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