Tulips, Award, & Tag

The Tulip Award

On July 7th, Ita at Something to Share shared this beautiful Tulip Award with her blogging buddies. It comes with a tag. Questions must be answered. I really love tulips, and I don't yet have this award, so here goes!


1. YOUR NICKNAME - Sally. My "real" name is Sara. Sally is the standard nickname for Sara. No one has ever called me Sara. The nickname my father gave me was "Sassy." Johnny calls me "Babe."

2. YOU ARE - a cheerful person who enjoys life and family.

3. YOUR MOST SPECIAL PERSON - Johnny, my husband.

4. YOUR FAVORITE SONG - It Is Well with My Soul especially the third verse:

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

5. YOUR FAVORITE FOOD/DISH - anything sweet ... particularly ice cream.

6. THINGS THAT MAKE YOU STRESS - anything I cannot physically accomplish. As I get older, I am less able to do what I used to do with ease.

7. YOUR FAVOURITE COLOR - blue, but you knew that. I think purple is a close second; actually, purple has blue in it.



8. THINGS THAT YOU MUST HAVE IN YOUR BAG - driver's license, lipstick, tissues, pen, paper, money, credit card.

9. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED - when I read the anniversary card Johnny gave me.

10. TAG SIX OF YOUR FRIENDS - I break rules, so I hereby tag everyone who reads this IF you choose to stop to smell the tulips!

Unread and Waiting

If you would like to join in, click here.

Today's question: An idea I got from The Toddled Dredge (via K for Kat). 

“Today I present to you an Unread Books Challenge. Give me the list or take a picture of all the books you have stacked on your bedside table, hidden under the bed or standing in your shelf – the books you have not read, but keep meaning to. The books that begin to weigh on your mind. The books that make you cover your ears in conversation and say, ‘No! Don’t give me another book to read! I can’t finish the ones I have!’ “

My Response:
Books are heavy! When we moved, I decided to be strong and give away boxes and boxes of books. Therefore, today's question is an easy one for me to answer. These few books on the top shelf of my office bookcase are waiting to be read.


This stack sitting just inside the front door are ready and waiting to be read. Notice the darling bookends that BJ sent me are holding them in place.


Here's the one I'm currently reading. 


I've dramatically slowed down in my reading. Hey, something had to give! 

How many books do you have calling out to you? 

Outdoor Wednesday - Cute Benches

Susan at A Southern Daydreamer is the gracious hostess for Outdoor Wednesday. Participants post pictures of anything that they might find outdoors. Come join in.

Several bloggers have expressed a curiosity about what my new apartment looks like, so I thought I'd use Outdoor Wednesday to show you.

I showed you our back entrance last Wednesday. Today, I'm showing you the front door to our apartment. It's in a rather dark hallway. This picture was taken during the morning, and notice that the lights are on.

Notice the sunshine peeking through the end of the hallway. See the cute brown benches beside each apartment door? 



Let's take a closer look. They're made of durable plastic.




Look, they open, and are lined with black plastic.

This is where we place our trash. It's picked up three times a week. They call this "valet trash." We are billed for it separately on a monthly basis.  


I've never heard of this before. What do you think?

PS A couple of people commented about the smell. There is NO bad odor in my apartment hallway. It's clean and both ends are open, allowing the air to flow freely.

Diane asks if we separate trash. No, these benches hold one bag of trash, and that is all that will be picked up. Unbagged trash is not collected. There is a huge recycle unit on the complex where we can take paper to be recycled.

Why Do They Do That?

You may remember that Johnny and I had a favorite Mexican restaurant in South Florida. I wrote about it here. Well, we found a good one in our new area. It doesn't have crab enchilades as Ole Ole has, but the food is good. It's called Vallarta's.


We ordered our standard: enchiladas, rice, and beans. I don't eat the beans; I scrap the melted cheese onto a chip! 


I dump salsa on top of my rice too. Okay, okay, I'm weird, but it's good.


Now, my question is: why do they do that? Look up. See the television?


Why do all restaurants feel the need to put televisons--with the sound OFF? I do not understand. On this day, the news was on. What good is the news with no sound? 

I thought maybe someone could answer. Why Do They Do That?

Blue Monday - Baseball with Grandkids

It's Blue Monday! To participate:

1. Post about something blue on your blog. It can be pretty, ugly, funny, old, or new as long as it's blue. Leave a link to this blog on your post.

2. Place the Blue Monday button on the top of your post so that people can easily spot it. Place another Blue Monday button on the sidebar of your blog.

3. Mr. Linky will be up after midnight. Return here and link in with Mr. Linky by leaving your name and the Permalink to your post. To create a Permalink, click on your Blue Monday post title and copy all the stuff in the http window. It is a longer address so that people can find your post even later in the week--whenever they get a chance to visit.

4. Leave me a comment. I promise that I will visit you and leave you a commet. Visit other Blue participants by clicking on their links. Make someone's day; leave a comment.

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Johnny invited Pierce, our ten-year-old grandson to see a baseball game between the Florida Marlins (Johnny's team) and the Tampa Bay Rays (Pierce's team). Pierce's mom, our daughter, dropped him off that Friday before lunch. We spent the day together shopping for a gorgeous Tampa Bay Rays shirt that Pierce is seen wearing, and then they went to the ballpark.




He didn't have a Rays hat, but he did have a Marlins hat, which he wore at first. Pierce spent the night, and we drove him back home the following morning. What a treat to live close enough for a time like this!


Johnny invited our son and any of his who were interested to go along. Brittany, Jenna, and a visiting friend jumped at the chance. Our son's father-in-law was also visiting, and he came along. That made a total of seven. A van was borrowed, and all rode together to the stadium.


Here's a picture of Brittany (in Pierce's hat) with her father.


Both teams have blue in their uniforms.









The best blue was the blue cotton candy that Brittany shared with Jenna.





These granddaughters also have blue eyes. Pierce's team, the Rays won the game. A good time was had by all.

Blue Monday Participants

1. Kathy b 2. Charlotte 3. Itajeff @Something To Share 4. Tina @ Enchanted Rose Studio 5. m- tales from an oc cottage 6. Carrie - Oak Rise Cottage 7. Robyn 8. Tammy518 9. Mary@One Perfect Bite 10. D 11. Shari @ My Cottage of Bliss 12. RobinfromCA 13. Fifi Flowers 14. Barbara Jean 15. gee 16. Gemma, Australia 17. lavoice 18. Ninnu, Finland 19. NicoleB Hungary 20. Oma Nijn's Country Huis 21. Linnea

22. Barbara@Purple Goat Lady 23. Becky K. 24. Janie at Southern Lagniappe 25. Melissa 26. Sandi 27. Candy 28. bj 29. Tink *~*~* 30. Puna 31. Shirls Rose Cottage 32. Marsha 33. Shirley Corwin 34. Jeanne 35. Susan 36. Christi @ A Southern Life 37. Maria Berg, Sweden 38. Dawn 39. KayC 40. Carrie @ Being Domestic 41. Susan M Hickam 42. Ivory Spring

43. ellen b 44. Cindy @ Applestone 45. Geri@hearnsoulcooking 46. charli and me 47. The Explorer, Philippines 48. The Stylish House 49. Beverly 50. NatureFootstep Photo Sweden 51. Annies Home - 52. Annie 53. Terry 54. icandy 55. Yira 56. Brittany 57. Rita aka Cashjocky Mo USA 58. Chandy 59. Maria's Space 60. Amanda Calif,USA 61. Bry at Trying to Reason

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Difficult Job

Aren't we grateful that Adam kept it simple?


Spiritual Sundays are hosted by gracious Ginger and charming Charlotte. To visit other participants, click here.


See you tomorrow for Blue Monday!

Pink Saturday - Happy 4th!

Beverly at How Sweet the Sound hosts Pink Saturday. Pause at her Place to see Plenty of other Pretty Pink items that Precious Pink Participating People are Presenting for your Pleasure.

As we in America celebrate our freedom, I wish for all of my blogger buddies, a Happy Pink 4th of July!







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On July 1st, Ita Jeff from Malaysia honored me with The Humane Award. Her blog is Something to Share. She is a happy wife and mother of three who loves her cats and roses. She participates in Pink Saturday. Pay her a visit and tell her I sent you.

There are rules attached that I choose to ignore. I simply cannot choose some to receive and others not to receive an award. Call me Wimpy, but I cannot. If you visit me and leave me kind comments, please accept this award from me to you.

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See you in two days for Blue Monday!

4th of July Jokes

Why were the early American settlers like ants?
Because they lived in colonies.









What famous pig signed the Declaration of Independence?
John Hamcock!






What did George Washington say to his army at Valley Forge?
"Sorry, men. The flights to Florida are all booked up!"

What would you get if you crossed the American national bird with Snoopy?
A bald beagle!







What would you get if you crossed a colonial hairpiece with a teepee?
A powdered wigwam!

What's red, white, blue, and green?
A patriotic pickle!








What did the visitor say as he left the Statue of Liberty?
"Keep in torch!"

What's big, cracked, and carries your luggage?
The Liberty Bellhop!

Check out my book giveaway!

The Problem with Pillows

Pillows have become a problem for me, and I'd like your input. How do you place them on your bed?

Perhaps, I should first ask IF you make your bed.  Each day? For company only? After all, Oprah taught America all about those yucky bed mites that thrive in our neatly made beds, feasting on our warm sheets. "Air your beds," became the cry of housewives all across the land. Even though I am not a fan of her show, I took that advice to heart! That allowed me months and months of never having to make my bed. No mites for me and mine! Hey, there's a reason why I'm smiling!

Now as I think of redecorating, I am wondering what you do. Are you one of those who love pillows? What do you do with them? Do you hide the pillow you sleep on under other pillows with neatly ironed pillow cases like this? Or do the wrinkles show? Do you turn the open ends of the pillowcase to the middle of the bed or to the outside?

Do you use this many pillows? Where do they go when it's time for you to sleep? Is that the main function of the chest?

How long does it take to make a bed look like this? Would you ever be tired enough to lie down during the day? Would you then need to remake it? How long does it take to iron all of this?

Does your bed have so many pillows that there is no room for regular sized people?

Is there anyone out there in Blogland who actually uses the little roll pillow?

How about placement? Should a properly made bed have one flopped pillow?


Should the pillows (or shams) in the back touch or be separated like these?


Why are the comforters turned down? Do you sleep under it? Ever get hot?

Where do your pillows spend the night? On a chair? Do they fall off? Do they get tossed on the floor?



If pillows are not your problem, but you wonder why you are so extra hungry each and every night as you prepare to go to sleep, perhaps it's because your bed looks like this one:


And, while I'm at it, why do motels all put that silly strip of fabric across the end of the bed? (I always shove it in the closet!)

Outdoor Wednesday - Our New Temporary Home

Susan at A Southern Daydreamer is the gracious hostess for Outdoor Wednesday. Participants post pictures of anything that they might find outdoors. Come join in.

Several bloggers have expressed a curiosity about what my new apartment looks like, so I thought I'd use Outdoor Wednesday to show you. 

This is the entrance to the complex. These buildings were originally built three years ago and sold as condominiums. However, when our bad economic times hit, some units were rented. We are renting until our new home is built. We've been told that we'll be in by Christmas. Our son is renting a house one block away--right down this road. I wish that we could always stay this close, but eventually, we'll be seven miles apart.

It had just stopped raining before I took these photos, so everything looks clean and shiny.


This is the back door to our unit, and the one I prefer to use. The front door is in a dark hallway. I like to see the sunshine and green grass when I walk out my door.

The apartment comes with blinds in all the windows and a full-sized washer and dryer. It's a two-bedroom, 2 ½ bath. I have no idea why a half bath is necessary! The door to the right houses the air conditioner.

The place has new carpeting and fresh paint. It was all nice and clean which made moving in much easier. There's a dishwasher and a microwave in the kitchen.

We put a pretty little plant here, and I must say, it makes me feel more at home.

I can't remember what the name of this plant is, but we've had one before. It's an easy one for us to keep alive and happy. We simply water once a week with a weak fertilizer (as Tootsie suggests). I hope I've answered your questions about my new apartment.

Dutch Shoe

Diane at A Picture is Worth A Thousand... hosts 2nd Time Around. She's a creative and crafty lady. She finds what some may think is not worth much, and paints it or tweaks it a bit and creates a thing of beauty, function, and/or value for her home. If you'd like to join in the fun, click on the link.

I went bargain hunting at the local GW store. I will not go back there again because frankly, the store had a bad odor. However, I found this delightful blue "wooden" shoe. It's ceramic, so although it was quite dirty, it holds no odor.


The true color is the last picture. It closely corresponds with the blue and white vase.



I cleaned it up, and now will find a faux piece of greenery to complete the look.

Blue Monday - Proud to Be American

It's Blue Monday! To participate:

1. Post about something blue on your blog. It can be pretty, ugly, funny, old, or new as long as it's blue. Leave a link to this blog on your post.

2. Place the Blue Monday button on the top of your post so that people can easily spot it. Place another Blue Monday button on the sidebar of your blog.

3. Mr. Linky will be up after midnight. Return here and link in with Mr. Linky by leaving your name and the Permalink to your post. To create a Permalink, click on your Blue Monday post title and copy all the stuff in the http window. It is a longer address so that people can find your post even later in the week--whenever they get a chance to visit.

4. Leave me a comment. I promise that I will visit you and leave you a commet. Visit other Blue participants by clicking on their links. Make someone's day; leave a comment.

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With the 4th of July coming up, I thought that I'd spotlight the BLUE of our flag. I wish a happy and safe 4th celebration for everyone.







Blue Monday Participants

1. Kathy b 2. Diane@A Picture is worth.... 3. Sheila 4. Carrie - Oak Rise Cottage 5. Elizabeth 6. Ivory Spring 7. Candy 8. bj 9. Robyn 10. Carrie @ Being Domestic 11. Sandi 12. Marsha Mpressions 13. Charlotte 14. Ita @Something To Share 15. Merrie 16. Anne Fannie 17. Shirley Corwin 18. lavoice 19. Fifi Flowers 20. Aussie Nikki NC USA 21. Mary 22. Maria Berg, Sweden 23. printersdevil~Felecia 24. Marjorie...Molly

25. sylvia extra from villa extra 26. Monica@The White Bench 27. irene, Singapore 28. NatureFootstep Photo Sweden 29. Gee 30. Barbara@Purple Goat Lady 31. Tammy518 32. Mojo, NC, USA 33. Janie at Southern Lagniappe 34. Becky K. 35. Knitty 36. Tam @ The Gypsy's Corner 37. Shirls Rose Cottage 38. Laura@White Spray Paint 39. Shelia @Notesongs 40. Tink *~*~* 41. Lana G! 42. Theresa @Take A SentimentalJourney 43. LadyJane 44. angie @ annies home (we are home) 45. Maria's Space 46. KayC 47. JD 48. ellen b

49. Lynn's Lovelies 50. Cindy 51. Susan 52. Mary@One Perfect Bite 53. Linnea 54. Jensmere 55. Bry at Trying to Reason 56. Dixie 57. Pagan Sphinx - Massachusetts 58. DailyLiving,Regina,Philippines 59. Barbara Jean 60. Terry 61. Debbie@Like a Rose 62. Geri@heartnsoulcooking 63. hip chick 64. charli and me 65. VickiS ~ FL 66. g.suzie 67. rantings of a woman 68. Rhonda~Scooterblu's Whimsy 69. Little Hillbilly Farm 70. Oma Nijn

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Some Technology Should Be Ignored

I'm so blessed to be able to attend a growing church where people are happy to gather, hear the Gospel, and worship God.


Spiritual Sundays are hosted by gracious Ginger and charming Charlotte. To visit other participants, click here.


See you tomorrow for Blue Monday!

Pink Saturday - Beautiful Blooms

Beverly at How Sweet the Sound hosts Pink Saturday. Pause at her Place to see Plenty of other Pretty Pink items that Precious Pink Participating People are Presenting for your Pleasure.

This part of Florida is beautifully blooming. I snapped these crepe myrtle trees when we went out for a ride this past Tuesday.

Aren't they just gorgeous, so full of Pink blooms?



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Terry at Lady Liberty Patriot kindly awarded me the Fabulous Blog Award June 16th. She’s a Texan who loves horses, her husband, family, and antiques. I’m not too certain if that’s the correct order. Take a look at her blog and see if you can put these things in order for me.



I've received this award before, and I'm once again amazed that anyone would think this highly of my blog. Thank you, Terry. 

PS Sorry that it's not Pink!

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See you in two days for Blue Monday!