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Friday, May 15, 2026

FRIDAY THIS & THAT---RANDOM FACTS ABOUT MY LIFE...REALLY RANDOM

 

Grab your reading glasses

and a whiskey coffee cuz
this is one
LONG POST.
I think 
it is the longest post I have
ever written!

Background-
One time years ago 
I told people to ask me anything!
I was asked these questions
and I don't think I ever answered.

I stumbled across the questions 
I had saved and realized that
while so much has changed
so much has remained the same!

So---here in all my foolish loquacious-iness 
are my answers to eight questions I was given.
If you aren't feeling like reading
(and maybe laughing a bit)
you can move right along and 
come back another day.

Ready---
Here we go!

I have been asked to tell you

EIGHT things about myself.  

 (yes I said 8-who picked that number

as the criteria to decide if I was fit to

be in Blogland-I mean why not 5 or 7..but 8?

Hey-did y'all know 8 is my favorite number?)

Nevermind...

I am supposed to tell you EIGHT

things about myself I think you

would like to know....

Well, that's a joke...

Who really wants to know 8 things

about me?

 You just come to Blogland to see

pictures of what life should be like, right?

Well, I am never one to cringe from the truth..

which is NOT always a good thing-

trust me on this.


Ready? Here we go...

Question #1 Why did you start blogging ?

I took an idiot pill 

and it said blogging was good for

 allergies...Huh?

Oh..no...You want truthful answers..

okay then...don't get snotty about it.

What made me start blogging?

My friend, Jettie is to blame.

(Hey Jett-she's Southern..

they all say HEY instead of Hi)

Isn't Jettie a cool name? 

It's her real name...yes it is!

Anyway....

Jettie blogged for books back then. 

I thought that was pretty cool..

So...I asked Jettie about blogging..
.
She said even YOU (idiot was implied)

can figure out how to blog..

and she gave me some basics...

Like..okay...the button on the

right will make your screen light up..

Yeah...that's just about where I started...

And then....

I thought it would be fun to blog 

for my grandkids

so they could read about themselves

 someday

You know - because as a parent, 

you don't have the time/energy 

to jot it all down..

Grandparents are supposed to have

a whole lot more time--which--

let me tell you is a lie.

I thought it would be fun. 

I thought maybe my kids would read my blog,

or maybe a couple of friends would read it..

or maybe my brother (Lordy-how I miss him)

would read it.

I had no idea that anyone I didn't know 

would read it..
.
so..it ain't real purty..
.
and it's just kind of a hodgepodge.

 No real theme...if you get my drift.


Question #2. While working outside what

do you think about?

I think about God's goodness in my life. 

How blessed I am.
.
I also think about projects 

I WANT to do..

Like the one below...

Sorry I stole this from someone's site.

If it's your own pop in 

and take credit for it...cuz it is

so darned cute I want to copy it.
I also spend some time thinking about 

the little granddaughter we lost 

and wonder what it would be

like to have her in the family mix.

She would be a BIG GIRL now-

I think about the brave struggle

my hubby endured in the past few years

 in his fight(s) (and win(s)) against cancer

and his current fight against the unknown....


Question #3. What is your favorite vacation

 destination and why?

I have two places...

depending on the time of year.

In  summer I love to go up to 

the UP of Michigan

I love Lake Superior. 

There is nothing like the

wild, rugged beauty you see there.

We usually stay in Munising..

 it's a little off-the road, by-passed by time.

I like it because I totally relax there 

for some reason.
That time frame would be..

anytime AFTER

July 1st and BEFORE July 6th

because that is about when summer

"happens" in the UP~

yeah..those are random dates 

but close to the truth.

BUT...in the winter...

I love Florida.

I love the ocean.

I love the balmy breezes.

I love it all...from St. Augustine to the Keys.

You can't go wrong with Florida..

I even love DisneyWorld..

Yeah...I'm kind of GOOFY like that!

I love it because I feel like 

I am "connected" in Florida.

The ocean draws me in and 

soothes and refreshes me.

And~ I am always in awe of the beauty

and lushness of it all.

I especially love New Smyrna Beach.

Did I mention a lot of old people 

drive around in Florida?

Yeah...Not on my list of favorites.

Sadly, I am becoming one of THEM...

but I still drive pretty good...uh-huh...

Question #4- Do I like sunrise or sunset?

Now THAT's a poser!

When I am on Lake Michigan,

I love the sunrise as it 

comes up over the lake.

I like to sit outside and watch the sun weave

it's fingers across the sky.

I love the sound of the early morning gulls

 and I especially love the fog horns 

on a overcast, foggy morning.

But when I used to live on the bay,

I loved the sunsets...

I especially loved sharing them with family.

It is like the sun kissed us all goodnight..

and we had made it safely through

another day.Question #5. Are you beginning to think I 

will never be done?

NOPE! That's NOT the question...

Here's the REAL question..


Question #5. What is my 

favorite Season/Why?

Ohhhh! It is Fall...glorious, wonderful Fall.

I Fall in love with 

all the wonders of Mother Nature

as the nights turn crisp and cool.

I love hunkering down by a fire 

in the fireplace as the

Fall winds blow round the eaves.

I love pots of stew...and apple cider...

and pumpkins...and the leaves that burst

into rainbow colored tree flames.

I love Thanksgiving and turkey and..

well...Yeah...I like Fall.
Question #6. What is the wildest thing I've 

ever done?

Hey! Do I LOOK Stupid? Don't answer that...

Do you think I am telling

YOU the wildest thing I've ever done? 

Ha...not on a bet-your-life

give-the-kid-a-sucker 

am I ever telling that!


Question #7. What is the biggest surprise

 in my life?

Hmmm...I think it is how fiercely 

and deeply I love my grandchildren. 

I mean...I KNEW I would love them...

I heard other grandparents

tell me how much they loved their grandkids...

and I thought...Yeah...okay...

only 33 more photos to look at 

so you can tell me how cute they are...

But NOW? Yeah...

Well, NOW I get it!

I would do whatever it took to protect them

as best I can from the world's harm.

Here's some pictures 

only 26 more to see!

These are old pictures but bear

with me-I just want to 

 relive those moments

just for a few minutes.
There are more grands 

that I don't have pictures of

on my computer.

 #8- TAH-DAH...Last question!

Where do you go to be alone?

Well, this oughta get a smile 

out of those of you

that DON'T know me!

I get in the car...

and I drive..and I drive.

and I drive.

It is restful, peaceful 

(well it used to be before I 

had SCRUFFY)

 and I listen

to music and talk to God..

and I am free.

While I am traveling

I am free.

I can forget about laundry

and projects that await me

and daily chores.

I am free for a breath of time.

If I am feeling a bit stressed or want

to decompress..I take a Starbucks..

and a book and I park somewhere..

anywhere...and read..and read..

so..if you see some crazy blond 

sitting in the middle of a parking lot

looking down into her lap...

she is reading.

Don' t bother her.

And..even if she has a

Honk If You Love Jesus sign

on the back of her car...

Don't honk..

Cuz it won't be me anyway..

I don't have one of those signs.

I don't even wish I did.

Did you ever pull up behind two

cars and one says

Honk If You Love Jesus

and the other one says..

Honk For Clowns-

Yeah?

Don't honk..

It just confuses too many people.


This life list wouldn't be complete

without the little loves in my life...

My two Cockapoos!


SCRUFFY

also known as Satan some days

and sweet little

COCO CHANEL-

also known as Cocobean, Cocopuff

or CocoNUT when she acts crazy.




SO

Thanks to all of you that have 

followed along with all my nonsense

today AND over the years.

I owe all of you big time...

 my readers...

my kids...

. MyHero..

and all the 

"little people"..

hahahahaha


Thanks for stopping by...

Thanks for reading..

Thanks for being.

And as my

friend, Jettie would say...

Y'all come back now, ya heah.

Love you all--You know I do!

37 comments:

  1. Well My Friend, you've done it again! I love every word, picture and sentiment. Good post..this blogger friend loves it all! xoxo Dolly

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  2. Thanks for my first smile of the day!!
    Hugs ~ bobbie

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  3. Thanks for sharing your life with us and making me laugh first thing in the morning!! You have truly been a blessing in my life. Judy Clark

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  4. Love how you look at life, as they say, from both sides now😁. Your blog is inspiring and a wonderful read each week. Hope you never run out of topics because I enjoy reading your take on the world around you!!



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  5. That was fun to read.Your grandkids are beautiful.

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  6. Oh, Diana! This was great! I loved every crazy bit of it! Thank you for allowing us a glimpse of the "real you". It's all good! And you are certainly blessed with so many beautiful grandchildren! What a joy they must be! But answer me this, do any of them ever read your blog? Does anyone in your family read you blog? Just wondering, because I know I had similar thoughts of writing for my family, etc., but I really don't think they have a clue or really care. My sister apparently looks at it occasionally because she will leave me an anonymous comment and I can usually figure out it's her, and I think one of nieces reads it occasionally, because she will send me a facebook message and tell me she saw something on my blog and wanted to make sure everyone was okay, etc., LOL. Because I tell my blogging friends more than I ever tell my family! LOL. I also tell people if you want to know what's going on in my life, read my blog. Since people don't write letters or make real phone calls anymore (unless someone is dying), I figure this is the only way to leave a lasting message that maybe someday someone will read. This was great. Thank you. I love sunsets and sunrises too. Either one anytime!

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  7. This was a fun read, Diana, and I feel like I know you a little better now -- even if you DIDN'T tell us the wildest thing you've ever done!

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  8. ...this is just too thought provoking for me at the moment, and perhaps later too!

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  9. Hey! I LOVE this post so much! It is just like you, funny and sweet and loving and grateful, with a just a HINT of naughtiness! Keep blogging my friend, it keeps the world going! xx

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  10. I am so sorry about your granddaughter. Your other ones are gorgeous! How IS your husband doing now, you never say much about him. Is the adorable tiny greenhouse and chair yours, or from the web?

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  11. No surprises there!! What a fun post but I would expect nothing less from you!! It was fun to see pictures of your young grandchildren..brings back memories..😘

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  12. ABSOLUTELY Fabulous, Sweet Friend, and Moire Non about several of the questions---too many similarities to my own life and doings. I'll have to e-mail you those---take THEM to the parking lot of a sleazy juke joint, park in a scatter of cigarette butts, and swig a big Ocean Spray Cranberry Cooler (recipe on request, and my major quaff all year round), as your eyes widen in dismay and no little amount of shock.
    I've heard the name Jetty (her spelling on the board over the screendoor to her little barbecue place over behind the bank) of an older lady whose pits were never quenched and her slaw beyond compare. Folks drove from MEMPHIS---home of the sacred Leonard's!!--to sit at those old tatty outdoor tables and unwrap a fragrant bun.

    Must go---scrubbing pickle tubs in a minute, outside on this chilly, sunny Heartland day. moire non if you can stand it.

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  13. A storm of words, fun to read and laugh. Love your sense of humour, you do have one. :)

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  14. Those two adorable furry people steal the show, always :-) I'm sure they keep you on your toes!

    We spent about a week in St Ignace back in 2009 when we were camping across the northern US and I really liked it. I'd never been to the UP before and I was smitten. Have a great weekend!

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  15. I absolutely adore you, my friend. I so enjoyed this one, for many reasons, but I must say you described my favorite season perfectly! I love fall too! I am an autumn soul. Thank you for sharing, especially your precious grands. I am waiting...patiently???...for my first one. Nothing yet! Have a wonderful weekend. And boy, am I glad you started blogging!

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  16. I so enjoyed reading all your answers!! You have a great sense of humor. :)

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  17. I like to answer silly questions. I may make one up. LOL! Love all your shares, happy & sad. Take care. Love and Prayers to you and John

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  18. Diana! I love this post and just have one thing to say! When you next come to Florida, PLEASE let me show you beautiful Lakeland!!! xoxo

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  19. How fun and thanks. Love the pictures of the kiddos and the pups!

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  20. What a great post Diana ...
    Thinking of you and your family and wishing all a good weekend.

    All the best Jan

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  21. A very fun read, and your sense of humor is good for all of us. We all need to take time to just be silly, and fun and creative. I love driving to be alone. At 85 our children have given me a "radius" so I drive in circles....HaHaHa. Love your blog!! Always leave with a smile or a chuckle.

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  22. YOU are so much FUN!!! Loved reading every word and I'm still smiling so BIG!!!

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  23. This was such a fun and wonderful post, Diana! I'm glad you took the time to share, I enjoyed my evening tea while reading it! Oh the grandbabies - it's so true. You can't even imagine it until you have them, just how precious they are! Fall is such a beautiful season, but I find it hard to pick a favorite, I love them all. I've never been to the UP, but I dearly want to go, it sounds so amazing! Your fur babies are so precious, oh how we love them too! Many blessings to you!

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  24. I enjoyed every word. It's nice to get to know you better. Your grandchildren are adorable and so are those puppers.

    Love,
    Janie

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  25. Your posts are always the most fun to read! You could seriously write about paint drying and I know you’d find some way to put an entertaining spin on it!! I’m glad I stumbled into your blog world all those years ago and thank heavens for Jettie!! 😉 Xxoo

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  26. Loved reading all your answers. You always have a way with words that is entertaining.

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  27. I loved every single answer. Your humor, your joy, your love comes through in every word!

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  28. Thanks for sharing so much about you today! You have such a great attitude. I love my grands too. They do make like a joy for sure! Don't ever stop blogging. I love your posts!

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  29. How you've warmed my heart!
    Until my night vision went south, I used to love getting behind the wheel and drive -- this way and that until I became too weary to think. There was just something so free-ing about it all. You've described it so much better than I can.
    Thank you for this!

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  30. I love all your answers. I agree about the love of grandchildren. Just when you think you could never love anyone more than your own child they give you a grandchild and your hearts explodes. Hugs sweet friend. Kris

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  31. This was a great post! Like we were sitting across the table from each other just chatting.
    I know what you mean about the grandkids! I didn't understand it either until I had one, and Oh! My! Word! Grandkids just do something to your heart that is difficult to explain to others who don't have them. (Grandkids, not hearts.) Now we have three and the love just keeps growing for them!

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  32. How I enjoyed reading this post and learning a wee bit more about you. Like you, I find it hard to choose between sunrise and sunset, although I see far more sunsets than rises because I try to sleep through the sunrises. Don't always make it in summer, but usually in winter.
    I know what you mean about the grandkids. I saw a mother and baby in church on Sunday and thought about how long it's been since I held a baby. Far too long, but really only a few years. I think I might go ask her if I can hold her little one next Sunday. But it's fun to watch the grandkids grow up and become the wonderful people God intended them to be. Hugs to you as you remember your little granddaughter in heaven.

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  33. I feel like I know you so much better now. Your grands have grown so much, and I can tell you are proud of them. Me, too, of mine. My kids were great, but oh these grands and greats! I have never in my life been to Michigan, not even close. I have a list that I started back in January of neat places I would like to visit for a 50th anniversary trip. When I have time I investigate them a little more. Mountains are my favorites. You are like my sister- she loves Florida.

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  34. Diana adored this post...so good to get to know more about you lovely lady. What precious memories and pictures of your wonderful grandchildren. Hope you have a great holiday weekend. Hugs!

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  35. That was a fun read! Thank you for telling us all about you! :)

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  36. This is a fun post, your grands and your dogs are SO CUTE. I learned quite a bit about you here. Maybe one day I will post some questions and answers like you did.

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