Hey there....Hi there....Ho there....It's Friday and you know what that means. Time for the Friday Five. This week with a Joe(Pagans Don't Wear Sandals blog). As always, answer any 5 or go mudpuppy mad and answer them all. Ready...here we go....

Okay, so it's really Saturday. I apologize for being late with the Friday Five, but I have a perfectly good excuse. I was kidnapped. You heard right. I was kidnapped earlier in the week by The Yankee, so blame him for the delay. Meanwhile, the song in my head for Sunday might very well be: My Baby Does The Hanky Panky.. (Sure is INTERESTING watching The Tonight Show with The Yankee)

1-Newest piece of furniture in your home?

Lazy Boy Sleeper Sofa

2-Oldest piece of furniture in your home?

An old ladder back chair that I bought at a thrift store for $4.00, it dates from the early 1800's.

3-Last thing you bought online?

A vintage watermelon cut crystal ring that dates from the 1920's.

4-Yogurt or cottage cheese?

Yogurt.

5-Grits or oatmeal?

I like both. This week it has been good ol' grits.

6-Last cereal you bought?

Raisin Bran. Okay...okay....I lied....it was Cap'n Crunch with Crunchberries!

7-Last nut you ate?

Pistachio.

8-Do you have a signature fragrance ?

Yes. Ralph by Ralph Lauren.

9-Favorite animated movie?

Cindarella, Lady and The Tramp

10-Do you have a stereo/Where?

Yes. I have 2. An old one that belonged to Mama K, complete with turntable and 8 track player, that one is in the office. A newer one in the dining room.

11-What brand soap do you use?

Oil Of Olay

12-Bath or shower?

Usually a shower, but at least once a week a long bubble bath.

13-Last recipe you tried after reading or seeing on TV?

Chicken Under A Brick after seeing it on a PBS cooking show.

14-Something your Mother taught you?

One of the things she taught me is: Sexy and alluring comes from the inside out, NOT from the outside in.

15-Something your Father taught you?

He taught me, by example, the way men should treat women.

16-I like Joe because....

He is one in a million.

17-Joe makes me.....

Smile,think and reflect.

18-Joe has...

He has an amazing blog!!!

19-Joe is....

He is a wonderful and published writer.

20-My personal message to Joe is....

Your wise comments always leave me with a smile.

Later Ya'll...^Belle^

Sunday, July 15,is my Mother's birthday.There will not be a party. She died in 1987 at 48 years old. People tried to soothe and comfort me when she died by saying, " All wounds heal in time." I have found that not to be true. Some wounds never heal.

Not once during her almost 6 year battle with cancer did she ever feel sorry for herself, or question why. She was the picture of strength and bravery. We didn't console her, she consoled us.

I still miss her each and every day. I miss her smile and laugh. I miss using and saying the word "mother" in the present tense.

I was standing in line the other day behind a lady wearing White Shoulders, one of her favorite perfumes. She was talking on the phone to her daughter. The tears caught me off guard. The cashier asked me if I was okay. I nodded my head yes, adding that a memory from the past had found me in the present.

She had this photo made prior to the final round of chemo and presented these to all her family and friends.

DEAR GOD:

If birthdays are celebrated in Heaven,

Wish Mother a Happy one for me

A lovely red rose, if you have some

Those were her favorites, you see

**

Give her a hug

Tell her she is missed

Place on her cheek

A tender little kiss

**

Tell her that I love her

It's not the same without her here

I cherish all the memories

Each one is precious and dear

**

I know she is happy there

Surrounded by your love and grace

No doubt she has made Heaven

To me, a much sweeter place.

** Copyright:RKC-JULY 14,2007

IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY MOTHER

July 15,1938-January 14,1987

She is

Always loved

Always missed

Never forgotten

Later Ya'll.....^Belle^

It's Friday and you know what that means....time for the Friday Five. This week with a Miss Lou Twist. As always, answer any 5 or go Leroy Jetson looney and answer them all. Ready...here we go....

1-The Eagles or Rolling Stones?

EAGLES

2-Temptations or Four Tops?

Temptations

3-Toby Keith or Trace Adkins?

Trace Adkins.

4-Hamburger or Hotdog? Favorite?

Hamburger/Sonic or Burger King

5-Cake or Pie?Favorite?

Pie. Current favorite is one I make that is so very simple and easy but so yummy!

At Puppy's request...here is the recipe:

Okay Pup...just for you. Here goes:

1 Graham Cracker Pie Crust

1 Can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 Tub of Cool Whip (don't know exactly what size but it is the smaller one)

1 package of Kool Aid-Kiwi-Watermelon flavor (or any other flavor you would like to try...but my family is partial to this flavor)

In a large bowl, empty the Cool Whip, add condensed milk then using a hand mixer, mix until blended. Add package of Kool Aid, mix again. Pour in the crust. Put in the fridge. Doesn't take long at all to set and it is....YUMMY!

6-North or South?

South for living.....The Yankee for loving!

7-East or West?

East.

8-Salad or slaw?

Salad

9-Favorite 3 male singers?

Elvis

Travis Tritt

Alabama's American Idol finalist.....Ruben Studdard, Bo Bice and Taylor Hicks.

10-Coffee....regular or decaf?

Regular.

11-Favorite book to re read?

I have many, but at the top of the list is The Web and The Rock by Thomas Wolfe, Bridges Of Madison County (of course), and anything by great Southern writers.

12-Mountains or beach?

Mountains.

13-Cookies or Chips?

Chips.

14-Favorite day?

Any spent with The Yankee.

15-Do you like to cook?

Food....yes. Like "cooking" with The Yankee even more!

16-I like Miss Lou because.....

In addition to being one of Biggie T's "Angels", she is one fine lady.

17-Miss Lou makes me....

Smile when I see a comment from her.

18-Miss Lou has....

An awesome blog and Ray!

19-Miss Lou is....

A wonderful person with a kind and loving heart. Thanks for your friendship Angel Lou!

Later Ya'll...^Belle^