Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Do you feel like you have a 'full plate' at the moment? In what way? 

No, not at the moment.  School ended Tuesday, and I will be able to get a lot done.  

2. How did you learn to cook? If you have children did you teach or encourage them to cook? Do you like to follow a recipe or is your cooking style more 'let's wing it'.  

I didn't learn to cook.  Back in the day, I took a Home Economics class in school and that was the only teaching experience I had.  My job growing up was to wash the dishes (no dishwasher) and make sure the kitchen was tidy after each meal.  My late hub loved to cook and I cleaned so this worked out great.  Now, with just me here at home, I seldom cook anything. I try to follow a recipe but never turns out the way I wanted it.

My girls learned to cook from my mother-in-law.  My daughter loves to cook.  Sometimes she just 'wings it' and other times follows a recipe.

3. Last time you bit off more than you could chew? Elaborate. 

I might have done this in the past but honestly, I don't think I ever have.  I don't believe in not following through in a commitment.  

4. When did you last say 'the more the merrier' and mean it? 

Just last week, I said 'the more the merrier'; I was getting another student added to my class. (insert sarcasm)  Did I mean it?  Of course not.  I can't think the last time I said this phrase and meant it.

5. Write an acrostic using the word T-H-A-N-K-S. 

Tables are full with 

Hearty stomachs.

Abundance of laughter fills the air while

Nostalgic memories floods my mind.

Kindness is sometimes unnoticed but

Sincere gratitude is what we all could offer.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

This will be my first Thanksgiving that I will be by myself.  Daughter and her family are traveling.  I will go to church and help deliver food, but the evening I am dreading. 

Have a great rest of the week and Happy Thanksgiving

Enjoy Life

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Let's do our gratitude question first this week...what's the best thing about your home, and have you taken time to enjoy it lately? 

I love sitting outside!! So, I love my side porch and my back deck.  Usually I am reading a book or in deep thought about something I plan on doing while sitting outside. When sitting on my back deck, I am watching the grands play or breaking up a fight!!

When the weather gets cooler, I am grateful for my sun room.  And when it begins to snow, I can look out and see how white the world has become.

2. Do you like squash? Of the varieties listed, which one's your favorite and how do you like it prepared? Is squash of some sort on your Thanksgiving menu?? 

acorn, butternut, delicata, spaghetti, zucchini, crookneck (yellow squash), patty pan

I do like squash. I grew crookneck squash in my garden and some years I can't give enough of it away!!!  Mainly, I just steam my squash or fry it with a little oil.  I have tried butternut squash, but I am not a fan.

Squash will not be on my Thanksgiving menu.  I usually go to my cousin's house for Thanksgiving and she doesn't like squash.  However, there will be green beans from my garden that she canned.

3. Last time you were 'squashed in' somewhere, or felt squashed? 

In September, I went to Hot Springs, Virginia.  There was more than one vehicle there, but we all wanted to ride together.  Why??? I don't really know.  I remember when growing up having three people in the rear seat was no bid deal.  Now, it is a big deal with three people in the rear.  Definitely was squashed on our outings with three adults in the back.

4. Have you ever played squash? What about other 'racquet sports' such as racquetball, tennis, pickleball, badminton, table tennis (ping pong)? Are these sports something you enjoy? 

I had to look up the game squash, never heard of it.  I have never played squash, racquetball, or pickleball (this is becoming a big sport in me area).  I have played badminton and table tennis.  Badminton is more enjoyable for me than table tennis.  

5. Something in today's society or culture that feels like a 'racket' to you? If you don't like that one, tell us about a place you've been recently where there was a lot of 'racket'. 

I have two answers for this.  First,would be healthcare.  The high cost of healthcare and prescription drugs is sky rocketing. A single medical event can cause a financial burden.

Coming in second would have to be grocery stores. Just the other day, I spend over $100 and was able to carry the two bags out in my hand!! I feel like this is a system designed to get the maximum amount of money from us.  We all need food to survive. 

6.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Monday was a MONDAY!!!!   

After church on Sunday, daughter and her family came to the house.  We ate a quick, not so healthy lunch.  The boys played for a little bit and then went home with their dad.  Daughter and I went Christmas shopping.  I cannot remember my pin # for my card and I have always used the bypass pin button.  Well, FYI, you can't do this at Target!!  After the third attempt I gave up and just used cash.  Yes, I still carry cash!  I got home around 8pm and began getting school items ready for the next day.  

I set my alarm for 5:30 during school days.  As I went into the kitchen to pour me a cup of coffee, I heard water. The water was coming from the boys' bathroom.  The toilet was running and running and wouldn't stop!!  I tried turning off the valve, but no luck.  I called my cousin (actually hub's cousin) and he said he would be out later that afternoon.  When I explained to him it had been running all night, he said he would be right on out.  The flapper had broken off and he was able to replace it.  SHEW!!  a relief. 

After school, I stopped to get gas.  My card wouldn't work!  WHAT????  Again, I had some cash on me.  After getting gas, I went to the bank.  My card was locked because I had tried using it at Target and kept pushing in the wrong pin number.  This did not take long at all at the bank.  THANKFUL for that.

By the time, I had gotten home it was time to head back out to my Bible Study Group.  I told the ladies that night what all had happened and I needed this Bible Study Group tonight probably more than they did.

Tuesday was a much better day!!  Hoping today will be same.

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What does patriotism mean to you? 

Patriotism is showing respect.  Respecting our flag by taking care of our flag when displaying it and when taking it down and saying the pledge with gratitude.  Standing up for the singing/playing of our National Anthem (this burns me up when I see people not standing).  Supporting our military is another way I show patriotism; I do send care packages to those in the military.  We need to ALWAYS show respect for our veterans.

I think one shows patriotism by also voting, obeying the law, respecting authority, and by being a good citizen.

2. September-October-November...your favorite fall month? Tell us why. If you live in the southern hemisphere use these months but sub spring for the word fall. 

September is my favorite fall month.  The days are still very warm, but the night is getting a little cooler.  The trees are holding on to their leaves.  September is the beginning of the fall festivities.  September helps me to get in a better routine and there is still a few extra daylight hours left in the day!

3. A song you love with the word thanks (or some form of that word)  in the title or lyrics?

The only song I can think of is the theme song to the Golden Girls..."Thank you for being a friend."

4. November is National Peanut Butter Month. Are you a fan? What's the last peanut butter bite you had? Fill in the blank: peanut butter and _____________________ . 

Oh, and you can't say jelly. 

Most definitely a huge fan of peanut butter.  I eat a package of nabs. but most people call them crackers.  Every night ,I eat an apple dipped in peanut butter.  

Peanut butter and banana sandwich.

5. This week's gratitude question-What event from this past year are you most grateful for? 

Celebrating my aunt and uncle's 50th wedding anniversary.  My aunt is only one year older than me ;we are more like sisters.  She got married while still in high school.

I am so grateful for these two people in my life.  It probably isn't the most event I am grateful for, but it was the first event that popped in my mind.

I forgot about my cruise!!  I went on a cruise for the very first time in June!!  I would go again... So grateful for the friends who went with me.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Last Tuesday, the boys and I had a Mamaw Day.  

One has to have breakfast first.  Cracker Barrel it was!!

Next...

We had to go and exercise our right to vote.

Then it was time for a little 'free time'

Of course, we had to cuddle Bentley

All this 'free time' made us hungry...

No judging, but the doughnuts were amazing.

In the blink of an eye, it was time to take the boys home.

This was a GREAT Mamaw Day!!!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Besides Thanksgiving, something on your November calendar you're looking forward to? 

There is nothing really going on besides Thanksgiving.  I will be taking a group of Honor Students to Radford in a couple of weeks.

2. Dictionary.com's word of the year is '6-7'. Huh? 

Is it even a word??? I had to consult the internet to find out it's meaning because apparently I'm old and this particular slang is not part of my vocabulary. Is it part of yours? According to the article I read, it's a viral term, more of an inside joke with an unclear meaning driven by social media.

What do you think? 

Dictionary. com says it's selection each year is a 'linguistic time capsule reflecting social trends and events, but they also admitted to being confused by '6-7'. Some say it means so-so and is sometimes accompanied by the up and down hand motion we associate with the phrase so-so.

What word do you think would have made a better choice? 

I am so confused by the '6-7' phrase.  The kids say it constantly.  One day I had, had it!!! so I told them the next person that says this is going to write me a six or seven paragraph paper during their exploratory class!!   I would really love for someone to explain the meaning of this phrase and where did it come from?  Honestly, it is just a meme and kinda dumb.

Any world would be better than '6-7'.  How about Peace or Joy? 

3. What's a food, trend, activity, or thing people love but you think is just so-so? 

Food --blue cheese  A lot of people I know add this to their salad and look at me kinda strange when I say "No-thank-you."

Activity--bike riding.  Bike riding is becoming very popular again.  I just don't know if I can keep up or keep my balance with my age.

4. Are you a tea drinker? Hot or cold? How do you like yours and at what time of day? Do you like flavored teas or teas billed as calming, energizing, healing, etc? 

I was talking with some women Sunday at church about drinking tea.  We serve coffee at our church services and November is my coffee month.  There are more people than I realize who drink hot tea.  I have tried drinking hot tea but just can't. I am a coffee drinker.  A lady told me to go and get a fruity tea mix, add some honey and I might like it.  I haven't went yet to purchase the tea...so who knows.

5. The November Hodgepodge has always included a weekly gratitude question. Here's the question for today-what are three things that make your heart sing? 

Grandsons---yesterday since school was closed, we had a Mamaw Day.  On the way home the boys said it was the best day ever!!

Sunshine---I hate the time change.

Bentley--my Yorkie Poo.  He is so happy to see me when I come home.  And so much company to me.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Last week was Drug Awareness at school.  Teachers decorated our doors. Here is just a few...

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Are you a risk taker? To what degree? 

 I wasn't always a risk taker, but with circumstances that happened, I am somewhat.It was hard getting out of my comfort zone,but I have.  There have been times when I weigh in on a situation before going all in and other times I just jump right in with both feet without thinking.  

I think in life there will some risks we all have to take.  And if we don't take risks we live a stagnant life. 

On a scale of 1-10 I am a 7.  Now, my late hub was definitely a 10!!  

2. What's your favorite candy? Would you say you have a sweet tooth? 

I love a Pay Day!  

I have a fondness for sugary foods!!

3. Somewhere you've been recently that had you feeling 'like a kid in a candy store'? 

It would have to be the library!!!  Usually, I just run in and pick up a book that has been on hold for me.  The other day, I actually went in to look for a book and found too many that I want to read.

   Then again....

I love Michael Kor purses and the other day I happened to be in a store that carried them.  I definitely felt like a kid...wanting something but can't have!

4. What do you think is the most effective way to make a positive change in the world? 

Show compassion for others.  We do not know what someone is going through or what news someone has just been given.   Just being KIND!!!!  

I remember a couple of years ago the Pay It Forward trend.  When I went through a drive through I would pay for the car behind me.  How about the same trend...Pay It Forward by showing compassion and being kind.

5.  Do you like surprises?

S

I don't think I have ever been surprised so I am thinking I would like it.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

The other day, I went to get a few bags of candy.  I don't have any trick or treaters , but my son-in law does.  I cannot stand seeing Christmas decorations already out!!!  I like to enjoy each holiday and I think Thanksgiving gets a bum rap!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What do you like most about your family? 

I like the support and laughter.   My family has helped me through difficult times and there is nothing better than hearing the laughter of my grandsons.

2. What's something nice that's happened to you recently? 

Last week, a friend came and helped me dig my potatoes.  My potatoes didn't do too well, but thankful for his help.

3. Do you like the color orange? Besides a pumpkin and an actual orange, what's something orange you love?

I like the color orange.  Some things orange I love are:

carrots, sweet potatoes, creamsicles , sweet potato fries, cheddar cheese, cheese balls ( I can eat the entire container)(need to get off the food wagon!)

basketballs (love going to games and now will be getting ready for grandsons to play)playing nerf guns with the grandsons and those crazy race tracks and hot wheels!

4.  What's something you have now you couldn't have imagined having five years ago? How does that make you feel? What's possible now because of it? 

My smartwatch.  I always wore just a regular watch and felt naked if I had forgotten to wear it. 

Now, instead of carrying my phone everywhere and leaving it places, my smartwatch has been a lifesaver.  The principal needs to get in touch with the staff sometimes regarding a student and will text us.  Before having a smartwatch my name was usually called over the intercom (because I had left my phone somewhere).  Now, I see the message before hearing my name over the intercom.

I love to walk and never knew how many miles I had walked.  Now, I do!!  Thanks to my smartwatch.  

5. Let's wrap this one up with an October this or that...

• pumpkin bread or apple cider donut
• Pumpkin bread
• cozy sweater or cozy hoodie
• Cozy sweater
• apple picking or pumpkin picking
• Pumpkin Picking
• scary movie or Hallmark movie
• Hallmark movie even though they almost make me cry but I can't watch a scary movie by myself
• hay ride or corn maze
• Hay ride
• twinkle lights or candles
• Twinkle lights
• autumn hike or autumn bonfire
• Autumn bonfire

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I don't think my leaves are as pretty as they have been in the past.

But

this is coming too soon!!  Thankful the weather has been nice to get some of the leaves up.

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Do you make an effort to see/hear live music? Last time you went somewhere for the live music? 

Yes, when there is a good band coming around, I try my best to go and see them.  On my birthday, July 3rd was the last time I went somewhere for live music.

2.According to HGTV the colors of the year for 2026 are mostly decided. Top paint companies declare a color of the year, and decorators will incorporate that into their new year home and room designs. Here's what's on tap in terms of paint trends for 2026 (check out the link here to see photos)

• Sherwin Williams-universal khaki (inspired by heavy canvas and outdoor gear)
• Behr-hidden gem (a confident shade of teal)
• Valspar-warm eucylyptus (a warm sliver tinted green)
• Dutch Boy-melodious ivory (a honey tinted beige)
• Glidden-warm mahogany (a classic brick red)
• Krylon-matte coffee bean
• Clark and Kensington -Hazelnut Crunch (warm reddish-brown)
• Graham and Brown-Divine Damson (cherry red with a subtle violet undertone)
• Dunn and Edwards-midnight garden (the green that works everywhere) 

First question-did you know there were so many different paint manufacturers? Which color on the list most appeals to you in terms of your own decorating style? Do you have plans to do any painting in your home in the coming year, and if so might you choose a color from this list? 

Now, forget painting walls, which color name appeals to you most? 

I had no idea about the many different paint manufacturers!  The color that appeals to me that I would have in my home would be Valspar-warm eucylyptus.  A color that I would love to have in my home would be Gidden-warm mahogany, I am just afraid I would get tired of it after awhile.

I have no plans of painting but who knows!!

3. What's something in your life you have to do-watch-or participate in that's about as exciting as 'watching paint dry'?

Meetings that can be done through an e-mail!  

4 . Tuesday, October 14th is/was National Dessert day...did you/will you celebrate? Tell us how? What's your absolute favorite dessert. Yes, just one. I know!! 

A homemade carrot cake!!!  I had a friend who would make my hub a homemade carrot cake for his birthday.  It was scrumptious!!!

5. Perhaps today is the day I will __________________________________. 

Start to get back to walking on my treadmill.  I do enjoy exercising, but I am not disciplined enough to do this at home.  I turn on the music or try to watch a television show, but nope,not happening; my mind tells me I have other stuff to do around the house. I have to go somewhere.  I think it is more of an accountability thing.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I began raking some leaves last evening.  The more I raked, the more the leaves were falling.  Then it began getting dark (before 7pm) so I had to stop.  I hate when the days get shorter.  

Oldest grandson is still playing football.  Last Saturday, they played on a college field- Emory and Henry University.  He was so excited. His team is in the play off rounds so when they lose, it is over.  I will miss his game Saturday because the twins have a game at the same time.  I just don't want the twins to think their game isn't important.  Hoping oldest grandson wins so I can watch him play one more game.

After game photo!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!