Wednesday hodgepodge

1. Share a favorite moment from your Christmas holiday celebration.

Special moments were shared at my aunt's house.  Talk and laughter spread throughout the house.

2. What would you say has been the biggest news event during your life so far?

Oh gosh!!  Now that I have hit the mid-life plus a few extra years many events have happened:  Watergate, the end of the Vietnam War, Nixon resigns, Elvis Presley's death, Haley's Comet ( I remember going to see this-looking through a telescope), Clinton's scandal, Challenger, Computers, the devastation of 9/11,  Cell phones, and the music--aww the sounds of the music...these are just a few that I remember.

3. The Pantone Color of the Year for 2015 is Marsala. What say you-like or no like? Would I find this color anywhere in your home or wardrobe? Will you add something in this shade to either? 

The house we lived in before this one had the Marsala color in the living room.  I like this color.  I do have a rug that is this color now in the living room and a few pillows to match.  As for my closet-no thing this color-but might find something now that this is the color for 2015!

4. Would you rather meet your ancestors or your great grandchildren? Explain why.

Both--my ancestors to learn more about my family's history and how they managed to accomplish all they did with as little as they had.  I would like to meet my great-grandchildren so I can see how my grandchildren turned out and to tell them their family history.

5. Share one life lesson learned in 2014?

It is really hard to forgive when someone has hurt your family.  I know God wants us to forgive but it so hard -one day at a time.

6. What was your best or favorite purchase made in 2014?

My van.

7. What is one thing you're looking forward to in the new year?

The first thing that came to my mind was daughter's marriage-which she keeps changing the dates-first it is August now November-nope now back to August-now November....

I am looking forward to spending another year with my family and friends.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Daughter #1 turned 27 yesterday!!  so proud of this amazing woman!!

Think positive and to remember the saying...it is what it is....these are my New Year's Resolutions.

Happy New Year to All!!

Weekend Rewind

 Weekend Rewind....

But first, let me tell about my Christmas.  

Daughter #1 has been working like CRAZY-with all the flu and other stuff going around.  We had decided to eat a Christmas Eve lunch-not be so rushed getting to church at 6 and then to my aunt's house afterwards.  Daughter said she would be home around oneish.  The table was set and then I waited and waited and waited and waited....

Finally at 3 she arrives-but couldn't stay long..for she had told her patients she would return by 3:30 to fill their prescriptions!  Of course, I was a little sad, but then daughter quickly reminded me of the oath she had taken in pharmacy school.  She literally 'woofed' down her lunch and headed back out.
I must admit, I wasn't thrilled about this at all! and I reminded her we would be leaving by 5:30 to go to Christmas Eve Service at church.

Daughter #2 and her finance wanted us to open gifts they had gotten Charlie and I before church service.  We did-which is not something we would normally do-but what the heck? Pictures were taken before we headed for church.

Daughter #1 Did make it to church!!  

Later, we went to my aunt's house.  My aunt is only one year older than me, so we are more like sisters.  Her grandchildren were there....

Daughter #1 with hub and cousin and cousin's youngest.

After presents were opened by the 'little ones', we ate and talked and ate and talked and ate and talked some more.  It was such a fun, relaxing evening.  Much talk surrounded around Christmas's of the past and such great memories we all shared.

When we had gotten home and daughter #2 and hub had fallen sound asleep, I sat quietly in front of our Christmas Tree and just listened to the stillness of the night.  I thought about how much my life has changed over the years and how this time next year...daughter #2 would be married and how new traditions would be made..and how...with each change we somehow learn to cope and in the end all things work out.

One of hub's Christmas traditions is having a huge Christmas Breakfast.  This year was no different except instead of eating at 7am we decided to eat at 11am to accommodate the grand kids.  Of course, I was wide awake and busy tail by 6:30-why my body clock won't let me sleep is beyond me.  As breakfast was being prepared  daughter #1 arrived.  Daughter's back was killing her-she blamed it on the long hours she had been working.  Daughter #2 the future DPT decided to practice some of her techniques on her...

Don't know if it helped or not-daughter didn't say only said her back was sore.

I love my girls

  and I can't believe marriage is just around the corner.  I keep pushing it aside for now..ha!

After breakfast, more presents were opened...

I hope all had a wonderful Christmas...

Now where was I...on Weekend Rewind....

Daughter #2 and the future bride-to-be turned 25 on Friday.  She didn't want a cake-says she needs to watch what she eats before searching for a wedding gown-nor did she want her usual dinner-Pizza-she opted for Japanese food--a thumbs up for me.
She always wanted some 'new items' -well new to me considering she has always wanted clothes, etc for her birthday.  This year she asked for...

Her finance also got her this cool shirt....

This is hubs reaction...

he just began smelling candles.  The all wedding thing hasn't set in yet..again we push it aside-at least for now.  We are trying our best to talk them into a later date---

Gorgeous Saturday weather-high 60's-warmish for this time of the year.  I need some cool weather-not too cool but not 60.  Saturday evening the rain began...Rainy, and dreary cooler temps on Sunday.

Hope all has a great week and Enjoy Life!

Weekend Rewind.....

Whew!!

Attended Grandson's Christmas Party at school.  He is in kindergarten and I volunteered to help out with the class party.
My contribution--help with the games and bring cupcakes:

The children made hot chocolate to take home, played Pin the Nose on Olaf, Bingo-my favorite..

and musical numbers...

All children receive a prize in the games.

After the games, it was time to eat.

Yeah, a lot of sugar for these 'little ones' but it is Christmas, right?

Then it was time to open presents...

Nate's teacher was very appreciative of the help from parents and grandparents.

It was a fast, paced party kinda day.

Hub and I took a mini vacation for a couple of days....Yeah right before Christmas and Birthdays.  I enjoyed the time away but....so much to do...

This evening as I sat and watched the lights on our Christmas Tree, I began realizing--so what if I don't get all the house cleaned, the cookies baked, the perfect present bought...so what?  Christmas is when God showed his great love to us and this is what I am going to concentrate more on.

Wishing all a Merry Christmas!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Time magazine has selected The Ebola Fighters as their person of the year for 2014. Do you agree, and if so who would you say is a close second? If you disagree with their choice, who do you think should have been chosen? 

I am okay with the Ebola Fighters-who are still fighting this outbreak.  Close second, I have no idea who are in the running.  However, I will give my opinion to who I think it should not be--anyone who uses his/her influence negatively.

2. This question comes to you courtesy of Susan who blogs over at Stew Mama Says. She knows we have a wedding happening any minute now, and she asks, 'What's your favorite-something old? something new? something borrowed? something blue in your home?  Be sure you hop over and say hi to Susan today! 

Something old-my grandmother's table-drop leaf with the lion claws, something new-my vacuum cleaner-a recent purchase, something borrowed-I don't have anything in my house that has been borrowed, something blue would be daughter #1 bed spread-of course daughter #2 now claims it.

3. Fudge-yay or nay? Your favorite flavor? Do you make it yourself? With nuts or without?  

Can say yay to fudge-don't really have a favorite flavor but I do prefer nuts.  I do have difficulty stopping at only one piece of fudge-then I feel yucky.  Have never made fudge myself-although daughters have.

4. December 17th is Wright Brothers Day, commemorating the first successful flights made by Orville and Wilbur Wright in 1903 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.  How old were you when you made your first flight? Do you like to fly? Have you ever been to Kitty Hawk or other parts of the North Carolina Outer Banks? 

I was 29 yrs old when I first boarded an airplane.  I love to fly-I have written about this in recent posts.  Have visited Kitty Hawk and the Outer Banks-my favorite part of the Outer Banks-the lighthouse.

5. Do the people in your family tend to follow a particular career path, and if so what's the path?

Both daughters have chosen the medical career paths (pharmacist and physical therapist) unlike their parents-I am a teacher and husband was in insurance.  However, the medical profession was my first career when I entered college-I wanted to be a surgeon-hub wouldn't move!!

6. What is one thing you absolutely, positively must accomplish today?

Laundry-it keeps piling, and piling up.

7. This Christmas I hope___________________________________.

This Christmas I hope for the world and myself to be a little more kinder to others and a little more forgiving of others.  I hope we can keep the spirit of Christmas all through 2015!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Water problems at my house---shew!!  According to plumber, hub (ha) the problem is coming from the town's side of the road and not on our side.  Who cares?? get if fixed.  Thus, my laundry is piling and piling up!!!

A bigger smile to my face--My grandson was baptized on Sunday!

Weekend Rewind...

Weekend Rewind....



This weekend has held so many wonderful memories.

Friday evening, I met a few friends I haven't seen in awhile. We first attended an Art Walk in a nearby town and later returned to one of the houses for dinner.  This was my first Art Walk; I have always wanted to attend but seemed to have always had something to do and never had a chance to go until...This Friday!!  Walking through the Art Gallery, I am just in awe at all the beautiful work..and a little jealous that I don't have that talent.

After the Art Walk, we returned to one of my friend's house for dinner.  All had agreed to bring something so not causing too much trouble for the hostess.  Sitting down to dinner, we all held hands and the blessing was said.  I am very blessed to have these women in my life.  Conversation, food, drinks, and laughter filled the evening.

Sunday was an extra amazing day.  That morning as I was getting ready for church, I was a little excited because grandson's Christmas Program was that evening.  Yep, I was thinking about it early in the morning.  Before the end of the morning worship service, hub came to get me -I teach Wee Worship.  Hub's eyes were teary and he could hardly speak.  Grandson was getting ready to accept Jesus. How amazing!!  Tears filled my eyes as he said his confession.  Later that evening, after the Christmas Program, he was baptized.  The best Christmas Present EVER for this Mammow!

Wishing all a great week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What is one new holiday tradition you'd like to establish, or one you've established recently, say in the last year or two?

Hub and I have combined both of our childhood traditions for the last 30+ years.  Recently the past couple of years I have started 'The Elf on the Shelf'-grandson loves it. I don;t do all the crazy pics one might see on Facebook.  When grandson comes over he begins looking for 'Jingles' (that is his name) and both daughters (who are 26 & 24) wonder where he is and what he has done.

2. It's the second week of December. Have you sipped a cup of eggnog yet this month? Wrapped a gift? Opened a gift? Kissed someone under the mistletoe? Lit a candle? Eaten a Christmas cookie? Seen Santa in person? Watched a Christmas movie or special? Read scripture relating to the birth of Jesus?

I love watching Christmas movies even though I have probably seen most of them, I don't mind watching them over and over.  Will get into wrapping gifts this week.

3. Do you think it's better to be an adult or a child at Christmastime? Explain.

A child comes to my mind first.  Children are so innocent, and they see the good in all people-no matter what. Seeing the thrill in a child's eye  and hearing  the excitement in his/her voice when the tree is up and decorated, when the manager scene is displayed, or seeing Santa warms my heart.  Just a short story here:  When grandson was a couple of years younger, we were headed home one evening.  He looks out the window and shouts:  "I seen God! I seen God!"  Someone then says that's not God; it is Jesus.  Grandson then shouts: "I seen Jesus!  I seen Jesus!"  We had driven by a house that had a manager scene displayed and this was his reaction-makes me smile to this day. Through the eyes of a child....
As adults we sometimes, I know I do,- get caught up in the decorating, baking, cleaning, and trying to find the right gifts, that we (I) lose sight on the true meaning of Christmas.


4. It's often said, 'Good things come to those who wait'...agree or disagree? Why?

Patience is a virtue....wish I had more of-I most definitely struggle with this is some areas of my life. I think if you do have patience, more will be accomplished faster, and eventually good things will come.

5. What's the last sweet thing you baked? Did you keep it, take it to a party/event, or give it away?

Baked cookies-for bus drivers and cafeteria workers a few weeks ago.

6.  This question comes to us courtesy of Jhona who blogs over at The Red House at the End of the Lane. Everyone hop over and say hi to Jhona this week!  Here is her question... "I heard an actor talk about how he makes a conscious choice to talk to people in elevators.  PHe chooses to connect, make eye contact, and converse. Do you talk to people/strangers when you're in an elevator or any other place where you might have to wait together? Why or why not?"

I don't talk to strangers when in elevators-hub, on the other hand, does.  He strikes up a conversation everywhere he goes.  If I am waiting in a doctor's office or standing in line I might strike up a conversation but very rarely am I the first one to initiate it.


7. Are you on the naughty or nice list this year? What put you there?

I hope I am on the nice list; however, I also know I have been a little naughty with some people. It is just hard for me to keep my mouth shut when it comes to some people.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Two weeks from today will be Christmas Eve!

Winter Reading Challenge

Books that I have been reading:

The Paris Architect: A Novel


Captivating!!  


Still Life with Bread Crumbs: A Novel

Personally, I couldn't get into this....

Me Before You: A Novel


A great read-one that you might need a tissue or two!