Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Share a winter memory from your childhood. 

On snow days, a bunch of us would pile on clothes and go sleigh riding on a hill near our house.  We would spend ours sleigh riding.  Afterwards, we would walk home, take off our wet clothes, dry them by the fire, help with dinner, make sure our face was no longer so red, then take off sleigh riding again;however, this time a fire was built.  Again spending hours outside sleigh riding. I don't think I even thought of just laying around the house and watching television; I wanted to be outside.  

2. What was on your blog this time last year? (Besides the Hodgepodge of course!) If you weren't blogging, what in the world were you doing with all that free time? 

Hub and I had seen the movie, 'American Sniper' and much discussion about serving our country was topic of conversation.  A friend had asked husband to baptize his wife-a blessing for us both.
Of course the weather was talked about-the forecast was for snow and we were only having lots and lots of rain.

3. Ellen Goodman is quoted as saying, 'We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives...not looking for flaws, but for potential.' 

Do you see more flaws or more potential in your life at the start of a new year? Have you done anything specific this month to address either one? Does the new year truly begin for you on January 1, or is there some other month of the year that feels like a fresh start and new beginning?

I have way too many flaws in my life!!  The beginning of a new year makes me want to make a list of all the things I want to do differently-show more kindness, be more sympathetic, have more patience, try to not let the little things get to me, learn to tune negative thoughts out.  I have tried to be a little more kinder to those who are less kind and so critical. 



4. Who's an athlete you admire or respect and why?

Peyton  Manning--I am a Tennessee Fan!  Hoping Broncos win the Super Bowl!




5. Do you like cream in your coffee? Whipped cream on your pumpkin pie? Cream cheese on a bagel? Sour cream on a baked potato? Cream of wheat for breakfast? Have you ever had a scone with clotted cream? Of all the creamy foods mentioned, which one sounds most appealing to you right this very minute?

I drink my coffee black, not much of a whipped cream gal or pumpkin pie gal either, nor do I like sour cream, or clotted cream.  I know...what you are thinking....hub says the same thing to me.
I will eat cream cheese (very little) on my bagel.

6. Where were you last kept waiting for 'hours on end'? Or for what felt like hours on end? How well did you cope?


I would have to say at a red light--I thought it would never change green....maybe I was running a little late and it just seemed like forever before the light changed.


7. Believe it or not, when next week's Hodgepodge rolls around it will be February.Huh?!? Bid adieu here to January in seven words or less.

Glad you took it easy on us!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

The snow is melting and temperatures are on the rise--in the 60's this weekend!  
I am getting use to this retirement, slowly....I was called yesterday to sub in a few days.  I must admit I am kinda looking forward to going back to school.

Weekend Rewind...

Weekend Rewind...a little 


Grandson absolutely loves wrestling.  He knows the name of  each wrestler, and he even knows how much each one weighs. My step-son's mother had gotten him and grandson tickets for WWE-wrestling for Christmas. He and grandson left last Sunday for Ohio for Monday Night Raw.  Being a retired teacher, I was a little upset-grandson was missing two days of school!  No way should this happen, but hub assured me it would be okay in the long run.... and it was...as it turned out grandson only missed one day of school.  I was relieved they made it home before the snow came.

With temperatures in the 70's in the month of December, most people was saying what a mild winter we were having.  It did seem odd not wearing a jacket on Christmas and everyone out and about in short sleeves.  But winter did come for us last Sunday.

Last Sunday, the temperatures dropped to single digits and a little snow fell. Wednesday, we saw what I like to call -the Junior Varsity Snow--about three-four inches fell. I had run to the store to pick up a few things-drinks and snacks mainly, and I was ready to hunker down. Thursday evening the Varsity Snow hit-around 12 inches. There is something about snow that makes me feel like a kid again.  Even though it was cold, I put on every layer of clothing I could get on and still be able to move and ventured outside.  There is something magical in the air when the snow is falling.  Hub thinks I am crazy-wanting to go outside.  Not wanting to be that 'crazy lady' outside, I decided to do a little shoveling...even though it was still snowing.  Just the quietness and beauty of that first snowfall is so serene.

Friday, I shoveled out some more and then did some baking.  It began sleeting-which I don't like-snow yes but no sleet.  I kept praying that we would not lose power as I was fixing soup. Many businesses (banks, doctor offices,etc) began closing early.  I phoned daughter to make sure she was okay and she had also decided to close early.  Good thinking on her part.  Driving in sleet is not easy.  I invited daughter to stop by and eat but she declined saying all she wanted to do was go home and soak in a hot tub.  I kept listening to the sleet hit the windows and prayed all would be okay.  Thankfully our electricity stayed on.

Saturday, I had cabin fever.  I shoveled some more-with help of some neighbors, and hub and I ventured out.  I needed to go riding-just checking the roads..then hub and I headed to the grocery store to pick up a few things. To my surprise, there was not any milk in any of the three stores I went in.   I could not imagine this...but all was well.  I kinda like orange juice over my cereal so I can pick up some milk another day. Hub sneered his nose on this little suggestion.

Hub, daughter, and I drove up to Christianburg on Sunday to visit other daughter and her hub.  They also had cabin fever.  We all went out to eat and just enjoyed some ole time conversation.  It was funny listening to daughter and hub explain how their two dogs didn't like the snow...they simply had a hard time running/playing in the snow because it came up to both of their dogs' bellies. A great evening.

The first snow of the year is magical and I enjoyed venturing out and having fun.

Now I am ready for spring.

Have a great week and Enjoy Life!

wednesday hodgepodge

1.  Speaking of skating...when did you last 'skate on thin ice', 'skate over the details', 'encounter a cheapskate', or just plain skate?

This past weekend....I had a huge case of foot/mouth disease--open mouth and insert foot. I didn't mean to say what I was thinking...it just came out. To not remember this I am going to 'skate over the details' only to say I regret what I said.

2. What would you say is the biggest problem of people your age?

Most people my age, IN MY OPINION, feel like they are too old to be doing fun things.   I still enjoy having little get togethers,talking walks,going to concerts- just doing something.  I have tried inviting people (my own age) to do some things with me, and they say they are too tired or they are too old to do those things anymore--(it could be that I am just a bore!)  I think there is more to life than just putting your PJ's on and watching television.  

3. What's your favorite accessory? Is it something you wear every day, often, or only on special occasions?.

Can't say I have a favorite accessory.  I can say... I love jewelry...and I don't leave home without my jewelry on.

4. January 20th is National Cheese Lover's Day. Are you a lover of cheese? What's your favorite dish made with cheese? Last thing you ate that contained some kind of cheese?

I am not a lover of cheese...hub says I am unAmerican...I don't have a favorite cheese dish.  Pizza was the last thing I ate that contained some cheese.

5. What's something guaranteed to make you roll your eyes?

People trying to pretend to be someone they aren't!  and seeing children misbehave and parents allowing the misbehavior.

6. Your favorite book series?

Haven't read many books in a series.  I have read the "Hunger Games" and "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest"  must say I didn't really care for the latter ones.

7. Why did you choose your profession?

I love children and young adults.  Seeing someone when he/she really understands a concept you are trying to teach...really seeing the gleam in his/her eyes...being able to go to work everyday and really not knowing what is going to happen, the love of learning.

8. Insert your own random thought here.



According to the weather reports, we are supposed to be getting some significant snow coming our way.  I must wait and see..
Sadden by the news of Glen Frey.  I remember taking hubs to an Eagle concert in Knoxville while I was in college.  I love their music.

https://youtu.be/q6yyWKzPBCM

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Share one thing that really makes your day.

Seeing my grandson always puts a smile on my face.

Reading my devotions makes me happy. Usually my devotions speak right to a situation I am dealing with and I ponder..how on Earth did that happen, but I know God is in control. Sorry Joyce, I had to go with two things instead of just one.

2. Lots of these kinds of lists out there, but one found here says the fifteen most colorful places on earth are:

Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy~Burano, Italy~Havana, Cuba~Rio de Janiero, Brazil~Chefchaouen, Morocco~Balat, Istanbul, Turkey~Menton, France~Jodhpur, India~La Baca, Buenos Aires, Argentina~Guanajuato, Mexico~Capetown, South Africa~Valparaiso, Chile~Wroclaw, Poland~San Francisco, California~and Pelourhino, Salvador, Brazil.  

Of those listed which would you most like to see up close and in person? Of all the places you've seen or traveled in your own life, what would you say was one of the most colorful?

I would chose Cinque Terre, Italy.  I have wanted to travel to Italy, hub will not fly, but he has said he would like to go to Italy! Yeah!  I like that there are few ways to travel except by train-which I am all far.

Of all the places I have seen the most colorful place has been in my own back yard  This summer hub and I just took off driving into the mountains.  It was very hot (90+) and when we reached the top of the mountain, the temp had dropped (around 70), and we turned off the AC and rolled our windows down.  We vowed we would come back in the fall, and we did. Oh My! the color of the mountain was something I could not even imagine; absolutely breath taking

3."Everything you want is on the other side of fear." Jack Canfield  In general, would you agree or disagree with that statement? Why?

I would not totally agree with this.  There are some things one might want but afraid to take that leap of faith but not everything is on the other side of fear.

4. Imagine you're stranded on a desert island and dessert appears...what do you hope it is? Do you ever struggle to remember which spelling is desert and which is dessert?


Homemade Cheesecake!
Preferably from


I do believe I could never get enough of this place.  Too bad there isn't one close by, as a matter of fact, I think the closest one is 5 hrs.away.

I use to tell my 8th graders to learn the difference between desert and dessert--dessert is something sweet-so this one has two of the letter s.  This little tidbit helped them.

5. What song almost always makes you cry?

"I'll Praise You in This Storm"

6. January is National Soup Month.  Everything from soup to nuts, in the soup,thick as pea soup, souped up...which saying most recently applies to your life in some way? Explain.

I had to ask hub this one..because I didn't think I was none of these.  Hub says 'souped up' because I am full of energy.  I go with souped up-hub is usually right-LOL!

7. Write a two word note to your younger self. What does it say?

How about the title of my blog...Enjoy Life!

8. Random thought.

I will leave you with this...


https://youtu.be/L5bLvVjJ4MA?t=108

Weekend Rewind...with a week recap

Weekend Rewind...with a week recap



Hub and I returned on Tuesday from our little get-a-way.  The weather was quite chilly, but enjoyed getting away for a few days.

School started back Monday and at first I didn't miss it much but I received some texts from co-workers and then I begin thinking wondering what my students were doing.  Hub reminded me they weren't my students anymore; they will always be my students and even those who have graduated were still my students.  Anyway, I survived the first day of not going back to school with help from hub and a few drinks....and shopping!

Wednesday, I began my morning walk.  Hub and I got up at 5:30 and went to church.  We have a gym inside our church and our preacher walks every morning at 5:30 and left it unlocked for us.  By Friday, I didn't want to get out of bed but I knew if I skipped one day I would not keep up the routine. It did feel good walking early in the morning;not rushed to try and walk in the evenings.

There is a sweet 8 year old girl, who I taught in Wee Worship at church, who is battling cancer.  My little community has  rallied behind her in so many ways.  Friday was pink day.  The students/teachers/staff at all three schools were asked to wear pink and the businesses in my community volunteered to do the same.

Our Pharmacy did the same.  

Little man had his hair pink for the day.

I can't imagine what this family is going through.  I pray for this little girl and her family daily. Sometimes I wish I lived in a bigger city, but there are times like this when living in small community has its perks.

The weather has turned cooler, finally.  As a matter of fact a few snow flurries were around today after church.  The weather has been so warm I didn't think the cool air was coming...and now it has.

Wishing all a great week and Enjoy Life.

wednesday hodgepodge

Ringing in the New Year with the Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Are you ready for new? Is 2016 likely to be very different than 2015? Do you want it to be?

I am ready for the new..different probably with each new year there is usually something new happening.

2. January 6th is National Technology Day. Currently, what is your single biggest struggle or frustration when it comes to technology?

Computer problems.

3. It's that time again...time for Lake Superior University to present a list of words (or phrases) they'd like to see banished (for over-use, mis-use, and general uselessness) in 2016. You can read more about the decision making process here, but this year's top vote getters are-

So (at the start of every single sentence), conversation (as in hotly debated topics where we're invited to 'join the conversation'), problematic, stakeholder, price point, secret sauce, break the Internet, walk it back, presser, manspreading (common in larger cities where some men take up the entire bus or train seat by sitting wide), vape, giving me life (refers to anything that may excite a person or make them laugh), and physicality

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word not on the list you'd like to add?

I would like to see 'so' banished from the beginning of sentences...it use to be the word 'so like' and now it is shortened to 'so'.  The word 'problematic' is over used.  Interesting, but in my little world, I haven't heard anyone say 'walk it back' or 'vape'.

4. Share one of your current health related goals.

I plan (key word plan) on getting up around 5:30 and walking...inside of course.  Our church has a huge gym and our preacher walks every morning.  I plan on  starting to do this.  I have been walking and some jogging in the afternoons but this really pushes me-too much going on in the evenings to try and get my walking in.  My preacher said he unlocks the church around 5;30 and he and his daughter walk.  I might join them.

5. Let's talk fifty shades of gray. As in the color. Gray is currently a popular color in home decor, paint, wardrobes, hair, wedding party attire, and more. Are you a fan? Do you have the color in some variation in your home or wardrobe?  Gray hair, the old gray mare, gray matter, gray area...which gray idiom can you most relate to right now?

I do like gray but do not have any home decor in this color.  I do owe a pair of gray dress slacks and a gray skirt.  
I mostly relate to gray hair--been coloring my hair now for a couple of years.  I can also relate to the old gray mare ain't what she use to be  haha!  Usually I stay awake till 12 but here lately in bed by 11--but then I am wide awake by 5!!  Some days after keeping up with grandson I definitely know why one should have kids early in life--the old gray mare ain't what she use to be!

6. Certain foods are considered 'lucky' if eaten on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. Cooked greens to bring economic fortune, black-eyed peas or lentils also symbolize money, pork which symbolizes progress, fish for good luck, and if you're in Spain 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight. Did you eat any lucky foods on the first day of the year? Is that a tradition in your home? Of the foods listed, which most appeals to you?

Tradition I have kept up is having boiled cabbage (for good luck), greens, and cornbread (for wealth).
I did not know that pork or fish symbolized progress or good luck; will add these to my menu next year.

7. What's the single biggest time waster in your life and what, if anything, will you do about it this year?

Checking facebook.  I feel like if I don't check facebook 4-5 times a day I am out of the loop or just sitting around trying to think of something to do.
I will try to refrain from checking facebook often

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Enjoyed our little get-a-way....
Youngest daughter got hub and I a blanket of favorite wedding pictures.  I have tried to capture some of them..

I do believe hub was wiping a tear away.

Sisters

Bridesmaids

The cutest ring bearer!

Family

My favorite and oh how he misses them!!