Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your summer so far? Why?
(1=eh and 10=best summer ever)

A  5 -this not certainly being the best one ever-not very close.  A lot of unforseen circumstances creeping up.  On the other hand, not the worst one. 

2. July 26th is National Aunts and Uncles Day. Did you have many aunts and uncles growing up? Were you especially close to any one or maybe all of them? Are you an aunt? (or uncle for the men who join here on Wednesdays) Share a favorite memory relating to one of your own aunts or uncles or relating to a niece or nephew who call you Aunt (or Uncle).

Growing up I would go back to Baltimore and spend the summer with my grandmother, my aunt and my uncle.  I have a special aunt and uncle...While spending the summer with both of them I have so many fond memories....baking candy to sent my uncle who was in Vietnam, going to work with my aunt (secretary at the VA Hospital in Fort Howard, Maryland).  I can remember not wanting to go come back home to Virginia.  My aunt now lives in Ohio and has lung cancer.  My uncle passed away a year ago...he named his second daughter after me..Tamara.  I wish I could turn back time some days.

3. What's your favorite food dipped in chocolate? What's your favorite food dipped in cheese?

No shaking heads please...but I don''t have a favorite food dipped in chocolate or cheese.  I just love a plain ole chocolate candy bar and maybe just a plain ole' cheese dip for chips.

4. When were you last astonished by something? Explain.

I was astonished Sunday!!  not a good situation but sometimes one has to overlook people's actions.

5. Surf board, paddle board, ironing board, Pinterest board, score board, clip board, bulletin board...which board have you most recently encountered?

Last week ironed a few shirts--wrinkles bother me.

6. What's your favorite story from scripture? Why that story?

I don't think I could choose just one....Right now, my favorite would be when Jesus Heals the paralyzed man. My oldest daughter is facing a third open-heart surgery and I know Jesus can intervene and heal her.  My thoughts on this story is I bet the paralyzed man did a little dance on the way home.
The one that I hold dear to my heart always is the resurrection of Jesus-without this, how can one have hope.

7. If you were to travel from the east coast to the west coast in your own country, which five cities would you most want to see?
St.Louis-The Gateway Arch, New Orleans-French Quarter, Omaha-just to see this place. Flagstaff-want to see the Grand Canyon, Los Angelos-Hollywood walk of Fame

8. Insert your own random thought here.

We started some moving on Monday and still have a long way to go.  I have been asked to sub the first day of school which will be August 10th this year. I don't think we can be moved by then.

But had a great weekend--some corn hole playing, go cart riding, and a picnic.  

 Daughter taking a stroll.

Daughter relaxing after her stroll.

Hub was champion of corn hole.

Even though it was a scorching hot day, the trees provided us with a cool shade.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Do you find yourself influencing your world, or is it more the other way around?

I most definitely try to influence my 'little corner of the world.'  I guess this is sometimes good and sometimes bad but I speak the 'truth' at least that is what I tell people who don't have the same values or morals as me.

2. July 14th is National Tape Measure Day...the device was patented on this date in 1868. When did you last use a tape measure? Do you always know where to find one in your house? Tell us one way in which you feel blessed 'beyond measure'.

Used a tape measure yesterday---hub and I are moving AGAIN!!  We have been in the process of remodeling AGAIN (hub loves this kinda thing)!  Yes, we are downsizing AGAIN!!  Moving less than a mile away AGAIN!!  Yesterday, I used a tape measure to measure the space. I have for a washer/dryer.

Everyday I am blessed 'beyond measure' just having faith and knowing that God is in control

3.The Plaza Hotel (Eloise), The Land of Oz (The Wizard of Oz), Narnia (The Chronicles of Narnia), The Hundred Acre Wood (Winnie the Pooh), Wonderland (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland), or Never Never Land (Peter Pan)...which storybook land (on this list!) would you most like to visit and why?

Right now, this is my place to visit because being a child one sees the world so much differently than an adult.  

4. Where and when do you get your best ideas?

My best ideas come in the early morning hours when I am walking.

5.  So what have you been watching on TV this summer? Anything good?

I must say, I haven't been watching much TV.  I do try to watch the news, how sad and in such a chaos is our world today.

6. 'Don't swim for an hour after you eat', 'Dog days of summer', 'Knee high by the Fourth of July'...choose a summer saying from the list or share one of your own, then tell us what image or memory comes to mind when you hear it spoken.

'Dog days of summer'-I remember my parents saying this, especially my dad.  This meant how hot and dry the weather was.  I remember sitting on the front porch with Dad, after him working 2nd shift-him eating a snack, just listening to the stillness of the night.

7. In a single sentence, sum up one life lesson you've learned.

Quit trying to control things, God is in control and let Him handle all your problems and worries today.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Yep moving AGAIN!  Well, I haven't actually started the packing process.

Red, white, blue-wednesday hodgepodge

1. How did you welcome the month of July, and tell us one fun thing you did to celebrate the 4th. (or the weekend for any non-USA residents playing along today)

I did a little cleaning to welcome July.  On the 4th, we grilled out and watched some neighbors set off fireworks.

On July 3rd, we went to listen to a band play 60's, 70's, and 80's music--Loved this group.  Later when the band finished playing, I watched the most spectacular fireworks show ever!

2. Right now..what's your favorite red thing? white thing? blue thing?

red shorts

so easy to haul grandkids in and my 'stuff'

This came in handy today!

3. Wave the white flag, raise a red flag, fly your freak flag...which 'flag' have you flown most recently? Explain. 

I am getting close to waving the white flag...I am treasurer of a festival in our town....(because the former one passed away unexpectedly).  I don't want to let the committee down but I am not really liking this at all!!

4. According to Cond Nast Traveler these are the seven best places to visit in July-

a boat safari in Botswanna's Okavango Delta, Riviera Maya Mexico (it's whale shark season and apparently you can swim with them), Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, Pamploma Spain, St. Petersburg Russia, the Fuji Rock Festival at Mount Naeba Japan, the Salzburg Festival in Salzburg Austria

If time and money weren't factors would you want to see any/all of these? Which would you most like to see and why? 

I would like to see St. Petersburg Russia.  While there I would attend an opera and ballet show.  Then I would love to see the Russian art.  When I taught World Geography, I loved teaching the unit on Russia.

5. Grilled cheese, pimento cheese, or mac and cheese...your favorite from the cheesy treats listed? 

6. What makes you sweat? 

7. Your favorite movie with a 'patriotic' theme of some sort?

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Ever wonder why some weeks there is nothing much going on and then WHAM!! in some weeks there isn't enough time to get all accomplished??!!