'Fallin' into the Hodgepodge

1. It's fall y'all! Officially that is and in the northern hemisphere only, so if you're visiting from down under happy spring! Does it feel like fall where you live? Does it look like fall aka are the leaves beginning to Orange change? What is your favorite fall color? Scent? Flavor? 

It hasn't felt like fall with temps in the high 80s BUT a change is supposed to be coming this weekend with much cooler weather and rain moving in. The leaves have not started changing.  Orange and gold tones are my favorite color.  My favorite fall scent would be a bonfire, and favorite flavor would be apple cinnamon.

2. What's something you're not? 

I am not technology enhanced person.  Quick as I learn a part of technology and become confident BAM it is changed.  I find the older I get, I just like sticking to my ole ways of doing things and the gadgets they have on new vehicles now a days...that is a different story!

3. Share a favorite quote related to fall and tell us why it's a favorite. 

"I loved Autumn, the one season of the year that God seemed to have put there just for the beauty of it." Lee Maynard

Fall is beautiful time of the year with all the trees changing colors. And we just need to enjoy the beauty and embrace it because we know what follows fall.

4. Besides Thanksgiving, what's your favorite fall meal? 

Homemade soups and chili

5. Share a favorite photo you took last fall? 

The boys were growing.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

It has been a busy week so far and it is only Wednesday.  Looking forward to the Apple Festival and the cooler temps this weekend.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. How would you define 'old'? At what age is someone old? 

Old is no longer young!  I am no longer young because I have lived longer than I am going to live.  

100 years old is old to me.

2. A place you've been that's old? Tell us something about your visit there. 

Hub and I use to go to Backbone Rock.  It is, I think, the shortest tunnel in the world.  There are steps one may climb up and walk across the tunnel as you see the highway below. 

On the other side of the tunnel is a creek and picnic shelters.  It was beautiful in the fall.

3. Something you miss about the 'good old days'? When were they anyway? 

Kindness and Respect!  People were always willing to lend a helping hand.  I still see of this today, but not as much.  Respect---Oh Man! if you weren't respectful, you were put in your place real fast.  Of course there were a few, in the minority, who wasn't respectful BUT the majority was respectful.

The 'good old days' I would have to say the late 70s and early 80s.

4. In what way are you a 'chip off the old block'? Or if you'd rather, in what way is your child a 'chip off the old block'? 

I have been compared to my dad...saying I was a 'chip off the old block'.  Having his demeanor and his work ethic.  

I need to add, my youngest daughter is a 'chip off the old block' she definitely has my short fuse and can pout for days!

5. Old fashioned, Old Testament, old timer, same old same old, old glory, good old boy, old wives tale...choose an 'old' phrase that relates to something in your life or the wider world currently and explain. 

Old wives tale....According to my bean count, we will have 22 snows because this is the number of fogs we had in August, bees coming up out of the ground means a cold winter, and the corn shucks are tough this year which means a hard winter  When I tell the younger teachers this, they just look at me like I am crazy.  We will see if my old wives tales, that I have heard for many years, is true.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Having a busy week...This is Homecoming Week for the school I am currently teaching out.  Dress up days every day, Homecoming Parade Thursday, and the ballgame Friday night...plus I have church activities going on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

Next week starts Apple Festival Week!  This is something my town has done for over 50+ years, many crafts, vendors, decorating our town, a parade, a 5K, and band competition.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Something you've done recently that required you giving 110% ?

I would have to say going back to teaching part-time after retiring is requiring me to give 110%.  I arrive early, stay late, bring papers home to work on, and I am helping a new teacher who is in my field...I hope she doesn't regret her major...but we have both had some real 'eye openers' this past week which was only yesterday!

2. What task-sport-chore-hobby-activity have you participated in or completed, that if judged, would land you a perfect 10?  

Being a Mamaw!

3. What are ten of your favorite things right now? 

1.  Seeing grandkids

2. Being able to attend outings with family...birthday celebrations, cookouts

3.  Attending church service in person

4. Seeing young adults at schools with friends and enjoying themselves

5. Enjoying less humidity

6. Attending high school football games

7.  Watching college football games on television

8.  Drinking iced coffee

9.  Packing backpacks (full of food)for kids less fortunate...packed over 360 last week

10. Teaching and learning new things

5. Where were you when the world stopped turning, twenty years ago this week? 

I was at school and was having to leave at lunch for a conference out of town.  I just knew I wouldn't have to go, BUT I did.  Thankful, I had reservations at the hotel because so many people were stranded from the airport.  I remember the sky being so eeie feeling....no sound at all and all the restaurants around the airport had closed so the snack machine was my food source.  The next day at the conference, the topic was not on Reading but on what had happened in New York.  I was so glad to get home and just hug my daughters.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Something funny...Last Thursday, I had my mom calling me and my aunt.  Well, I hadn't checked my voice mailbox in forever and it was full.  They both became worried because I wasn't answering my phone.  I also had a message from our youth minister, which I hadn't replied.  My aunt called my minister and asked him if he would come by and check on me.  I was at the CAR WASH having my my car cleaned and vacuumed.  I didn't hear the phone ringing. I was totally surprised and shocked when I got home and had realized my messages!!  Lord, they had a tribe looking for me. Glad to know I have people who care!!!  Since then, I double check my voice mailbox!!

Have a great rest of the week!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. As we begin this brand new month tell us, on a scale of 1-10, where does your life fall in terms of being in 'apple pie order'? Please elaborate. (1=nowhere near it, 10=practically perfect in every way)

Before the start of school my life WAS a 9!  I had stuff in 'apple pie' order.  Now, that I am back to teaching (only part-time) it is a 3, IF THAT!  I just don't know where the time goes when I get home in the evenings and I have been pretty tired trying to get back in the swing so stuff keeps getting put off.

2. An apple a day keeps the doctor away...are you doing your part? Red or green? Sweet or tart? Ever played the game Apples to Apples? Do you like apple pie? If so, ala mode or just gimme the pie? 

Green apples  Granny Smith especially.  Just about every other night I have an apple as a snack with a dip I found with only 3 ingredients:  1 carton of vanilla Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup of peanut butter  and 3 tablespoons of honey and then just mix!!  It is delicious.

Never played nor have I heard of the game Apples to Apples.  Just gimme the apple pie.

3. Tell us about a time recently where you 'upset the apple cart' or the last time someone 'upset your apple cart'? 

My apple cart was upset the beginning of August and it was my fault!  I had planned a week in Pigeon Forge the first week of August with my aunt.  I could have sworn that teachers would return to school on August 10th.  BUT I was completely wrong!!  Teachers had to return August 3rd!!  My aunt and I spent one day and one night in Pigeon Forge not 6 nights!!  I was so upset with myself!

4. What are three words that come to mind when you think of September? 

Football (love watching college football not so much pros), Apple Festival (crossing fingers the governor still allows us to continue with this tradition) and beautiful (the trees begin changing colors)

5. What are you most looking forward to this month? 

Cooler weather....at least in the low 80s!  This 90+ weather with the high humidity that takes one breath away quick as you step outside is not for me.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Had to have a mammogram last Thursday (ugh) so I made the trip to see grandsons.  I don't know who was happier me or them...probably me!  Blake, who is 3, is into Toy Story so I had bought him a Buzz Light Year (which daughter has said he takes him everywhere) and the twins, who are 17 months old, I had purchased books and puzzles and picture cards! Plus I had bought them some clothes.  I just can't go visit without taking them something.  They are growing up too fast and tickle me too death with their vocabulary and questions. 

Blake is too shy to have his picture taken.  These twins are a mess!

I went to watch my cousin play in his football game last Saturday evening.  He is a senior this year and it felt good being back to some normalcy (course I really don't know what that really feels like ).  With all that has been happening in the world lately, felt good to laugh, yell, and clap!