Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Did you set any goals for the new year this time last year? Did you meet them or miss the mark? Tell us more if you're comfortable sharing. 

Yes, I did and I was able to accomplish most of them.  I set a goal to put out a garden and get in touch more with mother nature and met this goal.  I loved working in the garden; a big stress reliever for me.  Another goal I set ,was to learn to really bite my tongue.  There were times when I messed up, but in the  full picture, I came a long way!!

2. What are three words that might describe the kind of person you were this past year or describe in some way how your life looked? 

My life looked: Fulfilling - I love spending time with grandsons and making precious memories,  Growth-I have learned this past year, I can experience joy and pain at the same time,  and Simple.

3. What's something new you ate, saw, heard, or experienced in 2022? What did you think? 

Something I experienced in 2022 and never want to experience it again is being in a tornado.  I was getting ready to return to school for an after school dance to celebrate the ending of the school year.  I was getting ready and my cousin (who also teaches at the school) called and told me a tornado was heading my way.  I quickly went and got my mother and we headed toward the basement.  I tried to call daughter, but no answer.  The wind was horrible and the sound of the wind was like a train upstairs. When it was over, which seemed like hours, but wasn't, I went upstairs and couldn't get my doors open.  It was awful!!  I finally was able  to talk to daughter and they had all went to the bathroom with pillows.  Never want to experience this again!

4.  Oxford Dictionary has announced it's word of the year for 2022, and it's this-goblin mode. Huh? Have you ever heard this phrase? Used this phrase? It's defined as "a type of behavior which is unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly, or greedy, typically in a way that rejects social norms or expectations." 

This year they allowed the public to choose amongst three finalists. You can read more about that here. 

If you were in charge, what word would you declare word of the year for 2022? 

I have never heard this phrase.  But I can see how this phrase did apply to many things that happened in 2022. 

The first words that came to my mind for 2022 was Baby Steps

5. Any special plans for an end of year celebration in your house or town? The travel channel says the world's best New Year's Eve celebrations will happen in Copacabana Beach-Rio de Janerio, the Orlando theme parks in Florida,  London, Sydney, New York's Time Square, Edinburgh Scotland, and Paris. If you could attend any one of these which would you choose? Tell us why? 

I am going out of town for New Year's Eve.                                                                                                                                                I would love to go to London for New Year's Eve. Hearing the chimes of Big Ben and seeing the fireworks welcoming in the new year would be marvelous!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

So glad the temps are getting above freezing!  Shew having temps of 0 or 1 degrees and wind chill factors as low as -20 is not for me.  

Happy New Year to all!!

A Hodgepodge Christmas

 

1. What does Christmas mean to you? 

A time to thank God for showing his great love for us. A celebration of God's ultimate gift.  Christmas is also spending time with family and showing gratitude to all.  

2. What's your favorite cozy holiday activity? 

A favorite cozy holiday activity I use to have was on Christmas Eve.  When the girls were younger, we traveled many places :church for Christmas Eve Communion,  great-grandparents' houses, grandparents' houses, aunts and uncles homes, and finally home.  After we had gotten the girls to bed and played Santa (which was in the wee hours of the morning), hub and I would just relax on the sofa as we reminisce about the evening and we both stared at the Christmas tree.  Hub and I would joke that we should probably go to bed since we knew in a few hours the girls would be coming downstairs! But we didn't!!  

3. Is all your shopping-wrapping-baking done? Tell us about your holiday plans. 

My shopping is complete, still have a few more gifts to wrap, and I usually don't do much baking.  My holiday plans are very simple, now.  I will attend Christmas Eve Communion Service and go to my aunt's house and then return home.  Christmas Day I will just go to daughter's house and see all the stuff Santa has brought the grandkids.

4. If you were Santa what treat would you like to have left for you (it doesn't have to be milk and cookies!) What sweet or savory treat do you most look forward to indulging in around the holidays? 

Christmas snack mix with vanilla almond bark, pretzels, and Chex rice cereal,  and M & M candy.

5. Next Wednesday is the first official day of winter (in the northern hemisphere). How does that make you feel? Tell us what you love most about winter? 

I am kinda ready for some winter---not the drastic temperature nor snow, but a little winter chill in the air.  What I love most about winter (besides when it is over  haha)  is watching it snow.  I do like watching it snow as I am cuddled up on the sofa reading a book. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. The Hodgepodge lands on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Have you visited the memorial? Any desire to do so? Have you visited other WW2 sites and memorials? Do you think we do a good job of teaching current and younger generations about the events of WW2? Do you think it matters? 

I have never been to the memorial, and yes I would love to.  I have visited other WW II memorials.

With all the curriculum changes and the banning of books, we do not do a very good job of teaching about the events of WW II and it definitely matters.  History does repeat itself.

2. Many books, both fiction and non-fiction have been written with WW2 as the setting. Is this a 'genre' you gravitate towards? Share with u10 s a book (or two) you've enjoyed that is set in some way around WW2. If you're not a reader, how about a movie? 

I gravitate toward this genre.  I am teaching the Diary of Anne Frank to my 8th grade students...the play form.  And this generation thinks they could overtake the Nazis and not let this happen to them.  For a project, I gave them a plastic bag and they were to pick  10 items that would fit into the bag and why if this was all they could bring with them they explain why they chose the 10 items. Tomorrow the students will present this project.

My favorite books for this genre that I have read are:  Night, All the Light We Cannot See, Unbroken, The Book Thief,  Then There was One, The Hiding Place.  

3. According to Better Homes and Gardens Magazine there are seven popular color trends for the holidays this year. They are- red and white, Victorian blue, pops of pink, rich shades of green, rainbow hues, black and white, and nostalgic retro colors. Are you 'trendy' when it comes to holiday decorating in 2022? How so? Does your tree have a 'theme'? 

Definitely not trendy in decorating in 2022.  I think I will call my tree  My Grandsons' Tree because they have decorated the tree and made home made ornaments to hang on the tree.

4. What's a current trend you buck? 

When someone says, "Happy Holidays," I respond "Merry Christmas."  I will not say Happy Holidays.

5. What's your favorite chocolate something? 

Weird ,but I prefer some type of chocolate candy bar mixed with nuts or coconut.  I am not a fan of chocolate cake (too chocolate) or brownies.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

After today there is 7 days left before our Christmas break and I am ready.

It seems like the Christmas Season is full of busyness and sometimes I know I get agitated with all the things that there is to do...but this isn't how it should be.

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Sum up your November in ten words or less. 

November's weather was one for the books! 70s /radiant sunshine.

2. Are you hosting any holiday parties this year? Attending any? Party pooper, party animal, or life of the party...where do you land when it comes to parties? 

I am not hosting a holiday party this year, don't know if I will be attending any. When it comes to parties, I am not a party pooper, but I wouldn't consider myself a party animal and I certainly am not  the life of a party.  Maybe somewhere in between cause I do enjoy going to a good party.

3. Do you purchase holiday clothing of any sort (sparkly tops, Christmas jammies, Santa suit, etc). 

Yes , just last week I bought a cute Santa Baby shirt that is gold sparkly.

4. What's your go-to recipe when you're asked to bring an hors d'oeuvre to a party? 

Fruit tray or vegetable tray...does this count as an hors d'oeuvre?

5. December 3rd is National Play Outside Day...what might you do to celebrate? 

I will have the twins and Blake this day.  If the weather is nice, I know we will be outside playing. The boys usually ride their truck/ El Toro, play hide-an-seek, or we have races.  

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

I had a great Thanksgiving.  I was at the church by 8am delivering my 5lbs of coleslaw then my sons-in-law came and we began delivering food. Our church delivered over 400 meals that day. 

My daughter and her family came around 4 that evening and we all ate around 6.  I forgot to take a single picture!!  and I am mad at myself for that!! AND I definitely overate; that is what my jeans are saying to me!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy the festivities of the Christmas Season!

Thankful for the Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Have you ever been on a cruise? If so where did you go and how did you like it? If not, do you have any desire to take a cruise someday? 

I have never been on a cruise.  This summer on my girls' trip, we all talked about going on a cruise for our next adventure.  I can't remember the destinations we all discussed.  So yes, I have a desire to go on a cruise. 

2. Tell us about your Thanksgiving plans...are you hosting? cooking? eating out? turkey or some other main? is it stuffing or dressing in your house? homemade cranberries or cranberries in a can? are pies on the dessert menu? what kind? what are your 'must have' sides? Tell us one thing you're especially grateful for this year.

My Thanksgiving plans are:  I will be preparing food to take to the church by 8am that morning 5lbs of coleslaw.  Around 10am I will meet back at the church, and my son-in-law and I will deliver food to needy families. This is something my family and I have been doing for at least 18 years.  

Then I will prepare dinner for my daughter and her family and my mom.  Daughter is bringing the turkey or ham and dressing, and I will be preparing the other items.  Most definitely a dessert but it will not be pumpkin pie!

I am so grateful for my little family and MY Friends.  My friends have been through hell with me!

3. If someone approaches you and asks for money do you give it to them? Do you drop money 'in a tin cup' that belongs to a person on the street? Do you have a specific charity you support during the holiday season and/or year round?

I usually give people money after being approached (I think it is because I am too scared not to especially when they bang on my car window.)  Where I live I haven't seen anyone with a tip cup on the street.  There are a few charities I donate to every year...St. Jude and Relay for Life.  This year I also sponsored a student who belongs to the Navagiators at her college.

4. Have you started decorating for Christmas? Is your tree up? Shopping done? Wrapped? 

No, I have not started decorating or buying gift for Christmas.  I like to take one holiday at a time.  The day after Thanksgiving I begin.

5. Create your own acrostic using the word THANKS. 

Thankful

Health

Adventure

Kids

Sunshine

 6.  Insert your own random thought here. 

I pray all stays healthy through the holiday season.  The tridamic has hit our little area and school system (over 200 students out daily with 20 teachers absence.)  The flu, strep-throat, and stomach viurs!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Last time you were 'dressed to the nines'? 

Probably 4 years ago at oldest daughter's wedding. 

2. Something recently that had you on 'cloud nine'? 

Getting hugs, kisses, and sayings "I love you" from these three boys!

3. Tell us about a time, circumstance, experience, or decision you made where the saying 'a stitch in time saves nine' proved true. 

I can't think of anything right now, but I am sure I have solved a problem before it became a bigger problem. (Surely I have in my 63 years!!) haha

4. A recipe you make that calls for exactly nine ingredients? 

As you all know, I planted a garden this year all by myself.  I truly enjoyed this!!  I made squash casserole from my squash!!  It calls for a little more than nine ingredients, but I don't count salt/pepper as an ingredient!!

5. This coming Friday is Veterans Day in the US of A. Will you mark the day in some way? Are you a veteran? If you live outside the US does your country have a day dedicated to celebrating veterans? 

I am not a Veteran.  Our school honors veterans with a special lunch, and my town honors veterans with a Veteran's Day celebration. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

This weather ya'll is AMAZING and I am lovin it!!  Temps in the middle 70s and the bright sunshine is fabulous!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. In two or three sentences describe yourself to someone who has never met you. 

You can hear Tammy coming because she walks or shall I say stomps; she is a loud walker and also a loud talker (but we won't mention that).  Tammy is also a person of very few words; she is blunt and to the point.  She enjoys having fun and hanging out with friends.

2. Will you celebrate Halloween this year, and if so tell us how? Let's play this or that-chocolate candy or fruity candy? pumpkin seeds or pumpkin pie? Halloween party or scary movie? hay ride or corn maze? carve a pumpkin or paint a pumpkin?

Yes, I will go to my son-in-law's house and help hand out candy.  There is usually a big crowd of children who come by.

Chocolate candy, pumpkin seeds, Halloween party, hay ride, and carve a pumpkin.

3. What's something that scared you when you were young? Are you still afraid? 

We lived very close to my father's parents.  I remember walking to their house after dark and screaming the ENTIRE way.  I think I was afraid of someone coming out of the bushes or just the dark; like I said we lived very close to each other. There might had been one house between us.

4. Your favorite soothing drink? 

A small glass of wine and then a glass of lemon water.

5. Are you thinking about Christmas yet? Does this make you feel happy or stressed? 

No!!  Christmas is such a sad time for me after losing my precious daughter.  Not only, is Christmas approaching but her birthday is right after Christmas and then she passed away in the early wee mornings January 1str. I am dreading the holidays, but I know I need to be there for other daughter and my precious grandsons.  I have found out that I can be happy and sad at the same time.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

October is such a pretty month.  Our trees in my little neck of the woods have really been beautiful.  But raking all the leaves is still a chore!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!  Have a happy and safe Halloween.

Not my picture...but this is how beautiful my scenery is.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What's something you wish you'd figured out sooner? 

That no matter how hard you try, somethings are better to let go.  AND to not feel bad about cutting people out of your life when they handed you the scissors.

2. Something from childhood you still enjoy today? 

Walking through leaves and with our colder temperatures I love going outside and smelling wood burning.

3. Are you a fidgeter? What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word fidget? 

Yes, especially when under stress or facing a stressful situation. When I hear the word fidget, the first thing I think of is I wish the popper was invented earlier!

4. Your favorite fall vegetable? How do you like it prepared? 

Turnips with cornbread.  I just put turnips on the stove with seasoning till they become soft. BTW I set out some turnips and now I need to ask someone how do you know when they are ready.

5. What's something you find mildly annoying, but not annoying enough to actually do anything about? Might you now? 

People wearing too much perfume that the perfume gives me a headache and just keeps lingering in the air. AND people who do not return their shopping carts correctly. I probably won't do anything about the perfume but I usually return the unreturned shopping cart with mine.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Grandsons decorated some pumpkins.

 AND....I am at a loss for words.  High School Homecoming was this past weekend and the shortness of the dresses....OH MY!  This is my cousin with his date.

Enjoy Life Ya'll!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Thursday (Oct 13) is National Train Your Brain Day. What do you do to keep your brain in tip top shape? Is it helping?

I try to read a lot and do puzzles.  I can't tell if it is helping or not; I still am so forgetful.  I want to get back to exercising, but am so tired in the evenings.

2. You can sit with anyone in the world and 'pick their brain'...whom do you choose? Tell us why? 

Well, I would sit and pick Mother Teresa's brain. (You didn't specify the person had to be living!). I would ask her about all her missionary work, what was it truly like living among the poor, how did she feel about winning the Nobel Peace Prize, going through war zones to help the needy.  She is a person I have always admired and looked up to. 

3. What's something happening in the world (or your corner of it) right now that you have trouble 'wrapping your brain around'? 

How on earth have we let our country come to this?  

4. On a scale of 1-10 where do you fall in the pumpkin fanclub? (1=blech, 10=make it all pumpkin all the time) Tell us something delicious you've tasted recently that had some pumpkin in it somewhere. 

Probably a 3.  I am not a huge fan of pumpkin maybe a piece of pumpkin bread.

5. Share a favorite song, book, or movie with an autumn title, setting, or vibe. 

"November Rain" by Guns & Roses was the first song that came to my mind.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Shew!!! A grueling few weeks.  We all have had COVID and daughter was here with me for 7 days with her boys.  I enjoyed their stay, but the little ones just wasn't up to par. Then last Friday, one of the twins, Liam ended up at Niswonger's Hospital in Johnson City and gave us a scare!  He had cellulitis in his eye and the infections was spreading rapidly.  Thankful the infection did not spread to his brain. I was going back and forth from keeping the other two boys and their dogs to heading to Johnson City...but grandchildren are worth it.  He was released from the hospital late Saturday night.  The other two boys were upset because Liam came home with a bag of toys and they wanted to go to the hospital!  I went Sunday after church and picked up some goodies for all three boys and dinner for their family.  I knew daughter was exhausted and she needed to get some rest. Liam is progressing well!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life

Keeping you posted

 

Keeping You Posted

 For two years we avoided it...two long, hard years.

September is a busy month for me.  Our community has had an Apple Festival for 68 years!  The only two year which we didn't celebrate the Apple Festival was in 2021!!  Our community was known for many apple orchards in the past. Hence, that is how the Apple Festival began.  The festival consists of many vendors (craft and food), a parade, a band competition, inside exhibits which consists of  awards given to Pre-K through 8th grade, 9-12th grade for their art, an adult art division, a baked good exhibits, a sewing exhibit, a canned food exhibit, an agrilcultural exhibit, a craft exhibit for Pre-K -12 th grade and for adults, a photography exhibit for 9-12th grade and for adults and a flower show exhibit.  I was chairperson of all the inside exhibits.  My work began in July preparing for this...counting ribbons to make sure there was enough for each award given to each category, getting judges, getting volunteers to walk around with the judges to place the ribbons on the exhibits, volunteers to help register the exhibits, and volunteers to sit and watch to make sure no one stole or damaged the exhibits. Isn't it a shame we live in a world where people want to steal or damage someone's hard work???  The festival is a three day event!

This year the festival was September 23rd -25th.  I began setting up the exhibits on Thursday in the library. Many of the committee members helped and we worked till past 7 that evening.  We were all so excited that the weather was going to be absolutely amazing....temps in the mid 70s.  You see, it is usually EXTREMELY hot or is is RAINING!  This year was going to be picture, weather perfect.

Friday morning, I was getting ready to go and meet the judges (I had a18 judges to judge the inside exhibits for each category and 2 people to walk around with each judge). My daughter calls me at 7:30 that morning telling me her hub is sick and she was coming and bringing grandsons to my house.  I usually keep the grandsons on Thursday and Friday, but daughter and hub knew well in advance this week I was unable to.  I left to meet all 54 people around 8:30.  The judging lasted a long time and I had given each judge and helper a gift for doing this for me.  I couldn't expect them to do this for nothing.  I was so pleased with the inside exhibits and how things were going smoothly.  

I pulled in the driveway and daughter and grandsons were outside playing.  I could tell daughter was upset so I knew her hub had been tested for COVID and was positive.  Daughter and her boys decided to stay with me to avoid getting sick.  That Friday night, her oldest boy started not feeling well, Saturday morning one of the twins was sick, and Saturday afternoon, the other twins was sick.  So the parade was watched through my house windows.  By Sunday, we all were feeling rough.  I had to scrounge around and find someone to distribute the ribbons to the winners and a bunch of other stuff that needed to be done to close out the inside exhibits.  Shew!!  it was stressful.  But you know what, it all worked out thanks to many people who came to my aid.

This was the first Apple Festival I had missed in 41 years.  I was a little 'sad' but things happen we can't control.  

But seeing the boys with their winning pumpkins and peppers made me smile.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Volume 478. Sounds like a lot. Where were you in 1978? If you weren't born where were you in 2008? 

I was in my 2nd year of college at East Tennessee State University...such fun times!

2. Raise your hand if you remember records playing at a speed of 78 rpm? What's a topic that when it comes up you 'sound like a broken record'? 

Teaching    So much is added to our plate nowadays and unless you are involved in education, it is hard to understand.  Just today, I read an email that said I was selected (by my principal and supervisor...Yeah, right??) to be on this committee which this committee is required to take an 18 hour course...  I told my colleague that I believe in democracy, and I had no idea what committee this was and I didn't want to be SELECTED!!

3. What's the last thing you recorded in some way? 

My grandsons playing and singing.

4. Thursday is the first day of fall (in the northern hemisphere). How do you feel about the changing seasons? Something you're looking forward to this fall? 

Fall is beautiful, but I know what comes next and this makes me sad...the dark evenings (before 5pm), the colder weather, and the snow.  

I am looking forward to seeing the beautiful trees changing their colors and I love college football.

5. In what way (or ways) are you like the apple that didn't 'fall far from the tree'? 

I have my own opinion but if you put up a great persuasive argument, I might change my mind.  My father not so much; he never changed his opinion no matter what.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

SHEW!!  I have been really busy this weekend.  This weekend is our community Apple Festival and I am the chairperson for ALL the inside exhibits: arts/crafts, (from Pre K -12th grade),  sewing, photography, agriculture, baked goods, canned goods. I have 18 judges coming on Friday at 9:00am to judge and then on Sunday afternoon the ribbons are given out.  This has been a huge undertaking.

I have also been glued to the TV watching the funeral of Queen Elizabeth.

Have a great rest of the week.  Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. What's something you've learned from a younger person? 

From my grandsons I have learned to laugh at my mistakes and to take the time to appreciate the 'small stuff'

From my students at school, I have learned a lot about technology!!

2. Are you a perfectionist? Elaborate? 

Yes, I try to be.  I want 'stuff' in order (towels must be folded a certain way, everything has a place and it must go there) and if having a gathering at my house, I want things PERFECT!  Which of course rarely happens because life isn't perfect.  As I am getting older, I am finding out who cares about the towels being folded a certain way; they are at least put away.

3. What makes you cringe? 

People who show no  respect, and people who think the world revolves around them.

4. September is National Honey month...do you have bees and make your own? Know someone who has bees and they share? Your favorite thing made with honey?

I do not have any bees. I used to know a fellow who had bees and made his own honey, but I don't keep in touch with him anymore.  Now, I purchase honey that is locally grown only 5 miles from where I live. I don't make anything with honey, but I love honey on a warm biscuit.

5. Where is your happy place? 

The beach is my happy place but since I do not live at the beach my second happy place is sitting on my porch reading (which with the cooler evenings,this is fading away).

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I have a funny story....Last week while I was keeping the grandsons, Blake (who is 4) came and told me I needed to see what his brothers (twins are 2) were doing and that I wasn't going to be happy.

The twins were in the sunroom and they had taken plants out of my pots and was throwing dirt in the floor and all over themselves.  No, I wasn't happy.  I scolded them and told the twins I was going to spank their behinds.  I began to vacuum up the dirt and try to savage my plants the best I could.  I yelled for the twins to come here which they replied "We are hiding."  I walked in the kitchen and they were standing against the wall with their hands over their face.  I told them I could see them and they replied, "You can't see us; we have our eyes closed."  Least to say after this I started laughing...so they got away with this incident this time!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Tell us a little bit about the best birthday you've ever had. 

Now that I am older, I think every trip around the sun is the best birthday ever!

2.  In what way(s) have you changed in the last five years? 

I have drastically changed.  I am more independent, not afraid to do things solo, learned to do 'man' stuff that I never thought about before, and learning to live by myself.  Life is certainly different and one thing I am still learning is it is okay to be lonely and not throw a pity party.

3. What's your favorite thing about the street on which you live? 

A helpful neighbor who lives up the street from me.

4. The Hodgepodge lands on National Beer Day...are you a beer drinker? What's a recipe you make that lists beer as one of the ingredients? If not beer, how about yeast?

I am a beer drinker and I like to eat candy (any kind) while sipping on a beer.  I don't have a recipe that uses beer as an ingredient but I remember when hub use to grill out he most of the time used beer on something.

5. As I grow older I would like to be a woman (or man, if there are any men in the HP today) who _______________________

kept the faith no matter what life threw at her.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Getting excited about watching college football.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. August 24th is National Waffle Day...what's something you've 'waffled' on recently? 

Here lately, it has been yard work.  Just can't decide what to do!

2. Do you like waffles? Make your own or 'leggo my Eggo? Any favorite toppings or add-ins? Waffles or pancakes-which do you prefer? 

I do not like waffles, Eggo or pancakes.  Just never have liked them.

3. Do you have any momentos from this summer (or past summers)? What do you do with them? 

Yes, a beach bag (with my name and the place I was staying) and a container that will hold a beverage and my cell phone.  These are definitely items I will use again.  But the best momentos from this summer, are my memories.

4. One thing you'd like to do before summer ends? 

Before the summer ends, I would like to take one more boat ride on the lake as the sun is setting.

5. Life is too short to___________________________________. 

Life is to short to obsesses about the future or past.  Enjoy the present...it matters. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Monday was daughter and hub's anniversary.  Her husband had planned a little get-a-way over the weekend.  He had rented a cabin, made reservations for dinner, and made reservations for a massage. Daughter had no idea about the plans.

I kept all three grandsons!!  I enjoyed every minute of this precious time, BUT I was exhausted on Sunday.  Keeping up with a 4 year old and two year old twins is not for the faint or weak!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. August is National Back To School Month...how does that make you feel? Share a back-to-school memory. 

Summer is over!!!  I started back to school on August 2nd and the students returned August 9th....WAY too early!!  Summer isn't over, but with the start of school most people think so.  Not me!!  I am still enjoying my summer.

A favorite back-to-school memory is my first day of high school and mKeey first day of teaching. Both were scary and exciting times.  I remember my mentor told me on that very first day of teaching what the goal was for that day....She said, we make sure all the students eat lunch and get on the right bus to go home!!  Wise words.

2. Something you've learned in 'the school of life'? 

Life is subjective and change is the only thing that is constant.

3. Three words to describe your current mood.

Overwhelmed, excited, and tired.

4. A summer food you've eaten too much of/are tired of? A summer food you haven't had enough of? 

I have eaten too much zucchini from my garden.  I was over flowing with zucchini and I learned how to fry zucchini, bake zucchini, freeze zucchini, make zucchini bread, and put zucchini in foods I would have never thought of.  I told people not to be surprised if they opened their car door and found zucchini there!

A summer food I haven't had enough of is home grown tomatoes.

5. What small stuff do you sweat that you know you shouldn't?

Keeping a clean house.  I pick up and do the everyday task but I sweat over not having my house spotless!!  I mean, who cares if my windows aren't spotless or there is a cobweb hanging off a light, no one but me!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We sure have had a lot of rain!!!  I am ready for some weeks of sunshine!

Driving Into the Hodgepodge

1. Last time you drove more than 100 miles from your home? Where did you go? 

Last December, I drove to see an ole friend from college.  I spent New Year's Eve with her and New Year's Day.  She lives in Roanoke and is a nurse.  We had gotten in touch with each other over the summer, she came to my house in October, and we made plans for me to spend New Year's Eve with her.  

2. Something that drives you batty? 

People who live in a fake  world....and people who share their dirty laundry.  I have Facebook , and I do look at Facebook and post some things.  But so many people paint this wonderful picture on facebook and live in this make believe world, but it isn't true. Maybe this is the only one people can cope with what is really going on in their lives.  Then you have people who air out their dirty laundry...oh my word...it drives me batty.  BUT then again, I have to choice to look at Facebook or not and so it is my fault this drives me batty.

3. Do you feel like you're 'on track'? For what? 

No!!  I had planned to do so much around the house over the summer and Nope haven't accomplished much and school starts in TWO weeks!  No way am I on track.

4. Your favorite car snack(s)? 

When youngest daughter played college basketball, there was a lot of traveling.  I always took apples, almonds, and carrots.  Something about the crunch was satisfying to me.  Hub would always pull into a fast food place and grab a burger and fries; I just couldn't eat all that grease, sit in a car for hours, and then have to sit and watch a basketball game.  Of course, at the game, I always got popcorn and candy.

5. Something you've done recently 'on the fly'? 

Only thing that comes to my mind is letting daughter cut my hair.  I haven't been able to make a hair appointment and my hair was getting on my nerves.  Last  Thursday, as a matter of fact, daughter asks if I want her to cut my hair which I quickly replied, "Sure." I had forgotten all about it till she came Friday to pick up the boys with her scissors and other stuff.  Now, my daughter is a DPT not a hairdresser!!!  I let her cut my hair and I must admit she did a good job!  She said she watched a lot of videos on You Tube and learned.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I have been freezing a lot of squash, zucchini, and zucchini bread...I am so glad I put out a little garden.  I have enjoyed working in my garden this summer maybe that is why I haven't accomplished my inside house projects.

My daughter has had some female problems and goes for more tests this morning.  Please whisper a prayer all will be okay. Thanks

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Do you like the beach? How far do you have to drive to get to the nearest beach? Your least favorite thing about the beach? Last beach trip you took? 

I like going to the beach; there is something with the ocean that makes me calm and at peace.  The closest beach is about 8 hrs away.  My least favorite is when the wind is blowing hard and the sand stings you.  Last year I went to the beach.

2. Are you known for making waves or are you more of a 'go along to get along' kind of person? Explain.

I am more of a 'go along to get along'.  When it comes to certain conversation topics, I usually keep quiet or just nod my head in agreement.  Same goes when with a group and trying to decide what to do or where to eat.

3. A favorite song that in some way references the beach? A favorite book and/or movie with a beach-y setting? 

Favorite song..."Under the Boardwalk" this song always reminds me of the beach. Book ..The Beach House  favorite movie...."Blue Lagoon".

4.Tuesday is National Simplicity Day...what's a simple pleasure you've enjoyed this week? What's something you could eliminate from your life to make things simpler? 

Getting harvest from my small garden!  Chasing and getting rid of groundhogs would make my life simpler.

5. What's something you love to do? Do you do it often? Why or why not? 

Love to read and travel.  I read often just about every day.  I don't get to travel as much as I would like because I don't like traveling solo.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Here lately, I feel like I am living in a rainforest.  It has rained for the past 7 days and trying to take care of my garden and lawn has been playing dodgeball with the rain/storms.

Have a great rest of the week!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. July 6th is National Fried Chicken Day...are you a fan? Do you make your own or have a favorite place to buy from? Do you own chickens? If not chicken what's your favorite fried food?

A fan of fried chicken!!  I have never made my own fried chicken.  

I do not own any chickens, but a lot of my friends do.

2.  What's something you're too chicken to try?

I am too chicken to go to a restaurant and eat dinner by myself.  Going Solo....I just don't know.

3. When did you last find yourself running around like a 'chicken with its head cut off'?

Here lately, it is been about every day. Just on example:  a couple of weeks ago I decided to buy the grandsons their own beds for my house.  Problem was all my bedrooms have beds (duh)!!  My cousin came over and said for me to sell the King Size bed (this was on a Tuesday) I haven't slept in that bed since my late hub died.  My cousin posted it on FB and by that evening it had sold! My daughter had found a bunk bed with twin beds.  Early Wednesday morning, the person came to get my King Size bed (shew!! tearing it down was a nightmare).  After he left, I went to daughter's house and we went to get the bedroom suit for my grandsons. Plus all the other stuff...bedding, pillows, rugs, etc.  Well, the bedroom suit wouldn't fit in her van.  We get to her lake house, I unloaded all the other stuff from her van, and loaded my car with it.  I was headed home when Keith (my late daughter's husband) called and he had found 7 totes of stuff that was mine.  He was bringing it to my house.  I got home unloaded the vehicle and my  had put full size stuff in the buggy and I needed twin size.  Keith came and I helped him unload his truck with my totes (SEVEN).  I asked Keith if he would mind taking me to the place where we had purchased the beds and I was going to return the bedding for the proper size.  He agreed and I am so glad no one was around because the bed stuff was long and I was in the back of his truck trying to make it fit!  We headed home and we opened the box and was carrying the pieces in; it was so heavy.  Finally, Kenneth (daughter's hub) came from work and we all began assembling the bed. I turn around and here is Emily with the three boys.  Well, you know how excited they were.  But, even though you read the directions stuff is hard to put together.  We ordered pizza for dinner and the boys wanted to spend the night in their new bed.  Another problem..I had no PJ's but I had undershirts but no night time diapers for the twins.  By this time it is almost 10pm. Now in my small town the only place that is open this late is a grocery store and it closes at 11pm. I rush to the store and buy night time diapers!!!  I was so tired...it was one thing after the other that day, but in the end it all turned out perfect.

 

4. Something you've done recently that makes you think 'I'm no spring chicken'? 

Tending to my garden, mowing, weed eating, baking 6 loaves of zucchini bread to freeze and cleaning windows in the same day....NEVER again...I was pooped!  My mind said I could, but my body felt the tiredness.

5. 'Winner winner chicken dinner'...tell us about something good that's happened in your life lately. 

I celebrated another trip around the sun on Sunday.  Everyday is a blessing.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Having all 3 boys spend the night was a blessing

I don't mind sharing my veggies with my neighbor but the groundhogs have got to go...caught 3

My birthday cake the boys got me.

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!