Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. 'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.' How does this saying ring true in your own family, either the one you grew up in or the one you made? 

My youngest daughter is like me when it comes to sports.  I would get so loud (Obnoxious)  when daughter played basketball.  My youngest daughter is just like me when watching her boys play sports.  A referee asked daughter if I was fed gun powder because I stayed on the referees/umpires the entire game. Not only would I be loud, but I would get so nervous before her games and so is daughter.  Funny is daughter says she never thought she would be so loud like me.  

But...I am not loud when the Grandboys play sports maybe it is because daughter drowns me out!

2. Something you're nuts about these days? How about something that's driving you nuts? 

I am nuts about my grandsons!!  

The state of Virginia is driving me nuts when it comes to education.  In the state of Virginia, students are required to take the Standards of Learning (SOL) Test and they must pass a certain amount in order to receive a diploma.  The cutoff score is 400, 500 is advanced and 600 is a perfect score.  Well, the state has decided to up the 400 score!!!  I am livid!!  As a teacher, I am working my behind off !!  So many students cannot read and do basic math, so not only am I teaching my grade level the curriculum set forth by the state but I am also teaching below grade level content.  And so many students come from low income families and fend for themselves when

 they get home.  I can go on and on and on....but need to stop.

3. What does abundance mean to you? 

Abundance means to me, focusing on what I have and expressing gratitude for all I have. Abundance doesn't necessarily mean money (but money is nice) but also friends, health, and generosity. I love my friends (and some friends are closer than other) and enjoy their company.  I am so grateful for my health.  So many people my age are having health problems.  I still enjoy mowing (I push mow a lot) and exercising.  My garden did well this year; I was able to give some vegetables away.  

Abundance doesn't have to always mean financial status, but other things as well.

Pretty soon I will have an abundance of leaves!!!!  but I need to keep being thankful I still have my health to take care of all the leaves that will be falling.

4. Caramel apple-caramel cake-caramel corn-caramel sundae-caramel macchiatto...what's your caramel treat of choice? 

Caramel macchiato please.  I have always had my coffee just plain/black.  Here lately, I have been adding caramel macchiato and it is so good.

5. What's a childhood memory that always comes to mind as the leaves start to fall? 

I didn't have any large trees in my yard growing up, so I missed out on jumping in a pile of leaves.

I remember going to pick up walnuts that had fallen.  We would put them in a sack and then run over the sack with a car.  I can still hear the crunch. Our hands were jet black when we finished hulling the walnuts.  But the conversations around this was so memorable.  We actually talked about life and had a few laughs.  Sometimes my grandfather would build a fire, and we would sit outside hulling the walnuts. 

6. Insert. your own random thought here. 

I am still in shock!!!  Back in the summer, I cancelled my Comcast subscription that included over 150 channels.  I am not much a TV person; I enjoy reading, and besides there isn't many TV shows worth interesting.  I have a fire stick and watch other 'stuff'.  Anyway, I packaged up all the equipment and sent it by UPS.  This was the first of August.  Yesterday, I get this huge bill in my box, yep, from Comcast!!  Quick as I got home Tuesday, I gave them a call.  I was expecting to keep repeating representative/agent to the voice recording, but I didn't.  I began loading the dishwasher while I was on hold because I just knew I would be on hold for an hour or so.  Nope, the agent was right on the phone after about 5 minutes.  I explained the situation to her and told her I had the receipt when I shipped it all UPS and would gladly give her the tracking number.  This was necessary and after about 20 minutes, the bill was wiped clean.  I asked for an email and a text confirming this because you just don't know.  This was the first time I didn't have to wait an hour or be on the phone with a representative/agent for an hour or longer!  So happy for me.

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!