A-Z Challenge....D

 

D

Drinking Coffee

I have to admit, I am definitely not a morning person, I used to be but not anymore.  Smelling coffee brewing helps me to get out of bed.  That first sip puts a smile on my face!

Coffee is as much a part of my workday as my laptop or smartphone.  I remember when I first started teaching, coffee was a shared experience.  The main office in the school had a huge coffee pot where I would bump into colleagues as I was refilling my mug for the third or fourth time. We would share a smile.

I drink a lot of coffee.  I tell you this up front because I think I know the reasons why coffee puts a smile on my face.  Coffee increases my energy levels (not that I am lazy) but there are days when I am tired and I can’t be tired because of all the stuff I need to get done. Coffee does improve my brain function ( I read that somewhere, just can’t remember where lol).  No, it doesn’t make me smarter, but helps me to stay sharp and focus more. Maybe these are the reasons coffee brings a smile to my face.

C

Chocolate

Who doesn’t love chocolate?  We have secret pals at school, and I love seeing a container of chocolate in my mailbox!  

I am not a fan of dark chocolate, which I have heard and read that this is the best chocolate to eat.  But as for me I love the other chocolates…the high calorie ones!

Most of us, well I did, experienced the joy of getting a piece of candy as a kid.  Chocolate was a big treat for me.  Halloween candy was collected in my costume when my little pumpkin became full and chocolate Easter Bunnies I ate the ears first.  Chomping down on a piece of candy brings back some of those happy moments and, at least for a bit, makes me happy and I smile.  Just opening a chocolate wrapper and  smelling the chocolate  makes me smile.  Sometimes, that’s all it takes to tell me that everything is alright.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What's a talent you wish you had? 

I wish I could ice skate.  I love to watch ice skating, just their elegants and flow amazes me.

2. In one word, what's your state of mind right now? 

Right now, my state of mind is HAPPY.

3. What's the next major purchase you need to make? Will it happen this month? This year? 

I can't think of any major purchases I need to make.  Now, that I wrote that, my fingers are crossed that it holds true.

4. Tuesday (April 2nd) was National PB and J Day...did you celebrate? Is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich something you eat weekly or more? What's your favorite kind of jelly? 

Occasionally, I will eat a PB and J sandwich.  My  jelly depends on what I put jelly on.  If I put jelly on a sandwich, I like grape jelly, but if  put jelly on a biscuit I like strawberry or apple jelly.

5. Are you easily intimidated? Who or what intimidates you? 

I don't think I am easily intimidated.  What intimidates me the most is confrontations.  I like smooth sailing and I usually will not confront someone.   I just find it difficult to deal with conflict and just brush it off.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

These cuties spent the night with me on Thursday.

We colored eggs

I must have worn the twins out...they had a hard time staying awake.  

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

A-to-Z Challenge

 

B

Beer

I sit on my porch a lot and I mean a lot!!!  A porch is a place to connect with family.  It is just not a place to pass through.  

Before hub passed away, we always would sit on the porch, sometimes even when it was a little cold. In the spring, summer, and fall we always would sit on the porch and sip a beer. Now, I like my beer in a glass with ice.  After drinking the beer, I eat the ice.

I enjoy a beer while sitting on my porch.  This brings a smile to my face.  Drinking a beer is a relaxing escape from the day and I enjoy it. Sometimes a visitor would stop by and I would offer him a beer while we solved all the world's problems.  A beer can create friendships and funny stories.

Society is much more health focused these days so there is less pressure to drink.  But enjoying a beer by yourself or with friends is fine with me.

Maybe one day if you drive to my neck of the woods, you will definitely see me on my porch sipping an ice cold beer.

A- Z Challenge....A

I feel like our world keeps going topsy turvy and I won't to get off.  The news is full of sadness.  Bad ' happen to good people and we question 'why'?

I need some uplI ifting and if I take the time to look around, I can find them.

My theme for the 2024 A-to-Z Challenge is:  THINGS THAT MAKE ME SMILE

Some post will be short and that is okay with me. 

A

A Good Book

I enjoy reading.  Reading makes me smile.  I learn about myself and our world and far away places through reading a good book.  I think when I read a good book and other characters are facing or going through the same challenges as myself, I am able to identify with those characters.  This makes me know I am not facing or going through some challenges alone.  Sometimes I even feel better about my own life!

Reading a good book puts my brain into a pleasurable state.  Many people read to help them fall asleep but NOT ME.  Reading does not make me sleepy maybe because reading calms me down.

I do have a Kindle and I use it a lot, but I prefer to actually hold the book in my hands.  There is just something about holding a book and turning the pages that I like.

Of course, I have read some books that aren't good and I just try to finish the book thinking there has to be something good in here.  If not, I just say to myself, "Well, that was awful." 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1.What do you love about your life right now? 

I thank God everyday for giving me a new day.  I love spending time with my grandsons; there is nothing like it.  I love my job (part-time teaching), I love that I can do what I want to do! I love that it is almost getting time to plow my garden!

2. March 26th is National Spinach Day...are you a fan? If so, how do you like yours prepared/served? 

I like spinach on my salad, I like spinach dip but I have no idea how to prepare this dish!

3. In this current season would you say you need to spend more time looking inward or that you need to get out of your head? Tell us why. 

I spend more time looking inward. Looking inward is a tool I use to manage stress and helps me to understand myself better and see if I need to change. Looking inward helps me to recharge and be grateful for what I have.

But, on the other hand, I still have days when I need to get out of my head, which I need to stop.  I do have days/moments when I need to just let it go and quit trying to analyze everything!

4. Are you following the 'March Madness' madness? (That's US college basketball in case you're out of the loop) What's something that feels like actual madness to you right now? 

Yes!!  We have a friendly competition going between students and teachers in school.

What feels like actual madness?  Where do I start?  Wars, shootings, innocent babies being left alone while their mom is on vacation, hatred toward a religion, politics, etc.

I would love to wake up one morning and hear good stories happening in America!

5. How will you celebrate the Easter/Passover holiday this year? 

I will attend church service.  Later, take Easter gifts to grandsons and then just head on home.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I am ready for a short spring break and the students are too!!

Wishing all a Blessed Easter!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Spring is officially upon us, no matter what the weather may be in your neck of the woods. Is there any 'spring cleaning' on your to-do list? What's your most dreaded task? 

A chilly, cloudy spring day.  Definitely 'spring cleaning' is on my to-do list!!  I dread cleaning the blinds because I have great difficulty taking them down and putting them back up.

2. What's something many people seem to love, but to you feels like 'watching the grass grow'? 

Golf!  I have really tried to like this sport but I think t is the most boring sport ever!!

3. Mint grows in abundance during the spring season. Are you a fan? What's your favorite food with a 'minty' flavor? 

I am a fan of mint.  My favorite drinks would be Mint Julep and and fresh mint tea.  In the summer a cool refreshing food I make is watermelon salad with mint so refreshing.

4. It's been said, 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder.' Agree or disagree? Explain. 

Agree!!!  In romance and other situations, absence makes the heart grow fonder.  In romance, I think one appreciates the other partner more when not seeing each other every day.

From experience....My family moved back to Virginia after living in Baltimore, Maryland.  I missed my grandmother so much and couldn't wait to spend my summer with her.  I think one of the reasons absence make the heart grow fonder is I was never ready to leave and always wanted to come back.

5. Are there any festive spring events in your city or town? If so, will you take advantage of them? 

No, festive spring events in my town.

6. Insert  own random thought here.  

I had a visitor at school the other day.

These two leprechauns turned 4 on March 9th.

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!