Enjoy Life

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Wednesday Hodgepodge

. It's National Popcorn Day-my favorite! Are you a fan? Sweet or salty? A good or great movie you've seen recently (at home or in a theater, either one)?

A huge fan of popcorn--not sweet or salty-just plain popcorn with a dab of butter. When youngest daughter played basketball, I jokingly told people we were on a popcorn diet because by the time we arrived home from the game it would be 10 0'clock and there was no way I was cooking at this hour. So hub and I ate tons of popcorn for dinner!

I haven't been to the movies since 2019 (not mentioning why...ya'll know) and I can't think of a good movie I have watched at home. But, yesterday I watched the series 13 Reasons Why on Netflix and had some popcorn.

2. What's something you didn't realize was going to take so much of your time as an adult?

Even though I live by myself now, I still try to figure this out. It was much harder when all the family was here.

3. Your favorite yellow something?

The sunflower was my daughter's favorite flower and the ones she used for her wedding. She use to tell me that a sunflower represents positivity (I have no clue if this is true).

4. Why do you write?

To improve my brain function (ha!) Writing has been an outlet for me to be able to express my feelings. After writing I am somewhat happier.

5. Share a favorite memory associated with snow.

Sledding at night with a big fire. A group of kids from my neighborhood, would go sledding at night. We always built a fire on the other side of the hill (adults would supervise). Such fun times.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

This little cutie turned FOUR on Saturday. His birthday plans had to be cancelled due to the weather. He came to my house on Friday (and was supposed to spend the night...ugh) but his secret surprise that Mom and Dad had planned was moved up a day (due to weather). I was able to give him his birthday present early (Monster Remote Truck) and we had a 'little' party with these delicious cookies.

He was a little sad when he had to leave...and I didn't want to ruin his surprise, so I told a little white lie (that is okay when you don't want to ruin a surprise for grandson). His parents had bought tickets to take him to a Monster Truck Event in Greensboro. And yes, by the pics daughter sent me later, his eyes were smiling.

Plans changed but Grandson was so happy!

Have a great day! and stay warm!

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What do you wish you'd done more of last year? Less of?

First thing I thought of was Listening. I wish I would have really listened, I mean really, truly listen to others.

Less of would be talking...Open mouth and insert Foot...this happened a lot to me.

2. What's the tallest building you've ever been in? Do you have a fear of heights?

Empire State Building I have some fear of heights if I am on a ride, but otherwise heights don't bother me.

3. Do you have a word for the year? Elaborate if you'd like to elaborate.

I have a word for the year....EMBRACE. I have made 62 trips around the sun and I want to embrace what time I have left.

4. January 11 is National Milk Day...are you a milk drinker? What kind? Your favorite recipe that calls for milk (cereal doesn't count)?

I am not a fan of milk at all. Favorite recipe that calls for milk is mac and cheese.

5. What excites you most about the future? What do you miss about the past?

What excites me about the future is having something to look forward to (trips, meeting friends, etc) Embrace and Shake off the Fear.

What I miss about the past is family gatherings and just talking (No cell phones) allowed.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Our school system was on a 2hr delay on Monday because of black ice. I didn't hear my phone buzz for the message. I get up and drive to school and the parking lot is DESERTED. I called a friend to see what was going on...that is when I learned about the 2hr delay. I was the joke of the school until I told them I knew we were on a 2hr delay; I was just an overachiever!!!

This little guy turns 4 on Saturday. He is the sweetest boy and is so caring and helpful. I have told my youngest daughter that he reminds me so much of my precious Amanda with his sweet and caring disposition.

Have a great rest of the week. Shucks...wouldn't let me post pictures!

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

My last blog for 2021...A new word for 2022

With being back in school, going to basketball games, and spending time with grandsons I haven't had much time to blog EXCEPT for the Wednesday Hodgepodge, thank you Joyce Daley for bringing this back.

As the year is coming to a close, I began thinking about my WORD for 2022. I use to set resolutions but always ended up breaking them within a week. This breaking of resolutions caused me to change my thinking and begin to think of a WORD for a year. A word to help me focus on the positive and guide me through decisions I might need to make. A word that was a gentle reminder for me to stay the course. I even told my close friends my WORD and they often would remind me when I began to vent and rage about a situation.

Last year before choosing my word, I reflected on the past year. I chose the word, RELEASE for my word of the year. I wanted to release disappointment, anger, bitterness, control, and drama. We all experience these in our life. I was wasting my time on dwelling on disappointments (especially in people); I needed to let go of the disappointment and celebrate life. Anger/bitterness was draining my energy. I was reliving my past and being so angry/bitter. Because I was reliving my past, I wasn't enjoying the present. We all love some type of drama...tv shows are full of drama. But I needed to block out all the drama and begin living right now. I wanted people to change and I had to learn no matter how hard I tried, some people will never change. Many situations are beyond my control and I had to accept that. ONLY Prayer can change people/circumstances.

Like I mentioned earlier, I told my friends my word that I had chosen. Many times I would call my friends and they would help me through a circumstance....I would pray over a picture, cry, yell, and cry some more. BUT my world Release always came to my mind. Without question, I have learned to release. When something happens (it always will) I just say Release and my feelings disappear. Letting some things roll off your back is healthy for you.

With all this being said, My WORD for 2022 is EMBRACE.

I want to embrace others to be successful, embrace differences, embrace something new, embrace new learning, ...and whatever else I can think of. I have made 62 trips around the sun. Some years have been heartbreaking, but the majority of my years have been happy. I want to embrace what time I have left.

EMBRACE 2022!

So until next time...Keep on Keepin On and Enjoy Life (which is my blog title!)

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Thank you Joyce for picking the Wednesday Hodgepodge back up. If you want to join, just hop on over.

1. How young is young? In the past, according to various organizations who decide these things, age 60 was the 'border age' to old. The World Health Organization has done new research recently and divided up the categories as-0-17 (underage), 18-65 (youth or young people), 66-79 (middle-aged), 80-99 (elderly senior), 100+ (long-lived elderly). Your thoughts on this particular breakdown, and also your thoughts as to where you land?

Personally, I like the new breakdown...I am still in the youth/young people category!! I need to remind my body of this...lol

2. TIME magazine has declared Elon Musk person of the year in 2021. What say you? If you want to know more about how they choose you'll find that info in the link here. If you were choosing, who would be your person of the year?

Really had a hard time with this one...maybe because I quit watching the dreadful news. If I had to choose a person, it would be a group of people; volunteers (whether serving in soup kitchens, helping the elderly during the pandemic, packing backpacks full of food for students who attend school). Volunteers who are in it for the OUTCOME and not the INCOME.

3. I read here ten habits of extremely likable people which include-they greet the world with a smile on their face, they ask questions, they're consistent, they put the phone away, they remember names and use them, they keep an open mind and don't pass judgement, they're authentic, they're kind and generous, accountable for their mistakes, and they send thank you notes.

So, are you likable-lol? Which one of these habits could use some further developing in your own life? What is one habit/quality you'd add to the list?

Somewhat likable. Unquestionably I could work on remembering names more (I can't blame it on age anymore since I am now in the category of youth/young people lol) and to quit passing judgement. When I begin to pass judgement, I remember the words of my oldest, precious daughter who would often remind me. "Mom just because someone is kinda hateful or looks like they hate the world, you don't know the news that person has received or what is going on in their life at the moment." Daughter #1 had a way of putting me in my place real fast.

4. One non-holiday related task/job/goal/dream on your to-do list that you hope/plan to make happen before the new year rolls in?

Drawing a blank.... Daughter #2 birthday is December 26 so maybe trying to get her a special birthday present.

5. Share with us some of your holiday plans.

My holiday plans is attend church on Christmas Eve then I usually go to my aunt's house afterwards. I really don't know what plans I will have, if any on Christmas Day. I am waiting on daughter #2 to tell me what they will be doing.

For New Year's Eve, I plan on being out of town and spending New Year's Eve with friends. I don't want to be by myself on this date.

So, I will just wait and see.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Took a short trip to Georgia this past weekend. Met some old college friends. The weather was rainy, windy,and storming but that didn't put a damper on our trip.

Took in some beautiful sights.