Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Four words that tell us something about your July?

I made the trip!!!

2. Four of your favorite summer foods?

Fresh vegetables, home-grown tomatoes, watermelon, and shrimp boil. I could live off of fresh vegetables -skip the meat- in the summer.

3. What were you doing at a quarter past four yesterday? 

Yesterday, was hot and humid.  After I completed some work around the house, I sat on my porch and read.

4. fore!, four letter word, four sheets to the wind, ten-four, 24/7, four eyes, these four walls....pick a 'four' phrase and tell us how you relate currently

Four letter word.  Today so many people are very laxed with their language.  Almost everywhere I go, I hear way too many four letter words and I cringe.  But what really upsets me is when a young child says these words and the parent's reaction/response is, "I have no idea where he/she picked that word up."  Yeah, right??? my thoughts exactly!

5. Something you own that is four years old? 

Luggage.   In 2019, I purchased a new set of luggage for my upcoming trip to Hawaii.  Everything else is way over four years old!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I am so glad I went and made the trip.  My late hub always drove on long trips and I just wasn't sure I could drive 8 hrs by myself.  Even though there were some hiccups (rainy days, a friend hit a concrete barrier in a parking garage, a friend hit the heat button instead of the AC button in the room, a friend got the scare of her life when a neighbor called saying her smoke alarm was going off at home (thankfully the breaker just needed adjusting) it was so good seeing/talking with friends.

Have a great rest of the week!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 1. Tell us about one small blessing you have counted in the past week? 

Charlie's dear cousin, Ricky.  He checks on me just to see if I need anything.  He volunteered to be at my house on Monday as I was getting a carport installed.  Well, the guys never showed up.  Ricky called them and was back at my house on Tuesday just to make sure the installation was done correctly.  He is truly a blessing to me everyday and I tell him I wouldn't know what I would do ,if not for him. 

2. Bastille Day is celebrated on July 14th...have you ever been to France? Any desire to visit or re-visit, and if so what site or city would you most want to see? (pretend for a minute international travel isn't an issue) 

I have never been to France and would love to visit someday.  The first site I would visit would be the Louvre Museum.

3. A food associated with France that you love? 

Chocolate E'clair!

4. Something you recently purchased where a coupon was involved? Do you regularly shop with coupons? 

I rarely shop with coupons; I use to though when the girls were younger and when I kept the grandkids.

The last purchase I made with a coupon was last month for my mother.  She wanted  something from Hardees and I used her coupon. 

Many, many years ago I attended a class on how to coupon.  I even purchased a notebook and had my sheets labeled....household items, frozen foods, toiletries, snacks,etc.  It was time consuming until I got the hang of it.  When the girls went off to college, this went by the wayside.

5. You have to give something away this week...what will it be? 

My nerves!!  I am going to go on this girls' adventure trip.  A little nervous about driving because I am so geographically challenged....turn left from the GPS but I turn right!!  It is so me and I am driving!!  A little nervous but I want to do this.

Since we have to give something away this week, any encouraging words are welcome!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

A few of us have been meeting at my local park around 7:15am to walk.  For the past few weeks we have noticed a creepy fellow sitting in his vehicle.  He just sits there and he is till sitting in his vehicle an hour later when we finish.  I don't know, there might not been anything to it,but it just gives me the creeps.

The other morning I was walking by myself and ran into a former teacher.  He told me not to go across the bridge (bridge goes to the other side of the park) because he had run into a couple of homeless people asleep on the bridge.  I told him I wasn't planning on going across the bridge since I was by myself.  Things are not the same as they were a few years ago, that is for sure. Maybe this is why I am nervous about my upcoming trip???

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. July 5th is National Hawaii Day...have you ever been to Hawaii? Any desire to visit or make a return trip? Pineapple, mango, or guava...what's your pleasure? 

Went to Hawaii in 2019 and most definitely would love a return trip.  I stayed on the island of Maui and the sunsets are absolutely breathtaking.  Seven days wasn't long enough!!

Pineapple  my pleasure and just finished some for breakfast yesterday morning.  Hawaii has the best tasting Pineapples!!!

2. Last time you were 'thrown in at the deep end'? Explain. 

For the past three years I have been 'thrown in at the deep end'.  With hubs death, I was responsible for the business end of the pharmacy (which I knew very little about), house repairs, vehicle upkeeps, and some financial stuff. And then with the death of my daughter, who was the pharmacist, learning to sell the business.  Shew! I have learned a lot and I am still learning and it can be so overwhelming. 

3. Sun, sea, sand, salt...your favorite when it comes to summer? 

How about the ocean with the sand in my toes.  There is just something so calming and relaxing about it.

4. Bury your head in the sand, the sands of time, draw a line in the sand, pound sand, shifting sands...pick one and tell us how the phrase currently relates to your life in some way.

Draw a line in the sand....I tried and let it happened again to me.  Then I cried and cried.  Even with family, I must guard my heart because it is just too painful.

5. On a scale of 1-10 (1 = make your own rules and 10=like a warden), how strict were your parents? If you're a parent where on the scale do you land? 

Gosh this is a tough one maybe a 6.  My parents were strict but not too strict. but I respected their rules and I knew the consequences of my rule breaking, but then again, I didn't want to disrespect my parents.  Today, I think there are many who don't care to disrespect their parents or hurt them.  No matter when their parents try to help them or what their parents try to tell them they still show disrespect.  It is just a different world now then when I was growing up.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

I need to quit being in contact (family ) with someone who isn't good for my mental health.  I was adjusting pretty good to a certain situation (still hurt) but let the person back in and helped this person tremendously.  Only to find out I was their work slave.  So my weekend was not the best...too much crying.  I learned a lesson... a hard lesson. Just guard my heart and keep my distance. 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 1. It's been said the best things in life are free...are they? What are some of those things? 

Friends , grandkids, and nature.

2. Stars or stripes? Red, white, or blue? Apple pie or home made ice cream? Do you like hotdogs? If so, what do you like on yours? 

Stars, Red, Apple pie, on my hotdogs I prefer chili, onions, mustard, and relish.

3. One thing on your summer bucket list? Any plans to make it happen soon? 

A trip with some college friends....Yes, so far this is happening.

4. What's your summer anthem? Yes, you need to have one. 

"Summer Breeze"

5. What's something you love about America? If you live outside of America, tell us something you love about the place you call home. 

We still try to help ....when the going gets tough we are there to lend a hand, our diverse culture, and sports.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I will be celebrating my birthday Saturday....I was almost a firecracker!

Have a great rest of the week! and Happy Fourth of July!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. What's something that reminds you of your grandmother? Tell us why. 

Perfume...I was in a store the other day and I was walking down an aisle, I smelled my grandmother. I smelled the perfume my grandmother use to wear...a perfume from Avon, like honey suckle.

2. Is your life currently more 'moonlight and roses' or a little more 'every rose has it's thorn'? Elaborate. 

Every rose has it's thorns...no one is perfect and we all have some flaws.  I just need to look over some of the flaws and see the beauty more.

3. June 23rd is National Pink Day...favorite thing you own in any shade of pink? Favorite thing found in nature in any shade of pink? Your favorite pink food or beverage? Your favorite shade of pink? 

Pink shirt and shoes, favorite thing found in nature besides a pink rose would be a pink sunset (which is rare here lately), food would be salmon and drink would be Rose'.  Hot pink is my favorite color. Just some other information....Pink was my late hub's favorite color and he even had a pink class ring!

4. Last thing that had you 'tickled pink'? 

My 3 year old grandson spent his first night with me on Monday!

5. What are two or three words that describe your style. 

Simple, Laid-back, and Relaxed

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The twins had early check-ups on Tuesday and daughter asked me if Blake (3yr old) could spend the night so they wouldn't have to get him up so early. They now live an hour away from their pediatrician.  I use to keep Blake but he has NEVER spent the night and being around children I know when it gets dark they are ready to go home. I was leery that he would want to go home BUT he had a BLAST!!  Blake reminds me so much of my precious daughter, Amanda.  His personality and attitude is so thoughtful and sweet.  My heart was bursting!! I took a ton of pictures but don't know how to download them on my Macbook.:(

The twins check-ups went well!!  Praise God! 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Something you've seen recently that's 'cuter than a June bug'?

I saw my three grandkids yesterday.  Shocker and Suprised! It would have been a year next month since they were at my house last.  Lots of hugs, kisses, hugs, kisses.  I was too busy soaking in all the love to snap a picture, but I have the picture engraved in my mind.

2. Tell us something about where you were and what you were doing in June of 1988? If you weren't born yet, June of 1998. Or if that doesn't work, June of 2008. 

June 1988, I was raising my six month old daughter and probably trying to  get my house organized, which we had built and moved into in October 1987 prior to daughter's birth December 1987. 

3. A place in your home or outdoor space where you feel 'snug as a bug in a rug'? 

In my recliner in the den.  

4. June is National Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Month. Do you normally get your 4-5 servings each day? What's a favorite summer dish you make/serve/like to be served-ha! made with one of your favorite summer fruits. A favorite summer dish made with a favorite summer veg? How do you feel about cooking in the summer months? 

Probably don't get the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. 

Favorite fruit salad, I use peaches, blueberries, cherry tomatoes, apples, pineapples, pears, (any fruit I have on hand) cut it all up and add 1/4 cup of white balsamic vinegar....stir and Enjoy!

Favorite summer veggie: broccoli  with dressing.  Just pop the broccoli in the over for about 20 min till slightly brown then I make my own dressing to pour over the broccoli.  Dressing olive oil, honey, garlic powder, red wine vinegar, oregano, and dijon mustard.  I don't really measure anything out (YIKES!) maybe use a teaspoon or 2 of each and about 1/4 cup of the red wine vinegar and olive oil.  So yummy!

Not much of a cooking anytime of the year.  But in the summer, my late hub always grilled out and I miss this!

5. Do you have a summer reading list? If so share a title or two we can add to our own. 

I have read a few books so far.  The Star and the Shamrock, Secret Child, When Never Comes these are good and easy reads. I don't really have a reading list mainly just scam and see what interests me.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I have been toying with the idea of purchasing a new vehicle.  A few weeks ago, I bit the bullet.  I traded in my 8 passenger van and sold hub's truck (this was hard for me to part with).  It is only me and keeping two vehicles up plus paying taxes wasn't worth it.  I purchased a 2021 CRV-AWD Honda this was all the vehicle I needed.  Really suprised very little new vehicles on the car lots the salesperson said it was because of not getting the chips for the cars.

AND Friday, I was pulling some weeds around my house. I looked up and came face to face with a black snake.  I didn't scream but slowly walked back in the house and called my cousin who took care of it for me.  Probably about 15 inches long.  SHEW!! Later that afternoon, I purchased bags of Snake Away and put this all around my house.

Have a great rest of the week.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. We're approaching Memorial Day Weekend in the US of A...will you mark this in some way? If so tell us how. According to a list found here some things you might do in honor of Memorial Day would be-shop in a Veteran owned business, learn to play a patriotic song, watch the Memorial Day concert, take a virtual tour of the White House, write a letter to a soldier or a soldier's family, fly a flag, attend a Memorial Day parade, donate flowers for a soldier's grave, put together a care package for a soldier, and take a moment of silence at 3 PM (the National Moment of Remembrance)....of the ideas mentioned are there any you will try? 

My flag will be flown and a moment of silence at 3pm will be observed.  No other plans for Memorial Day Weekend.

2. What's something recently that made you 'come to attention'? 

I have attended many high school sports games in my lifetime.  I have NEVER, NEVER, NEVER heard a parent yell a derogatory comment to a player who is a teammate to her son!!!  The comment was so rude and loud one could hear a pin drop in the stands.  WOW!  

It has come to my attention there are so many rude parents setting examples at high school sporting events.(smh)

3. In what area of your life do you need to 'soldier on'? 

I 'soldier on' daily by just facing everyday,  having the strength to smile ,and having what it takes to handle the day.

4. As a long weekend approaches and summer draws near, what's a favorite food from your childhood you think about adding to the menu? 

Popsicles and cold fried chicken.  I remember sitting in a swing on my grandmother's porch eating cold fried chicken; nothing fancy to eat with the chicken just chowing down on some cold, fried chicken.

Also, we owned a farm but dad wouldn't live on it.  So in the summer after putting up bales of hay, my grandmother always had a refrigerator full of popsicles.  I haven't eaten a popsicle in ages!!  They were so refreshing.  With temps soaring in the high 80s today and tomorrow, that frozen treat might be on menu tonight.

5. Your favorite patriotic movie? 

Born on the Fourth of July

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My cousin had his prom last Saturday.  Due to COVID, it wasn't a school sponsored event; parents' sponsored.  Happy, that the kids got to enjoy a night of dress-up, dancing, eating, and making memories.  I had to chuckle when I heard parents complaining about how tired they were afterwards. 

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend!