Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. April 22nd is Earth Day...what's the most 'out of this world' place on earth you've ever visited? Tell us something about it. 

A few years ago, I went with a couple of friends to Bath County for the weekend.  Bath County is not that far from Roanoke.  However, it took us four hours to get there.  To this day, I don't know how we did it, but somewhere along the way we took a very wrong turn.  We had no idea where we were except we were on a very narrow, curvy road. One girl in the car was getting car sick and the other three was about to go to the bathroom.  We kept driving and driving.  Not a house in sight or any type civilization!!  Finally, what we thought was a tool shed was actually a country store!!  The country store had concrete floors, two shelves with bread, crackers, and spam!!  I looked!!! and that was it!!  Trying to get directions or any type of information from the man behind the counter was like speaking a foreign language.  I guess the man (we called him grandpa) was getting just as irritated as we were and he decided to lock up his little establishment and he led us to a stop sign about 5 miles away.  Yay, Finally a paved road and we had GPS connection.  I forget to mention before seeing this little store or tool shed, we lost all internet service.  This was one of the 'out of this world' places I had ever traveled on.  The road was gravel and nothing in sight but mountains and mountains.  Never had I ever been so happy to see a paved road.  The girls and I still talk about this little trip and we have never figured out how we landed on this gravel, mountain road.

2. A favorite quote, verse, or song lyric with the word earth in it? 

"Salt of the Earth" by the Rolling Stones  This song is about the hard, working class people.

3. What's the most trivial thing about which you have a strong opinion? 

I have two!  I like pineapple on pizza and some people think this is a cardinal sin!!!  But I love it.

The second one will be toilet paper.  My daughter and I argue over this one.  Should it be over or under.  I go with over and she goes with under. We are both strong willed so this constantly a strong opinion when it comes to this.

4. What's your most commonly used kitchen utensil or tool? What's the last thing you made using that tool? 

Spatula   I fixed my dog a scrambled egg.

5. Marilyn (Memphis Bridges) gave me a great book of 3000 questions, and I'm going to try to use one in our Hodgepodge every week. Here is today's - 

What is your greatest extravagance? 

A ring.  When on the Disney Cruise, I fell in love with this beautiful bracelet.  The cost was 16,000  WOW!!  Everyday, I would go and look at the bracelet knowing there was no way I would pay that much.  AND everyday the sales lady was saying, 'Yes, you can Ms. Tamara."  Anyway, one evening as I was still gazing at this beautiful bracelet, the sales lady happened to mention there was a ring with the same pattern as the bracelet.  I couldn't resist....I bought the ring (not as much as the bracelet), but a little too pricey. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I just finished the book, Theo of Golden  by Allen Levi.   I highly recommend this book!!!  

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Big week in the US of A...do you do your own taxes? What's something you've found 'taxing' lately? 

I definitely do not do my own taxes!!! Something that I find taxing is all the paperwork special education teachers have to do.  SHEW!!!

2. When it comes to travel are you a last minute packer or a lay it all out a week in advance type? Do you struggle to pack light? Share a packing tip that has worked for you. 

I get all clothes out a week in advance.  Yes, I struggle to pack light.  I make a list of all the things I am going to pack, lay everything out, and then check off my list as I place the items in my suitcase. Of course, my list is usually started weeks before the trip!

3. April is National Grilled Cheese Month. Hmmm...who knew it got its own month? Do you like a grilled cheese sandwich? What ingredient do you add to take yours to the next level? 

I like a grilled cheese sandwich.  I do not add any extra ingredients to my grilled cheese.

4. There's a well known quote that says-

'A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for." John A. Shedd  

Is constant growth necessary or do you think it's more important to prioritize stability and peace in your life? 

I choose BOTH.  Constant growth prevents boredom, but too much constant growth can lead to stress. I think it is important (at my age) to continue growing and learning. 

On the other hand, stability and peace provides long term health and happiness. 

I think it is a balance of both.

5. Let's wrap this up with a fun spring this or that-

• daffodils or tulips
• lemonade or iced tea
• gardening or hiking
• ladybugs or butterflies 
• umbrella or raincoat
• floral patterns or polka dots

Tulips, iced tea, gardening, butterflies, raincoat, and polka dots.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A great Disney Cruise!!!  I don't know who had the most fun...the grandsons or me!!  

I came back to the real world with all this state required testing!!!

Have a great week and Enjoy Life! 

 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. It's officially spring in the northern hemisphere. Does it feel like spring in your part of the world? If you're in the southern hemisphere it's officially autumn where you live. Does the weather say autumn? Which do you prefer-spring or autumn? Why? 

This weekend in Farmville, it was more like summer.  The temps reached 88 degrees.  Sunday was a gorgeous day with 70s .  Monday morning when I left for school, the temp was around 65 degrees and when I walked out of the school building it was in the 40s...WOWZER!!! So yesterday, was kinda cool.

I prefer autumn.  Not only is autumn beautiful, but it gives me a cozy vibe.  A time to sit around the fire pit with a hoodie on. AND in autumn there isn't many bugs around!

2. What's your favorite thing about spring? 

Spring just gives me motivation to be productive.  I have a boast of energy (and I need it) in the spring.  I feel like the earth is waking up and me too!  Seeing the lush grass (but I dread mowing, but someone told me to think of it as getting my steps in), the flowers blooming, hearing the birds chirping, etc just gives me energy. I  am not a fan of the pollen that comes along with spring.

3. Spring into action, spring in your step, spring to life, spring to one's feet...which spring idiom currently applies to your life in some way? Explain.  

This past weekend it was definitely spring to life.  I was full of energy with the bright sunshine and warmer temperatures.  Keeping up with the grands next week, spring to life will probably most fitting.

4. Which spring food from this list is your favorite? What's a dish you like that includes your favorite spring ingredient? 

asparagus, strawberries, salad greens like mesclun, artichokes, spinach, eggs, peas, spring onions

My favorite spring food is salad greens like mesclun

5. What's one task on your spring cleaning list? Do you actually have a list? 

Currently, I do not have a written down list, but I do have a mental list.  My house needs a a really deep cleaning.  I usually won't do any deep cleaning till school is out for the summer. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I had a great time with some friends this weekend.  We went to Farmville for the weekend just to get a way for a few days.

The sky was gorgeous!

I love the reflection of the sky on the water.

I think I found a chair I could get my big, fat tush in.

I will be MIA for the next couple of weeks. I am taking grandsons on a Disney Cruise. We are flying to Orlando April 1st and boarding our ship April 2nd.  We will not be returning home till April 8th.  The grands are so excited (parents are too), but me a little apprehensive.

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. St. Patrick's Day lands on March 17th. Do you believe in luck? Are there things you do thinking they'll  bring good luck or  things you avoid because, they're considered bad luck? 

Not really, but I think luck is just random chances.  However, I do things to avoid bad luck such as:  if I enter one door I make sure to leave out of the same door, a black cat crossing in front of me ( usually put a X on the dashboard of my car), opening an umbrella in the house, are just a few I avoid.

2. Forest-lime-sage-mint-olive-emerald...what's your favorite shade of green? 

My favorite shade of green is olive.

3. In Ireland the meal on this day is often a hearty beef or lamb stew served with colcannon (mashed potato mixed with cabbage and leeks). In the US corned beef and cabbage is the more typical St. Patty's Day meal. Will you/did you mark the day with one of these dishes? Baked-fried-roasted-mashed...what's your favorite way to eat a potato?

Although, I do love corned beef and cabbage, I will not be having this on St. Patrick's Day.

My favorite way to eat a potato is baked and instead of butter, I put AI Sauce on it.

4. What color of the rainbow best represents your personality/mood today? Tell us why. 

Yellow   I try to be happy and positive each day.  I am a caring person and really care about others.  Also, I am usually cautious about some things. 

Yellow is the sunshine and I thrive when the sun is shining!

5. Which 'lucky' quote resonates with you. Elaborate. 

 'Luck is not something you can mention in the presence of self-made men.' E.B. White 

'Diligence is the mother of good luck." Benjamin Franklin 

'Luck is where opportunity meets preparation.' Seneca 

'Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect.' Ralph Waldo Emerson 

'Diligence is the mother of good luck."   Keep working hard and being prepared is the key to success.  Teachers are diligent when it comes to finding different approaches to teach students.  After many attempts at new strategies, finally the lightbulb goes off!!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

It has been a busy month.  I took the boys to Charlotte to see the Mavericks play.  Two of the grandsons love Cooper Flagg and the other one loves Kon Knueppel.  Of course, Flagg didn't play due to an injury.  The Hornets won so one grandson was happy.

We stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord.  The next day we played Putt-Putt, went to the water park, and bowled.  

The following weekend after the game, my oldest grandson played in a basketball tournament about 2 hours from my house.  BUT they won!!  I was inside a gym for over 8 hours!

Last Wednesday, we took our 8th graders to Pigeon Forge.  We always go on a Friday in December, but with all the snow, we had to reschedule and Wednesday was the last day to see the bald eagle, Lincoln, who flies into the NFL Eagle Stadium.

This is Lincoln with his trainer.  And yes, the trainer goes wherever he goes!

This coming weekend, we are finally being able to have our girls' weekend trip.  We have had to postpone twice due to weather.  Looking forward to seeing all the girls, relaxing, and winding down before heading out on the Disney Cruise with the grands the first of April!

Hoping all has a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. America celebrates turning 250 years old this year. Primary cities set to lead the celebrations on July 4th are Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington D.C. Other significant locations for celebrating will be Charleston SC and the 'historic triangle' which includes Jamestown-Willimasburg-Yorktown Virginia. 

Of the cities listed how many have you seen in person? Of the cities listed which would you most like to visit this year? Any plans to do so? What's one place in America you think everyone should see? If you're not American what's one place in the US you'd like to see? 

I haven't been to Philadelphia or Charleston, SC.  I would love to visit Charleston but not in my plans this year. 

I think everyone should visit Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. This 'historic triangle' is the origin of the US. In my county, every fourth grader, who wants to go, is taken to these cities for three nights and two days.   A lot of fund raising takes place for this to happen and many businesses donate money.  

2. Three sounds you love to hear? 

1.  A child's laughter

2. Mamaw!!

3. "I love you"

3. Three sounds you hate to hear? 

1. Mosquito or fly buzzing around

2. Someone chewing with their mouth open

3. Dentist drill ( I have an appointment Thursday)

4. February 24th is/was National Tortilla Chip Day.I Are you a fan? With salsa, guacamole, queso, or just plain please? Do you like nachos? With what on top? Is there anything (besides nachos) you make that calls for tortilla chips? 

Yes, a fan with the works!  Lover of nachos. I love chicken fajita nachos!

5. We Mar  ch into March with next week's Hodgepodge...what's one thing on your March calendar that makes you smile? 

I am taking grandsons to Charlotte to a professional basketball game.  They love Cooper Flagg, who played for Duke, and is playing for the Dallas Mavericks.  Also, my girls' trip is happening in March; we have had to reschedule twice due to weather.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Last week, the temps were in the low 60s, and I had spring fever.  THEN BAM!!!!  snow on Sunday, schools closed on Monday and yesterday we were on a 2hr delay.  We have missed 15 days this year.  We have a new superintendent who doesn't like remote learning days.  Right now, our last day is June 5th for students, and school starts back for teachers in July!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. The Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? Will you be giving something up or adding something to your life in this Lenten season? 

I have never marked Lent, BUT last night at my Bible Study Group we discussed this.  This year, I am giving up something for Lent; it is Facebook.  I first thought alcohol, I enjoy a glass of wine sometimes, but I thought this is't good enough because I don't drink daily.  However, late at night, I do check out Facebook.

2. Pancakes...are you a fan? Syrup or no syrup? Plain, blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas, or some other add in? Are pancakes on your menu this week? 

I am not a fan of pancakes.  Pancakes remind me of doughnuts and when I eat a pancake, it just kinda sits in my stomach, and I feel yucky.

3. Tell us about a time recently when you felt 'spread too thin'?

I guess it would have to be last Tuesday.  I was late getting home from school.  Daughter texted me at around 5pm and needed me to come to Abingdon to take the twins to basketball practice so she could take the oldest grandson to his practice.  I rushed around and did over the speed limit to get there and was only 5 minutes late.  My school is an hour away from her house, so I was really trucking down the interstate! They were waiting in the driveway for me.  Quickly hopping out of my car, I jumped in her van.  Daughter did ask if the keys were in my car, which I replied , "Yes."  My phone was on silent in my purse and when I arrived at the destination for the twins practice, I was putting her keys in my purse and say MY keys.  There was also seven missed calls from daughter and she was highly upset.  I returned her phone call, apologizing, and explaining I rushed there and had not turned my phone back on.  I guess I was spread a little too thin that evening.

4. What's your favorite jewel or gemstone? In terms of your wardrobe would we find more gem tones, pastels, black and white, or primary colors? 

I have many favorites...opal ( I have an opal ring that I love but someone told me it was bad luck to wear opal if my birthday was not in October), I like sapphires...Burmese Blue and Pastel Pink. 

My wardrobe consist of all!!!  

5. What responsibility do you think is hardest about being in charge? 

I don't like being in charge.  If I am in charge, then my decisions affect people. If something goes wrong, then it is my fault.  Since this question asked about a responsibility, if in charge that would be hard...to me that would be firing someone or having to let someone go.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

This week is turning out to be better than last week.  Tuesday was the key mix up (see answer #3), Wednesday I almost tore up my safe ( a long story), and Thursday I had water in my basement from a pipe that was on the Town's side and was finally fixed on Friday!!  I told my Bible Study Group that I must be living right because the devil was after me all last week.  AND I forgot to post my Wednesday Hodgepodge!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. The Winter Olympics kick off on Friday, February 6th...on a scale of 1-10 how excited are you? (1= eh and 10=watching every event all day every day). What's your favorite Winter Olympic sporting event? 

I enjoy watching the Winter Olympics.  I have a few favorites...Bobsleigh (this just amazes me how fast they go), Skiing (Freestyle), and my favorite is all of the Skating. 

2. In other sporting news, the Superbowl (American football's championship game) will be played on Sunday, February 8th. So tell us...what's your superpower?

Besides being able to shovel my driveway, I guess my superpower would have to be resilience and staying positive.  Some days are harder than others. 

3. Are you a romantic? 

Not really.  And with Valentine's Day approaching, I did not like for my late hub to shower me with gifts.  I always thought it 'not right' to just show me one one day of the year how much you love me.  I want you to show me you love me EVERYDAY!

But if you celebrate Valentine's Day, that is you...I don't want to rain on your parade. This is just me.

4. Blue cheese-yay or nay? How about feta? If you said yes to one or both, what's a dish you like that calls for one of these? 

I like both.  Mainly use blue-cheese on salads.  I make bake feta pasta without the shallot and in the summer I make watermelon feta .

5. What's more important-doing what you love or loving what you do? 

I think loving what you do is more important.  Loving what I do gives me motivation to do it, rather than dreading it.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Rain and warmer temps are on the way!!!  Yay!!!  Today is our first day back in school since January 23rd!

The snow was beautiful, BUT the ice caused a mess!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!