Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Wednesday Hodgepodge

From this Side of the Pond

1. What kind of thinker are you-doer concrete thinking) analyst (analytical and abstract thinking), orator (logical thinking) inventor (imaginative thinking) or original thinker (creative)? What makes you say so? You can try this little quiz (link here) to help with your answer. 

According to the little quiz I am a doer and an original thinker both were 50%.  I do think in practical terms and I like to try and look at ideas and problems through different perspectives. My lowest score was analyst thinker which is so true. I do not like to think in abstract terms nor do I process information through codes.

2. Do you own a crock pot, air fryer, and/or instapot? Do you leave said small appliance sitting out? How often do you use it/them? Favorite thing to make in one of these? 

I do own a crock pot and an air fryer.  I leave my air fryer sitting out. I use my air fryer the most especially with the grandkids; a quick easy way to fix something for them.  My favorite thing to make in the air fryer is bacon and fresh veggies.

3. What's something you hold a strong opinion on that matters not at all in the grand scheme of things? 

I still believe that Pluto is a planet even though science is saying otherwise.

4. Describe the view from your window. 

A heavy frost is on the ground this morning.  The grass is shining.  The sky is so blue and cloudless.  The sun is shining brightly.  There are many broken tree limbs in my yard from the harsh wind a couple of days ago, and I still see patches of brown spots, but the grass is starting to turn green.

5. Do you have a favorite brand? Explain.

When wearing jeans, I love Judy Blue Jeans.  These jeans are so comfortable. I wear a lot of leggings to school and my brand is lularoe; I won't wear anything else.

These are the only two brands that I won't budge from other than that I am pretty flexible with the other brands of clothing, shoes, and accessories.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

I went on a short trip with four other girls this weekend.  First stop was Roanoke where I stayed with an ole college friend.  Four of us left from her apartment and the other friend traveled from Richmond.  We went to Luray, Virginia.  They were calling for snow and we were all so excited.

This is all the snow we saw the next morning. ugh

We went shopping, visited an art museum, ate, played games till the wee hours of the morning, and ate so much snacks and had some beverages.  It was so nice to just get a way for a few days to enjoy each other's company.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 



From this Side of the Pond

1. What does love mean to you? 

Love is thinking more of someone else (your partner) more than yourself.  It is supporting one another, encouraging one another, respecting one another, communicating with one another (no texting) and giving and taking.  

I know I might ruffle some feathers, but I never thought marriage was 50/50.  There were some days I needed more than 50 and other days where I needed only 10.

2. Is love blind? 

Yes, I think so.  If you truly love someone, you can look over some of that person's abnormal traits.  You can turn a blind eye to them.

3. How do you remember Valentine's Day as a kid? Do you have any special plans for the day this year? 

I remember in elementary school making my own Valentine's Day mailbox.  It was made out of a Kleenex by box and decorated with all the glitter and stickers.  Each classmate would drop a card in each other's mailbox.
My precious daddy would get me a box of candy.

This year I will be by myself so no plans.

4 Are you a fan of the movie genre known as 'rom-com'? What's your favorite (or one of your favorites)?

Some romantic comedy movies I like.  If I had to pick a favorite, it would be How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.  The humor is witty and I like Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey.

5. What's something you recently put your heart into? 

Traveling to basketball games to watch my grandson, Nate (the only time I can see him).  Traveling to high school sporting events has been something I can say I have put my heart into.  Yes, my daughter played, but hub was living at the time.  There were 20 games this year, and some of the places I had never heard of.  Also, the games were mostly quad games...which started at 4 with JV girls, 5 with JV boys (the one grandson played), 6:15 with Varsity girls and 7:45 with Varsity boys.  It took a lot of planning trying to get to his games at 5.  Often I was blocked in and had to sit through the entire quad games.  Getting home at 10:30, starving, and then grading papers, and getting ready for the next school day was difficult. But I did it!! and put my heart into every game!

6. Insert your own random thought here.  



Last night was the final night.  They won the Junior Varsity Championship Game!  WooHoo!!!!

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 



From this Side of the Pond

1. Something you've waited for recently? 

Honestly, can't think of anything.

2. What's something you loved to do as a child? 

I loved playing with Barbies and playing outside games such as Mother May I, Red Light/Green Light, and Red Rover.

3. Something you learned from a grandparent? 

God comes first and to make a difference in humanity.

4. The most visited cities in the world last year (according to this site) were-Bangkok, Paris, London, Dubai, and Singapore. Have you been to any of the cities mentioned? Which would you most like to see? How do you feel about international travel in general these days? 

I have not been to any of these cities.  If I had to choose one to visit, it would definitely be London.  I would love to see Shakespeare Globe Theater, Westminster Abbey, and the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace.

I am a little leary about international travel.

5. February is the perfect month to ______________________.

Plan your summer trips!!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A couple of weeks ago, I broke a tooth off.  I went to the dentist this morning and now scheduled to go back FOUR times for a root canal and a crown.  GEEZ!!!  I am not going to mention the price that would be a double GEEZ!!  Anyway, I like my dentist and have going to him for years and he knows a lot about my family and stuff.  This morning he mentioned to me that I look very tired...Yep, I am.  I was gone to basketball games on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday evening till 10:00p. and at a basketball game on Saturday morning at 9.am.  Thursday, I went to my exercise class...so I am still a little drained.  Quick as I got in the car, I started looking at myself in the mirror and wondering was he trying to be nice and saying I look tired or do I look awful!!  To me, I look the same as always!

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


Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 


From this Side of the Pond

1. January 29th is National Puzzle Day. Do you enjoy puzzles? What kind (crossword, jigsaw, sudoku, etc)?  How often do you work a puzzle? 

No!!!  I can't sit still long enough to work puzzles of any kind.  They get on my nerves!! However, my two grandsons love puzzles and figuring out the pieces.  I am so proud of them.

2. Something you currently find 'puzzling'? 

I find it puzzling how someone can treat a family member like he/she doesn't exist.  Especially, when that person has bent over backwards to help them anyway he/she could.  This is just so puzzling to me. 

I was at a ballgame last night.  A person walked right by her mother, wouldn't even sit with her but chose to sit with someone else!  This is just so puzzling to me.

3. What's your go-to dish to take to someone who needs a meal (new baby, bereavement, etc)? 

Spaghetti or lasagna with a salad, bread, and a dessert for a new baby.

When there is a death in a family, I usually take a lot of paper products...paper plates, napkins, paper towels, utensils.  There is usually so much food; I think paper products would be more useful.


4. Do you watch any HGTV and/or The Food Network? If so, what's your favorite program there? 

No, I do not watch any of these programs.

5.  Wrap up your January in five words, with a five word phrase, or with a five word sentence. 

January is 75 days long!


6. Insert your own random thought here. 

January is over!!!  Shew, it has been a long month.   I haven't been home much.  Going to basketball games three/four times a week and teaching is keeping me busy.


Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Wednesday Hodgepodge



From this Side of the Pond

1. Do you have a word for the year (WOTY)? If so, and you'd like to share, please share. How do you decide on a word? If you don't have a word are you still on the hunt for one for 2024? 

Yes, I have a word for the year.  My word is BOUNDARIES.  I need to set boundaries for my life; sometimes I let people take advantage of me and I need to stop.  My close friends always know my WOTY and when I speak to them about a situation they always say to me to remember my WOTY.

2. January 23rd is National Pie Day...will you celebrate? Do you like pie? What's your favorite? 

NO, I will not celebrate.  I will eat a lot of popcorn, though.  We have basketball games started today at 4 and I probably won't get home till 9:30 so I will stuff my face with popcorn.

I like pie, and my favorite is pecan.

3. Tipping. What are your thoughts, expectations, as to who, when where? Do you appreciate a store/restaurant giving a 'suggested amount'? Have you ever left an extravagant tip? 

It depends...sometimes the service is horrible and I really don't appreciate a 'suggested amount'.  I have heard so please if anyone else has heard this let me know...Not to put your tip on your credit card to do your tipping the ole fashion way and leave it on the table because the waiter/waitress doesn't really get the full amount.

4. Share with us one household 'tip' that works for you. 

I try to do a little bit each day that way it doesn't all seem like you spend an entire day cleaning.

5. Influencers on social media are people who've built a reputation for their knowledge and expertise on a particular subject. Do you follow any influencers online? Have you made a purchase or tried something new because of that 'influence'? If there's one you particularly enjoy tell us who they are and why you enjoy them. 

No, I do not follow any influencers online.

If TikTok counts, I have purchased something and it is to arrive this week so who knows!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

After having over a week off from school due to having seven inches of school and single digit temps, yesterday was our first day back.  Shew!!  it was like starting over after Christmas.  I was glad and the students were kinda happy to be back in a routine.



Meet Bentley!  He is a Yorkie Poo.

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 



From this Side of the Pond

1. What's a change you'd like or need to make this year? 

To stop criticizing myself so much.  At least, quit calling myself 'stupid' when I do something.  

2. Break the ice, on thin ice, ice skating, tip of the iceberg, ice cold...which icy idiom applies to your life right now? Explain. 

Right now, the only one that applies to me is 'break the ice'   I try to make all feel comfortable around me when hosting an event.  


3. What's a project you've been putting off? Will you get to it this month? This year?

I really need to tackle some landscaping this year.  I put it off last year, but I have to get it done this summer.

4. Of the fruits that grow well in winter which ones have you tried? Which is your favorite? 

pomegranates, clementines, persimmons, passion fruit, pears, grapefruit, lemons, pomelos, kumquats


Grapefruit, pears, lemons, passion fruit, clementines.   My favorite is clementines


5. What do you think it means to be courageous? 

To me, courageous is stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new despite the anxiety you are feeling.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Getting back into the swing of things now that my break is over.  I am adjusting.

Daughter and hub (plus 3 kids and 2 dogs) purchased a house and will sign January 15th.  They had originally wanted to build (September started the process with blueprints, etc) and as of December hadn't even started.  So they purchased a 5,000 sq.ft house.  

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Wednesday Hodgepodge



TheFrom this Side of the Pond

1. Every January 1st since 1976 Lake Superior University has published a list of words they'd like to see banished from the Queen's English. Words may be banished due to misuse, overuse or just general uselessness (go here to read more about how the words were chosen). Here are the words/phrases they'd like to see banished in 2024-

hack, impact, at the end of the day, rizz, slay, iconic, cringe worthy, obsessed, side hustle, wait for it

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Are any of these a regular part of your speech? Is there a word not on the list that you'd like to add? 

The phrase I would like to see banished is 'wait for it'.   

I do use the word 'obsessed' quite often and I am really not that obsessed over it.

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

Set boundaries.  I don't want to sound like a push-over, but I was kinda this last year.  I am  very accommodating, but I don't need to go to the extreme and be miserable.

I wish I would have done less of  night time eating!!

3. A place you'd like to visit in this new year? Do you think you will? 

Technically, not a place BUT my friends and I are thinking about taking a cruise this year.  I have never been on a cruise before so hoping this will happen.

4.What are three words to sum up or describe your 2023? 

An interesting year!


5. What advice would you like to give yourself as we begin a new year? 

To stay true to your 2024 word!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Enjoyed spending the New Year with some friends.
Wishing All a Blessed, Happy New Year!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What kind of thinker are you-doer concrete thinking) analyst (analytical and abstract thinking), orator (logical thinking) inventor (imag...