Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Something that's had you 'chuffed to bits' recently? 

The Apple Festival!!!  Decorating the town is complete, the field is lined for all the vendors, people know what is expected of them ---which station to supervise, judges for beauty pageant is complete!!!!  

This huge task is coming together nicely!!

2. Tell us about an instance recently where you were tempted to 'throw a wobbly' (expression used to describe tantrums thrown, usually by adults or people who should know better) 

Just the other day when a sixth grader asked me for the 20th time something that I had already explained and given more than enough examples to complete the task!!!

3. Something everyone seems to love but is not your 'cuppa tea'? 

Starbucks.  Their coffee is just not my 'cuppa tea'.  I think it is too strong for me.

4. Fish and chips, bangers and mash, shepherd's pie, roast beef with Yorkshire pudding...which entree would you choose? Yes, you have to choose. 

Love me some fish and chips!!

5. Something you want for your birthday this year? 

My birthday was two months ago...just smooth sailing...no drama, no political controversy

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Finally, received some MUCH needed rain yesterday!!!  Many farmers are having to buy hay because of the drought we are experiencing.  For the first time in THREE years, I was unable to grow pumpkins for my grandsons because of the hot summer and drought! ugh!!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. When the Hodgepodge lands on September 11th I want to acknowledge that. Will you purposely pause to remember, pray, or attend any sort of ceremony on 9/11? Share any thoughts or memories you'd like to share about this day. 

I will most definitely pause and say a prayer.  No ceremonies happening in my area to remember September 11th, and this makes me sad.

I vividly remember this day.  I was at school and was having to go out of town that evening for a conference.  When I first heard of the attack, I was scared, furious, worried, and so sad.  All TVs were cut off in our classrooms (per principal).  This made me more apprehensive!!  Teachers were taking turns going to the teacher lounge to see what was going on.  My principal had us still go on our out of town conference.  Thankful, we had rooms because since all airports were shut down no one had a room.  All food places were closed.  The chaos in the hotel lobby was something I will never forget.  The night was so quiet and eerie.  

2. Growing up, did you spend a lot of time with your grandparents? What's something you learned from a grandparent? 

I spent a lot of time with my grandparents.  My father's mom and dad lived very close to us.  She was such a wise woman and a very Christian lady.  In the summer, I traveled to Baltimore to spend time with my mother's mother. 

I learned a lot from both.  From my dad's mom, I learned Christian values, to laugh at my mistakes, and to not gossip. I learned the history of my family and much emotional support.

From my mother's mom, I learned survival skills.  She would tell me about the Great Depression and how one needs to know what to do in case this happens again.

3. What's your go-to breakfast?

I do not eat breakfast; usually just coffee.  I could eat breakfast at 10am, that would make me happy!

4. Tell us the story behind one of your favorite photos. 

 

My lap and heart were full!!  With the 2020 scare, holding the twins and touching Blake was my favorite moment.

During the Coach against game, players chose a member to play for.  This young man chose my late husband.

My beautiful daughters.

5. This week Friday lands on the 13th. Are you superstitious in any way? Do you like scary movies, and if so what's your favorite? 

I am kinda superstitious....going in and out the same door, black cat crossing in front of me, breaking a mirror, etc. are just a few.  I use to like scary movies but living alone NOPE!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Monday was Grand Slam Lunch with your Grandparent at my grandson's school.  It was also bookfair!  Yep, who buys the grandparent.  I went and enjoyed lunch with Blake and of course spent some money on books!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Something you're working on currently? 

Currently working on two things right now!  One, I am trying to clean off my garden.  My garden didn't do so well in this summer with the heat and very little rain.  BUT, I can't control the weather.  Number Two...I am Vice-President of the Apple Festival.  This is a festival that happens at the end of September for three days!!  We have inside exhibits (flower show, baking, canning, art, and photography will be all inside), train rides, a parade, and 83 vendors!  It is a lot of work but is worth it.

2. Tell us something about your first job? Was it a positive or negative experience for you? Did your parents insist you work while in school (either high school or college) or did you work because you wanted to? 

My first job was working in a factory while in college.  It was an experience, believe me!!  I knew there was no way I wanted to do this type of work for the rest of my life.  My parents didn't really insist on me getting a job, but they recommended it.  It was neither too positive or negative....let me just say, I learned a lot!!

3. Have you ever had a job that required overnight travel? How did you feel about that? Have you ever had a job that required you to wear a uniform? Do you work better in the morning or at night? 

My job doesn't require overnight travel.  However, I have had to be a presenter at a Reading Conference.  This would require overnight travel.  I really didn't mind this because after the conference we would go out to eat and of course do some shopping.  The difficult part was sneaking stuff I had bought into the house!  Never had to wear an uniform at my job.  I am a little of both when it comes to working in the morning or night.  If I have had a really rough day, then there is no way I can work at night. I would set my alarm clock an hour early and finish my work then. 

4. What's something you bake or cook that is labor intensive? Is it worth it? 

I would say my apple dumplings.  Yes, it is worth it to me and to my family.

5. One thing you're looking forward to in the month of September? 

I have out of town guests (4 maybe 5 girls....two from Roanoke, one from Richmond, one from Boston and one from Bristol).  I can't wait!!  I am trying to prepare food needs and what nots.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

These cute three boys had a football game Saturday.  It was hot!!  AND they played at 1:00pm!!  My cousin's hub took them in his office to cool off and I followed!!  Why do they play in the hottest part of the day?  To me, they should play at 9:00am!!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. What is one cliche you think is nonsense? What's one you think holds truth? 

It goes without saying is one I think is nonsense.

Every cloud has a silver lining is one that holds truth.

2. What's the last thing you broke and how did it happen? 

No body parts, YET!!! I am so clumsy and with getting older, I am more clumsy than ever.

The last thing I broke was a picture frame.  Glass shattered everywhere and was a mess to clean up.

3. Are you a fan of s'mores? Have you had a s'more this summer? Last thing you ate that you wanted to ask for 's'more of'? 

I am a fan of s'mores but haven't had one this summer  :((

I had a meeting after school on Monday and didn't get home till 7:30!!  I was so hungry!  AND when I got home a package had arrived.  I had ordered the twins a grill with all the stuff.  There Were  34 pieces to assemble.  I cannot put stuff like this together even though I do read the directions.  A friend came and helped. He brought me a paw paw.  I have never eaten one.  It was delicious.  Maybe I was so hungry, I don't know, but boy I wished for s'more of them because it was close to 10pm when all was assembled.

4. A mode of transportation you've never tried? Will you someday? 

Traveling by train.  I would like to travel by train one day.

5. Believe it or not, next week's Hodgepodge lands in a brand new month. What's your happiest memory from the month we're bidding adieu? 

Seeing the fresh faces of my students.  AND a few of my previous 8th graders have e-mailed me saying how much they miss my class and are grateful for me making them write.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Seems like my little community can't get a break!  First, it was a policeman being shot and killed and NOW a prominent member of my community (Vice-Chairman of the School Board, President of the Touchdown Club, and a volunteer to many athletic events) has been arrested and charged by the FBI. Such a heart break for our community. I hope and pray the cliche doesn't hold true...Things come in THREES!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What's the last thing you completely overreacted to? 

I was in a tizzy yesterday.  I was working on some very important paperwork.  We have a computer system at school that I have to use.  The computer system will send a list of RED lines if something is not correct.  When I had gotten to the end, I had at least TEN Red lines showing.  I kept looking back and could not find my mistake.  I gave up and took the work home to complete. After THREE hours of working at home, I gave up again.  Those red lines wouldn't go away.  When I got to school yesterday, my level of tizzy was 100%.  The parents were coming in an hour, and I still couldn't find mistake!!  I asked a coworker and BAM!! she saw my mistake in less than TWO minutes.  I had put a comma instead of a decimal with a number!!  GEEZ!!!

2. Your top five snacks? 

Apple with peanut butter

Chips/dip

M & M's

Nabs (peanut butter crackers)

Pretzels

3. What smell always brings back some type of memory? Elaborate. 

The smell of rain.  We have had some rain lately.  I remember sitting on the front porch, in the summer, with my dad and hearing the rain come across the mountain.  I could smell the rain, an earthly smell, as  it hit the asphalt.  My dad and I had many conversations while sitting and smelling the rain.  I miss those days.

4. What's something you learned from the last book you read? 

The last book I read was, The Only One Left,  by Riley Sager. I guess I learned, that we all get accused of something we did not do.

5. What's the next thing on your to-buy list? Will you make that purchase before the end of the year? 

Nothing specific.  I had planned on buying some gravel (red rock) to put down a long my carport, but now that I am in school, I don't think I will.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My grandsons had their first flag football game on Saturday.  Let me just say, it was NOT flag football.  The other team tackled.  I was not a happy Mamaw!!!  My daughter kept telling me to quit yelling, but that did not stop me!  Flag football is flag football not tackle.  AND it was HOT!!! I was sweating in places, I never knew I could sweat.  My grandsons were running up and down the field and I know they were hot! Even though, they were keeping dehydrated, they were still hot!

The coaches did bring snacks and drinks after the game, and they all seemed to have enjoyed playing.

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1.What was the best (or one of the best) summers of your life? Tell us why. 

It would have to be in 1981.  That is the year hub and I were married and I was a June bride!  That first year had many ups and downs (just adjusting to one another) but it was the best summer EVER!

2. When you have a trip coming up do you make a list and check it twice to ensure you don't forget anything? Or are you a 'throw whatever you can think of into the suitcase at the last minute' kind of packer? When returning from a trip do you unpack immediately or leave the suitcase right where it lands? 

I am a make a list and check it twice person AND I still forget something!!  (blaming this on my age).  I immediately unpack when returning home.  The only time I didn't immediately unpack was when returning from Hawaii.  Left Hawaii at 3pm (their time), arrived in Texas around 7am, arrived in Atlanta around 10am.   My plane from Atlanta to Bristol was to take off at 12pm.  Well, that didn't happen.  My plane from Atlanta to Bristol didn't take off till 7pm!!  I arrived home around 9pm and was dog tired so the suitcases were left till the next morning!

3. What's your favorite food or beverage made with lemons? Is that a flavor you enjoy? 

I always have lemons in my water!   My favorite food would be lemon bars.  I enjoy lemons.

4. When was the last time you had to make lemonade out of lemons, figuratively speaking I mean? 

I am drawing a blank!!  ugh

5. Did you like school growing up? Why or why not? 

I did like school growing up.  My high school was small, and we were a close knit family.  A few of us have kept in touch over the years, and this is nice.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We had a tragedy in our community last Friday.  A sheriff officer had stopped a vehicle for speeding.  The citation was given, and the officer went back to his vehicle.  The person he had stopped starting blowing his horn, the officer thought something was the matter and he approached the man in the vehicle.  The man in the vehicle shot the officer and killed him.  I knew the officer.  He was only 28, married, and had three small children.  This officer was also the one who performed CPR on my daughter the night she passed away.

Hug your loved ones a little more tighter.

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life

Such a senseless act and a tragedy!  My heart hurts for this family.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. What's a task you do on a regular (or semi-regular basis) that feels like it should be an Olympic event? 

Cleaning windows and blinds!!  Now that school is in session...also who can hold the longest before going to the bathroom! haha

2. What's in the trunk of your car right now? 

I have my exercise mat, my weights I use for exercise, and a chair.

3. Summer foods vs. fall foods...which do you prefer? 

Would you rather-watermelon or caramel apple? iced coffee or pumpkin spiced latte? potato salad or sweet potato casserole? barbecued ribs or roast turkey? ice cream sandwich or apple pie? corn on the cob or candy corn? 

I prefer watermelon, pumpkin spiced latte, sweet potato casserole, barbecued ribs, ice cream sandwich, and corn on the cob. I guess I am a little of both summer and fall foods.

4. August 7th is National Lighthouse Day. Have you visited any lighthouses? Do you have a favorite? Is a lighthouse something you seek out if you're visiting an area known for theirs? 

I love lighthouses.  I have visited lighthouses in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia.  My favorite is Cape Hatteras in North Carolina. 

I do seek out lighthouses if visiting an area.

5. Light at the end of the tunnel, out like a light, give the green light, a lightbulb moment, in a new light, in the limelight...of the 'light' idioms listed which applies in some way to your life lately? Explain. 

I have two:  out like a light.  With the beginning of school, I have been working non-stop.  Then when I get home, I have stuff to do like mow, laundry, and working in my garden.  When I go to bed, I am out like a light.

Give the green light....school begins Thursday and I am ready!!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I was mowing on Monday after school.  I had planned on mowing and then work in my garden.  I have a huge yard!  Anyway, I had mowed part of the back yard (using my riding mower) and then I began my front yard, which I use a push lawnmower.  I just can't handle the riding mower on my front yard, because of all the landscaping hub had done.  After I was finished with the front yard, I proceeded to get back on the riding mower to finish the rest of the yard.  The mower wouldn't even crank!  I tried and tried.  I called hub's cousin (who is my lifesaver); he was out helping a friend and said he would be here when finished.  I did not want to wait!!  I called a friend who lives up above me, and he wasn't home.  I wanted to cry!!  I wanted to finish mowing so I could begin working in my garden.  Anyway hub's cousin came about an hour later.  He checked the battery...no problem.  He checked the fuse...no problem.  He sat on the mower AND I had forgotten to disengage the blades!!!  We both had a good laugh!!  He did tell me that I made life interesting sometimes!!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!