Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

Thank you, Joyce for the questions.  

1. Boo, boo-hoo, make a boo-boo, boo(ze)...pick one and tell us how it relates to life lately. 

Boo-hoo every since January 1, 2020....all down hill since then.

2. Do you like the color orange? Would we find this color in your home? Your wardrobe? Peach-pumpkin-tangeringe...your favorite shade of the three listed? 

I like the color orange.  The only time you find this color in my home is in the fall. My wardrobe...Yes! My school colors are black and orange.

My favorite shade would be peach.

3. October 28th is National Chocolate Day. What's the last chocolate something you tasted? On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being out of this world delicious, how would you rate it? 

Snickers bar with almonds....a 10 of course.

4. Life is like a box of chocolates or so says Forrest Gump's mama. Would you agree? Aside from the pandemic fallout tell us one way this saying has played out in your life. 

Agree because one never knows what is in store.  January 1, 2020 @ 3:30am....my world was shattered.  I had spend the entire day on December 31st with daughter and had called her twice that evening. The last phone call was at 10:40pm that evening and then at 3:30am the next morning the police was knocking on my door.

"Her absence is like the sky, spread over everything." C.S. Lewis

5. As October winds down tell us three things you loved about the month we're bidding adieu. 

Beautiful scenery....the trees have been beautiful this year.

Smell of chimney fires although haven't smelled many this year because we are still experiencing warm weather.

Watching football

Seeing students back in the brick and mortar building on Monday!

6.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Part of the students came back on Monday (hybrid schedule).  I don't know who was happier the teachers or the students.  It was a smooth day as well as Tuesday when the other half returned.  There are students who have chosen to remain virtual so teaching virtual and in person was a little bit challenging.  

I hope the video plays finger crossed!  This new blogger, I am not a fan of!! ugh!

Keep on keepin on and Enjoy Life

6.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Just your weekly mid-week reminder that it's fall y'all and it's my favorite. I love nearly all the flavors of fall but let's weigh in with an either or today...pumpkin or cranberry? hot apple cider or pumpkin spice latte? cinammon or maple? apple or pear? ginger or sage? carrot or butternut squash? Yes you have to choose. What's a favorite dish made with one of the flavors listed here? 

I dislike cooking!  One day I will write a post about all my mishaps in the kitchen.  A teacher had found a journal of my late daughter, Amanda, and she had written about one of my mishaps!!  Oh Lord, the teacher couldn't believe it, but it was all true.  With that ....I would have to choose hot apple cider. I would buy the cider, pre-bottled of course, heat it up and add a garnish of cinnamon stick. ta da!

2. Do you miss traveling? In this season of almost no travel do you think you've grown anxious or fearful about traveling again? Or has all this staying home not going anywhere made you restless to get out and see the world? What book have you read or what movie have you watched that has inspired you to travel? 

I miss traveling.  I will fess up and say that I am still fearful to travel.  Many people I have spoken with are traveling with very little reservations but I just can't right now. AND staying at home by myself has taken a toll on me!  

Into the Wild ...my brother lived in Alaska many years ago and I never visited.  This movie made me kick myself in the behind.

3. A time you felt like you were 'flying by the seat of your pants'? Explain. 

I can't think of a time.  I am a planner...always scheduling things, making sure of every detail, thinking about all the stuff that can go wrong if I decide to do something, etc.

4. Do you struggle with road rage or are you more of a 'Sunday driver'? Do you like to be 'in the driver's seat (literally and/or figuratively speaking) ?

It depends on. If I am trying to get somewhere and running a tad late and then get behind a slow poke I can experience road rage. Usually, I try to remain calm because I know from experience (hub owned his own insurance company) that road rage leads to accidents!

On a nice, sunny day, and traveling on country roads, I am a 'Sunday driver' just taking my time enjoying the drive as the music blares in the background.

I wrestle with being in the driver's seat.  Definitely a person who likes to be in control and with life throwing me a couple of curveballs lately, this has been difficult.  I am a work in progress.

5. Something you've recently 'put the brakes on'? 

Sadly, I have 'put the brakes on' letting people use their children to control me.  Does it hurt?  Hurt isn't the word for it. Many days and nights I am on my knees praying fervently to God to open a door and intervene.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

This gorgeous tree is losing its leaves.  On Saturday, I decided to rake and mulch some; that way I wouldn't have so much to do all at once.  Saturday was a perfect day for it.  Now, I knew there were roots and where the roots were. I was moving along AND then bang I had hit a root.  The lawn mower stopped and black stuff was coming out from underneath.  I pushed the mower, because I couldn't get the dang thing to turn on, to the back of my yard.  Next, I tried turning it over...Right?  me turning over a riding mower!!!  What was I thinking???  I was thinking I could straighten out the blade!  You know the rest of the story....$200 later the mower was fixed!  

My mind wonders while mowing and I was daydreaming while mulching leaves.  Lesson learned the hard way....Pay attention more while mulching leaves!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

Thank you Joyce for these questions.

1. Let's start things off right...Wednesday is National Dessert Day. What are we having? How often do you  make/serve dessert? Store bought or from scratch? 

No dessert for me.  I have been trying to stay away from sweets.

Very seldom do I make desserts.  My late hub, very seldom ate desserts.  When I would make something he could eat one piece/slice and be satisfied, Me I would eat the whole thing!

2. Slow as molasses, icing on the cake, that's the way the cookie crumbles, have your cake and eat it too, half-baked idea, that takes the cake...which phrase might be applied to something in your life in recent days? Explain. 

That's the way the cookie crumbles.

I found out some very disturbing, heart-breaking news last Wednesday.  I have cried, prayed, and reached out to services to try and help this child BUT according to services (CPS, etc.) there isn't anything I can do.  Do I have to accept this...Yes, BUT gosh dang it is hard.

But I remember when I can't put my prayer into words, God hears my heart.

3. Something that's 'easy as pie' for you to do?

I am drawing a blank!  It is definitely not cooking that all will batch for!

4. Are you someone who likes to 'sugarcoat' news you think might not be well received, or are you more of a tell it like it is and let the chips fall where they may? Do you like to receive your news the same way you give it? 

I am more tell it like it is person.  The more I try to sugarcoat something, the more I get tongue tied.

Just tell me the news!

5. Something you did recently that made you feel like a 'smart cookie'? 

Finally, being able to multi-task on the computers I am using for teaching.  I still have my moments, but I am feeling so much more comfortable.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The School Board met Monday and students will be returning to school on a hybrid schedule October 26th.

They are growing up and finally hit the growth chart!

I am ready!

So thankful for Facetime!

Have a great week!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. What's one part of your everyday routine you'd be better off without? 

Snacking!!  I swear, no matter what time I eat dinner, I still snack from 9pm-10pm!!

Definitely, can be better off without this routine.

2. October 5th is/was National Do Something Nice Day. So what did you/will you do? 

I don't think I did anything specifically.  I try to be nice everyday and I must admit some days are harder than others.

3. What question do you hate to answer? 

Before hub passed away, I hated to answer the question..."Where would you like to go and eat"  It truly didn't matter much until hub mentioned a place I didn't care for.  I think we had more disagreements on choosing a place to eat than anything in our 37 years of marriage.

Now, I despise the question, "How are you?"  because I LIE when I answer saying, "I am fine."

4. Do we have control over technology or does it have control over us. In that same vein, have you watched The Social Dilemma (available on Netflix) and if so what did you think? 

Depends on your perception and point of view.  Teaching virtual for the past few weeks...My answer is YES!

I think (my two cents worth) we have to learn to not allow it to control us.  Being in a store, I see people's eyes glued to their phone.  Thankful, they don't hit me with their cart.

I know technology gives us instant access to just about anything.  Which is why it is hard to do without examples....movies (Netflix, Hula), and I LOVE FACETIME TIME  with the grandkids AND  zoom with friends in another state.  

Here lately, I have done some unplugging, especially on social media. AND I have been happier. I have to learn to control technology instead of it controlling me.

5. What are three small things that make your day better? 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

In this crazy, noise world , we can all be kind and a little more nicer to each other.

Have a great week and Enjoy Life

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 1. When is the last time you experienced nostalgia? 

Everyday I experience nostalgia.  Here lately, I keep remembering and saying..."This time last year Amanda and I were..." AND my heart breaks.  Nostalgia (for me right now) is not warm and fuzzy.  Probably not warm and fuzzy for a lot of people with the COVID and not being able to see love ones.

 2. September 29th is National Coffee Day. Do we need this? Ha! So are you a coffee drinker? If so how many cups per day, and tell us how you like it. Is there a recipe you enjoy that calls for coffee as one of the ingredients? 

I am a coffee drinker.  Usually black but some days I prefer a taste of Hazlenut creamer. I am sticking to only 2 cups a day but I know as the weather turns cooler and the days get shorter I might just add one more cup.

I don't have a recipe that calls for coffee.

 3. Do you find praise or criticism to be more motivating? Explain. 

Leaning more toward criticism.  I have been a person who can handle criticism...CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM that is.  Instead of getting upset, I examine myself and reevaluate my actions, words, etc.  Become motivated to change, if necessary.

 4.  What's a television series you keep coming back to and re-watching? 

Can't wait for the new season to begin.

 5. As the month of September draws to a close give us three words to describe your mood. 

Anxious for Spring. 

Fall is a beautiful time of year, but I know what follows.  Not reading for the shivering cold.

 6. Insert your own random thought here.

Right now, our weather has turned a bit fallish....rainy and chilly outside.  

I am missing some of the fall activities that have been cancelled due to COVID....pumpkin patch, corn maze, even trick or treating has been cancelled in our community.  But I keep telling myself this too shall pass.

Have a great rest of the week.  

Keep on keepin on and Enjoy Life

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

Falling into the Hodgepodge.  Thanks Joyce!

1. It's fall y'all. What's something you love about this season and also something you don't? 

I live in the mountains of Southwest Virginia and staring at the beauty of the trees as their leaves change colors to bright red, orange, and yellow is magical AND it is pretty awesome they do this every year.

Fall brings  allergies as things begin to die, raking leaves I dislike and colds seem to appear as the temps vary.  Fall tells me what is coming next...WINTER ugh!

2. When you think of the colors of fall, which one is your favorite? Is there somewhere you could easily day trip to see the leaves in all their glory? Will you? 

Favorite color would have to be the oranges.  There are plenty of back roads I could travel to see the beauty of fall, but I don't like to travel by myself.

So, I will just look out my kitchen window!

3. What's one thing you've let 'fall' by the wayside during this season of staying home and staying away? 

The only thing that comes to my mind is I wanted to finish some painting but just didn't get around to it.

4. If you're wearing a sweater is it most likely a cardigan, crew neck, v-neck, or zip up hoodie?

 

                                                                     NOT ME! ha!

Cardigan because if I get too hot (which I do now with still hot flashes), I can take it off and if I get too chilly, can easily slip it on.

5. What's your secret to dealing with change? 

Be flexible and go with the flow (my mantra lately) and TRY to be positive.  Change can be good or bad depending on your perspective but try to keep positive. 

Speaking of change, last Monday (September 14) our School Board met and voted to return to a hybrid schedule beginning October 1st. We have been virtual since the beginning of school, August 20th. Teachers began preparing for this hybrid schedule and kept trudging along.  Then this past Monday, September 21st another meeting was held and the School Board voted to stay virtual till October 26th. A roller coaster for sure!

Life is changing and we don't have to brace it all the time, but it will be okay.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

A couple of weekends ago, we had a crab boil just close family. The weather was so nice.

The following Sunday, my cousin was baptized.

I received this special note in my teacher mailbox at school with my favorite candy.

Have a great rest of the week.  Keep on keepin on and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. What's one thing you learned at the ripe old age of whatever age you are now?

I have learned that time goes by fast.  Some days might seem to drag on and on while others fly by.  But the older I get, the faster time passes.

2. I read here a list of foods that can help you look younger-

extra virgin olive oil, green tea, fatty fish, dark chocolate, vegetables, flaxseeds, pomegranates, avocados, tomatoes, spices, bone broth

How many of the foods listed have you tried? How many do you eat regularly? Your favorite from the list?

I eat mostly vegetables (not much of a meat person), avocados and tomatoes.  My favorite will have to be vegetables. I have tried green tea but not a fan, as a matter of fact, I am not a fan of any tea and I tried dark chocolate...nope not for me, either.

3. Something you miss from the 'good old days'? When were the good old days anyway?

From my childhood days, I miss Sunday lunch and get togethers.  After church, we always had a huge lunch at my grandmother's house.  To this day, I can't wrap my head around how my grandmother attended church but was still able to prepare a huge lunch for us. I also miss how neighbors looked after each other and we showed kindness to others.

4. What are two or three of the most rewarding things to be found in growing older?

First it would have to be grandchildren.  With this pandemic,I don't get to snuggle them or see them very often, but I love them so.

The second thing would be to enjoy each day.  Life can and will throw you curveballs.  There are no guarantees and we aren't promised tomorrow, so find something to enjoy each day.

5. What's your favorite part of your life right now?

Seeing pictures of grandchildren.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Friday we had a seafood boil again.  Enjoyed this so much.  

If anyone knows how to go back to the old blogger...please instruct me.  I am not getting this new blogger at all having difficulty inserting images.

Have a great rest of the week. 

Keep on keeping on and Enjoy Life!