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!!

April A-Z Challenge...Letter 'Z'

 

Wrapping up the A-Z Challenge today!!

                                            Z

                                       Zealous

New beginnings can happen any day.  Time will change as it always does.  I can't stop on the chapter of my heartache and pain even though it will always be a part of me.  There are more chapters, and I have to walk into these chapters.

God wants me to move forward each day and to be zealous for this life he has given me.

Saw this on Pinterest..."Some days she's a warrior.  Some days she's a broken mess.  Most days she's a bit of both, But everyday she's there.

STANDING.  FIGHTING.  TRYING."  (iFunny)  This is me exactly.

I have been through mountains and through the valleys.   But nothing changes the fact that God is good.   God will take the bad situations/circumstances and in time turn them around and use them for good. I have to admit, during suffering I did not see the good and I still question But God has a plan and purpose for my life.  Hope and believe and release (my word for 2021 is release) is what I cling to daily.

April A-Z Challenge...Letter 'Y'

 

                                     Y

                                                  Yes

Yes, it is okay to fall apart

Yes, I am processing my hurt

Yes, prayers do restore my confidence

Yes, I am overcoming some of my fears

Yes, I am focusing my energy on what is important

Yes, it is okay to laugh

Yes, I am spending more time with God and listening to his voice

Yes, I  am finding more positives in life

Yes, to this new beginning

Yes, I am a work in progress

Yes, I will make it!

A-Z April Challenge...Letter 'X'

 

                                              X

                                       XOXO

Love can't get enough.

I use to love the start of a new school year.  I was like a child on Christmas Eve waiting for Santa; I was anxiously waiting on a room of smiling middle schoolers.  Now, being retired (partially), I do not experience this excitement, but I still have a few butterflies when I hear and see the big, yellow bus go by.  Yeah, I still get excited when it is my FIRST day ( I usually start a few weeks after the students) of school as I pull into the parking lot.

My new beginning, is learning to love each day.  To wake up excited about all the possibilities the day will bring.  Each day is a blank page...LOVE IT!

"Every day is a chance to begin again.  Don't focus on the failures of yesterday,start today with positive thoughts and expectations." (Catherine Pulsifer)