17 August 2016 - Wednesday Hodgepodge

Another post? And it hasn't been half a year?!

1. I read here four creative activities to try this month. They were-calligraphy, make your own cookbook, dance or learn a new type of dance, and letter writing. Which activity on the list appeals to you most? Will you add it to your August?

To be honest, none of them. :-) If forced to choose, I'd suppose letter writing.

2. Bertrand Russell is quoted as saying, 'To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.' Agree or disagree? Explain. 

How can you know what happiness is without sadness? I agree.

3. August 17th is National Thriftshop Day...are you a 'thrifter'? If so, tell us about one of your best or favorite finds. 

I LOVE to thrift; however, I don't usually have fabulous luck with it. Once, though, I did find crystal deviled egg platter that I just love, and it was only $1!

4.  On a scale of 1-10 (with 1= almost none and 10=loads) how would you rate your sense of wanderlust? What kicks your wanderlust into high gear? 

Maybe a 2 - I traveled quite a bit when I was in my 20s and 30s, and am quite content to be at home, or visit family.

5. Has life felt more like a marathon or sprint so far this month? How so?

Life is a marathon for me, right now. There is so much that always needs doing, and there is just one of me. However, I try to always remember Philippians 4:13.

6. What do you need to get a jump on before fall officially arrives? 

My yard needs some serious work. It is just so hot and humid here, though, that I've been able to talk myself out of trimming and pulling weeds. I can't put it off any longer now!

7. What's the last thing you did with friends or family where you lost track of time? 

Whenever my two children come sit on my bed and talk at night, the time flies so fast, and the next thing I know, it is 11:30 p.m.! And I always am up by 5:30 a.m.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

It is very hard to parent a child that is vastly different than yourself. But one day, I'll get it right!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It has been six months since I last posted - I guess it is about time for a new post. :-)

1. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your summer so far? Why?
(1=eh and 10=best summer ever)

While I don't really want to be negative, I'd say a 4. While there have been spots of wonderfulness (I'm saying it is a word!), the challenges are many. Plus the humidity is not good for my positivity. 

2. July 26th is National Aunts and Uncles Day. Did you have many aunts and uncles growing up? Were you especially close to any one or maybe all of them? Are you an aunt? (or uncle for the men who join here on Wednesdays) Share a favorite memory relating to one of your own aunts or uncles or relating to a niece or nephew who call you Aunt (or Uncle).

I have 3 uncles and one aunt on my father's side, and one uncle on my mother's side - plus their spouses. The first memory that pops to mind is when my Uncle Wayne (my dad's brother) told one of us children to get out of his chair. When we told him his name wasn't written on it, he turned the chair over, wrote his name on it with a big grin and said it did now! It just tickled me so.

3. What's your favorite food dipped in chocolate? What's your favorite food dipped in cheese?

I think pineapple dipped in chocolate is absolutely delicious. As for cheese, probably a tortilla chip - I just love nachos!

4. When were you last astonished by something? Explain.

The princess agreed to chaperone a youth group event. Since she is rather soft-spoken and reserved, it just surprised me - delighted me as well.

5. Surf board, paddle board, ironing board, Pinterest board, score board, clip board, bulletin board...which board have you most recently encountered?

Seeing as it is a good year if I iron once a year, it definitely wouldn't be an ironing board! I'd say a clip board.

6. What's your favorite story from scripture? Why that story?

Probably when Samuel asked for God to put words in his mouth before interpreting a king's dream. It reminds me to pray before speaking in difficult situations.

7. If you were to travel from the east coast to the west coast in your own country, which five cities would you most want to see?

Bar Harbor (I love the scenery, the food, everything), Pittsburgh (to eat at Primanti Brothers!), Savannah GA (one of my favorite cities), Cheyenne (the surrounding countryside has a desolate beauty), and Seattle (I've always wanted to visit there).

8. Insert your own random thought here.

There are times I think I really want to blog, but I'm never able to do so when that thought crosses my mind.

My First Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What's the biggest change since your childhood in the way people think or act?
 I remember running around outside without my mom ever really knowing where I was. I knew I had to be home by dinner, and that was about it. She'd yell for me outside if I needed to be home sooner. These days, I'd never dream of letting my child do that as I don't feel it is safe, which is sad. My children have had less freedom than I did, because the world doesn't feel as safe now.

2. The Olympic Biathlon involves cross country skiing broken up with either two or four rounds of target shooting. Which part of that would stress you out more? Or would you love them both equally?

 The skiing would stress me out, as I've never learned to like exercise. The shooting would be fun - my grandpa was a hunter, and he'd try to teach me to shoot at targets, but I wasn't very good.

3. February is National Canned Food Month...what is your most often purchased canned food item?  What was in the last can you opened?

 Diced tomatos - my current favorite dish to make for myself is linguine w/diced tomatos, chicken, onions, and parmesan cheese. Throw in a bit of cracked red pepper, and it is delicious. The last can I opened was actually diced tomatos, although it was for taco soup.

4. What river (anywhere in the world) would you most like to cruise?

 I grew up canoeing on the Sangamon River. That would be fun to do again. However, for a cruise, probably the mighty Mississippi - that would be pretty sweet.

5. It's the middle of the night and you can't sleep...what do you do? Count sheep? Toss and turn? Watch television? Or do you get up and do something productive?

 This happens to me frequently. I usually do a combination of productive and wasting time, either doing laundry or the dishes and watching tv or playing on the computer.

6. How important is keeping your cool?

 It is more important, and I should do so more often. My children definitely chill out quicker if I don't start yelling when upset with them.

7. I've got white stuff on the brain so why not run with it? White lie, wave the white flag, white knuckle it, white wash a situation, or white as a sheet...which phrase could most recently apply to your own life in some way?

 Probably white lie, unfortunately. When I struggle in life, I don't like people to know, as I don't want people to feel sorry for me. So I don't share and say all is going fine when asked.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My weekends are so busy, and I really want one where nothing is planned and I can knit and catch up on my favorite shows. Maybe in April!