Wednesay Hodgepodge

 

1. Setting aside the real March Madness (NCAA Basketball) describe something happening at your house this month that might earn the title 'March Madness'?
Aside from a quick weekend trip to Iowa to celebrate our granddaughter's second birthday, I can't think of anything going on this month that would qualify as 'March Madness'. I guess we have had a pretty calm month. 

2. What's a favorite made up word from your childhood or a favorite from your children's childhood? Does your family still use the word today? If there's a story behind the origin please share.
When our son was little he called Canadian Bacon, Comedian Bacon. We still call it that from time to time.
When I was little I used to call my fingers "simmer". When someone would ask me where my "simmer" was, I would look at them confused. When I was asked where my finger was I would hold up one and say, "Here's my simmer!" My family brings up that story once in a while to tease me.

3. Will you be doing any spring cleaning now that the season is upon us? I read here a list of 15 quick (under one hour) spring cleaning tasks. They were-

clean out a drawer, vacuum furniture, whiten tile grout, dust the nooks and crannies you don't get to year round, degrease kitchen cabinets, wipe down walls, go behind furniture, wipe down ceiling fans, vacuum the mattress, clean the range hood, wash baseboards, shine the stainless steel, clean out vents, tackle the windows, and wipe down gadgets

Of the fifteen 'quick' tasks listed which two most need doing at your house? Will you do them?

Let's see...windows and maybe clean out the vents. I did the vents when we moved here two years ago. The windows really need it, but I really don't want to do it. Maybe I should hire someone???

4. A favorite movie set in Paris or New York?
I've always enjoyed "You've Got Mail". It's one I have watched over and over.
For a movie set in Paris, "Les Miserables" is a favorite.

5. What's put a spring in your step this month?
I had a really good visit with my cardiologist. Some lifestyle changes I have been making are helping an arrhythmia I have. The doctor was very pleased. I did a happy dance in the hallway of the doctor's office and bought myself two dozen roses.

6. Did you ever want to be a teacher? Why or why not?
My first answer to this was No, and then I laughed after I remembered what I got a degree in. It was Child Development to teach preschool/kindergarten. When I did student teaching I realized that I didn't want to teach in part because it's a job you don't leave at work. The degree did help with raising my two kids though.

7.  What's your favorite floral scent? Do you have this somewhere in your home or maybe in a perfume?

I love the smell of roses. A number of years ago I discovered Freesia at Bath & Body Works. I bought of bouquet of freesia flowers when we lived in Singapore and they filled up the house with an amazing smell!

How do you feel about florals in food?
I had something recently that had lavender in it and I liked it. For the life of me I cannot remember what it was. Isn't that funny?
How about wines with floral notes-yay or nay?
I don't like wine.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
This sweet little granddaughter of mine is TWO years old! She had such a fun birthday party!

 The mittens Lydia has on were mine when I was a little girl. Makes me smile to see her wear them.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's been a loooong time (July!) since I participated in the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Glad to be back today! Click on the button below and go over to Joyce's blog to read other people's answers or participate yourself.

1. What do/did you call your grandparents? If it's something unusual tell us the story behind the name. If you're a grandparent what do your grands call you? Who chose your moniker?
When I was a kid I called my grandparents just plain old 'Grandma' and 'Grandpa'. To differentiate between the maternal and paternal I would add their surname. When I was a teenager I started calling one of my grandfathers 'Gramps'. No story behind that other than it I adored my Gramps.
Before we knew we were going to be grandparents, Hubby and I decided we wanted to be called 'Grammy' and 'Pops'. Our sweet granddaughter is almost 2 and has said something like 'Pop' for several months. 'Grammy' has been a little tougher for her to say, but the last time we video chatted I heard her say something pretty close! I am super excited about that! Hearing that sweet little voice say 'Grammy' is like nothing else and melts my heart more than I expected.

2. Ever taken a road trip along the California Coast? If so what was the highlight of your trek? If not, any desire to do so? If you were to take a trip along the California Coast what's one attraction you'd have on your must-see list?
The only parts of California I have been to are Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Someday I would love to drive down Highway 1 along the coast.


3. What are three things you don't know how to do?
I don't know how to do English Paper Piecing. (It's a quilting thing.) I would like to learn.
I don't know how to make a grilled cheese sandwich without burning one side of it.
I don't know how to knit. I would like to learn someday.

4. Tom Peters is quoted as saying, 'Celebrate what you want to see more of.' If that's true what will you celebrate and more importantly, how will you celebrate?
I think celebrating something a person wants to see more of is probably a positive way to give positive feedback/reinforcement and the makes or allows for that something to happen more. I wish I had a specific example, but I don't.

5. Thursday (February 16) is National Almond Day. Do you like almonds? Which would you prefer-an Almond Joy or a macaron? What's something you make that calls for almonds?
Yes, I like almonds. I would prefer an Almond Joy (because, chocolate) to a macaron, but to be fair, I've never had a macaron. (I had to look it up.) I make Spritz cookies which have almond extract in them. I have also made something called Almond Filled Cookie Cake only a few times. My mom loved it so much she started making it and she and other family members have made it way more than I ever did.

6. What does Saturday morning look like at your house?
Saturday morning doesn't look much different other than Hubby is here. He usually is up early and out for a run before I wake up. Breakfast is fend for yourselves 99% of the time.

7. Share with us a favorite book you've read this winter.
 The Aviator's Wife, by Melanie Benjamin. It's about Charles Lindbergh's wife. I found it fascinating. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
A goal I have for myself this year is to memorize two Bible verses a month. This month's verses are from Pslam 103:11-12: For as High as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far He has removed our transgressions from us. 
It is good to be reminded of God's love for me. I will think about this verse the next time I am on an airplane. The vastness of the heavens and the earth are so much more apparent from an airplane.

Hodgepodge Wednesday

Ooooo...blogging two days in a row!
Here's this week's Hodgepodge. Click on the button and hop over to Joyce's blog to read others answers to this week's questions.

1. Do you find yourself influencing your world, or is it more the other way around?
I don't think I'm very influenced by the world around me. I tend to be a skeptic at first. But I also don't think I influence others around me. I'd have to ask my hubby what he thinks about this. He sees me more objectively than I see myself.

2. July 14th is National Tape Measure Day...the device was patented on this date in 1868. 

When did you last use a tape measure? 

I last used a tape measure about two weeks ago to measure a baby quilt I had just made. I needed to know how much binding to make.

Do you always know where to find one in your house? 

We have a retractable tape measure in the desk drawer in the kitchen. I have two or three of them in my sewing room. It can be a little bit more of a challenge to find a tape measure in my sewing room because it can get buried under some fabric or I just don't remember where I last dropped it.

Tell us one way in which you feel blessed 'beyond measure'.

Last week Hubby and I were blessed beyond measure to take care of our 16 month old granddaughter while her mommy and daddy took a vacation. We had more fun than we could have ever imagined. She is at such a fun age! She is sweet. She is adorable.

We are blessed and honored that her mommy and daddy trusted us to take care of her.

3.The Plaza Hotel, The Land of Oz (The Wizard of Oz), Narnia (The Chronicles of Narnia), The Hundred Acre Wood (Winnie the Pooh), Wonderland (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland), or Never Never Land (Peter Pan)...which storybook land (on this list!) would you most like to visit and why?
It's a toss up between Narnia and The Hundred Acre Wood because I love those books! Just last week we were singing the Winnie The Pooh song to our granddaughter and Hubby was reading about The Hundred Acre Wood to her. 

 4. Where and when do you get your best ideas?
Probably late at night when I can't sleep.
 

5. So what have you been watching on TV this summer? Anything good? 

I have been watching my usual... a couple of soaps. Yes, I watch soaps. No apologies. I plan on watching "The Great British Baking Show". We've been out of town and haven't been able to watch it yet but the DVR is set!

6. 'Don't swim for an hour after you eat', 'Dog days of summer', 'Knee high by the Fourth of July'...choose a summer saying from the list or share one of your own, then tell us what image or memory comes to mind when you hear it spoken.

'Knee high by the Fourth of July' doesn't really happen any more. It refers to how tall the corn has grown. Here's a picture on the 9th of July of some corn in Iowa (and a couple of my favorite people). That corn is a bit taller than knee high!

7. In a single sentence, sum up one life lesson you've learned.
Living for Christ is worth everything.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I went swimming last night in our neighborhood pool. It was such a nice night. I enjoyed the swim and hope to do a little more. I used to swim a lot when I was younger but haven't done it in years. I'm thankful we have a nearby pool we can use.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Time to link up with this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge! And I can even have the button on this post that you can click on to get to Joyce's blog to join in and read others answers to these questions. Why is it a unique thing that I have the button? I have finally gotten a new laptop. My old one pooped out four months ago. Here's to  blog posts with embedded links and have formatting and pictures and everything! Woohoo!

 

1. This is the last Hodgepodge in April. Share something you learned this month. 

I am learning how to use this new laptop and a new camera. I tend to go slow on those types of things because too much technology in this brain does not work.

2.  It's National Poetry Month, and we all know you can't escape an April Hodgepodge without a little poetry. Keeping the first line as is, change the rest of the wording in this familiar rhyme to make it your own - 'Hickory Dickory Dock...

Hickory Dickory Dock
My poor little brain is locked
I can not think
To write a poem
My brain does not work that way 

(Oh gosh that is soooo sad.)

3. What were one or two rules in the home you grew up in? Growing up, did you feel your parents were strict? Looking back do you still see it that way? 

We couldn't play the piano when someone was watching TV. We were supposed to turn off the lights in our rooms and comb our hair before we came to the dinner table. Napkins went on our laps and we always used a spoon in a bowl. Those are all pretty minor rules, but are what popped to mind when I read the question.
I would say my parents were strict, but I don't think it was oppressive. They were parents who were parents. Parents who loved us and taught us how to respect authority.  

4. Tell us about a kitchen or cooking disaster or mishap you've experienced. Do you have many from which to choose? 

A couple of weeks ago we had some really good friends from college days visit. I decided to make some hot fudge to go over our ice cream and brownies and in my true fashion I didn't follow the recipe exactly and it turned out in a globby (as in one giant glob) chocolate mass. It tasted just fine, but then I left the hot fudge in the pan on the stove-top and did not turn off the burner. An hour or so later Hubby realized he could smell burning chocolate. Sigh. It only took a day and a half of soaking and scraping and soaking and scraping and soaking and scraping to get the pan clean. 

And, yes, after almost 32 years of marriage I have my fair share of kitchen disasters to choose from.

5. Plant a kiss, plant doubt, plant a tree, plant yourself somewhere...which on the list have you most recently planted? 
Absolutely I've planted a kiss most recently. Just one benefit of being married. Grin.

 

6. What's your most worn item of clothing this time of year? Are you tired of it? 

I can't think of a particular piece of clothing I wear a lot except whatever pair of jeans are feeling the most comfortable that week.
At each change of season, I seem to all of a sudden decide that either I hate all my clothes or I don't have any to choose from (which really isn't true). And then I go shopping and realize that I don't like many of the clothes our there. I really need clothing designers to stop making the neckline so low and to use such thin fabrics that you can't see all the details that are supposed to be hidden under the clothing,

7. I'm wrapping up the A-Z Blog Challenge this month and our Hodgepodge lands on letter W. What's one word beginning with W that describes you in some way? How about a word to describe your home, also beginning with W?
 Me: Witty. I love humor and I love sarcasm. (Hopefully not mean sarcasm.) I have noticed myself being (what I consider) more witty lately and that makes me happy. That means I am feeling a lot more comfortable with the people we hang around with.
Our Home: Warm and Welcoming. At least that is what we are striving for. 

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

My son and daughter-in-law came for a five day visit a couple of weeks ago. It was their first time to South Carolina and we had a blast showing them our favorite places. We went to Charleston for a couple of days to see the ocean and experience some southern history.

Here's the two of them taking a Charleston Harbor selfie. (Can you see her tiny baby-bump?)  The dude to the right is my hubby.

Wednesday Hodgepodging

Hey! I'm joining up with Joyce and her Wednesday Hodgepodge today. Click on over to here,  http://joyce-fromthissideofthepond.blogspot.com/,  to read her answers to these questions and as a bonus you can read lots of other bloggers' answers!  (I cannot figure out for the life of me how to copy the logo for this. Stupid tablet.)

1. February ended with an extra 24 hours in 2016. What did you do with your bonus day?

Monday was a busy day for me. I don't have a lot of busy days and I kind of enjoyed it.
First, I made a visit to a quilt shop to get a few fabrics to finish off the latest quilt I'm working on. I'm so thankful there's a good, but small, quilt shop 10 minutes from my house.
Next stop was the grocery store. It had been a few weeks since I had bought groceries and it was time.
After I put the groceries away, I was able to sit down at home for about a half an hour before I was off to meet my husband at the cardiologist's office. Because of the Supraventricular Tachycardia episode I had in December, I am having a procedure done on March 17th to fix the cells in my heart that are causing the problem. We were meeting with the doctor to finalize that.
After supper at home, Hubby and I went to our weekly Community Bible Study meeting. This week's lesson was in Matthew 22. We really enjoy the people in our group.

2. What's something in your life that's grown by leaps and bounds in recent days, weeks, months, or years? I'm giving you lots of room to come up with an answer here, so no fair passing on this one.

This is a no-brainer for me. I've watched this Lydia sweetie grow so much this year. I am always fascinated how MUCH a baby learns in one year!

3. Do you read reviews about a film before deciding if you'll see it? Did you watch The Oscars this year, and if so your thoughts on the program? How many of the Best Picture nominees had you seen prior to the broadcast? (Spotlight, The Martian, The Big Short, The Revenant, Mad Max: Fury Road, Room, and Brooklyn) If you watched The Oscars who gets your award for 'best dressed'?

I always read a summary of the movies. I used to read reviews more consistently when I my kids were still home. I sometimes regret not reading reviews when the movie was a dud.
I only watched bits and pieces of the Oscars. It didn't hold my attention. The  only movie I have see from that list is "Brooklyn" and I really liked it.

4. When did you last have overnight house guests? Give us your top three tips on being a good house guest.

The last overnight guests we had were my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter last August. And they will be our next overnight guests in three weeks!
When Hubby and I stay at someone elses house we try to clearly communicate when we will arrive and how long we will be staying. We also try to keep our stuff contained. At the end of the day,  we take our stuff back to our bedroom with us.
I guess that's only two tips.

5. March 2nd is Peanut Butter Lover's Day. Will you be celebrating? If so, would you prefer a home made peanut butter cookie, a Reese's peanut butter cup, an old fashioned peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or shall I just hand you a jar and a tablespoon?

I am pretty picky about my peanut butter. Since I got a food processor a few years ago I have been making my own. It's very simple and I like that I can control the saltiness and I do not add sugar. I don't like sweet peanut butter. Having said that, I love Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. But then again, sometimes there's nothing like a PB&J sandwich or a peanut butter cookie!

6. Why is failure important? Or isn't it?

It is important because it keeps you humble and makes you realize how dependent you need to be on God. I heard a song yesterday that's new to me by MercyMe called "Wishful Thinking" and this line really stuck with me:

                                "Cuz without suffering grace is hard to see"

Think on that for a while.

7. Share with us one fun thing on your March calendar.

My Granddaughter is turning ONE! I'm excited to be able to celebrate with her!


8.  Insert your own random thought here.
I am recovering well from my thyroid surgery. The pathology report showed that the large nodule was totally benign (!!!!) and that there was a very small nodule that I don't think the doctor knew was there and that had a very small microscopic bit of cancer in that. If I wouldn't have had the racing heart episode in December that I went to the ER for, I would have never had a CT scan that showed something on my thyroid and that microscopic bit of cancer would have grown and grown before I knew anything about it. I wholeheartedly believe that God performed a miracle in that situation! I bawled for an hour when I heard the news. God cares about me and thinks about me and loves me far more than I give Him credit for! I have a scar on my neck front and center from the thyroid surgery and I truthfully don't care how invisible it is in the long run. I want to see it and be reminded of what God did for me.

The Doxology, My Story

I grew up in churches that regularly sang The Doxology during the worship service. 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host:
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.


It is a simple song, with powerful words of praise that God deserves.

Years ago, when we lived in Southeast Asia, we took a family trip to Thailand.  We visited many tourist attractions including the Grand Palace in Bangkok.  It was the official residence of the kings starting in 1782. Currently it is used for royal ceremonies and state functions. And tourism. We were on a guided tour of the palace (which included strict dress codes: arms covered, legs covered to below knee) when our tour guide directed us into a large room that was The Temple of the Emerald Buddha. We had read that we could not sit with our legs crossed or our feet out in front of us (because it's rude to point the bottoms of your feet at someone), so essentially we were to kneel in front of the Buddha statue. The four of us walked in there, saw people kneeling before the idol, looked at each other, shook our heads "no", and walked right back out. Our tour guide had the most puzzled look on her face. Shortly after that we were amongst a bunch of people who were walking around with incense and praying to Buddha, I started singing the Doxology to myself. I felt such an evil presence there. I think we all did because we all agreed that we didn't need to or want to visit any more Buddhist temples while we were in Thailand. 

Since that trip, I often think of that day when I have sung that song in church.

Now I have even more memories associated with that sweet little song.

Before every meal my dad sings that song and my mom hums along and sometimes mouths the words. It gets me every single time, because since September 6, 2013, my mom has not spoken. A stroke is a cruel thing. It takes away so much. But my mom HUMS the tune to that song. So awesome!

Hubby and I gave this print to my mom and dad for a Housewarming/Christmas gift. It hangs in their new kitchen. I just love it!

We have attended a church here that sings an interesting version of the Doxology at the end of every service. They call it The Gospel Doxology. Here are the words:

Your perfect law exposes me 

I feel my sin and desperate need 

My best good works are powerless 

To satisfy your righteousness 

But there is One who lived for me! 

His life, my only victory 

His death, forever sealed in time 

That I am His and He is mine! 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow 

Praise Him all creatures here below! 

Praise Him, above ye heavenly hosts 

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost Amen

I am often a puddle of tears when I sing this, in part because of the magnitude of the words and in part because I see and hear my mother humming along and mouthing the words.

The power of music amazes me.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1.  Speaking of skating...when did you last 'skate on thin ice', 'skate over the details', 'encounter a cheapskate', or just plain skate?
The last time I went skating.....? Somewhere around 1996 or 1997. We went with our kids. I ended up falling and smacking my head on the ice REALLY hard and decided that was enough skating for me. I can still hear the crunch my head made against the ice. Shudder.

2. What would you say is the biggest problem of people your age?
They seem to be too busy with their lives (work, kids, grandkids, friends they've had for thirty years...) to make room for new people.
(Joyce, I am NOT including you in this comment. I have thoroughly enjoyed our lunches...besides I was the one to cancel our last date!)

3. What's your favorite accessory? Is it something you wear every day, often, or only on special occasions?
My sweet hubby bought me this pendant right before we moved away from Singapore almost 15 years ago. It was to remind me of Singapore and that Jesus is the One who carried me through the three years we lived there.

I wear it often. Almost daily. I love it and besides, diamonds go with everything!

4. January 20th is National Cheese Lover's Day. Are you a lover of cheese? What's your favorite dish made with cheese? Last thing you ate that contained some kind of cheese?
Love cheese. The sharper the better. Or Blue Cheese. A couple of days ago I made Pioneer Woman's Chicken Spaghetti. Lots of sharp cheddar cheese, lots of yummy.

5. What's something guaranteed to make you roll your eyes?
Lots and lots of things. According to my parents' Christmas letter from the Christmas right before I turned 2, I was rolling my eyes. It's something I do so often that I think I sometimes I do it involuntarily. I do admit to closing my eyes at times so others can't see me roll my eyes.

6. Your favorite book series?
I have a couple: Mitford Series by Jan Karon   and   The Yada Yada series by Neta Jackson. I've read through them both a couple of times and will probably read through them again. Essentially, I like any book by those two authors.

7. Why did you choose your profession?
My degree was in Child Development. I chose that because I love little kids. I did a little substitute teaching when we were first married. Before we had our first baby, we decided for me to be a stay at home mom. I did that until I was fired when our youngest decided to grow up and go to college. Now I am a stay at home wife and don't ever intend to change that.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My granddaughter is a little more than 10 months old and is teaching herself games. Her other grandma posted a video of her playing peek-a-boo with them from behind the coffee table. She squats and pops up with a silly grin on her face and giggles. I watched her do that at Christmas and it is just the funniest! Last night my daughter posted a video of Lydia diving (very controlled) out of a big basket she had crawled into and laughing at herself the whole time. I don't think I can count the number of times I have watched both of those videos. Social media is awesome.

A Friendly Hodgepodge Post

 I've been thinking that this week I should participate in the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Why the desire this specific week when I haven't been very regular to this party? Because last Friday I had lunch with Joyce, the author of this weekly fun! Joyce and I now live in the same community and we just needed to have lunch and finally meet in person! Let me tell you, fellow Hodgepodgers, Joyce is a delight! We enjoyed a yummy lunch and lots of conversation. It was fun to meet in person and cool that we already knew quite a bit about each others lives. 

Okay, on with the questions...

1. It's hard to believe, but next week's Hodgepodge will find us in the month of September. What's one thing you want, need, or hope to do still before summer officially ends?
I can't think of anything I want to accomplish before summer ends. Since we don't have any kids in school of any kind any more, I don't see summer ending as an "end" to anything. It's just a change of seasons to me now. Also, since we don't live in the Frozen Tundra up north any more, I am not feeling like months and months and months of forces hibernation are looming in the near future. Can I get an Amen?

2. When were you last at 'your wit's end'?
Late Sunday night as I was getting ready for bed, I couldn't find anywhere in the bathroom a pair of tweezers. I know this sounds trivial, but I really like those tweezers (have never found another pair like them) and I have had that particular pair of tweezers for 40 years. I looked every where and then had a sinking realization that I must have absentmindedly thrown them away. I know your thinking no big deal...just dig into the waste basket and pull them out! Only problem is Hubby had collected the trash and put it in the garbage can at the curb for pick-up Monday morning. I laid in bed for a ridiculous amount of time (at my wit's end) trying to figure out how or if I would be able to retrieve the tweezers. (Does this just have you sitting on the edge of your seat wondering how it turns out??) I hoped I woke up in the morning before the garbage truck came, but I'm not positive what time it tends to come by. Luckily, I woke up at 5:30 (never thought I would write that!), and Hubby was still home (yes, he goes into work super early). So I stumbled out to the kitchen and explained my plight to Hubby and asked if he knew how deep that bag of trash was in the garbage can, and he said it was right on top. So sweet Hubby retrieved said bag of trash, I sorted through it and found my tweezers!!! Hooray!

Oh boy, that was quite a story. About lost tweezers. (I am laughing pretty hard at myself right now...)

3. Describe a time you were figuratively thrown into 'the deep end'?
Since I can't think of a time when I was thrown into something I wasn't prepared to handle, it must have been a very long time ago.

4. Does the end always, ever, or never justify the means? Explain.
I believe it is important to live my life with integrity.  So, no, I do not think that the end justifies the means.

5. What makes your hair stand on end?
I tend to have a pretty vivid imagination, so I can imagine any number of things to scare me. I'm working on that. This verse is a big help:    
2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

6. I read an article on the website Eat This! Health, that listed 11 foods we can eat to help end bad moods. Basically it's a feed your brain so you're less anxious, grouchy and lethargic. The foods are-mussels, Swiss chard, blue potatoes, grass fed beef, dark chocolate, Greek yogurt, asparagus, honey, cherry tomatoes, eggs, and coconut. Which of those do you think would most help end your own bad mood? 
Chocolate. Duh.

Which do you fear, if forced to eat, would put you into a bad mood?
I like all of those foods, except mussels. So, probably being forccd to eat mussels would put me in a bad mood.
(When we lived in Singapore, I didn't eat much beef because it was from Australia and it was grass-fed. This Iowa-raised girl, did not like the flavor of it verses the corn-fed beef I grew up eating. Interestingly, grass-fed beef now is all the craze. I'm still not sure what I think of it.)

7. What project around your home, office, or life in general feels like there is 'no end in sight'?
Finishing "settling" into this house. Whatever that means. It seems as though that does not have an end. Ever.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
My daughter sent me a video last night of my five and a half month old granddaughter crawling! I am so thankful for technology that enables me to see that! (I think she's going to walk before she's a year old.)

Wednesday Hodgepodge

I'm joining in on this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Click on the button below and it will take you to Joyce's blog where you can read through all the other people's answers who participate!

1. Is your home air conditioned? If it's not air conditioned, is that by choice? Did you grow up with air conditioning? If not how did you cope with the heat? Share about a time or place you remember as being too hot-the temperature kind of hot, lest anyone be confused.
Oh heavens, YES, my home is air conditioned!!!! So many people have asked us if we dislike the heat and humidity here in South Carolina. My answer is usually something like, "It's better than the winters in Minnesota and that's why there is air conditioning! Best invention ever!"
We moved when I was 11 years old and I don't remember not having air conditioning before that, so we must have. I do remember the house we moved into only had a couple of window units and since we moved in June, us kids slept on the floor in the dining room (where there was a window unit) until central air was installed in our house.
We lived in Singapore for three years. Singapore is 80-ish miles north of the equator and the weather is quite tropical. The temperature there ranges from lows in the upper 70s to highs in the mid 80s. The humidity is 80% an up. Every Single Day. Three Hundred And Sixty-Five Days A Year. They do have the blessing of Air Conditioning, or as they call it, Air Con. I think I have been the hottest I've ever been when we lived in Singapore. For a while the Sunday school class we were attending met in a local Kindergarten classroom across the street from the church. That classroom did not have Air Con. The chairs we sat in were molded plastic chairs. Ugh. Talk about sweaty! Some Sundays we went from Sunday school to the American Club where the kids would swim and we would sit in the shade pool-side and sweat. I remember going home late in the afternoon on those days and collapsing on the couch trying to cool off. When we came back to the US for visits and people would ask the kids how Singapore was their automatic answer was, "Hot!" So if we survive life in Singapore, we can survive South Carolina!

2. What's something in your life right now that falls under the heading 'up in the air'?
Isn't most of our lives here on earth up in the air? Since I am a Christian I can say with confidence that this world is not my home. C.S. Lewis said, "If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world."

3. Your favorite light and airy dessert?
Lemon Chiffon. My mom used to make this and it is soooo cool and refreshing.

4. When did you last feel like you were 'floating on air'?
If that expression means being super excited or super happy, I would have to say each time I have been with my granddaughter. I mean, come on, look at this face:

Lydia is wearing a little nightgown that was mine when I was a baby.

5. Airport, airmail, airtight, airhead...which have you most recently encountered? Explain.
Since we live halfway across the country from our kids and if we want to see them, we get to spend a lot of time in airports. Have you ever seen the movie, "The Terminal" with Tom Hanks? I think of it every time I am in an airport.

6.  Have you ever been to the Alps? If so where did you go? If not, is this a destination on your must-see list? If you were headed that direction this summer, which of the following would be your preferred activity...a gentle walk, a serious walk, a bike ride, a boat ride around one of the lakes, or summer snow skiing?
In the 90s my sister-in-law and brother-in-law lived in Switzerland and we visited them for a week one March. We took a train up to Zermatt right smack in the Alps. My parents have always had a painting in their house of the Matterhorn and I was so excited to see the real thing. Hubby skied for part of day while we were up there. It seemed to me that the Alps were so much more majestic than the Rockies.

7. What is one saying or phrase that was considered 'cool' when you were growing up?
Since I am a 60s and 70s kid, I'll have to go with "far out" and "groovy".

8. Insert your own random thought here. 
Let's just end this with one more picture of my favorite little girl:

Hodgepodge

1. July 15th is National Give Something Away Day.  What can you give away? Will you?
I could give some extra hugs to my great-nieces (ages 2 and 4) and my mom. (I'm hanging out at the beach with extended family.)

2. Do you have a mantra? Please share with the class if you feel comfortable doing so.
 Everything runs out.

We heard a sermon a few years ago about Jesus' first miracle of turning the water into wine and our take-away from that was "Everything Runs Out", meaning that nothing lasts forever.

3. Who does the grocery shopping in your house? How many times a week do you shop? Do you make a list or pray for inspiration in the produce aisle?
I do the grocery shopping. Sometimes Hubby goes with me. I go shopping when we need food. That could be a couple of times a week, or every couple of weeks. I keep a running list on the fridge where I write things I've run out of or when I think of something I need for a recipe I'm wanting to make.

4. Is there a TV show you're embarrassed to say you watch? You're going to tell us what it is, right?
I'm not embarrassed to say I watch these, but some might question my taste, but I have watched two soap operas for decades: The Young and the Restless and General Hospital.

5. A recent article listed fifteen words we should eliminate from our (written) vocabulary in order to sound smarter-
that, went, honestly, absolutely, very, really, amazing, always, never, literally, just, maybe, stuff, things, and irregardless
Of the fifteen, which word is your most overused?
A friend posted a link to this article on Facebook and someone commented:
"Honestly like always, this is like a really, really good article. Literally amazing. smile emoticon." Best comment ever. 
I probably use the word really too much. But many of those words make it into my writing quite a bit.  

6. So apparently dying your hair gray (in your youth!) is a thing right now. It's called 'The Granny Hair' trend. Your thoughts? 
My thoughts? Stupid. Don't force it, girls. It will come in due time.


7. A while back Buzz Feed asked members to share the most beautiful sentence they've read in a piece of literature. A hard thing to narrow down, at least for me, but let's try. What's one of the most beautiful sentences you've ever read in a piece of literature?
From the fullness of His grace we have received one blessing after another. John 1:16

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I am hanging out at my sister and brother-in-law's beach house in North Carolina with my extended family this week. My siblings (and their spouses) are here and so are my parents. My dad pointed out to my mom last night that she gets to spend a whole week with all four of her kids. Mom just grinned her big cheesy grin. Monday night my two sisters, brother, dad and I sat around the living and talked about grandparents, and aunts and uncles and cousins for long time. It was awesome.

A Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Besides left over Easter goodies, what's something currently kept in a basket at your house?
We have a random basket on a coffee table that holds all sorts of remotes that are awaiting their assignment. We just have to find the TVs, stereos, blue-ray players they go to and decide where to put those things. Sigh. Moving. Oh, there are also take-out menus and a power cord to something and coasters and instructions for a blue-ray player and a dust rag and printed out HOA rules and recycling guidelines in the same basket. Because that makes total sense. (It's not even a terribly large basket.)

2. 'The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.' ~Michelangelo Buonarroti )
So which one are you...the one who aims too high, or the one who aims too low? Have you ever seen The Sistine Chapel? Did you know Michelangelo's surname prior to answering this question?
I don't really like to admit it, but I think my "aim" is often too low.
I have never seen The Sistine Chapel and I always thought Michelangelo was a one named dude. Learn something new every day, huh?

3. April 7th is National Beer Day. Hmmm...wonder how that's celebrated? Do you like beer? Have a favorite? If you're not a beer drinker do you have any recipes you enjoy cooking that call for beer?
I think beer tastes (and smells) like gross liquid bread.
My favorite recipe that uses beer is Pioneer Woman's Beef Stew with Beer and Paprika. Oh man, that stuff is so yummy!

4. When did you last travel somewhere new? Tell us where? How'd it go?
We made a quick trip to Charlotte, NC in February.
We haven't done much exploring of our new state, yet. Moving projects will keep one from doing things like that, I guess.
We are planning on going to Charleston, SC in a couple of weeks. I've always wanted to visit there and I'm pretty excited that we live  only three hours from there!
 
5. The value of a professional athlete is greatly overrated.
They get paid an outrageous amount of money for doing something that does not add a lot of value to society.

6. What's a pet peeve of yours when it comes to restaurant dining?
Wait staff that isn't trained and/or isn't attentive. We ate out recently at a fairly nice restaurant where our waiter was a very quiet talker. So quiet, in fact, that when he came to the table to take our orders, he just stood there and did not say a thing! I initially wanted to wait to speak until he said something, but then I just wanted him to go away as quickly as possible. He gave me the heebie jeebies!

7. It's Poetry Month...share a favorite poem, either the title, a few lines you find meaningful, or the whole kit and caboodle.
Can't say I have a favorite poem. Poetry has never interested me much. (Except when Hubby writes me one of his famous "Roses are red, violets are blue" poems. They are very original!)

8. Insert your own random thought here.
My daughter texted me this picture a couple of weeks ago. This is my mom and my granddaughter. They share the same middle name of Mae.

 My daughter called me to tell me the story of this visit. She lives about 40 minutes west of where my parents live. One Tuesday about two weeks ago, my daughter woke up from a nap and had a voice mail from my dad. My parents had left the house that morning to go to a doctor's appointment for my mom, but it was canceled at the last minute. Mom indicated (she has no speech due to a stroke about 18 months ago) that she didn't want to go back home. My dad has an amazing ability to ask Mom enough questions to figure out what she is wanting. He says that after 62 years of marriage he ought to be able to read her facial expressions and just plain understand her. Dad asked Mom if she wanted to go out for lunch. She nodded her head yes, then no. Meaning, Dad discerned, that she was fine with eating lunch out, but she wanted to do something else. While they were eating lunch, Mom kept pointing west. So Dad asked and asked trying to figure out what was she was pointing towards. He finally asked, "Do you want to go meet Lydia Mae?" to which he received a resounding "Uh Huh" and a strong nod of the head yes!

I got tears in my eyes (and do now as I write this out) when I first heard this story. I shake my head in amazement at what my mom has accomplished since her stroke despite the things she cannot do. I also am so moved by my dad's care for my mom.

This Week's Edition of the Wednesday Hodgpodge

Another Wednesday, another Wednesday Hodgepodge. Click on the button below to hop over to Joyce's blog, From This Side of the Pond, to read her answers and the other bloggers who have linked up.

1. 'In like a lion, out like a lamb'...does the first part of this saying describing March weather ring true where you live? 

March 1st was 40s and rainy here, my car thermometer showed 72 degrees on March 2nd. Today it's back to 40s and rainy. Tomorrow is supposed to be a high of 74. Despite the difference, I consider the weather lamb-like and I'm sure that's totally biased due to the fact that I have lived the last 13.5 years in Minnesota.

2. March 4th is National Grammar Day. What common grammatical error bothers you the most? 

I don't know how common this is but it makes me wants to scream when someone uses the word "being" instead of "since". 

"Being I’m going back to work, I won't be able to spend time..." 

I've read this on blogs and even have heard it on TV.  The sentence should read, "Since I'm going back to work..."  

It makes me cringe every single time.

3. William Arthur Ward says- 'The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.' Which one are you?

I think at different times I have had all those attitudes. Depends on my mood and my current outlook. To say it in southern-speak, I'm a Hot Mess. ha.

4. What's something you need to 'march forth and conquer' this month?

Unpacking 14 million (give or take) boxes and setting up our new house. 

Beginning to learn how to be a Grammy. (Soon!)

I need to conquer my dislike of flying.

(That's three somethings!)

5. An ongoing debate around here...do you dust first, then vacuum or vacuum first, then dust? Of the two routine household chores, which do you dislike the least? How's that for wording? 

Oh come on, there's no debate! My mom taught me you always dust first, then vacuum, that way you vacuum up the dust that fell to the floor. I typically dust, Hubby vacuums. I guess that would say I dislike dusting the least. Although after 30plus years of cleaning, I'm just about done with it. (Meaning I want to hire someone to do all the cleaning for me. We'll see if that happens someday.)

6. According to thrilllist.com, the ten most photographed sites in the U.S.A. are- Cinderella's Castle in Orlando, Southernmost House in Key West Florida, The Space Needle in Seattle, The Site of the Boston Massacre in Boston, The Bellagio Lake/fountains in Las Vegas, The Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, Coit Tower in San Fransisco, The Art Institute of Chicago, Niagara Falls, and snagging the number one spot-The Guggenheim Museum in New York City. How many on this list have you photographed? Which on the list would you most like to visit and photograph?

Let's see, I've photographed (and by Me, I mean either me or my hubby): 

Cinderella's Castle in Orlando, The Space Needle in Seattle, Coit Tower in San Fransisco, The Art Institute of Chicago, and Niagara Falls.  

I don't think any of those places I haven't been to are on my Bucket List of places I'd love to go to, which is probably why I haven't been there yet. I'd love to go back to Niagara Falls. I'd love to see them in the winter. Not that I love the cold winter weather, mind you, I'd just love to see the falls frozen.

7. Fifty years ago Monday (March 2, 1965) The Sound of Music premiered at the Rivoli Theatre in NYC. Have you seen the film? Do you own a copy? On a scale of 1-10 how much do you love it (or not)? Ten=best movie ever. If you're a fan, what's your favorite scene or song from the movie? 

I've seen The Sound of Music many, many times. I don't own a copy of it, but now think that I need to. ha. I love the movie! I'd give it a 10. There are many scenes/songs I love: My Favorite Things, the scene where the nuns sabotage the Nazi's car, and when the family is walking through the mountains at the end. I always get tense and scared when the family is hiding from the Nazis and hope they get away. I always love listening to Julie Andrews sing.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Last weekend we went to Charlotte, NC to go to a Manhattan Transfer concert and do some shopping. After our power shopping (which didn't involve much money, just looking) we decided to make a drop-by visit to see a friend of mine from high school/college days who has lived in the Charlotte area for the past 20 years. All I had was her address (no phone number), so we plugged it into the ole GPS, found the house (the only one with their outdoor lights on because they were having a dinner party - of course), rang the doorbell and ended up having the best two hours! She graciously invited us to join them at the table as they ate (we had already had dinner) and talked and talked. It has been close to 16 years since we had seen each other. Frankly I was just relieved she recognized me. We both agreed we have aged very gracefully. ha ha ha. As we were hugging good-bye I told her I had forgotten how much I liked her. :) Since then I have thought of about 400 more things to talk with her about. We'll have to meet halfway sometime to try to make a dent in the 400 things we need to talk about. I'm also mulling around the idea of inviting her and two other of our friends for a weekend at our house.

An Award Winning Hodgepodge Edition

Well, it seems as though I forgot about the blogging this past week. Oops. So here goes another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. Did you watch The Oscars? How many of the Best Picture nominees have you seen? (American Sniper, Birdman, Boyhood, Selma, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Imitation Game, The Theory of Everything, and Whiplash)

I watched only the last hour or so of the Oscars. I was busy that night talking to my son on the phone, watching The Great British Bake off and of course I was very engrossed in Downton Abbey. 

I have seen The Grand Budapest Hotel and Selma. I loved Selma, but thought The Grand Budapest Hotel was strange.

Do you think actors should use their acceptance speeches as an opportunity to promote their political and/or social agenda?

No, I don't think the Oscars is not the place for an actor to promote their own agenda. It's an award show for movies, people!

Does that sort of speech make you more or less inclined to change the channel? 

It would probably make me mute the TV while they are speaking. That mute button is a wonderful thing.

2. Speaking of the movies... are you comfortable going to a movie alone? How about dinner in a restaurant (not fast food, but an actual restaurant)? The second half of this question was posed by Carrie who blogs over at It's Not Easy Being Queen. Thanks Carrie! 

I have gone to countless movies alone and it doesn't bother me at all. When my kids were little I saved my sanity by leaving the kids with dear Hubby and spending an evening out by myself. I would go shopping, see a movie and even eat out at a restaurant by  myself.  I haven't had a lot of friends in the last few years, so I will often eat lunch out by myself. I always make sure to have a book with me. :)

3. What's the last home repair or home improvement project you had to pay someone to complete? In hindsight was this a project you could have done yourself? 

I think the last time we hired someone to do a home repair was for the ice maker in our refrigerator. Totally worth it since neither of us have a clue how to do that. It will be interesting to see if we hire people to do home improvement projects in our new house. Over the years we have learned what we are capable of and what we just don't want to do. Would hiring someone to clean the house fall under the "home improvement" category? That is a dream of mine!

4. Have you ever had Indian food? Like it or no? If you're a fan, what's your favorite dish? Have you ever prepared this yourself at home? Is there an Indian restaurant in your current hometown? 

Yes, I've had Indian food. I like some of it. I'm not a huge fan of curry. My daughter made an Indian dish recently that I really liked. I can't remember the name of it, unfortunately. (Chicken Tikka Masala, maybe?) She also made my favorite Indian food -- Naan Bread! Yum!!! 

I haven't fixed Indian food at home. Maybe I need to branch out more in my cooking. I could at least make Naan Bread. :)

I'm sure there are many Indian restaurants here in our new town. We've been having fun checking out lots of new restaurants but haven't hit up an Indian one, yet.

5. A song that reminds you of your parents? 

I had to quickly message my sister to ask her the name since it was escaping me. 

Two years ago my parents took all four of us kids and our spouses on a wonderful cruise to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. It was such a God-blessed week we all spent together. My mom had a terrible stroke only 5 months after the cruise. 

Anyway, all ten of us crammed into my parents' cabin to give them cards and gifts and to talk and to sing a hymn sung at their wedding: Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us. I remember thinking that night how faithful God has been to them as they sought for Jesus to lead them and their family from the beginning of their marriage.

6. The 26th of February is National Tell A Fairy Tale Day. What's your favorite, or one of your favorite, fairy tales? Do you have any childhood memories associated with a particular fairy tale? 

I remember for my 10th birthday getting a record (yes, an LP record) of The Three Little Pigs. (Is that a fairy Tale? I guess I don't know what qualifies a Fairy Tale)  Anyway, I just remember playing it over and over on a little record player we had.  I don't think I would say it's my favorite Fairy Tale, but I remember how much liked being able to listen to it when I wanted and that it was mine. That's a big deal when you are the youngest of four. I remember listening to the record and eating some peanuts in the shell from my very own bag that some friends of the family gave me for my birthday.

That was bonus information since question was about Fairy Tales. You're welcome.

7. What's a problem you solved yesterday? 

Yesterday I was hunting for a hair salon that sells Aqauge Uplifting Foam, but not hang any luck. So my solution was to come home and order it on Amazon. The downside is I will have a few days of not using that amazing mousse that helps me along the paths of big southern hair, but at least I will get it next week. I'll just have to experiment with what products I have on hand until then.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Last Saturday we wandered around town a good part of the day looking at furniture stores and appliance stores. We bought a washer and dryer, looked at a bazillion refrigerators and ordered a round table and four chairs for our breakfast room. I'm excited to see the table and chairs (in 10 weeks). We realized this is only the second table we have bought in our 30 years of marriage.

The whole refrigerator hunt is not going well. Consumer Reports rated Samsung as a good brand. A friend who works for a repair place said they are very hard to work on and not many people do. Grr. Then there's the whole debate of Side-By-Side compared to French Door. I had almost convinced myself that French Door was the way to go until I realized that most of them are probably too tall for the space in the new house. Any advice internets?

Wednesday Hodgepodge

I'm joining up today with the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Click on the button below to hop over to Joyce's blog to join up and read all the other participant's answers to this week's questions.

1. When did you last have to interact, either by phone or in person, with someone in a government run agency? On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the experience? (10 being fabulous and 1 being pass the Tylenol)

In December, I went into the local post office in Smaller Town, Minnesota to inquire about how to stop, hold and forward our mail. We were leaving Minnesota, but had two weeks before we would be in our temporary apartment in South Carolina.  The postal employee gave me good instructions, but when I went back a couple of weeks later to hand them the paperwork, another employee was very confused and tried to give me different, more confusing, instructions. Oh the joy of a small town where no one moves in to or away from. I'd rate these experiences as a 3. We will again have to have our mail forwarded when we move into our house in the next month. I hope we don't totally loose stuff because of that. But what else can we do? My next interaction with government will be to get a driver's license and change the plates on our cars. I've heard rumblings that neither of these are simple processes.

2. The current governor of Wisconsin is considering a run for President next time around. Walker attended Marquette University, but never graduated. In terms of any candidate running for the office of President (not asking here if you agree or disagree with Scott Walker's politics) would the lack of a college degree influence your vote or no? Would that be a factor in your support of any candidate running for public office, even a role less weighty than President?
I do think someone running for a political office should have a college degree and it would influence my vote.

3. When did you last visit a place or site named for George Washington or Abraham Lincoln, and what was that place or site?

Hmmmm..... we drove through Lincoln, Nebraska several years ago...

4. February 16th was President's Day in the US, but did you know it was also National Almond Day? I didn't think so :) Do you like almonds? If so, what's a food/dish/recipe you enjoy that contains almonds? 

I love almonds! I like to eat them as a snack. Jaarsma Bakery in Pella, Iowa makes the best pastries with almond paste. My all time favorite is these Dutch Letters:

My mom also made a dessert called Almond Cookie Cake. I'd include the recipe here, but being in the process of moving means I don't have access to my recipes and cookbooks right now.

5. The television program Saturday Night Live celebrated it's 40th anniversary this past weekend. Were/are you a fan of the show? If so what has been your favorite (or one of your favorite) skits, sayings, or characters that came out of the program?
I really liked the late 70s time period with Billy Murray, Dan Akroyd, Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, etc.  The Loud Family and the Coneheads were some of my favorites.

6. Anything purple within ten feet of you? What is it?
Since I am in a small one bedroom apartment, almost everything here is within 10 feet of me. ha. One purple thing is some eyeshadow that I use sparingly and not very often. Another is a pair of amethyst earrings.

7. Back in December I asked you to submit a question for a future HP as part of a giveaway I was hosting. I grabbed this one from those entries, submitted by Zoanna who blogs over at Penchant for Pens. Thanks Zoanna!
She asks, "How often do you make your bed, and how do you like to make it-pull the covers all the way up over the pillows, tuck the covers in around the pillows, or place all the pillows on top of the covers?" 
I like the idea of a made bed every day....but in reality, it doesn't happen. I'd say I make the bed anywhere from 2-4 times a week. I like to pull the quilt over the pillows and do a little tucking, then add the "pretty" pillows. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.
These is a picture of my baby girl when she was nine days old. She will be having her first baby (a girl!) in less than a month! So exciting and so hard to comprehend!

A "Chilly" Wednesday Hodgepodge

I'm joining up with Joyce again today for the Wednesday Hodgepodge. She's in the midst of a snowstorm so has given this week a chilly theme. Me? Well, it's very balmy here in the South and I don't miss that bitter winter weather AT ALL. Click on the button below to read this week's other participants in the Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. When did someone last suggest you 'chill out'? Or, when did you last tell someone (or want to tell someone) to 'chill out'? Or, when did you last tell yourself to 'chill out'?
Ummmm....I remember telling a loved one to chill out not terribly long ago, but it wasn't a very nice thing to say or very nice circumstance, so I won't go into detail about it here.

2. What most recently caused your heart to melt?
Seeing this picture of my extremely happy 34 week pregnant daughter. She posted this on social media on Sunday.

I always knew she would be adorable pregnant. I just want to give her a big hug and feel Baby Girl kick.

3.  "An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered." G.K. Chesterton 
Your thoughts? When did you last experience either an adventure or an inconvenience? How did you see it at first, as an adventure or an inconvenience?  Does it feel the same in hindsight?
Whether I view something as an adventure or an inconvenience all depends on my mood. Bad mood = Inconvenience. Good mood = Adventure. My Hubby does a good job in helping me to see the adventure in a situation at times. Moving halfway across the country certainly lends itself to adventures/inconveniences. Living in an apartment is kind of an inconvenience in part because there isn't a full kitchen to work with. On the flip side that lends itself to adventures in cooking. We have eaten out a lot (yay!) and I have found some great quick-fix meals at Trader Joe's that seem to be pretty good quality.
 
4.  A Wendy's Frosty, root beer in a frosty mug, or a frosted chocolate cupcake...of these three, which one is your favorite 'frosty' treat?
A frosty is meh in my book. Root beer is yucky. (I feel that way because I was a carhop at A&W in high school and learned to dislike root beer.) So what's left? A frosted chocolate cupcake, of course! Panera makes a terrific one and there is one only two minutes from our apartment. (yikes)

5. Would you say your life so far this year has been more like a circus or a symphony? Explain why.
I think moving and trying to find a news house to buy is like a circus. Pretty crazy.

6. Since it's a 'snow day' here, what's your favorite song containing the word 'white'?

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. 

Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

YouTube Link Here.

Best Thing Ever. My life would be nowhere without Jesus.

7. If you had to leave the city you currently live in, what would you find the hardest to leave behind?
Let's see, I've lived here for a total of 22 days. I don't think I know yet what I would find hard to leave behind. Opportunities I don't know about yet? Nice winter weather?

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I was debating last week about continuing with Community Bible Study because I just wasn't seeing any opportunities to talk with others and get to know people. Monday afternoon the leaders of our core group sent us an email and asked if we were able to go out to dinner with them and a few others after the study. (!) So when CBS was over we walked to a great restaurant nearby called Tupelo Honey. (I'll see you there sometime, Joyce!) We had such a fun time talking and getting to know new people. When Hubby and Igot in the car to drive home, (we made it the whole way back to the apartment with no GPS!) I just said, "Thank you, God!"

Wednesday Hodgepodge

I'm joining up again this week with the Wednesday Hodgepdoge. Head on over to Joyce's blog by clicking on the button below and join in.

1. American Idol is back for a 14th season. Are you watching? Have you ever watched? If you were to audition for the show (or were made to audition), what song would you sing?
Nope, not watching this season. I don't think I have ever watched a whole season. I have only caught a few shows here and there. For some reason it has never held my interest. The first song that popped into my mind that I would sing for an audition (if I had to) was "Where is Love"  from the musical "Oliver".  I sang "Where is Love" when I was in high school to audition for the Swing Choir my junior and senior year. I made it both years, so reviving that song would make sense, of course.

2.  Mark Twain is quoted as saying, "If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first." So when did you last have to 'eat a frog'? Or two? How'd that work out? 

Less than a week after moving to South Carolina, Hubby and I went to an evening Community Bible Study together. We have never stepped out to do something like that so quickly after a move. Kinda a Big Frog step for us. We'll continue to go for the rest of the semester and hope to meet people through that. (And study God's Word, of course.)

 

3. If you were going on safari, what is the number one animal you'd want to see?
I know my hubby would say he would want to see a cheetah. He's a runner and he loves the speed and sleekness of cheetahs. I think I would like to see a hippopotamus. Funky animals.
 
4. January 21st is National Granola Bar Day. I know. Do you like granola bars? Chewy or crunchy? Your favorite flavor? How about regular granola? Let's exhaust this topic in honor of the holiday okay?
I love Granola. I could take or leave Granola Bars. (I know that's not very exhaustive, but that's all I got.)

5. If only...  the decision of which house to buy would come more easily.  There are currently four houses we kind of like, but there are significant pros and cons about each one. We go this afternoon to look at them for a second time armed with a spread-sheet/check-list.

6. You can add one item to your bedroom. What will it be? Keep it family friendly please.
A comfy sitting area for reading. That's one thing on our check-list as we look for a new house.

7. What is one thing you've enjoyed about winter thus far? If it's not winter in your corner of the globe, what season is it, and what is something you've enjoyed about whatever season it happens to be?
What have I enjoyed about this winter? I have enjoyed that we got to move away from Minnesota before really severe winter hit there. "Winter" in South Carolina is so much more tolerable! I've been wandering around the apartment this week with no socks on my feet. I've also been outside with no coat or jacket. Love it!

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

I've been missing this goofy family of mine like crazy this week. Monday morning I was thinking that I would call my kids Tuesday. Who do I get a call and a text from that evening? My kids! So good to talk with them.

The Wednesday Hodgepodge

Since I have a new blog, I think I will join up with Joyce @ From This Side of the Pond and answer her Hodgepodge questions for this week.

 

1. What's your best piece of advice for a newly married couple? I'm asking for a friend.

The best marriage advice we ever received was to never speak poorly of each other in front of others. It really grates against me when I hear a husband and wife cut each other down or complain about the other when in public. I haven't perfectly followed this advice, but I try. It certainly helps with my attitude towards my husband. (I hope this helps your friend.)

2. Before we're too far into the new year I wanted to post a question Teresa submitted during the December giveaway. Teresa blogs over at Being Refined As Silver, so everyone go say hi. Teresa asks, "What were you doing on December 31st, 1999?"and "Did you or your family make preparations for Y2K?"

Good question! I would think most people would remember that significant date. 

1999 found us living in Singapore. Christmas of that year was spent in New Zealand. We had to go back to Singapore for New Year's Eve, because Hubby had to be at work "just in case".  December 31, 1999: Hubby was at work, our son, who was 12 at the time was out wandering around Singapore with the youth group from church, my daughter (who was 9) and I were at home watching the New Year festivities in Singapore in TV. I think the only one who really had fun that night was our son. No, we didn't make any sort of preparations for Y2K that I can remember.

3. According to Global Language Monitor, the most used word of 2014 isn't a word. It's the heart emoji. Huh? How can something that's not a word be the most used word, but I digress. What do you think was your most used word in 2014?

Move. Or variations of that word.

4. Speaking of words, it's that time again. Time for Lake Superior University to present a list of words they'd like to see banished (for over-use, mis-use, and general uselessness) in 2015. You can read more about the decision making process here, but this year's top vote getters are- bae (before anyone else), polar vortex, hack, skill set, swag, foodie, curate/curated, friend-raising, enhanced interrogation, cra-cra (as in crazy), takeaway, and -nation (a suffering sports suffix). Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word not on the list you'd like to add?

I'll have to admit I haven't heard several of those words/phrases. The one I think it the stupidest would have to be "cra-cra". Just say "crazy" and be done with it. What other word? "Pic" or "pics". Just spell out the whole word, thank-you-very-much. And PLEASE don't use "pix"!

5.  January is National Hot Tea month? Are you a fan? Do you like flavored teas? How do you take your tea? Have a favorite cup or teapot? How many cups of tea do you consume in a given day? 

Yes, I like tea. I tend to like regular old black tea, but English Breakfast and Earl Grey are close behind. I like Hot Tea, I tend to drink (decaf) Iced Tea year round.

6. Whatever happened to________________________________?

Whatever happened to the 1920-something silver dollars my great-aunt gave me when I was a child? I haven't been able to find them for years and it just makes my heart sick.

7. What is one book on your must-read list this winter? 

I have quite a pile of books I got for Christmas and my birthday. I just started reading My Life in France by Julia Child. So far so good. I also want to re-read a book called Hansi the Girl Who Left the Swastika. I heard the author speak at our church in Singapore many, many years ago and I found her story very fascinating.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

The company Hubby works for shipped one of our cars to South Carolina. Here it is on the truck ready to be taken off for us. Our car is the red one. Can we say lack of planning?

I will say the driver was an expert at backing those cars off pretty quickly!