Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. It's officially summer (in the northern hemisphere anyway). Which summer month is best and why?


There's a few things I love about every month of it.  But I'll say August, not just because it celebrates a bunch of family birthdays, but also because I think the kids do better at enjoying the time that's left before school starts again.

2. Can you swim? How did you learn? June 27th is National Sunglasses Day. How many pair do you own?

Not very well.  I can keep myself above the water and I can get from one end of a pool to another but that's about it.  I won't win any races or anything.

I have one pair of sunglasses.  I had to replace my last pair because I slipped and fell when we were in Cancún, and long story short, the dolphins took my previous pair.
3. What characteristic do you judge most harshly in yourself? How about in others?

I'm very impatient.  I like my results immediate and I get discouraged if they aren't (and they almost never are).  In others...being rude to store employees.

4. Robert Frost wrote the now well known poem entitled The Road Not Taken. What's a road (literal or figurative) you've always wanted to travel, and where do you hope it takes you? 

Excellent question.  There's a lot of places I'd like to see, most of them in Europe, but I'm reluctant to get my hopes up too much.

5. Popsicles-yay or nay? If you answered yay, what's your favorite flavor? 

Yay! Strawberry please.

6. Brexit-on a scale of 1-10 how knowledgeable are you on what's involved here? (1=very knowledgeable and 10=what's Brexit) Is this news you'll follow or is it something you think won't impact your life in any way shape or form?

...eh, probably an 8.  I know it happened, and that most people aren't pleased.  I'm pretty sure it'll impact us all somehow, but I also think that things will eventually resolve themselves.

7. Share a favorite song on your summer play list.

I don't really have a summer playlist, as such.  But I kicked off my summer by attending our church's Annual Conference, and I think this song kind of sums things up nicely:

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Well, this year has been an adventure for our little family.  I would like to sleep through the second half of 2016.  Since I realize that would be ridiculous, I'll continue taking things five minutes at a time.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. If you could sit beside and/or jump in any lake in the whole wide world today, which lake would you choose and why? 

Does it have to be a lake?  Because I'm on vacation this week/right now, and this is just outside...

We're in Cancún, and I will gladly take the ocean.

2. What's your favorite 'fruity' drink? 

Lemonade, especially with strawberries.  So perfect.

3. I read a list here of thirteen things to do right now to simplify your life. They were-

clean as you go, re-evaluate your relationships (cut toxic ties), unsubscribe (too many blogs and websites), de-clutter, write down your daily goals, reply to emails right away, forget multitasking, create a morning routine, re-evaluate your commitments (which hobbies and responsibilities are most important to you), say no, clean up your computer, and plan your day ahead

Which of the tasks listed do you currently find most helpful in keeping life simple? Which item on the list should you adopt in order to simplify your life this month?

Cleaning as I go.  If I can do some of the dishes while dinner cooks, everything is so much easier.  I wish decluttering was easier.

4. What did you do the summer after you graduated from high school? 

Almost immediately moved away for college.  My university has a non-traditional schedule, and classes started just after the Fourth of July.

5. Are you a fan of podcasts? If so what's a favorite? 

Not in particular.  I'm a much bigger fan of music.

6. Do you think today's fathers have it harder, easier, or just different than fathers in the past?

I think it's just different.  Every generation has their struggles, and I wouldn't want to say ours are necessarily one way or the other.

7. Tell us one way you're like your father? Or not at all like your father if that's easier?

We're both sarcastic.  Not that THAT should be a surprise.... :)

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Have I ever shared a picture of my whole family with y'all?  I'm not sure I have...

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Tell us about one fun thing on your June calendar. 

June is full of a lot of fun things for us.  We're headed to Mexico, for starters.  There's also community celebrations and a dance recital.

2. How careful are you in the sun? Do you tan or burn? Do you make it a point to see the dermatologist every year?
I tend to err a LOT on the side of caution.  I burn easily, and it almost never fades to a tan.  Not that any precautions will help me on vacation...

I do not see a dermatologist every year.  I probably should.

3. Describe a time when you wanted to 'throw in the towel'? 

TRYING TO GET THESE PATCHES TO STAY ON SUNSHINE'S SCOUT VEST.  So frustrating.

4. What's a song you love that has a day of the week in the title or lyrics?
Ruby Tuesday by the Rolling Stones.

5. Are you a fan of berries? Which one's your favorite? What's the most recent berry dish you've eaten? Which blueberry breakfast food appeals to you most-blueberry pancakes, blueberry yogurt, or a blueberry muffin?
I LOVE berries, especially strawberries.  I made a batch of fruit salad consisting largely of strawberries the other day and I've been having that for breakfast lately.  

Blueberries not so much.  But if I had to pick one of the ones listed, I'd probably choose blueberry pancakes.

6. What's something you want to do before your next birthday?
Get through the summer without losing my temper.  It's gonna be a pretty big favor to ask. 

7. June 1st is National Say Something Nice Day, so let's all say something nice here.
I got a sweet message from a friend the other day who wanted to check in on Sunshine and her issues.  She's one of those people who lifts her spirits when she's feeling down (and she is, poor dear) by trying to lift the spirits of others.  She's beautiful and wonderful and I hope someday to be just like her.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
It's gonna be a hot day here.  Good day to not cook inside.  It's a pity the kids won't eat most of what I could make on the grill...

(update: dinner was awful.  As in, "Let's order pizza instead" awful.)