Wednesday Hodgepodge

Hey y'all!  Here's hoping to get back into the swing of things...

1. Is a picture worth a thousand words? Elaborate.
Sometimes.  Sometimes, a picture says things that can't easily be articulated in any other way.

2. Have you ever driven any part of the Pacific Coast Highway? If so what was your favorite stop? If not, is this sort of trip on your bucket list?
No, I've never been that far west in America.  I'm not a huge fan of road trips in general anymore, to be honest.  I suppose I'd be happy to take it by train, but not if I'm driving.

3. How do the changing seasons affect you? As the seasons change do you find yourself looking more forward or backward? Which season-season transition bothers you most? Why do you suppose that is? 
The fall-to-winter transition is hardest on me.  Makes my back ache a lot more.  I do love summer-to-fall, though, it makes me look forward to fresh apples and pumpkin everything.

4. It's your birthday and you get to pick the dinner menu. What are we having? Do you ever lie about your age?
Something with cheese!  Seriously, though, my mood varies so much it's hard to pick one particular thing.  We went to a Mexican place for my birthday this year, if that counts.

I don't generally lie about my age.  For the time being, I don't feel like I have anything to hide.

5. What's a life lesson you've learned recently?
Not sure how to articulate this one.  We got a big life lesson when that tree came crashing down on our house.  It's still in a state of disrepair.  But the new roof is on, and the inside work is starting...uh, today, actually.  But I've learned I can deal with a few weeks of chaos if I know for certain things will be better in the end.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.
I never posted the obligatory first day of school pictures!  Scout is starting sixth grade, Sunshine is starting second.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Did you watch the solar eclipse? Your thoughts? Sun Chips, Moon Pies, Starburst candies, a Blue Moon beer, a Sunkist orange, or a Milky Way candy bar...what's your favorite eclipse related snack on this list?

We did!  The kids were mesmerized by it.  We had a fantastic time playing outside and watching the sun disappear little by little.  We weren't in the path of totality, but we saw a lot of it!

I wanted to get Moon Pies, but the store was sold out.  Not that I'm surprised...
2. What are you 'over the moon' about these days? What's something you enjoy doing every 'once in a blue moon'?

The cooler weather.  I'm not necessarily meant for winter, but I like it when fall starts to arrive.

Once in a blue moon...I...don't know what I like to do.  I seem to be kind of all-or-nothing about things.
3. Tell us about something in the realm of science that interests you. How do you feed that interest?

Electronics.  I used to have an IT job that I loved, but I left that job long ago.  So I try to help out when I can.

4. What are a few things you remember about going back to school as a child?

Nervously looking around my classroom to see if any of my friends were there.  Wondering what the teacher would be like.

5. I've seen several versions of this around the net so let's make one of our own...share with us five words that touch your soul and briefly tell us why.

Huh, I haven't seen anything like this!

peace
service
sharing 
understanding
love

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

Tuesday was my 37th birthday (though a lot of people in my orbit have started joking that I'm turning 29 again). I don't mind getting older, I kind of feel like I've earned it.

It was also the day a tree landed on my house about ten minutes after I took the kids to Scout's violin lesson.  Everyone is okay, but the house is in desperate need of some repairs.  But everyone's okay, and since my son had actually been IN the room that got the most severe damage about fifteen minutes before that tree came down...we're hugely blessed to all be safe.

In other news, I'm redecorating a room, and I'm totally open to ideas anyone has...

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Do your actions match your words? Elaborate.

I hope so.  I like to think I can be relied upon to be honest.  It's harder during the summer, when I can't do ANYTHING without having to open a juice box or answer a question about cats or settle a debate about anything...

2. Sick as a dog, go to the dogs, dog days of summer, dog tired, it's a dog's life, every dog has it's day, can't teach an old dog new tricks...now doggone it which saying could most recently be applied to your life?

Dog days of summer.  It hasn't been that hot here, which is good, but it's closing in on the beginning of the school year, and we're running out of energy and time to do everything.  

3. Your favorite book featuring a dog in the storyline? What makes it a favorite?

Is anyone gonna laugh if I say Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban?  I know the dog was Sirius, but he was a good boy.  Yes he was.  

4. What's something you hope to one day have the confidence to do?

Speak up.  There's kind of a lot of stuff going on, and I wish I had the spine to make my opinion clear.  I feel like my own blog should be a safe place for me to say something, but I've seen people get burned by that in the past.  The only thing I think we can all agree on here is we don't have the time or the place in our lives for hating one another.

5. August 16th is National Tell a Joke Day. So tell us a joke.

I stole this one from my son, who wrote it down and put it in his sister's lunchbox.
What sound do porcupines make when they kiss?
...
...
...
Ouch!

(Putting jokes in Sunshine's lunchbox is kind of our thing.  I'm gonna need some ideas for the coming school year, so hit me with your best ones!  She's gonna be eight in October, if that helps...)
6. Insert your own random thought here.

I discovered the other day that most of my tea towels have holes in them.  What the heck?  So I ordered a bunch of new ones, and I ordered some of those designs that you iron on to embroider over so they wouldn't be so BORING but turns out, I don't know how to use an iron because the pattern I was trying to iron on to a towel this morning only got half transferred.  I have no idea what I'm doing and I kinda feel like less of an adult because of it.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Happy Summer, everyone!  You should totally join us with the Hodgepodge, courtesy of From This Side Of The Pond.

1. When and where were the best fireworks you've ever seen? Speaking of fireworks...do you know your hot buttons? The things people can say and/or do to set you off? When was the last time someone pushed one of your hot buttons?

I haven't seen fireworks in many different places, honestly.  But the shows in my hometown were usually pretty wonderful.  I remember one year the drought was so severe they cancelled the fireworks show and replaced it with a laser light show, that was pretty awesome.

As to my hot buttons, yes.  I don't like conflict and I don't like bullies.  Last time someone pushed that particular hot button was about a week ago.
2. Have you hosted any outdoor summer parties this year? Attended any? What makes for a great outdoor party?

Meh, sort of.  Scout and my husband are both out of town this week on a mission trip, so it's just Sunshine and me...so we invited over a friend from church yesterday for hot dogs and s'mores.  It was fun, and it was a nice relaxing evening.  (I'd invited over Sunshine's best friend too, but she couldn't make it.)

3. What does freedom mean to you?

It means everything to me.  I can mostly go where I want, when I want, speak to who I want, about what I want.  I have it really good in a safe neighborhood surrounded by good people.

It doesn't free me from any fallout from my poor choices.

4. July is National Cell Phone Courtesy month...what annoys you most about people's cell phone habits?

Speakerphone.  Nobody wants to listen to you make a dentist appointment, stop that!

5. What's your current summer anthem?

Since the boys are gone this week, Sunshine and I had a movie marathon the other day.  She'd never seen Moana, or Mulan, or Trolls, and now she has.  One of the songs in Moana has been stuck in my head ever since, which is awkward because I don't speak Samoan...

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

I feel like I've barely seen my children this summer.  First there was a day camp they wanted to be part of, then there was a week of camping (scout camp for him, church camp for her), now this mission trip, and they both have another week of church camp coming up soon.

They're loving it, and I kind of am too, because it's good for them to spread their wings and fly...but I'm missing them. :(

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. The Hodgepodge lands on June 14th this week, Flag Day in the US of A. Do you fly your country's flag at home? Sometimes, often, or every single day? Have you ever visited the city of Brotherly Love (Philadelphia)? Did you make a point of seeing The Betsy Ross House? Have you ever made a trip to Baltimore? If so, was Fort McHenry on your itinerary? (where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write The Star Spangled Banner)

We do, sometimes.  Most the time it's either raining or I'm forgetful.  Fortunately, I can count a boy scout among our ranks, and he's a bit better about remembering than I am.

As to Philadelphia or Baltimore, it's been many, many years since I've been to Philadelphia.  We drove through Baltimore a couple years ago on our way to/from DC.  Didn't stop by any of the touristy places in Baltimore.
2. Red flag or white flag? Which have you encountered most recently? Explain.

Probably white flag.  I say that as I'm watching a pair of groundhogs frolic in our backyard.  I know the fact that there's two of them back there means big trouble later, but...they're so cute...

(Also, now that school's out, I have lost complete control of my schedule.  So there's that.)
3. Are you a stay in the car listen to the end of a song kind of person? What kind of person is that?

Sometimes.  I've been known to be that crazy lady that drives around the block a couple extra times, just because I'm listening to something I love.  I think it means I'm kind of sentimental, especially if it's because I'm listening to something that makes me wistful for some long-hidden memory.

4. What are some of the traits or qualities you think a good dad possesses? In other words, what makes a good dad? What's an expression you associate with your father?

I think a good dad is honest and a good lead-by-example sort.  Wants the best for his children and isn't afraid to play goofy games with them.

An expression I associate with my father, particularly during my college years, because he said it a LOT then..."Your attitude got you into this, and your attitude will get you through."  I always took it to mean he knew I was determined enough to make it through just about anything.

It may have been something more sarcastic.  Who knows.

5. What's one rule you always disagreed with while growing up? Is that rule somehow still part of your adult life? Is that a good or bad thing?

"Your sister is in charge."

Not that it applies much, anymore, but given that my sister was the older of the two of us, and BOTH of my parents had older siblings, I always thought they would have remembered the laws of sibling dynamics enough to *not* do that.  But they did, and I concede, I did it just last night, for about five minutes.  Nothing happened, but I'd really rather never do that again.
6. Insert your own random thought here.

You know that prayer that goes, "Lord, keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth"? That's in my head these days...I got committee'd for boy scouts, Scout has a swim test tonight, Sunshine has a dress rehearsal for her dance recital tomorrow night, the big show is on Saturday, and I'm already tired.  Clearly coffee is no longer strong enough.

Wednesday Hodgepodge (early edition)

Well, I'm back again for another hodgepodge, and I'm doing it early again because Wednesdays get busy in a hurry around here!

1. Share a favorite memory of your mother or share a favorite something from your own life as a mother. If you're a mother (or stepmom) tell us how your experience as a mom differs from your own mother's experience.

I remember one particularly warm winter, when I was very young, my mother decided one morning to assure me that Santa would still be visiting because he would put wheels on his sleigh.  She spent a lot of time trying to assure me that everything would be okay.  I didn't understand why she was so worried--Santa's sleigh could FLY, so what did it matter that there wasn't any snow?

One of my favorite memories as a mother was when my son was about eighteen months old.  I had a terrible headache one morning, and I was lying on the sofa, trying to sleep it off, but I could tell he was somewhere upstairs crying for one of us.  My husband went to find him, and came back with the news that he'd gone upstairs to his room to get his favorite stuffed kitty, and couldn't get back downstairs with him.  My eyes were still closed, and I barely replied, but I definitely noticed when my son tucked his kitty into my arms, kissed my forehead, and patted my cheek.  He'd gone to get his kitty for ME so I would feel better.


2. In May we celebrate teachers (May 9) and nurses (May 6) both. Most every family has at least one in their midst, so tell us something (or a few things) you appreciate about the teacher or nurse on your family tree.

I...actually don't think I have any teachers or nurses in my family tree!

3. Chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad...which would you go for if all three were on the menu? On bread or a bed of lettuce? If you answered bread, what kind of bread would make it the perfect sandwich?

I suppose if those are my options, I'll take chicken salad, on a bed of lettuce.  I'm not a huge fan of any of them.  But since I've had chicken salad that I'll actually tolerate before...

4. Do you have a desk? Is it organized? If so, share your secret to keeping it that way. If you don't have a desk, where in your home do you take care of family paperwork and business? Where do you normally sit to blog?

I don't.  And NOTHING of mine is organized.  Family paperwork and business is taken care of at the dining room table.  I set it in my place so that I definitely get it out of the way before dinner.  Right now, I'm upstairs in my room blogging.

5. When I was nine years old....
Wow.  Uh...I was in fourth grade?  My teacher got married halfway through the school year.  I don't think that lasted long.  I wanted to be a police officer when I grew up.  My favorite color was blue.  I had a soft spot for a certain boy, but there were three of them by that name in that classroom, and one of them had gotten the WRONG impression, and was rather cruel about it.  

Maybe I don't remember that much about being nine years old...
6. Insert your own random thought here.

My husband is travelling for work this week.  I wasn't feeling well after dinner, and all I wanted was to do the dishes in relative peace and quiet.  Scout responded to this by taking Sunshine outside to teach her how to pitch a baseball.

If every summer day was like this, I'd like summer more.  Most summer days are spent breaking up shouting matches or trying to keep them from flooding the backyard.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Hey y'all--I'm doing that thing where I do this on Tuesday instead of Wednesday again, so bear with me...

1. April is Lawn and Garden Month. On a scale of 1-10 what's the current state of your lawn and/or garden. (10=a showpiece, 1=send in the professionals). Tell us about any lawn or garden plans you have for this month.

I won't lie to you, it's probably at a 2 or 3.  We never managed to fully get all the leaves out of our yard from last year (that oak tree just NEVER GIVES UP) and right now it's pretty muddy, because Pittsburgh gets an astonishing amount of rain.  But once it dries out, all it needs is a few passes with the mower and it'll be all right.

2. "Many things grow in the garden that were never sown there."~Thomas Fuller  What does this quote mean to you?

This seems to me to be about plot twists.  Similar to the idea that we make plans, and God laughs.  Just because something happens in a truly life-changing way doesn't mean it's because of any actions we took.

3. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think about God?

Grace.

4. If we were chatting in person, how would I know if you were nervous?

I'd be talking really, really fast.  But nervous is not something I do often anymore.

5. Do you like the color yellow? Would I find any in your home or wardrobe? Daffodils, tulips, roses, sunflowers, day lily, black eyed susan...which yellow bloom on this list is your favorite?

It isn't part of my wardrobe, but I like it all right.  I just like it better in nature.  Of the ones on the list, I have a soft spot for sunflowers.

6. Flip flops or bare feet?

Bare feet.  Less noisy that way.

7. Tell us about any Easter plans, celebrations, or traditions you'll carry out this month.

Other than going to church, nothing specific--I'm getting the kids' gifts together, and I think this year I'll send them on a color-coordinated Easter egg hunt, but other than that, Easter is pretty low key for us.  It's usually nice, so I'll just let them spend the day playing outside after church.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
...is anyone other than me kind of tired of hearing that this giraffe is gonna have her baby "soon"?  Because they've been telling us that for two months.  To be fair, I hope she does have her baby soon, but meanwhile, I have chores to do....