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....

Wednesday Hodgepodge

For the first time in a long time, I'm back, baby!

 

1. Setting aside the real March Madness (NCAA Basketball) describe something happening at your house this month that might earn the title 'March Madness'?

ALL THE THINGS.  Scout's birthday was last week, which means guests and a party and general chaos.  He's 11 now.  This year, he also got to take part in the annual 5th grade vs. teachers basketball game (which the 5th graders won by one point).  There's also a lot of things going on with him with actual Scouts--he's in the process of transitioning from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts, which is more activities, but he's enjoying it.

Sunshine has had dance classes and after school fitness/wellness stuff and Girl Scouts and cookie sales and...well, that's all...but isn't that enough?
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.

Not really a made-up word, but kind of a mishmash of a couple things from my children's childhood.  They always called my grandmother Super Nana, mostly because I had told my son that she was his great-grandmother.  He knew "great" also meant "super", and the name kind of stuck.  She loved it.  I thought it made her sound like a super hero.

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?

Of those fifteen, the ceiling fans DEFINITELY need my attention, and then probably the baseboards.  The fans will get done...I may make someone smaller than me take care of the baseboards.

4. A favorite movie set in Paris or New York?

Well, I seem to remember the X-Men series being set in New York...

5. What's put a spring in your step this month?

The birds outside my window.  True, right now they're squawking and I can practically hear them saying, "HEY, LADY, YOUR BIRD FEEDER IS EMPTY AND WE'RE HUNGRY" but still.  It's nice to have them back.

6. Did you ever want to be a teacher? Why or why not?

For a while, yes I did.  I don't recall what exactly the appeal was, but it didn't last long.  

7.  What's your favorite floral scent? Do you have this somewhere in your home or maybe in a perfume? How do you feel about florals in food? How about wines with floral notes-yay or nay?

Lavender.  I always have some lavender essential oil around somewhere--the kids love it because it helps them sleep, I love it because it helps the kids sleep...

Florals in food--It's a nice looking effect, but I have a hard time with the idea of eating a flower.

Wine with floral notes--done right, it's very nice.  I tend to prefer a sweeter wine, though.
8. Insert your own random thought here.

Today's schedule includes (counts on fingers) eight stops.  I'm already tired thinking about it.  (I'm writing this on Tuesday morning, though, to avoid the REAL busy day that will be tomorrow.)

New Year, New Hodgepodge

I haven't actually been able to get to one of these since September.  New Year feels like a good reason to try again...

1. Share one favorite moment/memory from your Christmas holiday. 

The end of a long drive.  Fifteen hours in the car, ooof.  Seriously, though--getting to see everyone.  Getting to go to the candlelight service on Christmas Eve.  Watching my son transform as he carried his youngest cousin everywhere.  She adores him, and he loves every second of it.

2. What was the best thing you ate over the holidays? Was it homemade or store bought? If it was homemade did you make it?

My BIL made a pretty awesome prime rib for Christmas day.  

3. What was one of the most beautiful things you saw over the holidays?

In one sense, watching my kids play with their cousins was an absolute high.  In another sense, those looong car drives are stressful for everyone, so it's always a relief to see the stadiums in Kansas City , because it means we're almost done.

4. What does fresh start mean to you?

Moving on from the past.  Making another attempt to reach a goal.

5. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being very positive and 1 being not so great) how would you rate 2016 in terms of personal achievement and well being? Explain. 

2016 was a mess of a year.  I feel like things went to pieces about every six weeks on us.  That made it really hard to take care of ourselves well, focus on stuff that needed to be done, etc.  For myself, I give 2016 a -95.

6. Every January 1st since 1976 Lake Superior University has published a list of words they'd like to see banished from the Queen's English. Words may be banished due to misuse, overuse, or just general uselessness. Go here to read more about how the words were chosen or, if you're like me, to find out what in the world the word or phrase even means or the context in which it's used. There were quite a few on this year's list I'd never heard before.

Here's the 2017 list of banished words-

You, Sir-focus-Bete Noire-Town Hall Meeting-Post Truth-guesstimate-831-historic-manicured-echo chamber-on fleek-bigly-ghost-Dadbod-listicle-get your dander up-selfie drone-frankenfruit-disruption

Which word on the list would you most like to see banished in 2017? What word or phrase would you add to the list?

Guesstimate has always kind of made my hair stand on end.  I don't know why people started saying "bigly" but UGH.

7. Large or small, light or deep, share with us one goal you have for the new year. 

One of my friends posted something on Facebook at the beginning of the year about crocheting a "temperature blanket"--chrochet one row a day for the year, and the color is based on the outdoor temperature that day.  I chose to amend that to "outdoor temperature at noon" because otherwise it's too variable.  My goal is to actually keep up with that blanket.  So far it's light blue, but the row I'm adding now is just a little darker.  And yes, I know it's going to be ridiculously long.  That's okay with me.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Also a goal: be nicer.  My gut is telling me that crocheting is going to be an easier goal to keep.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Have you ever been to and/or lived near the desert? What did you think? Travel and Leisure lists the 'coolest' American desert towns as-

Palm Springs CA, Virgina City NE, Bend OR, Winslow AZ, Marfa TX, Grand Junction CO, Silver City NM, Moab UT, Taos NM, Yakima WA, Borrego Springs CA, Terlingua TX, and St. George UT, and Tubac AZ

Have you been to any of these? Would you like to visit a desert town? Which on the list would you most like to see?

I've never lived in the desert, but we had a relative in Grand Junction that we went to visit on occasion when I was a kid.  Beautiful city.  I love it there.

Of the ones on the list, I'd probably go to Moab next.  No particular reason.

2. What's a plan or project you've deserted in the past year?

Trying to get organized.  For my next birthday, I'd like one of those people who comes in and tells me where everything is SUPPOSED to go to make my life easier.

3. Desert-dessert? Share two or three words you find yourself having to think twice about when it comes to spelling.  

Separate and desperate always trip me up.  I spelled both of them wrong just now.

4. High and dry, like watching paint dry, dry run, dry as dust, not a dry eye in the house...which phrase can you relate to currently? Explain. 

Not a dry eye in the house.  Scout is in his last year of elementary school, and as I was waking Sunshine yesterday, I noticed how very long her legs are getting (she's a restless sleeper--was half out of bed and everything).  It's a humbling experience watching them grow.

5. How often do you frequent the dry cleaners? Starch or no starch?  

I almost never go to the dry cleaners.  Husband has a couple sweaters I need to take to them, but other than that, all the clothes we wear on a regular basis are machine washable.  And no starch--if I have to wear something, it better be comfortable.

6. What's a food or beverage you enjoy that's named for a place? 

New England clam chowder.  My kids probably wouldn't eat it, but that won't stop me from making some sometime soon.  

7. Do you need solitude? 

Doesn't everyone?  To be fair, I've gotten way more of it than I bargained for since we moved here, but it'll all work out.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

...my kids probably won't eat this chile relleno soup I made earlier, either.  Guess it's up to me to finish it...

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What's changed in your life, home, or community since your last birthday? 

Well, ordinarily I'd say this seems a little unfair, since my last birthday was less than a month ago.   But then yesterday, we got rid of my van.  It was well over 100,000 miles and the engine was starting to burn oil, the rockers were rusting, the body was in meh shape, and it was having electrical issues.  Now I drive this bad girl:

Help me name her!

2. September is Classical Music Month. Do you like/listen to classical music? If so what's a favorite piece and/or who is a favorite composer? 

Not often, to be honest.  It's rapidly becoming my son's favorite thing, though, and he seems to have a preference for Bach.

3. Besides The Bible, what's a book that has positively changed your life, relationships, career, or perspective? How so? 

Interesting question.  I'm having a hard time coming up with an answer.  I've been reading nonfiction lately--The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom is the one I most recently finished.  The story is a sad one, but it makes me approach things with just a little more care in mind.  We're reminded to be thankful in ALL things, not just the things that make us comfortable.  Corrie and her sister were imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp, and if they can find gratitude in their situation, all of us can.

4. I read (here) these ten hobbies will make you smarter...play a musical instrument, read voraciously, meditate regularly, work out your brain (puzzles, sudoku, board games, etc), exercise often, learn a new language, write your feelings down (blog, journal, just write), travel to new places, cook different kinds of meals, participate in sports actively

Are any on this list your current hobbies? Which hobby on the list would you be most inclined to try? 

I play guitar, I read all the time, I pray, I take yoga twice a week, I cook, and I write when I remember to.  So this kind of IS my hobby list...

5. What sports traditions does your family have? 

Everyone else ignores them and leaves me alone while I watch football.  It kind of works.

6. In a few words, weigh in on the current football/National Anthem brouhaha. Keep it family friendly please.

Had the people protesting been doing so by jeering or mocking everyone, I would be less understanding.  But...I'm not proud of the way our country has handled civil rights, and I think sometimes these men and women have a point.  Their protest is one of quiet civil disobedience, and that is respectable.  I hope they're somehow able to effect positive changes. 

7. Where do you have loads of patience, and where do you most lack patience? 

I have loads of patience when it comes to food.  If it takes me three hours to prepare something, so be it.  I have no patience when it comes to getting my kids to cooperate in the morning.  I'm a breath away from announcing it's time to put on shoes, and I'm guessing Scout is nowhere NEAR ready.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

SCHOOL FUNDRAISERS, man.  Augh.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1.  Are there any men or women in blue on your family tree?
No, not that I'm aware of.  Lots of friends, though.

2. Are you someone who suffers from the Sunday night blues? What helps you get over it?
I can't say that I am.  By the time the weekend is over with, I'm ready for the week to start again.

3. I read the color blue is an appetite suppressant since there are very few naturally blue foods out there. How do you feel about blue cheese? Love it or blech? If you're a fan, what's something you like that's made with blue cheese?
No, no, no, no, no.  I cannot tolerate it.  Every time I've tried to get over my distaste for it has ended in regrets.

4. We can't head in to the Labor Day weekend without a related question, can we? Complete this thought: I work best when____________________. 

I have a list.  I love lists.  I make lists for everything.

5. 'Everything yields to diligence.' Antiphanes Your thoughts? (on this particular quote or on diligence in general)
Well maybe not EVERYTHING, but a lot of things...
6. The National Park Service turned 100 years old on August 25th. Have you been to many of America's National Parks? If so share with us a favorite or two. Which National Park would you most like to visit before the next birthday rolls around? 
Quite a few, actually.  I have seen the Flight 93 Memorial, Mount Rushmore, Rocky Mountain National Park, and the National Mall.  I love the Rockies and I would love to go see...something? before next August.

7.  Bid farewell to August in seven words or less.

Farewell overwhelming humidity!  Bring on autumn!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Sunshine had her most recent round of tests at the hospital today.  She came through with no complications.  Thank goodness that's all over with...

Wednesday Hodgepodge

I'm early this week!  Wow I feel so organized!

1. It's National Waffle Day (August 24th)...what decision are you currently 'waffling over'? (or share one you've recently 'waffled over')

Buying a new vehicle.  My current one is a van that hit 100,000 miles over the summer, and it is not handling its age well, mechanically or otherwise.  The paint job it received after I was rear-ended six years ago has not held up well.  The engine can't keep oil for very long.  The transmission has this lurch about it every once in a while.  It probably doesn't have another one of our long road trips left in it.  I've decided what I'd like my next one to be, but I hate buying new vehicles.

2. It's the middle of August, but I'm already seeing lots of autumn-related posts. Do you think we rush the seasons? If so, does that bother you? I saw (here) an end of summer bucket list that included-

make s'mores, read a new (or favorite) book in the park, eat something delicious and bad for you at a state fair, be a tourist for the day, have a pot luck picnic, book a last minute summer getaway, relax by or in the pool, take a hike to watch the sunset, have a day on the lake, try a new summer recipe

Which activities on the list might you squeeze in before summer officially comes to a close? 

It's a mark of a great summer that I've already gotten to do a lot of these things, or they're on the schedule.  I'd like a day on the lake, but "the lake" is three to four hours away and we don't actually have a boat.  Maybe a last minute getaway/hike to watch the sunset in the form of one last camping trip.

3. Your favorite summertime 'art' found in nature?

Clouds.  Anytime my kids are outside playing, somehow it always turns into finding shapes in the clouds.

4. Stephen R. Covey is quoted as saying 'We judge ourselves by our intentions, and others by their actions.' Agree or no? Do you define yourself based on your intentions, your actions, or something else? 

Sort of.  I think a lot of us are harder on ourselves than we are on others, but I also think it's easier to take our intentions into account because we know what they were to begin with.

5. Are you useful in a crisis? Elaborate. 

It really depends on the crisis.  For the most part, I think so, yes.  As long as I'm not the one in charge, I can handle a lot of things that need to be done.  In general, I don't know how to do anything but keep moving forward.

6. What's been your go-to dish this summer? Is it something you'll continue making as the seasons change?

There's been a couple of them.  Well, one of them is actually my son's.  He's got his mac and cheese that has been a big hit around here.  And I've been making a lot of fruit salad.  (Scout won't eat it because he doesn't like strawberries, but more for me!)

7. Adult coloring books are a thing now. Have you jumped on the bandwagon? If not is this something you think you might enjoy?

I have, and I love it when I have time to do it.  But summer isn't really a good time of year for "free time" in any form.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

School starts Monday, and my kids' classroom assignments arrived in the mail yesterday.  My daughter was disappointed to hear that most of her girl scout friends were going to be together--in a different classroom--until we found out her best friend was going to be in her class again.  Now she can't wait for school to start!  (They're good girls, but you'd think the school would have learned their lesson last year...)