Hello February!

It's Hodgepodge day!!  I missed last week's so I am happy to be back.  Hubby and I went on a 5 day cruise out of Charleston with some family and friends.  Sounds good, right?  Well, yes some of it was wonderful - but unfortunately the weather and seas did not cooperate.  We had chilly air, lots of wind, and a rockin' and a rollin' ship.

It's nice to be on solid ground. I know not to complain - because I know many of you up north, or in the mid-west, are freezing right now, and digging out of snow, and dealing with slippery roads. I have been there, done that.  I feel your pain.  But, I also thank my lucky stars that I no longer live in regions that get hit hard by ole man winter.

The good news is we have turned over a calendar page and are now into February.  One month closer to spring!  Because it's February, our leader Joyce has some questions that tie in to February, the month of love and things pink, and expressing your emotions to the ones you love.  Read on.

1.  Do you wear your heart on your sleeve, or keep your emotions tucked in tight?  

I come from a heritage and family life growing up where emotions were kept tucked in.  My genes are German - stoic, serious, non-verbal.   I remember heading off to college and seeing families more open and it appealed to me.   I then met a man who was demonstrative and upbeat, and I was attracted to him because he could express himself.  (Even for a man!!  lol)   I married him!  So, I think my answer is that I still often do keep my emotions tucked in, but I am always working on living my life saying and showing my emotions - the good ones that is!  Love, happiness, joy!   Thankfully, I do not feel many negative emotions - anymore.  (I confess that there was a time and I did go get pharmaceutical help for it. )

I think my hope now is to live my life with my emotions not tucked away, but not always out on my sleeve.   As with everything, there is a happy middle place to be.

2.  How did you meet your closest friend? 

My closest friend is the one who came into my life at the beginning of adulthood.  I had some wonderful childhood friends.  But, my friend Sue and I met in college - and I think I can refer back to question #1 a bit when I speak of her.  She's of Italian heritage and she grew up  with "emotion" - we even called it that!  She started out as my fellow student/teacher at the college radio station.  I was taking a broadcasting class and I had to make a radio commercial, start to finish.  This was back in the days before computers people!!!   So, I had to actually use reel-to-reel tape and a splicing machine.  I had to put music down first, then add the "copy" (words) on top.   It was quite the process.  It never got completed because Sue and I went into the production cubbyhole and talked about everything else - and a wonderful friendship started.  We became apartment roomies in our 20's.   And, she was a bridesmaid in my wedding. Our friendship has stayed strong through years of changes,  of moves, of age issues, etc.   I am blessed to have her as a friend!

3.  Pink lemonade, grilled salmon, cotton candy, pink grapefruit, a strawberry milkshake, or raspberry sorbet...of the pink foods listed, which is your favorite?  Least favorite?  Which one have you most recently consumed? 

I guess I am not a lover of pink food!   Nothing in that list appeals to me!  (FYI - I'm allergic to seafood so can't eat salmon.)   If I had to choice one thing to like:  pink lemonade.  Least favorite: cotton candy.

4.  When were you last 'tickled pink' over something?  Explain.

I have had a few moments recently and they have involved my daughters.  In general I am 'tickled pink' over who they are, and how much I enjoy being with my girls.   I think the most recent time was just last week, coming home from our cruise.  While away I didn't have a phone connection with them - and I sorely missed it.   It's not that we talk all the time on the phone, but we send text messages - or a picture often.  Daily.  We think of each other and use our iphones to stay connected.   Both daughters missed me (and their Dad) and I was tickled pink to be back in touch with them.  I missed them too!

5.  Are you a fan of talk shows?  Daytime, nighttime or both?  What's your favorite? 

Yes, I like talk shows.  I prefer watching them over other types of television programming out there.   I first fell in love with talk shows with "Donahue"!   And, of course "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson."    For years I watched "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee".... and then "Regis and Kelly,"   And...come on, what woman did not love "Oprah"??   Those shows are gone and today I am certainly more selective.   I guess my favorite talk show now is "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon" and I follow his skits, etc. on Facebook.  I'm rarely up late enough to watch him live. 

6.  When was the last time you wanted to ask a question, but felt too foolish to do so? 

I can't think of any one time specifically - but it probably was when I was trying to talk to a repairman or someone who knows about cars.  I am not mechanically-minded (by choice) and I am sure my questions sound foolish to experts.

7.  My favorite __________ right now is ____________ .

My favorite song on the radio right now is "Like a Cowboy" by Randy Houser.

8.  My random thought. 

I keep meaning to blog about my daughter's upcoming wedding, and all the planning, and the fun ideas we have in mind.  But, part of me wants to keep some things under wrap for the element of surprise for the guests.   I will say I am pleased with the way it is coming together and I am lucky to have my daughter's blessing in many of the decisions.  She is working hard, and is not living here, so much of the "grunt work" is mine... and I say that lovingly.  I will reveal it all AFTER the wedding!  I love reading Joyce's blog posts about her daughter's wedding last month.  She gives me inspiration, and makes me teary-eyed too.  What a magical, special time!   (Yes, I wear this emotion on my sleeve!!) 

Have a great week friends!