At Home. Home Run. Home made. Home work.

Remember the Moody Blues song "Tuesday Afternoon"?   Well, it is playing in my head.. .along with songs about 'home.'  Why?  Read on...

1. Besides your very own house, describe a place where you feel most 'at home'? 

 

Well, there is no place like home!  Dorothy was right!    But, where else do I feel the same way?  First, at our 'riva' cabin (it really is home away from home) - and then at one of my daughter's places.  

2. When did you last 'hit a home run' with something? Explain. 

 

Ah, a little baseball connection!  Very appropriate.   The last time I hit a home run, so to speak, was perhaps when a musical performance went well.  Although, I would not really call it making a home run - but more like rounding the bases and doing what I needed to do, and then coming in to home plate.   Taa-daa!!  

I can't think of a time where I did something so well it was a 'flying event' or an amazing happening that caused everyone to cheer!

3. Tell us about something you love in your house or kitchen that is 'homemade'. 

 

Nothing much is homemade in my kitchen!  ha   I am kind of crafty from time to time so I have a few things I have made that turned out good enough to display.  

By sentimentally, I have a few handmade cross-stitched items that were given to me as gifts. My one girlfriend made a wedding sampler for me over 30 years ago and it still hangs in hubby and my bedroom.  Another dear friend has made some cross-stitched Christmas pillows.  I put them out every year.

4. 'A man's home is his castle'...which of the world's ten most captivating castles (according to The Travel Channel) would you most like to visit and why-

Mont Saint-Michel (France), Edinburgh Castle (Scotland), Neuschwanstein Castle (Germany), Glamis Castle (Scotland), Windsor Castle (England), Chateau de Chambord (France), Hampton Court Palace (England), Prague Castle (Prague), St. Michael's Mount (England), Leeds Castle (England), and Swallow's Nest (Ukraine)

 

Oh my.  I know you are going to think this is weird, but I have no deserve to visit a castle. I have gone through one in Germany, and I think in general most of them are the same.  Cold, dark, damp.   They were built so long ago to be a fortress, usually on a hill... and they were not made for 'beauty' or for comfort.   Now, the views from the castles would be worth seeing! 

5. What's a recent or upcoming plan or project that's required you do a little homework before getting started? Did the homework cause you to abandon your plan or adjust it in some way?

 

Well, right now I am preparing for a women's retreat at my riva cabin on Friday.  15 women from my church have signed up and we plan to discuss Martin Luther and the Reformation since we are meeting right before the annual day we celebrate -  when Luther nailed the 95 theses on the church door. 

 

I have grown up knowing about it - heck, I'm Lutheran!  But, to help lead the discussion I googled information about Martin and his wife Katherine - and believe it or not, I went on Pinterest to look for a small craft to do that connects with the theme.  There were some cute kids crafts - but I'm still a bit up in the air on what the women might like to do, that takes only about a half hour or so.  Any suggestions?  

 

No, I am not abandoning the theme - or plan.  I'm sure it will all work out!

6. In your opinion, is homework an unnecessary evil or a valuable practice? Should schools be done with homework? Why or why not? 

 

I do not think schools should completely eliminate homework, but I do feel it should be used as a time to review concepts or information learned in the classroom.  Especially in the elementary school level!  And, 10 to 15 minutes per subject should be enough time spent... because kids need down time and play time, and they need family time at dinner - and a proper bed time.  

 

Oh - and I have never been a fan of projects done at home!!  I disliked them when I was a student AND especially when I was a parent of a school aged child. I felt the projects were too often worked on/completed by parents.   I am against science fair projects done at home.  And remember "diaramas?  I know lots of parents who did more than 'help' their son or daughter or those!!  

7. Share a favorite memory of your childhood hometown. 

 

My hometown?   Hmmm...  the one I remember best is where we  moved to when I was in 8th grade. We stayed until my senior year in high school.   It was a rural, small-ish town in Ohio.   There was only one high school in town.  People knew each other - or knew of each other!  High school sports was very big!  It had a festival every summer, which was also really a big deal!  Downtown was closed off to car traffic and there were two parades (one each night) and a queen & court, and the marching band played, twirling groups performed, etc. and there were lots of vendors, and some rides, etc.  I was a teenager when I lived there so going to the festival with friends was lots of fun!  The town was small enough that my parents felt safe having us walk around (with friends) and we biked too. Tandem bikes were the big thing back then!  

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

Joyce:  I hope you have a smooth move-in next week! I know you have got to be SO excited!!  What perfect timing to get in before the weather turns cold.  And, also to get settled in before the holidays.   Here:  roofers are into the second day of taking off the old and putting on the new.  I thought the drywallers would be here today but they have not shown up yet.  They are busy these days helping the flood victims so I really can not complain.  The walls will eventually get done...  and I too, hope by the holidays to have this whole 'hurricane adventure' behind us!

Enjoy the last week of October!

I sense questions about my youth, my home, and my five senses!

Tuesday has come around again.  And, with Tuesday comes the weekly Hodgepodge.

Let's get started!

1. What would you say is your strongest sense? 

Interesting question.  I think I am pretty good with the visual.  I tune in visually to my surroundings. I remember places, especially when I NEED to for directions, or for decisions.  Thinking back... I remember back to my school days when I used the visual to help me study.  I would write down what I needed to know for a test, often over and over a few times - or I would write it all down and try to squish it all on one page, thinking "See! This is all I need to memorize!!"

Second is my hearing.  I notice that I tune into sounds more than others.  I hear small sounds.  Plus, I love hearing music and "decoding" it a bit... what instrument is playing?   How does that singer pronounce words, or when does he/she breathe?   I love hearing birds sing. And, I absolutely love hearing quiet at times...especially when my ears have had an overload of sound for awhile.

2. Do you believe in the idea of a 'sixth sense'? Why or why not?
 
As in ESP?  Or "a special gift" of perceiving?   Yes... and no.  I believe it's possible for some people to have a way of experiencing something that doesn't include the 5 senses. I have watched some people on TV that amaze me. I believe the human brain is so unbelievable in what it can do, but it does not work the same for everyone, and some people can reach into a part of it that others can't. So, call it a 'gift'... or a 'uncanny thought process'... or a 'sixth sense.'  But, yes, some - not all - people have it.


3. When do you most feel like a slave to time? Explain.

In the morning!  Especially if I have something to do, or some place to be.  And, especially mornings when I need to wake early and set an alarm!!  On those mornings,  I get up and I count back from the appointment time, or rehearsal, or whatever, and I think...okay, I need this long to drive there so I have to leave the house at a certain time. That means I have to allow myself a certain length of time to get dressed, and eat, etc.   I HATE to be late - ever.  I never want to be, and I never want to make others wait... so watching time is very important to me.

I gotta say, I love the occasional days when I don't have to rush in the morning or watch the time closely.

4. Have you ever worked in a restaurant? How would you rate the experience? If you could own a restaurant what kind would it be? 

I have worked fast food. I guess Burger King is considered a restaurant!  ha  I had a part-time job in high school at the local BK.  I also worked at a Ponderosa Steak House for awhile while I was in school.

How would I rate the experiences?   Both jobs were good starter jobs for a teenager.  It was my first experience working in the 'real world' where I had to clock in and out, wear a uniform, prepare food, follow directions and standards, and DEAL WITH THE PUBLIC!   So, it was a good learning experience!!

I have NO desire to ever own a restaurant!  It takes so much work, with long hours, and you hire & fire people, and deal with all kinds of customers.  It's a very tough job!  I see so many restaurants come and go!  We have a couple of local locations that seem jinxed. A new restaurant will come in, and have a big splash when they open, and they stay open for business for awhile...then quietly close.  Then the cycle happens again.  Over and over.    "Trendy" restaurants come and go.  I suppose a good, basic restaurant with a nice mix on the menu has the best chance of staying in business and in getting repeat customers. 


5. Ever traced your family tree? Share something interesting you learned there.




A few years back I signed up for the 3 month free membership to Ancestry.com and did as much exploring online with them as possible in those months.  I then let the membership end. 


I learned that even though both sides of my family (my mother's and my father's sides) hailed from Germany, they were quite close to the French border.  And, there were times of territorial battles where the line between the countries moved a bit.  So, perhaps I have some French in me!

I learned that my one side of the family American-ized their last name when they came here.  They went from Vogt to Fogt.  It was how it was pronounced anyway.   I also learned that there were some large families back then, back in the days the families were still in Europe, and a few children died young.  I loved seeing first names that were passed on and some still are.  We had Paul, Pauline, and Paulette.  We had Frederick show up a few times.


6. What did your childhood bedroom look like?

I shared with my sister in my early years.   But, once I got my own bedroom, and once I got into migh school, I remember a bright bedspread that I loved at the time!  It was orange, green, and brown - with big pop-style flowers on it.  My walls were painted peach.  I had a dresser and a headboard/footboard for my bed - from Ethan Allen. My parents bought it for me when I got my own room.  I know I had a desk in my room too. I think it was kind of a pressed wood and metal style.  I had a bulletin board above it...with all my 'special stuff' on it...like pins, movie stubs,  etc.
 

7. Anyone who knows me knows I love_______________________?

Oh, easy answer.   Country music and country music concerts!

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Thank you all who commented about the aftermath of hurricane Matthew, and the hole on my house where the tree came in!! It was crazy the first few days, trying to get help lined up. And now... It's been quiet now for a few days. We have the hole covered with plywood and tarps.  The weather has been beautiful since Matthew and it has helped with cleanup around these parts.  But, there is still much to do!  So many, many huge piles of branches, and cut-up tree trunks, and leafy debris are in everyone's front yards by the curb.    The repair work to the house starts this weekend - with scaffolding going up inside.  New trusses will be going in, then a new roof - and new drywall, and painting, etc.   It won't be quiet much longer! 

Between the political noise, and the house repair noise, I will be looking forward to the 'sound of silence' that my sense of hearing longs for at times!!

Have a good, safe week everyone!!

Hodgepodge. A little late due to Matthew

Hello Hodgepodgers!  I'm a bit late this week with good reason.  Matthew!  He came a callin' and he made life around here challenging.  On Saturday hurricane Matthew first dropped a bunch of rain - for hours - and he saturated the ground, and then the wind came.  A very strong wind that lasted for 3 hours or so.  Word has it that here in the lowcountry Matthew came on land as a category 2. I believe it. It was crazy!  To make a long story short, we ended up with a tree on our roof, and through our roof into our dining area and kitchen.   Thankfully, we were hunkering down at our river home, inland about 8 miles. So, we were not home when the tree snapped and fell.  And, thankfully, the rain had stopped when the wind kicked in hard.  So, the tree fell... and went into the house, but no rain came in.  So, the questions below are quite appropriate since I had JUST moved into our home.  Just two weeks!  So...

  1. What would you say is the best and worst thing about moving house?

Hubby and I spent about two months updating the home we just bought. We put in new light fixtures, updated carpet, painted, and more.  Then just two weeks after moving the furniture and officially moving in, hurricane Matthew hit our area and knocked over a huge gum tree that fell on our house, went through the roof, and partially into the house.

So, I have to say it has been the worst event of our move.  We just got most things moved over from our house that is presently for sale... we moved the furniture, clothing, personal items, etc.

The best?  The neighbors! They have been friendly, and compassionate to us about what we are going through right now.  We have good folks around us! 

2. What's moved you recently?

I have to go back to the question above... I have been moved by those wanting and willing to help, and by those just feeling our pain over the events of the last few days.

I have been moved to tears over the initial damage.  Then shocked, and moved to scared tears.  And I have laughed over it too. I have felt love and caring from those around us.  So, it's been a very 'moving' time in many ways this week for sure!

3. Do you feel your life is moving forward, backward, or is on hold? How so?

I feel it moving forward!  Yes, we have had a setback - but all in all, we move on - and we don't regret our move.  

4. On the move, move mountains, get a move on, it's your move, or bust a move...which phrase best applies to some aspect of your life right now? Explain.

I think we all can move mountains when we put our time and effort into it.  In so many ways!  I like to look at the big picture and think positive.  Do it baby!    Even with setbacks... or a step back, we still take two steps forward.   Sounds like a country song to me!  So, on to the next question...

5. What song makes you want to get up and move?

Oh my! So many songs!!   "Country girl - shake it for me!" by Luke Bryan  and  "Uptown Funk" and  I can never sit still when I hear "Love Shack"!!   By the way, Luke Bryan has a song out right now called "M-O-V-E" and it's a greta song for dancing.  You got to listen - and MOVE - to it!! 

6. Your favorite snack to grab when you're 'on the move'?

A handful of peanuts.  Or a granola-nut bar.


7. What one accessory makes your house feel like home?

I have some special items: family pictures,  favorite pillows, and such that make me feel in 'my zone'.  I also love having my computer close by.  They are my comfort things - and they are what makes it feel like 'home.'

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

 We have plywood and tarps up and power on again.  Matthew certainly had us in an upheaval for a few days.  Yes, we have much work ahead of us...new trusses, a new roof, drywall, painting, gutters, etc.  But, we are going to be fine. I pray for those in Haiti - and Bermuda.... and even our neighbors in North Carolina dealing with horrible flooding.