Tuesday, May 30, 2017

A new month is starting - with summertime activities!


Hello Hodgepodgers and other readers...

I missed a few weeks but today I have a bit of time.  So, I'm back to the Hodgepodge questions.  Here they are with my answers.

1. What makes you feel accomplished? Explain.

I have been doing a lot of yard work lately.  We still have a house for sale so I'm trying to keep up with that place and also doing yard work at the home where we live.  This time of year there is endless work!  Pulling weeds,  pruning,  cutting, etc.   I have to say I feel 'accomplished' when I look at what I have done and see the difference the work I put in makes.

I like yard work because 1. I'm outdoors, 2. I'm getting exercise, and 3. I feel accomplished! 

2. If you had your own talk show, who would your first three guests be? Tell us why.

People living today?   I assume.  I will go with that.    Well, I'd have a country music day and invite three of my favorite artists.  ha!!  That would be Tim, Keith, and Dierks!     I admire Jimmy Carter.   He would make my list.  If it was a political theme...  Jimmy, and Barak, and...  Stephen Colbert!  Now, that would be a fun show!

3. Do you have a great burger recipe? What's in it? What do you like on a hamburger and where is your favorite spot to order one out?

As we all know, I don't cook much.  I don't have a secret, or favorite, hamburger recipe.  I like a dried onion package mixed in with the ground beef.  I also like a good burger with cheese melted on top.   I like to put a slice of tomato on top... a touch of mayo and a pickle or two.    My favorite spot to order one?   I rarely order one unless I'm going through a fast food place.  I suppose Sonic would be my favorite place to get a good fast food burger.    

4. What's the biggest anxiety producing thing you do on a regular basis?

I try to live without anxiety - but I still get some when I play my flute in church.   I tell myself it's a gift to God, and that I am adding to worship, and I have the best and most forgiving audience there is...   but I still get nervous.  Every time. 

5. This is the last Hodgepodge of May. Tell us about your summer plans.




I have a pretty busy summer planned.  June 6th I head to Nashville for the CMA Festival and this year we have a 'newbie'.  My daughter #2's boyfriend is coming and he has never experienced the festival or Nashville before. I love sharing the whole thing with someone new!   It's tiring but wonderful - and the best music morning to night!   As soon as I get back I help the following week with our Vacation Bible School at church.  

This 4th of July we are breaking with tradition and having a celebration and "moving party" at my daughter #1 and son-inlaw's new home in Raleigh.   I will miss the big gathering at our riva place, but we want to help the couple get settled in their new place.   
In July I also head to northern Ohio for the annual family get-together at Lakeside.  Another tradition of each summer! 
This summer I am going to two weddings - which is always exciting!  They are friends of our daughters, but OUR friends/kids too... they have become a part of our lives and it's a thrill to be invited to the big days! 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

My daughter #1 turns 31 this Saturday!   June is the birth month of both girls.    I have a feeling more announcements are on the way with them.

PS:  Hubby and I just had an anniversary.  33 years - on May 26th.    When I got married all those many years ago it was a glorious day, and I had only good thoughts about our future together.  I have to say my hopes for our life together could not be any better than it is!  I went with the ride... the moves, the changes, the babies, etc - and it was amazing.  Absolutely no regrets.  Nothing I would want to change.  I don't know how I got so lucky!  (I like to think God has always been there.)  I am very excited about the future. I pray...for good health, and little stress, and that each day is new and interesting!  I have faith it will be. 

Have a good and safe week ahead friends!



Monday, May 15, 2017

Monday morning QBing

It's been a few weeks since I have posted anything on my blog.   It's been a busy time lately, but now I am seeing a break in the action, and I gotta say, I am ready for it!   Busy times are great...  especially when they are followed by a space of time where you can breathe, rest, and catch up. 

So, what's been going on?

* We have had family and friends come and visit - to both the Pawleys Island home, and to the riva place.  It was great times (no complaints) seeing everyone, but also a little extra work, preparing, and then cleaning up.

* I coordinated the church garage sale again.  It happened last Saturday.  It went fine, but it's a "project" that requires publicity, and set-up, getting helpers, then clean up, etc.   We raised money for local charities and we donated our leftover items to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.   I'm proud of the efforts by all! 

*  I played with our handbell group at St. Peter's (my home church) and I still have rehearsals for the St. Paul's group.  We play the last Sunday of May and then we will be on break through summer.   I also played with some flute friends at a wedding this past Saturday and we had rehearsals leading up to it.

*  I'm still running back and forth between two houses because we have not sold the one that is for sale yet.  Seriously, I'm at the point to ask for your prayers on this.  It's getting old! We have made nice inside changes and now the comments from showings are favorable about them.  But, lately, the comments have been about the outside - which we can't and won't do anything about!  A few people who have seen the home have dogs and do not like the Charleston garden area in the back because it isn't a yard.  Also, a few have commented about the marsh behind the home as a mosquito haven, and worry about snakes, etc.   Well, let me tell you (and I'd like to tell them) that there are mosquitoes and snakes and gators everywhere around here!  It's the lowcountry!  There is water everywhere!

We had two showings this past weekend and both didn't like the outside.  Ugh.  And, I still run over to that house everyday and do some yard work, and occasionally vacuum, and change lightbulbs, etc.  Oh - and feed two kitties.  Yes, they are still there.  Waiting for me... every.single.day.

* Mother's Day was yesterday - and I just want to say that I have the BEST daughters in the world!  I know I am a little partial, but I just am so proud of who they are, and that even though I love that they send me flowers, and acknowledge the day - really, I prefer to let them know I am BLESSED to be their mom... and they bring me much joy! 

*  My sights are on summertime now.  The CMA Fest is less than a month away!!  I can't wait for our time in Nashville!   The Friday after the festival, we head to Raleigh for a wedding.  The son in law is in the wedding party...it's a good buddy of his getting married.   While we are there, we will also get to see our daughter and SIL's new home.  They put a contract on it and will close the end of June.  I'm excited to help them with the move!    After returning from that weekend, I will be helping with our church's Vacation Bible School.  I helped with it last year, and had such a fun time, that I was anxious to sign up again!  

July brings the 4th of July - and the annual week at Lakeside, Ohio.

*  Random thoughts...     Flying these days.  No thank you.  I can't believe the stories these days about tension between crews and passengers.  Customer service??  Hello??

Does your supermarket have a frozen food aisle that treats you like a star??   What do I mean?  My local Lowe's and Publix stores have systems where the lights in the freezer coolers are off until someone walks down the aisle - and then the lights turn on to see what's inside.  I know it's a way to save energy - but every time I walk down the aisle I feel like a queen...walking along and having the lights come on - for me!!!  ( :

So, the other evening I was driving flute friends home from the wedding.  We were getting off the Charleston beltway (426) on to Long Point Road.   We were on the ramp and had to stop the car... because in front of us, at the intersection, there was "police activity."  As we sat there and watched, we saw a man in the intersection - who had gotten out of his car, that was parked across from the ramp.  I'm not sure if he had a gun, but we saw two of the officers with their guns drawn. The one had gotten a rifle out of the trunk of his cruiser.   We watched for a couple of minutes - and finally the man got down on the ground and the cops were able to handcuff him and put him in the back of the cruiser.  Crisis over.  BUT!!  We then watched as the police officers pulled a baby and baby seat out of the back of the guy's car!!!     So, I'm not sure why all this went down...   but, I'm guessing it was the end of a chase.  Weapons were involved.  There was a baby in the car!!!      Thank God it ended without shots.   By the way, the guy in the car in front of me was videoing it on his cellphone. 

Oh, what a world we live in!  

This is my blog, so I'm going say this:   I sure miss the Obamas.  I miss a president who speaks thoughtfully, and doesn't tweet. I miss a president who is cautious and lives his beliefs. I miss the family living in the White House.  I miss the feeling that our president will not 're-act' and say and DO something rash, and stupid.  I felt safer before January 2017.   I miss a president who is about inclusion and acceptance of all.  I miss turning on the news and not having scandal be the lead story. 

I admit it, I have made Sean Spice's press conferences my lunch time entertainment!  If possible, I try to sit down with a sandwich and turn on CNN to watch him squirm, and to see how he can turn his boss's actions into a positive thing.  Yep - it's 'reality TV'!!

Daughter #2 is heading to Prague tomorrow to attend an International Tax 2-day program.  It's a long way to go, so she is going to spend sometime sight-seeing too.  Her boyfriend is busy with his work and can't join her... so, who is??    Her dad!!   Yep, hubby and daughter #2 are meeting up in Italy and spending days there seeing Pompeii and other spots around that area. Also taking an Italian cooking class!

I will end this with a tease...  more news to come soon.    Stay posted here.

Happy  sum-sum-summertime everyone!  It's definitely feeling like it here now, even tho it's officially still spring on the calendar.  Bring it on!!

Enjoy - and stay safe everyone!!



Tuesday, May 2, 2017

May day! Why is it a call for help??

Welcome to May!  What a wonderful time of year!  The weather,  the feeling,  the holidays, and celebrations - I love it all! 

Here are this week's May Hodgepodge questions with my answers.   Take a look.

1. Can you tell I'm embracing a Cinco de Mayo theme here this week? Do you like Mexican food? What's your favorite dish? How about on the side-black beans, pinto beans, refried beans, rice? What about heat-mild, medium, hot? Will you celebrate with Mexican food and drink on May 5th aka Cinco de Mayo?



I love Mexican food!  It is probably my favorite "ethnic" food - and I love having some loaded nachos anytime, anywhere!   It is definitely my favorite!   I love all the side dishes mentioned above too.  Really - all of them.  But... I do not like my food spicy or hot.  My mouth and my stomach just can't handle it burning.    Will I celebrate Cinco de Mayo?  I hope so!  Locals:  who wants to go to Habaneros with me??  I'm ready!


2. Ever been to Mexico? For work or holiday? Love it or no? If you haven't been is this a place you'd like to visit? Can you speak Spanish?


I have been to Mexico a couple of times.  The first time was when a cruise ship I vacationed on stopped in Cozumel.   I also went with hubby on a sales reward trip to Acapulco.  All expenses paid.  Good food, wonderful place to stay, and fun people!  It was some 30 years ago.  It was a great vacation!   I hear that the area has changed for the worse. though...and that is sad.   

Mexico has some wonderful coastal resorts, but you don't really want to leave those "safe" areas.  It is scary and dangerous in the non-touristy spots.

I do not speak Spanish.  (I took French in high school.). Hubby does a little.  He used to work in Florida before we got married, and he spoke Spanish with some of the co-workers.

3. What's one thing you may accomplish this month?

I may...  get caught up.  Right now I don't feel that I am. I'm in charge of our church garage sale and it happens this Saturday.  Thursday and Friday are set-up days.  Then I'm helping with a 'going away' party for a friend.  This month is my anniversary month - and Memorial Day weekend is coming up too.  Lots of good things happening this month.  I may... make it through the month without eating too much!  lol

4. If you were mayor of your village, city, or town, what's one thing you'd like to see changed, done away with, revamped, or accomplished? Is serving in public office something you've ever seriously considered?

I would love to see a safer 'main road' (Rt. 17) and have people (especially the tourists) slow down and follow the traffic rules.  It's crazy out there right now, and drivers are scary!   I wish people would drive the speed limit. Some go fast - and some go slow because they are not sure where they are going.  Grrrrr

Running for office?  Gee, I can't imagine anybody who seems sane and caring that wants to run these days.  It takes too much money, and too many political favors.  Huge egos and double talk.    But, saying that, I do not want to give up on our government, and still believe, and care, and want to hope my voice can be heard.  

5. What's something that may be popular, but that you just don't get?


Oh gosh.  I know that today's current 'pop' music is popular, but it is challenging for me. Saying that, I am disappointed with myself for feeling that way.  I do like a little of it.  But, I have trouble with the music that is so racy, and sexy - and the videos that go with the music.  Crazy.  Out there!   Yes, I'm showing my age.  I realize it.  But, I am a music purist in a way and I feel music doesn't need all the hoopla - the dancing, the special effects, and the scanty costumes.   Give me a good melody and amazing lyrics... and I am happy.


6. Can't let this week slip by without mentioning Thursday May 4th is Star Wars Day. As in 'May the 4th be with you' ahem. Are you a fan of the Star Wars series? Exactly how much of a fan are you? On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being 'I've seen every film, own the action figures, might have dressed as Darth Vader for Halloween one year', and 1 being, 'what's a Vader?' -where do you land?


This is an interesting question because our community band, which I am a member of,  just did it's Spring concert two weeks ago and it  was all about 'space.'  Therefore, we played some Star Wars music... and it did nothing for me.    I think I saw the first Star Wars movie, start to finish, but after that, I didn't see the rest.   I am not a fan of science fiction in general...books, music, and movies.


So, I give the Star Wars series a 2.  It just isn't my thing.


7. Scroll back through your blog posts and in three sentences or less tell us the general theme of your fourth blog post. Does it still ring true today? Is it a topic you re-visit on your blog from time to time?

The title was "Life Can Change in a Minute" and I wrote about a friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer.   It still rings true today for sure.  Life can be great, but then a health issue happens and yes, daily living is not the same - life changes in a minute.   Each day takes on a deeper meaning.   It still rings true for sure.  Do I re-visit the topic?   Not that often.  



8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

I love May!  it's one of my favorite months!   I hope it is for you.   Have a wonderful week ahead... and month!