Being Refined As Silver: June 2012

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

I am linking up today for Wednesday Hodgepodge hosted by Joyce.

1. What do the words 'freedom' and 'liberty' mean to you? Does your mind go more in the direction of not being persecuted or discriminated against or does it head in the direction of doing what you please?

I would have to say doing as I please without the government telling me what to do.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." The Declaration of Independence

2. Nathan's sponsors a hot dog eating contest every 4th of July. Last year over 40,000 people attended the event and almost 2 million watched it on TV. The winner ate over 60 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. How do you like your hot dogs?

I like my hot dogs cooked on the BBQ and then served on a bun with both ketchup and mustard. If I am feeling adventurous then saurkraut too.

3. If you were going to enter an eating contest what would be on the menu?

French fries. I was going to say ice cream but then I thought of the brain freeze that would cause. French fries seem like they would go down easily and fast.

4. Do you run your house more as a dictatorship or a democracy?

Well it doesn't sound nice but I would have to say a dictatorship. Our children are still small and they don't make the rules ;)

5. Where was your favorite summer place when you were a kid?

The town pool. My sister, cousin and I would spend our days there. My mom would give us money to buy ice cream or a treat and I still remember the soda machine with Pepsi Light and Tab in it. Anyone else remember those lemony sodas?

6. Do you have a guest room? Would you want to stay there?

No we don't have room for a guest room here. If I did have room and created one I would like to stay there :)

7. Next Wednesday America celebrates her independence. Do you have any special plans for the 4th of July? If you live outside the USA when and how does your country celebrate its own patriotic holiday?

Yes, of course! Our plans include a BBQ at our friends' house followed by a great fireworks show.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... it is dark out. It is breezy and cool. This morning and then again this afternoon we had thunderstorms and lots of lightning.

I am thinking... about the yard sale I want to have this Saturday.

I am thankful for... being born in the USA. After hearing a missionary from New Guinea speak on Sunday I was struck with the fact that being born here is such a blessing.

From the learning rooms... our first official day of no school for the summer :)

From the kitchen... blueberry cobbler made with almond milk.

I am wearing... black Bermuda shorts and a pale turquoise shirt.

I am going... to book club this week. It is our first meeting for the new book "Lies Women Believe and The Truth That Sets Them Free".

I am reading... the Bible, "Lies Women Believe".

I am hearing... the fan and House Hunters International.

One of my favorite things: iced tea made from Celesial Seasonings blueberry tea bags.

Click here to visit Peggy and The Simple Women's Daybook

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

I am linking up today for Wednesday Hodgepodge hosted by Joyce.

1. Summer officially rolls in with the Hodgepodge this week, for those of us in the Northern hemisphere anyway. What song says summer 2012 to you?

"Saturday in the Park" by Chicago. You can hear it here. Be prepared to start singing :)

2. What's your favorite quintessential summer food?

Corn on the cob. In a few weeks we should be able to get it local here. I like mine with lots of butter.

3. I've spent a lot of time traipsing up and down the NJ Turnpike in recent weeks. Did you know the rest areas on the turnpike are named after people who lived or worked in NJ? Clara Barton, Walt Whitman, James Fenimore Cooper, Molly Pitcher, Joyce Kilmer, Thomas Edison, and Gover Clevland just to name a few. Of those I listed, who would you most like to have known and why?

Molly Pitcher. What a servant's heart she had in bringing water to the soldiers during The Revolutionary War. I read that she took her husband's place at a canyon when he was shot and killed. Wow!

4. At what age did you move out of your parent's house and what prompted the move?

When I was 29 and getting married. My mom, sister and I lived together in the house where I grew up. My sister was married a couple of years before me and then when I was married I moved out and the house was sold.

5. What's more satisfying to you-saving time or saving money?

Saving time. I am a multi-tasker and don't like wasting time.

6. Name something you think brings out the good in people.

Sometimes it just takes someone else doing good to motivate others to do good.

7. This last question comes to you courtesy of Kathy over at Reflections...will you be taking a vacation or a staycation this summer? If so where will you go? If a staycation is on the calendar have you made any special plans to fill the time?

So far we don't have a vacation planned. For our staycation I would like to go to the beach, spend our days outdoors swimming and evenings spent toasting marshmallows and watching the kids catch lightning bugs.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Happy First Day of Summer! It is hot and humid here today- in the 90s!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

I am linking up today for Wednesday Hodgepodge hosted by Joyce.

1. In what way are you your own worst enemy?

I am too hard on myself. My type A and perfectionist ways are hard to live up to ;)

2. Jacques Cousteau's birthday was Monday, June 11th...ever been scuba diving? Is that something you'd like to try? What's your favorite 'under the sea' creature?

I have never been scuba diving. The closest I came to it was swimming with the dolphins in The Keys. I had to wear a mask with the tube and flippers. It was amazing! I would love to do that again although I have no desire to scuba dive. My favorite under the sea creatures are dolphins. Love, love them.

3. On a scale of 1-10, how comfortable are you in and around the water? (1=not at all, 10=very) Do you know how to swim and if so how and when did you learn?

I would say 9. I learned how to swim when I was a little girl. My Mom made sure we went to swimming lessons since she can't swim and didn't want us to fear the water. I can still swim but my endurance is not very good which is why I didn't give myself a 10 ;) Living on Long Island I think learning to swim is a must. We are surrounded by water and there are pools everywhere.

4. What's something you do to motivate yourself to tick an item off your to-do list?

I tell myself that when I am finished I can sit down with a cup of tea or coffee and take a little break.

5. What makes a good neighbor? Are you a good neighbor?

A good neighbor is kind and considerate. I like to think I am a good neighbor. We don't park in front of our neighbor's house, we keep our house as neat as we can, we don't blast music and help others with our snow blower.

6. Who loads the dishwasher at your house? Is there a right way and a wrong way?

Everyone, but my husband thinks there is a right way which is why he checks and rearranges it if needed before putting it on late at night.

7. You know it's summer when_________________________.

There aren't any lesson plans to be written before Monday. I know many people have started their summer but we are still in spring mode. Next week we will wrap school up and put the textbooks away for the summer.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Not feeling too random today :)

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

I am linking up today for Wednesday Hodgepodge hosted by Joyce.

1. How many students were in your high school graduating class? Did you know most, if not all of them?

I am guessing between 350 and 400. No, I didn't know all of them. I knew a lot by name and had my select group of friends that I knew very well.

2. What was the last thing you photographed?

My children with their projects for their History notebook.

3. Pickles-love 'em or loathe 'em? If its love what's something you eat that needs a pickle?

Love them. I like them on hamburgers and on the side of a sandwich. My favorite is Trader Joes bread and butter pickles and baby gerkins. I used to buy a dill one out of a barrel and eat it all by itself but haven't in a long while.

4. What's a stereotype you seem to perpetuate without meaning to?

This one is difficult. I don't know...Soccer Moms drive Mini-Vans? Long Island girls have accents; I mean Looong Guyland- LOL!

5. Ever been horse back riding? If so is it something you enjoy? If not, do you have any interest? Did you watch the Kentucky Derby? Will you be watching the last leg of the Triple Crown this weekend?

Yes, but it has been years. I liked it but never rode as an adult. Now I have lost interest. I didn't watch the Kentucky Derby and don't play on watching the Triple Crown this weekend. When I was a kid I enjoyed watching the horses race from the pressbox at Belmont. My aunt worked there and would take us there for a day of fun.

6. What's your favorite 'wedding' movie?

It is a toss up between "The Wedding Planner" with Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey and "The Wedding Singer" with Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler. I love the music in that one. It cracks me up to see different things from the 1980s.

7. What is one 'tourist attraction' in the USA that you'd like to see in person?

Looking at Joyce's list I see I have been to quite a few of them. I would like to see The Grand Canyon as a stop if I ever get to drive cross country in a Winnebago :)

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I am thankful that my Mom's knee replacement surgery went well today. Hoping her recovery is quick and she does well with her physical therapy.

Monday, June 4, 2012

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... it is dark out. It is breezy and cool. I have all the windows open and am loving it!

I am thinking... how sweet fellowship is.

I am thankful for... a great night with neighbors.

From the learning rooms... we covered the basics today. Getting lots of practice with the skills we learned this year.

From the kitchen... steak, mashed potatoes, mashed carrots, green beans and pear blueberry crumb pie.

I am wearing... capri pajama pants and an Old Navy logo t-shirt.

I am going... to bed soon. It was a busy weekend and Monday.

I am reading... the Bible, "Lies Women Believe".

I am hearing... the dishwasher and Master Chef on TV.

One of my favorite things: brisk weather with a crisp breeze. Perfect weather if you ask me ;)

Click here to visit Peggy and The Simple Women's Daybook