Swimming Through The Hodgepodge

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1. It's officially summer (in the northern hemisphere anyway). Which summer month is best and why?

July is the best summer month.  It is my birthday month, the first full month of no school and the 4th of July! 

2. Can you swim? How did you learn? June 27th is National Sunglasses Day. How many pair do you own?

Yes, I can swim.  I took swimming lessons as a kid at our local pool.  I spent many summers there and always had to be almost dragged out of the water ;)  I still love being in the water, whether it is in a pool or at the beach.  I probably own 3 pairs of sunglasses. 

3. What characteristic do you judge most harshly in yourself? How about in others?

I am usually pretty harsh on myself in all areas, if I had to pick one I'd say responsibility.  I am harsh towards others who don't do what they are supposed to do.  I guess that goes along with my definition of responsibility.

4. Robert Frost wrote the now well known poem entitled The Road Not Taken. What's a road (literal or figurative) you've always wanted to travel, and where do you hope it takes you? 

This question stumped me!  I've traveled it before but would love to travel it now; Highway 1 into the Florida Keys.  I'd hope it would take me to a white sand beach where I could sit and relax and leave behind the cares of the world. 

5. Popsicles-yay or nay? If you answered yay, what's your favorite flavor? 

Yay, who doesn't like Popsicles?  I like all the flavors but my favorite is probably orange. 

6. Brexit-on a scale of 1-10 how knowledgeable are you on what's involved here? (1=very knowledgeable and 10=what's Brexit) Is this news you'll follow or is it something you think won't impact your life in any way shape or form?

Probably a 3.  I am interested and would like to follow what is happening so will have to listen to the news more.  I think it will impact all of our lives.  

7. Share a favorite song on your summer play list.

Vacation by The Go-Gos.  One of my all time favorites and being that this is our last week of school I just may have to blast it a few times! 

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Happy Early 4th of July! 

~Theresa

Sipping Fruity Drinks At The Lake

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1. If you could sit beside and/or jump in any lake in the whole wide world today, which lake would you choose and why?

I am more of an ocean girl but I think visiting Lake George in upstate NY would be nice.  There are so many different parts of NY and it would be fun to explore another part of my state.  Many people vacation there and love it.

2. What's your favorite 'fruity' drink?

I haven't had one in years, but my favorite fruity drink is a pina colada. 

3. I read a list here of thirteen things to do right now to simplify your life. They were-

clean as you go, re-evaluate your relationships (cut toxic ties), unsubscribe (too many blogs and websites), de-clutter, write down your daily goals, reply to emails right away, forget multitasking, create a morning routine, re-evaluate your commitments (which hobbies and responsibilities are most important to you), say no, clean up your computer, and plan your day ahead

Which of the tasks listed do you currently find most helpful in keeping life simple? Which item on the list should you adopt in order to simplify your life this month?

I think the most helpful one is to clean as you go.  I should work on adopting re-evaluating my commitments and saying no.  They kind of go hand and hand for me.  I do most of the other ones already :)  It's just my personality. 

4. What did you do the summer after you graduated from high school? 

I can't remember anything particular but I'm sure I worked and spent lots of time with my friends.

5. Are you a fan of podcasts? If so what's a favorite? 

No I do not listen to podcasts. 

6. Do you think today's fathers have it harder, easier, or just different than fathers in the past?

I think it is just different for fathers today.  They have to worry about things that weren't part of the world in years past, mostly involving technology and the acceptance of things that were considered immoral back in the day. 

7. Tell us one way you're like your father? Or not at all like your father if that's easier?

I have my father's eyes and dark hair.  He is a Marine and I think I have some of his toughness and am quick to defend my friends and family, just like he does. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Thank you Joyce for another week of Hodgepodge questions.  Now if I could only sip a pina colada at the lake :) 

Fall in Spring That Feels Like Summer

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1. I read here a list of 13 things you should do in June. I'm paraphrasing a little but basically...

Go on a road trip with your best friend, pick fresh strawberries, host a garden party, take a morning run, treat yourself to a flower bouquet, spend a whole day hiking, discover a new coffee shop, try a new ice cream flavor, read at least one book, visit a Farmer's Market, make a swing for your home, and visit a new city. 

Which thing on the list do you most want to do? Of the activities mentioned, which one holds the least appeal? How many on the list will you attempt in June? What's one thing you'd add to the list?

I'd like to treat myself to  flower bouquet.  Taking a morning run holds the least appeal to me.  I don't think I will attempt any of them.  I'd add visit the beach. 

2. What's something you could do today to feel more peaceful? 

Meditate on God's Word.  Sit outside with a cup of tea and enjoy the beautiful nature all around me.  Knowing that there is more to life than the present moment and that God holds it all in His hands. 

"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You."
Isaiah 26:3

3. June 7th is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day. Are you a fan? Swiss mocha, rocky road, chocolate chocolate chip, peanut butter and chocolate, or a dish of plain chocolate...what's your pleasure? 

Yes, I am a fan.  I'll pick swiss mocha, although I've never had it.  I think it is similar to Vienna Mocha Chunk, which is a Friendly's flavor and so good!  I won't be having any since I am now mostly dairy free. 

4. If you came with a warning what would it say?

Warning: cries at the drop of a hat when overtired. 

5.What's the most interesting website you've visited in the last week? 

Care.com.  It is so interesting to see all the different things people post.  Most people are looking for help and others are looking for jobs. 

6. Spring, summer, autumn, winter...which season are you? Why? 

I am autumn, which is my favorite season.  I took an online test to be sure on playbuzz.com and it confirmed it. 

7. "You lose sight of things...and when you travel, everything balances out." ~Daranna Gidel

Would you agree with that sentiment? Explain why or why not.  

I would agree.  I think when you travel you tend to put things in better perspective.  By seeing other places you appreciate things more and you remember why you love certain things.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I just read about a school district here that is having their high school graduates wear "gender neutral" cap and gowns.  So instead of the boys wearing blue and the girls wearing white, everyone will wear a blue gown with a white stoles.  If they really wanted to, couldn't they just have everyone wear the same color without making it into a gender issue?  I don't agree with their decision and I don't think I am the only one.  I heard many of the girls are upset because they can't walk in the same color gown that they took their pictures in. 

Rainy Days and Mondays on a Sunny Wednesday

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1. Tell us about one fun thing on your June calendar.

We are having a 20th anniversary party for our church, which should be fun. 

2. How careful are you in the sun? Do you tan or burn? Do you make it a point to see the dermatologist every year? 

I am probably not as careful as I should be, but better than I used to be. When I was younger I used to lay out with baby oil on and then hold an album cover with aluminum foil over it up to my face.  Crazy, I know!  I tan although as I am getting older I find that the sun is stronger and if it is the beginning of the season and I don't have any sunscreen on I burn first.  I don't see the dermatologist regularly.  I know, I should.

3. Describe a time when you wanted to 'throw in the towel'? 

I can't think of anything besides trying to light the barbeque.  The house we moved into has a direct gas line connected to the barbeque and you have to turn it on and then stick a long match into the hole on the side and wait for it to catch.  The first couple of times I did it I thought I was going to blow something up.  I wasn't able to get it going the first two times.  The next day I really wanted to get the barbeque going so I asked my son who watches his father do it.  He told me to open the lid, turn it on, wait a minute, then stick the match in and hold it until I hear a poof.  It worked!

4. What's a song you love that has a day of the week in the title or lyrics? 

Just one?  Okay I'll go with the first one that popped into my head: "Rainy Days and Mondays" by The Carpenters.  I love when Joyce gives us music questions :)

5. Are you a fan of berries? Which one's your favorite? What's the most recent berry dish you've eaten? Which blueberry breakfast food appeals to you most-blueberry pancakes, blueberry yogurt, or a blueberry muffin? 

Yes, strawberries are my favorite.  I had some strawberries today and a chocolate covered one too.  Blueberry pancakes appeal to me the most, followed closely by a blueberry muffin.  Blueberry yogurt is one of my least favorite flavors. 

 

6. What's something you want to do before your next birthday? 

Get a good haircut.  My birthday is in July and I need a new style.  I don't get my hair cut often and when I do I usually get the same thing.  Maybe it's time for an updated look ;)

Here are a couple of styles I pinned:

7. June 1st is National Say Something Nice Day, so let's all say something nice here. 

I called two different companies yesterday and I must say that the three people I spoke to were all so pleasant and nice.  Part of it may be because I was inquiring about their curriculum, but it was refreshing to hang up the phone without being annoyed. 

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

I found an article that listed different plants you can put out on your deck or patio to keep mosquitoes away.  One of the plants was lemonbalm.  I mentioned it to my friend and she said she has it growing wild in her backyard.  Her husband dug some up and put it into pots for me.  I put them on my deck Sunday and I think it works!  No bites so far.  I also want to get some marigolds and we are thinking of planting some lemonbalm around and underneath the deck.  I also burn citronella candles and am going to buy an essential oil blend and dilute it to spray around the deck.  Does anyone know of any other tips to keep the bugs away?