Today I am joining Five Minute Friday hosted by Kate Motaung. It's my first time joining but sounds like a lot of fun. If you'd like to join, you can read more about it here: http://katemotaung.com/five-minute-friday/
Okay, here it is. I tried not to overthink and just wrote for 5 minutes. And I'm hitting publish before I change my mind ;)
What is hidden deep below? Below the skin and scars, beneath the smiles and tears? It is our fears? Our dreams? Our thoughts? Our past? Everyone hides from someone or something. But why? Sometimes we think we are protecting ourselves, other times we are insecure to let others into what is hidden so deep. God knows our innermost being. He remembers we are but dust. In Him there is nothing hidden. "He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock and covers me there with His hand."
1. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your summer so far? Why? (1=eh and 10=best summer ever)
I'd say a 5. It is a nice, relaxing summer so far. Haven't done much except keep to a slower pace and a more relaxed schedule.
2. July 26th is National Aunts and Uncles Day. Did you have many aunts and uncles growing up? Were you especially close to any one or maybe all of them? Are you an aunt? (or uncle for the men who join here on Wednesdays) Share a favorite memory relating to one of your own aunts or uncles or relating to a niece or nephew who call you Aunt (or Uncle).
Growing up I had one aunt on my dad's side and one aunt and one uncle on my mom's side. I am very close to my Aunt Carol. She was always so good to us growing up and now that I am an adult is one of my best friends. I am an aunt to two nephews and one niece and many more on my husband's side of the family. I have many good memories of times spent with my Aunt Carol growing up. She would take us for sleepovers, drives to the beach at night to see the rabbits and deer on the side of the road, to work with her at the racetrack, and on vacations like when she took my sisters and I to Niagara Falls.
3. What's your favorite food dipped in chocolate? What's your favorite food dipped in cheese?
Strawberries dipped in chocolate are my favorite. I don't really have a favorite food that is dipped in cheese, so I'll say nachos, since that is all I can think of.
4. When were you last astonished by something? Explain.
Just today. I can't share details but my friend shared something that totally shocked me. I am still shocked!
5. Surf board, paddle board, ironing board, Pinterest board, score board, clip board, bulletin board...which board have you most recently encountered?
Ironing board, when I ironed our clothes for church over the weekend.
6. What's your favorite story from scripture? Why that story?
There are so many, how do I choose just one? I would say the story of Saul being converted and having his name changed to Paul. It reminds me that Christ came to save sinners and I can relate to Paul when he said he was chief of sinners.
7. If you were to travel from the east coast to the west coast in your own country, which five cities would you most want to see?
Savannah, Nashville, Boulder, Billings, San Francisco.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
I forgot it was Wednesday and almost missed the Hodgepodge! Glad I remembered and joined in :)
1. Pokemon Go...your thoughts? Are you playing? Do you even know what it is?
I'm not playing. I heard about it on the news briefly and have no interest to find out more. I will not be getting it anytime soon.
2. What was something you collected as a child? Do you still have that collection? If you're a parent what's something your own children collected? Have you ever camped out, stood in a crazy long queue, or paid a ridiculous sum for a 'collectible'?
The two things I remember collecting were stickers and Smurfs. We used to put the stickers in photo albums and then trade with friends. The Smurf collection was just little figurines I would keep in my room. I don't have either of those collections. My son has a nice collection of glass beverage bottles as well as legos and other action figures. My daughter has a shell collection but she isn't that interested in it. They both used to collect SillyBands. I've never done any of those things for a collectible, but I know my family members have to get me Cabbage Patch Dolls when I was a girl.
I just recently came across my first Cabbage Patch doll and I put her in the donation pile. If I think about it too much I might take her out ;)
3. "Collect moments, not things"...tell us about a moment you've added to your collection this summer.
A perfect moment spent at the beach with my family, watching the sunset, digging my toes in the sand, relaxing and enjoying God's awesome creation!
4. What's something collecting dust in your home right now? Any plans to do something about it?
The Gazelle (an exercise machine) which is in the corner of my bedroom. I tried using it once since we moved in September but it was squeaking like crazy. I should have my husband spray it with WD40 and see if that helps. If it does I can exercise on it instead of hanging clothes on it ;)
5. A favorite song relating to time?
Music questions are my favorite :) "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper. I couldn't find a video I liked, but the music part is still good. So 80s :)
And an even older one, "Time in A Bottle" by Jim Croce.
6. What's been your most frightening or your most interesting encounter with wildlife?
We have seen deer in the woods just behind the fence in our backyard, but last week we actually saw one dart right across our street! We were driving and thought it was a dog but they realized it was a deer. We live in the suburbs, and that is not something you see every day.
UPDATE: As I was sitting on my back deck, browsing around on my laptop, I had my feet up on a chair. I felt something on my leg, looked down and it was a bird! A sparrow had landed right on my bare calf! I let out a scream and he flew off. My kids came running to see what all the commotion was about. I often think of God when I see birds and remember that "His eye is on the sparrow and I know He cares for me". Thank you Lord.
7. On July 20, 1969 Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong set his foot down on the moon. If you could travel to the moon would you go? Why or why not?
Oh no way! I am not adventurous enough and too big of a chicken. I like my feet here on the ground on Earth. I am glad there are people who will go though.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Last week on the way to the beach we stopped off for some snacks. We ended up bringing them home and I was horrified when I read the back of the bag..."Partially Processed with Genetic Engineering". So goodbye to Lays chips, Fritos and Cracker Jacks. We already do a lot of our shopping at Trader Joe's but I will be avoiding the big brands even more.
1. Do you find yourself influencing your world, or is it more the other way around?
Yes, when I see my children doing something that I do or saying something that I say I realize the effect of my influence. (I'm not sure I understood the question properly.)
2. July 14th is National Tape Measure Day...the device was patented on this date in 1868. When did you last use a tape measure? Do you always know where to find one in your house? Tell us one way in which you feel blessed 'beyond measure'.
Last week I used a tape measure to measure the cabinets for new handles. There is almost always one in our kitchen "junk" drawer although sometimes someone takes it out and doesn't return it. Then I ask my son for his ;) I was so proud of myself for changing the kitchen cabinet handles all my myself! Yesterday was my birthday and I feel blessed beyond measure to have my beautiful children, who are now a teen and a tween. They went out of their way to make my day special and took care of things so I could have the day "off". I also realize how fortunate I am to live in such a beautiful place surrounded by water. Being at or in the water is my favorite place.
3.The Plaza Hotel (Eloise), The Land of Oz (The Wizard of Oz), Narnia (The Chronicles of Narnia), The Hundred Acre Wood (Winnie the Pooh), Wonderland (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland), or Never Never Land (Peter Pan)...which storybook land (on this list!) would you most like to visit and why?
Never Never Land because you can fly and there is not a care in the world there.
4. Where and when do you get your best ideas?
I don't know that there is a specific time or place or that I come up with that many "best" ideas.
5. So what have you been watching on TV this summer? Anything good?
I haven't been watching much TV so far, but do look forward to Hotel Hell with Gordon Ramsey.
6. 'Don't swim for an hour after you eat', 'Dog days of summer', 'Knee high by the Fourth of July'...choose a summer saying from the list or share one of your own, then tell us what image or memory comes to mind when you hear it spoken.
Don't swim for an hour after you eat, although I don't think my mom used to make us wait that long. I remember being at the beach, with ham sandwiches, iced tea, and plums all from a cold cooler, sitting under the umbrella and the smell of suntan lotion. Yes, suntan lotion, not sunscreen. Back in the 70s and 80s we didn't use sunscreen.
7. In a single sentence, sum up one life lesson you've learned.
You can never figure out some people so don't waste your time trying.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Summer is finally in full swing here. The pool is up, the BBQ has been going, and we've been enjoying the lazy days of summer :)
1. How did you welcome the month of July, and tell us one fun thing you did to celebrate the 4th. (or the weekend for any non-USA residents playing along today)
I would love to say I welcomed the month of July by having our pool up, but we found lots of poison ivy in the backyard and are waiting for a professional to come remove it. So for now we are just sitting on the deck. We had a BBQ for dinner on the 4th and then went to watch fireworks.
2. Right now..what's your favorite red thing? white thing? blue thing?
Red thing- watermelon, white thing- a new drying rack for laundry, blue thing- the water at the beach.
3. Wave the white flag, raise a red flag, fly your freak flag...which 'flag' have you flown most recently? Explain.
I'm trying to wave the white flag in terms of negotiating plans for when family visits from out of town and someone else is taking care of their itinerary ;)
4. According to Cond Nast Traveler these are the seven best places to visit in July-
a boat safari in Botswanna's Okavango Delta, Riviera Maya Mexico (it's whale shark season and apparently you can swim with them), Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, Pamploma Spain, St. Petersburg Russia, the Fuji Rock Festival at Mount Naeba Japan, the Salzburg Festival in Salzburg Austria
If time and money weren't factors would you want to see any/all of these? Which would you most like to see and why?
No, none of those places sound appealing to me right now. Austria might be fun because my mother-in-law's parents are from there, but I'm not up for long distance travel. If I went I'd look forward to a piece of apple strudel and a cup of coffee :)
5. Grilled cheese, pimento cheese, or mac and cheese...your favorite from the cheesy treats listed?
Grilled cheese, with bacon and tomato please.
6. What makes you sweat?
Literally, almost anything. I sweat very easily and do not like the heat. Right now I have the wall unit air conditioner set at 64 :)
7. Your favorite movie with a 'patriotic' theme of some sort?
"Top Gun" with Tom Cruise.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
The flag question has this song in my head. It's a good one.
