Wednesday's Doggie Hodgepodge

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1. The Hodgepodge lands on National Dog Day this year (August 26th). Do you own a dog? Did you have a dog when you were growing up, or maybe some other kind of pet? Would you say you're more of a dog person or a cat person? Neither is okay too : )

I do not own a dog.  I had a dog when I was growing up.  I was heartbroken when we had to put him down and said I would never go through that again.  I would love to have a dog now but my husband is not onboard.  Not yet, anyway ;)  I am more of a dog person for sure.  I don't like cats and am allergic to them.  My eyes itch and water if I am near one.  

2. Last time you felt 'dog tired'?

On Saturday.  I don't know why but I was exhausted.  I sat around a lot more than usual.  

3. It's said you can't teach an old dog new tricks. When did you last prove this idiom true or prove it wrong?

I can't think of anything but I do think you can teach an old dog new tricks.  It just takes a lot of time and patience.  I think of the older people (myself included) who are trying to keep up with technology.  Sometimes it is easier to give up than to try to learn the new way of doing things.  

4. A favorite book, television show, or movie featuring a dog. Why did you love it?

"You've Got Mail" with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.  Brinkley is the Golden Retriever that belongs to Joe Fox.  I love Golden Retrievers and I love the final scene where Joe calls Brinkley and he comes running and Kathleen then knows it was him all along.  It is one of those movies I can watch over and over again.  

5. Last time you had reason to (literally or figuratively) exclaim 'hot diggity dog'?

Monday when I went shopping with my daughter.  She needed to find some business attire and we went to TJMaxx.  I was hoping we would find something there, otherwise we would have to possibly venture to the mall.  We found the perfect blazer and a few tops.  I was happily surprised.  

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

The past couple of weeks have felt like the dog days of summer!  Today the humidity is low and there is a beautiful breeze.  It is a perfect summer day.  Tomorrow the oppressive heat is forecasted to return so that will mean staying in the AC or going in the pool.  I do not tolerate heat well at all.  I don't think I could survive living in the South.  

Wednesday's Five Hodgepodge

 

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1. Five years ago this month hubs and I relocated from New Jersey to the Palmetto State. What were you doing five years ago this month?

We were also moving this month five years ago.  Not as far as Joyce, just around the block.  We moved in with my mother-in-law to help with her care since she was alone and getting older.  We did that for three years before she passed two years ago, also this month.  

2. What was the last 9-5 job you worked? Tell us about it.

I don't think I ever worked the traditional hours of 9-5 on any type of regular basis.  My last job was as a teacher and my hours were 8:30-3:30.  I taught second grade in a lovely primary school in a beautiful, quaint village by the Bay.  It was an answer to my prayers.  That year over 3,000 teachers interviewed for positions in that school district.  It was a long interview process and one of the requirements was to teach a demo. lesson.  I was assigned to a second grade class with a teacher I wished I would be like one day.  There were five elementary schools I could have been assigned to but this one was my absolute favorite.  I prayed to get second grade in that building and I did!  I ended up teaching alongside the teacher I wanted to be like.   I loved that job for the five years I was there.  My coworkers and students were wonderful.  I still think about those students who are in their 20s now.  

3. Plead the fifth, high five, take five, it's five o'clock somewhere, or the big 5-0...which number five phrase relates to your life in some way currently? Tell us how.

Plead the fifth.  My daughter was trying to plead the fifth when I was asking her questions about what type of bedroom furniture she likes.  She is getting ready to start college and will be commuting so I thought a new bedroom set with a desk would be nice.  She thinks her furniture is fine and doesn't think she needs a new set.  If I knew what kind she actually liked I might just surprise her.  

4. During this season of spending so much time at home, what distractions get in the way of being your most productive? Or have you been extra productive since this whole thing started?

I can get distracted while browsing on my laptop.  I go to one site which leads me to another site and before you know it I have spent way too much time on the computer.  I have had weeks of being extra productive since this whole thing started so I guess it balances out.  

5. Give us a list here of your top five anything.

Top five ice cream flavors:

1. Mint Chocolate Chip

2. Vienna Mocha Chip

3. Maple Walnut

4. Butter Pecan

5. Vanilla

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Did you know there are now apps to be used to trace if you have been exposed to COVID-19?  While I understand that this may initially sound like a good idea, I think it is an invasion of privacy as to one's whereabouts.  I saw this posted on social media:

Heads up! Good bad or indifferent:

FYI: Do you know that a " Covid-19 " sensor has been inserted secretly into every phone. Apparently when every one was having a phone disruption earlier this week, they were adding COVID -19 trackers to our phones.
If you have an android phone, go under settings, then look for Google settings and see if it's there.
If you are using an iPhone, go under settings, privacy, then health, it's there but not yet functional. The app can notify you if you've been near someone that has reported having COVID-19.
Don't turn it on because you will be traced everywhere you go but once you update your phone, it will automatically be turned on on our phones. Just remember to go back in and turn it off.

Copied from a friend
••••
I checked my phone and yes it is there.

Wednesday's August Hodgepodge

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1.  What's happening where you live in terms of schools opening? How do you feel about it?

I think they are still working out the plan.  We should hear by next week what each school district's plan is.  Some colleges are having on campus classes with social distancing, some are giving the students a choice of on campus or online.  I feel it is time to start opening up, with some changes in place.

2. What's something you still do 'old school'?

I still keep a planner on my desk and actually write in it.  

3. August 4th is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. Will you/did you celebrate by baking a batch? Eating a batch? Nuts or no nuts? Homemade or store bought? Soft and chewy or do you prefer your cookie to snap when you bite into it?

I didn't celebrate yesterday but did make a batch a couple of weeks ago.  Chocolate chip cookies are a favorite in my house, a batch does not last long.  No nuts, homemade and soft and chewy for me.  

4. What are you starved for?

I am not starved for anything but I really miss things feeling normal.  

5. Anything new and interesting on your August calendar? What is one thing you're looking forward to this month?

I do not have anything on my calendar for August that is new or interesting.  I am looking forward to another month of summer since school here starts in September after Labor Day.   

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

So one thing that I like since this whole quarantine and social distancing bit has started is curbside pickup.  I have had great experiences with Party City, Ulta and Old Navy.  I ordered and paid online, waited for an email saying my order was ready (just a few hours) then headed to the store.  Once there I called the store and told them where I was parked.  I put my license up to the window, they gave me the thumbs up and put my order in my car.  So convenient and I do not miss going into the store. I hope they keep offering this service long after COVID.  

Have a great week :)