Wednesday's Hot July Hodgepodge

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1.  Do you think the pandemic has had any kind of positive impact on your mental health? Explain.

Yes, I do think there has been a positive impact on my mental health.  Trying to be positive :)  Spending more time in God's Word helps to keep things in perspective and gives me hope. 

2. A hot mess, hot under the collar, in hot water, hot button, hot diggity dog!, hot shot, hot seat....choose one and tell us how it applies to your life currently.

A hot mess!  Lazy pool days, wearing comfy clothes and not blowing out my hair every day.  Need I say more? 

3. Speaking of the hot seat, do you work well under pressure or do you actively avoid high pressure situations? 

 I do work well under pressure although as I have gotten older I try to avoid high pressure situations.  I much rather work at a calmer pace these days.  

4. Hotdogs-yay or nay? If you said yay how do you like yours? Did you know July is National hotdog month? 

Every once in a while yay to a hot dog.  I only like certain brands though.  Sabrett, Boar's Head, and Nathan's are my favorites.  For a healthier version, Trader Joe's has pretty good nitrate free hot dogs.   I like mine with a little sauerkraut, mustard and ketchup.  I did not know that and I haven't had a hot dog yet this summer.  I will have to throw some on the BBQ.  

5. I read here a list of America's coolest Southern towns. They are Marfa Texas, Greenville South Carolina, Abindgon Virginia, Athens Georgia, Bentonville Arkansas, Florence Alabama, Oxford Mississippi, Abita Springs Louisiana, Wilmington North Carolina, Monroeville Alabama, McMinnville Tennessee, Natchez Mississippi.  How many on the list have you seen in person? Which town on the list would you most like to see?

I have not been to any of those towns.  Right now they all sound so hot to me.  I would pick Greenville, South Carolina.  Since it is between NC and GA maybe I could visit friends I have in those states while I was there.  Traveling is not on my mind right now.   Our state has a two week quarantine upon return from travel to many states.  

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

I don't seem to have much to say lately.  Have a great week!

Wednesday's Stopping To Smell Pink Roses Hodgepodge

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1. This time last year where were you?

I was home.  I just checked my planner and there wasn't anything written in.  It was the last week of our school year so I was probably doing paperwork.

2. In honor of National Pink Day (June 23rd) tell us your favorite pink food or beverage. Was it on the menu at your house yesterday? Do you like to wear the color pink? If we came to visit would we find this color in your home decor? Blush-fuschia-salmon-raspberry-your favorite shade of pink?

Watermelon, even though it is usually red, sometimes it is pink.  No, it wasn't on my menu yesterday.  We bought one a few weeks ago but it wasn't sweet so I think we have to wait a few more weeks.  I like to wear pink if it bright, I look washed out in pale pinks.  I use pink in my spring and summer decor, like the artificial flowers I have on my dining room table.  Fuschia is my favorite shade of pink.  It is my go to nail polish for my toes :)

3. Stop and smell the roses, looking through rose colored glasses, a rose by any other name, not all moonlight and roses, no rose without a thorn...which rosy saying currently fits your life in some way? Explain.

Stop and smell the roses.  I think this has been a good time to do that.  With being at home more and things forced to slow down or come to a stop there is plenty of time to appreciate the everyday things we often take for granted.

4. Are you a 'reader'? Do you tend to read lighter books in the summer months? Do you have a summer reading list? If so, give us a title or two.

Yes, to some degree.  Right now the books I am reading for the summer are not lighter.  I have a mental reading list.  I am reading Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss, Idols of the Heart by Elyse Fitzpatrick, The Mystery of Providence by John Flavel and Trusting God by Jerry Bridges. I am doing a book study on Idols of the Heart and Trusting God is a reread.  I have read it several times but it is still excellent every time.  I also started reading in the book of John and hope to get through Revelation by the end of the summer.

5. Share with us one rose and one thorn from your weekend.

Our church reopened for Sunday Worship Service.  We had to wear masks and it isn't easy trying to sing and breathe through a mask.  Still I am thankful, even with the many restrictions in place, to gather in person with the saints to worship.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Today we enter Phase 3 of reopening.  That means there is some indoor dining allowed, and nail salons and other cosmetic procedures are allowed; all with restrictions like limited capacity.  It is not unusual to see women sitting outside of salons while their color is being processed these days.  My husband texted me the other day saying there was a woman sitting outside with foil on her head, lol!   

Wednesday's Almost Summer Hodgepodge

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1. Saturday marks the first official day of summer! Whoohoo! Your favorite thing about the season?

My favorite thing about the summer is being near or in the water.  Whether it is swimming in the ocean, floating in a pool or sitting with my toes in the sand I'll take it! 

2. Love it!, labor of love, not for love or money, no love lost, love handles, love does, love-hate relationship, misery loves company, tough love, love will find a way...pick one and tell us how it applies to your life right now.

Labor of love!  My laptop crashed two days ago.  I tried and tried but couldn't even get to my start menu.  I finally gave in an called HP.  I paid for a subscription to their technical help services and it was worth it.  I spent probably about 10 hours on the phone at different times.  Between those calls I was waiting for various updates, etc.  I backed up all my files before resetting my computer and thankfully my photos and documents were there but I can't seem to get my saved emails and contacts.  I think I may have some of them on my older computer so I will look there next.  

3. What's one thing currently causing you to seethe? One thing currently making you smile?

Well I am trying not to, and wouldn't exactly say I am seething but I find it ridiculous that many products are having to remove their labels because they are suddenly offensive.  I think we ought to focus on what makes us all alike (that we are all human made in the image of God) and stop pointing out physical differences trying to divide us.  

I am smiling because our church is opening for Sunday Worship Service.  We have to be at reduced capacity and there are many social distancing rules in place but we can meet!  

4. Of the following to-dos found on a summer checklist (here) which three would definitely make your personal list of summer want-to-dos?

roast marshmallows over a fire, go berry or peach picking, dangle your feet off the end of a dock, sit on a porch swing, watch the sunset from a beach, nap in a hammock, go barefoot in the grass, collect seashells, play tennis, go fishing, build a sandcastle, catch fireflies, eat a soft serve ice cream cone, make a pitcher of Sangria, swim in a lake, stargaze, ride a bike, paddle a canoe or kayak, make a summer road trip, throw a frisbee

1- roast marshmallows over a fire

2- watch the sunset from the beach

3- eat a soft serve ice cream cone

Do you make an actual list?

No, I don't actually make a list.  

5. Thursday is National Splurge Day. What might you splurge on in order to celebrate?

Chocolate?  We bought a Pound Plus bar of Belgian Milk Chocolate from Trader Joes yesterday.  We usually get the extra dark one which is really good but milk chocolate is a rare treat.  

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Too much random in my head right now to pick a thought that can be easily expressed ;)

Have a great week :)