An Ideal Optimist Hodgepodge

 

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1. Realist, idealist, optimist, pessimist...which one are you? Elaborate. 

I am a realist.  At least I think I am.  I call idealists dreamers.  I try to be an optimist but it doesn't come naturally for me.  

2. What's something currently on your wish list? 

An air fryer basket and pan to use in my new range which has a built in air fryer.  I used the air fryer feature to cook chicken tenders but they weren't crispy.  I think they need the basket to let the air circulate properly.  

3. Three things on this week's shopping list? 

Apples, oatmeal and tissues.  

4. According to Trip Advisor here's a list of the top ten things to do in the US this summer-

Chicago Architecture River Cruise, Skip the Line Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour, New York In A Day  guided sightseeing tour, Charleston's Old South Historic Horse and Carriage tour, Grand Canyon helicopter tour, Full day iconic sights of LA, Beverly Hills, Beaches and more, D.C. at Dusk guided night tour, Beneath the Streets Underground History tour (Seattle), New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat tour, Gangsters and Ghosts tour in Chicago...read more about each excursion in the link here. 

Of the ten attractions listed which do you find most appealing? Have you already experienced anything on this list? 

I would choose Charleston's Old South Historic Horse and Carriage tour but the heat might do me in.  I would prefer to visit SC in the fall.  I haven't experienced anything on this list.  

5. Besides home and work where do you spend the most time? 

I am home most of the time.  Besides running quick errands I go to church each Sunday so that would be where I spend the most time. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I have missed a few weeks at the Hodgepodge and glad to be back.  Thanks Joyce!  

Wednesday's Keep Three Hodgepodge

 

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1. What is something you currently find 'taxing'? 

Trying to understand other people.  A particular person to be more specific.  I will leave it at that. 

2. I've seen this question asked in various forms on several social media sites...you can only keep three-

coffee, jewelry, tacos, wine, books, dogs, chocolate, Netflix, make-up, leggings, cheese, cats

Which three do you keep and how easy or hard was it for you to decide? 

Books, chocolate and make-up.  Easy decision.  I like coffee but only have it on occasion.  I wear basic jewelry (engagement and wedding rings, stud earrings, my Fitbit and sometimes a bracelet or necklace) that I wouldn't want to give up but not in my top three.  I could live without tacos.  I don't drink wine.  I like dogs but don't have one because my husband isn't a pet person (he really is a kind man though).  I don't watch Netflix, wear leggings, care too much for cheese and I am allergic to cats.  

3. Tell us something you know or have learned about forgiveness? 

Forgiveness is a command.  I can forgive someone whether I feel like it or not.  

4. What's something you'd recommend that is often overlooked and under appreciated? 

Simple acts of kindness.  It doesn't take much to do something kind for someone else, even a stranger.  

5. Give us a favorite word that starts with letter K and tell us why this is the one you chose. 

Kinesthetic as in kinesthetic learning.  It is one of the three basic learning styles.  Kinesthetic learners process information best when they are physically engaged during the learning process.  I used to love planning lessons for my students to include this style of learning.  If it was included more in elementary classrooms I think there would be far less students labeled ADHD.  Just my opinion :) 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Does anyone else still have their Easter decorations up?  I was going to take mine down this past weekend but it just felt too early.  

Wednesday's Adieu to March

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1. The Hodgepodge lands on the last day of March...in ten words or lest bid the month adieu. 

Windy days leading to the renewed hope of Spring!

2. March 31st is National Tater Day...your favorite way to have a potato? Given a choice would you opt for sweet, white, or red? How often are potatoes on your menu in one form or another? Ever been to Idaho? If not, is that a state you'd like to visit someday?

My favorite way is French Fries though these days those would be oven baked and homemade.  I wouldn't turn down any potato but I would choose red.  Potatoes are on my menu just about every week.  I have never been to Idaho.  I don't have any interest in visiting there.  

3. Last time someone or something 'rained on your parade'? Explain. 

Let's just say Covid rained on many parades. 

4. Put all your eggs in one basket, get cracking, nest egg, bad egg, good egg, egg on, have egg on your face, or walk on eggshells...choose a phrase from the list that applies to something in your life currently and tell us how or why.

Get cracking.  I have been keeping up with my exercise goals of at least 6 days of 45 minutes and 11,000 steps.  I recently started walking earlier in the morning because if I don't get cracking I am still working towards those steps after dinner and I don't like that.  

5. If I visited your home would I find a lot of baskets there? Something you like to keep in a basket? 

Yes, I love baskets.  I like to keep books and other random things in them.  To me it makes things look so much neater.  

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

I am celebrating 50 lbs. lost this week!  It has been a lot of hard work and consistency over the past seven months but I am happy I started then.  Onward to my goal weight!  

Happy Easter!

Wednesday's Spring Hodgepodge

 

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1. "Hope springs eternal"...discuss. 

I can't help but think of the song "Christ Our Hope in Life and Death".  "Oh sing Hallelujah, our hope springs eternal".

2. Last time you needed to 'spring into action' or 'spring to someone's defense'...explain. 

On Monday I sprang into action.  An older family member needed help filling out the gazillion papers sent from a new doctor.  I started by helping over the phone then realized it would be easier to do in person.  So my husband and I went to visit and I was able to help in person.  Everyone was relieved when it was finished.  

3. Tulips or daffodils? baby birds or baby bunnies? The cherry tree or the dogwood tree? Jelly beans or peeps? March madness or spring training? Peas or carrots? 

Tulips.  Baby birds and bunnies (I can't pick one).  Cherry trees.  Jelly Beans (Russell Stover are my favorite).  Neither since I am not a big sports fan.  Carrots but I like peas too.  

4. I read an article here on the South's best cities on the rise. They are-Baton Rouge Louisiana, Fayetteville Arkansas, Greenville South Carolina, Huntsville Alabama, Lexington Kentucky, Norfolk Virginia, Tulsa Oklahoma, Waco Texas, Wilmington North Carolina, and Winston-Salem North Carolina. Of the cities listed how many have you seen in person? Which one on the list would you most like to see? Have you spent much time in the southern states (USA)? Any spring road trips on your calendar? 

I have not been to any of those cities and do not have any plans for traveling anytime soon.  I would most like to see Lexington, Kentucky.  I have heard it is beautiful.  I have made the drive along the Eastern coast to get to Florida so spent some time driving through Virginia, NC and SC.  We have vacationed in VA and spend the night in both NC and SC.  

5. Tell us how your outdoor space needs sprucing up this spring? Which do you enjoy more (or hate the least-ha!) yard work or house work? 

My backyard needs more than a sprucing up.  It needs a big cleanup and better landscaping.  I enjoy house work more.  I do not like working in the yard or planting or gardening.  Just not my thing.  I try to help but other than raking up leaves I am pretty much useless.  

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Has anyone else been getting a ton of Spam calls?  Has anyone found a way to stop them?  It is so annoying!

Wednesday's Marching Hodgepodge

 

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1. Is March coming in like a lion where you live? Aslan, Simba, Elsa, The Cowardly Lion...your favorite 'famous' lion? 

Yes it is!  Yesterday it looked like a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky.  But it was 30 degrees and felt like 16.  I went to the beach to try to walk and enjoy the sunshine but was getting blown around.  After a quick 17 minute walk I was ready to get back to the car.  I don't have a favorite but will go with The Cowardly Lion.  

2. In what way do you 'march to the beat of your own drum'?

I don't know that I do.  Hmm, can't wait to read everyone's answers on this one.  Maybe then I will have an idea ;) 

3. What item that you don't have already, would you most like to own? Any chance of that happening soon? 

An air fryer.  Yes I am looking into getting one but there are so many choices.  I actually bought a Ninja one but it is made in China and we are trying to avoid those purchases so will need to return it.  I am still looking for one and hope to get one soon.  

4. March is National Flour Month...are you a baker? Cookies-cakes-or pies...your favorite sweet treat to bake? What's the last non-sweet thing you made that called for flour? 

Yes, I am a baker.  Cookies are my favorite to make but I also make cakes and pies.  Pizza dough.  

5. There are 31 days in the month of March...where were you and what were you doing when you were 31? If you haven't hit that milestone yet, then tell us where you were and what you were doing 31 months ago? (if math is not your thing, that would be August 3, 2018)

I was living here on Long Island and being a wife and mother to my daughter who was one at the time.  Sweet times.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

If anyone uses a Fitbit there are system wide problems on the app today.  It is frustrating because I have fitness challenges going on there and can't see my progress.  My device is still tracking though so that is good.  I did 45 minutes on my Gazelle and am at 8,100 steps so far.  My daily goal is 11,000 but I have been averaging over 14,000.  My weight loss has slowed down but I am doing everything right.  I am hoping it is because I increased my activity so much and soon the scale will start showing more progress.  WW encourages us recognize our non-scale victories when we hit a plateau.  I am trying.  

Wednesday's Clean Can Hodgepodge

 

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1. Your favorite cleaning product? Do you clean your own house or hire out? Most disliked household chore? What one chore do you not mind so much? 

My favorite cleaning product is Method All Purpose Cleaner.  My favorite scents are pink grapefruit and clementine.  I clean my own house.  My most disliked household chore is scrubbing the tub.  I don't mind vacuuming, it is kind of calming to me.  

 2. It's Canned Food Month...do you use a lot of canned goods? What are the three canned items you purchase most often? Last thing you made using a canned ingredient? 

Yes I have a pantry of canned goods.  The three I purchase the most are crushed tomatoes (for sauce), beans and fruit like pineapple or pears.  I had cottage cheese and pears from a can for breakfast a couple of days ago.  

 3. Can of worms, anything can happen, can you imagine?, as best I can, kick the can down the road, more than one can take, no can do, not if I can help it...choose an idiom and tell us how you currently relate.

As best I can.  I am working really hard at exercising and tracking my food.  I would like things to move faster but I am doing as best I can.  I have lost 44 lbs. since the end of August.  Of course, things slow down as you stick with it.

4.The last Tuesday in February is National Spa Day. Are you someone who enjoys a day at the spa? Last time you visited a spa? Do you have a favorite spa? Are salons open for business in your area? Have you made changes to your hair and nail routine since Corona hit? In what way? 

No, I do not like spa days.  I don't remember ever having a spa day.  Salons are open here.  I have a friend who has a little salon in her home do my hair normally because I hate salons.  Ever since I had vertigo it is quite uncomfortable for me to be around all the lights, mirrors and noise.  Plus it is hard for me to put my head back to get it washed.  I haven't had my hair cut in a year!  I do my own coloring and have kept that up although I do admit to using root touch up more often and trying to stretch the time out between colorings.  I do my own nails, usually just a neutral color on my fingers.  I do not like the feeling of bare nails.  I like them smooth and they seem to break less when they are polished.  I am thinking about going to a fancy salon for a new haircut and style when I lose 50 lbs. as a reward and for a change.  

 5. Believe it or not this is the last Hodgepodge of the month. In one sentence sum up your February. 

February was very snowy this year! 

 6. Insert your own random thought here.

In case anyone is getting tired of winter, there are 96 more days until Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer!

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

 

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1. This week's Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday which signals the beginning of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? If so tell us more. Did you grow up 'celebrating' Lent? Is attending church part of your weekly routine? Are churches open for in-person worship where you live? 

No, I don't do anything special for Lent.  I grew up celebrating Lent which meant getting ashes on Ash Wednesday and picking something to give up which would be hard to do, like chocolate or something.  I no longer do that as I am no longer Catholic.  Yes attending church is part of my weekly routine.  Our church is open for in-person worship although there are certain restrictions in place.  The service is also livestreamed for those who are not comfortable meeting in person yet.  

2. When is the last time you sat beside a 'real' fire? Do you have a fireplace in your home? Wood or gas logs? Favorite thing cooked over a fire? 

Best I can remember it was last summer.  We do not have a fireplace.  Marshmallows are my favorite thing to cook over a fire (and the only thing I eat from over a fire).  

3. Something that's currently got you fired up? 

I was fired up over something yesterday.  Probably shouldn't say too much about it.  Let's just say I don't like when people don't follow simple rules.  

4. February also happens to be National Cabbage Day. Who knew? Do you like cabbage? Is cabbage on your menu Wednesday? Of the following cabbage dishes which is your favorite-coleslaw (mayo or vinegar?), sauerkraut, cabbage rolls, cabbage soup, kielbasa and cabbage, grilled cabbage, bubble and squeak, kimchi, or haluski? 

Cabbage is okay.  It is rarely on my menu.  Sometimes for St. Patrick's Day and once in a blue moon I will make coleslaw or sauerkraut.  Coleslaw with mayo is my favorite.  I like sauerkraut on hot dogs or with kielbasa.  I haven't had any of these in a long time and probably won't anytime soon since I am watching what I eat.  

5. Do you hang on to pennies? What do you do with them? Last thing you purchased for $1.00? Last thing you purchased for $5.00? 

I rarely use cash anymore but I still have coins in the holders in my car and in a jar on my dresser.  My wallet was so heavy from all the coins in it but recently a girl at church was collecting spare change for a local crisis pregnancy center.  I was happy to donate and I couldn't believe how light my wallet was after that.  The last thing I purchased for $1.oo was a Valentine's Day card at Dollar Tree.  Dollar Tree now has Hallmark and Dayspring cards!  The last thing for $5.00 was this candle holder for Easter.  It was on sale at Kohl's and I had an additional 30% off.  It came to $5.03 plus tax.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Today is my son's 16th birthday.  He wouldn't like it if I posted a picture of him so I will post a picture of the comic book line he created.  This is his most recent work, a stand alone 80 page graphic novel.    So proud of him!  

Happy Birthday Noah! 

Wednesday's Love Hodgepodge

 

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1. Something little you are loving right now? 

A new snack, warm sliced apples in nonfat Greek yogurt with a little sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar.  It is very filling and zero points for me on WW.    

2. Red roses or pink peonies? Red wine or pink lemonade? Red lipstick or pink polish? A cotton candy colored sky or a fiery red sunset? A book-movie-song you love with the word red or pink in it's title? 

Pink peonies (but my real favorite is pale pink roses).  Pink lemonade.  Pink polish (fuchsia is my favorite).  A cotton candy colored sky.   Pretty in Pink, an 80's movie with Molly Ringwald.  

3. What's something you currently have your heart set on doing-going-seeing-or experiencing?

I have my heart set on getting to my goal weight by the summer.

4. Who would you most like to have a heart to heart with right now? Is that possible? 

My Aunt Carol.  No, it isn't possible since she passed away a few years ago.  She was one of my best friends.  

5. Write an acrostic for the word L-O-V-E. 

L- laying aside one's own interests for the sake of another

O- only believing the best about others when in doubt

V- volunteering to help others when there is no visible benefit 

E- enduring all things 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;  does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;  does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

January's Hodgepodge

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1. What's something we'd find you doing most afternoons? 

Sitting down for a cup of hot tea, taking a little break before starting dinner. 

2. Who do you take after? In what way(s)? 

My mom in liking things clean and not cluttered.  My Aunt Carol in reaching out and caring for others especially those who are alone.  

3. 'After every storm comes a rainbow' or 'the calm before the storm'...which phrase do you relate to more right now? Tell us why? 

I can't help but think "the calm before the storm" in relation to the changes in our country.  Many changes have happened already and I fear our freedoms are being taken away right before our eyes.  Censorship is only the beginning.  If we disagree we can do so respectfully without taking away the rights our Founding Fathers made sure we had.   

4.What are your plans for the day after tomorrow? 

Hopefully get to stroll through a seaside village after an appointment.  That would help me get my 10,000 steps in.  I am working on getting at least 10,000 steps at least five days a week.  I have been using my Gazelle Sprint Master to help.  My Fitbit recognizes it as an elliptical.  

5. Complete this sentence-"After all is said and done_God is still on the throne."

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

"If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under."

-Ronald Reagan

Have a great week :)

January's Hodgepodge

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 1. When were you last a guest at an event or in someone's home? Tell us about it. Do you enjoy having guests in your own home? 

In someone's home?  I honestly can't remember but it had to be before March 2020.  I did go to an outdoor BBQ retirement party in August that was at someone's home but don't know if that counts.  I do enjoy having guests in my home and again haven't done that since Covid started.  

2. What has you 'tied up in knots' currently or recently? Are you any good at tying actual knots? 

The state of our country and our world can have me tied up in knots if I let it.  I remind myself that God is in control and He knows the future.  I can trust Him and rest in His promises.  No, I am not good at tying knots.  

3. What's something you've been wanting to do and have decided 2021 will be the year you 'take the plunge'? 

To get to my goal weight and stay there.  I took the plunge  in August 2020 but hope to be at goal by July 2021.  

4. Something in your home that's old? Something new? Something borrowed? Something blue? 

My dining room table is old.  It was my mother-in-law's and she had it for over 50 years.  Something new- Christmas lights in my living room and yes I still have them up!  Something borrowed-the only thing I can think of is some clothes that I borrowed from my sister.  Something blue- my main bathroom has soft blue walls.  

5. Share a favorite quote, a verse of scripture, and/or a bit of wisdom for couples getting married in this challenging and seemingly unpredictable season we're currently/still experiencing. 

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33

My husband and I chose that verse when we were married and I remind myself of it often.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

There is nothing like the sound of the waves crashing at the ocean.  It reminds me of the beauty of this world and the One who created it all.  In the midst of the unrest all around us I find comfort in these words:

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27