Rollin' on the Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you'd like to join the party, answer the questions on your own blog, then add your link at the end of my post. Here are my answers~

1. Have you learned more from success or failure?  Explain.

Success.

While I do believe we learn from failure, I think success is what's given me the confidence to try something new, different, or even hard.  

2. What did you call your grandparents when you were growing up? If you have children, what do they call your parents?  If you have grandchildren, what do they call you?

When I was a toddler, and we lived with my mom's parents for a year, I called that grandmother GaGa. Eventually though, that became Grandma and my sibs and I called both sets of grandparents Grandma and Grandpa. If we were talking about them within the family we would add their last name to differentiate, but in person they were just Grandma and Grandpa. Once great grandchildren arrived my mom's mother became GiGi. 

My girls call hubs parents Grandma and Grandpa, and when my dad was alive he was known as Poppie. My mom is Mema to the girl grands, but my nephew calls her Mimi and she answers to both. I don't have grandchildren yet, and am not quite sure what I want to be called. In England it seemed most children called their grandmothers Nan, and I kind of like that. I like Grandma too.   

3. You're invited to a luau.  In keeping with that theme, what dish do you bring to share?

My gourmet group this month has a luau theme which is what prompted this question. The menu is set and each person chooses a recipe from the set menu. Since my daughter2 loves to bake, and will be going with me to the luncheon, I chose two desserts. One is a mango cheesecake and the other is a Blue Hawaii cupcake, made with blue curacao, cream of coconut, and crushed pineapple. Sounds good to me!

4. Besides Jesus, what one person's life story do you think everyone should know?

Who came up with this question? I had an answer in my head and asked my hubs what he would say and his answer was identical to mine. 

Hitler-so we don't forget what evil is.  

5. "Don't sweat the small stuff." Agree or disagree?

It depends. For the most part small stuff is just that-small stuff.  It shouldn't ruin our day, week, or outlook on life. I do think an exception to this can, in some instances, be found in parenting.  If you allow the seemingly small stuff to accumulate unchecked, before you know it you have a kid nobody wants to be around.  

When it comes to parenting sometimes you do need to sweat the small stuff.   

6. June is National Rivers Month...when were you last on a river?  What's the prettiest river you've ever seen?  What's a river you'd like to see?

We spent the Labor Day weekend with my sister on their boat down in Maryland, which was probably the last time I was on a river.  The marina is on a creek which runs into the Chester River.  You can pretty much put me on any Maryland waterway, and I'm happy. 

As far as the prettiest? Most rivers are pretty in some way, but we lived in Maryland for nine years, and kept our boat on the Magothy River which is still near and dear to my heart.  

C. 2002

I think I've posted this picture about four or five different times on my blog, so what's one more? A rainbow painted river sunset never gets old.  

What's a river I'd like to see? The Danube. 

7. Speaking of rivers-paddling, swimming, fishing, or bird watching safely from the shore?  Which activity would you choose?  Yes-you have to choose.

All of the above? I guess if I can only choose one, it would be paddling a canoe or kayak, although my real favorite is a motor boat. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Sometimes your grown up 22-year old daughter comes home for a week, and the weight of a real world job hunt, a last looming semester of grad school, the two part time jobs she's juggling, and an impending move to a new city and state weigh heavy on her mind and heart. You listen, advise, wipe tears, and decide what she really needs is a Friendly's hot fudge sundae at 11 o'clock on a Tuesday morning.  

Because sometimes you just do.