Wednesday, June 5, 2013

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.  




33 comments:

  1. Your poor daughter! Sounds way too much at once, really feel for her - lucky to have such a wise mum to know Ice cream sundaes are the answer!!

    :)

    Interestingly, my friends Miss S and Mini K call their grandFATHER 'Gaga'. I'd never heard it before until I met Miss S! Nana, Granny, Grandma, Grandpa, Grandad are pretty much the only names you get for grandparents in the UK. USA seems to have many more variations.

    ReplyDelete
  2. ...and in my mind, you ARE a success!! Oh, and being a mom to a grad that is getting her feet wet with life's surroundings and juggling all what your daughter is juggling for her future...I've been there, I know just what you both are going through. And now my son, after all these years with just the master's degree decided he wanted a PhD. So...all I can say is more power to them, and if the hot fudge sundae is a power shot....go for it!! [love the photo...I've not seen it, so I'm glad you decided to repost it again]

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good answer to number 1. That's true of me, as well, but I only gave myself five words to answer this time around. I had a hard time choosing between all the pretty MD rivers for my answer. So daughter 2 is not returning to the fifth grade at her school? I don't know why I thought that was a permanent position. I'll say a prayer when I think of her.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Awww...I'm feeling your daughter's stress from here. What a good mom you are...getting ice cream in the middle of the day. Dessert always seems to make everything else more manageable!

    I love that picture of your family! You look beautiful in it, and your family seems so happy. What a precious memory!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It is fortunate for D2 that Mom knows just what she needs. I need the same thing sometimes! Your luau desserts sound delicious. You will have to share photos and recipes. Have a great Wednesday!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hot fudge sundae :) In the last few weeks since daughter's graduation have been there-worrying too much over the two state boards and ice cream does the trick to ease the tension.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I so agree with your small stuff answer. Somestmes parents DO need to sweat the small stuff.

    And Friendly's hot fudge sundaes do make things seem better. : )

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a beautiful picture. And yes sometimes an 11:00am hot fudge sundae is a requirement. Praying your daughter finds the job God has for her.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ahhh... yep, sometimes mom's just have to do that for their baby... that made me choke up a little

    ReplyDelete
  10. You sound like a great Mom...sweating the small stuff when it was called for...and now recognizing the benefits of a hot fudge sundae and a listening ear! Your answer to 4 was...er, interesting. Didn't expect that.

    ReplyDelete
  11. good morning! I am sure hoping things settle some and I am back to participating next week. I enjoyed this as always! I agree with you on the small stuff. "sometimes" you just HAVE to give thought to the details. The big stuff crowds its way in and takes over otherwise, and life whips by. But the trick is, not to sweat, just to notice! Enjoy your day!






    ReplyDelete
  12. I almost said Hitler!! I figured it would take too long to explain but you were very succinct!
    Amen to #5.
    Arrow prayers for Daughter 2.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Loved your number 1 and hadn't thought about success in that vein.

    Oh, how well I remember mothering our daughter through those early days of getting her feet wet. Now, she is facing a huge decision and is needing a lot of mothering too. A local community college has contacted her about joining their educational staff. She has so mean feathers in her hat and I knew they would serve her well in life, but this is a huge decision for her. It would give her the opportunity to begin work on her Doctorate, so I'm thinking she will likely accept it, but time will tell and Mom will keep praying.

    Happy rest of the week with your daughter........

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your answer for #4 was perfect and I agree! I drew a blank on that question until I read your answer, then I knew you were right!

    It tugged at my heartstrings when I read your random thoughts. Sometimes life can be hard for our children and it's tough for us parents to watch, but a hot fudge sundae would certainly make me feel better, for a while anyway :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Would loved to have join you for the sundae! At our house it is tea and cookies.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love the idea of being called Mema some day ;) You are such a fun mom taking your daughter for ice cream in the morning. Friendly's puts a smile on everyone's face :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. We would also use the last name of our grandparents when we talked between us. Those desserts sounds awesome! ((HUGS)) to your daughter. Life decisions are never easy. I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  18. You are the best mom ever. 'Nuff said.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great answers! I like the answer of Hitler and the reason! Very true! Have a great week, and I will remember your daughter in prayer!
    until next time...nel

    ReplyDelete
  20. Loved your answers, several of them much like mine. Couldn't come up with a person, but Hitler is one I would agree with. The Holocaust should NEVER be forgotten.

    So sorry to hear about all the transitional situations in your daughter's life. Whoever said parenting grown children was easy, didn't have grown children. You do a LOT of listening, praying and topping it off with treats. Loved it!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh those desserts sound so good! Will you eventually be sharing the recipes??

    Excellent point about the small stuff and parenting! When the kids are little, they are small, but they are huge stuff, so it makes sense that the smaller the child the bigger everything about them is.

    An awesome Mom is one who does exactly what you did for your daughter; especial realizing the need for a sundae for brunch! (My mom had that kind of intuitiveness too!)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I am late! You have a beautiful family - sitting there on the river - I know it's a couple years old - still beautiful. I am grandma too. Love, sandide

    ReplyDelete
  23. My daughter is going through similar changes. It is hard because you ultimately have no control - it is up to them. I just try to listen and encourage. Ice cream works too :-)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'd go even further to say that a beautiful sunset on any body of water never grows old. ;-)

    Good answer to #4.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I want pictures and a recipe for those cupcakes when they're done!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Chocolate is always good no matter what time it is! You are the best mom ever.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Blue Hawaii cupcakes???? Why have I never heard of these before? They sound wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love your random thought. Precious mama moment.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Loved the questions for the week. Blue Hawaii cupcakes sounded divine. I remembered to put my link in this week...not yours. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  30. I hate I missed the Hodge Podge this week! The end of school has been NUTS but I'm done as of today. Now I to spend the first day of summer break waiting out a tropical storm. Oh what fun. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hitler was a very interesting answer, and so was your reason for it. Thanks for the questions. It was fun.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Ok, so how do I get the questions on my blog or do I just rewrite the questions myself. Ok, if you read my blog you will know how completely computer illiterate I am. Anybody got a 6 year old I can borrow for computer question? Jody, The Medicare Mom

    ReplyDelete
  33. love the hodge podge!!! it is always wonderful
    I will be back with you soon!! have been in the process of long move from CA - OK then I had no internet until today!!! just stopping by to say love n hugs

    ReplyDelete