Wednesday, October 16, 2013

A Cheery Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge!  Everyone is welcome to play along...answer the questions on your own blog, then add your link at the end of my post. Be sure to visit at least the bloggers who linked up just before you... we all love to be loved.  Here are my answers-


1. What was your biggest worry five years ago?  Is it still a worry?

Five years ago we were living in the UK.  We were told we'd be moving back to the states soon, but soon means different things to different people. I guess our biggest worry was 'what's next?'-the where, when, how of it all.  

Is it still a worry? Not exactly. We eventually moved back and it all worked out in a time frame that was pretty much perfect given what the future held for our family. Hubs and I are in a similar place now though-what's next? The where, when, how?  I try to remember how God orchestrated the details and the timing five years ago, and know He will do the same today.  

2. Yesterday (October 15th) was National Grouch Day...what makes you grouchy?  What cheers you up when you're feeling grouchy?

I'm not grouchy very often, but when I am I can't always pinpoint what it is that's making me grouchy...sometimes I just am. I blame the XX chromosome. And it's not so much grouchy as 'moody'.  Praise music played loudly, a change of scenery, a cup of tea, or a funny remark from the hubs can usually turn things around.  I also find spending too much time around chronic complainers can make me grouchy.  There's a pretty easy fix for that one though-step away from complainers. 

3. In one word, how does it feel to be photographed?

eh.

4. Besides your parents, who would you say had the greatest influence on you in choosing your life path?  Explain.

I think probably various people in the church I grew up in, or maybe the church as a whole?  They loved me, encouraged me, believed in me, and prayed for me. 

5. The crisp days of autumn are here...what's something you like to eat, but only if it's crisp?

Two foods came immediately to mind-bacon and lettuce.  I cannot eat bacon that isn't fully cooked, and by fully cooked I mean crisp.  And if I'm having a salad I want the lettuce crisp. 

6. What's the most useless object you own?

Our big old computer monitor, still wrapped in brown paper from our move back to the US four years ago. We bought a new computer when we arrived stateside, but the old one still sits tucked up on a shelf in the closet.  One of those things I need to deal with, but its way down there on the to-do list.  In fact I haven't even managed to add it to the list.  Someday.

7. Share a favorite fall memory.

I love pretty much everything about fall so trying to narrow this down to just one is hard.  I wrote about one of my favorite fall memories here.  It centers around a tree, this one to be exact-


...and those little girl faces, the way the air smelled, and the leaves crunched, and time was soft.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Speaking of trees...this one at the end of our driveway makes me supremely happy this time of year-


Happy fall y'all!

33 comments:

  1. Good Morning, Joyce!
    Wow, that tree is beautiful! The leaves here haven't become quite that vibrant just yet, but I don't think it will be long. The temps. have definitely been dropping. What a sweet family photo. Wouldn't you love to be able to turn back the hand's of time? I'm with you on the bacon...extra-crispy for me is the only way to go!

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  2. Fall is a gorgeous time of year-God is painting the world.

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  3. Great questions this week Joyce. I got a little wordy on my random thought. It was the English teacher in me. I am so with you on your fall memories. I love fall.

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  4. I love your fall photos. And it looks like you had a grand time with your new old friends! So much fun!

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  5. I totally agree with your crisp requirements. We have a couple computers that need to vacate the property too. Soon, very soon.
    Very sweet picture! That was a very big dog!

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  6. I love the tree at the end of your driveway....and you and me both mentioned CRISP bacon [uncooked makes me gag] Oh....and your answer to your first question...does this mean your family is going to be relocated again? Or am I reading too much into the response?

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  7. I definitely agree with you about just removing yourself from grouchy people. I know some and I do my best not to hang around them too long - they can bring me down. And...ahhhhh, bacon! Agree - I like it crisp!

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  8. Lettuce and bacon! Two very good answers, that I totally agree with!

    I enjoyed re-reading your story concerning the picture. I liked it when I first read it, and I still like it :)

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  9. That tree at the end of your drive is gorgeous!

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  10. I so agree with you about God working out the details. We've been in a time of transition, and I remember watching other people go through similar times (kids moving out, etc.) and wondering how I'd handle everything. Turns out that I don't have to. God has everything under control. :)

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  11. I love the fall colours too. As for complainers - agreed. I remember having one of those "moments of clarity" a few years ago, and started distancing myself from people who mainly focussed on complaining about how awful their life was. Yes, sometimes something awful happens TO you and you need to cope. But generally, I find many people bring a lot of it on themselves and/or just like to complain and aren't ready to do anything about it until, well, they are. So until such a time, I finally figured out the best thing to do - for me - was just distance myself and let them find another audience.

    Back for week two of Hodgepodge - thanks again!

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  12. Re: Question #6, we still have a Commodore 64 computer, in it's original box. This relic hasn't made our to-do list yet either. I agree with staying away from emotionally toxic people...life's too short! Thanks for the Hodgepodge!

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  13. The tree is beautiful! LLoved the questions this week.

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  14. Being a photographer, I can tell you, most people agree with your answer on getting their picture taken :)

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  15. The colors this time of the year are amazing! Our trees are quickly becoming bare. I like to watch the progression of the trees like yours when they begin to change until they're bare. Those big old computer monitors are a pain. We have one in our basement that we need to get rid of too. Have a great day! Thanks, as always, for hosting!

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  16. Love your photos in #7 & #8!! Beautiful.

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  17. I still have my old computer in the basement. I need to have the files transferred before discarding it but don't know if that is something I'll actually get to ;) Love that beautiful tree!

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  18. Yum. I love my bacon and lettuce crisp too. I am somewhat of a lettuce snob though... I hate "white" lettuce-- you know, when you get further into the head of the lettuce. I literally pick it out-- no matter where I am. Fancy restaurant... I pick it out. LOL.

    Thanks for hosting!

    Julia @ Mom on the Run x2

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  19. Grouchy people can really infect a joyful spirit! I agree that it's important to not let that happen. I also concur that bacon needs to be very crispy! The tree is beautiful, and so is your family. Happy Fall to you, too!

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  20. I had forgotten about bacon, (how is that even possible?) I like mine crisp too, and lettuce always has to be crisp for me in order to eat it.

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  21. I thought about blaming the XX chromosome, but realized how influenced to grouchiness by XY people being grouchy. Stepping away from either one is a great anecdote, but usually, gotta say, my grouchiness is self-inflicted. Love that tree beside the driveway. It would make me supremely happy, too.

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  22. I didn't think about it until you said it but my husband can say something funny and my mood will change. I agree with the bacon and yes....lettuce must be crisp! Oh my, those computer monitors were something else. Love the tree, gorgeous.

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  23. I am enjoying a very dark, rainy, early fall day here in the deep south, and can't wait for the leaves to start changing. However, they won't ever be as brilliant as you have in the northeast. Fun questions today, thanks.

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  24. Great questions and answers and I'm so jealous of the scenery you Northeastern residents have. I love fall because I feel so energized after a long, hot summer in Texas.

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  25. What beautiful photos!
    I would worry about losing my passport! :)

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  26. Your scenery looks just like here. We could be neighbors :) I'm sure it will not surprise you that we feel the same about bacon. :)

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  27. The driveway tree is glorious. The trees in our area are just beginning to slowly change.
    I love crispy bacon too.

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  28. Love crisp bacon....forgot about that one! Your fall family picture is amazing....colors this years of been like none other. Enjoy!

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  29. The tree makes me happy too! I'm so jealous of the stunning colors y'all are seeing right now. Thanks so much for sharing the picture! Hope your girls are doing well!

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  30. I love crispy bacon too!
    I love your family picture.
    What did I worry about 5 years ago? EVERYTHING. I was in a horrible place.
    I love campfires in the fall, taffy apples, pies, knitting always, and walks in the woods

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  31. I'm a fan of crispy bacon too. I'm that woman at restaurants who always makes a very specific order that the bacon be extra crispy.

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  32. I'd love that tree at the end of my driveway, too!

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  33. Another set of fantastic questions this week. Thank you I had fun answering them.

    I too love crispy bacon. In fact does anyone like it soggy? Well apart from my mother.

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