Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Back to School Hodgepodge

Welcome to the latest edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thanks for joining in here today. Answer the questions on your own blog, then add your link at the end of my post. Be sure you at least say hi to the blogger who linked before you because that's what good neighbors do. Here we go-



1. Way back when (the Hodgepodge bicentennial to be precise) several of you submitted questions as part of a giveaway I was hosting. I went back to that list for inspiration today and found a question  submitted by Marla, who blogs over at Marla's Musings. Thanks Marla! 

She asks-At what age did you feel like a 'grown-up'? What keeps you young now?   

Officially age 24 1/2.  At age 24 1/2 hubs and I moved from Tennessee to Virginia, a new to us town and state without any family nearby. I remember thinking, 'I guess there's no more looking around for an adult to solve a problem. We're the adults.' 

What keeps me young today? Um, my hair dresser? Actually she only keeps me looking young. Age is a state of mind, and I think young. It helps to spend time around younger people, to move forward with technology as best you can, and I'm also going to say travel. Travel keeps me young. Exploring new places and learning about all sorts of things as a result definitely helps me feel sharper and less foggy headed.  A foggy head makes me feel old. 

2. When did you last buy a vehicle? Was this by design or because you had no other option? Was the car/truck purchased for your own personal use or was it bought for someone else to drive? On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being delightful and 1 being 'pass the Excedrin') how would you rate the experience?

We bought a new vehicle on June 16th. We moved on June 11th so I won't be rating the experience a 10, but once we knew we had to buy a car, the process went smoothly. We like what we like, so deciding what to buy wasn't difficult, and the salesman was nice. I'll give it an 8 because I don't know that I'd ever rate buying a car as a 10. That's not my thing. 

We weren't planning to buy a car, but mine needed a very expensive repair, and we decided it didn't make sense to put that kind of money into the vehicle. I'm really happy with the new car, and if you read here you know I've spent a lot of time on the road since June, so we made the right call. 

3. Corn bread, corn chips, corn pudding, corn on the cob, cornflakes, corn chowder-your favorite of the corn-y foods listed? What needs to be served alongside your selection?

I don't dislike any of those foods, but corn on the cob is my favorite.  What needs to be served alongside? Something grilled...a burger, chicken, a salmon fillet...add a plate of sliced summer tomatoes and I'm happy. 

4. What's something in your life that regularly requires you to 'put your thinking cap on'?

That's easy-coming up with the Hodgepodge questions week after week.  Sometimes I have to crowbar them out of my brain, but remember...I'm helping you stay young! 

5. Share a favorite movie set in a school or classroom, or whose theme relates to school days in some way.

The Breakfast Club is one of my all time favorites no matter the category, but in this category I'd also add Mr. Holland's Opus. Two completely different movies, but both are films I can watch over and over again.  

6. Reading, writing, and 'rithmatic' are commonly referred to as the three R's. What are the three R's in your life right now?

Road trips, relocation, and  restaurant dining.  We've moved twice since June, and when we weren't moving we were road tripping, hence much restaurant dining. Too much in fact. I'm ready to do some home cooking, but I don't have all my pots, pans, and tools here which means the idea of cooking is more appealing than the reality. 

7. What's something you've learned or tried recently you can say was as 'easy as ABC'?

So much of what I've learned recently has not been 'easy as ABC'. The house build process, all the bells and whistles on my new car, a new cable TV guide...that last one I still haven't mastered. Like I said in #1 though, these things keep me young. They force my brain to think in ways it resists and that's a good thing. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

We are really enjoying living near one of the most beautiful college campuses in America. 



Hubs and I have done some walking here, and look forward to making that part of our routine. 



Once we quit with all the road tripping I mean. 





27 comments:

  1. I love Mr. Holland's Opus...it reminds me of my favorite teacher in high school. Thanks for a great list of questions this week!

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  2. I'm always impressed by your ability to go with the flow and flourish in all of it. Your questions are always good and some do give me pause. I was embarrassed I couldn't think of anything I had learned. Still thinking on that one.

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  3. With all you've got going on in your life right now, Joyce, I just want you to know how much I appreciate your taking the time and effort to come up with Hodgepodge questions for us each week. Although I always seem to take way too much time writing the Hodgepodge answers, it certainly is nice to have those prompts and also to read others' takes on the subjects you bring up. Thanks!

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  4. Thanks for using my question Joyce! And, once again, we have some similar answers. No surprise anymore! ha What kind of car did you end up buying? I love the movies you mentioned too. I always cry watching Mr. Holland's Opus!

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  5. Oh, I almost said Mr. Holland's Opus as well. It's so good to be back with the HP this week. Wishing you all the best in your house building process. I'm sooo glad to have it behind me and now if I can ever get this new one decked out and homey looking. It will be a work in progress for longer than I probably want to think about.

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  6. That's a purty place to walk! Glad you are semi landed. I know what you mean about eating out all the time. I feel that way after vacation, ready to have something home cooked. Have a good weekend!

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  7. Thanks for keeping the HP going with all the Rs in your life right now! Life keeps us busy doesn't it? I am also working on learning all the bells and whistles of a new car. Cool stuff, but lots to master. Enjoy your new ride as you continue to cover the miles. :)

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  8. I wrote Breakfast Club as well...great questions, have a beautiful day.

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  9. I was wondering when you'd refer back to the list of questions from HP-ers. Thanks for keeping us sharp by having to dig for some of our answers. And for making most of them as easy as A,B,C! The new cable guide--oh, boy. Did you know there are now voice remotes? We're waiting for Comcast to deliver them (been waiting 3 weeks) but really--just say "HGTV" and bam! There's Chip and Joanna!

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  10. Hehehe, I like your answer to what keeps you young, only for me it's not my hair dresser keeping me young; it's youth in a box, but same idea. ;) I also find the keep is keeping your brain young, so true

    Thanks for the questions, Joyce, and the opportunity to play along!

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  11. You make my head spin with all that you've got going on.

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  12. Of course you need your thinking cap each week coming up with the questions. You do an excellent job. Thank you. I never like when I have to learn a new cable system and channels. Looks like you are in a beautiful area, enjoy!

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  13. Hi Joyce,
    You are right on about how to keep the mind young. :-) I love to learn. I appreciate how all your questions make me think :-))
    Have a blessed week,
    Carla

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  14. I've never seen "Mr. Holland's Opus" all the way through. I guess I should check it out.

    Thanks for the Hodgepodge!

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  15. Thanks for helping keep our minds sharp :) I hate that foggy headed feeling. I am now in the process of moving and my head feels foggy and like it's spinning at the same time. And we are only moving 1/2 mile away!

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  16. Love your film choices, Joyce! When they had the 30 year anniversary (gulp) this spring one of The Breakfast Club, of my friends had a party and we all went to see it on the big screen. Super fun. Thanks for writing the Hodgepodge!

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  17. I have never watched either of those movies, I guess I need to check them out. If I would of thought about it I would of put Hodgepodge as something that keeps us young. It is so important to keep your brain working. I don't know how you do it each week...but I am very glad you do! Thanks!!

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  18. I agree with you about Mr. Holland's Opus!
    Thanks for keeping all of our brains sharp with the Hodgepodge each week :)
    I hope you'll get to use your pots and pans before much longer...
    Kathy (Reflections by Kathy)

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  19. I am about to get my fill of college campus walking when football season begins - it is the best!

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  20. Your walking route looks lovely! I'm sure it must be hard thinking up these questions every week but it really is appreciated, especially with all that you have going on in your life right now.

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  21. Good answers! And I appreciate all the work you do to come up with questions.
    I moved away from my parents and all relatives when I was 17. Luckily, I've always made friends easily...usually I've had one who was 'older' than me whom I could go to for help when I needed. it....I learned to can vegetables from my Mother and we did a lot of it together but for years she was just a phone call away when I needed help....I really miss that now when I have a question about the canning process...I find a lot of help online, though.

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  22. I love the questions you come up with Joyce. They make me think about things I wouldn't ordinarily think about.

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  23. I think we should go on a quest together to find that stylist that will keep us young looking. I've tried a couple, but I'm not sold on anyone yet...

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  24. Enjoyed the questions and your answers. Had not thought of the Breakfast Club or Mr Holland's Opus. Liked them both. I shared at my place. I will register it.

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  25. I keep forgetting to do your party..do you put up the questions on Tues? I will try to remember for next week....

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  26. THANK YOU, Joyce, for putting on your thinking cap weekly to come up with these questions! You do a fantastic job of it and it's a highlight of my week!

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  27. SWMBO and I were forced to grow up when we got stationed in N.M., 3500 miles away from our families. Good luck with your life changes and thanks for the Hodgepodge!

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