Wednesday, August 12, 2015

The Hodgepodge Highway

It's that time again! Thanks for playing along here on Wednesdays, and know that newcomers are always welcome to join the fun. Answer the questions on your own blog, then add your link at the end of my post. Here we go-


1. When was the last time you relocated? Did you move yourself or leave it to the professionals? Are you happy staying put or is there a move in your future? Best thing about moving to a new city or town? Least favorite and/or hardest thing about moving house?

I moved on Saturday. Prior to Saturday's relo I moved June 11th. Yes twice in one summer, and we're only in Phase 3. Also, relo is the term those of us in the business use when discussing relocation. I'm not actually in the relo business, but quite often it feels as if I am. 

We won't be staying put. This is a four phase plan and we're only in phase three. There's definitely another move in my future, but not this calendar year. And I'm a firm believer in leaving it to the professionals whenever possible. 

Best thing about moving to a new city or town? I love having somewhere new to explore, and I enjoy meeting new people wherever we roam. Worst thing? Hmmm...definitely a first world problem, but finding a new person to cut my hair ranks high on my list. Then there's all the bureaucratic rigmarole. We were at the DMV yesterday, twice!!, and still don't have a license or our cars tagged so there's that. 

Moving is a process and I know it takes a good year for a new place to feel like it's truly my own. 

2. When were you last 'moved to tears'? Explain.

We attended a wedding recently, and I am always moved to tears at that first glance of a bride on her father's arm at the back of the church. Pass the tissues please. 

3. Do you have rules about eating in the car...any forbidden foods? What's the last thing you consumed in your car? Your go-to car snack when traveling long distance?

I don't have a lot of rules about eating in my car, but there are a few. No fast food because I can't handle the lingering smell, and nothing greasy or drippy. My feelings are crumbs can be vacuumed up, but hubs has a strict 'non-particulate' snacks only rule. I think he likes to say that word, but we all know the ones he means.  

Daughter1 rode to TN one time with her aunt (hubs sister) and she phoned hubs to tell him they stopped for snacks and the nephews chose sunflower seeds and pork rinds. Hubs could hardly stand to think about it. My go-to car snack is Twizzlers, and that is also my most recently consumed. 

4. Share a favorite song relating to cars and/or driving.

Life is a Highway by Tom Cochrane. I like the Rascal Flatts version too, but the original always makes me think of Daughter2. I actually wrote a post about it when she graduated from college (here if you're curious), but in short...Daughter2 latched onto this song as a happy, chatty toddler, and to this day whenever I hear it I flash back to the sweetness of her at age two and a half, strapped into the car seat, singing to her heart's content. 

5. What's your most frequently visited drive-thru...Starbucks? the bank? the pharmacy? some other window?

There wasn't a Starbucks in tinytown, and Dunkin Donuts didn't have a drive thru. I never use the pharmacy window, so I'm going to say the ATM because I do seem to be there a lot.

6. "He who hesitates is lost"...would you agree? When it comes to making decisions do you generally act quickly or do you more often than not fall into the 'lost' category?

Would I agree? Not always. Sometimes it's wise to hesitate and mull things over before diving in. Of course there is such a thing as too much hesitation, which is probably where I land too much of the time, but I'm a thinker and sometimes 'he who hesitates keeps from making a big blunder'.  

7. When was the last time you got lost? Was it stressful or an unexpected happy adventure?

I rely on my GPS and am thankful for technology that keeps me mostly on track.  I have absolutely no sense of direction, and at least once a week we'll drive somewhere and hubs will say, 'You have no idea where we are, do you?' Guilty. 

We've taken some wrong turns and side routes that were unplanned, but I'm not sure that's the same as being truly lost. Here's how we roll-

We're driving along and realize we missed a turn, are on the wrong road, or the GPS can't 'find' us. Some lively discussion ensues as to which one of us is responsible for this new turn of events before we regroup and carry on, trying our best to make it a happy adventure.  

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I have so many random thoughts percolating right now my head is in a constant state of spin. I'm stockpiling random thoughts for future blogging, so am kind of reluctant to throw one out there now, which I know makes it sound like you should brace yourselves for some really deep and interesting bit of writing down the road, but don't. It's more like I have so many stray thoughts I don't know which to keep and which to discard. Which ones I want to blog about and which ones I want to forget. How about this-we have a small road trip this weekend. I know! We are officially insane.





26 comments:

  1. Hi Joyce! I'm glad you're getting settled in your new home! I know moving isn't easy. Anyway I hope to hear from you tomorrow. Great questions as usual!

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  2. You have such a spirit of adventure and it is nice to see and read about. I don't know how you move so much. You seem to handle it all with a great attitude. Thanks in the midst of your busyness to have another Hodgepodge. Have a good week.

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  3. 'Non-particulate' is a funny word!
    That is a great song choice, one can hardly resist singing along to that!
    Glad you have moved on for Phase 3, you are going to have a nice winter :)

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  4. I hope phase three allows you to rest for a little bit!

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  5. Oh yes, changing states and dealing with the DMV for new licenses and plates.... never fun! It must also be hard for you since you don't have your "permanent" address yet. Getting a new bank is not fun either. Hey - at least you are doing all these road trips in summertime. Winter would be more challenging with snow and ice! Trying to end with a positive spin!!

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  6. What is one more road trip when Life is a Highway?! Hopefully all the bureaucratic stuff will be all finished soon!

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  7. I enjoyed these questions this week. Thanks Joyce.

    Have fun on your weekend trip.

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  8. Oh, the dreaded DMV. I feel your pain!!! By the way, I can't believe you're hitting the road again so soon! Good gravy, girl!!!

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  9. I am so impressed that you not only have a plan, but phases in your plan! You seem to be very organized in everything you do down to the last detail. A toddler in the back seat singing is always sweet. Love listening to those little voices.

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  10. You definitely seem to take moving in your stride and I think we're all thankful for that so the Hodgepodge continues. Thank you. Enjoy your weekend trip.

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  11. The plans for your new house sound wonderful. You will love having your bedroom on the main floor. As much as I loved our traditional 2-story with full basement for many years, this ranch style we have now with [another] full basement is perfect!

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  12. Welcome to Phase 3. There is a game called Phase 10 where you play 10 rounds of something akin to rummy, if I'm remembering right. Bet you feel as if it's been more like 10 phases! I hope your Phase 4 is your last one before your eternal home!

    Oh, and I get choked up just seeing a bride on TV when her daddy or mama looks at her at the bridal gown shop "all jacked up" in veil and bling on "Say Yes to the Dress."

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  13. We have actually just moved across town, about three miles, but it's a new house. We have moved many times, always into a house we end up remodeling, so we are really enjoying having a new one that is our own.

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  14. Years ago I drove to Las Vegas with my friend who was pregnant at the time. I believe I finally gave in and let her eat in my car but it wasn't an easy choice for me! I love how songs bring back pleasant memories. Praying you settle in and that Phase 4 goes smoothly for you. Not an easy time when building a new home.

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  15. Thanks for another fun Hodgepodge! I hate to think about moving. Such a huge job.

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  16. I knew you were a kindred spirit - Twizzlers in the car are the best :-)

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  17. You are so incredibly busy these days. Thanks so much for taking the time for hosting the Hodgepodge. Oh, and although I'm not really a crier, it chokes me up too when I watch the father of the bride take his daughter down the aisle. Life is never the same again.

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  18. Wow! Two moves in one month would do me in. Good luck until Phase 4!!

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  19. Hi Joyce,
    Thank you for doing the Hodgepodge for us with all that is going on. You are amazing!!
    We picked the same song. I have memories of my boys with the Cars movie and the song. :-)
    Carla

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  20. I say "that's gonna leave a mark" all the time! And also " holy shnikes!" :0)

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  21. Two moves in one month??? Oh my! No telling what I'm going to find when I pack up to move after living here 30 years! I'm glad the Hodgepodge is back and I'm going to really try to participate more!

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  22. I don't know why I didn't think of my granddaughter's wedding bringing me to tears. When the doors opened and she stepped out with swell of music, her groom-to-be standing at the altar, started crying. Well of course, the rest of us did too. It was such an exceptional moment to share.

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  23. My Daughter still goes back to the hairdresser she used in High School, That was 20 or so years ago...she still has the same style and doesn't get a hair cut or perm very often so she says driving 70 miles is worth it, plus the difference in price probably pays for the gas....I've had to adjust many times and being as I'm allergic to hair color and get high/low lights every six weeks, it is scary trying someone new...
    Mama Bear

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  24. Joyce,
    First of all, thanks for continuing to host The Hodgepodge in the midst of everything that's going on with you!
    I hope you get settled soon, at least for a little while!
    I laughed at the part of your post concerning the pork rinds and sunflower seeds and your hubs. Ha! (and you're right, we've occasionally lost a few red hots on trips, but at least they don't melt)
    In answer to your question, yes, we spent the day on St. Simon's Island, along with our daughter and granddaughter. It was HOT there, but we had fun.
    Kathy (from Reflections by Kathy)

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  25. I am in complete agreement with your answer to #6. Re; getting lost...SWMBO often gives me a quizzical look when we're driving someplace because she would have taken a different route and doesn't understand the route I've chosen. Thank God our car has only one steering wheel! Welcome back!

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