A-Z ing In the Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! If you're visiting from the A-Z Blog Challenge today you'll find my post on Letter E by scrolling down to question #8.

The link here today is for Wednesday Hodgepodge posts only. 

Thanks for understanding! Please don't forget to visit the blogger linking before you, because comments make the blog world spin. Also, I'm sure this looks a little long (-er than normal), but remember you're getting a two for one here today-ha!

1. What does retirement mean to you? Are you planning for it, not thinking about it, looking forward to it, or dreading it?

I've actually thought quite a lot about this word, since we've recently lived it. My husband retired in February, 2015 but then an opportunity came his way that sounded interesting so he went back to work in February, 2016. I think when I was younger I envisioned retirement as full time relaxation, but I'm just going to say it... I don't know if we're really built to retire? Retire from a particular career or job maybe, but then moving into some new venture that keeps us active, thinking, and contributing. This much I know for certain-it can't be all about me. 

2. It's International Guitar Month...do you play? Does anyone in your family play? What's a song you especially like to hear played on the guitar or a favorite song featuring the guitar?

Do I play? Just the air guitar teehee. Do I wish I played? Absolutely-I love the guitar. My brother and brother-in-law both play, and so does my Daughter1. 

c. 2008

One song I especially love to hear on the guitar is Free Fallin', originally by Tom Petty, but a favorite when played by Daughter1. Tom's pretty good too. 

3. What's your comfort food?

It depends on the day and when you ask, but right this minute? Spaghetti and meatballs sounds like it would fit the bill. Definitely says comfort to me. 

4. What's one activity or area of your life where you absolutely never procrastinate?

Making my bed. I do that first thing every single day, because an unmade bed makes me feel like the whole house needs cleaning, and a neatly made bed gives me the illusion all is well. 

5. Who does the grocery shopping in your house? Does your local store bag the groceries for you or is it a do-it-yourself kind of place? Do you like someone packing your groceries?

I had a ridiculously lengthy answer to this question, and when I read it back I noticed it was as long as some posts I've written. I'm going to let it stand on it's own later in the week as part of the A-Z Blog Challenge (Friday-Letter G). You're welcome. And here's my short answer to the actual question-

I shop. They bag my groceries. Shudder!!(But I'm working on it)

6. What's the coolest thing you've seen in nature?

Gotta be a big black bear at the end of my driveway.  

Or lumbering up the hill beside the driveway. 

Or doing his Friday morning banking. 

I don't miss New Jersey's April snows, but I do miss her wildlife.  

7. Share a favorite quote about home.

"Home wasn't a set house, or a single town on a map. It was wherever the people who love you were, whenever you were together. Not a place, but a moment, and then another, building on each other like bricks to create a solid shelter that you take with you for your entire life, wherever you may go." 

-Sarah Dessen, What Happened to Goodbye

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Using this space for today's April A-Z Challenge post. 

Day 5-E is for Eternity

I have a terrible sense of direction. Or maybe it would be more accurate to say I have no sense of direction. Occasionally hubs and I will be hiking a series of trails or driving someplace where roads criss cross, and I'll say, 'Where in the world are we?' He thinks it's hilarious to respond-'Earth'.  

It is kind of hilarious.  

So here I am, on planet Earth, and there are so many things to love here, a new house being one of them. There are so many ways to get lost here too, to wander off the trail or miss a turn and wonder where in the world you are. One of the conversations we've had around the topic of retirement is how important it is to have a purpose in life. We're built for purpose and I think we feel lost and dissatisfied without one.  

When you build a house you're all in, or at least we're all in. We're pretty much all in kinds of people here all the time, but particularly when tackling an all-consuming project like a home build. I know my house will be lovely when it's finally finished and I look forward to all the life we'll live there. 

Here's the thing though...no matter how many hours, dollars, or design decisions are required to bring this project to completion, in the end it's still a house. And a house is not a purpose, it's a thing. While things can bring us momentary joy they cannot satisfy the deep, deep longing of the soul. 

A soul craves purpose, and when I examine my life I see much of my purpose has been focused on making not a house, but a home. 

A home where little girls feel safe to learn and grow and discover their own purpose.

A home where a man can be his authentic self, set down the cares of the day, and find rest. 

A home where physical needs are met in the form of meals prepared, clean clothes in the closet, appointments scheduled, bills paid, and worries soothed as you're tucked in tight at the end of a day.  

A home where kindness, forgiveness, gratitude, hospitality, and generosity are taught and caught and aimed for anew with each day we're given. 

Building a house is not my purpose. Making it a home might be. 

"For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come." Hebrews 13:14 (NLT)