Wednesday, August 10, 2016

A Gold Medal Hodgepodge

Welcome to the 276th Edition of the Hodgepodge Games! If you've got a blog you qualify to play along. Also, I might be working that theme a little too hard today-ha! If you've answered the questions add your link at the end of my post, and be sure to leave a comment for the blogger linking before you. Here we go-


1. Are you watching the Olympics? Your favorite summer Olympic event? I read recently a list of the most iconic Olympic moments in history...what stands out in your mind as a great moment from some past summer Olympic games?

We're watching. Like everything else under the sun these days, there's been quite a bit of controversy, but still we watch. A lot of the events I only half watch. I confess to hiding my eyes when those divers do an inward move or those gymnasts triple flip across a beam the width of a credit card.

My favorite event is probably swimming. I love the gymnastics but I just cannot relax while they're performing so the swim races are more enjoyable for me. 

As far as great moments...I loved watching Mary Lou Retton in the '84 games.  

2. Have you ever been to Rio? How about the place that started it all-Greece? Have you ever been to any of the Olympic Games in person? Is that something you'd like to do? Have you ever met an Olympian in person? 

I've never been to Rio, and it's not necessarily on my list of must-see cities. Sure I'd be up for attending the games in person sometime. I have been to Greece and we all enjoyed the trip so much. One of our favorite family travel memories. 

At the Olympic Stadium in Athens-

c. 2005

I've 'met' a couple of Olympians. Kerri Strug was at one of hub's work events back in the late 90's. She was really friendly, and chatted with my girls. I remember she had a warm smile and seemed so genuine. We also got autographs at Wimbledon one year, Andy Murray and Serena Williams were two of them. For some reason I don't immediately think of professional tennis players (or basketball, etc) as Olympians.

3. The ball's in their court (tennis), cross the finish line (track and field), on target (archery), make a splash (diving), on a roll (gymnastics), out of one's depth (swimming)...which Olympic-related idiom best applies to your life right now? Explain.

The house build is on a roll, finally!! so I'm going with that one. We're counting down the days to completion in weeks as opposed to months now. 

4. What have you earned a 'gold medal' in recently?

Nothing spectacular comes to mind. How about reading? I've read a lot this summer. 

5. What is it (or who is it) that motivates you to eat right, exercise, and do what you can to be healthy?

There are several things that motivate me to eat right and exercise, but the biggest factor is probably my age. No matter how young you feel, there comes a time when you can no longer take good health for granted and you do what you must to stay fit and healthy. 

6. Are you young at heart or an old soul? Explain.

I think I'm young at heart. I'm shocked on a regular basis to realize how old I am. I just don't feel it (most days). On the other hand I've always been a bit contemplative and that lines up more with an old soul. Maybe I'm a little bit of both. 

7. It's National S'mores Day (August 10th)...are you a fan? Will you celebrate with a s'more today? 

I prefer a deconstructed s'more. The traditional s'more is way too rich and sweet. Give me a perfectly toasted marshmallow with a side of chocolate and you can skip the graham cracker. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

The sunlight in Greece is magical. 

c. 2005
Or maybe it was the moment. 



27 comments:

  1. Loved your post this week. Love the shot of the family in Greece. On my bucket list....but it falls after Alaska and Scotland.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I also still feel young - and I guess we should be happy that we still FEEL that way even if the mirror says otherwise. But, hey, I really think we are holding it together pretty good! I think back at my parents at 60ish and back then they dressed old and thought old. I try not to be that way.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lovely photo of your family in Greece.

    ReplyDelete
  4. That's great news about the house build! It won't be as long as it has been :) Loved your pictures, too. Thanks for another great 'Hodgepodge'.
    Kathy (Reflections)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Joyce... at last - only WEEKS until the house is done. How exciting for you! Again, another group of great Hodgepodge questions. What would I do with out you on Wednesdays!

    ReplyDelete
  6. So thrilled that the house project is winding down to weeks. It must really be exciting to see those final details take place and a dream realized. I loved visiting Athens back in the 70's and Granddaughter said their recent trip to the islands was the most amazing experience. I think of Greece as magical - except for the economy. See you next week.

    ReplyDelete
  7. True, Mary Lou Retton was awesome!
    Weeks....how exciting that is for you......

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congratulations on the countdown to the finish line in your home. That is truly exciting. The photos of your family in Greece are great. You all seem to have a wonderful time no matter where you are. I think that also must be a factor in feeling young no matter what our age.

    ReplyDelete
  9. That's great about the house, thanks for the Hodgepodge...smiles

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would love to visit Greece. I watch the movie "My Life in Ruins" all the time just for the scenery!

    ReplyDelete
  11. We're eager with you to have the house done and ready to move in. Won't it be wonderful! Love that last family photo especially. 💗

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hooray for things moving along with the house!! Can't wait for a virtual tour one of these days soon! I chose Mary Lou Retton too! I enjoy the winter olympics more than summer. Joe doesn't care about them so we don't watch much. I'll insist on the women's gymnastics, though.

    ReplyDelete
  13. So glad your on the last leg of the house build. We moved one year ago today. Hard to believe! You have been quite the world traveler for sure! Happy rest of the week!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great news about your house - just in time for a beautiful fall! My daughter was a diver and talk about nervous. They do come close to the board sometimes. And, she also broke her ankle competing on the balance beam. I couldn't watch when she came back from the injury at the first meet. But she had nerves of steel to do it :-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Joining in for my first time. Your trip to Greece looked lovely. Glad the house is on a roll now. I, too, remember Mary Lou Rettin and Nadia Comanich sp.? Thanks for hosting and coming up with the questions! Hope the house gets to completion well!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Joyce...I'm with you. Watching Mary Lou Retton was something I won't soon forget. What a little dynamo! Swimming is my fav. event, too! Love watching Michael Phelps! Yay...beyond excited about your house news! I know you're ready to move in and get settled!

    ReplyDelete
  17. You are so right about not taking our good health for granted!! I am probably 8-10 years ahead of you on that and can verify that our bodies are getting older even when we feel young in spirit.

    Loved the pictures taken of your family in Greece!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I would love to go to Greece some day.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Such a pretty picture in Greece!!!
    Totally agree with your #5 and like you am shocked to find myself in my 50s, married to an almost 60 year old and talking about RETIREMENT! Don't blink, I'm telling you!
    Woo Hoo about coming up on a completed house!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Congratulations on being so close to the house being finished! What an exciting time! Your pictures of Greece are beautiful, it is one of the European countries I haven't visited but wish I had.

    ReplyDelete
  21. That's so cool that you have met some of the Olympians, especially Kerri Strug, I just so happened to mention her in my post too! Glad to hear the house is getting down to the wire. Construction projects can certainly give you a headache and I can only imagine how excited you are getting. Thanks for hosting...great questions!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I must have missed commenting on this post when I was here earlier reading your "Unimportant Stuff" post. Senior moments and all that, you know. :)

    How exciting that your house is almost complete! I would be about ready to pop if I were in your shoes. I can't wait until you're able to get moved in and onto this new chapter in your lives.

    Have a beautiful day!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I am glad to hear that you are on the down hill run on the house. Best of luck. The finish line is in sight.

    ReplyDelete
  24. There's a recipe for a s'mores casserole type thing on Pinterest. I'd love to say I didn't pin it, but I did. And I'm still planning on making that thing. LOL So glad your move in time is approaching! How wonderful to be spending fall in your home!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great memories in your post this week Joyce.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I remember Kerry Strug's final vault on her injured ankle in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. She seemed like a nice person in all her interviews. I'm a fan. Thankfully our water problem has been repaired. I concur with your views on showering other places. Enjoy the rest of your week. Thanks for another fine Hodgepodge.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thanks for providing this fun way to get to know other bloggers!
    Cheers!
    Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

    ReplyDelete