Wednesday, February 1, 2017

So Long January, Hello Hodgepodge

Here we are at the beginning of a brand new month, and with it comes a brand new edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. So glad you're starting your February here! If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post. And be a good neighbor by leaving a comment for the blogger linking before you. Here we go-
1. Can you believe it's the end of January? What was the best day of January 2017 for you, and why?

We had a busy January so I'm looking forward to a little less on the calendar this next month. Best day? That's easy...January 4th. Nothing like stepping into the waiting arms of your grown up daughter on the other side of the country to make it so.   

2. What sounds make up the background noise in your life?

To be honest I love a super quiet house. The world is noisy and our lives are busy so I enjoy a quiet home. We do play a lot of music here, but if you dropped in on me on an ordinary Tuesday morning you'd find a quiet house. I almost never turn on the TV during the day. 

I love to hear the bass boats out early in the morning. The splash of a fish leaping out of the water. We have a lot of birds in our yard too, and I enjoy listening to their songs. Nature is my favorite background sound. 

3. I read on the Power of Positivity website a list of ten things to drop from your life right now. They are-

anger outbursts, people who put you down, regret, negative self talk, being a people pleaser, the notion you need to be perfect, the past (but keep the lessons learned!), gossip and judgment, comparing yourself to others, and the word hate (focus on what you love instead)

Which thing on the list do you most need to drop? Are you trying or will you try?

Gossip and judgment. Spending less and less time on Facebook helps. It's just a horrible place right now and while that sounds like a judgment I bet most people agree. When hubs and I were stuck recently, sitting for a day in the Seattle airport,  a gentleman struck up a conversation with me that has stayed on my heart and mind. 

He looked like an average Joe, had a good job, education, was in Seattle to visit friends, etc. but as we talked he began sharing with me how he'd left his wife four months prior and it wasn't turning out the way he thought it would be, how he was feeling so lost, and how his two teenage daughters were struggling with it all. He just kind of poured out his heart, and our time together reminded me that everyone has something going on 'behind the scenes' and to just be a little more gentle with the people who cross my path. 

4. What is sacred to you?

I've seen this word defined in a couple of ways, one relating to spirituality and the other used to describe something very precious to you. I always associate it with the spiritual and also think it applies to something I couldn't or wouldn't want to be without. God's word is sacred to me. My faith also feels sacred. It's a very personal thing and something that impacts every area of my life. It's what carries me through hard times, and helps me navigate the ordinary days too. I treasure it, rely on it, and would feel lost and alone without it. 

5. January is National Oatmeal month. Are you a fan, and if so how do you like it?

I do like oatmeal and in fact made myself a bowl for breakfast this morning. I have it at least a couple mornings a week and my favorite is cooked on the stovetop as opposed to instant packets. I love it with a little sliced banana, a few dried cherries, and a splash of cold milk. I don't like warm milk on my oatmeal. 

6. What feelings does twilight stir up in you?

Sometimes I feel a bit wistful when twilight settles in. It's not sadness per se, but there's a longing for something at that time of day I can't quite define. It's much more noticeable in winter months when we have shorter daylight hours, but I feel it in the summer months too. There's something about twilight that makes me think of childhood, my own and also my girls. 

7. Something you're looking forward to next month (February)?

A free weekend? We've been away most of January so I'm pretty happy to think we're sticking closer to home for most of February. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Super fun weekend with girls I've known almost forty years. Forty years? That can't be right can it? 



Apparently it can and it is. We were all sorority sisters way back when and whenever we're together we pick right back up where we left off. 



Hubs acted as photographer/cabana boy/D.J. so we included him in our selfie. He's known them all nearly forty years too so he's used to us. More or less -ha! 




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29 comments:

  1. I agree with you about Facebook. I have gone through and unfollowed people, and turned off notifications because it makes me so upset. I was glad that out of 500 people I have only had to unfriend 1 person, who just was relentless and terribly hateful toward me. And trust me I am not political on FB. Anyway, once I did all of that, I started seeing my grandchildren and close friends again.

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  2. I love a quiet house too. Great questions Joyce. Thanks

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  3. As I sit here now, I do have the morning news on but I have the back door open to listen to the birds. I too love the sounds of nature! How sad for the man who told you of his situation while at the airport! Sometimes it is easier to talk to a stranger - and you were the right person for him at that moment. A little "God moment"... good job!

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  4. We never know what another person is going through and I really try not to be judgmental. Glad you girls got together. I can only imagine the fun all had :)

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  5. I took the other definition of sacred but I agree with you on God's Word being sacred and it truly does carry you through good days and bad. What a great reunion! I am looking forward to something like this in the summer - twenty years since our MOPS group moms have been together.

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  6. Another great week of great questions and wonderful answers. I bet your house wasn't so quiet when your sorority sisters were there! Looks like a great time! Have a good week.

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  7. Oh goodness...that man's story. Sure did pull on my heartstrings! Ever since my ankle injury, I've had to slow down. People have stopped me when I'm out and about and shared their stories of breaking this or that. I feel like it's been a way of connecting...introvert that I am, I sometimes keep my head down. I'll be praying for that man. Perhaps he will be reconciled to his wife.

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  8. I agree, we don't know what's going on behind the scenes in others' lives and I've learned that many who might be considered stuck up are simply shy or dealing with some problem in their lives. Thanks for the Hodgepodge, Joyce.

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  9. I love every one of your answers because they also ring true for me and are similar to my answers. Yours are just much more eloquent and so there it is: I seem to have a problem in making comparisons! Lol. You with your sisters from 40 years ago are beautiful. What fun!
    How sweet that the man felt free to share with you. How sad for him. I've realized more and more that everyone is carrying some burden.

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  10. The story you shared about the man you met in the airport really got to me, as I'm sure it did you. There are so many times during the week when I encounter folks who open up to me about things that are going on in their lives. I try my best to be a patient listener because I'd certainly want the same from others. How neat that you and your gal pals have known each other for 40 years! Old friendships are the BEST!

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  11. It takes special people to remain in touch for forty years and to pick right up where you left off. May February provide a nice balance of doing and being. Your description of quiet at your home was very pleasant.

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  12. It's true, we never know what's going on behind the scenes of someone's life. I try not to judge but it happens. And the gossip? Yeah, that's got to stop too. I tend to fall into it, you know? I don't seem to walk into gossip with the purpose of gossip. Does that make sense? Anyway, it has to stop. You're right about FB. I try to stay off as much as possible. Instagram is kinder. Have a wonderful Wednesday! Oh! How's you daughter doing with the pregnancy?

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  13. I enjoyed these questions and your answers. You're so right, we all have thngs going on. Thanks for reminding me to be a little more caring and loving towards others.

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  14. Thanks so much for hosting this and coming up with these thought-provoking questions. I am so enjoying being able to participate in the Hodgepodge!

    And yes, I agree ... we simply never know what is going on in someone else's life and heart. It seems as if God put you in just the right place at the right time.

    I'm not on Facebook at all and I have never been more thankful that I'm not. I enjoyed your thoughts about twilight -- I thought it was just the beauty of it that sometimes grips my heart -- but it may be nostalgia as well, now that I think about it.

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  15. Enjoyed this as always...I think I know just what your saying about twilight. It makes me somewhat nostalgic too for some reason. Reminds me of being a girl growing up and when my kids were growing up as well. Just a good warm feeling. I honestly can't believe how GORGEOUS your view of sunrise and sunset are from your deck. I can almost feel the sun and the cool air and hear those fish splashing too. Reminds me of when I was growing up we had a cabin in the mountains and we ALWAYS too our breakfast out on the deck when we could to enjoy very similar things. I'd love it! Have a good day!

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  16. Wow. I really like how you put this: "everyone has something going on 'behind the scenes' and to just be a little more gentle with the people who cross my path." I need to remember this thought every day.

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  17. Hi Joyce,
    I appreciated how you shared on question 3.

    I feel the same with twilight. I could not put it into words. I just saw my sister and I chasing lightning bugs.

    xx oo
    Carla

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  18. Facebook is a horrible place right now. I don't see it getting any better anytime soon! So glad you had a fun weekend with the girls. My best day has to do with our son Adam!

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  19. Thanks as always for the Hodgepodge! I really enjoyed reading today xo

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  20. I love a quiet house, too, Joyce. I think it comes from years of working at an elementary school :)

    I agree, Facebook is an ugly place, right now. Whatever happened to keeping our opinions to ourselves and just posting cute family pictures???

    Your island get away (previous post) sounded absolutely heavenly :) I'd love one of those.

    By the way, for some reason, the "linky" magically reappeared for me today. Let's hope this lasts. Thanks, again, so much for helping me out when it's being elusive. I really appreciate all you do.

    Kathy (Reflections)

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  21. I'm enjoying the quiet of the morning as I type my comment here. We do not turn the T.V. on in the morning around here unless it's time for World Cup. How nice you gave that man a listening ear. It's true you never know what's going on in someone's life. Our #3 and #4 were similar. I've been to the airport in Seattle 4xs in January!

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  22. You will find a very similar answer on my post today regarding Facebook. It's just so sad to me. Joyce, I love seeing you and your friends of 40 years! It's so great to have those 'old' friends who know you and love you.

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  23. Facebook has turned out not to be our friend! I wonder what would happen if we woke up one day and it had disappeared. I think that would be glorious. I think of sacred more as something precious to me instead of spiritual! And that will always be my family!! Have a good week.

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    1. Paula, I agree with you 100% about Facebook disappearing. It would be absolutely glorious!

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  24. so funny that you said that about your husband....my sorority sisters and I have been getting together at our lake house since 1979!!!!!!! and they bring my husband a new apron every yr that says something about the cabana boy hustlin to get our drinks ready!!! so funny!

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  25. Many of us have found that Facebook is nothing but trouble. I have an account but seldom go there.

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  26. A week late, but congratulations on the grandbaby! I'm so excited for you all!

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  27. I am struck by the similarities of the things us hodgepodgers hold sacred. I couldn't agree more about your take on Facebook. It is sad the depths that some people sink to to abuse others online just because you might have the temerity to disagree with them. Thank you for your good thoughts and prayers Re: SWMBO and her upcoming procedure. Have a great week.

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  28. I would be more than happy for Facebook to fall off of the planet. It has caused more heartache than anything I can think of online. For all of the "connectedness", this world has become a far more disconnected place, thanks to Facebook and screen addictions. People ignore the people in the very same room with them to be "connected" to the people on Facebook that wouldn't even give them the time of day in person. While I have a Facebook account, I only ever go there if one of my relatives or friends tells me they've uploaded a picture. I may or may not comment on something while there. I just don't want the headache this particular social media brings with it. I use Messenger to stay in contact with our Marine and our girls. That one I'm in fairly regularly. The drama and all the "see how much is down my shirt today?" are completely absent from my Messenger app.

    I'm glad that you had a fun time with your sorority sisters and that you got to see your daughter. :)

    Our February is going to be like your January, very busy, but without all of the cool traveling. Enjoy your calmer February!

    Have a blessed weekend. :)

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