Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Hands Free Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger linking before you. The button is still a work in progress, so don't worry about adding that today. We'll figure it out eventually.

And by we I mean my Daughter because we all know that sort of thing exceeds my tech capabilities.

Okay, here we go-

1. When and where were the best fireworks you've ever seen? Speaking of fireworks...do you know your hot buttons? The things people can say and do to set you off? When was the last time someone pushed one of your hot buttons?

All fireworks are the best, aren't they? Probably the best best would be those we saw our second Independence Day as husband and wife. We met friends in D.C. and the fireworks at the end of the evening were spectacular. 

As far as that other sort of firework, well of course I know my hot buttons. I don't have many, but you don't live five+ decades without knowing what makes your blood boil. I detest conflict and try to avoid situations I think might set me off because I hate feeling angry.

Last time one was pushed it was probably a minor disagreement with hubs, because we're married and I can't avoid him. teehee. 

2. Have you hosted any outdoor summer parties this year? Attended any? What makes for a great outdoor party?

Everyday's a party here. Ha! Not really, but kinda. It's summertime on the lake so we're living outside and people are always coming and going. I don't think you need a lot in terms of making an outdoor party great...nice weather of course, citronella candles to keep the bugs at bay, casual dining under the stars, and music in the air works for me. 

3. What does freedom mean to you?

Freedom to me means choice. We're so fortunate to live in a country that, while governed by law, still grants us a tremendous amount of freedom. We can speak, worship, gather, vote and more as we choose. I also feel like with every conversation we have about freedom we need another about responsibility. While we're free for the most part to make our own choices, we are not free from the consequences of those choices. 

4. July is National Cell Phone Courtesy month...what annoys you most about people's cell phone habits?

My biggest pet peeve is a cell phone at the dinner table, either at home or in a restaurant. Unless you're performing heart transplants or something similar there's nothing that can't wait until after a meal. 

5. What's your current summer anthem?

Not so much an anthem, but definitely a song I am loving and have on repeat quite a lot. It's upbeat and there's something about the picture it paints in my head that makes me think of summertime and the boy I married. Hey hubs...''...make me your country bride, you'll be my prince of tides...'  



6. Insert your own random thought here.

 In less than a month we welcome our first grandchild, a baby boy we will love and adore. We'll celebrate his birth and all the days after as our family grows and changes to welcome a new little life. 

My father-in-law passed away this week. He and my mother-in-law were married more than 60 years and their lives have been a wonderful example of persevering through all the joys and trials life brings. Together they raised four children and from Day1 embraced all the in-law children as their own.  


My father-in-law was a wonderful grandfather who thought my girls hung the moon and told them so every chance he got. This week we'll celebrate his life and remember all the days that came before as our family grieves the loss of one who loved us well and was so well- loved in return. 

 "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven." ECC 3: 1



27 comments:

  1. I am so very sorry for your loss. Saying a prayer for your family.

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  2. So sorry for your family's loss Joyce. Prayers and peace to you all.

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  3. I'm so sorry, Joyce, what a lovely photo of your father-in-law with your daughters. Praying for strength and comfort for all of you and may you cherish your precious memories of him always.

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  4. So sorry for your loss. Praying.

    I'm so excited for your little grandson to come and to hear how you feel about being a grandma. If I know you at all, I believe you are going to totally love it! I know I do.

    Thanks for doing the Hodgepodge every week for us. I appreciate it. Have a great day.

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  5. I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your father in law. Will continue praying for your family.
    Well said on the meaning of freedom.
    ❤️💓

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  6. Your family has been in my prayers. Losing a loved one is never easy, even when a life was lived long and well. The promise of meeting again one day and warm memories can make our hearts not hurt quite so much, given some time. Sending love & hugs.

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  7. Just don't know how you do all that you do, you are amazing. It must be quite the balancing act. I am so sorry about your FIL, he certainly looked like such a sweetheart of a man. Thinking of you and yours in the days ahead. Hugs!

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  8. My sympathies on the loss of your father-in-law. Praying your family finds comfort and peace in the days ahead. Sometimes it is a bit bittersweet to think of the generations that didn't get to meet, but would have loved each other if they had.

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  9. So very sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your sweet family. We'll be hosting a baby shower for Daughter 1 here this weekend. Y'all are one week ahead of us on the due date. I think of your girl every day and remember her in my prayers.

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  10. How often these two extremes of life are a part of a family's story...new life coming and new life in Glory. My condolences on the loss of your father-in-law. The world needs more like him...

    Thank you for this week's edition in light of all that has gone on. You really are a wonderful hostess and no mosquitoes in sight!

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  11. Your FIL was a wonderful man who will be missed. Keeping all of the Daleys (especially your sweet MIL) in my thoughts & prayers. We should all rejoice that he is with the angels & have hope that we all be reunited! :)

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  12. The cycles of life! Birth and death; gain and loss; happiness and sadness. But, for the Christian both bring joy. Praying for the Daley family as you love and support each other this week.

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  13. How nice that your father-in-law leaves so many good memories with you all. Sorry for your earthly loss. Friends of ours lived on a lake in the past and people tended to flock to their home in the summertime. I guess it's good to be a carefree hostess in those cases. Thanks for hosting and coming up with the questions!

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  14. I would love to see the fireworks in D.C. I agree with your answer on the cell phones at the table, nothing is that important! So sorry to hear about the passing of your father in law. You are all in my prayers.

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  15. I am sorry for the loss of your father-in-law, Joyce. He sounds like a wonderful man/grandpa. Such a sweet photo of him and your girls that I know you'll cherish. Those wonderful relationships with the generation before us are such a great foundation on which to build family character. God bless.

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  16. So very sorry for your family's loss, Joyce. He looks like a wonderful man and that photo with the two girls is just beautiful ... tells a story.

    Thanks for hosting the Hodgepodge under some difficult circumstances this week -- and for coming up with those questions week after week. Not sure how you do it.

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  17. Love the weekly questions & I LOVE that song too! I've never heard it and am so glad you shared it. Thanks so much!

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  18. I am so sorry to read about Hubs Dad passing away. My prayers and thoughts are with your family during this time. I hope that the gestation continues to go well. May God bless your daughter and your new grandson. Thanks for another fine Hodgepodge.

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  19. I'm not feeling well, so I had to miss joining in the Hodgepodge, today. I'm so sorry for the loss of your father-in-law. Sending hugs, thoughts, and prayers your way.
    Kathy (Reflections)

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  20. Sorry for the loss of your FIL. As we learn to welcome new life into our families we know we will be losing some that we love too! So many emotions accompany both events. Bless you and your family!

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  21. First of all, my condolences to your family on the death of your father-in-law. I was amazed by his resemblance to your hubby. What a week this must have been for your family and you even threw in the hodgepodge. My thought and prayers are with you. I totally relate to your answer to #1 about avoiding conflict and strife...I will do everything I can to smooth things over. Thank you share hosting Hodgepodge, this week in particular. ♥

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  22. So sorry for your loss. What good timing for the new one to come into the family. Circle of life, for sure. Your family is in my prayers.

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  23. So sorry for your loss. May your family find comfort in your memories.

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  24. I'm so very sorry for your loss!! Will be praying for you this week.

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  25. I am so sorry for your loss. How blessed your family was to have had him in their lives. (((Hugs)))

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  26. I missed this edition of the Hodgepodge for various reasons so I've only just learned off your loss. Lovely tribute. Sincere condolences.

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  27. Joyce,

    David and I missed participating in the Hodgepodge on July 5, so didn't see the announcement about your father-in-law's passing. When I saw you mention in your recent post that the great-grandmothers hadn't seen your new grandson yet, but didn't mention great-grandpa, I knew it must have happened. I am so sorry. :(

    Those fathers-in-law are something else, aren't they? David's daddy passed away back in 1987, but there's not a day that goes by without us thinking of him. Somebody will say or do something, and there he is again.

    May our Heavenly Father bring you all comfort as you grieve such a deep loss. You're in my prayers.

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