Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Roadtripping Through The Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered the questions add your link at the end of my post, then hop over and leave a comment for the person linking before you. Or leave a comment for everyone if you've got the time.

As a reminder-I'm declaring next week Fall Break in the Hodgepodge so no Wednesday Hodgepodge on October 18th. The Hodgepodge will return the following week, October 25th. Thanks for understanding.

1. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate your sense of direction? 1=can't find my way out of a paper bag and 10=if I've been somewhere once I can find it blindfolded ten years later.

When was the last time you looked at/used a map you could hold in your hand? (phones don't count!) 

back east, down south, out west, up north

Choose one of these directional expressions and tell us why you chose it.

I will rate myself a 5, but that might be generous. Hubs will say it is most definitely very generous. Oh well, it's my blog. We're going to be doing some driving out west and I ordered paper maps because I like to see the big picture. Also, I've read some travel forums that say cell service is spotty in places so having a map is a good idea. I love a map, but rely on GPS to get me anywhere. 

I'm from back east, live down south, am headed out west, and can't wait to see my favorite tiny human up north later this month. 

2. Did you do more talking or listening yesterday? Is that typical? Describe your yesterday in one word.

Yesterday was probably 50/50. Is that typical? Typically I think I lean more to the talking side of things, but I'm working on that. 

Yesterday (Monday) in one word? Productive

3. Time, money, water-power-resources, opportunity...which one on the list are you most guilty of wasting? What might you do to change that?

It's a toss up between time and opportunity. I think we're all guilty of wasting time now and then, but missed opportunity bugs me more. How often have I missed an opportunity because I'm wasting time? I've recently set some reasonable personal goals for myself in one area in particular that I'm hoping to improve. 

4. Did  your family take regular vacations when you were a kid? Tell us something you remember about a family roadtrip from your own childhood.

Not regular no. We always had a day or two at the shore in the summer, and we belonged to the swim club which is where my sister and I spent most afternoons. We always had a week or more at camp and that was a lot of fun. Some years we traveled out west as a family to visit grandparents in Colorado and New Mexico, and that felt like a vacation to us East Coasters. 

One road trip I remember from my childhood was taking my sister to college. We drove from NJ to TN and visited some other colleges along the way so my brother could tour and see if he might be interested in attending one of those. It might not sound like fun, but we had fun. The best part was I don't think my parents booked hotels ahead of time. We'd drive and decide where to stop and look for a hotel that way. And the criteria was always the same for us kids-what's the pool look like? 

5. If you could grow anything you wanted, what would you grow? Why?

Peonies. Because I love them. My next door neighbor in the UK grew peonies and had some very rare varieties. A stroll through his garden was such a treat. 

Actually I'd like a big English garden with peonies, lilacs, and other blooming things in shades of red, pink, peach, and purple. My English garden still ranks right up there as one of my favorite places on earth. I didn't plant it...just watched it grow and bloom and change and make me feel a whole lot of things that are hard to put into words. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

For anyone who relates to my answer in question #3 you might like a book I'm currently reading called Finish.  It's written by Jon Acuff and below the title is the tag line 'Give Yourself the Gift of Done' 

I'm about halfway through, and find myself nodding my head in agreement on nearly every page. He says the biggest obstacle to meeting a goal is not laziness, but perfectionism and boy do I understand that. This book is for chronic starters who want to become consistent finishers (anybody else raising their hand here?) and is full of strategies and practical advice, including specific actions to take listed at the end of each chapter. And he's funny too! 



23 comments:

  1. The book you are referring to sounds like one I need to read! I start things very well but it's that finishing thing.....oh well. Enjoy your trip out west and get as many snuggles in as you can with that little man! Thanks for another great batch of questions. Safe travels!

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  2. I like the way you worked in the back east, down south question! Your road trip reminds me of an episode from The Middle, which is the only sitcom I've watched in years. I have four peony bushes and while a garden of them would be heavenly, I feel blessed to see my four in full bloom for almost two weeks in May. The English gardens are one of my favorite things about BBC productions. Have a great trip and drive safely. It should be a beautiful drive this time of year.

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  3. Sounds like you have a wonderful trip planned, Joyce. Safe travels and I hope that you don't get lost!

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  4. We always made traveling fun when we were kids and I tried to do that for the lovelies when they were growing up. We played games and sang and talked. It was great! We never booked lodging ahead of time either and even that was fun. Sometimes I wonder if technology has robbed us of some of our fun or if it's just different fun, you know? Perfectionism, really? Hmmm...I'm going to have to get that book and see if that's my problem because I have certainly attributed it to laziness. Have a great day!

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  5. I want to pick up Jon Acuff's new book - I just love him. He's so wise with a touch of humor. Love that.
    Productive - that's a good word - you must have had a good day ;)

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  6. In the past families didn't take holidays all together, they all travelled in different direction or not at all !

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  7. Joyce,

    I have more than my share of missed opportunities always thinking there will be another time and then another time never happens. I'm trying to correct this mindset and MAKE the time in the moment to seize said opportunity before it gets away from me forever. This is a work-in-progress but hopefully one I can purrfect before my life ends. Thanks for the heads up on next week plans for a no-hodgepodge week. Have a good week and thanks for hosting the mid-week fun!

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  8. You came up with an English Garden and I came up with an Avocado tree...go figure. I do so appreciate a beautiful English Garden. Sounds like a book my perfectionist daughter could enjoy. Woohoo for a road trip out west to see that little grandboy of yours. Hope you have a good day.

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  9. Loved your questions. I am going to look for the book you mentioned. Sounds like something I would love to read.

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  10. I don't think my family booked a hotel in advance either when we drove from IL to CA. I think it depended on how long my dad could drive each day! Today we map everything out. Your English garden sounds lovely. Enjoy the rest of your week....

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  11. So excited about your trip out west. You will see some amazing scenery. That is why we much prefer driving trips to flying to a destination. We love the little spontaneous adventures an intriguing side road may present. Can't wait to hear all about it.

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  12. Your English garden sounds beautiful. Peonies are huge here in Wisconsin. My flower gardens have suffered unbelievably as a result of two hip surgeries and the few years before them. I need a personal gardener who would start over and build me a beautiful garden. LOL. Task completion can become an idol like anything else. I've been known to ignore other important things just so I can stay on task. That's not good either. I love all the different personalities and answers of the Hodgepodgers. Thank you for always putting this together for us, Joyce. See you week after next.

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  13. Enjoyed this as always...thanks for all the time you put into it for all of us. Enjoy your time away. I assuming you are going out to get your hands on that baby! ENJOY! And safe travels!

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  14. That sounds like a book I need to read. After sorting through my yarn supplies this weekend, I can't believe how much yarn I have and how many projects I've started but haven't finished. smh

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  15. I will have to look into that book!

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  16. I don't know that I've ever seen peonies. I'll have to Google them to see what they look like.

    I know you're looking forward to the trip to see your grandson! Time is passing so quickly, he'll be totally different than when you last saw him.

    Thankfully, when I finally got my post finished, today, the linky was visible. Thanks for helping out, last week.
    Kathy (Reflections)

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  17. I agree with you on the English garden - oh that would be wonderful. Unfortunately a green thumb I do not have.

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  18. I think I need to check that book out! lol. Enjoy your trip, don't get lost and visiting that little human must be top of your list of places to be right now.

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  19. I think in this stage of life we have to be reminded to seize the opportunities that come up. I mean, if not now - WHEN? I'm in!

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  20. I always enjoy reading your answers, Joyce! Will miss you next week, but wish you a safe and very fun time away!

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  21. Peonies, yes, I would love to grow those too. I just could not think of a thing. Yes, enjoy your time away and I'll be gone as well, so your fall break works great with my schedule as well. Happy everything!

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  22. Joyce, thank you so much for this fun hop! Have a blast visiting the baby safe travels see you in 2 weeks, Your friend since 2010! Gina

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  23. I agree with you that having a map as a back up to spotty cell service is wise. I must confessed that I was not shocked to read your assessment that you "lean" towards talking more than listening. My wife also leans towards talking more too as do most of the women I know. I'm sure it's just a coincidence.
    I might have to check out the book "Finish." It sounds interesting.
    Enjoy the rest of the week.

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