Striking A Balance

If you're looking for today's Wednesday Hodgepodge you'll find it here- A DIY Hodgepodge

Day 2...I'm on a roll lol...

B is for Balance 

'a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportion' 

When you're in the heavy lifting years of parenting, or when you're carrying the heavy mental load of launching teenagers into young adulthood, life can easily and often feel out of balance. Maybe more out of balance than in balance, and there's not a whole lot you can do about it. 

Children are needy and you are the need meet-er. Their needs and your own desire for space, time, and silence don't always line up, but of course their needs almost always take precedence, and you do what needs to be done.  

High fives to moms everywhere. 

When you leave those seasons behind you free up some brain space to contemplate who you are now and what you want your life to look like. 

I'm a person who likes my space. If I don't have enough of it I get cranky and if I have too much I feel frustrated, restless, and unproductive. I cannot have a completely blank calendar, nor do I want one where there's no room for spontaneous fun, travel, hobbies, or daydreams. 

As I've gotten older I've learned to recognize what I need in order to have balance. When life feels like too much or not quite enough I remind myself of a few simple truths and a few practical helps too...

• Too many days in a row of unproductive activity can leave me feeling out of balance.

• Going and doing and seeing all the people too many days in a row can also leave me feeling out of balance. 

• I hate feeling unproductive.

• I don't have to be productive all the time.

• An activity that on the surface sounds unproductive can in reality be good for my mental health and emotional well-being. 

• Simple pleasures add to the richness of life. 

• Don't procrastinate on tasks that might fall under the heading of 'business'. 

• Make time for things I love that might sound frivolous to other people.

• Feel no guilt for doing so.

• Admit when a full calendar is about to spill over and just say no to adding one more thing.

• When it occasionally spills over anyway, practice gratitude for all the many good things that fill my days and make life full and interesting. 

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: ..." Ecclesiastes 3:1

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 558

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. See you there! 

1. It's a big week in the US of A as we celebrate Independence Day. Do you have any special plans? How will you mark the day? BBQ? pool-lake-beach time? fireworks? homemade ice cream? If you're not an American you can tell us what's happening in your corner of the world on Thursday. 

2. What's your favorite 'All-American' dessert? 

3. Does that patriotic feeling come easily to you, or are you having to work for it more these days? What's something that makes you proud to be a citizen of your country?  

4. Your favorite 'patriotic' movie? Favorite patriotic song? 

5. One simple pleasure on your July 'bucket list'? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A Simple Hodgepodge

Welcome to another week of Wednesday Hodgepodge-ing. If you've answered today's questions, add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you on the list. Or all the bloggers on the list, if you've got time to fill. Here we go-

1. June 12 is National Simplicity Day. In what way is your life simple? What's one way that it's not? 

We're retired, so for the most part can organize our day in whatever way suits us. That being said, it seems we always have a full calendar and we're on the go a lot, which means when we are at home we're adding in appointments, home maintenance and repairs etc. 

But! since we're retired if someone suggests spur of the moment fun, we're in. 

And then of course there are family logistics. Always a thing for us. Our moms in two different states. Our siblings in several different states. Our daughters in two different states. We spend a lot of time figuring out how to be with our people. 

2. Something you remember from a 'simpler time'? 

One thing that stands out to me is how we live in a culture today of immediacy. Everything at our fingertips with the click of a mouse or the push of a button. We've lost the wonderful sense of anticipation that was so much a part of my own childhood. 

We had to wait for so many things...our favorite television show (if ya missed it ya missed it), Christmas wasn't a 2-month celebration in terms of decor and activity, a new dress at Easter, your turn to use the phone, vacations once a year and certainly nothing 'exotic'

Waiting for something wonderful was part of what made it wonderful. We can ask if the world was indeed simpler when we were growing up, or do we just remember it that way, but I'm going to say it was. Technology. There basically was none. We didn't know what we didn't know and that made life simpler in so many ways. 

3. Do you like squash? If so what's your favorite variety? What's a favorite way to prepare squash? 

I do like squash, all kinds, so not sure I have a favorite. I probably love butternut, yellow, and zucchini best.  I like butternut squash soup in the fall and there's a squash casserole I love to make this time of year called Mrs. Hopkins Boarding House Squash . Simple and delicious.

4. Do you shop the warehouse stores (such as Costco, Sam's B.J's, etc)? If so how often do you go, and what's something you always buy in this type of store? 

We shop occasionally at Costco. It's a fair drive so we might go once every six weeks or so. If we're going in to the nearby small big city we put it on our agenda. I always buy paper towels and tp there. We like some of their meats, their frozen pizza, and hubs favorite snack is the peanut butter filled pretzel bites, so if they're in stock I'll buy those too. 

5. Father's Day is this coming Sunday. Any plans to make the day special? Tell us something about your own father, or something about your hubs as a father, or about someone who stepped into your life and acted as a father if yours was not a part of your life. 

While my mother worked part time later in their marriage my parents mostly had the more traditional roles of husband and wife/father and mother. My dad went to work, mowed the lawn, and paid the bills. My mom managed the house, meals, and most things kid related. My dad was a man of deep faith, a hard worker, steady. While he didn't always have a lot to say, he was always there for us and we knew we could count on him. The blessing of that sense of security a solid father brings to a family cannot be overstated. 

We have a lot happening on Father's Day this year. Our third grandson has a birthday on Father's Day which also happens to be our 40th wedding anniversary. 

As an aside, every time I write that number I kind of scratch my head and think, 'that can't be right? we're not old enough to have been married 40 years are we?'

Yet, here we are. 40 years of married life. It goes fast y'all. 

Anyway, since all the grandparents will be in town my daughter and son-in-law will also have baby girl's dedication at church that day. I'm sure my son-in-law will grill something wonderful and it will be a nice weekend filled with family fun. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

My dad died at the too young age of 66. He never got to see his grandgirls grow up, never even got to meet his grandson who arrived more than a decade after this shot was taken. It's one of my favorite pictures though...

He adored these girls and they loved him right back. 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 555

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with the rest of the world wide webbers. See you there! 

1. June 12 is National Simplicity Day. In what way is your life simple? What's one way that it's not? 

2. Something you remember from a 'simpler time'? 

3. Do you like squash? If so what's your favorite variety? What's a favorite way to prepare squash? 

4. Do you shop the warehouse stores (such as Costco, Sam's B.J's, etc)? If so how often do you go, and what's something you always buy in this type of store? 

5. Father's Day is this coming Sunday. Any plans to make the day special? Tell us something about your own father, or something about your hubs as a father, or about someone who stepped into your life and acted as a father if yours was not a part of your life. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 534

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here to share answers with the universe. See you there! 

1. On January 18th we commemorate A.A. Milne's birthday. Milne is the author of the beloved classic Winnie the Pooh. In many ways Pooh represents innocence and simplicity. His optimism reminds us to appreciate the little things. What are three little things you're appreciating in mid-January? 

2. Piglet teaches us even the smallest of individuals can achieve big things with the proper amount of determination. How do your current responsibilities make you feel? 

3. Tigger is known for his enthusiasm and energy, his boundless joy and love of life. What's something you're interested in learning more about in this new year? 

4. Eeyore, while a melancholy character, teaches us the importance of resilience and perseverance. How do you stay motivated and persevere in difficult circumstances?

5. What's the last thing you ate that was made with honey? 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Simply The Hodgepodge

I have much to catch up on here, but for now let's get back to Hodgepodging. If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for your neighbor there. Here we go-

1. Is your life simple? Elaborate. 

Hmmm...yes and no. I strive for simplicity but sometimes life mucks it up. In terms of responsibility my life really is pretty simple. We live a mostly quiet life except when it's loud and chaotic-ha! We tend to have two speeds here-180 mph or parked. 

2. What simple pleasure are you are currently enjoying? 

Having a few quiet minutes to answer these questions. We have been busy busy busy since July rolled in and it's nice to be able to sit with my computer and think about what to say here.  

3. Travel by plane or go on a cruise? walk or ride a bike? swim or ski? ocean or mountains? 

I've never had a desire to cruise so travel by plane for sure. I love to walk and swim and I'll say mountains, although I love the ocean too. 

4. What's the last thing you bought online that you really loved? 

I've done a lot of Amazon-ing this month, mostly items we needed/wanted to have in the house for our grands. I've bought birthday presents, a new life jacket, two children's books, a baby float, a board game, pulleys to hang our ferns and more. I guess my favorite recent purchase would be some summer pajamas that are super soft and comfy. 

5. What’s your 'back in my day we__________' story? 

I use this expression every now and then, mostly when I'm writing here, reflecting on life now versus life 'back in the day'. 

'Back in the day' we learned to wait. 

For pretty much everything. The newest toy (Christmas is coming), new clothes (your birthday is almost here), Saturday morning only cartoons, holiday television specials, a turn to use the telephone, to get in  the bathroom shared with all your siblings, etc etc etc. 

Waiting is something of a lost art in 2023. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

We've had a jam packed couple of weeks, and I’m sure I’ll catch up on all of that here eventually. We're traveling home all day today (Wednesday) so for now let's just take a deep breath and exhale nice and easy...

Happy Wednesday everyone! 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 511

The Hodgepodge is back in action this week and here are today's questions. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with the universe. See you there! 

1. Is your life simple? Elaborate. 

2. What simple pleasure are you are currently enjoying?  

3. Travel by plane or go on a cruise? walk or ride a bike? swim or ski? ocean or mountains? 

4. What's the last thing you bought online that you really loved? 

5. What’s your 'back in my day we__________' story? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Oh Brother It's The Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. That's how the Hodgepodge rolls. Here we go-

1. May 24th is National Brother's Day. Do you have a brother? Older or younger? Did you raise brothers? Tell us something about your brother or tell us something about your own children who are brothers.

I do have a brother, just one and he's five years older than me. He grew up as the only boy in a family of sisters and is the nicest person we all know. Everyone loves my brother. He's kind, funny, smart, and young-at-heart. He's spent his life teaching, coaching, and mentoring high school students, particularly runners, and was recently inducted into the South Jersey Track and Field Hall of Fame. He is also extremely humble and would not mention this huge honor if asked to describe himself. 

I did not birth any brothers, but Daughter1 is raising two of the sweetest boys I know. Their relationship is so special and they are best buds. 

2. A great book you've read or movie you enjoy that features brothers? 

Book-The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles-the two central figures in the book are brothers, and while the character list is long, it's the brother's story and relationship I loved best. 

Film-Seven Brides for Seven Brothers-completely crazy story line but it's still a favorite in our house. The picnic scene with the dancers on the log is amazing. 

3. Something you think is overrated? Something you think is underrated?

Overrated? Popularity

Underrated? Living a quiet life 

4. How much does your past shape you? What parts have shaped you the most? 

I think our past definitely shapes us, but if your past was difficult or troubled (mine was not) I don't think it has to define you going forward. 

The parts of my past that have shaped me the most? Growing up with siblings both older and younger,  parents who loved me and lived out their faith, who gave me a sense of self and security, and then other caring adult influences including youth leaders, church members, camp counselors, and wonderful neighbors. 

5. What's your favorite simple pleasure? 

My morning coffee. The house is quiet, the day is new, the possibilities endless. Sometimes when I lay down to go to sleep at night I will tell hubs how much I'm looking forward to that first cup of coffee. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hubs and I have been out of town since last Friday, visiting Daughter1 and her crew in Tennessee. My mother-in-law lives half way between here and there so we picked her up on our way home today, for a few days at the lake. 

Life is the best kind of whirlwind here. 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 505

Here are the questions to the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. See you there! 

1. May 24th is National Brother's Day. Do you have a brother? Older or younger? Did you raise brothers? Tell us something about your brother or tell us something about your own children who are brothers.

2. A great book you've read or movie you enjoy that features brothers? 

3. Something you think is overrated? Something you think is underrated? 

4. How much does your past shape you? What parts have shaped you the most? 

5. What's your favorite simple pleasure? 

6. Insert your own random thought here.