Oh The Places We'll Go

Yesterday's Hodgepodge got me thinking about graduations and I decided to weed through one of my attic boxes for some pictures. Killing two birds with one stone so to speak...empty an album (or three) and write a blog post while I'm at it. 

Course I went down the rabbit hole pretty far and ended up sending pictures of pictures to some of my college friends and then hubs got in on it too and invited his old roommate to come for the weekend and this is how we roll. We couldn't quite make the spontaneous visit happen this weekend, but it will happen soon. 

Back to graduations...I'm not a Carolina sports fan (Go Vols!!) but I am an Eric Church fan and he gave the commencement address at UNC last weekend. I thought it was really good and worth a listen (linked here). 

I have no idea who spoke at my commencement and I have very few pictures from the day. Based on this photo it appears there was a professional photographer there (he's over my shoulder), but I guess we chose the diy route instead. 

I do know it was exciting and I did get a job, which was after all the goal. Some people say college wasn't all that useful in terms of their future employment, but in my profession it was very necessary and of course a lot of fun too.  

Remember panty hose? Remember weeding through ten pair to find one without a run? 

My parents gave me a briefcase as a graduation gift and I loved it so much. Made me feel officially adult. This was before the cute tote bag era we're in now, and you better believe I used that briefcase. I worked for a school system and in my role I traveled to more than one school so it was nice to keep all my paperwork together.  

Somewhere there's a picture of me in my cap and gown standing with my parents but it wasn't in the boxes I pulled out today. I promise they were there-ha! I found this one taken in my sister's apartment, and I'd love to know what we're saying. 

Look at the waist on those jeans! I guess it really is true, what's old is new again. 

Hubs graduated the December after my June graduation date and here I am cheering him on. That jumper was so cute. 

Also, he wasn't the hubs yet. 

Also I'm scanning actual photos which, let's be honest were not all that great to start with, but it was the 80's and we had no idea. We didn't take many pictures while in college, or at least I didn't. I have a handful and they're a real mishmash. Here's one from a date hubs and I had out hiking someplace. I couldn't say where? 

What I can say is I was definitely a natural brunette lol. 

I feel like today's generation of young women are more polished than my generation was in terms of hair/makeup/ skincare. Maybe we weren't quite as concerned with all that because we weren't photographed 37 times a day? I'm not saying we didn't care because we did love our hot rollers, but we didn't work out, drink gallons of water, or have a ten point skin care routine before going to bed at night like girls do now. 

We did have the best music though, and I'll fight you on that if necessary. 

I do have pictures from my girl's graduations, high school and college. One of my favorite pictures of my girls was taken on the day of daughter2's high school graduation-

Beauties. 

Both girls  had incredible speakers at their high school ceremonies, that's something I do remember. At Daughter1's ceremony the speaker was the first British woman to summit Mt. Everest and then later climb all seven summits. She was phenomenal. 

Plus my daughter was given the Principal's award which was a happy surprise. He said the nicest things about her. 

The speaker at Daughter2's high school graduation was a gentleman who was blind, but had accomplished much. I can't recall the details of  his story but I remember it as inspiring. 

Hubs and I still say we own some of the real estate their university sits on or at least it feels like we should. The campus is spectacular. They had photo ops before photo ops were even a thing. 

A rose garden...

Beautiful fountains...

Same fountains, another degree....

Today I'm off to see a little boy 'graduate' from Kindergarten. I know I know, it's not a true graduation, but we celebrate all the same. Marking life's milestones brings a lot of joy. 

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. 
You can steer yourself any direction you choose."~Dr. Seuss 

A Perfectly Perfect 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. Be sure to leave a comment for the blogger before you because that's what good neighbors do. Here we go-

1. What's something you've learned from a younger person?

When I think of 'younger people' I think of my girls and I've learned a lot from them. 

Computer shortcuts, good follows on Instagram, tv shows I might like, book titles I might not have found on my own, how to laugh at myself, and how to see shades of gray in a world I often see in black and white. 

2. Are you a perfectionist? Elaborate? 

About some things. I was a bit of a perfectionist back in my student days. I can be picky (is that the same thing???) about my handwriting, a table setting, the way a towel should be folded, how the dishwasher is loaded-ha! In other areas of my life good enough is good enough. I will say I don't expect perfection from others, and in general give other people more grace than I give myself. 

3. What makes you cringe? 

I learned a new word recently that fits here, the German word fremdschamen. It means second hand embarrassment which is what I think of when I hear the word cringe. Someone else is doing something embarrassing (although they may not realize it) and that causes me to feel embarrassment for them. 

A list of things that make me cringe would include small children going barefoot in restaurants or public restrooms, someone talking with a mouthful of food, a person's mistake being called out in front of others, poor grammar from someone who should know better, someone misusing a word (pacific for specific), any time our Vice-President makes a speech of any kind, and virtue signaling. 

4. September is National Honey month...do you have bees and make your own? Know someone who has bees and they share? Your favorite thing made with honey? 

We do not keep bees but daughter2's father-in-law does, and he keeps us in honey. We also have a good friend here on the lake who has bees and he shares too. We love it. 

My favorite thing made with honey is probably a toasted English muffin with honey dripping in to all the nooks and crannies. I drink my tea with milk, but if I have a scratchy throat I love hot tea with honey. I like honey mustard dressing on a salad, and honey butter on a warm piece of bread. 

5. Where is your happy place? 

The English countryside.

My backyard is pretty great too. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I made an apple cake with a caramel drizzle for my book club this week. It was easy and delish and you'll  find the recipe in the link here (The Best Apple Cake)  Enjoy! 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 459

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. What's something you wish you had spent more time doing when you were younger? Explain. 

2. Who inspires you to be better. Tell us how. 

3. Share a money saving tip with us. 

4. It's National Garlic Day...are you a fan? Your favorite dish that includes garlic? 

5. Would you describe yourself as decisive or indecisive. Elaborate. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Ho-Ho-Hodgepodge

Hi Friends! And strangers lurking here too. A reminder this will be our last Hodgepodge of the year. We'll return to the regularly scheduled random on Wednesday January 5th, so mark your brand new calendars and plan to be here. 

If you've answered today's questions add your link at the bottom of my post. Be sure to leave a comment for the blogger before you because 'tis the season. Here we go-

 

1. How young is young? In the past, according to various organizations who decide these things, age 60 was the 'border age' to old. The World Health Organization has done new research recently and divided up the categories as-0-17 (underage), 18-65 (youth or young people), 66-79 (middle-aged), 80-99 (elderly senior), 100+ (long-lived elderly). Your thoughts on this particular breakdown, and also your thoughts as to where you land?

Well I for one am loving where I land-ha! Is it accurate? Hmmm...depends on the day I suppose. According to this chart I'm young. Or youthful which sounds even better. I feel more middle aged than young but I like that our 60's and early 70's  are still considered middle age. That definitely feels accurate. 

2. TIME magazine has declared Elon Musk person of the year in 2021. What say you? If you want to know more about how they choose you'll find that info in the link here. If you were choosing, who would be your person of the year? 

I've asked this question several years in a row now in the Wednesday Hodgepodge, so I know the criteria is essentially the person who most influenced the news and our lives, for better or worse. I don't often agree with the magazine's choice, but I think this year Elon Musk is not a bad selection. He has for sure made a lot of news. 

As far as who I would choose if given the chance...I can think of thirteen soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan who are certainly worthy of the title. Remember Afghanistan? 

3. I read here ten habits of extremely likeable people which include-they greet the world with a smile on their face, they ask questions, they're consistent, they put the phone away, they remember names and use them, they keep an open mind and don't pass judgement, they're authentic, they're kind and generous, accountable for their mistakes, and they send thank you notes.  

So, are you likeable-lol? Which one of these habits could use some further developing in your own life? What is one habit/quality you'd add to the list? 

Am I likeable? Don't we need someone else to answer that question for us? I think I'm pretty likeable. 

I'm an optimist and if I were adding something to the list it would be 'likeable people see life's glass as more than half full'. 

4. One non-holiday related task/job/goal/dream on your to-do list that you hope/plan to make happen before the new year rolls in? 

I'd love to say my office reno, but it's unlikely to be completed before the calendar turns. It's underway though so I'll take it! I've been reading through the Bible this year and I got a little behind but am catching up now. My goal is to finish before the clock strikes 2022.

5. Share with us some of your holiday plans.

I will not have my daughters or my grandsons here on Christmas Day, which was not at all the plan but is now the plan. I'm not on board in case you're wondering. 

Sometimes we have to work to see the glass half full, don't we? 

Daughter2 and her Mr. will be here a few days before Christmas and we're going to have my mother-in-law with us for about ten days which will be nice. Hubs recognizes I am struggling to find my holiday spirit this year, so he's putting things on the calendar, inviting friends here, accepting invitations, all to help make the season feel more merry. He's a keeper. 

Hubs and I are lighting our church advent wreath on Christmas Eve at the 9 PM candlelight service. The Christmas Eve service is almost always the thing that really and truly reminds me all is calm, and all is bright. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

~Merry Christmas to you all~

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 445

Hi Hodgepodgers and everyone else too! This will be the last Wednesday Hodgepodge of the year. We'll be back on track Wednesday January 5th, so plan to ring in Hodgepodge 2022 with us then. 

We are here this week though, so don't forget to join the party. Answer on your own blog then sled back here tomorrow to share answers with all of Santa's elves. See you there-

1. How young is young? In the past, according to various organizations who decide these things, age 60 was the 'border age' to old. The World Health Organization has done new research recently and divided up the categories as-0-17 (underage), 18-65 (youth or young people), 66-79 (middle-aged), 80-99 (elderly senior), 100+ (long-lived elderly). Your thoughts on this particular breakdown, and also your thoughts as to where you land?

2. TIME magazine has declared Elon Musk person of the year in 2021. What say you? If you want to know more about how they choose you'll find that info in the link here. If you were choosing, who would be your person of the year? 

3. I read here ten habits of extremely likable people which include-they greet the world with a smile on their face, they ask questions, they're consistent, they put the phone away, they remember names and use them, they keep an open mind and don't pass judgement, they're authentic, they're kind and generous, accountable for their mistakes, and they send thank you notes.  

So, are you likable-lol? Which one of these habits could use some further developing in your own life? What is one habit/quality you'd add to the list? 

4. One non-holiday related task/job/goal/dream on your to-do list that you hope/plan to make happen before the new year rolls in? 

5. Share with us some of your holiday plans. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Young At Heart In the Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge and Day 25 (whoop whoop!) in the April A-Z Blog Challenge. You'll find my thoughts on Letter Y at the end of this post.

If you've answered this week's HP questions add your link to the list, then hop over to read what your neighbor had to say. Here we go-

1. Expect the unexpected on From This Side of the Pond. Here's my x-ray question...when was the last time you felt like Superman? What's your superpower? Explain.

Completing this A-Z challenge. It was a lot of words, even for me. 

What's my superpower? Lately it feels like cooking. 44 days in a row yowza! 

2. Are you a fan of the 'superhero' type movies? If so what's your favorite?

Not especially. I haven't seen any of the Captain America Marvel blahblahblah. Just not my thing. If I had to choose a favorite 'superhero' movie I'd say I liked some of the Batman series of movies. 

3. Have you postponed or cancelled a trip to the dentist in recent weeks, and if so when do you think you'll feel comfortable going back? How about other routine medical procedures?

I'm supposed to go to the dentist next month but I don't even know if they're seeing patients for routine cleanings at this point. I go three times a year, so can easily postpone this one until things settle down a bit and I likely will. 

I do have two other routine medical checkups coming due that I would rather not postpone. I guess I'll have to see if having them done in May is even an option. They're not urgent, but definitely need to happen to keep something that truly would be urgent from occurring. 

I do wonder how many more serious illnesses will be diagnosed in the general population as a result of everyone postponing their little preventative tests and procedures that spot trouble early on?

4. What's something that makes you feel youthful? Something that makes you feel 'not so youthful'? Tell us why.

I'm going to expand on this one in my random thought today (see #6) because my A-Z word of the day is-youthful. 

Something that makes me feel youthful? Keeping up with technology as much as I can, doing a plank or a push up, a great haircut, hearing see ya next year from the doctor, traveling somewhere I've never been before, and using my brain.

Not so youthful? Trying to keep up with technology, exercising beside a 20-something, roots that need to be dealt with, being introduced to someone and promptly forgetting their name, my eyesight, and in general all the body maintenance that needs to happen on a regular basis. 

5. I feel compelled to include some sort of corona related question in the HP these days. What's the strangest thing you've seen in relation to the virus? Something that really struck you as odd, made you stop and think, 'Dorothy we're not in Kansas anymore?'

Lots of things...people being arrested for kayaking alone in the middle of the ocean, city governments dumping sand in a skate park to keep people away, playgrounds roped off, swings tied up, basketball nets cut down...the list goes on. 

But I'm going to say walking into the supermarket wearing a mask is near the top of my own personal list. It feels weird and it is weird but I suppose before too long we won't think twice about donning a mask, and this will be our new way of life. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I've been participating in the April A-Z Blog Challenge all month long, and have really enjoyed it this year. Today's word comes from a friend I met while living in England (she's American) and we moved back to the states about the same time. We both loved to hike the English countryside, and she reads my blog and leaves me lots of kind comments, so thanks M for the word of the day-

Day 25-Y is for Youthful 

I have a pretty big birthday coming up a little later in the year and at this point I have no idea how I will be marking the occasion. Once upon a pre-Corona time I thought hubs and I could hop the pond and celebrate with tea and scones in the land of tea and scones, but given all the current crazy I don't see that happening. Plan B it is. 

As soon as I figure out a Plan B then Plan B it is. 

Let's talk about this word. Youthful. I feel like my kids would say if you use the word youthful then you're not. Ha! There are several definitions, most relating to your actual age, but one says something along the lines of having the vitality or freshness of youth so that's the one I'm going with. 

My girls are what I would describe as fresh faced. The glowing skin, the silky hair that looks adorable no matter if its perfectly styled or stuffed into a messy bun, no angle they need to avoid while being photographed, and most especially that unidentifiable quality towards living that I'm going to call exuberance. 

Me on the other hand, well my hair needs a professional and my skin care routine is probably too little too late, and a messy bun on me just looks plain messy. Also nobody better snap a photo without a little warning if they know what's good for them. 

In other words, I'm not fresh faced. 

Except in my head I kind of am. I'm often taken aback by the image I see in the mirror because that's not me, is it? It is me, but it's not the me I am on the inside. 

On the inside I am still exuberant. Maybe not every single day, but mostly I still feel like there is so much to look forward to and there are so many beautiful places to see and interesting people to meet and experiences to be enjoyed and that makes me feel youthful. 

Is youthful a fact of the calendar or a state of mind?  

Asking for a friend.