Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 317

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 universe. See you there!

1. Do your actions match your words? Elaborate.

2. Sick as a dog, go to the dogs, dog days of summer, dog tired, it's a dog's life, every dog has it's day, can't teach an old dog new tricks...now doggone it which saying could most recently be applied to your life?

3. Your favorite book featuring a dog in the storyline? What makes it a favorite?

4. What's something you hope to one day have the confidence to do?

5. August 16th is National Tell a Joke Day. So tell us a joke.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

A Grand Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! Thanks for your kind comments regarding our new little love. He has already added so much joy to our lives, and we are thoroughly enjoying him.

If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post, then kindly leave a comment for the blogger linking before you today. Here we go-

1. Do you try to set rules for yourself about how you use your time? Explain.

In this season of life my days are mostly my own, but once a rule follower always a rule follower, so yes I do set a few rules when it comes to how I spend my time. I enjoy having a plan for the day. I enjoy putting my head on the pillow at night knowing I didn't waste the gift of another day.  

Note-sometimes doing nothing is necessary and in fact there are times in life when doing nothing is just what a body needs, but I absolutely cannot do nothing every day. If I don't have at least a loose agenda I can be lazy and at the end of the day will feel disappointed in myself for wasting time. 

I get up about the same time every morning, begin my day with my coffee and my quiet time (on the porch if weather permits, and beside the sliders looking out if it doesn't), go for a swim or take a walk, and then I make a list for the day and/or week so at the end of the day I'm not scratching my head wondering what in the world I did all day, or kicking myself for not being more productive. 

Anyone who knows me knows I like rules. And I'm sure my hubs is laughing at the truth of that statement. He is the yin to my yang. 

2. Monday was National Lighthouse Day. Have you ever visited a lighthouse? If not, do you have any desire to see one up close? Of the 10 Most Beautiful that made this list which would you most like to see in person-

Lindau Lighthouse (Germany), Fanad Lighthouse (Ireland), Portland Head Light (Maine), Yaquina Bay Light (Oregon) The St. Augustine Light (Florida), Peggys Point Lighthouse (Canada), Start Point Lighthouse (England), Tower of Hercules (Spain), Bass Harbor Head Station (Maine), and White Shoal Light (Michigan)

I've seen a number of lighthouses in person, but only one on the list, The Portland Head Light, which is beautiful. The whole coast of Maine is beautiful. I've also been to the Cape Hatteras lighthouse in NC, and the Hooper Strait Lighthouse which is part of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels Maryland. I'm sure there are more, but those are the two that came to mind. Of the lighthouses listed I'd like to see Fanad Lighthouse in Ireland because the location looks fantastic. 

When you've been away, what's your 'lighthouse' telling you you're on the right road home?

The lake. We cross a couple of bridges on the road to our house, and as soon as I catch a glimpse of the water I know I'm home. 

3. What have you unintentionally stopped doing? Is this something you need to pick back up and begin again, or is it something you need to let go of for now (or even permanently)?

Dusting. Ha! Sadly, I'm only half kidding, but you have to be home to dust, and this summer we have been away more than we've been home.

It's definitely something I'll pick back up because company is coming and company on the calendar is highly motivating in the housekeeping department. 

4. We've had a full week of August. Share a GRAND moment from your month so far.

5. Tell us one song you love with the word 'baby' in the title.

One of my absolute favorite songs sung by one of my all-time favorite groups...Baby I Need your Lovin' by The Four Tops. Levi Stubbs without a doubt had one of the best voices ever. 



6.  Insert your own random thought here.

This is all the random I've got at the moment-

And it's awesome. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 316

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with all your friends and neighbors. Here we go-

1. Do you try to set rules for yourself about how you use your time? Explain.

2. Monday was National Lighthouse Day. Have you ever visited a lighthouse? If not, do you have any desire to see one up close? Of the 10 Most Beautiful that made this list which would you most like to see in person-

Lindau Lighthouse (Germany), Fanad Lighthouse (Ireland), Portland Head Light (Maine), Yaquina Bay Light (Oregon) The St. Augustine Light (Florida), Peggys Point Lighthouse (Canada), Start Point Lighthouse (England), Tower of Hercules (Spain), Bass Harbor Head Station (Maine), and White Shoal Light (Michigan)

When you've been away, what's your 'lighthouse' telling you you're on the right road home?

3. What have you unintentionally stopped doing? Is this something you need to pick back up and begin again, or is it something you need to let go of for now (or even permanently)?

4. We've had a full week of August. Share a GRAND moment from your month so far.

5. Tell us one song you love with the word 'baby' in the title.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

A Day In The Life

Before we discuss my new favorite topic, let's discuss my old favorite topic-the weather. Holy moly it's HOT! I think these temps are atypical for the PNW, but we're melting.

Good thing we've got a brand new baby boy to distract us.

Which brings me to my new favorite topic.

Y'all. Grandparenting. It's just the best. The best best. Baby boy is a week and a day and he's eating and sleeping and doing math in his head like a champ. Here's how the day goes-

Hubs and I get up and drink coffee, take the dog for a nice long walk (bless his little heart!), read, write, pray, pace, and wonder when in the world the new parents are going to come downstairs so we can get started on the more serious activity of the day-baby watching.

Yup. That's pretty much how it goes when you're a week old. Your parents and your grandparents and your aunt look at you all.day.long. While we watch him eat and sleep we talk amongst ourselves and the conversation goes something like this-

"He is sooo cute!"
"Isn't he sooo cute?"

"He's perfect!"
"Isn't he sooo perfect?"

"He's got long legs!"
''Doesn't he have long legs?"

"His hair!"
"Oh my word I love his hair!! Don't you just love his hair?!"

"He's waking up. Look, he's waking up!"

I think you get the idea. Of course besides all the watching there is also a lot of doing. I have to take a thousand pictures and text them to his other grandparents and his great grandmothers and my siblings and hubs siblings so they can nod their heads and agree that he is indeed perfectly precious and has been graced with the absolute best head of hair ever.

Which of course they do, because I mean come on! How can you not??? 

We did get out of the house today for a little outing, but that might need to be it's own post, because leaving the house with a newborn is no small thing. He rocked it of course. And I guess eventually I'll get round to writing with more depth about this new season of life, but he's only a week old and I'm still too gaga to sort out the jumble of emotion. Also, it's hot. 

Did I tell you it's HOT here? 

And that I'm totally in love with this boy?

Snips and Snails and Nana Tales

Meet the little boy who has stolen my heart.

He made his way into the world last Thursday, a few days early but since he weighed in at 8 lbs, 1 oz hooray for early! Also Nana was getting anxious. And I'm just gonna go ahead and say now this living 3000 miles away is for the birds!!! Pretty sure I'll have more to say about that in a later post. ahem. 

Today I'm completely overwhelmed by all my thoughts (aka the words in my head) and a heart full to overflowing so let's just meet and greet for now, k? 

We are completely smitten. 

Did I need to tell you that?

After a long day of travel hubs and I finally met our grandson in person yesterday and fair warning, I
intend to overload photos here for ever and ever amen awhile. Sorry, but it cannot be helped. 

Also, not sorry because I'm his Nana and he is the most perfectly precious little boy in the whole wide world. 

He has the most gorgeous full head of dark hair you've ever seen and he looks you right in the eye when he's not eating or sleeping.

Which is often, but still...he's got his mama's spectacular blue eyed baby stare and his Daddy's long fingers, and I'm sure his brains too because I can already tell he's brilliant. Ha! 

He might be only six days new, but Nanas know these things.

My daughter and son-in-law both have such sweet dispositions, so obviously he will too because that's how it works, right?

Baby boy already has his aunt wrapped around his little finger as all good nephews should. Shout out to this girl who has been an absolute rock star in the sister department this past month.

Daughter2 has been in the Evergreen State since early July and what a special time these girls have had together waiting on baby boy to join the party.

This guy is not enjoying grandparenthood at all.

Their pup is a little confused as to why he's not the number one man in the house these days, but he's taking it in stride (mostly) and I know they'll be best buds one day very soon. 

I have so much more to say and share, but words keep and babies don't so for today this will have to do. If you need me I'll be right here...

Is there anything more enchanting than watching a newborn baby discover the world and all the people who love him best? 

Throwing The Hodgepodge At You Today

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post. And before you run off hop around and say hi to your neighbors, leaving lots of happy comments in your wake.

Also, a reminder there will not be a Hodgepodge next Wednesday (August 2nd). The HP will be back in action the week after (August 9th). Thanks!

1. We've reached edition number 315 here in the Wednesday Hodgepodge. So tell us, what were you doing at 3:15 yesterday? Is that typical? On a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being low and 10 being high) what's your energy level usually like at 3:15 PM?

At 3:15 yesterday afternoon I was in the kitchen putting together a blueberry/peach cobbler to take to a friend's house for dinner. Is that typical? Not really. Sometimes I get dinner prep started at that hour to make actually cooking dinner a little bit less crazy. 

My energy level hits a low about 3 PM every day, so most often you'll find me brewing a cup of tea at that hour. It gives me just that little oomph I need to finish out the day. It's been so hot here this week that I've opted for iced coffee instead, but normally 3 PM is tea time. 

On a scale of 1-10 I give myself a 3 at 3. 

2. A frisbee, a tantrum, a towel, a party, a punch, or a curveball...which have you most recently thrown or had thrown at/for you? Elaborate.

Well I haven't thrown a frisbee in a long time, so that's an easy one to eliminate. Same goes for a punch which, for the record, I've only ever thrown in the context of a workout. I don't think I'm one for throwing a tantrum, or at least I hope not! Since I am in and out of the water and on and off the boat pretty much every day I'm going with a towel. 

3. What are three things that would help you right now. Tell us how or why.

• Baby boy's safe arrival
• A cup of tea (I'm telling you it makes everything better) and
• An uninterrupted night's sleep, something like ten or twelve hours ought to do it 

4. Do you think you're strong? Why or why not? What makes you strong?

Yes I think I'm pretty strong, more so mentally than physically. Placing my hope and trust in the Lord gives me the courage and fortitude to have peace amidst the chaos of life, to handle the curveballs and hard things we all face at one time or another. Not saying I get this right all the time, but He is the cornerstone I build my life upon.

"The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in Him and He helps me." 

Ps. 28:7

5. Do you enjoy reading historical fiction? What's your favorite book set sometime in the past?

Yes I do. It's always hard to pick just one favorite anything, but it's especially tough to choose a favorite book. One of my very favorites set in the past is Pillars Of The Earth by Ken Follett. Not a quick read, but so so good. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Hubs and I saw the movie Dunkirk yesterday. When I see a picture like this one I'm always struck by the bravery of the men and women who are sent to war. We both really liked the film...have you seen it? 

Hodgpodge Questions-Volume 315

Before I post this week's questions, let's pause for a public service announcement-there will not be a Hodgepodge next week (August 2nd). The Hodgepodge will be back in action the week after (August 9th). Thanks!

Okay, back to this week. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with all the other world wide webbers.  Here we go-

1. We've reached edition number 315 here in the Wednesday Hodgepodge. So tell us, what were you doing at 3:15 yesterday? Is that typical? On a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being low and 10 being high) what's your energy level usually like at 3:15 PM?

2. A frisbee, a tantrum, a towel, a party, a punch, or a curveball...which have you most recently thrown or had thrown at/for you? Elaborate.

3. What are three things that would help you right now. Tell us how or why.

4. Do you think you're strong? Why or why not? What makes you strong?

5. Do you enjoy reading historical fiction? What's your favorite book set sometime in the past?

6. Insert your own random thought here.