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! 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 325

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.

One item of note-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 that life is a little too full right now and I need a fall break somehow somewhere.

Okay, here we go-

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.

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

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?

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.

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

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Farming 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 go say howdy to your neighbor on the list. Happy October y'all!

  

1.  Have you ever spent time on a farm? Tell us a little bit about it. Have you ever grown your own pumpkin? Been on a hayride? Driven a tractor? Milked a cow?

My dad grew up on a farm near Denver, and growing up we spent some time visiting my grandparents there. I knew I'd written about it somewhere on my blog and when I searched discovered I'd asked the first part of this question just two years ago. 

I aim for no repeats here in the Hodgepodge, so oops. 

Also, I mentioned it here and here too which confirms what I already knew, and that is

-this blogger ain't what she used to be!

Anyway, a few things I loved about the farm were-playing with my cousins, following the farm cat around, swimming in the farm tub, climbing trees, and the feeling of freedom and wide open spaces the farm provided. Farming is a lot of hard work and not a job you can 'leave at the office' so I have great admiration for farmers.  
I've never grown my own pumpkin or driven a tractor, but I have milked a cow and been on many a hayride. 

2. What's something younger you would like about you now?

That I raised daughters who love to read, cook, talk, and take care of people. Daughters who are so much like me yet are also not like me in the most magical of ways.

3. What are three things you'd like to do more often? Three things you'd like to do less often?

More often? Hold my grandson, have a cup of tea with my mama, and hang out with my girls any old time I felt like it. 

Less often? Pay bills-pay taxes-watch what I eat

4. What's on your nachos?

Speaking of watching what I eat-ha! I can take or leave the chili on nachos, sometimes I think it makes them too messy, but definitely add plenty of cheese, chopped tomatoes, and jalapenos. And don't forget the guacamole. 

In fact you could skip the nachos and just bring me the chips and guac. 

5. What's the most random thing in your purse or wallet? Does it need to stay there?

I pared down my purse at the beginning of summer, so not a lot of extras in there right now. I am carrying around tickets to a fundraiser we're attending later this month and I definitely need to put them somewhere safe. Safe and in a location I'll remember when it comes time to attend the actual event. ahem. 

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

My mother-in-law has been here visiting this week so we've been out and about every day. Also, I'm getting PT three times a week for my ankle not my rib which, by the way, is better but not perfect and my smashed finger is also finally on the mend in case you were wondering. Did I mention my smashed finger? 

We're traveling this month, twice!!, and I still need hotel rooms for two different spots, a rental car reserved, and a rough itinerary. My house needs dusting, vacuuming, and sprucing and we likely need to purchase outerwear, rainwear, and footwear for one of those trips I just told you about, plus the zipper on our go-to suitcase is on the fritz so there's that to think about as well.  Also the world. The WORLD! 

And then of course way down the list there is this poor neglected blog that I sometimes wake up in the night thinking about all the thinks I want to tell you about but see above. October is not for sissies. 

Here's my happy thought-The dimple! The hair! The smile! 

Every little thing is gonna be alright.  

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 324

My October calendar is chock-a-block full of company, travels, events, and appointments but let's not worry about that today. Today let's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then jump back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. See you there!

1.  Have you ever spent time on a farm? Tell us a little bit about it. Have you ever grown your own pumpkin? Been on a hayride? Driven a tractor? Milked a cow?

2. What's something younger you would like about you now? 

3. What are three things you'd like to do more often? Three things you'd like to do less often?

4. What's on your nachos?

5. What's the most random thing in your purse or wallet? Does it need to stay there?

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

Adventuring Into The Hodgepodge

Welcome to our end of September Hodgepodge. So glad you've landed here today! If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post. And before you run off say hi to your neighbor on the linky list because being neighborly is what it's all about.

  

1. What pets did you have while growing up? Tell us a little something about them.

We had a wire haired terrier for most of my growing up years. I think she was about six years old when we got her from a friend's neighbor. The woman had remarried and her husband said he was allergic to dogs. I remember going to their house to pick up the pup and her son was sobbing as we drove off with their dog. Still not sure the new husband was actually allergic to dogs. ahem. 

Misty was already very well trained by the time we got her, and while all dogs have one bad habit or another overall she was a wonderful pet. One of my favorite memories of her was the time we came home from church and she came slinking down the stairs, playing it all cool and nonchalant. She was a terrier so had a 'beard' and stuck to the side of her beard was one of those gigantic lollipops my sister had gotten at a fair. The whole thing was stuck to the side of her face, stick and all. 

She loved to play Frisbee, ride with her head out the car window, and 'try' to drink from the hose. She lived to the ripe old age of 16 and was loved to the end.  

2. What is one thing you absolutely must accomplish today?

Groceries! And I need to finish booking hotels for an upcoming trip, change the sheets in the guest room, reschedule a doctor's appointment, and answer the Hodgepodge questions of course.  

3. Where were you ten years ago? What were you doing there?

Ten years ago hubs and I were living in a little village outside of London. Daughter1 was here in SC beginning her sophomore year of university, and Daughter2 was home in England with us just starting her senior year of high school. High school! Whaaaat???

Italy, Summer 2007

I spent my days volunteering with the American Women's Club, the PTA, and Young Life. Also traveling, lunching with friends, hiking in the pastoral English countryside, drinking proper tea, popping into London at least once a week, and pinching myself that this was my life. 

4. September 26th is National Dumpling Day. Did you celebrate? Apple dumpling, xiaolongbao (steamed Chinese dumpling), chicken and dumplings, pirogi, matzoh balls, or gnocchi...which dumpling on this list would be your dumpling of choice? Have you ever made homemade dumplings of any kind?

I didn't celebrate, but am not opposed to it either. I'm a fan of everything on the list but xiaolongbao is my favorite.  I think I had an order every day we were in Shanghai.  

I've made apple dumplings and homemade gnocchi but it's been a long while since I've made either. 

5. 'There are two kinds of adventurers: those who go truly hoping to find an adventure and those who go secretly hoping they don't.' William Trogdon

So which kind are you?

I think we know which kind I am-ha! Actually here's my answer-I'm an adventurer who goes secretly hoping they find adventure, just not too much of it. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

The new TV season has begun...what are you watching? We typically don't watch a lot of TV here, and as a result I'm often out of the popular culture loop. I'm okay with that by the way. 

We watched the season premier of  The Good Doctor and hubs and I both really liked it. We'll keep watching. I'm also recording Navy Seals and thought the first episode was just okay, but we'll stick with it for now. 

Daughter2 and her boyfriend like Survivor and she's convinced me to give that a try this year too. Hubs and I watched for several seasons way back when, but haven't seen it in years. The teams this season do look interesting-heroes, healers, and hustlers-so maybe I'll give it another chance. 

My secret guilty TV pleasure is The Making of the DCC. My girls and I all watch it and we love it. I may give up on the NFL, but I do like to see the intense competition that goes on in trying to become  one of the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders. It's nearly over for this year, but I'm sure it's available somewhere. 




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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 323

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. What pets did you have while growing up? Tell us a little something about them.

2. What is one thing you absolutely must accomplish today?

3. Where were you ten years ago? What were you doing there?

4. September 26th is National Dumpling Day. Did you celebrate? Apple dumpling, xiao long bao (steamed Chinese dumpling), chicken and dumplings, pirogi, matzoh balls, or gnocchi...which dumpling on this list would be your dumpling of choice? Have you ever made homemade dumplings of any kind?

5. 'There are two kinds of adventurers: those who go truly hoping to find an adventure and those who go secretly hoping they don't.' William Trogdon

So which kind are you?

6. Insert your own random thought here.

End of September Stuff

Y'all what happened to September? Do we say that about every month now? I feel like maybe we do except I really truly mean it about September.

We've had one whole entire complete month at home. Whoohoo!

Well not counting this coming weekend when I'll be traveling with some friends, but since October rolls in on Sunday that doesn't count. It's been so nice to have weekends here at the lake as opposed to weekends in the car. I do enjoy going but I also enjoy not going.

Back to September. I had a birthday. To be honest I wasn't feeling it this year and I told my family not to make a big deal about it, so they made a small deal instead and it was perfect.

Friday night Daughter1's in-laws came for dinner and surprised me with the most delicious coconut cake from one of my favorite little spots in town (Brick Street Cafe for you local peeps). We spent the evening catching up and talking about our favorite tiny human.

It never gets old. Daughter1 facetimed us and we all shriek and carry on when his little face pops up on the screen. We're ridiculous.

As all good grandparents should be.

Saturday hubs and I went out for lunch and arrived home in time to watch some of the Tennessee-Florida game on TV. We missed the sad brutal end because I'd requested a sunset cruise.

Sunsets and game clocks don't always mesh, and in case you're wondering the sunset was way better than the game.

Sunday afternoon we packed lunch in the cooler and took the boat out to a little island we love. We planted ourselves in the sun, sand, and water for the day, and later some friends boated by and pulled their boat up on the beach to hang out with us.

Hubs wanted to take me out for a fancy dinner but I asked him to grill me a steak at home instead. He was happy to oblige and you really can't beat the view from our own backyard. My actual birthday was on Monday and hubs spoiled me with a steak and egg breakfast. Side note-he insists on buying these crazy ginormous steaks which are delicious, but also crazy ginormous and impossible for me to finish. The upside to that is steak and eggs for breakfast the next day.

I spent the afternoon right here-

...floating and reading.
I highly recommend.

That evening we met up with friends at a local hangout where we dined on Mexican food and German chocolate cupcakes because German chocolate is how I like to roll on my birthday. The day after (don't worry, eventually my birthday ends) we met Daughter2 for dinner at Tupelo Honey downtown. We had a wonderful meal and she and her sister spoiled me with sweet gifts.

Which I think catches us up to this past weekend (yes, the birthday's over). We were invited to the Clemson game by a friend with a box in the stadium. Let me just say it's the only way to go on a hot hot hot September Saturday.

I'd never been to a game in this stadium before and I loved it.

The tailgating atmosphere is fantastic and the fans are true blue (or rather true orange), the band is great and for those not in the know, Clemson has what has been dubbed 'the most exciting 25 seconds in college football'.

The team makes their entrance onto the field by running down a hill into the stadium aka Death Valley.  I haven't tried it myself, but the hill looks pretty steep to me. The players all touch Howard's Rock for good luck as they run in, and I have to wonder if any players have ever been injured on the run in before making it to the actual game. I suppose youth and coordination help.

The band plays Tiger Rag, balloons are released and the fans go wild. So much fun!!



Especially when you're watching from an air conditioned box on a 90-degree day.

Just keepin' it real.

And now here we are nearing the end of my favorite month and I've got a jam packed calendar staring me down in October. There are no unclaimed weekends, lots of travel to book-organize-manage, and several appointments to squeeze in-between.

September is the lull before the storm. I'm thankful this month for time at home, daughters, coffee on the porch, technology that allows me to see my grandson miles away, rest, friends, the gift of growing older...

...and sunrises that remind me birthdays and every day offer us a clean slate-fresh start.
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