Got a question for you

Seven actually...and if you tack one random thought on at the end you'll be ready to link up with this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Course you must come back tomorrow to make it all official. See you then!

1. How has your hometown changed since you were a kid? What has changed most about the neighborhood you grew up in?

2. What song makes you laugh?

3. Are you a fan of Harry Potter? Read the books? Seen any/all of the movies? Will you be standing in line somewhere close to midnight later this week? For those of you playing along today who live outside the US or UK is Harry Potter a phenomenon in your part of the world?

4. If the truth hurts, will you tell a lie? Are we better off as a society in a world that allows no form of deception whatsoever?

5. What is your favorite 'sauteed in garlic and butter' food? Or garlic and olive oil if that makes you feel better.

6. Attending any reunions this summer/year? High school? family? Other? Do these events stir up excitement or dread?

7. Lilac, hydrangea, peony...pick one.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Birthdays R Us

This may be one of those posts that will only interest you if we share DNA. I mean, as opposed to all my other posts which I know have you glued to the edge of your seat. ahem

My mom celebrated her birthday this past weekend and spent a few days here with me before my sister, nephew, brother and sister in law joined us for a Saturday cookout. The weather was glorious and we had fun hanging out on the patio, roasting marshmallows in the fire pit, and gabbing under the stars.

Hosting a birthday is a big job, one that requires assistance.

Someone needs to saw wood...

help open the cards and gifts...

and of course blow out the candles...

Good thing we had that sort of help available. Keep in mind, your

helper needs time to chillax with the guys when all is said and done.

My family headed home on Sunday afternoon so hubs and I took the pup for a walk thru some nearby woods.

We hadn't been on this particular path before but it was so pretty. I love the high canopy of trees and we saw several beaver dams too.

No beavers but we did see plenty of felled trees they'd been snacking on.

We also saw this interesting little creature~

You'll have to click to enlarge the photo so you can spot him...

just pretend its a game of I Spy.

At first we thought it might be a muskrat but upon closer inspection and a little help from google we're pretty sure it was a mink. Not sure I've ever seen a mink before.

Other than in c-o-a-t form I mean.

Can mink spell?

Someone was exhausted after our outing.

Two someones actually.

And won't those someones be happy to see they made the blog today?

A Scathing Review

Okay, not scathing but I've always wanted to use that word in my blog and now I have. And this isn't actually a review-more a recap and then my thoughts on it all. Incidentally, nobody asked for my thoughts but I'm putting them out there just the same. You're welcome.

While in Houston we decided to visit the Johnson Space Center. Hubs is especially interested in that sort of thing and it was indoors which sounded good to Daughter1 and I on a sultry Saturday in July so off we went.

I'm not sure what I was expecting but I think I imagined something along the lines of the Air and Space Museum in Washington DC...exhibits, time lines, artifacts, and some interactive stuff too...you know, educational but in a good way.

After queuing outside in the heat and then having my purse searched (they always open my bag, roll their eyes, and send me on my way because seriously, you don't want to dig around in my purse if you don't have to) we finally stepped into the main entry hall. It was teeming, and I do mean teeming, with little children running to and fro. I mean so many little children you had to watch where you were walking or you might be taken out by one as he whizzes past. Oh my aching ears-the noise-WOWZA! The very first thing you see upon entry is a ginormous indoor playset-the kind with climbing nets going to the ceiling, tunnels to crawl thru and ball pits. I can imagine unsuspecting parents entering the Space Center with children and immediately having to negotiate the playground. It smacks you in the face so I'm pretty sure if your 5 or 6 year old lays eyes on it they are going to want to play sooner rather than later. Who wants to see boring old space stuff when you've got an indoor playground and a ball pit? Why is this at the entry?

I realize it's Houston and its hot and folks need places to go in the summertime but this seemed like an odd place to put a play area. The Space Center offers various tram tours and we opted for the white tour at the recommendation of our ticket agent who gushed about the fact that it's only offered in July and is a do not miss. The white tour took you to the Neutral Buoyancy Lab which we all wanted to see. She neglected to mention it was a 15-20 minute bus ride each way. In addition we stood in the queue 30 minutes, went thru another security screening and then sat on the bus almost 20 minutes while we waited on a guide to get back from another tour before we could depart. Who runs this place anyway? Oh yeah-the government. It's certainly not Walt.

Once you were on the bus you were more or less trapped. There were three adults in wheelchairs who required a great deal of assistance yet they did not board them first or reserve any seating in the front of the bus for the handicapped. The young employee who helped them board sweetly asked a woman in the front row if she and her children (who were elementary school aged) would mind moving back and she said, yes-she'd mind. So these three folks who had very obvious handicaps and struggled mightily to walk had to make their way to open seats all the way in the back of the bus. My daughter and I shifted so they could have our seats but we were already about halfway back anyway. This whole scenario absolutely made my blood boil. Is this the kind of example we're now setting for our children? Every man for himself? I got here first and tough luck to whoever is behind me? My husband nicely said something to the tour guide once we FINALLY reached our destination and on the ride back they did reserve the front row for those who truly needed the front row.

Soooo, two hours after entering the Space Center we finally see our first space related exhibit-the neutral buoyancy lab.

This is where you'll find the big giant pool they use to test procedures, develop hardware, and train astronauts for working in space. Essentially neutral buoyancy mimics reduced gravity and is something close to what they will experience in space. Not exact, but close. It's hard to photograph from behind glass but inside the pool are full sized mock shuttle cargo bays, flight payloads, and I think a replica of at least a portion of the International Space Station. The pool is massive and up until the recent Olympics in China was the largest pool in the world. It's now the second largest at over 200 feet long, over 100 feet wide and over 40 feet deep. Astronauts are brave, aren't they?

Once we made it back to the Space Center we had some very expensive chicken tenders and regrouped. Now, please don't misunderstand...I love kids of all ages, shapes, and sizes, but something about this whole set up just seemed wrong. In a way it seemed a little bit disrespectful to the very serious job an astronaut is trained to do. Besides the playground there were games and all sorts of non-space related attractions.

Pirates? Are there pirates in space? Do we need to turn everything in to entertainment for the kids? I think we need places for kids to play but I'm just not sure the Johnson Space Center should be one of them. At the very least the "let's keep the little ones happy" portion could be a side show as opposed to the main attraction.

We've been to the Air and Space museum in D.C. many times. It's free. The Johnson Space Center is pricey for what you get, at least in my opinion. I'm ranting and I know I'm ranting but I've had this rant bottled up inside me for a few days and it needs to go somewhere. Some days I'm glad I have a blog.

We had opted for the audio tour (an extra charge) and it included remarks like, "by the year 2001 blah blah blah..." Dear NASA-it's 2011. Signed a Concerned Citizen. We had to really look for the space exhibits but eventually we did see some of what the Space Center is truly all about. We took turns attempting to land the shuttle-

fyi-it's harder than it looks.

I could never be an astronaut. I mean besides having to do things like float above the earth and live and breathe in a confined space that spins all while keeping your breakfast, lunch, and dinner down, as you solve complicated mathematical equations you also have to land a machine with a dashboard that has buttons on the ceiling and looks like this-

There's also the little matter of this-

That would be the ladies room in case you can't tell. The men's room too I guess. When you're in outer space such things probably don't matter.

Daughter1 and I agree we won't be living in space until they make it more like The Jetsons. I bet some people reading here don't even know who The Jetsons are. You probably grew up playing video games and could land the shuttle with your eyes closed too.

Red HOT and Blue I Do

I feel like I've jumped on a treadmill recently and cannot run fast enough to keep up with my blog. It's all a good kind of busy and I do want to record some of these events as they happen but I write best in blocks of time as opposed to spurts of time and right now all I've got are spurts.

We spent the 4th of July weekend in Houston, Texas...well, technically The Woodlands, but whatever you call it one thing is for sure-it's HOT. Actually HOT isn't the right word. When I come up with a word that accurately conveys the heat I'll let you know but until then we'll go with HOT.

The son of a special friend from our England days got married on Sunday. Daughter1 went to the high school prom with this boy aka The Groom, in grade 11. I probably say it at least once a week here but gosh it seems like they were all just 15 years old sitting round my kitchen table.

I guess not.

When you live in an ex pat community people come into and out of your life at an alarming rate. Its a hypertransient existence and carpe diem is not just an expression but is truly a way of living. The roots of friendship grow fast and deep in a way I cannot adequately describe.

I have blabbed on and on about the many challenges of repatriation but let me just say that I reconnected with several friends this past weekend, some of whom have been back in their home country for five years, and they all say life is still a teensy bit off kilter from the way it was pre-England. That makes me feel better. Normal.

My hair had a mind of its own in the crazy heat which is why I don't think I could ever live in Houston. Daughter1, looking perfectly perfect and fresh as a daisy, was able to join us for the wedding festivities and we had an absolute blast. There were several 'kids' (so what do you call your 20-somethings?) from her high school graduating class also in attendance and she hadn't seen any of them (with one exception) in over five years. They hugged and smiled and picked up right where they left off. These kids represent multiple countries, backgrounds, traditions, cultures, languages, religions and experiences yet, at an impressionable time in their lives, they were mixed together in a place called school in a land called England and in spite of all that was different they found something the same. I think the world can learn a few things from expat kids.

The wedding was absolutely lovely and the couple radiated joy on their special day. We were so happy to be part of the well wishers celebrating with this sweet couple. And I also really enjoyed seeing the day from the mother of the groom's point of view...in most weddings I've been a part of I've been on the 'bride's side' and fyi-mothers of the groom need kleenex too.

I'd never been to Texas prior to this past weekend but spending time with old friends in Houston felt a little bit like going home...turns out there are kitchen tables to sit around all over this great big little world.

Houston we have a Wednesday Hodgepodge-Vol 34

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! I've just returned from a fun filled few days spent with old friends and 'family' so I've got oodles of catching up to do. I'll write about our weekend after the Hodgepodge though because its Wednesday and Wednesdays are for Hodgepodgeiness, right?

Don't forget to add your link at the bottom of my post and then hop around to see what sort of randomness everyone else is sharing today. Here are my answers~

1. What is the most useful book in your house?

My address book. Okay, I know lots of people are going to say The Bible and of course that is life's instruction book and by far the most consulted book in my house but I was looking for answers besides that one... If I'm choosing something besides that it will be my address book. I like to communicate. ahem.

2. What's worse-being too hot or too cold?

Too hot. At least when I'm cold I can add layers but when I'm too hot there's only so much I can do to get cool. Without embarrassing anyone I mean.

3. Share something that made you smile this past weekend.

I spent the weekend at a wedding in Houston. A friend's son was married on Sunday and daughter1 joined us for the big day. She went to high school with the groom and several friends from her high school were also in attendance...she hasn't seen these friends in five years. Since my girls went to high school overseas they don't get to experience the re-connecting that occurs amongst American high school friends in the US who see each other regularly on holidays and summer breaks after graduating. These 'kids' are scattered to the four corners and it made my heart happy to see them together again. It made her heart happy too.

I'm going to write more about our weekend later this week.

4. How do you like your hamburgers? Or don't you?

I love hamburgers cooked on the grill and then topped with lettuce, tomato, mayo, and pickles. I do not like them too well done though and that seems to be the way we feel like burgers should be cooked nowadays. Just one more reason I should be living in France...they like their beef rare.

5. What's your summer beach read? If its not summer in your part of the world then tell us what book you're reading while curled up in front of the fire sipping hot cocoa.

At the moment I'm reading the newest Kate Morton novel entitled The Distant Hours. I've read other books by this same author (she's Australian) and liked them a lot, particularly The House at Riverton.

6. How was your birthday celebrated when you were a kid?

I wrote a Flashback Friday post on this topic a while back which you can read here...there are pictures-whoohoo! I do remember having birthday parties but I'm not sure if I had one every year. They were typically at home parties with cake and games and goody bags. My birthday was at the very least celebrated by my family with a special dinner. I always asked for a made from scratch German chocolate cake and my mother always obliged. I didn't have a lot of sleepover birthdays but I remember having one in grade 6 where we played the obligatory Truth or Dare, got no sleep, and probably made my parents nuts. Pretty sure that last bit is in the handbook of how to throw a proper sleepover.

7. What is something that is totally uncool that you love anyway?

ABBA. I know I know....but I can't help it. Oh, I know people roll their eyes whenever anyone mentions ABBA but those same people know all the words to their many hits. You just can't help but sing along at the top of your lungs. That's not just me is it? And their outfits? They are so uncool they are cool.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I have so many random thoughts today I don't know where to begin...how about I share a little travel pet peeve? People who talk VERY LOUDLY on their mobile phones the entire time you are boarding the plane up to and including while putting their bag in the overhead compartment. Then the very second the plane lands and we're given the all clear to use mobile devices they get right back on their VERY LOUD business call as we're all lined up in the aisle to disembark. Really, is your business so important the call can't wait three minutes until we're in the terminal? Maybe if you're a brain surgeon and someone is on the operating table somewhere waiting on a word from you but otherwise this sort of behavior strikes me as really inconsiderate.

Also-it's hot in Houston in July. Just sayin'.

Post holiday Hodgepodge Questions

I've been traveling the past few days and have lots of catching up to do. For now, questions for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge will have to suffice. Answer them on your own blog and then come back tomorrow to link answers...see you there!

1. What is the most useful book in your house?

2. What's worse-being too hot or too cold?

3. Share something that made you smile this past weekend.

4. How do you like your hamburgers? Or don't you?

5. What's your summer beach read? If it's not summer in your part of the world then tell us what book you're reading in front of the fire while sipping hot cocoa.

6. How was your birthday celebrated when you were a kid?

7. What's something that is totally uncool that you love anyway?

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Its a Grand Ole Hodgepodge-Vol 33

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge...glad you joined the fun today! Add your link to the bottom of my post (after reading naturally) and then hop over to a neighbors and see what they have to say.

1. What makes you stand to your feet and cheer?

Sporting events...I get nervous watching college football especially, and will often jump to my feet and cheer when The Vols score. The Phillies winning the World Series and England in the World Cup cause me to do the same. I guess when you get right down to it I can get pretty emotionally invested in any sporting event I'm watching. I think I even stood and cheered at a local high school football game we attended with friends last fall. The outcome held no significance for me at all but that didn't stop me from cheering for the home team.

2. What's your favorite patriotic song?

I love America the Beautiful and I love This Land is Your Land. I like the Star Spangled Banner and think it should remain our National Anthem. There is a lot of history associated with this song, says the blogger who at one time lived in Maryland and has been to Ft. McHenry.

3. Do you believe that opposites attract? If you have a significant other are you opposites?

I believe they attract but that it's not always a good thing. Now, hubs and I are what you might call opposites in the way that we approach life and I think that's worked to our benefit. He sees things differently than I do and sometimes my approach is best and in other situations his way is best. However, when it comes to matters of the heart-faith, child rearing, etc...on those topics I think being simpatico is going to make for the best union and on those things we are in sync.

4. You're going to get a behind the scenes look someplace-where would you like that someplace to be?

Windsor Castle is the first thing that popped into my head. We lived fairly close to Windsor so I've been inside the castle many, many times. Even though you see a lot they tell you only about 1/16 of the castle is on display....I'd love to see it all.

circa 2003

circa 2009

Wow...time flies when you're having fun, doesn't it?

5. How far would you have to travel to ride a carousel (merry-go-round)?

Other than local carnivals I think the closest carousel is probably Six Flags Great Adventure which is less than two hours from here. I haven't been there in ages, years, decades. There are also carousels at the shore but I haven't been on a boardwalk ride in years either. I am not a big fan of things that spin.

6. When was the last time you saw fireworks? What was the occasion? Do you enjoy fireworks?

Hubs, Daughter1 and I saw fireworks at a local minor league baseball game at the very end of the summer last year. They were were fantastic! It was a small ball club but they put on an incredible display. I love fireworks and we have plans to see some on Monday.

7. Of all the 'beauty products' you own, what item do you consider to be the most overpriced?

What item isn't overpriced? I think the most recent shampoo I purchased was pretty pricey but it has performed a minor miracle in the condition of my hair so it was worth every penny. I guess I'd say the repair wear products-ugh. I can't believe I need something with the word 'repair' in it. I think they need to throw some of my dollars at a new marketing scheme, don't you?

8. Insert your own random thought here.

This might really be my favorite patriotic song~God Bless America!