Wednesday Hodgepodge:

Thank you Joyce for another week of great questions.  Join in on the fun all!


1. The Summer Olympics officially begin this Friday night...will you be watching? If you could see just one event in person which one would you pick?
I have not set my alarm to remind me to catch the opening ceremonies but I hope to see some of it.  I would like to see the Taekwondo and the Aquatics events.

2. Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?

Yes, there are days that I feel rested because I really needed a day of rest but other times (more often than not) I feel unproductive because I am a type-A person and need to always be doing something.

3.  July 25th is 'officially' Threading the Needle Day...can you sew? On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being not at all and 10 being Betsy Ross-like, how would you rate your skill with a needle and thread?

I had no idea that the 25th is "Threading the Needle Day"  Thanks for letting us all know Joyce.  Yes I can sew, I made the kids PJ's when they were little and do enjoy sewing for the house.  I guess I'd give myself a 7 since I don't do quilts and don't make my clothes now.

4. 'Threading the Needle' can also mean to walk a fine line between two things or issues (think awkward social situation). When was the last time you had to 'thread the needle', figuratively speaking?

WOW this is hard. I really don't remember the last time I had to "Thread the Needle". Guess I've not been in an awkward social situation in a long time.

5.  Kidney, pinto, black, or navy...your favorite bean?

I'm not a huge fan of any of those but if they are in a soup or Chili I will eat them. I like the green bean, yellow bean and Jelly bean variety.

6. Have you ever hosted a garage sale? Was it more success or bust?
No, never hosted a garage sale.  I usually donate items to those sales so that I can get rid of stuff however.  So it's a success for me.

7. What makes you roll your eyes?

My husband comes up with stuff that makes my eyes roll! He has a great sense of humor but every once in a while, he comes out with something really weird and off the wall!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I have two thoughts as  my brain is in overload this week.
Like most of country, we are hot and dry up here. Because we are pretty far up north in the realms of things, we are not as hot as some of you down south.  I think we all need a few days of gently all day rain, however I see that London is getting it instead.  May we all keep cool and have a great week.

My thoughts and prayers are with the people who have suffered and lost so much in Aurora, CO. May God send peace and comfort to everyone there. 

Weekend Forecast

The weekend forecast for our neck of the woods looks nice except we really need rain!  That is small compared to what I've been reading from other blogger's. Seems they need more that just cooler temps.

Many people are having a hard time it seems.  Drought, very high temps, sick children, failed crops (it's they way of earning a living), and lost jobs.  I've been reading a lot of other post and seeing so many things going wrong for others. I do pray for all of you.

For you all, I leave you with this simple children's song to remind us all that we have joy.
Take heart - Our God is So Big, So Strong and so Mighty, there's NOTHING our God can not do!




Have a great weekend everyone, see you Monday.

A Clean Kitchen=A Great Day

I love a clean kitchen don't you?  You have a great dream and wake up refreshed. You climb out of bed, go the bathroom to...you know, and head towards the kitchen.

You turn on the light and look towards the coffee pot. You find that it's all set to turn on and soon you can smell the aroma of fresh hot coffee.

As you reach into the cabinet to get your favorite cup you notice just how clean the kitchen is.  The sink is empty and shinning, the counters are all clean and whipped down, the floor is clean, the rugs vacuumed.

You can easily move around your kitchen and enjoy what you are looking at. Grab that coffee, make some toast and put some Nutella on it. 

Someone took the time to dust and mop down the counter tops, shine the sink, take out the trash and generally make it look all nice.

Small bowl at the bottom is August's, Large bowl in center is shared water dish, Medium bowl on the right is Becke's

Even the pets have a nice clean place to eat and all is right is with your world. After all just the day before the kitchen was a mess of dishes in the sink and on the counters, food on the floor, unopened mail on another counter and crumbs all over the stove.  It was a mess!

Waking up to this sight put me in a good mood for the entire day! Does it do that for you as well? 

Do you know that God wants to clean up the mess in our lives?  He wants to get the dirty sins out of our lives.  He sends us mail (the Bible) to refresh our lives every morning, and gets all the crumbs of our broken, battered, sick lives and washes them away in Baptism.  He takes the mess that is our lives and makes them shine.  Isn't that a great way to start our day?  Just a thought for today.

Wednesday Hodgepodge: The Olympics of Life!

I don't know how Joyce does it but her questions always fit the events in the world and this weeks questions are perfect.  Come join us please by clicking on her button or answer the questions here.


1. The Summer Olympics begin next week and London is playing host. If you had the chance to go in person which (non-Olympic) London site would you most like to visit?

I would love to go back to the Air Force Base where we were back in 1976 and see if our old house. The base is now closed and so it is most likely not there so my next place would be Well-Next-The-Sea where we spend time on the sand.

2. What is something in your life right now that feels like an Olympic event?

A busy rest of summer with things to do makes me  feel like I'm running a marathon and I'm going to make it, but man that finish line is a LONG way off.

3. What's your favorite supper to prepare and serve when it's too hot to cook?

I like really cold salad with grilled chicken on top!  Add some ice tea and ice cream and I have the perfect supper.

4. July 18th is National Get Out of the Doghouse Day...when was the last time you were 'in the doghouse'?

WOW, I can't remember the last time I was in the dog house. But our dogs are treated really well so it would not be a bad place to be.

5. What television advertisement do you find particularly irritating or inappropriate? You may not answer with 'all of them'. I know some of you were thinking about it.

I really hate all the political adds that we are getting. Each side is making up stuff and stretching the truth so that the ads are just wrong.  And it's only July!! It will just get worst.

6. Share one piece of interesting news from the year you were born. 

You mean besides my birth?? Well then the second interesting thing was that Peanut M&M's are created. (Thank God!)

7. What's the best part of your average day?

This is the easiest question EVER!  The best part of my average day is anytime I get to spend with Hubby! Just look at that baby face!!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Don't hate me but I've started my Christmas Shopping. I do this every year.  I have 4 people on the west coast to buy for and 3 of them also have Birthdays so I have a lot to get together and get in the mail right after Halloween.  The first birthday is November 11th!  I shop on line and play Christmas music, as well as go to stores and look for things.  I like Christmas, I don't like shopping in bad weather and fighting lines.

Your turn now!

An Example from Dogs

When we took August to the beech a few weeks ago, we knew he would feel overwhelmed by it all so we stopped along the way where the rocks were and let him walk around the rocks and look at the ocean from a safe distance.

He enjoyed seeing the water and exploring the rocks as well as smelling the salt water in the air.

We did this on purpose, so as we got closer to the water, he would be ready.

He was with his mommy and he knew his mommy was going to keep him safe. He likes his mommy. His mommy likes him as well.

He likes him daddy too. Daddy keeps him safe as well!  In fact, it was Daddy's idea to stop along the way.

Once we got to the ocean, we stayed right in the shore line. Where the water just lapped the sand and it was safe.

Then we went out a little farther, where there were waves, very small ones, but then again, August is only 11 inches tall! 

His sister stayed with him showing the ease of the water and the joy of pawing the waves.

Together, they played in the waves, walked the sand, and visited the people there.  Together, the day was a hit. August could have had an entirely different day if he let his fears rule him.  But with help from others, who care for him, the day was just wonderful.

My point to this story is to remind me (and encourage you) that although things seem scary, I too have a Father who loves me and cares for me and sends me friends and loved ones to Cheer me up, help me see the joy and stand by me through the scary parts.  

John 16:33 "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!"

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

Don't let the day get you down. Trust in Him and smile because He is caring for you, standing by you, walking with you, showing you how to laugh.

Living in the moment: Finding beauty in Today

I've been weighted down lately with things that are not very important. Things in the future that I have no control over and yet, I find myself thinking of them and wondering about them.  Lately, God has been showing me that I am more important than so many "other" things. He is caring for me in many ways

There is beauty all around me, flowers that bloom in my front yard.

In fact, I have a lot of them in my front yard. They line the driveway.

Tucked inside of them are houses for birds. God gives me a house here on earth and someday in heaven as well.

He shows me the joy of running and playing as if no one is watching.

And shows me the wisdom of resting

He makes room for little ones to play

And reminds me that on National Ice Cream Day, I can be a "Little One"

He sends me gifts, just on the day that my heart is the heaviest

And in the mist of a drought, promises rain.

There is beauty all around me. All I have to do is open my eyes - TODAY

Matthew 6:34  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Joyce did a great job with this weeks questions.  You know what to do so join in the fun and thank you Joyce.

1. How often do you check the weather? How do you check the weather?

I check the weather often to check local weather, week's extended forecast and friend's weather.  I check weather in San Diego, CA (son and his family), Mooresville, NC (friend), and Anchorage, AK  (another friend). I use my iPhone app "Weather Live."

85 was our weather at the time I took this photo

2. Since this is volume 84 of the Wednesday Hodgepodge, and since I got married in 1984, and since I'm attending a wedding this weekend it only seems right to post something related here.

"Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life."

Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

Agree or Disagree. Why?

I think that in our case opposites did attract.  We didn't know a lot about each other (although we thought we did, young love!) As we grew as people, we also grew as a couple, learned to get along, learned to share and learned to communicate. So I guess I agree.  Love covered a lot of the "defects of the person with whom we were to pass our lives."

3. Do you like to dance? Have you ever taken dance lessons?

I LOVE to dance and that is very different from being good at dancing!!!  Gerry and I took Square Dancing lessons in the past and had a blast learning both square and round dancing.  A good friend and I took Belly Dancing lessons, complete with hip scarfs and bare feet!  Took country line dancing as well!  So, it may not be the traditional dancing that most people think of, but I'm not a traditional kind of person.

4. Fresh from the oven peach pie or home made peach ice cream? Pick one.

Summertime means peach ice cream. Who wants to turn on the oven when its 85 out!

Photo by Google

5. Should people accept unfairness and learn to make the best of it?

The only thing that is fair about living on this planet, is that it is unfair to everyone! Make the best of it, learn from it, grow because of it and be a better person.

6. The top five all time summer movie blockbusters (released between May and August and grossing at least 100 million dollars) are-Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars (the original), Ghostbusters, and ET. Which one's your favorite?

Star Wars! The force was with me for a long time.  I love science fiction and this movie was one that spoke to me.

7. If given the chance, would you like to visit the moon?

As much as I hate heights, I would say yes!  I would love to see the earth from the view point of the moon. And look at our country's flag still up there.

Photo from National Geographic website

8. Insert your own random thought here.
The Summer Olympics will start July 27th. On the news tonight, they were talking about all the security that is in place now and how, as we get closer to the start of this great event, it will only get stronger.  I'm glad I don't live in London right now.  It's nuts!!!

Looking Back - It feels like yesterday.

Back in 1976 Gerry (Hubby), myself and our son were living on R.A.F. Sculthorpe, England.  Gerry was in the Air Force and was stationed there. It was a very small base that had both American and Royal Air Force personnel on it.  I loved it there.  We had a neighbor living across the street who was Scottish and he would run out to wash his car in the rain!  Really he did, I kid you not!  He also loaned us his color TV when he went on vacation because he still had to pay the TV license fee on it so "Someone better be watching it" you know and since we had a black and white TV, we loved having his color TV in our living room for the week.  (You didn't have free a TV in England at the time, you had to buy a license to legally receive the TV signal. A color TV license was more expensive than a black & white TV license.)

While living there our beautiful daughter was born! She was 3 weeks late and I was so glad to finally see her.  We had been waiting a long time to have another child. Her brother was already 4 1/2 after all!  She was not born at Sculthorpe because there was no hospital there (too small) so the medic drove me to  R.A.F. Lakenheath, some 50 miles away.
On back roads.

With lots of bumps in them.

In the speeding Ambulance.

Gerry still got to the hospital before us.

Because my labor had stopped and the medic was hungry we stopped so he could get something to eat.

I'm thoughtful that way...
And no one had cell phones then.

But she was born in the hospital and she was perfect!!

She was always observing something!  She always needed to be where the action was.

She always had hair! Lots of it!  Big brown eyes and reddish blond hair and the cutest face ever.

I loved watching her sleep. What is it about sleeping children that makes every mothers' heart melt?  Maybe it's just the fact for a brief amount time, they are not in some sort of mischief.  Maybe it's because they look like angels.

I loved dressing her up like the princess that she is.  I made this dress!  I made a lot of her clothes when she was younger.  Maybe that's why she became a tom boy - to get out of the dresses!!

But early on, she added in her unique fashion style like the boots here!  I did try to teach her to cook, I failed-miserably!  Luckily she married someone who really taught her and now she is a great cook!!

In the 80's we took this photo of the two of us!  Look at those glasses!! Oh my I had forgotten about those. But the star here is her. Our little girl! Her reddish blond hair was now a beautiful brown.

Our little girl was always Daddy's girl. She still is.  She is all grown up with children of her own. She is the mother of the grand girls that I talk about and she is such a great mother.  She does it all with grace and sweetness, and gentleness and love.

Happy Birthday to our Daughter, 

I have wanted you long before you were conceived.

I have waited for you every since I knew you were joining our family.

I have loved you every day of your life.

I have prayed for you every day from before you were born.

I have enjoyed your baby years, your growing up years, and your adult years.

I have been, and am now, proud of the woman you became.

Thank you for being my daughter.

Thank you for the man you chose to marry and Thank you for the grandchildren I get to play with.

May you have a wonderful Birthday.

When did you get to be so grown up?

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday America!

Have a great Day

Enjoy love ones

Stay safe

See you tomorrow

I must have done something good!

July 1, 1972

There is a song in the Sound of Music called "Something Good" One of the lines says "Nothing comes from nothing. Nothing ever could. So somewhere in my youth or childhood. I must have done something good ."

That is how I feel about my life with my Hubby, Gerry.  We were married right out of high school. No one thought it would work out. We were too young, nothing in common, he was leaving for the Air Force and would never be faithfull. But we did it any way because we were best friends and we were in love.  So we started our lives, together.

And he and me became "We". 

It was not always easy, after all we are imperfect people living together. But Love and time  worked everything out.  After 40 years, we are still together and still in love and still best friends.

We started our celebration by taking the dogs up north to York Maine to walk around the beech.  Becke is a seasoned beech goer. She doesn't like to swim in the water but will walk along the edge with me and meet and greet people who can not resist how beautiful and calm she is.

August has never seen the ocean. He is small remember so he is afraid of a lot of things. We stopped along the way to York beech and let August see the ocean for the first time ever from a distance.

He loved seeing it and explored the rocks and sand but didn't have to go to the sea! Smart move on our part.

He enjoyed the wind in his face and smelling the sea air. So when we got to the ocean, he was ready!

With his big sister close by, August braved the cold water and splashed in the water a bit.

His big sister gave him the courage to go up to people and meet and greet and when he didn't want to meet someone, big sister stood between him and the person, allowing herself to be petted instead of him. August didn't bark at people or stuff or anything!  That is HUGE to those of us who know August and how timid he can be.

Sunday, the fun continued with lunch out at the Copper Door and then with our small group who gave us an ice cream cake that I would have taken a picture of but we ate it so fast that there was nothing left, it was that good!  

July 1, 2012

Happy Anniversary to us and may we be blessed with 40 more!!