Wednesday Hodgepodge

I have started at least three blog posts and they sit there in my file . . .waiting on me!  Life has been a whirlwind.  My family loves to take a vacation in September and I WANT to be with my family but September through Easter is my busy season.  Actually, there is not a "not busy" season but at this time of year EVERYTHING ramps up a notch.  I feel like I'm running trying to catch up after vacation (but it was worth it!).

I thought I would blog today using Joyce's questions!

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

We had a couple of cats . . .and yes, I'm allergic to cats.  I remember a yellow cat named Tom.  The most special pet of all was a calico cat.  Her name was Missy and she was my cat.  She rode all over town in the basket on the front of my bicycle.  I wish I had a picture of the two of us!!

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

Writing this blog - yes, please!

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

September 2007?  My kids were in their Sophomore year of college.  I was working full time as the Membership Secretary at our church and I was probably at the beach!!

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?
I've never made dumplings.  I did not eat dumplings today.  I did not know that yesterday was National Dumpling Day!  Who knew??  My granny made wonderful chicken and dumplings.  I have made something similar to Apple Dumplings and they are delicious.  Mark loves Chinese dumplings.  I don't think I've ever eaten pirogi, matzoh balls, or gnocchi.

I have a good friend who loves gnocchi!  Does that count?

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 have no idea . . .I would like to pretend that I'm one who is looking for an adventure . . .but I'm not sure that accurately describes me!

I have to close with this sweet picture which has NOTHING to do with today's post.  This is my sweet mother-in-law who is WAAYY older than she looks holding our sweet grandbaby (her great grandbaby) on Sunday.  Emma loves books and so does Grandmother.  I've tried to snap a photo every time she holds Emma.  See the blue cover on the arm of the chair?  Emma is fascinated with those and changes them from chair to chair!!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Hodge Podge #315

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?
Wow - 315 sets of questions - Joyce is amazing!!  Let's see . . .I was working from home yesterday at 3:15.  I had been out of town helping my daughter and I got back around lunch time and worked from home.  Around 3:15 . . .I need an "after school" snack, don't you?  I always had a snack for my kids when they came in . . .so I think that must mean I have an afternoon slump until after a snack is consumed!!

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.
I've thrown a party . . . or three!  We've been in the entertaining mode!

3. What are three things that would help you right now. Tell us how or why.
                            1.  A day at the pool . . .with maybe just one friend . . .and a drink or two
                            2. Some extra hours in every day . . .I just need a few more hours
                            3. A million dollars???  Actually, for our daughter's townhome to sell very quickly

I hope you weren't asking for serious answers.  I can't think of serious answers because I might scream! EEK!

4. Do you think you're strong? Why or why not? What makes you strong?
I think I'm strong in several ways.  I think I'm strong because my mom died when I was 15 and my first husband left me after an 18 month marriage because he decided he was gay.  I lived through those and many other tough times and each one of those made me stronger. 
Physically . . .my legs are strong as can be - lots of muscles.  My arms . . .not so much!
Some days I'm spiritually strong - BUT ONLY when I rely on Jesus and keep my eyes on him so I can't take credit for that!!

5. Do you enjoy reading historical fiction? What's your favorite book set sometime in the past?
I love to read.  Two of my recent favorite books have been The Nightingale and Wives of War.  Both of those are historical fiction.  I don't usually read historical fiction but really enjoyed both of those.  I actually have read The Nightingale twice and I don't usually read books two times.

6. Insert your own random thought here.
It is hot as you know what here in Alabama!  I truly think we could fry eggs on the sidewalk!  I saw someone post on Facebook that it was too hot to even go to the pool . . .that is hot!

Wednesday Hodge Podge on Thursday!!

Linking up today with From This Side of the Pond -- I'm just a day late!!  I actually tried to answer the questions today with my FIRST thoughts - rather than long drawn out answers!

1. What's something you're looking forward to in the month of June?  My birthday is June 14.  Birthdays are always fun – even as an adult!!

2. In what way have you come full circle?  Back when I was in my early 20’s, I applied to the Baptist Mission Board.  I was taking Spanish at UAB (almost enough for a minor – need to refresh it!!) and I wanted to be a foreign missionary.  I was divorced . . .and the mission board sent a rejection notice to me that they couldn’t use me . . .but they were sure that God could use me somewhere.  Fast forward a million years – I teach Sunday School to a large class; I work on staff at a large church – I’m “in ministry” every day . . .God could use me – FLAWS and all!

3. Lonely Planet lists 10 spots in America you should see in 2015 and the reasons why. How many on the list have you seen? Which one on the list would you most like to see?  I would like to see all of them!!  I’ve been to New Orleans – oh how I wish I had those pics on my computer.  I may need to write a blog post about that trip and see if I can scan some of the pictures!!  I have white water rafted down the Arkansas river in Colorado.  I was freezing to death (even in a wet suit) and I was scared to death so I’m not sure I remember much of the scenery but I am SURE it was breathtaking!!

4. A song that describes your mood right now?  If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!

5. Strawberry ice cream, strawberry short cake, strawberry pie, or strawberries right off the vine...your favorite? I love all of those!  My mother-in-law makes wonderful strawberry shortcake!  She basically uses our homemade waffle batter and puts it in a pan and bakes it with additional butter.  Then you cut it into squares and cut each square horizontally.  Strawberries go in the middle and on top with a dollop of whipped cream!  We also have wonderful local strawberries . . .so sweet!!

6. Aesop's birthday is celebrated on June 4th, although there is some disagreement as to whether or not that's accurate, or if he was even a real person. Regardless, the name Aesop is associated to this day with many well known fables. Which of the following best applies to something in your life right now? The Tortoise and the Hare(Slow and Steady wins the race), The Ant and the Grasshopper (Be prepared), The Fox and the Goat (Look before you leap) or The Crow and the Pitcher (Necessity is the mother of invention)?  I guess it would be “be prepared.”  My current boss (senior minister) retires after Sunday and my new boss (designate) takes on all the duties . . .and I think we are going to hit the ground running.  So I had better be prepared!

7. The answer is yes...what's the question? Do I love my new home after living there for almost a year?  YES!  I love the inside and the outside.  I love the park in front of our house.  I love the neighborhood.  My goal is to get to know my neighbors better this year (and to meet all of them!!)  -- Hey Neighbor!

8. Insert your own random thought here.  Speaking of our home, I took a bunch of pictures of the inside of my house the other day and I think I’m going to do some “room tours” on my blog.  (of course, I took those pictures within hours of our cleaning lady’s departure !!)  I can't decide if this is a good thing to share or not.