Happy Hodgepodge!

 

Thanks to Joyce for writing the questions each week! I love joining up with the other folks to read their answers.

1. What do you make more complicated than it needs to be? 

I probably make everything more complicated than it needs to be. What can I say?

2. What impresses you? 

Acts of kindness and acts of generosity impress me. Also, a young person who is polite and well-spoken impresses me!

3. On a scale of 1-10 how picky of an eater are you?  (1=extremely and 10=not at all) If you had to eat a meal made entirely of one color what color would you choose? 

I guess I am an 8. I'm not that picky but I don't like salmon or rutabagas or sardines . . . or liver (I could eat live with gravy IF I HAD to do so and if someone else cooked it! I don't like beets in any form or fashion. I don't like oysters (I have eaten one raw oyster many years ago!). I don't like black licorice or black jelly beans! I can only take Blue Cheese in small amounts. I feel like I eat most regular meats and vegetables and most other cuisines such as Mexican, Italian, etc.. If I were at your house and you served any of those things to me, I would try my hardest to eat whatever you served. I do NOT eat cashews because they make me sick! I still don't think I'm that picky, am I? Or am I fooling myself?

4. What does balance in life mean to you? Does your life currently feel 'balanced'? 

In one of my classes in Spring Semester A, we talked a lot about living a balanced life - spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically. A balanced life means I'm spending time with God, with myself (exercise, reading for pleasure), time with family, and time with friends, along with time spent at work and time sleeping. Am I living a balanced life? I don't think so. Am I working on it? Always.

5. If you could travel the world for a year what would be your first destination? 

Do I also have an unlimited budget? If so, I want to start with Australia and New Zealand. I want to make sure I go to Japan and Thailand and Vietnam. I want to go to Iceland and I would love to go on a safari in Africa. I want to go to Morocco, and Peru and Portugal! I want to see it all! I know you just wanted first destination but it was exciting to think about all of that travel!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Mark is into cooking using his new Sous Vide immersion circulator (or whatever you call it)! He has cooked Salmon, Halibut, wild hog sausage, and by the time you read this . . . he will have cooked 7 pork tenderloins. He cooks it in the vacuum sealed bags submerged in the water until it is heated to the perfect temp and then he throws it on the grill to sear and brown the outside. Anyone at your house cook using one of these gadgets?

Happy Anniversary to Us!

 Today is our 42nd wedding anniversary! Wow! Has our marriage always been easy? Nope. Are there days we simply “put up with each other”? Yes. I’m pretty sure there have even been days when we didn’t particularly like each other — but we still loved each other.

One time I was so mad at him that I started packing a bag to leave. He said, “You can’t leave. We said until death do us part!” So I put the suitcase back in the attic, and in a few days things were probably back to normal.

People ask us how we’ve stayed married this long. One answer is our faith in Christ. We’ve always been involved in church activities, and many of our closest friends came from church. We’ve always made it a priority to be in church on Sunday mornings.

Our other rule is that we never discuss anything important after 7:00 p.m. We learned that lesson the hard way many years ago.

We are very different people. Mark loves everything outdoors — hunting, fishing, yard work — while I prefer indoor hobbies (remember, I have horrible allergies). Strangely enough, I think our marriage has actually been better in the last 15 years than it was before.

Here I am before the wedding (sorry for the photo quality — it’s a photo of a photo):

Here we are in the middle of the wedding:

My matron of honor was Karen, and the bridesmaids were my two roommates, Kaye and Faye — identical twins — along with Mark’s sister, Susie.

Mark had two best men: his daddy, Harry, and his identical twin brother, George. Did you catch that? We had TWO sets of identical twins in our wedding!

His other groomsmen were his cousin Bubba; his brother Bill (Bill is the brother who died in 2025); and Mark’s good friend, Mark L.

We were married in the same church we still attend today. Mark has been a member there his whole life.

And here we are leaving the church — we did it!

We had a reception at the church with two cakes, cheese straws, mints, nuts, and non-alcoholic punch. Back then, most people in our circle had church receptions. I’m trying to remember the first time I attended a country club or hotel reception. I know all of our friends had receptions at church.

I was almost 26, and Mark was almost 31. Wow. We were babies. And by our second anniversary, we were pregnant with twins!

So now I’ll ask all of you: what are your secrets to a long and happy marriage? (Or for some of you, maybe it was a short and happy marriage.) What advice would you give a young couple just starting out?

Weekend in Review

On Thursday morning, Mark headed to the farm and I headed to work. I sneaked off a few minutes early so that I could pick up a compounded prescription. I headed home in time to meet our Shipt Shopper, Brandon, as he delivered our groceries. Since I was alone, I watched Remarkably Bright Creatures. I had read the book, so I knew the story . . .and I still cried! I enjoyed the movie almost as much as I enjoyed the book. This is so not my genre, but I loved it!

On Friday morning, I did laundry and rode the stationary bike and make a chocolate chip pound cake and made a new recipe - Cock of the Walk Slaw. Cock of the Walk was a restaurant in Alabama -- I don't think they exist any more. Mark got home from the farm right after lunch and showered and repacked because we were headed to our friend's lake house.

We actually had nice weather, but this photo makes it look like a gloomy day!

There were three couples total and we spent lots of time talking and sitting on their porch. After breakfast on Saturday morning, one couple had to drive back to Birmingham for a piano recital for their granddaughters, but Mark and I stayed through the day.

Our friends who own the house, built it knowing that they have three children with spouses and five grandsons. That is to our benefit because that means they have guest rooms!!

Below is the view from the porch. You can see the blue sky in this one!

Mark and Guy spent some time playing cornhole.

We went on two long boatrides. Yes, I have on my sunglasses and I have my readers on top. Our daughter had texted me and I cannot read with my sunglasses on!

Our friends traded in their old boat (they had it 26 years) and bought a new one so it was fun. On our afternoon ride, there were a LOT of boats and jet skis on the water - so many that it was a little crazy.

We headed home late Saturday afternoon because I had to work on Sunday and teach Sunday School. 

After church and Sunday School, Mark stopped at Costco and bought a chicken and a bag of salad which was awesome - Sunday lunch plus my lunch to take to work on Monday.

After lunch, we took a 30 minute Sunday afternoon nap and then we cleaned house. I do not like cleaning house but Mark helped. He dusted the whole house - upstairs and downstairs while I cleaned bathrooms, watered indoor plants, swiffered the spots where the Roomba can't go, and cleaned the kitchen. The house isn't as clean as when our cleaning lady cleans it . . . but she is in the middle of a family crisis. I also rode the stationary bike and made Kodiak waffles for dinner.

Mark just said he felt like he had done nothing today and I said it is ok to be semi-lazy every once in a while!

So -- what did you do this weekend?

Sunday Stealing from Life of a Fool!

 

I am joining up with the Sunday Stealing gang. They steal the questions and we answer them!

This week our inspiration is Life of a Fool. This blogger maintains this meme has "been seen everywhere." The questions only require a simple, definitive answer, but if you'd like to elaborate, we'd like to hear what you have to say.

Which one?

1. Pepsi or Coke? Diet Pepsi - I'm drinking one as I type these answers.

2. Cappuccino or coffee? Neither - I'm not a coffee drinker. On the other hand, my husband LOVES coffee. He puts a lot of half and half in his coffee - no sugar. Before we go to bed every night, he says, "I get to wake up and have coffee!"

3. Chocolate or vanilla? Either one is good. I usually eat a sugar free fudgsicle every day. Mark and our son, Glenn, have been making homemade vanilla extract for the last couple of years and it is pretty good.

4. Hot tea or iced tea? I live in the deep south! We drink iced tea. If you are in a restaurant in Alabama, and you order tea, the question is not hot or iced. The question is "sweet or unsweetened." Some people like a lot of sugar in their tea.

5. Dinner for two or a party? Both! Sometimes a dinner for two is just right! Sometimes a party is extra special!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. What's one piece of advice you would you give a recent or soon-to-be graduate? 

As soon as your new employer allows you to do so, sign up for whatever savings plan they offer -- if they match your contributions, sign up for the maximum you can give! Also, if you move away from your friends and family, find a small group - look up the churches around your new home and see if they offer a group for young adults. Travel as much as you can afford!! Enjoy life, but don't allow yourself to get into credit card debt.

2. May 15th marks the birth date of L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. At this point in time are you more in need of brains, courage, heart, or a trip back home? Explain. 

Let's see . . .I guess brains?? Being back in college at my age requires lots of thought! Also, I have some big projects coming up at work in August so I will need to plan carefully which also requires lots of thought!

3.  "There's no place like home" is an oft repeated line from Baum's book. When was the last time you felt the truth of that statement? 

When my sister and I are together, location doesn't matter. It feels like "home." Also, we have a close knit group of friends and no matter where we are, when we are together it feels like "home." Last but not least, when I went to my 50th high school reunion last month, being around those people I knew for the first 18 years of my life felt oddly "at home-ish" though I have NO DESIRE to move back to that side of town.

4. May is National BBQ Month...do you own a grill? Who does the grilling at your house? What's your favorite thing to throw on the grill? What's the last thing you grilled? 

We own a Phoenix grill and a Pit Barrel smoker. Mark is the grillmaster at our house. Burgers are always good on the grill and we had those for Mother's day lunch! Most any meat is good after cooking on the grill or smoker.

5. What's a memory you replay in your head when you need a little joy? 

It is not a specific memory, but when I need to calm down or need a little joy, I often close my eyes and imagine I am on the beach in Orange Beach, AL. I can hear the waves and feel the sun and smell the salty air.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Mark and his siblings are closing on their mother's house today. It is bittersweet. The house needs to be sold yet there are 60 years of Mark and George's memories in that house. She died in June of 2024 so it is time for some closure.

Weekend in Review

 

On Thursday night, we met 7 others from our Sunday School class at Okinawa. We've been to three "new to us" restaurants in the last month! Mark loves Sushi (not I) and they also had Hibachi plates - I ordered shrimp with vegetables and rice. It was so much food that I shared with Mark! The conversation was great and I think everyone had a good time!

On Friday morning, I picked up two of my closest friends and we headed to the Birmingham Museum of Art. Both of them celebrated birthdays in April and I bought tickets for us to go together. The exhibit was Monet to Matisse. I keep saying it backwards! It was a lovely exhibit. I didn't take any photos of us!

Birmingham is just a mid-sized city but we have a really nice Museum of Art.

We completed our tour right around lunch time so we headed to the cafe - Cafe BMA. This is a stock photo I found online. It was full on Friday. It is a small menu but there were several French items on the menu and my two friends ordered fun entrees. One ordered jambon-beurre (a ham and butter sandwich) with housemade potato chips! The other ordered chicken crepes. I ordered a yummy salad with grilled shrimp!

Our daughter and son-in-law and their two daughters drove up for a visit. Mark was supervising in the park and I looked through the window and he was swinging. Laura and I went for Mother's Day pedicures while the baby napped and Pops played with the middle granddaughter.

This was later in the afternoon and they had been outside playing. Look at that sweaty head!! 

They always get out the duplos.

The little one decided to get comfy! She told her daddy, "out" - meaning she wanted him out of the chair so she could sit in it!

Our nephew proposed to his girlfriend this weekend so my sister-in-law was having a surprise engagement party/family BBQ on Saturday night. My co-worker gifted these pants to me and I was so excited they fit. They are a MUCH smaller size - yippee!

My head is at a weird angle in all of these photos. I have three granddaughters, but only two were at our house.

Below is our daughter, me, and her two girls.

We arrived at the party and Susie had done an excellent job of decorating. Are these big signs popular where you live? They are VERY popular here.

Susie always has craft supplies around so she had paper wedding dresses for the bigger girls to decorate. I have no idea why she has her tongue sticking out at me - just being silly, I guess!

The bride-to-be's parents, her brother and his girlfriend, all flew in to be a part of the surprise (the biggest part actually). The people in the photo below all belong to us :-).

Since Glenn was at the party, I was able to grab a photo with both of our kids . . .and a tiny photobomber! I am so much shorter than our children - I used to be 5' 5" - not sure what I am these days. This was the first mother's day weekend I've had with both kids in quite a few years.

The bride-to-be's dad made up some game for them to play. Laura and Scott needed to leave to put the kids to bed at our house .  .  . so I rode back to our house with them and left my key for Mark.

Our oldest grand was all about playing the game with them haha!

The sweet couple (below)

Our oldest grand sharing one of the things she made for them.

This is a horrible photo of me - when I take selfies, I look cross-eyed! I asked the eye doctor about it and she said, it happens to lots of folks!

I was a happy mother on Mother's Day.

When I got home from work, they had

grilled burgers and we were able

to sit down and eat as a family

before our daughter and family had to jump in the car and

head back home.

These people are my heart!

Sunday Stealing by Thunks

 

Welcome to Sunday Stealing. Our host steals all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Cheers to all of us thieves!

Once upon a time, in a blogosphere far, far away, there was a popular meme called Thursday Thunks. Alas, the thunking stopped back in 2011.

Thursday Thunks

1. Is there anyone whose home you enter without knocking? Does anyone (who doesn't live with you) have permission to enter your home without knocking?

We used to enter Mark's mother's house without knocking. We would unlock the door and start in, but we would call out that we were there. Our kids enter our house without knocking. On Tuesday night, we have an open door policy for the young professionals. They just walk right on in.

2. Tell us about a school trip you took.

Y'all - school was a long long time ago! I only remember going on one field trip and it was to the planetarium. I was a chaperone on many trips with our kids - everything from a potato chip factory - we received chips while still warm - to Alabama Old Town and the capital in Montgomery. We went to a water treatment plant once - that was unusual! 

3. Name three things within arm's reach right now (but they can't relate to your phone, computer or laptop).

My big cup of water is within reach, as is my purse, and a container of Orbit gum.

4. Weather permitting, do you dry your clothes outdoors on a clothesline?

I do not. I have horrible allergies and right now, in Alabama, the pollen falls and covers everything within a short span of time. As I am typing this on Friday afternoon, our dryer is running behind me and it has been running a large portion of today! I do remember my mama drying clothes on our clothesline when I was growing up!

5. If every flower in the world only bloomed in one color, what color would you like to see?

My immediate response is pink, because I love pink -- but I also love yellow flowers!

Thank you for playing! Please come back next week.