Snowy HodgePodge

Joining Joyce and the group...

1. When did someone last suggest you 'chill out'...Or, When did you last tell yourself to 'chill out'?

Lying on the chiropractor's massage table, I was reminding myself to breathe deeply and relax.  Adjustments help but they also can cause me to be a little tense.  Oxygen certainly helps me at those times.

2. What most recently caused my heart to melt? Seeing my 'Heavenside' girlfriend's daughter marry.
she used to talk to me about one day getting to see her baby marry.  
Pancreatic cancer kills dreams...praying for a cure. 

3.  "An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered." G.K. Chesterton  

When did you last experience either an adventure or an inconvenience? 
How did you see it at first, as an adventure or an inconvenience?  Does it feel the same in hindsight?  While facilitating Bible classes the evil one tries to push me toward the thought of inconveniences. (There is a large amount of study and planning involved in reading for each class.) 
However, praying for our class keeps me eager to see and hear God showing them something new about Him. 
Knowing Him beats knowing knowledge any day. 

4.  A Wendy's Frosty, root beer in a frosty mug, or a frosted chocolate cupcake...of these three, which one is your favorite 'frosty' treat? I VOTE FOR A FROSTY. ..EVEN IN THE WINTER.

5. Would you say your life so far this year has been more like a circus or a symphony? Circus life for me...balancing a few balls in the air with classes, doctor appointments, and staying with my mom for a few days.  
Time has certainly changed her daily activities; her inability to see clearly due to macular degeneration, is cumbersome and heartbreaking. 
So, finding new ways to keep her 'seeing the bright side of life', even if it is in the dark is one, is a goal we as children must attempt
. 
6. Since it's a 'snow day' here, what's your favorite song containing the word 'white'?  

---

WHITER THAN SNOW
Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;

I want Thee forever to live in my soul.

Break down every idol, cast out every foe;

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain

Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow.

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lord Jesus, let nothing unholy remain,

Apply Thine own blood and extract ev’ry stain;

To get this blest cleansing, I all things forego—

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies,

And help me to make a complete sacrifice.

I give up myself, and whatever I know,

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat,

I wait, blessèd Lord, at Thy crucified feet.

By faith, for my cleansing, I see Thy blood flow,

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lord Jesus, Thou seest I patiently wait,

Come now, and within me a new heart create;

To those who have sought Thee, Thou never saidst “No,”

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

The blessing by faith, I receive from above;

O glory! my soul is made perfect in love;

My prayer has prevailed, and this moment I know,

The blood is applied, I am whiter than snow.

7. If you had to leave the city you currently live in, what would you find the hardest to leave behind?  My prayer group

8. Insert your own random thought here:
If you'd like to memorize some scriptures, join us at Living Proof Ministries & Beth Moore #ssmt2015

John 8:31

"If you continue in my word, then you are truly Disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." Blessings,

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

1. What's your worst food memory?  How about one of your best?
WORST:

McDonald's surprised me with broken light bulb in my "two all beef patties special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onion s, on a sesame seed bun"...thankfully it didn't cut my mouth...my parents were NOT happy.  

BEST:

What fun it was on a date with my first boyfriend and his family at a 'swanky' restaurant her in town...ordered escargot for the 1st time...blown away by it's wonderful garlic butter, panko crumbs and cute little 'plucking' fork...what a GREAT night that was for me at the age of 16...one of the first times feeling 'big'.

 2. Do you appreciate people telling it like it is, or would you rather a speaker temper his/her words and maybe beat around the bush a little?  How about when you're the one communicating...which type are you?
My appreciating speakers varies sometimes according to my time limitations...sometimes my ears are needing to move on to other things; however, truth and common sense play into it also for me.  Blowing smoke and deception turn me quickly. 

Over the years I've had to become more of a 'driving' speaker to my husband, because he doesn't want to hear a lot of fluff, hahah!  I can be wonderfully flowery with my gal pals though!


 3. What's your favorite place to hang out?

My blue leather recliner fits my body very nicely...and there's a sweet spot on the loveseat in our parlor at church. 
 4. When do you most feel like you're a slave to time?
Having dinner on the table between 6:00 and 7:00...sometimes bittersweet now that collegegirl is out on her own; always have someone missing from the table now.
5. What was the last concert you attended?  Who'd you go with? Was it any good?
July 4th our chancel choir at church performed their "Independence Day" celebration with full orchestra and Biblical readings/vignettes.
 6. Reality TV...harmful or harmless?  What's your guilty pleasure when it comes to reality TV?
There is no such things as reality tv; they've convince so many people that tv is real...believe me, it is not. 

I entertain the silliness of DUCK DYNASTY and their continuing in witness as they visit churches and give their testimonies.

7. What's something you think is overrated?
Being on reality tv is overrated...look deep at the many who have done it...certainly doesn't seem their lives are better because of it

kind of like politics and its ability to ruin someone's decision making.

8.  My RANDOM THOUGHT:  our MIRACLE!

MY GREAT NIECE, KATIE, WAS DISCHARGED FROM THE HOSPITAL

8 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING A NEW HEART!  

THIS IS HER HEART SURGEON...

Thank you, Dr. Kogon











FIRST OUTING in the sun, 8 days post heart transplant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uncle Charles and I are so proud of you FOR: 

keeping the doctors and nurses on their toes

and loving on them like you love on US! 

 

I'm so eager to see you but I have a cold and don't want to share the germs with you. 

 

You keep loving on MoMo until I can see you for REALZ, okay? 

 

(I love You, Lord, and I lift my voice. To worship You, oh, my soul rejoice! Take joy, my King, in what you hear! May it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear!)



 

MY NOTES MONDAY

UH OH…

ALL DAY YESTERDAY, I was reminding myself NOT to forget…

REMEMBERED TO SET the alarm clock last night

8AM CAME VERY EARLY after only sleeping 4 hours

LEFT THE HUBS A NOTE of my morning activities

PICKED UP COFFEE for the small group

LEFT A MESSAGE WITH MY C0-volunteer since I was running a little late BUT on my way

ANSWERED MY CELL QUICKLY when co-volunteer called me back…our date to serve it NEXT WEEK

uuuuuuggggggghhhhhhh

so, I had to find something FUNNY…to help my mood

What about this?




or this?




or this?


What ‘hormoneless’ brain flatulence have you had recently?

108th HODGEPODGE

   JOINING JOYCE AND GROUP…

1. What is ONE thing or area in your home or life you hope to report is completely organized when 2013 draws to a close?  Do you have a plan to make it happen?

CLOSETS AND OUR BASEMENT…
GRADUALLY PACKING BOXES TO BE DELIVERED TO A LOCAL CONSIGNMENT SHOP…$22 SO FAR…MORE IMPORTANT TO GET IT OUT THAN TO MAKE THE MONEY

2. What's the worst uniform you've ever had to wear for a job?  NEVER HAVE WORN A UNIFORM FOR BUSINESS…USED TO HAVE TO WEAR SUITS TO WORK, AND THE WORST PART ABOUT THAT WAS THE HEELS….

COMMUTING IN TENNIS SHOES/OVERCOAT WAS MY SAVING GRACE…FOR 15 YEARS I TROMPED IN AND OUT OF THE TRAIN STATION.

3. What was your last kitchen 'mishap'? This question comes to you courtesy of Betty who blogs over at A Glimpse Into Midlife...everyone go say hi to Betty!  REACHING FOR A LARGE BOWL, KNOCKED A SOUP BOWL OUT OF THE CUPBOARD, BREAKING IT TO PIECES…

4. How do you protect yourself from other people's negativity?  TRY TO IGNORE IT

5. Who in your family do you most resemble (physically)? If you have children, who do people say they favor? Do you agree?  MY DADDY GAVE ME MANY OF HIS PHYSICAL TRAITS…

LITTLE HANDS/FEET, SAME JAW STRUCTURE, SAME EYES…AND SKOOTS HAS MANY OF THE SAME

6. January 8th is National Bubble Bath Day...will you be celebrating?  NOPE, CAN’T DO BUBBLE BATHS…TOO MANY ISSUES ARISE IF I LATHER AND LINGER IN SOAPY WATER…

MAKE IT A HOT BATH WITH NO SOAP AND I’M GOOD TO ENJOY

7. Some of the 'world's best winter festivals' are - Mardi Gras (New Orleans), Quebec Winter Festival (Canada), Sundance Film Festival (Park City, Utah), Rio Carnivale (Brazil), Sapporo Snow Festival (Japan), Venice Carnivale (Italy) and the Harbin Ice Festival (Northern China). Of those listed (and if cost were not a factor) which would you most like to attend and why?
MY CHOICE WOULD BE VENICE’S CARNIVALE IN ITALY…

DAUGHTER loved ITALY SO MUCH AND I REALLY WANT TO SEE IT FOR MYSELF AND GET TO TASTE THEY WONDERFULLY PREPARED FOODS

8. Random thought here:
Today was a return-t0-crocheting day for our Prayer Shawl Ministry…we had fun meeting new people, catching up, sewing on crosses, adding Ministry tags and loading our NEW shawl closet.  Here’s the group,

and here are some of the ladies loading the cabinet…

(although, when I first looked at the picture it reminded me of my ‘boogie woogie’ dancing days)….

What do you think?

IN SUMMARY: 
CLEARING OUT more tomorrow, thankful for NOT having to commute on a bus/train every day, wondering what my NEXT mishap will be, praying NOT to come across negatively, missing my sweet Daddy’s laugh and smile, jealous of all the ladies who WILL BE having a bubble bath, making a new jar to save $$ for Italy and eager to start my next Prayer Shawl project after I finish this post.
Thanks for hosting, Joyce!

TWENTY THIRTEEN’S FIRST HODGEPODGE

JOINING JOYCE’S FIRST HODGEPODGE OF 2013

1. How did you ring in the new year?
WATCHING BOWL GAMES, SIPPING A WINE SPRITZER, THEN WATCHING NEW YORK’S BALL AND ATLANTA’S PEACH DROP… WHILE EAGERLY AWAITING SKOOT’S ARRIVAL BACK HOME AFTER CELEBRATING WITH FRIENDS.

2. What is one thing you are looking forward to in 2013?
TAKING A PAINTING CLASS AT A LOCAL STORE…MAYBE AN ACRYLIC CLASS.

3. Steven Spielberg is quoted as saying, 'All of us every single year, we're a different person. I don't think we're the same person all our lives.' What say you?
ONCE CAN’T POSSIBLY CONTINUE TO LIVE WITHOUT CHANGING…SCIENTIFICALLY SPEAKING, WE ARE AGING…CELLS DYING, SKIN GROWING, TEETH YELLOWING, HAHAHAH…(you know there’s a commercial about that now…), and GOD SPEAKS TO OUR HEARTS DAILY, TELLING US HOW TO STEP AWAY FROM OUR SELF-CENTEREDNESS AND LIVE IN COMPASSION AND SERVICE. 

4. The Pantone color of the year for 2013 is emerald green. Like or dislike?  Do you already own something this color? Will you add something in this shade to your home or wardrobe in 2013?  IT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE COLORS...ANYTHING IN THE ROYAL COLORS MATCHES MY SKIN TYPE, SO I'VE ALWAYS LIKED NOT BEING 'DRAINED' BY THEM.  I LOVE SCARVES...AND THEY ALL HAVE MANY OF THE JEWEL TONES IN THEM.  I MAY ADD SOME EMERALD GREEN TOWELS TO MY BATHROOM THIS YEAR...THAT WOULD BE NICE

5. Speaking of emerald...what's your favorite gemstone?  AMETHYST IS MY FAVORITE GEM…BECAUSE IT IS MY BIRTH STONE.

6. Share a favorite book or movie from 2012.  I SO HAD NOT WANTED TO GO SEE LES MISERABLES….IT ALWAYS SOUNDED SO DEPRESSING TO ME, AND THE PICTURES DIDN’T HELP.  HOWEVER, A PERSISTENT BROTHER-IN-LAW TALKED ME INTO JOINING THE CLAN TO SEE IT OVER THE CHRISTMAS BREAK.  I WAS TOTALLY INTRIGUED WITH THE SINGING, THE TALENT OF THE SINGERS AND THE SOLID ROCK OF CHRISTIANITY THAT RANG OUT THROUGH THE THEME OF THE CHARACTERS.  IT IS A SOUNDTRACK I WILL BE BUYING…WHO’D A THUNK?? 

7. What is something you want to tell yourself at the start of this brand new year?

Jer. 31:10 "Hear this, nations! God's Message! Broadcast this all over the world! Tell them, 'The One who scattered Israel will gather them together again. ...I'll convert their weeping into laughter, lavishing comfort, invading their grief with joy. I'll make sure their priests get three square meals a day and that my people have more than enough." God's Decree.w year?

8. Insert your own random thought here.  I COOKED MY FIRST DUCK YESTERDAY…IT WILL NOT BE MY LAST.

HODGEYNESS THIS WEDNESDAY

Welcome to this edition of Joyce’s Wednesday Hodgepodge.  Be sure to add your link at the bottom of Joyce's post. 

Here are my answers-

1.  Noah Webster was born this week in 1758...(wonder what he’d say about last night’s debate)

I own several dictionaries…softback, hardback, digital…nowadays the digital is getting more use simply because of the ease of going straight there while I’m composing posts or reading articles.

2.  Our public schools ban Halloween celebrations yet call their festivals FALL festivals…and the kids sometimes where costumes.  We typically did them on Saturdays so as NOT to take up school time.

3.  My favorite 'dog' movie as a child was OLD YELLER…
my fav as an adult is MARLEY AND ME
 
 
 
…sweet stories, both of them.

 
 
 
 








4. I don’t remember the last somewhere I would describe as 'too quiet'…speaks to our anxiety in this country, methinks.  

5. Neat cooking is what I desire…cleaning along the way; now the reality sometimes turns out much differently.

6.I heard about Felix Baumgartner, the skydiver who broke the sound barrier via parachute.  My first thought went straight to the safety issues surrounding that kind of extremism. 
 
I enjoyed hearing MORE the perspective of Dr. Jon Clark, who led his medical team…
Dr. Clark’s wife, Dr. Laurel Clark, was Commander on NASA’s Columbia mission back in the 80’s.  (third from the left in the picture)

His reason for being involved was covered by Katie Couric on her show…loved his perspective; it actually gave this adventure a much better conclusion in my opinion, rather than it just being a thrill for Mr. Baumgartner.
 
 





7. FELTERGARB should be a word, but only lives at my house (this is my remembrance of what was said on on the 1978 old Battlestar Gallactica meaning “oh cr*p”…the word they said was FELDERCARB but my ears heard FELTERGARB)…and I still say it incorrectly, actually I like my version better.
I say it when I get frustrated, or hurt a finger.

8. I’m hoping Joyce takes some really GREAT pictures of the leaves; we don’t have much color down here yet.  Have fun, Joyce!
skoots1mom 

PROJECT 365…week nine

Week 9…come join us over at Sara’s.

Have you ever made waffles using canned cinnamon rolls? 
They are so good, as long as you cook them on a lower waffle setting.  I found that the cinnamony-sugar tops would adhere themselves to the waffle iron if it was too hot. 

Very quick, and no mixing required…just pop them out of their packaging, spray your waffle iron and set them on the ‘low’ waffle setting…once the steam begins to settle, they are ready to lift out, add butter and top with your confectioner’s sugar or maple syrup.

click the pics for larger pictures

An unexpected visitor stopped by one day this week…



He was VERY fast when he decided to slither away from the front porch.



Storms clouds were moving in when I walked out to the mailbox on Friday…this was the storm cell moving in that caused so much damage from here up through Indiana…


Prayers are still going out for those impacted by the storms…

Pork chops in Chablis-glazed mushroom gravy, lima beans and ‘old timey’ pear salads were our dinner one night this week…

I thought they were very pretty on my ‘fruit of the spirit’ cutting board

Finally, I enjoyed getting some shots of my Bradford pear trees that are budding/blooming about two weeks too early…

We're expecting some ‘freezing’ weather tonight and I'm afraid it will put a bad mojo on these little pretties.

DAY 2...LISTS

JOINING susand @ THIS DAY...(JUST CLICK THE ABOVE TO JOIN WITH US)   Her challenge:Quest for 25 photos even though the calendar is full; let's NOT miss photo opportunities; make sure you're in at least a few photos; may not get every single one; but, give it a try. The list is in the right sidebar:

DO YOU FIND THIS TIME OF YEAR MORE STRESSFUL?  I KNOW THAT YOU DO! 

AVOID TIME MANAGEMENT MISTAKES (and some bulleted 'helps')

1. NOT using “To-Do” Lists...to remedy see bullets

·          Write down needs / goals

o         Have calendar in hand to help in scheduling BIGGER projects/tasks

·          Attach a due date to each item

o         Break large tasks into actionable steps/timeframes – reduces something important being overlooked 

2. Not Prioritizing (i need to get better at this)

·         Identify activities for focus on reaching goals

o                     Assign importance/critical (high-value/high priority)

o                     Assign urgency (low-value/fill-in/low priority) (from http://www.mindtools.com/ )

           

3.  Mis-Managing Distractions (VERY HELPFUL)

·          Two-Minute Rule (specifically handling email)
Peruse emails... Quick-read, and  short-answer messages:  

•   take  care of it right now (those take < two minutes ...reading and storing the task away "to do later" takes longer than it would to just take care of the task now.)

•    emails taking > two minutes to read or respond schedule time on your calendar to handle;  add this as an action on your To-Do List with a due date

o highlight, flag, or star messages needing a response…utilize handy email features

o         NOTE: APPLY the 2-min rule on many distractions:

§          colleagues in a “crisis”

§          phone calls

§          any distractions preventing your achievements

·          gain control / do best work

·          turn off IM chat

·          tell people if they're distracting you too often

·          start with a good breakfast

·          drink plenty of water throughout the day

·          Don't multitask

·          listen to music if it helps you concentrate.

4. Procrastinating

·          Jump on in

·          Start on a project for ten minutes.

o         break large projects into manageable steps (may need to be another item on the ‘to do” list/calendar entry

·          complete small chunks at a time brings better success

WHERE I’M FROM...

JOINING KAT...Having used Kat's template, my answers are in the underlined:

I am from a family who came over from_Martin Luther's stomping ground and Martin used to "tack proclamations on doors", you know? (in Germany)

I am from the _sweetest tomatoes, and the creamiest corn___ .

I’m from the Deep South, where chicken is fried, not baked and mosquitoes are NOT our friends.

I am from the uncles fighting over Great Granny's peanut cake and _pan-fried apple pies.

I am from gathering with my mother's four brothers and one sister, from hearing Great Granny whispering her prayers as she cooked and _listening to Papa's old duet album of Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty.

I am from hot, sticky mornings at the fan-cooled Methodist church after we ran out of baby powder. 

From hearing funny remembrances from all my aunts and uncles about their time_ growing up together.

From the time Nana and Aunt Jackie high-jacked Papa's Model T, bumping down through the pasture, not being able to reach the brakes and running into the watering pond.

And from the time Nana at the age of six stood in front of the house fire warming herself after bath and her nightgown caught fire, Papa through a quilt over her to put out the flames_ and suffered from that 'badly burned finger' the rest of his life. 

I'm from locking away every memory my Great Granny and family have shared with me; in my heart where they are forever safe.

Jer. 33:3   "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."        

Blessings,