Recovering Hodgepodge

1. Are you currently operating at 100% capacity? If not, what % are you? What's keeping you there?
I am currently operating at about 60% because somehow I got pneumonia.  I've had it before...but think that I must be getting older because it's taking longer to get better this time.  I think I got it at a point when I was already exhausted and overextended.  Thankfully, my sweet Loverbrains takes good care of me (even when he's traveling) and makes me cancel everything and rest.  I can always tell that I'm getting better when the state of the house begins to bother me.
2.  Have you done your taxes? Planned/booked a summer holiday? Thought about or started your 'spring cleaning'? Besides what's listed here, tell us one task that needs doing before spring rolls around.
As this Spring approaches we are mapping out our landscaping.  When we moved here we realized we have a clean slate in this new neighborhood...and missed our old trees desperately.  However, with Loverbains back injury and surgery we scraped the whole plan and put it off until this year.  In the meantime, my Sweet Girl decided that she loves gardening and wants to try her hand at what we originally called a salsa garden but is already experiencing scope creep...as certain things she wants to grow don't go in salsa.  (I let Loverbrains and Turbo Tax do the taxes...and Spring cleaning always sounds nice in theory...not sure I ever really do it though.)
3. What's a favorite food from your part of the country?
Well, I'm kinda stumped on this one.  I live in a college town so you can get any nationality of food, especially Asian, here.  That's kinda special.  Coolest thing that happened to me this week was a new Chinese friends offering to teach me to make dumplings and spicy tofu!
4. This isn't a leap year, but let's run with it anyway...look before you leap, a leap of faith, grow by leaps and bounds, leap to conclusions, leap at the opportunity...which phrase might best be applied to your life currently (or recently)? Explain.
I'm going to go with "look before you leap"...I repeatedly notice my propensity not to do this...and know I need to consider decisions and how I use my time more carefully...in an effort not to get crazy over extended.  Gotta create that margin!
5. As the month draws to a close list five fun and/or fabulous things (large or small) you noticed or experienced in February.
Ugh...but I don't like February...okay, okay...
1. Amid ice storm weather you can get a sweet little glimpse of 60 degree Springtime weather.
2. Sunshine can change your outlook...even cold sunshine.
3. Having friends visit always warms the heart.
4. Board games rock...especially Dominion...and puzzles.
5. Winter Olympics!
I know they're lame...it's February.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
It's nice to blog today.  Let's me know I'm getting better when my brain can handle this activity.  

ThoughtFULL Thursday: Technology

Lately, I find myself thinking about technology and how it changes.  I'm not sure if life is passing me by or trying to run me over...isn't that how the joke goes?  

I have exchanged handwritten letters with a friend of mine for almost two decades.  Through college, marriage, children, moving...we've doggedly stuck to handwritten letters.  There is something special about it.  I can hold a part of her life in my hands...and her writing tells me if she's rushed or stressed...or if she's had to stop and care for a kiddo.  It does mean there have been lapses in our writing what with life's ups and downs.  It is a slow process...and we have emailed and called to line up annual get togethers but we always go back to newsy letters about our gardens, our families and our churches...and I love it.  It works because we are both ok with the time it takes...the patience required on both ends. 

There are days that I would like to go back to a time where people didn't demand/expect almost instant responses to emails and txts.  I'm all about being efficient and organized but yikes.  Especially now, being secretary of our HOA, I am amazed at the expectations for speed of responses from volunteers on this board of homeowners...and the sheer prideful nastiness.  So unpleasant.  People very much think it is their right to be responded to, NOW.  It is almost as if they think they're standing in front of you and you're ignoring them, as opposed to what it really is, a volunteer position where I check the email rarely and do the best I can, when I can!

And a tiny final note, while I'm up here on my soapbox...That technology that notifies you that your packages have arrived seems good...but for those of us trying to teach our children to send thank you notes...or heck, even thank you texts...you'd better be immediate in getting it done or you'll get a txt first that says, "did you get my gift?"  "do they like it"  SIGH...big sigh...this so frustrates me.  Please just give me a day to breath and let you know it came and say thank you...genuine thank you...not thank you based on being poked for a response.  I could go on but I'll just end the rant here.

But, the bottom line is that life is moving forward...and rather than getting run over I need to get with it.  I need to establish healthy boundaries for myself and my family...and recognize I can't make people happy.  I'm not coffee.

God calls me to be faithful...not perfect or amazing.  Isn't that freeing?

February Sunshine Hodgepodge

1. February can be a little bit tricky given the weather and the winter and the whatnot. I read a list (here) of things you can do to make your February brighter which included-start planning your next trip, take more baths, make your own chocolate covered strawberries, and exercise in preparation for swimsuit season. Anything on the list you might try? Which suggestion on the list appeals to you most? Tell us something not on the list that helps make your February brighter. 
Yay!  I can't wait to read all the suggestions for how to make February brighter.  It is a difficult month for me...I'm usually just grateful it's short.  We have already planned our summer family vacation.  We don't usually plan this early...and I have to say it does help!  I am working on exercising but it has nothing to do with swimsuit season...it just helps me fight off the blue days...I feel better...my circulation is better...health seems better, too!  It is difficult for me to drink water during the winter but I find that when I do my thinking is clearer...and I'm less likely to slip into depressive stinkin' thinking'...Can't wait to read ya'lls suggestions!  Oh, wait, I thought of another...tangerine tea...it's like positive sunshine in a cup!
2. Tell us about something you've seen or done recently that you'd say was 'super'?
I went to a 'super' super bowl party.  I've been to many...and my not being a sports fan (at all) always makes this challenging.  This party was hosted beautifully...I felt comfortable knitting and playing Uno with my kids and... eating.  Our discussion and fellowship was really sweet...and I think it helped that everyone was routing for the same team...haha.  
3. Best thing you ate in a 'bowl' last week?
Spicy Beef Udon at the local Japanese restaurant.  I love living in a college town!  Amazing food and great people!  
4. Something you're 'cheering' for right now?
We have finally scheduled to have dear friends over for dinner Friday night.  The timing isn't great...it's right before I get a house full of guests for our church's big conference but they are so dear that I am not worried only delighted that they can come!  My heart is cheering!  Yay yay yay!  It's like the calm before the storm.  (I am also excited about the company...it just involves a weird and insanely busy schedule and a lot of work too).
5. The Winter Olympics begin Friday, February 9th in Pyeong Chang, South Korea. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being all in and 1 being no interest whatsoever) how interested are you in the games? Which event do you most want to see (you'll find a list here).
10!  We purchased Hulu for the occasion.  Usually we only have Netflix.  Soooo excited.  Figure skating will be closely watched by the girls and bobsled/luge by the boys.  And we all like curling...we have no idea what's happening but we love it!
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Although driving in this morning's fresh snow was a bit of a scary adventure...it was so beautiful....all the tree branches were coated with sparkle glitter.  

Sew Saturday: Purple Quilt

I've been holding onto this beautiful purple/turquoise fabric for a few years.  I knew it would make a lovely baby girl quilt...but I usually only make quilts for first babies and generally those knowing they're having girls go with pink, pink and pink.  This time...cuz I'm sick of pink...I didn't even ask for the theme and just went for it.  This first time Mama is a bit older...this baby is much prayed for...and I know that she will love it.

Basically, I made a giant broken dishes block.  I love it!  Next week...the peg bear that goes with it!  Adorbs!

January Sunshine Hodgepodge!

1. Speaking of endings....at your wit's end, at loose ends, a dead end, burn the candle at both ends, all's well that end's well, or no end in sight...which 'end' phrase might best be applied to your life lately? Explain.  

I realized last week that I was beginning to feel the effects of my own poor choices and was "burning the candle at both ends"...so, I pulled way back, cancelled things and adjusted my schedule to get some rest...because I didn't want to get sick...which would have been a "dead end."  And now, even though I continue to be busy and there seems to be "no end in sight" of things to do, I am not at my "wit's end" about it.  Phew...that was fun...don't think I left any "loose ends"..."all's well that end's well" after all.

2. What was a must have accessory when you were growing up? Did you own one? If so tell us what you remember about it.
I remember slap bracelets and hair scrunchies being big in my little life.  I remember that for a while I did not have a slap bracelet...and when I got one I decided it kinda hurt and didn't like it.  That was a bummer...to anticipate something and then not actually like it.  My Mom could make hair scrunchies...and then taught me how and I had bunches...to go with almost any outfit.  Still a happy memory.
3. Something that made you smile yesterday?
After a weekend of Spring-like temperatures it was a bit of a bummer yesterday to have a cold, grey January day in which to get errands completed.  As I was driving to an appointment...the sun broke from the clouds and it was just...beautiful...and I smiled!  God is good.
4. January 30th is National Croissant Day. Do you like croissants? Sweet or savory? We're having chicken salad for lunch...would you rather have yours served on a croissant, a wrap, a bagel, bread, or a roll of some sort?
I love croissants...ooooo the crackle.  I also had chicken salad for lunch...on nothing...cuz I'm cutting carbs...*sigh*.
5. Sum up your January in fifteen words or less.
In January, Indiana was blessed with every season...in one week.  
6.  Insert your own random thought here.
I'm busily preparing for a house full of company during a conference our church hosts the middle of this month...and it was supposed to coincide with my husband being out of country on business.  It is not uncommon for him to be away, and I was by no means panicked but I was feeling distinctly tired going into a huge to-do list without him home.  So, when his trip was cancelled last minute...huge waves of relief washed over me.  I know that God would have helped me but it was so nice to be blessed with him home the weeks before our company.  *Phew*

Hodgepodge on ice

1. What keeps you blogging?
The desire to maintain the collective memory...Realizing I don't want FB to be where I express or share all of my important memories and life lessons.  Recognizing that it helps me to write out my thoughts and express myself this way.  Cathartic.

2. Some people like to travel in the winter months. Do you enjoy the beach in winter? According to Southern Living the best U.S. beach towns to visit this winter are-

St Simons Island (Georgia), Hilton Head (South Carolina), Bald Head Island (North Carolina), Seaside (Florida), Bay St. Louis (Mississippi), Cape San Blas (Florida), South Padre Island (Texas), Folly Beach (South Carolina), Chincoteague (Virginia), Duck Key (Florida), Nags Head (North Carolina), and Fairhope (Alabama)

Have you been to any of the towns listed (in any season)? Which on the list appeals to you most this winter? 

I haven't been to any of these beaches.  I've only been to a few in FL and MI.  If money were no object I'd love to spend the winter at the beach.  This winter has been awful already...and I'd take any beach right now!!  It's not good if you're "over it" when winter has just started! *sigh*
3. What's a song you're embarrassed to know all the lyrics to? Are you really embarrassed or do just think you should be?

I can't think of any that I'm embarrassed to know, at least right now.  I memorize to song VERY well.  I have hundreds of hymns memorized and children's songs.  I don't know that I have them memorized and then I'll remember one line and realize I can sing the WHOLE song.  It's sort of cool and creepy all at the same time.

4. When you were a kid what's something you thought would be fantastic as an adult, but now that you're an adult you realize it's not all that fantastic?

Being independent, as a whole, isn't as great as it's cracked up to be.  I remember the first time I was sick and wanted my Mom and realized that I was the Mom!  It was a rough day.

5. Share a quote you hope will inspire you in 2018.
"Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading."
~Oswald Chambers
6. Insert your own random thought here.
This last weekend was full crazy weather...first an ice storm (snow day #1)...followed by crazy weekend of yucky driving...followed by more snow (snow day #2)...and a plunge of negative temperatures (2 hr delay)...It's crazy!  I can't get anything done!  I made myself get through grocery shopping yesterday...I came back exhausted.  It's so cold my face hurts and I can't push the cart through the frozen slush!  Ugh...really struggling to thank God for this awful cold...only thing I can come up with is thanking Him for killing the bugs so Spring and Summer will be nice and that it also kills some of the flu bugs going around too.  Also...a nice warm house and car...safetey...ok...there IS a lot to be thankful for!  

Five Minute Friday: Simplify

Free write for five minutes flat on the prompt:  Simplify

Ready. Set. Go.

As this new year begins I am emplimenting some of my new goals and resolutions.  The quote "The surest way of spoiling a pleasure is to start examining your satisfaction."  CS Lewis comes to mind...often.  I ask myself, "why do I miss doing X"?  "Hmmm...maybe that was wasting more time than I thought."

There is freedom in simplifying...so much redeemed time.  There is contentment, too....in recognizing that I'm doing more by doing less.  More time with my family and for my family is not less...no matter who may choose to judge me from the outside...God sets my standard for living.  

Because I am simplifying in many areas...when I do find myself in an area that is busy, and not simple...I ask better questions.  Is this requiring the best of me so that my family gets the rest of me?  What does it look like to be faithful right now?  Not perfect and amazing...just faithful.  What God has called me to is simple...

Godliness with contentment is great gain.  1 Tim. 6:6

Thoughtful Thursday: Idols of the Heart...

I saw that Emma had written this on her decorative chalk board.  It brought tears to my eyes.  Considering that she's parented by two people that struggle with perfectionism...who are both constantly being sanctified by God in many areas...I'm grateful, that some of our lessons to ourselves and to her have gotten through.  God is good.

I'm glad that she knows where her focus should be...above all!

It is good to examine our hearts.  Fill in the blank for yourself..."I may love to be _______, but I love God more."  If you can't put something in that blank...then it's probably an idol.

We also ask ourselves and our kids...How do you know if something is an idol (ie. that it's being worshipped above God in my life)?
Ask:  Would you sin to get it?  Would you sin if you didn't get it?

So, per her very own example, Emma struggles with wanting her room and things to be neat...just so. When she did not get this...(she had to go to bed or school without having time to do this)...she became angry and anxious...which pointed to something wrong in her heart...which pointed to what was controlling her heart (her desires for neatness and control) ....So, we talked about it and she repented of that idol and asked God to help her love him more...more than having things just so and more than she wants to breathe.  So, now the focus is..."I may love to be neat, but I love God more!"

Hodgepodge Trends & Twenty

1. January is National Mentoring Month. Have you ever had a mentor? Been a mentor? How would you rate the experience?
I have done both.  I think that accountability relationships work best when both people are ready to be involved.  No one wants to be a private detective or waste their time...but if both are ready to be honest and open than great growth can occur.
2. What current trend makes no sense to you?
The amount of videos on Facebook...30 second recipe videos, well, I can see the allure and enjoyment...but these people who get in their cars and shout out rants from their phone cameras perched atop their dashboards.  Really?  Um.....?
3. I saw a cartoon on facebook highlighting a few 'weird' things that make you happy as an adult. The list included-writing with a nice pen, having plans cancelled, freshly cleaned sheets, eating the corner brownie, cleaning the dryer lint screen, and sipping coffee in that brief time before anyone else wakes up. (Credit for the cartoon goes here) Of the 'weird' things listed which one makes you happiest? What is one more 'weird' thing you'd add to the list?
Sipping coffee in the brief time before anyone else wakes up...YES!  I'm not so sure I'm with them on the whole dryer lint thang though.  A weird thing I'd add to the list...preparing for company.  I love the anticipation and preparation.
4. What's the last good thing you ate?
Good as in taste or as in healthy??  I had a Tazo Chai Tea Latte from Starbucks...that tasted good.  I had a baby-bel cheese pod when I got home...that tasted good and was healthy.
5. Describe life in your 20's in one sentence.
I spent so much time focusing on the future that I didn't enjoy the moment.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
The kids are back in school...and so the day they started back I decided I was going to hit the errands hard...and I was making amazing time getting them checked off the list, sans my entourage.  I was on the last errand of the morning and found out that the weatherman was right about the fog after all.  It was freezing to the pavement.  I hit the pavement hard!  I fell down and kinda slid partially under my car.  OW...cold and hard.  Thankfully, my hip and elbow seem to just be bruised.  Call me Grace-ful!  

Monday Musings...on new year health goals.

I'm back to using my old water bottle...this cooky, sharpie marker method works for me...and, as the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."  I'd love to be one of those lovely journaling gals who makes lovely, little water droplets in her calendar as she drinks each delicious cup through out the day...but I'm not.  Yet, I know I need to drink water...I feel so much better...I get sick less.  And this dorky method gets it done!  I think it's my Uncle CJ that says "TAGID...This Ain't Getting It Done!"  For some reason I'm very into ain't today.  Huh.

And I'm back into the exercise groove...and very sore to prove it.  I miss my exercise class and friends from Indy but I'm trying out a new class with a friend on Friday and I'm using the Fat Secret app to give myself some kind of accountability to make me question what I'm putting in my mouth.  I think the reason I miss my old class so much is that they focused on the totally fit life...recognizing that it's not just about diet and exercise...but about life goals and lifestyle.  I am glad that I found my other class Bodypump online and can now do it live streaming!  Woot woot....it's so fun!

Sew Saturday...Knitting...

I'm not sure if this truly counts under Sew Saturday...but otherwise there's only the process of assembly of the deer baby quilt and my Christmas quilt going on...spelled B O R I N G!  

I'm a self taught and VERY slow knitter...but I enjoy the rhythm of it.  I also love using and gifting knit washcloths and until very recently that's all I've ever produced.  I've been seeing these lovely prayer shawls on Pinterest and Ravelry but can't seem to decipher the instructions...(seriously, there should be a key for the acronyms letters, people!)...but then it occurred to me that I could use the washcloth pattern and make only half (it adds on from the corner, then decreases out) ...plus some variations I made up along the way.  I bought four skeins of this lovely Jean Stovepipe Yarn....and I'll be feeling stinkin' proud of myself if I stick to it through two skeins...ugh.  I've made a deal with myself to do four rows a day...and the longer the rows get the harder this is getting.  My snuggly Scruffy dog and cooking shows on Netflix help immensely!

Friday Funnies

The first one is so true to life right now...with negative temperatures as a high and windchill warning going outside is truly painful...even if it's only to the mailbox.  My nose lining immediately freezes and tears come to my eyes.  But...there is this joke to put it all into perspective....

Next, this gave me a chuckle...I wonder how long this would take?  I'm sure my math head Loverbrains could probably figure it out...but...seriously, funny!!!

And last, but not least, this one.  I know it's maybe on the edge of appropriate...but hilarious....I actually laughed out loud when I read it!

Hodgepodge New Year--belated

1. It's that time of year again...time for Lake Superior University to present a list of words (or phrases) they'd like to see banished (for over-use, mis-use, or genera uselessness) in 2018. You can read more about the decision making process and word meaning here, but this year's top vote getters are-
unpack, dish (as in dish out the latest rumor), pre-owned, onboarding/offboarding, nothingburger, let that sink in, let me ask you this, impactful, Cofefe, drill down, fake news, hot water heater (hot water doesn't need to be heated), and gig economy
Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word not on the list you'd like to add?
My first thought was "these people have a lot of time on their hands" and then ..."what is a "nothingburger" and "Cofefe"...great, I need to look those up.  I don't see the problem with a lot of these...and I kinda like "let me as ask you this" it seems all proper-like to me.  I'd be okay never hearing "fake news" again.  And also "Polar Vortex"...that and not experiencing that term.  It was negative 19 F here to start the New Year.  Ugh.
2. What's something you need to get rid of in the new year?
I need to get rid of a few pounds.
3. Where do you feel stuck?
I always find it easy to feel stuck in the mundane every day tasks of our home.  I have to be on guard so that it doesn't tumble over into discontent.  I have to remind myself that God is teaching me things I need to know in all these little mundane tasks...He is using these as teachable moments with me...He is doing something good.  I need to be faithful...not perfect or amazing.  Today I will live by a standard of grace, not perfection.
4. January is National Soup Month. When did you last have a bowl of soup? Was it made from scratch or from a can? Your favorite canned soup? Your favorite soup to make from scratch on a cold winter's day?
I've made soup twice this last week.  Ham and Beans (my son's favorite) and East African Beef Soup (a new recipe)...both were super yummy and make great leftovers.  My favorite canned soup is Progresso New England Clam Chowder.  My favorite soup to make on a cold winter day is probably the one I'm making today...easy peasy V8 Vegetable Soup with Tilapia.  It's sort of a cheater Manhattan Chowder recipe.  One large bottle of V8, 1 bag each of corn, green beans, carrots, potatoes....crockpot until boiling hot...slip in thawed fish until cooked and breaking up!  Yum!
5. Tell us one thing you're looking forward to in 2018.
I'm looking forward to going to Tennessee for our summer vacation.  I've never seen the Smoky Mountains and we decided to book a cabin.  It's been so fun to start planning already!  My husband has been there several times and is excited to share it with our little family.  I'm slightly worried about bears but I'm trying not to think about it too much.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
I'm enjoying the end of break.  The kids are still home until next week.  We don't have to travel.  We can get things re-set and still enjoy each other.  We have new games to play in the evenings.  Because it's SO cold here, we can stay in and completely heal up from our various holiday illnesses.  Praying to start next week strong!!

Espresso & Granola

Many moons ago, I used to have an espresso machine and I used it until it broke...and then I was too cheap to replace it.  My Sweet Loverbrains got me a new one for Christmas and it is so much fun!  But, I guess I needed to be reminded that I’m too old to drink it past noon.  Ugh.  I made it to midnight on New Year’s Eve eve by having too much fun with my new toy!

I also made granola for my baby cuz the poor allergy boy has lost weight after having the influenza and needs to bulk up...And I made muesli for my Loverbrains because he loves it and wants to get healthier.  My sweet girl can eat whichever she likes!  She’s very into granola bars these days.  I can’t seem to make them that stick together so she sticks with Nature’s Valley! Ha.

Happy New Year...2018

In preparation for this New Year my Sweet Loverbrains and I went out on our anniversary (Dec. 21) and planned out 2018.  My husband calls it a fishbone graph or something-or-other.  

We usually have what I affectionately refer to as a weekly pow-wow...where we deal with several categories of things...Work, Church, Finances, Family, Parenting, Personal Growth, Home, Future Plans.  This is something relatively new for us...recommended to us by our pastor.  It has really helped with adjusting to Loverbrains new work job and travel schedule.  It keeps us from snipping at each other, being worried or missing things that are important.  Ya know, a much needed but basic communication improvement!  Ha.

So, we looked at those same areas and projected out the next year.  It was good to get on the same page and create goals for the 2018.  Since moving we agree we're much closer friends than ever before...and I'm grateful.  God is good.

I read a few articles that were good preparation for the New Year...

1.  how-not-to-read-next-year

"Read mainly to strengthen your faith in, boost your hope in, increase your love for God.”

2.  keep-technology-proper-place

"The pace of technological change has surpassed anyone’s capacity to develop enough wisdom to handle it. We’re stuffing our lives with technology’s new promises, with no clear sense of whether technology will help us keep the promises we’ve already made."