Is it Wednesday Again Already Hodgepodge?

Time for another installment of Wednesday Hodgepodge brought to you by From This Side of the Pond. Let's see what questions Joyce has come up with this week.

1. What was your biggest worry five years ago?  Is it still a worry? 

Who can remember? There is a moral in that, isn't there?

2. Yesterday (October 15th) was National Grouch Day...what makes you grouchy? What cheers you up when you're feeling grouchy?

Being too busy, hungry, or tired makes me grouchy. I'm cheered by a good book, a good meal, rest, or something to laugh at.

3.  In one word, how does it feel to be photographed?     Yuck.

4. Besides your parents, who would you say had the greatest influence on you in choosing your life path?  Explain. 

I really can't think of anyone who influenced my life plan.

5. The crisp days of autumn are here ...what's something you like to eat, but only if it's crisp?

Crackers.

6. What's the most useless object you own?

The object I'm thinking of is quite useful, except I've never used it. It is the food dehydrator given to us as a gift 15 or 20 years ago that hibernates in the back of a corner cupboard, brand new and never been used.  I can't part with it because I am going to use it someday. Truly.

7.  Share a favorite fall memory. 

I can't pin this down to one specific time, but a favorite memory I have is walking through piles of leaves shuffling my feet and kicking the colorful leaves up in the air

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Two of my kids seemed to have had food poisoning this week on two different continents. Poor sweeties. Wish I could have been there to comfort them and offer ginger ale.

Image: graur codrin/freedigitalphotos.net

Wednesday's Almost Over So I Better Get Writing Hodgepodge

Wednesday will be over in a few hours so if I want to actually post a Wednesday Hodgepodge on Wednesday I better write fast. It was a glorious day in the 80s and the neighborhood kids are biking and scootering in the waning rays of the sun. It's always fun to hear kids laughing and playing outside and it makes me want to join them. But, first things first and a Hodgepodging I will go. Thank you Joyce for sponsoring this always entertaining link up.

1. What's one thing you learned in September? 

I learned that God is still hearing and answering prayers. I already know this is true, but September was a month when I really saw God in action.l

2. Acorn squash, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, yellow squash, zucchini squash, or blech! hold the squash... what's your favorite squash? What's your favorite way to prepare your favorite squash?

Spaghetti squash is possibly my favorite, although I enjoy all the winter squashes. We actually had spaghetti squash with meat sauce for dinner tonight.

3. The older I get the_______________________________.

. . . fatter I get.

4. What's your favorite television theme song ever?

The theme music from Hawaii 5 O is one of my favorites.

5. What do you wish you'd spent more time doing five years ago?

I wish I had spent more time exercising five years ago. I wouldn't be so out of shape now.

6. What item do you most need (or want) to add to your wardrobe this fall?

Boots. A woman never has enough pairs of boots.

7. On October 2, 1950 the Peanuts cartoon was introduced to the world. What was your favorite cartoon when you were a kid?

I'm not sure what my favorite was, but I definitely enjoyed Family Circus.

8.  Insert your own random thought here

I don't have any profound thoughts today other than I should have spent some time working on the front garden today, since it was my day off. But I didn't. Oh, well that's what Saturday is for, right?

Royal Wednesday Hodgepodge

Enjoying a cool breeze (YAY!) while I contemplate Joyce's questions for this week's Royal  Wednesday Hodgepodge . . .

1. July 24th is Amelia Earhart Day.  Earhart was the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.  What's something you've recently accomplished solo? 

Yesterday's laundry? Cleaning the bathrooms? My life is full of small, heroic, solo ventures :)

2.  What's one product you use that never ever fails?

Oxy Clean. It gets out just about every carpet stain imaginable (almost).

3. Have you found your place in the world? Where is it?

I have been content with my role as wife and mother for over two decades, but with my children grown up, I'm not sure. I am still a happy, content wife, but not sure if perhaps there isn't a new role for me out there in the big, wide world.

4.  Worst movie you ever saw?

2001 A Space Odyssey (quite weird) is tied with Any Which Way But Loose (fell asleep when I saw this in the theater).

5. What's the last fun thing you did?

We went to a friend's lake house last weekend and enjoyed bar-b-q and swimming while celebrating our daughter and son-in-law's move to Peru. Actually, many days have little fun spots in them. I think it all depends on one's definition of fun.

6. The month of July is named for Roman Emperor Julius Caesar...ever been to Rome? What's your favorite Italian dish?

I have never been to Rome, but it is on my wish list. Favorite Italian dish? Lot's of choices, but Tiramisu receives my vote.

7. What is one piece of advice you'd offer new mom Kate Middleton?

I would counsel her to enjoy each and every stage of her child's life.  As we know, it all goes so fast.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Okay, I know Kate and her husband had a baby boy, but what did they name him? 

Thanks for joining me for Wednesday Hodgepodge. Click on the link and join in too.





Image: digitalart/freedigitalphotos.net

Bouncing Back Up

Kids aren't afraid to fall. They do it all the time.

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Wobbling toddler on fat little legs tumbles and tumbles again, but rises up to try once more. Walking the plank like a pirate, down he goes in the make believe sea, but swims to shore and walks the plank again. Daredevil motorcyclist flies down the hill and over the handlebars of her two-wheeler. A few bumps scrapes and tears, but she bikes back up the hill undefeated.

Where can we learn as many life lessons as from the examples children set us? Before the sense of mortality comes upon them, they are brave, invincible. No defeat is too overwhelming. No loss can't be recoverable. No fall keeps them on the ground. Their determination and optimism break through the clouds of discouragement, and what ifs, and I can'ts.

Maybe this is yet another way Jesus wants us to be like little children.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community.

Giving Birth, The Ultimate Adventure

Giving birth is like taking your lower lip and forcing it over your head.  
Carole Burnett

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There are a handful of life changes that spin your life upside down, shake it every which way and then roll you down a hill tied in a knot. Giving birth is one of that handful.

Not only giving birth, but those crazy days, months and years that follow. No returns, no do-overs, no days off. When you have a baby you are no longer you, but you+.  Almost every decision you make after birth day involves you and baby. If you were used to going your own way, well, that will get knocked right out of you.

However, this is a good thing. 

Nurturing a helpless infant and being completely responsible for his or her care, and doing it well, grows you up. And as much as we all want to continue enjoying the fun and freedom of childhood, we really, really do have to grow up sometime. Nothing will do that faster than becoming a parent.


Welcome to the Blogging from A-Z April Challenge 2013. I'm aiming for short, entertaining and occasionally insightful posts. Topics addressing transitions are the goal . . . but we'll see.

Didn't Dodge the Bullet

As a long time homeschooler, I think I pretty much heard all the reasons people have for choosing to homeschool. But I believe in our hearts we also secretly hoped to raise perfect children. Realistically, we would all acknowledge that's not possible, but in a teeny, tiny, dark, shadowy corner of our hearts there was a wish, a belief that through homeschooling our children could dodge the bullet of sinful choices.

It doesn't happen that way. I lived in the homeschooling community long enough to see the fall out.

We thought we could raise brilliant, well-educated, ivy league students, but I've witnessed too many poorly educated homeschoolers who would have received a better education in the worst run public school.

We thought our children would stay pure, but I've seen out of wedlock pregnancies and battles with pornography.

We thought we would raise model citizens, but homeschoolers have become juvenile delinquents too.

We thought we could teach kindness, compassion and loving behavior and have it become an integral part of our children's nature, but some became mockers and bullies.

We thought we could develop a legacy of generation upon generation of strong Christians, but some have turned their backs on their God and their family.

We thought our children would have strong marriages, but they are getting divorced just as quickly as anyone else.

The illusion printed on the covers of homeschooling magazines of large families in matching clothes all playing stringed instruments and becoming pastors and missionaries was just that, an illusion. The reality is that we are sinners and so are our children. Even if we did everything right, there's no guarantee that our children would be perfect, in fact it's impossible. All any parent can hope to do, no matter how they choose to educate their children, is raise them the best they can and keep on praying.


Image: imagerymajestic/freedigitalphotos.net

Ok, So I Lied

Remember my mold story from a couple of weeks ago?  The bathroom remodel continues ... and continues.  Did you know 1970's plumbing does not match up well with 2100's plumbing?  If my husband wasn't so handy, we'd be broke by now since he had to re-plumb the new bathtub and toilet before they would fit.  And the people at the big three, Ace Hardware, Lowe's and Home Depot know us by name now.

But we finally reached the point of painting the walls and trim.  We had a family discussion recently about who enjoyed which job when it came to painting.  It turns out I'm the only one who likes sanding.  And I said I didn't mind painting trim.  

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So, I did my sanding bit with assistance from an Available Son with time on his hands, but did anyone step forward to paint the walls and trim?  Go ahead, make a guess.

You're right.  All those kids/adults never seem to be around or are too busy when it's time to paint.  Handy Husband painted the walls, with some assistance from Available Son.  Handy Husband painted some of the trim. The man does have a daytime job that he needs to keep to pay for all this work, so remembering that I stated I didn't mind painting trim, I volunteered to continue trim painting while he was working.

I managed to successfully avoid painting yesterday, but knew I had to suck it up and paint trim today.  I didn't even get a brush into the paint before I already had a mess on my hands, literally.

It's harder to pour paint out of a can then you would think.  Those spots of paint on the family room carpet?  Well, we're planning to put in new floor or carpet in a year or two anyway.

That streak of white in my hair?  Not premature aging or angst from painting, I just got a little too close to the freshly painted door frame.

It's a hot day, but my profuse sweating has nothing to do with the heat and humidity.  Painting is stressful!  The stuff drips and streaks and gets used up faster than a pitcher of sweet tea on a summer day.

However, I soldiered on, making a mess as I went realizing well into the job that I really should have taken down the door before I started.  That's about when I gave myself permission to take a break.  After all, the trim around the door has to dry before I can take off the door, right?

I want to confess that I lied, I hate painting trim.

ROTFLMBO (Do I Have That Right?)

I'm normally a rather serious person, I think. But underneath my mature and responsible veneer I am something of an idiot. Well maybe idiot isn't the right word, but I can't think of what is the right word.  What I'm am trying to explain in this inarticulate and confused fashion is that I like to find things to laugh about.

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For years I've found myself wanting to laugh at the most inopportune times, like in church during a sermon, when confronting an angry person, or at funerals.  Some strange trigger is flipped in my head and inappropriate and amusing (amusing to me anyway) ideas flash into my mind.

When watching movies, I'd far rather watch comedy than drama.  Same thing with blogs.  I am moved to tears by spiritually meaningful blog posts. My brain is stimulated by thought-provoking blog discussions on the human condition.  My creativity is awakened by Pinterest and knitting and crafting blogs.  But my true love is humor blogs.

And my most favorite humor blogs?  Those that take the crazy happenings of a normal day and find the humor in them.

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When I was a kid Erma Bombeck, who I view as one of the great humor writers of the 20th century, wrote a syndicated column featured in our local paper.  Now, I was just a kid and she wrote about being a wife and mother, foreign territory to me.  But even then, I knew funny when I read it and eagerly flipped to her column which was always good for a laugh.

Humor is an amazing tool.  It is good for

• chasing away dark and angry thoughts
• dispelling depression and gloom
• banishing worries
• occupying a brain that is dwelling over and over again on a problem.

In celebration of humor I'd like to share a few of my favorite funny blogs.

Experienced Bad Mom shares what life is like as a mother of two who just keeps getting it wrong.  MOV (mothersofbrothersblog) is another mom blog, but with a slightly more twisted view.  Her inspiration, Muse (or should that be her alter ego Muse?), is also entertaining in a kind of too hot to handle scary fashion.  My most recent find is Chatty Crone.  I'm new in her neighborhood, but she already has me laughing.  Her all-over-the-place blog makes me chuckle, or at least smile, every time.

If you need a laugh, or just love to laugh because it makes you happy, visit one of these entertaining women.  And please share some of your favorite humor blogs with me too.

Homeschooling - A Retrospective

The clock is ticking down quickly.  Homeschooling in this household will end in just a matter of weeks as our youngest child graduates from high school.

How do 17 years go by so quickly?   I began homeschooling the year my oldest child was starting 3rd grade and my second child beginning 1st.  I didn't decide to homeschool because we hated the public school system;  and, no, we're not weird cultists trying to keep our children isolated from the world.

But, after being a volunteer at my children's school and seeing all that the teachers were up against, I realized I could do a better job educating my children at home.  There are no perfect education solutions, but homeschooling was the right answer for our family.

Looking back, I'm amazed at how much homeschooling has changed in the last two decades.  When I began researching way back when, it seemed that a lot of homeschooling families lived off the land, were entrepreneurs and their kids went on to Harvard.  An exaggeration, but that's how it looked from my perspective.

In reality, the homeschooling population is very diverse, from one-child families to very, very large families; from people holding strong religious convictions to those holding none at all; every ethic group imaginable; all income levels;  and city, suburban and rural dwellers.  Everyone is represented among homeschoolers.

Curriculum availability?  Where do you even start?  The selection is so vast that at least one vendor of homeschooling curriculum and supplies that I'm familiar with has an annual catalog that is as thick as a mid-sized city's telephone book.

When I was looking for material to use when my eldest child was ready to start high school, I had to look long and hard.  Curriculum was available, but the selection wasn't extensive.  By the time my fourth child was ready for high school, the selection was so wide that it was mind-boggling.

So in retrospect, would I homeschool again?  Absolutely.  Would I do it the same way?  Absolutely not.  I have the advantage of hind-sight now.  I saw what worked and what didn't for my children.  I also got to know my children very well because of all the time we spent together and have a much better understanding of each child's learning style.

I wish I knew then what I know now, but the years spent learning and growing together day by day have been some of the best of my life.  We are blessed that we could spend them together.

Image source

An Open Letter to AARP

Dear AARP,

I don't know where you got the idea that I was interested in joining you.  And although I persist in throwing your mailings into my recycling bin, you persist in sending me more.

Since you are obviously not getting the message that I AM NOT INTERESTED, here are some clues that I am not AARP material.

1.  I am not retired.

2.  I can run.

3.  I have a child who is under 18.

4.  I work.

5.  I don’t repeat myself

6.  I periodically alter my hairstyle.

7.  I can still touch my toes.

8.  I am not eligible for Social Security and won’t be for a Very Long Time.

9.  My hair is blonde, not grey, blonde 

10. I have great shoes.

11. I don't eat "Early Bird Specials"

12. I keep the TV volume low.

13. I don't repeat myself.

So save your money and stop contacting me.  I’ll let you know if I ever need you.