Peaches and Beaches at the Wednesday Hodgepodge

Happy Wednesday everyone! Isn't Wednesday a great day of the week? Monday is a distant memory and Friday is within sight. Come join me and lots of other fun people at Joyce's place, From This Side of the Pond for the latest installment of Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. The first week of August is National Simplify Your Life Week...what's one thing you could do this week to qualify as a participant?
That's easy, toss out most of my clothes and then move into a tent. Seriously, I continually re-examine my life and surroundings in the desire to declutter and simplify my life. I am always thrilled to add one more item to my ever-present bag of donations.

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2. It's also National Peach Month...peach pie, peach cobbler, or please pour me a Bellini?  What's your peach pleasure?
My peach pleasure is fresh and juicy right off the tree.

3. Eleanor Roosevelt once wrote, "Do one thing every day that scares you." Agree or disagree...explain.
I think this is a great piece of advice. Overcoming fears and challenging ourselves to try something new are great ways to grow.

4. What's your favorite household chore?  Yes-you have to name one.

I would have to say cleaning the bathrooms. They're small so they don't take too much time, and there is a sense of instant gratification because they shine and smell so fresh when you've finished.

5. Fodors recently listed (what they've dubbed) the ten most beautiful sunset spots in America. Click here to read more and see the pretty pictures, but this is their list:

Butterfly Beach in Santa Barbara, CA, Mount Haleakala in Maui HI, Old Fort Marcy Park in Santa Fe NM, Laguna Beach CA, Hopi Point in Grand Canyon AZ, Four Seasons in Miami FL, Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica CA, Gay Head in Martha's Vineyard MA, Ensign Peak in Salt Lake City UT, and Mallory Square in Key West Florida.

Have you seen the sun set from any of these spots?  If you could choose to watch the sun set this weekend from one spot on the Fodors List, which would you choose?  Where was the prettiest sunset you've ever seen?
Unfortunately, I've never seen the sunset at any of these places - although we used to live fairly near Butterfly Beach. I would choose to see the sunset there because I love Santa Barbara, CA. I don't remember the prettiest sunset I've ever seen, but saw many incredible sunsets at the beach when we lived in Ventura, CA.

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6. What's your favorite or most used app?  If you don't use apps how about your favorite or most visited website?
Call me a weather geek if you must, but my favorite is the Accuweather app.

7. We've recently passed the halfway mark for 2013...write a seven word sentence that sums up your year thus far. 
2013, an ongoing whirlwind roller coaster ride.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
My 19 year old son went in for allergy testing yesterday and is apparently allergic to everything. I think I am going to get the Worst Mother of the Decade Award for not taking him to an allergist sooner.

Grasping for the Goodness

Five Minute Friday - Today's word prompt is GRASP

It's running out fast, is time, so we need to grasp hold of the goodness life offers.

Grasp hold of the moments because they are here, and then gone, and you never know if you'll have more.

Grasp the opportunities that every day offers because they may not come again.

Grasp love when it's given to you.  It is precious and sustaining.

Grasp adventures and chances; be daring, take a risk, don't waste away because you are afraid.

Grasp friendship in all its forms, even with people who make you feel uncomfortable.  They will make you grow.

Grasp hold of the future and leave the past where it belongs.

Grasp joy.  The alternative drags you down and sucks away happiness.



That's it for this Friday.  Link up and post your very own Five Minute reflections.


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...





Image : watcharakun/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Choosing Sides

Welcome to Five Minute Friday, a let-it-all flow writing experience sponsored by The Gypsy Mama.  Today's word is Expectation.

Expectation is a two-edged sword.  We can be crushed, angry or frustrated when our expectations are thwarted and teach ourselves not to be expectant, not to get too excited about anything because we know we'll be hurt or disappointed.

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The other side of expectation is so opposite.  It can cause feelings of buoyancy, excitement and hope.  This is where we dream and plan and imagine and think about the could bes and might bes.

What side of the sword do you walk on?

I am more of the guarded sort.  I've known a lot of disappointment but I'm trying to learn how to live a life of excited expectancy.  If I don't take chances and don't let myself experience the exultant, exuberant side of expectation and life I believe I am going to miss out on some great things.  It's always a balance.  Is is worth taking the risk?


Here's how Five Minute Friday works:

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.

Auntie Mame Says it Best - Open a New Window, Open a New Door

Welcome to Five Minute Friday, the word for today is Opportunity.

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What an exciting word filled with unimaginable things.  Opportunity speaks of promise, challenge and newness.  Opportunity means fresh beginnings,  never before dreamed of, well, opportunities.

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Maybe because one major part of my life is ending, homeschooling, and all of my kids grown, I view the word opportunity with anticipation.  What will happen next?  What wonderful newness will occur as the Lord moves me from where I've been to where I'm supposed to be next?

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for a husband who encourages me to explore and try to discover what is to come with an open-hearted happiness for me.  I have been given the freedom to look and dream and imagine and explore because of his goodness and kindness.

I am Transitional-Woman, what opportunities are waiting for me?

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.