Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's so nice that Joyce, once again,  is coming up with fun questions for us, so, if we want to, we can have a blog post on Wednesdays.  I'm grateful for sure!

1. Has spring sprung in your part of the world? How can you tell? Did March come in like a lion where you live? Going out like a lamb or something more ferocious?
Well, yes it has.  Our grass has greened up, the cypress trees on the pond banks are looking alive and we have readied our porches and patio for spring and summer.  March came in with lots of rain and it rained yesterday and not looking too promising for today.  We are  tired of rain!

2. The last thing that caused you to spring to your feet?
The grangirls and their Dad and Mom came over and fished Saturday morning.  I walked down to talk to them and I saw something walking through the side yard towards the pond.  When I looked up and saw that it was a HUGE turtle I took off running with both girls behind me.  He got to the pond before we got to him.  I truly did not know those fellas could move so fast.

3. Do you have a spring clean to-do list? What's one chore on the list you've already managed to accomplish? What spring clean chore do you most dread?
That list has dwindled greatly since this isolation went into effect.  I have cleaned under things, behind things and everything inbetween.  I usually have a gal that helps me with the inside of the house but with this isolation, she is not working, so I'm on my own.  And, it's a lot of work!  I clean our porches more than just in the spring but it is one job that I truly dread and do not enjoy doing.  But, I'm always thrilled with the results. ~grin~

4. Tell us something you've learned about yourself or the wider world as a result of social distancing/the virus crisis.
I've learned first, that I can do this, happy about it or not, I can do it.  I've learned it's okay to watch a Netflix series in the middle of the day or listen to a book on Audible or even take a nap.  Those are things I never do because I seem to always have other things going on. But, right now, it's a nice way to fill my days

5. Something you love that's the color pink?
We have a big flower bed of pink  Fairy Roses in our back yard.  They are perfectly beautiful when in full bloom and make such a grand statement in our back yard.  They are visible from all of our windows across the back of our house. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I have been watching the "Anne With an E" series on Netflix.  I am almost to the end and I went to check to see when season 4 would be released and my heart sank when "the powers that be" are not certain there will be a season 4.  Have mercy! I and, many others, I'm betting,  want a season 4.  I have so enjoyed watching it and hate to see it end.  And, the young girl that plays Anne is one more amazing actress.  And, that's my random thought.

And, I leave you with this very timely quote........

31 Questions

I saw this on Facebook and thought it would be a fun blog post.  Again, it was something to fill my time while waiting on this ISOLATION to END. ~no joke~

1. Who are you named after.

Leah in the Bible, the sister of Rachel. Problem is, the powers that be forgot to put the H on the end of it on my birth certificate so I've often been called Lee as a result.

2. Last time you cried.

A couple of weeks ago as I was reading the journal my Dad wrote in the days, weeks and months following my Mom's death 11 years ago.

3. Do you like your handwriting? 

I do, I've always loved cursive writing and have always had a very pretty handwriting.

4. What is your favorite lunch?

A cheese quesadilla with jalapenos but I generally have either a turkey or pimento cheese sandwich.

5. Do you still have your tonsils?

I do and as far as I can remember, I have never had tonsilities.

6. Would you bungee jump?

NO!  I had an opportunity to when I was a whole lot younger and I wouldn't then and I sure wouldn't now. 

7. What is your favorite kind of cereal?

I NEVER eat cereal but I like Vanilla Almond Special K and any cereal that is crunchy.

8. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? 

Oh, yes, always!  I mean why do folks twist and turn trying to get their feet into tied shoes when it's so much simpler to just untie and retie. ~in my humble opinion~

9. Do you think you are strong? 

Well, for a woman my age I do but my mental strength is stronger than my physical strength.

10. Favorite Ice Cream? 

Just give me plain ole vanilla and I'll add some crunchies on top and be a happy gal.

11. What is the first thing you notice about a person? 

Their smile which in turn causes me to notice their teeth

12. Football or baseball?

I'm not particularly interested in either but when our LSU Tigers are playing I can enjoy watching football.

13. What color pants are you wearing? 

Navy  leggings

14. Last thing you ate?

A mini drumstick - a 100 calorie ice cream treat that I often enjoy as a night time snack.

15. What are you listening to? 

American Idol and some of these contestants will definitely be going home tonight.

16. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?

Humm....probably an aqua/turquoise color

17. Favorite smell? 

Lemon because it is such a smell of clean to me

18. Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone?

My  Daddy.  Since his facility is under lock down, we  are talking on the phone more than usual. 

19. Hair Color?

Auburn and professionally coloring helps it to stay that color at this point of my life. ~giggle~ And, not sure how this is going to work since our salons won't be open until at least April 30th and my color was due last week.  Guess I'm about to find out what I'd look like with gray hair. ~oh, my!~

20. Eye color? 

Dark brown

21. Favorite food to eat? 

The same thing as my favorite lunch, a quesadilla, either veggie or cheese with jalapenos

22. Scary movies or happy movies?

Oh, happy movies.  I do enjoy a good suspense or drama but no scary for me.

23. Last movie you watched? 

Well, that would be Kung Fu Panda with the grand girls last Friday evening.

24. What color shirt are you wearing?

White and navy tunic

25. Favorite holiday? 

Easter, it's far less demanding than Christmas and it's in the Spring, my favorite time of year.

26. Favorite Drink? 

Well, don't think there's any drink that I enjoy any more than a good cup of coffee, especially that first cup in the morning.  And, it must have powered creamer, a little Stevia and some Vietnamese cinnamon.  If you've never had Vietnamese cinnamon then you are missing out.

27. Night owl or morning person?

Definitely a morning person.  I am raring to go in the early morning and love the early morning hours.  I start fading as night falls.

28. Favorite day of the week?

I'm not sure why, but I actually look forward to Satuday.  I'm a very scheduled person and I have certain things I do M - F and I stay busy on Saturday but I don't usually have anything scheduled.

29. Favorite season?

That would be Spring and I welcomed it last Thursday

30. Favorite movie?

I have a few favorites but this was the first one to come to my mind. 

31. Favorite TV show? 

I enjoy Shark Tank and probably have watched every episode more than once.  I am usually so impressed with the presentations and the deals that the creators get with the Sharks.

And, there you go, my answers to 31 questions!

And, I leave you with this.............

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Today is a BIG day folks!  Joyce laid aside the Wednesday Hodgepodge in Sept. of 2018 and today she has resurrected it and I am thrilled.  I've missed it and hope you will enjoy today's questions and answers.  Here goes..........

1. Howdy Hodgepodgers. It's kind of fun to be back, isn't it?  Last time we met was September, 2018. Tell me something big-important-happy-or sad that's happened in your life since that date. Just one thing. We don't know how long this current isolation situation is going to last and we might need to dole out our news bit by bit.
Well, think without a doubt our most important, happy and a huge surprise was the birth of our 5th and 3rd grandson last August 20th to our 40 year old daughter. 😆

2. Might as well get this out of the way early on...COVID-19. On a scale of 1-5 how serious are you about keeping your distance? Explain. fyi-I didn't create the scale but have seen it several places online. Also fyi-we won't only have virus related questions each week, but for this first one it feels right.

1-Not at all, living normally

2-Cautious but still going out

3-Going out as needed, mostly home or working from home, still seeing friends/family

4-Extremely limited, only going out when unavoidable, minimal contact with people

5-Full lockdown, no one in or out

I would fall under #3.  I go to the grocery as needed, run by Hubby's office (which is closed to the public but employee's still working) and still seeing our son and his family. 

3. Raise your hand if you think you might run out of steam in the cooking department before it's all said and done? What's something delicious you've cooked or eaten in your own kitchen in the past week?
Oh, my goodness, we haven't eaten at home this much in our lives I don't think.  Hubby is dieting very strictly so that has helped.  I did a wonderful chicken breast recipe in the crockpot last week and had enough for two meals.  I froze the remaining and we enjoyed it last night.  

4. What's a television show or movie you've seen recently (it could be an oldie) that you really liked?
Not sure about a movie but during this time of isolation I've been watching 
"Anne with An E" on Netflix and really enjoying it.

5. Share something funny you've seen or heard this week.
I went by Subway one evening last week to get myself a sandwich.  A young man came in behind me and while he was waiting he asked me if I thought it would be okay to give his dog some tea to drink.  I mean, what a random question.  I replied that I did not have a clue.  He then went to the cooler and pulled out a Gatorade and said, "oh, I'll just give him Gatorade with his dinner today."  He then proceeded to order the dog 3 Subway sliders.  It appeared from what the gal behind the counter said that he does this daily, so I asked him what kind of dog he had.  He said it was a Rotweiller/Pit Bull mix.  Lordy!  I was sure thankful he didn't bring the dog with him.  I just shook my head and left.

6. Insert your own random thought here

I decided yesterday that I am OVER this whole isolation thing.  Goodness!  I so want to return to normal living, going and doing as I please.  And, perhaps none of us will ever take "normal living" for granted again.  I've managed to stay busy but everything is about as clean as it can get for now and organized as it can be.  So, while I never indulge in Netflix during the day, I am now.  And, I must say, it's been a great time filler.  I've missed my visits with my Daddy and I sense that he's about tired of the situation as well.  But, we will preserve on until the "powers that be" tell us to resume normal living. 

And, Life Goes on Differently

Well, today marks one week that things have taken on a very different look for our country.  I am a very social person and to say that this isolation has been difficult is an understatement.  My life has pretty much consisted of going to the grocery store as needed and running by my husband's office. I have reactivated my Audible account and am currently listening to "Where the Crawdads Sing" and I am watching "Anne with an E" on Netflix.  I have plenty of time on my hand and these are helping to fill it. That along with cleaning and organizing.  I'm managing to stay busy.   But, we all must do our part and hopefully that will flatten the curve sooner and we can all resume our normal lives.

It didn't help matters that Hubby and I were suppose to leave on the 16th  headed to see our daughter and family in Oklahoma.  We went back and forth in our decision for a couple of days and in the end, just knew that it was NOT a good decision to go.  While we all knew this was best, it still was a big disappointment.  

This little guy is growing by leaps and bounds and we haven't seen him "in the flesh" since Christmas.  We're so anxious to get our hands on him and hopefully that will not be too much longer.

I am use to seeing my sweet Daddy about 5 times a week over at the assisted living facility and that came to a screeching  halt on Friday, the 13th when they went under lock down.  We all had a day's notice so I bought up all that I thought he would need for about a month.  I took it over to him on Friday, hugged him good bye and left him with a big lump in my throat. He has handled it so well.  I talk to him a couple of times each day and I went over one day and stood right outside his window and talked to him on the phone.  Bless his heart, he had to put his nose up to the window to even see my image due to his  eye sight.  I'm hoping he will keep his good attitude for the remaining time.  It's just sooooo different for us not to see each other.  I'm so thankful that, while his memory is not 100%, he definitely understands this whole Covid-19  and is staying up to date through the news.

Hubby is doing this whole isolation gig with flying colors.  He's been fishing in the pond more this past week than the entire time we have lived in this house.  The above picture was taken one evening and it depicted "peace and serenity" so well.

Bridget and her boys were on Spring Break last week so they aren't in any sort of a routine  yet. And some of her days have been rather demanding. ~big smile~ They have taken walks (thank goodness for the double stroller), played outside, done crafts and watched movies.  Anything to keep them all sane. ~chuckle~

Windy and the girls have been busy finding their "new" normal this past week.  The girls school has them all set up to continue in their studies via their Google Chromebooks.  It's quite amazing at how well their school hurriedly prepared for this.  Windy is still uncertain as to whether or not she will be returning to school at this point.  They all came over one evening this past week and went fishing for a while.  The girls had such fun and squealed with delight when they made a catch.  It was the perfect evening for some fishing fun and helped with cabin fever for sure!

And, it has rained and rained and that just makes staying in all the harder.  Hubby and I have our spring plants for all the porch and patio pots and hope to get them all done.  If it will ever quit raining.  Digging in the dirt is always good for your mental health.

Throughout this past week, Psalm 46:10 has been ringing through my mind.  It brought to mind the time, probably about 40 years ago, that a dear, dear older lady said to me, "Lea, never forget to just Be Still."  I was a young busy Mom and she will never know the positive impact those words had and still have on my life.  Right now is a very good time to take this verse to heart and use this time of quiet to draw near to HIM.

Wishing you all a wonderful new week as we all work together to flatten the curve so we can resume our "normal" lives.  

Sunday Stealing - Covid-19

I haven't linked up with Bev and the Sunday Stealing questions in a long time, but, once again, I have time on my hands and thought I'd join in today.  It's all about the Coronavirus today.  As if anyone cares to hear more about it. ~smile~




1. Has the COVID-19 affected your work environment?
Well, it has my husband's insurance office.  He has limited his clients to only entering his reception area.  He has a wall and door where clients can usually go back to talk with one of his office representatives.  Our receptionist will take  payments and any service needs or new business is being done via the phone for now.  He  did not have hardly anyone come in the last of the week .  It's certainly different and he's thankful that so much of his business can be handled via the phone.

2. How are you feeling about the Coronavirus?
My concern has definitely deepened as the days have progressed.  I am not fearful but definitely want to be wise, not only for myself but for everyone.  If we all do our part then hopefully we can flatten the curve and get back to our lives SOON!

3. Has anybody you know been tested / have you?
Yes, a young lady I know but she has not heard from her test so she has not been confirmed.

4. Do you have any friends stuck in any exotic locations?
Oh, NO! Thank goodness!

5. Have you changed any of your personal habits due to the pandemic?
Well, I wash my hands a lot anyway but I am washing them more, wiping things down with Clorox wipes and  staying close to home. ~boo hoo~

6. What is the craziest thing you've seen or heard about the outbreak?
I saw some college kids interviewed on TV while they are on Spring Break at the beach.  They were so nonchalant about the virus and just really showed their ignorance and lack of concern for themselves or anyone else.

7. Do you think our politicians are doing enough to curb the crisis?
I really do.  I look forward to the President's health task force report everyday.  Those folks are looking so weary and worn and I believe are doing a stellar job.

8. Have you stockpiled anything because of the crisis?
No, I generally keep plenty of everything that folks seem to be hoarding right now.  I did buy one extra carton of milk and one extra loaf of bread the other day but no hoarding here.

9. What do you think you will miss the most if you are subject to a lock in?
Oh, without a doubt, socializing!!!  

10. What is the weirdest rumor you've heard about the virus?
Drinking bleach will cure you.  I saw that on the internet and thought, well, guess that true because it would kill you and you would definitely be cured. ~so stupid~ 

11. Do you have a favorite meme about the virus?

Street socializing




12. Has the virus made you grateful for anything?
Indeed, for many things but knowing that I serve a God that has me in the palm of His hand and He will see me through is the Number 1 thing.

13. Have any of your plans been upset by the outbreak?
Yes, we were suppose to be at our daughter's in Oklahoma this past week.  But, knew that was not a wise decision and sadly decided to stay at home.  And, several other meetings and events that I would have taken part in have been cancelled.

14. Are you planning do to anything different because of the COVID-19 outbreak?
Well, my days have been sooooo different with this outbreak.  I am generally out and about a whole lot and that has come to a screeching halt.  We did not attend church last Sunday nor today and likely won't for a few more weeks to come.  But, thankfully, our pastor is streaming his messages live and we are worshiping that way. Yes, yes, life is sooooo different!

15. What do you hope to see in six months time?
We're all back to normal, a vaccine has been successfully created for this virus and our nations economy is on the road UP!

 16. Has the Coronavirus upset your mental health in any way?

Humm....... I don't think so, just trying to deal with it responsibly and hoping it's over SOON!!!

Blessings abundant!!!

Saturday 9

Well, it has been a few months since I participated in the Saturday 9.  But, hey, I have plenty of time on my hand right now and I need to have something to do, so here I am.

Complete Symphonies (2019)

This week we're classing up the joint with a well-received box-set by the Danish Chamber Orchestra. You can listen to the orchestra here.

1) Beethoven is one of classical music's best known composers. Do you often listen to classical music? Well, not sure it would be called classical but I listen to Easy Listening all the time.  It's just the best, not so noisey and very soothing and calming.  And, I love many of Beethoven's pieces! 

2) Though a musical genius, Beethoven never learned to multiply or divide. When faced with a simple arithmetic problem, do you do it in your head? Or do you rely on the calculator in your phone or on your computer?
I only use a calculator for big numbers, I am very good and fast with the less complex problems in my head.  But, I am amazed at many of the younger generation that can't add 2+2 in their head. ~chuckle~

3) Beethoven bathed often, which was considered "quirky" for a man of his time. (Understandable, since you had the heat the water, haul it to the tub, and then empty the tub bucket by bucket when you were done.) Do you bathe in the morning or in the evening?
I shower every morning and generally get the water as hot as I can stand it.  It is soooo envigorating!!!  And, so thankful that I can get hot water just by merely turning a knob.

4) Adam Fischer conducts the Danish Chamber Orchestra for this 5-disc set. He began his musical career young, when he sang in the children's choir of Budapest's National Opera House. Have you ever sung in a choir or chorus?
Oh, many!  I was a part of a youth choir when I was a teen that was composed of teens throughout the area where we lived.  I have the fondest  memories of being a part of this.  I have been in church choirs for many years.  I am not currently in a church choir thanks to Acid Reflux that has pretty much ruined my voice.  Ugh!!!!
 
5) Mr. Fischer was awarded the Gold Medal of Arts from the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Tell us about a prize or award you have received. (Yes, that ribbon you earned for penmanship in second grade counts.)
I won a couple of awards in piano competitions when I was in Jr. High school and I was crowned Miss Science Club when I was a Sophmore in high school.  Goodness, talk about "digging up bones."


6) The Danish Chamber Orchestra is beloved in Demark. When, in 2014, the Danish Broadcasting Company announced it would no longer fund the Orchestra, citizens began a crowdfunding campaign and raised more than $1,000,000 to keep the music playing. Have you ever contributed to a crowdfunding platform, like GoFundMe, Kickstarter or FundRazr?
I have not.  There has never been a cause that I felt passionate enough about to contribute to on those entities up to this point.

7) The Orchestra's "home" is the Royal Danish Conservatory of Music in Copenhagen. Where were you when you last heard music played live?
That would be church.  Our traditional service has a pianist and a keyboardist and the contemporary service has a praise band.


8) In 2019, when this boxed set was released, China became the first nation to land a spacecraft on the far side of the moon. Are you fascinated by stories about space?
Not in the least!  

9) Random question: Tell us about your week. These are extraordinary times, and it might feel good to share.

To say it has been VERY different would be an understatement!  I'll be blogging about it shortly, so stay tuned.

And, I leave you with this.........

“I told myself that I was going to live the rest of my life as if it were Saturday.”
― Chip Gaines

In Case You Are Interested

I love sharing hints/ideas with others.  I have learned so much through others sharing their ideas and hints with me.  So, today, I'm going to share a few ideas and hints with you.  Perhaps one of them will "speak" to you.

I have been taking pictures since I was very young.  I've always loved photography and it is so amazing to see what it has evolved into today.  I'm so glad I'm living in the digital age and no longer have to fool with film and throwing tons and tons of bad pictures away.  I always put my pictures in photo albums and I probably had 30+ of them until about 12 years ago.  I had so many albums and I knew that there had to be a better way to store those photos than in albums and in a much more concise way.  I had seen archival boxes and found a website that specialized in all sizes of them.  I ordered some and went to work.  I worked on our dining table as I had to have a place that I could leave my work and go back to it for as long as it took me to finish.  I ordered the boxes for 4X6 pics even though a lot of mine were the smaller 5X5's from the 60's and 70's.  The boxes came with file cards and I separated my pictures by years and put each year behind one of the file cards.  As I went through the albums removing the pics, I discarded a lot of pictures and filed the rest under the appropriate year.  It was a laborious job but I was so proud when I was finished and I consolidated about 30+ photo albums into about 6 archival boxes.  They take up so much less space and I put a label on each box with the years of pictures that it holds.  It is so easy to put my hand on a picture I might want as long as I know the year.  The younger generation will likely never know what photo albums are and I haven't developed pictures, except for some for my picture frames sitting around, in about 15 years.  I started using Shutterfly to make photo books about 12 years ago.  They are so neat and I enjoy creating them.  I work on them as the year goes along and they are fresh on my mind.  I can't imagine creating them at the end of the year and having to recall all the places, events, etc. 

Amazon has lots of the archival photo boxes, so if you are interested in doing this, go check them out.  I also ordered a couple of the largest boxes for pictures that I had on the wall of the children over the years.  I took them out of their frames and have stored the pictures in the box. And, of course, who knows what will happen to all these pictures when I leave this world.  But, at least they will be nicely organized when our kids chunk them. ~chuckle~

You may get a big laugh out of this but I just had to share it for fear that there may be some of you that do not know this neat hint.  It was probably about 10 years ago that a friend showed me where she kept her roll of garbage bags.  At the bottom of her trash cans!  No more having to get them out of the cabinet or drawer, they are always right there when you take the filled garbage bag out.  I mean, I came home and immediately began doing the same thing.  I not only do it in my kitchen cans but in every trash can in our house.  Whose not in for a time saving hint like this?  

Okay ladies, listen up!  I'm pretty sure that most of you have jewelry boxes, a jewelry chest or some kind of jewelry organizer for you jewelry.  Well, thought I'd show you how I have kept mine for the past several years.  I came up with this way because I got tired of getting my jewelry together for traveling.  I knew there had to be a better way.  I went to a craft store (Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc) and bought up 3 sizes of the bead bags.  I would use the larger bead bag for the necklace, the medium size for the matching bracelet and the smallest one for the matching earrings.  After placing the bracelet and earring in their bags, I then put them in the bag with the necklace.  And, wala! everything is together.  Then when I travel, I just grab the bags of jewelry I need, place them in a travel bag and I'm good to go. And, all jewelry sets are ALWAYS together and since I wear jewelry everyday, this makes my life soooo much easier.   If I do not have a set, I still put all of my jewelry in these bags.  And, if I have a necklace that is too big for the largest bead bad, then I use a sandwich ziploc bag.  I had two drawers, in the chest in my closet, built with dividers and I put my jewelry in them by color, or metal.  I told you, I LOVE BEING ORGANIZED! ~big laugh~ 

And, I leave you with this, my 3-tiered tray all decked out for Easter.  It has absolutely nothing to do with organization but it is an idea of how you might enjoy decorating your tiered tray, if you have one.

Blessings abundant!