I CAN'T WAIT....

As you know, Amber and Dylan will be arriving next week Wednesday. I can't wait. I have been trying my hardest to clean the house and I'm getting there. There have been a few issues here and there but it's getting done. 

Like I said before in a post, we will be seeing Adam, Gabby and James 3 times and that James will be spending the night on Saturday when they are here. Should be fun. 

I am not sure that I will have any time to read posts and I hope you understand that. I will try to post my Wednesday Hodgepodge but that's about it. 

In some other news, we got a text message from Gabby on Wednesday and I have to share what James' teacher sent to Adam and Gabby. My heart is full.....

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE #672

Thank you Joyce.

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1. Fall arrives this week in the northern hemisphere. Does it look/feel like fall where you live?What's something you love to do this time of year that makes you feel its officially fall? 

*If you're answering today from the southern hemisphere feel free to sub spring for the word fall. 

No, it doesn't feel like Fall at all yet. Honestly I can't think of anything we do unless we travel to Montana but as you know, Amber and Dylan will be traveling here soon. 

2. What's a small daily task or chore that always seems to fall through the cracks when your schedule gets busy?

I can't think of anything, but several things can fall through the cracks when my COPD is acting up.

3. What's something you're falling for lately? 

Mark picked up a large box of ice cream bars at Costco and I can't seem to stay away from them. 

4.  Pumpkin is a popular flavor this time of year.  Are you a fan? What's your favorite pumpkin flavored food or beverage?  

I wouldn't mind having something with pumpkin flavor but I haven't had anything yet. I'm going with pumpkin pie as my favorite food. 

5. What's something you wish would never change? Explain. 

Maybe daylight savings time. I think it should stay the same all year. 

I wish James could be like he is at his age right now but of course he has to grow up.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I've been working on cleaning the house for Amber and Dylan's visit. They arrive on Wednesday the 30th. They will be here for six nights. 

We will see Adam, Gabby and James on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. James will be spending Saturday evening here with us. I can't wait. 

We did see Adam, Gabby and James last Friday and had a nice evening. We even played bunko and Sorry. 

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE #671

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1. How do you define beauty? 

Found this online....I couldn't come up with anything. 

Too many other things on my mind these days.

Colors, shapes, and sounds that feel good to see or hear.

Sunsets, mountains, and paintings that make people feel calm and happy. 

Kindness, honesty, and confidence that shine from a person.

2. Have you ever taken a trip by train? If so where did you go and what did you think of the experience? If not do you have any desire to do so? Where would you like to go? (You might find inspiration here-The Best Train Trips in The World)

I did take a train trip when I was like 12 years old. I took the train from Chicago to California to spend time with my Aunt and Uncle who lived out here. 

Of course they watched me closely on the train. It's certainly not something you would do with your child in today's world. 

3. Shell shocked, bombshell, bandshell, shellacking, in a nutshell, walking on eggshells...choose one and tell us why you chose it, or how it relates to your life in some way currently.

These questions are tough for me today. I guess I am walking on eggshells because of all the health issues I am having. 

4. Tacos, pistachios, oysters, clams, eggs...your favorite food on the list that comes in/with a shell? 

I do like tacos. I prefer to eat shelled pistachios and I do like eggs. Just made some hard boiled eggs on Sunday. 

5. Are birthdays a big deal in your house? Is your own birthday a big deal in some way? Elaborate. 

We do like to celebrate birthdays but we normally go out to dinner. We often have a cake at the house. 

We are going out to dinner when Amber and Dylan are here, along with Adam, Gabby and James. We will be celebrating my birthday on October 3rd. 

We also plan on celebrating Amber and Dylan and the fact that they got remarried last year on October 6th.

James is coming home with us that night too. Adam and Gabby will be coming over on Sunday and Adam is making lasagna. Amber will be making garlic bread. Mark will be baking the bread from scratch. 

(I see that I mentioned these things in my last post. Sorry, I'm just really excited)

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

You are not going to believe this. I am besides myself with grief. I will take all the prayers you can give to me. It seems like my story is never ending. When will I ever be whole again. 

I got a phone call on Saturday from a new doctor's office. I don't know the doctor but he has been given information to see me and take care of an issue. It's extremely depressing and I am really scared. I guess when they do a procedure, things are still sent out for testing. 

Apparently the cancer on the inside of my right arm which I had the procedure done on in the doctor's office still has cancer. I have to have another surgery. I am so overwhelmed as well with everything else going on with my body. 

I would appreciate all of your prayers with the hope that at some point I will be clear and free to live my life with some good health. 

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE #667

Thank you Joyce.

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1. August 19th is National Aviation Day...do you like to fly? Last time you were on an airplane? The date is chosen in honor of the history and development of aviation, and celebrated on the birthday of Orville Wright. Have you ever been to the Kitty Hawk area of North Carolina? The city of Dayton in Ohio (their birthplace)

I believe the last time I flew was in April of 2025 for a wedding in Georgia. I don't mind flying, however the time spent at the airport can be frustrating. No, I haven't been to Kitty Hawk. 

2. In what area of your life do you tend to 'wing it'? Is this an area you should be winging? 

I'm not sure how to answer this one. I don't seem to know. 

3. A favorite book, song, or movie that relates to flight in some way? 

I'm going to say the movie Sully and Leaving on a Jet Plane by John Denver.

4. Soft serve, gelato, sherbet, fro zen yogurt, or good old fashioned ice cream...what's your pleasure? Your favorite flavor? How often do you indulge? 

Soft serve is good at a Dairy Queen. We stop sometimes when we travel.  However I do like a good old fashioned ice cream cone although I haven't had one in a long time. We also buy some chocolate covered ice cream bars from time to time. I don't indulge very often. I like vanilla. 

5. I never get tired of, seeing James, Adam, Gabby, Amber and Dylan. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

So the shot I had at the surgery center seemed to help but then I had some pain again.  I still need my ankle to be fixed. I see my doctor next week and also another foot doctor to see if I can have an ankle replacement. My doctor only does the ankle fusion. Either one has a recovery of 5 weeks. I'm really getting tired of these things. 

My lungs have been giving me a lot of issues too. I just had some x-rays done on Friday of my lungs for the pulmonary doctor. I went for blood work on Monday and saw my dermatologist yesterday. I go for a breathing test next week. 

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We had seen James over the weekend and he loves to look for things for me to buy on Amazon for him. So of course I can't help myself. So he received a package on Sunday and was so happy. 

MAMMOTH LAKES

These are the photos that were taken on the trip to Mammoth Lakes, CA when Mark, Adam and James went for 3 night starting on August 8th. They had a wonderful time and I'm so happy for them. 

They didn't catch any fish.

James can't wait to go back.

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE #660

Thank you Joyce

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1. What do you love most about your country? 

The freedom we have. 

2. Your favorite patriotic song? 

I'm going to go with "God Bless America" but I also like "My Country, 'Tis of Thee

3. Red, white, or blue? Stars or stripes? Something you own besides a US flag with some combination of those colors or decorations as part of its design? 

Blue - Stripes - A Pillow 

4. What's one thing you want more of this summer: fun, rest, adventure, connection, quiet, or confidence? Elaborate. 

Fun with James but also the adventure of a trip to Montana to visit Amber and Dylan. 

5. What was your ultimate, go-to summer activity when you were a kid? Do you still do any version of that today? If you answered yes, does participating in this activity as an adult make you feel like a kid?  

I think riding bikes was a go-to summer activity for me. 

No, I do not ride a bike anymore. Well actually I have a recumbent bike.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We had the pleasure of having James spend the night with us last night. I will have to get back to you on how that went and what we did. 

Adam and Gabby picked up Jersey Mike's before arriving with James and we spent some time together. Today Mark is taking James to his cousins house and he will spend 2 nights with them. 

However, before that they will be going to Bass Pro Shop because James loves going there. It's on the way to their house. 

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE #658

Thank you Joyce.

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1. June 17th, 1994 was the day of the infamous O.J. Simpson car chase. What were you doing in 1994? I'm guessing somebody is going to tell me they weren't born yet but that's part of the fun of the Hodgepodge. Lots of generations are represented here. 

We were living here in California but we were in a different house in another town. Adam would have been 15 and Amber would have been 13. I know for sure that we were watching the case on TV. I believe he was guilty. 

2. What's your favorite summer salad that isn't the traditional tossed green lettuce kind of salad? Do you like fresh fruit in a salad (other than in a fruit salad of course)?

I don't have a favorite summer salad. We usually make our salads with romaine. No I don't like fresh fruit in my salad. I do like having canned chicken in my salad now. 

3. Is chivalry dead? Should it be? 

Online they say it is definitely dead but I'm sure that's not true in all cases.  They also say this: "Chivalry" has transitioned from men performing acts for women, to a broader, gender neutral expectation of respect, active listening and consideration. 

4. Would you rather spend a week of your summer vacation in Hawaii or Alaska? Have you ever been to either? Are they two places you really would like to see? How do you feel about 'Hawaiian pizza' aka pineapple on a pizza? Have you ever eaten Baked Alaska? 

I would say Hawaii. Adam, Gabby and James just got home yesterday from Hawaii. I have never been to Hawaii or Alaska. I am not into having a Hawaiian pizza and have never had baked Alaska. 

5. World Cup play is happening now...are you interested? Watching any matches? Did you or your children play soccer/futbol? There are eleven US cities hosting matches-

-Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York with the stadium in NJ, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle

along with  three cities in Mexico (Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey)

and two in Canada (Toronto and Vancouver)-

You get free tickets to one of these matches. Which city do you choose? Tell us why.

I can't choose one. It would be fun to go to some of those cities that I've never been to. Obviously we could go to Los Angeles. If I have to pick then I pick Houston so we can visit family. I would love to visit New York again. 

We haven't watched it yet but I would like to see a game. Adam and Amber did not play soccer but James is a big fan and loves to play. He's really pretty good at it. 

 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I'm going to share a few photos from Adam, Gabby and James' beautiful trip to Hawaii....

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE #653

Thank you Joyce.

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1. What's one piece of advice you would give a recent or soon-to-be graduate?

 I'm not really sure what I would say. Maybe "Don't rush into anything! If you know what you want to do in the future then follow your dream."

2. May 15th marks the birth date of L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. At this point in time are you more in need of brains, courage, heart, or a trip back home? Explain. 

 One of my favorite movies. I think I need courage with all the medical issues I am going through. I would love to see my sister in Florida but don't have any plans to travel. 

Back home would be nice so I could visit my family members who are buried there. That would be a suburb in Chicago. 

3.  "There's no place like home" is an often repeated line from Baum's book. When was the last time you felt the truth of that statement? 

Since I had to stop bowling a few years ago I am home a lot now. Home is great but I want more than that now. Because I've been home so much I find it hard to push myself to go out. I used to run errands each week after bowling. 

4. May is National BBQ Month...do you own a grill? Who does the grilling at your house? What's your favorite thing to throw on the grill? What's the last thing you grilled? 

Yes we have a grill and we use it often. Mark does all the grilling. He grills a lot of the meats we eat like pork chops, chicken and steak. Not that we have steak that often or the pork chops. I try to stay away from red meats. Anyway, we had chicken breasts on Monday night. 

He also makes a great meal of onions and colored peppers which are delicious. He also grills some Italian sausage with that. Those onions and peppers are cooked in a foil tray on the grill. 

5. What's a memory you replay in your head when you need a little joy? 

That's a hard one. I do have wonderful memories when I was young and going to my grandparents summer home in Michigan. We would walk to the little town and shop. 

I also have memories of my dad's cottage in Illinois. This is when our kids were young and growing up. We would often go on the weekends. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We had a lovely evening with Adam, Gabby and James for Mother's Day. We celebrated on Saturday night. Had a lovely dinner in downtown Orange, CA. That's the town they live in. I didn't get any pictures. 

 These are the gifts I received from Mark and the kids.

Here's some good news. We will be babysitting James and the dogs this coming weekend at Adam and Gabby's house. I can't wait. 

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My health issues are still going on. As I type this I am having lung issues today. I was at my doctor last Friday and he removed the bandages from my ankle. I had a spot that he had to squeeze out. He decided not to take the stitches out yet. I go on the 21st. I am still having pain. We will start steroid shots again but I'm not sure he is going to do it that day. 

I am still having issues with the sciatica in my left leg. Waiting for a call back from pain management to get an appointment. I am not a happy camper at this time. Your prayers are always appreciated. 

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE #652

Thank you Joyce.

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1. What's something you may do this month?

I'm not sure. I know we are going out to eat with Adam, Gabby and James on Saturday to celebrate Mother's Day. 

Mark will be going out of town on his yearly fishing trip to Canada with his brother. 

I'm not really sure about the dates for that yet. I believe he is going to stop and visit with his mom in Texas also. (I'm not ready to be alone right now with all that I've had going on.)

2. Hola! Hodgepodge Day lands just after Cinco de Mayo... how do you feel about Mexican food? What's your favorite dish? Do you make it at home or is it a strictly dine out option? 

I like Mexican food. We don't get it very often. We don't seem to go out to eat like we used to all the time before the pandemic started. We do end up getting some Taco Bell. No, we really don't make it at home. 

I like their Chicken Cantina Bowl. It's my favorite. 

However, Mark made a delicious meal in the crock pot on Tuesday called Chicken Enchilada.

3. When the children of today grow up what do you think they'll say about this time period? What do you most hope they remember? 

Seriously I can't even begin to think how they are going to feel about this time period. I don't like that AI is around. I hope James remembers Mark and I with great love as his grandparents. 

4. What advice would you give a new mother? 

Love your baby with all your heart. It's okay to let them cry themselves to sleep. It's okay if the house gets a little messy. Time flies by quickly and they grow up too fast. 

5. What's a phrase your mother often said to you? If you're a mom do you say it to your own children? 

I don't recall my mom saying a phrase to me. 

I just tell my children how much I love them all the time. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Adam, Gabby and James went out of town this past weekend. Gabby's sister's kids has some water polo finales. They went along to watch and they brought the dogs too. I believe they had cabins that they rented. They were in the San Diego area. Adam sent me a few photos. 

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE #647

Thank you Joyce.

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1. March is rolling on out of here. Sum up your March in ten words or less. 

March was kinda quite. Not a lot of doctor's appointments. However, for the past 8 days I have been dealing with lung issues. It's been extremely hard on me. 

I didn't want to go to the ER because they do nothing different than I do at home, except for a chest x-ray. 

2. Are you afraid of heights? When was the last time you found yourself dealing with a height, and did it make you nervous?

I can't say that I am but I imagine I could be. I can't remember anything dealing with height recently.

3. What's a word you struggle to spell on a regular basis, and sometimes need to double check before writing it down? Use the word in a sentence that tells us something about your April calendar. 

Nothing is coming to mind but I believe there are several. I'm always looking up the spelling of something.

Sorry, not a lot of answers from me today.  

4. Love 'em or hate 'em, with Easter comes the sweet treat known as Peeps. So... do you love 'em or hate 'em? Speaking of peeps, what's your favorite way to have chicken? 

I have enjoyed them in the past. Now they have a lot of flavors that also sound pretty good to me. 

I like chicken on the grill. We also like chicken from Costco from time to time. 

5. This week's Hodgepodge lands on the first day of April, which happens to be National Poetry Month. Do you like poetry?  Share a favorite line or two from one of your favorite poems. What makes this one a favorite? 

Poetry is okay but I can't say that I read it often at all. I will just have to go with.....

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Adam, Gabby and James are on a cruise with Gabby's sister, husband and their two kids. They went to Cabo San Lucas. They should be home today. 

T