WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE #659

Thank you Joyce.

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Happy Anniversary to Mark and I today!

June 24, 1972

1. Summer's here!  In the northern hemisphere anyway. If you're in the southern hemisphere substitute winter for the word summer. What do you love most about summer? What's your biggest summer pet peeve? 

We have some nice weather most of the year. I'm not sure I have a pet peeve. Most likely it would be when we get Santa Ana winds. 

2. What song always reminds you of summer? 

"Summertime" by DJ Jazzy and the Fresh Prince

3. What's something you remember about your childhood summers? Do you think kids today get to enjoy summer the way you did as a child? Elaborate. 

Playing outside was so much fun. We were out all day and our Mom didn't even know where we were. I enjoyed playing kick the can in the street. 

No, I don't believe the kids have the same freedom today to be gone all day and your parents don't know where you are. They need to stay close to home. 

However I know that James has a good time at home and they have the pool in the backyard. Also he has several kids at daycare that he plays with and it's a small group at the home of Jenny. She is amazing. When school is in session she picks him up from school also. 

4. We celebrate Fathers Day on June 21st. Do you favor your dad in looks or temperament? Tell us something about your dad. Or your husband as a dad. Or a son/son-in-law as a dad. Or your grandpa. 

My dad "Ray" had both looks and a very nice temperament. My dad worked hard but he also spent time playing with us. We would go to my grandparents cottage often in Michigan. Also as he got older he had a cottage that our kids were able to enjoy. He was a good man. He lived until 96 and passed away just before Covid started. 

Dad with Adam and Amber

I have to say that Adam is an amazing father. I am so proud of him. He takes so much time playing with him and hanging with him. It is lovely to watch. 

5. Let's wrap up with a summer this or that-

• flip flops or sandals - sandals
• beach or pool - beach
• watermelon or peaches - watermelon
• shorts or sundress - shorts 
• iced coffee or ice cold lemonade - lemonade
• amusement park or water park - amusement park 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A few more pictures of James in Hawaii......

His favorite pets right now. 

He took them with.

Here is the plush turtle he bought in Hawaii.

New picture from Sunday.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Happy Father's Day to my dad Ray in Heaven. He passed away just before Covid had started. My brother Raymond has also passed away. I still have my sister Darcy who lives in Florida but we don't get to see each other very often but we do text often.

Me and my Dad. I miss him so much. 

Happy Father's Day to my husband Mark and to our son Adam. I hope they enjoy their day. We will be going over to their house today. I sure do love them and of course our James too! 

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE #606

Thank you Joyce.

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Sorry, I forgot to set the date and it posted already....

1. June 10th is National Herbs and Spices Day. Besides salt and pepper what herb or spice container do you reach for most often? Is there a spice you truly dislike? What's a recent dish you made that called for more than salt and pepper?  

I guess I could say cinnamon but I don't reach for that very often lately. We do use caraway seed on our pork chops. 

We do a lot of grilling and Mark of course salts and peppers the meat. However,  because I've been having some ankle swelling I have him not putting salt on one of them. 

2.  It's been said 'variety is the spice of life'...in what way is this true for you? Elaborate. 

It might be but we have not been doing much of anything lately. 

3. What is something in your life that adds 'spice' ( excitement, intensity) even if also comes with challenge or unpredictability? 

I have to say that there is nothing right now. The challenges have all been health related and I've had it. If you read my health update, I am still having issues with my lungs. This is not my year. I will take all the prayer you can give to me.

4. If you could instantly master one skill or hobby, what would it be and why? 

I would like to be into reading books and I think I would like to do some hobby. I used to do cross stitching years ago.

5. We're halfway through the year...what's one book, movie, or activity you've loved this year that you'd recommend to others? 

The best activity is seeing out James. That is the joy in my life. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We had a wonderful time at Adam and Gabby's on Saturday evening. James of course was so darn cute. We did play some bunko. Gabby's mom Isa was over too and we taught her how to play. 

We celebrated an early Father's Day. Adam, Gabby and James leave on Wednesday and will be flying to Florida and doing a 10 day cruise with Gabby's sister and family. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. 

Adam made the most delicious meatballs, spaghetti and Texas toast, along with a salad. Then we had Key Lime pie for dessert. It was a lovely evening. 

Since we will be going to Montana it will be about 3 weeks that we will not being seeing them. However, we will be seeing Amber and Dylan which is super exciting. 

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE #556

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1. It's National Splurge Day...what's something you might splurge on today? What have you splurged on recently? 

Honestly I can not think of anything I have splurged on recently or will splurge on today. However, we haven't turned our air conditioners on yet and after 18 years in the house we keep waiting for them to not work. So we might have to splurge on that. 

2. Do you have a beach bag? What's in it? Is a trip to the beach on your summer bucket list? Do you have a summer bucket list? 

I can't say that I have a beach bag. We don't go to the beach very often but we do go to the ocean and walk around but we don't actually go down to the sand. We are not planning any trips to the beach. 

Well Adam, Gabby and James are going on a cruise this week and around the 26th we will be going to their house to watch the dogs. The dogs will be staying with others before we watch them. Then in July we will be watching James and the dogs while Adam and Gabby go away for a long weekend to celebrate their anniversary. That's not a bucket list but it will be happening this summer. 

At the end of July we are driving to Montana to visit with Amber and Dylan again. We will be going to the Great Falls Fair and we will be seeing a Rodeo. I guess that could be our bucket list. 

3. What's a song that makes you think of a summer past? What comes to mind when you hear it? What memories does it stir up for you? 

I can't think of anything the stirs up memories. However, I do love DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince "Summertime" song a lot. 

4. Sushi-yay or nay? Have you actually tried it? If you love it what's your go-to order? 

Nay on the sushi. I have tried it and I'm not a fan. 

5. I own a ridiculous amount of __Christmas ornaments. It is well over 1,000_. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Adam, James and Mark. 

We celebrated Father's Day on Saturday evening.

A bumblebee James made and gave to me to take home. 

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE #555

Thank you Joyce.

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1. June 12 is National Simplicity Day. In what way is your life simple? What's one way that it's not? 

Interesting question. Right now I do not have an answer for this question. 

2. Something you remember from a 'simpler time'? 

I remember when Sunday dinners were with family almost every Sunday. Those were beautiful days when family would gather each week. 

3. Do you like squash? If so what's your favorite variety? What's a favorite way to prepare squash? 

I have liked eating squash and I did make something years ago with squash but I don't even remember what it was. 

4. Do you shop the warehouse stores (such as Costco, Sam's B.J's, etc)? If so how often do you go, and what's something you always buy in this type of store? 

Yes, we shop Costco. Mark shopped there on Sunday. I didn't feel like going. We probably go every other month. We buy all of our meat at Costco along with other items like wine and vodka. We also get some fruits and vegetables along with my string cheese. We always have a long list. 

Something I started doing a while ago is ordering things online from Costco which makes the shopping trip easier. We just got a delivery the other day. It is 2 day shipping. That would be toilet paper, detergent, nuts, power bars, k-cup coffee and a few other things. Usually things that just take up space in the cart. It's free delivery for a certain amount of money. 

5. Father's Day is this coming Sunday. Any plans to make the day special? Tell us something about your own father, or something about your hubs as a father, or about someone who stepped into your life and acted as a father if yours was not a part of your life. 

We are going out Saturday with Adam, Gabby and James. We are heading out to their house. It should be a nice evening. 

My father was a lovely man. He had a very kind heart. I don't think anyone could ever have said anything but kind words about him. I miss him so much. He passed away soon after the pandemic started. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE #509

Thank you Joyce.

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1. Hello Summer! In the eastern hemisphere anyway. What's something on your summer bucket list? Do you have an actual summer bucket list? If not, use your hypothetical list.

No I don't do a bucket list.  I keep my calendar up to date on everything going on and then I set timers on my phone to remind me on that day.  That timer will go off as to when I have to shower and include the time I need to drive to wherever I am going. Sadly these are usually doctor's appointments. Not much fun. 

Our bucket list this summer is getting Mark back to himself. He will be starting rehab in a week and thankfully it will be close to home and not the 45+ minutes drive to Pomona, CA. He had the staples taken out on Monday and we don't have to see him for 2 weeks. 

He can also take the brace and wrap off to shower so we don't have to do the garbage bag over all of it anymore. Hooray! 

2. What for you is the defining scent of summer?

I'm not sure but our White Star Jasmine are extremely fragrant right now which reminds me of summer.  We do have flowering plants year round. 

3. What's a (music, food, wine, or flower) festival happening in your part of the country that you would like to attend if tickets/travel/timing was no object? 

I'm really not up on what is going on around town. 

 4. Apparently a military whistle blower claims the US has a UFO retrieval program. What say you? Do you believe aliens are out there? 

I really don't know. I have to put my trust in God and His creations. However, it does cross my mind at times.

5. Besides your wedding day and the birthdays of any children you may have, what are three of your top experiences in life? 

When I am put on the spot to answer a question I draw blanks. You didn't mention grandchildren so I would definitely go with the birth of James. I am also going to go with my trip to Europe on 2011. I will also say moving to California when Mark and I reunited after our divorce. That was over 30 years ago. I think it was 1988 and we remarried in 1989.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We had a perfect Father's Day here at the house. Adam, Gabby and James came over. We had such a fun time. We taught James how to shot a small Nerf gun. We had the permission from Adam and Gabby before we purchased them. (I wasn't in agreement to purchasing them but I have to admit I was an excellent shot!) 

So we set up greeting cards on some counter stools to shoot at. We worked with him for a long time on the fact that you never ever point it at anyone!!! He had a blast and we all enjoyed his joy. He got mad when I was able to get a card down from a distance so he started going right up to the card and shooting it and was so excited to knock them down. Then he had fun shooting them at the ceiling fan. 

Our little cowboy....

Papa and James.....

We ordered a lovely family meal from Macaroni Grill which was delicious. It really was a perfect day. 

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO THE MEN IN MY LIFE

Three years ago on Father's Day.

He's been gone two years since April. 

Love you Mark....

Adam and James....

Daddy to Roxy and Gracie....

Dylan, daddy to Finley....

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

To my husband Mark, my son Adam and my brother in laws, I wish you all a wonderful Father's Day. 

 

To my Father, I love you so much and miss you everyday. You were my best friend and I miss our phone conversation each day. 

FATHER'S DAY

Normally I would have flown to Florida this week. I've spent the last six years with my dad for Father's Day and his birthday which is on the 25th. He would be turning 97. (Mark and I have an anniversary on the 24th) I still can't believe he is gone. It was hard not being able to say goodbye. 

However, if he were here I couldn't be there with him today. So all I can do is remember the past and the awesome man that he was. To think that he lived alone up until earlier this year. He lost my mom 38 years ago and he just stopped driving 3 years ago. He was also very self efficient except for appointments that my sister took him to along with some other things. (Thank you Darcy and Bob)

But what I do know is that he would not have survived this. He had fallen a few times and was in rehab. Then his time was up and he couldn't go back home. So basically a week before he died he was moved to an assisted living facility. (He was tested for Covid-19 and didn't have it.) Now keep in mind my family in Florida could no longer visit. 

He was thrilled to be out of rehab. I talked with my dad daily, have been doing that for years and years. I'd say this was about 5 days before he passed away. He was so excited! "I've got my walker and I'm going out to the garden." I was so happy for him. 

Turns out he never made it to the garden. They were not allowed. They couldn't even go into the hallway. It crushed his spirit. He gave up. I think he would be alive today if it weren't for the shut down. He was a go getter. 

I miss you everyday....

 My Dad walking me down the isle 1972.....

Adam, James and Mark last year on Father's Day.

I was in Florida. Love them to pieces!!