Summer Hodgepodge

Let's get started on our Wednesday Hodgepodge from Joyce at From This Side of the Pond. Jump on in and join us! We don't bite, I promise!






1. It's officially summer (in the northern hemisphere anyway). Which summer month is best and why?

Living in Texas, there is no better summer month. It is either hot, hotter or we are living next door to Satan. With that in mind, May or September/October. The are the beginning and ending (roughly) of summer and not triple digits. You can actually go outside and enjoy!

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2. Can you swim? How did you learn? June 27th is National Sunglasses Day. How many pair do you own?

I grew up a fish. I was always found at the pool in the summer. I am sure I took classes, because my dad is not a great swimmer. He won't drown, and he survived the Navy. Mom was a fish and loved to swim laps. Maybe I got it from her. As an adult, I don't swim anymore. I guess it is more about how I look than anything else. As for sunglasses, I have four or five pair in the car. One is prescription and the others are for whatever I am in the mood for (while wearing my contacts). 

3. What characteristic do you judge most harshly in yourself? How about in others?

I think I read somewhere, that what we judge in others is something lacking in ours. With that in mind, I have no willpower so I totally judge women based on body (mostly thinner looking women). I think it also stems back to childhood and being compared to others. This is probably why I do it. At work I judge others by their kissing ass attitude or tooting their horn/look at me. I definitely do not have this and it totally bothers me to see others do it!

4. Robert Frost wrote the now well known poem entitled The Road Not Taken. What's a road (literal or figurative) you've always wanted to travel, and where do you hope it takes you? 

 Literally, too many places to name, but anything dealing with nature, waterfalls, wildlife, trees, etc. I think our next trip will be to Oregon which is totally new to both LT and I. Lot's of roads to explore!

Figuratively, knowledge for work. I am in the process of reading some books from well know educators (8 in total). My path I am cutting is to make me a leader, a go to person, and someone who will help students not only in the present, but give them a better future. Basically I want to turn the entitled kids of today into gritty adults that work and strive for what they want/need and will be successful.

5. Popsicles-yay or nay? If you answered yay, what's your favorite flavor? 

Nay, not a real big fan of ice in any form. I'd rather have a Fudgsicle or ice cream. Upon looking up how to spell Fudgsicle, I see that Popsicle makes them, so yay I 'll eat one.

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6. Brexit-on a scale of 1-10 how knowledgeable are you on what's involved here? (1=very knowledgeable and 10=what's Brexit) Is this news you'll follow or is it something you think won't impact your life in any way shape or form?

10. Not gonna lie. I know what happened (because I looked up EU) but that is about it. Not gonna lie, but I don't really watch the news. LT is a news hound and that is the only reason I know what is going on in the world. 

7. Share a favorite song on your summer play list.

If you know me, you know I love music. I have a gazillion playlists, but nothing specific for summer. So I will chose a song (or 3) that reminds me of summer or has summer in the title!  

Summer Lovin' from Grease
Summer of 69 from Bryan Adams
Boys of Summer by Don Henley
 

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Fourth of July is fast approaching and we have the families from Oklahoma arriving tomorrow. I am hoping to take the grand-niece and nephew the Perot Museum or Tyler Zoo. Knowing them, they want the pool at my sister's house and won't get out until it is time to eat, sleep or use the bathroom!

This photo of Perot Museum of Nature and Science is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Hello Hodgepodge!

I have missed you!!

If you want to see what I have been up to, check out my post from yesterday. Otherwise, Let's Do This! To check out this wonderful woman who keeps us in questions, pop over to Joyce's page From This Side of the Pond and link up with us!

1. If you could sit beside and/or jump in any lake in the whole wide world today, which lake would you choose and why? 

Lake Crescent within Olympic National Park in Washington State. The lake is so clear! 

2. What's your favorite 'fruity' drink? 

Fruity drink, fruity drink, hmmm.. Wine. It's made of grapes and grapes are fruit, right? I have always loved a good cabernet sauvignon blanc but I am in love with pinot grigio right now. Of course, I rarely drink, but there it is!
 

3. I read a list here of thirteen things to do right now to simplify your life. They were-

clean as you go, re-evaluate your relationships (cut toxic ties), unsubscribe (too many blogs and websites), de-clutter, write down your daily goals, reply to emails right away, forget multitasking, create a morning routine, re-evaluate your commitments (which hobbies and responsibilities are most important to you), say no, clean up your computer, and plan your day ahead

Which of the tasks listed do you currently find most helpful in keeping life simple? Which item on the list should you adopt in order to simplify your life this month?

Honestly, I don't do these. Maybe the email one, but that is for school so not sure if it counts. Currently, though, I am looking at unsubscribing to websites, create a morning routine (mine works only during school then it goes away on weekends and summer), and re-evaluate and working on keeping the things I enjoy a priority.

4. What did you do the summer after you graduated from high school? 

OK, I graduated in 1988. (On a side note, my graduating class was 18 with 5 of them girls!) I am sure that I probably worked and then moved up to were I went to college for a year before I met my ex.
 

5. Are you a fan of podcasts? If so what's a favorite? 

I really can't say not a fan because I don't do them. I have signed up for some, but then life happened or I forgot and didn't watch them. The ones I have been interested in are medical or technology for school.
 

6. Do you think today's fathers have it harder, easier, or just different than fathers in the past?

I think dad's have it harder today because of expectations put on by society. My dad was of the era he worked and mama stayed home and took care of the kids. Personally, I do not have children, but I would want LT to be a hands on dad. It helps to form bonds with the kids and be a role model (hopefully a positive model).

7. Tell us one way you're like your father? Or not at all like your father if that's easier?

I am a mini me of my dad. We have the same sense of humor and I have picked up many of his mannerisms and sayings. He has taught me and shown by example work ethic, standing up for yourself, and taking care of business. The main similarities are humor and we look alike! I take after my dad.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
 I am glad school is out and the summer is here. Needing a little relaxation. Also very glad I got back on my blog! I have been missing it!

It's Alive!!

Upon waking up on Saturday morning, I would walk into the living room where my Dad would be reading the paper. He would see me and begin the process....

"It walks, it talks, it slithers on it's belly like a reptile!"

Yep, that is how I used to be greeted in the morning by my dad. It has been so long since I have been able to blog. School became all consuming and the time I did have after was divided between LT and my Dad.

But I am now in summer school and I am hoping I can make more time for this little project. I have always enjoyed blogging. Isn't it funny. When things pile up and you have to prioritize your day, your favorite things, the things that bring you joy, are the things you push off to the side and walk away from.

Well, peeps, I am hoping to be back and focus on my joys in life and not be mired in the stresses.

Speaking of stresses here is an update of some things going on in my life, just to catch you up.

1. School is over and I am grading summer school students. Bad news is they cut the pay in half. BOO!

2. Dad is doing better. Had a few medical issues/emergencies that we dealt with/dealing with but everything seems to be working out.

3. I have scaled back my travel to Oklahoma to about once a month to see Dad. I am trying to do better on calling him more. I always called Mama about everyday so it is weird to try to do it with Dad-just not every day, maybe once or twice a week.

4.  THE WEDDING DATE HAS BEEN SET! I REPEAT: THE WEDDING DATE HAS BEEN SET! We are look at a fall wedding in October in Oklahoma. So excited! I know, about time right? I am not giving details, because that is fodder for a post!

5. My principal has resigned and going to another district. While at first it is a cause for celebration, I am hesitant because what are we going to get? Sometimes its better the devil you know instead of the devil you don't.

Well, my lovies, I guess it is time to get back to the grind. I will leave you with this picture. It is of Gavin waiting patiently for me to get up in the morning so he can take over my spot in bed! May your spot in life stay warm and cozy!

I am so cute, how can I get in trouble?