What A Hodgepodge!

Nothing like a Hodgepodge on a hot summery day! And just to keep you cool, we're starting out with something cool from the 80's. Hey, it just doesn't get any better than this! So leave a comment here, and then dash on over to Joyce's to see if anyone else remembers the 80's like you do.

1. What's something you miss about the 1980's? If you're too young to miss the 80's how about the 90's?
I miss big hair. Because then I'd be in style again. I also miss the A-Team. They were so cool. *Sigh*

2. Do you have a library card? If so, how often do you visit?

I have a library card, but it's not for the town I live in and so it does me no good. Interestingly enough, we've been to the library here in town once or twice. Is it bad that I prefer to look stuff up on computer? Then I don't have to worry about returning it on time. Which is a problem for me. Anything concerning "on time" is a problem for me.

3. What's the secret to success?

Don't aim too high and then you'll always hit the mark.

Just kidding! The real secret to success is found in Josua 1:8.  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

4. This is National Backyard Games week...what's your favorite backyard game?
I like lying in the shade in a hammock, reading a favorite book. Hey! That would too be a game! Or at least a challenge. Especially since we don't have any shade. Come to think of it, we don't have a hammock either. Okay, scratch that. I used to like playing football in the backyard until my mother told me I was getting too old to tackle boys.

5. If I dropped by today what would I find on your coffee table?

You would actually find my coffee table leaning up against the wall in the garage because someone recently got a little rowdy and broke it on one side. No one knows who did it, and I'm still seeking the culprit.

6. Do you own a bicycle? When was the last time you rode a bicycle? Is that something you enjoy?

I have one and I like riding as long as there's no going up and down hills and no dogs chasing me and stuff like that.

7. What's your favorite cheese?

The kind melted on top of a freshly baked pizza.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Why do guys put the back of the seat so far down that they almost seem to be lying down when they drive? That's very annoying, especially when I have to keep putting it back to normal every time I want to drive.

Growing Pains

Why is it that when my children are growing up, I'm the one having growing pains? It hardly seems fair.

Or maybe they're not growing pains. Maybe they're just pains.

Case #1: I mentioned to my husband last night that yet another one of our boys need to begin the wonderful rite of passage known as shaving. Although I probably really shouldn't worry about it. As soon as he's told to do so, he'll want to do anything other than shaving. Just like his older brothers.

Case #2: Three of the four that I'm homeschooling have finished their lessons for the year. And yet, they still must travel to work with me several times a week because, even though they're old enough to be left on their own, they don't necessarily do well when left unsupervised too many days in a row. So now I'm trying to find ways to keep them occupied five hours a day. One of them acts as though I'm killing him because I require that he read a chapter of a book each day. It's a fiction book that's geared to his age and lots of fun. You'd think I was making him read Scottish Chiefs.

I've got them doing a typing course, getting a head start on next year. They all love being on the computer, which is a privilege not often extended. But I've only got one laptop, and taking turns seems to tax their sharing abilities. Plus I repeatedly find them playing games on the computer instead of doing the typing.

I should explain, by the way, that my very gracious boss is a proponent of homeschooling, and has been wonderful in allowing me to bring the boys with me on the job. That way I supervise their schooling while completing my work at the same time.

Sort of. Some days it works better in theory than in practice.

Case #3: They all also have that end-of-the-schoolyear energy that is so detrimental to everyone's health and well-being. The boys sit in a conference room with a whole wall of windows to do their schoolwork. I can see them through the window from my office. Last week Son #2 brought a bag of candy with him to school. And no, I do not allow that. Son #3 began crawling under the conference room table to get to the candy. Son #4 started crawling over the top of the table to get to the candy. All of them began rolling around the table in their executive desk chairs, playing a form of candy keep-away. (Apparently I went longer than one minute checking on them through my window. My mistake.) I became aware of the problem when they slammed into a bookcase and sent a lamp crashing to the floor.

Who knew school was a contact sport? Lest you be confused, let me assure you that none of my sons are two years old. They are ages 12, 14, 16 and 18. They know better.

Case #4: Son #2--I'm not sure why I'm not using their names in this post, but live with it--is getting ready to graduate from high school. Among other things, I'm supposed to provide 20 pictures of him at various ages for a display that is being put together for the seniors. (A private school nearby is graciously allowing our homeschooled son to participate in their ceremony.) My problem is, I don't have that many pictures of just him. And the ones that I do have are awful, fuzzy and completely out of focus. I'm suffering major guilt that I have not done a better job of recording my children's lives through photography.

I think I'm signing up for a photography class this summer.

Case #5: Son #1 and Son #2 got into an argument recently. They brought the problem to me, mostly because each of them thought I would set the other one straight. Except that they were both right and they were both wrong. While I was trying to sort out the mess, they continued arguing, and I couldn't get a word in edgewise. I finally stepped between them--except that my head only comes to their chins. Their argument didn't even slow down as they continued talking over my head.

And that's when I struggled with the desire to share my growing pains. Or at least cause someone else some pain for a while. It's a good thing I'm going out of town for a few days because I definitely need the break.

I just hope at least some of my furniture is still intact when I get back.

Where Has the Time Gone?

With a title like that, you'd think this would be a nostalgic post.

You would be wrong.

I'll probably do nostalgic later this week, but right now I'm just shocked because I came on my blog and suddenly realized that it's been an entire month since I lasted posted. I'm ashamed. And quite frankly, I don't know why you put up with me.

(Crickets chirping)

I see. Apparently you don't. Well, whether anyone else still comes by or not, I'm blogging again. Although I can't say for how long. Life interruptus and all. Just to give a little picture of what's going on, right now I'm knee-deep in planning our church's annual ladies luncheon. That's this Saturday.

A week after that I'm going out of town.

A week after that our son is graduating from high school. (That will be several blogs-worth because I'm not dealing well with this at all.)

Two weeks later the boys all leave for camp. This is the first year that all of them are old enough to go. (I'm not dealing well with this at all.)

Two weeks after that we have Vacation Bible School. All of my children will be helpers because none of them are young enough to attend VBS anymore. (I'm not dealing well with this at all.)

It may be the month of May, but I'm really looking forward to July.

With that summary out of the way, I wanted to briefly write about Mother's Day. This year's holiday included a mediocre meal at Bob Evans (my first restaurant choice was too crowded and we would have had to wait too long), some nice cards and a computer program that I'd been wanting. I'm glad I spoke up and asked for it because my husband did the shopping for Mother's Day this year. He sent his mom something from Cabelas. I learned early in our married life to be specific about what I want.

I also got some fun cards and one that made me cry. This is the wording on my husband's card for me:

For my Wonderful Wife
You take on so many important roles in our family--wife, mother, stress reliever, referee, organizer ... I can't begin to name all the things you take on and do so well. But what I can do is recognize how hard you work and how much love you give.

For taking care of us, for being the heart of our home, for being the wonderful woman you just naturally are ... you are appreciated and loved so much.

When he signed it, he thanked me for being his best friend.

You're crying now, too, aren't you?

The boys gave me a card with a cartoon bear on the front that said they couldn't bear to watch me working so hard all the time. When you open up the card, the bear is covering his eyes and saying, "that's better!"

Matt and Kylee's card said, "Do you ever wonder how different life would be without us kids?"  Inside it said, "Mom, Mom ... stop smiling."

My life is always better when there's humor in it. How was your Mother's Day?

Springs in the Hodgepodge

My title makes me think of springs sticking out of a couch. But the Hodgepodge is much more pleasant than that experience. So sit back and enjoy the questions and answers and then fly on over to Joyce's to join in. Come on, you've been wanting to for weeks if for no other reason than because you can answer these questions much better than I can. So prove it! I'll be watching!

 1. Spring is in the air (at least in my neck of the woods) and the birds are singing...what's your favorite bird?

Our spring involves temperatures in the upper 80's and visits to the beach. Not that I'm complaining. And birds sing around here all year round. When they leave your place to fly south for the winter, they end up here.

2. Speaking of birds...do you tweet? If so tell us your screen name and we'll come flocking to your Twitter site. Even if you don't let's all pretend here that we do-in 140 characters or less, sum up your week so far.

I have a twitter account, but I don't often use it. My week thus far? Happy. Healthy. Busy. Oh, and sunburned.

3. Its been reported recently that employers are not only viewing the facebook pages of potential hires but they're also requesting your facebook password to have a look at what you've kept from public view. What say you?

I try never to post on my blog or on facebook anything that I'd be embarrassed about later. Well, I did blog about falling down in the choirloft and my inability to bring a decent dish to a potluck, but I mean seriously embarrassing stuff. If I left out all embarrassing things I wouldn't have anything to blog about.

And no one gets my password. I mean no one.

4. It's April and you know what that means-Major League Baseball is back in action. What's your favorite baseball movie? If that's too hard, what's your favorite sports themed movie?

Most movies in our house involve shooting and fist fights. 'Tis the nature of living in a household of males. My hubby did like the Rocky movies (boxing, if you're wondering about the sports-aspect), but then when I was in labor he started chanting "No pain! No pain!" as if he were a boxing coach and I was in training. Yeah. We don't watch those movies anymore. I am finally speaking to him again, though.

5. Something else this season brings-asparagus. Yes please or no thanks? If it's yes please what's your favorite way to have it prepared?

I like asparagus. But when you ask about the way it's prepared are asking how I like to fix it or how I like it fixed for me? Because there's a big difference between my efforts and the efforts of someone who actually knows how to cook.

6. What drives you? (Don't you love how I sandwiched that one in between asparagus and jugglers???)

These days it's Luke, my eighteen-year-old son. He's got a permit but no license. (We're never in a hurry for our children to start driving on their own.) He's got to get the experience and get on out of the way, though, because Paul turns sixteen in October and he's already chomping at the bit to get his turns behind the wheel. I have serious doubts as to whether or not I'm going to make it through all four boys.

7. April 18th is International Jugglers Day...can you juggle?

Absolutely I can juggle. Housework, childcare, homeschooling, work, church work, cooking, laundry. Piece of cake. Plus, you should see me do it in my clown costume. : )

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I don't really have a clown costume. I'm not overly fond of clowns and some of my boys are downright scared of them. Not that they admit it in public, but try taking them to a circus and see what happens. Seriously. Try taking them. I could use a day off.

The G Word

Don't panic. The G word is not a bad word. I'm a pastor's wife and I don't post things like that on my blog because it tends to cause a few problems.

And because I don't say those words. Ahem!

Anyway, the G word is something that has been coming up ever since these two got married last summer.

In case you don't stop around here very often, that's our oldest son Matthew and his bride, Kylee. I was nervous about becoming a mother-in-law, but so far I have weathered that transition remarkably. Seriously, I have. You can ask Kylee. Unless she doesn't agree. Then don't ask her.

At any rate, while I was dealing with the traumatic experience of becoming a mother-in-law, I had people continually add to this stress by commenting that my next step in life involved the G word. Like I needed any more pressure.

Or gray hair. 

I knew I'd have to face that next step someday. And I wouldn't mind then because I'd be ready for it.

Apparently someday is here because Matt and Kylee just recently informed us that they are expecting their first baby in November.

And I'm really excited about this. Seriously. I can't wait to have another generation around. I'm thrilled that they're starting their family.

I just can't say the G word.

However, just because I can't say the official title doesn't mean that baby will not be loved (and possibly spoiled) beyond all reason.

Speaking of official titles, I've now got to have one of my own. After all, that baby has to know what to call the person that gives them everything they ask for. Ever helpful, my boys began immediately suggesting names.

Their suggestions included:  Jamama, Meemaw, Mamaw, and Mammy.

Obviously I had to nip this trend in the bud. Their suggestions only went downhill from there, and none of those names are appropriate for me. After all, I still have all my teeth and I've never graced the front of a syrup bottle. (No offense if you are missing teeth, or have appeared on a syrup bottle.)

After some deliberation and some time spent on a website for naming grandparents, I decided I would like to be called Grammy. That's Grammy with "m", not "n". Seeing as how I've never loaded up the truck and moved to Beverly. (Name that TV show.) I like the name Grammy because that's what I always called my favorite grandma.

So last year my son made me a mother-in-law. This year he's making me a Grammy. Small wonder after pictures like this.

So what do you think of "Grammy"? Does that title make my hair look too gray?

 

I'm Cheating!

Don't panic. I don't mean in dieting or marriage.

I'll explain the cheating part in a minute, but first I have to explain that I was given the Versatile Blogger Award from Jen at Grown in Southern Ground. Thanks, Jen!


I'm so honored! I looked up the word versatile because I'm an English teacher at heart, and that's what I do. Dictionary.reference.com defines versatile as having or capable of many uses.

That is so very true. I'm capable of being a mom or a wife or a sister or a friend or a pastor's wife or a writer or a blogger or ... but actually the blog was awarded, not me. Hmmm. Well, the blog is hopefully entertaining. It's also a record (spotty though it may be) of my life and the lives of my loved ones. Once in a great while my blog is provocative or challenging or encouraging.

Okay, so both I and my blog are versatile! We accept the award! (Like there was really any question as to whether or not I would accept an award.)

There are rules for accepting this award. The rules are as follows:

1. Nominate 15 fellow bloggers who are relatively new to blogging or whose blogs you enjoy the most.

2. Share seven random facts about yourself.

3. Thank the blogger who nominated you.

4. Add the Versatile Blogger Award picture to your blog post.

Numbers 3 and 4 are already taken care of. Second paragraph, people! Get with the program! I'm cheating in that I'm not going to nominate 15 bloggers. I'm sorry, but if I tried to go that route I'd never get any work done today.

Not that I'm writing this at work. Ahem!

But I am going to award one new blogger that I have been following. Kari at Simply Being Kari has not been blogging long, but her blog is always full of useful information on saving money, couponing, deals, etc.

And that's how I'm cheating.

Now for the last rule to fulfill--seven random things about me.

1. My first car was a 1973 yellow Chevy Vega. I occasionally had to make it go by sticking my feet through the thinning floorboards and running along the ground ala Fred Flinstone style.

2. I try to wear nail polish with sparkly stuff in it so my awkward brushstrokes are not noticeable.

3. I like dangly earrings because it's easier to answer the phone if my earring is dangling out of the way of the receiver.

4. I've spent a total of 101 hours of my life in labor.

5. When I was growing up I wanted to be a nurse. Until I realized that might involve bedpans and other yucky stuff.

6. I was an extremely shy child/teenager/young adult.

7. This is my 600th post on Jill Boyd's Place!

And that's me in a nutshell. Versatile. Busy life. Slightly cracked.

Hodgepodge!

Well I tried. I really did. I wanted to come up with some great title for this week's Hodgepodge that had some kind of a reference to golf.

But I failed.

And then my mind went blank, and I couldn't think of anything to title this post. Hence the extremely un-original and un-imaginative one-word title. But titled or not, the Hodgepodge is fun to say and fun to play. (I can rhyme even if I can't title!). So who's with me? Leave a comment--and I promise to try and be a little more original in my answers than in the title--and then click here to head on over to Joyce's to play along. You don't even have to be as lame as I am.

But it helps!

1. Have you ever played golf? Any interest in playing? Do you have a significant other who loves to play? Did you watch The Masters this past weekend?

I play minature golf. And not well. And I know it's not the same. But really, doesn't the windmill make it more fun?

2. Hats are back in fashion this spring...how do you feel about wearing a hat? (fyi-I'm not talking baseball caps) When was the last time you wore one?

I like hats, but my hair doesn't. If I place a hat on my head, my hair actually grabs it and throws it off.

Although in this case, I think the hat deserved it.

3. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 meaning proficient and 1 meaning "I'd starve", how adept are you at using chopsticks?

I'm considering incorporating chopsticks into my diet routine. I'm pretty sure I'd lose weight.
Not to mention patience.

4. Has technology taken over?

No. I still have to clean my own house.

5. In the course of a day how often do you look in a mirror?

Everytime I wash my hands. It's either that or look at the ceiling. Which is boring and strains my neck.

6. Tulip or Daffodil?

I'll take either, but in a bouquet please.

7. I am proud of myself for __________________.

I'm sorry, but apparently I'm not real prideful right now about anything. Wait a minute! Doesn't that make me humble? That's something to be proud about!
Oops. Lost it.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I had a great random thought the other day. It was both profound and humorous. When I had it, it made me laugh, and then I realized it was a random thought. And I made a mental note of it for this week's Hodgepodge.

I can't remember where I put the note.