Mother's Day Hodgepodge

Joyce is revamping the Hodgepodge because she has a life outside blogland.  We now have six questions instead of eight which suits me fine.  I so appreciate Joyce taking the time to host this gathering place each week.

So, come join the others as we meet around the Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. Share a favorite memory of your mother or share a favorite something from your own life as a mother. If you're a mother (or stepmom) tell us how your experience as a mom differs from your own mother's experience.

This is a picture of my mother and grandmother.  They were the dearest women in my life.  Both were strong women who loved their family and managed the life of a pastor's wife with grace and dignity.  My grandmother was the mother of ten children and lost her husband when her youngest, my mother was only seven.  So, she ran a household of mostly boys as a widow and single mom.  My mother was an independent business owner before she married my dad at the age of 24.

I'm not sure my experience as a mother differs greatly from that of my mom, because I parented much as she had done.  We were both strict in our parenting styles with expectations, yet loving and supportive.  My mother was an encourager and I tried to be that to my children as well.  She was a godly woman and prayed for us daily.  I could never match her there, but did and still strive to be a godly example for my children and grandchildren.  I am so grateful for the godly parents with which I was blessed.

2. In May we celebrate teachers (May 9) and nurses (May 6) both. Most every family has at least one in their midst, so tell us something (or a few things) you appreciate about the teacher or nurse on your family tree.

 My youngest sister will be retiring in a few days after teaching for almost 30 years.  She has taught first grade for most of those years and has loved every class she has had.  Some have been more challenging than others, but they were her babies and she was the teacher of choice by her co-workers with little ones.  As you can see from the picture above, she has been very creative while trying to fit into the standard mold that is expected of teachers these days.  Teaching is not what it used to be for sure.  Sarah, I'm sure you will be missed.

Both my children have BSN degrees.  John went on to get his Master's degree in Business with an emphasis in Health Administration and is now President and CEO of a Medical Surgical Hospital.  His hospital has received accolades and national recognition because of his outstanding leadership ability.  Christy is a Contract Case Manager and handles all the disability claims for the largest city in Texas.  Both of my nurses, although not actually working as nurses, have taken their education and are using it in a way that fits their own strengths.  I could not be more proud of them both.

3. Chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad...which would you go for if all three were on the menu? On bread or a bed of lettuce? If you answered bread, what kind of bread would make it the perfect sandwich?

Chicken salad on lettuce with an added avocado.

4. Do you have a desk? Is it organized? If so, share your secret to keeping it that way. If you don't have a desk, where in your home do you take care of family paperwork and business? 

Organized according to whose standard?  Our desk is a large L-shape that holds a large-screen computer monitor, pictures, a lamp, notepad, books needed at our fingertips and an organizer for pens, addresses, password notebook, etc.  Right now I am in the middle of a project, so the desk is pretty much covered with pictures.  So, to the normal observer, it would definitely appear cluttered, but I know where everything is and its purpose.  So, it's okay for right now and when it isn't, it will be swept clean.

Where do you normally sit to blog?

The desk is in our office/den and I sit there to do my blogging.

5. When I was nine years old....

I lived in rural south central Louisiana, in a small village that was on the edge of Cajun land.  My dad pastored the oldest Southern Baptist Church still in existence, west of the Mississippi River.  And it is still an active church today.  Our life revolved around the church (which was right in front of our house) and its people, school (which adjoined our property to the right of the house and church), friends, and playing outside.  I was the oldest of three girls and we were a very happy family.  Life was very good.

 See church in background and the model in foreground is me playing dress-up.

That would have been 1953.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I am in the process of creating a memory book for Granddaughter #4 who will be graduating from high school later this month.  Yes, I know!  I should have started it months ago.  But, it has been so much fun and sad at the same time to see time pass so quickly through pictures.

She is an amazing young lady who came into the world a "little lady" with the biggest smile and happy disposition.  I call her my girl of contrasts because she is on one hand a little diva who loves everything pretty and it can be all about her some time.  On the other hand, she is a force to be reckoned with on the soccer field.  Some of the mothers even complained about her one year because she was hurting their little girls in practice.  Yes, that is our Savannah!
A gorgeous force to be reckoned with on and off the soccer field!

And, she will be 18 tomorrow.  So,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAVANNAH MICHELLE DAY!