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! 

Fun Questions and a Happy Birthday to AG

These were some fun questions today, Joyce.  Thanks for always making

Wednesday Hodgepodge

something to look forward to.

1. What was your biggest worry five years ago?  Is it still a worry?
Five years ago my position as Regional Facilities Manager for the NWLTC was done away with due to system changes and severe state budget cuts.  It was a scary time because I wasn't yet at the point where I could retire.  I was offered the opportunity to move back into Student Services as Financial Aid Officer, which was where I had started twenty years before.  Is it still a worry?  NO!  I retired two years later.  YIPPEE!!! and Thank You God!

2. Yesterday (October 15th) was National Grouch Day...what makes you grouchy?  What cheers you up when you're feeling grouchy?
 I try not to be or stay grouchy very long over anything.  So, I asked my Hubby to help me answer this question.  Without hesitation he said, "Having to repeat for the fourth time what your husband didn't hear!"  Bless his heart, he is probably right.  And shame on me!  What cheers me up?  Realizing how blessed I am to have him here to repeat things to.

3. In one word, how does it feel to be photographed?
 Self-conscious.

4. Besides your parents, who would you say had the greatest influence on you in choosing your life path?  Explain.
My Hubby!  Other than my parents, he has always been my greatest supporter and adviser.

5. The crisp days of autumn are here...what's something you like to eat, but only if it's crisp?
Oh, crisp is not my favorite food texture, but I guess it would have to be lettuce.

6. What's the most useless object you own?
The VHS and Audio Control Center perched on our desk.  It is connected to the large flat-screen TV mounted on the wall of our office.  We don't watch that many movies and can't ever remember how to push the right buttons to get it to project on the screen.  USELESS!

7. Share a favorite fall memory. 
I just love everything about Fall, but I guess to narrow it down would be going to LSU games in Tiger Stadium.  There is nothing like being in Death Valley and especially during the days of the Chinese Bandits.  Now, that ages me, doesn't it.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Tomorrow, Thursday, is Ava Grace's 7th birthday.  She is the youngest of four sisters and the youngest of our seven grandchildren.  Needless to say, she is a mighty special little girl.  So,

Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl.

We love you and can't wait to see you this weekend for Grandparent's Day!

  

Also, come back tomorrow for

"Getting Ready for Fall in the South - Part 4"

 

Granddaughter & My Anchor

Granddaughter's Visit

What delights a grandparent more than to spend time with her grands?
This past week, we had the pleasure of the company of our oldest.

Chandler, an Education Major, will be a Junior at Texas A&M this fall.

She has always been a complete delight to be around, but oh the joy of sharing time with her as a young adult!

We loved watching her veg out while participating in some of the programing during Shark Week.

We shopped till we both dropped and enjoyed eating out some as well as offering her some good home-cooked meals.

Then, Friday afternoon, she indulged me with my camera.

SHOW OFF TIME!

My Anchor

In the last three weeks, we have lost a close friend because of a heart attack, another survived her heart attack, but had to have three stints, and another had triple bypass this past week.  I just learned that the 42 year old son of a close former co-worker died as a result of heart failure.  There are so many hurting people.

Where does one turn 

When sadness crashes like an ocean,

When fear is deeper than the sea,

When we are swallowed by the darkness?

For the believer in Jesus Christ, we turn to the "Anchor for the soul!" (Heb. 6:19)

If there is ever a time when you can't see the light on the other side, and feel all alone, seek The Anchor who is "firm and secure."

I can't seem to get enough of this beautiful song sung by The Tenors.

The Tenors - Anchor Me

Have a great Monday!