Wednesday Hodgepodge Memories

Wednesday Hodgepodge

The beauty of diversity!

1. Five years ago this month hubs and I relocated from New Jersey to the Palmetto State. What were you doing five years ago this month?

Looking back over pictures, we were probably pretty busy in August 2015.  The most memorable event was a great visit with my 1st cousin and her husband in Austin, Tx.  We were also getting ready for a trip to Northern Indiana in early September.

2. What was the last 9-5 job you worked? Tell us about it.

My last job was more like 7-till.  I was a financial aid officer at the local technical college.  There were two of us, and I not only worked directly with students but also was responsible for numerous reports directly related to financial aid, but also state required data reports.  There were a lot of deadlines that necessitated long hours.  Thankfully all that ended in 2011.

3. Plead the fifth, high five, take five, it's five o'clock somewhere, or the big 5-0...which number five phrase relates to your life in some way currently? Tell us how.

It would be the big 5-1.  Son John will have his 51st birthday on the 22nd.  We are so proud of this handsome, compassionate man with high integrity, a phenomenal work ethic, great leadership abilities and is the best dad and husband.

The link below is a short video where he explains his and his hospital's concept of patient care and I think you will understand why we are proud parents.

CEO John Day

4. During this season of spending so much time at home, what distractions get in the way of being your most productive? Or have you been extra productive since this whole thing started?

I think I have been as productive as I've wanted to be; however, I do admit to easily being distracted.  My distractions keeping me from doing routine and mundane chores relate to my computer, cell phone, and iPad.  I read books on the Kindle app on my iPad, and also listen to audiobooks on an old phone, not to mention finding all sorts of fun things to do on the laptop.  I always manage to get necessary tasks done and don't worry about the others.

5. Give us a list here of your top five anything.

1.  My relationship and fellowship with Jesus

2.  Family with Dick being at the top

3.  Staying healthy

4.  Enjoying our home

5.  Blogging

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Dick and I have been enjoying a salad.  In fact, we have had it almost every day for a late lunch and haven't tired of it yet.

The basic recipe consists of grilled chicken, corn, purple onion, avocado, and fresh parsley mixed with olive oil.

We have added black beans, tomatoes, sliced black olives, with chopped romaine lettuce.  We have also used chicken nuggets, and salmon for variety.  You may also like sliced boiled eggs or deviled eggs as in picture.  It is both delicious and filling.

A Tribute to My Friend Terry

Last week I attended two funerals.  One was of a high school classmate.  Terry was only 75 but what a rich life he had lived.

When my family moved to Pine Prairie, LA in the summer of 1960, I was between my sophomore and junior years of high school.  I was not happy about this move any more than I had been of the previous move.  It meant I had to leave friends again with whom I felt a real bond.  Being somewhat of an introvert, it meant I again would have to put forth an effort to make my place in a new school and community.

Those feelings of fear and uncertainty didn't last long however.  I soon realized that there awaited a whole new group of really neat kids with which I could relate and be friends.

One of those was Terry.  Our junior class was small and although most if not all of them had known each other since 1st grade, yet they included me and made me feel welcome.  We made great memories together during those two years of high school.

After graduating from college Terry came back to Pine Prairie where he began his career in education, not only as teacher but as a basketball, baseball and track coach.  He later became Assistant Principal and then Head Principal. In all, he served over 35 years at the same school where he started as a 1st grader.

Because of the respect for "Mr Ardoin," and the concern of overcrowding, there were two funeral services held.  For a small community of not more than a few hundred people, this was remarkable.

There were numerous testimonies and eulogies given and memories and experiences shared. In every single one, the word "encourager" was used.  Following is one such example:

"I was a very poor country boy who thought I had nothing to offer, but you must have seen something in me.  You always encouraged me - push harder, run faster, study more...I feel that I have succeeded in my life's goals in large part because you told me to keep trying..."

The statement was made that I completely agree with.  "I have never heard one single negative word about Mr. Terry." What a tribute!

Another such story was given by a young man who now holds a very responsible position in D.C.

"I was in the first grade and walking down the long hallway loaded with my heavy book bag and looking at the floor.  I heard a big voice telling me "hold your head up boy!"  I was startled and looked up to see this tall man standing there.  He looked at me with a smile on his face and said, 'Son, never hold your head down, but look up and be proud of who you are.  Look me in the eyes, and be proud.'  From that day, the influence and example of that kind man, Mr Terry, has made all the difference in my life."

One more short testimony that sums up the life of my friend.

"You are definitely one of those special people who just make life better for everyone around.  Your kind heart and generous soul have blessed so many people.  You mean so much to so many of us."

A picture from our '62 yearbook of the yearbook staff.  Terry and I are on each end of the front row.

Thank you Terry for being my friend and for the thousands of lives you have touched and made better.

In The Middle of a Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. August 12th is National Middle Child Day...are you a middle child? If not, where in your family do you fall in terms of birth order? Do you hold true to the typical characteristics of oldest-middle-youngest-only child? (a quick list can be found here) Elaborate.

I am the oldest of three girls and yes, my birth order characteristics are pretty much spot on.

For the most part, we are diligent and want to excel at everything we do. As the leader of our sibling pack, firstborns often tend to be:

• Reliable
• Conscientious
• Structured
• Cautious
• Controlling
• Achievers
• Judgmental

2. Tell us about a time you felt like (or you actually were) in the middle of nowhere.

Several years ago, we took a bus tour to Denver, and to get there we had to travel through the western edge of Kansas.  That is definitely in the middle of no where.

3. What's something you're smack in the middle of currently?

I have converted most of our old slides and now am in the middle of trying to get them sorted and organized so I can do jump drives for both the children with their baby and early childhood pictures.  Back in the day, we thought slide projectors would be around forever, and slides were a whole lot cheaper to make than having rolls of film printed.

4. What's a food you love to eat that has something delicious in the middle?

Since I just finished one, I will have to go with Natchitoches Meat Pie.  I imagine this is new to most of you who don't live in Louisiana.  It is a crispy crust filled with deliciously flavored ground meat and deep fried.  You can see more about this local favorite and a recipe HERE.

5. Share a memory from your middle school days, or junior high if that's what your school dubbed kids somewhere between grades 6-8.

My family moved to a different location mid year of my 8th grade.  My dad was a pastor and was called to a new church field.  This was a pretty traumatic experience for this self-conscious pre-teen until I stepped into the new church where they were having a community-wide Christmas music rehearsal.   I immediately noticed several really cute boys in the bass section, and it was amazing how quickly I adapted to the move. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I hadn't realized it is National Middle Child Day, so let me celebrate our middle sister.  Gingie, short for Virginia, has characteristics pretty typical for the middle child.  She is strong, but has never chosen the limelight.  She was an excellent athlete, very popular and outgoing.  She has a very tender heart, and is a natural caregiver, but don't cross her too many times.  Gin is very much a people person and delights in having strong, loyal friendships.

My sister is a four-time cancer survivor, the mother of two grown sons and grandmother to three brilliant grandsons.  She is our glue and Sarah and I don't know what we would do without her.

Thank you for bringing so much joy, happiness and stability to our family.

Happy National Middle Child Day, Gin.

Schooled on the Hodgepodge

Welcome to this weeks edition of

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Click on the link above to join all the Hodgepodgers.

1.  What's happening where you live in terms of schools opening? How do you feel about it?

Who knows!  It changes daily, but schools will officially open next Monday.  I heard this morning that a neighboring town, gave their students the choice of whether to return or not, and 78% chose not to.  This could be based on fear or it could be just a good excuse to be legalized dropouts.

Teachers are confused about how they will handle a classroom of sparsely arranged children plus teaching virtually, and others are concerned about how to safely handle a full classroom.  My Kindergarten teacher granddaughter is concerned about how to teach her ESL students phonics behind a mask.  A speech therapist, who has been denied the use of clear face mask shields, questions how in the world to teach her students.

I personally see both sides of the issue.  I believe children should be in the classroom where they received personal guidance and social interaction.  I also believe the statistics that show the safety of children being in group situations.

However, I also am aware that a large number of the children, particularly in our area, live with older adults who could be compromised.  Because I choose to not live in fear, but also choose to act responsibly, I come down on the side of opening ALL schools with some precautions.

2. What's something you still do 'old school'?

I can't think of one single thing I do 'old school.'

3. August 4th is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. Will you/did you celebrate by baking a batch? Eating a batch? Nuts or no nuts? Homemade or store bought? Soft and chewy or do you prefer your cookie to snap when you bite into it?

No, we are not going to indulge in celebrating this cookie day.  I prefer my cookies usually with nuts and soft and chewy.

4. What are you starved for?

If we're talking about food, since I am not a foodie I rarely if ever crave anything in particular.  If this is an open question, then I am starved for civility, common sense, leaders with strong conservative, Judaeo Christian values, a respect for our country's history, and a hope that things will be better soon.

5. Anything new and interesting on your August calendar? What is one thing you're looking forward to this month?

As I've mentioned previously, we will be celebrating my husband's 80th birthday and our 55th wedding anniversary the last weekend of August at our daughter's home in Dallas.  This event will be our focus.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

SHOPPING IS THE PITS!

I am in the process of looking for a grandmother of the groom wedding dress for an outdoor October event in northern Indiana.  Do you have any idea how difficult that is?  Especially when the shopper lives in the deep south?  I do have faith though there will be that just right grandma dress out there somewhere before the end of September.

 I also did one of my least favorite things today - shopped for swim suits.  Inventory is poor, decent selections are poor, added to the fact they cannot be tried on makes an already frustrating experience even worse.

Yep, for a non-shopper, shopping is the pits!

Outfits 101

Source

Several years ago, when I was still doing "Beauty Without Within" seminars, I became aware of Diana Pemberton-Sikes and felt an immediate connection to her.  I ordered every resource she came out with and printed articles that I found online, and basically copied (with a lot of modifications of course) her materials for my classes.  I even asked for help for some of my upcoming audiences which she graciously answered.

Since that time, I have continued to stay in touch with Diana through emails, her newsletter and Facebook.

In a recent email newsletter, she posted some of the most basic steps for putting together what I call a "Capsule Wardrobe."

Because it makes so much sense and explains the concept of building a wardrobe with only a few items, I asked if I could share it here with you.

Diana called it crash course – Outfits 101, and the simple steps are as follows:  1. Start with classic pieces in neutral colors:

2. Add some color:

3. Or let your personality shine through with either clothing...

...or accessories:

4. Mix and match to your heart's content:

See how easy this is?  They're the same clothes worn in lots of different ways.  I counted at least 23 different outfits just from the pictures.  You could easily dress for a whole month from three basic outfits and several additional pieces. How many of us have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear?  Probably if the majority of us were to examine our closets closely we would realize that we bought much of what is there on impulse.  Or we saw an item on someone else or in an ad and thought we needed it too.  How many times have we needed a "last minute" outfit and rushed out and bought the first thing we saw, and have never put it on again. Using Diana's ideas for planning a wardrobe will either eliminate that problem in the future, or at the best, give you some ideas for using that conglomeration of clothes in your closet. You may want to follow her simple guidelines: 1. Start with classic pieces in neutral colors. 2. Add some color. 3. Or let your personality shine through with either clothing or accessories. 4. Mix and match to your heart's content. You have TONS more outfits sitting in your closet than you realize – you just haven't thought about the combinations yet. So play around. Experiment. Have some fun. You may be shocked by what you come up with. And if you need more help putting together outfits, check out this Link.  If you just want some inspiration, then you will enjoy following her on Pinterest. For more information, check out Diana's blog and Facebook pages. Fashion For Real Women Fashion For Real Women Facebook Thanks for the inspiration and information, Diana.