Hodgepodge ~ September 9, 2026

 Good morning!  Happy Hodgepodge day on 9/9!

1. ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?  On a scale of 1-10 how much of a fan are you? (10 is never miss a game and 1 is I'm just here for the snacks). Who's your team? If you're playing along today, but live outside the US feel free to sub your feelings about futbol for the more American sport of football. 

I am happy college football is here!  I don't sit and watch all the games, but I do love having football on tv in the fall on Saturdays. This is new in the last few years for me.  I also like to check all the scores Saturday night or Sunday mornings.  I would rate me at maybe a 5? I do enjoy going to a game live, but that rarely happens. I did go to one college game last year, so maybe I will go to one this year.  I cheer for University of Memphis but then I also cheer for mostly SEC teams.  I cheer for University of Tennessee but also Ole Miss.  Is this possible?? I do not cheer for Alabama or Mississippi State though.  

2. What's something you currently have a game plan for managing? 

I feel like I need to have a game plan to keep walking most days considering I always feel like I eat more in the fall because baking/cooking just seems more fun this time of year. Thankfully with the recent heat, I have a shaded path I can still manage to walk outside most days.

3. Do you like chicken wings? Hot, mild, or some other flavor? What's a must have food for you on a tailgate menu? I know tailgating isn't as big of a thing outside the US of A as it is inside the US of A, but you can also answer the question this way-what's a must have food for you at a sporting event viewing party? 

I am not a chicken wings girl.  I prefer chicken off the bone.  My favorite tailgating food/sport party would consist of dips and good protein appetizers.  

4. Teams typically have strict playbooks they follow. What is one unwritten rule or piece of advice in your 'life playbook' you think everyone should know?

My life saying is adapted from air travel:  Put your own oxygen mask on first.  Take care of yourself so that you can give to others.  

Communicate when plans change or you will be late. It happens, but let the other person know.

Acknowledge kindness when it is given to you at home, while driving, or in other public places.

Don't talk on your phone in a public bathroom. Also, use headphones in a public space when listening/watching things.

Oh, and wear sunscreen!

5. This is the week we remember and mourn all that was lost and changed on September 11, 2001. I always include a spot for bloggers to share anything they'd like to share about 9/11. Share as much or as little as you like. 

Like all of you, it so hard to imagine this was 25 years ago.  My goodness how the world has changed.  I remember being in shock and my heart hurting for NYC and the country.  I had a 7 month old baby.  I remember being at an exercise class and seeing it on the tv at the place afterwards then calling my husband.  I came home and we watched tv in disbelief like so much of the world.  I have been to the memorial and to the 9/11 museum, which I recommend for everyone to do if you get the chance at least once. I have a picture of my sister and I at the top of World Trade Towers taken in 1998, but it is in a scrapbook at my parents house.  That was the only time I went in the towers.  Saying a prayer for those families affected this week.  

Freedom Tower

This is a fire truck on display in the museum.

6.Insert your own random thought here. 

I screenshot things from time to time and here are some recently:

Hope you all have a great day & thanks for reading!

Currently Hodgepodging ~ September 2, 2026

 Hi friends.  Today I am linking up with Joyce for Hodgepodge and Amy for Currently. Here we go!

1. What's something you wanted to do this summer that you never got around to doing? 

I wanted to take a day to go to a state park and go kayaking.  I may try to make that happen this fall though.  The summer got away from me and now I need it to cool down during the day.

2. Were you the student who sat in the front row or hid in the back of the class? If you could go back and take one high school class again just for fun, which would it be? 

I wasn't a front row girl, but I don't remember hiding in the back.  My maiden name begins with a "W", so if it was an alphabetical seating chart, I was in the back.  If I could take a class again, it would probably be anatomy and physiology.  I liked that subject the best.  However, based on teachers, it would be my senior English teacher.

3. What characteristics do you think are essential in a good teacher (this can be applied to anyone who teaches, not just classroom teachers)? 

Patience, classroom management, & listening to your students come to mind.  I have only subbed, so I have never been a full time teacher.  However, my sister has been a teacher for almost 40 years and my father was a college professor for over 45 years.  They are both very good at what they do.  

4.  September 2nd is National Grits Day. Have you ever eaten grits? Are you a fan? If so how do you like yours? Would people describe you as 'having grit'? 

I do like grits, but rarely eat them.  I would prefer shrimp and grits over plain grits.  I think people would describe me as having grit for pressing on with learning to enjoy my life again after an unwanted divorce.  I did not let this deter my bucket list trip I went on this summer. The 4 days by myself were very empowering.  I felt like Rocky after these 4 days, ha!

5. What's something you're never too old or too young to enjoy? 

Dancing comes to mind!  

This is a picture of my daughters from a wedding reception this summer where we had so much fun!

On our cruise this summer, we got in the cruise video they played on the ship because we were front and center at the ABBA sing a long party where we sang and danced.  We also went to a dance party the last night that was fun!

I still take dance lessons, but go every 2-3 weeks.  I love this and do mostly latin dances, but I do enjoy some of the traditional ballroom dances too. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I purchased this set of pictures from Mixtiles to have memories from my trip and I love them!  Brook hung them for me last weekend and I have enjoyed looking at them so much.  I had been waiting for the right picture/pictures for above my sofa.

I also framed these 2 pictures from my trip:

This is the picture of me driving across the bridge that represented me living life at new heights.

And this picture below is my picture taken at the Squamish River on the day that meant so much to me.  I hung this up in my bedroom.

And now on to Currently!

Adjusting (to)

I feel like I am always adjusting to being a single person.  I am doing okay, but it is an adjustment.  After a long marriage and trying dating, let's just say it is an adjustment to this new stage.

Baking/Cooking

With fall approaching, I am inspired to bake and cook more.  Y'all know I bake sourdough, which I enjoy and usually do every 2 weeks, depending on if I give away any bread or not!

I made some pesto chicken last weekend that was very tasty. The recipe consisted of mixing a block of cream cheese and 1/2 cup of pesto sauce.  I spread that over chicken breasts and then sprinkled mozzarella cheese on top. I baked it at 375 for 30-40 minutes and it was perfect.

I also bought some tilapia from Trader Joe's last week.  I like tilapia, but had never cooked any.  I usually just cook salmon or shrimp when it comes to seafood.  I coated the tilapia in parmesan cheese, oat flour, garlic, salt and pepper.  I cooked it in my air fryer at 400 for about 20 minutes and it was tender and so light.  I need to do this more often!

I also made a quick dinner one night with ground turkey mixed with my homemade cheese dip.  The cheese dip is cottage cheese mixed well so it is smooth, mixed with cheddar/mexican cheese and taco seasoning.  It was all tasty and I ate this with chips.

Decorating

I haven't done it yet, but I will be decorating for Fall soon. I think I will do that in a few weekends when the temperature is below 90.

 Balancing

Time on my own, family and friends - I enjoy all of these so it is balancing and learning when to say yes and no.

  Learning

I am always learning grace and peace for myself in relationships and work.

Here's hoping your week is going well and thanks for reading!

Hodgepodge ~ August 26, 2026

 Hi!  I am joining Joyce today for our weekly Hodgepodge session.  Love these days!

1. How do you feel about the transition from lazy summer days to a busier fall routine? 

Well, my schedule honestly doesn't change that much from summer to fall.  My work routine stays the same.  I do enjoy the break from traffic on the days I drive into the office though!  I still like the lighter feel of summer, but I also am ready for fall by this time of year too!

2. Your favorite cookie? 

I love a homemade chocolate chip cookie!  

3. What's something you've learned from a culture different than your own? 

Oh my goodness, I feel like there are so many little things I took away from living in South America for 3 years.  If you are new here or have forgotten, I lived in Bogota, Colombia for 3 years.  I loved getting to know the people, the language and the food. 

I have written about Edwin here before, but he became a part of our family while we lived there.  He lives in Australia now with his beautiful wife, whom we also love.  This is the couple I drove to Dallas to see last December for a few hours.  Edwin spent a Christmas Eve with us and we had so many fun memories with him.  He helped us so much with learning the language and culture.

The other person who was so instrumental for our time there was my language professora.  She was so much more than this.  She was a dear family friend and I love her dearly. I will always be thankful to her for all she did for us.  

Brook calling a taxi for us!

This was from my first day of Spanish class!  She was in our apartment for 4 hours a day, 5 days a week, so we spent a lot of time together that first year!

My favorite juice was made from the lulo fruit, which you drink but don't eat.  We also enjoyed empanadas, platanos, arepas and my favorite soup, which is not pictured below, ajiaco.  This is made of chicken and four different types of potatoes served with an avocado and rice.

4. Food critic, film critic, book critic, art critic...which hat would you most like to wear? Tell us why. 

I would choose food!  I participate more in eating food than I do the other options, ha!  

5. What's a small, random thing from your childhood that you still remember clearly? 

I remember Christmas traditions of seeing Santa, posing in front of the Christmas tree with presents, and Christmas mornings.  I also remember lots of fun times at my grandparents house. Below is a childhood picture along with an updated picture of my siblings, but this second picture was probably 7 or 8 years ago.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Sweet Maria sent me this song this week and I have loved it.  I relate to it so much and am so thankful to feel hope again!

It Might Be Hope 

by Sara Groves

You do your work the best that you can

You put one foot in front of the other

Life comes in waves and makes it's demands

You hold on as well as your able

You've been here for a long long time

Hope has a way of turning it's face to you

Just when you least expect it

You walk in a room

You look out a window

And something there leaves you breathless

You say to yourself

It's been a while since I felt this

But it feels like it might be hope

Hodgepodge ~ August 19, 2026

 Good morning!  I am linking up with Joyce for today's edition of Hodgepodge.  Thank you for reading!

1. August 19th is National Aviation Day...do you like to fly? Last time you were on an airplane? The date is chosen in honor of the history and development of aviation, and celebrated on the birthday of Orville Wright. Have you ever been to the Kitty Hawk area of North Carolina? The city of Dayton in Ohio (their birthplace)

I do enjoy flying! I don't do it as much anymore, so maybe that is why it is still enjoyable for me.  I try to be flexible with my travel plans in case there are delays.  A few of you may know this, but my college degree is a Bachelors of Commercial Aviation and my major was aviation management.  It was a mix of studies of aviation and business classes.  I loved it and my first job out of college was as a reservations sales agent with Delta Air Lines.  This was pre-internet when you would call an agent to book your airline ticket.  This is from last fall when I went back to visit my college campus.

The last time I was on a plane was a week and a half ago when I flew home Seattle/Los Angeles/Memphis.  I lived in North Carolina for 5 years, but have never visited Kitty Hawk.

2. In what area of your life do you tend to 'wing it'? Is this an area you should be winging? 

Oh, maybe I am winging it in the area of dating.  I probably should not be winging it in this area, but trying to stay stay level headed.

3. A favorite book, song, or movie that relates to flight in some way?   

Since I mentioned the other day one of my favorite movies is Rocky, the song that came to mind is "Gonna Fly Now". 

The comedy movie spoof about flying, Airplane, is a classic.

4. Soft serve, gelato, sherbet, frozen yogurt, or good old fashioned ice cream...what's your pleasure? Your favorite flavor? How often do you indulge? 

Any guesses?  If you know me, you know the answer is frozen yogurt! I usually indulge once a week, or sometimes I will go every 2-3 weeks.  I usually choose the sugar free chocolate/vanilla swirl and maybe once a year will indulge in toppings.  Fun story, I found a Menchie's frozen yogurt in Vancouver and had to go!  It was such a fun find that I didn't realize was there before going.

Yogurt with my daughters over the years

Yogurt with one of former co-workers...we go every other week or so because Menchie's is Kosher.

5. I never get tired of ...hearing my daughters laugh & hugs from them and my greats. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I have been enjoying my Huckleberry goodies.  I fell in love with the Huckleberry flavor in Montana about 8 years ago.  When anyone goes out west, I try to ask for huckleberry.  I found some goodies while in Alaska!  I have been enjoying my sugar free huckleberry preserves with some sourdough bread this past week.  

I bought some of these for us and some as gifts while on my trip.

Have a great day!