A Respectful Hodgepodge

Thank you Joyce from This Side Of The Pond for our hodgepodge questions each week. I so enjoy them and I've made some new friends because of them. So, on to our questions for this week...

1. What's a word that describes your life? A word you wish described your life?

A word that describes my life right now would be stressful. A word  I wish described my life would be carefree. 

2.Back in my day we__________________?
Respected our elders and listened respectfully to their opinions even if we disagreed with them. 

3. When it comes to takeout are you more likely to opt for Italian, Mexican, or Chinese food? Does a typical week at your house include takeout? 

When it comes to takeout it's usually pizza. A typical week at our house does not include takeout, we simply can't afford it anymore. Takeout is reserved for a necessity or a special occasion.

4. Think about the people you most respect. What is it about them that earned your respect?

I try very hard to respect everyone until they prove themselves unworthy of that respect. That being said, I respect those who are respectful of others - especially their elders, I respect those who show themselves trustworthy and who do all they can to make their intentions clear.

5. What's something your friends might see and say is 'so you'?
Anything turquoise in color or anything having to do with music - especially the pipe organ. 

6.  Insert your own random thought here.
Ok, so I have no idea what's going on with my blog, but the first couple of questions aren't showing up at the top of this post. SO  I'm adding them here. If this is confusing, or if you're seeing them at the top and it's just me...my apologies. 

Thank you Joyce from This Side Of The Pond for our hodgepodge questions each week. I so enjoy them and I've made some new friends because of them. So, on to our questions for this week...

1. What's a word that describes your life? A word you wish described your life?

A word that describes my life right now would be stressful. A word  I wish described my life would be carefree. 

Spring Hodgepodge

1. On this first official day of spring tell us something (besides the weather) you're looking forward to in this season of the year.

I look most forward to getting out of the house more. Being able to go for walks without taking my life in my hands or being able to drive on dry roads. I can't wait for my first shopping trip!

2. When it comes to spring cleaning would you rather wash windows or wash baseboards? Clean out closets or clean out the garage? Dust ceiling fans or dust bookcases? Wipe down the patio furniture outside or wipe down the light fixtures inside? Any of these tasks recently completed?

I would rather wash windows than baseboards, closets that the garage, bookcases over ceiling fans and patio furniture instead of light fixtures. No, none of these are completed. I don't do much in the way of cleaning until after I'm done teaching for the summer. 

3. Your favorite thing to make/eat that calls for cream cheese? Sour cream? Whipped cream?

Cream cheese would be cheese ball, sour cream would be chicken chili and I hardly ever use whipped cream...maybe pumpkin pie? 

4. I read here a list of commonly mispronounced words. What is a word that gives you trouble when it comes to pronunciation?

That would be Worcestershire without a doubt! 

5. What's a song you love with the word 'rain' in the title or lyrics?

The only one I can think of is Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head...not necessarily a favorite, but there ya go.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

I've been working on a single blog post for two weeks now...sometimes it's just so difficult to put my thoughts down in an organized manner. SIGH. 

A Pink, Green, White Hodgepodge

1. Best place you've been lately?
I haven't been anywhere lately except home, church and the grocery store. Lately it's been mostly home as I've been getting over an infection. My home is comfortable though and I actually would rather be here than most places. Thanks to Joyce over at From this side of the pond for giving us a hodgepodge of questions to answer each week, I am getting to know some new people and making new friends. Join us if you haven't already!

2. What's something you should say yes to today? Or this week? Or even this year?
More exercise. I'm still trying to find a way to make time for it in my busy schedule. I had a good start last week until I came down sick.

3. Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day in any way, shape, or form? If so tell us how. In Western cultures the color green is typically associated with jealousy, nature, good luck, and growth. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word 'green'?
I don't celebrate, really. It's not that I'm anti St. Patrick's Day for any reason, I just have never felt the desire to celebrate it. This year however our local crafters' group will be meeting for an all day craft day on the 17th and we're having a St. Patrick's Day theme for our food. We'll be having corned beef sandwiches with all kinds of trimmings and I'll be making a green dessert...7 Layer Dessert with pistachio pudding. The first thing that comes to my mind when I hear the word green is usually something to do with nature...green leaves, green grass, spring green....ahhh, can't wait!

4. What's a product or service you love so much you'd happily be their spokesperson? Tell us what makes you such a fan.
Plexus Worldwide health and wellness products and I'm already a spokesperson. I am such a fan of these products because of how much better I feel when I take them consistently and for what I've seen them do for friends of mine. Plexus works from the premise that all health revolves around gut health. If your gut health is good chances are your overall health will also be good because you've addressed the root issue of most diseases we face today. I have personally seen more balanced blood sugar, better hormone balance, more energy, fewer food cravings among other things, and I'm better able to manage my Fibromyalgia pain. I have learned so much about better health since I started taking the products. I'm not where I want to be yet, but I'm on my way and I love it when I introduce my friends and they too are feeling better. Send me a message if you'd like more information. I'd love to talk to you about it and help you get healthier too!

 5. March 14th is Pi Day. How are your math skills? What's the last thing you did that required math of any kind? And most importantly do you like pie? What's your favorite kind? With ice cream, whipped cream, or please hold the cream?

My math skills are terrible...always have been. The last thing I did that required math was teaching "music math" to a piano student. I do like pie, my favorite is an unknown recipe called "Oatmeal Pie" that my mother found years ago. It's become a family favorite and expected at all holiday gatherings. Most pies I prefer without the cream and oatmeal pie certainly does not need it.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.
It will be some time before we see any green here in my neck of the woods. March has come in pretty lamb-like for us, causing me to feel like spring is just around the corner, but we are getting a fresh coat of white today.

Baby Steps

Three weeks ago my chiropractor encouraged me in my health improvement journey. He said take baby steps. In that time I have tried very hard to increase my water intake and I've been drinking a good share of my meals.

In the morning I juice with cucumber, celery, spinach, kale, lemon, apple and ginger.

At lunch I make a smoothie with apple or banana, blueberries, flax seed, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, almond butter and coconut milk. If I don't make a smoothie I will have a salad.

For supper I eat a regular healthy meal.
I've also been taking my supplements regularly.

I was feeling pretty well and noticing I had more energy until finally one of the bugs that has been going through the community finally caught up with me. I have kept it away all winter but now I'm suffering from a very bad sore throat. My smoothie is about the only thing that I have interest in "eating".

Evan at that I feel like I'm making progress in that I feel better. The scale hasn't budged, but I have to remember it's about health.

This past October my chiropractor diagnosed me with what he believes to be Fibromyalgia.

In order to manage it I'm improving my diet, drinking more water, taking my supplements and trying to find time to do some mild exercises, especially stretches.

Last summer I took a Tai Chi class for the first time and really enjoyed it. Problem is, because of my teaching schedule I can't participate during the school year. I had great plans to continue to try to do the exercises on my own, but best laid plans...I have forgotten most of them. I looked online and on YouTube but haven't been able to find exactly what I'm looking for. I remember my teacher said to sometimes just do free movements so that's what I started doing this week and it felt really good!

I am so STUCK! I'm hoping when I feel better that I can make this part of my daily routine, but time and demands make it difficult. Once I feel a bit more loosened up I will try to incorporate some yoga as well. I can't wait until summer when I can take part in classes again.

I'm finding that with both Tai Chi and Yoga the breathing is key.
                     
                                                                             One day at a time.

Tomorrow if I'm feeling up to it I will be hosting Bible study and I have a few students in the late afternoon/evening hours. Friday it's back to the chiropractor to see if I've made any noticeable improvement.

Wishing all of you a very good night!

At Least A Week Behind

I'm not sure of the word I want...envious,
                                                                amazed,
                                                                            dumb founded?
I have been trying to get here for the last almost week! How is it so many of you blog everyday without fail and do such a wonderful job? I long to be able to blog like I used to, everyday a journal of my daily life. Either family or unexpected chores or situations keep me away, I can't think of what to say or I get on the computer and get distracted checking my emails and Facebook messages which usually takes me to places having sales, videos to watch, or other blogs to read. Before I know it my "screen time" is gone and I must get on with more responsible activities.
                                                  How do you all manage to keep such up-to-date, exciting, fun-to-read blogs? 
                                 
With that said, let's see how well I can do today....

For starters, let's go back to last weekend...gosh I can't believe it was a whole week ago! Last Saturday was the second annual

                                    Crafters for a Cause 

Crafters for a Cause is to raise money for our local women's shelter. There are vendors, demonstrations and if you're a crafter you can rent a table and craft the entire day away while talking and laughing with friends. I did that last year and had a wonderful day. I also went to many of the demonstrations and always have fun learning something new. Last year we had a full house with non-stop activities and a steady stream of people coming to see and try a craft.

This year we only had 2 vendors and 2 demonstrations and hardly anyone came. We do have a way of making lemonade out of lemons though and so those of us crafters that attended made sure to do the demos as well as spend a lot of money on crafters rummage sale items so we could have something to take home from the day. ;) I was asked to help a newbie get started in scrapbook craft but every time I planned to work with her she was off doing something else. We finally had a minutes to talk, come to find out she didn't know she was supposed to bring pictures. Oh well. I gave her my contact information and hopefully we can connect at one of our gatherings in the near future.

I made a couple of cards of the same design, one in blue and the other in purple. My friend designed them and taught the demo.

I tried zentangle for the first time...can't say that's something I'm going to start doing on a regular basis, but I can now say I tried it.

Last but not least I was privileged to have won the quilt raffle!! Isn't it nice? It seems the shelter gives these away to mother's with children when they check in. People make them for them and donate them and when they get too many they raffle off a few. I was thrilled to be able to take this home. It now lives on the back of the couch.

I haven't yet heard how much money we made but I know it's not anywhere near last year. Plans are already underway for next year, so let's hope we have a better turn out. Next year I'm going to have to make a point to take more pictures.

In other news our youngest daughter has a new special someone. They've been long distance dating since November and he's here for the weekend. I'm fairly certain I have met my new son-in-law.

Also I just got news today that my other daughter, our middle child is moving to

                                                                                                                  CALIFORNIA 

with her husband and furbabies. This is a dream they've had for several years and her company had an opening in the California office, she applied and got the job. Now comes all the preparations to move from Chicago. There is a bit of a time crunch as she has a trip to Chile scheduled with my other daughter this month and as soon as she gets home she leaves for Santa Monica while her husband finishes the preparations and follows her. CRAZY! I'm happy for them because I know this is what they want but it just seems SO FAR AWAY.

Well I think that's enough for one entry. It's getting late and once I start getting tired it seems more fatigue and brain fog quickly follows...more about that maybe next time.

Goodnight friends,