A Happy New Year Hodgepodge...

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 203

From our hostess, Joyce:  Happy New Year Hodgepodgers! Welcome to the final edition of 2014. Next time we do this a new year will have rolled around, and speaking of...there will not be any Hodgepodge next week (Jan 6/7) because I will be in full on wedding mode.  The Hodgepodge will be back to it's regular weekly posting the week after-on January 13/14.  

Okay, here we go-

1. Share a favorite moment from your Christmas holiday celebration.  Spending the weekend before Christmas, with family down in Naples, FL, was wonderful.  I really enjoyed the early Christmas Vigil Mass, at our church, with all the children dressed up for the holiday. I think I smiled through the entire service and am not sure the Priest had my undivided attention, since I was watching all the little ones.  I miss having that excitement and joy and innocence around the tree on Christmas morning.

2. What would you say has been the biggest news event during your life so far?  Wow - that covers 63 years of big news events, including assassinations, attempted assassinations, wars, POWs returning home, terrorist attacks in our country - Oklahoma and 9/11 especially, grandchildren being born, 30 years with my dear husband, cancer struggles, deaths, survivors..... I can't name just one "big" thing.

3. The Pantone Color of the Year for 2015 is Marsala. What say you-like or no like? Would I find this color anywhere in your home or wardrobe? Will you add something in this shade to either?  Yes, I do like it, and this text color is as close as I could get to it, here.  I have always called it 'burgundy' (which is also a lovely red wine).  It is warm, yet bright, and blends with lots of other colors, making it almost a neutral shade.  I am actually wearing it right now (close, anyway)!  (Terrible at selfies!)  It is also an accent color in our living room.

4. Would you rather meet your ancestors or your great grandchildren? Explain why.  Well, that is an interesting question!  Since I am so interested in genealogy, I would want to meet my ancestors and then leave lots of information for those great-grands that I may not get to know as adults.

5. Share one life lesson learned in 2014?  Life and love are more precious as each year goes by. Don't take anyone for granted!

6. What was your best or favorite purchase made in 2014?  Probably paying ahead for our anniversary trip to New Orleans, coming up in May 2015.  The hotel is booked and paid for.  We just have to get there, and then enjoy the history - and the food!

7. What is one thing you're looking forward to in the new year?  Well, #6 played right into this question!  Our 30th anniversary trip to New Orleans, in May!  Sure wish we could afford Italy again, but we both love New Orleans.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. I want a kinder and more gentle 2015. I'm tired of terrible news stories. I'm exhausted by violence and that people can be so violent. I'm sad that peace is always unachievable across the world. Hate just eats away at life. If we could all just be kinder, our existence would be so much better.

Another great Hodgepodge, Joyce! Thank you!  And thank each of you for stopping by to read my answers this week!  I am so blessed by our friendships here and look forward to a wonderful new year.

Wishing everyone a bright, happy
and healthy 2015!!

Be safe if you are partying tonight!
Happy New Year!

Tuesday Tidbit Time...

• Today is like a Friday! I am off from work the next two days!
• Work is quiet, with just a few of us in this week, and I got a lot done yesterday!
• Joe and I went grocery shopping last night, when I got home from work.  The holiday leftovers are being thrown out and replaced with fresher options!
• We are having a little New Year's Day feast, though. We invited Helen, Cheryl and Sheila to come for pork and black-eyed peas, at 1:30.  It will be fun having one last little 'hoorah' before I put all the decorations away.  I even have some 'bubbly' in the 'fridge, for a toast to 2015!
• News from the ICU in Tallahassee is better.  I spoke with my sister last night, and she said they are preparing Bruce for transport back to Georgia (Valdosta Memorial) and from there, to a rehab home.  They are putting a feeding tube in his stomach today or tomorrow (hoping for today) so the one in his nose can come out.  His BP and temp were regulated and normal yesterday, so hoping they found the right combination of drugs, at least for awhile.  He was even setting up for awhile.  He knows people, but expresses frustration at not understanding words.  I can't imagine how awful it must be to not be able to communicate.  There is a long hard time of rehab ahead.  They didn't do a swallow test yet, but are moving forward with the feeding tube, which will help get nutrition in his body, even if he is able to eventually eat something.  My sister, Tammy, had planned to make a run back home today, returning to Tallahassee tomorrow, but she is waiting now, and hoping to be back in Georgia by the end of the week, with Bruce.  One of Bruce's daughters works in a rehab facility, so they are hoping he can get a bed in that one.  
• All of that said, your prayers are still appreciated!!

Thanks for checking in today!  I see the Hodgepodge questions have been posted for tomorrow's meme, so I'll start working on that during my lunch time today.  Joyce has a wedding in just a few days.... I'm so excited for them and can't wait to see the photos and hear all about it!  Peace & blessings!

Memory Monday.....

Today's post is supposed to be about More Christmas Memories.  I'm taking a pass on this one.  I already did a post about Christmas Memories, and this year's events have been well documented over the past week.  This is a great meme, and if you want to join in, please check out Retired Not Tired!

I thank you again, those who have had my brother-in-law and sister in your prayers.  He is making improvements, but is still in ICU.  The ventilator has been removed, but they did not do the swallowing test yesterday, as originally planned.  His blood pressure and temperature have been going up and down for two days.  He is still not answering commands (like 'squeeze my hand') so there doesn't seem to be an understanding of language yet.  My sister is hanging in there and trying to stay positive.  Your prayers are still appreciated.

I am back to work today. Enough said.....

Sunday Stealing (Archives).....

The New Year's Eve Meme

Welcome back to Sunday Stealing which originated on WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of memes from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent memes. You may have heard of the expression, “honor amongst thieves”. In that age-old tradition, we also have our rules. First, we always credit the blog that we stole it from and we will “fess up” to the blog owner where we stole the meme. We also provide a link to the victim's post. (It's our way of saying "Thanks!") We do sometimes edit the original meme, usually to make it more relevant to our global players, to challenge our players, sometimes to select that meme's best questions, or simply to make it less repetitive from either this new meme or recently asked questions from a prior featured meme.  

Let's go!!!

The New Year's Eve Meme

From the archives!

In 2014, I gained:  another year on this earth (no way am I talking about weight!)

I lost:  a couple of friends to death  :(

I stopped:  worrying about things that don't get done

I started:  trying to smile more, and 'pay it forward' more often!

I was hugely satisfied by:  planning our 30th anniversary get-away

And frustrated by:  the usual....stupidity and the news media

I am so embarrassed that I:  (no answer for this one)

Once again, I:  thought about getting a dog

Once again, I did not:  thankfully, get a dog (just won't fit our lifestyle-but I love them)

The biggest physical difference between me last December and this December is:  knees are worse

The biggest psychological difference between me last December and this December is: (no answer)

I loved spending time:  with Joe and our grandchildren

Why did I spend even two minutes:  worrying about something

I should have spent more time:  cleaning out cupboards and drawers

I regret buying:  (no answer)

I will never regret buying... our new TV even though with that money I could have ... had more money for our anniversary get-away

I ...eat way too much.

I didn't... pray enough.

 ... the news media drove me crazy.

The most relaxing place I went was right here at home

Why did I go to (no answer)

The best thing I did for someone else was (no answer - I don't keep track)

The best thing I did for myself  (no answer)

The best thing someone did for me  people do wonderful things for me frequently, but I love the plaque our granddaughter gave me  "I love you to the moon and back"  (so special!)

The one thing I’d like to do again, but do it better,  (no answer)

I just don't spend a lot of time thinking about the questions asked here, and can't think back on 12 months to find something to mention.  Geesh.....am I the only one?  I'll look forward to the answers of others who join in on this meme.

I want to thank you again for continuing to pray for my brother-in-law and sister.  Bruce is improving, so prayers are being heard!  They removed the Vent and he is breathing on his own (Tammy says he is sleeping better and is snoring....back to normal!).  They will do a swallowing test tomorrow and hope to be able to remove the feeding tubes.  His blood pressure and temperature are much more stable, and he is definitely recognizing people, though not able to speak yet, and is perhaps not processing speech yet.  Tammy is feeling better and is sleeping better. The neuro-surgeon has signed off the case, which is also a good thing.  Prayers still appreciated!! Thank you!

Back to work tomorrow, for me.  At least it will be a short week, with Wednesday and Thursday off!

Thanks for stopping by!  Peace & blessings!

Saturday:9 Marshmallow World....

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: Marshmallow World (1963)

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

1. This song likens fluffy clouds to marshmallows. What does the sky look like where you are today?  Overcast and gray.

2. The lyrics refer to snowballs. Have you ever been in a snowball fight?  Yes

3. Chionophobia is fear of snow. What phobias do you have?  No phobias.

4. In 2004, Canadian school children raised money for charity by setting a new world record: the most snow angels made in 24-hour period. Have you ever participated in a fundraising stunt?  No stunts, but plenty of fundraising.

5. When marshmallows were first introduced, they were used for medicinal purposes. Specifically to soothe sore throats. What do you take when your throat is bothering you?  Honey and/or ZiCam.

6.  Marshmallows are an important ingredient in the Rice Krispies Treat recipe. If you were asked to prepare something for a bake sale, what would you make?  Brownies.
 
7. Darlene played Danny Glover's wife in the Lethal Weapon movies. Do you enjoy action movies?  Yes, I enjoy action movies and we have all four Lethal Weapon movies in our collection.

8. Darlene's father advised her to always, "shoot for the stars." Share some good advice you've received.  Know when to leave the party.

9. Will you be returning/have you returned any holiday gifts?  Nope!  Love everything I received.

Thanks to Sam Winters for this great weekly Meme!  Thank you for peeking in today!  Wishing you a good weekend. Peace & blessings!

Friday Holiday Re-Cap.....

It's hard to believe that the week is coming to an end already.  We rush and stress and plan for Christmas, and then it is over.  Our Pastor reminded us that the Christmas season runs through January 12th, and we really should leave our decorations out until then.  BUT....I am so ready to get the house back to "normal".  We will wait until the weekend after New Year's Day, but then it will all go back into the attic.

Our December started with the memory of a wonderful Thanksgiving and continued through my birthday, lunch with my girlfriends, a visit from our son, Jeff, and another visit from Granddaughter Lauren, then our trip to Naples for an early Christmas celebration.

At Bonefish Grill with Jeff.

Shopping at Lakeside Village with Lauren.

The lovely real tree, decorated by our talented daughter-in-love, Kathy.

Tristan's nutcracker collection on the sideboard. 

Lunch outside, at Tommy Bahama's, in Naples.

One half of our church, on Christmas Eve.  By 4:00, it was standing room only.

The bounty for Christmas dinner, at our friend Helen's house.

Our little 'pencil tree' that we used this year.

Of course, the news of my brother-in-law's stroke put a damper on our Christmas celebration.  We texted and talked to my sister, Tammy, almost hourly the first few days.  The news is better now, with Bruce responding to touch and moving his right side, which he had not been able to move.  He still isn't fully awake, and isn't responding to commands yet (squeeze my hand), but the doctors are hopeful that he may recover, though cautioning that it will be a long hard year ahead for him if he is to make a recovery.  Tammy went home (to Georgia) yesterday and is going back to Tallahassee, to the hospital, today.  Bruce has a large family and they have all been there with Tammy. She told us not to come.  He is in ICU and visitors are limited...nothing we can do, etc.  I want to be there for her, but there really isn't anything I can do now, to help.  The time will come, though.

We have a funeral to attend today.  A Museum Board member's father died last week.  Since he is our treasurer this year, and I work closely with him, I feel the need to attend. Joe is going with me.  We didn't make it to our usual Christmas day movie, so we will see one this afternoon, when we return from the funeral.

December has always been a tough month for my family.  I'm glad to see January on the horizon.

I have enjoyed catching up with your Christmas posts, and still have a few to see.  I especially enjoy the little ones!!  Having that innocent, magical joy around the tree on Christmas morning is just the best!!

On to a bright and happy new year!!  Thanks for stopping by! Peace & blessings.

Better News Today....

My brother-in-law is responding to touch, though not really "awake" yet.  Waiting on results from his latest CT scan, but one doctor told my sister that he may be able to go home mid-week, next week.  We are all breathing a little better tonight.

Thank you for your prayers and positive energy.  They are being heard and felt.  I ask that you continue to include Bruce and Tammy in your prayers during this sacred holiday.

Joe and I went to Mass tonight.  The early "children's" Mass was standing room only, and our church holds about 1,500 people.  It was crazy noisy, with babies crying and little ones who would rather be at home, waiting for Santa.  Made it fun, though, and the little ones are what it is all about.  We went to Olive Garden for dinner, and had fun leaving a nice tip for our waitress.

On tap tonight - "It's A Wonderful Life" and then no alarm clock tomorrow.  

Thanks again for your prayers for my sister and her husband!!  Much appreciated.

Joe and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!  Blessings are all around us.

Our Savior is Born!!  Hallelujah!!

A Sad Post To Share....

My youngest sister's husband had a massive stroke yesterday.  He is in ICU and on life support, with the next 48 hours critical to which way this will go....

If you will, please put Tammy and Bruce on your prayer list, especially these next two days. We could sure use a Christmas miracle.

Thanks so much. I've turned off the comments. I know you will be sending prayers and good thoughts for them, and each one is appreciated!!  I'll post an update when I know more. Thanks again!

Memory Monday.....

Today's Memory Monday Meme is about "My Children",

You already know about my children, because I write about them frequently.  Joey and Jeff are my step-sons, and we entered each others' lives when they were 16 and 20 years old, and I was 32.  I am not old enough to be their biological mother, and we have had lots of fun with that over the last 30+ years!

Both of my boys have grown into responsible men.  Both have had some hard times in their lives, including losing their mom at such young ages.  Watching a loved one suffer through cancer causes pain that we sometimes don't even acknowledge or notice until years later.

I am pleased to say that they both hold responsible and professional jobs.  Jeff has been with Safeway stores for almost 30 years, and has been a department manager for the last third (at least) of his career.  He is a meat department manager now. His friends fondly refer to him as "the butcher".  Joey, after working in public accounting for a few years, now has over 20 years with the federal government and is starting to look forward to retirement.  I only hope I get to retire before he does!!  (snickering)

Jeff went to George Mason University for two years, before deciding he would rather work full time at Safeway (and is a 'butcher' like his grandfather).  Joey graduated from Villanova University and is a CPA (like his dad).

Joey has given us two beautiful grandchildren, and I also write about them often.  Jeff was married to a woman who had two daughters. They were 9 and 11 when Jeff entered their lives, and he put them through college (University of Virginia) before he and his wife divorced.  He is happy to be back in touch with the girls (just in the last year), and we are happy for him. They were our lovely granddaughters for many years, and it always hurts when families are disrupted by divorce and bad feelings.  I hope someday that we can reunite with them, too, in some way. They are both happy, married, and one has three children and the other is expecting her first baby.

Our two step-granddaughters, who we haven't seen in 7 or 8 years.

I am late getting this posted. We returned from Naples today. Had a lovely time, as reported yesterday. I'll share more as the week goes on....

Thanks for stopping by!  Peace & blessings as we speed toward Christmas day!

A Late Sunday Stealing,,,,

The Christmas Meme

Welcome back to Sunday Stealing which originated on WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of memes from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent memes. You may have heard of the expression, “honor amongst thieves”. In that age-old tradition, we also have our rules. First, we always credit the blog that we stole it from and we will “fess up” to the blog owner where we stole the meme. We also provide a link to the victim's post. (It's our way of saying "Thanks!") We do sometimes edit the original meme, usually to make it more relevant to our global players, to challenge our players, sometimes to select that meme's best questions, or simply to make it less repetitive from either this new meme or recently asked questions from a prior featured meme.  

Let's go!!!

The Christmas Meme

From the archives!

1. Do you send Christmas cards?  Yes

2. How soon do you start shopping?  Usually not until November, and December for most of it.

3. Who do you shop for?  Family, friends and co-workers

4. Do you put up a Christmas tree?  Yes
5. If so, is it fake or real?  Fake

6. Do you like tinsel?  Yes but not on an artificial tree.

7. Do you use homemade or store bought ornaments? Some of each.

8. Do you put Christmas lights outside your house?  Yes

9. Do you put lights on the tree?  Yes - pre-lit

10. How about popcorn and cranberries?  No

11. Is there a wreath hanging on your door?  Two - we have French doors

13. Do you hang up your stocking?  Yes

14. Does your family read "Twas the night before Christmas?"  Not any more

15. Christmas Movie?  All we can fit in!

16. Character from any Christmas Movie:  Scrooge

17. Christmas Song:  Mary, Did You Know

18. Christmas Memory: Lots and lots of wonderful memories

19. Give or Receive?: Give

22. Ham or Turkey?:  Ham

24. White Lights or Colored Lights?  White inside, colored outside

25. Blinking Lights or Still Lights:  Still

26. Were you Naughty or Nice this year?:  Probably both bur 75% NICE

27. What do you want for Christmas this year?:  Peace

28. When do you open your gifts?: Christmas eve, usually, after Mass

29. What's the best gift you've ever gotten?:  So many....

30. What's the worst gift you've ever gotten?:   Clothes, when I wanted toys!  :)

31. Who gives you the most gifts?:   Joe

32. Have you ever had a secret Santa?: Yes

33. Do you like wrapping gifts?: Not as much as I used to

34. Do you put change in those red buckets?:  Yes

35. Do you burn a yule log?: Haven't had a fireplace for almost 26 years

36. Can you name all the reindeer?:  Yes, if I sing them.....

37. Do you bake cookies?:  Not like I used to

38. Have you ever seen your mommy kissing Santa Clause?: Yes

39. Have you ever gotten a kiss under the mistletoe?:  Yes, that's why I hang it each year! :)

41. Do you drive around and look at the Christmas lights?: Yes

42. Have you ever left Santa cookies?: Yes

43. Have you ever sat on Santa's lap?:  No, to the dressed up Santa...yes to my dad and Joe

44. Who do you celebrate Christmas with?:  Family and friends

45. Where do you celebrate Christmas?:  Christmas dinner is at a friend's house

46. Have you ever had a white Christmas?:   Yes

47. What part of Christmas do you look most forward to?:  Having the house put back together when it's all over.

48. Have you ever had your picture taken with Santa?:  No.

We are having a lovely time in Naples, FL, with Kathy, Jim and grandson Tristan.  Lauren begged off, since she has to work tomorrow, and then come back on Wednesday for Christmas here. Sure sorry we missed her, but we just spent the weekend with her last week.  More about the weekend later!  Hope you all have had a good weekend.  We head home in the morning!  Peace & blessings!

Saturday:9

Happy Holidays! (from the archives)

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: Happy Holidays!

1. As you can see, Sam loved giving her annual wish list to Santa. Yet some children are reluctant to climb into Jolly Old St. Nick's lap. Did you enjoy the tradition or were you shy? Or did you by pass it altogether -- either because you wrote him a letter or because your family didn't celebrate Christmas?

I don't remember ever sitting on Santa's lap, and have never seen a photo of me (or my siblings) sitting on Santa's lap.  We had to go into Columbus (Ohio) to find a store big enough for a Santa photo opportunity.  Santa DID come to my birthday parties a few times (December birthday) - it was my grandpa, dressed up as Santa.

2. Are you currently on the Naughty or Nice list? How did you get there?

I hope I am on the Nice list again this year. I try real hard to not be naughty....though patience is something I am short on more often than I should be.

3. Did you ship any gifts to friends and family this year? If so, which one traveled the farthest?

Yes, we had to send gifts to family in Ohio and Virginia. They are about equal distance from FL.
 
4. Did you buy yourself a gift this year?

 Our "big" gift this year was our new TV, so I guess I did by myself a gift.

5. What's your favorite holiday-themed movie?

My favorite Christmas movie is probably Christmas Vacation, with A Christmas Story being a close second.  There are many that I love, and we try to watch most of them...Polar Express, Scrooge....

6. Thinking of movies, Christmas is lucrative for Hollywood. Have you ever gone to a movie theater on Christmas Day?

Since we don't have family for Christmas anymore, we enjoy Christmas dinner with friends (they come to our house for Thanksgiving, and then do Christmas for us) and then we do, indeed, usually go to a movie on Christmas evening.  It has sort of become our little tradition.

7. Have you ever suffered an embarrassing moment at the company Christmas party? 

No, because all the company parties I have attended have not included alcohol, and that is usually the reason for embarrassing moments.  Even if they did, I am not much of a 'drinker'.

8. What's your favorite beverage in cold weather?

Coffee.  Hot chocolate would come second, followed by warm spiced cider.

9. What will you remember most about 2014?

How God has blessed us so richly, with no serious health issues, and with family moving closer to us.

 

Speaking of family, we are most likely on our way down to Naples if you are reading this, this morning. We are looking forward to early Christmas festivities with our grandchildren (who are both adults now).  Lauren requested that we bring a couple of games with us, so of course we will.  I will not be keeping up here for the next couple of days, but know that I'll at least read everything and catch up with you next week.  I have next week off !!!!!!!!!  (big smile, no alarm clocks!)   Have a great weekend, and thanks for stopping in!  Blessings!

Finally Friday Fragments....

It is finally Friday. This has been a crazy week for me (and many of you, too).  I did get my cards out, got the shopping done, took gifts to work for everyone and have only four things on my list for tonight. Tomorrow, we are going down to Naples for our Christmas weekend with Lauren and Tristan. Kathy and Jim are having a holiday cocktail party Saturday night, so there will be some folks making merry.  Sunday morning, we will open gifts from us.  Always a wonderful time.

Have you seen this commercial yet?  I love it.

Have you heard this version of "Mary, Did You Know", by Pentatonix?  Gives me goose bumps!

Did you see this Family Circus Cartoon?  Makes me smile!!

I will probably not be on the computer much over the weekend, but I'll be back when we get home. Will wish you a wonderful weekend now!!  Peace & blessings!

A Quick Throwback Thursday Post....

We are still sifting through old family photos, and I am getting more of them scanned in.  Here are two I thought I would share today, on Throwback Thursday:

Our sons, Joey and Jeff, Christmas 1969.

I tagged Joe's dad, so you would know which of these members of the Italian American Club was him.  It looks like a scene from the Godfather, doesn't it?!  Except they would not have allowed the picture to be taken!!  LOL 

I am getting my back-log of work done, at home and at work!  Plodding along and just keeping my head down and on task.  It will get done. It will get done.....

Thanks for stopping by!! Peace & blessings to you today!

It's a Fudgey, Nutty Hodgepodge...

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 202

From our hostess, Joyce:  Hello Hodgepodgers! Here are this week's questions, and by now you know the drill. Hop back HERE tomorrow to share answers and a cup of Christmas cheer. Also, by way of announcements today...the Hodgepodge will be taking a holiday break next week, so no questions Dec 23rd/24th.  I'll be back with another set the week after (December 30th/31st) so we can all ring in the new year together. 

Here's what we've got for today-

1. Time magazine has selected The Ebola Fighters as their person of the year for 2014. Do you agree, and if so who would you say is a close second? If you disagree with their choice, who do you think should have been chosen?  I rarely agree with anything published by Time Magazine, just because. However, the Ebola Fighters in Africa certainly are due some recognition. I would always nominate our service men and women, who put their lives on the line for our freedom..... there are always people who deserve more recognition than they get (and most of them really don't want the recognition!).

2. This question comes to you courtesy of Susan who blogs over at Stew Mama Says. She knows we have a wedding happening any minute now, and she asks, 'What's your favorite-something old? something new? something borrowed? something blue in your home?  Be sure you hop over and say hi to Susan today! My favorite something old is my mom's cedar chest; my favorite something new is our new 55" TV;  I don't borrow things; the only things blue in my house are some drapes and a bedspread, unless you count blue jeans and some navy slacks. None of this is wedding-worthy!!

3. Fudge-yay or nay? Your favorite flavor? Do you make it yourself? With nuts or without?  I will always eat a piece (or six) of chocolate fudge, with or without nuts.  I haven't made any for a long, long time, but the new microwave recipe I keep seeing on Facebook has piqued my interest a few times....

4. December 17th is Wright Brothers Day, commemorating the first successful flights made by Orville and Wilbur Wright in 1903 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.  How old were you when you made your first flight? Do you like to fly? Have you ever been to Kitty Hawk or other parts of the North Carolina Outer Banks?  I don't remember exactly, but I was in my 20s - eons ago!  I don't mind flying, but I hate the whole airport experience.  Give me access to a private jet and I'll fly anywhere!  I have not been to Kitty Hawk, but have been to Beaufort, NC.

5. Do the people in your family tend to follow a particular career path, and if so what's the path?  Two sisters and my SIL are teachers; Joe, our son Joey and I are accountants; our son Jeff and his grandpa are/were butchers.

6. What is one thing you absolutely, positively must accomplish today?  Financial reports for November, at work, and finishing Christmas cards at home tonight!!  MUST!!

7. This Christmas I hope to survive getting ready for the big day!

8. Insert your own random thought here.  I just finished a book called "The 20th Christmas" by Andrea Rodgers.  It is of the Christian Fiction genre, and is an easy read, though it does conjure some emotion throughout the read. It is about a small child being abducted, just before Christmas. The storyline touches on grief, marital strife, testing one's faith, mental illness, drug abuse, love, and hope.  Elements of the book, here and there, are not really believable. Perhaps the author is new, or her editor didn't catch some things that I caught (and others, from the comments on Amazon, caught). But, it was still a good read and does have a happy ending (which I always like!).  It is worth the $5.99 for the Kindle edition, but waiting for it to drop in price or hit the "free" list is suggested. It is not really a "Christmas" story, but there is a reason for the title.  Have you read any good books lately?

Thanks for stopping by my Hodgepodge today!  I wish you a good Wednesday, full of blessings!
 

Tuesday Tidbit....

That's right - ONE tidbit!!  I am so far behind in getting ready for Christmas this year that I almost had a panic attack this morning!  I so enjoyed having Jeff here last week, and Lauren for the weekend, that nothing got done (wouldn't trade the time with them for anything, though!). I don't have cards ready, gifts wrapped or my little trinket things done for work. I want to take something homemade down to Naples this weekend....

Warp speed in the evenings, the rest of this week!!  I'm usually so in control and so much better organized!!  I know - calm down, and take it one task at a time, in an orderly fashion. It WILL get done. It will get done. It will ALL get done.  Ho, ho, ho......

Memory Monday....

Today, we who are participating in Retired Not Tired's meme, Memory Monday, are writing about "My Husband".  I write about Joe all the time, so there won't be much to say that most of you haven't heard before, but here we go....

My Joe is a 1st generation American. His dad came to America, from Italy, in 1924.  Joe's mom was born here, to Italian immigrants.  I guess that makes him 1/2 of a 1st generation American.  Joe's parents owned their own meat market, and Joe worked with his dad and his older brother in the meat market, from the time he was 10 or 11.  He went to cattle auctions with his dad, he helped to kill and butcher the animals, and he worked in the store, and also made meat deliveries.  Joe is the middle son of three boys. Nick is 7 years younger than Joe, and didn't work in the meat market.

Joe went to Norristown High School, in Pennsylvania.  He was a star football player, he played basketball, but his love and real talent was on the baseball field.  He graduated from high school and went to Villanova University, where he graduated with a degree in economics/accounting.

Joe took a job with Arthur Anderson, in New York City, after he graduated.  He also enlisted in the Army Reserves.  A year or so later, he married Loretta DelGesse, whose parents were also immigrants from Italy. The families had known each other for years, but Joe had never dated Loretta until after high school.

Joe and Loretta married and had two sons, Joey and Jeff.  In 1981, Loretta was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. It was inoperable. Joe quit his job, kept her at home, and cared for her himself. Joey was away at college (Villanova) and Jeff was still in high school.  Being Catholic, they became very close with Father Fasano, at St. Michaels Catholic Church, in Annandale, VA.  He counseled the boys and stayed close to the family, as Loretta got worse.  She actually died at home, on April 5th, 1983.  April 5th is Joey's birthday, so it was very rough on him, especially.

I met Joe on August 1, 1983.  It was a chance meeting, at a place neither of us would normally have been on a Monday night.  I was at a movie with a co-worker/friend and Joe was attending a benefit for someone who was sick and a member of the gym he belonged to.  That is the first day he had taken off his wedding ring.  I would not have talked to him, if he had a wedding ring on. It was a chance meeting, but we talked for hours. That he was 46 and I was 32 didn't seem like a big deal (and still isn't), but we have had some very fun moments because he is 14 years older than me.

When I leaned that he was a recent widower, I was reluctant to form a relationship. It seemed too soon for him to be dating or looking for someone (and he really wasn't). We sometimes think that perhaps we were being directed by a greater power, but whatever it was, the rest is history.

I started going to Mass with Joe and the boys. I decided to explore becoming Catholic, and started classes with Fr. Fasano. Joe's testimony and strong faith struck a chord in me. I was raised Methodist, but had grown away from the church. When we started getting serious about where the relationship was headed, I started annulment proceedings, and was actually Fr. Fasano's first annulment. I had been married for 10 years, but had been separated and divorced for over a year when we met (I wasn't looking for anyone new!).  It ended up taking 18 months to get the annulment so we could get married in the Catholic Church.  During those 18 months, I went ahead and converted to Catholicism and our love grew stronger.

Joe worked as the accountant/CFO in several companies during his career. When he quit his job to care for Loretta, he was actually a partner in a printing company, and sold his half to his partner.  Joe became a CPA after we were married and I encouraged him to start his own practice.  He has told me several times through the years that my encouragement allowed him to follow a dream he had been afraid to pursue with a growing family.

I married Joe and became step-mom to my boys.  I love them like my own, and they call me mom and acknowledge me as their parent. I have never tried to take Loretta's place. She was an amazing woman, who told Joe, the boys and her parents that she wanted Joe to get married again. She wanted him to find someone who would love her boys (he did), and she really paved the way for me to enter all their lives.  I am just sure I would have liked her, had we met.  Joe freely tells people that he is a lucky man, who found two good women to marry. I just feel blessed.  I don't mind that there are photos of her around, that she is talked about with love, and that her memory is so special to Joe and the boys.

And speaking of blessed, I now also have two very special grandchildren.

Joe and I have been married almost 30 years now, and I wouldn't trade him or the years for anything! He is my best friend, my lover, my confidant, and I am his greatest fan. Life has been, and continues to be good. I am blessed. We take our vows seriously and have weathered sickness and hard times, and have always emerged stronger. Blessed.

Thanks for stopping by!!  Hop over to Retired Not Tired  to join in on this Memory Monday meme!!

Peace, love & hugs.