Wed Hodgepodge

This is actually my first time answering questions on Wed. Hodgepodge.  This is from the blog From This Side of the Pond.  I thought it would be kind of fun to participate.   So here the questions & my answers.


1. Summer's here-whoohoo! What's your favorite sight, sound, AND smell associated with summer?  Sight...kids outside having fun.  Sounds...birds chirping & kids laughing.  Smell...fresh cut grass.

2. Fireflies or lightning bugs...what are they called in your neck of the woods?  Lighting bugs.

3. What is something from the past week that reminded you of your childhood?  Walking with my kids in the neighborhood, I saw some of the homes that still look the same from my childhood.  I live in the neighborhood that I grew up in.  I remember playing in lots of those homes with my friends.

4. Define 'the good life'.  Sitting outside in the early evening with my DH, watching the kids play & sipping a cold drink.  

5. Tell us what we'd see if you took a snapshot of your desk/work space?   The living room.  I sit in my comfy chair with my laptop, usually with a candle burning.  When I do bills, I sit at the kitchen counter.

6. Peaches or watermelon...yes, you have to choose.  Watermelon all the way.

7. Ever been skinny dippin'? Is that too much for the Wednesday Hodgepodge? Rest assured we won't need details...unless of course you feel you must but remember, this is a family friendly blog so keep it G rated.  Yes & that's all you need to know.  LOL

8. Insert your own random thought here.  I am more of a spring/fall girl.  As I got older, I didn't really enjoy summer that much, cause I don't like the heat, but after losing my mother in April.  I am trying to enjoy every season & enjoy making more memories with my children.  I had  such a wonderful childhood with my family & I want the same for my kids.  

One of my best childhood memories, sitting in a huge tree in the backyard, by myself, writing, reading, or drawing.  I loved that tree.  I would sit in it for hours.  It was my hide away.  :)

I really enjoyed answering the questions.  Gave me time to ponder on some wonderful memories.  :)

Please go visit Joyce at From This Side of the Pond for more answers to these great questions.  

God Bless!!!!

Lauri

Outside my window... sunny & beautiful, but it is going to be a hot day.  Already 81 degrees.  Rain and/or storms moving in later today.  Will cool us down for the rest of the week though.  :)
I am thinking...how peaceful it is during the mornings.  Just me, the computer, my devotionals, the birds singing & my coffee.  Ahhhh I love my mornings.

I am thankful for...that I am able to work part time instead of full time.  I work 4 days from 9-4.  Perfect work schedule for a mother that has to work.

From the kitchen...this morning will be pancakes, since today is my day off.  Later is fend for yourselves.  We usually do this every now & then & let the kids pick their meals out.

From the learn room...math worksheets for J-Bird & reading for the rest.

I am wearing...knit shorts & t-shirt.

I am creating...organization in my home.  Need to get piles of laundry folded & put away.

I am going...hopefully we can go to the small water park before the rain comes in.  It is at our public boat dock, so it is free.  :)

I am reading...Debbie Mcomber's, "Manning Grooms." & devotionals.  

I am praying...for all the violence to stop that has been happening in our downtown area lately.  Seems summer is the worst time for violence there.  

Around the house...some cleaning.  Need to do some of my weekly cleaning today & laundry.  All may not get finished cause I want to spend some fun time with my kiddos.  What doesn't get done, can wait til Sat.  

One of my favorite things...sitting outside on a nice breezy summer evening!

A few plans for the rest of the week...not much going on this week.  Bubba's game was cancelled last night (fields had standing water in them).  Today hanging out with the kids, then when the rain comes in, cleaning & laundry.  Wed-Fri, work & gym later in the evening.  Also Fri, me & 3 of my kids are going to a surprise 40th b-day party for my cousin.  DH & BMX kid are leaving Fri for a National BMX race that is 5 hrs away.  Sat-another b-day party in the afternoon, then my 3 kids are going to their dads for the rest of the weekend.  I get to spend the rest of the weekend by myself.  Going to enjoy some "me" time.  I need to cleanse myself inside.  Have some demons I need to deal with.:(

A picture I would like to share with you...DH trimmed the bushes this weekend.  Love the sun shinning through.

For more day bookers, please go visit The Simple Woman.

Everyone have a wonderful & peaceful day.

God Bless!!

Lauri

My Daybook

Outside my window... thunder & lighting, only 63 degrees.  Very mild temps this week.  Now this is my kind of temps.

I am thinking... about my nephew Tyler, who was deployed to Korea this past Friday.  He had to leave all that is comfortable to him for the 1st time.  He just graduated from Basic training/Military Police training May 26th.  He also had to leave his new fiancee.  

I am thankful ... that Tyler made it to Korea safely.

I am wearing... grey nylon pants & t-shirt.  Getting ready to put my work clothes on.

I am planning... to print out some Math worksheets for my J-Bird, to work on this summer.  She got a "needs improvement" in Math this last term.  

I am creating... summer school & reading plans for my kids, here at home.

I am going... to get serious about my losing weight.  I weight more now, then I ever have, with the exception of being pregnant.  I am so mad at myself.  :(

I am reading...  Just finished Debbie Macomber's "Manning Grooms."  Getting ready to start a new one of her books.  Not sure which one yet.

I am hoping... for a relaxed & fun summer with the kiddos & DH.  Love those guys.
From the learning rooms... getting ready to start J-Bird on a summer school Math program here at home.
Noticing that ... I need to lose some weight & start thinking about my health.
From the kitchen... Tonight...kids want chicken nuggets, boneless wings.  I guess I will make some veggies & mac/cheese with it.  Thurs...Roast, potatoes, & carrots.  Rest of the week...not sure cause BMX Kid & DH are leaving for a BMX race.  Me & the other 3 kids are staying home.  

Around the house... too many piles of laundry that need to be tackled.  3 of the kids went to FL with their dad last week & I have tons of laundry to put away.  At least I got them washed.  :)
One of my favorite things... The peace and quiet of morning with me sitting in my favorite chair, looking out the window, drinking my coffee and reading my favorite blogs.  I love this time of the day.  It's my "me" time.  Ahhhhh!!!!

A few plans for the rest of the week... Today, I have to work.  BMX Kid is suppose to have a local race tonight, but it is getting ready to rain for most of the day.  Also, I am getting my hair chopped off.  It is just past my shoulders now & it will be just past ears later tonight.  Thurs-work & later the gym.  Fri-work, then relaxing with the kids & DH.  Sat-3 of the kids & I are hanging out for the day, while DH & BMX kid go to his Regional race.  Me & the other kids are staying home.  They get bored at the races & frankly it cost too much for all 6 of us to go to the out of town races.  Sun-church, lunch with my sister, going to visit my Mom at the cemetery, then going to visit my Dad & FIL for Father's Day. 

From my picture journal...3 pics to share this week.

Dad at the cemetery on my Mom's 80th b-day.  This is so hard for him.

Bubba, J-Bird, & Big O at the Zoo.

BMX Kid with his 4th first place win of the day.

For more daybook entries.  Please go visit The Simple Woman.
Everyone have a Blessed Day.

Lauri

Today We Say, "See You Soon."

Today, my nephew Tyler leaves for deployment to Seoul, Korea for 1 yr.  He just finished his basic & Military Police training May 26th.  He was home from the 28th until today.  Not much time, but we are so proud of him.  Please keep him in your prayers.
Good luck Tyler & God be with you!!!!

On another note, Tyler got engaged Tues. & his beautiful bride to be gets to plan the wedding, while he is gone.  She is such a sweet girl & we can't wait until she is part of our family.  He will be home for 30 days when his deployment to Korea is over.  In that 30 days, there will be a wedding.  Then they will both leave to where ever he is station at...for 3 yrs. 

Congrats to them both.


Everyone have a wonderful weekend & please go visit more Company Girls @ Home Sanctuary

God Bless!!!
Lauri

Dangerous Weather

My heart goes out to all the people in Joplin, MO, AR, KS, & OK.  I can't even imagine what they have gone through.  Here in my neck of the woods in KY, I have never had to experience such loss & destruction & I hope I never have to.  

We are due to get the sever weather that went through AR, KS & OK yesterday...today.  I will keep everyone in my prayers & pray that everyone stays safe.


The only major storms I have experience were a HUGE 18" of snow in 1994.  We were predicted to only get 2" inches & woke up the 18".  It shut our city down for almost a whole week.  Where I live, we had never had that much snow, so it was major for us.  Now when they predict 2", you should see the grocery store.  LOL.  I wish I had taken a pic of it, but sorry I didn't.  


Next big one for me.  Hurricane force winds in Sept. 2008.  This also shut most of us down for at least 3 days.  Some were w/o power for 2 weeks.  Thank God, we didn't have any damage at our house & our power was only got for 2 days.  Here is a pic from somewhere in our city.

Last, but not least.  Our most dangerous storm ever.  The dreaded ice storm of Jan. 2009.  Our power was out of 1 week.  Some others were out for 3-4 weeks.  It was probably the most scariest for me because of the cold severe temps.  There were trees & power lines down all over the city.  Even communication was cut off.  Our cells phones didn't ever work.  

Luckily for us, my DH stayed up til 3:00am on the 2nd day, waiting for a truckload of generators.  There were only 8 that came in & since he paid in advance, he got one.  Actually he paid for one earlier because a 1st shipment came in & there were not enough, after he already paid for it.  He had to go back at 3:00am for the 2nd load.  My sister, BIL & mom all came to stay with us for that week because my wonderful, handy, DH rigged the generator through the heater & we had heat.  He also had lots of extension cords & gave our small heater to our neighbors next door.  He was able to run an extension cord over the fence & help them out, as well.  Anyway, we made it through that storm safe & sound & played lots of board games.  We ate our meals from the gas grill.  We actually had a good time with our family despite all the madness outside of our home.  :)

Why am I writing about our storms, you ask???  Well, lets just say that weather fascinates me (as long as no one is hurt) & normally I am never scared about storms.  However, the one that is on its way to us tonight, has actually got me scared for the 1st time.  The news keeps emphasising how dangerous this storm is.  We are right on the border of it.  There is a possibility it may not hit us & I pray that is doesn't.  

In the mean time, I will prepare my family for the storm, with flashlights, candles, charged phones, & bottle water.  I am sure I will have the kids sleep in the basement, just in case.  I don't want to have to wake them up in the middle of the night, if it comes then.

I will continue to pray for all of those that have been effected by all these dangerous storms.  God be with everyone!!!

Lauri

For today...Monday, May 23, 2011 

Outside my window... More rain & now a huge storm just came through.

I am thinking... about the people in Joplin, MO.  A terrible tornado hit this weekend. 

I am thankful ...  that my 2 nephews will be here for a cookout on Memorial Day.  They are graduating from basic training & military police training on May 26th.

I am wearing... grey nylon pants & t-shirt.  Relaxing tonight.

I am hearing...  the news & lots of thunder outside.

I am planning... to relax the rest of my evenings this week, until the weekend.

I am creating... relaxation in my our lives. 

I am going... no where now.  Bubba was suppose to have a softball game tonight, but it was cancelled because of the storm we just got.

I am reading... Another one of Debbie Macomber's book.  "Manning Brothers."

I am hoping/praying... that my nephew's are able to have a easy week, since it is there last week of military police training.

From the learning rooms... only Big O has homework so far.

Noticing that ... everything looks so peaceful & quite after a good rain. 

From the kitchen... tonight was BBQ grilled chicken tenders, steamed squash, green beans & chicken flavored pasta.  

Around the house... nice & quiet.  Boys are at friends.  Girls are hanging out in their room, & I am relaxing in the living room, listening to the rain.

One of my favorite things... taking a nap in during a afternoon rain.   If it wasn't so late in the evening right now.  I would take one.  :)    

A few plans for the rest of the week... not much this week.  Home all week until Sat, except for work.  Bubba's softball game got cancelled tonight.  Wed. J-bird gets her cast off.  Sat-BMX kid has a championship game for his middle school baseball team.  He gets to play on University of Louisville's baseball field.  Woo wee.  He is excited.  Later he has a BMX race.  
Sun-church, then Bubba has softball practice later.   
  
From my picture journal...  my two nephew's leaving for basic training/military police training back in Jan.  It has been a long time since we have seen them.  Can't wait for next Monday.  

For more daybooker's, please go visit The Simple Woman.


God Bless
Lauri

A little bit of this & that.

Well...not much has been going on this week.  I have been down in my back most of it.  :(  I really need to work better on losing some weight.  My doc thinks that is why it is hurting all the time.  I have started eating better & I do go to the gym, at least 3 times a week, so I am doing better with the weight management.

Monday, my son played in his softball game.  This season is really hard to enjoy because he was moved up with the 16 & 17 yr old group & he is only 13.  LOL.  You should see how small he is compared to some of these guys.  They did away with the 13-15 yr. old league because there would only be two teams.  I would rather my son play the same team every week in his age group, then play 17 yr olds.  It is kind of crazy.  And these boys mouths...wow.  I want to bring a bar of soap next time.  Most of them don't have parents there because it is a casual leasure type league, but come on it is a Catholic league.  Of course half the people there are not even Catholic & probably don't go to church anyway.  Our society is sad.  I just tell my son to ignore their mouths & actions & remember, he knows what is right/wrong & I trust him to make the right choices.  I do have to admit, most of the mouthing, is coming from the other teams.  My son's team really encourages each other, especially my Bubba.  They know he is not that good of a player & he is the smallest & youngest on the team.  They really work hard at cheering him on & helping him out.  Thank God.  :)

BMX kid had his 2nd round in tourney for baseball Monday also.  They won 12-0.  My DH was really upset because they only played him one inning & they played the 7th grades, (which are only on the team because some of the 8th graders are on a 8th grade trip) over the 8th graders.  It is just upsetting when a coach is worried about the other team scoring 1 run on us & he won't play some of the 8th graders cause of that.  He doesn't have to have a "no runs" for every game.  Now BMX kid doesn't want to play the 3rd round on Sat. but he has too.  What is frustrating is...this is some of the kids last time to play because a lot of them won't make the HS teams.  I just think the coach should play his 8th graders over the 7th graders.  After all they are only there to help out, if needed.  It is an 8th grade team.  They have a 7th grade team as well.
Geez it is so frustrating.

My nephew has his 8th gr. graduation last night from St. Andrew's Catholic school.  It was a 2hr & 10 min. ceremony/Mass.  Wow, that was very long.  My DH kept dozing off.  Bless his heart.  He was wore out from working.  We got to enjoy a reception after the ceremony.  It was cater by Mark's Feed Store.  Yummo, BBQ.  We only stayed for an hour because my kids were already past their bed time.  Good thing my to youngest have field day today.  :)

Well, that is all the random news I have this week.  Now time to get the girls ready for school & I off to work.  So thankful I can be with my kids in the morning, since I am one that has to work.  Luv the time with them.

Everyone have a wonderful Friday & rest of the weekend.  Please go visit other Co. Girls @ Home Sanctury today.

God Bless.
Lauri