Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Wednesday HOPS

If you're stopping by for the weight loss portion of today's post, just scroll down.  If you're here for Wednesday Hodge Podge, it's the first HOP today.  If you're here for BOTH, just start reading and keep on to the end!

FIRST is WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE from Joyce at From This Side of the Pond.  This one is a great way to get to know some wonderful new bloggy friends and learn more about some old ones...not that I'm calling anyone OLD, mind you.   



This week's questions:

1. Do you and your family enjoy camping? What do you enjoy most/like the least when it comes to family camping? When was the last time you camped? Not all of us enjoy camping.  I LOVED it growing up and while in college.  However, I lost my enjoyment of it when I went with Hubs a couple of times.  Let's just say that I feel like he makes everything harder than it has to be---kind of a goaroundhiselbowtogettohisnose kind of guy, and leave it at that.  DDs 1, 3 and 4 camp all the time.  DD2's idea of camping is that the color television in the 5 star hotel is broken.  What I LIKE MOST about family camping is the time spent together WITHOUT TELEVISION or other various electronics.  What I LIKE LEAST is all the work that's involved when you're the mom.  I can't remember the last time we camped as a family but we only had two daughters at the time.  The girls and I did a bit of camping during their girl scout phase and it was ok but they wanted to do the kind of camping the boy scouts do so we dropped scouts. Breezy and BestSonInLawEVER camp once every other month or so.  DD3 just goes whenever and while attending Bonaroo Music Festival.  DD4 camps every time the Ultimate team goes out of town and while attending music festivals such as Bonaroo and the All Good festival in West Virginia. DD2 basically does not camp.    


2. Did you attend a summer camp when you were a kid? Is that a happy or not so happy memory? I never attended summer camp as a child and I have no idea why.  I've never really given it much thought.  The lovelies have all attended various summer camps- all themed according to their interests and only if they wanted to attend.  They've all been to girl scout camp and SAIL camp (SAIL is our public school's gifted and talented program).  Breezy attended Marine Biology summer camp and Governor's School; Deanie attended a summer intensive dance camp for 5 years; Birdie attended summer soccer camps for about ten years; Breezy and DoodleBug attended summer softball camps.  All their camps were away from home and I missed them while they were gone! 

3. Over the course of your life, what have you probably spent more time pondering than anything else? I don't know---the meaning of life?  What I shouda/coulda done better?  

4. Which of the seven natural wonders of the world would you most like to see? There are many lists of 'wonders' but this is the standard natural wonder list-Mount Everest, The Great Barrier Reef, The Grand Canyon, Victoria Falls, The Harbor of Rio de Janerio, Paricutan Volcano and The Northern Lights.  The only one I've seen is The Grand Canyon and I wasn't thrilled to pieces over it.  But I would absolutely LOVE to see The Northern Lights!  I just bet that it is beyond stunning in beauty.





5. What was your first real job? When I was 15 an amusement park opened up only 20 minutes from us- Carowinds.  I got my first job there and I LOVED it!  It was so much fun working in the park.  And, after hours, we were allowed to ride the rides.  The costumes were hideous but the park was pretty cool.  I worked in food service (a covered hotdog stand) near the flume ride with one other girl (Becky).





6. Lemonade or Sweet tea...which do you prefer on a hot summer day? I like half-n-half!  Half tea and half lemonade!  We all drink it that way when either is an option.  But, when I was little and we had our big family reunion at Mama and Papa's (my great grandparents) house they had homemade lemonade that, in all honesty, WAS TO DIE FOR so, if THAT lemonade was available it could stand on its own.

That's Papa, me and Granddaddy at the reunion somewhere around 1968

7. What is something that always brings a smile to your face? My lovelies.


8. Insert your own random thought here.  I joined a twelve week weight loss challenge that started yesterday.  I guess we'll see just how good my commitment issues are. I'm still sticking to my goals but it's only day 3.  The things I thought would be the most difficult aren't-so far- and that's the water and no eating after 8:00.  My mind tried to get me eat something last night but I refused to listen.  The best thing about this challenge is all the support and encouragement from everyone!  I really, really, really appreciate it y'all!



The SECOND HOP is from Patrice, at Everyday Ruralty, who hosts Wednesday Words of Weight Loss every Wednesday!  It's a fun HOP that offers encouragement and company on the issue of weight.  It's never too late to join!  Come on, this is your week to join in the FUN!  



QUESTIONS
1. What's your favorite food at a BBQ?  ALL OF IT!
 
 
2. Do you have any good tips for making recipes healthier?  Everyone probably knows the same tips I do--use spray instead of butter or oil; use olive oil when you need oil; use applesauce instead of oil in some baked goodies; use egg substitute or egg whites (which is what I prefer to the substitute stuff); drain and rinse ground turkey or beef after browning; use fresh or frozen veggies over canned; do not use aluminum or plastic for cooking... 


3. As you know, I'm a chef. If I knocked at your door and told you that I would prepare any dinner you wanted, what would that be?  You're the chef so- surprise me! Now, what day/time will you be here?


4. Running or walking?  I've been walking for 17 months because 1. Tucker and b. I've always hated running.  HOWEVER, I added running to my walk regimen Sunday and, I really enjoyed it.  My goal is to be able to run ONE MILE by the end of the Slimmer for Summer challenge on August 28th!  Oh and, BTW, my legs hate me right now.


5. What are you reading lately? Two books, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Geography of Nowhere.


24 comments:

  1. I don't eat anything in the evenings and my eating habits are actually quite good. I think the only solution to my stubborn pounds is more exercise. I am just not one of those people who wants to spend hours working out.

    Good luck with your challenge!

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  2. I hate camping. I like my hotels. :-)

    yes, it's only day 3 but keep this good attitude throughout the whole challenge! That's the biggest thing that happens, we all start out motivated and then peeter out by week 3 or 4. Let's not DO that this time! Stick with it!

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  3. It seems that others like the half and half idea of Tea and Lemonade. I will have to try this one.. I loved your first job.. I also love your #7..

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  4. My Best Friends describes camping as staying at a hotel without room service:)

    Good Luck on your slimmer summer!

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  5. Your daughters are lovely.

    Good work keeping up with NOT eating after 8PM. Great start!

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  6. I guess the grass is always greener. I've seen the northern lights several times (which truly ARE stunning) but I really want to canoe through the Grand Canyon.

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  7. My mind tells me to eat at night sometimes, too. Unfortunately, I listen...

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  8. I had the same problem last night! I wanted something so bad! I was craving anything to eat, but I would not allow myself to do it. I kept saying this is worth it!!! It is!! -Nicole @ colieskitchen.com

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  9. Mind over matter is so hard isn't it. You will do well at this because you have a wonderful attitude about loosing weight. Good luck!
    Please stop over and see my new blog design! I won it from Posh Palm, I am so excited!

    Susan

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  10. Hello, friend! That picture of your girls is darling. I can't believe you're trying to work up to a mile run by late August. That's not something I would want to do in this hot weather. Maybe it's cooler where you are.Or maybe you're more clever than I and do things like that really early when it's cool. I try to not eat after 6pm, but when we're farming and I don't get in until 9pm, it's hard.
    Drop me a note when you get a chance. We get another employee starting tomorrow, so I'm hoping for a bit more breathing room for all!

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  11. Joyce-I'm not a big fan of exercise either. But I do enjoy walking Tucker--and, surprisingly, I enjoy running now. Who knew? LOL

    Debbi- I'm trying to keep the motivation momentum going! I know the challenge is going to be a HUGE help!

    Amy- YES! Try it, it's so good! Thanks!

    Christine- Thanks so much!

    Michele- Thanks! Hopefully, I'll keep it up!

    Kara- You're right! It's always that way...I'm so envious that you've seen the Northern Lights!

    Kathy- I usually do too but, I set not eating after 8:00 as one of my goals for the challenge in the hopes that would keep me from doing it. We shall see. LOL

    Nicole- YAY! We beat it! Maybe that mean little voice won't bother us anymore? Fingers crossed!

    Susan-Thank you for your support! I'll head over- can't wait to see it!

    Patrice! Thanks! I am getting out there between 6 and 6:30 but, this morning, it didn't help. It was HOT. I'm hoping to run a mile by August but it's not going to be easy! Hope this new worker is 100% better than your last one!

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  12. You can do it! Good luck with the Summer Challenge. So you enjoy running now? Maybe there´s hope for me? I really really hate it though, so I doubt it.

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  13. Very pretty daughters, but God bless you with four of them!

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  14. Bloody coincidence - I am reading the Girl with The Dragon Tatoo, too.
    Your daughters are gorgeous!

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  15. Betty-Thank you! I have always hated running, even when I ran in college. Sunday, I got the urge to run, I did AND I actually liked it! For the first time EVER! So, yes, there's hope for you to like running. LOL

    Kelly- Thank you so much! I have always wanted daughters! I sure miss them not being here anymore.

    Annie- I am being slack on reading the book. DD3 is urging me onward because she wants to read the second one together. Not sure how long she's going to wait on me though. thanks!

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  16. I have never been camping, I like my porcelain toilet too much :)

    Your daughters are beautiful, you must be so proud. Ive wondered whether it was worth reading The Girl with.... books, or is just hype? Do you think they are worth the read so far?

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  17. I really do love your answers but today when you said about your best son in law ever has to be the best thing I ever heard. Oh, it just made me tear up. What a lovely guy, I would say you and your daughter are so blessed, what a guy,

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  18. What is this half lemonade half tea you speak of!! I think half of the folks posting today have said half and half - I've never heard of that, much less tried it! Apparently it's called an Arnold Palmer....or so I heard :-D

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  19. I always thought camping was a lot more fun when the kids were little, but still so much work once we got home!

    It seems like we used to see the Northern Lights all the time when I was a kid. Now we rarely see them, but I remember some spectacular ones, green and red and white swirling in the northern sky - almost eerie!

    I don't know how I managed to put on 5+ flabby pounds over the looong, cookie-filled winter, but boy I've gotta get rid of those. Nothing fits the same!!

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  20. Did I tell you I love the names you have for all your family, they're so cute. I want to do one of these hops sooner or later, they sound like fun. Last time I went camping was at the beach, and I loved it !

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  21. I miss camping and can't wait for our BWCA trip in August. Love these Q&A's. They are so fun reading.
    Take care Pam and good luck with Debbi's challenge. I know you will do excellent.
    Good night and God Bless!!

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  22. I'd prefer walking....never running. My son is a marathon runner, and I just don't get it. Even to this day. But, you go girl!! If you have the gumption, I bet Tucker will enjoy running right along with you. As for camping...I went with my parents when a young lass, but not any more...too much work involved AFTER you get home...cleaning, laundry, etc. etc. My idea of camping/roughing it is getting to my destination withOUT a hotel reservation. LOL [kidding]


    Thanks for popping by this week. Hope to see you again real soon. I love having your company.

    A River To Cross is my Thursday post.

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  23. Loved your answers and the pics too! Have a blessed rest of your week.

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  24. Mercy- thank you so much! I find the book to be an easy read but good. It's not been a waste of time so far!

    Farm Girl- He truly is the BestSonInLawEVER- we couldn't love him more if he was our own!

    Donna- If you try it you will never turn back! I've been enjoying it since I was a kid!

    Judy- Lucky duck! I would love to see the Northern lights! I bet they are spectacular! 5 pounds?! Come on, you can ditch those!

    Alessandra- come join the fun! I just love the HOPS! Thanks!

    Julie- You love camping because you get to do it with boy scouts. We had to do it with girl scouts- not near as much fun! Thanks my thin friend!

    Anni-You truly are a hoot! LOL You will never see me run a marathon! NEVER. I don't get that either. I'll be over there soon!

    Arlene- Thank you! You too!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! It makes me feel connected to everyone even though we may live far apart! Have a wonderful day!

 
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