Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Heart of Hodgepodge

It's the middle of May. Do y'all know what happens the first week of June? School ends for the summer. And, for me, it ends for good! I'll be staying home next year to take care of Baby M instead of teaching. Let me tell y'all, this is not as easy as I thought it would be. I am going to miss those kiddos like crazy! I'm already working on ways I can still go up to school next year to volunteer. Who knew it would be this hard? 

Anyway, it's time for the fun and happy Hodgepodge! 



1. Tell us about a time you found yourself 'in the middle of nowhere'. Was this deliberate? It was not deliberate. We were using my 'smart' phone and it was not being so smart. It wasn't a great time because the person with me does not go with the flow very well. I thought it was rather exciting and wanted to enjoy the adventure (of sorts) but, when you travel with a stick-in-the-mud, well, y'all know. Of course, as soon as all those crime/serial killer shows/movies I watch surfaced in my mind, the fun would have been over for me anyway so... 

2. What's something you're 'in the middle of' today or this week? MAP testing. UGH. 

3. At what age do you think 'middle age' begins? In our 40s? What does it mean to be 'middle aged'? In the middle/just right- not too young to be stupid anymore and not too old to be whatever it is when you are old.  

4. Ravioli, stuffed peppers, samosas, deviled eggs, steamed dumplings, pierogis, or a jelly donut...your favorite food (from this list!) with something yummy in the middle. That's tough---I'd have to go with deviled eggs unless the 'jelly' in the donut is creamy and lemony. Or chocolate with icing for the filling. Your favorite not on the list? I've never turned down deviled crab or mushrooms stuffed with a crab mixture. Yum!

5. Albert Einstein is quoted as saying ''In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.'Would you agree? Sure. An opportunity for a new self-discovery. Have you found this to be true in your own life? At times. Though I often find that I am lacking in some way. Feel free to elaborate. I can't think of a specific event. 

6. What's a song you remember loving from your middle school years? A song? Just one? No way dude! American Pie, Heart of Gold, Let's Stay Together, Papa Was A Rolling Stone, A Horse with No Name...oh my, the list goes on and on! Do you love it still? I love them all still, yes. But Neil is my all time favorite. I love him, love him, love him! I love everything about him! I will always love Neil. Always. And, because Neil remains my all time fave, here's this:
 

My goodness! Look how young he is there! We were all young then, weren't we? I do love me some Neil!

7. May 18th is National Visit Your Relatives Day. Will you celebrate? Nope. I'll be in school MAP testing. I won't be visiting anyone. Which relative would you visit if time, distance, and expense were not considered. I'd go visit Deanie and her DrummerBoy if I wasn't in school, MAP testing. Though I will be visiting them in June. Otherwise, I would be visiting someone quite special in NC. 

8. Insert your own random thought here. Speaking of music up there in #6, do y'all listen to much current music? I do not. Every once in a while, I will hear a current group that I like but I always go back to the music of my youth. That's where I find my heart and soul. And love.



Have a great rest of the week, y'all!  

18 comments:

  1. It is hard to leave teaching but I think you will have a good distraction :) I do not care for today's music either. You named some great songs. I especially like Horse With No Name, especially the la, la, la la la la part :)

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    1. I think I will too. :) Hahaha! Now that part is going around and around in my head. LOL

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  2. Loved your song choices....I loved Horse with no name...and still do!

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    1. Thanks! They're all on one of my Spotify playlists.

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  3. Wow, I'd never even heard of that guy before. Hmmm. Enjoyed watching the videos.

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    1. I know you're joking. Right? Yes, you're joking. :)

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  4. Good luck with the testing. I love Harvest Moon. There are some new songs out there that I like but we still play our music from the 70's and 80's!

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    1. Testing is awful. It's the end of the school year and the kids, AND teachers, are just done. I love it too. Neil is the best, still!

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  5. I go back to the music of my youth as well. My kids often go back to the music of MY youth because we successfully brainwashed them into loving it : ) They like new stuff too though. So excited for your next 'job'!

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    1. My kids love the old stuff too. And some new stuff. But they always go back to what I love. Claudia just saw Neil live a couple of weeks ago. I was so jealous!

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  6. I definitely like Neil too - and I like all the "California country rockers" from back then...like CSN, the Eagles, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, JD Souther, etc. So - here's my thing about music: I occasionally love to hear the "old stuff" because it brings back memories and some of it was really good stuff. But, when it comes to listening on the radio I am a country music lover for sure. Old and new! My siblings are stuck in the heavy metal/rock genre of the 70's and 80's. They never consider listening to anything new. I just think that is just wrong. They are missing out...and "dating" themselves around young people. I love some of the classic rockers and of course, the Stones, the Beatles, the Who are timeless. But, there is just so much out there - I don't think anyone should limit themselves. (Can you tell I get worked up when it comes to music?!?! It makes the world go round!)

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    1. Nobody loves music more than I but country? Nope. Tried but hate it. Country and metal do not 'move' me at all. A lot of the time I turn to classical- stringed instruments are so soothing. I have found several 'new' bands on CBS Saturday Morning. Most of those bands I don't care for but I've found a few that I really enjoy. Of course, there truly is a lot out there. And some of it I can do without. Ha! Regardless, it is and always will be the old stuff that soothes my soul. My girls are the same way. Of course, we all love DD2's boyfriend's band, The Wild Feathers. They'll be playing at the Ryman in Nashville in June and we'll all be there! I haven't been to a live concert in ages, so I'm excited! No one limits themselves to music around here.

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    2. Don't even get me started on MAP testing. I think you should bring your headphones and plug into Neil while you walk around making sure kids don't get kicked off the system. I so remember all those songs you mentioned! I am so ready for school to be out- 9 more days for me, but still have a few more years of MAP testing. Have an awesome week. Dropping by from Hodgepodge- #9. :)

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    3. RIGHT?! It's ridiculous! Not a bad idea to plug in while they're testing. It's web based now so that's been fun. Not. I'm ready too. June 3 is a teacher work day and that's IT! AND, I don't have to go back next year. Finally. Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  7. I would LOVE to know what it's like to not be planning on going back to work next year! (Good think I love my job!)
    We testing 1 day, then the state called it quits. What a waste!

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    1. It's bittersweet. The kids are not making it easy. We've been having cry fests all week. I love my job too, but knowing that I'll be caring for my first grand makes it ok. :) I would love for us to call it quits on testing. The kids are tested to death!

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  8. I don't listen to current music unless a blogging friend puts me onto a new group...

    Enjoyed your Hodgepodge! Trying to catch up on blogs I missed while we were gone.

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    1. That's the nice thing about having a couple of the lovelies here- exposure to current music. I've found a few I like but not much. Of course, teaching at an elementary school helps too. LOL Glad you're back!

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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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