Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Today I am participating in a something new to me – Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce! She has a series of questions that we are going to answer.

Let’s go!

    1. What do you think has remained the same about you your whole life? How has your perception of yourself changed over time? 

    Oh gosh, I have always been creative with an imagination, I would say. I had not one but two imaginary friends- ha! – and was an only child until 3.5 years old. I am the oldest of 3 girls. I learned to read in kindergarten and read to my class so I guess I have also always liked being the center of attention. I have always been a reader and when my head was in a book the rest of the world faded away. I wrote songs and poetry as a child. I wrote short stories, too. Isn’t it funny that all of this is still true about me? I love to read and write and I use my creativity as a Spanish teacher making up songs, jingles, and sayings to help me teach, and this is my favorite part of my job, I think.

    I have always gotten giddy about a trip to the library, too!

    I have always been pretty confident and I attribute this to my Dad. He was such a cheerleader to me and I don’t think it was warranted, but he always was in awe of things I did up until I was 48. My last memory of his celebrating me was when I was the guest host on my friend’s podcast. My Dad thought I was the bee’s knees for doing that and for how he thought I did. The relationship between a father (or father figure and this could even be a female) and daughter is so important.

    2. What was the first thing you learned how to cook? Do you prefer to cook or bake? 

    My mom didn’t like me to make a mess in the kitchen but I first baked cookies or brownies and then probably got in trouble for the mess! I remember trying to make a broccoli casserole and my sisters told me it was horrible and tasted like grass. Soon after, my Grandma taught me how to make mashed potatoes because that was my favorite holiday food.

    Who gets the last laugh now? Evil laugh and a photo of a gorgeous quiche.

    I was always very relaxed about my kids in the kitchen. I also watched my nieces weekly and we almost always did a cooking project. I guess it helped that my kitchen was and still is in need of renovation. There is nothing too precious! We had so much fun helping one of my college kids cook and record results for the Chemistry of Cooking class this past year.

    3. What are some of your current priorities in this season of life? Elaborate. 

    I am in a stage of transition with my kids just having graduated from college. They are living at home for a year to get on their feet as adults. This will be something to navigate as they are adults now. I also am in the last years of my career and figuring out my next chapter. I want to keep my husband as a priority as we head into true empty nester years. So, I would say keeping a strong relationship with my family and career decisions are priorities right now. It’s also hard to believe that I no longer have kids in school and that I have been a teacher for 30 years. It blows my mind!

    We really enjoy boating together and it’s nice when it’s just the two of us (and our little Eddie Otis puppy).

    4. How much time do you spend on your hair each day or, put another way, what’s your hair care routine? Do you get it cut regularly or just whenever the mood strikes? Do you go to the same stylist every time? Do you tell your stylist everything? Any other beauty treatments you indulge in throughout the year? 

    I spend very little time on my hair – eek! I make sure to never have wet hair in the morning because I hate a blow dryer. I’m really lazy in this regard. I start with a blank slate (stick straight hair) and curl my hair in the morning and it takes less than 10 minutes.

    I have been going to my stylist (Hi Laura!) since my kids were in elementary school and yes, she knows everything about me and my extended family! I go once every 8-10 weeks and the only other beauty treatment I do is a pedicure about 4 times a year.

    This is as good as it gets, baby!

    5. What is the most awe-inspiring place you’ve visited? 

    This is tough – probably Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. This is the castle that inspired the Disneyworld castle. We got off of a train at the base and then walked up to the castle. Click on the red font above and you will see how high up it is.

    6. Insert your own random thought here. 

    Why is this hard today? I was in a couple of stores on Monday and found the music very distracting. If music is playing, I find it hard not to move to the music. I also love to snap. My kids hate when I snap to music. I used to do it in the car and drive them crazy. I’m a really good snapper – meaning really loud. Do you have trouble not dancing? Do you like to snap along to music? Maybe that is showing my age. Do young people even snap anymore?

    A store with music – and cheese!

    I’d love to hear your answer to one of these questions today!

    Happy Hump Day!

    Amy

    30 thoughts on “Wednesday Hodgepodge”

    1. I was always very creative and imaginative too– my family would argue too imaginative as my imagination often got away from me and I’d think up sorts of scary things that were out to get me and then be completely terrified to go anywhere alone. I’ve always been a reader and while I enjoyed the library there was one section of our local library near the children’s section that was dark and spooky and scared me… so I always made my sister go with me. I don’t really remember cooking and baking from a super young age but my chore as a tween was to get dinner started for the whole family and then my mom would take over when she got home from work. To this day I am the only one out of my mom, sisters, and brother that enjoy cooking. Though both my sister and I enjoy baking.

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      1. Isn’t that funny? I think that kids with more vivid imaginations are like that, don’t you? These were some good questions and fun to write and hear your responses in the comments, too. You really get to know people this way!

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    2. Reading your post made me remember how my daddy used to think I did wonderful things, too! I was one of the moms who hated the mess in the kitchen but both of our kids turned out to be good cooks. I’ve always been a reader, too, and didn’t even think to add that to my answer! I really enjoyed getting to know you a little from your answers!!

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    3. This was so much fun! I loved reading about you as a little kid. It is a funny stage in life to have kids no longer in school, isn’t it? I was almost relieved when Collin when back for his master’s degree. In some weird way it’s the familiarity of being a school mom that I enjoy. The clock is ticking though, he will graduate in May.

      I think keeping Tom a priority is such a good idea, makes a difference in your empty nester life!

      xo,

      Kellyann

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      1. Thank you!
        I can see that – wanting to keep a college student.
        Yes – I think it’s important to do the work in a relationship. It’s hard in some seasons!

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    4. I almost included Neuschwanstein in my answer. Definitely an amazing spot! Honestly I could have written whole chapters for that question. I’m just a little bit ahead of you in terms of grown kids, but will say that in my experience the empty nest/retirement thing is a process and takes a little time to find your rhythm. But you do get there and it’s a sweet season too! Enjoy your day!

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    5. I too was always super creative; I’d hang out with my grandpa and make up these crazy elaborate stories. I then got my MA in creative writing! I want to see that castle when we go to Germany! Might have to squeeze it in, amongst all the Oktoberfest partying!

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    6. That was a bunch of random questions, thanks for sharing! I didn’t grow up with my father, so I’m a bit jealous of that relationship! Cherish your memories!

      So, for current priorities I am very much like you in that aspect. I’m a bit nostalgic and I suspect this is the last summer with both of our girls with us on this trip.

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      1. It really was! Do you know the term “hodgepodge”? It’s fun to say and it seems quite British. Yes, I do cherish them and I miss him so much. I’m sorry you didn’t have that.
        I feel like I am in a “last summer” situation, too. Yes, we do have that in common! Try to live in the moment!

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        1. Yes, I do know that term but I wouldn’t use it myself. I must say my vocabulary is a bit limited… To live in the moment is wise! But hard… 😀

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        3. That’s a great idea! I did a vocabulary exercise with my 9 graders where they had to use random words in a group discussion. It was so fun to hear them continuing to use these words for the rest of the day! (They were all words connecting to bad weather by the way ;D)

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    7. Cracking up- at the store with music AND cheese- ha!! Your hair always looks great for spending such little time on it

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    8. You are creative and a great cook! I love music too. I always smile when I hear one my favorite 80’s bands when I go in a store…..Huey Lewis or Duran Duran!

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      1. I love broccoli, but the smell is not my fave. I made blackened fish tacos Sunday night and the house smelled like fish for a long time. What did I do wrong? I took out the trash and cleaned the dishes and still it lingered.

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    10. That was a fun post today. Thank you!

      Two summers ago, my adult son moved out and I became an empty nester. Around the same time, I got Covid and had to isolate for a week. It felt very lonely. Afte that, I adjusted to being an empty nester, spending quality time with the guy I have been dating and doing things with girlfriends. Last summer, there was some problems at the place my boyfriend was living, so we decided to have him move in with me. We adjusted easily to being a household of two. Three months ago, we received two young adults here on humanitarian visas from another country, so we quickly became a household of four. I guess I can say that over the past 22 months, I have gone from a two-person household with my son to a single empty nester, back to two-people again and now four people, two adults and two college students. Life is interesting and fun!

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    11. I was laughing a little because I could have written the first paragraph. I had several imaginary friends and read to my kindergarten class too. I was an only child til age 8. I also think my current phase of life is one big transition. It can all feel a little confusing sometimes! I enjoyed your post today!

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      1. Oh really? That’s so funny! I agree – it is one big transition. I had kids home a lot with them going to college so close but this next year will be interesting. Thank you!

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    12. Ten minutes??? And, you end up with that gorgeous hair? Wow! I really don’t know how long I take because I always watch YouTube while I’m doing my hair and makeup so I frequently stop and just watch. In my current stage of life, it’s bittersweet as I see my grandchildren turn into young adults right along with seeing my husband turn into an older man.

      https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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      1. I’ve got it down. I’m pretty fast and don’t like to spend much time getting ready. My hub is the slow one and watches videos and listens to podcasts. I know – my nieces and nephews are suddenly not little kids anymore and hub is looking older and older! I guess he looks at me and thinks the same!

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