Wednesday, May 28, 2025
It’s Wednesday and Hodgepodge with Joyce!
How is your week going? I am on my second of five teacher work days today. We have to sign in at 8:30 and sign out at 3:30. We cannot be trusted, you know? Can you tell I am over it? Ha!
I got out my lemon decor!
Even in the rain, I love this space. I light a candle and have a warm drink!
1. What’s your favorite room in your house and why?
My favorite “room” is my patio and my deck. I can’t figure out what to call each of them. The lower patio is off the side of the garage and has a roof and ceiling fans and a table for six and a sectional. The deck is off of the mudroom on the back of the house. What do you think – patio for the lower and deck for the upper?
I have memories as a child of sitting outside by a tree with my book or my notebook. I was outside from sun up until sun down in the summers. I feel like I like being outside more than the average Joe. I can sit outside in every month except for January and February usually.
2. What’s something that will instantly annoy you?
I feel like I have gotten less irritable rather than more as I have gotten older. I think others get more irritable as they age. I hope this is true about me because I want to be a chill person and now I have the perspective about what is really a problem and what is not. I had students this year come up to me and tell me they had a problem like they forgot something in another room and they are so sorry but can they go get it. My response was always, “Girl, that is not a problem! Of course!” and they seemed so shocked. Have we scared these kids?
But, I really hate when I let a car out and don’t get a courtesy wave. Come on – I didn’t have to do that!
Oh, and I was leaving the consignment store the other day and I held the door for a younger woman – maybe late 20s or early 30s – because she had a basket of clothes and her hands were full. I didn’t even get a “thank you”. Are you serious? I actually out loud scoffed as I left. That is so rare where I live. We tend to gush our thank you’s about the littlest things. So, I want a gush, too!
I remember once we had Germans staying with us (Tom’s cousin) and I gave up my car for them for a whole week and only got a “Danke” and I told Tom that I couldn’t believe I didn’t get more than that. It’s kind of the German way, though. They are not gushers.
3. May 28th is National Hamburger Day…will you celebrate? How do you like yours? If you’re not cooking at home is there a favorite place you like to go for a burger? Did you ever work in a fast food restaurant?
Well, I didn’t even know. I like a slider. I like 5 Guys junior cheeseburger. I don’t need a huge burger, but I really do like a gourmet burger with interesting toppings. I do not plan to celebrate this. I need a new grill and then I want to become better at making them at home.
4. What are three scents you like?
I like masculine scents. I hate florals. I hate artificial smelling things. I hate headache-inducing smells.
I like mahogany, teakwood, sandalwood, cedarwood, coconut, tobacco, and citrus.
5. What do you miss most about being a kid?
Riding a bike so much? That feeling of freedom of riding my bike down the big hill in my neighborhood with the wind whipping my hair? I have a bike and ride it sometimes in my current neighborhood. I still do a lot of my kid pastimes, though. I loved to read, be outside, bake, plan things, write and act out plays – ha!, make up dances and perform them. Would anyone like me to write and act out a one woman play about my current life? I can also include song and dance.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
I have a very strict sunscreen regimen and I have strong opinions. I hate getting burned so much.
You must do lotion – not spray – in the mirror before going out. Don’t forget ears and lips – ouch! So I strongly believe in looking in the mirror while you apply – with your bathing suit on, of course. Get under your straps and your suit where it could slip. Let it dry for a bit before putting your cover up on. Spray sunscreen sucks. It is only good for touch ups when you are already out in the sun. I still think lotion is superior when you are already out in the sun. Set a timer to reapply. Don’t forget feet. My kids got their feet burned so badly when they were teenagers and smarter than me about sunscreen.
Fight me! I am very opinionated about this.
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
Not getting a courtesy wave is annoying- I forgot about that one. This may be more of a middle school thing (which is pretty much only where I sub now) but students are strongly discouraged from going to their lockers because they “forgot” something. They get a finite number of passes per quarter (though I don’t know what happens after that?). It’s tough locker love because many were abusing leaving the classroom and meeting up with friends from another class, taking pit stops at the restroom and being gone from class for a long time, etc. So, unfortunately, a few bad apples caused stricter leaving the room policies so it has become everyone’s “problem” when an item is forgotten. It’s sad that it happened but it has. Shew! Today is our district’s last one with the kiddos. My last day was one of the days last week- Wednesday, I think. I’m looking forward to the break even though I chose the days that I work!
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Both that courtesy wave and the not saying thank you get to me too! Though it’s pretty unusual to get any sort of gushing…
I’ve only started putting sunscreen on my feet yesterday. Despite how easily I burn I rarely use sunscreen of any kind but I do try to stay out of the sun for the most part and wear a hat for my face when I’m in the sun. I can’t remember the last time I wore a bathing suit… it must have been in Hawaii and I assume we all used lots of sunscreen that day (though I’m pretty sure we didn’t think to reapply it but we were back at our condo by like 12:30/1 o’clock so it wasn’t a full day of sun). All I know is no one got a sunburn that whole trip so that was good.
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When one does good deeds, it’s not realistic to expect a reward at every every turn. Real charity doesn’t expect a payment.
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It’s kind to be courteous, though…everyone I know expects the same thing in return. Don’t be mean in this little blog space, please! Do you know my friend who wrote this? I’ve never “seen” you here before, and several of us keep getting comments on our respective blogs a lot like this one.
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The exact same things annoy me too- don’t even get me started- ha! Love your lemon decor- so pretty and so springy!
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I know! Thank you!
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I agree with you about sunscreen – spray is for touch ups only USE LOTION! Also? Say thank you more than necessary, geeze, it takes little effort.
I wish I spent more time outside, it’s so humid here but it’s my favorite place to be about 8 months of the year!
xo,
Kellyann
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That is crazy about sign in and sign out – especially all five days. No Irish goodbye for you 🤣 I love your patio and deck areas! I’m thankful for our outdoor spaces. I sit on the front porch more than the back patio. It’s hard for me to imagine living at a house without a front porch. I know what you mean about students- pencils, chromebook chargers, etc I’m happy to help. I do get annoyed when students don’t push their chairs in. I feel like that’s a lost art 🤣I don’t make a big deal though – I just remind them. I agree about sunscreen! The weekend hadley and I were in Gatlinburg – Trav & hayden were home and hayden had a track meet. They were outside a few hours and Trav didn’t have on a hat – which is rare for him. Hadley and i received a selfie with his sunburned face – and he said “the UV was popping!” 🤣
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I put my sunscreen on unclothed so I don’t miss anything lol. The sprays are convenient, but they also get all over everything around you so they’re not the best for the boat. When one of my girls was in middle school she left something at home. Should she have remembered? Yes, but I took it to her because she was a responsible child for the most part. A teacher made a smart remark to me about bringing the item and I said, ‘have you never gotten to work and realized you left something at home?’ She cooled off. We live in our outdoor spaces. I call the upper level a deck because it has ‘decking’ and the lower level the patio because it has concrete. I’m with you on floral scents. Unless they’re actual flowers I stay away from florals. Enjoy your day!
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Great post today! I like that you love to be outside, and I think patio and deck are great names to describe which you mean. Also, my first comment was to the Nico lady; she sounds like our “Anonymous” commenter that we all keep getting heckled by! I love your lemon accents and I won’t fight you over the sunscreen thing. I agree completely! Lotion is always superior, especially if you’re in or on the water a lot. The spray can’t hold up! I’ve learned about the tops of my feet and had the same thing happen to me several years ago; never again! Happy Wednesday, friend!
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Great post! Yes, it IS ridiculous that you have to sign in and out. . .so dumb. You are trusted with kids’ safety, their grades, confidential information about their families but cannot be trusted to be at work when you say you’ll be there?? Oh well – go change the world now that you can!!
Yes, your outside spaces are the BEST. I remember sitting outside under trees in the summer and reading too – glad to have those memories. When you mentioned that thing about your car. . .when we were recently at my aunt’s house her friend and neighbor allowed us to use her golf cart for the weekend. The day we were leaving, my uncle and husband were out there actually *detailing* it. That is their way – return things in better condition then received – such a good lesson. Later my aunt’s friend told her that she “knew” she would get the golf cart cleaned for “free” if she lent it to them for the weekend – isn’t it SO GREAT that they have that kind of reputation?? Anyway, I don’t think we did as good of a job with our kids in that regard – my parents always taught us to fill up the gas tank and if we could, to wash the car too if we borrowed it. I don’t think my kids would think to do that
Anyway, happy last week – hope you are celebrated well by your colleagues!!
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Spray sunscreen once I am out on the golf course. No way am I using lotion because you cannot get that off of your hands easily and grip a golf club. House being cleaned today so we will go to Habit Grill and thier char-burgers are so good! Not many fast food places have good burgers but Habit does! And excellent crispy hot salty fries!
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Today is my last teacher workday!!! I think it is ridiculous you have to sign in and out!!! We are adults!!
I love sitting outside. So sorry people did not extend the courtesy back to you.
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I hate florals too! I’m with you, I want to be a chill person! Menopause made me a little irritable, but I think I’m on the backside of that now! I try to go with the flow more and not be so type A which is hard sometimes, lol, but I definitely want to be chill. I like a really thin burger not a big fat Burger at all, lol I guess you could say a Smashburger, ha ha I hope it’s a productive day.
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The lemon decor is so cute, I can see why you like your patio and deck so much. They sound like fab places to spend time.
Ohh! I have definitely got more irritable as I have got older. People not saying thank you when I hold a door open annoys me so much! I always shout “you’re welcome”. lol
I used to love riding my bike so much when I was a kid. I have a bike now but it’s just not the same as being a child.
I always forget about putting sun lotion on my ears, I have been caught out a few times.
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I had to chuckle at your “Germans are not gushy” comment, which is true. I am German but have lived in the US for a long time. So, when I return to Germany and I compliment people on their hair or clothes or anything really, I get “the look”. However, your German relatives should have done more than just saying “Danke”. Just remember, some of us are gushy!
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Your outdoor spaces are so nice and I’m loving the look of the new back porch! I am with you on the courtesy wave. I love your sunscreen campaign. I support you 100%!
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Hello from the Hodgepodge! I taught for 12.5 years. My last two and a half were at a new-to-me school after we moved, and we had to sign in and out. I despised that. We even had to get permission to run an errand during our planning period. There are many things I don’t miss since leaving the profession. Oh, and I’m with you on the masculine scents. I get migraines with florals but love cedar and sandalwood!
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I love your dual patio area. I also remember spending so much time outside as a kid. We had a hammock on our patio, and I would read for hours, even in the Texas summer heat. That is just ridiculous about signing in. It will make you ready to retire by Friday!
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I’m so fanatic if someone lets me in traffic or anything with a car – my body leaning out of a car waving – THANK YOUUUUU LOL
I am with you – I kinda like masculine smells the most too
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I hope your final days are going well… I remember feeling micromanaged during the last few years of my teaching career. It was very frustrating and felt disrespectful at the same time. I prefer masculine scents, as well, especially teakwood, and I also like lemon as long as it’s not overpowering. I always order the junior cheeseburger if we order from Five Guys. They are the perfect size!
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Yes! Same! We have a lot in common!
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