Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Let’s link up with Joyce for Hodgepodge!

1. What do you make more complicated than it needs to be? 

The better question is what don’t I make more complicated? I am really working on this. I think some of it stems from anxiety and some from perfectionism. You know those memes about the type A, high achieving, first born daughter? Yeah, that’s me. I wouldn’t say I was a high achiever after high school, but I held my own before I was 18.

I overthink things as little as when I should go to the grocery store. I overcomplicate what we are having for dinner. Argh. I second guess the smallest decisions.

In the words of Michael Scott, “why am I the way that I am?”

2. What impresses you? 

I am not really impressed by material things. I am impressed by people who have done a lot with a little, who have traveled, who have lived life experiences, that kind of thing.

3. On a scale of 1-10 how picky of an eater are you?  (1=extremely and 10=not at all) If you had to eat a meal made entirely of one color what color would you choose? 

I would say I’m a 7. I don’t like nuts. I don’t like peas or lima beans. I don’t want to eat weird meats and seafood like rabbit, oysters, clams, chicken livers.

I can, however, go to any restaurant and find something to eat. I would never say if I didn’t like something at someone’s home.

WHITE – bread, potatoes, eggs, frosting, creamer, lol.

4. What does balance in life mean to you? Does your life currently feel ‘balanced’? 

Balance in life means margin. I didn’t overschedule myself when I was working. I had time at home, took days off when needed, and made sure to have open space in my calendar for spontaneity. Balance means a good mix of alone time, spouse time, family time, too.

My life currently is probably lopsided on the side of time at home and unscheduled time, but I made myself a promise to take this first year of retirement slowly and not overcommit or commit to anything before I was ready.

I have always made time for hobbies, though. How sad would it be if one didn’t have time to sit on the patio with a glass of wine and a book? I think everyone should do a “time audit” and see where their time is taken up on a normal day.

5. If you could travel the world for a year what would be your first destination? 

What a good question! I would probably start in Scandinavia and work my way down through Europe? I would linger and spend time in the smaller towns and not just visit the big cities. Also, can Tom and Eddie Otis go?

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The story of the wedding dresses being saved made national news! Well, People.com news, at least. , so maybe it was more of national pop culture news.

What would you say to one or more of these questions?

Amy