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






























































































