The Weekly Hodgepodge is Blinking 12:00.

Thanks to From This Side of the Pond for this week's questions.

Share one way you think the world has changed for the better since you were a kid?

Technology, definitely. The advancement in medical technology is also wonderful.

How 'bout one way it's changed for the worse?

The advancement of the "laptop gangster:" those conniving little cowards who hide behind fake names and avatars who say hateful nasty things that they would never say in someone's face.  Shameful.  Also, the fact that when I was younger, good Christians were considered "salt of the earth" people to be respected.  Now, it's sadly different.  For some, Christians are viewed as enemies.  Pitiful.

Starlight, starfish, starling, Starbucks...your favorite 'star'?

My favorite star? Craig Ferguson.  What?!  I try to be home and inside by dark, I've never seen a starfish or a starling in real life, and I've only been to Starbucks once...and I was not impressed.

Name a song that's overplayed, but you love it anyway?

Shout to the Lord.  There are 50 gazillion versions of this song!  The original by Hillsongs is the best.  I could hear it over and over again.

When did you last have home made ice cream? Your latest favorite flavor?

About two years ago.

What do you think is the best way to inspire or motivate people?

Live it; don't just say it.

When was the last time you were without power?

The power pops off and on a lot around here, so coming home to find my alarm clock and VCR blinking 12;00 is no big deal.  Yes, I still have a VCR.  In fact, I have two of them.

Insert your own random thought here.

Life wasn't simpler when I was younger; we were just BROKE!

UPDATE: Ok, I've been to Starbucks twice now...and I'm still not impressed.

Feeling Less: The Simple Woman's Daybook for Sunday,July 28, 2013

Outside my window …  a warm, sunny Sunday morning.

I am thinking...  about the next workout challenge. 

I am thankful... for God’s mercy and grace.

In the kitchen...  Nothing.  Our Sunday school class is having breakfast together and we’re having a fellowship meal after morning service.  No cooking for me today.

I am wearing... jeans and a nice blouse.

I am creating... Finished the baby blanket (yay).  Now working on finishing up the crochet top.  This pattern has been a booger.

I am going... to bed.

I am wondering... about myself.  I know, what else is new?  I am experiencing these awful waves of depression that come out of nowhere.  It’s not winter, so that’s not it.  There doesn’t seem to be any outside forces causing it.  Actually, things are going quite well for me right now. It’s very disturbing to feel this much hopeless emptiness during good times.  What the heck am I going to do if things get bad again?

I am reading... don’t know yet.

I am hoping... that I get myself together soon. 

I am looking forward to... football season. 

I am learning… ??
 

Around the house... Laundry and dishes.  There’s more, but I’m not fooling with it right now.

I am pondering...   on anti depressant meds.  I was watching an interview with a comedian I admire.  He and the host were discussing why comedians, of all people, deal with depression.  They brought up taking meds to help.  The comedian said that he didn’t support taking the meds because “they don’t make you feel better; they make you feel LESS.”  Spot on!  So, I think “no” on meds for me.

A favorite quote for today... "If you throw in the towel, you’ll just have more laundry to do.”  Michelle Payne, my friend and Director of Sav-A-Life of Calhoun County.

One of my favorite things... school and office supplies.  Hey, I’m still a teacher at heart.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Stepping up my workouts and working on how to take better care of myself.  I tend to give out, give out, give out, but never put back in to refresh myself.

A peek into my day...  Very tiring day.  Here’s my favorite version of one of the songs we did at church today.  Love it.

 

If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook (http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/) . Thanks for stopping by. Y'all come back now, ya' hear. :)

Just Eat It: 30-Day Blog Challenge, Day 21

Favorite Food

[Blog Challenge:  Day 21]

Bill Gaither: "What's you favorite animal?"

Mark Lowery:  "Fried chicken."

 

For someone like me, I think a better question is what foods do I NOT like.

• Liver.  'Nuf said.
• Boiled okra.  If you fry it, I'll eat it.  If you boil it, I'll starve to death before I'll eat it.  I heard a preacher say that he believed okra fell under the curse of the law.  Comedian Greg Proops said he wondered of okra, "Are you vegetable or are you beast?!"
• Buttermilk.  I'll cook with it, but I ain't drinking it.
• Raspberries.  I like raspberry flavoring, but I don't like all the little seeds in a real raspberry.
• Muscadines - too slimy.
• Orange juice with pulp - It's like drinking boogers.
• Nutrasweet - not only am I allergic to it, but it makes everything taste like the inside of a beer can...or the outside of a beer can.
• Licorice.
• French cut green beans.  Whoever thought that taking a wonderful vegetable like the green bean and reducing to the size and consistency of a child's dragged out shoestring needs to have his attention got...with a 2x4.
• Tuna - I ate so much tuna in my teens when I was trying to diet that I'm not that crazy about it now.
• I have been trying new foods, so this list could get longer.  We'll see.

 {I'm linking up with So, Funny Story http://ktslifeisfunny.blogspot.com for this 30 day  blog challenge.}

You Can Call Me Auntie: 30-Day Blog Challenge, Day 20

Nicknames You've Had

[Blog Challenge:  Day 20]
 

I've only had a few nicknames in my life, some good, some bad, some meh.  I'll mention the top three here: 

• "Black Boy" or just "Boy" - my dad always called me that.  He wanted more sons, but had mostly daughters.  I didn't mind so much....then.
• "Shamu the Killer Whale" - Comedian and Late, Late Show host Craig Ferguson talks about being overweight and how kids always give the fat kid a nickname.  His was Tubby; Mine was Shamu the Killer Whale.  It was "given" to me in 11th grade on the band practice field by Dominc Sinclair, one of our bass drummers.  It wasn't long till he had most of the band calling me that.  I remember when we went to Washington DC on a band trip, we were in the hotel swimming pool and I decided to get out of the water.  When I pulled myself onto the side of the pool, I had to sort of roll as I pulled (have I mentioned that I'm short?).  The rest of the band saw it, pointed and laughed, and said, "there goes Shamu getting out of the water.  I wonder what trick she's going to do next?"  If I could have gone home right then, I would have.  I wonder where Mr. Sinclair is these days?  Hmmm...
• "Auntie" - being an aunt and great aunt several times over started the ball rolling on this name.  I adopted it as my permanent nickname because (1) I like it.  and (2) You know how some churches have the "church mothers"--the ladies who take care of everyone and who the younger people come to for advice?  Well, that was me at my home church, but I was NOT old enough to be a church mother, so I became the church Auntie.  I rather like it like that.  I hope to get to know my new church well enough for people to feel comfortable with me as Auntie.  There's people at Celebrate Recovery already calling me by that name.  So, feel free to just call me Auntie. 

{I'm linking up with So, Funny Story http://ktslifeisfunny.blogspot.com for this 30 day  blog challenge.}

Miss You Much: 30-Day Blog Challenge, Day 19

What Do You Miss?  [Blog Challenge:  Day 19] 

• I miss the contentment of being single.  I'm still single, but I'm not content anymore.  Must be drugs.  :)
• I miss my friend, Evangeline Pate, who introduced me to Christ.  I haven't seen her since we were in high school.  She's also the reason I wanted to learn to play drums.
• I miss my Thunderbabies from Jacksonville Christian Academy.  They grow up so fast.  I still can't get over it that the first preschool class I taught are all getting their driver's licenses and picking colleges.  Wow.
• I miss my dad.
• I miss watching Braves baseball games.  It's something my dad and I used to do together.  For several years after his death, I couldn't watch any of the games.  Now, I'm emotionally ready to watch them on a regular basis, but don't yet have access.
• OK, let's just say it.  I actually miss having cable.  There, I said it.
• I miss some of the "old" songs we used to sing at church, the way we sang them. When most people hear me talk about "old" songs at church, they think of hymns.  No, I'm talking about the songs we did in the 80's and 90's.  Stuff by Darrell Evans and Rich Mullins and songs that were just direct quotes from scripture.
• I miss getting real mail:  letters from friends instead of bills and junk mail.
• I really miss California.
• I miss my book collection that I had to sell in the midst of a "temporary poverty" as Louisa May Alcott would say.
• I miss getting my hair done professionally.  It's been nearly a decade since I've been able to do that. 
• Did I mention how much I miss my dad?
• I miss my musician friends from years past.  They are still living close by, but because of changes in our lives, we don't hang with each other anymore.  What's with that?
• I miss marching band.  I know I'm in the community band, and it's great, but it's not the same.  I still feel like I left something unfinished back there, especially my time with the Marching Southerners.
• I miss singing with friends for the fun of it.  Not to practice something we have to do, just for fun and laughter with no pressure on it.
• I miss having my own keyboard.  The musical kind.  Dr. Fields would have a hissy fit if she could see that my piano skills have gone to the toilet.  But on the upside, I play bass and drums like a boss!  :)
• I miss decorating. Man, I need to MOVE!
• I miss spending time with my nieces and nephews.  They are all grown and have kids of their own.  Now, I must spoil the next generation.  :)
• I miss my craft business.
• I miss being able to give gifts and blessing those struggling at Thanksgiving and Christmas time.  Hopefully, things are on the turn around so that I'm not the struggling one anymore.
• I just plain miss having fun!

One of those "old" songs from the 90's we used to sing at church.

{I'm linking up with So, Funny Story http://ktslifeisfunny.blogspot.com for this 30 day  blog challenge.}

Breaking the Broom: 30-Day Blog Challenge, Day 18

Your wedding/future wedding/wedding you have attended.  
[Blog Challenge:  Day 18] 
 

My niece Shayla's wedding

You ever notice that the word "engaged" has the word "gag" in the middle of it?  - Rosie O'Donnel, Comedienne

 

You'd better remember that every time you pray to the Lord Jesus, you're praying to a single adult. - Mark Lowery, Comedian

 

Marriage is ministry, and unless you're prepared to minister to the man of God, don't mess over him! - Juanita Bynum, Minister

 

I must be an odd bird.  When I was a little girl, I didn't fantasize about Prince Charming showing up and sweeping me off my feet.  My friends were always aggravated with me because I didn't like to play with Barbie and Ken, and when I did, I didn't do it "right." -- You know, Barbie is supposed to date Ken, they fall in love, get married, and live happily ever after. **snort**  As a teenager, I didn't linger over bridal magazines and talk about what my wedding would be like.  As an adult, I've attended a couple of weddings, even been a hostess at one, but as lovely as they were, they frustrated me more than encouraged me. 

 

Now, as a bona fide Old Fart Single, I would like to meet someone special, get married, and have kids (while I still can).  However, I am also very realistic about my issues and the damage that I'm still dealing with.  No man deserves to have to deal with that mess.  Men are tired of damaged, needy women.  I want to be a strong, confident diva, worthy of a good man.

 

With that being said, here's a rundown of a few highlights of my future wedding:

• I would rent my dress and take a lot of pictures.  Doesn't seem economical to pay hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars for a dress I'm only going to wear once.  Well, what about you daughter?  What about her?  Why should I put pressure on her to wear (and fit into) a dress just because I wore it?
• My wedding colors will be either red and white (Roll Tide/Go Gamecocks/Boom Thunder) or purple/lavender and white (no team, purple is one of my favorite colors).
• Speaking of pictures: Yes, I would hire a photographer, but I would also do what my sister Ida did at her wedding.  She had a basket of single-use cameras for us to take pictures and turn back in.  She had all the good pictures put on photo discs to give out.  I read somewhere that this was considered tacky.  It's not tacky, it practical.  Name me one photographer who can be everywhere at once and catch every precious moment with the couple, their families, and their friends?  You can't, can you?
• I would not put my bridesmaids in ugly dresses.  Now granted, most weddings I've been to, the bridesmaid dresses were cute.  That should be the norm, but it isn't.  I've seen some butt ugly bridesmaid dresses that make me glad I've never been a bridesmaid.
• Neither my home church nor my current church have center isles...and I LIKE IT.  I do not want the wedding to be all about me.  Most weddings are about the bride, and the groom just kind of sits back and says, "Whatever you want, honey."  No!  This is about both of us.  I want his entrance to be as honored as mine.  The congregation should stand when he enters.  There should be flower petals scattered on the ground to greet the prince and well as the princess.
• I don't want the traditional "Here Comes the Bride" played at the wedding.  I would like my husband and I to enter to the song "Love" by Petra.  (Video link below)
• I want solid Bible-based wedding vows.  Some of the traditional vows make me want to flee for the hills.

• 

  My sister Ida made her
   gorgeous wedding dress

  Sorry, my friends, but I am not jumping the broom.  For those who don't know what that is, jumping the broom is an African American (I call them Black folks) tradition started during the era of slavery.  Since slaves were not allowed to marry, they would signify their union by jumping over a broom or broom handle.  I ain't doin' it!
• I'm sure that this is tacky, but if something is not in the budget, we're just not going to do it, no matter how fashionable it is.  I remember when a former coworker was getting married, she kept pulling people from work and leaving customers waiting to do freebies for her wedding.  If I can't make it myself or pay someone to do it, it won't be done.  So, yes, my wedding reception may just be everyone meeting over at the Rocket for barbeque. 
• OK, so if the reception isn't at the Rocket, we will be having an 80's dance party.  If anyone is too stuffy for that, they can go wait in the car!  However, there will not be any alcohol served at the reception.  If that bothers you...you know where the parking lot is.  Neither my husband, nor I will be responsible for any drunk driving accidents, or anything stupid someone does before, during, or after the reception because they were wasted.
• Instead of the throwing of the bouquet, I would do what my friend, Heather, did at her wedding.  She threw a handful of single silk roses with an encouraging message attached.  That put the emphasis on being satisfied with where we were then, instead of waiting around for Mr. Right, or worse yet, Mr. Good Enough For Right Now.  If my husband is on board, he could throw garters with the same type of message attached.
• This is a little TMI, but we're only going to be at the reception for an hour, two at most.  I've waited too long for this.  I'm not going into my honeymoon all tired and ill.  When we've eaten and said hey to everyone, we're gone!  C'ya! 

  

{I'm linking up with So, Funny Story http://ktslifeisfunny.blogspot.com for this 30 day  blog challenge.}

 



Have Yourself a Snarky Little Hodgepodge.

Hodgepodge questions are from http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/

July 24 is Amelia Earhart Day.  Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.  What's something you've recently accomplished solo? 

Not a thing.

What's a product you use that never fails? 

Verbatim brand blank CD's. Unlike any other brand of CD's, I've never had a Verbatim be defective.

Have you found your place in this world?  Where is it?

Nope.  I think it's in California, but I'm not sure.

Worst movie you ever saw? 

Cicily Tyson's version of A Christmas Carol.  The worst adaptation of the story I've ever seen.  Give me Susan Lucci in Ebbie anytime.

What's the last fun thing you did?

Played bass guitar at church Sunday.

The month of July is named for Roman Emperor Julius Caesar...ever been to Rome?  What's your favorite Italian dish?

Nope.  I haven't even been to Rome, Georgia. 
My favorite Italian dish is the Voodoo Pasta at Efina's (our local Tuscan Grill).

What is one piece of advice you'd give new mom Kate Middleton?

Please raise this kid to be real person, not someone who thinks they are above everyone and doesn't know how to do anything for himself.

Insert your own random thought.

I am not in a good frame of mind to write anything in the section.  Good night, y'all.

Onward and Upward!: 30-Day Blog Challenge, Day 17

What are you really looking forward to?.  [Blog Challenge:  Day 17]

• Heaven
• Helping others and leading people to Christ.
• My clothing size not having a 2, X, or W in it.
• Cooler weather so I can begin running 5k races again.
• My weight having a 1 in front of it.
• Being debt free.
• Wearing makeup again.
• Owning a vehicle and TV made in this century.
• My thighs not rubbing together.
• The weekend...always.
• Learning to do chin ups.
• Moving.
• Football season. (Go Eagles!  Roll Tide!  Go Thunder!  Whup Troy!)
• Picking out my own eyeglass frames.  If I've got to keep wearing these things, I would like to pick ones I like instead of what's offered.  I like the fact that comedian Greg Proops has made spectacles cool.  Now, if we could work on his politics...
• Permanent employment.
• Starting my craft business again...after I MOVE!
• Meeting people I've always wanted to meet.

{I'm linking up with So, Funny Story http://ktslifeisfunny.blogspot.com for this 30 day  blog challenge.}

CDO...As it Should Be: 30-Day Blog Challenge, Day 16

Share something You’re OCD about.  [Blog Challenge:  Day 16]

 

• Grammar and mechanics.  I do have occasional typos, but I'm a stickler for grammar.
• Unkempt carpet fringe.  It must be aligned or it bothers me. 
• Putting items and grocery carts back where I got them from.  If you've ever heard Joyce Meyer's grocery cart story, you'll understand.
• I never use electronic guitar tuners.  They are of the devil.
• I never use wire clothes hangers. NO WIRE HANGERS!
• I'm OCD about writing pens.  I can't stand cheap pens that don't glide, write thinly, or don't work.  I use Pilot G2 pens most of the time.
• Starting all my exercise moves on the left food.  Band nerd holdover.
• I'd think of more, but I need to go alphabetize my CD's.  See y'all later.

{I'm linking up with So, Funny Story http://ktslifeisfunny.blogspot.com for this 30 day  blog challenge.}

MAD Dash Through July: Week 4

Final MAD (Mile A Day) Dash week.  Here's an indoor mile for you.  I know it's been hot or rainy around here, so these walks are perfect when the weather won't cooperate.  Have fun!

 

 



So, what would you like to see for next month's challenge?

Auntie's Playhouse: 30-Day Blog Challenge, Day 15

Your dream house.  [Blog Challenge:  Day 15]

Yes, I know I've working on this 30 day blog challenge for 51 days.  I've been kind of busy.

 So how much time do you have?

This is something I've been pondering for a long time.  Owning a home is such a momentous thing, but also a wonderful thing.  I'm over 40 and have yet to own a house though I have longed for it.  For many years I watched HGTV (back in my cable days) and dreamed of the day when I could see my own dream home become reality.  I still believe that day will come.

Let's start with outside. 

My home will have a big yard with plenty of flowers in the front yard and vegetable garden space in the back, with nice grass in between.  I'm thinking I might want a pool, but I don't know how to tend a pool and I really don't want to have to keep running the neighborhood kids out of it, so that may be out (or I'll build an indoor pool under lock and key).  I want a clothesline, a shed for gardening tools and flower pots, and possibly a corner in the back for a yard dog (no doggies in the house).  I do NOT want any HOA's telling me what I can and can't have either.  To me, an HOA is like living in government housing all over again, and who wants that?!

The house would be brick.  I'm not sure about the style.  I like Spanish style houses (think Zorro), but I also like the farmhouse style, as well as plantation and Georgian style with the columns and such (Miss Scarlet!).  It doesn't really matter.  I'll like it whichever style it is.

I've always wanted a pretty painted mailbox with flowers planted around the base of it (another good reason to have no HOA!).  Yes, it's a little hokey, but I've lived in an apartment with a communal locking mailbox all of my adult life.  Having my own "uniquely me" mailbox means a lot to me. 

Yes, I'm totally Southern and want a big front porch with rocking chairs, or  at least a porch swing (...and we were swangin'...)

The Living Room.

Don't know about color schemes or anything.  I just want my living room to be inviting and cozy.  I'd like a TV made in this century in that room if that's not too much to ask.  :)

The Kitchen

I'd like to have a large eat-in kitchen with lots of cabinet space.   What we call bigger than a "one butt" kitchen.  I'd like my upper cabinets to have frosted glass doors and the lower cabinets to have pull out shelves. I want a big industrial sink.  I did want a flat top stove, but I've heard those don't last long and they don't do well with cast iron cookware (which I want).  My refrigerator would be one of them new fangled kind that the ice and water come out of the door.  I also want a pantry.

The Master Suite

I want a tranquil bedroom that makes me feel pampered.  Nice furniture, walls actually painted the color I want, a chaise lounge to read and relax by the window, stuff like that.  The only luxury item I really want in my bathroom is a large soaking tub.  I've been in my apartment for 18 years and no matter how much weight I lose, the bathtub isn't fit to take a soaking bubble bath in.  It's only about as wide and long as a baby crib and as deep as a solo cup.  So, I just take a shower and be done with it.

I also want a guest room, an office, the dining room turned into a reading room, a bona fide laundry room (not just a washer and dryer stuck in the kitchen or bathroom), and a garage that I will turn into my arts and crafts studio.  My basement will become my home fitness center.  It will be awesome.

I could go into great detail about the decorating specifics, but that would be too long.  The point is that when I get this house, it will be the first time in my life that I will get to paint walls, choose new furniture, and have things look exactly how I want them.  I won't have to settle for whatever shows up or whatever is allowed.  Also, this is not just about what I want for me.  This house will be a blessing to others.  I would have company more often and have room for out of town friends to spend the night.   Look out HGTV!
 

{I'm linking up with So, Funny Story http://ktslifeisfunny.blogspot.com for this 30 day  blog challenge.}

Postcards from the Edge of ADD (The Weekly Hodgepodge)

These questions come from http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com .  I've given up calling it the Wednesday Hodgepodge since I can't seen to ever get them done on Wednesday. So, weekly hodgepodge it is.  :)

 

Picture postcards were first printed back in the mid 1800's and deltiology is the official name for postcard collecting. When did you last send a postcard? Receive one? Do you save postcards sent to you?  Do you collect and/or send postcards when you travel?

I've not sent a postcard in ages.  I think I sent a few when I was on  Summer Beach Project with Campus Outreach in Panama City Beach, Florida back in '92.  I try to always buy postcards when I go somewhere new.  I couldn't find any on my trip to Oklahoma last year.   When I do travel like I want to, I plan to continue collecting them.

What treat do you most like to indulge in while on vacation?

Well, as I said in a previous post, I've never had a real vacation to speak of.  When I travel like I want to, I think shopping will be what I will indulge in the most. 

Are you good at hiding your feelings?

Yes, too good.  That is part of the behavior that sometimes feeds my addiction.  In order to hide what I feel or escape other's bad feelings, I eat.

Does your town/city/county still deliver phone books to your home?  Do you check the yellow pages when searching for a local business number or has the Internet replaced the phone book in your house?

Yep, but they are getting thinner and thinner.  I usually check the yellow pages on the internet to look for business numbers, but I do carry a copy of the paper yellow pages in my car just in case I'm out and need to find a number.

Would you rather be first or last?

It depends. 

July is National Park and Recreation Month (in America, but everyone can still play along)...where and when were you last in a park? Did you participate in any recreational activities while you were there?

I used to walk on the trail at LaGarde Park in Anniston when I worked across the street from it.

What was one of your worst ideas?

How much time have you got?  Let's see:  Throwing myself a birthday party when I was 15 was probably one of my worst ideas that I actually went through with.  Trying to put a mountain bike in the trunk of a Honda Accord last week wasn't really smart either.

Insert your own random thought here.

OK latest random thoughts:

• "I wanna dance with somebody...with somebody who loves me."
• I think I'm the only woman on the planet who hates to buy shoes.
• "From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea creation's revealing Your majesty."
• I am feeling so out of control lately.
• I got my 5 year chip at Celebrate Recovery last night.  Yay me!
• I so want to dress as batgirl for Halloween this year.
• SQUIRREL!
• Apparently, telemarketers have forgotten what answering machines are. Every time they get mine, they just keep saying "hello?  hello?"  It a freakin' answering machine!  Leave a message or hang up!  Dang!
• I really wish drug stores still sold ipecac syrup...don't ask.
• I wish I was at Comic-con right now.
• "I'm gonna buy me a dog 'cause I need a friend now..."
• I need a nap, or 3.
• SQUIRREL!
• Can I have a pony?
• "It's hard to stay up.  It's been a long, long day and you've got the sandman at your door..."
• Man, I want one of those rattlesnake mugs Ferguson has.
• I wish Ferguson would quit hating on Paula Deen.  He loved her until it was popular to hate her.  Shame, shame, my friend.
• How does an intelligent human being continue to bite the inside of her own mouth?!
• OK random enough?  I don't need therapy, do I?

 

MAD Dash Through July: Week 3

Here's another indoor walking mile for week 3. 

So, how are your MAD dashes going?

Auntie vs. the Bicycle: Round 1

I still remember my first bicycle.  It was a purple/maroon color with a white seat and training wheels.  It was the best Christmas EVAR (O.K. I was six years old at the time, cut me some slack).  I thought at first that I would never get the hang of riding well enough to get Daddy to take off the training wheels (stabilizers for my UK friends).  I'd ride, and fall, and ride, and crash, and ride, and scrape my knee/elbow/face/back etc... all without too much ceremony.  Frustrated wasn't the word for it; mad enough to cry was more like it, but I did eventually get the hang of it and wore the training wheels slap out.  One problem:  though the wheels were so worn that they didn't even touch the ground anymore, Daddy still wouldn't remove them.  So, one day while my dad was gone, his best friend took mine and his son's training wheels off.  Sneaky, I know, but I got what I wanted without getting into trouble with my parents.

Ever since I learned to zoom on two wheels, I've always enjoyed bicycling.  No matter what size I was, I could always at least ride around the block or up the street a piece.  As much as I like riding, I've only owned three bikes in my lifetime:  the first one I just described, a blue one I got when I was ten, and a green mountain bike I got my senior year of college (I sold it the minute  I got a car).  The bike my dad found in the trash that didn't have any back brakes, that I nearly broke my neck on the few times I rode it does not count!

Thanks to a blessing from friends, I now have bike #4, which happens to be a purple/maroon color.  Coincidence?  I THINK NOT! (da-dum!).  I also have a helmet that fits (a blessing in itself since I have a big head and thick hair), a water bottle and holder, and a whistle (in lieu of a bike horn).  I've had the bike for couple of weeks, but scheduling and weather have kept me from riding.  But today, I was ready.

My plan was to put the bike in the trunk of my car, bungee the trunk down, and take the bike to the Ladiga Trail, ride a while, and drive it all back home.  Perfect plan...until I tried to put the bike in the trunk.  Now granted, I'm not good at physics and spatial relations are difficult for me.  However, since my bass guitar won't fit in the trunk of my Honda Accord, why the Sam Hill did I think a bicycle would fit?  (Lord, help!). 

So, on to Plan B, which was to ride the bike down Gardner Drive in Jacksonville to Church Avenue and back (about 2 miles).  I would consider the ride a success, but I need a different plan.  This plan has several problems:

Problem 1:  I got hallway through the ride and realized I'd forgotten my helmet!  WTC?!  Never again.

Problem 2:  Because I wasn't on the trail, but on a public road, I didn't feel safe (even before I realized I didn't have my helmet).  I white knuckled it the whole ride.  My hands still hurt.  I'm going to have to save up for a bike hitch for my car (or a pickup truck), so I can take the bike on the trail to get more proficient at this.  I wish we had bike lanes on our roads like they have in California.  I know, don't EVEN say it.  :) 

Problem 3:  The ride down was great because the road slightly declines.  So that means that the ride back was on a slight incline.  I did make it all the way back to the old Eastwood School (about a block from where I live) before I had to get off the bike and walk it the rest of the way.  I need more practice at balancing myself and gaining better stability on the bike (where are those bloody stabilizers, gov'ner?).  I also need practice on how and when to change gears on the bike.  I was going to try to gear up the bike to better handle the incline, but couldn't remember how and I didn't dare look down and take my focus off the road.

All in all, a good first attempt.

Auntie: 1  Bicycle:  0

MAD Dash Through July: Week 2

O.K.  How did everyone's first week of MAD (Mile A Day) dashing go?
Here's another in home walking mile.  Enjoy, and let me know how you're doing.

Naughty Bits: The Simple Woman's Daybook for Thursday, July 4, 2013

Outside my window …  rainy skies and cool breezes making my wind chimes sing.

I am thinking...  about California (yes, again). 

I am thankful... for living in a free country and for the sacrifice of my Savior who gave me the ultimate freedom.

In the kitchen...  Nothing.  I ate a late lunch at my sister Margie’s house.

I am wearing... a dark aqua summer dress.

I am creating... A crochet wreath, the crochet tank/cover up, and the baby blanket.

I am going... to bed soon.

I am wondering... about a photo that was posted by one of my Facebook friends this morning.  It’s supposed to be a joke for the 4^th of July.  It’s a rather large woman with American flags covering her naughty bits.  The poster's friends are chiming in about how sick it is, how they’re laughing about it, etc.  What I wonder is, are her friends sickened and at the same time humored because the woman is obviously naked or because she is large?  Hmm…I wonder if the woman were rail thin would the picture even be posted, and would so many people have so many snarky things to say about it?  I know, I know, but it’s bothering me.  The picture didn’t humor me, or sicken me; it actually made me sad for myself.  The woman in the photo is my size.  How much weight do I have to lose before others are not sickened or shamed by my form?  **sigh**

I am reading... Bicycling magazines.

I am hoping... that my share time at CR tomorrow night goes well. 

I am looking forward to... trying out my bicycle. 

I am learning… ??
 
Around the house... Plenty to do; not doing it until Saturday.

I am pondering...   on self sabotage and why I keep doing it.

A favorite quote for today... "I've had psychologists try and tell me I'm a narcissist, but it's difficult to hear them talking over the sound of me being awesome." - Craig Ferguson

One of my favorite things... pretty earrings.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Sharing at Celebrate Recovery tomorrow night.  Errands and housekeeping on Saturday.  Church and praise team practice Sunday.

A peek into my day...  This is how the National Anthem should be sung:

If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook (http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/) . Thanks for stopping by. Y'all come back now, ya' hear. :)

Musings on America: The Wednesday Hodgepodge.

 

What's one simple small pleasure on your summer 'to-do' list?

Riding a bike. 

Do you have strong feelings or opinions about the immigration debate in your home country?  Feel free to share your thoughts, but please play nice.

In a nutshell:  If I have to show proof of identification as a legal citizen, what is so offensive about asking immigrants for prove that they are in the country legally.  Doesn't mean that I hate immigrants (legal or illegal); in fact, quite the opposite.

What's something in your home or wardrobe that could be described as 'star spangled'?

Unfortunately, nothing.

Is your house set up for a party?

No.

What is one never-before-visited city in America would you most like to see? 

Oh gosh, there's so many.  How can I possibly pick one?  Other than Los Angeles, California, I would really like to visit San Francisco, California and visit all the shops and vendors, take pictures, go across the Golden Gate Bridge.  I really want to do the full touristy thing when I travel.

Your favorite red food?  White food?  Blue food?

Red?  Strawberries.  White?  Cottage Cheese.   Blue?  Blueberries.

What freedom do you value the most, and why?

Freedom of religion.  Without the freedom to worship God, the rest of the freedoms don't mean anything.  These freedoms were ultimately bought and paid for with the blood of Christ.  "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.." (John 8:36)

Insert your own random thought here.  

"God bless America, land that I love..."

Want to participate in the Wednesday Hodgepodge?  You can do so by clicking here:  http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/

 

MAD Dash Through July: Progress Chart

For those of you who are participating in the MAD (Mile A Day) dash through July, here's a chart to track your progress:

Of course, you can print this to page size.  On the MAD days in the section that says "I was MAD," place a check or number of miles, or whatever you'd like (it's your chart).  Then, in the space for "How MAD was I?" put what you did to get in your MAD miles (run, walk, indoor walk, swim, bike, etc.). 

I know this chart is the OCD/ Teacher side of me coming out, but seeing your progress will encourage you to keep it up. 

Enjoy!  Let me know how you're doing.

MAD Dash Through July: Week 1

Want to go MAD in July?  The challenge for this month is to do a Mile A Day (MAD).  Whether you bike, swim, walk, run, or do indoor walking, we're going to do a mile a day.  Indoor walking you say?  Yes, each week, I'll post a clip of an indoor walking mile (thanks YouTube).  Here's the one for this week.  Enjoy!

Who's going to go MAD with me this month?