Hodgepodge 241

1. Are you comfortable with silence? If you're home alone, do you like silence or do you need regular background noise? Do you seek out times and places to be silent? What's your favorite place to find silence/be silent?
I am comfortable with silence but if I am home alone usually music is playing.  I do seek out silent places at times.  My favorite place is either on our deck, in the sun room or our bedroom.

2. October 28th is National Chocolate Day. Can't let that go by without a mention now, can we? Will you celebrate? How? Let's say you can have one of the following right this very minute... a cup of hot chocolate, a strawberry dipped in chocolate, a bowl of plain chocolate ice cream, or a slice of chocolate pie...what's your pleasure?
I am not a big chocolate fan...I know that is strange for a woman.  But if I had to choose probably a cup of hot chocolate on a cold night.

3. How do you feel about blue jeans? Favorite thing in the world to wear or nope, don't own a single pair? How often do you wear blue jeans in a typical week? Do you own a blue jean jacket?
I used to live in my jeans. lol.  And I still love my jeans and I own several pair, I have a couple new pairs I need to get busy and hem them.  I probably wear them 3 or 4 times a week.  And yes I do have a jean jacket, in fact I have several.

4. Are you superstitious? If so, in what way?
I don't consider myself superstitious.  But now that I think about it, I was crocheting scrubbies to take to a shop in Branson.  I had 13 single and 13 double and I made 2 more single and one more double because I did not want to give them 13.  Strange...

5. If you had to come up with a costume using only things you have on hand right now, what could you come up with? 
A scarecrow or an old lady or man.

6. What scares you a little? What do you do when you feel scared?
Right at the moment I cannot think of anything that scares me.  When I do feel scared I pray and repeat Psalm 27:1
'The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?'

7. Perhaps today will be the day I hem my pants. Or maybe straighten my desk.  ____________________________.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
I have several random thoughts running through my head.  We had a great time at the Don Williams Concert, believe it or not that was on my bucket list.  Next Thursday we are headed back to Arkansas, my nephew is getting married to the love of his life!  And Silas James is going to be ring bearer.  Should be interesting.  Last but not least, I am so excited my daughter and her family will be coming to Willard for Thanksgiving.  Love it! 

until next time...nel

Falling for the Hodgepodge...

1. October 21, 2015 is Back to the Future Day. Did you see the movie? The sequels? In the second film, Doc takes Marty into the future to prevent Marty's future son from making a mistake. They leave 1985 and land on a 'skyway' on October 21st, 2015. So tell us, what were you doing in the fall of 1985?
Wow...That is putting on the thinking cap from get go!  My daughter was 3 years old in 1985.  I was probably working on a costume for her.  I usually made all of her costumes when she was small.  Probably just enjoying every minute I could with her cause I also worked full time during the day.

2.  If time travel were possible, would you want to go to the future? The past?
Future, not so much, I am happy with today!  The only future I am looking forward too is Heaven, and I still have work to do here!  The past yest I would like to go to the past, not to change anything but I would like the opportunity to ask more questions and actually listen to the answers.  There is so much I would like to know about my ancestors.

3. We're not flying cars, but some of the technology imagined in the 80's film has indeed come to pass in real life 2015-flat screen TVs on the wall, tablets, fingerprint recognition, video conferencing, online banking, 3-D movies, motion controlled video games, drone cameras, and smart glasses (Google glass).  Do you worry technology is growing at a rate so fast we'll soon be unable to keep up with it's demands? Do you think the Internet does more harm than good? 
Technology is growing by leaps and bounds!  It is quite scary if you really think about it...mind boggling!  I think the Internet does whatever you use it for.  It is a good tool for looking up information and for sharing your beliefs.

4. Your favorite dish prepared in a slow-cooker? Your favorite fast food?
I am going to say roast, only because that is what we had to night and oh my gosh it was soooo good!  Favorite fast food, probably a good burger and fries or chicken sandwich and fries.  Now if I still lived in Chicago, I would have to go with Vienna Hot Dog, Italian Beef or Polish Sausage and fries.

5. No time like the present, down time, face time, pressed for time, in the nick of time, make time, mark time, or just in time...which timely saying most relates to your life right now? 
Make time.  I have so many things going there are a few things I am going to have to just stop and make time to get them done.

6. Tell us about a place you went as a child or younger person that's no longer there or is now something else. How does that make you feel?
When I was young before I can remember till 2nd grade, I lived in Roselle, IL in a farm.  I have such good memories from there.  There was a big barn and an orchard behind the house and corn fields surrounding us.  It is now a housing development, has been for years.  But it hurts my heart every time

 I think about it.  I would of loved to seen it just one more time. Isn't it funny how things seemed so much bigger when you were a kid.  It did have an upstairs and an attic.  

7. Describe your comfort zone.
At home surrounded by family and friends, or at church with my church family.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Had a great time in Arkansas.  Seen family and friends, there were about 40 people at Silas' birthday party.  A fun time was had by all! 
Getting pretty excited, this Saturday me and hubs are going to a Don Williams concert at Branson.  His sweet brother purchased our tickets for our Anniversary.  Don Williams was my hero when I was a teen and early 20's.  I think I have every one of his albums.  I always wanted to see him in concert.  I guess I can mark that off my bucket list.  :)



until next time...nel

Welcome Fall & Wednesday Hodgepodge...

I am so ready for fall ya'all!

1. It's October so let's get this out there first thing...have you jumped on the all-things-pumpkin bandwagon? How so?
I have been looking at the pumpkins and the mums.  Some of them are so pretty this year!  I did get out my ceramic pumpkin I place on my porch, but that is about it.

2.  "We have more power than will; and it is often by way of excuse to ourselves that we fancy things are impossible." Francois Duc De la Rochefoucauld  

What's something you once thought impossible, but in hindsight see as more a matter of lack of will?
Can't really think of anything...

3. The rose is America's National Flower, but every state also has its own (click hereto see the list). Are you happy with yours? If you were in charge what would youdeclare your state's flower? If you're outside the U.S. what bloom would you like to see labeled as your country's national flower?
The Hawthorne Bush or flower is Missouri's and the Apple Blossom is Arkansas'.  I think they are both pretty and I love to take pictures of both.

4. What have you lost interest in recently?
Television - Very seldom do I watch TV.

5. In your opinion, who's the best living musician?
This is a hard question, it is hard to pick just one.  In my younger years it would of been easy - Carole King without a doubt.  She had a lot of wonderful songs, Tapestry, You've Got A Friend, It's To Late, So Far Away, and Simple Things.  

I became a country fan after moving to Arkansas.  I enjoy Alan Jackson or George Strait. They are great musicians and singers without all the lights and hype.  Love this song, we played it at our wedding.  'I Cross My Heart'


6. S'mores-love 'em or no? Ever make them indoors? Last time you sat around an outdoor fire? Are making s'mores and sitting round a fire pit on your autumn bucket list? Do you have an autumn bucket list?
I like a S'more once in a great while.  Have never made them indoors. Probably last fall at my grandson Cain's birthday party.  Yes sitting around the fire pit is on my bucket list.  My daughter gave me a pit several years ago for Christmas and I still have not had a chance to use it.  Planning on changing that in the near future.

7. Your favorite small town? Why?
Scottsville, AR - Because my grandkids live there!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
We are headed to a 2nd birthday party this weekend. It is hard to believe Silas James will be two already.  

He is a cute little minion and has this granny wrapped pretty tight!

until next time...nel

Answers to Prayer...

Hi Everyone!  I have been MIA for about a month, but for a good reason. Sorry for the lengthy post but just something I had to share!  If you remember back in August, I was at my wits end, my baby was hurting and no one could seem to find out what was wrong.  I reached out and requested prayer from all of you.  I asked that you pray for God to send someone that would see and realize what was going on.  You can read about my request here.

I was ready to pull my hair out!  Do you know how hard it is to be so far away and know that your child is hurting and there is nothing you can do about it.  You are not even close enough to comfort her. And I know we are only 4 hours away but at times it seemed like across the world.  It doesn't matter what age they are!

'And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.'   Matthew 21:22

I did the only thing I knew how to do...pray! And asked for others to pray. I prayed believing that God would take care of this!  You know there is no telling how many blessings we miss, yeah we pray, but do we really believe?  You can't pray for the rain to stop and still carry your umbrella! Where's your faith?

My SIL and Daughter have their own business, Cloud Mountain Forestry.  He is in the reforestation business. He was meeting with one of his contacts out on his land, the gentlemen was interested in having some work done.  Clint proceeded to tell him it might be a little while before he could get to it because of Janice's problems.  He told him how they had been to the doctor and ER numerous times but still no answers.  Clint also mentioned that they had a disc of images so they could get a 2nd opinion.  The man informed Clint that he was a Radiologist, and he would be glad to look at the images.  (Is God Good Or What?) Clint made a flying trip home and picked up the CD and delivered it to the man.  He tried to open it up on his home computer but it would not work, so he explained it would be the following Wednesday when he returned to work before he could look at it.  So the following Wednesday the 26th the kids received a call from Mr. Harms.  Now remember take a look at these dates, I requested prayer on the 21st, he volunteered to look at them within just a few days. He was back at work the 26th and opened the images and looked at them.  

He contacted Clint and told him he did see something not sure what it was. But there was definitely something there, a mass of some kind.  The mass was approx 4 cm.  He gave them the name of a Gynecologist/Oncologist in Northern Arkansas. Informed them he was one of the best and she definitely needed to make an appointment a.s.a.p.  Clint was out of town on business the following week so they went in on the 3rd of September.  Surgery was planned, they would do it laparoscopic depending on the size of the mass.  It would be sent to pathology for testing.

Surgery was performed the following week on the ninth.  Everything went great, it was done laparoscopically with no problems. The mass was contained inside her uterus, the cervix looked fine.  They did take one ovary.  The doctor did inform her she had the worse case of endometriosis that he had seen, which would cause all the pain she has been in.  Everything that came back from pathology was benign!  Praise the Lord!

Needless to say this momma was jumping for joy and Praising Jesus!  I spent the month of September in Arkansas helping with kids and keeping her house running, and was proud to do it.  But yes, my bed sure did feel good when I got home.  I thank God every day for my sweet hubby who is always so understanding!

Amazing how just a business acquaintance was exactly what we needed. The perfect answer to prayer!  Did I mention - God Is So Good!

'And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.'   Mark 11:22 - 24

until next time...nel