Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's time for Wednesday Hodgepodge hosted by Joyce at From This Side of the Pond.  Go to Joyce's blog for links to all the fun bloggers who participate.  Go here for instructions if you wish to play along.  Enjoy!

1. What can the average citizen do to honor a military veteran and/or those currently serving?

• When you see members of the military, thank them for their service.  I know they appreciate it. 
• Don't take your rights and freedoms for granted.  You've heard it before but I'll say it again.  Freedom isn't free.  Millions have lost their lives for our freedoms and rights.  Millions continue to protect those freedoms and rights.  We should honor them by being grateful everyday.

 2. Besides a flag what is something you own that is red, white and blue?

I'm sure I do own something, but right now I'm drawing a blank. 

3. Does love really conquer all?

No.  At least not for me.  You can really love someone, but there are issues that even love can't overlook.  Drugs, abuse, adultery...just to name a few. 

4. Strawberry shortcake or blueberry pie?

Strawberry shortcake....love it! 

5. Do you share personal stuff with your hairdresser?

No.  But then I don't share personal stuff with many people.  When I go to the salon I think of that as time away from all my problems...I don't want to bring them with me.

6. Does money lead to selfishness?

I don't think so.  I think having money exagerates the type of person you are.  So, if you are a little selfish to begin with, money will only make you worse.  If you're generous to begin with, money will make you more so. You're either a selfish person or you're not.  I don't think money, or anything else, can change who you really are inside.  When people say money, or fame or whatever changed a person...I think they didn't know that person as well as they thought they did. 

7. What piece of furniture in your home most needs replacing or refinishing?

Um, everything.  I often refer to my decor as "Early Other People".  The only thing in my house that wasn't previously owned by someone else are my kids beds.  Everything else belonged to someone else before it belonged to me.  Some of those things, like my mother's hutch and dining room set, I love and cherish.  Other pieces, not so much.  I just have them because I've never really had the cash to buy furniture.  If I had to pick one I'd say the chair I sit in to crochet and watch TV...it's in desperate need of a makeover.

8. Insert your own random here.

I hate Mondays.  Whether it's a real Monday or a Tuesday after a long holiday weekend...I hate them. 

Ok, there you have it. Another fun Hodgepodge.  Hope you enjoyed it!

Quotation Tuesday

I think of myself as a pretty patriotic person.  I love this country.  With all it's faults, I believe it to be the best nation on earth.  Our nation has been pretty divided for quite a while.  The divisions seem deep and hard to bridge.  Both sides are passionate about what they believe.  Neither side is willing to bend.  With that in mind, I've been thinking about a few things, and since I've vowed not to debate politics in this forum, I'll just post a few quotes that express my feelings.  Consider it food for thought.


My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. 
~John F. Kennedy~


Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.
~Mark Twain~


The highest patriotism is not a blind acceptance of official policy, but a love of one's country deep enough to call her to a higher plain.
~George McGovern~



A healthy democracy requires a decent society; it requires that we are honorable, generous, tolerant and respectful.
~Charles W. Pickering~



Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.
~John Quincy Adams~



I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. 
~Thomas Jefferson~


See you all tomorrow for Wednesday Hodgepodge!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

I've decided to join in the fun of Wednesday Hodgepodge, hosted by a great blogger I found during the A to Z challenge.  Please check out Joyce's blog, From This Side of the Pond.  She's great.  Play along if you like!

For Wednesday Hodgepodge she gives us 7 questions to answer and an 8th random thought.  So here goes...my first Wednesday Hodgepodge...enjoy!


1. What's something you miss about the 1980's? If you're too young to miss the 80's how about the 90's?

I really miss being a young mother and having babies...that's what my '80's were all about.  I do not, however, miss big hair bands or leg warmers...somehow my daughter thinks all things '80's are super rad...even the leg warmers.  Go figure.


2. Do you have a library card? If so, how often do you visit?

I do have a library card and I don't visit as often as I'd like.  I LOVE the library...you can read all about my library love here.  Maybe I'll go to the library this weekend....you've planted a seed Joyce!


3. What's the secret to success?

Not being afraid to fail.


4. This is National Backyard Games week...what's your favorite backyard game?

Hmm...this is a hard one...I don't usually play backyard games but when I was a kid I loved tetherball..so I'll go with that.



5. If I dropped by today what would I find on your coffee table?

You would find nothing...and not because I'm such an outstanding housekeeper or anything like that (just ask anyone who knows me!)...it's because I don't have a coffee table.  But in the interest of fun, I'll tell you what would probably be on a coffee table if I had one.  Papers of some kind...probably relating to softball, because my husband leaves papers everywhere and they usually relate to the softball league that he is president of, even though we no longer have any children playing softball.  Kinda got off track there...sorry.

6. Do you own a bicycle? When was the last time you rode a bicycle? Is that something you enjoy?

I'm not sure.  My Schwinn bike was one of the few things I brought with me from my parents house to my own home after I got married.  But, it just sat in the garage and collected dust, so I'm not sure if my husband got rid of it or not.  If I had to guess, I'd say not, because if you saw our garage, you would know my husband doesn't get rid of anything.  I have lived in my house for over 30 years and I've yet to park a car in my garage...ok off topic again ( I really do love my husband, he's just a collector..of papers and other random stuff...not of anything fun.  And he's a procrastinator...but that's for different post).  I can't remember the last time I rode a bike but I did enjoy it when I did.  Ok, I'll try to stay on point here.


7. What's your favorite cheese?

Extra sharp cheddar


8. Insert your own random thought here.

Since I'm writing this on Tuesday...I'm wondering if the Coyotes can play well enough to keep this series going.  That and the fact that my kids are going to the game and we saw a traffic alert that says about 650 parking spaces at the arena are going to be down for repaving.  Who repaves during playoff season?  My husband says those things are planned out way in advance and who ever would have thought that the 'Yotes would have gone this far....well, they should have thought.  If there's a chance you are going to sell out the building at any time...you don't pave the parking lot.  But then, who am I to question.  I'll let you all know how the parking and the game turned out.  Go 'Yotes!!

Well, this was fun!  Can't wait for next week!

PS~ Parking was fine.  They got there early enough to get "rock star" parking, according to my daughter.  The outcome of the game was not so fine.  Coyotes lost and the season is over...more on that in an upcoming post.

Quotation Tuesday

Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward.  ~Kurt Vonnegut~

I've had quite a bit of frustration in my life recently.  I wish I could say I'm the type that laughs when I'm frustrated...but alas, I do A LOT of cleaning up afterward.  In fact, I cry for almost every emotion.  My dad used to tell me I wore my feelings behind my eyes.  He was right.  As usual. 

I really wish I could change that about myself, but I don't see how at this late date.  I've tried, I really have.  But the waterworks are just there immediately, for everyone to see.  That in itself is frustrating.  But, it's who I am, so I'm owning it. 

Do you cry when you are frustrated, sad, hurt, happy, angry (I hate that the most!)?  How do you deal with your emotions?

Arizona Almanac

PACKAGES FROM HOME

In this installment I want to introduce you to a local charity that has a great mission. 

Packages arrive overseas
Photo credit: Packages From Home

Packages From Home was started by Kathleen Lewis in March of 2004 when her son, Christopher, was deployed to Iraq.  She sent him packages regularly, and learned that he was the only one in his squad that was receiving packages.  She got some friends together and they started have "packing" parties in her garage.  Donated items were packed and sent to her sons squad.  Over the course of the next year the grassroots project grew into the charitable organization it is today.  Today,  Packages From Home provides an average of 1000 to 1500 packages to overseas troops every month. If you live in the Phoenix area you can collect your own donations and go to the PFH facility to have a "packing party".  You will be able to pack your own donations for the troops, which PFH will then send overseas for you.  You can also drop off donations and they will pack them for you.  If you don't live in Phoenix you can also donate online.

So why am I telling you about this today?  Well, today is Armed Services Day and PFH is doing a "money bomb". A money bomb is when an organization asks all of its supporters to make a financial donation - of any amount -  to the organization on one specific day.  The effort is primarily online. They hope to raise $15,000 today which will provide 1000 packages that will help 5000 service members.

Go here to read more about Packages From Home and make a donation, if you wish.

Happy Armed Services Day to all our military heroes.  Thank you for your service!!

Quotation Tuesday

Coyotes Monday practice.  All eyes and ears on Coach Tippett.
Photo Credit: @walshtodd

By now you know I love hockey.  And right now I am obsessed with it.  Coyotes are in the Western Conference Finals.  They lost the first game on Sunday.  Game 2 is tonight.  Today's quote is a message to my hockey team.  Not that any of them will see this...but it makes me feel better :)

"A good hockey player plays where the puck is.  A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be."    ~Wayne Gretzky~

Be where the puck is going to be boys, and win Game 2!  That is all.

GO 'YOTES!!!!

Coyote Love

I bet a lot of you thought this was going to be another post about Arizona and those little critters that run around the desert.  Nope, not even close.  The Coyote species I speak of does reside in the desert, although they don't run around the desert.  They skate on ice.  Yes, we have ice in Arizona.  I know, sometimes even I have a hard time believing it.  But, we do, and the Coyotes who skate on the ice are the topic of this post.  If you are not a sports fan feel free to go back to whatever you were doing before you opened up this post.  I won't be offended.  I get that not all people are as rabid about their sports teams as I am.  I don't know why they aren't, but I accept it. Anyway...two great things happened last night and I'm going to tell you about them because they make me a very happy hockey girl.

The Phoenix Coyotes of the NHL have been ownerless for three years.  The previous owner put the team into bankruptcy and when no buyer could be found, the NHL bought the team so it could stay in Phoenix.  I'm very grateful to the NHL for doing that.  I haven't liked most things the NHL has done in recent years but this one was good.  The last three years have been a roller coaster for the players and the fans.  There were several interested buyers but deals could not get done.  Despite all the turmoil surrounding the team, they made the playoffs the last three years.  The players decided to rise above it all and play like winners.  I love them.  The Coyotes have, however, never made it out of the first round of the playoffs since moving from Winnipeg to Phoenix in 1996.  Some called it a curse.  Whatever it was...it was frustrating.  But the team continued to improve and this year...they did it.  They beat the Chicago Blackhawks in 6 games.  Moving to the second round for only the second time in franchise history. 

In the second round we met up with the Nashville Predators.  Everyone picked the Preds to win.  But everyone always picks the other team to win...that's just what we have to live with.  With home ice advantage we felt pretty good about our chances.  We won the first two games in Phoenix and split the next two in Nashville.  So all this leads up to last night.  Game 5, in Phoenix, in front of the White Out.  Up three games to one with a chance to finish on home ice for the first time. 

Yesterday morning the news agencies were all reporting that the NHL Commissioner was going to have a press conference before the start of the game to talk about a deal to sell the Coyotes.  Every one was on edge...are they staying or going to another city?  What does this mean for the team?  And why make an announcement right before the most pivotal game in franchise history?  The players don't need that distraction.  But, the announcement was good.  The NHL has come to an agreement with a buyer and the deal is almost done.  The new owner has every intention of keeping the team in Phoenix.  Now, we've all been around long enough that we don't get overly excited about these announcements.  We've been burned before.  But this one looks good, so we are cautiously optimistic. 

The Stanley Cup or Lord Stanley's Cup
Photo Credit: Wikipedia

And then, as if the stars are aligned (or maybe it's the supermoon effect) the Coyotes won last night!!!!!  This team, that never says die, and plays their hearts out for the fans of Phoenix, with no superstar and a real team mentality...is going to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.  I could not be more excited than if I owned the team myself.  I have been wearing a smile all day long.  One more series win and we would be in the Stanley Cup Finals.  Playing for Lord Stanley's Cup.  It's unbelievable. 

The next series will be tough.  We face the LA Kings.  They are hot right now and they have an awesome goalie...but so do we.  We have home ice advantage again, and we are also a great road team.  I like our chances.   Today I am full of Coyote Love!

GO YOTES!!!

(Thanks for bearing with me while I professed my Coyote love :0)