Quotation Tuesday - The Evening Edition

So here it is Tuesday evening and I'm just now getting to the quotation post.  I needed some levity today so I'm giving you a few lighthearted quotes.  Nothing heavy to think about...just something to make you smile.  Enjoy!

Always end the name of your child with a vowel, so that when you yell the name will carry.

~Bill Cosby~

Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city. 

~George Burns~

I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific.

~Lily Tomlin~

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Can't believe it's already time for Wednesday Hodgepodge again!  This is 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. How many students were in your high school graduating class? Did you know most, if not all of them?

Wow, I have to go way back to answer this question!  At my first high school my graduating class would have been around 75.  It was a small Catholic high school and we knew most everyone.  Between my sophomore and junior years my father was transfered to a town where there was only one high school and it wasn't Catholic.  I had gone to Catholic school my entire life...it was a HUGE culture shock for a sheltered 15 year old.  My actual graduating class had about 250 students.  I knew a lot of them, but certainly not all.


2. What was the last thing you photographed?

When my kids were little, I lived with a camera in my hand.  I took tons of pictures...this was way before digital.  But now, I don't really take many photos unless we go on vacation somewhere, which we don't do often.  I think the last thing I took a picture of was the afghan I'm working on.  Exciting huh?

3. Pickles-love 'em or loathe 'em? If its love what's something you eat that needs a pickle?

I love kosher dills.  I especially love the spicy ones.  And usually I have them with a burger or a pastrami sandwich....yum!  Now I'm hungry!

4. What's a stereotype you seem to perpetuate without meaning to?

Wow, this is a hard question....my brain is tired...I can't think of anything.  I'm sure there is something, but right now I can't think of one.   I'm very interested in seeing what everyone else has to say...I hope it was as hard for them as it is for me.

5. Ever been horse back riding? If so is it something you enjoy? If not, do you have any interest? Did you watch the Kentucky Derby? Will you be watching the last leg of the Triple Crown this weekend?

I've always wanted to ride a horse, I think they are beautiful animals.  I've never ridden though.  I will probably watch this weekend...because it could be history...and I'm all about history :)

6. What's your favorite 'wedding' movie?

I adore 27 Dresses...one of my favorite movies ever.  I also have two favorite wedding scenes.  Braveheart and Sound of Music.  Two opposite ends of the spectrum to be sure, but both equally moving.  William Wallace marries his bride in secret, in the forest, so he doesn't have to "share" her with the fudal lords...so moving.  The wedding scene in the Sound of Music is just so majestic and I think it's every little girls dream of a princess wedding.

7. What is one 'tourist attraction' in the USA that you'd like to see in person?

Picking just one is hard.  But if I have to, I'd pick Independance Hall in Philadelphia.  I love the American Revolution and I'm fascinated by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution...I'd love to be in the place that first heard those historic words.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

It's getting too darn hot here.  You would think after 53 years I'd be used to it...somehow I don't think you ever get used to living inside an oven.

That's it, hope you enjoyed it.  Arizona Almanac will be back this Friday so stay tuned!

Quotation Tuesday

Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.

~Abraham Lincoln~

Do you know people who are never happy?  People who seem to think the world is out to get them.  Nothing ever goes right in their life.  All they do is complain.  I know people like this.  It annoys me. 

Of course, you are not going to be happy 100 % of the time.  But I feel like I'm basically happy most of the time.  And it certainly isn't because I'm independently wealthy, have a gorgeous body, live in a mansion or have a chauffeur (all things that would make me REALLY happy ;).  It's just because, I wake up everyday, look in the mirror and make a decision to have a good day.  Again, it doesn't always happen, but I would say 90% of the time, I'm good. 

Happiness is really what you make it.  It's different for everyone.  This is my happy: I have a wonderful husband who loves me in spite of myself.  I have three fantastic kids I love more than life itself.  I have a large extended family (I mean LARGE) that I know I can call on whenever I need them.  I have a place to live, food to eat and a job.  I don't have much else...no 401k (I'll be working forever), no investments, no summer home.  But none of that really matters, because I have MY happy.  And that is enough. 

What's your happy?

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?