Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's time for Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce, who blogs at From This Side of The Pond.  Each week she'll pose some questions for us to answer. What a great way to journal life.

1. Big week in the US of A...do you do your own taxes? We do our own taxes now...or I should say I do them. However, for years when we were in full time ministry and our church opted to do tax exempt, we had someone do our taxes because we had to account for everything, keep all receipts, etc. That was a lot of work and I don't think I could've handled figuring out the tax part of it all, though at the beginning of the year I received a form that I had to fill out which also meant going through everything. I did try to keep pretty good track of things on a spreadsheet. 

What's something you've found 'taxing' lately? I have been dealing with achilles tendonitis since late last summer. It is taxing. I'm doing PT and softwave treatments but need to do better at being consistent at home with the exercises, even doing them twice a day. The achiness and pain can range from a 2 to some days a 7 or 8. The ache, pain, tightness starts at just below my calves at times, all the way to my heel. I feel for those with chronic pain. Ugghh. 

2. When it comes to travel are you a last minute packer or a lay it all out a week in advance type? I almost always pack the one or two days before. If I'm going somewhere and the weather is very different to where I won't be needing to wear any of the clothes I'll bring, then I might start setting out clothes more in advance, but I often wait. Definitely not the day of, that's for last minute items.  Do you struggle to pack light? Not necessarily, however if I come back having not worn more than a couple outfits, then I know I need to pack lighter. Share a packing tip that has worked for you. I try and pack things that I can wear with multiple outfits. When we went to Colorado we knew we'd need warmer clothing at times so I tried to pack pants and shirts that could be layered or worn with more than one pant/shirt combo. It worked pretty good. Also, if I know I'll have access to laundry I'll pack lighter because then I can wash and re-wear. 

3. April is National Grilled Cheese Month. Hmmm...who knew it got its own month? Do you like a grilled cheese sandwich? I love a good grilled cheese. There's a grilled cheese cozy mystery series by Linda Reilly that I want to read.  What ingredient do you add to take yours to the next level? I love adding cream cheese to my grilled cheese. I have also sprinkled garlic salt onto the butter outside the sandwich. Also a variety of cheeses, and I just really love a gooey tuna grilled cheese with tomato soup. In nearby Portland, Oregon, there is a grilled cheese food cart that I would like to visit. Oh, I found this recipe on the blog from the days I was a part of the Secret Recipe Club. It was so good. I might have to make a grilled cheese sandwich today.

4. There's a well known quote that says-

'A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for." John A. Shedd  

Is constant growth necessary or do you think it's more important to prioritize stability and peace in your life? I have always loved this quote. I do think that we should always be growing, learning, stretching ourselves, however, I don't think that means sacrificing peace and stability or the importance of slowing down and enjoying life where we are, being content. I think we can be content and still grow. Ships also don't spend 24/7/365 at sea (well maybe some do). At some point they have to refuel, come in during storms or darkness and rest for their safety and the safety of others. I think we're the same way. 

5. Let's wrap this up with a fun spring this or that-

• daffodils or tulips JOYCE!! That's too hard. I love them both, but for the sake of choosing I'm going to go with daffodils. 
• lemonade or iced tea lemonade
• gardening or hiking geez, another tough one...but I'll go with hiking
• ladybugs or butterflies butterflies 
• umbrella or raincoat umbrella
• floral patterns or polka dots floral patterns

6. Insert your own random thought here. I'm finishing this early Wednesday morning. I'm hoping I don't get a call to go into work, though I will if I need to. Our boss/co-worker who works on Wednesdays has been under the weather the last few days so if she calls out, either one of the other gals will take it or we may split the day. I have Tuesdays and Wednesdays off, but Tuesdays I have the grandkids and so I don't get anything else accomplished so that falls to my Wednesday or just a day to have to myself to do what I want or need to do.

Oh, I also thought I'd share this recipe for protein banana muffins. I made them yesterday and they turned out so good. I did add some chocolate chips but used the Hu brand so they're a little "better" option. 

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin