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. June 17th, 1994 was the day of the infamous O.J. Simpson car chase. What were you doing in 1994? Oh boy, well, since it was summer, and we were youth pastors, we were probably doing things with our church or youth group. I was also still working, as we didn't have kids yet. I'm guessing somebody is going to tell me they weren't born yet but that's part of the fun of the Hodgepodge. Lots of generations are represented here. 

We did take a trip in late 1994 to visit my maternal great grandpa and my paternal grandpa in Ohio, and my in-laws in Pennsylvania. We visited Niagra falls as well. 

2. What's your favorite summer salad that isn't the traditional tossed green lettuce kind of salad? I love pasta salad (corkscrew pasta, sliced carrots, broccoli...really any veggie you want, diced mozzarella, diced salami and Italian salad dressing). Also a green bean salad (fresh green beans cooked til just tender, chopped roma tomatoes, some sliced onion(optional), chopped hard boiled eggs and Italian dressing). Of course I also like the traditional potato salad and macaroni salad. Do you like fresh fruit in a salad (other than in a fruit salad of course)? Sometimes. It has be the right combo though..Thinking of fruit salad, I made this pasta fruit salad for a wedding once and while I was skeptical at first, it turned out really good. 

3. Is chivalry dead? No I don't believe it is dead. Should it be? Definitely not, I mean I suppose someone might think it should be but why? We should all be treating each other with respect and kindness. Where I work (a personal mail facility), I often see kindness work both both ways). As both men and women are walking out a door with hands full of packages, no one has an issue holding a door open and saying thank you. One day I was working alone and put a humorous note on the door saying "We're a one woman show today thank you for your patience. Grumpy people will be required to come back with chocolate". One of the guys who has a mailbox with us, saw the sign, went to the store and brought me back a milkshake. We see kindness all the time. I have no problem with someone holding the door for me, showing preference, I hope I do the same. 

4. Would you rather spend a week of your summer vacation in Hawaii or Alaska? Well, can I spend a week in each place...haha. I might say Alaska because summer in Hawaii can be HOT, and I don't do HOT along with humidity.  Have you ever been to either? I have been to Oahu once, in February, and the weather was just right. I'd love to go to Alaska though. Are they two places you really would like to see? Haha, I thought this question was are there two places you really would like to see other than those two...hee hee. But, yes, I would like to see other Hawaiian Islands and have always wanted to visit Alaska, but not when it's dark all the time. How do you feel about 'Hawaiian pizza' aka pineapple on a pizza? Yes, it's fine. It's not a first choice, and needs to have very little pineapple. Have you ever eaten Baked Alaska? No, I don't think I have. I think I'd like it though.

While in Hawaii, we climbed the Koko crater railway stairs...1,048 stairs. Yikes!!!! But we did it, and it was beautiful at the top. 

5. World Cup play is happening now...are you interested? I am interested. I love soccer. Watching any matches? I haven't watched matches though, I just haven't had time. Did you or your children play soccer/futbol? I didn't play, though I think I would have loved it. Both our girls played from the time they were 4 til they graduated, playing both club and HS soccer. They both probably could've played in college but neither wanted to. There are eleven US cities hosting matches-

-Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York with the stadium in NJ, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle

along with  three cities in Mexico (Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey)

and two in Canada (Toronto and Vancouver)-

You get free tickets to one of these matches. Which city do you choose? Well, I live closest to Seattle so that makes the most sense, but I wouldn't mind going to Atlanta or NY, even Philly. Tell us why. I mentioned I live closer to Seattle, and the other ones, I think it would be fun to visit. My hubby and youngest daughter almost bought tickets to one of the Seattle games but didn't.

My oldest tore her ACL her Jr. year. Thankfully she recovered really well from surgery and was able to play her senior year. We teased her that her brace made her look like she had a robo-leg. She was sure and steady on the field, able to read the field well, and a great leader and team mate. 

This one, our youngest, on the right, was fierce on the field. She was labeled a "pint sized" playmaker. We joked she was a "pest". She holds several records at the HS level, one being having as many assists as goals which is a testament to the type of player she is. Team player all the way. 

They got to play one year of high school soccer together. Our oldest as a mid/defender and our youngest as a wing/forward.

6. Insert your own random thought here. I'm currently sitting at the car dealership having our car looked at. I've smelled a "hot" smell that I think is oil (my car is a 2023 so there shouldn't be an issue), so brought it in to look at. This afternoon I have a well woman check up with my naturapath...why I planned both these things in one day, I don't know...well, okay, probably because it's less driving back and forth, blah, blah, blah. Well, they are keeping my car, gave me a loaner (a nice Subaru Crosstrek) but now I don't think I want to drive the 30 minutes home only to drive back for my 1:00 doctor appointment, then have to drive back tomorrow morning to pick my car up. It will be done today but probably not til closing so I am not hanging around town longer, and I don't want to drive home and drive back (are you still following?). So I'm currently sitting at a coffee shop, eating yummy avocado toast, finishing this post and then I'm going to go hit some stores I don't get to often. Of course, I FORGOT all the gift cards I have that need to be used (hobby lobby, Penneys, Gap...ugh!). This day can just get better right? I better end this now. 

Now this is an avocado toast I don't mind spending money on. Thick bread, lots of avocado, and great flavor. 

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin