Category: Prompts and/or Challenges

Go Stand In A Corner

Published on by J-Dub12 Comments

Go stand in the corner Spectrum internet. Trying something new on this 3rd Wednesday of the month. Thanks John for hosting.

We (Pony and I) have been banished to work from home thanks to Rona. Our ISP is mediocre at best. Problem is they’re a monopoly. We’ve got no choice in providers. The problem is slow uploads and signal drops. Our downloads are off the charts. No issues there. I’m not sure of all the technical terms but Pony is and he does all the negotiating.

I’m able to fumble through using cellular data to dial into meetings while being very judicious with desktop work during times of limited connection. Pony’s set up is different. He’s got his virtual desktop and that’s all. Our respective employers have been accommodating but that’s up to a point. This crap can’t go on forever.

Tonight we had three techs at the house. They ruled out hardware. Their tester thingamajigs show nothing is wrong. They’re gobsmacked. One thought it could be a neighborhood issue. They took off to the main junction. Upon return we were told they’ve put in an overnight work order to remove fuzz from an outside line. Seriously?!?! At least they admit they don’t know if that’ll work. But it’s all they’ve got. Sounds like snake oil bs to me.

Ugh!!!! And as we watch TV, their commercial comes on claiming 99.9% reliability. More snake oil bs. Go stand in the corner you sobs. Stay there until you can guarantee full service for us.

Share Your World ~ 1/19/21

Published on by J-Dub6 Comments

Here we go now!! Time for sharing our world. Melanie sure gave us some good ones today.

QUESTIONS:

Why do we dream? Some sort of coping mechanism is my guess. But it’s just a guess. Also sounds like science to me so I’ll pass on further commentary.

Do you think a person’s name influences the person they become? I am reminded of Jim Hogg, the 20th governor of Texas, who named his daughter Ima. Seriously! I’m a Hogg. What were her parents thinking?!? Story goes that she down played her name as much as possible. But she was a wonderful philanthropist who did much good for Texas. While I think a name is important, how much it influences who we become is still up for debate.

Does hardship make a person stronger?  (example:  What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger) Not always. Sometimes hardship breaks a person. Like my Aunt Velma who never really recovered after losing her son in a car accident when he was only 16. I am fortunate to be in the “makes you stronger camp” and have quite a few examples of becoming stronger after something bad happened. Part of that is having B by my side. Together we can get through anything.

Why do we judge ourselves by our intentions, but judge others by their actions? Hmm. I judge myself by all of it. Hole in the ozone? My fault for using Aquanet in the 70s. I didn’t mean to destroy our air quality but dang I wanted those Farrah Fawcett wings. All kidding aside, maybe we judge others by their actions because we cannot read another person’s mind to know his or her intentions. We have to guess at that part. All we have to go by are actions. And I have to ask does the intention really matter?

GRATITUDE SECTION  (Always Optional)

Feel free to share some gratitude in the form of images, photos or writing.  Thanks! 

Today I am grateful for my hot tea. I am siping it slowly this morning as dawn becomes a new day.

Share Your World 🌎 ~ 1/12/21

Published on by J-Dub9 Comments

Howdy 🤠 folks! Melanie gave us some thought provoking questions. Let’s get to answering them.

QUESTIONS:

What should you get rid off, that would make your new year better, and why? (Don’t say Covid-19, we all want to get rid of the dang virus) I snagged this question from another blogger, but failed to note who thought it up. My apologies! I KNOW better than to trust my memory any more. If it’s your question and you’d like credit, please let me know! Great question too, in my opinion! Regrets. I’d kick ‘em to the curb. What’s done is done. No reason to regret something you can’t change. Dust off and move on.

What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done? I’m so boring. And a big chicken. Though in 6th grade, I jumped off the 10 meter diving platform at Alamo Heights swimming pool. It hurt like hell but the next weekend I did it again. Twice was enough for a life time.

Does your family have a “motto” – spoken or unspoken? Unspoken – it is what it is. Sort of like question #1. What’s done is done.

On a scale of 1-10 how funny would you say you are? (this does not mean ‘smell’ or looks; because this is a judgment free blog!) Haha! Well 10 of course. Even if only in my own mind. I figure I can always make myself laugh🤭 That Jilly she’s a laugh riot.

GRATITUDE SECTION: Tell everyone something that you found personally lifted your spirits! Coins taped to the vending machine saying have a drink on me. I did that awful day and went around leaving more coins with same note on other floors’ break rooms. I never found out who the original benefactor was and that made it all the more fun.

Share Your World ~ 1/5/21

Published on by J-Dub5 Comments

Melanie gets the conversation going. Ready! Set! Go! Look here for the rules and ping back.

QUESTIONS: 

What’s a relationship deal breaker for you? I’ll let you know when I find one. B and I have our ups and downs but so far nothing has been a deal breaker.

Do you believe in extra-terrestrials? Not really.

In the morning, do you hit the snooze button on your alarm (sometimes repeatedly) or do you leap out of bed, ready to face the day? I stopped snoozing but I also moved my time to wake up to a realistic time. I was one of those who set it earlier than needed just so I could snooze. I feel much better when I get right up.

If you came back in the next life as an animal, which animal would you choose to be?  (and even if you don’t believe in that, let’s suspend belief for a moment just to have a little fun) A dog of course. Adopted by a dog loving family.

GRATITUDE (Participation is always optional)

What do you plan to work on this year to make it better than last year  (personal goals, physically or mentally, or all three)? All three I think. Physical and mental for sure. Personal goal was set in motion last year and I’ll keep an eye on it in 2021.

Share Your World ~ 12/29/20

Published on by J-Dub15 Comments

We’re back in the saddle again. Melanie has given us some New Years themed questions. Let’s get this party started.

QUESTIONS

Pick three words to describe this past year.   (please keep them PG. Thanks). Historical, inspirational, and awful.

What were the best books you read this year?   Or the best movie you saw?  I had a dry spell on reading when we first went into lockdown. I could not keep a thought in my head and words jumped off the page. I would read the same sentence or paragraph repeatedly and nothing stuck. Thankfully I could read short snippets like blog posts and work stuff but reading full on cover to cover books was a challenge.

All that said, I managed to read 15 books in 2020. My favorites were a tie – Eternal Road: The final stop by John W Howell and Hullaba Lulu: a Dieselpunk Adventure by Teagan Geneviene. Pick ’em up and take a look. You’ll be glad you did.

In my opinion, the best movie bar none was Hamilton. Disney+ released the recording of the Broadway musical with the original cast. Cue music … How does a bastard, orphan, son of a … I signed up for Disney+ for the sole reason of seeing Hamilton. And now I get to see Soul. Word on the street is Pixar hit a home run. Oscars are expected. Watching that is our New Years Day plan.

Because there was lots of time for looking inward, what is one big personal lesson you learned this past year? “You’re braver than you believe and stronger than you seem”. Christopher Robin to Jilly originally said to Pooh. I can’t imagine how I’d have done with littles in school while trying to work. I know it’s not a contest but speaking for myself, I had it easy.

Do you think Covid has strengthened or weakened societal bonds? Both and/or it depends. Dearly beloved, there are no absolutes in this thing called life (sort of ripping off Prince). People have had to improvise. They rose to the challenge and found new ways to stay connected. Is it perfect or one size fits all? Nope but it is something. And it’s not over yet. Society will find a way to continue to evolve. Doesn’t it always?

GRATITUDE SECTION (Optional of course):

What is a New Year’s Wish You’d Like To Share With the World? My forever wish is that everyone finds peace and contentment but hook or by crook in every nook and cranny. How’s that for combining idioms? Good times I tell ya 🙂

As always, more to come.

#WATWB ~ 12/25/20

Published on by J-Dub3 Comments

It’s the last Friday of the month which just so happens to fall of Christmas Day this year. I wasn’t sure if the blogfest would be held despite the holiday. I decided even if unofficial, I’d share something positive today. Title: Man pays it forward at Dunkin’ in honor of late wife, who would have spent $208 since she died.

https://www.wlwt.com/article/man-pays-it-forward-at-dunkin-in-honor-of-late-wife-who-would-have-spent-dollar208-since-she-died/34922175

I always get misty with these pay-it-forward stories. The world is still full of good people. Sometimes the little things like a free cup of coffee make all the difference. This is but one example among many.

#WATWB is a blog hop on the last Friday of every month. Here are the intention and rules. In darkness, be light!

#1linerWeds. 12/23/20

Published on by J-Dub10 Comments

Last Christmasy meme of the year. There were tons of good ones but I had to restrain myself since my WP media is reaching capacity and I’m not paying for more space. But enough about that. Time for some kicks and giggles. Poor little paper mache donkey. He’s got it much worse than Mr. Stocking.

If you’d like to join in, here are the rules and ping back.

As always, more to come.

Share Your World ~ 12/22/20

Published on by J-Dub10 Comments

Sharing is caring!! Thanks Melanie for hosting this wonderful weekly event. If you’d like to join in, here are the rules and ping back.

QUESTIONS

  • What is your favorite type of cookie (they’re called biscuits in Europe I believe)? When I was a kid, we’d make a shortbread/ sugar type cookie from a cookie press. It had all these designs and I loved the entire process. Especially the decorating. When my mom passed away, I regret not taking the cookie press. No one else wanted it so we sold it at the estate sale. There are several items I wish I had kept but in my grief, I could not bring myself to pick anything. My uncle tried to tell me that I’d want the items later but I didn’t listen.
  • If you could choose one age and remain that forever, what would it be and why? Excellent question. I used to joke that I am 29 and holding. Then I got a little too far past 29 for that to be believable and changed my shtick to 39 and holding. But seriously, I wouldn’t go back for anything despite all my jesting about growing older. I am in a much better head space now. Physically though 2009 was my last “good” year without all these aches and pains. There ya have it. I pick 45 and to be pain free. What a plan!!
  • Do you have a traditional drink during the holiday season? Not really except maybe for hot chocolate and eggnog. I will never forget one Christmas season in 7th grade when my friend T had a party and we all drank Shirley Temples and Roy Rogers. How cosmopolitan we felt. I tried to recreate that feeling by having 7-Up and maraschino cherries for the kids one year. They were less than impressed and the tradition never took off.
  • Are you able to still believe in holiday magic as you did when you were a child? Sort of but not really. I still believe in kindness, peace on earth, and goodwill to all. I believe there is more good than bad in this world even when you have to look for the good. That’s magical isn’t it? At the holidays or any time of year.

GRATITUDE SECTION (Always optional)

The prompt is wide open today, for anything you care to share!

Today I am grateful that I begin another trip around the sun. For me that “journey” started yesterday. January 1 may be the start of the new year but 12/21 is the start of the new Jill :). Oh and I am also VERY grateful to the fam who wanted me to have a special b-day dinner. So much so that they recreated wonton soup and pork fried rice. Yummy!!!