Share Your World ~ 1/19/21

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

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.

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Share Your World ~ 1/5/21

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

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?

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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.

Share Your World ~ 12/22/20

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!!!

Share Your World ~ 12/15/20

Happy Tuesday! Yesterday Melanie posed the following questions and today I’m answering. If you’d like to join in the Q&A, here are the rules and ping back.

QUESTIONS

• What news event do you vividly remember hearing about as a child, and where were you? I wasn’t the most observant child. I don’t remember paying attention to the news. I guess the first news event that struck me was when the Challenger exploded. I was watching on TV with a coworker in our break room and we couldn’t believe our eyes. Completely stunned. Such a sad tragedy.
• What is a Christmas song that makes you cringe? Hmm. Good question. I like most if not all. I’ll spin this, “Joy to the World” is my most favorite.
• What is one place you shop(ped prior to Covid) that might have surprised people? No surprises. My favorite shops are at the Alamo Quarry.
• What is your least favorite holiday side dish? Yams or sweet potatoes 🍠 bleh. Even marshmallows can’t make them better.
• Gratitude section. I’m above ground and breathing. That’s something. Not meaning to be flippant. It’s priceless actually. I realized the prompt was to tell of something heartwarming that recently happened. I’m verklempt over here and unable to write about it. But my heart is full.

Share Your World – 12/8/20

Thanks Melanie for asking the questions. Let the games begin. To join in, click the link

QUESTIONS

Do you enjoy skiing or ice skating or if it’s warm where you are, hiking or enjoying outdoor sports? I’ve never been snow skiing. Ice skating is fun. I like to walk but leisurely. Not hiking per se. I’m always up for outdoor sports if I can participate not just watch.

Do you give to charities or homeless that you might encounter, during this time of year, more than you do otherwise? Same year round. Though with covid I’ve not been as active a volunteer this year.

What is the most enjoyable activity you engage in during December? Is it a tradition for you and your family? Hmm 🤔 I feel like Scrooge right now. Nothing much is enjoyable. But thinking about it I guess for me, it’s driving around to look at Christmas lights. After my parents passed, our traditions ended. We tried to create new traditions but nothing really stuck and of course we’re social distancing this year.

What changes will C-19 bring to your festive celebrations this year? See above. I’m staying put. B and the kids might go to the in-laws for dinner.

GRATITUDE SECTION(Optional of course):

Please share a good will wish for the world! I wish for hope and healing to those who need it. In the words of Tiny Tim “God bless us everyone!”

Share Your World ~ 12/1/10

Let’s get this party started. Melanie is giving us some oldies but goodies. Here are my two cents:

QUESTIONS

What would you enjoy if you could do so without someone getting annoyed with you for enjoying it? It MUST be something you aren’t supposed to enjoy because it is “bad for you”. That’s hard because the only person who’d be annoyed is B and he’s not easily annoyed. What I enjoy that I’m not supposed to because it’s bad for me is coffee. Though the jury is out on how bad coffee is or isn’t. I do feel better though now that I limit my coffee intake.

Is it okay for men to wear the color pink? Yes. It is okay for people to wear whatever color they choose.

Can you curl your tongue? No! And that is not a skill one can learn either. Lord knows I tried. LOL

What, in your opinion, is the best room to put a fireplace? No room. For one thing, it really does not get cold enough here. The people I know who have fireplaces used them once or twice a year. I’ve also heard they are more trouble than they are worth unless one has a faux fireplace with ceramic logs and what’s the fun in that?!?!? I am more in favor of a fire pit out on the patio. Or a fireplace at someone else’s house that I can “visit” if we ever get to visit each other again.

GRATITUDE SECTION (As always, OPTIONAL)

How do you show your gratitude?

Good question. I hope I do more than pay lip service. Showing gratitude by action when possible.

As always, more to come.

Share Your World ~ 11/24/20

I’m baaack! And Awaaaay we go! Thanks Melanie for hosting. Thanks Jim for supplying the questions. Thanks Paula for the inspiration.

https://sparksfromacombustiblemind.com/2020/11/23/share-your-world-11-23-2020/

Questions:

1. What is worse than a dentist with bad breath? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
2. Have you ever been rejected by someone that you liked, or been told that you were not good enough for somebody else? Yes but fortunately I married B when I was only 19 and he was 20. Anyone I may have liked before him doesn’t count. Just a crush or “puppy love”. Oh but at the time I was devastated.
3. Did you ever want to have toast for breakfast, only to find that all your bread was covered in green mold? No, not green but grayish mold yes or I am color blind. We usually eat our bread fast enough, bread loving family that we are. And we sometimes put our bread in the fridge to delay the mold process but even then, mold can still happen. We have a little joke – a lil mold can’t hurt ya, it’s almost like penicillin.
4. Did you ever sneeze so hard that your whole body hurt? Nope. My whole body hurts sneezing or not. Bleh 😦 I am a medical oddity who needs Mystery Diagnosis to save me.
5. Did you ever buy clothing on the internet that did not fit, but you wore them anyway, since you didn’t want to pay the $5 shipping charge to send them back? Nope! But I have a hilarious meme I shared on FB. Not knowing if this is a family blog, I will paraphrase.

Me when I’m drunk: Drinks for everyone!

Me when I’m sober: $5 for shipping!! I think the <insert eff word> not!

I refuse to pay shipping since that cost should fall to the seller IMO. Of course, the free shipping people may be secretly increasing the price of their wares to cover that cost. Still, when I see no fee shipping I get a psychological boost. Sticking it to the man!

Now for the best part. The cherry on the top of the whip cream, on top of the butterscotch sauce over the ice cream of the sundae that is LIFE. I am sad when Melanie writes what is true, many have a hard time finding something to be grateful right about now. Times suck in these Rona daze and even before. LIFE “You ain’t no nice guy”.

Bonus points for anyone who can guess where that line comes from “You ain’t no nice guy”

I have no idea why I have diverted into streaming. Back to task. I am most grateful for my family of four as we navigate these days together. You are my shelter from the storm ❤

Share Your World ~ 11/17/20

I’m baaack! And Awaaaay we go! Thanks Melanie for hosting. http://sparksfromacombustiblemind.com/2020/11/16/share-your-world-11-16-2020/

Oddball Questions:

Is cereal soup? Why or why not? Nope. Soup is soup. Cereal is cereal. Some cold cereal with milk can acquire a soup like texture if it sits too long. I like my cereal crunchy. That’s why the cereal milk bar in NYC grossed me out. It is also why when I worked in the office I ate my cereal dry with a carton of milk chaser. People always commented how strange that was until I explained why.

What are some interesting ways to answer everyday questions like “how’s it going” or “what do you do”? How’s it going is a loaded question. Don’t ask it if you don’t want to know the answer. I might just answer “things suck!” depending on when you ask me.

No one ever asked me what do you do. For a decade of my 36 year career I had an “elevator speech” which is a shorthand way to tell an executive what you do if presented the opportunity during a two minute elevator ride. Never had to use it and now I don’t care. I’m as high up the ladder as I care to be. My executives already know me.

What was your favorite toy growing up? Dolls of course. Or jacks or jump rope.

If you have a pet, and you could ask it three questions, what would you ask? We have two dogs. Red heeler/lab mixes. Buddy and Spot. Do you like it here? What are you thinking? What else can we do for you?

Added our Buddy as feature image. Doesn’t he look like he can understand “human”?

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Attitude of Gratitude Section (Always Optional)

What’s one simple thing society at large could do to improve our world? Be kind. Respect one another. The bonus is doing so is free.