Hodgepodge 6.5.13

1. Have you learned more from success or failure? Explain.

I've learned from both - what works and what doesn't work. Isn't it great that God gives us the capacity to learn in many different ways if we're open to doing so.  

2.  What did you call your grandparents when you were growing up? If you have children, what do they call your parents? If you have grandchildren, what do they call you?

I called them Grandpa and Grandma. My kids also call them Grandpa and Grandma. Grandbabies are not on the way yet.  I have "tried on" the name "Gigi" or "GG."  My nieces and nephews have a hard time with "Aunt Angie."  Wish I had had a nickname from the beginning.

3.  You're invited to a luau.  In keeping with that theme, what dish will you bring to share? 

We just had a luau-themed birthday party at our house! I might bring a chicken/pineapple kabob recipe we used at the party, but I would definitely bring along my swan inspired watermelon! Got a quick snap at the end of the party, but earlier the melon was full of fruit and enjoyed by all.

4. Besides Jesus, what one person's life story do you think everyone should know about?

This is a tough one. I have tried thinking up a great answer and I'm sure other participants will come up with great answers, but I can't think of one overriding person we all should know about. In the end I think we should be interested in other people's stories. It's important to remember everyone has a story to tell and if you are a follower of Christ, we all have a redemptive story to tell. I LOVE hearing about what the Lord has done in the lives of people I meet. 

5. "Don't sweat the small stuff." Agree or Disagree? Why?

Uh...I usually sweat it all. (control freak much?) I think that you should not sweat a lot of the small stuff, but in some instances if you sweat the small stuff then it won't turn into big stuff. The trick is knowing the difference. 

For example, I don't sweat the quality of chore completion in my children as they are learning, but I do sweat it later down the road if they are trying to do a half-hearted job. I want to raise responsible, thorough and see-it-to-the-end kinds of kids. Make sense?

6.  June is National Rivers Month. When were you last on a river? What's the prettiest river you've ever seen? What's a river you'd like to see? 

We usually picnic on the Potomac River down by the monuments once or twice a summer, so it's probably been a year since I've been near a river.  

I grew up blocks away from the Illinois River so I have a great respect for the power and beauty of that river.

I would love to see the Nile River. 

7.  Speaking of rivers-paddling, fishing, swimming, or bird watching safely from the shore? Which activity would you choose? Yes-you have to choose. 

Hmm, paddling is ok, fishing is ok. Swimming - blech (give me a clean pool, please.) Bird watching = nap.  Let's go with paddling.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

We live in the boonies, y'all. So imagine our surprise one morning recently when the dog started barking like crazy and we look out the window to find a HUGE turtle walking across our driveway.

He stopped dead in his tracks when Tara plopped down beside him. 

Must have never seen a big purple girl before. :) 

He was a dried up crusty looking turtle who really didn't seem to enjoy the attention.

We thought we'd rescue him so Dad got the work gloves and tried figuring out how best to pick him up.

He tried biting Mark, but just wasn't fast enough. 

Catching a ride in the wheel barrow down to the creek was a detour he was going to have to take. 

Bon Voyage, big guy!

See what others have to say over at Joyce's blog.