Hodgepodge Vol 81

It is Wednesday and that means it is time for Hodge Podge.  Hope you will join in.  If you have a blog then copy the questions in a post and click here to link up with Joyce so that we can all enjoy your answers too.  Joyce works hard to come up with some really good questions and it is fun to see how everyone answers.

1. In what way are you your own worst enemy?  I don't give myself enough credit in what I CAN do.  Sometimes I sell myself short because I am afraid to try.

2. Jacques Cousteau's birthday was Monday, June 11th...ever been scuba diving? Is that something you'd like to try? What's your favorite 'under the sea' creature?    I have been scuba diving and snorkeling.  I was not impressed because I am claustrophobic.  I did love seeing the sea horses, turtles and brightly colored fish off the reef in Key West.  If was amazing.

3. On a scale of 1-10, how comfortable are you in and around the water? (1=not at all, 10=very) Do you know how to swim and if so how and when did you learn? I am comfortable around water - at least a 10.  I learned how to swim at the YWCA when I was a child....living near the beach made this very important.  I went all the way through Life Saver.  I love water....but as I have aged I am not thrilled with lake water.....I can't see the bottom.

4. What's something you do to motivate yourself to tick an item off your to-do list?  Make a calendar of when I want something done.  If I have a schedule....I am good to go.

5. What makes a good neighbor? Are you a good neighbor? In Luke 10 Jesus says we are to love our neighbors as ourselves and I truly believe that.  I have an elderly lady next door - Mrs. Mildred and I have spent many nice moments in her house visiting with her.  I have wonderful neighbors on both sides of me and I think you should know your neighbor, check on them, be considerate of them....and yes, I am a good neighbor.  I have good neighbors too. 

6. Who loads the dishwasher at your house? Is there a right way and a wrong way?   I load the dish washer most of the time....although we do have a if Frank cooks - Karen cleans and vice versa rule.  I don't fret over the way the dishwasher is loaded....there is more important things to deal with than loading a dishwasher...like washing white clothes with something red.  LOL

7. You know it's summer when the lightening bugs come out in the south and the gardens start coming in.  I love the fresh vegetables.  I ate two tomatoes off Mr. Larrys vines today and they were delish.  Definitely a plus over the grocery store, no-taste tomatoes I have eaten all winter.

8. Insert your own random thought here. Tomorrow is Flag Day.  What do you know about Flag Day?  On June 14th, 1885, Bernard J. Cigrand, a 19 year old teacher at Stony Hill School, placed a 10 inch, 38- star flag in a bottle on his desk then assigned essays on the flag and its significance. This observance, commemorated Congresses adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777. This observance was also the beginning of Cigrand’s long years of fervent and devoted effort to bring about national recognition and observance of Flag Day. The crowning achievement of his life came at age fifty when President Wilson, on May 30, 1916, issued a proclamation calling for a nation wide observance of Flag Day. Then in 1949, President Truman signed an Act Of Congress designating the 14th day of June every year as National Flag Day. On June 14th, 2004, the 108th U.S. Congress voted unanimously on H.R. 662 that Flag Day originated in Ozaukee County, Waubeka Wisconsin. So let me ask you this....what do you know about flag etiquette?  Federal law stipulates many aspects of flag etiquette. The section of law dealing with American Flag etiquette is generally referred to as the Flag Code. Some general guidelines from the Flag Code answer many of the most common questions:

• The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source.
• The flag should be flown in fair weather, unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use.
• The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
• The flag should not be used for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
• The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.
• The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
• The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it, or attached to it.
• The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
• When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
• The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
• When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

Enjoy your Flag Day tomorrow.  Enjoy seeing Old Glory blowing in the breeze.

Hey, It's Okay Tuesday!

I got this idea from Glamour magazine. They have a section called Hey, It’s Okay and will list a bunch of things to be okay about. You're welcome to join in and do something like this on your blog. Doesn't have to be on a Tuesday either. Just make sure you link up and that the post you link up is a Hey, It's Okay Post.

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To feel like I don’t have any modesty left. I left the ER in a diaper since I was bleeding so yeah. My modesty seems to be gone.


To not be surprised that Breaking Dawn Part 1 was named the best movie of the year on the MTV Movie Awards. Really teens?


To be excited over trying out a nearby diner for my birthday. (It's next Tuesday!) It’s on Route 66. (Singing the song now?)


To not care that Miley Cyrus is engaged. I guess people are up in arms because she’s only 19. I was married at 19. It’s tough, but it can last.


To love all the deals that Crazy8.com is having right now. Check it out here!


To be excited over getting to see my best friend Jennifer Seim tonight. She’s in Oklahoma visiting her family since she got orders to Spain. We’re meeting her tonight to see Madagascar 3.


To think John Mayer needs to grow some balls. He’s whining that Taylor Swift wrote a song about him. Last I checked she’s been know to do that. And she’s right, why did you mess with her in the first place?


To have two giveaways going on. One for the DVD of Journey 2: The Big Mysterious Island here and another for a $50 gift certificate to Novica.com here.

Moldova Part II - Whole Lot of Hugging Going On

Team One is home and Team Two leaves Thursday to go to Moldova.  My daughter is in Moldova alone, waiting for the second team to arrive on Friday.  The first team had a wonderful time.  They did exactly what they were supposed to do....show the love of God to the children in Moldova and they were a great team just for that.  These people know how to love...and love they did.  There was a whole lot of hugging going on.  I thought I would share some of the first trips memories in pictures with you this morning and ask that you keep Kat and the Second Team in your prayers until they are all home on the 22nd.

Enjoying some local food and culture.

Moldova 2012 is half over and God has used this wonderful group of people to spread His love.  In Luke 10 we are commanded to "love the Lord our God with all our hearts, all our souls, and with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbors as thyself." So on this side of the world I want to tell the Frazier Moldova Mission Teams that you guys are amazing.  You are true disciples.

Birthday of A King

Today is a big day in Hawaii.  It is the King's birthday and I am not talking about Elvis.  nhope...Today is King Kamehameha I Day and the people drape leis from this very tall statue in honor of this great man.  These leis are amazing and seven years ago I took my friend Mary Lankford to Oahu for her 50th birthday.  We were there on the big day and it was amazing.  If you have never been to Hawaii you must add it to your bucket list.  It is a place like no other.....heaven on earth....at least that is what Mary and I thought about the place.  I don't want to live there....gas right now is 4.15 a gallon and we are only paying 3:13....but to visit....it is a must.  King Kamehameha was a big deal in Hawaii.  As his story goes Kamehameha was born in 1758, the year Halley’s Comet made an appearance over Hawaiian skies. Kamehameha was born in Paiea on the Big Island of Hawaii. His father was said to be Keoua, a grandson of Keaweikekahialiiokamoku, who once ruled a large portion of the island. Translated, Kamehameha means “the lonely one.”  There are a number of legends about him and another legend tells of a kahuna who prophesized that the man who moved the 7,000-pound Naha Stone would become the greatest king of Hawaii. When Kamehameha was 14, the story goes, he moved the massive rock, and then lifted it and turned it completely over.  It kind of reminds you of the King Arthur tale of the sword in the stone.  I guess every country has one. Anyways, Kamehameha grew up in the court of his uncle, Kalaniopuu. When Kalaniopuu died in 1782, his power was divided between Kamehameha and Kalaniopuu’s natural son, Kiwalao, who inherited his father’s throne. Civil war broke out, however, and Kamehameha emerged as the Big Island’s ruler. Many more battles ensued. During one raid in Puna, Kamehameha slipped and caught his foot in a crevice of lava. Seeing this, one of his fleeing opponents returned and beat him on the head with a canoe paddle until it broke. As a result, Kamehameha proclaimed Mamalahoe Kanawai, or “Law of the Splintered Paddle,” providing protection to unarmed noncombatants in war. “Let the aged, men and women, and little children, lie down safely in the road,” his law decreed.  Having gained control of his home island, Kamehameha turned to the other Hawaiian islands. Using weaponry purchased from American and European traders, the king conquered Maui and Molokai, then turned his attention to Oahu. In 1795, Kamehameha invaded the shores of Waikiki beach and led his army to Nuuanu, where a bloody battle with Oahu chief Kalanikupule ensued. Hundreds of Oahu’s warriors were killed, driven over the valley’s  Pali Cliffs.  In 1810, Kaumualii, the king of Kauai, peacefully surrendered his island to Kamehameha to avoid further bloodshed. With that, Kamehameha fulfilled his destiny of uniting all the Hawaiian islands under one rule. 
The Hawaiian kingdom enjoyed a period of peace during Kamehameha’s reign. The king unified the legal system and used taxes to promote trade with the Americans and Europeans. Kamehameha died in 1819, and his son, Liholiho, took the throne. Kamehameha’s bones were hidden by his kahuna. Today, his final resting place remains a mystery.  You have to admit when you are riding on a tour bus taking a trip around this island this was some pretty cool material.  I wrote the whole time the tour guide spoke.  He was from Samoa and a giant of a man.  Mary had a wonderful 50th birthday, her husband Bill paid for us to go to the big island and see Mt. Killaua, the Volcano House, Mona Loa Macademia nut plantation (we toured the Dole Plantation on Oahu), and see Rainbow Falls.  I was glad to spend this time with my dear friend and experiencing the Kings birthday was a treat too.

Tommy Is Missing

“Now I can sleep in Tommy’s room!” Natalie said happily.

“Um. Not really. I think he still wants you to stay out,” I answered.

Tommy is with my parents in Texas. Mom took him back with her when she visited. He’ll be there attending a zoo camp. Then we’ll come up on the 21st for our beach trip. It’s weird having one kid. Not that Tommy said a whole lot. He’s ten, so he’d mainly be in his room playing video games or reading one of his weather books. Still. I miss him.

“I miss my brother,” Natalie will sigh. Apparently I’m not much entertainment. It didn’t seem like Tommy was a lot either. He’d forever be yelling at Natalie to “GET OUT” or to “LEAVE HIM ALONE!” I guess this amused her.

It’s weird not having someone chowing down on a snack in the afternoon or asking me who created Mario. (Tommy can come up with interesting questions. He’s still obsessed with the fact that his voice is going to change at some point as well. “Will I even know who I AM anymore?” he's said.)

I’ll be ready to have him back by the 21st.





Even if all he tells me was that it was “fine” at his grandparents house.

Novica.com Review and $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway! **CLOSED

**CLOSED--winner posted here***


Father’s Day.

It’s coming.

And I have no clue what to get for Tom.

Luckily there’s a place like Novica that has a bunch of items to choose from.

I’ve worked with Novica before and I’ve always been impressed. For those who don’t know, Novica is this fabulous site where people from all over the world create items to sell. When you buy an item from them, it helps an artisan develop his or her talent and earn recognition and money.

Remember this house I got from them:




Natalie still loves it. And it was made so well that it still looks brand new. Believe me, she’s rough but this house has held up.

Novica also is having a Father’s Day sale. Click on the link and you’ll find all sorts of items. From men’s clothing from Peru, to leather belts, and mens silver cufflinks from Indonesia, there are plenty of ideas to choose from.

If you need to shop for a woman, there are many things to pick from as well. Check out the womens shaws from Peru

I liked this one:



There are also womens accessories from Mexico and silver floral bracelets.

Look how pretty this is, found here.



Really, the possibilities are endless. I am really tempted to get Tom a hammock. He’s always saying that he wishes he could just lay outside.

And guess what?

Novica is giving a lucky reader a $50 gift certificate to use on their site!


Giveaway Rules

--Must be 18 or older


Mandatory Entry: Go to Novica.com and tell me what you’d buy if you won with the certificate.

Extra Entries:

--Tweet about this giveaway

--Blog about this giveaway

--Follow my blog

--Follow me on Twitter

Follow Novica on Twitter

Like Novica on Facebook



For each thing you do, please leave a separate entry. I will pick a winner on June 20th.

Good luck!

Project 365 - Vol 23

Well it is Sunday and that means it is time for me to post my week in photos.  I have enjoyed this week and have some good pictures to go with my weblog of the week.  Our hostess, Sara, had not posted yet but when she does be sure to click here and see all the photos of the whole gang.  I love seeing all their nature shots, their lives shots (graduations, weddings, etc), and see what they did all week.  It is fun participating in Project 365.  Thanks Sara for doing this for us.

Sunday, June 3rd

It is official.  I am a gardener.  I have four pots each of cucumbers and squash, a tomato pot, and a pepper pot.  They are beginning to produce fruits and I am thrilled.  Today was my friends Marian and Susan's birthday.  Hope they had a great day.

Monday, June 4th

When we were in Florida last week Frank and I found a wonderful little shoe place.  I bought this cute little jeweled sandals for 10.00.  I so love a deal.  It has taken me a week to get all our stuff put where it belongs.  I am not sure whether I am going to keep them or give them to Kat for her birthday when she returns from Moldova.  They are cute huh?  Today was Thrill Jill's birthday.

Tuesday, June 5th

Frank left early this morning to go with our neighbor and friend, Wayne, to pick up a jeep in North Carolina. They will be home sometime tomorrow evening.  I did not feel very spiffy today so I read one of my review books.  This was a good read and I enjoyed the rest.  I am going to pass this book on to Ms. Jane, my reading buddy, I know she will enjoy it.  She has as voracious a reading hunger as I do. 

Wednesday, June 6th

Look in the center of the first picture and you will see one lone bird egg.  My birdhouse is housing two nests from different kinds of birds.  Up in the right corner there are three little blue eggs.  The lilly looks like it is scratching it's head and wondering why it is standing out in the heat.  The little seed birdhouse was a birthday gift from my friend, Trina.  I finally got around to putting it out so the birds could enjoy it.  They have been thrilled with it.  My yard has a plethera of birds in it and i am loving hearing all their chatter during the day.

Thursday, June 7th

Today I had a Dr.'s appt in Alex City and when we finished we stopped at Strand Park to take a picture of the new art piece that has been added.  It was made from donated and discarded instruments.  Strand Park is where the Jazz Fest takes place on Friday night.  On Saturday night it will be held at the ampitheater at Kowliga.  Later in the afternoon Beau went to see the new groomer.  We spent twenty minutes explaining that he might need to be muzzled....he has never bitten....but he sounds so ferocious....and he hates people messing with his collar....and when Frank brought him home....HE WAS WEARING A BANDANA!  I could not believe the little dickens.  Frank said he enjoyed his spa day.  LOL!  Smart dog.

Friday, June 8th

Last weekend Glenda was here to give me wreath making lessons.  Then she sent me home with the other one to do myself before this weekend.  The top one is mine and it is on the carport door.  The bottom one is the one she made.  Now you tell me....do they match?  I think I think I did a pretty good job for a first timer. 

Saturday, June 9th

Frank tried his best to work in his shop today.  Early into his shop time there was a structure fire call he responded too and was gone until 1.  He worked a bit more after lunch and then we went to LaGrange for Sip and Shop.  We had dinner with Wayne, Amy, and their sweet daughter P.J. at Pizza Villa and then came home.  Frank worked a little more.  We got the Man Cave sign when we were in Florida.  I hope you will stop back by next week and check out what I shot...I am going to be in Ontario at Niagara Falls from Thursday - Sunday so my post will be late Sunday night.  I am only taking my IPad and leaving my computer at home.  I may have some technology withdrawals.  Have a great week!