Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 09/28/16

I’m joining the fun this week…. 
Sitting on the porch and answering random questions about everything under the sun….

Joyce asks the questions.
We answer the questions.


1. Have you ever been to and/or lived near the desert? What did you think? Travel and Leisure lists the 'coolest' American desert towns as-
Palm Springs CA, Virgina City NE, Bend OR, Winslow AZ, Marfa TX, Grand Junction CO, Silver City NM, Moab UT, Taos NM, Yakima WA, Borrego Springs CA, Terlingua TX, and St. George UT, and Tubac AZ

Have you been to any of these? Would you like to visit a desert town? Which on the list would you most like to see?
Desert Sunset
The only desert town I have visited is Tucson, Arizona. I was there touring at the university during my senior year in High School. It was a long time ago and my memories of the trip are faded. I guess I wasn't impressed with the school or location, I went to college in Indiana.
I'd like to visit Moab UT (beautiful scenery) and Taos NM (the art scene and glass studios).

2. What's a plan or project you've deserted in the past year? 

We had planned to go to Sedona, AZ for a yoga retreat this month. We had to abandon the plan when life took several unplanned turns and our path to the future changed directions. Maybe next year we'll get to visit Sedona.

3. Desert-dessert? Share two or three words you find yourself having to think twice about when it comes to spelling.  

Writing does not come easy to me, I have to think about all my words; these give me pause when blogging....
--Where and Were
--Effect and Affect
--Irregardless and Regardless

4. High and dry, like watching paint dry, dry run, dry as dust, not a dry eye in the house...which phrase can you relate to currently? Explain. 
We only love the memory of who you were.... 
"Sucked Dry" -  our adult daughter Kelly has sucked the family dry emotionally, financially, physically and spiritually.  We do not love what she’s become, we only love the memory of someone else, the child that came into our hearts many years ago. We want her to come home, but not as the junkie she’s become, but as the original soul she was before addiction set in, we want to welcome back the human being who once brought such joy and love into our life.  At this point she has lost so much, our trust, her husband, her children, her job, her home, family, and most recently her freedom (jailed).  Yes, we are sucked dry by her lies, thievery, and abuse. Sad.....

5. How often do you frequent the dry cleaners? Starch or no starch? 

Since retiring from the corporate world, I've only been to the dry cleaners once in the past six months...I don't miss the weekly trips one bit!  No starch for me. 

6. What's a food or beverage you enjoy that's named for a place? 
Yummy!
Easy...Chicago Style Pizza!  I grew up just south of the city and enjoyed the doughy goodness frequently.  Then I moved to the south, it's impossible to get a good Chicago Style Pizza here in the North GA Mountains.  I've learned to appreciate a good hand tossed from Cucina Rustica, but it's just not the same!

7. Do you need solitude? 
Blue Ridge, GA
Very much so....I spend a lot of time relaxing on our porch listening to the creek rushing over the rocks in our back yard. It's relaxing and tranquil. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I was challenged (on facebook) to post a nature photo for seven days, below is the photo I posted today.  It's the view from the balcony at my Dad's place in Bucerias, Nayarit, Mexico. Oh how I miss Bucerias...take a peek.
Sunset in Bucerias, Mexico


Cheers!
Lori in Blue Ridge, GA
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23 comments:

  1. I am sorry to hear about Kelly, how sad. I know it must be beyond heartbreaking for the family. I love your creek and listening to the sound of the water is surely relaxing. I don't have a creek by I can sometimes hear the waterfall from our neighbor's pool when I sit on my back deck and it is very relaxing :)

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    1. Thanks for stopping by today, we pray that Kelly will seek help and return to us soon.
      Lori

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  2. That photo is so beautiful! So relaxing and peaceful.

    I love the sound of water gurgling over the rocks in a stream. What a joy to just have to go to your porch to hear that lovely sound.

    I am so sorry to hear about your daughter. I can't even begin to imagine the daily pain of living with such an enormous loss. My prayers for her deliverance!

    Blessings,
    Patti @ Joy in the Middle

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    1. We are truly blessed to live in such an amazing place, thank you for your prayers for Kelly, we pray that she will seek help and return to us soon.
      Lori

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  3. So sorry to hear about your daughter. My friend is going through this with her son. I'll keep your daughter and your family in my prayers.

    The view from the balcony is amazing!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by today, we pray that Kelly will seek help and return to us soon. We've spent many happy hours on that balcony in Mexico, it is also a great place for rest and reflection.
      Lori

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  4. "Effect" and "affect" cause me grief, too. I know that "effect" is the noun and "affect" is the verb. I just have to keep reminding myself of that and probably still choose the wrong word most of the time.

    "Where" and "were" is something that I often see mixed up in the European blogs that I read. I often wonder if they write "where" for "were" because that is how some of them pronounce "were". "Where" is a place and "were" is one of the forms of "to be" as in: am, are, is, was, were. English is not at all an easy language, even for those of us having it as a native tongue.

    I am so sorry about your daughter and what this addiction has done to your family. :(

    That pizza sure looks yummy!

    Your daddy has a very nice view from his balcony. :)

    Have a blessed week!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by today, we pray that Kelly will seek help and return to us soon. We've spent many happy hours on that balcony in Mexico, it is also a great place for rest and reflection.
      Lori

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  5. Returning the visit...I would like to be able to hear a creek rushing by the house, like On the Banks of Plum Creek. (Except when it got high and dangerous.) Enjoy your tranquil and restorative moments...and pizza.

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    1. The creek is my happy place for sure! Thanks for stopping by today.
      Lori

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  6. Sad to hear about your daughter. We will remember her in our prayers. The picture from your dad's balcony is great. Have a wonderful week.

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  7. Thank you for including Kelly in your prayers. Thanks for stopping by today!
    Lori

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  8. I am truly sorry about your daughter. That's a tough situation, for everyone, and I will remember your family in my prayers.
    Wow, I don't know which I like better--the relaxing creek in your backyard, or the view from your dad's balcony! Both are great!
    Kathy (Reflections)

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  9. Thank you for including Kelly in your prayers. Thanks for stopping by today!
    Lori

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  10. Oh, it hurts my heart to read about your daughter. I'm connected with Teen Challenge here in our city and I know first hand what addiction can do but I've also seen how Teen Challenge, through their Bible based program, has restored so many of their lives and their families lives. I pray that will be the end result for your daughter.

    Sedona is wonderful and I do hope you will get to go at some point.

    Blessings to you during this difficult time.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by today, we pray that Kelly will seek help and return to us soon. Sedona is still on the bucket list. Your prayers are appreciated and humbly accepted.
      Lori

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  11. My heart just broke reading about your daughter. Heroin abuse is rampant in our area and dear friends of ours have been on the roller coaster ride their daughter has put them on. They ended up with custody of their two oldest grandchildren when the daughter was involved in a scheme to rob a drug dealer that went wrong and the father of the grandchildren ended up dead. By some miracle the daughter only spent a year in jail for her part and avoided standing trial. Back home she stayed clean long enough to get pregnant and have baby number three. The last time she tried to come home she "got hives" 6 days out of the 7 she was home from the stress so went back to the halfway house. She says she will be home by Christmas. In the meantime, our friends have both fought cancer while trying to raise 3 kids who are 6 and under. They had a house fire last year and lost everything. They are stressed and stretched and worn out. And the daughter is carefree at the halfway house, with a job and a boyfriend...and no kids weighing her down. I'm afraid I'd think more like you. They keep making excuses for their daughter. :(

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    1. Stacy,
      Thanks for stopping by today, we pray that Kelly will seek help and return to us soon, but at this point we are not counting on it. Her children have been permanently placed with our other daughter and her husband, we continue to support them in any way we can, and thank God for their commitment. It sounds like your friends are dealing with many of the same challenges that we are, it is heartbreaking and very maddening at the same time. "Roller Coaster Ride' is the perfect description!
      Lori

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  12. Hi Lori! Thanks for visiting my HP today! Reading about your daughter made me sad for all of you. How that must hurt. I will add her to my "war room" prayer list. I enjoyed reading your answers and look forward to your next post!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by today, we pray that Kelly will seek help and return to us soon. Your prayers are appreciated and humbly accepted.
      Lori

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  13. The situation with your daughter must be heartbreaking and very challenging. I read back over some of your recent posts and know it's been a tough year for you. But it sounds like your move was a good decision so I hope your health continues to improve. Also that maybe having sunk so low Kelly will begin to find her way back to you and the rest of her family.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by my hodgepodge post, we pray that Kelly will seek help and return to us soon. My health is so much better since leaving the corporate world and I just received an insulin pump to help control my roller coaster blood sugar levels. Better health will also help me deal with family issues with a clearer head. Have a great week.
      Lori

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  14. I TOTALLY get the feelings you wrote about your daughter. We have been going through the same thing with our oldest son. We have been going through it for more than 16 years now. I am raising his two kids who are now teenagers. I will offer up as many prayers as I can. It is so sad. Thank you so much for visiting my blog. The picture from your father's place is gorgeous.

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