Wednesday Hodgepodge - 01/25/2017

I’m joining the fun this week…. 

Sitting by the fireplace and answering random questions about everything under the sun….

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

 Click here to join the fun!

1. "The cure for anything is salt water-tears, sweat, or the sea." (Isak Dinesan) Would you agree? Of the three, which has 'cured' you most recently? 

Most recently it was the sea that 'cured' me. Two weeks ago I spent a weekend in New Smyrna Beach, FL with my college BFFs.  It was a sad occasion that called me back to Florida; the daughter of one of my dear friends had passed away from a very aggressive cancer. She had just turned 25 and had her whole life ahead of her.  After the memorial service we spent two days on the beach. We shed many tears, but we let the tide carry our sorrow out to sea; I believe in the healing power of the sea!  

2. What's something you can't eat without salt? Do you normally salt your food a lot, a little, or not at all? 

I don't use very much salt on my food, but I can't eat popcorn without it and I need butter on it too.

3. Sands of time, bury your head in the sand, built on sand, or draw a line in the sand...which sandy phrase could best be applied to something in your life right now? 

Built on Sand - my schedule was a moving target today. I had to make many changes to my personal and business calendars.  I'm very organized, but multiple changes on the same day, for one event, drives me crazy.

4. A favorite book, movie, or song with an island setting or theme? 

The book and movie "Eat, Pray, Love" set on the island of Bali. Stunning location and fabulous story.

5. Yesterday-did you run your day or did it run you? How so? 

I ran the day...slept late, stayed in my jammies, worked on my Meetup group communications, planned an upcoming "Glamping" trip for a large group, had dinner in town, and snuggled with my sweetie...I made all the choices! 

6. You're on an island holiday. Will I most likely find you parked in a beach chair, shopping in town, on the back of a jet ski, or snorkeling off the back of a catamaran? 

In the morning you will find me parked in a beach chair (under a umbrella) reading a good book, in the afternoon you'll find me snorkeling off the back of a catamaran, and in the evening you'll find me wining and dinning at a restaurant with a good view of the setting sun.  The photo below is a favorite Beach Club from a recent trip to Tortola Island (yep, I parked it in one of those beach chairs reading my book). 

7. What do you think we humans most take for granted?

We have the freedom to choose what we’ll do today, even if we have some limitations. Sometimes we take it for granted, but what we do on a daily basis truly is our choice.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Cheers!

Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

WooHoo...I'm Mobile Again...

Check out my new mod of transportation...

This weekend my sweetie and I went to the Recreational Vehicle (RV) Super Show in Chattanooga TN.  We were there doing some window shopping for a small pull behind travel trailer for camping adventures this spring. We didn't purchase a camper, but we each purchased a new bike. Mine is an electric bike! 

For several years I have been struggling with arthritis; this makes riding my standard bike a challenge. When riding up a hill on my old bike, the pressure on my hips was very painful.  I also have a hard time getting on and off the old bike safely due to the crossbar being too high.

My new bike is the Pedego "Boomerang" model, it has a very low 9" step through frame for easy access and a deluxe saddle with a suspension seat post for extra cushioning for my aching bones. It also has wide, swept back handlebars that allow me to sit up straight (my most pain-free position) and premium balloon tires ensuring a nice, smooth ride.

And the best feature is the power assist that helps me out if I get tired (it has 5 levels of assistance) or can't pedal up the hills on my own. The battery is powerful enough to get me moving up to 20 miles an hour and it will last for 30 to 40 miles on one charge.  

The catch-22 with arthritis is that you need exercise to increases strength and flexibility, reduce joint pain and combat fatigue. But when stiff and painful joints are already bogging you down, the thought of walking around the block or riding your bike for 30 minutes can be overwhelming. My new bike will help ease the pain and provide some exercise.

The Pedego company tag line is "hello fun" .... I agree, my new bike is so much fun to ride!  I can't wait to take it on a road trip. 

Cheers!

Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 01/18/2017

I’m joining the fun this week…. 

Sitting by the fireplace and answering random questions about everything under the sun….

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

 Click here to join the fun!

1. ASAP typically stands for 'as soon as possible'. What else could it stand for in your life right now? 

Right now it stands for... "as secretive as possible"... I've taken a part time job as a secret shopper.  I  audit customer service and product knowledge at retail stores in my area.  I go in as a 'secret' shopper and observe how the store associates respond to my scripted questions and handle out-of-stock situations.  I also audit the overall appearance of the stores, the cash register experience and the cleanliness of the restrooms. I've become very talented at blending in with the crowd.

2. Are you the last person to speak up in a group or the first to have an idea? Why do you suppose that is? Is it a good thing or no?

When I was in the corporate world I was the first to speak-up as the leader of a project team. This was a learned skill; I'm typically a shy, quiet person outside of the workplace. 

3. What do you remember best about being 12? 

Summer camp at Camp Goodfellow in northern Indiana. I loved going to sleep-away camp for two weeks each summer.  When I was 12 I had been going to camp for five years, so I knew the routine and was no longer homesick, anxious, or uncomfortable with new experiences. I just had a good time swimming, and doing crafts, and honing my archery skills. Life was good.... 

4. January 18th is National Winnie the Pooh Day. Which character do you relate to the most, and why? If you're stumped go here for inspiration. 

Some days I feel like Eeyore, but the quiz said I'm really more like Kanga...caring and supportive, more adventurous than people might at first realize, and up for anything that's reasonably safe and somewhat sane. Yep, sounds like me....Kanga.

5. What's an app you use that helps simplify or make life easier for you in some way? 

I use "My Fitness Pal" to help count carbs and calories; it makes it easy to figure out what amount of insulin is needed to control my sugar levels.  I just type in the food/drink I'm eating and it does the calculation for me. I don't need to add it all up in my head. I just enter the number into my insulin pump and I'm good to go!

6. San Francisco (CA), San Diego (CA), San Juan (PR) San Antonio (TX) Sanibel (FL)...you have an all expenses paid long weekend to one of these destinations. Which one do you choose and why?

I've visited all of the cities listed and I'm having a hard time picking one...hmmm...I guess I'll go with San Diego and stay at the Del Coronado; it's an amazing hotel right on the beach. I'd like to stretch out on a lounge chair under an umbrella, with a frosty drink, and a good book. I just started reading "Katherine" by Anya Seton.

7. Share with us a song that makes you feel nostalgic? For what? 

In 1970 the group Chicago released the song "Color My World". That summer the camp counselors at Camp Goodfellow would blast this song (and others) over the PA system after dinner and before lights out each night. I remember sitting with my cabin mates cross legged in the grass under the flickering outdoor light; we would sing and sway back and forth to "Color My World". Whenever I hear that song today it takes back to those wonderful summer nights in 1970.

   

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Did you see the football game between the Packers and the Cowboys? WOW, what an exciting last 2 minutes! I live near Atlanta, but I've been a devoted Packer fan for several years....GO PACKERS!

Cheers!
Lori in Blue Ridge, GA