Wednesday Hodgepodge

What's a phrase your mother often said to you? If you're a parent, is this something you now say to your own children?

"Things always happen for a reason." I do say this, or something similar to this, to my kids quite often. I want them to always know that God has His plan and this particular thing that is happening is part of that plan.

What is a scent you associate with your mother or your childhood home?

Mowed grass. My mom was always persistent about keeping our yard mowed. Since we were outside playing a lot I could always smell the freshly cut grass. She still compulsively mows her yard so her house smells that way in the spring and summer even today.

What's an activity you remember always doing with your mother (or someone who was a mother figure in your life)?

Going "to town" was a big deal to us as kids. The nearest shopping places were over 30 miles away, and that was a long way back in the day. It was a special occasion if we went to town shopping. I loved it. It's still something my mom and I like to do together.

Flared jeans, maxi dresses, and jumpsuits are 70's fashion trends back this spring. Are you on board? Which trend would you be most inclined to try?

I would prefer for flared jeans to stay away. But I am wearing a maxi dress to my son's graduation and another one to my daughter's beach wedding, and I am wearing a jumpsuit to my daughter's bachelorette party. I love those styles!

May 6th is Teacher Appreciation Day and also Nurse Appreciation Day. Is there a nurse or teacher you have especially appreciated along the way? Tell us why.

My favorite teacher was my high school English and Speech teacher, Mrs. Rhodes. She loved the subjects that she taught, which is hard to find in a teacher these days. She is the reason why poor grammar drives me crazy today. Sadly she passed away from a heart condition a few years ago.

If I came by your house, what would I find on your fridge door?

You would find nothing on my fridge door. On the side of my fridge, however, you would find two newspaper clippings: one of my kids at a cooking demonstration at the library and one of Kyndal and I competing in the 3-legged race at our 4th of July festivities last summer.

Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana made her royal entrance on Saturday, May 2nd. On a scale of 1-10, how much attention did you give to all the news coverage? 1=Who's Charlotte? 10=Sat glued to the telly, cuppa in hand.

I'd say a 3. I saw on the internet that she had been born, and I kept an eye out for her name. Otherwise I didn't follow the story any further. Love her sweet name, however, and am happy she was a healthy baby.

Insert your own random thought here.

I feel like such a legit fitness guru now because I got a Fitbit for Mother's Day!! It is so super cool! I now know that last night I slept for 6 hours and 54 minutes, 8 of which I was actually awake (a sneezing dog) and 39 of which I was restless (14 separate periods of restlessness ... a sneezing dog, I assume). It tracks my heart rate, how many steps I have taken that day, how many calories I have burned. And the really super cool feature is that it is synced to my phone so when I am away from my phone the Fitbit vibrates and tells me who is calling me. My kids love that because now it might mean that I will actually answer them when they call. Thank you Rick and kiddos for loving me!!