Wednesday Hodgepodge

Besides left over Easter goodies, what's something currently kept in a basket in your house?

Looking around, hmmmmm .... a large basket with blankets in it, one on the bookshelf full of video game remotes, one with papers that don't have a home somewhere else, the one in the restroom with extra rolls of toilet paper, one on my nightstand with all my necessities (chapstick, Tums, hand moisturizer, hair ties, etc.)

'The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.' ~ Michelangelo Buonarroti. So which one are you ... the one who aims too high, or the one who aims too low? Have you ever see The Sistine Chapel? Did you know Michelangelo's surname prior to answering this question?

There was a long period of time that I was one who always aimed as high as possible in every area of my life. Exhausting. Now I realize that being content with what I have is enough for me. My aims are pretty low. I have never seen The Sistine Chapel and I had no idea that was a quote from the Michelangelo until asked whether I had seen the chapel and then I thought, "Huh! That's his last name?"

April 7th is National Beer Day. Hmmm ... wonder how that's celebrated? Do you like beer? Have a favorite? If you're not a beer drinker do you have any recipes you enjoy cooking that call for beer?

I typically just like me a plain ol' Bud Light if I am going to have a beer. But I also like a Chelada (Bud Light and Clamato). Recently Rick and I had a beer at Applebee's called Stella Artois. That just might be my new favorite. Speaking of beer recipes, my favorite is one I actually also get at Applebee's called Brew Pub Pretzel and Beer Cheese Dip. Oh, dear, it is my favorite bite of food anywhere! I just found a recipe for Beer Cheese Pretzels and Dip. Wonder if it's any good?

When did you last travel somewhere new? Tell us where. Who'd it go?

The last place I traveled was to New Orleans, but I had been there before. Before that, it was our family trip to Nevada, San Diego and San Francisco last summer. It was on the kids' bucket list, and it was a great trip! We did so much and had so much fun!

The value of _______________ is greatly overrated.

(First I misunderstood this question to say underrated and I put "Quiet". Oops.) The value of SUCCESS is greatly overrated. This would be because most people judge their success by the world's standards. What I count as success is probably the complete opposite of what the majority of the world counts as success, even some who are close to me. But I have found where true joy comes from, and it's not where most people look.

What's a pet peeve of yours when it comes to restaurant dining?

Kids. Don't bring your kids to any place other than a fast food restaurant unless they are a rare kind of kid who actually sits and acts like an adult. It's expensive to go out to eat, and when I go I don't want to be around other people's misbehaving kids! There were seriously years that we didn't take our kids to actual restaurants. We wanted to have a meal without having to keep our kids behaved, and we certainly kept them home out of respect for others who might want to be enjoying a stress-free meal. And our kids have always been pretty well-behaved. Keep them at home or hire a babysitter!

It's Poetry Month ... share a favorite poem, either the title, a few lines you find meaningful, or the whole kit and caboodle.

I'm not really into poetry, I'm not gonna lie. Just the other day I recalled our high school senior class motto. It qualifies as a poem ...

Hold fast to dreams,

For if dreams die,

Life is a broken-winged bird,

That cannot fly.

Insert your own random thought here.

I am training for a 5K that Rick and I are running with Brynne on May 2nd as a conclusion to her Girls on the Run class. I have been working really hard following a Couch to 5K app on my phone. I decided to push myself this week to see just how far I could run. I ran 2.6 miles straight! I am almost there. I know I will be able to run the whole 3.1 miles in a month.