Happy Wednesday, friends! I love hodgepodge day and am so thankful that Joyce comes up with such amazing prompts from week to week. I don't know how she does it and manages to keep things fresh, but she does! Sometimes blogging is a second part-time job! When you're done reading this one, I have another post for Wednesday right under this one, the Currently link party. You should keep reading and join in with me as well, if you have a post in you! I keep the link open for two weeks each month. I'll jump in with today's fun hodgepodge post.
1. Let's compare to this May to last May. What's changed? What has remained very much the same? Oh, boy. I think a more appropriate prompt for me would be what hasn't changed.
Last May I was happily married and had five people living in my home. I had three sets of parents, and five dogs. This May I am happily divorced, and it's down to just Jonah and me at home, and we live as roommates and ships passing in the night. My dad died and my stepmom and I no longer speak. I lost my in-law's and am no longer in contact with them, not by my choice. Noah moved to Dallas at the end of last May, and Graham bought his own home last August. He took his dog and my oldest dog Crash with him when he moved, and my ex came to get the other two that belonged to us while we were married. For a while, the only dog in our home was Chloe; now we have two since he added his newest edition Stella. (Who I am ready to pass along to someone else.)
Throughout the turmoil and trauma of the last year, I can say that what has very much remained the same is that God is always good, He has been faithful to me my whole life, and His word is true.
2. What's something you may do this month? I may find myself in a swimming pool before month's end! I hope to, at least.
3. Mother's day is approaching (in the US)...in what way(s) are you like your mother? I've been told I look a lot like Mom, which I'll always take as a compliment. I am like her in that I am particular about things: the upkeep of a home, a made bed, for things to be a certain way. I don't think these things are bad, but I have to keep my head about me my being realistic as well.
4. Did you have a favorite book as a child? What was it and why was it a favorite? I can't remember a favorite book, per se, but I loved the Ramona series. Remember those? I also loved to read Nancy Drew books, The Babysitter's Club, and Sweet Valley High. I don't know why these books stood out to me the way they do today, but it's obvious that I have always loved a good series of books. The same rings true today.
5. Are you more of a tortoise or a hare? Explain. When I looked at the definition of the two, I decided that I am leaning more towards being a hare, not because I am fast physically, but because I prefer to move along at a swifter pace. I don't like to dally when I know something needs to be done, said, or acted upon. I am one to "rip off the band-aid", so to speak, just to get it over with, which I'm equating this with these two animals.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Ummmm, it's late and I can't think of one, honestly. I never do that, but I need to leave and go back to my house. Thanks for reading my blog today, friends! There's another post under this one, if you missed it, the May edition of Currently. I'll see you back here tomorrow. Love to all!
Jenn
Your life has changed so much in one year- it's almost incomprehensible! I have been encouraged by your faith and by what and how you have chosen to share in this public space about what you've gone through and are going through. I had forgotten about the book series that you mentioned but I remember them all and liked them! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteRight? I almost laughed when I read the first question. Thank you for your encouragement; I know that the writing has been like therapy. I'm about to be reading the others posts and can't wait to read your answers! Happy Wednesday, friend!
DeleteThis May is shaping up to be a trainwreck. The supply chain is about to collapse due to tariffs, now the major ports are empty of cargo ships. Not to mention wars in Ukraine, Gaza, Syria, Yemen could trigger WW3. I'll take last year's May any day over this mess. I was outside most of my childhood, although was a big Dennis the Menace comic books fan.
ReplyDeleteI'm hopeful the hard times won't last. It's always scary when we go through things that effect the economy like this. I loved some comic books as well! I think Garfield was my favorite.
DeleteWhen you list all the changes in one paragraph like that - wow. It's staggering that you have been through so much. And, it's only by the grace of God that you are doing so well and thriving. And, to the people who have left you - let them. You and God know the truth and it really doesn't matter what they think. It's hard that you see peoples' true colors when something bad happens. You have a strong support system without them. You want Stella to go bye bye?
ReplyDeleteRight? Sometimes I'm still surprised by my life, even though I'm growing accustomed. Sometimes the anger still comes out of nowhere like it did yesterday and I have to go back and block someone, because they like to comment on my stuff like they didn't forget me the second this all happened. And then I move past it and get on with the day. I love that phrase so much- let them. It's empowering! Ha! Stella is not my favorite. She is such a punk! I think some of her bad habits are rubbing off on Chloe.
DeleteIf I may jump in here, I've been a lifelong owner of dogs and cats, plus did a lot of volunteer work at animal shelters (I tend to pick up strays too) I noticed that both kittens and puppies have some bad habits like some little kids. They also grow out of these behaviors, sometimes extra training, behavior modification helps. I have two former stray cats, one calm the other is a jerk. When the jerk was young he chewed on wrappers, plastic spoons, papers, etc...now at two, he has grown out of that habit. Your puppy might just be in behavior stages that are temporary.
DeleteYes, I always say that I'm going to get rid of her with tongue in cheek; I am sure she will outgrow these annoying habits! Thank you for that, though!
DeleteGood morning! This is my first visit to your blog, and what a delight you are! I very much appreciate the candor in your answers. I think we had similar reading tastes when we were younger (or maybe there wasn’t as much available?). I loved the Nancy Drew series, as well as the Sweet Valley High books. We passed those around, along with lots of notes, in high school. What sweet memories . . .
ReplyDeleteGood morning! I'm so glad you stopped by to visit today; thank you for your kind words! It's funny that we read and loved the same books, but you could be right about there not being as many options as there are now. Those were some sweet days of reading, were they now? Sometimes I think it would be fun to go back and re-read some of those old favorites. I hope you come back to visit! Happy Wednesday!
DeleteMy first time here as well (I'm pretty sure)! Sounds like you've had quite a year. So crazy how things can change so much. The tortoise and hare question is a hard one for me...depends on what the situation is.
ReplyDeleteHey there! Thank you for stopping by today to comment! I will check your blog out as well as soon as I'm finished with this comment. It's crazy how one year can bring so much change for someone! I am still reeling some days, but others I'm fine. That was a hard question for me as well; I answered with how I've been most recently. I hope you have a great day!
DeleteWhat a difference a year makes, especially in your life. Sending love and hugs.
ReplyDeleteOhh! I would love outdoor pools to be a big thing here. I hope you get some pool time.
I forgot all about The Babysitter's Club, and Sweet Valley High. I used to love those books as a young teenager.
Thank you, sweet friend! I do love being poolside in the summer. I loved all those old books! Wouldn't it be fun to go back and re-read them?
DeleteOH yes I LOVED the Ramona series; In fact I read them with my boys again just because I remember them being so cute and funny. I loved most of Beverly Cleary books and anything by Judy Blume. I too love a good books series to this day and fondly remember the Babysitter's Club and Sweet Valley High. It is staggering how quickly and how much your life has changed in just one year. I can't wait to see what it looks like a year from now!!
ReplyDeleteI loved the Judy Blume books as well! It was cool that you read those with your boys again; I didn't read them with mine, but my boys did read at least one or two of those. I can't wait for that, either!
DeleteIt is incredible how much has changed in one short year and how you are thriving- you should look back and see how much of a warrior you are!
ReplyDeleteI know, right? Thank you for the reminder of this, even if I sometimes feel more wounded than a warrior. Some days are fine, and others suck! I've cried twice this week already. BLEH. 🤣
DeleteWell if I were giving out a prize to who has lived through the most change in the past year here, you would win : ) I'm sorry about the disconnect with your in-laws. That's an unfortunate side effect and it's really too bad as I'm sure you've been like a daughter to them all these years. And your stepmom too, another hard thing I'm sure. I love your takeaway though. It is in these hard times that we learn to say in spite of how it might look to our human selves, God's got this and is working all things out for our good and His glory.
ReplyDelete