Walking Through the Hodgepodge

Hello Wednesday! Spring is almost officially here, and we hope Mother Nature has gotten the message as well. When I was student teaching about 100 years ago, my supervising teacher always did a 'March to Spring' by counting the days on the little bulletin board above the chalkboard. We talked about the weather, and how March comes 'in like a lion, and out like a lamb.' Well I have had enough of the lion-like days, and am surely ready for the lamb to arrive. Of course, next week, I'll be enjoying the beach, which will allow a little more time for the weather to straighten itself out here at home. We can hope.

Now for the Hodgepodge, with questions provided by our friend, Joyce, and answers provided by me. There are lots of others who answer the questions as well, so be sure to click on the Hodgepodge button to enjoy them all.

1.  Thursday marks the first day of spring...to celebrate would you rather plant a garden or go for a walk in the woods? Would either of those activities be possible on Thursday where you live?
Definitely not plant a garden, so I would rather take a walk in the woods. Or if not the woods, then around the neighborhood. Preferably with my favorite youngest grandson. We enjoyed just such a walk last week, when the temps were warm despite the snow still on the ground.

It would be possible to take a walk on Thursday to celebrate spring's arrival if I can manage to get out there during the peak temperature window.

Of course, in a few short days, I will be returning to this beach, where walks are delightful. :) Better get packing!

2. When did someone last spring something on you? (or when did you last spring something on someone?)
When I think of springing something on someone, I think of announcing something not planned or expected. The most recent experience like that was when the pilot of our airplane taxied us to the end of the runway and then announced that there was an issue with the plane, and we would need to return to the gate. While springing something on someone doesn't always seem like a positive thing, and we were not excited about the change in plan, I would much rather error on the side of caution when traveling by airplane. Agreed?

3.  We often think of spring as a time for new beginnings. What's something you'd like to start doing this spring?
I always need to get more exercise. Spring seems like a good time for that. And by exercise, I mean walking.

4. Where do you like to sit in a movie theatre? When did you last sit there, and what were you watching?
My preferred seat would be in the middle, about mid way up. The last movie I attended was Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 with my favorite oldest grandson. I let him choose our seats.
Speaking of seats at the movie reminds me of one of my grandma's little sayings. If she noticed one of us scratching our, um, bottom, she would ask, "Are you going to the movie? Well, it looks like you're picking your seat!"

5. When you meet someone for the very first time, what do you want them to think about you?
That I am friendly and genuine. And a good listener.

6. March is frozen food month (yes, really!). Besides ice cream (gotta make you think a little) what's your most often purchased frozen food item?

We buy quite a few bags of frozen chicken breasts. It makes it easy to take out what we need for grilling or baking.

7. What's something you avoid?
The dentist. Sorry, dentist friends. I know you are very nice people. I just don't enjoy visiting you at your workplace.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Since it is frozen food month, and since winter has hung on just a little too long, I thought I would share this version of 'Let it Go' from the movie Frozen. I don't know Maddie and Zoe, but it is one of the cutest covers (from hundreds) out there. And now that song is stuck in your head yet again. You're welcome. :)

Maddie and Zoe sing "Let It Go" from Frozen from Aaron Mendez on Vimeo.

Cayman and a Cause

I want to share a few a lot more photos from our cruise, but I haven't been able to think about sorting through all those pictures until now. I must say, it is much less stressful to do it with unlimited free internet than it was on the ship where I paid by the minute and a little timer kept track of the time.
Tick. Tick. Tick…

It was fun to make a stop at one of my very favorite places, Grand Cayman. It was the first time I had seen it from this vantage point.

We were advised the night before our stop in Grand Cayman that we would be utilizing the lifeboats to shuttle passengers ashore in Georgetown. We would call them 'tenders' instead of 'lifeboats.'

It was interesting to watch from our veranda as they were lowered from the ship.

We arrived safely in Georgetown, and hopped on a cab for our day at the beach. We were joined in our cab by a young family from Seattle. The two young children were excited to be going to the dolphin experience at the turtle farm.

We, however, were dropped off first, at Villas of the Galleon, where I had arranged with the manager for us to spend a few hours on that beautiful and familiar beach.

Ahhhh…...

Home sweet villas.

We lounged, we swam, we enjoyed a beverage from the Westin next door (Bumpin' Bananas for me), and we even got a kind stranger to take our picture. I happened to have a Purdue flag with me for the photo. Boiler Up! You can even see our ship waaayyyy down there in the background.

All too soon, it was time to head back to the ship. We didn't want to miss the boat! Well, actually, I kind of did, since I could have just hung out until the rest of the family arrives the end of March. Yes, I'm going back in a mere 10 days. Rough, I know.

We stopped for a quick bite to eat at Breezes by the Bay, and I enjoyed a Category 4 Hurricane.

We managed to catch a tender back to the ship,

where we were treated to more tropical beverages, rum cake, and ice cream at the sea view pool.

Godbye Seven Mile Beach.

Goodbye Georgetown.
See you soon!

The hilarious Anita Renfroe entertained us by, as she says, 'ruining every song you ever loved.' (You really must see her version of 'You Raise Me Up.')

She invited Wayne Watson to join her on stage to play his song 'Watercolour Ponies', which had brought us all to nostalgic tears the night before.

Her version was newly written, and she read it from her iPad as she sang. She is a clever one, that Anita, always thinking. She assured us we wouldn't cry on this one.

Instead of 'watercolor ponies on the refrigerator door' she sang of 'crusted macaronis all across the kitchen floor.' So funny, and Wayne is sure a good sport.

Janet had her picture taken with Anita at the meet and greet. They are BFFs now.

It was always fun when Sandi got the kids up there to sing with her. This is Don's daughter Aly, Sandi's son Jonathan, and their daughter-in-law, Katie. They can SING!

Holland America has established an on-board non-competitive 5K to support cancer organizations across the world called 'On Deck for a Cause.' Ruthann and I decided to participate, and Ruthann and the other cancer survivors in the group got to lead us as we got started.

It takes nine laps around the ship to equal a 5K. We didn't actually complete the whole 9, but we were happy with our 2Kish. We received t-shirts for our effort (and our donation), and a little refreshment after the 'race.'

I was happy for the exercise, and happy to walk with my friend. God is good.

Sandi herself entertained us with a concert on Friday night, and she invited her husband, Don, on stage for their duet, 'The Prayer.'

It is one of my favorites, and they do it marvelously.

They had a little fun with a spin as they sang.

They seemed to be having so much fun, and they were great hosts for the cruise.

After they sang, Sandi did one of my favorite parts of her performance. She called all the kids on stage, young and old, who may or may not remember...

the Friendship Company. I remember it (and the motions, of course), and it was all I could do not to run up on stage and sing it with them. Todd Smith and his girls were up there.

Sandi's big kids were up there too, along with grandson, Baby Thatch.

The girls were so tickled by Sandi's son, Jonathan, who was into it!

It was so much fun, and brought back memories of her concert at Market Square Arena when our kids got to join her on stage to sing it (wearing their matching Friendship Company sweats, of course).
F-R-I … E-N-D!!

Each evening we ate at the same table with four ladies from Ashland, Kentucky. They have all worked together in the same school system, and although two are now retired (one living in Florida), they continue to take trips together. They were lots of fun, and we were blessed to be matched with them as our table-mates. Two of them sang in the choir for the final evening performance.

Each evening, of course, we found a cute towel animal on the bed in our stateroom. Those cabin stewards took good care of us. Sweet dreams!

Six Years of Love

Happy Anniversary to this little boy and this little girl, 

who grew up, 

went to Purdue, 

fell in love, 

and got married.

They are formal,

and fun...

they are smart,

and loyal...

they are kind, and generous...

loving others, loving God, and loving each other.

Happy 6th anniversary, David and Shylah!

God bless you!

Hello, Sandi!

Tuesday was our first 'day at sea', and started with a question and answer session for the women only. Anita, Amy, Sheila, Angie, and Sandi were ready to answer our questions and share their words of wisdom.

The session was moderated by Sandi's adorable oldest daughter, Anna, who did a wonderful job keeping all the ladies in line.

It's fun, because we remember Sandi bringing Anna on stage when she was just a baby.

After the Q&A, there was a meet and greet time with Sandi and all of her friends. I was excited to meet Angie Smith. She had her new book, Chasing God, for sale, along with I Will Carry You, which is the story of her daughter Audrey.

I had brought some copies of her children's book, Audrey Bunny, and she graciously signed them for us. Ruthann had her picture taken with her.

And so did I. Such a sweet, sweet woman. Her twins were with her at the meet and greet, and they signed my book, too.

Then it was our turn to meet our friend Sandi. She noticed our t-shirts, and we told her all about them and Ruthann's cancer journey. We even brought a t-shirt along to give to her! (Of course we did!) I also gave her a little hanky holder that I had stoned with her name, and she loved it too. :)

We were talking all at once, and I'm pretty sure she didn't understand anything we said, but we had fun, and got a great photo with our friend. :)

Later in the day, I ran in to sweet Ellie Smith wearing her hat. They are precious and polite little girls.

We had lunch on deck near the seaside pool.

There is even a basketball court on board the ship. We did not play basketball.

There were line dancing lessons. We did not do that either. Just watched. I thought our Jonathan could have a future teaching line dancing on a cruise ship. The big guy in the orange is the activity director.

The evening program was Wayne Watson and Pastor Jim Lyon.

 Sandi and Wayne shared their song, In the In Between.

 And Sandi and Don ended with The Prayer. One of my favorites.

A great day full of fun and inspiration.