Tuesday Coffee Chat: This or That

I'm joining Leslie this week for Tuesday Coffee Chat. Thankfully, her prompt is THIS OR THAT, I don't have to think too awfully hard. :: achoo :: :: cough :: My "thinker" wants to snuggle in warm covers and hope this cold passes. Click on over and read all about it!
THIS OR THAT
Heels or Sneakers?
What would Crocs be? Sneakers! There is no way I'm going to torture my toes in heels. And if I do need to wear something fancier than my New Balances then I'll slip on some sandals.
Coke or Pepsi?
Neither. I don't care for soda. If I've got a headache that won't quit, I will sometimes grab a Coke to see if the caffeine will help (as I don't drink coffee either). And sometimes I'll sip a ginger ale.

Instagram or Flickr?
Neither. I don't use either. I've heard of them though...
Tomboy or Girlie Girl?
Well, I don't like to wear much makeup. My nails are jagged and unpainted. Dresses? No way! See the heels answer above. I like to fish. I just taught my son to put a headlight into a vehicle. Yeah, Tomboy!
Nap or Read?
Oh, it depends on the day. I'm edging towards an early evening bedtime right now. But, then again, I'm battling a cold bug...I do spend quite a bit of time reading each day, bringing my bible, a book for pleasure and my WIP (crochet project) everywhere I go.
Karaoke or Bowling?
No one wants to hear me sing. Trust me. They might not want to see me bowl either, but at least that's not usually painful...
Pizza or Sushi?

Rain or Shine?

There is something special about a rainy day, a day to snuggle down under blankets to read and watch Hulu, but sunshine (although not too warm) is awesome for kayaking and fishing and hiking and picnics and camping and...

Single or Taken?

Dress or Jeans?

JEANS! (PJs would be better...)

Winter or Summer?

Summer! I may complain about how hot and humid it gets sometimes, but Maine summers are fleeting. Winter sticks around FOREVER (it seems).

Exercise or Couch?

Are we talking the gym? exercise videos? Those are so boring! If I'm going to exercise then I want more out of it than good health; I want an experience! I'll take exercise if it can be kayaking or gardening or hiking or swimming. Otherwise, my couch is comfy!

Library or Cafe?

Our little library is such a special place with many nooks and crannies and soft, cushy chairs. Sometimes a quiet spot is just what is needed during a stressful day (or week or month).

Jocks or Nerds?

I know it comes as a surprise, but I'm a nerd, and I'll still with my "flock".

Piano or Guitar?

I've always wanted to play the piano. I took lessons for 5 months once in high school. I still can't play "Chopsticks". I don't have a musical "bone" in my body.

Marvel or DC?

What are these? Oh, DC - DOUBLE CROCHET! I'll take DC! :: wink :: (Can I link up again, Leslie? LOL)

Tuesday Coffee Chat: A Long Day Done

Leslie asks this week, " The long work day is done, you arrive home and the first thing you do...?"

I've been a stay-at-home mama for 12 years. Don't let that fool you though: I'm hardly stay at home. Oh, how I wish to have ONE full day at home with no where to run to! 

Sometimes I celebrate when a snow storm is forecasted to shut down the roads...

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So, today is Tuesday, and Tuesday is a "slow day". (After all, I have time to blog this morning. Sort of. In avoidance of more housework.) 

To Do List

Get Hubby Off to Work with Coffee and Lunch

Get Jake to Carpool for School

Devotionals

Wash Dirty Dishes

Homeschool Cate and Sam

Vacuum

Figure Out Why the Vacuum Sounds like a Car with a Bad Exhaust

Wash Clothing and Hang Outside to Dry

Wash Dirty Dishes

Bake Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

Make Chicken and Dumplings for Dinner

Hard boil Eggs for Snacks and Sandwiches

Wash Dirty Dishes

Dump Trash and Recyclables off at Transfer Station

Lego Club

Pick Up Jake from Carpool

Add Clean Pine Shavings to Coop

Sweep and Mop Floors

Wash Dirty Dishes

Clean Counters

Fold and Put Away Laundry

Boy Scouts

I'm sure I'm forgetting something...Do I need to make a trip to the store?

When the day is done, I'm looking forward to changing into cozy PJs, climbing into bed (with cocoa if the kids haven't drank it all) and watching "The Voice" while crocheting.

Look at my son's afghan...

Join Leslie at Ink Interrupted for Tuesday's Coffee Chat. (And, readers, I'll try very hard to get to comments and visit your blogs this week. Sometimes the week just gets away from me.)

Tuesday Coffee Chat: You'd Never Guess It

Leslie asks us: Have you ever won anything? Why yes I have!

You'd never guess what I won though.

A hint?

It was at a movie theater during opening night of the "The Black Stallion". Do you remember that movie from the late 70s? Or was it early 80s? No, 1979. I was a few months shy of turning 8. (Don't do the math...)

Things are a little different growing up on an island in Maine. For a few years we had a movie theater. Don't picture what they look like now...Imagine instead a big green relic of a building with the words OPERA HOUSE painted on the front in white and black. And, no, there was no opera. (Don't ask me!) Seats were made of wrought iron and wood, angled for viewing and uncomfortable. The plank floor was worn, gouged and scuffed with nails showing. There were snacks, somewhat. And the bathroom? Think one step up from an outhouse... :: shudder :: It was OUR theater though!

On that night my mom, younger sister and I headed to the theater because who could miss "The Black Stallion"? And they had drawings! (Again, don't ask me!)

So, what did I win? Give up?

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That's right! I won the GRAND PRIZE, readers! A frozen turkey! (Yeah, don't ask me.)

Join Leslie at Ink Interrupted for Tuesday's Coffee Chat.

Tuesday Coffee Chat: What Would I Like to do...

Oh, Leslie, it's been such a long time since I've chatted with you on Tuesday. Despite the cold temperatures and changing leaves, I think I'm still holding onto summer for as long as possible. My flip flops aren't going in the closet just yet (as I can still feel my toes most days). But, it's time to get chatting again!
Chat Prompt: Tell us something you've never done, but would like to know. What's holding you back?
I dream about traveling around the U.S. with my husband and kids (or maybe just the husband if the kids are older and off living their lives). In an RV. For years. Am I crazy?
I've got my camper all picked out...

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This way all my crochet creations won't be sitting in a laundry basket, piling up while I decide what I'm going to do with them. I'll just attached them to my RV! (Wonder if the husband will be OK with this? I'll make sure to crochet up some fish and fishing poles to put on the camper too!)
Wouldn't it be AWESOME to experience what God has created in all its splendor, stopping whenever you want, chatting it up with the locals, eating at the local favorites?
And if you need to bathroom, it's right there!
Maybe not in that eensy crochet camper. Perhaps I should rethink my camper...

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That should work. What do you think?
Grand Canyon. Mt. Rushmore. Washington DC. Gateway to the West. The Redwoods. Yellowstone. Those caddies sticking up from the ground. All stops along the way!
But until we figure out a way to financial support our road trip around the states, my dream of RV living is on hold. Perhaps some day...
Join Leslie at Ink Interrupted for Tuesday's Coffee Chat.

Tuesday Coffee Chat: Celebrate Summer

This week at Time Out for Mom, Leslie wants to know:

What's on your Summer Fun List?

Blog about it and share over at Tuesday Coffee Chat! Let's get to know each other just a bit better...

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Thank you for visiting! We'll see you again in the fall when Leslie resumes Tuesday Coffee Chat. In the meantime, enjoy summer!

Tuesday Coffee Chat: Sharing Positivity

This week at Time Out for Mom, Leslie wants to know:

Be inspired! Share something that inspired you this week: a quote, a photo, a story in the news. Let's spread some positivity!

Blog about it and share over at Tuesday Coffee Chat! Let's get to know each other just a bit better...

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Thank you for visiting! Let's chat!

Tuesday Coffee Chat: All About Me

This week at Time Out for Mom, Leslie wants to know:

Blog about it and share over at Tuesday Coffee Chat! Let's get to know each other just a bit better...

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1. Jessy. Yeah, I know, not much of a nickname, huh? It's not a super cool, super unique name with an interesting story, but it's mine...and many other women AND men.

2.

3. Dark brown with red highlights...and gray, sometimes.

4. I loathe washing dirty dishes...Not just dislike, but loathe! And a dishwasher doesn't make it any better for me. Unfortunately I've passed on my loathing to the kids. If only paper and plastic wasn't so expensive and bad for the environment!

5.

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6. It's not the place that makes it special, but the people I'm with. My favorite "places" are Tom, my kids, my family, and my friends.

7. None. TV, movies or even music doesn't intrigue me to the point of having a favorite actor or musician. Don't get me wrong - I do enjoy media, but I don't "idolized" anyone. But I have to say someone? I like the older actors/actresses, Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Robin Williams, Sally Fields.

8. Many - dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, horses, goats. But I don't care for bugs and snakes all that much.

9. 

10. The Bible

So, let's get to know you!

Tuesday Coffee Chat: How Does Your Garden Grow

This week at Time Out for Mom, Leslie wants to know:

Blooms! Blooms! Blooms! If you got a garden, this is your chance to show it off. If your thumb is more 50 Shades of Black - what other summer hobbies do you enjoy?

Blog about it and share over at Tuesday Coffee Chat!

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:sigh: Well, I usually have a better, thriving vegetable garden. I'm not sure what happened this season...My peas, cucumbers and most of my pie pumpkins have wilted away to nothing. In the rain! And the beans are being chewed up by something. Hens? Nary a bug nor pest seen nibbling...

Or maybe the poor germination and growth is due to the fact that I purchased cheap Walmart seeds? Usually my seeds are non-GMO, heirlooms from a local farm company. I'll end up spending more on seeds this year than previous seasons by going cheap. Sometimes it doesn't pay, does it?

In better times, the garden looked like this: 

I'd take a photo of what it looks like right now, but there's not much to see, just some bean stalks and dark soil. And some "whirly-wig" seeds that have fallen from the trees. Perhaps I'll grow some trees! We need more trees...

How does your garden grow?

Tuesday Coffee Chat: Summer Singing

This week at Time Out for Mom, Leslie wants to know:

I love music! I have not shared any music around here lately...and I found a great song for the summer! Do you have a "go to" Summer Song? or do you find a new one each season?

 Blog about it and share over at Tuesday Coffee Chat!

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Perhaps I'm unique in my views of music, but I don't have a "go to" summer song. Whatever plays on the radio while I'm driving around is what I remember most from a particular summer. I guess you could say that I'm a "new one each season" kind of person then.

Otherwise I don't listen to music OUT of the van. I don't even listen to the radio in the house. Er. I don't think I have a working radio...

But I just downloaded Spotify onto my Android. I think I have a total of 11 songs on my playlist! Look at me! Getting with the times! Eh?

What's on my playlist? 

Uptown Funk (Bruno Mars). Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) (Kelly Clarkson). Shut Up and Dance (Walk the Moon). F__kin' Perfect (Pink). (I did NOT realize that she was saying THAT in this song! What was I thinking??) Get the Party Started (Pink). Since U Been Gone (Kelly Clarkson). Try (Pink). Animals (Maroon 5). One More Night (Maroon 5). Moves like Jagger (Maroon 5 with Christina Aguilera). Honey, I'm Good (Andy Grammer). FourFiveSeconds (Rihanna/Kanye West).

I found all the songs on the Top 40 list as I was trying to figure out how to use the app. I think I needed a 7-year-old to show me how it's done because those 11 songs took me QUITE a long time to get on a playlist and then some were surprises...

Needless to say, I think I'll be making some changes to my playlist in the coming weeks. Hopefully I'll figure out how to pre-listen to the songs before adding them because, well, some weren't quite what I expected.

What's on your Spotify for this summer? I need suggestions!

Tuesday Coffee Chat: Everyday Super "Heroes"

This week at Time Out for Mom, Leslie wants to know:

So I am trying to refrain from gushing 

about all things Super Hero.   

To distract me; 

tell me about something you think is Super!  

 Blog about it and share over at Tuesday Coffee Chat!

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How about a lot of somethings?

bright rays of sunshine and a wisp of a breeze on a spring day

a hard-working, devoted husband-to-be and 5 quirky, healthy kids

a baby snapping turtle meandering around the yard to the brook
a son excited and determined to build a tree house
hens that lay fresh eggs with bright yellow-orange yolks
a working, reliable vehicle

homemade chocolate chips cookies warm from the oven with cold milk
help with home maintenance and repairs
clean, cool lakes for kayaking, swimming, fishing, and picnics
healthy bodies and minds
the ability to pay debts and a little extra left over
"love notes" from Sam (even if it's with spray paint)

What's super in your life?

Tuesday Coffee Chat: I'm Lovin' It

This week at Time Out for Mom, Leslie's asking what we're loving right now. What's your favorite things? Blog about it and share over at Tuesday Coffee Chat!

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Oh, spring has FINALLY arrived here in Maine. Praise God! Just look at these predicted temperatures this week:

There's not one night below freezing! Do you know how many months it's been that we've had a week stretch with above freezing temperatures? Way too many! I am SO loving the warmth and sun! C'mon Vitamin D!

I turned the heat off Sunday afternoon. I have been longing for the day when I could do so, saving the rest of the heating oil I had delivered a month or so ago. Heating oil has been a huge cost this winter with 2 months of mostly frigid temperatures. I am loving not having to budget in more heating oil until about October!

And look! The windows are open! We're flushing out the stale, dry winter air and welcoming in cool, fresh spring air. I don't even care that my seasonal allergies are kicking in...

The snow is disappearing quick. Sure, it means MORE MUD, but with that sun shining it won't be long before we're dried out. And there's nothing PRETTY about dirty, early spring snow. I've loving that soon we'll have green grass again!

Before long we'll be preparing the veggie garden for another season. Perhaps I should order seeds!

Let's Chat!