Wednesday Hodgepodge ~ As August's End Approaches

1. As August draws to a close, share what's been your favorite weekend of the entire summer?

Without a doubt it was my 40 High School reunion weekend. Such great memories (expect the part of leaving my bag of tricks at home). I can't wait until the next get together! Buster and I's trip to San Luis Obispo was pretty awesome as well. I've never liked having to pick favorites of anything....except ice cream.


2. Labor Day is marked in the US of A on Monday, September 1st.  What paying job have you held that you've loved the most? Liked the least?

For me that job would be one in the same...I worked for a company that managed private homeowner associations, I managed 8 communities. I loved it because I made the best friends/family ever there in my co workers. These are the same women I am in book club with today and my dinner group. I learned so much in the job as far as dealing with VERY difficult people. I liked it least because it wasn't unusual to be cussed at, hung up on etc....daily or weekly. At one time I was convinced all the angry mean people lived in homeowner associations :-)  However I made some life long friends that were on a couple of the boards of directors of my communities and homeowners that lived in them. The best thing I learned was how to respond in a professional way, yet put the mean people in their place at the same time, it made me smile.....


3. Does the new school year start before or after Labor Day where you live? When do you think it should begin? There is much discussion now about older students having later start times to their school day...your thoughts?
I always found it odd that some would start a day or two before labor day then be off for the holiday weekend? I think the start times have always well FOREVER why mess with it. I would hate to see them getting home later and that leading to family dinners being messed with any further. I hate to see families not sitting down as family for that mealtime. I think its the most important time of day to share with each other about each others day.   My Father worked three jobs and he always made sure to be with us at dinner, always! Keep the school start time the same and  hope parents will ensure their kids get to bed at a reasonable time so they are rested.  I feel so bad for kids who have no set bedtime and are not alert while in the classroom. Speaking of the classroom my Sweet Beans loves pre-school!

 

4. What's something you've worked at recently that could be deemed a 'labor of love'.
 I've been writing a piece since 2008... self doubt continues to stop me in my tracks.  Then I enter a period of complete confidence and there is no stopping me.  I just need to finish it for the sake of finishing it! 
Everyday I hope to make my husband and grand daughters my labor of love :-)

5.Which of the following work idioms can you most relate to right now...'A woman's work is never done.', 'All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.' 'Many hands make light work.'

A woman's work is never done to be sure.  If it is, it's done for about an hour and it seems to start appearing all over again.  I don't mind it at all, I just don't have the energy to keep up like I used to. It really frustrates me when things pile up...I've been so  used to always have everything in its place. I find sometimes it helps to just decided to tackle one mess at a time and get it done.

6. Crab or lobster or thanks, but no thanks? Favorite way to have your choice prepared?
I will take either thank you.  I was just told if you put a splash of vinegar in the butter it really cuts down on the richness without a change in flavor.. I love them both dipped in butter, in Paula Dean fashion, real butter!
 

7. Albert Einstein is quoted as saying, 'Three rules of work: Out of clutter find simplicity; From discord find harmony; In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.' Which of the three do you consider to be the most important? Share one of your own 'rules of work'.
For me personally I have found that in the difficulties come the opportunities for growth. I'm thankful I learn lessons from my difficulties.  I truly believe God knows it's how I learn best. Many times I am thankful in advance for the difficulty because I know something awesome will come out of it. 
 My "rule of work" is this:

8. With all that is going on in the world I don't know how people manage without a spiritual life. I've learned I'm not big enough or strong enough to do it on my own, and really, why would I when I know this great big God that wants to carry me through :-)  There is always the occasional "I don't see how" to something.  It's then I remind myself, but God! Where I am weak He is strong.....My first choice.

August has been a busy month, ready to turn the page to whatever September holds, it's what echos from my heart today.