The Wednesday HOPS!

If you're stopping by for the weight loss portion of today's post, just scroll down.  If you're here for Wednesday Hodge Podge, it's the first HOP today.  If you're here for BOTH, just start reading and keep on to the end!

FIRST is WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE from Joyce at From This Side of the Pond.  This one is a great way to get to know some wonderful new bloggy friends and learn more about some old ones...not that I'm calling anyone OLD, mind you.   

This week's questions:

1. Summer's here-whoohoo! What's your favorite sight, sound, AND smell associated with summer?  I love to see my garden from the window near the air conditioning vent; I love to hear the air conditioner running; and I love to smell rain in the air- not that we're getting any.

2. Fireflies or lightning bugs...what are they called in your neck of the woods?  We always called them lightning bugs and would spend HOURS running around the yard chasing and catching them.  We would put them inside jars with holes cut in the lids and then let them go.  There was a Great Dane in the neighborhood, Hannibal, who loved to chase lightning bugs with us!  The lovelies enjoyed chasing and catching them too--I recall them calling them fireflies based on the book SAM AND THE FIREFLY.

3. What is something from the past week that reminded you of your childhood?  I'm tutoring the most precious little rising third grader you've ever seen this summer and it has reminded me of summer days when I used to sit in our Magnolia tree and readreadreadread. 

4. Define 'the good life'.  I don't know...being surrounded by good friends, a loving family, being productive, knowing how to laugh, having a sweet little puppy around all the time... 

5. Tell us what we'd see if you took a snapshot of your desk/work space?  A complete and total MESS! 

6. Peaches or watermelon...yes, you have to choose.  Watermelon.  I love peaches but, given a choice, I'll take the watermelon.  UNLESS the peaches are inside a cobbler.....

7. Ever been skinny dippin'? Is that too much for the Wednesday Hodgepodge? Rest assured we won't need details...unless of course you feel you must but remember, this is a family friendly blog so keep it G rated. Yes.  And that IS all you're going to get.

8. Insert your own random thought here. Sad day.  Birdie works as a trainer for soccer camps in the summer and she was working one at Wofford this week.  They needed a female trainer at the camp at the University of West GA and she had to go---which means she stays there for two weeks.  Why does this make for a sad day?  Because this weekend EVERYONE is coming home to celebrate Birdie's acceptance into the grad program in Texas and now she won't be able to be here.  WTH?!  I guess this is one of those "best laid plans" deals. 

The SECOND HOP is from Patrice, at Everyday Ruralty, who hosts Wednesday Words of Weight Loss every Wednesday!  It's a fun HOP that offers encouragement and company on the issue of weight.  It's never too late to join!  Come on, this is your week to join in the FUN!  

QUESTIONS 1. I've heard it said that there are two body types when weight is gained? Some are like an apple with a big gain in the middle and others are like a pear with a larger lower region. What kind of fruit are you? :)  I think that I may be the most unfortunate type---a combo!  I am both an apple and a pear- YIKES!
2. Have you ever joined an exercise studio or gym?  Not fully.  I've tried trial memberships twice- the first one I really liked because it was just women and the location was perfect BUT, they didn't survive.  The second one is in a crappy location and is co-ed-- I will say that it was quite nice when some of those 30 years old boys came in to lift--talk about hot?  LOL  But I much prefer, for now, burning calories on my own.
3. What was your favorite vacation ever?  Our vacays were basically boring...or cliche.  A week at the beach every summer and weekends camping in the mountains year 'round.  I've never really had vacays since I've been married (27 years).  SO, I guess I don't have one.  That sounds so sad, doesn't it?  LOL
4. Is there a famous person you'd like to be like?  I wouldn't mind being a combination of Abigail Adams and Eleanor Roosevelt.  Progressive, strong, enlightened, courageous, intelligent to the point of genius, defender of women's rights...who wouldn't want to be like them?  
5. What's your favorite way to have coffee? If you don't drink coffee, then tell me about another beverage you like.  On the rare occasion that I do drink coffee, I like a little bit with my flavored creamer and sugar.  In the winter I really enjoy hot chocolate with about a million tiny marshmallows or marshmallow cream!  Yummy- lish!!!  Summer is for water and iced green tea with Splenda and lemonade (this is half 'n half-- half tea/half lemonade)!