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.   

1. How has your hometown changed since you were a kid? What has changed most about the neighborhood you grew up in?  I do visit my hometown from time to time since my aunt still lives there (but, trust me, if she didn't live there, I'd never go back) and NOT ONE SINGLE THING has changed.  The people are all still a bunch of yahoos (and I am not referring to that yummy-lish chocolate flavored drink). 

2. What song makes you laugh? This one:

3. Are you a fan of Harry Potter? Read the books? Seen any/all of the movies? Will you be standing in line somewhere close to midnight later this week? For those of you playing along today who live outside the US or UK is Harry Potter a phenomenon in your part of the world?  I have not read one single word nor have I seen any of the movies.  HOWEVER, every single one of the lovelies has read every single book (multiple times) and they have seen all the movies on the opening night showings at midnight.  And that includes BestSonInLawEVER!  I have no idea why I haven't read and seen all of it but it just never appealed to me.  My BFF says that if I start I will LOVE them.  Maybe after I finish all the LOST episodes. 

4. If the truth hurts, will you tell a lie? Are we better off as a society in a world that allows no form of deception whatsoever? I hate lying and find it extremely difficult to even think about telling one.  However, I did participate in the telling of Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy...even though I still believe in Santa.  But, outside of that kind of thing, no. I tell people that if they don't want to know, then don't ask me because I'm won't even sugar coat anything.  I don't hate people who don't tell the truth but I don't respect them either.  Besides, do any of us really look that good sporting a Pinocchio nose?

5. What is your favorite 'sauteed in garlic and butter' food? Or garlic and olive oil if that makes you feel better.  Shrimp, dahling.  Of course.

6. Attending any reunions this summer/year? High school? family? Other? Do these events stir up excitement or dread?  I do not attend high school reunions because I still dislike all those people.  I don't attend college ones either--undergrad or grad---but I am in touch with my buds from those days!  Every summer we have my mother's family reunion and I LOVE going to it!  They are just the sweetest, kindest folks you'd ever want to meet!  That's Papa (my great grandfather) in the picture at the reunion back in the early to mid 60s. 

7. Lilac, hydrangea, peony...pick one. Most flowers send my allergies into a frenzy so I don't particularly love the really smelly ones.  But I do love Gerber Daisies.  Love, love, love them!

8. Insert your own random thought here.  Preseason will begin in LESS THAN one month!  Did you read that?!  LESS THAN ONE MONTH!  And I am so ready--but then, I'm ALWAYS READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!  

AND last night Birdie and I went to the Adidas store to get some new walking/running shoes.  Everything was going along quite nicely until I turned around and BAM!  There is was.  A full length mirror.  Immediately my inner voice said, "Look at that!  You're still fat!"  Whereupon I immediately replied, "No shit Sherlock."  Which immediately sent my inner voice into shock and I haven't heard from him since.  (Notice how I call my inner voice a 'him'...hahahahaha).   

AND I enjoyed walking in my new shoes this morning.  BUT, DANG!  It's so humid out there that I thought this might be the day that the weather down here actually kills me!  As a matter of fact, just ignore anything I have said previously about the heat because, compared to today, those days were merely warm.  This kind of heat is one of the reasons I never ask, "Could it get any worse?"  Because the answer is always yes! It was in the 80s at 6:00 am!  Right now (it's only 7:30) it's 83 but, with the humidity, it feels like 93 which means that, by lunch time, hello hundreds!  Which is why I will be inside paying homage to my air conditioner!   

AND, Carol over at Facing 50 with Humour has had her FIRST BOOK PUBLISHED--Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines!  Hop on over there and give her a congratulatory shout!  Major congrats Twin!  I am so proud of you!

AND, you will be glad to know, this ends all my random ramblings.  For today.

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. Is there someone in your town who makes you turn and walk the other way to avoid  them? Please, please, tell me I'm not alone.  Well, if I lived in the town where I went to high school, I would avoid EVERYONE.  Around here, not so much.  Or, if I do, it's because I have no desire to stand in the heat or at the grocery store and have an indepth conversation about crap I don't care about.  HOWEVER, there are people I knew when, that I would avoid because I would hate to see the look in their eyes when they realized who I was and that I now look like two people instead of one. So, no.  You are NOT alone. 
2. Have you ever tried juicing?  Yes.  We have a juicer and the juice is fantastic!  It gives you a major rush and energy buzz that stays with you for a couple of hours!  I'm not using it lately though because I don't want to count those calories in my daily intake.
3. Do you feel better with long hair, short hair, or something in between? I feel better with medium to long hair even though I twist it into one of those buns Patrice mentioned above every single day of my life.  I look like an elephant with a head the size of a mouse when my hair is short. 
4. Have you ever seen a large fireworks display in person?  Yep. When I was little we used to watch the ones in Charlotte, NC.  When the lovelies were growing up, we always went out to Sullivan's Island and watched the ones in Charleston. 
5. What's the most unusual meal you have made?  You won't find an unusual meal around here because I'm a regular food person.  If it's foreign or gourmet or uses 'interesting' ingredients?  Then I'm not making it OR eating it!  I don't like unusual food. Or, at least, I don't think I do because I've never actually tasted unusual food. LOL