"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Wednesdays Hodgepodge


LET US NEVER FORGET 9/11/01


I have a favor to ask, but it's an easy one.

Target does this every year.  They give out a million dollars.  To schools.  All you have to do it vote for them.  Every vote is $1 and when they get to $25 the schools get a check.
Would you go here and vote for my grandson's school if you don't have another one to vote for?

The name of the school is on there - and you just type it in and hit vote!

THANK YOU



The people in black are instructors.  The kids in blue are the storm team and help teach.  The red means a commitment to getting a first degree black belt.  My grandson is number 5 from the left - 2nd degree.  The girl got her 3rd degree.  The boy next to her her - 2nd degree.


Be sure to go to From This Side of the Pond - to play - click here.


1. What's the best thing about growing older?

The best thing about growing older is that I am finally myself.  I say what I want to say.  I am not afraid anymore.  I don't have to pretend to be someone I am not.  I can speak up and be heard.  I don't mean meanly.  And I don't mean this meanly - I just don't care as much as things as I used too.

2. When did you first feel like a grown up?

I'm not grown up and I never really want to grow up!


3. Chocolate cake with white icing or white cake with chocolate icing?

DAH - CHOCOLATE ON CHOCOLATE ON CHOCOLATE.

4. What's the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?

You know I really can't think - because - so many people have done nice things for me - or said nice things - and I can remember saying - "Gee, that is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me," - it is not a thing/gift - it's probably someone understanding me - supporting me - and loving me just the way I am. Kindness and love go along way with me.

5.  What's something you learned from your grandparents? 

My grandmother Esther - was beloved - everyone including myself - thought we were loved by her the best!  I mean she really loved me.  She loved all of us - I have so many first cousins I don't know the exact count - but we all felt loved the best!
That is pretty awesome.  Hope my grands feel that way too - I only have two!

6. Wednesday marks a sad day in the history of planet earth-9/11...what's something you do (or can do) to bring peace to your little corner of the world?

I really do pray for world peace - family peace - neighborhood peace - school peace - etc. all the time. When neighbors and families don't get along - I wonder how the world will.

7.  Share a favorite quote, scripture, or song containing the word peace.  






8.  Insert your own random thought here.

This week is how proud I am of my grandson.  He is a pain with school work I admit, but he has worked 7+ years to get to this place.  Determination.  He is heading for belt three - a minimum of three more years.


This boy with him is 16 - he just got his 2nd degree as well.  



This is Mr. Zumba - he is the director of this facility.  Believe me. the grandson has come a long long way from when he first started here.  Mr.Zumba just tested for his 4th degree.


I forgot this man's name - he is 5th degree and is a Master.  There are 8 belts all together.  
The ceremony is where they student turns around and someone takes off the old belt and then turns around and this man - the highest belt there that night - puts the new one on him.

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THE LAUGH



OKAY YOU HAVE TO WATCH THIS - THIS IS SO CUTE!

THE LIFT:



45 comments:

Beth said...

I will never forget!

I voted for your grandson's school. I hope I did it right.

mail4rosey said...

How nice of Target!!

I like the pics of your grandbaby.

And I agree that when you get older, it's nice to just 'be' and not care how others perceive what you say and/or do.

I'm watching my kids go through caring, and I wish I could tell them the silly things don't matter...but you know how that goes, they've got to come to that place on their own. :)

Cranberry Morning said...

I voted, Sandie! :-)

Kim said...

Chocolate cake with white boiled icing!!

Nancy said...

I *think* I voted -- sometimes my satellite internet connection is not always cooperative!

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Chocolate on chocolate on chocolate...gets my vote every time haha.

Terri D said...

That puppy is just too cute! I enjoyed reading your answers to today's Hodgepodge! We agree on several! Have a happy day, and please tell Andy how proud Joe & I are of his accomplishments!

MadSnapper said...

adorable dancer and give her the cookie is what i say.. so cute and so is your GS and you have every right to be proud of him and he of himself. this is a really great accomplisment

Sandee said...

I will never forget either.

Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate. That was a silly question wasn't it.

Have a fabulous day. ☺

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

Great pictures of the awards. I'm sure that has done a lot for your grandson's self esteem along with some great exercise too. I've some precious ones coming over for the afternoon here, both their names are no no. They are precious anyway. It'll be a busy day here, but taking time for praying for peace for sure. Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

valerietilsten59.blogspot.com said...

Its pure enlightenment, when we grow up.):- I often say to myself.. How come i never saw that before!
Great achievement for your grandson.
Always keep our minds open, be kind and listen.. love above all..and peace will come.

Tricia Buice said...

So nice to know more about you Sandi - and for crying out loud - give the poor dog the treat!!! Ha ha

Theresa Mahoney said...

Target is so awesome with their donations to the schools!

I also enjoy that about getting older. I don't stress over hurting peoples feelings. I like to say what I want, when I want. It's really nice not filtering myself at times!

And I agree- chocolate, chocolate, chocolate! Mmmmm!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Yes I like not pretending to be someone I'm not! Glad you have a beautiful memory with your Esther. I loved my grandparents but I don't remember learning anything from them. That is a beautiful song.....enjoy your day!

TexWisGirl said...

choc cake w/ choc icing w/ vanilla ice cream, please.

Susan said...

Hi Sandie...

I will also never forget Sept. 11.

SOOOOO happy for GS. He HAS worked hard for this. Maybe he'll be owner of a karate studio one day!

I agree with you 100 percent about growing older.

Also, I'll take the chocolate on chocolate with some vanilla ice cream and maybe a squirt of cream on top of that. mmmmmmmm Susan

Sharon said...

Again, so proud of GS!

You know that I like joining you in answering the Hodgepodge. So, here goes:

1. Ditto!
2. When I had my first child. However, I still like this motto: "I may grow older, but I'll never grow up!"
3. Chocolate cake - chocolate filling - chocolate icing.
4. They bandaged me up after a nasty fall.
5. That I was special, no matter what, just because I was ME!
6. I like your thoughts, Sandie - I'm working on keeping peace within our family during a particularly stressful situation.
7. "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" (Isaiah 26:3, NLT)
8. All my thoughts are random!!

XO to you!

Ms. A said...

After watching the Chihuahua, I forgot what I was going to say. *sigh

Joyce said...

Congrats to your grandson on his accomplishments! I love the poster at the end, 'My name is no-no, but grandma calls me precious.' That made me smile!

TARYTERRE said...

What a wonderful awards ceremony. GREAT photos of everyone.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to your grandson on his achievement. It's a great thing for kids to learn something like he's doing throughout childhood because it sets them up to be sensible, determined, hardworking adults with a great work ethic for the real world. He's doing a great job!

Ginny Hartzler said...

This is a sad day for all of us! I love the pictures of grandson, especially with the Director and the older boy who got the same level, that makes me think that your boy is very ahead of others his age. LOVE his big smile!!

Lee said...

I'll never forget that horrible, horrible day, either. It was Monday night here, our time...and I watched it live all through the night via TV...I didn't go to bed...how could I?

To this day, I can't watch those images...I'm overcome by chills running through me every time replays appear.

On a brighter note...I love the post. :)

Sally Wessely said...

This day is upon us again. Today, I spent twenty minutes in prayer with other women after a Bible study. What a blessing that was. We prayed for peace. We focused on the situations in Syria and Egypt.

Ann said...

what an awesome thing for Target to do
I totally agree with you about growing up and also about chocolate on chocolate on chocolate ...lol

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Went and voted............like a good little blogger.....my grandmother (nanna) is the most amazing woman I knew for a long time now I think my mum is just as amazing and just so full of love......

Preppy Empty Nester said...

Sooooooo cute. That sweet toe head little girl stole me heart until I watched La Bamba!!! Thanks for always giving me the laughs, Sandie!!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Yes, let's never forget 9/11.. God Bless those families.

My thoughts on your questions:
1. Getting older has finally given me the opportunity to do some of the things in life which I never had time to do... I also am much more relaxed --and enjoy life to its fullest.

2. HA---Am I grown up???? WELL--when I had my first child at the age of 20, I knew nothing about babies... The Dr. Spock book is the only way I got through that first year... ha.. Was I grown up???? Not sure!

3. I would not choose either of those since I don't care for chocolate. My favorite cake is the old-fashioned pound cake... YUM.

4.The first thing that comes to mind is when George and I were hiking in the mountains in KY one very hot summer day. For some stupid reason, we didn't have any water with us.. A stranger gave us his water--to give to George... Scary time for us--but lots of people stopped to help. (This was before we learned what to take and what not to take with us when we hike.)

5. Had NO grandparents... They were all gone when I was born. I missed that wonderful opportunity.

6. Try to live so that I bring JOY to others who come in contact with me...

7. One of my favorite songs is "Let There be Peace on Earth"

I am so happy for your Grandson and his accomplishment..

Hugs,
Betsy

Tweedles -- that's me said...

i came to say thank you for all the love
tweedles

NanaDiana said...

I won't ever forget either and I voted for the school (I think I did it right). Hope you had a great day- xo Diana

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Love this perception quote-I am going to give this one some serious thought. I like growing up too!
Have a relaxing evening!
Love,
jemma

Lynn said...

Yes - a day to remember, for sure.

jack69 said...

Ah the kid looks tough and ready!
This is a great thing. I wish all young men were into that. I wish I had kept the pressure on for my boys They started and made a few sessions while in Key West but dropped it. He has some determination. Good for him.
Liked all the answers, especially #1. A winner and about what I would have written.

Renegades said...

I'm with ya with the chocolate on chocolate.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Sandie ... congratulations to your grandson .. and now I'm off to vote for his school ...

Remembering our Ps&Qs ..and being polite, responsible and realising we are privileged ...

The 11th will always be a Remembrance .. with thoughts to all - Hilary

Denise said...

Voted for your grandsons school.

Debbie said...

OK, call me stupid but I didn't see the name of his school on there. Can you email me the name so I can go back and vote.

I loved your chocolate on chocolate on chocolate comment, and that song happens to be one of my mother's all time favorite songs. I'll be she cried when she read this post because of it. I need to ask her.

Lucy said...

Great blog today. I will try to get to your blog on facebook.I am a bit scatter brained the last several days. Even with my gimpy hip I drove myself to get my hair cut yesterday and stopped and got my glasses fixed. Thought I might have to have new frames but she was able to bend it, back into shape and the lens were not even scratched. I like being 83 but I prefer my body knows at 83 nearly 84 it needs to stay grounded. Life is good again. All has settled down, for now.

Betsy said...

I voted for your grandsons school .
Will never forget 9/11 twin towers or Benghazi.
betsy

Gail Dixon said...

OMD, the chihuahua video is hilarious! Congrats to your grandson!

nancygrayce said...

Oh, my grandma made us all think we were the favorite too! I learned so much from her about how to live and her faith was strong!

I know you are so proud of your grandson...that takes a lot of work and commitment! I think many boys are pains in doing schoolwork. 😃

I do love that song and the chihuahua was great! I'll bet my dogs would do that if I only had the patience to film them!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I will go vote for your grandson's school. Hope I'm not too late, it's been a busy week around here and I'm slow at commenting. Hope your week is going well!

Hootin Anni said...

Of course I will vote!!! Schools and our children need all the help they can get, and I'd be proud to vote to help out.

As for your hodgepodge...It took me a while to finally sit down and get to visiting with everyone. I agree about being able to say and do what you want [within the good realm]...age has a way of making us more mellow and giving us less cares in the world what others think of us...instead of being a peon and working to please others in more ways than one.

Snickered at the dancing video.

Grandma Bonnie said...

I voted. I can see why you are so proud of your grandsons accomplishment. You must be bursting at the seams.

Annesphamily said...

Target does some awesome stuff! I will sure go there to vote! 9-11 was a day of such sadness yet my nephew and his wife had their first child, Mia Rose on September 11, 2011. It is a bittersweet day because we love to watch precious lil girl grow! Her maternal grandfather is a retired NYC cop so it is all good as he is here to remind us there is hope. A true American tragedy and one our own government certainly does not respect.