Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 382
1. Five years ago this month hubs and I relocated from New Jersey to the Palmetto State. What were you doing five years ago this month? Good golly has it really been five years, Joyce! I remember watching your house being built through your blog! But, besides reading your blog about the new house, we were visiting our grandkids in Naples, FL, to celebrate Tristan going off to SMU-Southern Methodist University, in Houston. His mom threw a cowboy-themed party...
He graduated with two MS Degrees (Engineering and Economics) and has been working the last year for Lockheed Martin, first in Texas, and now in Orlando, FL!!
2. What was the last 9-5 job you worked on? Tell us about it. I bored my blogging friends for years, writing about my job at Polk Museum of Art. It was 8-5, though. Since my retirement, I did have a part-time job (last year) for eight months, working 9-1 for Dr. Chokshi.
3. Plead the fifth, high five, take five, it's five o'clock somewhere, or the big 5-0...which number five phrase relates to your life in some way currently? Tell us how. LOL... probably a whole lot of 'take fives' since I don't do much of anything these days except sit in my recliner watching TV. You COULD say I take five to cook, five to clean, or five to do laundry!! Ha!
4. During this season of spending so much time at home, what distractions get in the way of being your most productive? Or have you been extra productive since this whole thing started? I am always distracted by a new series (or even old ones) on TV. Joe and I are both addicted to TV these days and doing something different does take some planning. Well, maybe not planning - I really just need to prepare Joe a little ahead of time to do anything out of the ordinary. He isn't the most spontaneous person around.
5. Give us a list here of your top five anything. My top five favorite things to order when we go out to eat (not in any order) are spaghetti with meat sauce; crab legs; shrimp; chicken pho; mac & cheese...
6. Insert your own random thought here. Joe and I decided on Sunday (see - a little ahead of time) that we were going to hit the road on Tuesday and drive over to Clearwater Beach. It is about 60 miles from Lakeland, so an easy day trip. Barb, from Sweet Tea and Sandals, talked about her and her Beloved visiting Frenchy's Restaurant over there a while back. Joe and I haven't' been to Clearwater Beach in around 25 years. (We always go to St. Pete.)
Our first trip there was more than 35 years ago. When we were dating, we came down to visit with my parents who were snowbirds. They picked us up at the airport and, mid-week, my dad told us to take their car and go to the beach for a day away. We jumped at the opportunity. Joe loves the beach and with his Italian skin, rarely burns. Well, I DO burn and ended up with sun poisoning and almost a trip to the ER. Five hours in the sun was way too much for my fair skin. But while we were at the beach, we did visit Frenchy's (original) Restaurant and we bought t-shirts to take back for the boys. So that is our back-story about Frenchy's. The one we visited yesterday is not the original hole-in-the-wall place we remembered. There are several of them now and we went to the one right on the beach and with ample parking (thanks, Barb!). Clearwater has changed BIG TIME since our early visits there. I will share photos on Friday, for Friday Fotos. I did post a few on Facebook that you can see if we are connected there.
Thanks to Joyce for this week's Hodgepodge of questions!
You can join in HERE!!
Peace & hugs! God bless!!
I am happy you were able to take that day away and enjoy "Frenchies". I am also glad to know your Joe isn't real "spontaneous". How did you ever get him to come visit us? LOL. Sure glad you did. My hubby isn't that "spontaneous" either, and doesn't like to drive more than an hour away if that, and it depends on traffic. So we pretty much stay within our circle here of where we can reach within 25 miles or so, as long as there isn't any traffic. LOL. So that trip to Lakeland probably won't happen unless someone else goes with us, then he might be convinced maybe. Probably not. LOL. Can't wait to see your pictures from your "trip". I loved the ones I already saw of the two of you. Have a beautiful rest of your week.
ReplyDeleteBring your kids with you! Would love to have them too!
DeleteSounds like a nice day. I like day trips. Our last one was to a lighthouse. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing your photos on Friday, Terri! It's so nice to get away once in a while, isn't it? Cute pic, too, of you all with your grandson. I know you are proud of all he's accomplished.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
I remember when Tristan was preparing to attend SMU. Gosh, time's a thief! Love the story of your first trip to Frenchy's! Well, except for the sun poisoning part ... Scary! I remember being appalled (and a little intimidated) at the Bay area's explosive growth when I visited last. Didn't it feel lovely to return home to Lakeland?
ReplyDeleteCant wait to see the beach pics.
ReplyDeleteI went to Clearwater beach with friends when I was a teenager & had BLISTERS THE SIZE OF GRAPES all over me. I have pretty good skin to handle the sun... Florida sun taught me that that may not be fully accurate :)
I'm so glad you were able to clear space on your calendar to make the trip to Frenchy's (smile!). You need to send me a private email with more info of where it is exactly you go to St. Pete Beach and what to expect. I'd like to see that area.
ReplyDeleteYour grandson Tristan is a fine young man. We are so glad he got thru SMU and has been hired on by Tom's former employer.
Can't wait to see photos, smiles. Have a beautiful day, friend.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it interesting how places change? We went back to Oak Ridge, TN where we lived when we were first married and I was shocked at all the changes. Nothing looked the same.
ReplyDeleteHa! I have to warm Tim up to an idea, too. I can't just spring it on him that morning. It sounds like you had a nice trip to Clearwater. We only went there once when we lived down there. I would like a FL vacation again, but it's pretty much at the bottom of Tim's list of places to go. Looking forward to Friday's photos!
ReplyDeleteTime flies; I remember when Tristan went off to SMU and now he has 2 degrees and is working; glad you got to take the day trip and this time you didnt burn! Happy Wed.
ReplyDeleteI was never bored with your post about the museum!! Just so ya know. How wonderful that Tristan has 2 degrees and is now working in Florida. I know you're proud. Looking forward to Friday and pictures of your trip.
ReplyDeleteI'm visiting my daughter next month for a couple of days and she lives in Riverview which is pretty close to Clearwater. May have to talk to her about this Frenchy's and try it if we have time. Looking forward to seeing the pictures on Friday.
ReplyDeleteWe were in that part of Florida just before the pandemic really locked down (early March). I love the Clearwater area and our good friends are in Indian Shores so hope to get back for another visit someday. I didn't think your job was boring at all!
ReplyDeleteWhen you come back down, if you have time for lunch or a quick visit, we are happy to drive that way! Of course, we are always happy to show off Lakeland, too!
DeleteHave fun in Clearwater.
ReplyDeleteWas there life five years ago - lol - pre-Covid.
I remember you working at the museum.
I remember that party for Tristan. Hard to believe it's been 5 years! He's certainly changed in those 5 years.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to take that trip, I'm looking forward to the photos!
Hats off to your Grandson, two impressive degrees! I did see you and Joe's pics on FB at Frenchy's. What a fun day! Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun day you had...minus the sunburn. Congratulations to grandson on his two degrees!
ReplyDelete