Our grandson turned 5 this week and his new bike is already getting a workout. Riding a bicycle is a good skill to have! JJ at 5 already has many good life skills! We enjoyed a fun bowling party to celebrate JJ this past Saturday.
Thank you to Joyce From This Side of the Pond for skillfully posting questions each week for Wednesday Hodgepodge!
1. What’s a skill you think everyone should have?
Tying your shoes. Personal Hygiene. Use of basic tools. Cooking skills enough to be able to feed yourself. Basic Math. Reading. Writing. Following a Map. Driving. Putting gas in a vehicle. Earning money. Making a bed. Cleaning a toilet. Running a washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher. How to use a computer.
I could not stop at just one.
2. Do you have a special place or organizational system for gift wrapping?
I have a general bin with gift bags, wrapping paper and tissue and a separate Christmas bin with the same items. I also have a basic ribbon bin and a Christmas ribbon bin.
Do you still buy ‘real’ cards to send for birthdays, anniversaries, get-well, etc?
I do still have real cards that I send for these events. TIP: Buy your cards at the Dollar stores where many cards are 2 for a dollar or a dollar each!
3. It’s National Banana Day…are you a fan? What’s your favorite thing to make with bananas or, if you’re not a cook, your favorite thing to eat that contains banana?
We don’t keep bananas around here typically but when we do have bananas that have fully ripened we enjoy our favorite, Banana Bread.
4. Do you believe in second chances? Elaborate.
Where would any of us be without second chances? We all fall, fail, make mistakes. We need to be forgiven and we need to forgive. We need reconciliation in this world.
Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
5. What is your idea of fun?
Fun for me is any event that makes me smile at the end of the day. The feeling of satisfaction that comes from time together, good conversations, worthwhile projects completed. Good things and good interactions that satisfy and improve your heart and mind. Time well spent.
Something specific that I enjoy is planning a trip. I like to research areas and consider all the choices of things to see and do. This is a fun exercise for me.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Besides all the birthday fun for JJ, Addy had her first Irish Dance Recital with the Haran Dancers.
Full post coming soon.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
…our youngest granddaughter did Irish dancing a few years ago too.
Such a fun skill and great exercise, too!
Cute photos of your grandchildren! We do all make mistakes, deserve second chances and forgiveness. I enjoy planning trips too, it is part of the fun of traveling! Take care, have a great day!
Eileen, It’s so nice that you and I have been able to plan a lot of trips. What a blessing!
Yes, I love traveling and seeing new places. I do feel blessed.
Loved your answers, Ellen! I just picked the simplest Hodgepodge questions to answer as the ones on fun, second chances and skills just would have taken way too much thought for me today. Your answers were perfect. Loved the pic of your granddaughter in her dance outfit. A girl in our church has done Irish dancing for years and loves it.
Thank you so much for your encouragement. Hope the rest of your week goes well!
When you said a feeling of satisfaction, that resonated with me. Somehow those feelings and those of completion ARE fun, now more than ever.
Thank you for stopping by and for your comment. That is a good feeling.
Well, I am happy to know that I do possess all of the skills you consider essential. And I enjoyed immensely your answer about “second chances”. Indeed, where would we all be if we didn’t have them?
It’s hard to believe that JJ is five already! He’s such a cutie!
I’m so looking forward to seeing the post on Addy’s Irish Dance recital!
Our new life started with forgiveness! Thank you so much for stopping by and your sweet comment, Dianna.
I love watching Irish dancing. Looks like so much fun. I think I would have loved it as a child too. I too could have made a lengthy list of essential skills. And I love planning a trip too. I don’t enjoy the flight portion of the planning, but the what-to-do’s are lots of fun to figure out. Have a great day!
Thank you, Jo!
I love JJ’s boots and shorts…he looks like he is loving that bike a lot! Addie looks adorable. Great answers! You are exactly right, where would any of us be without second chances?
Cathy, JJ loves to be casual. Thank you for stopping by and your sweet comment!
Great answers. Where would any of us be without second chances!!
I have never run a dish washer, have never had one. 🙂
I get my cards at the Dollar General. Great price!!
Karen, hats off to you for avoiding a dishwasher!
A delightful post sharing the kiddos. Happy birthday to JJ and Addy looks ever so sweet in her Irish costume, and JJ on his bike. Lovely to see their mom and dad. Enjoyed the hodge podge as always. Enjoy the rest of your week Ellen!
Thank you so much, Denise!
Looks like we both have grandson’s that had parties. Your granddaughter is cute and congratulations on her performance!
Thank you, Susan.
Another lovely post. Love the Irish dancing outfit and well done JJ on the bike riding. Bx
Hi Barbara, Thanks for stopping by.
Happy birthday to your bike riding speedster!:) What fun! Your grands are super cuties!! And I have to agree with you…banana bread is a great use of bananas (if they aren’t in banana pudding!!):)
Jennifer, Thank you for stopping by and leaving your sweet comment.
Bicycles and riding them is such a lifelong adventure! The Irish dancing outfit is darling!
Thank you, Mary.
I enjoyed your answers. Thats a great tip for buying cards. I have been making sourdough banana bread.
Kirstin, we have been enjoying all things sourdough from our Daughter-in-law. So delicious!
What cute grandchildren. Bike riding is definitely an admirable skill, and your granddaughter is adorable in her dancing costumes.
Thank you, Lorrie!