This Hodgepodge Volume that will not be numbered is coming our way thanks to Joyce.

1. I saw a meme on Instagram that went like this-‘The movie Dirty Dancing came out in 1987 and was set in 1963, so if remade in 2026 it would be set in 2002. Now I need a little lie down in a dark room for a while.” 

Time is crazy isn’t it? So…what were you up to in the year 2002? 

(Apologies up front, this question sent me down a rabbit hole and all of these projects and photos are from our old home in Kenmore. We moved to our current home on the other side of Washington in 2018)

2002 was a quieter in between year with less major happenings in our family. Our oldest got married in August of 2001 after graduating college in May of 2001. Those events made for a lot of activities and planning and the building of a deck. In 2002, our second born son was working and living at home and our daughter was still in high school. The major house project this year was the enclosing of our covered porch and making it our family room. Greg did the work himself with help here and there from friends and our sons. It was a great project that made our home more functional.

Some outside before and afters…

There already was a room above the porch which made it a covered porch.

Before August of 2001, Greg built stairs and a deck off the porch on this side of the house in preparation for a rehearsal dinner for Josh and Laura. It was great motivation for this project.

The 2002 project started in earnest in July. Greg with our dear friend Dave who is with Jesus now.

The next outdoor photos are several years later with many more improvements made.

Some inside before and afters…

Behind the vertical blinds was a slider onto the out door porch.

In the photo above you can see the doorway that used to be a slider to the outside porch transitioned into the doorway into the family room.

I don’t have many great photos of the family room. This one above shows the transition from the kitchen dining area into the family room.

2. “Me? I’m scared of everything…” What’s something that scares you that you’d like to try anyway? 

Honestly, I can’t think of anything. I’ll probably get some good ideas from the rest of you Hodgepodgers.

There are things I’m scared to do but I’m not interested in trying anyway like sky diving or deep sea diving or jumping over a crevice.

3. Watermelon-yay or nay? Which melon is your favorite-watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew. Of the watermelon food/beverages listed which would you say yes to…

Yes to watermelon!

4. August 12th is National Middle Child Day. Are you a middle child?

Not technically.

If not, where do you fall in the birth order in your family of origin?

Top row and on the right, that is me in my younger days. Two older sisters, an older brother and four younger siblings.

I was the baby of the family for 7 years before the last 4 arrived spaced out over the next 6 years. Siblings 7 and 8 are twins.

Do you think this has influenced your personality? Elaborate. 

Possibly, my junior high teachers kept telling me I was different from my older sisters. I was a little more carefree. They were less talkative and more compliant than me.

5. Would you rather talk to everyone at a crowded party for a short time, or have a significant conversation with two people? Explain. 

After leaving a crowded party, I feel dissatisfied about good connections with folk because I don’t settle down with anyone in particular. It’s more of flitting about like a hummingbird. I’d prefer to have a significant conversation with two people but not in the middle of a crowded party. That conversation would be good in a comfy chair and in a comfortable quiet setting. Does that make sense?

Another thought is when at a large noisy function standing or sitting around a reception table it is really hard to hear anyone well especially if there is also music being played.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

In this post you have already seen and heard enough. Have a beautiful day in your corner of the world.