A Very Moving Hodgepodge

Hello on this fine October day!

Today I'm joining Joyce's Hodgepodge...

...where she asks the questions on her blog and we answer them on ours.



I am wanting to post fall-like photos but we are still quite green around these parts...

 so the photos in this post are mostly from previous years.

The weather is absolutely gorgeous here after Hurricane Matthew made his appearance.

The air is crisp and clean, bright blue skies abound and fall has definitely arrived.

 I wish the same was true for areas east of where I live and on towards the coast,

where they are experiencing major flooding due to rivers overflowing their banks.

Hundreds and hundreds have lost their homes and thousands are still without power.
The latest report I heard is that at least 18 have died and some are still missing.
As we speak, rescue operations are in place...so very sad.

There hasn't been such devastation in North Carolina since Hurricane Floyd in 1999.

I try to imagine what it would be like to lose my home and everything I have but really cannot.

source

I have seen so many grateful faces on the news reports though...
...even though they have lost all of their earthly possessions,

they still have their lives and are praising God in the midst of this tragedy.

I pray for the Lord to continue to give strength and encouragement to these folks,
as it will take months and months for many of them to get settled again.

So as I mention this devastation and these displaced families,
how ironic that Joyce's questions this week are related to moving?

Anyway, let's get on with the questions, shall we?

 ~

1. What would you say is the best and worst thing about moving house?

Well, I'd say for me that the anticipation of having new surroundings is kind of exciting. I have always been one to adapt pretty well to change. As a young person, I lived in the same house since I was born in and lived there until I married Jim. As someone who loves to decorate, having a new space is like being a kid in a candy store. Fortunately, our move from Ohio to Kentucky and then from Kentucky to North Carolina were taken care of by the company Jim worked for...no packing, no moving, just basically sitting back and watching it all take place. Two years ago when we sold our cabin in VA (which was loaded to the brim) the thought of packing up everything we had accumulated over the course of 12 years seemed like a monumental task and just thinking about it was overwhelming. So there...it's the packing part that I don't like...but looking back on it now, it all came together well. It's just like anything else, the anticipation is worse than the actual moment for me.

Lake Michael, here in my hometown on a misty morning in 2014.

2. What's moved you recently?

This is pretty easy for me to answer, actually. I am moved every morning when I read the devotional that my son, Aaron puts on his facebook page as he begins each day. He sits out on the swing in his backyard and during his time with the Lord, he takes a picture of the day's reading. It keeps him accountable and it is helping him continue to live close to Jesus. I am moved every Sunday when I sit next to him in church and the way he is beginning to find ways to serve the Lord. I am moved everyday by the change in his demeanor and by the conversations that we are able to have. I could go on but I think you get it :)

3. Do you feel your life is moving forward, backward, or is on hold? How so?

I recently shared a post titled "Where Am I Going?" that speaks to this question. Click on the link if you'd like to know the answer :)

4. On the move, move mountains, get a move on, it's your move, or bust a move...which phrase best applies to some aspect of your life right now? Explain.

Although I can say that these all have been applied to my life at one point or another, recently I've really had a determination to start getting a move on, or in other words, start a daily walking routine. There's nothing to explain but you can be assured that You will hear about it if when I get my act together. I have no excuses now that cooler weather is here.

Acorns, anyone? We have TONS of them.

5. What song makes you want to get up and move?

That would probably be a toss-up between "Green River" by Creedence Clearwater Revival and "Rock This Town" by the Stray Cats. Yes, I used to bust a move quite often back in the day :)

6. Your favorite snack to grab when you're 'on the move'?

Hmm...probably a string cheese stick or a piece of deli meat...but I rarely eat on the run because when I do that, I forget I ate it! :)

...the day the wind blew a perfectly shaped circle of leaves onto my deck...{{smile}}

7. What one accessory makes your house feel like home?

Probably the fireplace. Before we moved here in 1992, I never had a fireplace in my home. There is just something about it, even when there is no fire burning, that creates a warm and cozy feeling, a feeling of home. It is also the central place to display the décor of the seasons.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Since this hodgepodge is about moving, I will say that now that we feel God is directing us to relocate to Tennessee after retirement, the idea of moving is always in the back of my mind. We are still in the midst of some home improvements that not only just need to be done, but that will allow our home to show and sell favorably. I have many Pinterest boards devoted to and overflowing with farmhouse decorating ideas. It is exciting to think of living life in the country...something that I've always dreamed of. More than that, being able to spend more time with the younger grandchildren and watch them grow up...and Lord willing, we will!

So here's one last photo as I tie this up...

...pretty much what it looks like around here since Matthew blew through.

I see a weekend of yard work in the near future :)