Happy Hump Day, friends. Happy Hot, Humid and Even Hotter Hump Day! We are in the middle of a heatwave, which hopefully will break tomorrow. Or by Friday. Surely I can last one more day before I melt. I do love summer but, phew, it has been hot. Trying to be productive inside but still find time to soak up the extra vitamin D:) I thought I would join the Hodge Podge fun this morning. The whole link-up can be found here.
1 – What does adventure mean to you? I often think of adventure as something that comes with a risk. Or something that will, at least, get your adrenaline rushing. I have never been much of a risk taker. I’m sure there are plenty of reasons for this but I don’t imagine I will be turning over a new leaf in the risk department. I also am not a fan of the adrenaline rush. So adventure, for me, is probably something much more low-key than for many others. Stepping outside my comfort zone – or perhaps being pushed out of that zone – is usually adventure enough for me. Perhaps pushing myself physically with a new and/or challenging activity. Trying new things in a new setting…or with new people…is my kind of adventure. Like speaking to ladies through an interpreter half way around the world:)
I do like to visit new places. I love going on missions trips (and hope that door might open again for me) but I tend to do so with risks managed (as best I can) and without extra adrenaline; however, I think they are great adventures!!
2. What are your thoughts on tipping? What businesses or service providers do you regularly tip? Do you resent being asked if you’d like to add a tip? What about when a suggested amount is presented? I’m sure there will be a variety of answers to these questions but we can agree to disagree, if necessary. Tipping should not be expected and/or mandatory. Tipping should be earned. That said, salaries should not be dependent/subsidized by tipping. Employees should be paid and tipping should be a bonus earned – above the wage. Yes, I resent being asked to add a tip. Often, I do not when I am asked. I ignore suggested amounts and tip what I believe has been earned.
When I was away last week, my friend used a grocery delivery service for the first time. Neither of us were familiar with doing this and we were (a bit) surprised when a four dollar tip was added to her order. Does the tip even get to the driver? I tend to think it goes straight to the grocery store. I did chat with the delivery driver(s) for a bit as they were delivering the groceries. They were new and were trying very hard. They did a good job. Should I have tipped them again? And why is tipping so complicated??
3. I scream you scream we all scream for ice cream…do we? Is ice cream a favorite treat at your house? What’s your favorite flavor? Regular, soft serve, gelato, sherbet, or some sort of non-dairy version of ice cream…what’s your pleasure? We do not often have ice cream in the house. My husband occasionally has ice cream sandwiches in the freezer but, even those, I have not seen in awhile. We do like to go get a cone at one of the local shops but, again, we have not been doing that lately. The last time I went, it was underwhelming. My husband always orders cherry vanilla. As in, every time. I like to try a different flavor. I don’t always end up with a winner.
4. What’s your ‘back in my day, we____________________ ‘ story or saying? Interestingly, most of my “back in the day” references refer to when my children were small. Not so much as to when I was young. Those days are like the Flinstones era in conversation. I do, however, often reminiscence about how simple and fun – and free! – childhood was when I was kid. We played. Outside. By ourselves. (Almost) all day. Life was good. But thinking about “back in the day” when my kids were young and/or in school often includes concepts without computers or phones. Aka, no internet! Which totally just boggles their minds! And mine, too, if I’m honest. The other day I was explaining to my son the idea of a 411 operator. That you could call someone and she (a live person) would give you the phone number and, in my case, often the address for anyone was too much to comprehend for him – lol!!
5. Somehow this is our last Hodgepodge in the month of June. Next week’s Hodgepodge lands in July. Wow. Sum up your June using three adjectives. Hot. I have a feeling I will not be the only one saying hot. Away. Not an adjective but I was gone three of the four weeks. You get the idea. And, Full. It has been a fun June. Who knows what July might hold??
6. Insert your own random thought here. It is no secret that I love summer. And I love mornings. Summer mornings are pretty perfect in my book but I am often surprised just how early the sun starts to rise and sneak through the windows into my bedroom in the summer. I’m not complaining. At least not about summer’s sun. However, the window above our bed is just odd to me. Always has been. There is really only one wall where the bed will go in our bedroom. I would say that wall was made for the bed. No doors, etc. but there are two side windows that flank that bed. No problem. But there is also a very odd shapped and oddly placed window above the bed. Why? Who thought that was a good idea? It is impossible to fully over – with either curtains or blinds. So many options and ideas have been tried. Honestly, I have no idea what the builder was thinking when he put that window there. If I ever had money that I just needed to spend and could not think of a single other way to do so, I would have that window removed. Don’t think that will happen. Oh well.
As always, thanks for stopping by. Hope you have a great day ahead!! Stop back by on Friday!
I have three small windows in a guest room that is on the lower level of my house. The lower level walks out at ground level, but this bedroom is in the back of the house (front really) so these windows are high and you see shrubs. I have struggled to figure out how to manage these, but have a friend who makes stained glass and she suggested I hang panels so I’m looking. They’re pricey but I think will be a good solution. I like to manage my adrenaline too : ) Have a great day!
That sounds like a pretty solution to your guest room windows. Honestly, I don’t think they think these details through when designing and building houses. The best solution are often the most expensive:) Thanks for the link-up, Joyce!!
Interesting responses, Jennifer! I am not a fan of the heat or the humidity and it has been miserable here (the A/C died on Sunday and was finally fixed last night after 9:30). While the technician gets a salary, we gave him some cash because 1. he got the A/C running (the house temp at that time was 92) and 2. he was here from 9:30 to 11 PM. Yes, we were very grateful. But like you, those places that ask if you want to tip or include a tip, just nope. I love a good ice cream, but don’t keep it in the house because lack of will power. Kids are missing out these days — playing outside, riding bikes, and having adventures in their neighborhoods. Stay cool and keep hydrated!
Wow – what a great technician…to work hard until 11PM. I’m not sure I would find that around here. But I am glad it is up and running again. He deserved an ice cream!!:)
I am not one for adventures, I am happy with safe and calm.
I agree, tipping should be earned and people should not have to depend on them to live!
My childhood was so simple and free compared to my girls. Oh how the world has changed.
Carefree is a good word for my childhood!! Yes, the world has changed, Kim!
I love your idea of adventure! I’ve been hoping to go on a mission trip as well. Happy Summer – hope you get a break in that heat wave soon!
Totally agree with you on the tipping. Kids are certainly missing out today on adventures…like I had growing up…playing outside, climbing trees, riding bikes, making mud pies, etc. I have said many times, take away a kid’s cell phone and they would not be able to survive!
You are so cute … I just loved that you shared your heart about the windows.
Oh goodness me, the heat and humidity has been really crazy here in Northwest Wisconsin. I am thankful for AC.
Carla
AC is definitely at the top of my gratitude list, Carla!! Thanks for your comment and glad you came by today!
I’m definitely not as adventurous as my kids wish I was. Risk taking is not for me. I’m comfortable being comfortable. As for tips, I do agree with you. I don’t like being forced and I hate when they request a certain amount. I don’t even follow the suggested percentage of the bill. I go by how good the service was and I always leave a good amount. I was once a server and realize those tips are their income. The hourly pay for servers is next to nothing. Same for delivery services. So, I try to be as generous as possible but they shouldn’t force it, no way. We do go out for ice cream occasionally and sometimes have some kept in the house. I can’t help but love the cold treat. As a kid I remember always having to entertain myself. Now my kids always seem to rely on me to come up with the fun and complain about being bored when I try to let them figure things out for themselves. Yes, times are different.
Dawn, I’m so glad you stopped by today! I am always glad to “see” you here! Hope you are having a good summer!
We are quite similar with regard to adventures! Your answer does not surprise me much, given what I’ve learned about your from your blog :). We’re in a heat wave right now. It’s no fun and our AC has not been able to keep up during the heat of the day (and our AC is only one or two years old!). I’m heading somewhere even hotter- yikes! Have a great day!
Even hotter?? Oh no. Apparently we have to head to California to get a break. Go figure. I talked to my brother yesterday and it was 68 (SIXTY….)!! How can that be??
Hello Jennifer! I enjoyed your answers to the Hodgepodge questions…especially your answer regarding tipping! I’m right there with you. We do our “tipping” the “old-fashioned way” by leaving money on the table. Call me cynical if you want, but that way I know that the waitress or waiter is the one who gets the money. It really irritates me that restaurants don’t pay their employees decent enough wages that tipping is “required”… especially the nationwide chains.
I would imagine that both you and I grew up in much the same era. I surely do miss the “freedom of childhood” that I experienced, along with our own two when they were growing up.
Hope you have a good weekend, my friend. xx
I like the word adventure – and I do wish I could go on more.
Now I agree on tipping – it is always hard to know what to do.
Can’t stand the heat.
I hope there is an andventure (even a small one) in your future, Sandra!
I agree on tipping; and sadly with so many establishments pooling tips you never really know where that tip money is going! Our state has been trying to pass a bill for a few years now to do make sure all employees at least get a minimum wage– for now it’s a weird “if their wages and tips don’t equal the minimum hourly rate then the employer has to pay them more for the time worked.” That I don’t see how you could prove but I guess maybe it’s a step in the right direction?
In our first home we had a skylight that was right above our bed.. like you said it was the only wall for a bed (two had sloped/slanted ceilings; one of which had build in drawers) and the wall with the door also had the closet on it. We were able to get a covering of sorts for it but it still made the room so bright in the early mornings as covering options were very, very limited.
I wouldn’t call myself the adventurous type but now and again I can surprise myself. Hubby and I are off on an adventure mid September for about 6 weeks.
I agree with your views on tipping and fair wages.
Love ice-cream especially during the hot weather we are having here at the moment.