Wednesday Hodgepodge - Volume 309

It's time for the Hodgepodge - click here if you want to join in.

1.  What makes you feel accomplished?  Explain.

I feel accomplished when things that I do directly benefit someone else, when I can provide them with the tools they need to succeed.  It could be something for my husband, my daughter, my boss, my spouses' group.  It gives me a great deal of satisfaction knowing that I played a part.  Not sure if that's the direction this question was going but it's the first thing that came to my mind.

2.  If you had your own talk show, who would your first three guests be?  Tell us why.

I'm sure  you're thinking that I would say three members of the Royal Family, but no, I'd chose Gervase Phinn, Bill Bryson, and Peter Mayle, three of my favorite authors who put such humor into their writing.  I think we'd have a lot of laughs.

3.  Do you have a great burger recipe?  What's in it?  What do you like on a hamburger and where is your favorite spot to order one out?

I'm hopeless at burgers so I don't have a recipe to share.  They are either over-cooked or under-cooked, I just don't have burger skills.  Sometimes I like the works - lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, tomato, ketchup, and mustard, but only if the veggies are super fresh.  Other times, I'll stick to something like cheese, mushrooms, and grilled onions with lots of mayo.  I'm really open to trying any style of burger unless anchovies are one of the ingredients!

My all-time favorite burger spots were in my California days - Big Al's Drive-In and Burger Hut on Nord Avenue which, sadly, is no longer open.  Both made big burgers with all the trimmings at college student prices.  Right now, I'd have to say Five Guys - I can pick the trimmings depending on what I'm in the mood for that visit.

4.  What's the biggest anxiety producing thing you do on a regular basis?

Menu planning, grocery shopping, and cooking.  Right now, none of it interests me.  I hope this is a phase - there are days when I just wish we didn't have to eat.  I think part of it has to do with the strained muscle in my leg and how painful it is to stand for any length of time.  The prospect of standing while prepping and cooking a meal just fills me with dread.  Vic sympathizes and he's so good; when I say "What do YOU want for dinner?", he'll usually respond with "Where would you like to go?".  

5.  This is the last Hodgepodge in May.  Tell us about your summer plans.

I'm off to a reunion with my Sisterchicks - five of the nine moms who were members of MOPS in Mayport, Florida are getting together for a week of fun, food, and fellowship...and wine!  Vic has lots of travel scheduled and I hope that something will open up on the job front for me.  If not, then my volunteer work and scrapbooking will keep me busy in the air conditioned comfort of the gift shop and my home.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

I stumbled on this the other day - a counter-depth refrigerator.  Why haven't these been available all along or did I just miss the memo?  Raise your hand if those refrigerators that stick out farther than anything else drive you nuts.