Talbots for Spring

New Styles from Tuckernuck

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

A Hodgepodge Hug


Hello, dear friends.  This was my view last weekend.  I am so done with the cold weather and snow.  Lucky for you, my new year's resolution is not to complain.

I hope that you had a wonderful Valentine's Day.  The Mister gave me something that I have been wishing for.  No, not a facelift or tummy tuck.  I will fill you in at a later date.

It's Wednesday, you know what that means.  My friend Joyce comes up with the questions, and fellow bloggers and I answer them. 


  


1.  What do/did you call your grandparents?  If it's something unusual tell us the story behind the name.  If you're a grandparent what do your grands call you?  Who chose your moniker?

Spoiler alert:  I am waaaaaay too young to be a grandmother.  





Amazon


In about 20 years, when I am old enough to step into grandmotherhood, I would like to be referred to Glam-ma.  I will order enough of these shirts in different colors so that I can wear one every day of the week.






2.  Ever take a road trip along the California Coast?  If so, what was the highlight of your trek?  If not, any desire to do so?  If you were to take a trip along the California Coast what's one attraction you'd have on your must-see list?



Although we have lived in California, we have never taken a road trip up the Coast.  I don't think it would be an ideal relaxing vacation for us because my driver suffers from a little something called impatience when he is behind the wheel.  

His favorite phrase is:
They're all out today!!!




3.  What are three things you don't know how to do?



I don't know how to take the first step onto a steep downward escalator without breaking into a cold sweat.




I don't know how to take a bite of lima beans without prompting my gag reflex.






I don't know how to find my way out of my driveway without the aid of a GPS.

I can pretty much do everything else in life.



4.  Tom Peters is quoted as saying 'Celebrate what you want to see more of.' If that's true, what will you celebrate and more importantly, how will you celebrate?



Naturally, I would celebrate my girls.  They usually guide me to the mall to celebrate. 




5.  Thursday (February 16) is National Almond Day.  Do you like almonds?  Which would you prefer - an almond Joy or a macaroon?  What's something you make that calls for almonds?







 I love almonds, but I'm not crazy about Almond Joys or macaroons.  I did find a few recipes that I would love.  
You can find them here.




6.  What does Saturday morning look like at your house?



This pretty much sums it up.




7.  Share with us a favorite book you've read this winter.




I am still listening and enjoying this one.  It's taking awhile because a little thing called snow is getting in my way.  And I don't listen to books on the treadmill because I run too fast and sweat too much.
I also watch Netflix on my iPad. 






I read this fabulous novel awhile ago.  My book club chose it this month, so I read it again.  I have to say I enjoyed it even more than I did the first time. 




8.  Insert your random thought here.



Before you get your granny panties in a bundle, calm down - this is not a political post, although I do feel strongly about this issue.



  
I think that man hugs in a professional setting should be abolished.  I am all for man hugs in a casual setting between family members and friends. 

For some reason, women don't seem to have this problem.






I have yet to see a man hug go smoothly.   First of all, the gentleman never knows what's expected or what's coming his way and this instantly creates some awkward choreography. 
It's difficult to watch if you're an innocent bystander.

  

I want to start a grass roots movement to bring back the almighty handshake.





  Or, then again, maybe not.


What are your thoughts?

Until next time...







Chowdah has a love/hate relationship with the snow.  He loves to play in it and yet because of it, there are fewer people out walking to bark at greet.
Preppy Empty Nester
Preppy Empty Nester

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Feel free to contact me through comments and email. I love to hear from my readers!

41 comments:

  1. I think you will definitely be a Glam-ma! Your posts crack me up. I don't know about the man hug, but what I can't stand is the "pat-pat". You know, when instead of a proper hug someone just pats you a couple of times on the back. That drives me crazy! I'd love to hear what Obama was whispering in Bush's ear and can't help but notice how strong the handshake is between President Trump and VP Pence. Have a great week :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. My view last weekend was very similar to yours. I love one good snowfall/winter, and now that we've had it, I'm ready to move on. I have chosen to be called "Morai" (with accent marks above the "o" and the "i") by my grandson when he's old enough to talk. It's Irish/Gaelic, and I just like the way it sounds. I think I need to get myself one of those Glam-ma t-shirts though. It seems like yesterday that I was the one in the family having all the babies; how can I be old enough to be a grandmother? Here's hoping that all of us in the Northeast have seen the last of the snow for this winter.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love the Glam-ma shirt, and I am quite sure I have heard the phrase..."They're all out today." Ha!
    I totally agree about bringing back the handshake!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Agree about the hug/handshake! Your daughters are so darned cute, and when you're a grandma, they'll probably buy the t-shirt for you. :-) Hope you have a wonderful day. If I were in your neighborhood, I'd walk past your window just for Chowdah. xo

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well I am Nana to my grands but I called both of my grandmothers, "Grandmother". You seldom hear that any more. I loved The Storied Life Of A J Fikry. I had to buy it for my own personal library because I want to read it again. And I totally agree with you about man hugs. Let's be professional in a professional setting. Maybe a pat on the back with the hand shake is ok but that is as far as it should go. And I hate to tell you this but it is going to be in the 60s the rest of the week here. My hat is off to all you hardy New Englanders who make it through winter.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I enjoyed A.J. Filkry too. Did you read Bachman's My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry? I think I liked it better than Ove, which I also loved. I have never cared for lima beans, but my girls have always loved them LOVED them. When they were small and we'd get a babysitter, they'd get so excited because they knew there would be lima beans for their dinner (since I would be dining out and not have to eat them). Kids are funny. Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  7. My littles call me Mimi - which I just love! The hub sometimes calls me Grandma -- which results in a dirty look from moi.

    My Scottie loves the snow too -- she rolls around in it. Since we don't have much this year, she's rolling in the dirt. I think I prefer snow!

    Have a fabulous week!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm YaYa to my 6 grands. I kinda originated the yaya fan club when Divine Secrets book came out. I went to high school with the author and my mom hung with the original yayas in book. Happened to go to link in back of first book...realized the interest....and it took off from there. Started an online message board. Met more than 300 new friends. Even hosted 28 women from around the world that had never met face to face at my lake house for a weekend. We had a blast!!!! Some of my best girlfriends to this day came from that group and it's been 15 yrs. So.......that's kinda how I became YaYa. Plus it was real easy for the babies to pronounce. Greek for grandmother too!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am Nana...although ONE little guy calls me NAAANEEEE--drawn out-He's my devilish little monkey that is always trying to scare me out of my skin.
    Love your post- You know I do!
    Hope you have a fabulous week and tell the old boy to consider tighty whities so you can get a better grip....xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love your answers, your pups by the way have me laughing out loud when you post them on Instagram. They are characters.

    I love snow, that said I currently live where we get one big snowfall a season. However when I lived in Wisconsin I still loved to be out shoveling.

    I love new books. I did read Aj. but not the other.

    Have you seen the movie Remember? It is excellent. That said, it is not a happy movie but it is great.

    Have a fabulous day!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love your posts. You crack me up--would love to meet you in person! Maybe the next time I visit my "Grands" in Boston! My four little ones (soon to be 5!) call me Gabby. Perfect for me, and I'll let you figure out why. The Boston crew is looking forward to their winter break coming up. They aren't going some where warm and sandy--no, to Montana, for more snow and cold! This Southern gal will stay right here! Feel for ya'll up there! Thanks for all your wonderful book recommendations too! Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello, dear Linda! I would love to meet you sometime for lunch on one of your visits to Boston! Have a great weekend.

      Delete
  12. You may never get old enough to be a grandmother if attitude has anything to do with it. The handshake! What an issue that simple gesture can be. I know a woman is the one to initiate the handshake with a man, but I rarely feel comfortable doing that for some reason. That being said, I much prefer that over the hug. Yes, how awkward can those things be. Loved my visit with you again this week.

    ReplyDelete
  13. LOL, those hug/handshake photos are great.

    ReplyDelete
  14. The only man hugs we approve of is our grown boys hugging their dads! Thanks for adding a smile to our week.
    xxoo
    C + C

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am 5'3" and my husband is 6'4". Our daughter and son-in-law came up with the perfect grandparent monikers for us, Mini and Big. My only recommendation was for it to be unique, and I love what they chose! I know you are way too young to be a grandmother, but you are going to love it when you are older like us. ;-) And, that grandchild will be gorgeous because your girls are absolutely stunning!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dee... I love those names! So perfect. I enjoy your Instagram posts. Have a wonderful weekend!

      Delete
    2. Thank you! I may be overgramming this week; we had an engagement in our family yesterday! Hope you had a lovely weekend also.

      Delete
  16. Glam-ma is definitely your moniker! I can see you now wearing strands and strands of beautiful pearls on which those precious babies will be teething.
    Yes, we've driven the CA coast line more than once. It's fun! Gorgeous views and winding roads with quaint places to stop and explore along the way. I'm ready to do it again.
    There are way more than three things I can't do!!!!
    Almonds are my favorite nut. I'll take them raw, roaster, salted, or covered in chocolate. Saturday morning here is pretty much like any other morning. I'm unloading the dishwasher, making coffee, etc. The mister is up and dressed but taking a cat nap in his chair trying to ease into the day.
    Recent good book was The Widow Clicquot. Amazing story about this woman who as they say broke the glass ceiling long before there were glass ceilings. If you appreciate champagne, you will enjoy reading this book. If like me, Clicquot is your favorite champagne, it is a must read.
    Man hugs are awkward! Enough said!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm with you. I much prefer handshakes. I thought my sons, to shake hands and they have a nice firm grip. At church, when they have that meet and greet, I don't like hugging.

    I'm visiting from the HodgePodge blog list and enjoyed reading your answers.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I was called Nana for a while until my grandson started calling me Nina, so that is what I have become!! We have had a lot of snow this week and more is coming tonight! We have had almost 100" so far - ughhh. When I come to Mass, I am always amazed with the traffic and my favorite phrase is "doesn't anyone in this state work anymore?"

    ReplyDelete
  19. You're going to love being a Glamma one day!! I couldn't figure out what I wanted to be called so I settled on Grammy. But when the girls started to talk they called me Mimi, so that's what I am. I called my grandmother BooBoo. I think one of my cousins started it. It's funny what kids come up with.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the name Mimi. I wonder what prompted the name Booboo? Have a great weekend, Susie.

      Delete
  20. Oh that Chowdah...what a cutie! My kids call my mom, Mimi. She started out as "Grammy" because "Grandma" sounded old. But then my son called her "Mimi" instead and she loved it! Yeah, those man-hugs sure can be awkward! Just shake hands and be done with it! Your daughters are beautiful! Enjoy the rest of your week!
    Shelley

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh, you will so be a Glam-ma and it fits you to a tee. And, you'll never be old enough but it will happen anyway. Love your Sat. morning picture, hysterical and your girls are too cute and will one day have you really cute Grans!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I had a grandmother and a granddaddy on one side with a Granny Pie on the other. Don't ask me. Her nickname was Pie. All around town she was known as Pie Tarter. My kids call my parents BB and Boo. They started out as Granny B and Daddy Bill. But My kids promptly morphed the names as they began talking and trying to say what my parents wanted to be called. Ha! I am not a grandmother yet! Ha!

    ReplyDelete
  23. President Trump is not trying to shake hands in that photo. He is asking for money, a down payment towards the wall, having mistaken Mr. Trudeau for Mexico's president.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great hodgepodge, Katie! I almost didn't recognize that morning picture of you two. You weren't wearing your pearls! -Jenn

    ReplyDelete
  25. I agree with the lima beans...gross.

    ReplyDelete
  26. You are totally a GlamMa. We do baby lima beans with lots of butter and dill. The big ones are never good. Your on to something, abolishing the man hug. They just don't know how to do it.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Love the image and feeling conjured with the escalator. I can still remember the 2nd floor landing in my grade school - so wide and high - and my fright of falling down those stairs right through the center where there was no rail.
    Never really thought about man hugs, but you sure captured the awkwardness of it!
    Poor Chowdah. Poor you, being stuck in that white stuff. Spring, come soon!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Kate,
    I've done the Cali Coast drive! The best 14 days I ever spent with my "mister". Highlights of the trip; Biking on Coronado Island, watching surfers on Dana Point, putting my handprints in the cast molds on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, pretending I was "Pretty Woman" on Rodeo Drive, lunch on the beach in Malibu, winery visits and dessert in Solvang, Hearst Castle tour, singing "Sweet Caroline" in Carmel at Clint Eastwood's Inn while HE played the piano, seals sunning on the beach in Monterey, Sam's Clam Chowdah! Real Chinese food in San Francisco "Chinatown", Ghiradelli chocolate from the factory, Alcatraz, Redwood trees in Muir Woods, streetcar rides and the most crooked street in America in San Fran....As our can tell we did it all!
    Kathy Burke

    ReplyDelete
  29. There was a segment on CBS Sunday morning on the Bro Hug. I think I'm going to be Gigi because I think Baby KevMo will be able to say the first syllable of my name and there is going to be too much competition for Grandma. Meanwhile, Rick is ready to take on anyone else who wants to be Grandpa.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Love me some lima beans and Almond Joy candy bars!
    When her oldest son had his first baby, my sister announced that she wanted to be called "Nana" - but her daughter-in-law always referred to her as "Granny" and now her grandkids do to. Bummer.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Glam-ma...never heard that one. But I like it!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. first time visitor here, You are funny! I don't know which photo I liked more the Office hug or the last one but I do love to laugh and this post had me rolling. Have a great rest of your week. p.s. Love the names of your adorable dogs.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I've been thinking about this hug thing for a long time. Old TV shows like Mary Tyler Moore never show people hugging. It's a new thing and kind of evasive. I guess that makes me sound like a cold fish, but my handshakes are warm and endearing. There's also the issue of hugging a man. Side hug, okay, full frontal, nope. - okay. I think I just started my article for next week. Thank for the prompt!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I meant, "Invasive." hahaha! That makes me "evasive."

    ReplyDelete
  35. ALMOND JOY!!!!!!!!!LOVE
    BIG SUR Is a HOT SPOT these days on the COAST.............
    AS FOR THE HANDSHAKE............(EYES ROLLING)
    Did you see the Prime minister from JAPAN.........................THAT SHOT after THE DUMP let GO!!!!!!!
    HAS THERE EVER BEEN SUCH COMEDY after any other PRESIDENT has been elected?!!!
    SNL.........has OUT DONE THEMSELVES................NO ONE IN THAT HOUSE SEEMS FIT TO BE THERE............NO ONE!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Perhaps you've had this up for a while, but I just noticed the "new" picture of you and the dawgs. LOVE IT!!!

    ReplyDelete
  37. my husband has already gone to bed and I'm sitting in the kitchen on a bar stool reading your answers and laughing out loud -- the cartoon couple in the kitchen . . .and the man hugs - priceless!!

    ReplyDelete

J. Crew

Recent Posts