1. What happens to the mail at your house? I ADORE handwritten cards and letters, and still have a few friends who share the affection. Those gems are treasured, by me. The majority of our mail is garbage, and since we live in an area without recycling- (I know the controversy around it all, anyway) the junk just gets tossed.
2. Something you always splurge on? Any guilt associated with the splurge? Oh! This is a great question… Hmmm. I always have money on my Starbucks app, even though I don’t particularly like their coffee. Sometimes I spend a good chunk of time, in a day, out and their refreshers and teas are a nice treat. With the app I earn points towards free drinks… No guilt associated with the splurge as much as just habit. I also spend money on skin care and make up. Actually, even more than these things are blowouts. IF I HAD MY WAY, I would get one a week. They are HEAVENLY, but I tend to get them when I can. It is a splurge indeed, but it also makes my life easier. I do feel guilty, sometimes, because it seems indulgent.
3. There are many, but what are two important questions you think every bride and groom should ask/answer before they plan their walk down the aisle? One- “You know yourself better than anyone else, should a day arise when you suddenly seem to believe you never loved me and you want out of our marriage, what do you want me to say to you to anchor you in and bring you back down to reality?” Two- “What are off limit or uncomfortable topics for you?” Because partners NEED to be able to talk about everything…
4. What’s the best advice your father ever gave you? My foster dad probably gave me a lot of great advice and wisdom but there isn’t one particular thing that stands out.
5. Your favorite movie where a father features heavily in the storyline? I really love the movie Frequency. it has been a long time since I’ve seen it though, so while I remember a father weight, I’d have to say that my absolute favorite movie that features heavy fatherhood themes would be Elizabethtown.Being a girl who was raised without a father, and with a super abusive/unhealthy father figure until I was 12 and went into foster care, it’s not a subject I really relate to. This is probably pretty evident in these choices… (I also really love A Love Song for Bobby Long which is a pretty obscure father film, but it stands out for me.)
6. Insert your own random thought here. This weekend, on Father’s Day, my beautiful grand-daughter will turn 2. My mother just turned 71 last week, and on Monday my little sister turned 39. My older daughter turned 28 a few days ago. While none of these are the typical milestone ages, I find myself feeling really overwhelmed with these numbers. Perhaps it is that I am away from that sweet baby girl, my daughter and also my sister. Maybe, even though I can see my mother any time I want, Alzheimer’s has kind of taken her away too. Maybe these life celebrations just feel increasingly heavier as the distance between us feels overwhelmingly permanent. Thankfully my daughter will be here this weekend and I get the chance to love on her with a bit of a belated birthday love…
rainydayinmay.com 
I enjoyed reading your post. Yes, communication is key when you’re planning to spend the rest of your life with someone.
It’s so amazing how many people don’t get that!
Thanks for stopping by!
What an interesting Hodgepodge. I personally connect to your random thoughts. Most of my life I’ve lived a great distance from most of my family, my mama had Alzheimer’s making my distance more a burden on my much younger sister who had to be caretaker. Our daughter and grand live about 5 hours away and while they are at least in the same state it’s still too long for frequent visits. With us being in ministry we aren’t away too many Sundays. So I can appreciate those thoughts you’ve been having. Thanks for expressing them. I also appreciate that.
I so enjoyed reading your Hodgepodge today. Loved your questions to the prospective bride and groom. Really thought-provoking. So sad that your mother has Alzheimer’s at such a young age … yes, when a parent has any type of dementia it is like losing them, because the person you once knew is lost to you. My dad had severe short-term memory loss, but because he could remember the past, in some ways he was the same as he had always been. In other ways, it was still a loss to me when I became the caregiver.
Have a wonderful week!
Being a caregiver is no easy thing! Bless your heart… My sister suffers from severe short term memory due to a TBI so I completely understand! Loss just isn’t so black and white…
Thanks for stopping by my blog and your openness. I agree that couples should be able to talk about anything and if they’re not on the same page at least work out how they can live with that. Alzheimer’s is a very cruel illness. I experienced that with my Mother. I hope you enjoy your celebrations even if not everyone is together.
Thank you! I’m sorry about your mom… I feel like our situation could be a lot worse, and sometimes wonder if it is just that we haven’t “gotten there” yet.