The Wednesday Hodgepodge #61

I hope you are all having a good week. It's Wednesday, which means it's time to join in with the Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce who blogs at From This Side of the Pond! Each week there are 6 questions, we answer and then link up. Simple!

1. Summer's here! In the northern hemisphere anyway. If you're in the southern hemisphere substitute winter for the word summer. What do you love most about summer? What's your biggest summer pet peeve?

It is the sunshine which I love the most! Seeing it bright outside when I wake up makes everything feel easier and it really boosts my mood. There are the longer days too, it feels like there's more time to enjoy life instead of rushing through it. When the sun is shining, it's an excuse to enjoy ice cream, ice lollies, cold drinks, long cold showers and easy meals because I can't be bothered to cook!

My biggest pet peeve is trying to sleep when it's too hot. During the day I'll think the weather is lovely but when bedtime arrives and I'm lying there sticking to the sheets, flipping my pillow over every five minutes and I will start Googling how much air conditioning would cost! I usually just shower in the evening but I find myself having to shower in the morning too because I feel sweaty and stinky, it feels like such a chore.

2. What song always reminds you of summer?

At the moment it has to be Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home) by The Lightning Seeds with David Baddiel and Frank Skinner. Every two years here there is a big football tournament, whether it’s the World Cup or The Euros and this song just ends up everywhere! It instantly reminds me of summer in England because it’s always on in the background of everything. I think I have heard it or thought about it every day since just before the World Cup started.

3. What's something you remember about your childhood summers? Do you think kids today get to enjoy summer the way you did as a child? Elaborate.

The freedom!! I'd leave the house in the morning with a few pounds in my pocket to buy something to eat and with no real plan. I'd meet up with friends and we'd see where the day took us. We'd always end up back at someone's house because we'd be thirsty or wanted a snack, then off we'd go off again. The big rule was we had to be back home as it was coming in dark. There were no phones, no checking in and no tracking apps. All we had was the trust our parents gave us. They didn't seem to worry where we were.

Now it's completely different. I’ve got daughters who are 18 and 23 and even though they’re adults, I still wouldn’t feel comfortable not knowing where they are for a whole day like that. It’s not even about not trusting them, the world has changed and it feels like there is more danger out there. I do think kids today miss out on the freedom that I had as a child/teenager.

4. We celebrate Fathers Day on June 21st. Do you favor your dad in looks or temperament? Tell us something about your dad. Or your husband as a dad. Or a son/son-in-law as a dad. Or your grandpa.

A few people said after I shared my post on Friday about my dad that I look so much like him, I have to agree! The older I get, the more I notice it in little things like my face shape, my smile, even just certain expressions I catch myself doing without thinking but temperament, that’s a different story! We couldn’t be more different if we tried. My dad is calm, doesn’t really get rattled by much and takes life as it comes. I overthink and stress about everything. If something’s happening, he’ll be like it will be fine while I am the one panicking.

5. Let's wrap up with a summer this or that-

flip flops or sandals - Sandals! I hate flip flops and that bit that goes between your toes.

beach or pool - Beach! Outdoor pools are not a big thing here in England so if the sun is shining I'd rather be at a beach.

watermelon or peaches - Peaches! I can take or leave watermelon, it's not my favourite summer fruit but peaches! Yum!

shorts or sundress - Sundresses! I very rarely wear shorts.

iced coffee or ice cold lemonade - This is a hard choice. Right now I would say an ice-cold lemonade.

amusement park or water park - Amusement park but I am not keen on either.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

This week is where things start to get busy for my family. We have lots on the calendar for the next 2 and a bit months and almost everything is fun things! It started yesterday with us going to see Toy Story 5 and we have days/nights out planned, we have plenty of local events to go to and then my fellas and girls birthdays. This year it is going to be hard to buy my girls birthday presents as there is nothing they really need. Eek!