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Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Wednesday Hodgpodge

 
Hi Friends!  I am to join Joyce for her fun linkup as we answer her questions below...
 
 
 
1. What's one piece of advice you would you give a recent or soon-to-be graduate? 
 
 
(with my besties in Newport, RI during our Senior Year at UMD- June 1995)

 If your plan is college, when you get there, pace yourself.  There will be a party every night or an opportunity to go out to the bars with your friends.  Get your work done first.  Pick a day or two per week to go out and have fun.  Don't get behind.  Budget your time.  Plan for studying, school work and a sport (if you are playing one) first then reward yourself with those nights out.  Just don't give into the temptation every night.
 
 
2. May 15th marks the birth date of L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. At this point in time are you more in need of brains, courage, heart, or a trip back home? Explain. 
 
 
(Playing the Role of The Wicked Witch in the UMD Theatre Co's Production of The Wizard of Oz- December 1994)
 
I would say courage.  I am moving forward to assist and accept that my baby bird is leaving her nest.  I need the courage to let her fly and smile while she is watching.  I can't crumble.  I can't be depressed.  This is not about me.  Just need a little courage, and of course faith, to help me through this :/ 

 

 
3.  "There's no place like home" is an oft repeated line from Baum's book. When was the last time you felt the truth of that statement?  

(Our Trip to Coastal Carolina University for their Cheer Clinic- October 2025)

 Anytime we travel.  I threw on my Myrtle Beach sweatshirt this past weekend.  My husband and I were joking about it.  We both agreed that it is an awesome place to visit but not to live, for us.  We agreed that we are grateful that Diana is staying close for college.  If we eventually buy a property down south, during retirement, it may be a community in South Carolina, just not there.  Time will tell...

 

 

4. May is National BBQ Month...do you own a grill? Who does the grilling at your house? What's your favorite thing to throw on the grill? What's the last thing you grilled? 

 

(Grilling pizzas in the back yard- Circa Summer 2013)

 Yeah!  I love this.  I love the unofficial start to summer and grilling season.  Rob does all of our grilling.  I can grill but he really enjoys it so I try to let him do it.  We grill mostly meats.  I love marinated steak tips on the grill- yum!  That is probably the last thing we grilled this past summer or fall.  Nothing too exciting!  Oh..I also occasionally love a grilled pizza.  

 

 

 

5. What's a memory you replay in your head when you need a little joy? 

 

(Our Family Trip to Cancun- February 2025)

 

 Our Road Trip to Niagara Falls

Trips to the Lake

Diana's entrance on the stairs when she played Clara in The Nutcracker

Friday Night Football Games 

Eva's softball games

The Beach- The Ocean

Our Family Trip to Cancun with Our Parents 

 

 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

 

Oh this post had me reminiscing big time...loved looking back through some old college photos..especially now that Diana is ready to embark on a similar journey- I am praying that she enjoys her campus- meets her people and eventually says they were some of the best years of her life!  I know they were mine....love looking back and thinking back to some of my favorite memories of my lifetime.  Grateful I had the experience I did and I am only wishing the same, if not, better experiences for my girls.

 

 

16 comments:

Maria Rineer said...

I enjoyed reading this and your thoughts/reminiscing. You have courage but I know what you mean about needing it especially as your baby bird is getting ready to leave the nest. You will miss her and the times of her living under your roof full time but just know that she will thrive in school and make her own great memories like you did in college. Love all the pics- you got this!

Holly said...

Thank you Maria- you are right XO

Joyce said...

I bet your daughter will thrive in college and you will love watching her bloom from the sidelines. On another note-do you skewer the steak tips? That sounds good to me too. Have a great day Holly!

Kim Carberry said...

That is fantastic advice for a new graduate.
Sending love and hugs. Diana is such a wonderful young lady and I am sure she will do great. It is hard to let them go but you have done an amazing job preparing her for the next step.
All of those memories made me smile.

Amy Scott said...

Love your college photos! I need to go dig mine up! I didn't realize you were also an actress - that's where they get it!
Great advice about pacing yourself and that really applies to all stages of life.

Marilyn said...

That is good advice for a new college student. It is nice that Diana will be close and I feel like you will adjust into your new role with courage as you watch her grow into a young adult. I see you doing really well in this as you do with any challenge you face. This next stage brings so much joy too! Excited to watch from afar!

Holly said...

Thank you Joyce :) We don't skewer the steak tips- just throw them right on the grill!

Holly said...

Thank you Kim :)

Holly said...

We do all love the theater! Very true about pacing yourself in all stage of life

Holly said...

Thank you Marilyn- I am trying to embrace it all!

Tanya said...

That advice for the graduate is so good. Sometimes all that freedom in college can lead them astray.

Joanne said...

I definitely find myself remembering lots of vacation memories when I need to smile/laugh. I could use some courage as we get ready to send Alec off to Greece next month. I don't mind nearly so much when he's at school as I know he's just a short drive away but I'm not liking the idea of a whole ocean between us (though I know he's going to have an amazing time!!).

Holly said...

Very true Tanya!

Holly said...

Oh that is so exciting for him Joanne! I can imagine your mixed feelings- I would feel the same way

Kirstin said...

I enjoyed your answers. Great advice on #1. There are a lot of places I enjoy visiting but I probably couldn't live there. I do love where we live.

Holly said...

Thanks Kirstin!

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