Wednesday's Hodgepodge

 Visit Joyce and join the fun!  

1.  In the USA this coming Sunday millions will be watching as the Baltimore Ravens take on the San Francisco 49's in the Superbowl.  What was the last event you attended that could be described as super?

I don’t attend many big events.  I haven’t been to any weddings in a while.  I don’t go to concerts anymore.  I guess I’d say our annual church picnic that was in September.  It is always fun to relax with your church friends and family. 

2.  Share something you're a fan of these days?

I am a big fan of So Delicious Coconut Creamer.  I like the Hazelnut and French Vanilla flavors.  It doesn’t contain milk or soy. 

3. How do you feel about wings?  In case anyone is confused, I'm talking the edible appetizer kind.  What's your preferred seasoning on a wing-hot, mild, teryiaki, sweet and sour, other?  Do you make your own or is there a favorite place you like to go for wings?   

I love wings.  I like my wings medium with carrot and celery sticks on the side.  I love dipping them in blue cheese dressing.  My husband and I used to go out for wings late night but that was before kids.  Sometimes we get them from our pizza place for take out or I make my own.  Emeril makes a great hot sauce that I like for wings but it is hard to find in the stores. 

4.  As long as we're talking sports today...have you followed the Lance Armstrong story?  Did you watch his interview with Oprah and if so what was your reaction to his confession and subsequent remarks?  

I haven’t really been following his story.  I have heard a bit of it on the news but that is about it.  It is sad. 

5.  What's a question you hate to be asked?  

How much do I weigh!  LOL! 

6. The coaches in this Sunday's big game happen to be real life brothers.  Jim Harbaugh coaches the 49er's and his older brother John Harbaugh coaches the Baltimore Ravens.  Were you and your sibling(s) competitive?  In what way? Are you still?  If you're an only child how did you handle competition growing up?  

No, I don’t think my two sisters and I are competitive.  We are all into something different so there hasn’t been much competition.  On our own I think we are all competitive,  just not against each other. 

 7.  What's your favorite game involving a ball and when did you last play?    

I like softball, but haven’t played in years, unless you count hitting the ball for the kids to field ;)

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Last week the weather was in the teens.  Today it is in the 50s and supposed to rain.  Crazy weather!  I'm still hoping for snow, no matter what the groundhog sees ;)

~Theresa

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

                                                                               

1. Visit Joyce and join the fun!  

       1. The popular saying, 'All is fair in love and war' is originally credited to English writer John Lyly.  Is he right? 

No.  It sounds nice, but I don’t think it is ever okay to be deceitful. 

2. Are you a cereal eater?  What's your favorite kind?

I like cereal but usually for a snack and not for breakfast.  Right now my favorite is Peanut Butter Panda Puffs. 

3. A five year old in Pennsylvania was recently given a ten day school suspension for talking with a friend about shooting one another with a Hello Kitty Bubble gun (the gun blows bubbles).  She did not have the gun with her at school.

A psychological evaluation was also ordered and the incident was recorded on her permanent record.  The suspension was later reduced to two days and her parents are suing to have the incident removed from her file. Your thoughts?  (If you missed the story click here for details). 

Give me a break.  There is such a thing as going overboard.  The attention given to it may cause more of a problem than the original “incident”.  Good for the parents.  I think they are doing the right thing.  

4. Whatever happened to_____________________________?

Common sense;  it seems to be something missing in our society lately.  

5.  January 23rd is National Handwriting Day, billed as a day to reacquaint yourself with a pen and pencil.  Do you like your handwriting? Do you prefer to print or write in cursive?  This date was chosen because its the birth date of John Hancock. What's the last thing you signed your name to?

Yes, I like my handwriting.  I prefer my combination of print and cursive.  I wish I knew how to use my scanner and then I could show you.  The last thing I signed was a check.  Seems like that is what I sign the most ;)
 

6. Speaking of John Hancock...ever been to Philadelphia? Do you have any desire to visit the city of Brotherly Love?  

Not that I remember but I think I may have gone when I was a kid.  I wouldn’t mind visiting but it isn’t on my top ten places to visit.   I love that the movie Rocky was filmed there.  

7.  Share something funny you've heard a child say.  

 I know I've heard lots of funny things but for some reason I can't think of any right now.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

It is 15 degrees here this morning.  Guess I'd better wear a winter coat today and pull out the gloves.  The first time for this season.  I am hoping for snow on Friday :)

~Theresa

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

Link up with Joyce and join the fun!

1. Lake Superior University has once again published a list of words/phrases they think should be banished from the Queen's English...here's the list for 2013-

fiscal cliff, kick the can down the road, double down, job creators/creation, passion/passionate, yolo (an acronym for you only live once), spoiler alert, bucket list, trending, superfood, boneless wings, and guru
Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why. Go here to read more about how the words were chosen.

I would have to say yolo. Really? I mean do we really need all these acronyms? I think it has become worse since texting has increased. Plus it would be more accurate to say “you only live once here on earth”.

2. When was the last time you rode a train? Where did you go?

The last train ride I remember was in 2004. We were in Amish country Lancaster, PA and visited the Stroudsburg Railroad. We just went a few miles down the tracks and back to see some scenic views.

3. Bagels-yay or nay? Favorite 'flavor'? Favorite topping?

Yay, for sure! I don’t think there is a New Yorker who would say nay. My favorite is a lightly baked sesame. I love walnut raisin cream cheese but would only eat it if I knew who made it. If it is warm, butter is my favorite. A sandwich of turkey breast on it is good too. Or just break off a piece and enjoy right out of the bag. I also like it dunked in my tea. I told you it was a yay ;) I have some great bagel memories. When I was in high school my best friend and I worked together in a bagel store. Talk about good times. Also when I was in elementary school I had a friend Alyson. I would often sleep over her house on Saturday nights. At midnight her Mom would take us to the bagel store to get bagels, lox and cream cheese. It was so much fun to be out that late when I was so young.

4. 'Tis the season of awards shows...if you could star in a movie already made which one would you choose?

“Lean on Me” with Morgan Freeman. He plays Joe Clark, a NJ principal who turns a troubled high school around with what some may consider “unconventional” methods. As a teacher I always liked the “difficult” students and found that they would somehow appear in my class ;)

5. The move towards single gender classrooms has been making the news in recent months....what say you? Do you think kids perform better if seperated by gender and are taught differently or is that discrimination? If you're a parent, is this something you'd support in regard to your own children?

I think there are some desperate measures taking place to try to solve the education problems in our country today. I don’t think separating boys and girls is the answer. Plus males and females need to learn how to get along. I would not support this as a parent.

6. What's your favorite thing about staying in a hotel?

I would have to say room service. Not having to cook or clean up afterwards is a treat for me. I can’t say I enjoy staying in hotels. I always have to Lysol everything to make sure it is sanitized when we get there and then check the beds. I guess that explains why I don’t stay in hotels often ;) I was just thinking tonight how nice it would be to have a Winnebago to travel in.

7. Do you have a 'word' for 2013? What's the story behind your choice?

No, I don’t have a word for 2013. Maybe I’ll have some ideas after reading some hodgepodges though.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I haven't been posting much on my blog so I am thankful for Wednesday's Hodgepodge to keep it going :) 
I am unable to upload pictures to my blog posts lately.  When I go to "insert image" on my blogger page there is no longer an option to upload pictures.   There is an upload button but then nothing happens.  I can upload from my blog, picasa, webcam or phone but not from the pictures stored on my computer.  Any tips?

~Theresa

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

Link up with Joyce and join the fun! 

1. What is ONE thing or area in your home or life you hope to report is completely organized when 2013 draws to a close? Do you have a plan to make it happen?


I consider myself an organized person. I love organizing and can’t stand when things are not in their place. However, my basement is in desperate need of better organizing. We don’t have a lot of room here so many things are stored in the basement. I have bins, space bags, cabinets, etc. but the problem is there is just too much stuff. One section is our Christmas decorations and I made an extra effort to organize as we were putting things away so that is a start. I am saving children’s clothes and toys but I really should only save what I absolutely love. A few hours a week down there would be a tremendous help.

2. What's the worst uniform you've ever had to wear for a job?

This is easy. My first teaching job was in a private Hebrew preschool. Although it wasn’t a uniform, there was a dress code. I had to wear long skirts and long sleeve shirts. No skin showing below the elbow or knee. I still wonder why in the world they hired me, besides the fact that I knew some sign language. I understand about discrimination in the workplace, but seriously doesn’t it just make sense in certain situations to hire certain people? Like in this situation wouldn’t it have made better sense to hire teachers who followed the Orthodox Jewish religion? I think so.

3. What was your last kitchen 'mishap'? This question comes to you courtesy of Betty who blogs over at A Glimpse Into Midlife...everyone go say hi to Betty!

Thankfully I can’t think of many. When I was baking Christmas cookies this year I ended up adding baking soda instead of baking powder to my measured out flour. I realized it right as I was doing it so I started over. I saved the “messed up” mixture and labeled it so I could use it at a later time when a recipe called for flour and baking soda.

4. How do you protect yourself from other people's negativity?

If possible, I try to limit my time with them. If I have to be around them I try to combat it with spending time with positive people afterwards.

5. Who in your family do you most resemble (physically)? If you have children, who do people say they favor? Do you agree?

Hmm, doesn’t it always depend on who you ask? I think I resemble both my mother and father. People who have known me since I was a kid say my daughter looks just like me. I think it is so funny because I have brown hair and eyes and she has blonde hair and green eyes. Most people say my son looks like my husband. I say I can see both of us in each of them :)

6. January 8th is National Bubble Bath Day...will you be celebrating?

No, I won’t be celebrating this year. I wish I was but our tub is on the small side so it is not comfortable. If I had a soaking tub I’d be participating with some candles ;)

7. Some of the 'world's best winter festivals' are - Mardi Gras (New Orleans), Quebec Winter Festival (Canada), Sundance Film Festival (Park City, Utah), Rio Carnivale (Brazil), Sapporo Snow Festival (Japan), Venice Carnivale (Italy) and the Harbin Ice Festival (Northern China). Of those listed (and if cost were not a factor) which would you most like to attend and why?

I am not familiar with many of these festivals but I think I would choose Venice Carnivale. Venice sounds so romantic and who doesn’t love Italian food?

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My Christmas decorations are all packed away but we still have our tree up. It isn’t drying out and it looks so beautiful that I don’t want to take it down. The house looks so bare when the decorations come down. It always feels like something is missing. I guess I’ll have to find some more winter decorations.

~Theresa

Simple Womens Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... the sun is shining brightly and the air smells crisp and fresh.  I was surprised it wasn't freezing cold when I took the garbage out this morning. 

I am thinking... I hope to stick to the schedule I have laid out in my head today. 

I am thankful... that the Lord's mercies are new every morning. 
"Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22-23

In the kitchen...breakfast dishes right now.  I will be putting a pot roast in the Crockpot for dinner soon. 

I am wearing... exercise clothes-gray pants and my husband's old volleyball t-shirt that is worn and oh so comfortable.

I am creating... a warm, cozy home each and every day. 

I am going... not too sure this week. 

I am wondering... why my hand keeps going numb when I type again.  Must be my neck pinched. 

I am reading... I'm getting ready to start an online study in Luke next week.  Our book club is still going through "Lies Women Believe and The Truth That Sets Them Free".  Since we only meet once a month it will take us a while to finish the book.  

I am hoping... to get my exercise routines started this week. 

I am looking forward to... feeling good after exercising. 

I am learning...  it is easy to get out of routine.   It takes hard work and discipline to stay on track.

Around the house... the Christmas decorations need to come down.  The house always feels so bare when they are put away. 

I am pondering... how I can decorate my home for winter.  I may keep some snowmen and crocheted snowflakes out. 

A favorite quote for today...
"Glory to God in highest heaven,Who unto man His Son hath given;
While angels sing with tender mirth,
A glad new year to all the earth."
~Martin Luther

Click here to visit Peggy and The Simple Woman's Daybook.
~Theresa