Wednesday Hodgepodge

I am linking up with Joyce for another great week of hodgepodge. 

1. So, do you like beer?

I like root beer and kielbasa cooked in beer. 

2. What's your least favorite repetitive task?

Exercising.  I know it is good for me but honestly don't like it.  I have to force myself to go through the motions and then I feel great afterwards. 

3. When was the last time you rode a bus? Where was it headed?

If given the choice I would never choose public transportation.  When I was a young girl I was on a bus in the city and I smiled at an old bag lady.  She started cursing me out.  Thankfully there was an off duty police officer on the bus that calmed me down. 
I took a shuttle bus at a golf outing about six years ago.  The parking was so far away, it was raining and we had our two little ones with us so it made perfect sense. 

4. What song from your childhood or from your own children's childhood could make a parent's nerves stand on end?

This is the song that never ends.....

5. The US Presidential election cycle is drawing to a close (can I get an AMEN??), and the third and final debate was held last night...what was the last thing you 'debated about'?

Well it was a friendly debate but rather deep.  It was about God's forgiveness vs. having to pay for your sins. 

6. Can a person make too much money? How much is too much?

I don't think so.  There are lots of great things to do with money.  However any amount that makes someone too selfish is too much for them. 

7. Pop-soda-coke-something else...what's it called where you live?

Soda is what we call it here on Long Island. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

The phone calls are just beginning for the upcoming election.  I think I am going to have to lower my ringers and stop answering "unavailable".

~Theresa

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

I am linking up over at Joyce's today.  Visit her and join the fun!
1. It's a brand new month...share one thing you're looking forward to in October.

Apple picking.  I love fall and one of the things we like to do is drive out east on The North Fork and go apple picking.  The weather this week has been rainy so we will have to find a nice sunny day to go while there are still apples left on the trees. 

2. Is chivalry dead? Explain.

No, I don't believe so.  There are still many today who practice chivalry but sadly it seems they don't get too much attention.  Our society would rather pay attention to the negative rather than the positive.  Then there are those who don't want doors opened for them or their chair pulled out for them.  They have the "I can do it myself" mindset.  The Feminist Movement has had a lot to do with that, IMHO. 

3. On October 2, 1950 the Peanuts comic strip made its debut. Which character is your favorite? Which character is most like you? (Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Schroeder, Snoopy, Woodstock or Pig Pen) If you need a description click here.

Charlie Brown.  I checked the descriptions and took an online quiz to confirm ;)  Charlie Brown often says the things that I think but would never say aloud. 

4. What's something you're competitive about?

Playing board games and cards.  I don't like to lose and I have to remind myself that it is only a game.  Still, I like to win. 

5. October is National Popcorn Popping Month...are you a fan? How do you like your popcorn?

Yes, I am a popcorn fan.  I like to use our airpopper to make it and then drizzle it with melted butter.  I don't like packaged popcorn unless it is Kettle Korn, which is the perfect balance of salty and sweet. 

6. When did you first realize the world is small?

Well this may be a long story ;)  When my husband and I were engaged my great aunt was very sick and was in the hospital dying.  One night I was at my now husband's parents' house and talking to his mom.  I happened to mention my aunt's name and her eyes almost popped out of her head.  She started asking me questions like  "Where did she grow up?" and "What are her siblings' names?"  Once I answered she told me that she used to sit on the stoop with her sister and my aunt and her sister when they were teenagers.  She remembers my mother being in a baby carriage while my aunt babysat her.  Both my aunt and now mother-in-law were in their 70s when we found this out.  We tried to arrange a meeting but my aunt passed away quickly.  That is a small world! 
It amazes me to think that before I was even born my family and my husband's family were crossing paths.  And even more amazing is that God knew that one day I would marry my husband! 

7. In terms of architecture, what's the most beautiful building you've seen up close and in person?

Well being a New Yorker I would have to say my favorite is the Chrysler Building. 

(picture from thecityreview.com)

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I was browsing through my pictures and found this one.  Aren't cinnamon rolls the perfect fall snack?  I am going to have to make a batch. 

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

I am linking up today for Wednesday Hodgepodge hosted by Joyce.

1. What's the best and worst thing thing about growing older?

The best I would have to say is not caring as much about the little things. When you are younger the things that seem so important usually really aren't that important. The worst thing is getting pesky gray hairs.

2. Autumn arrives this week in the Northern Hemisphere...what one thing do you love most about the fall season?

One thing I love about fall (there are many things I love about fall) is the crisp air and the sound of leaves crackling beneath my feet. Oops...is that two?!

3. Speaking of fall...pumpkin seems to be flavoring everything these days-are you a fan? What's your favorite pumpkin flavored food or beverage?

I like pumpkin as long as it is mixed with something. My favorite would have to be chocolate chip pumpkin cookies. This year I will try replacing the egg with applesauce. Here is the recipe from my friend Amy:

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies

1 3/4 c. flour
1 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda

1 egg
1/2 c pumpkin
1 c sugar
1 stick butter
1 tsp vanilla
6 oz. chocolate chips
1/2 c pecans (optional, I don't use them)

Cream together butter and sugar. Beat in egg and pumpkin and set aside, Blend first 7 ingredients; fold in pumpkin mixture. Add vanilla, chocolate chips and nuts (if using). Drop by tsp on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 10 minutes.


4. Since we're on the subject of fall...what's the worst fall you've ever taken?

Besides falling down the stairs a couple of times, which was nothing serious I would have to say falling off the back of a moped when I was a kid. I chipped my front tooth and tore open my upper lip and knee. I may have told my parents that I fell when my dog pulled me while walking him. He had a habit of doing that when he saw other dogs or squirrels. Really though he was a nice German hunting dog :)

5. If you could own a prop from any film what would you choose?

The Delorean from Back to the Future.



6. What's the most interesting word you've read or learned in the past week?

I don't know. I guess I should have written it down ;)

7. When was the last time you locked yourself out of your house, car, or office? Was it a big deal?

Only once that I remember. It was about eight years ago and I locked myself out of my car with my baby daughter in it. It was a huge deal. My pocketbook was on the front seat with my cell phone in it and I had just loaded the car with groceries. Thankfully there was a delivery man that listened to me when I called out to him and he used a Slim Jim to get my door open.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

The kids are watching a Shirley Temple movie. Isn't she so cute? Too bad they don't make movies like they used to!

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

I am linking up today for Wednesday Hodgepodge hosted by Joyce.

1. ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? The NFL is back in action along with all the college teams. Are you a fan? Who do you root for? If you're not a fan what do you do while the rest of America watches Saturday, Sunday, Monday night, and now Thursday night games?

I like watching football every once in a while but am never really glued to the screen unless it is The Super Bowl and my team, the NFL Champions, the NY Giants are in it :) I wrote about it in Wednesday's Hodgepodge back in February.

2. What's something I'll always find in your closet?

A pair of black dress pants. Black goes with everything right? In the summer I can wear them with a dressy top and a pair of wedge sandals and in the winter I can wear them with a nice sweater or top and a pair of dress boots.

3. Share one of your earliest memories.

Playing in the doll corner in my kindergarten classroom. That was when you first learned to write your name with those big, fat, red pencils. Not like kindergarten today! And is it me or were kindergarten teachers always older ladies back then? Now it seems like there are lots of young teachers getting kindergarten positions. Not that there is anything wrong with that, it is just much different.

4. What circus act best describes your week so far?

The ring master. We started back to our homeschool this week and I have been keeping everyone on task ;)


5. What's a food you disliked as a child but you love now?

Pumpkin pie. I thought the smell was so strong when I was a kid but now I guess my sense of smell has matured- LOL.

6. Describe your summer in three words.

Hot, relaxing, fun.

7. Where were you on September 11, 2001? Will you do anything special to mark the day this year?

I was teaching second grade at a lovely public school at the time. We were getting ready for the children to arrive and start the day when I heard. All of the teachers were taking turns going into the teacher's lounge to watch the news. We still didn't know all the details when we had to greet our class and keep things going. I remember on my break I met with my teacher's aide and the guidance counselor and we prayed together.
This year I thought about the day and some of my students. I remembered that one of my student's birthdays is on 9/11 and his uncle was a NYC firefighter who died that day. I hope that he is able to find some joy on his birthday all these years later.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I am still in a New York State of Mind today.

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

I am linking up today for Wednesday Hodgepodge hosted by Joyce.

1. Americans will celebrate Labor Day this coming weekend. Do you know what we're actually celebrating? (without consulting your friends Google or wikipedia, ahem) What's a project you're currently 'laboring' over?

Isn't it the unofficial end of summer? LOL. A project that I should be laboring over is getting my curriculum together for our homeschool. Instead I am enjoying the rest of summer and beginning to think about it ;)


2. Labor Day also signals the unofficial end of summer for most of us...what summer food will you miss the most? If you're in the southern hemisphere feel free to substitute winter for summer.

Fresh corn on the cob from the farmstand. I am going to have to get some this week since it won't be available too much longer.


3. A well known proverb states, 'It's easier to seek forgiveness than ask permission.' Your thoughts?

Asking forgiveness isn't always easy but it is something we must do regularly. I don't think seeking forgiveness is easier than asking permission if you knew the right thing to do was to ask permission, then it is harder to do what you knew was wrong. Does that make sense?


4. Food critic, film critic, book critic, art critic....which hat would you most like to wear?

Food critic. Except that would mean I would have to eat lots of different foods, even the ones I don't like.


5. When you were a kid, who (besides your parents) was your favorite adult?


My first grade teacher, Mrs. Baker. When I was in her class we had a new student. Mrs. Baker asked me to be her special friend and show her around. I did and the new student became one of my best friends and still is over thirty years later. Besides introducing me to one of my best friends ever, she was a wonderful teacher who I looked up to. Years later the class I was student teaching in was pen pals with her class! How fun it was to hand deliver our letters and get to see her again.

6. The astronaut, Neil Armstrong, passed away last week. He was regarded as a hero by many generations of people all around the world. Do we still have modern day heroes? What makes someone a hero?

Yes. Heros are all around us everyday. They are the ones who are sacrificing their lives for others- our military, firefighters, police officers, the good citizen, etc.


7. I never get tired of __________________.

Singing God's praises!


8. Insert your own random thought here.

I'll play along. Here are the fifteen vocalists I came up with:

Phil Collins, Richard Marx, John Cougar (Melloncamp),Frankie Valli, Babyface, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Carol King, James Taylor, Peter Cetera (Chicago), Carly Simon, Jim Brickman, Carrie Underwood, Billy Joel, Frank Sinatra.

How is that for variety?

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

I am linking up today for Wednesday Hodgepodge hosted by Joyce.

1. In an effort to combat obesity, the mayor of NYC has plans to ban the sale of large sugary drinks (anything over 16 oz.), initially in restaurants, movie theatres, and street carts. Corner stores would also be affected if they are defined as food service establishments. You can read more here . Your thoughts?

Ridiculous! Since when does the government have to right to invade our personal liberties?! Well from the looks of things it looks like people have forgotten how this country was founded and what our forefathers fought for. If someone wants to drink five gallons of soda it is not for the government to decide. People need to be responsible for their actions and not look to blame society. If you are obese from drinking too much soda it is not because you were able to be a larger than 16 ounce drink in a public place! If you haven't heard Mayor Bloomberg also is introducing a program called "Latch On NYC". I am sure he means well by trying to promote breastfeeding but here again government involvement is not the answer. BTW I consider myself a breastfeeding advocate and would encourage any mother to breastfeed, however it is not for the government to tell mothers how to feed their babies. As a New Yorker, I am glad I do not live in NYC at times like this!


2. Art festival, music festival, food festival...which would you most like to attend?

A food festival. I am not much into art, probably because I am not good at it, and a music festival would probably be too loud for me. So that leaves a food festival ;)

3. What are you irrational about?

Germs. I am a germ nut and can't help but to think about how dirty things are. If you think I am overreacting go into a public restroom and watch for a while. I really am not that crazy for using a paper towel to turn off the water and open the door. Yuck!


4. Do you feel confident you'll have a comfortable retirement?

Umm, I don't think about retirement. Some may say that is unwise but really I am trusting God to provide for our needs, and if that means working past retirement age then so it is.

5. What's been your favorite Olympic moment so far?
(Not ever, just in the 2012 Summer games)

I have watched only a little bit of the Summer Olympics. I was watching the women on the parallel bars the other night and let's just say I don't think it is good for my adrenal glands- LOL! My heart stopped as they flew through the air. I don't know how their mothers can watch.


6. What would you label as the messiest room in your house?

The basement. We use it for storage as well as our laundry room and my husband's office area. It is so easy to just put stuff down there and close the door. I am sure if I had to walk through it every day it wouldn't be so messy.


7. Do you follow your heart or your head?

I would have to say my head. My heart has deceived me before so I like to think I have learned.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9

8. Insert your own random thought here.

One of my dear blogging friends, Cathy aka Fullhousemama, went to be with the LORD on July 22nd. Her oldest son James wrote a beautiful post letting us all know that her battle with cancer is over and she is now with our LORD. You can read it here. There will be a Memorial Service in California on August 11th, please remember this precious family in your prayers. "Blessed Be Your Name" was one of the songs on Cathy's playlist and I will always think of her when I hear it. "Blessed Be The Name of The LORD".