Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Do you believe in miracles?
Most definitely.  I need to post about my oldest daughter because she is a miracle.  
Also, I do believe miracles happen everyday-maybe we aren't just aware of them.  But have you ever caught yourself just barley missing having an accident?  I have many times!  
Miracles--Definitely.

2. What's a recent fad you admit to trying?

Since you mentioned the 'selfie' on Hodgepodge a few weeks ago,  I am  guilty- trying to pose for a 'selfie' and send friends.  Not doing so well with this fad-usually up too close. blurry. or looks just terrible.

3. Peppermint-are you a fan? If so, what's your favorite food or beverage containing peppermint?

I am a fan of peppermint. I like the new peppermint coffee/mocha that is our this time of the year. If you are feeling queasy, suck on a piece of peppermint candy and this will go away.

4. Break the ice, on thin ice, as cold as ice (emotionally, not literally)...which phrase have you run into most recently? Explain.

On thin ice and wish it wasn't this.  Some family situations are going on :(  and we are all walking on thin ice right now or as I said just the past weekend-walking on egg shells. I had to explain to my daughters this saying (LOL)-I guess we haven't been in this situation before.  

5. Have you ever broken or spilled something in someone else's home? Still friends?

Yes to both-spilled and broken something.  Yes, we are still friends-true friends.

6.  'Tis the week before Christmas...are you feeling more like Buddy the Elf or theGrinch before his heart grew?

Buddy the Elf would be me!



7. Share a favorite quote relating to Christmas.


“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” 
― Charles Dickens

and

"I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!” 
― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

May the Joy and Peace of this Christmas surround your house.

Weekend Rewind

Weekend Rewind...

A rainy, dreary, weekend here in Southwest Virginia.  I would rather see snow than all this rain.  Just my thoughts about the weather.

I love this time of year with all the hustle and bustle.  I have always enjoyed rushing around from place to place-I can feel the excitement in the air. I attended three Christmas Events/Parties over this rainy, dreary,weekend.


  December is one of my busiest months, but also my roomiest.  I do enjoy rushing from one event to the next, I know call me a little 'crazy', decorating the house, cooking (can't believe I mentioned this one), and reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas. To me, Christmas is about gratitude and that is something I don't forget no matter how busy I get during the Christmas Season. It is one of my roomiest months for reflecting on our Savior, Jesus Christ.  I wish I could carry this feeling with me throughout the year, but I must admit-I don't. However, this is a goal I am going to strive for next year.


As I was reading my scripture this morning before leaving for school, I really thought about the true meaning of Christmas.  John 14:27  Jesus came to give us peace.  He didn't meant for us to make Christmas bigger and better every year with all our decorations and frenzy or even feel like we were all wrung out.  Peace, Joy, Gratitude, God-this is Christmas.

Wednesday hodgepodge

1. Are you doing anything special to mark this season of Advent? If so please share.

No not really.

2. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen...and of course you recall, the most famous reindeer of all...so, which reindeer name best describes you this week? 

Dasher-because I have been dashing from one place to another!

3. What's worse-too quiet or too loud? Which have you had more of lately?

Right now it would have to be too loud!   I have too many irons in the fire right now and the noise gets to me.



4. This question comes to you from Zoanna over at A Penchant for Pens-thanks Zo! 

When you are administratively gifted, how often do you find yourself not trusting less gifted people to do what they've committed to do?  If you are not so gifted that way, but are reliable, how do you feel when the stronger person (in that area) goes ahead and covers it before giving you a chance to come through? 

Daughter says I am at fault in going ahead and doing something before giving a person a chance.  I just like to be on top of things.  I just jump in and do it-without waiting on someone to do it.  
5. What is your most dreaded task relating to the holidays? Your most looked forward to holiday task?

Dreaded task will be undecorating-all wants to help decorate but none wants to help take it down.  My favorite holiday task is Christmas morning breakfast.  Hub and I wake up super early.  The house is so quiet and I turn on the radio listening to Christmas music as we begin the task of preparing breakfast.  Hub does most of the cooking-which he loves.  Our menu consists of: ham, sausage, bacon, gravy, biscuits, toast, scrambled eggs, Belgium Waffles (with blueberries/strawberries), fried oysters (a must since hub was a little boy), fried apples, veggie omelets for me.  I just love our Christmas morning time preparing breakfast for our family.

6. Facebook has released its list of the 'most talked about' topics of 2013. Pope Francis took the number one spot.  Does that surprise you? He was followed by election, royal baby, typhoon, and Harlem Shake. Your thoughts? What was yourmost talked about topic in 2013? (Facebook, around the kitchen table, or wherever it is you talk)


That would have to be our new business-with all the talk about health care and all.  I don't want to get myself in a bad mood by talking about health care issues in this country because it is the season to be jolly.  I will save this little vindictive comment for next year!

7. What's something you consider a necessity that others might view as a luxury?

Stumped on this one-can't wait to read others answers.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I haven't wrapped one present!!!! and no snow day is in sight and my week nights and weekends are jammed packed!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. According to Oxford Dictionaries, the 2013 word of the year is 'selfie'. Your thoughts? When did you last take a selfie? Do you post them online somewhere?  Do you prefer to be in front of the camera or behind the lens?

Not surprising to hear, but I had to goggle 'selfie' (LOL!!)  I don't think I have ever taken a 'selfie', and I prefer to be behind the camera.  My family doesn't prefer this for I usually cut the tops off of their heads.  Daughter #2 is always taking a 'selfie' now I will use this word when she is doing this with her camera phone.

2. Will you send out Christmas cards this year? If so, are they ready to go? If not, are you glad or sad about leaving that tradition behind?

Usually send out Christmas cards to a few family members with pictures of family in them.  At our church, we have mailboxes for all members-Christmas cards will be placed in these.  

Not one card ready to be sent out!!

3. Do you trust easily?

No-which hub says is a fault of mine.

4. Pine-cinnamon-peppermint-vanilla (as in sugar cookie)...of those listed, which one is your favorite December scent?

Peppermint

5. Did you do more talking or more listening yesterday? Was that by choice or necessity?

Since I am a teacher, I always talk more!!

6. What's the last song that got stuck in your head? Sorry if it's back there now :  )

My Wee Worship Kids will be performing Sunday, December 15th-The Candy Cane Song so this is the song that I am constantly humming!

7. Which world explorer (in the whole history of the world) would you most like to have traveled with, and why? 

Hiram Bingham III-discovered the forgotten city of Machu Picchu.  After seeing so many pictures when I taught World Geography of this place, would have loved to traveled with him.


8.  Insert your own random thought here.

It seems I can't get ahead.  I am the only one feeling like this?

Weekend Rewind...

Weekend Rewind...

With a little Thanksgiving Rewind....

Daughter #2 was able to be home for a week-her classes begin on Tuesday.  Then she has only two weeks of classes and exams left before her Christmas break.  Christmas break will last for 6 weeks!!  I haven't written much about #2 daughter and I because we clash a lot.  I love her with all my heart, but we clash a lot.  Hub has a bet that she will be home only two weeks before we begin arguing.  Hub says we are just too much alike. Did I mention we clash a lot??

Woke up to a cold, crisp morning with snow on the ground on Thanksgiving.  Daughter #2 was able to take Sadie, our new family member outside for awhile while I finished cooking 5 pounds of green beans.

The green beans had to be at the church by 8 on Thanksgiving Day.  Our church delivers food to the needy on Thanksgiving Day and our family has always participated in this.  We loaded our van with 34 meals

and began our delivery.  I love doing this every year.  A very humbling experience for our entire family.  Conversations in the van always center on how blessed we are as a family and sometimes tears fall with thoughts of gratitude.

After the food has been delivered, we gather back at the church.  This is what I was able to hold...

This precious little one is our minister's granddaughter.  She loves to cuddle which is right up my alley.  I miss holding a little one and listening to them breathe-no better feeling.

While I begin preparing our Thanksgiving Dinner, a few relaxed.

After dinner-I must admit, I feel a 'little disappointed' because all have left.  So, I talked hub into going to Wal-Mart not to buy anything but just to watch the people.  It truly amazes me to watch people-grown ups mostly  misbehave like children-yelling and grabbing.  This confirms my belief that as a society, many have lost the true meaning of the Christmas Season.  Hub vowed to never go back to Wal-Mart at least not on Thanksgiving Day.

On Saturday, #2 daughter had a nice surprise.  Her college roommate, for three years, was passing through on her way home to Virginia Beach.

The children do not belong to any of these two girls.  Nate loved daughter's roommate, Samantha,  and she had asked to bring Nate down to see her. The little baby belongs to hub's son, also.

Samantha also brought her finance and their children with them-Leo and Myla.

Adorable children, don't you agree?
Much talked centered around Sam's wedding and her acceptance into Vet school. So thrilled for this young lady.

Tonight my 'little man' did his Christmas Program-saying his lines perfect and then ringing the bells. Afterwards, we all met at our Coffee Shop for soup and dessert.  Such great fellowship.

A Perfect Weekend with such great memories.

  

Weekend Rewind....

Weekend Rewind...

It has been a long time since I have posted about my weekend.  I don't know if I have been too busy to post or not much happening as to why I have not posted.

This weekend seems like a whirl wind.

Daughter's Grand Opening was Friday.
Signs were being hung early Friday morning.

Mutual arrived with their hot dog wagon.  Who doesn't love a free hot dog and drinks when having a grand opening?

Nascar owner of Hefty car came.  He and hub are good friends.  As a matter of fact, hub coached him in baseball.

Chilhowie's own calendar dogs came.

FM 93.9 radio station-live remote

daughte was so excited checking it all out

Finally, the ribbon cutting

I am so proud of daughter.  It was a busy day and so thankful to all who came and supported a young pharmacist but one who will go the extra mile anytime you might need her.

Saturday, hub and I traveled to Roanoke to watch #2 daughter's boyfriend's basketball game.  Little man wanted to go.

I miss going to college basketball games-now that it is over, I am allowed to say this!

Little man was ready for the game to begin.

and of course, for it to be over so he can hug his favorite player.

Sunday we went to watch the Christmas parade in a nearby town.  Man it was soooo cold.  I hate to mention weather here, but we went from 60's on Friday to the 30's on Sunday. We voted to stay in the vehicle and stay warm while watching most of the parade.




until..

the camels came.  Our church does a live Nativity and this was the first year the camels were able to be in the parade.  Little man was more into seeing the camels, then Santa Claus.

Se we ventured outside for the camels.

Hope all has a great Thanksgiving.  There is so much I am thankful for each and every day.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What lesson has failure taught you?

Gosh, I am at a loss on this one.  The only thing I can think of is I really need to learn to keep quit more often instead of speaking my mind. I keep learning on this one, believe me.

2. What decision are you glad you made?
Tough questions-so far Joyce I am being stumped on the first two!

3. I've been a little bit surprised to see fully lit and decorated Christmas trees popping up for the past several weeks in friend's Instagram feeds. So tell the truth-is your tree up and decorated, and if so when did that happen? If not, when will you be decking the halls?

My trees (yes trees) aren't up.  I put up our trees the day before Thanksgiving or the day after Thanksgiving.  Usually the first weekend in December the rest of the house is decorated for Christmas.  I think, my opinion only, I need to enjoy one holiday at a time.

4. Solitaire-Poker-Rummy-Hearts-Go Fish-Old Maid...which game of cards would you most like to join?

Rummy is my favorite of the choices.  However, I love to play Rook.  For a few years, hub and I hosted a rook tournament on New Year's Eve.  We had so much fun but now families and friends have moved away and last year was the first year we didn't do this.  Hub and I were lost on New Year's Eve.

5. This question comes to you courtesy of a Facebook friend, who once upon a time had a blog...When you're feeling stressed do you snack a lot or are you more the 'can't eat' type?

Oh, honey I snack when stressed.  I eat constantly foods I don't even remember I had eaten!!

6.  Have you ever reviewed a product or service on line? Was your review favorable or less than favorable?

Yes, I have reviewed a product on line, and yes it was helpful.

7. What was the best conversation you had yesterday?

I attended a retirement meeting yesterday.  This was not only my best conversation, it put my brain in overload.  I couldn't wait to try to decipher the information to tell hub.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Very busy in my household lately.  We will be having our Grand Opening on Friday for Chilhowie Drug Company and Coffee Shop!! 

. My sister is celebrating a birthday today. Happy Birthday little sis! What's one way you're like your siblings?  If you don't have siblings how are you like your lifelong best friend or cousin?

My brother, who is younger, are not very much alike.  However, my aunt, who is only 2 years older than I are very much alike.  My aunt's birthday is Thursday.  Years ago,I would have never called her Aunt Ellen.  Now I love calling her Aunt Ellen!

2.  What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of yourself at age eighteen?

Getting ready for college, having butterflies in my stomach, and being a little scared of leaving home.

3. Sculptor-actor-painter-dancer...if you could excel in one of these arts, which would you choose and why?

Painter because I can't dance, I get stage fright, and I am not good working with my hands.

4. What's a scent that takes you back in time, and where does it take you?

It would have to be wood burning stoves.  Growing up, I remember walking down the street- not a care in the world- to my friend's house and smelling all the wood burning stoves and seeing smoke coming from the chimneys.  My neighbor now still has a wood burning stove and late last night while I was outside I could smell the wood burning.

5. November is for Peanut Butter Lovers (National Peanut Butter Lovers Month).  Are you a lover or a hater?  What's your favorite dish/recipe that calls for peanut butter? 

Love, love, love peanut butter.
Chocolate peanut butter brownies




6. What do people thank you personally for most often

Parents often thank me on Sunday mornings.  I teach Wee Worship (3 & 4 yr.old) from around 10:45-12:15 every Sunday.  It is nice to be appreciated!

7. What event this year are you most thankful for?

I can't name just one.
For starters thankful that #1 daughter graduated from pharmacy school and passed both state board exams.
Thankful that #2 daughter was accepted into the doctorate physical therapy program.
Thankful that hub continues to get a good report when seeing the oncologist.
I am already thanking God for a good report #1 daughter will receive tomorrow (Wednesday) when seeing her cardiologist at UVA in Charlottesville.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Nervous about daughter's appointment tomorrow with her cardiologist at UVA.  Prayers please.
A beautiful picture this morning-red sky.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 1.What's something you're dealing with that might be described as tricky?

Opening up a new business-a lot to deal with right now especially starting from scratch.

2.  What's your treat of choice?

Resse's  Cups

3. Did you/will you carve a jack-o-lantern this month? Which real (living or dead) or fictional 'Jack' would you most like to meet in person? Why?

Hub and I carved a jack-o-lantern this weekend.
I would have liked to have met Jack Kennedy.

4.  In your opinion, what's the grossest sounding word in the English language?

The first thing that came to my mind was 'burp'.  I think that is because I am with middle school students.

5. When did your heart last skip a beat?

It would have to be when hub has his oncologist appointment.  Daughter will be having her cardiologist appointment next week-so I am sure heart will skip a beat then, too.



6. Monster Mash by Bobby 'Boris' Picket, Michael Jackson's Thriller, Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon, or Ray Parker Jr.'s Ghostbusters...your favorite 'scary' tune?

Monster Mash

7.   It was a dark and stormy night when my headache would not stop!!  Can we tell my head has hurt for days now.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Have a save Halloween!  

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 1. When it comes to good manners, what two top your list of most important?

Respect-I use to play the song ' R-E-S-P-E-C-T' years ago on the first day of school. With all the changes and all, I don't do this anymore.    Not only do most students not have respect, many young adults (late 20's-30's) are lacking in  this area.

Common Courtesies-saying thank-you, holding the door open for someone-letting someone go ahead of you in line


2. Let's open a proverbial can of worms...Common Core.  Are you familiar with the term (talking education reform in the USA)?  If so, care to share your thoughts? In your opinion, what is one of the biggest issues schools (in your home country) face today?

Testing, testing, testing, and testing.  Absolutely test students way too much.  Much of basic life skills a person will use everyday is by the wayside-examples: how to balance a checkbook, figuring the best cost of an item, etc.  Getting back to teaching the basics will also help with manners and being respectful that is slowly but leaving our society's youth.


3. Name a celebrity whose fashion sense you admire and share why.
Kate Middleton-a celebrity to me-adore her fashion sense.


4. How are you affected by the changing seasons?

Have always been the kind of person where seasons don't bother me emotionally.  Fall is gorgeous-not affected by allergies (yeah for me), with my hot flashes, winter is okay, spring gets me all excited for I see the end of school, and summer is just care free and I do try to accomplish some much needed projects around the house.  What bothers me about the changing seasons is the time changes--I loathe when we fall back-I can't stand it when it gets dark by 5:30 and then when I get use to this time-BAM-we spring forward and it takes me awhile to get back the hour of sleep I lost.

5. Scariest book you've ever read?

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow!  I am not into scary books.


6. What time of day are you most hungry? What's your go-to snack?

How about around 9 or 10p.m.  I can go all day without eating or being hungry but the minute I sit down to read or watch television I have to eat.  My go-to-snacks vary-apples with peanut butter, rice cakes with peanut butter, potato chips, nuts (any kind), cookies, or if I happen to have a candy bar in the house I will eat that first.

7. Do you lean more towards being too needy or too independent? Which do you find harder to deal with in others?

Independent-As a matter of fact, hub complains because I am more independent than needy.  Daughters on the other hand are very needy-calling constantly over the smallest detail-hub loves this-not me.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
oops-published when I meant to hit save!