Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Did you set any goals for the new year this time last year? Did you meet them or miss the mark? Tell us more if you're comfortable sharing. 

Yes, I did and I was able to accomplish most of them.  I set a goal to put out a garden and get in touch more with mother nature and met this goal.  I loved working in the garden; a big stress reliever for me.  Another goal I set ,was to learn to really bite my tongue.  There were times when I messed up, but in the  full picture, I came a long way!!

2. What are three words that might describe the kind of person you were this past year or describe in some way how your life looked? 

My life looked: Fulfilling - I love spending time with grandsons and making precious memories,  Growth-I have learned this past year, I can experience joy and pain at the same time,  and Simple.

3. What's something new you ate, saw, heard, or experienced in 2022? What did you think? 

Something I experienced in 2022 and never want to experience it again is being in a tornado.  I was getting ready to return to school for an after school dance to celebrate the ending of the school year.  I was getting ready and my cousin (who also teaches at the school) called and told me a tornado was heading my way.  I quickly went and got my mother and we headed toward the basement.  I tried to call daughter, but no answer.  The wind was horrible and the sound of the wind was like a train upstairs. When it was over, which seemed like hours, but wasn't, I went upstairs and couldn't get my doors open.  It was awful!!  I finally was able  to talk to daughter and they had all went to the bathroom with pillows.  Never want to experience this again!

4.  Oxford Dictionary has announced it's word of the year for 2022, and it's this-goblin mode. Huh? Have you ever heard this phrase? Used this phrase? It's defined as "a type of behavior which is unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly, or greedy, typically in a way that rejects social norms or expectations." 

This year they allowed the public to choose amongst three finalists. You can read more about that here. 

If you were in charge, what word would you declare word of the year for 2022? 

I have never heard this phrase.  But I can see how this phrase did apply to many things that happened in 2022. 

The first words that came to my mind for 2022 was Baby Steps

5. Any special plans for an end of year celebration in your house or town? The travel channel says the world's best New Year's Eve celebrations will happen in Copacabana Beach-Rio de Janerio, the Orlando theme parks in Florida,  London, Sydney, New York's Time Square, Edinburgh Scotland, and Paris. If you could attend any one of these which would you choose? Tell us why? 

I am going out of town for New Year's Eve.                                                                                                                                                I would love to go to London for New Year's Eve. Hearing the chimes of Big Ben and seeing the fireworks welcoming in the new year would be marvelous!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

So glad the temps are getting above freezing!  Shew having temps of 0 or 1 degrees and wind chill factors as low as -20 is not for me.  

Happy New Year to all!!

A Hodgepodge Christmas

 

1. What does Christmas mean to you? 

A time to thank God for showing his great love for us. A celebration of God's ultimate gift.  Christmas is also spending time with family and showing gratitude to all.  

2. What's your favorite cozy holiday activity? 

A favorite cozy holiday activity I use to have was on Christmas Eve.  When the girls were younger, we traveled many places :church for Christmas Eve Communion,  great-grandparents' houses, grandparents' houses, aunts and uncles homes, and finally home.  After we had gotten the girls to bed and played Santa (which was in the wee hours of the morning), hub and I would just relax on the sofa as we reminisce about the evening and we both stared at the Christmas tree.  Hub and I would joke that we should probably go to bed since we knew in a few hours the girls would be coming downstairs! But we didn't!!  

3. Is all your shopping-wrapping-baking done? Tell us about your holiday plans. 

My shopping is complete, still have a few more gifts to wrap, and I usually don't do much baking.  My holiday plans are very simple, now.  I will attend Christmas Eve Communion Service and go to my aunt's house and then return home.  Christmas Day I will just go to daughter's house and see all the stuff Santa has brought the grandkids.

4. If you were Santa what treat would you like to have left for you (it doesn't have to be milk and cookies!) What sweet or savory treat do you most look forward to indulging in around the holidays? 

Christmas snack mix with vanilla almond bark, pretzels, and Chex rice cereal,  and M & M candy.

5. Next Wednesday is the first official day of winter (in the northern hemisphere). How does that make you feel? Tell us what you love most about winter? 

I am kinda ready for some winter---not the drastic temperature nor snow, but a little winter chill in the air.  What I love most about winter (besides when it is over  haha)  is watching it snow.  I do like watching it snow as I am cuddled up on the sofa reading a book. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. The Hodgepodge lands on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Have you visited the memorial? Any desire to do so? Have you visited other WW2 sites and memorials? Do you think we do a good job of teaching current and younger generations about the events of WW2? Do you think it matters? 

I have never been to the memorial, and yes I would love to.  I have visited other WW II memorials.

With all the curriculum changes and the banning of books, we do not do a very good job of teaching about the events of WW II and it definitely matters.  History does repeat itself.

2. Many books, both fiction and non-fiction have been written with WW2 as the setting. Is this a 'genre' you gravitate towards? Share with u10 s a book (or two) you've enjoyed that is set in some way around WW2. If you're not a reader, how about a movie? 

I gravitate toward this genre.  I am teaching the Diary of Anne Frank to my 8th grade students...the play form.  And this generation thinks they could overtake the Nazis and not let this happen to them.  For a project, I gave them a plastic bag and they were to pick  10 items that would fit into the bag and why if this was all they could bring with them they explain why they chose the 10 items. Tomorrow the students will present this project.

My favorite books for this genre that I have read are:  Night, All the Light We Cannot See, Unbroken, The Book Thief,  Then There was One, The Hiding Place.  

3. According to Better Homes and Gardens Magazine there are seven popular color trends for the holidays this year. They are- red and white, Victorian blue, pops of pink, rich shades of green, rainbow hues, black and white, and nostalgic retro colors. Are you 'trendy' when it comes to holiday decorating in 2022? How so? Does your tree have a 'theme'? 

Definitely not trendy in decorating in 2022.  I think I will call my tree  My Grandsons' Tree because they have decorated the tree and made home made ornaments to hang on the tree.

4. What's a current trend you buck? 

When someone says, "Happy Holidays," I respond "Merry Christmas."  I will not say Happy Holidays.

5. What's your favorite chocolate something? 

Weird ,but I prefer some type of chocolate candy bar mixed with nuts or coconut.  I am not a fan of chocolate cake (too chocolate) or brownies.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

After today there is 7 days left before our Christmas break and I am ready.

It seems like the Christmas Season is full of busyness and sometimes I know I get agitated with all the things that there is to do...but this isn't how it should be.

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!