Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What was your after school routine like when you were a kid? 

I really can't remember what I did when I was a kid after school.  However, I do remember when I was in high school, I would rush home from school, grab a bite to eat and then head back to band practice.  My band would practice till at least 8:30 every night.  After band practice, I would start on my homework and have a snack.  And do it all over again the next day.

2. January 26 is National Green Juice Day ( I guess it's true everything really does have it's day). Do you juice, as in make your own in an attempt to get healthy? Do you do the green juices? What's your favorite kind of juice (home blended or store bought, either one)? 

I do not juice at all.  As far as juices are concerned, I only drink Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice.  The other juices give me heartburn!

3. What's something trivial about which you have a strong opinion? 

I have and use my dishwasher.  Before putting dishes in the dishwasher, I always rinse them off and scrape the dried food off.  My daughter thinks this is a waste of time; she just puts them in the dishwasher.  My daughter says I might as well not use the dishwasher since they are practically clean before putting them in.  In my opinion, I have to get the food off of them.  I guess in my mind, I am thinking that placing   dirty dishes is not sanitizing them enough for me.

4. What do you need more of in your life? Less of? 

Right now, I need more socializing.  The weather has put a damper on my socializing .  It has been too snowy to go anywhere and so cold!  Yesterday, was the first day we were able to have church services since Christmas Eve!  It was so good to back!

I need less of purchases.  Since the weather has permitted me to go anywhere, I have been buying unnecessary stuff online!  I have been reading many books, trying to watch TV (which I am not a TV person) but then say to myself, "Wonder what specials are on Amazon today?"

5. Give us three adjectives to describe your January.

Bleak, Snowy, and Lonely

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Sickness hit my daughter's household.  Her oldest had the stomach bug first, then daughter, then one twin, then the other twin, and finally her husband.  I brought stuff to their house and put it on their steps,  Once I was back inside my vehicle, I texted to let them know.  I knew if I saw how pitiful the grandsons were, I would go inside and cuddle them and then catch the awful stomach bug!  I am really surprised because the oldest grandson hasn't been in school due to weather so I am wondering how/when they could have come in contact with the virus.  Maybe hub brought it in.  Yep, I am blaming him!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life.  It is supposed to be in the 50s the next few days! Yay!!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What's a winter memory you treasure (can be from any winter in your lifetime)? 

My senior year in high school; we missed the entire month of January.  I kept snowing and was so cold.  In February, we returned to school and EVEN attended school on Saturday.  One Saturday while in school, some boy had put a snowball down a girl's shirt and of course she screamed.  During lunch a bunch of  girls, including myself, went and got a bunch of snow and put it in a lunch container.  During Government class, we began throwing snowballs at the ball who had done the snowball earlier.  The entire class was throwing snowballs.  The teacher didn't think this was appropriate behavior for Seniors, so we all kinda got in trouble.  

2. Tell us about the last time or a recent time you were caught up in red tape. Does it send your frustration level off the charts or is it something you've come to expect when dealing with any sort of bureaucracy?

I am going to be caught up in red tape as soon as we get back in school.  There was some paperwork that should have been completed on a special education student by January 18th.  We were to return to school on January 6th.  School was closed from January 6-14 the due to snow.  I was at school on January 15th (two hour delay).  This was a hectic day because we were told by the higher ups to set up Chromebooks and have assignments posted for three days on our classroom page.  Since I only teach Monday-Wednesday, I am part-time only, I worked on this after school.  Yesterday, we had a virtual learning day and today (Tuesday) was virtual learning.  SO...I know I will be in red tape when I return!!  I can hear my supervisor yelling for not having this completed, BUT I didn't take any work home with my over Christmas break and NOW the weather is the problem.  I frustration is off the chart because I know what is coming. 

3. Do you eat/like fish? Do you cook fish at home? What's your favorite fish dish? Ever been ice fishing? 

I like to eat fish, and yes, I do cook it at home, and yes, my house does smell!  Favorite fish dinner is salmon or just plain ole fish with batter.

Never have been ice fishing and I don't think this is something I would want to do.

4. Did you watch any of the US President's Inauguration coverage on Monday, Jan 20? On a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being not at all and 10 being very very) how interested are you in politics in general? Do you follow/keep up with/ get involved with local politics? 

Yes, since we were virtual yesterday, I was able to watch most of the Inauguration.  And I think the ladies were dressed very elegantly.  My dad was very interested in politics and was a campaign manager for a Congressman years ago.  Quick as I was eligible to vote, my dad took me and had me register for a specific political party!  I am probably a 8 or 9 when it comes to politics in general.  

Hub was involved in local politics.  He was on the school board for 8 years and town council for 5.   He probably would have  continued in politics if he hadn't passed away from cancer.  I do keep up with our local politics.

5. What's the coziest thing you own and what makes it so? 

Sweatpants and a fleece shirt!  I also have a pair of fleece socks. It has been extremely cold the past couple of days here and this has been my OOTD!! I think jeans are cold when wearing outside.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

If we don't get back to school soon, I am going broke!!!  I read a lot and yesterday was really the first time I have watched TV in a while.  So, I have been shopping!!!

Oldest grandson was able to have his birthday party on Saturday with about 30 people.

Have a great rest of the week, Enjoy Life, and stay warm if you are in my neck of the woods!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1.  It's been said January is 'the month of opportunity, inspiration, and change." Which of the three do you need most right now? Elaborate. 

Definitely inspiration.  I get the January 'blues'.  January is a cold, dark month for me.  I feel sad after the holidays and there is nothing to do.  Most people get inspired to clean out their closets or cabinets, especially during snow days, but not me at all!  

I love to sit outside or just go for a walk and I can't do that in January.  BUT, I have ordered me a treadmill and it is suppose to come soon!  So fingers crossed, the treadmill will help chase the blues away.

2. Do you consider opportunity as something that comes to you or something you create for yourself? 

Both

Opportunities can come to you.  One just can't pass them by when they come.

One can work and create opportunities for themselves.

3. The British Museum opened on this date (January 15th) back in 1759. Do you like visiting museums? Do you have a favorite? 

I enjoy going to museums but can't remember the last time I have visited one.  

4. It's National Oatmeal Month (yes, apparently it gets a whole month as opposed to a single day). Do you like oatmeal? How often do you eat a bowl of oatmeal? How do you like yours? What about an oatmeal cookie? Is that a sweet treat you enjoy? 

I like oatmeal, the flavored packs, peach cream is my favorite. Usually have a bowl of oatmeal every other night especially in the winter.

An oatmeal cookie with raisins I can eat every day!

5.What's something useful you learned in high school? 

Etiquette skills.  I remember having to take a class on etiquette. The class consisted on how to set a table properly, which utensils to use, how to shake hands properly, and how to introduce yourself and others.  So sad these type of classes aren't taught today.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

School was closed all last week.  January 6-10.  The snow started on Sunday evening and the temps plummeted. Then on Friday, January we had 7 more inches of snow!  The kids are so bored they are doing challenges....go outside in shorts, no shoes, and short sleeve shirts and lay down in the snow and make snow angels!!  Yep, the challenges are being posted on Facebook. I said it is time to open school.  AND we have been closed Monday and Tuesday.  As I am writing this Tuesday afternoon, who knows if we go to school tomorrow.

My oldest grandson, Blake, turns SEVEN today.  The years go by so fast with grandkids.  This boy reminds me so much of my precious Amanda.  He has her beautiful blue eyes and the sweetest, kindest heart ever.

Happy Birthday, sweet boy!