Weekend Rewind

January, the month to relax.

As I began writing my blog, I thought gosh, this weekend was not exciting, not much happening.  My mind told me to relax and enjoy the nothingness.  For those who know me, this is VERY HARD for me to do.  

Is January the month to relax?  There isn't much going on in January when it comes to celebrations.  Is January, the month to really slow down after the holidays?  

I did see some friends Friday night-Ladies Night as we have come to call it.  Enjoyed all the fellowship and food.  

Tonight, after Sunday evening church services, we opened up the coffee shop for fellowship

This was the gest of my weekend. Heck, the weather hasn't even been exciting!!!

 Martin Luther King's Day is January 20th-. The day commemorates the man who fought ceaselessly against the segregation of the African-Americans and promoted peace and preservation of life in the process. Mr King was pivotal in the fight against racial segregation and has inspired countless civil rights activists are alive today.

Hope all have a great week.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Every January 1st since 1976 Lake Superior University has published a list of words they'd like to see banished from the Queen's English.  Words may be banished due to misuse, overuse or just general uselessness (go here to read more about how the words were chosen).  Here are the words/phrases they'd like to see banished in 2014-

selfie, twerk/twerking, hashtag, Twittersphere, Mr. Mom, T-bone, ____on steroids, the suffixes-ageddon, and -pocalypse added to anything and everything, from the world of politics the words-intellectually/morally bankrupt and Obamacare, and from the world of sports the words-adversity and fan base


Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word not on the list you'd like to add?

Obamacare-enough said.

2. What one unfinished project nags at you begging to be completed in this new year?

Since hub and I moved into this house in 2oo8, I have wanted to redo the bathroom.  Not happened-hopefully this year I can tackle this project.

3. When did you last have a bowl of soup? What kind? Homemade or from a can? What's your favorite soup?

Yesterday, I had a bowl of homemade vegetable soup thanks to my good neighbor.

She made my family a crock pot full of beef vegetable soup.

4. Snowed in, snowed under, snow job...which one most applies to your life in recent days, figuratively speaking.

Snowed under-with the holidays, birthdays, sickness, and death in my family-I am snowed under.  However, the sun is shining today and this helps perk me up.

5. What's the funniest movie you've ever seen, or at least one of the funniest?

I have no idea-been so long since I have been to the movies or even sat down to watch a little television show.

6.  In general, would you say you're clumsy?

Most definitely-I have a hard time chewing gum and walking at the same time!

7. Elvis Presley was born on Hodgepodge Day (January 8th) back in 1935.  Are you an Elvis fan?  What's your favorite Elvis tune? If that's too hard, which Elvis tune do you dislike the least?  Click here for a list of his songs.

I think Elvis Presley had the best male singing voice ever-no matter what genre he sang.  My favorite songs would be his gospel songs-I can't choose just one.  I haven't heard all these songs by Elvis, but I honestly don't think I would listen to one I didn't like.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My mother-in-law had the best day ever on Friday, as she met her Heavenly Father.  She always told my youngest daughter she wanted her to sing this song sing at her funeral and she got it.

Weekend Rewind

Weekend Rewind....

“Because God is never cruel, there is a reason for all things. We must know the pain of loss; because if we never knew it, we would have no compassion for others, and we would become monsters of self-regard, creatures of unalloyed self-interest. The terrible pain of loss teaches humility to our prideful kind, has the power to soften uncaring hearts, to make a better person of a good one.” 
― Dean Koontz, The Darkest Evening of the Year

This weekend I lost a very special lady I have known for 35 years- my mother-in-law.  She was known as Nanny to my girls, Mom to my husband, 'Granny' to all the children she kept in the nursery at church and all the students at Chilhowie Middle School, but she was always Mrs. Doane to me.  A lady that was like a mother to me-now a hole in my aching heart. As the days go by, memories will be filled with laughter, but now there is an aching heart.

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?