Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. January 29th is National Puzzle Day. Do you enjoy puzzles? What kind (crossword, jigsaw, sudoku, etc)?  How often do you work a puzzle? 

No!!!  I can't sit still long enough to work puzzles of any kind.  They get on my nerves!! However, my two grandsons love puzzles and figuring out the pieces.  I am so proud of them.

2. Something you currently find 'puzzling'? 

I find it puzzling how someone can treat a family member like he/she doesn't exist.  Especially, when that person has bent over backwards to help them anyway he/she could.  This is just so puzzling to me. 

I was at a ballgame last night.  A person walked right by her mother, wouldn't even sit with her but chose to sit with someone else!  This is just so puzzling to me.

3. What's your go-to dish to take to someone who needs a meal (new baby, bereavement, etc)? 

Spaghetti or lasagna with a salad, bread, and a dessert for a new baby.

When there is a death in a family, I usually take a lot of paper products...paper plates, napkins, paper towels, utensils.  There is usually so much food; I think paper products would be more useful.

4. Do you watch any HGTV and/or The Food Network? If so, what's your favorite program there? 

No, I do not watch any of these programs.

5.  Wrap up your January in five words, with a five word phrase, or with a five word sentence. 

January is 75 days long!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

January is over!!!  Shew, it has been a long month.   I haven't been home much.  Going to basketball games three/four times a week and teaching is keeping me busy.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Do you have a word for the year (WOTY)? If so, and you'd like to share, please share. How do you decide on a word? If you don't have a word are you still on the hunt for one for 2024? 

Yes, I have a word for the year.  My word is BOUNDARIES.  I need to set boundaries for my life; sometimes I let people take advantage of me and I need to stop.  My close friends always know my WOTY and when I speak to them about a situation they always say to me to remember my WOTY.

2. January 23rd is National Pie Day...will you celebrate? Do you like pie? What's your favorite? 

NO, I will not celebrate.  I will eat a lot of popcorn, though.  We have basketball games started today at 4 and I probably won't get home till 9:30 so I will stuff my face with popcorn.

I like pie, and my favorite is pecan.

3. Tipping. What are your thoughts, expectations, as to who, when where? Do you appreciate a store/restaurant giving a 'suggested amount'? Have you ever left an extravagant tip? 

It depends...sometimes the service is horrible and I really don't appreciate a 'suggested amount'.  I have heard so please if anyone else has heard this let me know...Not to put your tip on your credit card to do your tipping the ole fashion way and leave it on the table because the waiter/waitress doesn't really get the full amount.

4. Share with us one household 'tip' that works for you. 

I try to do a little bit each day that way it doesn't all seem like you spend an entire day cleaning.

5. Influencers on social media are people who've built a reputation for their knowledge and expertise on a particular subject. Do you follow any influencers online? Have you made a purchase or tried something new because of that 'influence'? If there's one you particularly enjoy tell us who they are and why you enjoy them. 

No, I do not follow any influencers online.

If TikTok counts, I have purchased something and it is to arrive this week so who knows!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

After having over a week off from school due to having seven inches of school and single digit temps, yesterday was our first day back.  Shew!!  it was like starting over after Christmas.  I was glad and the students were kinda happy to be back in a routine.

Meet Bentley!  He is a Yorkie Poo.

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. What's a change you'd like or need to make this year? 

To stop criticizing myself so much.  At least, quit calling myself 'stupid' when I do something.  

2. Break the ice, on thin ice, ice skating, tip of the iceberg, ice cold...which icy idiom applies to your life right now? Explain. 

Right now, the only one that applies to me is 'break the ice'   I try to make all feel comfortable around me when hosting an event.  

3. What's a project you've been putting off? Will you get to it this month? This year?

I really need to tackle some landscaping this year.  I put it off last year, but I have to get it done this summer.

4. Of the fruits that grow well in winter which ones have you tried? Which is your favorite? 

pomegranates, clementines, persimmons, passion fruit, pears, grapefruit, lemons, pomelos, kumquats

Grapefruit, pears, lemons, passion fruit, clementines.   My favorite is clementines

5. What do you think it means to be courageous? 

To me, courageous is stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new despite the anxiety you are feeling.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Getting back into the swing of things now that my break is over.  I am adjusting.

Daughter and hub (plus 3 kids and 2 dogs) purchased a house and will sign January 15th.  They had originally wanted to build (September started the process with blueprints, etc) and as of December hadn't even started.  So they purchased a 5,000 sq.ft house.  

Wednesday Hodgepodge

The

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 2024-

hack, impact, at the end of the day, rizz, slay, iconic, cringe worthy, obsessed, side hustle, wait for it

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

The phrase I would like to see banished is 'wait for it'.   

I do use the word 'obsessed' quite often and I am really not that obsessed over it.

2. What do you wish you'd done more of last year? Less of? 

Set boundaries.  I don't want to sound like a push-over, but I was kinda this last year.  I am  very accommodating, but I don't need to go to the extreme and be miserable.

I wish I would have done less of  night time eating!!

3. A place you'd like to visit in this new year? Do you think you will? 

Technically, not a place BUT my friends and I are thinking about taking a cruise this year.  I have never been on a cruise before so hoping this will happen.

4.What are three words to sum up or describe your 2023? 

An interesting year!

5. What advice would you like to give yourself as we begin a new year? 

To stay true to your 2024 word!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Enjoyed spending the New Year with some friends.

Wishing All a Blessed, Happy New Year!

2024 Word of the Year

 

My word for the 2024 year is...Setting Boundaries.

What does setting boundaries really mean?  To me, it means setting behaviors that are acceptable for an individual and that Individual is going to be ME!  Boundaries are not a bad thing.

I have never considered myself to be a push-over, but this year a lot of stuff happened and I just agreed to let it happen and kept my mouth shut.  I have lived longer than I have left to live and I don't need to feel guilty about saying 'no' or going places.  Boundaries are an important part of my emotional and physical health.   Because there are healthy boundaries!!

The past several months, I have really been taken advantage of.  I have felt guilty about taking short trips going out with friends, and hiding my tears.  This feeling hasn't been great.  Setting boundaries will I know cause some hard feelings and other things, but I can't keep continuing down this path. 

Setting boundaries, I know, isn't etched in stone, but it is a start for me.  

I usually tell a couple of friends my word of the year.  When I call and begin to vent, the friends remind me of my word.

Having boundaries will protect me.

Until next time...Enjoy Life!

An adventure...

I love New York.  I know it isn't many peoples cup of tea, but it is mine.  It has been at least 10 years since I have been back.

Daughter and I were talking a couple of months ago, and we talked about going to New York.  I was thrilled.  We started looking at our schedules and started making plans.  I told her the grandsons (ages 5 and the twins are 3) get so many gifts at Christmas and in a month they are no longer playing with them.  This was my Christmas gift to them.

We left on Saturday and headed to Pennsylvania.  

First stop Sesame Street:

The boys rode many rides...

Saw many characters...

Decorated their own gingerbread cookie while drinking hot chocolate.

While in Pennsylvania, we headed to Hershey's Park.  We rode trains, made our own candy bar, and saw Santa Claus. And ate tons and tons of chocolate!!

I think I gained 15lbs here.

Finally, New York!!

We walked around the city, went on a doughnut tour, toured Rockefeller Center, went on a Polar Express Train ride, and went shopping.

We headed home Friday just in time for Christmas.  A little tired, but we all, especially the boys had a great time.

I like giving adventures instead of presents.

Hope all had a Merry Christmas. 

Wishing all a very Happy New Year!

Enjoy Life,

Tammy

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Oxford's Word of the Year for 2023 is 'rizz'. Hmmm...before today had you ever heard the word? Do you know what it means? (Apparently it's short for charisma) Have you ever used the word? If you were in charge of the world, what word would you declare word of the year for 2023?

I have not heard of this word.

X  would be by word of the year.  Elon changed Twitter to X so this is my word.  X stands for the 'unknown' and I feel we are living in the unknown never knowing what to expect anymore.

2. What's one word you tend to abbreviate in your writing or speech? (as in rizz for charisma)

Administration....ADMIN.

3. Are you a Hallmark movie watcher this time of year? What's your favorite character from a holiday- themed movie, book, or TV special? 

I do watch a few Hallmark movies. My favorite character has been Kristy Swanson.  She was great in the movie, A Christmas Wish.

4. Something you look forward to eating this month? 

I just finished telling a colleague yesterday that I was tired of Christmas food!   I love how my son-in-law smokes ham.  So, I am looking forward to eating smoked ham.

5. What's the most stressful part of the holiday season for you? 

I think I have made a mistake planning this Pennsylvania/New York trip.  I told a friend I was leaving next Saturday when I am leaving this Saturday!!  Being in school till Friday and leaving Saturday. one can say right now I am a bit stressed out considering I haven't baked one thing!  But in the end, it will all be okay.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

We took our 8th graders to Pigeon Forge Friday.  The students had a great time and were so well behaved.  It was a looong day...leaving school at 7:00 am and returning at 11:pm.  It was a long day!

Saturday, I was able to meet some ole friends.

Sunday evening was the kids Christmas Program at church.  If you are having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit (which I do) then a children's Christmas Program will brighten your day.

My two grandsons were a sheep and a donkey.

Blake was a rapper.

We ( I) need to slow down and just enjoy this peaceful season and remember the true meaning of Christmas.

https://youtu.be/NzEX3QMuVPM?feature=shared

Merry Christmas!