Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. The Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? Will you be giving something up or adding something to your life in this Lenten season? 

I have never marked Lent, BUT last night at my Bible Study Group we discussed this.  This year, I am giving up something for Lent; it is Facebook.  I first thought alcohol, I enjoy a glass of wine sometimes, but I thought this is't good enough because I don't drink daily.  However, late at night, I do check out Facebook.

2. Pancakes...are you a fan? Syrup or no syrup? Plain, blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas, or some other add in? Are pancakes on your menu this week? 

I am not a fan of pancakes.  Pancakes remind me of doughnuts and when I eat a pancake, it just kinda sits in my stomach, and I feel yucky.

3. Tell us about a time recently when you felt 'spread too thin'?

I guess it would have to be last Tuesday.  I was late getting home from school.  Daughter texted me at around 5pm and needed me to come to Abingdon to take the twins to basketball practice so she could take the oldest grandson to his practice.  I rushed around and did over the speed limit to get there and was only 5 minutes late.  My school is an hour away from her house, so I was really trucking down the interstate! They were waiting in the driveway for me.  Quickly hopping out of my car, I jumped in her van.  Daughter did ask if the keys were in my car, which I replied , "Yes."  My phone was on silent in my purse and when I arrived at the destination for the twins practice, I was putting her keys in my purse and say MY keys.  There was also seven missed calls from daughter and she was highly upset.  I returned her phone call, apologizing, and explaining I rushed there and had not turned my phone back on.  I guess I was spread a little too thin that evening.

4. What's your favorite jewel or gemstone? In terms of your wardrobe would we find more gem tones, pastels, black and white, or primary colors? 

I have many favorites...opal ( I have an opal ring that I love but someone told me it was bad luck to wear opal if my birthday was not in October), I like sapphires...Burmese Blue and Pastel Pink. 

My wardrobe consist of all!!!  

5. What responsibility do you think is hardest about being in charge? 

I don't like being in charge.  If I am in charge, then my decisions affect people. If something goes wrong, then it is my fault.  Since this question asked about a responsibility, if in charge that would be hard...to me that would be firing someone or having to let someone go.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

This week is turning out to be better than last week.  Tuesday was the key mix up (see answer #3), Wednesday I almost tore up my safe ( a long story), and Thursday I had water in my basement from a pipe that was on the Town's side and was finally fixed on Friday!!  I told my Bible Study Group that I must be living right because the devil was after me all last week.  AND I forgot to post my Wednesday Hodgepodge!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. The Winter Olympics kick off on Friday, February 6th...on a scale of 1-10 how excited are you? (1= eh and 10=watching every event all day every day). What's your favorite Winter Olympic sporting event? 

I enjoy watching the Winter Olympics.  I have a few favorites...Bobsleigh (this just amazes me how fast they go), Skiing (Freestyle), and my favorite is all of the Skating. 

2. In other sporting news, the Superbowl (American football's championship game) will be played on Sunday, February 8th. So tell us...what's your superpower?

Besides being able to shovel my driveway, I guess my superpower would have to be resilience and staying positive.  Some days are harder than others. 

3. Are you a romantic? 

Not really.  And with Valentine's Day approaching, I did not like for my late hub to shower me with gifts.  I always thought it 'not right' to just show me one one day of the year how much you love me.  I want you to show me you love me EVERYDAY!

But if you celebrate Valentine's Day, that is you...I don't want to rain on your parade. This is just me.

4. Blue cheese-yay or nay? How about feta? If you said yes to one or both, what's a dish you like that calls for one of these? 

I like both.  Mainly use blue-cheese on salads.  I make bake feta pasta without the shallot and in the summer I make watermelon feta .

5. What's more important-doing what you love or loving what you do? 

I think loving what you do is more important.  Loving what I do gives me motivation to do it, rather than dreading it.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Rain and warmer temps are on the way!!!  Yay!!!  Today is our first day back in school since January 23rd!

The snow was beautiful, BUT the ice caused a mess!

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgeodge

1. I live in the south so we're pretty much only talking about the weather right now. Give us a weather report from where you live. Does the kind of weather you're having today affect your mood in some way? 

Weather report from Southwest Virginia:   Sunny and very cold with temps around 8 or 9 degrees that is not including the wind chill factor.  Trees down blocking roads from the ice storm that occurred Saturday evening and Sunday morning.  Probably around an inch or more of ice.  Some snow overnight (Monday night) with little accumulation, but the snow helps one to walk on the ice.   Temps are going to rise into the mid 30s by the end of the week.  BUT, I just say maybe more snow heading into the weekend.

This weather doesn't affect my mood. 

2.  Avocados, kale, cauliflower and cottage cheese have all had their time to shine. 2026 brings us the year of the cabbage. Is this a vegetable you like? If so, what are some of your favorite dishes that call for cabbage?  

Yes, I love cabbage.  Last summer, I planted 12 heads of cabbage in my garden.  I like making fresh  cole slaw with cabbage, cabbage and corn beef, fry cabbage with onions and peppers, and I make egg rolls with cabbage and sausage.

3. Was a Cabbage Patch Doll a part of your childhood? Or maybe your children's childhood? What's a toy trend from your childhood you remember wanting for your own? 

Cabbage Patch Dolls were not a part of my childhood.  My girls didn't care for them, either.  My girls were mainly into Barbies.

I loved Mrs. Beasley.  I remember wanting her for Christmas.  She had a string on the back that you could pull and she would talk.  She had the softest body.  Mrs. Beasley was my best friend.  She wore glasses and I think this was about the same time I had to start wearing glasses!

4. Something you've spent a lot of time doing lately? 

Reading and doing word searches.  With the ice storm, I had no internet until yesterday (Tuesday).  I know most people get productive during this time...cleaning out closets, just decluttering, BUT not me.  I love to read and that is what I have been doing.  I do try to go out and get some fresh air, but Bentley, my little dog, is ready to come back in to the warm house.

5. Somehow it's the last week of January...sum up your month in just three sentences. 

. School opened up smoothly, children happy to be back and in rare form, while teachers were dragging by the end of the day.  Saturdays were spent at a gym watching basketball. Then BAM!!! you ended with vengeance.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The girls' trip was canceled and so happy we were smart enough to do this.  Well, it was a husband of one of the girls who set the wheels in motion...worried about ice, snow, of if we would even have heat if power went off.  We didn't think about this.  We knew the storm wasn't going to hit till Saturday and we just planned on staying longer, until we could get out.   The rental company exchanged our weekend to another weekend with no problem at all.

I am so thankful that during this entire ice storm, I didn't lose electricity. Hope all was safe and warm.  

Have a great rest of the week, stay safe, stay warm, and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Ice skating, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, playing in the snow, or a snowy walk...which winter activity do you choose? Have you done any of these activities so far this winter? 

I love a snowy walk only if the temps aren't in the teens!  When the grandsons are here, I do enjoy playing in the snow with them.  Unfortunately, we haven't had much snow this year, but it is only January so February might be brutal.

2. Everyone is posting pictures from ten years ago on their social media sites so let's jump on the bandwagon too. Share one photo and one thought to go with said photo from the year 2016. And maybe everyone isn't doing this, but many are and we're going to be part of the fun. 

My late daughter and grandson (Late hub's son had a child) swimming.  We probably went swimming everyday!  I miss my daughter tremendously!!!  And the grandson is 17 now and I haven't seen him in SIX years!!

My late hub and I would take a walk/hike about every Sunday!  I miss him, also.

I have a hard time believing this was only 10 years ago.  

3. What's a trend you hope disappears in this new year? 

Some of this new technology 'stuff'  I know AI is good sometimes, but it can also be not good.  I think, our society has gotten away with plain 'ole' communication and technology has taken it away.  I see so many parents out to dinner with their children and the parents are on their phone instead of communicating with their children.  I also think technology has limited our brain use.  Instead of trying to figure out a math problem, we use AI for answers.

I know technology is good and I use it daily, BUT I think it has gotten a little out of hand.

4. 'They' say there's a day for everything and January 21st proves it. National Granola Bar Day. Do you like granola bars? How about just regular granola? Do you like bars of other kinds? 

I like granola bars!!  I usually just buy Nature's Valley granola bars.  Also, when taking yogurt to school, I usually add oats and honey granola.

5.  A frozen lake, a trickling stream, a raging river, or a deep well...which one describes something about your life right now? Elaborate as much or as little as you like. 

A trickling stream is probably the best choice than the others.  Although sometimes my live can be a frozen lake...not dangerous but just frozen in time.

A trickling stream because even though I have experienced a blessed life, I have had to face obstacles.  I do feel like the obstacles have changed the course of my life. These obstacles have caused me to realize that no one has the promise of tomorrow and to appreciate each moment.  But just like a trickling stream, I face each day and continue to move forward.  It might be a slow pace, but I make myself get out of bed each morning and face the day.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Keeping an eye out on the weather that is supposed to happen.  All stay safe and warm.

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What kind of winter person are you-snow lover, fireplace snuggler, winter adventurer, or indoor hibernator? Elaborate. 

I am a little of a snow lover.  I love to play in the snow (even at age 66) and walk in the snow.  When the grandsons are here, we build many, many snowmen, make snow angels, and have snowball fights.  Sometimes we even see who can knock down the snowmen. 

BUT...I am also a fireplace snuggler.  Watching the snow fall while sitting by my fireplace is so peaceful.  Usually, I have a book to read,also.

2. The Pantone color of the year is cloud dancer, described as a gentle, billowy off white shade. The color symbolizes 'peace, clarity, quiet reflection, renewal, and a soft reset'. Of the terms just listed which do you need most in your life this winter? 

Quiet reflection and clarity.

3. Every cloud has a silver lining, on cloud nine, head in the clouds, storm clouds gathering, or cloud of suspicion...which 'cloud' idiom do you most relate to currently? Explain. 

I am definitely not on cloud nine.  My head is not in the clouds and hopefully storm clouds aren't gathering.  Nor can I relate to cloud of suspicion.

I guess I would have to go with every cloud has a silver lining. This is a comforting phrase I say to myself. It may not be apparent at the time and may take years to see that every cloud does have a silver lining.

4. coconut, cauliflower, cottage cheese, mayonnaise, onions, ranch dressing...of the white foods listed, which would be the hardest for you to give up? Do you like all or any of the foods on the list? 

Cottage cheese because this is what I pack in my lunch on most days.  I alternate lunch between cottage cheese and yogurt.  

I like all the foods on the list, but not a huge fan of coconut unless it is in cookies!

5. Thomas Wentworth Higginson is credited with this quote-

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year." 

Agree or disagree? Tell us why. 

Agree

In winter, have faith spring is right around the corner.  I have faith that life is still happening in my garden.  Even though I can't see the roots, I know life is happening there because of faith.

Without the cold I don't think one would truly value the warmth. 

Back to my garden again...but just as plants and trees need a period of dormancy to bloom, so do we.  Humans need a period of rest.

Even in our seasons of life...I have faith this season is only temporary.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Getting ready to say good-bye to our spring-like weather.  The weather is turning colder with a chance of snow.

Have a great rest of the week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What are three words you would use to describe your 2025? 

Adventure---first time going on a cruise, loved going motorcycle riding (late hub would call motorcycles organ donors), taking short excursions 

Relationships--building new relationships with people.  A few of these new relationships have been great and a couple not so good.

Heartbroken-dealing with the loss of a dear college friend

2. I ask this question every January, and I always get comments about how we shouldn't be banning words. This is fun and games so just play along : ) 

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 about how the words are chosen). Here's the list for 2026- 

67 • demure • cooked • massive • incentivize • full stop • perfect • gift/gifted  • my bad • reach out 

Which one (if any) do you use most often? Which one of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word you think should have made the list? 

I definitely use the word 'perfect' way too much.  How was your meal?  PERFECT   Your work you submitted was PERFECT, etc.

A word I would love to see banished is  67.  What the heck does it mean anyway? It is just annoying to hear.

3. What are your nightly rituals? Is that different from your 'ideal' nightly ritual? If so what's your ideal? 

My nightly rituals after dinner:  I try to walk at least 2 miles on my treadmill as I listen to the news,  wash my hair (if I had to wash my hair in the mornings, I would have to get up at least 1 1/2 hrs earlier.  I have thick hair and it holds water and takes forever to blow dry), wash off all make-up and clean my face, take dog out to potty (hopefully for the last time), read a little, read my devotion, and try to watch some television or start a movie.  I also check the weather and see if there is any chance of snow in the near future.

I have no ideal what my nightly ritual should look like.

4. January 6th is/was National Bean Day. Do you like beans? Which one is your favorite? Last thing you ate made with beans? 

Yes, I do like beans.  My favorite is pinto beans.  I made cracked green beans and loved them.

5. Are you easily embarrassed? Elaborate. 

I don't think I am as easily embarrassed as I was when younger.  If I have a minor hiccup in a social gathering, I apologize right away.  When doing something...like falling, or trying to get in the wrong vehicle, I usually just laugh it off.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My Women's Bible Group met Monday evening.  We have chosen the book, Don' t Give the Enemy A Seat at the Table.  I am looking forward to digging a little deeper in this study.  Has anyone read this book? Thoughts?

Enjoy the mild, spring-like weather in my neck of the woods.

Have a Great Rest of the Week and Enjoy Life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Did you make resolutions or set goals for the year we're waving goodbye? How did that work out for you? Will you set any goals for this new year, new season, or new month? Share one or two if you'd like to share. 

Evidently, I didn't set any goals...cause I can't remember.  

I am going to set goals this year.  First, I am going to quit the negative talk I say to myself, and I am going to wake up and set a positive tone for the day.  I read somewhere if you do this, your day will be better.  I am gonna give it a shot.

2. When did you have the most fun this year? 

First, it would definitely have to be on my 7 day cruise!  My first cruise ever and I loved every second of it.  At first, I was skeptical because I am not a water person at all.  After a few minutes of knowing the ship was moving I was okay.  Meeting so  many new people and becoming friends was definitely a highlight.

Second, was my trip to Bath County.  A few friends and I rented a cabin.  I soaked in the hot springs and this was amazing.  The cabin had a little fire pit so at night we sat out by the fire pit, had a few beverages, talked and laughed and roasted S'mores.  Just a little, fun, get-away.

3. What's a song or song lyric you'll associate with 2025? Tell us why. 

"I Knew You Were Trouble When You Walked In" by Taylor Swift

It is a white elephant I don't want to discuss right now, maybe one day I will share.

4. Best (or a favorite) bite of something delicious you tasted this year? 

A friend introduced me to Snickers Dip.  It was delicious!!!

5. What do you want to do more of in the new year? Less of? 

I want to do more volunteering in the new year.  I didn't participate in any volunteering this year...the backpack program, food banks, etc.

Also, I want to wake up earlier to read my devotional before heading to school.

I want to do less scrolling on my phone.  At night, I tend to scroll more on my phone...tik tok, Facebook, IG, etc.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Being off for break has really through me for a loop.  On Sunday night, I called my cousin to ask if she had seen the e-mail we received from the principal.  Teachers have a professional development meeting Monday, Jan. 5th before students return Jan. 6th.  The e-mail said to bring our laptop.  My laptop is at school but I have one at home.  My cousin asked why I was so concerned about it now!!!  Duh...I have another week before being concerned.  We both got a good laugh and my cousin called some friends, SO, my phone rang all that evening with laughter!!

Wishing All a Very Happy New Year!!

Enjoy Life!