Wednesday hodgepodge #8

Decided to participate in Wednesday hodgepodge.  Go here and join in to participate or to read other hodgepodge posts.

1.  How did you ring in the new year? Very quietly sitting on the couch with my husband of 54 years and watching the repeat of the Times Square ball drop.

2.  What is one thing you are looking forward to in 2013?  Growing more in the Lord especially in the area of our Hebraic roots and how everything in the New Testament is based on the Old Testament.  

3.  Steven Spielberg is quoted as saying, "All of us every single year, we're a different person.  I don't think we're the same person all our lives."  What say you?  I do not think we remain static and unchanged.  We are either growing or regressing.  I choose to grow.

4. The Pantone color of the year for 2013 is emerald green. Like or dislike? Do you already own something this color?  Will you add something in this shade to your home or wardrobe in 2013?  Emerald green is one of my favorite colors to wear but I do not have that shade in my home.    I will be adding another few items of this shade to my wardrobe.

5.  Speaking of emerald...what's your favorite gemstone? My birthstone is Zircon but of course I love diamonds and I have emeralds.  I also like rubies, although I do not have any.

6. Share a favorite book or movie from 2012.  The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson.

7.  What is something you want to tell yourself at the start of this brand new year?  It's going to be a wonderful year, not only for me and my family, but for every Child of God.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.  I am going to fast every Tuesday of 2013.  Yesterday was the 1st and my first Tuesday.  1 down - 51 to go. 

Wednesday Hodge Podge #7

Go here for other Hodge Podge posts.

1. What is a pet peeve you have when vacationing?  The traffic and road construction every where you go.

2. Would you describe yourself as a light packer or do you need everything in your closet plus the kitchen sink? Very light packer, on a recent 3 day trip to Branson, MO my husband and I shared a medium size suitcase.

3. What's the best lesson a child ever taught you? To let them know how very important they are to you.

4. Share one piece of advice you'd give a recent graduate as they attempt to enter the job market?  If you have prepared yourself well with high grades and and good references;  remember that the employer interviewing you is just as concerned about making a good impression on you, so you'll want to join their organization, as you are on making a good impression on them. A person at an employment agency way back in 1956 gave me this advise.  I always had that thought throughout the years, when I moved to a new location or decided to go back to work after staying home with a child, and was very successful at getting hired. 

5. What's your favorite lemon something?  Lemon meringue pie hands down!

6. Flat sandal, wedge, heel...your favorite footwear?  Use to wear 3" heels all the time, but now that I'm in my 60's its definitely always flats. 

7. What do you like best about a beach holiday? If you're not a beach lover (GASP!!) what do you dislike the least?  I am NOT a beach lover at all!!  Give me the mountains or a beautiful lake in Canada or Alaska any day.  Can't think of anything I dislike least about a beach holiday because I just do not take them.

8. Insert your own random thought here.  What activity takes up the majority of your time, both mentally and physically, and why? 

Wednesday Hodge-Podge #6

Think I'll take part in hodgepodge this week.  Go here to see other links.

1. Spring is in the air (at least in my neck of the woods) and the birds are singing...what's your favorite bird?  Definitely the Blue Bird.

2. Speaking of birds...do you tweet? If so tell us your screen name and we'll come flocking to your Twitter site. Even if you don't let's all pretend here that we do-in 140 characters or less, sum up your week so far.

I do not tweet.  Sunday-wonderful worship & preaching.  Monday-not-my husband wrecked his pickup.  Tuesday-blessed-delivered meals to shut-ins & lead Bible Study in my home. PM.

3. Its been reported recently that employers are not only viewing the facebook pages of potential hires but they're also requesting your facebook password to have a look at what you've kept from public view. What say you?  I do not think they should have access to what you have chosen for private viewing only.

4. It's April and you know what that means-Major League Baseball is back in action. What's your favorite baseball movie? If that's too hard, what's your favorite sports themed movie?  I am not a movie watcher or sports fan so I'll pass on this one. 

5. Something else this season brings-asparagus. Yes please or no thanks? If it's yes please what's your favorite way to have it prepared?  I like long spears steamed.

6. What drives you? (Don't you love how I sandwiched that one in between asparagus and jugglers???)  My love and devotion to my Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

7. April 18th is International Jugglers Day...can you juggle? No, nor do I have any desire to do so!

8. Insert your own random thought here. How do you deal with negative people?

Wednesday Hodge-Podge #5

Go over and check out the other hodgepodge posts.

1. What is something you are loving right now? The blessed life I am living and the wonderful friends I am surrounded with both in real life and in the blog world.

2. Paris, Venice, New York, and Rome are considered four of the most romantic cities in the world. Which one would you most like to visit? This is hard because I'd go to any of these 4 in a minute, given the opportunity.  But, if I must choose only 1 I'd go to Venice.

3. Are you a romantic?  Not at all.  I am too much of a realist but I mostly live and dwell within the Spiritual realm.

4. What's your favorite love story made for the Big Screen?  I am not a movie or video fan so I cannot answer this one.

5. Everyone loves Pooh bear and friends...which character are you most like and why? Click here for help in answering this question. Had to go take this test :o) because I didn't know who these friends were!!!  According to the test I am Kanga.'You are warm and loving and great with children. People know not to misbehave around you or they'll end up in time out.'
 6. What's the best chocolate something you've ever eaten? Back in the 1980's the man I was working for brought me a box of chocolates from a business trip to Germany.  That was the absolutely best I've ever eaten.



7. Share a favorite quote about love.  "God is love.  When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us."  I John 4:17 The Message   

8. Insert your own random thought here  How do we truly manifest love on a daily basis?  Not only to our family and friends but to the world and place where we find ourselves.  This is a hard question and one I find myself struggling with a lot these days.

Wednesday HODGEPODGE #4

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Go here to participate and to read other's answers.

1. It's that most wonderful time of the year...tax season! Do you complete your own returns or farm that job out to the professionals?  I did my own but now I have my son do ours.

2. This next question comes from Kansas Bob...he posed it in his response to something I asked in an earlier Wednesday post and I asked him if I could add it to the Hodgepodge some day. Today's the day....
Which do you think has changed you more-love or pain? It would definitely be pain.  First, from holding my marriage together 28 years ago, and Second, from going through the battle with losing our beloved daughter, Suzette, to cancer.  That battle began on September 22, 2010 and ended on May 19, 2011.

3. Tangerine Tango has been named color of the year for 2012. Your thoughts? Would I find this color anywhere in your house? How about in your closet? If not, will you be adding this color to your life in some way in 2012? If you're not sure what tangerine tango looks like click here.  You would not find this color in my decorating scheme in my home or my closet.  Yes, I could see buying a new item to wear in this color.

4. Are you a collector? What do you collect and does it get admired, used, and/or dusted regularly? Yes, I collect angels and have them both inside and outside my home.  Yes, they get admired, especially my "beautiful angel" that sits on the TV console, and yes the ones inside get dusted a couple of times a week.  I use to collect mugs, when we were active in hot air ballooning and also when we travel in our RV, but have given most of them away.

5. February is National Heart Month...besides a green salad what is one tasty heart healthy dish you like to prepare?  Sorry to say, most of the dishes I like to prepare are more along the comfort food line!!!  One healthy one would be salmon patties,

6. When was the last time you had car trouble? That would be 2007 when we were in Kansas City on vacation with our grandchildren.  We came home with a brand new car!!!  You can read about it here.

7. Have you been more demanding on yourself lately or less? Is that a good trend? Less in the area of "have to do's" around the house but More in the area of reaching out in my Christian walk.  I think it is a good trend or I wouldn't be doing it.

8. Insert your own random thought here. I am so thankful that The Lord never gives up on us and is constantly working in our lives to do, and accomplish,  His good pleasure.  Have a beautiful Wednesday!!!

Hodgepodge #4

Yes, this was suppose to be posted on Wednesday, but let's just say..........I'm running behind!!!

1. A new Miss America was crowned on Saturday night-did you watch? No, I did not.  If you were a contestant what would your talent be? Playing the piano.

2. Do you have houseplants? Yes MANY.  Real or fake? Real and my husband basically takes care of them :o)

3. When you were in school did you speak up or were you more of the hide your face, avoid eye contact, and pray the teacher didn't call on you type of student? Oh, I was, an still am, definitely a speak up person!

4. Next Monday marks the Chinese New Year...what do you order when someone suggests Chinese food?  I prefer buffet and my favorite are egg rolls & chow mein with nuts.

5. How would you define a miracle? Something that is definitely in God's control and that we cannot do ourselves.  What would it take for you to consider something a miracle? Not a lot because I believe we see miracles of God around us ALL the time.

6. What's your favorite Disney song? M-I-C-K-E-Y Mouse because of my husbands name.

7. I should have nothing yesterday. Because I do not run my life on SHOULD HAVES.

8. Insert your own random thought here.  We spent last evening celebrating our dear friends, Jack & Mary's, January 15th BD, with another couple of dear friends, Don & Barbara.  I am so very blessed with wonderful friends.  What is one of your biggest blessings?

Thank you Joyce for hosting Hodgepodge and the privilege of participating.  Go here to see other participants.

Hodgepodge #3

http://joyce-fromthissideofthepond.blogspot.com/

1. Lake Superior University has once again published a list of words/phrases they think should be banished from the Queen's English in 2012-

amazing, baby bump, shared sacrifice, occupy, blowback, man cave, the new normal, pet parent, win the future, trickeration, ginormous, and thank you in advance.

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why?

Occupy - because it is being used, in my opinion, with a movement that is very harmful and destructive to our nation and is fostering and encouraging bad behavior on the part of most participants.
2. Are you easily embarrassed?  No.

3. What is your go-to snack?  The cookie jar.  Not so these first 10 days of this new year as I am doing a liquid only fast.  Hopefully, even when my fast is over I will leave the cookie jar alone for snacking.

4. Have you ever been to Washington D.C.? If not do you have any desire to go? What site/attraction would you most want to see in that city? If you have been, what's your favorite site/attraction?
Yes, The Library of Congress.  We actually saw it by accident because we asked a patrolman directions to the Supreme Court Bldg and in giving us directions he said we'd go by the Library of Congress and to stop there and go in.  He said it was the most beautiful building in Washington and hardly anyone visited it.  We took his advice and did so.  I stood on the upper balcony and actually wept it was so beautiful.  I then wrote in the visitor book, "I do not believe my eyes will behold such beauty until I get to heaven." and I meant it.  I ALWAYS recommend The Library of Congress to anyone I know is going to visit D.C.
5. sit ups-planks-lunges-squats...which do you hate the least?  lunges - I have never done a plank and never even heard of such a thing until recently.  Don't believe I'll be doing one!!!

6. What's a small act of kindness you were shown that you've never forgotten?  It wasn't really that small, but one year our daughter Suzette talked to our other 3 children and they all went together and bought us a brand new ceramic top range with self-cleaning oven for Mother's & Father's day gift.
7. Have you ever been a blood donor?  No.  I went one time, in my early 20's, and when they tested my blood I was so anemic that they ended up giving ME a blood transfusion.

8. Insert your own random thought here. Since I am currently fasting I wonder how many reading this blog today have ever fasted and why?

Wednesday Hodgepodge is fun to participate in so go here to do so.  Have a wonderful Wednesday.

New Year New Hodgepodge   Decided to do this after seeing it on a friends blog, even though I'm a late participant!!!

1. What are three words you would use to describe your 2011?  
Hardest - we lost our lovely daughter to cancer on May 19th
Overcomers - because our Triune God was with us every step of the way and with Him we are overcomers.
Debt free - Totally debt free!!!!

2. Do you like shrimp? What's your favorite way to have it prepared?
I enjoy good fried shrimp when eating out.  I don't really "prepare" it.

3. Is your house de-Christmased? If so when did you tackle that job? If not, when will the decorations come down?
Due to this being our "first" Christmas without Suzette we choose to not put up any decorations this year.  If we had they would have been down by Dec. 31st.

4. Do you like to watch scary movies?
Not a big movie watch in the first place and definitely NOT scary ones.  Didn't even like them as a child.

5. ice skating~sledding~skiing~snowboarding~of the four listed which wintertime activity do you most enjoy?
None - I enjoy sitting by the fire drinking coffee or hot chocolate :o)

6. Did you have a childhood hideout? Describe it.
I had 2 - We had a chicken house that my father had converted to a darling playhouse for me.  I spent MANY hours there and loved it.  Second - my friend and I would climb up on top of the metal roof of our garage and watch the clouds, seeing what they looked like and telling our "secrets".

7. What's a place or space that motivates you?
Anytime I am in a small group of prayer or Bible Study.  My "special" private place is the large leather recliner in my living room with all my books & Bibles by my side.

Also, here in my office on this computer when I am motivated by some of the blogs I follow.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I am so looking forward to this NEW YEAR and all that God will show me and where HE will lead me.

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE (except it's Friday)

A blog friend of mine has been doing this an I thought it might be fun to participate in for awhile.

1. It is officially fall here in North America...I realize not everyone who participates in the Hodgepodge lives in North America, but if you do what's your favorite memory of Summer 2011? If you're not in North America, what's your favorite memory of the season just ending on your side of the world?

I do not have a lot of favorite memories of this summer because it's been a rather rough one for us.  See my precious post as to why.

2. Your favorite nut? You know I mean the edible kind, right?  I love pecans and use them a lot in baking.

3. What activity puts your sense of balance to the test? To get into a narrow open space where I might fear falling.

4. How would you describe your sense of humor?  I laugh easily and often.  Natural humor is the funniest to me and if I really get tickled I have a hard time shutting it off.  

 5. September 28th is National Ask a Stupid Question Day...what's your stupid question?  Why would you want me to ask a stupid question?

6/. Roller skates~hula hoop~jump rope...which activity would you most enjoy? Yes, you have to choose.
Rollger skates for sure but I've done and enjoyed all three.

7. What's your most sentimental possession?  My leather bound King James Version of the Bible that my husband gave me on our 1st wedding anniversary in October 1958.

8. Insert your own random thought here.  Thank you for letting me participate in this, even late!!