Hodgepodge 1-2-3

Not a lot going on here in my neck of the woods but getting myself mentally prepared to begin the dreaded radiation treatments. They now have my plan together and I will have my first treatment on Thursday. I was a bit surprised that they are starting them on a Thursday, with the plan being Monday through Friday I assumed that they would start on a Monday. But, like my Mother always said, that is what happens when you assume!! They told me that as long as they get at least two treatments in before taking a break, then they can be started. I see the Radiation Oncologist on Thursday before the treatments so that he can explain to me the precise treatment plan and show me where exactly the beams are going, how many beams are being used, the dosage and how they are missing my heart and lungs. With the treatments being to my left side the heart and lungs have been a concern. I am not looking forward to this phase of the process, but I know it is an important part of my goal to be cancer free and with these treatments it changes the recurrence rate from 45% to 7%, a Big Difference. 

Now on with Hodgepodge .....

1. This week's Hodgepodge is Volume 123. What's something you've done recently that was as easy as 1-2-3? 

On Saturday I attended the "Spring Fling" in the little town that I grew up in. This annual event, held at the local library, consists of a health fair, live music and booths selling homemade goodies and crafts. I had my eyes, blood pressure, blood sugar level and cholesterol checked as well as having a bone density test and my blood typed. I have small veins and they have a very hard time finding one they can use to draw blood and now, since they can not use my left arm to get my blood pressure or blood from, it has become an even harder task, but with all the testing I have had in the past few weeks I have found that my hand has good veins.  So as easy as 1-2-3 they were able to get the needed blood from my right hand.  

2. The Wednesday Hodgepodge also happens to fall on the first day of May ...what is something you may do this month? 

Get plenty of rest and try to avoid stress, a hard task for a worry wart like me.

3. The Englishman Horace Walpole is credited as saying, "The world is a tragedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who think" How do you see it?

I suppose this could be different for not only different situations but for different people. Some situations are tragic to feel but I would not want to go through life without feeling and sometimes you can spend your time over thinking things and miss out.  I suppose the trick is finding the happy medium.

4. May is National Hamburger Month...how often do you eat a burger? What are your must-haves when it comes to burgers? I assume you vegetarians won't be celebrating so tell us what you'd like instead? 

Burgers are consumed in this house at least once a week, mainly by my husband. Sometimes I opt for other things. But, if I do have a burger, pickles, onion, ketchup and mustard are a must. Tomatoes too if we have good ones or homegrown ones.

5. Pansies, petunias, geraniums, impatiens...of the four mentioned, which is your favorite in a patio pot? Will there be pots on your patio this spring? (Or whenever spring comes to your part of the globe?) Who does the gardening at your house?

Impatiens are my favorites, I have planted them along the front of my house and had them in pots too. I hope to have some at least in my front porch flower pots. I am usually the one that plants anything in our yard. 

6. When did you last (literally or figuratively) shout "Mayday, Mayday!"

I prefer, "Calgon Take Me Away", and shout it often when I see my kitchen after my husband has been cooking. How one person can make such a mess is beyond me and we won't even start on how many items he can dirty.... 

7. Say farewell to your April in ten words or less. 

Farewell April, May hath promised warmth and beauty!!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Update and Hodgepodge

When I last posted I was working hard to gain somewhat normal motion in my arm. I had my appointment with my Radiation Oncologist this past Wednesday and he was very pleased with my range of motion, actually he was very surprised at the improvement. Granted it is still not perfect or anywhere near normal, but I am able to get it over my head and in the position needed for the treatments. So even though we still had not gotten the results of the gene (Oncotype DX) test the doctor wanted to go ahead and do what he called my "simulation".  

This "simulation" consisted of lying on the table shown in the picture. The table moves up and towards the machine. The material I was lying on was then conformed to my body making a mold that will be used for each of my treatments to ensure that I am in the same exact position every time. The doctor then came in with a sharpie marker and marked the area to be radiated. The machine rotated around me and pictures were taken. Once they were satisfied that they had the area targeted the nurse gave me my permanent tattoo marks. I now have three small dark blue tattoos, (just little dots). These too will ensure that the correct spot will be treated each time.  

Finally, Monday evening the Medical Oncologist called with the test results.

My total score was a low 12, so this means NO CHEMO!!! I am so happy and Thankful for this news. 

I go on Thursday to have a cat scan and with this the Radiation Oncologist and his team can put together my exact treatment plan. Because they will be treating my left side the team has to take extra precautions to keep the radiation from hitting my heart. 

They hope to have a plan together to start the treatments on Monday, if not than it will be the following Monday. Six weeks of Monday through Friday treatments... I am dreading this so much but know that it is what is best for me and I just want to be done with it. 

But for now, on with the Hodgepodge.........

1. April showers bring May flowers...what have you been showered with this month?

Tulip Tree March 2012

I think the only thing I have been showered with lately is Doctors. 

Not really much growing in my yard, even my Tulip Tree hasn't bloomed as beautifully. When the tree blooms were just beginning to open up we had several cold frosty days and the blooms never fully opened but turned dark and fell off. 

2. What is the nature of compassion? Is it learned or innate? Can compassion be learned? If you're a parent is this something you've purposely sought to instill in your children, and if so how?

I do think compassion can be taught. Experience is the best teacher and if our children see us as parents and role models being compassionate towards others they too will learn compassion. 

Simple things like treating others with respect no matter their status in the community, or collecting clothes and toys for a family who has lost everything in a fire, bringing food to a friend or neighbor who is ill,  teaching our children to be accepting of those who are different from ourselves, opening a door for the young mother struggling with a child and packages or groceries, stopping as a funeral procession goes by, and so many other acts of kindness.....

3. Do you prefer to watch romantic comedy or romantic drama...or are you rolling your eyes saying bring on the action flicks?

I would have to say that I enjoy them both. Give me a romantic movie any day over an action flick!!

4. It's April which means baseball season is officially upon us here in the US of A. Humphrey Bogart is quoted as saying "A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz." Agree or Disagree?

Oh I so Agree!! There is nothing like a hot dog from a ballgame. I don't know what it is about them, but they are always sooooo good!!

5. What's something in your community or city that needs fixing or improving?

The roadways. There is so much construction going on and so many areas have had streets torn apart with the installation of underground wiring and bigger drains. 

6. Share a song you enjoy that mentions flowers or a specific flower in its title.

This is the first song that came to mind and one that I enjoy, The Rose by Bette Midler.

7. April 22nd is Earth Day...do you believe there's life on other planets? That wasn't the question you were expecting was it? 

No little green men or monster like beings, but micro organisms I supposed there could be. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Trying To Find Some Normalcy

I am happy to be joining in once again with this fun meme. I attempted to before Easter but simply did not have the energy. Since having my surgery I have been so exhausted and then while still in the healing process I developed a sinus and ear infection. This combination totally zapped my energy. I had multiple doctors appointments scheduled, (follow up visit with the surgeon, first visits with the oncologist and radiation oncologist), I thought that one of them would be able to treat me for the sinus stuff too. But, they would not. So a visit to my family physician was added to my agenda. Thank goodness for steroid shots and antibiotics. I am feeling much better now. As for my healing process, it has been a rough road. The doctors have been pleased with my progress except for the radiation oncologist. He was not pleased with my arm motion and wanted to send me to physical therapy. He said in order to start the radiation treatments I would have to have much more range of movement in my arm. So he gave me a week to get the arm moving or off to physical therapy I go. It has been rough, and I cried while doing the exercises for a few days. But, thank heavens I am gaining more use of the arm. It is still swollen and very sore but I am able to raise it over my head now and to do the exercises without crying in pain. I see the doctor again on Wednesday and hopefully will be able to move forward with the mapping out of my treatment process. I am still awaiting the results of the gene test to determine if I will be able to skip the chemo. I should have those results by the end of the week.

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And now on with the Hodgepodge.......

1.     April 15th is the deadline for Americans to file their state and federal income tax returns. What's a job you do on a regular basis that could be described as 'taxing'?

Keeping files updated at the office. My husband often leaves things where he finishes with them instead of putting them in their proper place, so I spend a lot of time trying to locate documents that should be in a client's file. We work at home at times, more so since my illness, so documents are scattered at home and at the office. I periodicity have to check the conference room and his office at work as well as our dining room table and computer area at home for documents.   

2.     I'm participating in the April A-Z blog challenge, and the Hodgepodge happens to fall on Day O this week. In keeping with that theme...olives, onions, oysters, okra...of the foods mentioned, what's your favorite O food?

Ohhh, how I love onions and olives!!!! I like to put onions in everything or eat them on the side with certain foods. I love the smell of onions grilling and there is nothing like a green onion and a tomato fresh from the garden. Throw a few olives, green or black, in there and Yum, Yum!!

One of my favorite lunches is what my hubby calls a "nibbly plate" a few olives, tomatoes, green onions, cheese, grapes or pineapple, a slice of ham or turkey and a few crackers!! 

3.     What is something memorable you experienced as a child that your own children (or future children/nieces/nephews) will not get to experience? 

So many things... Telephone Party Lines, rotary phones, only three television networks to choose from, having to move the rabbit ears to get one of those stations to come in, having to go outside and turn the antenna to make the television stations clear, moving the rabbit ears on the television so you could have a clear picture, watching shows in black and white, counter checks....

My kids and I have had several conversations about many of the the items listed above. The telephone party lines simply blow their minds and the thought of only three tv stations does as well. But the counter checks has been the most amazing to them. Maybe it was just a small town thing. But where I grew up we had two local banks, we called them the white bank and the yellow bank, not because of the buildings but because at local businesses they had pads of counter checks white and yellow. When customers would go through the check out process and say they were going to pay with a check the clerk would ask, white bank or yellow? Which ever bank your family used that is the check pad you would be handed. You filled out the check and signed it or signed your parents name and yours underneath it. It was more of a task keeping up with the checks with more family members writing them on the same account and them not being chronologically numbered. 
My kids seldom even write checks and when my daughter lost her debit card and had to do without it while they issued a new one asked me how she was going to be able to get cash or pay for things. The thought of writing a check was a foreign concept to her. 

4.     Term limits for our elected officials...your thoughts? 

I am on the fence on this one. While term limits would possibly bring new eyes and new ideals to the table, sometimes the wisdom of age and experience is best.  
5.     On April 18th, 1775, Paul Revere made his famous 'midnight ride'...when did you last make a midnight ride? Perhaps the fate of a nation wasn't hanging in the balance, but tell us where you were headed anyway.

One night my kids and I were up late. We decided we wanted something to eat. Since the only places open around here at midnight or after are White Castle, Taco Bell and the local Donut Shop we decided to make a midnight run to White Castle. The furthest place from the house of course. It was actually fun and a great memory of time shared with my kids. 

6.     What would freak you out more...a mouse running across your floor or a big fat hairy spider? 

Not that I am fond of either one, but the mice I can control. Spiders are another story. We have those pesky Brown Recluse spiders around here and they are nearly impossible to get rid of. We spray our house every year for them but still see them at times.  My husband and step son have been bitten by them, both of them had to see a doctor for their bites and had to take medication to get the bite site to heal. I am constantly on the look out for them. Once I saw one under my pillow. I turn my pillow over Every night before climbing in bed now.  

7.     I love it when people ask me________________________?

How I keep my hair in such great shape. Many times when I get it cut the people will remark about how soft and healthy it is. This past January while in Florida I got my bangs trimmed and the guy commented on my hair. The thing is I really don't do anything special to it. I change shampoos often, I try to at least trim the ends twice a year and very seldom blow it dry. But I color it every few months and straighten it or use hot rollers on it nearly every day.

8.     Insert your own random thought here.

Another Hodgepodge Wednesday

Hodgepodge Time once again and our gracious host, Joyce over at The Other Side of the Pond, has another group of great questions for us. Below are the questions and my answers.  

1. When were you last 'on a mountaintop'? You may answer in the literal or figurative sense.

Well the only mountain I have ever visited has been the Great Smoky Mountains. 
The last time I was there was in the Spring of 2005. My daughter and I, and my husband and step son walked the half-mile steep trail to Clingman's Dome.  

Clingman's Dome

Clingman's Dome, at 6,643 feet, is the highest point of the Smoky Mountains. It is the highest point in Tennessee. 
Clingman's Dome is located along the state-line ridge, half in Tennessee and half in North Carolina. A paved trail leads to a 54 foot observation tower. It was atop this tower that my husband proposed (April 5, 2005)





2. Do you establish and maintain a strict budget in your household? What is one piece of financial advice you would offer someone just starting out on their own?

I try to stay on a budget, but with a child in college the budget goes out the window a lot. Plus the fact that I work for my husband and if money doesn't come in we struggle.

After my divorce from my first husband, I relied on credit cards to get by. I did alright until the recession hit and they cut my credit limits, which jacked up the interest. At about the same time I had to have a couple of medical procedures which created more debt. I dug myself into a bit of a hole that I am still trying to dig out of.

Many of our bankruptcy clients have very similar problems that lead them to our office. I am often shocked at the number of credit card accounts that people have.

My advice would be - STAY FAR FAR AWAY from Credit Cards, or at least use them as little as you possibly can get by with. They are good to help in building credit, but are far too easy to use and quickly you can find yourself in too deep. 

3. Cherries-yay or nay? Cherry pie, cherry cola, black forest cake, or a scoop of Ben and Jerry's Cherries Garcia...pick one.

Yay, Yay and Yay!! I love cherries. Cherry Pie, Cherry Coke, and Ben ad Jerry's Cherry Garcia is my Favorite! If I had to pick just one Cherry Delight, hands down it would be Cherry Garcia. How can you go wrong with it, after all it not only has cherries, but chocolate too!

4. Should you ever discuss religion or politics with people you don't know? 

 I think religion and politics are very sensitive topics and ones that often become heated discussions. I think a person should tread lightly when discussing these topics with someone you do not know.   

5. When you take a road trip do you prefer to be the driver or the passenger? Where were you headed on your last road trip? 

I prefer to be the passenger/navigator on road trips. I am not comfortable driving in places I am not familiar with. 

Our last trip was in December - January. While we flew to Orlando, we drove from Orlando to Tampa, from Tampa to Melbourne, and then from Melbourne back to Orlando. So I suppose you could consider it a road trip since we drove from one side of Florida to the other. 

6. If we peeked inside your closet, what color would we say is most prevalent?

Black, it is slimming and as I have gotten older I have put on a few pounds, I need all the help I can get!!! Plus I have to dress business casual for the office and most dressed slacks are black or grey.

7. Who's your favorite senior citizen and why are they special?

A woman that I worked with a several years ago, Miss Shirley, as we called her. She always told me that I reminded her of her daughter, who died in a car wreck at the age of 21. Her daughter and I were born on the same day and the same year. She kind of took me under her wing and we became very close. Even after we both left the workplace we remained close. She moved away because of health issues and needing to be closer to her family. We stayed in touch even after she moved and would talk on the phone for hours. She eventually ended up in a nursing home after having a stroke. After that she had problems with her speech so our calls stopped. She tried to write a couple of times and just a week before she died had one of the nurses write to me for her. She was a special lady. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

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Wednesday Hodgepodge

A Valentine Hodgepodge

Hodgepodge time once again....

I generally skim over the questions before I dive in to answering them. 

Some require a bit of deep thought before answering.

This week with question No. 3 and going through the ever vast catalog of love songs in my head, I am now listening to the Carpenters as I type and spill forth my answers to this weeks Hodgepodge.

1. This week marks the beginning of Lent...will you be giving something up or adding anything to your life during this season of the year?

I have never participated in Lent. It is not something that my family or our church did. The Footwashing Ceremony is our Pre-Easter tradition at church. 

2. The day before Lent is Shrove Tuesday... tradition states you eat pancakes on this day. In some parts of the world Shrove Tuesday is actually known as 'pancake day'. How do you like your pancakes? Or don't you?

I have always liked pancakes. They were a favorite weekend breakfast when my kids were young. I like mine with a little butter and either sugar free or lite syrup. I haven't made pancakes myself since my daughter moved out. 

Now that we have an IHop in our town and I have tasted their blueberry pancakes, when I find myself craving pancakes that is where I go. 

3. I'm sure there are many, but what's one love song you really love? 

We've Only Just Begun - The Carpenters would have to be one of my all time favorites. If I am flipping through the radio stations and this song is on, I will always stop and listen. Maybe because it was one that I listened to over and over as a teen. Plus, how can anyone mot be mesmerized by Karen Carpenter's voice? She was truly an amazing artists.

4. What are some things you do to let others know you love them? 

I tell them!! Every time I talk to my kids, on the phone or in person, I say I Love You.  My son always hugs me before he leaves and my daughter gives me a kiss on the cheek. 

All of my life, even after I was married, I kissed my Mom and Dad before I left to go home or when they went to bed, when we stayed at their house.  

I take care of my family, physically and emotionally, I cook for them, clean up after them, and I try to be someone they can depend on.  

5. Roses...red, pink, or do you prefer another color? Can you recall the last time someone gave you flowers? Given your choice would you like to open the door and see a dozen red roses, a dozen purple tulips, or a dozen pink peonies?

I love flowers of any kind and am always happy anytime that I receive them. My husband used to buy them often, but I suppose the honeymoon is over, since it has been quite some time since he has bought any flowers of any kind. 

The last time someone gave me flowers was at Christmas, my neighbor brought me the most beautiful Poinsettia. 

While all roses are beautiful I prefer the pink or yellow roses, especially at Valentines Day when the red ones seem to be the rose of choice. I dare to be different. 

If I were to choose, I would pick an arrangement with a little variety they tend to be my favorites. 

6. President's Day will be celebrated in America next Monday. Does US Presidential history and trivia interest you? Many Presidential homes are open to the public and offer guided tours...Monticello (Jefferson's home), Mount Vernon (Washington's home), Montpelier (James Madison's home), Hyde Park (FD Roosevelt's home) and The White House (home to the sitting President) to name just a few. Of those listed which would you be most interested in touring? Why?

I wouldn't consider myself a history buff, but I do find some historical places and facts interesting. I think all of the homes listed would be nice to see, but I think I would most like to visit the White House. It is a very historical home and has been occupied by so many. Just think of all the celebrities and world leaders, kings, queens, diplomats, foreign ministers, heads of state, etc. that have graced those hallowed halls.       

7. Are you good at keeping secrets?

Yes, I can keep a secret. Though I hate having to do so. Secrets have a way of coming out no matter how hard one may try to keep it concealed and most times when they do someone is hurt in the process. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

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Wednesday Hodgepodge

Snaky Hodgepodge

Well the Groundhog didn't see his shadow, bring on the Early Spring!!! I am ready for the trees and flowers to bloom, the temperatures to be warm and for the darkness not to set in at 5:00 p.m. 

While we wait, lets pass the time with a little Hodgepodge fun. Here are this weeks questions and my answers:

1. Chinese New Year will be celebrated on February 10th, and 2013 is the year of the snake. When did you last see a snake? Are you okay around snakes or do they give you the shivers? 

I DO NOT like snakes. Doesn't matter what kind or the size. 

When I was in high school our Biology teacher brought one to class and made everyone in the class hold it. Everyone, except one girl held it. She just couldn't do it. The rest of us simply passed it from one person to the other, the girls rather quickly, while most of the boys would play with it a bit. That one girl couldn't touch it, she would scream and throw it. 

The last time I saw a snake was this past summer. I was taking the trash out. Our storm door doesn't always fully shut. As I pushed the door shut all the way I saw a small black snake at the corner. The end of it was caught it in the door partially and it was striking at me. I put the trash in the can and came back to the door. I was going to kill the snake, but when I came back it was gone. I was afraid it had gotten in the house or was hiding in the flowers and vines on the patio. I grabbed a garden hoe and poked the flowers but found nothing. I looked for that silly snake for days and wouldn't go out that door or on the patio for a while afterwards. 

A Google search afterwards allowed me to identify the snake. A Kingsnake Black. 

2. The color red in Chinese culture usually means good luck. Do you believe in luck?

I believe that some people seem to be luckier than others,  things seem to fall into place more easily for them, while others struggle and fight to make things happen. 

3. Sledding - ice skating - building a snowman...if given a choice, which activity would you choose? Which of the three have you done most recently?

I would choose the snowman. I have never been ice skating and sledding never really was fun to me. Maybe because growing up with two brothers and a neighborhood of boys that made sledding into an Olympic event. Jumping this and that, sledding down the hill and across the narrow bridge that crossed the small creek between our house and my grandparents. Count me out... I would just build a snowman with my baby sister and make snow angels in the yard.

When my son was about 10 or so his Dad tied an inter tube to the four wheeler and pulled the kids around the yard. I tried that "once". I am just not brave enough for those kinds of things. My kids loved it. I'm just a snowman builder kind of gal. Sadly, I haven't done that in a few years. My kids have out grown snowmen I suppose. 

4. Ralph Waldo Emerson is credited as saying, "The years teach much which the days never knew." Where have you seen this quote played out in your own life?

This quote makes me think of my Grandparents. 

We lived a block away from my Maternal Grandparents until I was 9 and then moved next door to my Paternal Grandparents.  So they were a daily part of our lives and even when we moved closer to one set we remained close and visited the other set often. Everyday events were nothing special and at times probably boring, but it is in those days that I saw the people that they were.  The way they lived their lives taught us the importance of being honest and respectable. 

 

5. When was the last time you ate a cupcake?

The last cupcake I ate was at Christmas.  My daughter made these cute little reindeer cupcakes. 

6. What's something you can't say no to?

Wow, I guess that would have to be my Dr. Pepper in the morning. I am not a coffee drinker, my morning get-me-going choice is my Dr. Pepper. Everyone knows NOT to take the last one in the fridge. Mom will not be happy if there is no Dr. Pepper in the morning.

7. Are you a doodler?

Yes, I am. When on the phone and put on hold, I doodle. When in attendance of one of those boring CLE (Continuing Legal Education) conferences, I doodle.  When about to walk out the door at the end of a busy day and my hubby gets another call, I doodle. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

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Wednesday Hodgepodge

Hodgepodge Time Again

Hodgepodge Time once again. Several questions this week that really get the old wheels a turning. Here are my answers:

1. The popular saying, 'All is fair in love and war' is originally credited to English writer John Lyly. Is he right? 

While war may be more of a "no rules" situation, love should not be. At least in my opinion, love should have boundaries. One should not be deceptive in love.    

2. Are you a cereal eater? What's your favorite kind?

I am not a regular cereal eater. My brothers both loved cereal and most mornings before school that was their breakfast choice. Things like Boo Berry, Frankenberry, Count Chocula, Lucky Charms,etc... 

I was more of a Poptart, Toast or Fruit fan. 

I am lactose intolerant, so I stay away from milk, but occasionally I will have a craving for cereal and if I do, I tend to gravitate to Corn Flakes (with a sliced banana in it), Honey Bunches of Oats (Strawberry), or Captain Crunch.  

3. A five year old in Pennsylvania was recently given a ten day school suspension for talking with a friend about shooting one another with a Hello Kitty Bubble gun (the gun blows bubbles). She did not have the gun with her at school.

A psychological evaluation was also ordered and the incident was recorded on her permanent record. The suspension was later reduced to two days and her parents are suing to have the incident removed from her file. Your thoughts? (If you missed the story click here for details). 

I had not heard about this story. I do think that the incident should be removed from her record. This child is five years old. I understand that the subject of guns is a very sensitive subject right now, especially in our schools. But, this was in no way a harmful act.  

4. Whatever happened to_____________________________?

Oh wow, so many things could fill that blank... Baby Jane, Randolph Scott, The Caped Crusader, Common Courtesy, are but a few that come to mind.

5. January 23rd is National Handwriting Day, billed as a day to reacquaint yourself with a pen and pencil. Do you like your handwriting? Do you prefer to print or write in cursive? This date was chosen because its the birth date of John Hancock. What's the last thing you signed your name to?

I do not like my handwritting. It is legible, but not pretty. My daughter has beautiful handwriting. 

I take a lot of messages at work and usually print them because I can do that much faster than I can write them in cursive.  

I sign my name many times a week. Most of the receipts at the office are signed by me and many documents that we deal with require the signatures to be notarized. I am the one that does that too.

6. Speaking of John Hancock...ever been to Philadelphia? Do you have any desire to visit the city of Brotherly Love? 

I have never been to Philadelphia but think it would be a great place to visit. So much history in that town, would have to be interesting.

7. Share something funny you've heard a child say. 

A few years ago my niece was at my house when my ex-husband came to pick up my daughter for visitation. My niece was a baby when I divorced and is not familiar with my ex. She was confused by the situation. My son and I tried to explain to her that this man was my their Daddy. In her mind, my husband lives in the house so should be the daddy. We tried to explain it to her.  She walked out with my daughter and I and looked at my ex for a moment. When we came back into the house and into the room where my son was she said, "Well he don't take care of you".  We still laugh about that.

There was also the day that my niece was ready to leave and as she was about to walk out the door said, "Bye, I hope you have good problems".  

Gotta Love Kids.....

 
8. Insert your own random thought here.

I spend a lot of my time at work on the phone. Taking messages and screening calls for my husband.  Most of our current clients I am at least somewhat familiar with their case and recognize their name when they call. A few I recognize their voice. 

But, it drives me crazy when someone calls and only says this is (Mark) can I speak to Mr. Bratcher? I ask Mark who, as we have four clients with the first name of Mark. They get upset with me because I ask their name every time that they call. And then there are the ones that call and do not want to tell me even their first name. Do they really think that I am going to give the call to my husband if they can't even tell me who they are?  One guy has called several times in the past week and never wants to tell me who he is or what he is calling about. He usually hangs up on me. Today he called again and proceeded to tell me that he would just call my husband's cell phone. He did just that. What he didn't know was that we forward the calls from the office to my husband's cell phone anytime we are not in the office. So we always receive any call that comes in to the office. (Even when we went to Florida a few weeks ago the calls were forwarded). When he called today we were at lunch and I answered the call from the cell phone. A few moments later he calls the cell phone directly and I answer again. We have the same exact conversation and he hangs up. Later this evening as we were leaving the office he calls once again but this time I recognize the number and my husband answers the phone. The guy was calling about one of our clients and merely needed to know if this case had been filed yet and if we had a case number. ALL information I could have given him a week ago!!   

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Wednesday Hodgepodge

Hodgepodge Fun

Hodgepodge time once again. 

Joyce has brought us some fun questions this week. 

Below are my answers. 

Hope you enjoy!!

1. Lake Superior University has once again published a list of words/phrases they think should be banished from the Queen's English...here's the list for 2013-

fiscal cliff, kick the can down the road, double down, job creators/creation, passion/passionate, yolo (an acronym for you only live once), spoiler alert, bucket list, trending, superfood, boneless wings, and guru

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why. Go here to read more about how the words were chosen.

Well the first phrase (fiscal cliff) on the list I have grown quite tired of hearing, but I guess guru would be the word I would pick from the list. I think it is a bit outdated and too many tend to label themselves a "guru" when they are not.

2. When was the last time you rode a train? Where did you go?


Does a Monorail Count?? If it does, then I rode the Monorail at Disney World earlier this month and I rode it several times to several different places for the two days that we were there.



As for a train, the last time I rode a train was also in Disney World, back in June, from the front of Magic Kingdom to Frontier Land.

The only time I have been on an actual train was when my son was in elementary school.  His class went on a field trip to the Kentucky Railway Museum in New Haven, Kentucky. We rode the train on a 22 mile excursion.  






3. Bagels-yay or nay? Favorite 'flavor'? Favorite topping?

YAY, I love bagels. My favorite are the blueberry ones. I usually toast them and put either butter or strawberry cream cheese on them. 

4. 'Tis the season of awards shows...if you could star in a movie already made which one would you choose?

I would choose a classic movie like The Wizard of Oz, or Casablanca, or one of the Shirley Temple movies.  

5. The move towards single gender classrooms has been making the news in recent months....what say you? Do you think kids perform better if seperated by gender and are taught differently or is that discrimination? If you're a parent, is this something you'd support in regard to your own children? 

I think in certain classes kids probably do learn better if the class consists of only one gender. I remember when I was in high school for one semester of our Health class the boys and girls were divided. Our teacher was a man but for the semester that we were divided we got a woman teacher. It was less embarrassing for most of the girls. 

I do think there are fewer distractions if the class is all of the same gender for pre-teen and teen students.
6. What's your favorite thing about staying in a hotel?

Well if I am in a hotel it means I am in a new place with interesting things to see and investigate. I also have someone to come in and tidy things up while I am out having fun. 

(This is our hotel in Melbourne Beach - December 30, 2012 - January 2, 2013)

7. Do you have a 'word' for 2013? What's the story behind your choice? 

I can't say that I have a word for 2013. It is early in the year, maybe I will find one before the year is over.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Well the viruses are flowing well in my area. Some schools have closed for the rest of the week due to the number of students out with the flu.  My sister's kids are sick, my husband is sick, and my daughter is sick too. My niece has all the symptoms of the flu, her doctor tested her for it and found it to be only a virus. My daughter and husband have bronchitis. At least no flu!!! Hopefully I will be able to avoid getting sick. 

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Hodgepodge 108

Well Christmas is over and we are back to our everyday routines. I am happy that Hodgepodge is a part of that routine.
Thanks, Joyce, for doing such a wonderful job each week with the questions!!
Here are my answers to Hodgepodge #108:

1. What is ONE thing or area in your home or life you hope to report is completely organized when 2013 draws to a close? Do you have a plan to make it happen? 

The unfinished Office/Junk Room. This room is a catch all for things. The majority of the items are my husband's "project" tools and half completed items. 
I began trying to organize this room before Christmas. I actually threw away two trash bags full of things from this room. (empty paint cans, scrap pieces of wood etc.)

2. What's the worst uniform you've ever had to wear for a job?

At Target we had to wear red and khaki, that is as close to a uniform I have ever had to wear.

3. What was your last kitchen 'mishap'? This question comes to you courtesy of Betty who blogs over at A Glimpse Into Midlife...everyone go say hi to Betty!

At one of our Christmas gatherings I totally burnt the marshmallows on the sweet potatoes. I was attempting to simply brown them a bit. I put them in the oven with the beef tenderloin that was cooking at the time. But, the oven was set way to high for the marshmallows. I was able to spoon off the burnt ones and add fresh ones. Funny thing is that my guest liked the burnt ones. They actually ate some of what I spooned off. They said it was like campfire roasted marshmallows.

4. How do you protect yourself from other people's negativity?

Simply try to distance myself from anyone who is constantly negative.

5. Who in your family do you most resemble (physically)? If you have children, who do people say they favor? Do you agree?

When I was younger, my Mother's family always said that I resembled my Great Aunt Margaret. I see my Mother in myself now that I am older.

Both of my children have their Father's long beautiful eyelashes. My daughter has the height and round facial features of her Father's family, while my son has the tall slim features of my family.  




6. January 8th is National Bubble Bath Day...will you be celebrating?

No, while I love taking a long hot bath, I do not do bubble baths.

7. Some of the 'world's best winter festivals' are - Mardi Gras (New Orleans),Quebec Winter Festival (Canada), Sundance Film Festival (Park City, Utah), Rio Carnivale (Brazil), Sapporo Snow Festival (Japan), VeniceCarnival (Italy) and the Harbin Ice Festival (Northern China). Of those listed (and if cost were not a factor) which would you most like to attend and why?

I think my choice would be the Venice Carnival. 
I have never traveled outside of the United States and think that Italy would be a beautiful place to visit. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Back to reality this week. We had a wonderful time in Florida. My step son's soccer team won all of their games in the tournament but then lost the championship game. We watched the sun set over the bay in Tampa, and after the tournament we headed to Melbourne Beach. (about 20 miles south of Cocoa Beach) The weather was a bit cloudy the days we were there, but it was warm and very relaxing. I woke early to watch the sun rise over the ocean each morning we were there. 

The last leg of our journey was spent at Disney World. We stayed in the Downtown Disney area and visited the parks two days. The parks were still decorated for Christmas and were truly a sight to see. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights inside Hollywood Studios is Amazing!! 

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