Like and Dislikes

So there are some things I am loving and not loving this week.

I love fall/winter time so I can make yummy soups but I dislike schlepping my kids about in the cold, rain and snow. It blows.

 {I fear this is what the inside of my car will look like by the time we are all loaded}



I love that I have three boys who are so fun.... until I have to clean three bathrooms used by the boys. I feel for you mammas who have all girls and having to get them ready, do their hair, etc. I don't have that to deal with but everytime I clean those bathrooms I think two things, 1) I need to hire a maid and 2) Girl mommas are lucky in the bathroom cleaning department.
On a semi related note we had to change the toilet seat again in the boys bathroom... I think that is number 4 and we have been here 6 months. In their defense the first one was broken when we moved in but the other three... just what do they do in there?

I love Pinterest and all the amazing ideas I am finding but I dislike the giant time suck it can be.

I love that I finally got my craft room done ... well 99.9% done and I love that I have lots of things I want to finish and make. I dislike that I have so many unfinished projects to hurry and get done. I really needed to be more on the ball.



I love that I have a second refrigerator so I can actually fit more than a carton of eggs, container of milk and one pack of lunchmeat in it. I dislike unpacking groceries into two and trying to remember what I put where.

I love that in my new super cold fridge that when I get a Pepsi out to drink it is actually so cold that there are bits of slushy ice in it.....cannot think of a disklike for that ...lol....



I love that I have an opportunity to get published as a writer {other than on blogger} and I dislike that I am chicken enough I might not take the opportunity.

How are things shaping up for you this week? What are some of your likes and dislikes?

Nifty 50 it is... I have no clever title of my own this week

I really enjoy reading other people's answers to these great questions each week so join in the fun by heading over to Joyce's page  here after you read mine and play along.


1. What gives you goosebumps?

I am not sure what gives me goosebumps but I am very easily scared to the delight of my husband and children so now that they have the excuse of Halloween that are loving jumping out and yelling "Boo" at every opportunity to terrify me.  They are quite amused whereas I am not.

2. Halloween-are you a lover or a hater? Okay, that sounds harsh...Halloween-yay or nay?

I think I am neither.  I enjoy Halloween in that I like to decorate for different things and I like that my kids enjoy dressing up, especially when they use their imaginations to come up with costumes but it is not my favorite.  I don't hate it either so I guess I lean towards loving...lol




3. Can you respect someone you do not trust, and can you trust someone you do not respect?

Tricky question.  I am not sure.  I don't know that I could respect someone I did not trust and I really don't think I would trust someone who I have no respect for.  I know of a situation where there was a very difficult relationship between a mother and daughter and the daughter said she had to respect her mother because she had given birth to her but since that was about all she had done she did not love her.  Not sure where trust fits in there.
4. Apples or oranges? Yes, you have to choose
 
Apples all the way.  In apple pie and maybe with some vanilla ice cream on there :)
 
5. What is something you wish was in your town? (shop, restaurant, attraction, etc)
 
While I really enjoy where we are living I do long for some of the comforts of the States.  I would adore a  Baja Fresh, Target, Olive Garden, and Hobby Lobby.  Oh and Archivers.



6. What non-food item is in your refrigerator or freezer?
 
Ice packs. 


7. Are you at all superstitious?
 
Not really.  I mean why walk under a ladder if you don't have to but I have done it.  I do believe in the saying, "Don't go borrowing trouble"   though.



8. Insert your own random thought here
 
I am really struggling with accomplishing all I want to in a day.  There never seems to be enough time to get done just the daily stuff, let alone play with my kids as much as I want or get my craft projects done or work on my writing or blog. 
I would love to revamp my blog but I don't have the time or really the knowledge to do it.  So what are your best time managment tips and if you have someone who has re-done your blog for you who was it?

Volume 49 of Hodge Podge Blog Saving Questions

Thanks for stopping by to read the Hodge Podge answers... because you know that is the most I am blogging these days :) 
I am so grateful to Joyce for having this for us all to particapate in.  It is great fun!  You can go to Joyce's page here and join in the fun!




1. How do you typically react in a sudden, extreme, pressure-filled crisis? Would we want you nearby in an emergency?


I am surprisingly calm in crisis.  I jump in and do what needs to be done & am fine.  Afterwards I break down.
Example:  Once I got the call that my mom was in the hospital and not doing well and I needed to come home asap.  I drove 4 hours and when I got there I found out she had been life flighted and they didn't think she would make it.  I drove to my parents house, loaded up what I knew my dad and mom would need, drove 4 more hours to where they had flown her and handled everything that needed to be done calm as can be.  Made phone calls, took care of my Dad, etc.  The next day I was at breakfast with my cousins and I picked up the sugar box they have on the table {filled with all the packets} and I threw all the packets in the air and then layed my head down and cried.
Example 2:  Once my good friend and I stumbled onto a train cash immediately after it happened.  We jumped in and were helping people off, seperating people who needed to be seen but were not the most seriously hurt, etc.  It was fine in the moment.  Afterwards I puked.
So long story short I can be your pillar of strength in the crisis but afterwards I am going to need about 20 min. to freak out in some way then I will be fine again.
 
 
2. Caramel apple-caramel sundae-caramel corn-caramel macchiato...of the four, which caramel treat would you choose?
 
I choose caramel sundae.  Yum!
 


3. Is there such a thing as destiny? Explain.
 
I think that we all have a reason for being here, something we need to learn or maybe even accomplish but I don't think that our life is completely mapped out and set in stone for us.  I think we make our destiny.
 


4. What's your favorite piece of furniture? I'm referring to something currently in your possession as opposed to something on your wish list.
 
My current favorite is my new bedroom furniture because it makes my room more relaxing and elegant and I have been waiting a long time to get it.


 
5. Wednesday night marks the start of the 2011 Baseball World Series. Did you know? Do you care? Will you be watching? Ever been to a professional baseball game? If you're not an American do you find the title 'World Series' annoying or amusing?
 
I was not aware it was starting.  My husbands main sport is football & my boys are not really old enough for baseball yet which honestly I am pretty excited about.  I went to billions of baseball games for my nephew & when I was in high school and I don't mind it but it is not my favorite sport either and sometimes I just get sported out. 


6. One sound that takes me back to my childhood is :
 
The sound of jets flying.
 
7. On average, once you've linked your hodgepodge post to mine how many other participant blogs do you visit? Do you ever come back to the Hodgepodge later in the day or even the day after to read posts?
 
Well I always read anyone who has commented on mine and I try to read 5 to 10 more after that.  I do come back and read later on because my time in the computer is usually for only 10 - 20 min. stretches at a time.  So I come post, come back later to see who else has posted and read some of those, then I will go back after someone has commented on mine and read theirs.
 
8. Insert your own random thought here:
 
I was reminded of this by Joyce's title.  Here in England a big saying is, "Keep Calm and Carry On" which I love but I saw one the other day that cracked me up and it said, "Sod It and Get Angry"  I think I need one of each on canvas to hang in my house...maybe I will hang them according to mood and then when my husband walks in the door he will instantly know how the day went according to the sign :)
 
 
 

Where is the line?

I took one of my kids to the doctor the other day for a hearing exam.  We've been having issues with him for awhile with him not seeming to hear us.  We ask him to do something and it is either "what, what, whaaaaaaat?" a million times or he acts as if no one has spoken and goes on about his business. 
The funny thing to me though it is not constant.  Sometimes he seems to hear just fine especially when dessert is mentioned :)  But, there are times when he just doesn't hear what we are saying and he was getting really upset and I was getting frustrated.   While weighing the decision of whether or not to call and make an appointment I started thinking back realizing that other people have mentioned it.   So I felt justified in taking him to the doctor because surely if other people have mentioned it then I am more than just a paranoid mom right?
So I took him and currently he seems fine.  Which is fantastic but then the other edge of the sword gets you and you think so he is just intentionaly ignoring me?  Not so fantastic. 
According to the doctor though a very common thing in children is fluid building up on the ears and when that happens they do not hear right... it is like cotton being stuffed in their ears & other than not hearing you there are no clear symptoms like pain, etc.    I was hugely relieved when he mentioned this because it made me feel less like a crazy mom.  So we follow up in a few months and if he has a bad day I take him in.
It raised a few questions in my mind though.  Where is the line?  You know the line that is there between being paranoid and having a legitimate concern.  Do others have to weigh in before it is enough "evidence" to do something about the problem.  What do you think?

Hodge Podge Vol 48 or Wednesday the only day I now blog

Welcome to Hodge Podge and apparently the only time I ever blog.  After you have read my brilliant answers hop over to Joyce's page here and join up.  It is great fun and if nothing else gives you a break from having to come up with somethign to write about today :)


1. Have you ever been 'asked' to report for jury duty? Were you chosen to serve? If not, were you happy or disappointed?

I have been selected twice. Each time was at the beginning of an International Move. The first time I was excused before appearing and the second time I had to sit through half a day. I think that it could be very interesting to be part of the process but the problem with it for me is time constraints and the instability of that. You could be there a day or a week... I found it difficult to have to "maybe" arrange childcare for two toddlers for an unknown amount of time and hours.


2. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being very) how mechanically inclined are you? Give an example to back up your answer.

Hmmm... I wish I was a 10 that would rock. I would give myself a 3. I can follow basic directions for things like putting together furniture, etc. If I am shown how to do something I usually understand much better but if I had to rip apart an engine and rebuild it I would be jacked.



3. Beets-cabbage-cauliflower-butternut squash...of the four, which is your favorite fall vegetable?

Pumpkin pie doesn't count? I suppose I will settle for butternut squash. Actually all joking aside my mom used to make this squash recipe where she baked it with bacon and maple syrup and it was delicious !! I have not attempted it yet but this might be the year it makes a comeback at the Thanksgiving table.


4. What do you recommend to overcome self-pity?

I think you have to get up and do something. If it is something simple like do dishes I think that anytime you get up and use energy for something other than those energy sucking wallowing thoughts it is a good thing. Helping others is a great way. I think everyone at times has the right to self pity... like 30 min max and then it is time to snap out of it and move on. Again here goes my favorite quote, "You can't roll your sleeves up and wring your hands at the same time."



5. Do you enjoy classical music?

I think I always found classical music relaxing and now I am learning to appreciate it and enjoy it. I worked with someone who said they had "Classical Sundays" and the ONLY music allowed to be played on that day was classical. I like that idea of having one day where it is only that and might adapt it myself. {Side note: his son is now a classical musician}


6. October is National Book Month...what's on your reading list this month?

I love to read as does the majority of my family. My dad once said that if we were reading a good book the house good burn down around me, my mom or my sister and we would never notice. My husband is the same way.
I just got the book, The Help, which I want to read prior to seeing the movie and found a new author Tracy Kiely that I like. She has two more books out that I want to pick up{She writes murder mysteries and likes Jane Austen a lot} I do have a certain list but I have big plans to find more to add to one.



7. What is your idea of 'cute' ?

Cute can be such an open ended word. I think "cute" is in the eye of the beholder but I would say babies are always cute.



8. Insert your own random thought here.

My husband and I are going to start a weight loss program together. He had the idea of blogging about it to motivate us. In theory great idea... in reality I am not sure. Also while I would like to be healthy and in shape again I dread the whole weight loss extravaganza that we are about to embark on. The end result will be great and well worth it... it is the points between that and the beginning that worry me.

Hodge Podge vol 47

1. What's your favorite meal to serve on a chilly autumn evening?

My favorite meal is soup and homemade bread. The type of soup varies depending on my mood.


2. Are you a creature of habit? Explain.

Yes I am. When I find something at a restaraunt I really like I stick with it. I order the same thing each and everytime I go to Macoroni Grill, Olive Garden, etc. Also once I learn the way to someone's house, etc. I generally go that way each time unless I am forced to take a detour. It is a little ridiculous seeming now that I am typing it out.


3. What food product (no longer readily available) do you remember and miss from days gone by?

Hmmm...about 15 years ago there was this cake in a box that was chocolate and had a glaze you could put on it....that is all I recall other than I devoured a whole one once after I made it because everyone was taking naps. It was delicous.


4. What's something you've lost that you've never been able to find? Any theories as to what happened?

The only thing that comes to mind is our DVD player remote which we have only had for about 4 months and it has been gone for I think two of them. It seemed to disappear the weekend we had two small children who are two here.... I try not to think to much about what they might have done with it.


5. Zoo~circus~ carnival...your favorite?

Let's go with circus since I use to have a dream of being in the trapeze act. Hey it was a long time ago but I would still try it out :)


6. What song makes you feel instantly happy?

Music can be so powerful. I don't know if I can narrow it down to just one song. I really like "Who's Got Your Money" by Tina Parol and "Your Love" by Brandon Heath. Really just music on generally makes me happier.


7. To what extent are you an argumentative person?

I am not argumentative at all. I detest confrontation and even when something really really bothers me I RARELY say something. Also, my husband is VERY argumentative which I blame on working in the legal field so I figure one of us is enough :)


8. Insert your own random thought here.

We have had my Dad and Step Mom here for 5 weeks and it has been a really good visit. We have seen cool things and my Dad has totally spoiled me by taking my oldest down to the bus stop each morning so I could not have to take all three of them. I will really miss them but it will be good to get back to our routine and I worry that they are bored with us.


Please join up at Joyce's page here.

Company + me mia on blogging

I've been missing for a few weeks {worse than usual} because we have company in town and have been out and about seeing Castles and all that jazz. I will be back with regular posts soon but I had to do hodge podge atleast this week.