Lovely Hodge Podge Vol. 65

Welcome to Lovely Hodge Podge provided to us by the fab Joyce at 

From This Side of The Pond.  Head over to her page and join in the fun!  

Thanks again for supplying the questions Joyce, because between
 my busy schedule, sick kids and mommy brain this is the only blogging I get done these days :)

1. What is something you are loving right now?

Right now I am loving the time I get to spend with my kids, even when they are being monsters (which is rare)  because I know it will pass all too quickly.  Plus, they are hilarious.

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?

Well I would like to visit them all but I think I would start with Venice.

3. Are you a romantic?

I like Romance but I don't know that I am especially romantic.  I don't think of great romantic things to do for my husband and I forget our anniversary all the time.  Yes I know how horrible that is.  I think I am working on being more of a romantic.

4. What's your favorite love story made for the Big Screen?

I think it it is a three way tie between The Notebook,  The Proposal and You've Got Mail.  I love all three of those and none are really super traditional.

5. Everyone loves Pooh bear and friends...which character are you most like and why? Click here for help in answering this question.

I took the quiz and I am happy to report that I am Kanga like :)

6. What's the best chocolate something you've ever eaten?

Well currently my favorite is a delicious chocolate cake sold at the Co-Op store here that is soooooo yummy!  It is chocolate cake with chocolate mousse between the layers and has chocolate frosting and chocolate shavings on top.  Hmmm.... so good.  I might just have to go get one right after I post this which would not be good for my diet but good for my soul :)

7. Share a favorite quote about love.  I couldn't pick just one :)

Life is a flower of which love is the honey - Victor Hugo

Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction.  ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Wind, Sand and Stars, 1939, translated from French by Lewis Galantière


Love one another and you will be happy.  It's as simple and as difficult as that.  ~Michael Leunig

You know you're in love when you don't want to fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.  ~Dr. Seuss

Before you love, learn to run through the snow leaving no footprint.  ~Turkish Proverb

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I completed my first Boom Boom workout yesterday courtesy of Team BeachBody.  My legs hurt so bad this morning I wanted to weep like a newborn but, I am excited to be on this path to being healthy again.  I am four days soda free and sleeping more so I already feel better.   Hope your week finds you healthy and happy!

Wednesday Hodge Podge V. 63

Welcome to Wednesday Hodge Podge brought to us by Joyce at

 From This Side of the Pond.  Hop on over and join in after reading my answers if you are new to this.  Hoping to return to more blogging soon but hey I am a busy, lazy procrastinator so this might be it for the next few weeks :)

Thanks for stopping by!

1. The NFL playoffs were held this past weekend and this year's Superbowl will feature the New York Giants versus The New England Patriots. How do you define 'patriot'?

I would define a patriot as someone who has strong feelings or is passionate about their beliefs and defending and promoting freedom of rights and their country.

2. What's something in your life right now that feels like a 'giant'?

Life feels kinda giant right now.  One of my son's is having a medical issue and it just feels like we are working so hard to resolve it and no progress is being made.  We are trying to determine if we should move,  and the logistics of all of us getting home this summer to visit.  There just seems to be a lot happening and a lot of it big things.

3. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think back to being 18?

I remember thinking that I was so smart and that no one else understand me at all.  I was so sure of what I wanted and the direction I was headed and I couldn't have been more wrong.  I do miss the fearlessness I had then though.

4. Coconut-mashed potatoes-vanilla ice cream-mayonnaise...which white food would be the hardest to give up?

While I do really like mashed potatoes I can't live in a world without ice cream so that one is easy :)

5. Describe an incident or a day you remember as being the coldest you've ever experienced.


I think it would be one time when I was in college and there was sooo much snow on the ground and where I had to park was quite the hike to my first class.  It was freezing and as I was walking down the sidewalk I slipped on ice and fell into the snow and was even colder.  It was not great.  Had to be hilarious to see though :)

6. You're hosting a brunch....what's your favorite dish to prepare and serve?


People who know me well realize I am NOT a morning person and would never host a brunch, having said that if I had to host I would serve fruit salad, muffins and quiche.

7. How do you combat negative thinking?


I like to put on some music,  dance with my kids or clean.  I also have started this new thing when a thought pops into my head that is negative I think "delete" and start thinking of something else immediately to get those thoughts out of my head.  Mostly though just getting involved in something else so I don't have time to dwell on the negative works best for me.


8. Insert your own random thought here.


I worked out for the first time in a looooong time this morning and it was on an exercise ball and in this one portion I kept falling off and my son said, "why don't you just quit?"  What a great teaching moment!  I told him that life is full of things that are had and you can't just give in and quit.  I said I would keep going and I will do that DVD every day until I am not falling off the stability ball because you have to keep trucking.  I was happy to work out and happy to have that moment with him.  I think determination and resolve are so important to instill in youth.   Have a great rest of the week & thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday Hodge Podge Vol. 62 aka Too Tired to Think of My Own Title

Welcome to Wednesday Hodge Podge.  If you are unfamiliar with this, questions are supplied by the fabulous Joyce at From This Side of the Pond.  Answer the questions, link up so people can read your answers & you can  go read other people's answers.  It is fun and nice to not have to think of your own content one day a week!  

1. A new Miss America was crowned on Saturday night-did you watch? If you were a contestant what would your talent be?

I did not watch.  If I was a contestant my talent would be .......ummm....give me a minute or 50 t think.  Surely I have a talent I could list.  I feel a bit like Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality.  You mean I have to supply my own talent?  

I don't sing, I use to play the piano a million years ago, I am creative so maybe painting or scrapbooking if that could count.  

2. Do you have houseplants? Real or fake?

I currently have neither although I LOVE real plants.  We have not had any in a long time with moving, etc and with little babies it has been easier not to have them.  Now that my "baby" is almost three I think we are getting closer to it being safe to have plants in the house again though

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?

I was very quiet and shy through most of school.  I especially did not want to be called on during Math.  English was okay.

4. Next Monday marks the Chinese New Year...what do you order when someone suggests Chinese food?

I love Orange Chicken, Kung Pow Chicken, Chicken and Mushroom.  I would adore to be able to get in my car right now and drive to Panda Express or something.  This question will haunt me all day Joyce :)

5. How would you define a miracle? What would it take for you to consider something a miracle?

I think I would describe a miracle as something that is beyond human control and unexplainable.  I am not sure what it would take for me to believe an event was a miracle.  I do believe miracles still happen though.

6. What's your favorite Disney song? If you're stuck you'll find a list here.

I think I would say When You Wish Upon A Star based on the list.  Although Jo Jo The Dog Faced Boy is a close second.  (Seriously what kind of song is that?  Jo Jo the Dog Faced Boy....lol)

7. I should have _____________ yesterday.

Made a grocery list yesterday because today I really don't feel like it yet my children are under the impression that not only do we require more food in this house we need a variety of food in the house.   Demanding little punks :)

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I love making lists of things to do but I wish I was not a procrastinator on some of the things and I also wished I remembered to check my to do list everyday.  That would be very helpful as I forgot to check it all of last week and yesterday so now I have an event to go to tomorrow and no sitter for a 2yr old.  Joy.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hodge Podge to the Rescue

Welcome to Wednesday and the Goodness of Hodge Podge.  I love that Joyce supplies weekly questions because my mommy brain is more mush than usual lately and this helps to make posting much easier.  Thanks Joyce & head on over to her blog From This Side of the Pond to join in.

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? Go here to read more about how the words are chosen.

I am going to go with trickeration.  It seems like such a fake annoying word & I would be super annoyed to hear that coming out of someone mouth constantly.  From what I read it is being used frequently by sports commentators which would be why I have not heard it.  My husband watches football and I surf Pinterest.

2. Are you easily embarrassed?

Yes I am.  As I get older I handle things better though  & have learned to appreciate the humor in situations more especially when it pertains to me.

3. What is your go-to snack?

Right now it is Shakeology shakes but it use to be cookies, chips whatever I could just grab out of  the cupboard that was full of sugar and or empty calories.

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?

I have not been but I really want to go.  I would love to hit all the museums first and then see the remainder.

5. sit ups-planks-lunges-squats...which do you hate the least?

I hate plank the least.  I hate squat jumps the most even though they are so fantastic.

6. What's a small act of kindness you were shown that you've never forgotten?

When I was much younger I went to a church function at a house and I didn't realize we were suppose to dress in Sunday dress.  (It was one of my first youth activities I had gone to)  So I walked in and was in jeans and a sweater and everyone else in dresses, suits, etc.  I was mortified.  My teacher and then one who was hosting the party went and changed without saying anything into  jeans so I would not be the only one and would feel more comfortable and not leave.  It was a simple thing to do but it spoke volumes to me at a very impressionable age and I have never forgotten how she took 5 minutes to make things better for me.

7. Have you ever been a blood donor?

No.   In High School I was always under the weight limit (ah the good old days)(oh and I am not bragging just reminiscing)  & for the last 7 years I have been anemic and either pregnant or nursing so I have not.  My "baby" will turn three soon though & I have no worries about being underweight so I will this year.  I believe that everyone who can should atleast once a year.  My husband does every few months.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My random thought is very silly.  My almost three year old is just not a breakfast person and it amazes me.  He does not like to eat when he gets up, is not a fan of pancakes or eggs and will sometimes begrudgingly eat cereal.  Today when he  wanted to eat (at 8:15am) he wanted cucumber slices, a cheese stick, yogurt raisins and crackers.  Another time we were meeting friends at a restaurant for breakfast and he was adamant he wanted a hot dog and that was all he would eat.  I don't get it.  At least he is eating right?

What? December starts tomorrow? Panic attack starting in .5 seconds....

I have realized that November was slipping by at an alarming rate and today looking at the calendar and seeing it  is November 30th and I guess I have to accept that December really truly is here and get moving on some Christmas stuff.  Get out the decorations, make some cards, etc.  This year has just flown by for me and I wish I could rewind a few months and have far more accomplished by this point in time.   I feel like it snuck up on me at the same time I realized it was approaching.  How does that happen?  I had such amazing intentions for how prepared I was going to be and yet I am not.  Not at all.   Oh well there is always next year :)  Hopefully you have your act far more together than me :)  So instead of doing anything of my to do list I thought the best way to start my day was of course with Wednesday Hodge Podge!  The list will be there later, and tomorrow and the next day.  Well hopefully not the next day I need to get this crap done.
Thanks for stopping by to read my answers to the great questions Joyce has supplied for us again {you rock Joyce!} if you are not already a participant go to her page here and join in!  

1. Do you send Christmas cards? If so about how many will you send this year? How do you display the cards you receive? Or don't you? (gasp!)


I do send Christmas Cards but sometimes they end up being New Years cards :)  Last year they went out actually in April when we were moving so I could include our new address, etc.  So I am not on the ball but they will go out sometime.  Last year I think I sent about 30 and this year it will probably be around the same or a few more.
I have a Metal Wreath that I display the cards on or I stand them up around my china cabinet.

2. When do kids become adults?

When do kids become adults... hmm.. are we talking age or maturity?  Technically don't they become adults when they are 18?  Maturity wise though I have met 20yr olds who act like they are 4 and 12yr olds who act 30.  I think it varies person to person but usually once a person goes off to school and graduates or maybe even gets married and has their first child.  I think that really helps snap them into adulthood if they aren't already there.

3. Does your 'beauty regimen' change with the seasons?


Yes.  I change my hair color with the season and usually go a little lighter than my normal look in the winter, I change foundation and I find myself slathering on a lot more moisturizer and lotion. 

4. What's something you like to eat that might cause another person to turn up their nose?

I love to make sugar cookies and I have a butter cream like icing I make with them that I love.  If I have any leftover I love to dip pretzel sticks in it and eat them.  It gags my husband who likes to say, "You know you are eating flavored Crisco and sugar right?" Yes but it tastes so good.

5. Gloves or mittens?


I think Gloves.  I like to have the use of all my fingers/hand and with mittens I feel like I have little control.

6. What's the longest queue you've ever been in? Was it worth it? Queue=line but doesn't queue sound nicer?

I think one of the longest queues I stood in {besides Disneyland} was in Okinawa at the Commissary right before a typhoon and it was worth it because we were out of groceries and I didn't know when the store would re-open.  

The Disneyland lines were sometimes long when we went a few years ago but it was worth it to see my kids excited faces on their first trip there.

7. Besides Christmas, what is one thing you are looking forward to in the month of December?


I like planning my goals, etc. for the next year in December.   I love lists and plans and December is full of that to survive the Holiday Season and for the start of the New Year.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Yesterday was a rough day and the weather ended up being terrible by the afternoon and I was in no mood to go out in it yet we had to.  I was thinking though, that for the end of November, I was lucky that yesterday was one of the worst days we have had and I am grateful for really how good the weather has been and I should not complain.  Bad weather is coming and I just need to enjoy all the good days and not so great days before the real bad stuff gets here.  Hoping you are enjoying a peaceful and productive day wherever you are!