Back to Hodge Podge

Back to the Hodge Podge Goodness brought to us by the fab Joyce at 

From This Side of the Pond.  Join in on the fun over at her page.  You won't regret the hop over to read or partipate :)

1. Have you ever played golf? Any interest in playing? Do you have a significant other who loves to play? Did you watch The Masters this past weekend?

I have played golf, 9 holes rather than 18.  I thought it was okay & if I had more time on my hands I might be more into it.  I do enjoy miniature golf :)   My Dad, Brothers and Nephews all play.

2. Hats are back in fashion this spring...how do you feel about wearing a hat? (fyi-I'm not talking baseball caps) When was the last time you wore one?

I wore a fancy hat  about 3 months ago to a tea they had on base here.  I had picked up the hat in Scotland and love it.  I really enjoy hats and wish I had more occasion to wear them.  I remember having one in High School that I would wear once in awhile and it seemed very out of place in my tiny town.  I rocked 

it anyway :) {Was going to post a pic but I can't find one - tomorrow perhaps...lol}

3. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 meaning proficient and 1 meaning "I'd starve", how adept are you at using chopsticks?

Well I picked up very little skill in the 4 years I spent in Japan.  Shameful really :)  I would rate myself a 2,

maybe a 3, 3 1/2 I can slightly use them if absolutely necessary but I look a mess.

4. Has technology taken over?

Am I the only one who has a love/hate relationship with technology?  I am so grateful for cell phones, internet etc.  but sometimes I long for simpler times.  I am so grateful that when my husband has to be gone for work for long periods of time that I don't have to rely on "snail" mail.  We can Skype, email, etc.  It is fantastic.  I LOVE hand written letters though & getting cards in the mail.

I love that we have cell phones so when my husband breaks down in the middle of nowhere when it is late, cold and dark with one of the kids with him I can go help or he can call someone else for help yet sometimes I am annoyed that I have to remember one more thing to always have on me & charged.

Oh and I think I loathe touch screens.    So technology is taking over...I think while there are many many pros I wonder what we are giving up in exchange.

5. In the course of a day how often do you look in a mirror?

I have no idea.  Atleast twice.  Once in the morning when I brush my teeth and wash my face and in the evening when I repeat that.  My husband would tell you that I look in a mirror everytime I pass one.... I think that use to be true although I don't love to admit it.  I had a period of time where I was quite vain... now not so much.

6. Tulip or Daffodil?

Tulip.  Although the previous tenants planted lots of Daffodils in our yard and I do enjoy looking at them but had I chose it would be a sea of tulips :)

7. I am proud of myself for __________________.

I am proud of myself for things I am accomplishing as a Mother.   I hope that I am raising my boys to be kind, helpful, strong men with good values, voracious readers and healthy eaters.   I also am trying to instill in them to keep dreaming, be creative and NEVER give up.

8. Insert your own random thought here.


Random thoughts... well today I am 36.   Atleast according to the card my husband gave me which was a relief because I was thinking I was turning 37 but was to afraid and lazy to do the math :)  Ah my brain is zapped more and more into mush brain by the moment.  I really adore my boys and was grateful for how great they were today and how they make me laugh.  That is the best present EVER!

It's Okay Tuesday

It's Okay that I am in a writing rut and I am too lazy to log on and blog so much these days.... I will snap out of it.  

It's Okay that it is Spring Break and my two youngest are dying to go somewhere and my oldest and I are embracing not leaving the house for a week straight.  I need a break from running like a crazy woman.

It's Okay that when I bought a bunch of produce my husband said, "why did you buy all that?" like I had bought out the entire produce section at several stores instead of saying something more apprpriate like, "wow honey I am glad you are really embracing this eating healthier thing"

It's Okay that my first thought after he said that was punching him in the face.

It's Okay that I have yet to mail my nieces baby presents that I have for her.  I have had them for months... she had her baby on Sunday.  Yep I am awesome like that.

It's Okay that I am trying to rework our budget so I can hire someone to clean bathrooms and help around the house.

It's Okay that I am addicted to a show called Generations Project and get all hyped about Genealogy and yet still have yet to do any.  {Here is the link to the show and the one that got me stuck.  It is sad, happy and amazing!  http://byutv.org/watch/a4b2acab-163e-4ca7-94a8-b21a78c21c29  }

It's Okay that I am finding eating healthier and making the time to work out so hard.  

It's Okay that I am going to end this to go scrub toilets.... what a glamorous life I lead :)

Now that you have read my "It's Okay on Tuesday" thoughts hop over to 

Airing My Dirty Laundry One Sock at A Time and visit the very funny gal who started all this.

Manic Monday or Manic Everyday

Are you familiar with the song Manic Monday by the Bangles?  Well it has been Manic Monday EVERYDAY up in here!  My to do list and the random strange things that keep happening (like my dog and the stick) have thrown me for a loop this week.  I have had things to go out and do each day which means not much getting accomplished here.  There is no light at the end of the tunnel because everyday next week I also have outings & then there is the normal day to day stuff. 


 The crazies I live with expect clean clothes AND food... on a regular basis.  It is outrageous is it not?  Do they not realize the scope of my work.  Do they not know how long it has been since I sat and watched Big Bang Theory?  Sigh.


So off I go into the wild madness of my to do list.  If I don't post for a week or so it might be because I ran away and joined the real circus in lieu of the circus I live.  I have always wanted to be a trapeze artist so it is a possibility.


Here is the song if you are unfamiliar :)  I remember doing a flashlight dance to this at Girl Scout Camp... ha ha ha.  Thank goodness there is no video of that preciousness.  Have a fab weekend!

Spring into Hodge Podge

This Wednesday I feel like I am on a roll with this whole blogging thing.  I back up to more than one post a week.  Yay me!  Luckily I have Joyce's great questions to help keep me going :)  Go to her blog at From This Side of The Pond to play along if you aren't already.

1. The first day of spring is here...do you enjoy working in the yard? Weeding, raking, mowing, planting-your favorite springtime garden chore? How about your least favorite?


It has been so long since I worked in the yard I don't remember if I really enjoy it.  I do love flowers and am hoping to be doing a bunch of planting here in the next month or so.  I would say mowing is my least favorite.  I think the lawn mower is just loud and cumbersome, although we have a new one that looks like a hovercraft so I might try that one out.

2. What puts a spring in your step?


Hmmm....well normally I would say a Coke and some Reese's Peanut Butter Cups but since I am on a health kick I would say good weather and when I am out in it having fun with the boys & they are all getting along.

3. Describe a time when you had to spring into action?

I have three boys and a dog and a husband.  I am constantly springing into action to keep them from maiming themselves or others :)

4. We're having carrots for dinner...would you prefer yours raw or cooked?


Raw with veggie dip.  

5. Do you take the shampoos and other sundries from your hotel room when its time to check out?

No not anymore because I never use them and I get irritated when I have all those little bottles in my toiletry bag for months.  Although, the Sheraton in Seattle has the BEST lotion by Bliss so I wish I had about 100 of those!!

6. What's the most enjoyable team or club you've belonged to and what was it that made it so?


I don't know if I have a single team or club that I would pick.  I was a cheerleader in high school & I had a blast doing that with my friends and traveling.  I belonged to a group called Daughters of Penelope that was a Greek Organization and I really had fun with the ladies in that.  I think that is the extent of my clubs and teams.  Actually now that I think I belonged to the Yearbook/Newspaper club in high school (yes it was eons ago) and I loved that because I love to write, take pictures and put things together.

7. Is cloning a sign of progress?


Cloning freaks me out.  I can see the merit in being able to clone a healthy heart or kidney that someone needs for a transplant but I still think it has more potential for disaster than good right now.  Maybe because I don't know a lot about it but I find it could quickly turn bad.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I am very excited because I will get to take a trip back to see my family & I get to go by myself which is rare.  I cannot wait to see everyone and run around Super Target :)  It is going to be a short but fantastic trip!  I am working extra hard on being healthy until then because I vainly want to be skinnier when I get there so I don't feel like such a frump with my nieces.  I am not sure if it is the correct motivation but it is motivation that will work for me so I say whatever works :)  Have a fab week !!