The Cliched Hodgepodge

Okay, someone has commented recently that all I ever post on is the Hodgepodge. So I searched through my archives and discovered--they're right! What can I say, I love the Hodgepodge! It's addictive and I find it kind of like a traffic accident--it's impossible to look away. So join the fun. Click on the link and dive into the world of Hodgepodge. But I'm warning you, it's addictive!

1. Do you like chili? Red or white? Beans or no beans? Spice or no spice? Toppings?

Yes, I do. But I don't necessarily like the thickness in the air after my boys eat chili.

2. Red~Orange~Gold...your favorite fall color?

Yes, as a matter of fact they are my favorites!

3. Who did you idolize when you were growing up?

No idols--I'm Baptist. : )

4. When was the last time you did something 'arts and craftsy'? Share please.

Obviously I don't attempt artsy-craftsy things often. And this is why:  recently I decided to make cupcakes to use as an object lesson in our Patch the Pirate Club with the kids at our church. The lesson called for the children to read different verses from the Bible that talked about benefits when we're saved. Things like a home in heaven and eternal life. I was going to put the Bible references on the cupcakes using decorator frosting. Then the kids were going to have to identify the truth in the verse before taking that cupcake. Only I got cookie decorator frosting instead of cake decorator frosting. It was really runny. And I tend to write big. There wasn't room on the cupcakes for an entire Bible reference. I was getting desperate, especially since we were already at the church and I was in the kitchen trying to decorate them while the kids were having game time in the other room. I finally ended up having to simply write one letter on each cupcake. F or forgiveness, H for heaven, etc. It turned out rather lame and the kids kept staring at me like, "this is it?"

The cupcakes were good.

5. What's a place that makes you really nervous?

The kitchen.

6. Horse back riding...yay or nay (neigh?)

I don't mind it, but I'm not sure the horse is too thrilled.

7. What is your favorite cliche?

In writing, cliches are definite no-no's. I've learned to avoid them like the plague. I'm so attuned to them that I can spot them a mile away. Truly, they stand out like a sore thumb. When I come across one that's worked its way into my writing, I drop it like a hot potato. In fact, once you get out of the habit of using cliches, it's as easy as pie to stop. Oh sure, some people have to make a last ditch effort, but you know it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings, and you can keep trying to weed cliches out of your vocabulary until the cows come home.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

It would be very easy to take the easy way out and wrap things up. But if you keep your fingers crossed and if hope springs eternal, then eventually we'll see the light at the end of the tunnel. I may be grasping at staws, but stick a fork in me 'cause I'm done!

 

The Hodgepodge Where I Can't Get the Picture to Show

For some stupid reason I can't get the Hodgepodge picture to show correctly on my post. And I can't get my signature to show correctly either. After messing with it for quite a while, I decided those two items aren't the most important part of this anyway. You know what to do with the Hodgepodge. So read along and then go to Joyce's blog to play for yourself. But leave a comment first. I'm demanding that way.
1. What do you do at the first sign of a cold? Will you get a flu shot this year?
Wipe someone's nose. I'm not usually the first in the family to get a cold, but my kids have always been generous with their germs.

2. What advice can you give about how to conquer fear?
This is not a good question for me. I'm perfectly content to cower in a closet with a blanket over my head.

3. Share two good things about your life right now.

My daughter is back home! And, my daughter is back home! That's worth two of any other good thing there is!

4. A hot fall fashion trend in 2011 is a return to sixties style...tunics with pants, shift dresses, pencil skirts, cinched waists, bold prints, high necklines and short lengths to name a few. How does this fashion trend fit with your wardrobe and personal sense of style?
When it comes to matching up these trends and my own style (or shape) I have four little words:  I don't think so!

5. Were you involved in scouting as a kid? How about as an adult?
I always try to be prepared. Does that count?

6. Apple, pear, plum, pumpkin...your favorite fall flavor?
I think if we added one more flavor, we could have a substitute that we could sing to the spice song:  "Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme...". I like apple cinnamon, by the way.

7. What characteristics do you think are essential in a good teacher?

Knowing something about your subject. I'm always amazed by people who try to teach what they don't know. But we don't usually call them teachers. We call them know-it-alls.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Did I mention that my daughter is back home? Can you tell I'm a little excited about that? She left over three years ago, and we've had precious little contact with her since then. But Saturday night she called and said she wanted to come home if we would come get her. We left within the hour and, about 26 hours of driving later, Stephanie is HOME! : )

1. What is one piece of advice you would give a 'just turning' 21- year old adult?
Just because you're old enough to do it doesn't mean you should do it.

2. Besides cooler weather (or warmer weather, depending on your hemisphere) what is one thing you are looking forward to this fall?
Getting my fall cleaning done. Of course, I'm also looking forward to my boys suddenly becoming neat and organized and getting all their schoolwork and chores done on time. Hey, if one miracle can happen, why can't the other?

3. What sound lulls you to sleep?
The rattling of the pills in the Melatonin bottle just before I take them.

4. September is National Preparedness Month...does your family have an emergency 'kit' and/or disaster plan in place?
We're well-prepared for emergencies because we have them all the time. See the last question.

5. How has your blog changed since you started blogging? Or has it?
I write fewer posts, but that's not on purpose. I need to change the look, but I can't decide how I want to go about doing that. And I'm afraid to start because then I'd probably be "under construction" through most of 2012.

6. What's something you've recently learned to do on the computer?
I refuse to learn anything else computer-wise until I get an ipad. I think I'm going to be technologically deficient for quite a while!

7. Is a picture worth a thousand words? Elaborate.
I really don't think I could explain this picture in less than a thousand words. Can you?

8. Insert your own random here.
I'll leave you with pictures from our latest emergency:

Joel needing stitches. (The dog got carried away when they were wrestling.)

Joel with stitches.

Joel five days later. Stitches are out, and he's healing nicely.