The Weekend Wrap-up

 

 

Time for the weekly Weekend Wrap-up, although I’m not sure just what there is to wrap up this weekend.  I had absolutely nothing planned this weekend … and that’s pretty much how the weekend turned out.  And I’m not complaining one bit.    So forgive me for a boring post.

 

I spent Friday getting caught up on little things around the house … it’d been a month since I’d entered any checks or debit card receipts into Quicken, and I did the 10/31 reconciliations.    Thankfully I didn’t have to do much housecleaning as I’d done a pretty thorough cleaning in anticipation of my sister’s visit (she elected not to come down and get exposed to the virus that the Ts were sharing).  I did contemplate putting up the Christmas decorations, but with the Ts here Thursday and Friday, I thought I’d wait so they’d have more room for playing.  After I finished getting caught up, I was able to spend the rest of the day quilting. 

 

Saturday morning, I had just about talked myself into going ahead on the Christmas decorations when it started to rain … not the kind of weather suitable for traipsing around the tree lot looking for the perfect tree.  I did help DH bring DD’s artificial tree up from the basement (where it was being stored) for delivery on Sunday … and that was about the extent of any work I did on Saturday.  I spent a good bit of time quilting.

 

Sunday was the “busiest” day of the weekend.  After DH got home from church (I had a headache and stayed home), we delivered DD’s Christmas tree … just in time to be invited for lunch.  The rest of the day … spent quilting.  I see the light at the end of the tunnel on T#4’s “big girl quilt”.  I had hoped to have it finished by Christmas, and it appears that I’m going to meet my goal!  My next quilting project will be a quilt for us – finally. I’ve been quilting for almost 30 years and haven’t kept a single quilt I’ve made … all have been gifts.

 

This is going to be a very busy week here … I work today and Wednesday (my last day!  HOOORAY!!) and watch the Ts the other 3 days (HOOORAY!!).  And if this week weren’t already full of things to rejoice about, there’s a chance of some snow this week … granted, it’s not going to amount to anything … just a little snow mixed in with the rain.  But still … SNOW!  

No Black Friday for Me

Nope, you couldn’t pay me to go near a retail store (other than possibly the grocery store) on the Friday after Thanksgiving. 

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year!  We had planned to have 14 this year, but on Wednesday, T#3 came up sick … a trip to the doctor confirmed that he’s contagious so we made phone calls to my dad (he’s almost 89 and we just didn’t want to risk exposing him to a fairly major bug) and my sister.  T#3 seemed to be feeling better yesterday, but T#2 who had been to the doctor on Tuesday seemed to take a turn for the worse yesterday.  I suspect that she’ll be going back today.  :-( 

We had the turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, sweet potato pie casserole, crescent rolls and a corn casserole … the recipe sounded delicious, and the picture included with the recipe looked delicious and who doesn't like corn – but the real life casserole didn’t make it to the table.  :-(  Not that we went hungry with what did make it to the table.  ;-)  For dessert we had chocolate mud pie, chocolate dream pie, a chocolate cinnamon bundt cake, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin-shaped rolled sugar cookies, apple spice cake, and an apple pie. 

We played some Scrabble (T#2 won, with a little help from T#1 and her aunt B).  We spent some time outside (it turned out to be a warm and sunny day).  We watched the parade and some movies (Aladdin, which I hadn’t seen in ages … I’d forgotten what a cute movie that is ... and Monsters Inc.).  We watched some football.  And we played a little Wii.  It was a long, full day … a wonderful day! 

Today is going to be a lazy day here at Nana’s house. We usually put up our Christmas tree on the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving, but I think we’re going to hold off a little this year. We’ll have Ts here next week, and I’d rather leave a lot of room for them to play in our great room. I’ll put the tree up after they’re back home.  Instead I think I’ll take it easy … it might be a good day to do some quilting.  ;-)

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

 

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving … but today is Wednesday, and that means it’s Hodgepodge time! 

 

1. Let's start with something controversial...dressing or stuffing? What's it called at your house and what's included in your recipe...cornbread? oysters? sausage? chestnuts?

We call it stuffing because it’s stuffed.  We love it and make extra, and since not all of it will fit inside the turkey, some of it is technically dressing - since it’s not stuffed.  And I’m here to say that the dressing is not nearly as good as the stuffing! 

 

We make just a “plain” stuffing (it’s DD’s recipe), and it’s yummy.  When I was growing up, whenever my mom made stuffing, it had raisins in it.  And I’ve made oyster stuffing before and loved it.  But no one else likes oysters (except my dad who will be joining us this year), so no oyster stuffing/dressing.  :-( 

 

2. Who do you sometimes compare yourself to?

I don’t know that I compare myself to any one person … but I do more comparing than I’d like.  I compare myself to anyone who’s more talented, got it together more, more crafty, more spiritual … anyone who the Liar has convinced me is “better” than I am.  I’m working on drowning out his lies.

 

3. When were you last inside an airport?

In May when we went to the Oregon coast.  We flew to Portland and drove a rental car to the coast.  My sister plans a late spring/early summer trip for us … well, if the truth were told, I suspect she plans it primarily for our dad and invites the rest of us to join (and to provide assistance for our dad to get to/through the airports).

 

4. What is one side dish that absolutely must be included in a turkey dinner?

The afore-mentioned stuffing. 

 

5. What Christmas song do you dread hearing?

Right now, I can’t think of any that I dread.  I love Christmas songs.  I listen to a Christian music radio station, so when they start playing Christmas music, it’s what I would call the “good stuff” (no Santa Baby by Madonna – which I guess would be one that I’d dread hearing).   

 

6. If someone approaches you and asks for money do you give it to them? Do you drop money 'in a tin cup' that belongs to a person on the street? Do you have a specific charity you support during the holiday season and/or year round?

Yes, I give if someone is asking for money.  I used to struggle with the thought that they would just use that money foolishly, but I realized that how they use the money I give is between them and God … just like how I use the money I’m given is between me and God.  I remember what Jesus said in Matthew 25 “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

 

Throughout the year, I support Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization that provides spiritual and physical aid to victims of war, poverty, natural disaster, and disease.  This year I helped support their Operation Christmas Child. 

 

7. Share a favorite Thanksgiving memory. If you live in a country that doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving share a favorite memory associated with food.

I don’t know that I have a favorite Thanksgiving memory.  The one I always remember isn’t a favorite, but it’s “stuck” in  my memory.  It was probably 6-7 years ago.  DSIL’s grandmother was in failing health and didn’t have much longer, so DD et al packed up and went to West Virginia to visit her over Thanksgiving weekend.  I had decided to paint the master bedroom (walls and ceiling), so on Thanksgiving I painted.  DH was, as usual, my go-fer.  Not only did he fetch my painting supplies and help me move the furniture around, he also went and brought home a Thanksgiving dinner for two.  I missed having having Thanksgiving with DD and her family, but I did get a freshly painted master bedroom and a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. ;-)

 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

The Weekend Wrap-up

Another weekend has come and gone.  Why is it that the weekends go by in a blur but any two week days go by sooo slowly?  ;-)

This weekend was a nice, quiet one … the lull before the storm.  ;-)

Friday I worked and spent the evening watching the Ts.  Mama and Daddy had a date night, and I got the opportunity to watch the Ts.  We made homemade pizza for dinner and watched Cars (T#3’s FAVORITE movie!).  I was pretty tired all day at work (we had a late night Thursday night with the hockey game) … I was afraid that I wouldn’t be up to watching the Ts, but God was gracious and gave me an extra measure of energy when I got off work at 4:30.  What a wonderful start to my weekend!

Saturday was movie and quilting day.  I watched the second half of Gone With the Wind (started it the weekend before), To Have and Have Not, and Casablanca while getting a good bit of quilting done.  Yes, my favorite movies are all the old ones … Humphrey Bogart and Bette Davis are my two favorite actors.  ;-) 

Sunday was another quiet day.  After church in the morning, I got some more quilting done while watching another couple of movies … Terms of Endearment (I’ve seen that movie several times, and I still cry Every.Single.Time) and Now Voyager.  I also bought my ticket to fly down to visit my dad (in January) while he winters on the Gulf Coast of Alabama.  Yes, I hate, hate, hate flying, but given the fact that it’ll be a short trip and that I’ll be going by myself (my dad is renting a smaller condo this winter, and my sister will also be flying in), I decided to bite the bullet and fly down. 

This week is going to be a crazy busy one (the storm that the weekend lull preceded).  I work today, watch the Ts tomorrow and Wednesday, as well as do as much prep work for Thanksgiving as I can with DD Wednesday evening.  Somewhere in there I need to do some more shopping for Thanksgiving (DD and I will work together to prepare a meal for a gal from church who’s undergoing chemo treatments and isn’t able to make her own Thanksgiving meal … I can't take credit for that - it was DD’s idea, but I’m blessed enough to get to help), and I’ll need to get the house tidied up and bed linens changed in anticipation of my sister’s stay (right now I don’t know for sure when she’ll be arriving, so I’m going to need to get to work on tidying up sooner rather than later).  And of course there’s Thanksgiving (side rant:  am I the only one who’s “bugged” by the use of the term Turkey Day when referring to Thanksgiving?). 

Thankful Thursday

Hard to believe that it's Thursday already ... and even harder to believe that we're now one week away from Thanksgiving.  All the more reason to stop and take a few moments to be intentionally thankful.

I'm thankful for:

• DD who graciously opens her home to all of us for Thanksgiving

• the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving morning in the kitchen with DD as we work together to prepare the Thanksgiving meal

• a pre-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving meal today ... my office has always had a catered Thanksgiving lunch about a week before Thanksgiving ... and since I'm back in the office, I am able to participate this year

• DH who will do the Thanksgiving shopping tomorrow since it's take $10 off any purchases totaling $50 or more (he does the grocery shopping anyway, but this is above and beyond the call of duty)

• my Ts ... being their Nana is a privilege and responsibility that I do not take lightly

• only 2 more weeks (5 more days) of work before I can go back to being full-time retired ;-)

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It’s that time again … Wednesday Hodgepodge time!  And this week marks the start of the 2nd year of Hodgepodges!  If you aren’t a Hodgepodger, it’s not too late to join in the Hodgepodge fun… just click on the button above.  If you’d rather just check out everyone’s answers, you can see the list of those who’ve participated by clicking on the button above. 

So … let’s begin!

1. What song reminds you of a specific time in your life and what is it about that song that makes you remember?
I’ve posted it before, but Time of my Life was getting regular airplay while DH & I were dating back in 1987 … and we were having the time of our lives, falling in love.  ;-)  So when I hear that song, I’m reminded of the beginnings of our love story.

 
2. What's something you've given up on?
Ever wearing contacts again.  I've developed a chronic eye disease called blepharitis.  I've seen two optometrists and one ophthalmologist since I developed this, and all three have said that I should be able to wear my contacts even with this.  Unfortunately, every single time after I've worn my contacts for about a week, I develop an eye infection (in my left eye - always).  It's frankly too much hassle and too expensive to be wearing contacts for a week, wearing my glasses for ten days while I put in prescription eye drops, and buying replacement contacts.  Since I've stopped wearing contacts, I haven't had a single eye infection.  

 
3. What's something you'll never give up on? 
My God, my hubby, my daughter and my Ts.  I know ... that's "somethings", not something.
 
 
4. If you had to cook something from scratch in the next hour what would it be?
Apple crisp.  Not only do I have the ingredients to do that, but I love, love, love apple crisp (with chopped pecans adding to the topping, thank you).

 
5. Have you started Christmas shopping? Decorating? Listening to Christmas music?
I’ve started some shopping, mostly because DD is doing most of her shopping now since she’s not sure how long she’ll be “laid up” after her surgery.  I’ve not started any decorating or listening to Christmas music yet.  I’m finding myself really getting into the Christmas spirit already … a little early for me.  But I’m going to wait until after Thanksgiving to decorate, put up the tree, and listen to Christmas music.
 
6. What do you know about your parent's wedding?
I’m afraid that most of what I knew was fallen through that hole in my brain.  I do remember that they married on October 13, 1945 (which would have been my mom’s 21st birthday). 
 
7. I can't believe I ___________________.
don't have something spectacular to insert here.  :-( 
 
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Saturday night, as I was sitting at the kitchen island with my laptop, I saw a beautiful reddish-gold glow on the houses to the east.  I went outside and saw this.

I never fail to be amazed by God's handiwork. 

A hole in my brain?

 

I didn’t post a Weekend Wrap-up this week … I sat down to do it, but I couldn’t remember what I had done this past weekend.  Now, it was a busy weekend, but not so busy that I shouldn’t be able to remember what I had done!  I do believe that there’s a hole in my brain, and anything I need to remember just slips out that hole!  ha!  I was able to reconstruct the weekend, but by then, it was too late to post an “official” Weekend Wrap-up. 

 

I was off Friday and spent the morning quilting while watching Gone With the Wind (my favorite movie).  I took a break for lunch when it was time to flip the DVD for the 2nd half of the movie, and just after cleaning up from lunch, I got an invitation from DD to join her and the Ts for Operation Christmas Child shopping.  I was thrilled to be able to spend my afternoon with them … and to work together to help out kids who wouldn’t otherwise have much of a Christmas.

 

Saturday was DH’s birthday.  After we attended an open house for a sweet couple from church who were celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary, we headed over to St. Louis for a late lunch at Macaroni Grill.  It’s one of his favorite restaurants, and we hadn’t been there in a long time.  I always get their penne rustica, and in checking the web, I see that there are copycat recipes out there … I’m definitely going to have to try it out (although I do think I’m going to have to tweak it … it calls for 4 cups of heavy cream – yikes!).

 

Sunday morning we were at church as usual.  The rest of the day was fairly quiet.  After my weekly “conference” call with my dad and my sisters, I was able to get a bit of hand quilting done on T#4’s big girl quilt.  I’m hoping to get that done by Christmas, but I don’t know if I’m going to meet that goal. 

 

I’ve got the day off today, but I don’t expect to get much quilting done (at least not until after dinner).  I’ve got the Ts coming over this morning … I can’t wait!  

11-11-11 miscellaneousness

 

Yes, I know that “miscellaneousness” isn’t a word … but it ought to be.  ha!

 

I don’t read/watch much news (too depressing), but I do know that today is supposed to be THE day for those who are looking for some good luck.  As I’ve written before, I don’t believe in superstition or luck.  I believe in the One who is in control.

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  ~ Psalm 139:16

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  ~ Psalm 46:1

 

We had our first freeze last night.  I guess winter is officially on its way.  I can’t wait for that first snow!

 

I’m not working today, and as of right  now, I have nothing scheduled.  I think today may be just the day to put in a DVD and do some stitching on T#4’s big girl quilt. 

 

Today is also Veteran’s Day.  I’m thankful for all those who serve/have served… and their families who pay/have paid a huge cost for that service.

 

And today I’m praising God for good news that is an answer to prayer. 

Thankful Thursday

If yesterday was Wednesday, today must be Thursday … and time for Thankful Thursday. 

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” — William Arthur Ward

I’m thankful for:

• My sweet hubby.  He is just so patient and understanding and has a servant’s heart.  I can always count on him.  I know I’ve had him on my list before … but I really am thankful for him.

• 4 seasons.  We had our first freeze last night, which means that winter is on its way … which means snow will be on its way, too.  As much as I’d love to live on the beach, I have to admit that I would miss the 4 seasons … and snow.

• Electric blankets.  As much as I love winter and snow, I do not like being cold.  And I’m always cold … and the older I get, the colder I get.  With an electric blanket on the bed, I can snuggle under it and be warm and toasty all night long.

• God’s mercy.  I heard a discussion on the radio the other day about whether we were worth Jesus dying for us.  That got me to thinking … I definitely wasn’t worthy of His sacrifice ... there was absolutely nothing that I could possibly do to ever come anywhere close to being worthy.  Which is of course why He had to die.  I’m so thankful that Christ loved me enough to die on the cross so I can live. 

• Online radio broadcasting.  I can plug in my ear buds and listen to the area Christian radio station and hear uplifting music and encouraging words.  It helps the day go by more quickly, too. 



Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

It’s Wednesday – again.  And that means that it’s time for another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge, where Joyce puts together 7 random questions.  If you’d like to play along or check out everyone else’s answers, just click on the link above. 

 

1. Of all the tools and gadgets you own which do you most enjoy using?

Probably my laptop.  I’m so glad I chose to go with a laptop rather than a desktop when it came time to replace my computer last year.  I was able to sit in the recliner and watch the post-season Cardinals games “with” my sisters and my Dad (we were all watching from our homes but chatting back and forth via email).  I can take it with us when we travel and stay connected to family.  And it allowed me to convert the “office” space in the 3rd bedroom to a sewing area.

 

2. When (if ever) is impatience a virtue?

In a life-or-death situation … otherwise, I can’t think of a situation where it’s a good thing … says the very impatient woman.  ;-)

 

3. What temperature do you keep your thermostat set to in winter? Do you have another way to heat your house besides a furnace of some type?

We keep our thermostat set at 69.  Which means that I’m dressed in about 3 layers of sweats during the day and using an electric blanket at night.  I’m always so cold, and the older I get, the colder I get.  But I hate, hate, hate paying our utilities any more than I have to … so we keep the thermostat set low.  We do raise it a little when we have guests (since they probably aren’t dressed for the arctic – ha!).  We have a gas fireplace, which I’ve been known to turn on to take the chill off in the mornings (like this morning).  But we don’t use it as an alternative source for heat. 

 

4. Do/did you have a close relationship with any of your grandparents?

I was close to my maternal grandparents.  When I was little, we lived a block away from them.  This was way back in the day and in a small town, so my mom could feel safe in sending us to walk up to visit grandma.  I remember my grandma always having lemon drops in the candy dish … as a youngster, I remember wishing that she’d put the “good” candy out in her dish!  My grandpa always carried a buckeye in his pocket.

 

5. When did you last have a family portrait taken?

We had a photo taken of all of us at Disney World back in 2008.  DD is asking for us to have a portrait of the two of us taken, and I’d like a portrait of all of us together.  Maybe it’s time to get all that done!

 

6. What does the word patriotism mean to you?

Love and respect for our country.  Respect and honor for those who serve her. 

 

7. Do you like to play cards and if so, what's your favorite card game?

Yes, and a visit to my dad isn’t complete without a few hands of Rook.

 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

it’s a dreary, windy day here … with rain in the forecast.  We’ve finally been getting some much-needed rain … it’s too late for several spots in our lawn … guess I know what we’ll be doing next spring.  ;-)  It would be a good day to settle in and work on the new puzzle we started yesterday (instead I’m heading for work in an hour).  I bought this puzzle because I thought it’d be easier to identify pieces and be able to match them to the picture… and while it is easy to identify the dogs’ faces, it’s not so easy to find the rest of the pieces for each dog.   

The Weekend Wrap-up

 

 

What a busy weekend … I’m going to go to work Monday morning just to rest up from the weekend.  ha!

 

Friday I got caught up a little around the house.  Ok, about all I managed to accomplish was cleaning the hardwoods, but they really needed it.  We met up with DD & family for dinner.  Friends from church have a BBQ business on the side, and the first Friday of the month they sell BBQ and sides at the Gun Club.  The meat is awesome, and their sweet potato fries are THE BEST.  This is their last Friday at the Gun Club (a change in his “real” job involves too much travel to be able to devote the time to preparing BBQ). 

 

Saturday morning DD invited me to a girls’ day out.  She, T#2 and T#4 were going to go do early Christmas shopping (in case she’s unable to get out to shop after her surgery in December) … and they invited me along.  That just made my heart sing!  We picked up almost all their gifts for the Ts … and a few from us, too.  We had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory … it was the first time I’d ever eaten there, and talk about overload when looking the menu!  Finally, I just picked something … and it was wonderful!  I purposely haven’t gone to their website to check out the nutritional information because I’m sure it was NOT healthy!  We got 2 slices of cheesecake to share … mmmm, yummy! 

 

We got back to DD’s just in time for dinner … so they invited us to join them for dinner and a movie.  Dinner wasn’t anything fancy … BLTs and chocolate shakes, but they sure were good!  And we watched Cars 2.  T#3 loves Cars and Cars 2.  We enjoyed Cars 2, although it didn’t seem to be quite as suitable for little bitties (DD suggested it was Pixar’s version of Mission Impossible for kids).   

 

Sunday morning found us at church.  We stopped at the grocery store on the way home to ingredients for a meal for a family from church … when I told DH that I was going to make them lasagna, he asked me to make some for us.  That meant that I spent the afternoon making two batches of lasagna.  We spent the evening just relaxing and getting ready for another busy week. 

 

It was a busy weekend … but a wonderful one!

Friday’s favorite things

I was doing some blog reading while waiting for the hardwoods to dry and came across Rachel’s blog … she hosts a weekly meme called (Friday) Favorite Things.  I can’t commit to a regular (Friday) Favorite Thing post, so I’m not going to link up.  But I did like the idea of listing some of my favorite things, so I’m going to steal borrow the idea.  Nothing really new … but I thought it was a fun look at the things that bring me joy.

I would be remiss if I didn’t start my list with:

I heart those little feet … and all the rest of them, too!  And their mama & daddy!  ;-) 

And of course, those of you who have been reading very long know that I’ve got to include:

The beach at Hilton Head … our very most favorite place to go … if it weren’t for those little ones (see above), we would have retired there.  We’re already talking about a trip back next spring.

And:

Of course, had we retired to Hilton Head (see above), we would have missed out on the snow!  Not that we normally get as much as in this photo. 

And:

We do love our Cardinals here!  And we’re already starting some preplanning for our 2012 Spring Training Trip.

And:

(sorry … that’s not my hand, although it could be … I do use that thimble and I do love the traditional quilt patterns … found this from a Google search)

One of the things that I’ve missed most with working this past year is the time to be able to quilt. 

And:

We enjoy working puzzles so much and have started to buy “souvenir” puzzles on our travels.  We like to reminisce about our visits while working the puzzles.

Thankful Thursday

 

 

I’m getting to this a little later than normal, but it’s never too late to be thankful, is it?

 

I’m thankful for:

• Time with T#1 and T#2 today.  They spent the night last night … that meant a later-than-normal bedtime and unfortunately an earlier-than-normal get-up this morning.  They’re having lie-downs (I’m hoping for a nap, but settling for some rest).

 

• Some much-needed rain.  The snow that hit the Rockies has made its way east.  Unfortunately we’re going to get rain only – no snow. 

 

• Good health.  I got good results from the tests after my annual check-up.  I have been diagnosed with osteopenia, but thankfully all I have to do is increase my calcium and vitamin D.  That means that tomorrow I’ll go have a talk with my pharmacist about how to coordinate these dosages with the medicine I take for my Raynaud’s.

 

• DH who never complains when I ask him to make a special trip to the grocery store … even when I failed to plan accordingly.  I promised DD that we’d make a meal for them for tonight … I had the menu set a couple of days ago, but I neglected to add the ingredients to the grocery list until this morning.  At least he was already out and about (he had a dental appointment and stopped at the store on his way home … and it was $10 off any purchases > $50, so we saved $10 by having him shop today … yes, Queen of Rationalization, that would be me!).

 

• Online shopping.  I placed a few online orders today … yes, I could have purchased these items at a retail store, but that would have meant a 30-minute drive (one-way) to several different stores.  With the cost of gas (and the limited amount of free time this week), I was glad to be able to find what I needed quickly and easily online. 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

Welcome to the first Hodgepodge in November!  If you want to play along or see what others had to say, just click the button above!

 

1. Who taught you how to cook?

My sister and I joined a 4-H Club … I can’t remember exactly how old I was … I think I was in 5th or 6th grade??  I remember that my first foray into cooking was a 4-H project … brownies.  I also remember baking Snickerdoodles for a 4-H project.  Most of what I know about every-day cooking I taught myself … with a huge assist to my Betty Crocker cookbook.  I still have a copy (my original copy finally bit the dust due to overuse), but these days I use the internet for most of my recipe exploring.

 

2. Have you been told you think too much? Are too much of a perfectionist? Are too sensitive? Were they right?

I haven’t been told any of that, but then I definitely don’t need to be … I know it all too well without any input from anyone else.

 

3. As a child did you have a favorite blanket or toy? Tell about it.

My teddy bear.  I think you can tell, by looking at him, how much he was loved.

 

4. What 'institution' do you have the most faith in?

I’m not sure that there’s any institution that I have much faith in, since most institutions have been created by or controlled by people … and since people are imperfect, institutions are imperfect.  My faith is in the One who is perfect.

 

5. Chrysanthemums-pansies-burning bush-ornamental cabbage...your favorite in an autumn garden?

I’d have to say that it’s a toss up between mums and burning bushes.  When a burning bush is that vivid red, it’s hard to beat.  But unfortunately burning bushes don’t always turn that intense red … and a mum will always provide some beautiful color in the fall. 

 

6. What superpower do the kids in your neighborhood seem to posses?

None, I guess.  No superheroes at our door this Halloween.

 

7. Are you a fan of the cranberry?

No, not really.  Even though it’s a standard for Thanksgiving, I don’t miss not having it at our Thanksgiving meal. 

 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I think today is going to be a loooooong day.  I woke up at 1:20 this morning, and when I couldn’t fall back to sleep after an hour and a half, I got up.  So, if any of my answers to this week’s Hodgepodge make no sense, blame it on the lack of sleep.  ;-)

It’s November!

 

Where did October go?  For that matter, where did January through October go?  This year is flying by!

 

I am glad that November is here … this will be the last month for me at my part-time/temporary gig at the University … then I’ll be going back to being retired full-time.  I enjoyed working (I could make my own hours, no nights/weekends/holidays, no questions asked if I had to leave/call in to help DD or if I needed to schedule a week or two off for traveling … and at a decent wage for part-time work), but I enjoy being retired more. 

 

I am glad that November is here … I think that Thanksgiving is one of my most favorite holidays.  I appreciate a holiday where we can take time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for.  And of course I enjoy the turkey and all the trimmings, too!  ha!

 

I am glad that November is here … our first snow won’t be too far away. I love, love, love snow.

 

I am glad that November is here … the Christmas season isn’t too far away.  I love the anticipation of the Christmas season, the good cheer, the get-togethers, the shopping for THE best gift, and the focus on the Christ child. 

 

I am glad that November is here!