Hodge Podge Windy March

It's been quite some time since I have done Hodge Podge.  But I felt that I could do justice to these questions...so here it goes!

1. March is known as the windy month. Which of the following phrases best fits your March so far...'throw caution to the wind', 'three sheets to the wind', 'run like the wind', or 'see which way the wind blows'?

“See which way the wind blows” is definitely how this March is going!  Each day seems to bring a new adventure or situation that we have no idea what will come next!  Personally – I am looking for some smooth sailing!

2. Your favorite green food? Your favorite dish made with your favorite green food?

Wow…favorite green food?!  I like broccoli – and usually steamed with a little butter and seasoning.  But favorite broccoli dish in the past would be a good Chicken Divan with a bit of curry in the sauce!

3. Ever been locked out of your home-car-office-anywhere? Do tell!

YUP!  Once, when we were locked out of our car, we went to the police station, since it was right around the corner, and they gave us a coat hanger.  I guess they figured if we can work using a coat hanger, we must really be the owners of the vehicle?!

4. Yoda, Kermit, Shrek, The Wicked Witch of the West, Oscar the Grouch, The Grinch, or Mike Wasowski (Monsters Inc.)...of the green characters listed, which one's your favorite and why?

Gotta go with Kermit the Frog!  He’s got a great philosophy on life!  And his quote “It isn’t easy being Green” is appropriate right now, as our garbage company is DISCONTINUING our Recycling!

5. "The first task of a leader is to keep hope alive."~Joe Batten Do you agree? Why or why not?

If you don’t have hope, why move forward?!  Yup – that sounds like a good quote!

6. Share a favorite song with an emotion in it's title.

Higher Love by Steve Winwood

7. What's a road trip you'd like to take?

photo credit

West-Side!  Meander all the way up the Pacific Coast, up in to Canada (British Columbia), then back through Idaho, Montana, down through the Grand Tetons in Wyoming and down through Colorado.  Leisurely!

Then, if I can have one that deals with the Eurail – I would spend a summer meandering my way across Europe!  From Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, on over to Austria, and Hungary, just to name a few!



8. Insert your own random thought here.

Not a good idea to give time for Random Thoughts to someone who teaches 8^th graders all day!  But right now – Corned Beef and Cabbage…. Gotta love Crockpots – through a bunch of stuff in it before you go to work, and you walk in to the house to the most incredible smell!  Can’t wait to chow down on that!

Peachy HodgePodge

Loved these questions so thought I would answer, and I took the opportunity in question 8 to apologize for being inactive in my blogista duties!

1. How often do you check the weather? How do you check the weather?

I have Weather Bug in my system tray - and it is more for the temp than anything... so I know whether or not to take the dog out, or more like an excuse not to go for that two mile walk!  Otherwise, I stick my head outside and look up at the sky!  Not real big in knowing what it's going to do in a few days... weather will happen whether or not I worry about it!

2. Since this is volume 84 of the Wednesday Hodgepodge, and since I got married in 1984, and since I'm attending a wedding this weekend it only seems right to post something related here.

"Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life."

Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

Agree or Disagree. Why?

 

I agree with 'Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.'  It depends on how you grow together.  But I do not agree with the latter sentiments.  I would hope that knowing someone better before marriage is a good thing.  Do you like the way he leaves the toothpaste in the bathroom?  Is he annoyed by your hanging wet bras on the back of the laundry room door?  Knowing one another helps to make sure that you are compatible.  But most importantly, you must be friends as well as lovers for marriage to work.  If you cannot talk to your spouse about anything, then why are you together?

3. Do you like to dance? Have you ever taken dance lessons? 

 

I was very big in to dance when I was in high school and college.  When I moved to Hawaii for a year in the middle of high school, I missed dance so much, and did not have enough money for lessons that I actually worked out a deal with a dance studio that I would clean the studio for free lessons!  Now, however, I feel like I have two left feet and very inflexible!  Maybe I will take a dance class one of these days! 

4. Fresh from the oven peach pie or home made peach ice cream? Pick one. 

 

Is it bad that I don't like peaches?!  Don't like them fresh, canned, baked or otherwise!  Peach frozen yogurt in a pinch...about twenty years ago.  It's not a flavor I seek out!

5. Should people accept unfairness and learn to make the best of it? 

 

It depends on what type of unfairness it is.  Is it a civic injustice, or simply an 'I want that'?  It is simply a whiny thing, get over it!  As my high school English teacher would say, "If life was fair, I 'd have hair."  what more can you say after a statement like that?

6. The top five all time summer movie blockbusters (released between May and August and grossing at least 100 million dollars) are-Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars (the original), Ghostbusters, and ET. Which one's your favorite?

 

Well, I have seen all of these, some more than others.  I know for sure that it is not Ghostbusters.  Haven't seen Jaws in ages.  ET was cute, and Raiders of the Lost Ark was adventurous!  But gotta say Star Wars wins this contest!  I saw it on opening day, having won tickets on the radio for it! ... and then four more times that summer!  I can not tell you how many times I have watched it, as I have lost count.  It's a classic, and we made sure our kids know that too!

7. If given the chance, would you like to visit the moon? 

 

Depends!  The only thing it would depend on is the mode of transportation.  I cannot do G-forces... so it would have to be an unadventurous form to travel!  I almost black out on roller coaster rides.  If the travel were smooth and easy, (and they served the kind of food I would be willing to eat) you bet!

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

 

I would like to apologize for having been remiss in my blogging as of late!  Busy with work, always; but more importantly, I have started school on top of a full time job, and I probably shouldn't even be doing this.  It has also taken me quite a while to finish reading a book for pleasure, which is very difficult to deal with, so my reading has slowed down so much, it isn't funny!  I have so many books I want to read and I might get about 15 minutes a day now, as my reading typically involves very heavy textbooks, that are difficult to read from when you are half asleep... have you ever had a 5 pound book smack you in the face while laying down before bed?  Not pleasant... thus my 15 minutes of pleasure reading... a kindle doesn't hurt as much!

Thanks for stopping by!  Would love to hear random answers for any of these questions if you haven't answered them all on your site! 

Hope your summer is filled with all of the summery things you enjoy!  We wish for more rain!

saluting hodge podge

1. What can the average citizen do to honor a military veteran and/or those currently serving?

If you see a military member at a restaurant, offer to pay his or her meal.  I live in a military town, and you will see people do that once in a while around here.  Better yet, simply tell them Thanks for serving their country.  Sometimes, all the military personnel hear are negative things, and it's nice to tell them you appreciate that they are serving their country!

2. Besides a flag what is something you own that is red, white and blue?

My All-American All-Stars!  I usually wear them on patriotic holidays - and whenever I feel like it.  I have had these for about 20 years (OMG - has it been that long?!) 

3. Does love really conquer all?

I would love to say yes, but not always.  You can love someone but are not a good person when with them, or cannot stand to be with them (take my parents - they loved each other but weren't good together.)

4. Strawberry shortcake or blueberry pie?

Definitely Strawberry Shortcake!

5. Do you share personal stuff with your hairdresser?

Do I have a hairdresser?!  The answer would be no - but I know my mom was like a Confessional for her clients way back when!

6. Does money lead to selfishness?

I think that it definitely can!  There are a few altruistic people out there who will use their money for good, but if you've got it, it seems to create a bad case of 'I Want's'!

7. What piece of furniture in your home most needs replacing or refinishing?

I would say our bookcases.  We just bought them, but they are cheap, they lean, and I need more space!

8. Insert your own random here.

Woo-Hoo!  I have a day off!   
            So, it's cleaning house, shopping and blogging all day...
                     ....after I go in to work to fix something - unfortunately, I have learned that if I want something done right, do it myself.  A sad thing as a manager...

my Hodge Podge, part Deux

1. What is a pet peeve you have when vacationing?

Tacky tourists (usually American, but most likely Russian) who disregard common courtesies that ruin the experience wherever you might be.

2. Would you describe yourself as a light packer or do you need everything in your closet plus the kitchen sink? 

Somewhere in between.  I like to be prepared, but also have the adage that if we forgot it, we can buy it... a bit more difficult in a foreign country, but nothing like buying 'feminine protection' in Turkey (for a teenager!)!

3. What's the best lesson a child ever taught you? 

Only hire babysitters who can stay awake longer than your children!  We came home to 'redecorating' of the hall bath - toothpaste EVERYWHERE with Q-tips stuck in the toothpaste - even in the underside of the step-stool!

4. Share one piece of advice you'd give a recent graduate as they attempt to enter the job market?

Persistence is key!  Be positive and Be yourself!

5. What's your favorite lemon something?

Tough call - I would probably have to go with a Lemon White Chocolate Cake!

Subtle meets Sassy

6. Flat sandal, wedge, heel...your favorite footwear? 

Barefoot first, then would have to be one of my fav pairs of Converse - one of the Aloha styles!

Cool Shoes!

7. What do you like best about a beach holiday? If you're not a beach lover (GASP!!) what do you dislike the least?

Best thing?!?  It has to be an uncrowded beach - as the beach is a place for peace and tranquility for me.  The roar of the ocean - the constant waves - is so soothing to me... it speaks directly to my soul!  
A true beach holiday?!?  My ideal beach vacation would be a Northwest Beach with Southern Cali weather - a rustic beach house - need at least one good storm for massive waves (luckily we would be up on a cliff) - fluffy blankets, great food and copious amounts of tasty wine!  Lots of climbing/scrambling, tidal pools, great sunsets with cloudy skies for depth.  Books, my HOney and PEACE!

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

All this beach talk makes me want to squidge my toes in the sand!  Kind of hard in the middle of the desert - I fear scorpions....