A Road Trip Through the Hodgedpodge

Welcome to this week's edition of the Hodgepodge.  I'm glad you joined the fun today...be sure to add your link to the end of my post, then go see what some of the other players had to say. I have a busy week, but will do my best to visit everyone.

1. When were you last on a 'mountaintop'?  You may answer in the literal or figurative sense of the word.

As it happens, I was on a literal mountaintop this past weekend-the Smokies. We made the long drive to Tennessee to visit my in-laws and as an added bonus our girls, along with daughter2's boyfriend, were able to join us.

Nothing makes me happier than having my little family all together on the same soil, so I suppose you could say I was on a figurative 'mountaintop' too. 

2. Do you establish and maintain a strict budget in your household?  What is one piece of financial advice you would offer someone just starting out on their own?

We have a budget. More or less.  Ha-is it possible to sort of have a budget?  We save, we pay our bills on time, we have money earmarked for emergencies, we give, we have insurance, and we plan for and discuss large purchases, travel, and our future retirement so yes, it's a budget.  More or less.  

I think the biggest and best thing someone just starting out on their own can do, financially speaking, is to create and keep a budget. Besides the normal day to day expenses include a category for building your savings every single pay period. Economically speaking, we are living in very unpredictable times.  

3. Cherries-yay or nay?  Cherry pie-cherry cola-black forest cake-or a scoop of Ben and Jerry's Cherries Garcia...pick one.

Cherries-yay!  I love real cherries, but am not a big fan of 'cherry flavoring'.  I'll take a scoop of Ben and Jerry's Cherries Garcia please.  Chunks of real cherries and chunks of real chocolate...what's not to love?

4. Should you ever discuss religion or politics with people you don't know?

This is a loaded question, isn't it?  If I answer I'm discussing religion and politics with people I don't know.  

I'm going to address them separately, starting with politics.  Frankly, I find it nearly impossible to  discuss politics with anyone these days, so it's not a topic I'd likely bring up with perfect strangers.  I don't mind discussing the issues, but only if the person I'm talking to is civil.  Politics gets ugly pretty quickly.  

As for religion, I guess it depends on what is meant by 'religion'.  I talk about my faith when I feel prompted, when a situation calls for it, or when the opportunity naturally presents itself.  I'm also happy to talk about it if someone asks, but that doesn't happen often with people I don't know.  I hope people see my faith lived out in my life, and sometimes that prompts discussion.

I do love to talk religion and politics as long as all parties are willing to listen, and refrain from being nasty in word or tone.  

5. When you take a road trip do you prefer to be the driver or the passenger?  Where were you headed on your last road trip?

If hubs is with me then I'd definitely prefer to be the passenger.  Let's just say he makes a better driver than he does a passenger.  I enjoy a road trip by myself too.  I love to play my music loud, clear my head, and listen to books on tape.

Last road trip?  Here-

See question #1.  

6. If we peeked inside your closet, what color would we say is most prevalent?

Probably blue, in pretty much every shade.  I have blue eyes, so I gravitate toward shades of blue and green in my wardrobe.  

7. Who's your favorite senior citizen and why are they special?

My mama.  

Why is she special?  

Because she's my mama.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I was in a public restroom over the weekend, and the woman in the stall beside me proceeded to phone her pharmacy to check on a prescription, ask questions, give her maiden and married name, and her insurance information, account and all. 

Yes! 

From the bathroom stall! 

Seriously world...it's okay to take 30 seconds to pee without being on your phone! 

Now pass the Purell.  Shudder.