Wednesday, November 20, 2013

The Hodgepodge, and ONLY the Hodgepodge

Hello Hodgepodgers!  Before I get to you I would also like to say hi to all the visitors here who are not Hodgepodgers. Welcome to this side of the pond!  I'm happy you're here, and hope you'll leave a comment so I can say hi back. I'm also happy for you to read to your hearts content, and you're especially welcome to link to the Hodgepodge, BUT...there's always a but, isn't there...I am asking that  you please only link to the Wednesday Hodgepodge if you have actually answered the questions. In other words, Hodgepodge posts only!

I know all bloggers love visitors, but it is really difficult to read all the Hodgepodge links each week, and its frustrating to click on a post only to discover it's something else entirely. I do go in and delete those that are not Hodgepodge related, but I really hate that, and I'd much prefer you not make me-ha!

Thanks so much for your cooperation! Now on to the HODGEPODGE...which I do hope you'll join.



1. What lesson has failure taught you?

The importance of planning, the importance of persistance, and the importance of sometimes thinking outside the box. I tend to be more of an 'in the box' thinker, but failure forces me to think differently about my project, goal, or circumstance in order to accomplish what I want to accomplish.  

2. What decision are you glad you made?

Aside from the obvious- my personal faith, who to marry, and becoming a parent,  I guess my answer would have to be saying yes to an international move.  No regrets. 

3. I've been a little bit surprised to see fully lit and decorated Christmas trees popping up for the past several weeks in friend's Instagram feeds. So tell the truth-is your tree up and decorated, and if so when did that happen? If not when will you be decking the halls?

Is my tree up and decorated? Absolutely not! In my mind it's still autumn. Autumn means lots of things, but Christmas trees are not one of them. I love the chill in the air, the colors of fall, the changing landscape, outdoor fires, football, menus filled with homemade soups and chilli, blue jeans and boots, and most especially Thanksgiving. Part of what I love about the month of November is the sense of anticipation that starts brewing for what comes next. I don't want to eliminate it...I want to savor it. 

We'll probably put our trees up the weekend after Thanksgiving since our girls will be home, and we like to make it a family affair. I feel like that's plenty early. Just my .02, but I think Christmas lights lose a little of their magic if they go up in mid-November.  

4. Solitaire-poker-rummy-hearts-go fish-Old Maid...which game of cards would you most want to join?

I like hearts a lot, and hubs and I have had an ongoing game of rummy pretty much since we got married. We don't have the score written down but we know who's winning. That would be him. 

5. This question comes to you courtesy of a Facebook friend, who once upon a time had a blog...When you're feeling stressed do you snack a lot or are you more the 'can't eat' type?

I think it depends on what's causing the stress. If it's more the nervous excitement kind of stress then I don't not eat. Ha! I'm not saying I overeat, but a nervous excitement kind of stress doesn't prevent me from eating. Stress of the more upsetting variety might mean I don't eat, but it has to be something that's a pretty big deal.  

6. Have you ever reviewed a product or service online?  Was your review favorable or less than favorable?

I've done several online reviews, mostly service related (hotels, travel sites, restaurants, and home repairs). All were favorable. If I have a complaint I'd prefer to deal directly with the business as opposed to saying something negative online. I might offer a way they could improve what they offer, but generally wouldn't bash something online.

7. What was the best conversation you had yesterday?

Yesterday. Sigh. My hubs was in the UK yesterday, and spent a day out in our little village. We spoke and texted many times throughout the day. I feel so much I think the answer to this question will need its own post on this side of the pond.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Does anyone else take issue with charities that send a 'gift' when they solicit your donation? These gifts may be anything from return address labels, to personalized notecards and notepads, even actual coins taped to their solicitation letter. I don't  understand this kind of thinking. I want to ask how many people they sent a nickel to?  How many notepads were printed, or labels created, and at what cost? 

Yesterday I received my third set of personalized address labels from the same institution in a three month time period. I haven't used the first set they sent. This is a very well known, well respected, charitable organization. They do wonderful things for sick children, but this fundraising tactic feels wasteful, and does not inspire me to give. Your thoughts? 





34 comments:

  1. I do look forward to hearing about Hub's trip back to your former village. And, I could not agree more with your last response. It does seem so wasteful and I also choose not to support those particular charities. Besides, how many address labels with monkeys or frogs does a person need? Great questions this week, Joyce. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I really liked reading your answer to #1. It made me think about lesson plans that go awry. I'm all about self reflection, and because I, too, color inside of the lines, missteps lead me to find another, better way of doing things. That's how it is with my lessons...even from one class to another when I need to make adjustments.

    Thanks for helping me see this in a different light!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I laughed when I read you say your husband is winning the rummy game. I assumed you were winning.

    As for the charity, I get the same solicitations and also am bothered by how much of their budget is spent on these things when the money could be used more wisely.

    Can't wait to put up my tree... no snow here in Montreal Canada yet (and thats a good thing) but I still want my tree up!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I just got up from a night's sleep, and my eyes aren't focusing well...'cause I thought I read your husband was "Whining" instead of winning in Rummy. LOL

    And those charity address labels. I too can't understand the waste in the cost of distributing them through mail [tho being a charity, the USPS probably delivers them at not cost...but that in itself is a waste of man-hours too.] Needless to say it's wasteful all the way around, paper, printing, time, cost, etc. My guess is 60-80% throw them away even after receiving them.

    Then...I so agree with you on the hyperlinking in a meme list. Some complain to me on my birding photo meme on Saturdays that I add to their comment to HYPERlink instead of the entire blog...it takes a lot of time to visit each participant AND then have to search for the blog post. And I realize you're also having to deal with those that link without even participating. What a pain.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I know you HATE that you're not with Hubs on the other side of the pond! I have a feeling he'd enjoy it a lot more if you were with him!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolutely! It was tough going it alone. I thought about going, but it was such a short trip and with Thanksgiving next week we really couldn't extend the time. We are planning a 2014 trip though. I'm ready!

      Delete
  6. No Christmas tree for us just yet. Like you, I want to savor fall for as much as it's worth. I don't like to rush things. So, if I'm lucky, we'll attempt to put our tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving. If it doesn't happen, it won't be the end of the world. Oh, I get address labels all the time from St. Jude and I think about it just as you do...seems to be a waste of money that could be used much better elsewhere.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great questions Joyce. I loved your comment about posting Hodge Podge only. Thanks. I am so with you on the charity mailings. I cannot tell you how many address labels I have.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Once again, we have some similiar answers! ( : I totally agree abotu the charity solicitations in the mail. I have enough address labels to last a lifetime, and yes, I got a coin the other day! I do NOT feel obligated to donate because the charity sends me stuff. In fact, I feel less likely...because I think they waste their money.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Loved your #3, agree, agree, agree!
    As far as the gifts, I don't really understand it either. And they almost always spell our name wrong, so who wants to use those? I had to laugh at Elizabeth's comment above too,
    " Besides, how many address labels with monkeys or frogs does a person need?"
    She hit the nail on the head!!
    Also looking forward to the next post about Hubs visit.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I totally agree with you on the charity thing. However, I don't necessarily agree on the Christmas tree thing. Mine would probably be up if I was home. haha Have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I SO agree with you on your random thought! I got labels and a notepad both just yesterday. It is extremely wasteful. I don't send money to those organizations and never have! When I get a nickel, I keep it. I use the paper and labels... I have even received scarves and once, a pillow!! Yes, a pillow in one of those vacuum bags. It puffed up beautifully when I opened it. How much did that cost??!! A terrible waste of funds. I enjoyed your answers, Joyce!! Thanks again for doing this every week!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you Joyce! I appreciate the breakup of my week and the audience who participates in these. Hoping I get to read everyone's link ups this weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am glad you got the explore and live in the UK for a bit :) I totally agree with your answer to number 3!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I agree with your thoughts on charities sending 'gifts' along with their letters! I think that money could have been better spent.

    I also agree with your thoughts concerning putting up Christmas trees so early. Every year, more and more people seem to rush right past Thanksgiving, in order to get to Christmas. That's sad.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love your answer to #3- I feel the same way.
    I just received more return address labels in the mail yesterday too. My initial thought is usually that I should send them something since they gave me a product, but I just can't keep up. I don't usually have the heart to throw them out either so I stuff them in the bottom of a kitchen drawer to deal with later. I have sent small donations before but it seems when you donate you just get more requests. I agree that they are worthy charities and organizations though.

    ReplyDelete
  16. As always, I so enjoy your answers. And, you are right on #8, it looks like they could use the money they use to send us those unnecessary items to further their work. We get more address labels and ink pens than the law allows. Such a waste. Happy rest of the week!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Yes! We had that conversation about charities spending money when the last Women of Faith conference, the World Vision things to get 'adopt' a child now have VIDEOS of the child on the packets! How much do you think THAT costs?????

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can kind of see your point, but I do feel like supporting a child is a long term committment, so perhaps the video is what gets people on board. I have never seen that in a display. I do know World Vision gets very high marks in the use of their funds actually benefiting the population served.

      Delete
  18. I agree with your charities comment - and it's so strange when they are charities I've never donated to either. And they only have my name listed... how on earth do they find me? And what's with the cartoon characters on the labels? Sheesh... I do feel their fund could be better spent, but on the other hand, with everyone competing for attention, given how much the internet has changed our lives, if receiving that piece in the mail is what gets people to remember to give, then perhaps it's not such a bad thing. But lose the cartoon character labels, please!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I have so many address labels that it is definitely a waste for them to send me more. Especially since I haven't donated to them for over a year.

    ReplyDelete
  20. So sorry you've had people link here without being bona fide HP participants. I hope I've never inadvertently mis-linked to my blog,although as tech-clumsy as I can be, wouldn't doubt it.

    I have had the same thoughts about "address label charities." Do they not have any type of CFO who does a cost analysis to send such wasteful spending? And how many address labels do people even USE these days, what with online bill-paying and email? I think people who are genuinely inclined to give will do something without something in return. In fact, we are MORE likely to support an organization that does not use the "we'll-give-you-something-if-you-give-us-something-back" tactic.
    That's one BIG reason we really appreciate Compassion International's way of operating. They put something like 90 % of every donor dollar into taking care of the kids' needs. We've been with them for 20 years . What I love getting back are those precious pictures and letters from our sponsored kids!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I agree with you, I love Fall and Thanksgiving should have all the attention in November but I did have to put my trees up because I am traveling in December. I normally start on Friday the day after Thanksgiving!!! Your conversations yesterday with your husband and to be awesome. I bet you wished you were right there with him. ((HUGS)) Yes I do take issue with those charities and I agree with you. What does a donation even mean....covering the cost of their mailings. I want my donation to go to those in need.

    ReplyDelete
  22. On your random thought, that's actually a way to get you to donate. If you get a "free" gift, most people feel they need to pay for it in some way. I learned this in my Psychology class in college. I have to say, it doesn't make me feel the need to donate either, I just like the free gifts.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I just stumbled upon your link up and love it. I am going to post mine this evening after work. Great questions.

    ReplyDelete
  24. That's too bad you did not tag along with the Hubs to your happy place. I hope he brought you a 'prize' back. ;)
    Oh my gosh, I just received address labels also. I feel guilty if I throw them out and guilty if I use them!

    ReplyDelete
  25. That is weird i used to get address labels all the time. Now i haven't gotten any in years! I do have my old ones still saved up but i'm going to be running out. I used to get them from the Alzheimers association, and the American cancer society since contributed in the past. For some reason they've forgotten about me.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I was struck by the similarities of our answer to the "Decision" question. When it comes to charitable giving I only give to those charities where 90% or more goes to the need that the charity seeks to address. I don't give to the Red Cross, the United Way, and other big charities for that reason.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Your thought under #8 hits home with me. We get calendars! Lots of calendars! I haven't had to buy one in years. I pass them out and have even thrown away some. We also have a huge bunch of address labels that I have to throw away some of them too. I also haven't had to buy Christmas cards either. I keep thinking the same as you.... how many were printed and at what cost?

    ReplyDelete
  28. Joyce,
    thanks for the questions this week, I so agree with #8 and I do not put my Christmas tree up till black friday thanks for taking the time to read our comments HUGS

    ReplyDelete
  29. I keep the gift and send no money to those organizations. They are using the money to solicit more money so NOTHING FOR YOU. I also hate it when I have a magazine that comes every month with a renewal notice because I DO know when the magazine will stop coming and I don't need a reminder every month with a "Special offer I will not see again" Only to see it again the following month.

    ReplyDelete
  30. #8 I agree so much! I cleaned off my desk this week and corralled all the address labels into a shoe box. I have more of them than I could use in two lifetimes. It's such a waste, but I just can't bring myself to throw them away.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I don't understand why they send that stuff either. Is it a guilt tactic to get you to donate. And the nickel attached to the mailing really baffles me. I feel guilty taking it and not donating but why throw it away either?!

    ReplyDelete