Wednesday, December 11, 2013

The Wednesday Hodgepodge-A Necessary Luxury

'Twas two weeks before Christmas when all through the Internet, people who should be shopping, baking, wrapping, and cleaning were nestled all snug in the Hodgepodge. So glad you're here! Everyone is welcome to play along...answer the questions on your own blog, then add your link at the end of my post.

Here are my answers-


1. Are you doing anything special to mark this season of Advent? If so, please share.

We have an Advent wreath this year, and I'm really enjoying Ann Voskamp's book, The Greatest Gift. It's a day-by-day reading designed for Advent and it's wonderful. She shares a passage of scripture along with a brief message, followed by some thought provoking questions to ask yourself relating to the day's message. She also has a suggestion each day for something practical to do to live out what you've read. It has really helped me pause, reflect, act, and focus in these days leading up to Christmas. 

I bought an advent calendar from Naptime Diaries and that sits on my kitchen desk. It's a series of pretty painted cards, one for each day of the season. I didn't hang the cards, because I didn't have a good spot to do that, but I did buy a little plate stand to display the card of the day. Each one is different, but here's a sample- 


Advent is not just a season, but a state of mind (or heart). I'm trying to enjoy the waiting this year, instead of wishing it away.  

2. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen...and of course you recall, that most famous reindeer of all...so which reindeer name best describes you this week?

Hopefully not Vixen!  I looked up the definition and it said 'an angry unpleasant woman'.  Yikes! I'm avoiding the mad dash thing this year, so no Dasher either.  And I'm healthy so no red nose-ha! 

I'm going with Donner, which in French essentially means 'to give'. I enjoy giving, and that title seems appropriate this time of year. Plus, hello-it's French. I think y'all know how I feel about all things French. Joyeux Noel!  

3. What's worse-too quiet or too loud?  Which have you had more of lately?

What's worse? Too loud. I love people, parties large and small, and socializing in general, but I need my space on a pretty regular basis too.  I think I've had a good balance of both the loud and the quiet so far this month.

4. This question comes to you from Zoanna over at A Penchant for Pens-thanks Zo!

When you are administratively gifted, how often do you find yourself not trusting less gifted people to do what they've committed to do?  If you are not so gifted that way, but are reliable, how do you feel when the stronger person (in that area) goes ahead and covers it before giving you a chance to come through?

If I know the person is reliable then no problem. I definitely appreciate a great team. What's hard for me is that person who will maybe probably get the job done, but not necessarily in anything close to the time frame I would operate under if doing the job myself. I won't steam roll you, but I might have to bug you just a little. 

For the most part, if you've said you'll do something I assume you'll do it. And  if your pace or lack of detail starts to make me sweat, I'll offer to help...in a nice way of course!

5. What is your most dreaded task relating to the holidays? Your most looked forward to holiday task?

Well, if you read my post on Monday, then you know how I'm going to answer this one-setting up my Snow Village. I'd enjoy the job more if I had a better place to display it all.  This is our fifth Christmas here and I think I've done the set up a little differently every year. I'm mostly happy with the end result.  

As far as my most looked forward to task...I know some people will think I'm nuts, but I'm going with Christmas cards. I enjoy the whole process-choosing a photo, selecting a card, addressing cards to friends and family I don't get to see nearly often enough, even buying the Christmas stamps at the post office. I can't wait to check the mailbox every day, and I love looking through the cards we've received all month long.  

6. Facebook has released it's list of the 'most talked about topics' for 2013. Pope Francis took the number one spot. Does that surprise you? He was followed by election, royal baby, typhoon, and Harlem Shake. Your thoughts? What was your most talked about topic in 2013? (Facebook, around the kitchen table, or wherever it is you talk)

I was initially a little surprised, but when I stop and remember that Facebook is a worldwide entity, it's less surprising. And I'm happy the Pope beat out the Harlem Shake and Miley Cyrus (she came in at #7, which is still a little bit distressing)

The most talked about topics in our house in 2013? Not sure I can choose just one, but hot topics around here would include the disturbing state of the union on so many levels, healthcare (hubs works in the field so its always on our radar), retirement planning-the when-where-how of it all, social media in various forms, books, movies, and of course the ever popular-how to get one or all of my family of four from point A to point B in the most efficient way possible. Have family, will travel. That's us.  

7. What's something you view as a necessity that others might view as a luxury?

Hmmm...what is a necessity?  In the grand scheme of things we have so many luxuries (we're all on some sort of electronic device here, right?),  but we've gotten to a place where they feel like necessities.  I have a warm home, clean water anytime I turn on a tap, cars that run, and a frig full of food. Those are luxuries in some parts of the world, so this is a tough one to answer.  

If we're answering this in a more light hearted way (and we are), then I'll say half and half in my coffee. A little luxury I'd rather not do without.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I said last week I wanted my random space to make you smile this December....here's a mid-week happy for you...enjoy!


28 comments:

  1. How is it you're able to avoid the mad dash? I keep saying, one of these years . . .
    I saw that video and smiled the whole way through it! So fun!

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  2. Well, I never knew that Vixen meant angry woman! Goodness gracious! I'm so glad I didn't select that name!

    As far as the village goes, I have a large collection but haven't set it up in two or three years because it takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r!!! Oh vey! It's lovely but a huge time commitment!

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  3. I am so glad you are not Vixen. You are definitely a Donner. I am so glad you give of yourself especially the blog.

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  4. I did not know that Donner is French origins. Hmmmm.
    And, you mentioned M. Cyrus...ANYTHING about that 'girl' is distressing and lewd. .

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  5. Not to sound like a broken record, but again you and I have answers very much alike! I have a Christmas Dickens village that I only put up every other year because it takes so long, and I don't have a good spot for it. One year I tried the mantle, one year on top of the piano,

    I love those Advent cards! What a great idea!

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  6. It seems we have similar answers, lol. I love your WED. questions. I did see the West Jet Christmas thing on tv. That was pure awesomeness. I also saw that West Jet is going to donate to the Ronald McDonald House if they get 200,000 likes. Another awesome thing..Blessings

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  7. Thanks for sharing your Christmas Spirit with us through your answers :) I especially enjoyed the video in the random section.

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  8. My radio station DJs were talking about the West Jet thing on my drive in this morning! What a great way to advertise and participate in this wonderful season of giving!! Thanks for the video! I loved seeing it.

    As always, thank you for the questions and I enjoyed your answers!

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  9. I used to always want a snow village, but never was able to afford them. i think I'm glad now I didn't make the investment, they seem like a lot of work to put up and take down and I certainly don't have room now. I do love looking at others' displays though. Loved the video...I must share it!

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  10. I have the Ann Voskamp book but haven't read it yet. Maybe I'll have to pull it out and start reading it now. Glad you're enjoying it, I have heard it's a good book. Thanks as usual for hosting. I look forward to these every week. :-)

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  11. I seriously cry every time I see that video with the airline... so amazing!

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  12. I so love that video! Abby and I watched it yesterday...and it made me tear up! I kind of feel for the poor fella who requested new underwear and socks...he's probably kicking himself now! ;) Our answers to #7 were spot on...so many things I take for granted! I would love a snow village...just don't really have a good place to display it.

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  13. Oh, you are so right, so much of our lives is luxury, goodness, how blessed we are! I need to order the Advent cards, I have the ones for Easter and love them. I'm with you on Christmas cards. I do love them, creating them, sending and receiving them. Happy rest of the week!

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  14. Enjoyed this as always....I would have said I was Dasher until you gave the meaning of the names, haha, so now I too will go with Donner since I am giving more gifts this year than usual...Maybe I can be a dashing Donner! Enjoy your day!

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  15. I saw that Westjet story last night on the news. How awesome was that.

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  16. I love your explanation of Advent, sounds wonderful. I will have to check out those cards. I enjoy the whole card thing too. I've been holding on to the cards we received so I can sit down and enjoy each one at a quiet time. Well the video just brought me to tears....beautiful!

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  17. Was that West Jet thing amazing. Why can't I be on a flight like that? Loved the answers you shared. I wish I had thought of the luxury answer. Mine was a bit more selfish.

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  18. West Jet video - wowowowowowow! what a delight!

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  19. I must be hormonal...that West Jet video made me cry! Hmmm...Maybe I should fly West Jet...GASP and the brainwashing worked!!!! HAHAHAHA!

    Love you Jo. Thanks for coming to check out my post even before I link up. You make me feel so special.

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  20. I'm always looking for new Advent devotionals, so I'll look into that for next year. Christmas cards always seem like such a task to me, because I can't send them out without a handwritten, 'meaningful' note. It seems like a waste to get a card that has only a signature. Then again, I've stopped writing the big family newsletter at Christmas. I saw the video on the news. Isn't that the cutest!! :-)

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  21. What a lovely video. Hadn't sen it before.

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  22. I just watched that video yesterday. It made me cry.

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  23. I loved getting to know you better. Thans for sharing this.

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  24. Christmas cards are my favorite thing to do and get also!!!

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  25. Ok, I spelled 'empty' wrong. That's why the link wasn't working so, yes, please delete the wrong one. My brain is way more fried than I thought. LOL I enjoy the Christmas card process too. Mine are all finished and mailed. I've even heard from people who received them. Good thing I sent them before the deep fried brain situation hit. LOL

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  26. Was pretty sure the snow village was going to be your answer!
    Hadn't seen that video before, how sweet and a tear was shed!

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  27. I saw that video the other day, and it did bring tears to my eyes. Wow! There is a Santa Claus! There is! Here's to a safe and happy holiday season to you and yours! Bisous from France! (Now, I must get back to those X-mas cards!!!) Eep!

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  28. I wish I'd known about the Advent devotional book before now. I'm really struggling with Advent. I'm not getting it.

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