Wednesday, March 2, 2016

And The Hodgepodge Goes To....

The Wednesday Hodgepodge is back in action this week, marching onward into a brand new month. Answer the questions on your own blog, then add your link at the end of my post. Hodgepodge links only please! Here we go-



1. February ended with an extra 24 hours in 2016. What did you do with your bonus day?

Well it felt like I was chasing my tail all the ding dong day.  I had a long list of to-dos, but that list was derailed several times by small interruptions. Sometimes you just need to embrace the interruptions, so that's what I did. And hey, it was a bonus day anyway, right? 

2. What's something in your life that's grown by leaps and bounds in recent days, weeks, months, or years? I'm giving you lots of room to come up with an answer here, so no fair passing on this one.

My prayer life. 

3.  Do you read reviews about a film before deciding if you'll see it? Did you watch The Oscars this year, and if so your thoughts on the program? How many of the Best Picture nominees had you seen prior to the broadcast? (Spotlight, The Martian, The Big Short, The Revenant, Mad Max: Fury Road, Room and Brooklyn) If you watched The Oscars who gets your award for 'best dressed'?

I generally read a little something before seeing a film, but am probably more persuaded by short trailers on TV. If a film is based on a book I'll definitely read the review first, because I don't like film makers messing with my book plots. 

I watched The Oscars, and honestly I thought the show was awful. In fact I think it gets a little bit worse every year.  This might not be a popular sentiment, but I really wish they'd stick to films and leave current events out of it. Can't we just be entertained? I feel the same way when sitcoms tackle heavy issues.  

I hadn't seen many of the nominated Best Pics this year, two so far although a couple more are on my to-see list. And I don't know if she was best dressed, but the dress I loved most was worn by Naomi Watts. I thought her whole look was perfection. 

4. When did you last have overnight houseguests? Give us your top three tips on being a good houseguest.

I don't think I've had overnight houseguests since the Christmas holidays. This is very, very unusual for us as we typically have a steady stream. We do have an extra bedroom and bath in the apartment, but the living space is pretty cozy.  I think once the house is built we'll be back to our usual 'bookings', and hubs and I are excited about that. We love company. 

As far as tips for being a good houseguest...

-Let your hosts know how long you're staying. I don't care if it's three days or three weeks, but I want arrival and departure dates.  Also, unless you're my mother three weeks is too long. 
-A gift for the hostess is a thoughtful gesture. 
-Keep it tidy-make the bed and don't leave wet towels on the furniture

I tell my houseguests to make themselves at home, and I hope they know I mean that. 

5.  March 2nd is Peanut Butter Lover's Day. Will you be celebrating? If so, would you prefer a home made peanut butter cookie, a Reese's peanut butter cup, an old fashioned peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or shall I just hand you a jar and a tablespoon?

I am more of a peanut butter liker than a peanut butter lover. I'm not planning to celebrate, but I wouldn't turn down a home made peanut butter cookie either. 

6.  Why is failure important? Or isn't it?

I think failure is unavoidable in life, and it's how you handle it that's important. Failing means you had the courage to try. Go you! And if you keep trying you'll eventually achieve something, which I think you appreciate all the more because it didn't come easily. Failure builds character, it helps keep us humble. When we fail (and we will) we need to learn from criticism. We need to keep trying, keep hoping, and keep working hard. 

"Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently." -Henry Ford

7. Share with us one fun thing on your March calendar.

My mother-in-law is celebrating a big birthday this month and I'm looking forward to making her feel loved and appreciated. My mom is coming down from NJ to join in the fun, and I'm taking both moms, my big sister, and my Daughter2 to a Lifeway Women's Conference in Asheville.  I'm excited for the fabulous speaker line up (including Lisa Harper and Annie Downs), and especially the music (Natalie Grant and Christy Nockels). 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Some of you know my Daughter1 has a blog and she's adorable, so if you don't follow her you should.  (Sincerely Shannon). She writes about newlywed life in the Pacific Northwest, her mischievous puppy, her travels, her faith and more. 

My Daughter2 started a blog about three years ago, which was also her first year teaching. She had to set it aside because do you know what first year teachers lack? Free time! They drown in paperwork and planning, and since something had to give she put her blog on hold. Recently she's picked it back up, and I'd love for you to pop over and say hi. She blogs about teaching, fitness, food, faith, and more. (It's Elementary)

Oh, and she is also adorable. 

What's a little nepotism among friends? 



25 comments:

  1. Love the Henry Ford quote on failure.

    Off to visit your daughters' blogs now.

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  2. Similar answers on a few this week. My prayer life has grown, and I do think failure builds character. I am sure you all will enjoy the Lifeway Women's Conference.

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  3. I feel much like you about The Oscars. It's just too heavy on political agendas for me to enjoy watching. You gave some great houseguest tips. I really like the one about saying how long you'll be staying. There is nothing I dislike more than having guests in our home and not knowing when they plan to arrive and when they plan to leave. I'm one who likes all her ducks in a row, so to speak. I'll definitely check out your daughters' blogs!

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  4. I've been reading Sincerely Shannon for a few years. Both of your daughters are just lovely. As I have said in the past, it's wonderful to have one daughter who resembles you and one who resembles Hubs!
    I agree with you whole-heartedly (sp) about the Oscars. I find as things get more and more political, I don't even want to go see the movies certain actors/actresses make. I refuse to support their political rants. My favorite movie channel on satellite, is Turner Classic Movies.

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  5. Joyce, I can't see a link, again, to join up with again today. Is it just me?
    I always enjoy reading your daughters' blogs. They have some of your writing talent :)
    Your plans in March sound fun! Enjoy that special time with your two moms. You're blessed to still have them.
    Kathy (Reflections)

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  6. Sounds like you're going to have such a great time with your Mom and your MIL. Hope all is going well with the new house. I'm on my way over to pop in on your girls' blogs. Enjoy your week!

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  7. That's a great quotation from Henry Ford! I think the worst things about houseguests are those wet towels you mention even when a towel rack is provided, and never turning off the lights they turn on all over the house. I don't care if they bring a gift, but offering to help before or after meal time is greatly appreciated, even if I usually decline.

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  8. The women's conference sounds like such a fun time. That is a great quote you shared. Like your answer about three weeks being too long for anyone to stay except your mom :)

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  9. I so enjoy Shannon's blog and will jump right over and read daughter #2's blog. How could they not be good writers, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. :o)) Love your rules for house guests and thankfully we've never had an issue with our house guests and we generally have them quite frequently. Happy Wednesday!

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  10. I love your answer to #2. Wish I would have thought of that because I am praying to God all the time!!! I agree, the Oscar's were not great and I do wish they would leave current events out. I expected Chris Rock to talk about the issue at hand but I had enough after the first hour! I watch the BAFTA's each year and I love how they are done. I like your Henry Ford quote.

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  11. Hi Joyce,
    I am with you about my favorite books made into movies. Do not mess with my books unless you stick to the story. ;-)
    Have a great week,
    Carla

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  12. Have fun at the conference with your people!!
    Prayer life was a great answer!
    Happy March!

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  13. I like peanut better, but without the jelly!

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  14. Nice to be back in the Hodgepodge groove with you this week. I concur with your houseguest rules, too. Let me know arrival AND departure times, please, and thank you. I adore the dress on Naomi Watts--my favorite colors together and--ooh, it's iridescent, too!
    Happy weekend to you.

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  15. I wasn't too wild about the Oscars show itself, they could have left out the music performances. I was only excited seeing Leonardo DiCaprio win his Oscar. I wouldn't have watched it otherwise.

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  16. I feel the same about the Oscars and TV comedy. I'm pretty sick of all of this too. I think maybe it is backfiring and not accomplishing exactly what they set out to accomplish. That is sad too! I'm not a peanut butter lover either. Both of your daughters seem adorable!! Lucky you!!!

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  17. I can agree with lots of your answers. I went to check out the Oscar outfits and had to agree about Naomi. Some of the outfits were awful. I know that often they are provided by the designers so they don't have to buy them but even so you'd think looking good would be more important that having a free outfit! lol

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  18. I love Shannon's blog and so glad that D2 is back!
    I like the young perspective, it's a good thing. :)
    Lunch with Lisa?! Nice!! You totally need to come this way, bring Shannon and there's at least 3 blog posts! ;)

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  19. I really enjoy Shannon's blog and will enjoy checking out Daughter2's blog! I enjoyed your answers and agree about Naomi's dress...your link is the first time I saw it, but it really is beautiful. Thanks for the great Hodgepodge!!

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  20. I so agree about the Oscars. I was very disappointed. I really couldn't watch much of the show.

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  21. Thank you for sparking my imagination these last several weeks! I definitely plan to visit your daughters' blogs in the coming days, but right now I'm mentally exhausted from dealing with audit. Only two more days, right?!

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  22. A number of us chose faith for something that has grown. How awesome is that? It sounds like I didn't miss much with the Oscars. I don't have cable and even if I did I probably wouldn't have watched it. I rarely watch those award shows.

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  23. Re: Daughters 1 & 2...it's not nepotism if it's true! Welcome back from your sojourn. Thanks for another challenging Hodgepodge.

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  24. What's the timeline on the new house? We're about to start renovating and I am NOT looking forward to it. One girl is supposed to move out in June though I'm not holding my breath. Getting them out on their own, again, will determine the timeline of the inside work. Outside begins once school is out. My house has started to look like a fixer-upper. I wonder if Chip and Joanna would come? lol

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