A Tricky Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you're new here, I'm glad you've joined the party. Everyone is welcome to play along-answer the questions on your own blog, then add your link at the end of my post. Hop around and say hi to the neighbors too. Here we go-

1. What's something you're dealing with that might be described as tricky?

I'm not going to answer my own question. It's something I don't really want to blog about, but it's definitely tricky.  

What's Halloween week without a little mystery?  

2. What's your treat of choice?

Hmmm...as in candy? Like trick or treat? If that's the case I'll take a Payday or a Mounds Bar please. If we're talking treats in general then a shopping spree through Nordstrom's shoe department would be pretty awesome.

3. Did you/will you carve a jack-o-lantern this month? Which real (living or dead) or fictional 'Jack' would you most like to meet in person? Why?

We did not carve a jack-o-lantern this month. Did we have time to carve a jack-o-lantern this month? It doesn't feel like we had a lot of spare minutes in October, plus no littles in the house to clean out the 'guts'.  

Which Jack would I like to meet in person? Why Jack Bauer of course!  

4. In your opinion, what's the grossest sounding word in the English language?

I'm going with crusty because ewwww! That word gives me the shivers. There was a sandwich shop in our little village in the UK called Mrs. Crusty's. I'm sure the food was fine, but my girls and I never did go in there, because crusty...ewwww. 

5. When did your heart last skip a beat?

Probably the last time I was on an airplane. My heart skips lots of beats when I fly. Or it might have been my last visit to the dentist.  I lose a few beats every time I'm in that chair. 

6.  Monster Mash by Bobby 'Boris' Pickett, Michael Jackson's Thriller, Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon or Ray Parker Jr.'s Ghostbusters...your favorite 'scary' tune?

Is everybody going to say Thriller? I imagine that will be the most picked, but I'm going out of the box on this one, and will say Werewolves of London.  

You had to know I would. 

We used to break into that song everytime we went to Chinatown to eat at Lee Ho Fooks. The restaurant closed while we were living in the UK, and I'm not sure we ever ordered the beef chow mein, but we definitely 'did some walking through the streets of Soho in the rain'.  

Some of you have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?
Suffice it to say, music and memory go hand in hand.  

7.  It was a dark and stormy night when__________________________

Hurricane Sandy struck this time last year.  Stormy doesn't even begin to describe the sound she made.  It was scary. The storm made landfall on October 29th and one year later people are still displaced and many businesses continue to struggle, not just at the shore either.  There are some literal ghost towns in this part of the country as a result of Sandy.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Once upon a time there lived a bunny and a princess.  
They were the sweetest in all the land.   

Halloween, circa 1992

They still are. 

Hodgepodge Questions Volume 148

Here are this week's Hodgepodge questions. Hop back here tomorrow to share answers with the rest of the Internets. See you there!

1. What's something you're dealing with that might be described as tricky?

2.  What's your treat of choice?

3. Did you/will you carve a jack-o-lantern this month? Which real (living or dead) or fictional 'Jack' would you most like to meet in person? Why?

4.  In your opinion, what's the grossest sounding word in the English language?

5. When did your heart last skip a beat?

6. Monster Mash by Bobby 'Boris' Picket, Michael Jackson's Thriller, Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon, or Ray Parker Jr.'s Ghostbusters...your favorite 'scary' tune?

7.   It was a dark and stormy night when______________________________.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Wash, Rinse, Repeat

Hello Internets.  It's Monday and I have a cold.  It came on in the dark of night Friday, and it's only semi-miserable today. I'm hoping it doesn't progress to full blown miserable, consequently I'm drowning in hot tea, Emergen-C, and lots and lots of water.

Did you want a health update?
How about a weather report?
That's why you read here isn't it?

It was frosty here this weekend, but it was also sunny, plus daughter1 was home so I won't complain.  Well, I might mention my cold once or ten times before this post is finshed, but other than that I won't complain.

Daughter1 brought her boyfriend to The Garden State for the first time on Friday evening. I have to say when you step off the Amtrak near Newark, 'Garden State' is not the description that springs immediately to mind.  ahem. As it happens though, we live a fair distance from Newark, more 'garden' less oil refinery, and I do think the boyfriend was a little surprised at all the farmland in our neck of the woods.

We actually had a very laid back weekend, what some people might call boring, but what we call relaxed. Daughter1 woke up with an earache on Saturday morning so she and I were quite the pair.

We did get out and about for a bit, showed the boyfriend around the local area, made a brief stop at Highpoint (can you say windy????) and then headed to our local village pub for lunch. Afterwards we came home and watched a lot of football. He's a huge football fan so he was completely on board with the plan. Some of us napped-

This picture makes me happy.

Hubs lit a fire in the outdoor firepit early evening, and after
no less than a thousand
many tries he also got our patio heaters working, so it was cozy. We grilled out, made smores, then watched just a little more football, and a little World Series. I don't know exactly how much because I went to bed at 10 PM.

I'm the hostess with the mostest.

Sunday I decided I had a full blown cold, and daughter1 still had that earache so hubs and the boyfriend hiked up in the woods behind our house while we girls sorted out a little computer issue I was having. By 'we girls' I mean my daughter made it all work, and I watched. Whatever.

The boyfriend has heard a lot of stories about Daughter1 and her sister, and said he'd like to see one of our videos from back in the day, so we obliged.

Oh my word, those little girls were so stinkin' cute. My heart can hardly take it, and hubs for sure can't.

And then, just like everysinglesolitarytimemygirlsarehome, the clock spun and we were headed back to the train station. Hubs and I were once again alone in the car, saying the same thing we say every time we deposit a daughter at the airport or train terminal...'I wish we didn't live so far apart'.

But we do.

And I don't see that changing anytime real soon, so I do what I do best which is compartmentalize.  I mark the calendar and count off the days until the next visit. Until then, we'll text and talk on the phone, and we'll facetime if I can manage to answer without hanging up on the call.  My girls are smiling I know. It's annoyingly funny, right girls?

Technology may get the better of me on a fairly regular basis, but you know what I have mastered?

Loving from miles away.

It's a superpower all mothers possess.  

TGIFriday Fragments

It's Friday, which means fragments are in order.

1. Another gorgeous fall day. Winter day?  It was 25 degrees when I drove to boot camp this morning. Course it's now a balmy 27 so things are looking up.

2. Boot camp. Still hanging in there. Some previously undiscovered and consequently underused muscle aches after every class, never the same two twice.  Shhh...don't tell anyone, but I'm starting to look forward to the workouts. That's progress people.

3.  Daughter1 is coming home for the weekend and she's bringing her boyfriend. This will be his first trip to our house, and also his very first visit to the Garden State.  He lives in warm and sunny South Carolina and doesn't own a lot of 27-degree outerwear. I think he's worried.

4.  I took my car in for routine service yesterday, and we all know what that means. It means they will find something to repair and you won't get out of there for less than a jillion dollars. Okay, a little less, but not much less.

5.  Both of my book clubs met this week. Club numero uno read The Dinner by Herman Koch which got mixed reviews in our group. If you've read Defending Jacob, and I have, then the storyline will feel familiar and not as well written.

Club number 2 read The Whip by Karen Kondazian. This book was inspired by the true story of Charley Parkhurst, a stagecoach driver for Wells Fargo. There's a lot more to it than that, but I don't want to give anything away.  The Whip has won several awards in the category of Historical Fiction, and while the language is a little gritty, I liked the book and am once again feeling thankful I live in the 21st century.

6.  Makes me twitch only slightly to end with a random #6, but I felt like this post needed a photo. Last weekend my girls were together in South Carolina, and both boyfriends were also in town. That may sound like no big deal, but it doesn't happen often so I insisted they snap a photo. And since they're all about making momma happy-

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

An Uncommon Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge! Add your link at the end of my post and then hop around and chat with your neighbors.  Here are my answers-

1. When it comes to good manners, what two top your list of most important?

Saying please when you ask for something and thank you when you're given something (even if its something intangible such as verbal directions or the right of way).  I think if we could do this small thing the world would be a nicer place.  

Treat others as you would like to be treated.  

I miss common courtesy, and think the cell phone has to be one of the biggest contributors to its demise. Everywhere you go people are on the phone including church, graduations and other milestone celebrations, crossing the street, entering buildings, sitting in a quiet dark theater, while driving, even in the restroom stall one away from your own. ewwww!  Unless a patient is waiting on you to perform an organ transplant, I think you can safely put that phone conversation off until after you've peed. 

2. Let's open a proverbial can of worms...Common Core.  Are you familiar with the term (talking education reform in the USA)? If so, care to share your thoughts? In your opinion, what is one of the biggest issues schools (in your home country) face today?

I'm familiar with the term. I guess my personal philosophy is that children are not products and cannot be managed as such. And why do we always want to mandate something then figure out if its good or bad after the fact, especially when it comes to children? Why can't we have a period of time where the standards are tried and tested by fire-in the actual classroom by lots of different teachers with lots of different teaching styles and student populations-before we insist everyone adopt them.  

I had a longer answer here, but it seemed like too much so I'll just leave it at that. 

3. Name a celebrity whose fashion sense you admire and share why.

Jennifer Anniston. Her style is casually cool, trendy but not overly so, plus she can rock a pair of blue jeans or a more sophisticated look for evening. 

4. How are you affected by the changing seasons?

For the most part, I enjoy the changing seasons. I do think there is a small sadness in the air this time of year, and perhaps that's why God added so much glorious color to the month of October. I love the first few snows of the season, but could do without the springtime blizzard.  I start to feel restless if winter lingers into late March or early April, but mostly I'm happy to live in a state with four seasons.  

5. Scariest book you've ever read?

The Red Dragon by Thomas Harris.  For the record I try hard not to read anything disturbing. I love mysteries, but not the creepy serial killer variety, and this one was definitely creepy scary. Plus I was living alone at the time so BIG mistake. 

The book was originally published in the early 80's and was the first book to feature Dr. Hannibal Lecter.  If I were to pick that book up today I'd put it immediately back on the shelf, because we're all familiar with Hannibal Lecter in the year 2013.  Back in 1981 he was introduced via this book. Not to spoil anything in it, but this was also the day of taking your film somewhere for processing, and after I read that book it was hard for me to ever drop off film without flashing back to this story. FYI-the book was even creepier than the movie, and that's saying something.

6. What time of day are you most hungry?  What's your go-to snack?

Late afternoon. I would love to eat dinner at that time, because that's really when I'm hungry, but since hubs is never home at 4:30 in the afternoon I wait.  I try not to forage.  I don't always succeed, but I try. Sometimes I'll make a cup of tea and that takes the edge off, but if I start rummaging through the pantry all bets are off.  9 almonds doesn't cut it.  This is why I don't buy chips, because if there were chips in my pantry at 4 in the afternoon that's likely what I'd unsuccessfully try to resist.  This time of year I will often have an apple which isn't bad as far as snacks go.  I'll cut it into slices which somehow makes it more satisfying.

7. Do you lean more towards being too needy or too independent? Which do you find harder to deal with in others?

My family (as in my mom and sibs) will tell you that from the time I was a tiny tot my most often uttered phrase was 'I can do it myself'.  There is an upside and a downside to independent people, but I think its mostly good.  I know there are times I make hubs crazy by resisting help, but when you have a spouse who travels a lot, and you move a lot, independence serves you well.  

If a person is truly needy I have all the patience in the world for them.  If they are spoiled needy then I find that more difficult.  Independent people are easier, unless of course they want to do something contrary to my way of doing something.  Ha!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Something I love to do every year is pack a shoebox or two for Operation Christmas Child. Yes, I know it's still 62 days until Christmas (not that I'm counting), but the National Shoebox Collection Week is November 18th-25th, and that really is just around the corner.  

You'll find everything you need to know about what to pack, how to pack it, what to pack it in, and where to drop or send your shoebox on the Samaritan's Purse website (click here for details). 

Honestly this is such a wonderful ministry to children all over the world, and it's easy and fun to fill a shoebox. Humbling too, to realize how excited a little child somewhere will be to get a brand new toothbrush or their very own bar of soap.  

You select the age range and gender for your box, and I almost always buy for girls because that's what I know best. I buy a few essentials, but also some fun things like a pink purse or glittery crayons and stickers. You can even track your box now by printing a label at home, and then once it's delivered you'll get an email letting you know where your box was sent. 

I encourage you to visit the website and see what it's all about.  You can bless a child with a shoebox, and in the filling of that shoebox I think you'll find you're blessed right back.  

Hodgepodge Questions Volume 147

Here are this week's questions to the Wednesday Hodgepodge.  Answer on your own blog then hop back here tomorrow to share answers.  See you there!

1. When it comes to good manners, what two top your list of most important?

2. Let's open a proverbial can of worms...Common Core.  Are you familiar with the term (talking education reform in the USA)?  If so, care to share your thoughts? In your opinion, what is one of the biggest issues schools (in your home country) face today?

3. Name a celebrity whose fashion sense you admire and share why.

4. How are you affected by the changing seasons?

5. Scariest book you've ever read?

6. What time of day are you most hungry? What's your go-to snack?

7. Do you lean more towards being too needy or too independent? Which do you find harder to deal with in others?

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

A Whirl of a Weekend

Well that was short.

Sometimes weekends feel short, and sometimes they really are short.
Ours was the latter.

Hubs was out of town most of last week, and arrived home late Friday evening. I broke my golden Friday night no cooking rule, and made BLT's for dinner. Some might not call that actual cooking, but since a waiter didn't take my order I think it qualifies. After dinner we lived it up with a movie at home.  We dozed through
watched The Great Gatsby which was just eh. I do think Leonardo DiCaprio is totally believable in whatever role he plays, but we thought this flick was a teensy bit boring. Sorry Leo!

We had a really lovely day on Saturday, spent at the Far Hills Horse Race. We've attended this event  several years in a row now, as guests of business acquaintances of the hubs. Monies raised go to the Cancer Unit at a nearby Medical Center so its fun for a good cause.

We always like to check out the tailgaters on our way up to the tent. I'm betting someone in this group has been on Pinterest-

People really get into the spirit of the race-

Our host's tent is in a prime viewing spot, and they always have a lovely set up with scrumptious food. This year their theme was Southern Hospitality so we dined on fried chicken and country ham. The tables were decorated with big yellow roses in silver bowls set atop striped cloths-so pretty!

Mason jars were filled with dried hydrangeas and strung around the tent posts, and there was red velvet cake and peach cobbler for dessert.  I'm pretty sure neither of those make the list of boot camp approved foods, but it would have been rude not to try it, right?

We hung out with our China travel buds and it was fun to catch up in person. In fact when the races wrapped up we extended the day into evening and the four of us went to dinner at a little family owned Persian restaurant not too far from the race venue.

Is it just me or does this post seem to be mostly about food?

How about I wrap it up with something else...fall is in full bloom in Northern NJ and beauty abounds.  And this has nothing to do with anything, but I feel the need to say it was an especially great weekend to be a fan of the Tennessee Volunteers!

Whenever hubs loses his Friday night due to work travel, and then has to head back to the airport on Sunday afternoon, it helps to remember the bright spots in the day that was your weekend.