If it's Wednesday, It Must be Hodge Podge!

Today's HodgePodge. Link up here and join the fun!

1. Share your Christmas Eve traditions.

Christmas Eve is relatively laid back. On Christmas Eve, one of us will get my MIL to spend a night or two with us. I'll put out a vegetable/cheese tray and some shrimp for supper. We'll then go to see the lights at the neighborhood speedway or maybe just around town. When we return, we'll see what Christmas movie is on TV and watch it.

2. What was the best book you read in 2010? (we're not going to include The Bible here)

I know I read some books this year, but cannot for the life of me remember any of them...guess they weren't very good. (I'm still trying to finish Moneyball that I started in the summer.)

3. Do you have pets and if so do you allow them on the furniture?

I do not have any pets. If I did, I would not allow them on the furniture.

4. What event from 2010 are you most thankful for?

I had to think hard about this one. I would say the weekend of April 16. L picked me up from work on the 15th and we drove to see our son play ball. Then on the 16th we headed back. But first we stopped at the Loveless Cafe to try out their biscuits since we weren't in any hurry. We then stopped about three hours from home to watch our son row on the 17th. Just getting away with L for a weekend and seeing our boys doing what they love to do was great!

5. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before.

I have never attended an international conference before this year. Not only did I attend (alone mind you), I gave 2 presentations. It was certainly an experience I won't soon forget.

6. Brussel sprouts...friend or foe?

Foe, no thought needed!

7. Who would you nominate for man/woman of the year?

I'm going to nominate the men in the Chilian mine accident and the men/women who worked so hard to rescue them.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Here are two pictures I want to share. The first, I was standing in the parking lot of a local grocery store to take this. I thought if anyone saw me they would think I was crazy. However, when I came out of the store, while I was putting the groceries in the car, I turned and saw a guy standing about where I stood, taking a picture!

This next picture is a picture of a googlie which I wrote about last Saturday in my Flashback Friday post. The tag was still very easy to read: Mattel, The googlies, 1966! Mom still has my sister's so I thought I'd take a picture.

Hope ya'll are keeping warm!

Flashback Friday (On Saturday)

Here I am again, a day late and a dollar short! Oh well, I'm playing anyway!




This week's Flashback Friday was about Christmas presents. My sister asked if I'd participate (I was planning to anyway.) If you haven't read her response, check it out here. I haven't read it yet, so you be the judge: Do you think we shared the same Christmas or not?

1961

Growing up, we celebrated Christmas on Christmas Day. No presents were opened before Christmas. Being one of ten children, we drew names. (Can you image having to get nine presents every year for your siblings!!) We also drew names with our cousins who lived in Texas. That was a hoot...getting a gift for a cousin that you really didn't know very well. Sometimes the presents were homemade but I remember most of them being bought. And I think we paid using our own money as we got older. I really don't remember Mom paying for them. We would gather around the kitchen table and wrap our presents. That's funny, isn't it, because here you are wrapping a present for a sibling that may or may not be across from you or next to you but definitely there with you.

At first, Santa didn't wrap his presents. He did, of course, have to put names on the gifts he brought so we'd know whose was whose.

1964 or 1965

Later, he did start wrapping the gifts.

1970 or 1971

There are a few things I remember getting for Christmas: a googly, a ring, a bracelet, dolls, nightgowns (that Mom usually made). My younger sister and I are close in age so it seems like we got a lot of the same thing, only in a different color...except the googly.

The googly was a type of stuffed animal that when you squeezed the stomach, the eyes, which were plastic with colored spiral cardboard in them, went around. The body was blue and the hands and feet were pick. My sister and I both got one one year exactly the same. I guess my sister wanted to be able to tell them apart so she wrote her initials on one of the feet of her googly.

I still have the bracelet I received. I was holding on to it for the daughter I never had...guess I'll keep holding on to it for my granddaughter?

My bracelet and my ring (I think that was the ring...it still fits so I'm not 100%)

And, yes, by sister got one also, only with her name on the bracelet and her birthstone!

The stockings were filled with nuts, candy, and a tangerine, always. There was usually some little toy or such as well.

Sadly, I don't remember buying my parents gifts. I know some years we went in together to buy them a gift.

I do remember there have been years when it has been chaotic on Christmas morning. But that is what made it fun!

Oh, the Weather Outside Really is Frightful!

Pictures from this morning's ice storm...not as bad as it could have been...but, snow day #6!

How do you like the natural fringe on the table?

Yoo Hoo! Hodge Podge Time!

Time to share in the fun with Joyce's Hodge Podge. And yes, I have been known to say "Yoo Hoo!" ...especially at students who are not paying attention.



1. What does it mean to have the 'holiday spirit'?

Saying "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" and seeing everyone smile and laugh.

2. What sits atop your tree (s)? Why?

An angel sits atop our tree. I'm not sure why. I think it's because an angel announced the birth, and angels sang during the birth, and since the angel is high above everything and can see us and help protect us.

3. When was the last time you gave yourself a pat on the back?

When haven't I? I mean, every time I blog about something to announce, or brag, about what I have done.

4. Which of your senses is most sensitive this time of year?

My sense of smell...unless my sinuses get messed up and then my sense of sight. I love seeing the beauty of Christmas.

5. What do you have too much of in your kitchen?

Spices...I don't really cook but I have just about every spice you can buy from the grocery store.

6. What do you do for meals on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? Big meal? Breakfast tradition? Open the cookie tins and have at it?

On Christmas Eve, we usually have a vegetable/cheese tray and shrimp. (We're preparing ourselves for Christmas Day.) On Christmas Day, L and I usually fix breakfast before going to church and then we have our Christmas Day meal around 2:00.

7. What is the best thing about winter?

The snow! I love watching the snow fall. And then knowing spring is right around the corner!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Have you ever used a "nettie pot" for your sinuses? Disgusting. Every time I use it I swear to myself that I will never do it again. But as they say, "Never say never." It does help. With this cold, dry air I needed some relief!

So there you have my hodge podge answers! Don't forget to link up!

Deja Vu?

Last week I blogged about being out of work unexpectedly due to two snow days. Well, two days into the new week and we have eaten up 2 more snow days. And guess what? We're off tomorrow (Wednesday) as well.

Hopefully, we'll be able to go Thursday and Friday. It's iffy though. A winter storm is coming from the south/southwest late tomorrow afternoon which will bring sleet and ice and then change to rain by Thursday morning. (I'd rather have snow. ) The temperatures have been extremely cold. I believe it's suppose to get up to above freezing Thursday morning (hence rain instead of snow).

Oh, well. I've gotten my decorations up and a couple of presents wrapped. C is coming home for Christmas break tomorrow (hoping he'll make it in before the storm hits). We'll have a full house again...if you can call 4 people a full house :)

Plus it will be easier to link up with Joyce for tomorrow's HodgePodge!

Sleigh Bells Ring, Are You Listening?

Today's HodgePodge by Joyce is titled "Sleigh Bells Ring." Joyce is doing a great job providing thought-provoking, life-sharing questions. Oh, and please give me a round of applause for answering this week's questions on time! (Thank you, thank you very much!)

1. Have you ever been on a real sleigh ride? How about the warm weather version-a carriage ride?

I have not been on a real sleigh ride; however, I have been on a carriage ride. My husband and I honeymooned on Kaiwah Island near Charleston SC. We took one day to tour Charleston and took a carriage ride while there. I would love to go on a real sleigh ride with L...I think that would be so romantic!

2. What's your policy on 'chain mail'...you know, the emails you receive that are often some sort of poem/blessing/good wish that ask you to send it on to 10 or 12 friends? Do you delete without opening, read and trash, read and trash and then worry you won't be blessed/lucky/protected? Do you delete the sender from your contact list or just go ahead and send the love onward?

HeHe. I received one just last week. I do not respond. And you know what? With this last one I received and did not pass on, I have had two unexpected days off and today I found out our class won "Pasta for Pennies" competition (money is collected for leukemia and the class that collected the most won a pasta lunch from Olive Garden). Doesn't sound like bad luck to me.

However, I also received a recipe "chain mail"...I have to send a recipe to the first person on the list and forward the list to x number of people. Now I have participated a time or two with this one. I remember one that I only received one recipe. So, if you want to participate, send me your email address.

3. Who is your favorite character in any of the Christmas movies and why?

You are asking for just one?!? If I have to pick one, it would be George Bailey from "It's a Wonderful Life." I think it's because for 20 years I didn't do what I really, truly believe I was meant to do, teach. So I can kind of relate to George.

4. Share a favorite quote.

I can't believe Joyce is asking for just one! Right now, because the end of the semester is getting nearer, I like the quote from Yogi Bearra: "It ain't over til it's over."

5. What's your favorite holiday scent?

Wow, that's a tough one. I like the smell of fresh pine, but also love cinnamon and just backed cookies.

6. Does the Christmas season stress you out? In what way?

Not really, not anymore. The boys have finally figured out they need to give me details so they get what they really want. Cyber shopping has made it easier. Now, I can go to the mall/shopping and just look.

It's not that stressful for me because we really aren't a social couple so we do not host or go to parties. Nor do we exchange presents with everybody and their brother.

7. What's the best thing about your life right now?

I have my health. I've recently gotten to quit taking my blood pressure medicine and insulin. I'm feeling better and am enjoying my family more.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

All I can think of right now is "Baby, it's cold outside!"

Link up with Joyce and join in the fun and sharing.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

A Sign of Things to Come?

Can you guess by my title what I'm getting ready to say? Yep, another snow day. Two down, eight left. And those eight will go fast if the past weekend was a sign of how our winter will be. (You do know it's not winter yet, don't you?)

It didn't snow much last night at my house, but in the county where I work there was some snow on the roads. The county is one of the top 10 counties in size so it covers a lot of territory...some of which, I believe, is mountainous. And the temperatures have been freezing, literally. We haven't been above 32 in a couple of days. We're suppose to see higher temperatures tomorrow and on into the weekend, but then another storm comes in on Sunday, starting with rain and then snow on Monday and Tuesday with temperatures like they are now. Of course, it is very hard to predict the weather and we just have to wait and see if that is really what happens.

In the meantime, if I've learned one thing about being a teacher, it's "You have to be flexible!"

Have a terrific Tuesday! (I am!)

An Unexpected Day Off

I am home today. Want to guess why? Thankfully, no, not another kidney stone. And no, I'm not sick.

School is closed today.

On Saturday, I woke to a nice dusting of snow. I'm positive it was not just a heavy frost. It really was snow on December 4! The weather was certainly frightful Saturday. We had: snow showers, rain, sleet, more rain, flurries, more snow showers, more sleet, and finally more rain.

It was snowing on Sunday when I went to church. After mass, when I went outside, there was about 1/2 - 1 inch on the ground. Thankfully, not much on the road. L and I went to breakfast then just driving around. I finished my school work, prepared for today's lessons.

I woke up this morning, as usual. I looked outside and saw a little bit of snow on the sidewalk and front steps. Very little was on the road. So, I thought maybe a delay. Image my surprise when I saw on the news our school system was closed!

So what have I done? I've gotten caught up on some blogs, made my Christmas wish list, drank 2 cups of coffee while looking through yesterday's sales ads from the newspaper. I watched N do his Christmas shopping (he brought his laptop into my room and cyber shopped). I need to redo my lesson plans and look through some of the new textbook resources. Will I? Can't really answer that. I also need to get a flu shot, work on our review activity for both semester exam and end-of-course, plus some other things.

Here is what it looks like around 11:30 a.m. today. (It looked this way Saturday morning by the way.)
Have a marvelous Monday!

My HodgePodge Answers

I may be a day late and a dollar short, but here are my answers to this week's HodgePodge:



1. What is the most interesting thing you've done in the last year?

Participating in Texas Instruments' T3 (Teachers Teaching with Technology) International Conference as a speaker/participant. This was my second conference I attended and my first as a speaker. What a great experience. It was in Atlanta. I was so excited when I found out both my proposals to be a presenter were accepted!

2. What is your most meaningful family heirloom?

Wow, I don't really think I have any family heirlooms. My dad made our kitchen/family table so it means a lot to me. He also made C's captain's bed. C is now using a bedroom suite that L's uncle made. L's dad made a bookshelf N is using and my dad made a couple of bookshelves we have.

3. What food festival would you most like to attend? If you're not sure click here to see a list of possibilities.

I've attended the Best of Tri-Cities before. There is also a Chocolate Fest in the area that I would like to attend some time.

4. Snow...do you love it or is it considered a four letter word where you live?

I *love* snow! And I love it even more when I don't have to go anywhere in it!

5. Can you ski? Do you ski? Are you any good?

I don't ski and can't ski so I don't know if I'm any good at it. ;) I don't remember ever having the opportunity to try it and I believe I'm too old too try now. But I have to tell you about C's first ski trip: His scout troop leader is a big skier. The leader's family skis alot out west and had been wanting to take the troop. C went and learned to ski. After skiing on the beginner's slopes he went with his troop leader to the top!! His leader said C did very well and didn't know C had never been skiing before!

6. What quality in your spouse or best friend are you most thankful for?

He's romantically surprising? He isn't romantic very often so he surprises me when he does do something romantic.

7. Describe the coziest spot in your home.

Sorry, I really don't have one.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

If Nay talks like she did on Survivor, I'm glad she's not a teacher in my district!