Wednesday Hodge Podge to the Rescue!

1.  In the USA this coming Sunday millions will be watching as the Baltimore Ravens take on the San Francisco 49's in the Superbowl.  What was the last event you attended that could be described as super?

Well, I'm not one for big crowds of screaming people so, I think the wedding of some dear young friends this past summer can be considered a super event! Congratulations, Andrea and Tom! You guys are super in my book!

2.  Share something you're a fan of these days? 

A fan devotes time and energy to something they really like.  I'm definitely a fan of Biblical Christianity and though the question asked for "something" and several things I am adding:  marriage, parenthood and chocolate. 

3. How do you feel about wings?  In case anyone is confused, I'm talking the edible appetizer kind.  What's your preferred seasoning on a wing-hot, mild, teryiaki, sweet and sour, other?  Do you make your own or is there a favorite place you like to go for wings?   

We seldom have wings and I have never made them. However, we have a favorite restaurant in the summer time where wings are often on the appetizer menu *mouth waters* and for the most part, I like them mild...maybe a touch of honey.

4.  As long as we're talking sports today...have you followed the Lance Armstrong story?  Did you watch his interview with Oprah and if so what was your reaction to his confession and subsequent remarks?  

I did not watch Lance Armstrong's interview with Oprah, but watched news clips after the fact. What I heard left me feeling very sad, mostly for him. His confession was not with remorse. He appearance while giving this confession (what I saw of it) was one of resignation at being caught not being sorry. I understand he apologized to his charity... now nice of him. I don't make it a point to put people on pedestals and it's a good thing. 

5.  What's a question you hate to be asked?  

"Have you lost weight?"   No! I haven't! I've gained weight! If you think I look thinner now, what on earth did you think I looked like the last time you saw me!!!!   

6. The coaches in this Sunday's big game happen to be real life brothers.  Jim Harbaugh coaches the 49er's and his older brother John Harbaugh coaches the Baltimore Ravens.  Were you and your sibling(s) competitive?  In what way? Are you still?  If you're an only child how did you handle competition growing up?  

I wasn't an only child but was the youngest (by 8 years) and did not have any competition in the family. Even with a nephew the same age as me, we did not compete.  However, I did compete with the other kids in my neighborhood and we all had our strengths and weaknesses.  As little kids, I was the hula hoop champ. As a teenager, I managed to land all the baby sitting jobs... no one else wanted them, so no competition there! As a cheerleader in high school, I had to compete with many other girls. It was hard not to win a spot on the JV team as a Freshman and I cried terribly. I managed to get on as a sub for my Sophmore JV year, and also my Junior year on Varsity, finally making it to the team "for real" (3rd from the top) my Senior year.  As an adult, my only competition has been musically with a women's barbershop chorus. We had lots of fun and I don't even remember where we placed, but it wasn't near the top!

7.  What's your favorite game involving a ball and when did you last play?   

My favorite game to play would be softball and I honestly can't remember the last time I played. I think it was several years ago with my church. A bunch of us would get together on the school's diamond and play whomever showed up. Lots of fun! If one team or the other was short one, we would "loan" or "borrow" a player!  Oh... wait a minute... I forgot I played catch with my little granddaughter last summer; that should count, right?!  I think playing catch is my favorite, now....  

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Sports are important to children but I think "awarding" kids for simply being on a team is not a good idea. Awards are supposed to be special; for those who win, not for those who just participate.  A certificate is ok, but I've seen kids sports where everyone gets a little trophy... what?  No one wants to hurt a child's feelings.  Well, this is where they learn how to handle those feelings!  Not everyone wins. The incentive should be to try again next year, next week, whatever the time frame is. We should not be awarding or rewarding our children for every little thing they do. Simple praise from their coaches and the love and support of their families should suffice.  ... that is, if their families care to be involved... but that's another random thought...

It's time for Wednesday's Hodge Podge!

1. The popular saying, 'All is fair in love and war' is originally credited to English writer John Lyly. Is he right?

I've never given that quote much thought, really. The word "All" can be disturbing ... someone trying to steal away another's spouse in the name of "love" would not be fair or proper, though it is done all the time. It would appear this problem has been around for a long time, though... War is something that involves death and destruction and there is nothing "fair" about that.

2. Are you a cereal eater? What's your favorite kind?

Mmmmm... as I listen to my husband munch away on Frosted Mini Wheats ... :-) I believe, today, this is my favorite!

3. A five year old in Pennsylvania was recently given a ten day school suspension for talking with a friend about shooting one another with a Hello Kitty Bubble gun (the gun blows bubbles). She did not have the gun with her at school. A psychological evaluation was also ordered and the incident was recorded on her permanent record. The suspension was later reduced to two days and her parents are suing to have the incident removed from her file. Your thoughts? (If you missed the story click here for details)

I just checked on this story and it is utterly ridiculous! Water pistols and super soakers are meant to be aimed and shot at each other. If all the child did was talk about shooting it and not about killing there should have been no problem. Psych eval? That should have revealed something ... Suspension? How about some counseling instead! Even counseling sounds a bit weird to me... It's OK to have video games with shooting, TV programs with shooting, then we need to let the kids speak about it in school. They better start watching little boys when they play with their Lego Men... Really, this country needs to get a grip on what is important and makes sense at the same time. I didn't find the link to the story in the question, but here it is: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/01/kindergartner-suspended-over-bubble-gun-threat/

4. Whatever happened to_____________________________?

Uh, oh. I read an answer on another blog ... and I have "Common Sense" on my mind. If only the rest of our world, especially politicians, could have it on their minds as well.

5. January 23rd is National Handwriting Day, billed as a day to reacquaint yourself with a pen and pencil. Do you like your handwriting? Do you prefer to print or write in cursive? This date was chosen because its the birth date of John Hancock. What's the last thing you signed your name to?

I like my cursive handwriting but it begins to deteriorate in 3 - 5 sentences. I used to enjoy hand writing letters to friends, but typing is so much faster! I like to print as well. I probably won't be celebrating National Handwriting Day with a letter, though. The last thing I signed my name to was my time sheet for work. I even remember thinking that my signature looked pretty nice for the time it took! I know, I'm strange!

6. Speaking of John Hancock...ever been to Philadelphia? Do you have any desire to visit the city of Brotherly Love?

I've been there but never to sight see. I have family just outside of Philly and that was where we spent our time. I suppose it would be nice to take in Independence Hall.

7. Share something funny you've heard a child say.

I've spent the last 24 years in elementary education and raised 3 boys, too. I have a ton of funny conversations tucked away in my brain but none of them are coming to mind!

What did pop into it, was "Shishyhock" ... This was a term our oldest son used when he was barely 18 months old. The first time, we could not figure out what on earth he was talking about but whatever it was, it was on the other side of the gate that barricaded the living room from the rest of the house. "Shisyhock!" he yelled...over and over, and the emphasis would be on "hock". We had no clue. We finally took the gate down and he barreled down the hall, into his bedroom and came out with his... shoes and socks! He wanted to go next door to visit his grammy and he was in his bare feet; problem solved!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

If we can't have a good 'ol fashioned snow storm, than I will focus on Spring. It is coming. The temperatures might be in the negative this morning, but without a doubt, we WILL have warmer temperatures in the not too distant future!

Where Oh Where Did Christmas Go?

Well, so much for for my Thanksgiving post! I haven't a clue how time flew by so quickly, but flew it did! I stand in awe of my blogging friends who, even with babies bouncing all around, can still find the time to blog! Christmas has come and gone with nice memories of family gatherings; celebrating with newly engaged Kelsey and Steve! Christmas Cantata performed at Sacandaga Bible Conference that complemented their superb banquet; choral selections that enhanced a wonderful program on Christmas Eve; and one of my favorite things of the season...celebrating my husband's birthday! Every time his birthday rolls around, his mom and I get together and figure out what funny thing we can do to his cake that hasn't already been done :-) In the past we have decorated with simple things like a tiny level on top of a dancing Santa's head...to commemorate the occasion of Bill getting knocked out while helping a friend build a stockade fence...long story, funny, now, hahahaha! Oh, and there's the time we put lots of little deer all over the cake and Bill had to figure out which one was "Robo Bambi"...which was easy, 'cause just like the decoy deer for work (as the game warden) it had an antenna and it's poor little head was almost off. (The robot decoy because of an illegal hunter, the decoration because of a very sharp knife!] Let's not forget all those little deer who made a return appearance to thank the gamewarden for all his hard work the year he retired...who couldn't figure out what the tag on the back of his jacket was for ...and why he was carrying a rifle hahahaha! I'm sorry, I shouldn't laugh so hard at my own jokes but this stuff has been going on for almost as many years as we have been married! This year was more cute than funny. There was a long legged snowman holding an open Bible and a congregation of reindeer and gingerbread men :-) You see, Bill will be a guest preacher for a local church for the rest of winter and part of the spring. I am very excited for him as he loves the Lord very much and cares deeply for these people! I had the opportunuty to go with him this past Sunday since my choir at our home church was on a break. I'll get to join him about once a month. Well, that's the excitement from this neck of the woods. I would have posted a picture of his cute little cake, but all those candles made it one big blur =-O I'm adding a sentence because I see that this appears to be all one paragraph, complements of Android. *sigh*