Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Hodgepodge Happily Ever After


Winter

I wasn't going to join the Hodgepodge today because I'm so far behind in answering comments and I'm going to be gone today, but I decided to put this up after all. I hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday.

Click on the button below to join Joyce and the gang.
Instructions on her blog.
Come join us!

                                               

1. What's your best piece of advice for a newly married couple? I'm asking for a friend.
Please tell your 'friend,' that my advice is to laugh. Don't make a big deal out of trivial things. Learn the difference between what's really important and what's not. Figure that most things aren't worth getting upset. Err on the side of peace.

2. Before we're too far into the new year I wanted to post a question Teresa submitted during the December giveaway. Teresa blogs over at Being Refined As Silver, so everyone go say hi.

Teresa asks, "What were you doing on December 31st, 1999?"and "Did you or your family make preparations for Y2K?"

We were probably hosting a small New Year's Eve party at our house and yes, we had a few things stashed away for Y2K. Our son, who would know, tells me that a catastrophe was lots closer than people realize. And yes, we used all the goods we had stored. Buying ahead is a good idea, especially as we see inflation rushing in. I believe it's called The Alpha Strategy.

 Dragonwing Begonia
Bringing cheer to my kitchen during the cold, dark months

3. According to Global Language Monitor, the most used word of 2014 isn't a word. It's the heart emoji. Huh? How can something that's not a word be the most used word, but I digress. What do you think was your most used word in 2014?

Whether it's considered a word or not, I think the overuse of the heart emoji is annoying.  I'd say that probably my most used word in 2014 is 'annoying.' 

4. Speaking of words, it's that time again. Time for Lake Superior University to present a list of words they'd like to see banished (for over-use, mis-use, and general uselessness) in 2015. You can read more about the decision making process here, but this year's top vote getters are-

bae (before anyone else), polar vortex, hack, skill set, swag, foodie, curate/curated, friend-raising, enhanced interrogation, cra-cra (as in crazy), takeaway, and -nation (a suffering sports suffix).

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word not on the list you'd like to add?

I've never heard 'cra-cra,' which is probably a good thing, for I would find it extremely annoying. What I'd like to have banned is 'My bad.' Maybe it's no longer used in your part of the country, but it seems to be dying a much-too-slow death in Wisconsin. I hate it.  And just because you asked, I wish people would stop using the phrase, 'No problem,' rather than 'You're welcome.'  When I thank someone for doing something, it's not because I thought there might have been a problem and that they had solved it. It's annoying. Really annoying.

5.  January is National Hot Tea month? Are you a fan? Do you like flavored teas? How do you take your tea? Have a favorite cup or teapot? How many cups of tea do you consume in a given day?

On any given day, chances are about 2% that I would be found drinking tea. I have boxes of tea in our pantry, but no matter which ones I've tried, nothing comes close to coffee beans that I grind in our own grinder - and even coffee has to be avoided after about 10 AM if I want to be able to sleep that night. However, my granddaughter is here and I had a sip of her peach tea from Tea Source. It is fabulous. I might be converted after all.


6. Whatever happened to________________________________?

Whatever happened to German Shepherd puppies that didn't cost an arm and a leg?


 My $25 purebred German Shepherd longhair pup (right)
at his first home. We got him when he was 3 months old,
and he lived with us for over 12 years.

7. What is one book on your must-read list this winter?   Jesus and the Victory of God and The Resurrection of the Son of God, both by N.T. Wright.  I'm pretty sure it will take me all winter to get through them.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I'm sitting here with both dogs at my feet, a granddaughter who'll be joining me in watching a Downton Abbey DVD in a few minutes, a grandson who is in the library playing some computer game with his brothers who are in Minnesota. Mr. C. is in the basement, working on the apartment, putting up sheetrock. My computer tells me that sheetrock isn't a word. But then it thinks that Downton isn't a word either.

I've been using a NordicTrack recumbent bike. I set my Kindle on the display ledge and watch virtual trips through the English countryside or old George Gently episodes or Inspector Morse episodes. It makes the exercise time much more tolerable. It's not exactly fun, but when I look at the outdoor thermometer and see the snow, I'm happy to be indoors.



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33 comments:

  1. Good morning, Judy! It's always fun and enlightening to read your Hodgepodge posts :) I appreciated your answer for #1 - so, so true!

    Have a beautiful day and enjoy your time with your grandchildren. Hugs to you!

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  2. Judy, great responses to the questions posted in the HodgePodge...fun to read your thoughts. I had the phrase "Let's give it up", applause that is, on all the shows like Voice. Give what up? We had a German Shepherd when I was a kid and she was such a great friend of the family. Thanks for your lovely comments on my blog. Have a super great day.

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  3. What an interesting post.. I enjoyed reading your answers.. I am lucky I remember yesterday much less than 1999. I do not remember doing anything special for Y2K. My son would be happy if he could get a German Shepherd for $25! Enjoy the day with your grandchildren and doggies!

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  4. the one word i want gone and the act itself is 'selfie' talk about annoying.. i agree with your marriage advice. we did nothing for Y2k but wait to see what happened the next morning.
    what ever happens to parents who make their children mind and no how to use the word NO.

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  5. I think we need to tell young ones to save for retirement and then some! lol

    I write love and hugs a lot!

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  6. HI Judy I do not know where you get the time to write this post however I am glad you did as I enjoyed it immensely. I think the word 'selfie' was well used in 2014.

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  7. I'm guilty on using both "my bad" and "no problem!" Your advice for the newly married couple would do all of us good.

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  8. Oh gosh, don't ever not post because you need to comment! Blogging needs more blogging! It seems so many folks opt out, as have I from life getting in the way. But post, and you will find time to catch up, even if you fall behind, one afternoon can catch you up, but we've been able to enjoy your posts as well! I would have been sad to have missed this one!

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  9. I have some teas that might change your mind. Having a distraction while exercising, indeed, makes the time go by more quickly.

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  10. Morning, love the Hodge Podge, always a good time reading them. Blessings Francine.

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  11. 1. Cra-cra? Reminded me of crayfish.
    2. I think you may be missing the nuance of No Prob. It can be a form of a grudging You're Welcome. As in it-really-was-a-bit-of-a-pain-to-do-it, but-now-that-it's-done, No Prob.
    3. I think, "Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by stupidity." is good marriage advice! LOL!
    4. Why are you building an apt. in your basement?
    Lying low with day two of a migraine. Not as bad as it was this morning, but it just won't quite go away. Keeps going and coming. Oh well. Josephine is cuddled under my left arm watching me type, curtains are closed, tea nearby.
    :) m & jb

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  12. Great, interesting responses... Your newlywed advice is excellent! I can't stand "my bad" it sounds ghetto, and that's probably a micro-agression, which is another disliked word that should be banished.

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  13. laughing at your use of 'annoying'. i have to work on the 'no problem' thing - it slips out and irritates me, too.

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  14. Your soaps look amazing! I enjoy making homemade soaps as well. The German Shepherd pups picture is so cute.

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  15. Your soaps look amazing! I enjoy making homemade soaps as well. The German Shepherd pups picture is so cute.

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  16. I know what you mean about dogs being so expensive now a days! Even cats are too, the adoption fee is around $140!

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  17. Oh we love MORSE as well as Inspector Lewis....I have heard of the Gently series and would love to find it on DVD somewhere. Our library carries quite a few British shows but not this one. Oh sorry, I love the word, Cra Cra....lol. It applies to quite a few people I know.

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  18. It was fun reading through this, Judy. I am trying to get back in the swing by visiting a few people here and there. Hope you are having a great winter so far.

    My granddaughter says that Papa is cra-cra (pronounced cray-cray). lol It is kind of comical coming from a little kid. xo Diana

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  19. Winter is a good time to read something with a little weight I think. Have fun with your grands! We have the most recent Downton in the DVR so might catch up tonite too.

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  20. Good advice. I'm not to fond of my bad either. But I do the "no problem" thing quite often. You make a valid point though, so I need to return to the "you're welcome thing.

    Hope you have a great day!

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  21. Good advice. I'm not to fond of my bad either. But I do the "no problem" thing quite often. You make a valid point though, so I need to return to the "you're welcome thing.

    Hope you have a great day!

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  22. I love the effect of the bright red hydrant on the snow! I just heard cra-cra the other day. I hate it! I think it means crazy. My bad...I have only now started hearing it, but Phil says it has been around a long time too. Hate that one too. We have lots of tea, but nothing beats coffee. And that is saying a lot because I am part British. Sounds like you are having a wonderful time!

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  23. I enjoyed your answers, so am happy you decided to join in! I have been thinking about a recumbent bike. Perhaps it will be easier on my knees and get me moving a bit. Enjoy your grands!!

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  24. Hi Judy,
    I always enjoy reading your Hodgepodge posts.
    I drink a lot of tea, I just love tea. I will come clean out your pantry for you. ;-)


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  25. Cra-cra is a dumb word. I work with high schoolers and they all use it a good bit.

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  26. A lot of those words I hear my 14 year old say, but I confess I use the word, "skill set", at work! lol

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  27. A fun hodgepodge of information. The 'no problem' thing irks me too and the first time I heard 'my bad' I was shocked at the poor use of the English language. I'm about to work on our grandson for saying 'ya' instead of 'yes'.
    You know you're old when....

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  28. I have a long list of words I'm tired of hearing. lol! My Bad is one of them. No Problem is another. The decor blogs overuse the word "vignette", IMO. Also, I'm kinda tired of the "hey, girl" greeting, although I've been guilty of using that one myself a few times. :)

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  29. We like to watch George Gently and Inspector Morse too. Midsomer Mysteries and Heartbeat are also nice mysteries. I kind of like "cra cra" cuz my young friend says it, so that makes it cute to me.

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  30. 'My bad' has not died here. Yet. Though I will say that it's mostly us old folks still saying it. LOL My grandmother stock piled canned goods and other non-perishables. We always thought it was because of the Great Depression. And I keep some things in my pantry too. Just in case of a hurricane or who-knows-what these days.

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  31. Hi, Judy!

    I had not heard the word cra-cra, either.
    I thought it was pronounced (craw-craw). Then I was corrected. Am I out of touch, or what? Maybe, that's a good thing!

    Would that be a Kindle Fire?
    I have a Kindle Paperwhite and hubby has asked if I would like a Kindle Fire.

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  32. I've enjoyed the little hearts.....
    I have a lot of tea in my pantry too yet I seldom drink tea or coffee. Yes things have changed in the price of dogs over the years. Actually back in 1980 we sold puppies for $250. which was the going price for Yellow Labs. I have since paid up to $1,500. for a dog but I know people pay even more!

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