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.

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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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