Just Because...

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends!

until next time...nel

Thankful for the Hodgepodge...

1. What's surprised you most about your life, or about life in general?
How quickly you feel old... I mean you know it seems like yesterday I could get in the floor and up with no problem, go ninety to nothing at anything.  Now I have to take breaks and I don't get out of the floor without knees popping and bones cracking. The Golden Years... lolol

2. Among others, these ten words were added to the Oxford English Dictionary this year...awesomesauce, beer o'clock, brain fart, buttdial, cat cafe (apparently this is a real thing), fatberg (gross-read the definition here), fat shame, hangry, Mx (gender neutral), and skippable. 

Your thoughts? In looking over the list, which word do you find most ridiculous? Which word would you never in a million years say out loud? Which word would you be most likely to use in conversation?
I think the most ridiculous would be fat shame. I would never use beer o'clock.  And I have been known to use brain fart...happens once in awhile which I also call them a JR Moment!

3. Do you like gravy? Is there a food you'd rather not eat unless it comes with gravy? Do you make your own or buy the canned or store-made variety? Turkey and gravy, sausage gravy, mashed potatoes and gravy, country ham and red eye gravy, biscuits and chocolate gravy, pot roast and gravy...which one on the list is your favorite?
Yes, I like gravy now and then.  Love it on my mashed taters or biscuits, just makes both of them better.  And I usually make my own, however at Thanksgiving I buy a jar and add to it.  I would think my favorite is sausage gravy but Chocolate runs pretty close 2nd.  When the grands are at my house, EJ likes sausage gravy and Cain likes chocolate.  Silas will eat whatever.

4. Do you have a plan? Do you need a plan? Have you ever had a plan fall into a trillion pieces? Explain.
I don't know if you would really call it a plan.  I usually have a thought in the back of my head how I want to do things and what I need to do to accomplish it.  I cannot really think of any one time that the plan has fallen apart.  We all have plans that do not always get carried out or go the way we were hoping for.

5. November 19 is National Play Monopoly Day. Do you own the original or some version of the game? Do you enjoy playing Monopoly? How likely is it you'll play a game of Monopoly on November 19th? Ever been to Atlantic City? Ever taken a ride on a railroad? Is parking in your town free? Last thing you took a chance on?
I am a Monopoly fool, have not played in forever.  I have an original - original from the 60's.  I also have a Coca Cola Monopoly game, a Disney Monopoly game and the 50th Anniversary Game. I told you I was a fool! Probably will not play a game unless I play online.  My  games are at my house in Arkansas. I have never been to Atlantic City, I have rode on a RR but I was too little to remember it.  Yes parking is free in our town.  Can't think of anything right off for taking a chance on.  I do make different things and take a chance that they will sell.

6. A song you like that has the word (or some form of the word) thanks in the title, lyrics, or meaning?


7. In keeping with this month's theme of gratitude....what is something you're taking for granted that when you stop and think about it, you're grateful for?
There are so many things we take for granted, a roof over our head, clean water to drink, the right to go to church and read our bibles.  There are so many things and then things happen in the world and we realize it is not the same everywhere.  We take so much for granted!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Just curious if anyone has ever heard of Norwex Home Products.  I have a few items and oh my gosh I love them.  My Daughter's Step mom, Gina, is an Independent Consultant.  Their big thing is cleaning without chemicals.  I love the dusting mitt.  I used it today and the dust just clings to the mitt.  I also have a big mirror in our living room, I hate cleaning that thing. It always streaks until today.  Today I used the window or mirror cloth and a spray bottle of water.  Oh my, it looks so good, even Stanley mentioned how shiny and good it looked.  You can check out the items here.  It is a little pricey, but they last forever and I love it you can pop them in the washer and dryer and be ready for the next time!  And no more buying chemicals that just keep building up.  Let me know what you think after you check it out.  Since this is our Thankful post, I have one more random thought:  I am so thankful that Jan's stepmom Gina and I are friends!  Life is good! Thank you Jesus!

until next time...nel

A Salute to the Hodgepodge...

1. In two or three sentences tell us what Veteran's Day means to you?
I think it is a wonderful time to remember all those who put their life on the line for our freedom. I always think back to pictures I have of my Dad in Germany during WWII. What a sacrifice all of them have made and are still making for us.  We take so much for granted!  However we should thank them every day not just once a year!

2. What's your favorite film with a patriotic theme woven into the storyline?
This is kind of a hard one...there are so many good ones.  But I do like Top Gun and have watched it several times.

3. Flu shot-yes or no? If you answered no, do you plan to get a flu shot? If not, why not? Have you ever had the flu?
No to the flu shot.  And no I do not plan on getting it.  My dad took it once and it almost killed him, and I know that does not mean it will me, but that is just how I roll.  And no I have never had the flu.

4. I've seen lots of people posting pictures of their Christmas trees up and decorated. Many stores have had Christmas on display since well before Halloween. Red cups are back at Starbucks, sans the holiday decor, and that has some people up in arms. What are your thoughts on all the holiday ruckus this second week of November?
It is difficult to see all of it so soon especially before Halloween.  I can remember the time in my life where I had to put things on layaway before purchasing so to some I guess the time of appearing is good.

5. What 'critter' are you most afraid of encountering unexpectedly? Why that one?
I think a bob cat or a coyote.  I guess because they are so prevalent in Arkansas. I guess a bear would be one also.

6. Do you like building things? What's the last thing you 'built'?
It depends on what your definition of built is.  I have built several cute purses using the sewing machine.  If you are talking building with wood, not so much.

7. In keeping with this month's theme of gratitude...what are you most grateful for that brings beauty to your daily life?
My sweet husband.  He has added so much to my life and treats me like a queen.  I am so blessed that we met each other on line.  A true answer to prayer!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
I have so many random thoughts rolling around in my head.  I think I will go with the wedding we attended this weekend.  It was my nephew's son who got married.  My nephew Jim and I are only 7 years apart in age, he was more like my little brother. They have always held a special place in my heart.  It was a beautiful simple wedding.  Here are a few pictures.

Isn't he the cutest ring bearer you have ever seen!

Heather and Nick during their 1st dance. The Happy Couple.

My daughter Janice and Silas.

Eden joining them.  Cain was not there, his mom was getting married.

Si and the Groom!

until next time...nel

November Hodgepodge...

1. Besides Thanksgiving, something you're looking forward to on your November calendar?
I get to see my grands twice this month. We are going to my nephew's wedding this weekend, then the kids are coming for the holidays.

2.  If I gave you a thank you card right now who would you send it to and why?
Gee, I am not sure.

3. Of the breads listed, which one's your favorite...bagel, cinnamon, sourdough, garlic, banana, biscuit, pita, Naan, or plain old fashioned white bread?
Toss up between sourdough and banana, which garlic runs in there pretty close. And if it is home made white yeast bread then all bets are off with the others.

4. What's something you have in abundance? Is that a good thing?
Craft Skills.  Yes I think so, I can usually do anything I set my head too.

5. November 5th is National Love Your Red Hair Day. Are there any redheads in your family? Who's your favorite redhead?
No red heads in the immediate family.  Really do not have a favorite, not close to any.

6.  The travel website Busbud recently calculated the most Instagrammed spot in every state. Go here to see what made the list where you live. Are you happy with your state's #1? If not what do you think should be the most photographed spot in your state? Have you snapped a photo there? If you live outside the USA answer as it relates to your state, city or province.
Yes, a very good choice, Lake of the Ozarks is beautiful.  And I have snapped a few photos there.

7. I'm going to try to have something related to gratitude in this spot each week during the month of November. Here's this week's question-

What's something you've learned about yourself this year that you're grateful for?
I am finally enjoying history, it never interested me before.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
We had a good Halloween around our house.  It was pretty quiet, but we did have 32 trick or treaters.  I love looking at the little ones dressed up.  We sent the grands in AR goody bags and two of Stan's great grands. 

 Nothing like grandkids!

until next time...nel