Wednesday Hodgepodge

Wouldn't you know it.  I'm running late again.  But I figure I'll join up late and if you haven't done it yet, you can too.  Better late than never, right?  Thanks Joyce, for hosting the Hodgepodge every week.

1. What's your favorite time of day? Why?
Well, since I'm still working full-time, I'd have to say it is the evenings when I get home after work.  Because usually that is the time I get to spend with my husband.  Really, anytime of the day I can be with him, is my favorite.  Corny?  Maybe, but it's the truth!


2. Waffle iron, toaster, coffee maker, mixer, blender...which small appliance would you say most needs replacing in your house?
Waffle Iron...although I've never had one.  I really would like to have one.  And this is the one I want. 

Picture from internet

3. It's National Grouch Day (October 15)...what's something that makes you feel grouchy?
Being tired.  I do not handle lack of sleep very well.

4. Ever been to Canada? Is that a country you'd like to visit? According to Trip Advisor, the top ten best destinations in Canada are-Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Victoria, Calgary, Niagara on the Lake, Niagara Falls, Whistler, and Halifax. Which city would you most like to see?
No, I've never been to Canada.  Actually, I stayed on an island in one of the Great Lakes, that was owned by Canada.  Does that count?  I'd love to see Niagara Falls (on either side).
 
5. What was your favorite food (or one of your favorites) when you were a child? Is that still a favorite?
Probably mashed potatoes.  They still are a favorite, but I don't eat them very often.  

6. Do you cry easily?
Not typically.  But it seems the older I'm getting, the easier I cry.

7. Have you started your (gasp!) Christmas shopping? If so when, and how much? If not, when will you even begin thinking about it?
No, I haven't started yet, but I have been thinking and making plans for it.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Don't you love it when God reminds you of His promises?

I love rainbows.  Saw this on the way home from work yesterday.

Friday Fragments

It's Friday, so that must mean it's time for Friday Fragments.  You know those things that are running around in your mind that you want to share, but really don't make up a full post.  Click on the button and visit Mrs 4444's if you want to play along.

I'm actually running rather late on this post.  In fact, I really hadn't planned to do one today, but here are a few Fragments, I decided to share.

*Doctor's Appointments:  I feel that's pretty much all I've done for the last couple weeks.  Mom has been in and out of doctor's offices a lot.  She's seen 2 surgeons this week and I believe she has made the decision as to which one she is going to use and which procedure she is going to have.  We don't know yet when surgery will be.  Continued prayers are definitely appreciated.  Prayers for her and my dad (who has dementia). 

*3 Day Weekend:  I'm looking forward to having 3 days off.  We really don't have anything planned, except to take mom to her heart doctor on Monday.  I'm sure we'll do lunch out on Saturday and run errands.  Hopefully, we'll do lunch Sunday with hubby's family after church.  Then other than that, my plans are just to do what we want, when we want.

*Knitting:  I've completed the hat and scarf I was making and I've almost completed a pair of boot toppers or cuffs.  I'll try to get pictures and post them soon.  I'm not sure what I plan to make next.  But I do enjoy doing this while watching TV with hubby.  Makes me feel less like I'm just wasting time.  :)

*Lucy:  While knitting and watching TV, Lucy has decided her favorite place to sit is between my legs on the foot part of the recliner.  We've been using Kelli's Santa blanket.  Kelli left it hanging over the rocker in her bedroom when she moved to Florida.  So Lucy and I have been enjoying it.  It's so soft and light weight, but very warm.  I love this picture of her.  I think it might make a really cute Christmas Card.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's time for the Hodgepodge. It happens every Wednesday. Click the button to the left and play along if you'd like. It really is a good way to meet new people. 

1. Do you manage your own money or do you have a financial planner who helps in some way? Do those kinds of conversations stress you out? A lot or a little?
We manage our own and it definitely stresses me out.

2. The second week of October is Pet Peeve Week. Off the top of your head, share TWO of your current pet peeves.
Pet Peeve #1:  We're having trouble with our router at home for the internet and that really bugs me. I hate not being able to get online when I want to.  New router coming today and hopefully that issue will be taken care of. 
Pet Peeve #2:  We can't seem to get anywhere in our town with having to drive around a construction zone.  Seems they are all over the place.  Wish they could do one at a time.  lol

3. What is one thing you'd like to learn right now, this very week if you could?
How to play the piano by ear.  I play by music, but would love to be able to just hear the music and play it.  My mother-in-law is awesome with that and hubby's pretty good too.

4. How concerned are you about the recent health related news concerning Ebola? How about Enterovirus D68?
I'm concerned, but not panicked.  

5. Garfield, Nemo, or Tigger-your favorite orange cartoon character?
Nemo because he's friend's with Dory and she's my favorite!!

Picture of Nemo, Marlin and Dory from internet

 6. I'm going to see Gone Girl with my neighborhood book club this week. So often books made into film are disappointing. What's a book turned film you thought was well done, in that the casting was 'like you pictured' when you read the book, and the film plot remained mostly true to the book plot?
The second of the "Hunger Games" series, "Catching Fire."

7. What is one story your family always tells about you?
They always tell about me "running away."  I was probably around 2 years old and my brother and sister were supposed to be watching me. We lived on a farm in the country and I guess I just took off down the road. I ended up at a friend's house down the road and I believe my brother and sister ended up in a lot of trouble.  haha 

8. Insert your own random thought here.
The sky was rather cool last night.  Here are a few pictures I took with my iPhone while out with the dog.

I understand it was supposed to be even cooler this morning.  This morning was a "blood moon".  I tried to see it, but it was too overcast, so I missed it. 

Friday Fragments and Friday Four Fill-In Fun

Time for Friday Fragments again.  Click the button to join our host, Mrs. 4444's. 

*I made the cutest little orange baby toboggan and I just bought some green yarn and I'm going to try to crochet something that will look like a stem and make the hat look like a pumpkin.  If it turns out cute, I'll take a picture and post it later, plus it will be in my Etsy Shop.  If I can't do it, then there will be an orange baby hat in my Etsy Shop.  haha

*I finished my multi-colored scarf.  I made it 5 feet long and I think that will be good...Not too long, not too short.  I'm working on the matching hat now.  I'll also post of picture of this when I get it completed.

*Our little Lucy got loose last night after dark and took off chasing a kitten.  We were out all over the neighborhood calling and calling for her.  Hubby came back to the house and she ran past him in the back yard and then when he opened the door, she ran straight in on her own.  I think she was worn out.  I know we were, because we were so scared she would get hit by a car.  She has no fear of them and just runs out in front of them.  All I can say is, Thank you Jesus!!

*Last week was my first time playing along with "Follow Friday Four Fill-In Fun".  Click the button if you'd like to play along too.

The statements:

During_____, I______
While I like_____, I wouldn’t______
Reading while______, is______
Why would anyone______

My Answers:

During vacations, I like to read, take naps and do something new I've never done before.  Hope to do this in November at the Beach.
While I like some pumpkin flavored things, I wouldn't want a steady diet of it.
Reading while riding in the car, is what makes me sick.  :-(
Why would anyone ever want to vandalize someone else's property.  I just don't understand vandalism at all.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Are the leaves turning color where you live? Have they begun to fall? Will you have to rake when it's all said and done? Is that a chore you love or loathe?
The leaves are just beginning to change around here.  There are just spots of color here and there.  Their not falling too much yet, and I don't think we'll have to rake, at least not any vast amount.  I don't mind the raking too bad, however I hate having to pick up the piles.  haha

2. When did you last shake like a leaf?
Sunday night when within 5 minutes I found 2 big black wolf spiders inside my house.  Can I tell you I am terrified of spiders.  Fortunately, my knight in shining armor was home and slayed both of the dragons!!

3. After 20 seasons with the NY Yankees, Derek Jeter played his last official game Sunday afternoon. Jeter has been described even by opponents as a 'class act', both on and off the field. The NFL is back in action this month too, with several players in that sport also making headlines. What are your thoughts on athletes as role models? Should a professional athlete be expected to act as role model or is that going beyond their job description? What responsibility do the organizations these athletes work for have when it comes to dealing with off the field behavior? Discuss.
Personally, I believe they should be a role model, if they are going to be in those positions.  Just like when someone decides to be a police officer or a teacher, they have to be careful how they behave in their private lives. When you chose to have those positions, then you are in front of kids and you do need to act accordingly.

4. What season of the year is toughest for you in terms of your health? Why?
I don't think any of the seasons make that much difference in my health.

5. The top six healthy food trends of 2014 according to Eating Well are-

clean eating (more veg, less meat, less sodium, limit alcohol and processed foods)
trash fish (you know those fish that get caught in fishermen nets and are thrown back? It seems chefs are finding creative ways to make them more appetizing)
cauliflower (this year's IT vegetable)
kaniwa (essentially baby quinoa, so like quinoa only smaller)
fermentation (think pickling except with twists on flavor we're not accustomed to)
community supported food (farms operating with community support/membership).

Okay-so how many of the hot healthy food trends for 2014 have you experienced, encountered, enjoyed? Any you've tried and said ewwww? Any on the list you'd like to try before year's end?
Not sure I've tried any and not sure I want too.  However, I do like cauliflower (one of my favorite veggies).  And as far as the clean eating, I already watch my sodium and I don't drink alcohol.  I probably do need to work a little harder on the processed food thing though.

6. In seven words or less, bid September adieu.
September, you haven't been an easy month.

7. What's something on your October calendar that makes you happy just thinking about it?
My oldest turns 24.  Although I won't get to be with her in person, it still makes me happy.  Also, passing out candy to trick or treaters makes me happy.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I am having so much fun loom knitting (check it out on YouTube, if you don't know what I mean).  I making the coolest multi-colored scarf.  It's about 4 1/2 feet long so far.  I can't decide how long to make it.  So any ideas?  How long do you like your winter knitted scarves to be?  Give a girl some help, please.