Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. On this first official day of spring tell us something (besides the weather) you're looking forward to in this season of the year.

  In a little less than a month one of my cousins is coming to visit us, and it's not just an afternoon pop-in, it's a little more than a week that he'll be here. In this massive and unpredictable world it's nice to have family.

2. When it comes to spring cleaning would you rather wash windows or wash baseboards? Clean out closets or clean out the garage? Dust ceiling fans or dust bookcases? Wipe down the patio furniture outside or wipe down the light fixtures inside? Any of these tasks recently completed?

  Just the very words "spring cleaning" make me sigh. I don't enjoy extreme cleaning unless it's a craft drawer or something, because then I discover all sorts of forgotten treasures. I would rather wash baseboards than windows, clean closets than garage, dust bookcases rather than ceiling fans, and I'd rather clean light fixtures on the inside than the patio furniture outside.

  Recently my mum, sister, and I started cleaning out our storage room. Because of that I've found myself cleaning baseboards, dusting bookcases, etc. 

3. Your favorite thing to make/eat that calls for cream cheese? Sour cream? Whipped cream?

  My favorite thing to eat that calls for cream cheese is cheesecake. We have a good friend who makes some of the best cheesecake I've ever eaten, she's the one who really got me into making cheesecake more than once a year. My favorite thing with sour cream? That's a hard question, I love to use it as a condiment for most things. And lastly, I prefer whipped cream on top of strawberry shortcake.

4. I read here a list of commonly mispronounced words. What is a word that gives you trouble when it comes to pronunciation?

  When I look at the pronunciations of words I take note of them but then still pronounce it how I please. When surrounded by non-family members I make sure to pronounce words to the best of my ability but otherwise I have fun...take chihuahua for example, that word is tons of fun to mispronounce.

  A word that gives me trouble when it comes to pronunciation is butylethylmethylamine. When studying my science recently I spent several minutes just trying to pronounce the word when I came across it.

5. What's a song you love with the word 'rain' in the title or lyrics?

   Several years ago I came across Mat Kearney's "Air I Breathe" song on Air1, I liked it quite a bit and even though it isn't really my favorite song anymore I'll still listen to it now and then, (I also like "Love Like Rain").

6.  Insert your own random thought here. 

  I love birds! My dad has always wanted to hang a bird feeder but with so many cats around we thought it was a dream that would never come true...until yesterday. I had a cereal around for awhile, it was a muesli, and being such it was full of oats and seeds and dried fruit. I liked it pretty well but it didn't make me feel the best. Yesterday after spotting a few birds in the back yard scratching around the snow, my dad and I both flung out a handful of cereal. I always feel so bad for the birds around here, they come back late February or early March expecting spring but all they find is snow, snow, and more snow. It brought joy to everyone in my family watching the birds eagerly eat the cereal, and because of all that, and the fact that the cats didn't really bother them, my dad hung a bird feeder and now we have whole passels (I'm aware that passel is not a very good word to use when describing a bunch of birds but I was in the mood to write it and so I did) of birds in the back yard.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Best place you've been lately? 

  The local gym. Every Sunday night the youth from our community go to the local high school gym to enjoy an evening of fun and games. I may not be the best at any sort of ball game, but that doesn't mean I can't nor don't enjoy my mediocrity, for I certainly do.


2. What's something you should say yes to today? Or this week? Or even this year?

  I should say yes to practicing for the Easter choir at church. I have never been part of the choir before but this is a year of firsts for me. I love to sing, but so far it has been in the privacy of our home.

3. Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day in any way, shape, or form? If so tell us how. In Western cultures the color green is typically associated with jealousy, nature, good luck, and growth. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word 'green'?

  No I don't celebrate St. Patrick's Day in any way, shape, or form. I never have. Last year we went somewhere on St. Patrick's Day and people were being chased all over the place trying to avoid being pinched because they weren't wearing green. I think it's the oddest thing ever to see a bunch of who I thought were self-respecting humans, running about the place, being chased and threatened with slight pain simply because they weren't wearing green, if it were up to me, I'd have it the other way around.

  When I hear the word green I have to think of the Summer, it is so wet and snowy, and persistently cold here, the very thought of Summer seems profound and almost impossible.


4. What's a product or service you love so much you'd happily be their spokesperson? Tell us what makes you such a fan.

  I love my shower soap (I never liked calling it body wash, it always disturbed me a tiny bit), it's  scented "cooling white strawberry and mint" by Olay. I love how it smells!!! The first time I used it I walked everywhere like the White Queen from Alice in Wonderland just because I loved how the wondrous smell of strawberries and mint followed me.

 
5. March 14th is Pi Day. How are your math skills? What's the last thing you did that required math of any kind? And most importantly do you like pie? What's your favorite kind? With ice cream, whipped cream, or please hold the cream?

  My math skills are mediocre to say the least, I just barely tolerate the subject as it is.

  The last thing I did that required math skills of any kind was doing my Algebra. My teacher seems to get a kick out of teaching me for around twenty minutes on how to do something and then says there's an easy way that takes around five minutes. Perhaps most Algebra teachers are so desperate for amusement they resort to torturing the students.


6.  Insert your own random thought here.

  When it comes to watching television shows, I'm rather picky, I'll watch cooking shows and house hunting shows, and occasionally ones about weddings, but I am not the kind of person that can willingly sit down and subject myself to watching baseball, or football, or golf, or hockey, or basketball, or soccer, but the one sport I will watch (aside from tennis) is bull riding. I'm not certain why I like it so well, perhaps it's the way the announcers talk, or the names of the dear fellows riding the bulls (after all, it's not like Ryan Dirteater is exactly the most popular name on the face of the earth) and I could go on giving various theories on why I like bull riding, but the one my Mum finds most amusing is the way I crave Cookies and Cream ice cream when ever I see certain speckled bulls.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Are you currently operating at 100% capacity? If not, what % are you? What's keeping you there?

  I wouldn't say I'm operating at a 100% capacity, more like a 94%. I think what's keeping me there is quite frankly my preference for books over productivity.

  Keeping my answer in mind, I think it's fair to assume that I would be much closer to, if not at, 100% if I didn't read quite as much.


2.  Have you done your taxes? Planned/booked a summer holiday? Thought about or started your 'spring cleaning'? Besides what's listed here, tell us one task that needs doing before spring rolls around.

  I'm at that lovely age in life where I don't have to deal with taxes, and on a moderately related note, I am also at that age where I'm not old enough to plan Summer vacations.

  Spring cleaning has been started and it's certainly not anywhere near as romantic as it seems in all of the old-fashioned books.

  One task that needs to be done when Spring rolls around? I usually start organizing  my plan of attack for the rest of year, in other words, I break in my New Year's resolutions.


3. What's a favorite food from your part of the country?

  Maple syrup and mushrooms are quite popular round this neck of the woods, but I don't like either. I will count chocolate as a favorite food from this part of the country.

4. This isn't a leap year, but let's run with it anyway...look before you leap, a leap of faith, grow by leaps and bounds, leap to conclusions, leap at the opportunity...which phrase might best be applied to your life currently (or recently)? Explain.

  Leap at the opportunity. I'm not extroverted by any means, but an unconscious resolution of mine for this year turned out to be leaping at new opportunities and so on.

  Speaking of which, I may or may not become part of the local teen's book club. I've always thought it sounded like splendid fun and therefore I'm rather excited about the idea.


5. As the month draws to a close list five fun and/or fabulous things (large or small) you noticed or experienced in February.

1.   A few genuinely sunny and warm days
2. Playing human Dutch Blitz (the cards are the size of a regular piece of paper, the teams each have a table to hold their cards, and then "run the cards" out to the middle of the room. Other than that, the game is exactly the same as when it has the decency to be small.
3. Going to the library
4. Finding out that I have a "twin". I got home from our homeschool group one day and found a letter addressed to me from someone I didn't even know existed. (She's Amish) To Amish girls, having a twin (merely a person born on the same day/year as you) is exciting. She wanted to become penpals and since I enjoy writing letters I have another pen pal.
5. I noticed that out daffodils are growing and now I'm delighted since that means spring can't be too far around the corner.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

  I love Hallmark movies, there's something so cheesy and predictable about them that makes me love them so much. It's true that not all the actors are splendid at their jobs and it's also true that the scripts tend to follow the same pattern over and over and over again, but that simply adds to their charm. Every time I'm out and about for any period of time, I look forward to being home, and when I think of home I think of books, of family dinners, games, laughter, fun, baking, cooking, conversations, and Hallmark movies. Home is a wonderful thing, and so are all the things we associate with home, therefore I deem Hallmark movies wonderful.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. February can be a little bit tricky given the weather and the winter and the whatnot. I read a list (here) of things you can do to make your February brighter which included-start planning your next trip, take more baths, make your own chocolate covered strawberries, and exercise in preparation for swimsuit season. Anything on the list you might try? Which suggestion on the list appeals to you most? Tell us something not on the list that helps make your February brighter. 

  Ah, chocolate covered strawberries sound incredible and would definitely make my February brighter.

  Something that isn't on the list, yet makes my February brighter, is reading books and crafting things, I've been really enjoying making envelopes and journaling. 

2. Tell us about something you've seen or done recently that you'd say was 'super'?

  Last Friday at TOL (my home school group) my friend and I won the game of Human Dutch Blitz. It was such a super feeling.

3. Best thing you ate in a 'bowl' last week?

   It was mashed potatoes. When I was much younger I thought mashed potatoes were one of the most boring things you could eat, but I absolutely love them now.

4. Something you're 'cheering' for right now?

  For Spring. I go to bed every night cheering it on. Perhaps my whole neighbourhood should join in with cheering Spring on because I don't think it can hear me, or if it can, it's certainly not motivated.

5. The Winter Olympics begin Friday, February 9th in Pyeong Chang, South Korea. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being all in and 1 being no interest whatsoever) how interested are you in the games? Which event do you most want to see (you'll find a list here).

  I would say I'm excited at around a 6, I'm certainly not fangirling all over the event, but I am looking forward to figure skating.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

  Right now the entire house is filled with the wonderful scent of my Mum's freshly baked bread that is cooling on the kitchen counter. I love the smell of bread, it's such a warm and home-y scent that I wish someone would bottle and sell. I'd never have to feel homesick throughout my life, I'd just pull out the jar and take a whiff.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Speaking of endings....at your wit's end, at loose ends, a dead end, burn the candle at both ends, all's well that end's well, or no end in sight...which 'end' phrase might best be applied to your life lately? Explain.

  No end in sight, it seems the book I am writing (it's a hobby of sorts) will never end. Inspiration is pretty much nonexistent, and I don't know how to find it.  Most of the time when inspiration finds me, it's in a random song, a quote, a walk, a happening in my life, and lately I'm completely uninspired. Perhaps it's not so much that inspiration isn't there, but rather that I am not looking for it, my eyes aren't open.

2. What was a must have accessory when you were growing up? Did you own one? If so tell us what you remember about it.

  I did not have a must have accessory, I grew up with my only fashion essential being a dress.

3. Something that made you smile yesterday?

  My sister, being the dear that she is, made waffles and berries for my breakfast, my little brother Sean saw the whipped cream and I let him spray it, his squeals of delight as he created mountains on my breakfast brought  a smile to my face.

4. January 30th is National Croissant Day. Do you like croissants? Sweet or savory? We're having chicken salad for lunch...would you rather have yours served on a croissant, a wrap, a bagel, bread, or a roll of some sort?

  As completely absurd as it sounds (especially coming from a Francophile)  I have never had a croissant, so I have no favorites. As for chicken salad, I'd prefer it on bread, though it's delicious on lettuce too, making it a salad on a salad.

5. Sum up your January in fifteen words or less.

  A beautiful start to the New Year, filled with many adventures, and promises of more.

  I feel quite pleased, that was exactly fifteen words!


6.  Insert your own random thought here.

   I'm sure all of you loyal followers remember random tidbits of me talking about the home school group I go to, well, after a lovely Winter break, I am ready to go back, in two days to be exact. There are many things I am looking forward to, but getting to see some good friends again is the best.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. January 24th is National Compliment Day. Is it easy or not so easy for you to accept a compliment? Share a recent compliment you've given or received.

  I think I always appreciate a compliment, but some compliments do make me blush, or fidget, I'm not certain why, I suppose I'm rather ridiculous at times.

  A recent compliment I've received was by one of my friends at Sunday school who said I have beautiful writing, and a recent compliment I've given would have been last night, when I complimented my six year old brother's salad that he mostly made by himself.


2. Ten little things you are loving right now.

  I love it when I'm asked what little things I love, I do believe that you can tell more about a  person when they tell you the little things that they love (like snuggling with their cat, and late night's spent reading) than when they say they love something like sports or art.

  The ten little things that I am loving right now, are as follows:

1. Listening to the clock's ticking when everything is quiet
2. The coffee and chocolate granola that I'm eating for breakfast
3. The scent of my shower wash (a.k.a, soap)
4. The pen I use to write in my journal
5. The clicky noise the keyboard makes as I type
6. My little brother's smile
7. Cheery light in the room despite the dreariness outside
8. The bright red poinsettia beside me
9. The pasta maker my Mum just got
10. The smell of soup in the kitchen

3. Would people describe you as a positive person? Do you see yourself that way? I read here  a list/description of eight things positive people do differently-

Positive people find something to look forward to every day, they celebrate the small stuff, they're kind, they stay busy, accept responsibility for their actions, forgive themselves, know when to move on, and resist comparisons

Which action on the list would you say you do regularly? Which action could you add to your life to give you a more positive outlook? If you're a positive person, what's something you do regularly that's not on the list?

  Even though I have times when I can be less than ecstatic and bubbling with enthusiasm, I think that most of the time people do see me as a positive person. I am certain that for at least the most of the day, I'm cheerful.

  I believe it's obvious from the previous question, that I daily appreciate little things, I also keep a daily diary (aren't diaries journals that are updated daily?) which always puts me in a more positive mood.

4. Homemade chicken soup, beef stew, or a bowl of chili...what's your pleasure on a cold winter's day?

  My favorite kind of soup on a cold winter's day is my Mum's homemade chicken and dumpling soup.

5. The best part of my day is....

  I'm not sure this counts, since it's not really part of the "day" so much as it is the evening/night, but my favorite part is after dinner when I get to settle down and read, or journal, and pursue various hobbies. 

6.  Insert your own random thought here. 

  Yesterday was a beautifully sunny day and smelled delicious just as Spring does, and I was already hoping that it was indeed an early Spring, unfortunately, I woke up this morning to a light new coating of snow on the ground. I would be disappointed, but I suppose our cozy winter days will just have to be enjoyed a bit longer.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What takes you out of your comfort zone?

  Definitely public speaking, I've had to do a bunch of it these past few weeks and it's horrible. It seems that I have every possible 'symptom' of public speaking fear too. Ah well, I think that people say it's these kinds of things that strengthens one's character.

2. Your least favorite spice?

 I heartily dislike curry and also anise and ginger. It's just something about those flavors...

3. What's a small change you'd like to make?

  I really want to start up crocheting again, I've been spending a bit of time making a poncho and it's reminded me why I love crocheting.

4. Do you enjoy visiting historic homes? If so, of the homes you've visited which one was your favorite? What historic home near you is open to visitors? Have you been? Southern Living rounded up eleven of the best in the southern part of the US and they're as follows-

Monticello (Jefferson's home in Virginia), Nathaniel Russel House (Charleston SC), Swan House (Atlanta), Ernest Hemingway's home (Key West), The Biltmore (Vanderbilt home in Asheville NC), Mount Vernon (Washington's home in Virgina), San Francisco Plantation (Garyville, Louisiana), Windsor Ruins (Port Gibson Mississippi), Longue Vue House and Gardens (New Orleans), Whitehall (Palm Beach FL), and Pebble Hill Plantation (Thomasville GA)

Have you been to any on the list? Of the homes listed which would you most like to visit?

  I would love to visit historic homes! Sadly, as of yet, I don't think that I have gone to see any. I have a friend who is a fellow lover of all things vintage and pretty, and she visits many historic houses and never spares the details when she tells me about them.

  I would really love to visit the Biltmore, Windsor Ruins, and Monticello.

5. What's something you think will be obsolete in ten years? Does that make you sad or glad?

  I think the man bun will be obsolete, at least I hope it will. And if it does, than yes, I am very glad. 

6.  Insert your own random thought here. 

  We have eighteen different holiday celebrations between now and the new year, and so this afternoon my Mum and I are going to sit down and plan out the menus for all of them, it's loads of fun to do stuff like that, and I have learned that it's best to plan menus when you're not completely starving.  

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1.  Have you ever spent time on a farm? Tell us a little bit about it. Have you ever grown your own pumpkin? Been on a hayride? Driven a tractor? Milked a cow?

  As far as I know, I have spent my entire life living on farms. I remember nothing about the first farm that I lived on, but the others are brimming with memories. I remember feeding a calf early one morning with a bottle. My dad told me that the calf would butt its head at the bottle so I would need to hold it firmly. Of course I tried, but then, as soon as its stubborn little head barrelled into me I lost my balance and fell backwards right into the big red milk bucket. Though I wasn't at the time, I am very amused at the memory now.

  I have never been on a hayride unless you count sliding off of a hay bale, I have never driven a tractor though I have rode on several, and I have never milked a cow.

2. What's something younger you would like about you now? 

  As a young girl I resolved that at fifteen years of age I would make my first meal which would be biscuits and gravy. Now as I look at that goal, I have to smile and think of how proud my young self would have been to know that now that I'm "a young lady" I know how to make a lot more than biscuits and gravy. Where instead of being scared about making a meal, I'm scared at the idea of making puff pastry. 

3. What are three things you'd like to do more often? Three things you'd like to do less often?

  I would love to read more often, not that I don't already read a lot but one can never read too much, then I would love to take more walks, and write, writing stories and books has slowed down dramatically over the summer. I would love very much if I didn't do Algebra as often, and awful as it sounds, French isn't that great either, then other than that I would love to do less dishes, the sad fact concerning dishes is that they never end. 

4. What's on your nachos?

  I love sour cream, then after that I don't really care. 

5. What's the most random thing in your purse or wallet? Does it need to stay there?

  The most random? Oh dear, I'm extremely random so this will be hard. But the most random thing in my purse is a bright red leaf. There is a story behind that leaf. I was wandering around all on my lonesome after being dismissed from some class. With no one to talk to I skipped around outdoors for ages, humming, singing french songs, talking to a dog named Abby,  pretending that I was in "The Sound of Music", and admiring all of the flora,  while walking past some bushes I spotted a brilliant red leaf laying on the ground, like me it was all by itself, but that didn't stop its color from shining forth. I picked it up and tucked it into my purse with a smile.

6.  Insert your own random thought here. 

  As promised, I must tell you how my sourdough bread turned out. Let me say this, when I first opened the oven door and tapped the tops of the loaves I was horrified at how solid they were.
I turned them out of the pans with no small bit of trepidation, and was indescribably relieved when the bread turned out perfectly fine, but with a sturdy crust that would make any bread baker proud. The bread itself gets more and more sour with each passing day, a fact I love. My favorite way to eat it is toasted and topped with homemade butter. 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. We've reached edition number 315 here in the Wednesday Hodgepodge. So tell us, what were you doing at 3:15 yesterday? Is that typical? On a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being low and 10 being high) what's your energy level usually like at 3:15 PM?

  Yesterday, at precisely 3:15 I was reading a book. It was a diary about Pearl Harbor and the affects it had throughout the west coast. It was a very good book, though I didn't appreciate the ending. It seems that all the people I like the best end up dying! And though I do not always read in the afternoons, lately it has been typical. You should see the huge stack of books I have in my room, waiting for me to read, it's awe inspiring.

  Well, considering how I've been reading books lately during the afternoons, my energy level varies according to what book I'm reading. Yesterday my energy was probably a 6 because it was an exhausting book after all.

2. A frisbee, a tantrum, a towel, a party, a punch, or a curveball...which have you most recently thrown or had thrown at/for you? Elaborate.

  Hm, I have utterly no idea. Unless ...... I've thrown in the towel, to elaborate further on that statement, not only did I throw in the towel, but a bunch of socks, a few shirts, pajamas, and tea towels. Laundry is never fun.

3. What are three things that would help you right now. Tell us how or why.

  A cup of tea, a robe, and socks. In other words, I'm absolutely freezing! I have no idea what is wrong with Summer but right now it's 64 inside and since I'm used to 89 it's a terrible shock to me. I'm covered with goosebumps (which I used to think were called chicken pox when I was younger.)

4. Do you think you're strong? Why or why not? What makes you strong?

  Do I think I'm strong? Physically, that's hysterical, I would not view myself as strong, though I can beat an egg pretty fiercely. Mentally, I'm not so sure about that either. I holler at dumb book characters and laugh heartily at the weirdest things, and then turn around and tear up over other things. If that's classified as mentally sound, than I certainly am completely strong mentally.
  
  Now, what makes me strong otherwise is definitely my faith. It's hard to even imagine what my life would be like if I didn't have God walking with me every day and caring for me.

5. Do you enjoy reading historical fiction? What's your favorite book set sometime in the past?

  I cannot believe that I actually got asked this most splendid of questions! I absolutely love reading historical fiction and am currently reading a bunch of books by Julie Klassen and Jen Turano. As for my favorite book, I have no idea. It's so hard to choose from so many favorites. I really loved "The Tutor's Daughter" by Julie Klassen, and I know already that I can't give you a favorite because I have far too many loved books. It's like asking a mother whom her favorite child is!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

   It's really crazy, but this upcoming Monday will be the first day of school already! It's hard to believe that my summer has flown by so quickly! I've had a really good one though, I read a heap of books, wore pajamas every single morning, baked a huge batch of granola, ate mangoes, ran about outside, took long walks, gathered bouquets of wild flowers, listened to the birds singing, climbed the hay bales in the barns, drank tea, journaled, and held kittens. I'm sure that you can tell just how wondrous my summer was, but I can honestly say that I'm looking forward to starting school again. Fun in the sun is great and all, but school will always rule.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. When and where were the best fireworks you've ever seen? Speaking of fireworks...do you know your hot buttons? The things people can say and/or do to set you off? When was the last time someone pushed one of your hot buttons?

  I think I might have been either nine or ten when I last saw any fireworks. They had been at the Pirates Game in Pittsburgh. The funny thing is, the only thing I remember about that game is sitting in a very comfortable seat and feeling cozy with my water bottle in front of me. And I remember that one of the camera men walked up the side aisle close by me, and then of course the amazing fireworks display after the game.

  I don't get really annoyed often, but something that gets me every time is when people say mean things about others right behind their backs and then act nice to their faces. The last time I witnessed such a thing was probably a few months ago, and I was strikingly furious (not literally, I'm not a naturally violent person.)

2. Have you hosted any outdoor summer parties this year? Attended any? What makes for a great outdoor party?

  I have not hosted an outdoor party but I have attended one, it was a graduation party and I wouldn't say it was utterly fantastic, it wasn't horrible, don't get me wrong, but it had been 86 degrees so I was sweltering, and I was sitting on tree roots while eating lunch and was terrorized by giant ants.

  What makes for a great outdoor party is nice weather, good food, and fun people.

3. What does freedom mean to you?

  Freedom means a lot to me, both spiritually and physically. I think that as a Christian, even though our rights are being diminished, absolutely no one can destroy our freedom to serve God, to love Him, and to worship Him.

  Physically though, freedom means not wearing shoes, or socks. I always think that my feet are suffocating when I have to wear socks, and shoes are simply added torture.

4. July is National Cell Phone Courtesy month...what annoys you most about people's cell phone habits?

  Oh my, I have a long list of these, but to keep it short... I hate it when I'm making a true effort to talk to someone and they're so busy on their phones that they ignore me completely. And I don't like it when people think that phones can be part of the conversation, or even the subject of a conversation. Also, I think it is only good manners to respond to a text as soon as you get it, or an email, or anything of the sort. It annoys me terribly when I work hard on responding to someone, and then they don't or send a one word reply.

5. What's your current summer anthem?

  I do not have a Summer Anthem. Unless you count the sound of the birds singing, timers ringing, laughter, shrieks of terror (in games like tag, and water fights) the sound of the fans humming, trucks whizzing down the road, kittens meowing, I'm sure you get it.

6.  Insert your own random thought here. 

  Once again it has been such a while since I've blogged. But I think you might like to know that I am indeed living the Summer of my dreams. I get to wear pajamas while eating granola, and journal, read, and have a blast, just by being lazy (only in part, Summer doesn't eliminate chores.)

Join other Hodgepodgers here.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What color is prominent in your home? Are you glad about that or wishing you could cover it up or remove it?

  There is a lot of white around the downstairs even though the majority of the walls are not solid white. In the upstairs brown is the major color and therefore the upstairs is dark and coincidentally "delightful" for great midnight imaginings.

2. What's something you'll NEVER do again?

  Hm, try to use a hay feeder as a human hamster wheel?  I'm not completely sure on this.. ah! Wait! I got it, I will NEVER again fall as helpless prey under idiotic diet and fad nonsense. I've learned my lesson and moved on.

3. Tell us a couple of ways you fit the stereotypes associated with your gender, and a couple of ways you don't.

  I am a teen-aged girl, and I fit that stereotype because of my irrational fear of bugs, and snakes and coincidentally I have the typical high pitched scream. I also love to bake and I definitely don't hate clothing. 

  The ways that I don't fit that stereotype? Well, I love to clean my room, I dislike make up immensely, and I'd rather wear a dress than jeans at any given time.

4. May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. Have you ever owned a motorcycle? Ever ridden a motorcycle? If the opportunity presented itself would you hop on a motorcycle and go for a ride?

  I've never ridden a motorcycle, or owned one for that matter.

  I've always said that I'd love to have a real good adventure, but even if someone I knew really well asked me to ride along on a motorcycle, I'd probably scream and run in the other direction.

5. If someone wanted to understand you, what should they read, watch, and listen to?

  This is a good question though I'm not too sure just how helpful my answers will be.

  They'd have to read my thoughts,
  Watch my eyes,
  And listen to what I say.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

   I absolutely love Summer break. I get to live a perpetual weekend all Summer long. I start my days in my pajamas, I eat my favorite food ever, also known as granola, I can read books, craft, draw, write, laugh, play like a six year old, and basically enjoy life to it's very fullest.  I've always thought you didn't need money to be your happiest, you need a heart that beats, a mind that thinks, and a soul that belongs to God.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. May 17th is National Pack Rat Day. Sidebar-should we be celebrating this? Hmmm... 

Are you a pack rat? Even if you're not a full fledged pack rat, most people have one thing or another they struggle to part with. Tell us what's yours.

  I don't even know why that is a thing, I personally do not think it should be celebrated and therefore I won't even waste my breath (or whatever my fingers clicking across the keyboard should be called.)

  Since you asked me, and not someone else, I don't think that I am a pack rat, just a few days ago I swept through my room with a minimalistic vengeance and it was delightfully fun. Though as for parting with things, I don't part with something unless I know it's what I truly want, hence, no struggle.

2. What are two things you know you should know how to do, but you don't?

  I should definitely know how to speak fluent French by now, but I still can't. And I should know how to do Geometry easily without feeling the life draining from me, but that also has yet to happen.

3. Do you crave sugar? Do you add sugar to your coffee and/or tea? Do you use artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes? When dining out is dessert a given? Are you someone who has slain the sugar dragon, and if so tell us how you did it.

  Now I thought that this was a very sweet question (sorry, couldn't resist.) I would have to say that yes, I do crave sugar, but recently that is all I've had to do with sugar. I do not add sugar to my tea, that would feel like a ruthless murder of an innocent and undeserving beverage, as for coffee, I detest it, loathe it, despise it, passionately hate it, even sugar can't make it any better.

  I have actually never eaten dessert at a restaurant.

  And lastly, have I slain the sugar dragon? I don't know for sure yet, ask me again in a week or so and I'll give you the answer but at the moment I'm not so sure. And does that have something to do with the fact that I love to bake desserts all the time? Yes, yes it does.

4. What's a trend it took a while for you to come round to, but now you can't imagine living without?

  I can't think of a single trend that I adore or can't live without for that matter, but I would love to go around with a pair of scissors and quickly end the "man bun" trend.

5. What's a song that reminds you of a specific incident in your life? Please elaborate.

  Hmm, I can't recall the name of the song ( I think it had something to do with adventure) but once when I was listening to that song I saw a huge, vicious, terrifying, heart pounding, grey hair turning, nasty, spider looming over me. Every time I hear that song I have to think it.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

  I have to apologize for not blogging in such a long period of time. Please know that I would give you a bunch of excuses but none seem to exist, the reason is simply that I have been enjoying my summer by getting to spend hours writing away in my journals, reading, or what ever else suits my fancy. Now that I have thoroughly enjoyed the first days of summer freedom,  I will be blogging more frequently.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Can you tell I'm embracing a Cinco de Mayo theme here this week? Do you like Mexican food? What's your favorite dish? How about on the side-black beans, pinto beans, refried beans, rice? What about heat-mild, medium, hot? Will you celebrate with Mexican food and drink on May 5th aka Cinco de Mayo?

  I don't mind Mexican food though it's not my favorite. I do know that all of my family members love it.  I absolutely love refried beans though, and rice, though we haven't had either since I don't know how long ago. As for heat, I prefer mild and medium, I don't get how anyone can truly appreciate having to cry through their meal. I don't know whether or not we will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo with Mexican foods and now I'm curious so I shall have to ask Mum.

2. Ever been to Mexico? For work or holiday? Love it or no? If you haven't been is this a place you'd like to visit? Can you speak Spanish?

  I have never been to Mexico, though when I was a very little girl I went to New Mexico. I don't have visiting Mexico on my bucket list, and the reason? It just doesn't intrigue me like the colder fiercer mountains in the east and the north.

  As for speaking Spanish. If you asked Diane if I can speak Spanish she probably couldn't answer you because she would be too busy laughing. If that doesn't answer your question, no, I cannot speak Spanish. 

3. What's one thing you may accomplish this month?

  I might be able to finish plotting out one of my books, and I might be able to finish one of my Diaries, or one of my many journals, but I'm not overly sure right now.

4. If you were mayor of your village, city, or town, what's one thing you'd like to see changed, done away with, revamped, or accomplished? Is serving in public office something you've ever seriously considered?

  I have never seriously considered, or, jokingly considered, serving in public office. With that in mind I have no idea what I would change. And if my revamping would turn out anything like Anne's did in the Anne of Green Gables books, than it's fortunate I don't aspire to revamp anything because I doubt our local town would appreciate a blindingly blue building. 

5. What's something that may be popular, but that you just don't get?

  Lame expressions such as stoked, triggered, pumped, etc. 

6. Can't let this week slip by without mentioning Thursday May 4th is Star Wars Day. As in 'May the 4th be with you' ahem. Are you a fan of the Star Wars series? Exactly how much of a fan are you? On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being 'I've seen every film, own the action figures, might have dressed as Darth Vader for Halloween one year', and 1 being, 'what's a Vader?' -where do you land?

  Okay, I have never watched the Star Wars series but I do know who Darth Vader is so I would say I'm a two on the scale of 1-10.

7. Scroll back through your blog posts and in three sentences or less tell us the general theme of your fourth blog post. Does it still ring true today? Is it a topic you re-visit on your blog from time to time?

  This amused me, my fourth blog post was a Wednesday Hodgepodge. Obviously that in itself is a topic I still re-visit from time to time. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

  Last night when I was laying in bed and pondering my life (sleeping is overrated) I realized that today I could make any blogpost I desired. That thought brought a particular image to mind, that image was toes wiggling in a creek. I thought that image was a perfect description of how I feel now that the A-Z challenge is over. I feel freedom, and it's splendid.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Setting aside the real March Madness (NCAA Basketball) describe something happening at your house this month that might earn the title 'March Madness'?

  Planning out the A-Z challenge. Goodness, I found it takes half an hour of me staring mindlessly at the computer screen before I so much as come up with an idea for an idea.

2. What's a favorite made up word from your childhood or a favorite from your children's childhood? Does your family still use the word today? If there's a story behind the origin please share.

   The only word that I can think of is Lantwin. My brother invented that word to be a name for the "country" he owned (our cow pasture.) we spent uncountable hours playing in Lantwin, building our little homes, running from store to store and having citizens meetings in each other's little yards. We loved our country and still call the field behind our house "Lantwin."

3. Will you be doing any spring cleaning now that the season is upon us? I read here a list of 15 quick (under one hour) spring cleaning tasks. They were-

clean out a drawer, vacuum furniture, whiten tile grout, dust the nooks and crannies you don't get to year round, degrease kitchen cabinets, wipe down walls, go behind furniture, wipe down ceiling fans, vacuum the mattress, clean the range hood, wash baseboards, shine the stainless steel, clean out vents, tackle the windows, and wipe down gadgets

Of the fifteen 'quick' tasks listed which two most need doing at your house? Will you do them?

  Somehow it always seems like I spring clean every other month, I don't suppose there are any tasks more important than the others on my list and yes, naturally I shall help my family, my Mum always tells stories about her childhood days when we spring clean, so really it's never that horrid.

4. A favorite movie set in Paris or New York?

  I have no idea. I'm sure I have seen many Christmas movies set in New York but I can't think of one that stands out from all the rest.

5. What's put a spring in your step this month?

  The promise of spring, my nutrition studies, baking, the air around me, and many more insignificantly significant things.

6. Did you ever want to be a teacher? Why or why not?

  I never wanted to be a teacher, I mean, aside from playing school with my siblings (which was a bunch of fun since I got to boss them around) I was terrified of teaching school and vividly remember at the age of five, I was stressing out greatly about how in the world I was supposed to teach all my future children how to talk. 

7.  What's your favorite floral scent? Do you have this somewhere in your home or maybe in a perfume? How do you feel about florals in food? How about wines with floral notes-yay or nay?

  I love the scent of roses, but my favorite scent is definitely lilacs. I have a set of lilac scented soaps and lotions that my brother gave to me for a birthday and I still love them.

  As for floral flavored foods, one word, why?!!!! I made cupcakes once upon a time with rose water flavored frosting and it was the worst thing ever. I distinctly remember Eldon turning to me and asking if I got soap in the frosting.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

  It's so hard to believe that so much of my glorious new year has already passed. I have accomplished a fair amount of things on my goal list but still feel that life is too short. 
  I see the beauty in every sunrise and sunset yet they remind me that life is a fleeting dream, oh for time to stand still for but just a moment.

Wednesday Hodgepodge ~ a Day Late

1. What is one area of your life where you're a perfectionist? Is that a good thing?

   Notebooks. I love all kinds of paper but making the first mark in a new notebook takes careful precision and never do I feel worse than when I accidentally scribble and mess up in a new notebook. I wouldn't say that's a bad thing, though it sure is a pain sometimes.

2. What's something you find perfectly ridiculous?

 Now this is nothing new to you all I'm sure, but Geometry is something I find completely pointless (no pun intended). I know I always slam Geometry into every "what's something horrible?" question, but it's only because it fits the bill perfectly. In fact, I almost cried the other day when my Geometry teacher brightly announced that I'd be doing Geometry combined with Algebra from now till the end of this semester.

3. What's a skill you've developed by way of that old fashioned saying, 'practice makes perfect?

  Definitely my whole baking experience. I have so much farther to go, but no longer does curdled buttercream scare me, up next I want to attempt making puff pastry, now that scares me, but in a good way.

4. What's your idea of a perfect breakfast?

  One that tastes awesome and has no calories. (Just kidding.) I absolutely love oat pancakes topped with creamy yogurt and fresh sweet blueberries, I'm making myself hungry just thinking about it.

5. What's a trip, holiday, vacation, or day outing you've taken that you'd rate a perfect 10? Tell us why.

   My Mum, Diane, and I have been taking a bunch of fun outings in general lately, between our trips to and from our home school group, taking walks on our nearby trail, and spontaneous drives throughout the countryside I've been having my fill of adventure and I love it.

6. What quote or saying perfectly sums up your life right now? If you can't do perfect, how about one that comes close?

  Sometimes what you're most afraid of doing is the very thing that will set you free.

7. How would you spend $300 today?

  I would absolutely love to go and buy all of the cookbooks I've been dreaming about lately, I would buy the dress I need for my part in the home school group's play, and I'd buy the waffle iron that my Mum and I need.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

    A few days ago we went for a walk on our nearby trail. We had walked about a mile and a half and then we turned around to walk back to our truck. Sean, since he was exhausted, looked at me with his puppy dog eyes and asked quietly if I could carry him back. Being the older sister that I was (and the sucker for puppy dog eyes) I scooped up Sean and started walking back with him. He wrapped his little arms tightly around my neck and excitedly told me that if I walked fast I could beat Mum and Diane back to the truck. So step after step I trudged on, keep in mind that Sean is no little baby, he's already a kindergarten-er so he was quite heavy and only got heavier the farther I walked, it got to the point where I felt like a slug, one that had been stepped on one too many times. He kept on giving me excited updates on how far ahead we were, I smiled and nodded but all I could think about was how very log-like my legs felt, and how my arms felt like they could snap off. Half way to our truck Sean came up with the brilliant idea that if he put his baseball cap on my head, maybe I could walk faster, so, vision half-obscured, I stumbled onward. Eventually we reached our truck and he whooped victoriously but all I wanted to do was collapse. When Mum and Diane finally caught up they inquired why I was running the whole way back, I believe it was about then that I laughed hysterically.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What's the last thing you did that someone else thought was super? 

  Hmm, it was probably some dessert that I created and everyone loved, if you all haven't noticed yet, I love to bake.

2. The last thing you ate that tasted superb? 

  The last thing that I ate that tasted superb was a tiny batch of peanut butter and raisin oatmeal cookies that I made last night on a whim. Lately I have been loving to invent random recipes. I always make sure that they are single serving size that way I don't have to worry that it won't get eaten if no one likes it!

3. Supersensitive, superstitious, superwoman, superambitious, supercilious, supervisor, superficial...pick a super word from the list and tell us how it relates to your life in some way recently or currently. 

  Sighs, I definitely fall under the super-ambitious list. If anyone has seen my to-do list, they can easily tell you just how busy I am. I love busyness though, it makes me feel happy.

4. Do you love easily? If you're comfortable doing so, explain why you think that is. 

  Sure, I love easily.  I am comfortable in doing so and the reason behind it is most likely because I've always been surrounded with love from my youngest days onward.

5. Valentine's Day lands on a Tuesday this year. Will you mark the day in some way? If you're celebrating with a dinner out somewhere will it be on Tuesday or will you celebrate over the weekend? 

  I LOVE Valentine's Day and this year I planned a special day. I'll probably share more on that later but I can't now since it's supposed to be a surprise and my family reads my posts. This Friday my home school group is celebrating Valentine's Day and I can hardly wait, they are not only handing out Valentines, but they are having a wide array of sweet treats too, and really, who cares about getting a Valentine when you can eat dessert?!

6. What's something you are loving right now? 

   I love my recipe box, and my favorite black pen, I was busily copying down a bunch of recipes I want to try soon.

7. Write a three word (or less) phrase you'd like to see on a Valentine candy heart.  

  ~Always

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

  Yesterday I was in charge of tending to our furnace since Eldon was going to be painting at the shop with Dad. Now I have always been terrified of letting the fire burn out. So, I diligently took care of the fire. I opened the draft, I kept the draft open, I poked at the furnace, I shook the grate, I heaped bountiful shovels full of coal onto the fire, I clomped around down in our basement wearing my Dad's boots because I didn't have any shoes down there (I consequentially felt quite petite), I scrubbed coal dust off my hands multiple times, and by the time my Dad came home that evening it was almost eighty degrees inside and we were all unbelievably hot. On the bright side, I didn't let the fire burn out!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. "The cure for anything is salt water-tears, sweat, or the sea." (Isak Dinesan) Would you agree? Of the three, which has 'cured' you most recently?

  I do agree in part, for most often in every situation one of those three is there to calm and recharge one's spirits.

  Of which has cured me most recently. Let's see. I do not enjoy sweating, besides a proper lady doesn't sweat, she perspires. I haven't been to the sea in several years now, so I am left only with the tears.

2. What's something you can't eat without salt? Do you normally salt your food a lot, a little, or not at all?

  Something I cannot eat without salt is meat. I remember reading in a  story as a young child where when asked how much she loved her Father the young maiden replied with "I love you as meat loves salt." Or at least something like that, and it is a very deep and strong love indeed for meat without salt is terribly loathsome.

3. Sands of time, bury your head in the sand, built on sand, or draw a line in the sand...which sandy phrase could best be applied to something in your life right now? 

  Bury your head in the sand. For goodness knows that's exactly what I feel like doing every time I have to do Geometry.

4. A favorite book, movie, or song with an island setting or theme?

  I loved "Misty of Chincoteague" very much as a young girl.

5. Yesterday-did you run your day or did it run you? How so?

  I ran my day, I felt quite productive after crocheting my afghan, baking a little cake, sewing a nightgown for myself, and writing both in my diary and my cookbook. I love busy days and today is sure to be another.

6. You're on an island holiday. Will I most likely find you parked in a beach chair, shopping in town, on the back of a jet ski, or snorkeling off the back of a catamaran?

  While I would love to be out and about shopping, you'd most likely find me having the time of my life in the water, swimming, collecting shells, etc.

7. What do you think we humans most take for granted?

  Our lives seem to be what's most often taken for granted. I think that so often no matter how hard we try, we forget to be grateful for every little breathing moment of our wonderful lives, stopping frequently to savor every little morsel of happiness is something I try to do often.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

  Some of you know that one of my very favorite TV personalities is Rachel Khoo, and I have been wanting to make her peppered strawberry cream cake for quite some time now and my Mum just announced that she'll purchase all the supplies I'll need so this weekend I get to create it.  I'm excited for I dearly love baking.

  

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. ASAP typically stands for 'as soon as possible'. What else could it stand for in your life right now?

  Anne Shirley Adores Plums. I couldn't think of a single thing that ASAP could stand for other than that. Besides, considering that I am reading Anne of Green Gables it technically should apply to my life.

2. Are you the last person to speak up in a group or the first to have an idea? Why do you suppose that is? Is it a good thing or no?

   The strange thing is that though I may be the first to have an idea, I'm usually the last one to put it forth. I don't know why that is, maybe because I feel I learn more if I listen instead of talk.  I wouldn't say it's a bad thing, considering Stephen Hawking's quote, "Quiet people have loud minds."

3. What do you remember best about being 12?

  I remember all of the terrific play dates I had with my dear friends. We had such a blast doing heaps of fun things, from playing dress up, to catching minnows in our creek with flour sifters.

4. January 18th is National Winnie the Pooh Day. Which character do you relate to the most, and why? If you're stumped go here for inspiration.

   Okay, before taking the quiz I had no idea who I'd relate to the most since I was never really into Winnie the Pooh. The quiz said I'm more like Winnie the Pooh, always getting into jams, and pies and cakes. Hey, what can I say, that's pretty accurate.

5. What's an app you use that helps simplify or make life easier for you in some way?

   My calculator app. I'm not the kind of girl to have a huge screen full of apps, I have the bare minimum and I'm good with that.

6. San Francisco (CA), San Diego (CA), San Juan (PR) San Antonio (TX) Sanibel (FL)...you have an all expenses paid long weekend to one of these destinations. Which one do you choose and why?

   Definitely San Juan Puerto Rico! It is so pretty there and I wouldn't mind taking a trip there at all.

7. Share with us a song that makes you feel nostalgic? For what?

 Hills are Alive. This song brings to mind my golden summers filled with running through fields of dainty buttercups, splashing through our laughing creek, and feeling as if I could fly whilst leaning back on my swing staring up into the expanse of sky. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

  Just a few days ago  My Mum, Diane, and I started watching Victoria on Masterpiece and I utterly love the new series. It's a touch stressful as I absolutely loathe the Duke of Cumberland and you can't possibly fathom how much I despise Sir John Conroy! I do, however, love Victoria's dog, and perhaps even Lord Melbourne.

  

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Share one favorite moment/memory from your Christmas holiday. 

  My favorite moment this Christmas was when Diane and I had our own little Christmas yet under our own Christmas tree. It was such fun giving each other gifts whilst snacking and talking. It shall surely become a tradition, a delightful one at that.

2. What was the best thing you ate over the holidays? Was it homemade or store bought? If it was homemade did you make it?

   I'd have to say that the best thing I ate over the holidays, as in the tastiest would be my whole Christmas breakfast in general which was a mixture of store bought and homemade.

3. What was one of the most beautiful things you saw over the holidays?

   There are so many things I would love to name, like the smiles of pure joy on the faces of everyone as they opened presents and gave gifts, or perhaps our lovely Christmas tree, even the mini gingerbread houses that Diane and I made.

4. What does fresh start mean to you?

   Fresh start means a new perspective on life. Going for the positive view, ignoring everything that hinders and bursting forth with determination. New years are perfect for such things though I frequently "re-started" all throughout last year. I can understand how the new year is the biggest time to start anew with your life, but as I always thought, everyday is a new day, a time to start afresh.

5. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being very positive and 1 being not so great) how would you rate 2016 in terms of personal achievement and well being? Explain.

  I suppose I'd rate it a seven or an eight. In overall perspective it was pretty good but I hope to top it this year.

6. Every January 1st since 1976 Lake Superior University has published a list of words they'd like to see banished from the Queen's English. Words may be banished due to misuse, overuse, or just general uselessness. Go here to read more about how the words were chosen or, if you're like me, to find out what in the world the word or phrase even means or the context in which it's used. There were quite a few on this year's list I'd never heard before.

Here's the 2017 list of banished words-

You, Sir-focus-Bete Noire-Town Hall Meeting-Post Truth-guesstimate-831-historic-manicured-echo chamber-on fleek-bigly-ghost-Dadbod-listicle-get your dander up-selfie drone-frankenfruit-disruption

Which word on the list would you most like to see banished in 2017? What word or phrase would you add to the list?

   I would love to banish the word guesstimate, as a perfectionist that word raises my hackles just looking at it. I would love to add the word triggered, it annoys me beyond belief how so  many people go around saying how "I was so triggered."

7. Large or small, light or deep, share with us one goal you have for the new year. 

   Oy, if I would have know this was going to be one of the Hodgepodge question I wouldn't have shared my list of goals this Monday, but as it is, if you would like to see my goals please click here.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

  One of the things I have learned recently is that it is a whole lot better to have an overwhelming amount of things to do all the time, than to be bored completely even once.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Let's talk holiday decorating. On a scale of 1-10 where do you fall? (1=Scrooge and 10= Clark Griswold). What's your favorite corner-room-table-space to decorate? Is it done?

  I absolutely love Christmas decorations but my home is not completely covered with heaps of decor. I suppose on a scale of 1-10 that I personally would fall at a five. Because each year my sister and I decorate our room thoroughly. The house in general only has a Christmas tree but my room has been touched with the Christmas spirit. I have stockings hanging on the wall. I have a cheery painted picture of a snowman on the wall (I painted it at one art class). We have our own Christmas tree laden with homemade ornaments, and we have bowls of pine cones everywhere.

2. Is there a nativity scene in your decorating somewhere? Post a picture or, if it's special to you in some way, tell us why. Or do both-it's Christmas!

  No, we do not have a nativity scene anywhere in the house. I used to want to play with the little people in those scenes though when I was just a wee girl.

3.  Do you live in a social neighborhood? If so are you glad? If not do you wish you did?

  Oh my yes! My neighborhood is such a pleasant and friendly area. Quite frequently we see our neighbors. Not necessarily as in having backyard barbecues but as in the fact that no matter what need anyone has had our neighbors are always there for each other. 

4.  As the saying goes, 'there's no time like the present'. How does that ring true in your life right now?

  Well, I have just recently discovered that keeping a to-do list is helping me massively in not procrastinating any longer. I have also discovered that for some strange reason it is satisfying to get a heap of things done in one day.

5. Do you dread Mondays? Why or why not?

  I personally dread Mondays. The reason why is pretty simple. I have lots of fun things to do during the weekend and after my delightful weekend hubbub, I get to turn to little ole Monday and have to face the rude presence of Geometry again. 

6.  Poinsettia, Christmas Cactus, Amaryllis-which on the list is your favorite holiday plant? Are any of these on display in your home right now?

  I love poinsettias. We don't have any holiday plants in our home. 

7. Share a favorite quote from a Christmas movie.

  I have a thing for ridiculously lame Christmas movies and during the holiday season it's not very hard to find multiple cheesy movies. I watched one recently and had to explode with laughter when this quote was said. "Our library got a new book last month. Pandemonium." The hysterically sarcastic way that it was said made me bubble over and I couldn't help myself.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

  It's pretty much official. I can not stand Emma by Jane Austen. I tried to read it so many times and each time I found myself slowly dying inside. It is slow mind-numbing torture. I loved The Three Musketeers and Pride and Prejudice, but for some reason I can't stomach Emma. It's on my list of required reading for this year so I keep plowing through one dreadful paragraph at a time.