Happy Hodgepodge Christmas!

1. What's left to be done on your Christmas to-do list? 

Cleaning.  I started to feel stressed about that until I realized if I wait..A. Things will be cleanest when company arrives and B. I'll get help from my minions (aka kids) who'll be home!  Win win!

2. The Hodgepodge lands on the first day of winter this year. What's your favorite thing about winter? 

Having recently endured an ice storm here in Indiana...I have to admit that although scary on a whole lot of levels...it is stunningly beautiful!  Ice magnifies the ordinary.  Twigs, grass, leaves shine, sparkle and glow.  Of course, I can only really appreciate this when we're all snuggled up safely together.  

3. In what area of your life are you immature? Feel free to elaborate or not. 

Yeesh...I thought this was supposed to be fun?!  HA!  I guess I act most immaturely when things don't go as I have planned.  I'm not as flexible as I'd like to be most days.  Although, I'm probably, hopefully, growing up a little in that area.  God has a funny way of shaking my stability to really teach me deeper trust in Him.  Flexibility requires stretching...He's stretching me...Hence, the moving and all! LOL!

4. What was the most (or one of the most) important lessons you learned in 2016? 

I picked the word Steadfast for 2016.  I thought I'd work to be more steadfast...in my goals, in my relationship with God, etc.  What I discovered was that God is the Steadfast One.  I am so grateful for all He's done in this year.  It's been quite a wild ride!  I know that He is working all things for my eternal good and His glory!

5. It's Fried Shrimp Day...are you a fan? What's your favorite way to eat shrimp? Will there be shrimp somewhere in your holiday feastings? 

I love shrimp and I order it often when eating out...mostly because my Sweet Loverbrains is allergic to it and I never make it at home.  I really like it in a dish at Carrabas...it's a spicy marina sauce with linguine and lots of shrimp, mussels, scallops, etc.  Yummo.

6. What sound lulls you to sleep? 

The humidifier and fan next to my bed!  I like the sound of falling rain too.

7. What one word best describes your 2016? 

Adventure!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I'd really like to blog more...I keep thinking of things to write and I've started making a list in the hopes that when I have time to write I'll actually remember something I wanted to write about.  However, I'm finding that I either can't understand or find a passion for writing on what's recorded on the list.  So, I'm open to suggestions.  How do ya'll think of things to blog about...keep things organized, etc.?

Bullet Journaling aka Exhausting Inspiration

I've been making a list of things I'd like to blog about...in my phone...under reminders.  So nifty.  Just figured out I can share the grocery list with my husband.  Genius.  But, yeah...listing...totally a step in the right direction, right?  I'm thinking about blogging...so maybe that means I'll do more actual blogging.

And speaking of making lists...

Bullet journals.  Not what they seem to be.  One imagines they are simply bulleted lists kept safely within a journal...but no.  They are a sadistic, artistic challenge.  A complete waste of time, that supposedly saves time, in the tomorrow that never comes.  It's the journaling version of having meetings about your meetings.

Seriously, some of them are ahhhh-mazing.  On Pinterest you can eat your heart out on said topic...and pin your brains out.  Beautiful and nifty ideas for how to remember birthdays, chart goals, record every dream and thought...plus nifty keen-o rulers and tutorials.  Cha-ching!

I've timidly stuck toes into this world.  There would have been seasons of my life where I'd have plunged in head first...but nowadays I occassionally realize I don't have time for things, before they suck up all of my time.  Sometimes.  Ha!  So, I bought a beautiful journal with a hot air balloon on the cover and decided I'd record beautiful Scripture and prayer and quotes.  Ya'll, it takes f o r e v e r.  This isn't always a bad thing...I've had some great times worshipping God with said journal.  But, since I'm so prone to wander into the land of perfection rather than grace...let's just say it's the slippery slope...and I fell on my ker-bump.  I started being truly anxious about how good things looked...and started completely missing the point.

And come on...some lists shouldn't go in a journal.  They should just go at the top of your Daytimer...in letter form...W=water...check yes or no.  Let's not make things harder than they should be.  My grocery list does NOT have to be pretty...it does have to be functional!!

So, I'm inspired and I'm exhausted.  And, as I begin to ponder what will work for the year of 2017 that is fast approaching...well, a bullet journal keeper, I ain't.  Very pretty though.  Seriously, how is anyone getting their laundry done, reading...anything else?  Yeah, my husband likes his laundry clean and my kids like to eat...and showing them my nifty journal that's so pretty I'm afraid to write in it probably isn't gonna cut it!

Peace!

*Above comments are said in fun loving sarcastic tones.  If you bullet journal and it rocks your world...I still love you...and I'll ooo and ahhh about your art any time.

Holiday Hodgepodge (better late than never)

1. Give us three rhyming words that say something about your Thanksgiving holiday (or your most recent holiday gathering if you didn't celebrate Thanksgiving). 
Humble (so much to be grateful for), Grumble (forgot the sugar in the pumpkin pies), Bumble (busy)
2. When did you last say, 'the more the merrier'? Did you mean it?
I don't think I ever have...and when I was thinking of sending "We Moved" announcement postcards I liked the ones that said "come visit...call first"...but I wasn't sure how that'd go over.  Don't worry.  It was a none issue because time zoomed forward and now I'm just hoping to get Christmas cards out with the new address.  Ugh....
3. What's one piece of advice you'd give someone who is your same age?
Exercise!  Things are going down hill fast!
Silence is golden.  Duct tape is silver.  Go buy duct tape.
4. You're ordering a veggie plate, what four veggies are on it?
Cauliflower, Carrots, Celery, and Broccoli (RANCH DIP)
5. Shop til you drop! Did you? Have you ever? Will you between now and Christmas?
I prefer to shop from my LAPTOP...it rhymes!  I don't like traffic or crowds.  Or shopping alone.  Or with my kids.
6. What's your favorite chair in your house, and why is it a favorite?
A small, tan lazyboy that was my husband's grandmother's.  My feet touch the ground in it and it's comfy.
7. Share an early memory of faith, religion, or spirituality.
When I was six years old my parents had a college aged bible study meeting in our tiny house.  I would listen to their talks and one day after listening...I realized that I was a sinner and needed a Savior.  My parents opened the Bible and told me all about Jesus' life, death, and resurrection...the gospel.  I repented of my sin and asked Jesus' to save me and be in charge of my life!  I remember calling my grandparents to share the news with them and how happy they were and how they told me angels were dancing in heaven because they were happy about me belonging to Jesus.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
I'm loving having actual designated guest space in this new house.  It's so nice!!!  God has so blessed us...and hopefully our guests felt even more welcomed and comfortable.