"It's the most wonderful time of the year"? (not)

It's time for the weekly Hodgepodge questions.  Thank you Joyce for keeping my brain active! 

1. In what way do you indulge yourself?

I indulge myself many ways.  I admit it.  Each day I take a bit of time and read, even though I know there are other things I could be doing.  I get my nails done - which is something I never did when I was a young person, and a young mother.  I have "relit" my love of live concerts and indulge myself with tickets to some of my favorite singers when they come around. 

2. Have you ever taken a cooking class?  Any interest?  What type of class would you most like to try?

Hahahaha!  Sorry, but this question makes me laugh!  No, I have never taken a cooking class and I think anyone who has eaten my food can attest to it!  I was born without the cooking gene...it doesn't come natural and I don't enjoy cooking.  I have learned over the years to "get by" and can whip up a few things but I don't enjoy doing it.  Here's part of the problem:  I don't find grocery shopping fun either.  I consider a trip to the food store a necessity and I usually run through the same store, pick up the same things, and then get out. I do NOT read labels, I do not picture possible meals in my brain, I don't get excited by what's on special that week.   Thankfully I have a husband who did not want a good cook - I have "other" good qualities!  ha!   I'm laughing again!

3. What does it mean to be a good citizen?

I think a good citizen RESPECTS the land they live in,  follows the laws, and works towards living in community together. 

4. Tis the season of the politcal advert...do these ads influence your vote?

First, let me say I feel sorry for anyone who lives in a "swing state" during the campaign season!  I do not, but some of my family live in Ohio, which is a state bombarded with political advertisements.  I think I would have to DVR everything and skip all commercial breaks if I lived there.   This is what amazes me:  statistics show that all the negative adverts work!   Really?  Who are these people who actually watch them and BELIEVE them??  People:  those ads are all one-sided and are not truthful! They are mean spirited, and in my opinion, a huge waste of money!  So, do these ads influence me?  Yes. I will NOT vote for any person who runs ads that belittles their opponent. I will not vote for a candidate who spends money on being mean.  Thus my problem!  Who's left to vote for??

5. What's something you see today that makes you wish you were a kid again?

Oh my! I can't think of anything.  I know I look back on my childhood with rose-colored glasses, but I can't think of anything today that I wish was around when I was a kid.  Ok, maybe the computer...because it sure would have helped with research work while I was in school and I would not have had to type out term papers on my old Selectric typewriter. 

6. What's your least favorite cliche?

I was pondering this question while reading other material and came across "boys will be boys."  I don't like that cliche.  I think it's said as an excuse for bad behavior.  I think it gives boys permission to do things outside of proper limits or without manners.  Parents of boys sometimes use it instead of teaching them how to control themselves.  (Yes, I'm the mother of two girls...so, maybe if I had had to raise a boy I would have used it too. Ha)

7. What percentage of your Christmas shopping has been completed?  how does this make you feel?

5%.  The past couple of weeks I have picked up a few stocking stuffers, and that's all I have done to this point.  But, I will "kick in" to shopping in early November.  I do my best to get most of it done by early December to  stay out of the stores when they get crowded, and to reduce stress during December.  Can I say: I wish Advent and Christmas were all about the preparation and celebration of the birth of Jesus?  I know people think I'm a Scrooge when it comes to pre-Christmas, but I really dislike all the commercialism and the PRESSURE put on us by society, and ourselves.  I admit I relax and breathe a big sigh of relief on December 26th. 

8. My random thought:

I think I'm "debbie downer" with my answers this week. Sorry.  And, as my random thought I was going to write about how chilly it was this morning when I walked Miss Honeybee.  Brrr.  Damp and chilly. I don't like it.  (Woops, I just typed it.)  So, blogger friends, my favorite time of the year - summer with the warmth, and the easy-breezy days - is over. The days are shorter, and the pressure of the holidays is upon me.  I mean, Joyce already asked a Christmas question!   Raise me up!!  Buoy my attitude!   Help me focus on God, and love, and family and friends.  Oh - and college football.  Thank god for that!