Hello Hodgepodge 2016, post 1.

The first Hodgepodge of 2016.  Let's get started!


1. Are you ready for new? Is 2016 likely to be very different than 2015? Do you want it to be?

I am ready for new in the sense that I have put away all the Christmas decorations and the house is back to a "clean slate."  I am ready for new because we have some changes going on in my neighborhood (a friend has left,  and some new neighbors just moved in), and at my church (we are inbetween pastors right now.)    And, I am ready for new because nobody really knows what each new day brings.

Will this year be different from last year?   Yes - and no.   And that is fine.  I had a very good year last year so I don't expect big changes for the better.  But, again, as I said before, we just never know what each new day will bring.

2. January 6th is National Technology Day. 

Currently, what is your single biggest struggle or frustration when it comes to technology?





I would not call it a struggle but I did just get a Fitbit so I am learning the ins and outs of it.  I like the idea of tracking my exercise each day. I like competing with myself in hopes of becoming more in tune with the activity I do each day (or don't do!)

My biggest frustration right now is my email accounts.  I have two and they are both tied into the icloud that I share with my hubby.  I have not been able to get the settings right, and to have all my technology synced properly.  I have an Iphone, and Ipad, and a MacAir.  I get my mail fine but can't always send replies back on the device I am on.  And, sometimes people hit "reply" to me and it ends up in my hubby's email account. 



3. It's that time again...time for Lake Superior University to present a list of words (or phrases) they'd like to see banished (for over-use, mis-use, and general uselessness) in 2016. You can read more about the decision making process here, but this year's top vote getters are-

So (at the start of every single sentence), conversation (as in hotly debated topics where we're invited to 'join the conversation'), problematic, stakeholder, price point, secret sauce, break the Internet, walk it back, presser, manspreading (common in larger cities where some men take up the entire bus or train seat by sitting wide), vape, giving me life (refers to anything that may excite a person or make them laugh), and physicality

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word not on the list you'd like to add?

Well, I don't recognize all those that are listed, so I guess that means they are not used, and certainly  over-used, in my circles!   Really, none of the words and phrases above offend me or make me a bit nutty from hearing it often.  

4. Share one of your current health related goals.

As I mentioned above, I just started wearing a Fitbit, so I plan on moving more,  and staying active.  I think by keeping track with the Fitbit I can increase my movement and my energy level.

I also hope to drink more water everyday. I need to make a conscious effort to do it because I usually go from coffee to wine!  lol   

5. Let's talk fifty shades of gray. As in the color. Gray is currently a popular color in home decor, paint, wardrobes, hair, wedding party attire, and more. Are you a fan? Do you have the color in some variation in your home or wardrobe?  Gray hair, the old gray mare, gray matter, gray area...which gray idiom can you most relate to right now?

In general I am not a fan of the color gray (especially in my hair!)  In home decorating I have always considered gray as a "cool" color - one used in modern and contemporary designs.  But, I have seen gray used in ways I like recently. In fact, my daughter just redid her kitchen and she used gray, along with white (subway tile).  She added in a muted light green paint color.  It's very pretty.  I suppose it's trendy.  But, I like it.

 Of the idioms above, I relate to gray hair unfortunately.  I know I have it - but I do my best not to see it.  I have been coloring my hair for years now and I feel that if I didn't use color my gray hair would make me look much older.  I'm vain. I don't want that.  I don't feel old.  So, I'm trying hard not to look old. 

6. Certain foods are considered 'lucky' if eaten on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. Cooked greens to bring economic fortune, black-eyed peas or lentils also symbolize money, pork which symbolizes progress, fish for good luck, and if you're in Spain 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight. Did you eat any lucky foods on the first day of the year? Is that a tradition in your home? Of the foods listed, which most appeals to you?

Growing up in Ohio I had never heard of the "lucky" foods to eat for new year's.  It wasn't until I married my southern hubby and spent holidays with his family did I learn of the dish called Hoppin' John, which is prepared and eaten on January 1st to bring good luck.

I have eaten Hoppin' John most New Year's Days since, but I did not this one last week.  Hubby and I drove home on the 1st after visiting our daughters and son-in-law.  Once home we watched football and chilled. There was no special meal.

Of the foods above, I love black-eyed peas and I love pork.  I know collard greens are a big part of a southern New Year's Day meal, but I am not a fan of it.

7. What's the single biggest time waster in your life and what, if anything, will you do about it this year?

Hmmm.   Going to the food store every week?  Picking up the same items week after week after week??  Boring!    I don't think I can do anything about it.  We need food!  Often I have to go to buy all the dog and cat food too - and I love our pets.  So, there is no way to change this time-consuming chore.   I should buy more in bulk when I am out. That might help me cut down on trips. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I was talking to someone this morning about the happiness that comes with returning to a routine life after the holiday hoopla.  We both agreed that the Christmas season has gotten way too long, and way too crazed, and too glitzy...with high expectations and often disappointments.    Do you feel this way also?   I have to admit I was happy to hear this from my friend this morning because it validated my ups and downs during this time of the year.

Stay warm everyone.  We just got our first cold snap here and I don't like it!   I know I have it easy compared to many of you in other parts of the country.... some of you are dealing with horrible flooding too.   So, be dry, and safe too!  See you here next week.