Wednesday Hodgepodge

Welcome to Wednesday, and to the Hodgepodge, which took some time off thanks to Hurricane Sandy.  It's back, and you can join in by visiting Joyce at From This Side of the Pond.


1.  What rule of life should never be broken?
Jesus taught us two rules; two commands in which all the commandments would be met.  "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." - Matthew 22:37-39.  These rules should never be broken.  I can only imagine what a wonderful world this would be if they were always obeyed.

2.  What's your favorite family recipe?
I think my favorite recipe that I make very similar to how my mom taught me is baked ham.  I like using the cloves and the pineapple, though I don't add the maraschino cherries.  There are many recipes my mom taught me that I've modified over the years to suit my family, so it's hard to call them true family recipes.

3.  Is the media manipulative?
Absolutely!  Depending on which television station you watch or newspaper you read, you will always get a one-sided story.  It's very unfair to the public, but after all the media is run by humans, and humans are easily persuaded.

4. Hubs and I saw Skyfall last weekend...are you a fan of the Bond films? If so, who's your favorite Bond?
I have watched many of the Bond films, though I haven't watched them in years.  I've always liked Roger Moore.  He gave the character a distinct sense of humor.

5. What is one thing you hope people never say about you?
That I don't care enough.  I'm an introvert, so sometimes it's hard for me to show people that I care.  I don't want anyone to think I'm selfish and uncaring just because I don't always know what to say or how to express my feelings.

6.  What's a nearby tourist attraction you'd like to see, but haven't gotten around to visiting?
I've lived in South Florida since 1987, and I've never been to Key West.  Hopefully when I decide to go it'll still be there ;).

7.  Where's your favorite tree?
All over the beautiful state of Florida.  My favorite trees are orange trees.  They have dark green foliage, which contrast the color of the oranges perfectly.  And the smell!  Oh my word, it's absolutely delicious!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
I've got a nice little stash of Christmas presents already wrapped and waiting in my closet for the Christmas tree to make its appearance.  We always put our tree up the day after Thanksgiving.  Have you counted?  It's only 8 days till Thanksgiving - just over a week!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, November 13, 2012...

Outside my window...the sky is overcast which helps keep us cool.  The breezes are blowing and it's a nice fall day.

I am thinking...about Thanksgiving.  It's only 9 days away!

I am thankful...for more than I can relate.  My family, good friends, a home, a pantry filled with food.  Most of all, I'm thankful for Jesus.

I am going...to find out where my oldest son is.  He was here just a few minutes ago.

I am wearing...a yellow jacket with a yellow camisole underneath, jean skirt and sandals.  It's 79 degrees out.

I am noticing...Christmas lights already.  I'm anxious to decorate too, but could we at least get passed Thanksgiving?!

In the kitchen...I made chicken fajitas.  I made them because I'm trying to use up some of what's in the pantry, and because bell peppers were on sale at Winn-Dixie.  The thing is, I wanted to use up a bottle of marinade my son had bought as well.  It's Balsamic Herb.  They were the sweetest fajitas we've ever eaten, but honestly, they were delicious!

I am creating...a mental picture of how I'm going to decorate this Christmas.

I am reading...yeah, still reading Unglued.  I'm on chapter 5.  I took the assessment test for the book, and it turns out I'm a Stuffer Who Builds Barriers.  That means I hold things in, like anger and disappointment, then keep people out so they can't hurt me anymore.

I am hoping...my son gets his turkey coupon from the store.  Last year's turkey cost him under $3 and it was so juicy and delicous!  It was a 14 pounder too, not a scrawny little thing.

I am looking forward to...spending Thanksgiving with my family, and decorating for Christmas!

I am hearing...our dog Molly growling at something outside.  I didn't see anything so I don't know what's upsetting her.

Around the house...I need to clean up some areas where Molly drooled after her morning walk. :P

A favorite quote of the day..."I may not always understand
The way that You may lead,
But, Lord, in faith I’ll clasp Your hand
And trust You for each need. —Dean

One of my favorite things...the smells in the kitchen when I'm baking.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Awana tomorrow, grocery shopping on Friday to finish up what's needed for Thanksgiving and the rest of the week, and church on Sunday.

Wanna join in the fun?  Visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook.  God bless.

Monday Quiz About Me

It looks like it's gonna be a rainy day in South Florida.  Very different from the dry weather we've been getting the past couple of weeks, but my plants are loving it!  Here's a fun blog hop - Heather at Acting Balanced provides 4 questions, then I get to ask one of my own for you to answer on my blog.  Are you up for it?  Here we go:


1. What is your favorite kind of soup?
I like most soups, but I'm very partial to lentil soup.

2. When was the last time you saw snow?
1986.  That's the year I moved to Florida and have not seen snow since.  There are moments when I wonder...but they don't last.  I like my snowless existence.

3. What is a must have trait if someone is going to live with you?
They must like my cooking.  I will not have anyone living in my house that doesn't like what I prepare.

4. Who was your favorite James Bond?
Hmm, it's a toss-up between Sean Connery and Roger Moore.  Sean Connery was a debonair Bond, while Roger Moore added a slightly humorous side to the character.

And now my question:

5.  Christmas trees:  real or artificial?
We had  real trees for years, and I kept noticing that my allergies would act up in November right after Thanksgiving and go away after New Years.  I finally had to accept the fact that the problem was the tree.  About 6 or 7 years ago we got our first pre-lit artificial tree, and while my daughter has complained about it every year, I love it.  It's almost time for a new one, though.  Most of the lights on this one have gone out, never to brighten our tree again. :P

Move It Mondays

Happy Monday!  It's officially 10 days till Thanksgiving - the countdown has begun!  I did some grocery shopping on Friday and bought some of the food items for the big day, so that I wouldn't have to get everything in one shot.  Besides, this is sale time, and I'm stocking up!  I have 17 boxes of Stove Top stuffing in my garage because it's going for half price right now, and even cheaper at our local Publix.  I've also got about 12 boxes of several varieties of Duncan Hines cake mixes which are also buy one get one free.  Those I'll use to make cakes for my neighbors as Christmas gifts.

Today is a no-school day, as we honor our veterans.  We owe so much to their bravery and hard work.  I'm having my breakfast now, a pumpkin spice Eggo waffle with 2 slices of bacon and my morning coffee.  I'll be doing a little cleaning soon, but mostly I want to focus on helping my son E finish his science fair project.  It isn't due until next week but all he needs to write is the conclusion and then he can turn it in early.  Of course I have to wait till he wakes up; there's no getting up early on a school free day!

My daughter will be gone most of the day for work and a training.  I think it'll be a quiet day, but who knows? It can change at the blink of an eye!  Have a wonderful day everyone.

Observing My Senses

For Today, November 10, 2012...

I am seeing...cloudy skies but no rain.  We haven't had rain in two weeks, since Hurricane Sandy passed us by.  The weather has improved drastically - humidity is down and the highs have been in the 70's or low 80's.

I am feeling...great after having found some excellent deals at Walmart!  I went through the toy clearance aisle and found expensive board games reduced to $5, and a couple of Zhu Zhu Pets playsets, one for $5 and the other for $1.  I love finding bargains!

I am hearing...just the whir of the computer and the refrigerator.  Oh, wait, I just heard my youngest son's voice.  He's awake.

I am tasting...hash browns, sausages, a fried egg and my morning coffee.  I took a break from my pumpkin spice Eggo's today.

I am smelling...the clean fresh air coming in through the windows.  Since Sandy came and went, I've barely turned on the a/c thanks to the gorgeous breezy weather.  That's a bonus - a lower electric bill is sure to come this week!

It just takes a moment to observe your surroundings.  Won't you join me?

Five Question Friday

My allergies have been bugging me as of late, so I took a Benadryl a little while ago.  It's making me sleepy, so I'm gonna go ahead and get my Five Question Friday post done before I conk out.  You can too - just hop on over to Mama M's at My Little Life.


1. If you had c-section do you wish you would have had vaginal? Or vice versa?
I had 3 c-sections, and I wish I could have had all vaginal.  Recovery time with c-sections is murder.  I didn't dilate so after 15 hours of contractions they went ahead and cut me open.  I was totally bummed.

2. If vaginal did you go drug free?
Three c-sections, the first two I was put under, the third I had an epidural.

3. Did you have any complications?
With my last pregnancy I had placenta previa so it was a delicate situation, but thank God nothing serious happened.

4. Who was in the delivery room with you?
For the first two, no one.  They were emergency c-sections and no one was allowed in the OR.  For the third c-section my husband was in the room.

5. Did you document your labor and delivery? (Photos, videos, etc.)
I refused to have pictures taken of me during labor (let's face it, women don't look or feel their best at that time).  Since no one was in the delivery room with me for the first two I have no pictures of those deliveries either.  I do have pictures of the third.

6. Pick the birth story of one of your children and tell us ALLLLLLLL about it!
Okay, well, I'll try to make this a quick recap.  My oldest son was born on his due date.  I had just stopped working on Wednesday, and my water broke early Friday morning, about 2 am.  The amniotic fluid was gushing, to the point that I arrived at the hospital and soaked the entry floor.  I was so embarrassed!  I was taken upstairs and put in a bed with a monitor on my belly.  It was uncomfortable, and I was in pain, and when I was checked I was at 2 centimeters, which told me this was gonna take a long time.  And it did.  My son wasn't born till 5:01pm.  I wasn't allowed to walk around to help my contractions because my water had broken.  I couldn't move around much because of the monitors.  To help with the pain I was given Demerol, which made me feel so light-headed I couldn't open my eyes but I still felt the contractions.  It was so uncomfortable, and felt so unproductive.  If I'd known then what I know now, I'd have opted for a home birth!  Of course once I woke up (still in pain and unable to move) and saw my gorgeous son, I forgot about the whole ordeal.  He was worth every minute of it.

Redecorating...Again

Last month my youngest son was struck by a stomach flu that made him miserable.  He spent one entire night throwing up.  It would come upon him so suddenly he couldn't control it long enough to get to the bathroom, which meant there was puke in several areas of the house.  Among these was the bed skirt on my bed.  

I remember well how sick he was when, after dinner, he said he didn't feel well and wanted to go to bed.  His stomach was hurting, but I didn't know if it was just a matter of an upset stomach or a virus, so I had him go to bed early and I retired at 10pm.  An hour later I heard my poor son throwing up violently.  As I turned on the light I realized there was throw up all over my bedroom floor and sheets, and the bed skirt.  At that hour I had to get up, take everything off the bed and throw it in the wash, while cleaning up the bedroom and kitchen floors.  It was not the pleasantest of nights.

I had to wash the bed linens twice in order to get the yuck and smell out, then I put them in the dryer.  To my horror, when I pulled out the bed skirt it was in shambles.  It had gotten torn up, probably in the washer, then it shrunk in the dryer.  It was useless at this point; I had no choice but to throw it away.

Thankfully the actual comforter hadn't suffered any malady, but it was short and didn't cover the bed properly.  The bed skirt had covered the box spring, but the comforter only covered the mattress.  I figured I'd have to get a new skirt if I could find one, or a new comforter set.  This created a problem:  I've been trying to get away from using the credit card.  I used to use the credit card for everything, but I was finding myself overspending, something I wanted to get away from.  By using the debit card I'm forced to stay within my budget, which is great, but a new comforter set for a king sized bed was certainly not in the budget.  I decided to leave it in God's hands and let Him provide for us.

A couple of weeks ago I got a Kohl's Yes Pass, one of their discount cards, in the mail.  I've always loved the household items at Kohl's and their prices are also right up my alley, which is great.  I sat down and crunched some numbers, and figured out that I could spend no more than $125.  Obviously that is a paltry amount for bedding for a king sized bed, but I had already made a promise to God that I wouldn't use the credit card other than for groceries and gas which I pay off at the end of the month, so I knew I had to keep my word to Him.  What made it even more difficult was that I didn't want to have to buy new curtains.  The curtains in my room are fairly new and in excellent condition; having to purchase new ones was out of the question, but that meant I'd have to find bedding in the same burgundy and green so that it would match.  It seemed like there were a lot of obstacles, but I trusted my Father and went with my discount pass to my favorite store.

And God did not disappoint!  Take a look at the comforter set that I got:

Isn't it gorgeous?!  The colors are slightly lighter than those on the curtain but they still work well.  The set brings the bed skirt, comforter, two king sized pillow shams, two European pillow shams, and two decorator pillows.  But wait, there's more!

It's reversible!!  The top look is a tropical motif, while the bottom is a more contemporary style.  They are both lovely, and I have trouble deciding which I love most!

Now, here's the best part.  I've seen comforter sets like this in stores like Bed Bath and Beyond for upwards of $400.  Clearly that would have been way over my budget.  The regular price for this complete set at Kohl's is $299.99, but they were having a 50% off sale, so the price was marked down to $149.99.  Add to that my 20% off discount, and the price was further reduced to $119.99!  With tax the total came out to $127, just $2 above my budget, which bugged me but not enough to turn it down ;).  The other great thing is that the skirt works perfectly with my old comforter set, so I can keep it too and interchange them whenever I want.  God honored my desire to stay within a budget and not get into debt, and He gave me a beautiful bedroom to boot!