Many things in life baffle me.... generally what baffles me involves my children.

Here is a list of things that I thought my kids would have down by now.... I have been surprised & baffled by these things for awhile now.

1) Putting the lid back on the toothpaste
2) Rinsing out the sink
3) Flushing..... if nothing else how does your own gag reflex not prompt you?
4) The lack of aim in the loo.... it is astounding to me how many times and how much they miss...
5) Our inability to get out of the door in a quick manner
6) How the genuinely seem stumped as to what they need to do to get ready for school each and every day
7) How going to the grocery store involves at least one battle.... 


Now having ranting about all that here is what else just blows me away about my kids:


1) How amazing of a builder G is.... his mind just creates the coolest things.
2) How generous D is .... he is always so happy to help and to share
3) How funny B is... he can always make me laugh
4) How much just a smile from them can totally alter my life
5) How sweet and rowdy they can be at nearly the same time
6) How much they will defend and help one another
7) How they love to read and imagine and act things out .....


There are days where I am baffled for sure... and days of sighs and frustrations but I would not trade any of them or any of it for a second because what is always there is LOVE.

Hodge Podge and Jewelry

Life has been so full of life that I have not been blogging in some time ...I am grateful to Joyce though who takes most of the work out of it for me when I decide to hop back into it at least on Wednesdays :)  Visit her if you don't already over at From This Side of the Pond.  She is a faithful and talented blogger!

Hop over and join in or just read her answers as well as others and don't forget to check out the Gilt Shop on Facebook - you won't regret it !!

1.  When were you last facing an ocean? Using just ONE word, describe how you felt as you faced that ocean. 

I last faced the ocean .... last summer.  Calm is how I felt facing it.

2. What are three sounds you hate to hear?

The panic/pain cry of any of my kids, the phone ringing in the middle of the night & screeching.

3. This question comes to you courtesy of some real life friends. Hi real life friends! When you shop for yourself, do you try everything on in the store before buying or do you buy, try on at home, and then return what you don't like or what doesn't fit?

Try on in the store.  If it makes to my house it may never leave.

4. February 26th is National Pistachio Day...are you a fan of the little green nut? Do you use them in cooking and baking or prefer to eat them right out of the shell?

Not a pistachio fan sorry!

5. When did you last have to compromise with someone?  Were you happy to reach the compromise or slightly irritated it was necessary? 

I would say I am in the midst of a few compromises  and it is never easy ... it is irritating because you both feel right & there is no one to really please anyone.

6.  Have you ever written a letter to an elected official? Did you get a response?

I am sure in my youth or Girl Scouts days I did but nothing pops into my mind.  We did use to receive Christmas Cards from the White House years ago when my mom was heavily involved in politics.

7. We 'March' into a new month at the end of this week...what's something on your March calendar guaranteed to make you smile?

Guaranteed to make me smile ... hmm... the promise of warmer weather :)

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I have an extremely talented friend who is launching a jewelry business.  She makes incredible pieces and well as scours the world to find unique pieces at a steal.  She is having a sale today that starts at noon EST and you want to check it out!  
I will be interviewing her soon so check back to see pictures of some of her amazing items!
Find her on Facebook and be ready to be wowed! Here is one of her hand crafted designs that she is featuring today.  I have seen it in person and it is wonderful!  I will soon be wearing one - will you grab one ?  

Hodge Podge

Apparently I posted the questions rather than saving them last week and never answered them ... so I will right now since I am on here :)  Who knows when that will happen again and better later than never I guess right?




1. When were you last 'on a mountaintop'?  You may answer in the literal or figurative sense.

Hmm... it has been too long since I was literally on a mountain top ... figurative sense... not sure...

2.  Do you establish and maintain a strict budget in your household?  What is one piece of financial advice you would offer someone just starting out on their own? 

We are in the process of revamping our budget... tough but so important.

3.  Cherries-yay or nay?  Cherry pie, cherry cola, black forest cake, or a scoop ofBen and Jerry's Cherries Garcia...pick one. 

Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia is sooooo good!

4.  Should you ever discuss religion or politics with people you don't know? 

It can get dicey... I try to avoid it.  Or maybe better if you don't know them so if you both get angry you don't have to deal with each other later :)


5.  When you take a road trip do you prefer to be the driver or the passenger?  Where were you headed on your last road trip? 

Passenger that is asleep ....

6. If we peeked inside your closet, what color would we say is most prevalent?

gray and black

7. Who's your favorite senior citizen and why are they special?

My favorite senior citizen is my Dad ... he deserves a whole post about all the reasons he is so special so I will have to revisit this :)


8.  Insert your own random thought here.

It is a beautiful day today which I am grateful for and I am off to enjoy it !

TMI

Is there such a thing as TMI (too much information) among friends?  Strangers?  Does it depend on the content or if you have the possibility of a similar event?  I wonder....

I am a pretty open book which can be good and not so good.  I feel that with my inner circle I can pretty much share everything and do but I think there are times when we should NOT share everything.... I am pretty willing to hear whatever as well.  

The way I look at it is I am older and have seen and heard a lot already. I have three children, a husband and a dog that are all male so I subjected to gross and funny things daily.  Not much gets to me these days.  

I was thinking about this because I have wanted to post a sign in my bathroom for awhile.... it would say:

When you go number two, you know what to do

Pick up the brush and scrub away your poo

Because I don't want to look at it when I come back through!

But two out of three of my kids don't read so I feel like my wit is wasted so I posted it on facebook and I thought hmm.... should I have... then I thought why not... then I thought I know that will come back to haunt me... then I thought oh well.

I was not telling a poop story per say.... although I have to my friends with kids.  But it just got me to thinking... what is TMI to you?

Ringing in the New Year with Hodge Podge

Welcome to the first Hodge Podge of 2013.  It does not seem possible that today is the second of January yet here we are.  On to the questions provided by the fabulous Joyce who blogs at 

From This Side of the Pond.  If you have not checked out her blog yet, go do it!

1.  How did you ring in the new year?

We rang in the New Year by playing laser tag, mini golf and having lunch with friends.  Later on we went over to their house and met up with some other friends where we ate, played board games and laughed and laughed while all the kids played.  It was fun and nice to not be in giant crowds.

2.  What is one thing you are looking forward to in 2013?

I look forward to many things in this next year but one of the things I am anticipating most is all the visits from friends & family planned for this spring/summer.


3.  Steven Spielberg is quoted as saying, 'All of us every single year, we're a different person. I don't think we're the same person all our lives.' What say you?

I would say he is right... atleast partially.  I think essentially we are the same but we do change and grow.  I am much more mellow then I was 10 years ago, more confident and more patient.  

4.  The Pantone color of the year for 2013 is emerald green. Like or dislike?  Do you already own something this color?  Will you add something in this shade to your home or wardrobe in 2013?

I have always been a fan of emerald green and I do have a few shirts and sweaters in that color.  I had just tried to purchase a new coat from Old Navy in that color but they were sold out in my size :(

5.  Speaking of emerald...what's your favorite gemstone?

I am a fan of every gemstone but my heart belongs to diamonds.

6.  Share a favorite book or movie from 2012.

I am not great at narrowing down a favorite but the two that popped into my head when I read this was Pitch Perfect and Dark Shadows.  I love the cheesy off beat humor of Dark Shadows and Pitch Perfect is just fun & has some great lines.  Rebel Wilson I think is the name of the girl who plays Fat Amy and she is hilarious!


7.  What is something you want to tell yourself at the start of this brand new year?

To relax and not be so hard on myself.... it will all be fine.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

May 2013 bring you loads of joy and laughter.  May you find peace no matter the circumstances you find yourself in... may you grow closer to your family, your friends and God.   May you be healthy & strive to be healthy so you can enjoy time to the fullest.

Holly Jolly Hodge Podge Happenings

Well it is time for the Hodge Podge and I am glad to be actually participating this time.  The last two I have saved and started and then never finished or published.  Life is busy but I enjoy this so I made sure to get done today :)  Thanks Joyce for taking the time and effort to put this together - it is greatly appreciated!!

If you have not already joined in after reading my answers head over to Joyce's great blog, 

From This Side of the Pond and join in.  She is a much more reliable blogger as well :)

1.  Share your traditions surrounding the Christmas stocking. 

Hmm... we don't really have big traditions about our Stocking... we open them when we first wake up and that is about it.  I am interested to hear all of yours.

2.  How many hours of sleep do you average at night?  Is it enough?

Well I don't do sleep great.  I have a hard time shutting off my mind and I am a night person so that works against me.  I get anywhere from 4 to 7 hours.  I have kids that still get up at night sometimes so if I go to bed late and then they are up I am really struggling the next morning.   No it is not enough and I have been working on improving that because it is so important.

3.  If you had to give up one thing for the remainder of this year what would it be?

Cleaning the bathrooms?  No that is just what I want to give up...lol.  I think I would give up tv.

4.  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (or Wills and Kate as I like to call them) have announced they're expecting a baby. Do you follow news of the Royals? 

Well I have always been interested but especially living in England you follow it.  I am very excited for them and I hope that she feels better soon and they are given space to enjoy this experience.

5.  For me,  the sound of childhood is__________________.

Jets flying.

6.  Fruit cake-yay or boo? What's your favorite dessert made with fruit?

Boo.  Fruit pizza is probably my favorite dessert made with fruit.


7. What is one thing you want to accomplish before 2012 comes to an end?

I would like to get my Christmas cards out this year as compared to last year.  Lofty goal I know.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I hope that the magic of the Season gets everyone excited and that Christmas can be enjoyed with peace and joy for each of you.   That you don't get stuck in the hustle and bustle and chaos that it can contain.
Oh and if you have an extra 30 seconds my last post has two humorous pictures brought to you by my wacky kids.

Mom vs Dinosaur

Has it really been over a months since I posted?  Wow.... I wish I had a great story or excuse as to why that it.  I don't.  We have been busy & life has been quiet in a sense.  Much going on yet not a lot to talk about.  I am working on that - we need to liven things up around here :)

Some things we have been up to:

We had Halloween and I think I took zero pictures... way to go mom.  We had a Halloween Bash with a few friends over to eat a rushed dinner & then we went out to the chaos of trick or treating.  It was freezing so we made record time.... I was sorely disappointed in the lack of chocolate items in G's Halloween bag.  Sadly for him he cannot eat chocolate so I am usually extremely blessed with his spare treats.  Not this year.  We gave out over 500 pieces of candy.
For dinner I made a new chili recipe that had sweet potatoes... it was unusual but good.  I made a second pot of vegan chili... it was suppose to be the same minus the meat... for some reason it was not... it was terrible.  Apologies again Kelly and family.  Luckily they had brought something they could eat since I failed.
We also had great friends over who stayed here and handed out candy so we could go out as a family to trick or treat.  Thank you to Becky and Eric (not their real names but the names Mr. B likes to call them)

November is a blur.  We had Thanksgiving.  I ended up cooking a tiny 8lb turkey because it was all that would fit in our oven... there was barely enough meat to feed us 5.  Sorely disappointed and made my long for a giant American oven.  Maybe next year we will invest in a fryer.  Luckily for us the base had several other Thanksgiving potlucks, etc so we were able to have about three turkey meals prior to our sad one.

In other news my son drew this picture:

Here is the conversation that followed that:  (between my 6yr old who drew it and my three year old)

B:  Is that mom?
D: No it is a dinosaur...
B:  Well it sure looks like mom

My husband could barely contain himself long enough to get out of the room before he collapsed in laughter. Punks every single last one of them.


We put up our tree and then remembered we had accidentally stored 90% of our ornaments prior to moving. So we have two gallon bags full of bulbs that we put up, a set of 6 star wars ornaments and 6 mickey mouse ones... no topper.  It is a little sad but okay.  I have big plans as soon as all the stuff goes on sale.  Also the kids keep rearranging the ornaments although they are not allowed so we end up with this:

We frequent the library here a lot.  We kids always find the best books that I am so proud to check out.  Like this:

Yes those are buttons on the right so you can have sound effects as well as the amazing text.

Dying in testosterone land here so I often check out story books about Princess's and make the boys read those also.  Yep.

Just in case it is another month before I blog I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and may you find joy and peace in the season... not chaos and crazy :)