Wednesday Hodgepodge

When did you last have to interact, either by phone or in person, with someone in a government run agency? On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the experience? (10 being fabulous and 1 being 'pass the Tylenol')

The last interaction I had with a government employee was a clerk with the Department of Social Services, Division of Child Support Enforcement. I would give my experience a 10. She answered my questions, found some information for me, and even worked to get something accomplished and then called me back when it had been. Everyone I have talked to there has been very helpful and friendly. In fact, the last clerk ended our conversation with, "I wish you the best of luck!"

The current governor of Wisconsin is considering a run for President next time around. Scott Walker attended Marquette University but never graduated. In terms of any candidate running for the office of President (not asking here if you agree or disagree with Scott Walker's politics) would the lack of a college degree influence your vote or no? Would that be a factor in your support of any candidate running for public office, even a role less weighty than President?

To be quite honest, a man or woman who has graduated from the School of Hard Knocks would probably make the best President. Lord knows that all of the degrees and such that our current cabinet  members have earned have not equipped them to make good decisions for our country. I am almost of the opinion that anybody could do a better job than what has been done by the intellects. A self-made man/woman might be just the ticket. A lack of college degree would not sway my vote in any election. Let the best man/woman win.

When did you last visit a place or site named for George Washington or Abraham Lincoln, and what was that place or site?

I cannot think of anything recent. We took a trip to Washington D.C. when I was a senior in high school and we saw the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. There's not a lot of reference to George Washington here in Missouri, unless you are talking about George Washington Carver. I don't know anything around here about Abraham Lincoln, either. We are more in the land of Harry S. Truman here.

February 16th was President's Day in the US, but did you know it was also National Almond Day? I didn't think so! Do you like almonds? If so, what's a food/dish/recipe you enjoy most that contains almonds?

My favorite almondy-food is an Almond Joy candy bar. Dawson and I share in this love. I actually eat a lot of almonds, mostly sliced almonds on my cereal, in oatmeal, or in yogurt.

The television program Saturday Night Live celebrated its 40th anniversary this past weekend. Were/are you a fan of the show? If so, what has been your favorite (or one of your favorite) skits, sayings, or characters that came out of the program?

Ugghh ... I absolutely HATE Saturday Night Live and always have! I cannot stand any of the actors and do not find them funny at all. I cannot stand Will Ferrell, for example. My husband loves anything SNL-related, including any movie with any of the comedians. I steer completely clear.

Anything purple within ten feet of you? What is it?

Brynne's Barbie house and canvas bucket full of Barbies is currently residing in our dining room. Brynne had a sleepover a few weeks ago and they were playing with it. Then we left it here so Macie could play with it while we did school work. It has worn out its welcome, though, and is going back downstairs this weekend. (Oh, the canvas tote has purple trim and the Barbie house is covered in purple accents.)

Back in December I asked you to submit a question for a future HP as part of a giveaway I was hosting. I grabbed this one from those entries, submitted by Zoanna who blogs over at Penchant for Pens (http://zoanna.blogspot.com). Thanks, Zoanna! She asks, "How often do you make your bed, and how do you like to make it - pull the covers all the way up over the pillows, tuck the covers in around the pillows, or place all the pillows on top of the covers?"

I used to make my bed every single day. I was obsessed with it! In fact, when the older kids were little and I was a single mom, I can remember starting to back out of the driveway one morning and stopped to run back into the house to make the beds. I just couldn't stand the thought of them being unmade all day. I think that was one of my areas of control during a time that my life was so out of control. I have mellowed since then. I probably make my bed 3-4 times a week. Some days I don't even realize I haven't made it until I go to get into it again at night. I do love it made, though. It makes the whole room look nicer. When I make the bed I pull the covers up tight, then fold down the top comforter. I put our sleeping pillows upright against the headboard (5 of them in a King-sized bed). In front of those pillow I place our 3 European sham pillows. Then in front of them I place our 4 decorative pillows. Yeah, 5+3+4 pillows = 12 pillows on our bed. No wonder I only make it 3-4 times a week!

Insert your own random thought here.

We got glorious snow this week! My kids have been dying for some snow to play in. Monday and yesterday they got their wish. We got up and got all of our book work completed by 2:00 p.m. so they could go outside to play until they were frozen solid. It's been awesome!