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Wednesday Hodgepodge




In two or three sentences tell us what Veteran's Day means to you?


The kids and I have been doing an exhaustive study of World War II this year for our history studies. Veteran's Day has taken on a whole new meaning during this study. To me, on Veteran's Day we need to be letting a Veteran, or many, know how much they are loved, that they are not forgotten, that we are grateful for the horror he or she endured for our freedom. We are definitely doing something tangible for some WWII veterans and for one person currently in the military this Veteran's Day. We can't do a lot, but we can do what we can.

What's your favorite film with a patriotic theme woven into the storyline?


In the 80's my dad loved the movie "Uncommon Valor". We watched it many, many times together. It ranks up there as one of my favorites.

Flu shot - yes or no? If you answered no, do you plan to get a flu shot? If not, why not? Have you ever had the flu?


No flu shots for us. We have all had the flu in years past. In fact, the sickest I have ever been has been while having the flu. But the flu shot is a crap shoot guess at which of a gazillion strains it might be this year, and I don't see the sense in putting my kids through a traumatic shot on the very off chance there might be a prevention against the flu.

Plus, the flu is a virus that needs to be cared for like any other virus, and with proper care it can be. I know when someone in my family has the flu the second he or she wakes up on that first morning and looks at me. It's the flu eyes. It's undeniable. When it happens, the sick one hits the couch and that becomes his or her bed for the duration. I immediately put on some chicken breasts to make homemade chicken and noodles. Green tea, tons and tons and tons of water, are poured down that person. I buy the "flu foods". I put the vaporizer right next to the sick bed with eucalyptus essential oil diffusing directly onto the sicky. The sick one takes lot of baths with eucalyptus oil. We call off school and sleep, sleep, sleep. Thieves oil is placed on the feet bottoms with socks. Soft tissues are purchased. And the over-the-counter meds are given routinely. I have a regimen that I always give. And the pour little sick person covers his or her face several times a day when I spray the heck out of their sick area with Lysol.

We always try to be on the defensive to the flu, but this year are taking it more seriously. We are running Thieves in our diffuser all day in the living room and then I move it to the kids' room at night. The kids religiously take their vitamins and Immune C gummies. Every day while doing schoolwork the kids and I all drink a cup of green tea. We are keeping the house clean, keeping ourselves clean, and getting lots of rest. We get to bed at a reasonable hour each night, and I let the kids sleep in a bit in the morning so they are well rested.

I've seen lots of people posting pictures of their Christmas trees up and decorated. Many stores have had Christmas on display since well before Halloween. Red cups are back at Starbucks, sans the holiday decor, and that has some people up in arms. What are your thoughts on all the holiday ruckus this second week of November?


I absolutely refuse to put up our Christmas tree, or any Christmas decorations, until the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE holiday. It's all about family. And I don't want us to be distracted with the hoopla of Christmas.

On the topic of the Starbucks cups, I read this quote: "I think Starbucks has gotten the message that the Christian majority in this country has awakened and are demanding that our voice be heard." ~ Joshua Feuerstein (ignorant former pastor who calls himself a "social media personality" and makes Christians look stupid.)

Really? The Christian majority doesn't give a poo what color cup they are drinking out of at Starbucks or whether or not it has a Christmas symbol on it. I would gather that the Christian majority is more concerned about how much is being spent at Starbucks on over-priced drinks when that money could be used to help someone in need, especially this holiday season.

Of course we will decorate for Christmas. Of course we will enjoy each and every moment of the holiday season, and we'll enjoy it big! But we will first give each holiday its due, including Eli's birthday that is three days before Christmas. We will concentrate on family and giving and loving. I have pared down our decorations dramatically over the years! I just don't want the focus to be on decorating (Plus it's a lot of work that I end up doing the majority of myself and cleaning up the majority of myself, and there's more important things on my list of things to do.)

What 'critter' are you most afraid of encountering unexpectedly? Why that one?


Snakes. Because, snakes.

Do you like building things? What's the last thing you 'built'?


Um, I don't really have an opinion about building things. I don't have a problem doing it, necessarily, if I need to, but I just don't find the need to very often. The thing that stands out was an adirondak chair I put together way back when Kyndal was a baby. I am sure I have put some other things together over the years, but that one stands out for some reason.

In keeping with this month's theme of gratitude ... what you are most grateful for that brings beauty to your daily life?


My house. Every day when I run I always make sure I finish by coming up the street toward the front of my house so that I can see it calling me back to it. Home is where the heart is ...

Insert your own random thought here.


I think I am one of six people who love the end of Daylight Savings. I enjoy it being light when I wake up in the morning so I can drink my coffee and read my Bible in the sunlight. And I absolutely LOVE that it gets dark at 5:00 p.m. If you are a true homebody, you get it. I like that my people are all home and ready to stay home early in the evening.



Comments

  1. Love your blog and your answers!
    I am following from Hodgepodge - you can follow back at Annster's Domain if you want!
    I hope you have a great week!

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  2. I wish they would leave us on Daylight savings time.

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  3. I so agree about the flu! The best prevention is simply washing our hands with hot water and soap, staying away from known people with the virus, eating healthy foods, and exercising. Of course we're still exposed it sometimes, but I really haven't seen less cases of flu since the shot was introduced (in my area). And if we do get it? Just like you! Only I have never heard of Thieves...I also add lots of garlic to the soup and honey (local) to our tea. The Starbucks cup thing? Any mature, reasonable person doesn't care. It's a cup. It's a color. There's always someone out there stirring the pot up and others who use it to spread hate (even without knowledge of the situation). My homeschoolers are off being spoiled by grandparents this week. I have barely left the house! LOL Staying at home is a wonderful thing sometimes!

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  4. Love that header! I'm such a map fan myself. :-) I enjoyed all your Hodgepodge answers. I need to run Thieves in here. I need to purchase a diffuser, for I'm loaded with essential oils (soapmaking). Your answer about the flu makes so much sense to me. AND, of course the ridiculous non-issue, the red cups. There are always some who claim to be Christian and make Christianity look stupid to others.

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  5. Dark early--I'm a homebody, but I still prefer a little more daylight!

    If I ever get the flu again, can I come to your house? Last time I was that sick, my husband had just had surgery and my oldest had gone back to university after Christmas break, so I sweated it out on my own.

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  6. Best answers - especially your thoughts on Starbucks and the holidays. Your flu remedies, WOW! I want you to take care of me when I get it! Great way to keep it away, fight it if it attacks and to get the germies out of there. From the Hodgepodge.

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  7. Loved reading your answers! I am the same regarding the flu and Thanksgiving. I am enjoying the end of daylight savings time but then again I enjoy the change when it starts. I guess for me it all is part of the change of the seasons :)

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  8. I enjoyed reading your answers. Oh, how I love your random thought. Same here!!!

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  9. What is a diffuser? Is it different than a cool mist humidifier? What kind of diffuser do you have and where did you get it? Do you put water in it and the thieves? Where do you get the thieves? THank you for your help! I need to know all of this so we can be prepared!!

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