Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

Share one favorite moment/memory from your Christmas holiday. 

Having the house full with the whole family all day long on Christmas Day. We were in our pjs/comfy clothes and new Christmas t-shirts watching tv, cooking, playing games, etc. It was a busy day, but my heart was full.

What was the best thing you ate over the holidays? Was it homemade or store bought? If it was homemade did you make it?

My dad's fried chicken on Christmas Eve. Yum!

What was one of the most beautiful things you saw over the holiday?

The joy and smiles in my mom and aunt when I presented them with a jar of homemade spiced cucumbers just like my grandma used to make. I think it really made them happy to have a memory of her at Christmas.

What does fresh start mean to you?

The Webster's definition of fresh is - "having it's original qualities unimpaired". I do a lot of impairing of the original qualities that I desire to have. So a fresh start is a redo. I evaluate the qualities I want to see in myself and start over with them unimpaired by all the damage I tend to do to them. Those good qualities get a fresh washing and get to start out clean again.

On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being very positive and 1 being no so great) how would you rate 2016 in terms of personal achievement and well being? Explain.

I am going to say a 5. I slacked off a little too much in 2016.

Every January 1st since 1976 Lake Superior University has published a list of words they'd like to see banished from the Queen's English. Words may be banished due to misuse, overuse, or just general uselessness ... Here's the 2017 list of banished words: You, sir - focus - Bete Noire - town hall meeting - post truth - guesstimate - 831 - historic - manicured - echo chamber - on fleek - bigly - ghost - dadbod - listicle - get your dander up - selfie drone - frankenfruit - disruption. Which word on the list would you like to see banished in 2017? What word or phrase would you add to the list?

I haven't even heard of the majority of these words. So, I'll choose "on fleek". It's just stupid. The word I'd like to see eliminated is "bestie". If you are someone's bestie, you are not their best friend. Wait about 12 minutes and you'll see that when they name someone else as their "bestie".

Large or small, light or deep, share with us one goal you have for the new year.

I am planning to give more of myself this year. I already started with taking on a volunteer position with the local Senior Citizen Center by delivering meals once a week. I know that it is a blessing to those that receive the meals, but I am most certainly more blessed by their sweet appreciation.

Insert your own random thought here.

Yesterday we honored my Great Aunt Mildred who passed away at the age of 93. She was, without a doubt, the classiest woman I have ever known. As I sat in her little home church I was so inspired by her, even in her death. She was so loved. My Aunt Mildred was not a meek and mild lady. She said what she felt, but always with love. Every time I saw her she looked lovely, dressed nicely with makeup on and her hair fixed. She never stopped contributing to her family and their needs. She was just a joy to be around. She jolted a renewal in my spirit yesterday. She made me want to be well-loved, which is something I haven't cared too much about in recent years. She made me want to make family time, extended family time, more of a priority. I am thankful for my Aunt Mildred and am thrilled that she is with Jesus and her sweet husband who passed away 11 years ago and her son who tragically passed away 30 years ago. She will be missed by us, but I can just see her laughing in Heaven as she hugs the necks or her favorite guys.