Wednesday Hodge Podge 1 day late

1. Chinese New Year will be celebrated on February 10th, and 2013 is the year of the snake.  When did you last see a snake?  Are you okay around snakes or do they give you the shivers?
Snakes are ok with me as long as they are on T.V. or in a securely locked environment!

2. The color red in Chinese culture usually means good luck.  Do you believe in luck?
Actually, no, I don't believe in "luck" per se., at least, that's not what I call it.  In my own personal belief system, I call it "Divine Providence".  I had a motorcycle accident when I was 18.  I died 3x and once on the operating table for almost 6 minutes.  My neck was broken in 2 places, my back was broken in 3 places, my left leg was shattered, and I had the top part of my skull caved in.  No, I was not supposed to be breathing after that, let alone walking and continuing my life.  I slipped into a coma for 19 days.  First words I heard coming out of that state of nothingness was, "You'll never walk again."  I had a 2 year old and a 2 month old, no way I was going to raise them from a wheelchair.  My point is this, luck had nothing to do with it.  It was only by the grace of God, Himself, that I was allowed to continue on with my life, without crutches, without a walker, and without a wheelchair.  I'm 43 years old now, and granted, the aches and pains are somewhat intense most days from arthritis and such caused by the accident; but, in the meantime, I've experienced the joy of giving birth to 2 more children, meeting some fabulous people, traveling, and still being young enough to get down on the floor and play with my grandchildren.  Luck? No, that was all God.

3. Sledding-ice skating-building a snowman...if given a choice, which activity would you choose?  Which of the three have you done most recently?
None of them actually!  We had a beautiful snow this year, but it didn't hang around long enough to be able to enjoy any of the icy activities.  Of the three, I would have to say building the snowman, snow-woman, and little snow babies all across the yard.  I get goofy sometimes and if there were enough snow, I'd have a snow village in my front yard.  I like the creativity I think, more.

4. Ralph Waldo Emerson is credited as saying, "The years teach much which the days never knew." Where have you seen this quote played out in your own life?
I have to agree with Joyce on this answer, "Motherhood".  As a grandmother now, I look back at my state of mind when I was a young mother.  I watch as my oldest daughter is learning to raise her children and so many times I want to jump in and "fix" the situation for her or take over for her so she can have a break.  But, I realize that wouldn't be helping her in the long run.  She has such a difficult time getting the 16-month old to take her nap but when it's just the baby and I, things are so much calmer and she'll go right down for me.  I know it's the wisdom of the years, more so than the experience of child rearing.  It's a really neat thing to watch unfold.

5.  When was the last time you ate a cupcake?
Last Monday.  I made some lemon cupcakes with Apple Pie Frosting, sprinkled with cinnamon, for my class that evening.  I was trying new flavor combinations and this one turned out fabulous!

6. What is something you can't say no to?
Wow, this is a tough one actually.  There used to be a time when the word "no"  wasn't even in my vocabulary; which caused many more problems for me than it should have.  I've since adjusted my vocabulary and it's a more frequently used word (much to the relief of my sanity!).  But the one thing that I really have difficulty saying "no" to are my grandchildren.  They never ask for things that are unattainable.  A walk in the park, crafty things, cooking, and my 6 year old grandson, Devin loves to do the dishes....How can you say "no" to that?

7. Are you a doodler?
I used to be a doodler.  I'm mostly reading and doing classwork.  I take so many notes in class that I hardly have time to doodle.  When I'm home, I'm on the computer or reading.  When I start my drawing and art class, I will most definitely be doodling a lot more.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
How come I can go into the basement or garage in the dark and not be scared, but whenever a toaster pops up, it scares the crackers out of me?