Wednesday Hodgepodge

When I listen to the news, it seems like everyone is snowed in but us! However, more faithful than the post office, of whom it has been said, "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds," Joyce From This Side of the Pond has persevered through the weather to bring us the Wednesday Hodgepodge and make all our days a little brighter.

1. 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 mis-use, over-use or just general uselessness and they receive over 1000 nominations. Here are the fourteen words/phrases they'd like to see banished in 2011-viral, epic, fail, wow factor, a-ha moment, back story, BFF, man up, refudiate, Mama Grizzlies, The American People, facebook/google when used as verbs, I'm just sayin', and Live life to the fullest.

What word or phrase would you like to see banished from our everyday vocabulary in 2011? You can choose one from the 'official list' or you can get creative and come up with your own.

"went missing" (and "gone missing," "go missing," etc.) This is the most inane and grammatically incorrect phrase I think I have ever heard. It absolutely drives me nuts. And folks use this phrase when referring to both inanimate objects and people. Regarding inanimate objects, the word "inanimate" makes it obvious that the object can not go, nor has it gone, anywhere today, and it went nowhere yesterday. As for people, how can they go missing? If they actively go, they can return so they aren't missing.

I'm just sayin' . . . .

2. Do you consider opportunity something that comes to you or something you create for yourself?

I think opportunities come from God.

3. Since we're all eating healthy this month, ahem, what's included in your favorite salad? Is there dressing?

Leaf lettuce, tiny grape tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, crumbles of hard-boiled egg, grated cheese (this salad is sounding less and less healthy!), and pecans. I have been on a honey-mustard dressing kick for years and finally got sick and tired of it; now I"ll get a vinaigrette or maybe ranch.

4. The fourth Monday in January is said to be Blue Monday...aka the most depressing day of the year. The date was calculated using many factors including weather, debt level, time since Christmas, time since we've failed at our new year resolutions, low motivation and feeling a need to take action. Do you get the blues this time of year and if so what is something you do to lift your spirits?

Yes, and I'm so glad I live in Texas. I would have SAD if I lived way up north. It helps if I get out of the house and do something. And I can deal with the cold as long as the sun is shining. But too many cloudy days make me want to crawl under the covers and not come out!

5. Do you wear a watch? Any other everyday jewelry essentials?

Watch - yes. I also wear my engagement & wedding rings as well as an anniversary ring behind my wedding ring. And I generally have on earrings. If I'm going somewhere other than just running errands I'll wear a necklace, depending on the outfit.

6. What is something useful you learned in high school?

How to drive.

7. Do you use an accountant when completing and filing your income tax returns or do you attempt to muddle through all by yourself?

I use my man, and my man uses TurboTax!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My kids' weekly youth small groups start up tonight for the spring semester. Which means I'll have an hour or so to read at the local coffee shop!

BTW, be sure to check out my giveaway of Lysa TerKeurst's new book, Made to Crave!

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