Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What pets did you have while growing up? Tell us a little something about them.

Quite a few, actually.  We had two dogs--both wonderfully sweet.  One was incredibly smart (like you could tell him to pick up his toys and he'd do it), and the other was one of the dumbest creatures ever called into existence.  Also two cats--again, total opposites.  One was a good mouser and was a loving cat; the other was a lazy, mean, hissing ball of spite and fangs.
Also, birds.  Mom loved finches, and we had a number of them over the years. 

2. What is one thing you absolutely must accomplish today?

I have to get a new coffee grinder.  the lid on mine (that actually operates the grinding mechanism) snapped this morning.  If I go through tomorrow without coffee, I will also snap.

3. Where were you ten years ago? What were you doing there?

Living in our former city, working for the local government.  I miss having a job--sometimes.

4. September 26th is National Dumpling Day. Did you celebrate? Apple dumpling, xiao long bao (steamed Chinese dumpling), chicken and dumplings, pirogi, matzoh balls, or gnocchi...which dumpling on this list would be your dumpling of choice? Have you ever made homemade dumplings of any kind?

I did! I made gnocchi sautéed in sage butter.  I've tried making homemade pirogi before (because I wanted a gluten free version) and it was sort of a mess and it was hard with limited space, but it turned out..well actually it turned out kind of meh.  I've also made chicken and dumplings before, it was tasty and I had fun making it.

5. 'There are two kinds of adventurers: those who go truly hoping to find an adventure and those who go secretly hoping they don't.' William Trogdon

So which kind are you?

I would like to say I truly hope to find an adventure, but right now I'm a little tired of adventures and I would like to just quietly enjoy a day.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

At long last, the contractors are done.  And just in time for an overwhelming amount of fundraiser information to be coming home.  I understand the need for them but I kind of wish they'd just ask me for a check.  Until then, if you need candles, candy, nuts, magazines, cookie dough, or popcorn....and no, I'm not joking.  That's an incomplete list of the stuff my children are currently selling.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Hey y'all!  Here's hoping to get back into the swing of things...

1. Is a picture worth a thousand words? Elaborate.
Sometimes.  Sometimes, a picture says things that can't easily be articulated in any other way.

2. Have you ever driven any part of the Pacific Coast Highway? If so what was your favorite stop? If not, is this sort of trip on your bucket list?
No, I've never been that far west in America.  I'm not a huge fan of road trips in general anymore, to be honest.  I suppose I'd be happy to take it by train, but not if I'm driving.

3. How do the changing seasons affect you? As the seasons change do you find yourself looking more forward or backward? Which season-season transition bothers you most? Why do you suppose that is? 
The fall-to-winter transition is hardest on me.  Makes my back ache a lot more.  I do love summer-to-fall, though, it makes me look forward to fresh apples and pumpkin everything.

4. It's your birthday and you get to pick the dinner menu. What are we having? Do you ever lie about your age?
Something with cheese!  Seriously, though, my mood varies so much it's hard to pick one particular thing.  We went to a Mexican place for my birthday this year, if that counts.

I don't generally lie about my age.  For the time being, I don't feel like I have anything to hide.

5. What's a life lesson you've learned recently?
Not sure how to articulate this one.  We got a big life lesson when that tree came crashing down on our house.  It's still in a state of disrepair.  But the new roof is on, and the inside work is starting...uh, today, actually.  But I've learned I can deal with a few weeks of chaos if I know for certain things will be better in the end.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.
I never posted the obligatory first day of school pictures!  Scout is starting sixth grade, Sunshine is starting second.