I checked the mail, and the Hodgepodge

So after my riveting last post regarding the mail-checking process of US military personnel stationed in Madrid, Spain who are not posted at the ODC or NATO affiliated base, which is currently applicable to 2 people in the world *pause for breath* I'm certain you were all waiting to see what happened.

This is what happened-- After proofreading my post the thought of actually going through with all of those boring steps bored me and I didn't go.

But I did go the following morning and I am pleased to report that I had THREE packages waiting for me. Woohoo! I hit the mother lode and was then unable to do any shopping at the little store in the basement of the Embassy because I had no more free hands.

Since it's obvious I'm lacking for blogging inspiration, how lucky am I that it's Wednesday Hodgepodge day at Joyce's blog!
She asks the questions, you provide the answers. All are welcome to join.



1. It's been said that one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day?  Do you think that's true? Do you find that an easy exercise most mornings? What's something positive you told yourself this morning? If you missed that boat, what's something positive you could tell yourself tomorrow?

Yes, there is indeed one small positive thought in the morning that can change my whole day. But it's only true of one very particular thought:

That alarm is not for you.

If that thought is true, my whole day is better.

I'm not a morning person. Right now I have it really good-- the kids' school doesn't start until 9am, so I get up at 7:30 and slide right from my bed into Alex's where I wake her up with snuggles. Five minutes later, I slide out of hers and into Derek's. Repeat the snuggles.
If we are able to get a house on base in Alabama next year, their school will start at 7:55.
I want to cry a little when I type that.

2. There will be karaoke at the next party you attend...are you in? Or will you be faking a sore throat?

Is there also wine at this party?

Two words: Nineties Rap.

3. January 29th is National Puzzle Day...what's something you've found puzzling lately?

I live in Spain and don't speak great Spanish. It might be more expeditious if I make a list of what I don't  find puzzling.

4. Jigsaw, crossword, acrostic, logic, sudoku, word search...what's your favorite, and when did you last work one?

I'd say logic is my favorite.
We recently bought the game "Rush Hour" for our family and we've all had fun* trying to get that red car out of the traffic jam.

*Sometime in my house, fun looks like me throwing tiny cars and saying naughty things.

5. Recently a writer by the name of Amy Glass ruffled feathers with a post she wrote saying she looks down on young women with husbands and kids and she's not sorry. Among other things she says women will be equal with men when we stop saying housework and real work are equally important.  You can read the whole piece by clicking here.

What say you? Do you think men and women are equal in the 21st century? Why or why not?

I suppose I'm one of those people she looks down upon, but I can't say that it ruffles my feathers. I'm laughing all the way to the coffee shop. ;)

We all value different things and prioritize life choices through our own worldview. One of the things she wrote in her article is: "You will never have the time, energy, freedom or mobility to be exceptional if you have a husband and kids."

But she can't define for me what it is to be exceptional, or who I want to be exceptional for. 

6. What's a product you've noticed in the grocery store that you'd like to try, but haven't yet?
Adult diapers. It's just that I haven't needed them yet, but think of the convenience! Skipping bathroom breaks could increase your productivity if you're a big coffee drinker, and imagine the road trip implications...

7. The author, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll) was born this week back in 1832 (January 27th). Which character from his celebrated novel, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, would you most like to meet, and why? Here's a link to the character list if you need help on this one.
Due to lethargy, lassitude, and indolence, I regret that I am unable to form a cogent remark pertaining to the subject.

True fact-- I had a lovely teacher in high school who had this phrase posted at the top of the blackboard, and if she called upon you and you didn't know the answer, you had to stand and repeat that sentence.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

There are so many names now to define your style of eating. Every once and while, a facebook friend will call upon others in their eating cult group for advice.

It looks like this:
Hey, fellow clean-eating friends, where can I find...(insert something I would have to look up here)?

If I am not one of those friends, have I become a dirty eater?

Are you paleo?

No, but I sure am pale-o. I mean, it's January for goodness' sake.

I saw a new one today-- primal eating. This conjures images of upper-middle-class Americans filing their teeth into points and stalking prey in the forest.

I'll need to go google it now so I can erase that image from my mind.


Thanks for the questions, Joyce!