Pondering With a Purpose

Thursday again! Time to do a little "pondering" with Brenda from Ponderings of an Author.

Her rules are really easy:

1. Grab the Pondering with a Purpose Badge (in her sidebar)

2. Look at the week's prompt

3. Post something on your blog that relates to the prompt - it can be a story, a poem, a picture -- anything you want it to be.

4. Go back here and add the URL from your post to the linky list on Brenda's.

5. Go check out the other bloggers who have added their links to the list.

6. AND most of all.... Have fun!

This Week's prompt:                Loss

Tragedy, loss - I have to say that I have experienced a lot of it. I lost my paternal grandmother when I was 7, my grandfather  when I was 12 and numerous aunts and uncles along the way. Let's just say that I was quite familiar with funerals when I was a child. But close, personal tragedy did not hit until I was 13. 

My sisters and I were in a bad car accident. My oldest sister was killed. Both me and my other sister were badly injured. We were in the hospital from September 3rd till October 6th and then had hospital beds set up at home. I was in a "body cast." I jokingly say that I am bionic because I have lots of metal and plastic holding me together - and lots of scars, mostly on my arms and legs. My sister also had multiple scars. I quickly adopted the attitude "If you don't like the way I look, don't look." She, on the other hand had a hard time dealing with it. I believe that she thought she had to be the "life of the party" to compensate for her scars. It was a downward spiral for her and she ended up taking her own life. 

So you can see, I know tragedy. I believe that may be why I "cling" so much to my children. Maybe cling is not the right word. They mean the world to me and I try not to take anything for granted because I know that life can change in an instant.  

Hodgepodge

Welcome back to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! Be sure to add your link to the bottom of Joyce's post and then go visit the neighbors. After all, that's part of the fun! 

This week's questions: 


1.  Share your traditions surrounding the Christmas stocking. The year my daughter was born I found a pattern for a Christmas stocking that I really liked and made them for what at the time was three of us. Since that year, I have probably made close to a thousand of those stockings. One year my bf approached me the week before Christmas and asked if I could possibly get 19 of them done before she had a special Christmas party. Her whole family was going to be home for the first time in years. That week flew by with every spare minute spent crocheting. I even enlisted my daughter to help me but we got them all done. I've altered the pattern to where I can make them from about 6 inches to a huge one I made for my nephew - it was 36 inches long! They normally are about 18 inches. I'm going to put mine up tomorrow night and will try to take a picture!

picture as promised

2.  How many hours of sleep do you average at night?  Is it enough? Usually about 6 and it seems to be enough for me.

3.  If you had to give up one thing for the remainder of this year what would it be?  Um...... definitely NOT coffee - I may be able to do without my flavored creamers for that long - but I wouldn't like it.

4.  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (or Wills and Kate as I like to call them) have announced they're expecting a baby. Do you follow news of the Royals? Nope!

5.  For me,  the sound of childhood is giggles.

6.  Fruit cake-yay or boo? What's your favorite dessert made with fruit? I have to say nay. I've had a few that weren't too bad but most are just horrible.

7. What is one thing you want to accomplish before 2012 comes to an end? A baby blanket for my grandson who's due in April.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. My last final is next Monday. I graduate - again - on the 15th. Then on to my Master's. I will be taking a semester off so I'll be available to help daughter with the new baby if she needs me. I cannot wait for next May! Son, dil and my G1 will be coming home on leave! I'll have TWO grandsons here at the same time. After discussing with son and dil, I have put off the England trip until next fall or the following January. That way daughter and G2 will be able to go too! I really don't want to travel by myself. It will be the first time I go overseas.

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch

It's time to head over to Patrice's porch for the weekly chat.

Questions

 

1. Do you have your tree up yet? If not, when will you put it up? If you don't have a tree, please tell me about another tradition you like. I put the tree up last Sunday - a little late for me but it turned out really pretty.
2. What was the best job you ever had? The worst? The worst job I ever had was waitressing - hated it. The best would have been my previous job - there were some pretty awesome people there.
3. Do you drive around and look at Christmas lights? If not applicable, tell me something you like to look at when you go for a drive. Yes.
4. Does your tea kettle have a whistle? I don't have a tea kettle at the moment.
5. Do you like boots? Yes, I wear them all the time (have them on right now). Hoping to get another pair for Christmas.

Coffee Chat

Time for the Coffee Chat! If you'd like to join, head over to Leslie's at Time out for Mom.

The topic is: Christmas Traditions

I have a few Christmas traditions starting with putting the tree up on the day after Thanksgiving. It is the start of the Christmas season for me. It didn't get done this year and I was extremely upset - kind of ruined it for me and I said that I would not put up a tree at all because of it. BUT - I caved. I got a tree last weekend and put it up.

The only other tradition that I can think of is Christmas Eve pajamas. It started when the kids were little. I would always buy them Christmas themed pajamas to wear on Christmas Eve. I still do it. This year I ordered matching flannel pj bottoms and Christmas t-shirts for me and Biz. They should be here this week!

Monday Quiz About Me

Based on the original Meet Me on Monday hosted by Java at Never Growing Old, Heather over at Acting Balanced  posts 5 questions on Sunday evening along with a linky for you to link up your post answers! Since Java is back , Heather has changed the name of her hop to "Monday Quiz About Me."

This weeks Questions:
 1. When was the last time you had your picture taken with Santa? I don't remember ever having a picture taken with Santa.

2. Which do you prefer - ham or turkey? Turkey

3. Do you give more to charity in December? Yes, there's the Angle Tree and all the bell ringers, plus special collections for the military.

4. Which US City would you most like to visit and why?  Not sure - maybe Savannah.

And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around!

My 5th question:  What is your tree topper?