It’s hard to believe that this is the last Hodgepodge for 2011! Thanks, Joyce, for a great year. I’m looking forward to what you have in store for us in 2012!
1. Share something you loved about your Christmas Day.
I loved watching the childlike joy that emanated from each person’s face, regardless of age, at the opening of each gift. I think that gift opening strips from us the pretenses that age and experience can bring with them. Instead, there’s anticipation of what lies beneath the ribbon and wraps.
2. You get to put five items in a time capsule to be opened in 100 years, what items would you choose and why?
Knitting Needles – To show that knitting was WAY COOL even in 2011
Sock Yarn – To show that yarn was WAY COOL even in 2011
Educational Psychology Book – To highlight how much educators “thought” they knew in 2011 (things are always changing, don’t you know)
A Smartphone – To show how archaic we were in 2011 as, I’m sure, technology will be out of this world in 2111.
The Bible – To share the message of Jesus, God’s Son, and to demonstrate that God never changes, no matter how much time passes.
3. What do you like on a cracker?
Hmmm…I don’t eat crackers very often anymore. I guess I’d have to say that I like to eat them with hummus, which is a vegan-friendly dip.
4. Do you make resolutions at the start of a new year? How’d that work out for you this past year?
I’m not so good at making resolutions. I typically forget about them. I’ve got no idea if I made any for 2011. I guess I could go back and see if I blogged about anything, but I’m feeling lazy. I’m not going to make any for 2012 because I know I probably won’t be able to keep them. I am going to strive to find some balance in my life, but I fear that will not come to fruition with teaching and upcoming reading endorsement certification classes (ten of them…oh joy).
5. What’s a song or song lyric you’ll associate with 2011?
I love the song, Firework, by Katy Perry. It’s what I danced to when I got the final approval on my last EPI (teaching certification program) assignment and was, after six months, finished. Thus ended a very stressful half year, and I’ll never, ever forget the release of joy as I danced my way through that song, on the Wii, several times, alone in my house, tears streaming down my face.
6. How will you ring in the new year?
I’ll probably be knitting and chatting online with KnittingHelp knitters. Yes, I am a party animal. Be jealous.
7. What is something you look forward to in 2012?
I am looking forward to summer vacation, which will begin early in June. That will mean that I survived my first year as a teacher in the public school system, and I’ll probably be 1/3 of the way through with my reading endorsement certification program. I plan on sleeping through the first month of vacation.
Sad, eh? LOL
8. My Random Thought
Many of you have grown or nearly grown children and, thus, can identify with me when I say that it’s so wonderful to have both of my kids at home during the holiday. After we got home from visiting the Mr.’s parents and my sister and her family, Chicky got a wild hair and decided to redecorate her room…a room that she doesn’t really spend much time in since she’s in college now.
First, we bought her a new comforter and sheets.
Then, she got Rooster to help her move the furniture around.
Her room went from looking like this…
To this…
One of her college friends is coming to visit for a few days, and I suspect that she wanted to de-kidify her room a bit, if that makes sense.
The sounds of discussion and laughter as she and Rooster moved things around made my heart swell with joy.
We have had an incredible Christmas. Life with two nearly grown children is so much easier. We all communicate well with each other. Our laughter is based on years of shared memories that others outside of the family just wouldn’t get.
One of the questions above asked what we were looking forward to in 2012. One of the things I’m dreading is Rooster leaving for college, and some of the laughter leaving with him.
Holidays will become even more important as the years go by. This year gave me a glimpse into the future.
Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: christmas, family, Firework, Katy Perry, Wednesday Hodgepodge |
AuburnChick's Adventures 
Enjoy every minute with those almost grown children. It goes so fast!
I love that you would put a Bible in your time capsule to show how the word of God never changes. I put one in mine too for the same reason!
My daughter is a senior in HS this year, my only child and I’m dreading next year….so I really cherished this holiday. Love your daughter redo room…fun holiday addition. Have a wonderful New Year!
I do understand how it feels to have young adult children. Our time together is always too short but lots of laughing too. Glad you’re getting a little break from the stresses of school this holiday season.
Happy New Year!
Love your answer to the song of the year! That is a great song!
Glad you had such a wonderful Christmas!
I completely understand on the grown-kid thoughts. My oldest moved out-of-state a couple years ago, so we missed 2 Christmases with her. That was hard, especially on our youngest daughter (10). She moved back home in Sept., and I think this was one of the happiest Christmases for this family! I will cherish it forever!
Have a bless New Year!
Yes I totally get the grown up kid thing. Our’s is home for a month and the time is flying by. Only a couple of weeks left.
Happy New Year.
You are so right to enjoy those minutes with the almost-growns. This was not the first year of sharing our son and his family with his in-laws, but it was the first year of our “baby” girl being old enough to take off to be with her boyfriend and his family. Sigh. Not the same at all.