Strictly Hodgepodge

**Thanks to Joyce at From This Side of the Pond for coming up with the Wednesday Hodpodge every week and getting us all "over the hump."  If you you'd like to join in the fun, please visit Joyce's blog and follow the directions.

1. Do you think the world became a more dangerous place on September 11, 2001 or did we just become more aware of the danger? How has your own life changed as a result of that day?

~ I think we probably woke up a lot of sleeping fanatics with two wars, which upped the ante, but is the world more dangerous because of 9-ll?  I think the world was changing and things were escalating even before that.  As for how my life has changed, besides the obvious comment about inconvenient travel, I'd have to say the big difference is my awareness of how fragile life is.  We take so many things for granted in this country, but 9-11 showed we aren't untouchable.  Other than that, I can't think of anything right off the bat.

2. Did you think your parents were too strict when you were growing up? How about in hindsight?
~ Oh my, YES!!!  I hated my parent's strictness soooo very much.  I rebelled a good bit in high school, but it was in college, when I was out from under their control that I pretty much abandoned everything they stood for.  In hindsight?  I can see the reason for their strictness and maybe even agree with one or two of their decisions, but on the whole they really should have given me some room to breathe.

3. Share one random but candid fact about yourself.
~ There is a scar the size and shape of a quarter on my right butt cheek from the boil I developed during a phase in college when I was riding my bike upwards of 30 miles a day.  (How's that for candid?)

4. Would your nearest and dearest describe you as simple or far too complicated?
~ I would describe him as a simple person so he'd probably say I'm far too complicated.

5. What is your favorite stadium or carnival food?
~ Fried dough or carmel apples at the carnival.  Nachos or popcorn at the stadium.

6. Tornado, hurricane, earthquake...how many of these natural disasters have you experienced? Which event do you think would be the scariest?
~ As of last week I can now say I've been through a tornado (actually more than one of those...but thank heavens we don't usually see anything bigger than F1 or F2 around here) and an earthquake.  I have no desire to experience a hurricane, though I've been through the inland rains and flooding when we lived in Orlando.  I don't know which is worst.  Make them big enough and they're all terrifying.

7. Labor Day weekend is approaching so a work related question seems appropriate. Growing up, did your parents assign you regular chores? Were you paid for doing those chores? If you're a parent do you assign chores to your own children? Why or why not?
~ My parents gave me some chores.  In junior high I lost my mind and made up a list of jobs I could do for money.  I was thinking...when I needed money.  Mom and Dad were thinking....indentured servitude.  That list became set in stone and until I left home I cleaned the whole house every Saturday, did all the ironing (probably why I don't do it now), took care of the dogs, and I was supposed to wash the dishes every day, but my dad's theory that I could do that because my mom cooked gave me an out.  I cooked the majority of our meals from 11th grade on.  The jobs had to be done perfectly or not only would I not get paid, I'd get grounded.  I gave my kids a few jobs, but nothing like what I had.  Tim rarely gave them anything to do.  He still won't make Megan do anything.  He grew up poor and he sees it as success that he can spoil his children.

That last question was inspired by a post Mindee wrote on Monday. Everyone go say hi to Mindee-she blogs at Our Front Door and she's funny.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

~ There aren't enough hours in the day.  That has been my consuming thought the last two days.  I have been running constantly trying to get done everything that needs doing and it's not working.  I am TIRED.

Which really brings home this morning's devotion about not planning my days and trying to be in control (guilty, guilty, guilty), but rather to spend time in Jesus's presence and allow Him to have control.  The blessing of doing that is that He will allow me to be more productive in less time.

I know that.  It's just hard to not plan my days out.  I'm working on it.