The Wednesday HOPS!

The first HOP is from Patrice, at Everyday Ruralty, who hosts Wednesday Words of Weight Loss every Wednesday!  It's a fun HOP that offers encouragement and company on the issue of weight.  It's never too late to join!  Come on, this is your week to join in the FUN! 

 Questions1. Are you happier at a big event/party or would you rather be with a few close friends/family? This one is EASY!  I am WAY happier AT HOME with a few close friends and family!  I don't do crowds well at all.  I am uncomfortable making small talk with people and I get irritated very quickly in a crowd. 

2. What kind of farm animal is your favorite?  Horse.  Horses are one of the most gorgeous creatures on the face of the earth!  I have never owned a horse (I've always been a city girl) but I have ridden numerous times and I loved it every single time (although it was kind of scary the first time one galloped all the way back to the stables)!  I like brushing them and talking to them and feeding them.  And just watching them.  Horses are great!  BTW- how's Wendell today?

3. How are you doing with your weight loss or healthy eating?  The weight is coming off so slowly that I have to wonder if it's coming off at all.  Actually, I know that it is because, well, I can tell by the way my clothes fit and the way my face looks and my breathing gets better all the time.  The healthy eating is going great!  No sugar in 55 days as well as no bad carbs!  I'm hanging in there.  So far.

4. If you could have any food made calorie free or carb free, what would it be?  Pizza and cake.  I have to pick something sweet because of my sweet tooth (which is under control so far) and I just love pizza and I haven't had a bit for OVER 55 DAYS!  I'm not craving it but if it was calorie/carb free?  I'd eat it every day of my life! 

5. What's the most relaxing thing for you to do at the end of the day? Sit down and pet Tucker while watching television. 

Second is WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE from Joyce at From This Side of the Pond.  This one is a great way to get to know some wonderful new bloggy friends and learn more about some old ones...not that I'm calling anyone OLD, mind you.   

1. How many times in your life have you moved house? Oh wow--counting college?  Uh-oh...the number comes to 13.  Yikes! The last time I moved, 23 years ago, was the easiest EVER.  I was 7 months pregnant with Birdie and no one would let me do anything!  I didn't argue. 

2. What subject would you study if you had a year to devote to it? This one took some thought (I am ever grateful that Joyce gives us a heads-up on these questions) but I did narrow it down...sort of:  Poetry, photography, Spanish.  Poetry because I love it.  I love the way if flows; the way it tells a story or describes something; the way it makes me feel...Poetry gives me comfort on a sad day; autumn or winter on a summer's day (and summer on a winter's day); the color of spring on a drab day; hope/suspense/adventure/fantasy/friendship/love...But there is so much of it that just flies right over my head and I would love to study poetry for a year just to have a better understanding of it.  Photography because I love taking pictures but I don't understand all that my camera can do.  It would really take more than one year to explain it to someone like me but I'm willing to take what I can get.  Spanish because I really want to learn another language.  I thought Spanish would be the logical choice because I took it in college (and liked it) and because there are a lot of Spanish speaking folks in the area and I would like to help them.  

3. What in this world breaks your heart?  Animal abuse.  I can't stand the way some people treat animals.  And, if mistreating guilty abusers the same way they abused the animals was ever a legal option?  I would jump right up on that bandwagon without a second thought. Oh, and I would recommend the very same treatment for those guilty of abusing children.  AND I would LOVE to be in charge of handing out these punishments.  AND the punishments would last the same amount of time that the a$#holes had been dishing out abuse.  AND THEN they would go to prison.

4. What is one item that symbolizes the times in which we live? Why?  Oh my.  Another one that required thought.  Perhaps a stopwatch.  The obvious reason is that it seems as though time is flying by quicker than ever anymore because people are getting busier and busier and our technology does not exactly promote calm or taking time to smell the roses.  But then there's the time that we waste rushing here and there getting to this event and then another one or sitting in front of the television, etc.  And there's the time we don't take to hand write a letter or have a face-to-face conversation with another human being or sitting in the drive thru instead of preparing a home cooked meal...  I realize that there are a lot of us out there that try to be aware of our limited time and to use it wisely.  But I have noticed that there are even more who simply do not. 

5. Share a favorite bumper sticker or t-shirt slogan.  T-shirt:

I'm not stubborn.  

My way is just better

6. How do you like your spaghetti?  With lots and lots and LOTS of sauce!  LOTS! 

7. What is one piece of advice you would give a recent, or soon to be recent, graduate?  I hope college was fun because real life is about to smack the crap out of you.  No, I'm kidding!  Go and experience the world and don't be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone. 

That's Birdie in the back on the left- my recent college graduate!

8. Insert your own random thought here.  This whole self-exploratory/awareness/discovery journaling thing is a load of crap pretty darn intense.  I only shared 10 things on Monday from a list that spanned 3.5 pages in my journal.  It's not pretty.  The good news is that I am aware and can work on some things.  But geez...who wants to know that much about themselves?  (I'm kidding of course!  Self-awareness is difficult sometimes but always worth the effort!) I will continue sharing bits and pieces tomorrow--the "What's on my mind" pages--all the crap that gets in the way of my written expression.  MEANWHILE, don't forget about the giveaway!

This is the book that I am working in and will be giving away to a lucky winner!  You will have your choice between an ebook or a print copy!  All you have to do is mention in your comment that you want to be entered.  It's that simple!  Please leave your email addresses so I can contact the lucky winner!