Middle of the Week, Middle-ish of February Hodgepodge

1. The Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? Will you be giving something up or adding something to your life in this Lenten season? 

2. Pancakes...are you a fan? Syrup or no syrup? Plain, blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas, or some other add in? Are pancakes on your menu this week? 

3. Tell us about a time recently when you felt 'spread too thin'. 

4. What's your favorite jewel or gemstone? In terms of your wardrobe would we find more gem tones, pastels, black and white, or primary colors? 

5. What responsibility do you think is hardest about being in charge? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I'm starting this without first even reading the questions. . .so we'll see how it goes!

Happy Wednesday everyone :). It's a quick week - Monday was President's Day, I worked a full day yesterday and will again today, then leave for SC tomorrow morning with a friend from out of town to play in Racquet Wars.  The weather looks good for us (if the rain will hold off on Saturday) - really the only thing that ever matters to me ;)

Ok, time to read and answer what's on tap here today from Joyce - thank you, as always, for hosting!  Anyone who wants to blog along, please do so. . .if you don't have a blog feel free to leave your answers in the comments.

1.  No, I don't mark this day in any way.  Growing up I attended a Catholic school for awhile and giving something up was part of it all - I remember doing this well into my teenage years.  If I was surrounded by a community that still did this I would consider it, but if I'm doing something I shouldn't be then I should just "stop", right?  Not wait for 40 days once a year?  I know there is more to it than that, but I'm truly at a place in life where I would prefer to start and stop things because they are good for my spiritual, mental, or physical health, regardless of the season. But, Joyce, because of your reminder, I'm sure there is a habit I can add to my quiet time in the morning that would be a good practice for this Lenten season.

2.  I LOVE pancakes and no, never, are they on my menu (except Christmas Day). And with sausage if possible.

I will get them in a restaurant once in awhile throughout the year but there is not one healthy thing about them.  REAL MAPLE SYRUP only - we buy the "fake" stuff for my father in law, it's the only kind he likes.  And if you offer me blueberry pancakes or lemon ricotta, I will say "yes" every.single.time.

3.  Every once in awhile I'll feel "spread too thin" at work, but that's really about it.  It's generally when there are a lot of projects all stacked on top of each other and it's just not possible to get to them all.  But, again, I don't have a "critical" job, so if something falls off the plate all I do is disappoint someone, it's never about a life, a deadline, or added cost to anyone. 

Back in the Day when my husband and I felt "spread too thin" as parents, we would step back, realign/prioritize and always end up disappointing {someone} but we cared too much about keeping stuff together for the six of us that "NO" became a necessity.

 Almost 18 years ago - time flies!  Right now I'm only 3 years younger than my mom was in this picture.

4.  I have always loved a sapphire.  Blue is one of my favorite colors and that gemstone is my favorite.  My sister bought me a sapphire pendant for my 40th birthday that I still love.  Luckily I have a child born in September so I have always gotten to have that gemstone in any "mother's" jewelry (along with emerald, topaz, and whatever that pink October one is). 

My closet contains a lot of either neutral (black, white, grey, beige) or "classic" colors (navy, red, brown).  I try to add pink as much as I remember to and, of course, I've got the obligatory Tennessee Orange :)

5.  Where to start.  I don't mind making decisions, being responsible, keeping people accountable or projects on time. . .it's the starting that I struggle with. 

I once had a boss who said, "if I give Jenni a blank piece of paper it immobilizes her; if I put just one dot on the paper she will have it filled with ideas within minutes".  I'm so glad he articulated this to me - it's true to this day!  Start me a list. . .!!

6.  This was fun!  I always want to answer this question after I've read other people's answers. . .(see #5) - they give me so many ideas - ha!  I have become the "question asker" at our monthly Friends Birthday Dinners and I give all the credit to these prompts :). They are fun questions that really help you get to know a person a little more than just the "regular stuff".

To get pictures for this post, I just put in my online photo library a word and it came up with pictures that may or may not contain that word - ha!  For this last question I put in "February 18th" and here is a photo from that search:  

Glad I saved that one on February 18th last year!!

Have a great Wednesday blogger world - 

Love,

Jenni