Wednesday Hodgepodge--Think January

1. Every January 1st since 1976 Lake Superior University has published a list of words they'd like to see banished from the Queen's English. Words may be banished due to mis-use, over-use or just general uselessness and they receive over 1000 nominations. Here are the fourteen words/phrases they'd like to see banished in 2011-viral, epic, fail, wow factor, a-ha moment, back story, BFF, man up, refudiate, Mama Grizzlies, The American People, facebook/google when used as verbs, I'm just sayin', and Live life to the fullest.

What word or phrase would you like to see banished from our everyday vocabulary in 2011? You can choose one from the 'official list' or you can get creative and come up with your own.  I'd have to choose BFF, LOL, ROFLMAO, and any of the other abbreviations that have become common usage since texting became so common.  I always stumble when reading anything with those abbreviations in it.  Habit from lots of reading--if it's abbreviated then I should be able to put the whole phrase in the sentence and lots of times it just doesn't work. 

2. Do you consider opportunity something that comes to you or something you create for yourself?  A little bit of both, really.  You have to be able to recognize opportunity when it shows up and be able to go after it.

3. Since we're all eating healthy this month, ahem, what's included in your favorite salad? Is there dressing?  I love a good steak salad with romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, sirloin steak--medium rare--croutons, and blue cheese dressing, although a good balsamic vinaigrette works too.

4. The fourth Monday in January is said to be Blue Monday...aka the most depressing day of the year. The date was calculated using many factors including weather, debt level, time since Christmas, time since we've failed at our new year resolutions, low motivation and feeling a need to take action. Do you get the blues this time of year and if so what is something you do to lift your spirits?   I do get blue this time of year--getting out with friends helps, getting outside helps and being active--more than just house work-- helps.

5. Do you wear a watch? Any other everyday jewelry essentials?  I am addicted to my watch.  I feel undressed without it.  My hubby does not wear a watch and sometimes it drives me nuts because he does not pay any attention to the time.  I also always have a necklace, earrings and rings on.  They coordinate but not necessarily match.  I used to do that--matching  jewelry and outfit, but I don't have to dress that way any more.

6. What is something useful you learned in high school?  If you put to many girls in the same place, drama will ensue.  And you can never totally get away from the high school dynamics as you get older--the players just get older.

7. Do you use an accountant when completing and filing your income tax returns or do you attempt to muddle through all by yourself?  We go to H & R Block.  That way we have some one to deal with the complicated filing that we have had at times.

8. Insert your own random thought here.  My car hates the cold weather.  Yesterday was the second time it has refused to start when the thermometer has dipped below zero.  It's going to be a long winter.