Hodgepodge

 1. How do you define beauty? 

In a person's looks? Character? In the ineffable things of life? In nature? 

I guess one generic answer for beauty that maybe fits all of these is that which is so extraordinary in a good way that it transcends the ordinary. 

As a Christian, I believe that God created beauty literally in the natural world and He created us to live beautiful lives where we strive to live a life of  service and love for others. 

2. Have you ever taken a trip by train? If so where did you go and what did you think of the experience? If not do you have any desire to do so? Where would you like to go? (You might find inspiration here-The Best Train Trips in The World)

Does the monorail at Disney count? The train ride at Kings Island that takes you to the water park, lol? No, I've never traveled a distance outside of a theme park, I don't think. I'd love to take a train ride into the Grand Canyon. 

3. Shell shocked, bombshell, bandshell, shellacking, in a nutshell, walking on eggshells...choose one and tell us why you chose it, or how it relates to your life in some way currently.

I would say shell shocked. I am still grappling with working Monday through Friday! The hours are part time but they are a bit more than I'd like. I haven't worked Monday through Friday since May of 2003 so I think I'm entitled to some shell shockness! 

One thing is for sure, whenever I do cease working Monday through Friday, I will appreciate not working five days a week A LOT! Donnie has been working Monday through Friday for twenty seven years with very little time off (nature of the profession/now being a small business owner and professional) and I have such a deep admiration and appreciation for what he's done. I mean, I always appreciated but it this five week stint (so far) has me renewed of my admiration for his hard work.

4. Tacos, pistachios, oysters, clams, eggs...your favorite food on the list that comes in/with a shell? 

I really like pistachios. If I'm feeling fancy, I will buy a bag with the shells already removed :). Having to remove the shells prior to eating one can take away the joy just a tiny bit of eating them. It's normally not the physical demand of removing the shell, it's wondering if the shell will come off easily or not. Too much stress, lol!!

I also like eggs a lot. Hard boiled or cooked on the stove with cheese to make a cheese and egg patty to insert in between the toasted top and bottom portions of bagels- YUM!

I had oysters for the first time over the weekend in Indiana. I didn't think I'd be a fan and I was correct! Three of them came on my plate- a seafood platter- and it worked out great for me to try one and for my sister and niece to each have one. I wouldn't have wanted to eat three! 

5. Are birthdays a big deal in your house? Is your own birthday a big deal in some way? Elaborate. 

Birthdays are a quasi big deal? When the kids were younger, I tried to make their birthdays special. Birthday parties, treats, a special meal, presents, etc. But I don't feel like I went too over the top. Partly I didn't want to spoil them- yes, the kids are loved, special, and important BUT I didn't want them to feel like the world revolved around them. 

I don't feel like my birthday is a huge deal. I'm grateful to be alive and to live is to have birthdays. It's nice to have a day set aside where friends and family make you feel cared about and loved. And a big 'ol piece of cake with thick frosting is always a great way to tangibly and tastefully enjoy the day:

Thick frosting from a piece of cake at the Cake Bake that I went to over the weekend 

At the same time, I generally feel a sense of relief when my birthday is over. The "fuss" if you will is over. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I have this hanging in the girls' bathroom. It's a quote attributable to F. Scott Fitzgerald. It says:

"She was beautiful, but not like those girls in magazines. She was beautiful for the way she thought. She was beautiful for the sparkle in her eyes when she talked about something she loved. She was beautiful for her ability to make other people smile, even if she was sad. No, she wasn't beautiful for something as temporary as her looks. She was beautiful, deep down in her soul."

I thought it was a nice sentiment to place in a bathroom where a mirror would project the girls' visages and they were likely to find fault with something therein (I think my girls are beautiful physically but I know that it's very common to look at yourself and find fault). It was a reminder of what's really important- not the outward shell.

My girls joke now that I put it in their bathroom because I don't think they're beautiful- that I put it up as some sort of consolation of not being pretty! Of course that is not it at all. 

Perhaps I should have just put a wall hanging with one of the Bible's "best verses" on beauty: Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

Linking up with Joyce for the Hodgepodge