A Thinker's Hodgepodge

Another fun Hodgepodge post today, courtesy of my friend Joyce at From this Side of the Pond (see link in my favorites).  Feel free to start participating -- and let me know if you do!

1. Way back when several of you submitted questions as part of a giveaway I was hosting. I went back to that list for inspiration today and found a question  submitted by Marla, who blogs over at Marla's Musings. Thanks Marla!   She asks-At what age did you feel like a 'grown-up'? What keeps you young now?   

I guess I felt most like a grown up when I got my first home back in college.  I don't mean the dorm -- I mean the first time I moved out of the dorm (Junior Year).  I still feel that way.  Having a home of your own is such a grown-up thing.

What keeps me young now is working with a lot of young women -- they make me join Instrgram, step up the fashion, etc.  Plus, they are just fun!

2. When did you last buy a vehicle? Was this by design or because you had no other option? Was the car/truck purchased for your own personal use or was it bought for someone else to drive? On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being delightful and 1 being 'pass the Excedrin') how would you rate the experience?

Since I am single, I only buy cars for me.  I get a new one every couple of years because I love having a new one and I hate having a car break down.  Nothing makes me madder than a car that won't work.  I should also admit that I really don't care what color I get -- someone else could even pick it out.  I do only buy the same car now.  I've had a small Lexus SUV for about 10 years, I think.  My buying experience is a 10+, as I always use Jeff Hazelwood at Sewell Lexus.  Jeff is the best!

3. Corn bread, corn chips, corn pudding, corn on the cob, cornflakes, corn chowder-your favorite of the corn-y foods listed? What needs to be served alongside your selection?

Corn Chowder for sure.  Al Bernat's has the best -- they add a little crab to it too.  Delish.  I order it with the wedge salad and a slice of coconut cream pie.  It's a lunch to remember!

4. What's something in your life that regularly requires you to 'put your thinking cap on'?

Lately, it's been working on our capital campaign for Community Partners of Dallas.  This campaign is something I've never done before, so it's fun to research and get some of the best minds in Dallas helping me.  Just asking friends and donors for advice is wonderful and very thought-provoking!

5. Share a favorite movie set in a school or classroom, or whose theme relates to school days in some way.

Bring It On is one of my favorites.  Also Clueless.

6. Reading, writing, and 'rithmatic' are commonly referred to as the three R's. What are the three R's in your life right now?

Mine have to be Resting (not enough), Ridiculing (myself -- I love self-deprecating humor) and Refrigerating (gotta have AC in Big D).

7. What's something you've learned or tried recently you can say was as 'easy as ABC'?

Water aerobics.  Loved it.  Now I just need to make myself do it.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My favorite quote lately:

Four Favorite Things I Love Right Now! Part 10

Last month's Four Favs post (visit it here if you missed it http://blog.paigemcdaniel.org/2013/05/4-favorite-things-i-love-right-now-part.html) was so popular that I even got a present from a reader:

Copper Moscow Mule Cups!  Thank you, Sandy -- as you can see, I put them right to good use!

I've been super busy lately and the office is blowing and going with Community Partners of Dallas' Back to School Drive, staff vacations, staff changes, etc.  So, I almost forgot about the blog today.  Luckily, I saw a package of my 2nd fav on my desk and away we go!

1. Lexus RX350 -- I am currently driving my fourth one of these (I've had black, brandywine, red, white, in that order) and I can tell you that I don't think I'll ever buy a different car or model.  This is the small SUV and it is perfect for me.  Love everything about it.  Call Jeff Hazelwood at Sewell for sales and Sara Cockburn for service -- they are the best!  Tell them I sent you, of course.
2. Sour Patch Watermelon -- Joanna got me on these tiny bites of deliciousness and oh, how I wish she hadn't ever done so.  They are so good and just a perfect bite of sour and sweet.  If you like the way your pants fit now, don't try them. 
   
3. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris -- Or really anything by David is worth a read and a laugh.  I wish that I could make him my best friend and have dinner with him once a week.  Haven't yet read Exploring Diabetes with Owls, but I own it.
4. Karen Adams Calendar -- This is one of my favorite things to purchase each year at Paper Affair.  Each calendar page is beautifully designed and it has a little sparkle for the glamour girl in all of us.  My 2014 refill is already sitting in the drawer ready to be put into action! 
   

What are your Four Favs?

My List of Favorite Things, Oprah-Style (No giveaways though!)

I am thankful for a lot of things.  God, family, friends, my work, Community Partners of Dallas, and more, but for this blog I want to give you a list of the things that I love right now.  And yes, I know that it is wrong to love things, but I do love these things.  I bet some of you do too...

1. The Today Show  I have been a loyal viewer for more than 20 years and I love Matt Lauer and Al Roker more than ever. 
2. Artichoke Dip  It's a vegetable, right?
3. Dr. Bronner's Bar Soap from Whole Foods  This soap is all I use.  I like a bar and this one does not dry out your skin.  I have tried all of the smells, but Lavender is the best and holds the scent until the very last sliver melts away.
4. Tory Burch Cardigans  When I don't know what to wear, these are my staple.  Great with jeans and a t-shirt, as well as with a cute dress and heels.  I shop with Diana and Scott in HP Village.  Love them.
5. The Original Cast Soundtrack to Rent  My favorite musical -- I can really belt this one out in the car or the kitchen.
6. Ina Garten (aka The Barefoot Contessa)  Ina is amazing.  I have all of her cookbooks and I have never made a flop.  Her latest book called How Easy Is That? is fabulous.  The oven risotto is worth the price alone.
7. DVR  This is my favorite current invention.  What did we do without them?  I know that I  watched a lot of TV before, but I must have been watching things I didn't like that much -- horrors!  Now I always have something wonderful to watch at my fingertips.  L. O. V. E.
8. Lexus RX350  I have had three of them and I don't think I'll ever switch.  When my friend Maria Martineau Plankinton got her first one, she encouraged me to try it.  I told her that I didn't need a "Mom" car.  Maria uttered the words "It's not a Mom car, it's a shoppers car."  It is a Paige car now! 
9. Popcorn  I love Garrett's cheese popcorn from Chicago, but really my favorite is my own:  Orville's Hot Air Popcorn popped in my hot air popper with real butter melted in the microwave (38 seconds), then tossed with Paula Deen's House Seasoning (I make it too and keep it in a shaker from The Container Store).  I eat this every night.
10. Davines Love Shampoo and Conditioner  I get this at the Osgood O'Neil on Knox and believe me it really does help my extremely curly hair to behave.  I use Kerastase products too.  Hair products have really changed my life.
11. Amazon.com  I order stuff from them at least weekly -- last night for a gift for a kid in our Toy Drive list who wanted the Glee Board Game to a book for a Christmas gift earlier this week.  I sprung for the 2-day unlimited shipping this year and have used the devil out of it.
12. Oprah  An inspiring woman in every way.  Take the no texting and driving pledge, please!
13. Hot Coffee and Iced Tea  Get me up in the morning and keep me going all day.
14. Social Media  I really do love the Social Media Revolution and am trying to make sure that CPD embraces every opportunity to get the word out about our kids, Dallas County CPS Caseworkers, and our fabulous staff at CPD.

What are your favorite things?  Happy Thanksgiving, All!