The Wednesday Hodgepodge #37

I hope you are all having a good week? It's Wednesday which means it's time to join in with the Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce who blogs at From This Side of the Pond! Each week there are 6 questions, we answer and then link up. Simple!

1. What's one thing on your to-do list that you want to get done, need to get done, or that must get done before the year ends?

This is nothing festive, boring I know but I need to book an appointment to get my contraceptive implant changed. I can't believe I have had this one for almost 3 years. I won't get an appointment this year, there's a waiting list because our local GP practice doesn't do them anymore. Which I suppose is a good thing as I haven't had a great experience with my last 2 being changed. The first time they couldn't get my old one out and last year they forgot to order a replacement implant so I had the old one removed one day and the new one put in a few days later which stressed me out, I panic about medical things and dragging the ordeal out wasn't helpful. I will have to go to the NHS health and wellbeing hub in town and If I get booked in now I should get it done in about 6 weeks.

2. December 17th is National Maple Syrup Day...are you a fan? Do you like maple flavor in other food items such as candy, cookies, donuts, oatmeal, hot toddies, coffee?

I do like Maple Syrup! I don't have it often but I do have it now and again on pancakes and waffles of course and it is a nice treat in porridge too. For Christmas we will be having Maple Pigs in Blankets, we had them last year and I think the year before and they're amazing!

3. Time magazine names a person of the year every year. The tradition started back in 1927 with a 'man of the year' but has since changed to recognize not only an individual, but also to consider the impact of a group, movement, or idea that most influenced the year. The selection is not always someone or something good (think Hitler in 1938 and Stalin twice). This year they've named The AI Architects as their 'person of the year'. What say you? Is this a good choice, an obvious choice, a logical choice? Who do you think should have been named person of the year?

The AI Architects feels like an obvious pick but also a logical one. AI has been everywhere this year: work, school, phones, creativity, in the news, everywhere! You can’t really avoid it. So from an impact on the year point of view it makes sense.

If I were choosing I think they should honour the normal every day people like teachers who deal with the youth of today. They shape lives every single day and never get a headline. There are also the caregivers who are quietly looking after parents, partners, kids, relatives, often while working, parenting and trying to keep their own heads above water. They’ve felt the pressure of rising costs, stretched services, long waits all while doing jobs they were never trained for.

4. What's a city, state, or country you've visited that you never care to visit again? Tell us why.

That’s a tricky one for me because I really can’t think of anywhere I’ve visited that I wouldn’t go back to. I guess it comes down to the fact that I’m not that well travelled. I haven’t spent enough time hopping from city to city or country to country to really have a never again spot.

5. Next Sunday (December 21st) marks the first day of winter (or the opposite if you're living down under). What's one thing you love about this new season?

This question confused me for second, I thought how can we not be in winter already as it's so cold. I am not a fan of the cold so winter for me is all about being cosy! It’s the season where blankets are my best friend, thick socks are a must and hot drinks are a necessity. I love lighting candles, wrapping up in layers and creating little warm corners to hide away from the cold. Winter gives me all the excuses to slow down, get snug and just enjoy the little things without guilt.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

This time of year seems so quiet compared to years ago when the girls were little. This week would have been filled with school nativity plays, Christmas meals, carol concerts, Christmas parties and of course visits to see Santa. I remember one year they had Santa visit the school. I am 99% sure that the Santa was the headteachers husband and the kids were so sure they recognised him but couldn't quite place him. hehehe