A Little Hodgepodge to Keep My Mind Off of CO2

March is National Women's History Month. In that vein, who are three women who've been influential in your life? How so?

I can look back and see a whole line of women and men who have influenced me. I don't know if it's possible to not learn from everyone we come across. But I was asked to name three...

1. My mom. She is a fun mom who is quick to laugh and quick to forgive.

2. My best friend in the world, Amy. For many years, we practically raised our kids together. We taught each other how to be better moms, we helped each other be better spouses, and we talked and debated religion, which helped me begin to really hammer out what I believe and why I believe it.

3. My grandmas. (I know, that's two. I can't just name one!) One who lived far away and passed away much too soon, and one who lived down the street from me in Ohio who is still have alive (91 years old!) and well. There is no question where my mom got her sense of humor. Her mother was fun, fun, fun. She could laugh in the most difficult of situations. I spent a large portion of my childhood at my dad's mom's house. We'd play cards, I'd go to Bingo with her, I'd help her get stuff done around the house, and sometimes we'd just watch TV and talk. I just talked to her today, as a matter of fact.

In what ways do you think women have it easier than men?

I don't know that they do. Men and women are different. We aren't made to compete, but to complement each other. We have different roles, but both are difficult. Bryan is the sole money maker in our house. I know there have been times where that weighed on him mightily. I am in charge of all things house and kids and schedules. There's plenty of weight in that role, too.

But, I have to answer the question. I have it easier than Bryan because doing my job means going to the zoo and hiking through the woods and playing board games.

What do you need most right now: Faith, love, hope, or peace?

Well, I've got plenty of love, surrounded by my family who are good at showing it. I'm going with faith as my answer. There's a lot of things going on in the world and a few in my home that I just need to trust God to take care of. It may be hard to get to the other side, but I have to have faith that it will all be right in the end. Knowing that, I'll have peace.

Do you have a collection? If so, what do you collect and why?

I actually wrote a post about this a couple of years ago. Before then I would have said I am absolutely not a collector, but I realized I am. You can read about them HERE. Good news, we no longer have the koozie collection. I donated them. But, we now have a gigantic plastic bag collection overtaking the mud room.

Plaids, checks, polka dots, and stripes...your favorite?

I'm not opposed to any of them, but I do only have polka dots and stripes in my wardrobe, in both shirts and dresses.

In what ways are you the same as your childhood self?

Pretty sure my personality hasn't changed, but you'd have to ask my parents or even Bryan, seeing as how we met when I was only 15. I'm the same, but I've learned to tone myself down. For example, I still have opinions and am not worried about expressing them, I've just learned to do it in a better way, or not say anything at all if that is the best way to handle a situation.

You're a contestant on the game show "Jeopardy". What category will you ace?

Um, maybe board games? Or picture books? I know how to play lots of different sports, but don't ask me who did any of them professionally. Thanks to my kids, I also know a lot about smells and burps and weird ways to break things (both household items and bones). I could do well in those categories, too.

Insert your own random thought here.

Is it normal for family members not to tell each other about medical issues or is it just my family? My dad had some cancerous cells removed from near his ear. It was done in a hospital because they were  going to have to take so much out, they'd need a piece of his leg to repair it. I didn't know it was happening until my stepmom posted a photo of him in his hospital gown lying on a gurney.

A sibling's spouse spent a night in the hospital being tested for internal bleeding. I found out from my mom, only because I happened to call her when my niece was getting picked up from her house.

A few years ago, my mom was fighting cancer a mere 3 months after having 2 heart stents put in. She had some major complications, but I didn't know a thing about it until she was on her way out of the hospital 3 days later.

I had oral surgery and a house that is poisoning us with carbon dioxide, and I haven't told any family besides my mom. My dad found out about it from my blog posts.

Yet, in just the last week I've talked with them about what size suit coat I should get for Phoenix and some things relating to my dad's life insurance.

Is this normal behavior for families who generally like each other and frequently contact each other about a variety of things?

Just curious.

If you want to join in, hop on over to Joyce's to link your post up!

Have a lovely day!