A post about tea and kids these days.

1. What's your best piece of advice for a newly married couple?
I already wrote a few posts about this, I'll direct you to them:

12 Things Learned Our First Year of Marriage- Written on our 1 year anniversary, and one of my favorite posts to revisit. Also: You will suck at communicating, Sometimes, you have to bake a pie, and Why we don't share chores

2. Teresa asks, "What were you doing on December 31st, 1999?" and "Did you or your family make preparations for Y2K?"

I was 13 and barely understood how to Internet worked. We stayed up to watch the NYE ball drop (which was the only way we celebrated, besides my late bedtime). This year, we went all out with balloons, games and a big dinner. Any excuse for big shiny hats, right?

                      

3. According to Global Language Monitor, the most used word of 2014 isn't a word. It's the heart emoji.What do you think was your most used word in 2014?
I feel so 'old' this morning, sipping my tea, in my non-slip socks, scoffing at 'kids these days'. My most used word? I've no clue, but judging from my surprise at the heart emoji, my most used phrase should be "GET OFF MY LAWN" or "Where is the ovaltine?"

4. Speaking of words, it's that time again. Time for Lake Superior University to present a list of words they'd like to see banished (for over-use, mis-use, and general uselessness) in 2015. You can read more about the decision making process here, but this year's top vote getters are- 

bae(before anyone else), polar vortex, hack, skill set, swag, foodie, curate/curated, friend-raising, enhanced interrogation, cra-cra (as in crazy), takeaway, and -nation (a suffering sports suffix).

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word not on the list you'd like to add?

All of them. You can't hack life- you figure out a trick. It's not a polar vortex, just because it's really cold outside, and you aren't a foodie just because you eat food and put photos on Instagram.

5.  January is National Hot Tea month? Are you a fan? Do you like flavored teas? How do you take your tea? Have a favorite cup or teapot? How many cups of tea do you consume in a given day? 
My favorite is Celestial Tea's Vanilla Sleepytime, and I usually have a cup before bedtime. No favorite kettle or cup, but in a blanket, curled up on the couch. Tom likes black tea with milk, but I can't stand it. Herbal tea please, and give it to me straight.

6. Whatever happened to______Carmen Sandiego__________?
 First thing that came to mind. How exactly did they end that series? Did they just give up on looking for her?

7. What is one book on your must-read list this winter?
Bible. Ongoing, since I didn't make it though it in it's entirety last year. Not too upset though, since I was getting distracted on other Bible studies. Lets be real here, the chapters of genealogies can wear you down!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Making some Oatmeal-Banana (ONLY) Cookies this morning. And, probably eating them all when I get home tonight, entirely guiltfree.

So tell me...
Did today's Hodgepodge make you feel a bit older than you are?
Have you read through the Bible, or any long book this last year? Did you get sidetracked?
Do you have a "guilt-free" recipe you gorge on? Share it in the comments below!

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