- Made homemade yogurt.
- Participated in a parade (I’ve watched a few and have always been underwhelmed).
- Eaten dandelion greens.
- Owned chickens.
- Laminated anything.
- Taken an item to a pawn shop. (Or bought an item at a pawn shop.)
- Entered a hot dog eating contest.
- Attended a Renaissance Fair(e).
- Used a neti pot.
- Slept in a hammock overnight.
Part 1. Part 2. Part 3. Part 4. Part 5. Part 6. Part 7. Part 8.
Your turn.
- How many of my Never Evers have you done?
- Have you ever been to a pawn shop?
- How about eating challenges? I once ate worms for a teenage Fear Factor birthday party challenge…and won a folding chair and $5!
- I’m intrigued by neti pots, but also simultaneously grossed out and terrified.
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How do you keep coming up with these? Here’s mine:
1. Made homemade yogurt – yes, I used to make it all the time and will probably get back to it once we are back at home. It’s super easy and I never used any fancy gadgets.
2. Participated in a parade (I’ve watched a few and have always been underwhelmed) – nope.
3. Eaten dandelion greens. – yes have done this. Spicy!
4. Owned chickens yes, well my parents did when I was a kid. We hatched some ourselves and my siblings made fun of mine because it had a deformed foot but I got the last laugh because mine was the only one that was not a rooster and got to stay.
5. Laminated anything. – yes, for church things
6. Taken an item to a pawn shop. (Or bought an item at a pawn shop.) – no
7. Entered a hot dog eating contest. – definitely not. Hot dogs are not my thing.
8. Attended a Renaissance Fair(e). – no
9. Used a neti pot. – I had to google this so no, but I have used FESS Sinu-Cleanse.
10. Slept in a hammock overnight. – I haven’t slept in a hammock at all let alone overnight.
Okay, the chicken story is HILARIOUS. Though I’m very sorry you and your hen were made fun of 🙁
Made homemade yogurt. YES, a bunch of times, and I agree with Melissa. It is super easy, all you need is a Dutch oven (or a regular pot, but the Dutch oven holds the heat in nicely), and it is so delicious, and you get to have the whey to use for smoothies!
Participated in a parade. YES, a bunch of times. Our county fair has a parade and we used to ride in it a lot (my parents were part of the volunteer fire dept, and one year we did a Trojan theme and wore togas and had a big float).
Eaten dandelion greens. YES.
Owned chickens. YES, and had to go egg hunting because they would get out of the pen and lay them in some random places. It was like Easter all year round.
Laminated anything. YES.
Taken an item to a pawn shop. I don’t think so but my cousin used to own a pawn shop, so I have been in one several times.
Entered a hot dog eating contest. No, but I once got a free burger because my friend bet me that I could not finish it, and fries (two patties, cheese, egg, ham, bacon + fries). Obviously I finished it. And two beers, by the way. Yup.
Attended a Renaissance Fair(e). I am going to say yes for this, as I have been to the Dickens Christmas Faire.
Used a neti pot. No, and I don’t understand why you would need it, but you do you.
Slept in a hammock overnight. YES. It is not really my jam, as I am a stomach/side sleeper and it doesn’t lend well to that.
I guess I was just lucky that one time with the streak. 🙂
As I was reading along I was like: “My goodness – Kyria’s going to do it AGAIN.” You might not be 10/10 but you’re pretty darn close!
I had to Google “neti pot” – ha, yes, turns out I’ve used a very DIY version of one! When I had completely blocked sinuses, I grabbed a teapot, added salty water, and went for it. Shockingly effective!
Also – I cannot believe you ate a worm! That’s hilarious! Was it dead?! (And how could you tell?) I bet that folding chair was forever haunted and that you couldn’t sit in it again without getting flashbacks! 😂
I’ve heard nothing but good things about a neti pot, but there’s something about it that just makes me shudder.
Now that is a good question about the worms. I’m assuming they were alive. I can’t remember, now. My parents JUST threw out that chair this spring when I was visiting. They used it for almost 2 decades before it finally broke. So that chair lived a long, long life. And my dad loved to tell the story of how I won it!
I’ve only done #2 and #5.. I got to ride a float dressed as Betsy Ross when I was in Brownies. ( I go to many parades – band mom!) I laminated a few things- the coolest was a picture my son drew- it’s a illustration for a book cover . Maybe one day he’ll write the book- if so, I have the cover art ready!
I will never do a food challenge ( picky eater) , and chickens are evil . I probably should use a neti pot but I’m too squeamish!
Chickens are evil. Haha. They scare me. Fun (well, NOT FUN) fact: Belle was once attacked by a chicken and nearly lost her eye. Eeks. And agreed about neti pots making me feel squeamish.
Love that you have the laminated art for your son. What a wonderful keepsake.
I’ve marched in a parade! I held a banner in a parade when I was 7 or 8 years old. It was a small town parade and kind of fun for a kid.
Our city has a Christmas parade every year. I used to take my kids but now that they’re grown and gone, I don’t go get cold by myself. 😉
Nope to the rest and no plans for any of them although I might someday go to a Renaissance Faire. Apparently the one in our area is very well done.
We have a few local parades that are quite popular but I’ll admit parades just…don’t do it for me. I suppose it would be cool to watch the Macy’s Day parade live?
I’ve heard really cool things about Renaissance Faires.
Not done many of these this time….
1. Made homemade yogurt. – tried a couple of times but never got into it
2. Participated in a parade – walked in a couple of carnivals in my home town when I was a venture scout
3. Eaten dandelion greens – not that I can recall
4. Owned chickens – nope
5. Laminated anything – loads of things, mainly for work
6. Taken an item to a pawn shop. (Or bought an item at a pawn shop.) – did sell an old engagement ring when the relationship ended but I think it was at a jewellers rather than a pawn shop. Definitely never bought anything from one
7. Entered a hot dog eating contest – no point, I could maybe eat two before having to stop
8. Attended a Renaissance Fair(e) – no
9. Used a neti pot – had to look up what this was so no never used one
10. Slept in a hammock overnight – nope, much prefer a nice big comfy bed 😀
The big Coney Island hot dog eating contest was recently and I think the winner ate something like 72 hot dogs (WITH BUNS!) in 10 minutes. Absolutely crazy.
I’m a picky sleeper, so the hammock sleeping does NOT appeal to me.
Makes me feel nauseous just thinking about that many hot dogs!!
I am a rubbish sleeper (thank you menopause!) so really need a nice comfortable bed to have any quality sleep.
I use a neti pot every time I’m sick – mine is more of a squirt bottle, but it does the same job. Gross but effective.
I have also been in a parade! It was a small town Canada Day parade and for some reason I was on a float, throwing candies for kids. I was maybe five or six, it was super exciting, but I have no idea how or why this happened.
Throwing candy to kids feels both incredibly festive and also…a bit weird? Does this still happen? I remember being a kid and picking candy up off the ground and LOVING it, so only as an adult does this feel a bit strange.
I really should look into neti pots because I have all sorts of sinus issues. It just gives me the shivers thinking about it.
@Elisebeth, one was disqualified because they could not hold their hot dogs down. I forgot the exact wording the paper used, but it was very descriptive.
Yuck. It’s gross on so many levels! And dunking buns in water to make them mushy to go down more easily. ICK!
Let’s see . . . I’ve been in numerous parades being in Girl Scouts and then being a leader. I’ve eaten dandelion greens. I used to help at my kids’ schools, so I’ve used a laminating machine. I’ve looked around in pawn shops a few times. When one of my friends got divorced, she sold all her jewelry that her ex had given her to a pawn shop, so I went with her because she thought it was going to be scary 🙂
I’m anti eating contests! And please tell me yours were gummy worms!
THEY WERE NOT GUMMY WORMS. I repeat, NOT GUMMY WORKS!
Eating contests are quite problematic to be sure. I remember winning a water-drinking contest once as a teen and now realize those things are very dangerous. It was at a youth event and adults organized it. Eeks. Those activities do not age well. My prize? A 2L bottle of pop.
I am with you on 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Neti pots and hammocks terrify me, to be honest. (I may have some odd fears.)
The dandelion greens thing is a tricky one — I know for sure I’ve eaten dandelion cookies, so I’m counting it. We had an annual fall parade in my hometown and I was on floats several times over the years with various groups/activities I took part in.
Laminating things is amazing, Elisabeth. My kid has a little laminating machine you can use on small things — anything the size of a normal sheet of paper or smaller. I have also used packing tape to “laminate” things in the past. Highly recommend.
Indy broke a thumb falling out of a hammock, so they are indeed terrifying (or can be!)
Dandelion cookies? Okay, that is a first for me. How? Why?
I have used packing tape to laminate I guess, but I’ve never used an official machine.
I don’t even know what a neti pot is.
My husband frequently gets good tools from pawn shops.
I think there’s a pawn shop one town over, but I’m not sure. I have an uncle that regularly goes to pawn shops and finds lots of great things there.
I’m confused: you are grossed out by a neti pot but you ATE A WORM????
I make yogurt almost once a week. It is very simple and easy. Heat milk to 180°, cool to 120°, stir in some yogurt from your previous batch, wrap the pan in a big towel, put it somewhere warm, and check it in 3-8 hours, whenever you remember. If it is solid, put it in the fridge. If not, leave it until it is. (I don’t know those degrees Celsius, and you’ll have to look up the proportion of milk to yogurt because I just guess—about 1/4 c. to 1/2 gallon?)
Ha. Fair enough. I ate the worms as a teen, so I feel like I would be much more reticent to do something like that now!
I know yogurt is supposed to be easy to make…maybe I’ll make this a goal for 2026? I do eat a lot of plain yogurt and I’m sure it would be more economical for me to make it myself. I know it’s not supposed to be overly difficult to make cottage cheese, either. And I LOVE cottage cheese.
I have never been to a pawn shop! I think it speaks to growing up in a small town and then only living within a 20 mile radius of said small town. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen one? They have always been something that existed in movies and books for me.
I know people who use neti pots on the regular love what they do – but I can’t get past the whole concept of it. Oof, just thinking about it icks me out, haha!
I am not coordinated enough for a hammock (although, my daughter LOVES the one we got her for her birthday a couple of years back). I would spend the whole time in it thinking about how I might get out of it.
I hate water in my face/up my nose (like I can’t even put my face under a shower when it’s running), so I think that alone just makes me shudder.
I enjoy being in a hammock but struggle to get in or out feeling safe OR graceful! Is there a way to do it gracefully??
Yes to the yogurt (but not recently) and yes to the parade question! When we were young we were always in the “bike parade” part of our 4th of July parade, where we decorated our bikes and then rode in the parade. It was fun! I don’t think I’d like a prade now though.
Yes to 3 and 9. Never been in any kind of weird food eating contests (although, there were times in my young adult years where, if you saw me with a package or Oreos, you would have thought I was in a cookie eating contest.) I own a neti pot but haven’t used it in a long time. I agree it’s weird (BUT NOT AS WEIRD AS EATING WORMS, ELISABETH!!!)
The worm eating IS weird (and gross). What can I say. I would have done just about anything to win $5 and a prize!
The bike parade sounds so fun and quaint! Love it.
The fewest yes answers I can recall to one of these!!
– yes to parade- the cheerleaders had to march in the town parade while I was in HS.
– yes to Renaissance Faire because my husband loves things like that and I am a good sport (sometimes)
I didn’t know Josh liked that kind of thing. I learn something new every day!! Gold stars for being a good sport.
Made homemade yogurt — too much of a hassle. I’ll just buy the big container and eat that all.
Participated in a parade — I was in a Drum and Bugle Corps growing up, so I have been in many parades. And the big holidays always had 3-4 parades in a weekend.
Eaten dandelion greens — not unless it came from someone who grows them for a living. I read once a lady going to the neighborhood park and picking them for her dinner salad. No way.
Owned chickens — no, but our neighbors do and they keep me entertained.
Laminated anything — yes, some keepsakes.
Taken an item to a pawn shop. (Or bought an item at a pawn shop.) — I don’t think I’ve ever stepped into a pawn shop. I have sold some old gold jewelry, but that was at a jewelry store.
Entered a hot dog eating contest — 1 is my limit.
Attended a Renaissance Fair(e) — yes, New York State has a pretty decent one. We went almost 40 years ago. But I would not buy a turkey leg to eat!
Used a neti pot — my daughter uses her’s in the fall when her allergies are bad, but not me!
Slept in a hammock overnight — no, too uncomfortable. I need to be flat and not curved! And I would need a bug net over me.
I think that’s my take on yogurt, too. I know it would be cheaper, but it does seem like a hassle. My mom used to make it years and years ago and decided it was too much of a hassle, so maybe that’s why I never opted to try it?
I will admit I can consume more than one hotdog. Growing up I could put away an alarming number of pancakes. Not sure why pancakes, but there were a food item I seemed to have limitless space for…
I have bad seasonal allergies and I bet the neti pot would be helpful. Maybe it’s time to try it? I will report back!
Neti pots freak me out entirely, so NEVER! Haha
I got chickens in April! 😀 This is the second time I’ve had them – the first being waaaaay back in middle school 🙂
And during college one summer I worked on campus in “media services” which meant I did a ton of laminating for various professors.
I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who is a bit freaked out by neti pots. Why do I find them so intimidating?
I have been in many a parade since I was in marching band in high school. Mostly they are hot and sweaty, particularly when we had to be in our thick wool uniforms in the summer.
I have my own laminator. I’ll let you do what you want with that knowledge.
I went to a Ren Faire once. It was surprisingly fun. I got a temporary tattoo of a Pegasus on my arm.
I am dumbfounded by the people who don’t know what a neti pot is or question why anyone would use them! I guess I am just a lady who has allergies every day of the year and a neti pot provides some degree of relief.
I don’t think I knew you were in marching band! Go Engie.
Wait, you OWN a laminator? Who owns a laminator?
The whole principle of a neti pot just seems so odd to me. But I wonder if I would suddenly become this evangelist for it after I used it? I have allergies and it sounds like it would be a helpful addition to how I mitigate the symptoms…
Another great list, Elisabeth!
I have made homemade yogurt many times, and it’s SO good.
I have participated in way too many parades. Small-town USA is full of parades. I mean, I can’t even recall how many parades I’ve been in. But no more – I’ve had enough.
I have owned chickens. I didn’t enjoy it. I don’t own them now.
I have laminated a billion things. I love to laminate!
I tried really hard to use a Neti pot, but I couldn’t get the hang of it. It was traumatizing!
I think that’s one thing that worries my about the neti pot. I am so uncoordinated, and I think I wonder sometimes how I could possibly manage to get it to work. You’re not instilling much confidence!
I have ZERO desire to own chickens, though I do LOVE eggs, so that part of it would be handy.
1-5, all yeses. Although it’s been years since I tried/did most of them and several of those I don’t intend to do again. The exception is owning chickens. I’ve had chickens for 22 years now. They are definitely not my favorite animal, but their eggs and meat are (to me) so much better than from the store that I keep them around.
6-10, nope. Although I won’t say sleeping in a hammock might not happen at some point.
Fresh eggs whenever I want them does sound like a dream!!!
You know I am here for this! My yesses are:
Made homemade yogurt. It’s not hard, it was pretty good, and it’s something that once I had done it once I did not feel the need to do again.
Used a neti pot. I mean technically it wasn’t the pot but it was a plastic squeeze bottle that basically did the same thing. Once upon a time I developed really bad seasonal allergies out of nowhere which led to frequent sinus infections. The neti pot was GOLD and improved my quality of life. Eventually my allergies calmed down and WFH cut back the number of times I get sick, so I have not needed one in years. I think you have to get to the point where you’re like “I can’t breathe and there is no medicine that I can take that is going to change that” before you make your first date with neti.
Birchie, I am going to assume since you did it once and not again that I don’t ever need to do this? Also, I prefer to get lactose free plain yogurt, so I’d already have to buy different milk and I think that can sometimes mess things up?
I have participated in a parade – and that’s the only one I think. I’ve been in parades as an Irish dancer and with my kids when they were Irish dancers. Also, I’ve been in a 4th of July parade when my brothers’ baseball team decorated a truck and we all rode in it when I was a kid. I thought it was so fun. My son Lad owns chickens and he brings me their eggs quite often. Oh, I once made ‘movie tickets’ and had them laminated at Staples. These were my motivation tickets – urging my kids to do chores and behave well, etc. I still have a stack of them and the kids will occasionally say GIVE HIM A MOVIE TICKET FOR THAT. They love to tease me about all of the methods I used to try to keep them in line.
Awww. Love the movie ticket idea. I’ve done something similar but didn’t laminate them. Gold stars for taking things to the next level!
Made homemade yogurt. Not that I can remember.
Participated in a parade (I’ve watched a few and have always been underwhelmed). Yes, when I was a girlscout leader, with my troop.
Eaten dandelion greens. Nope
Owned chickens. Nope
Laminated anything. Yes
Taken an item to a pawn shop. (Or bought an item at a pawn shop.) Yes
Entered a hot dog eating contest. NOPE
Attended a Renaissance Fair(e). Nope
Used a neti pot. Yes—wasn’t that bad, and is probably something I should do often during allergy season.
Slept in a hammock overnight. No, but I slept in a folding chair on a patio in the winter with a friend when we were 13. 😂
Oh to be young with backs that can withstand sleeping in a chair!
I’ve done 3, 4 and 5. Dandelion greens are part of my culture which I never ever touched as a kid, but now will eat if they’re available or made by someone.
Does it count if my parents owned chickens in their backyard when I was 5 and we lived internationally? If so…I’ve owned them lol. I do so want them again but where I live the town doesn’t allow them.
I’ve laminated loads of things over the years as a former preschool teacher. Not good for the environment but necessary to make projects and materials that would last.
The idea of using a Neti pot is intriguing. I know they help with colds and sinus infections and I have a friend who swears by it but I can’t ever see myself using one. I would feel like I’m drowning plus all the icky stuff that would come out. No thanks.
That most certainly counts!
I have a thing about water in my face, so I think that’s what puts me off the thought of a neti pot so much. But…I also have a lot of allergy issues, so it would probably be a something good to try. Maybe I’ll put it on my “fun” (?? doesn’t sound fun, I guess) list for 2026?
I thin the thrifty part of you would actually love laminating things…
I can see really enjoying it. Anytime I see a chore chart or something like that laminated and all pretty I get a little pang of jealousy, but I don’t even know how laminators work. Are they expensive??
This is such an amazingly random list. Where do you get these ideas???
I used to make yogurt in my InstantPot, but then milk got really expensive and it was just cheaper to buy yogurt.
Renaissance Faire – every year. We have a large one in Maryland; I love it so much. The kids get dressed up, we eat turkey legs, watch shows and jousting and sweat a lot because it’s Labor Day weekend and boiling hot. But the tickets are cheaper before Labor Day.
We have a laminator and it makes me so happy when I get to use it.
The singers I work with all LOVE their neti pots, but I just don’t understand it – it seems really uncomfortable, and like it requires having a third hand to figure out.
I haven’t slept in a hammock yet, but last time we went camping, the 13 year old slept in the hammock because she was tired of sharing a tent with her siblings.
Okay, the Renaissance Faire idea came from you! I was thinking about things I know various bloggers do (for example, Kristen from The Frugal Girl writes at length about making homemade yogurt, I know someone locally who forages for dandelion greens a lot, we recently had a parade locally and it made me think about the fact I’ve never been in a parade, I drove by a pawn shop and realized I’d never taken something in/or purchased something). So I get ideas from other people and the things they HAVE done. And you were the one and only person to inspire the Renaissance Faire because I knew you went every year!
The neti pot looks so confusing. How do you get the water to do that? It’s like it defies gravity.
Oh wow! I’m so flattered! If you ever come this way in the late summer, we’ll have to come get you to a Ren Faire!
Made homemade yogurt. – yes! Very very easy in an instapot! Big cost savings too…
Participated in a parade (I’ve watched a few and have always been underwhelmed). Yes! Many times as a kid.
Eaten dandelion greens. Yes and hated them.
Owned chickens. Nope
Laminated anything. I’ve taken things to be laminated but haven’t personally done it.
Taken an item to a pawn shop. (Or bought an item at a pawn shop.) nope
Entered a hot dog eating contest. Ewwwwww nope!
Attended a Renaissance Fair(e). Nope and don’t want to.
Used a neti pot. Yes! They are very very very helpful. Bite the bullet and try it!
Slept in a hammock overnight. Nope! Sounds uncomfortable to be honest.
Pretty sure this the most of your never have I’s that I’ve actually done!
I really should try the neti pot; I’m increasingly convinced based on reader feedback.
Dandelion greens don’t SOUND appetizing, that’s for sure.
I don’t think I’ve ever been in a parade (why aren’t I sure? Maybe? Weird!) but when my daughter was on the cheer squad in high school, they were in the local Walnut Festival Parade. Have you seen the Nutcracker ballet? Do you know how all of the different dancers perform for the prince and Clara? Well, the participants in the parade had to stop in front of King Walnut (someone in a kingly costume with a big fake walnut for a head) and perform, so the cheerleaders did a cheer, the marching band played a song, etc. Very weird, and one of my husband’s goals in life is to be King Walnut.
I don’t need my neti-pot often, but when I do, it is a lifesaver. Not only does it get the allergens out of your nose, the warm saline calms the inflammation. The first time you do it is really weird, but then it’s easy.
I’ve never been to a Ren Faire, but our friend’s son is getting married (in 2 years I think) and is planning a Ren Faire themed wedding. I will not be buying a bunch of clothes for that, but am hoping I can borrow something on my Buy Nothing group, or else I will just dress like me.
I saw a recipe somewhere a couple of years ago that made me wish I could find dandelion greens around here. The recipe specifically said to forage them, the ones at the grocery store suck. It’s too suburban around here, I’d be afraid to eat something off of someone’s lawn.
I have seen the Nutcracker ballet!
King Walnut…that just sounds…hilarious! But it’s even more hilarious that Ted really wants to play King Walnut. I mean, it’s good to dream big I guess 😉
A Ren Faire wedding. That sounds so cool!
The only thing I’ve done on this list is use a neti pot, but I did not use it successfully, lol. I was having chronic congestion in my twenties and was hoping I could clear things up with a neti pot, but I could NOT get it to work right. HA.
I am wondering too how you come up with these. I just posted my first one and I had a hard time filling all the spots.
For this one I had to google neti pot.
Ok, three answers:
Made homemade yogurt. NO but want to
Eaten dandelion greens. YES
Used a neti pot. NO