100 Things

Yowza! It's my 100th post on this blog!

To celebrate, I'm going to share 100 tidbits about me. Cause I know you're all real curious. I don't blame you, so here goes:

1. It may not be obvious to some, but I don't really like shopping, and am a complete ignoramus about brands, what's cool, what's hip and fashionable. For this reason, I prefer thrift stores over malls when shopping is necessary. I get way more excited about finding a deal than I do at the thought of spending money on retail.
2. My 1st born was born underwater....and she was the 1st waterbirth at the University of Chicago Hospital. The water was my only "pain relief" and it was an amazing experience.
3. My second child was in distress, so the planned waterbirth was nixed. I was induced with pitocin, and expected an epidural but ended up going through the entire L&D without pain relief meds because of the baby's condition. It was mindblowingly painful.
   
4. I was the pickiest eater on the planet growing up. I've worked really had to overcome that, and have been pretty successful. Most people wouldn't guess it seeing me these days.
5. The first time I ever saw snow fall, I was in college on my second date with Doc.
   
6. I have secret karaoke fantasies...coupled with secret mortification about my solo vocal abilities.
7. I want to go in a hot air balloon and also fly over the grand canyon in a helicopter.
8. I struggle with my weight all the time. I'm inclined to be considerably larger than I am.
9. I haven't ever "gotten my fill" of travel, and envy people who've seen so much of the world.
10. I don't watch tv as a rule. Exceptions are when I'm on a plane with tv in my seat.
    
11. I spend too much time on blogs.
12. Most of my friends my age don't blog, and many of them don't even really email. In fact, the majority of my favorite people in this world don't even read my blog (at least as far as I know)
    
13. I used to ballroom dance. I was really into it. Loved the competitions, the dresses, the music, the elegance of it all.
14. My least favorite household chore is vacuuming the carpeted stairs. Just no way to do that job easily!
15. I cherish my close friendships, and have a hard time when life pulls us apart.
16. I am a HUGE fan of pie. All kinds of pie. Except meringue or rhubarb. I love chocolaty pies, fruit pies, cream pies, cheesecake pies, yogurt pies and peanut butter pies. I have a fantasy of going to some pie bakery for a party, and having one bite of every kind of pie on the menu (hmmm. Maybe I should do 40 pies for my 40th birthday!). My long-standing favorites are homemade warm apple crumble pie with melting vanilla ice cream and cold pumpkin pie with sweet whipped cream. So of course I♥Thanksgiving!
    
17. I have a black thumb when it comes to plants. Surprisingly, the four (oops...we've suffered a casualty since I first wrote this), three plants that have ended up at our house starting last fall haven't died (yet). I generally kill them by neglect, too much attention or bad karma.
18. I love sweets. I used to not like chocolate and I don't know why that changed and my body wishes it hadn't but there it is. This is one of my favorites, and is partly responsible for my shift into a chocoholic. Darn them!
19. My housekeeping abilities run in fits and spurts. I rarely slide into utter chaos, but the fastidious cleaning that was the hallmark of June Clever's era has never been part of my make-up.
20. I grew up the child of pack rats, and have made conscious, deliberate efforts to shake off the effects of those years. I'm by no means where I'd like to be, but I doubt anyone would come in and think "hmm, pack rat" either. (well, maybe Doc!)
21. From age 12 until I left home, I lived in the garage.
22. I've never played tennis. A couple years ago I asked a member of my extended family who is an avid tennis player if they'd teach me how, and they looked at me like I was crazy and responded that my request was akin to them asking me to teach them how to play piano.
    
23. I went out with Jimmy Osmond twice.
24. I am fine being alone, but am a major extrovert.
25. I adore reading in bed.
26. I procrastinate.
27. I am not a scrapbooky kinda gal. I've often wished I was, and admire those who are.
    
28. I have a knack for being resourceful. I find ways to get things done. Sometimes not till the very last minute, but I get them done.
    
29. I always make my kids really cool themed birthday cakes, generally based on whatever they're interested in at the time (fish, StarWars, Fairies, Trains, Bunnies, Trucks, SpiderMan, etc.)
30. I love to eat raw dough and batter (biscuit, bread, cake, brownie, cookie etc) and would routinely snitch if my mom ever made biscuits growing up.
    
31. Nothing tastes as amazing as the perfect peach or mango.
32. I only make my bed "all the way" (including decorative pillows) every now and then...but I'm trying to make a better habit of this. Perhaps a simpler bed setup would aid me in this effort, but for now we're stuck with an elaborate 14 pillow, 4 blanket arrangement. It's a lot of work!
    
33. Speaking of beds, I've been sleeping in the same bed since I was 14 years old, with the exception of my time away at college. I purchased it with my own money at a rummage sale during Jr. High. It's only a full-size. Someday we'll upgrade.
    
34. Speaking of sleep (sort of), I wear ear plugs to bed every night. I discovered them a couple years ago and have never looked back since. I finally wake up feeling rested now, as opposed to passing the hours micro-sleeping and never getting into REM (Doc snores).
35. I never graduated from high school.
    
36. I never actually graduated from college either. I was taking my final course...a zero-credit basic math class...via independent study when Doc and I walked through graduation. They were going to mail my actual diploma to me when I finished it the math class, but I let it expire and never got the diploma.
37. I used to be a web developer. I've forgotten almost everything I used to know, and the field has changed dramatically in the past 8 years since I "retired".
38. I love being a part-time flight attendant. Being cooped up in a plane with 150 passengers and traipsing across the country a few days a month is the best job I've ever had.
39. Once upon a time I worked in a lingerie store. I had no idea what most of that stuff was for.
40. There are almost no baked goods that I'm not a fan of. Bread pudding and rye bread are the only ones that come to mind.
    
41. I almost never sit still. I am one of those annoying people who bounces their foot or swings their leg back and forth at the knee. I don't tap my foot, so at least I'm not making noise.
    
42. I play the piano by ear, and enjoy improvising on my favorite songs for fun.
43. I can be annoyingly frugal. But it's a skill that has certainly been useful through the years.
    
44. I'm often beset with a vast sense of gratitude for my life, relationships and faith.
45. I love the smell of concord grapes on the vine.
46. Water with lemons and Splenda is my favorite beverage.
47. I spent 18 hours in a recompression chamber after getting "the bends" while diving in Bermuda.
48. As a nursing mom, my milk production was excessive! I could pump 24 oz. (2 full-size bottles) with my dinky free hand pump in the "new mom" kit from the hospital in every sitting. It was insane.
49. I am not much of a leader.
50. I developed an allergy to cats as an adult.
51. I'm allergic to bee stings. My last serious sting was when I was in 2nd grade, when I stepped on a bee and my foot swelled up to elephantitis sized proportions.
    
52. I was way into roller skating as a kid. There were a number of times when my siblings and I would roller skate on our (single story) roof, and then roll off the edge into a big mulch pile. We took our 3 yr. old brother up with us when we were supposed to be watching him. To keep him safe we tethered him on a rope to the chimney so he couldn't fall off. As an adult, I prefer roller blading, but rarely do it any more (miss you Kar & Zu!)
53. I don't like any kind of seafood. And not for lack of trying. I worked in a gourmet seafood restaurant, and nightly the chefs would assure me "this will convert you". It's a texture thing more than anything else now...though the thought of some seafood just makes my stomach clench.
54. I'm a yeast flunkie. Almost everything I attempt that has yeast in it flops. My behind is very grateful for this fact (see # 40).
    
55. I count painting with water colors among my hobbies of the past. Maybe I'll do more in the future. I'd love to try oil and acrylic paints someday.
    
56. Like most people on planet earth, sometimes it seems impossible that I will ever not have money worries. I've been scrimping and living by the "waste not want not" mantra for all of my almost 40 years. It's a good way to live, but I could happily embrace losing the money stress part of life.
    
57. I am the kind of person that seems to be easy to ask for help from. I guess that means I'm approachable, and I'm glad others feel comfortable with me like that.
58. If I could have any one superpower, I'd choose flying.
59. My fingernails have never grown past the ends of my fingers. They get close to having a free edge visible from the other side, and then tear really high. I don't bite them, though I would as a child.
    
60. I think my little family is terrific, and I love their guts.
61. I don't know anything about cameras, lighting, lenses, apprature, F-stops etc...and I haven't developed a roll of print film since 1999. But I wish I was a better photographer. My little pointNshoot digi camera is great, and most of the time I am content with it. Perhaps photography will be a future hobby.
62. If it weren't for my stylish friends who began to intervene on my behalf when I was just a teen, I would be a top candidate on the "What Not To Wear" reality tv show. But I have these darling friends in my life who give me clothes. For this reason, I don't look like this and I'm really grateful.
    
63. I was a very accident prone child...but my injuries were mostly of the "She needs stitches. Again." type. I've never broken an arm or a leg, but do have a crooked right thumb from catching a fast-pitch baseball in high school. Broke it through my mitt (coach said it was just a sprain, and it healed crooked).
64. Because of the aforementioned crooked thumb, I am an utter waste of good money when it comes to bowling. The thumb hole on the balls for my size hand are too small so my thumb doesn't come out easily when releasing the ball. After a bowl or two it hurts so much I just start rolling it between my legs, and anyone I'm playing with usually pretends I just wandered into their lane.
65. I am trapped in the 80's and 90's musically-speaking. I rarely listen to the radio these days, but if I did, that's where I'd find the most appealing music. It's pitiful.
66. I make awesome english toffee and peanut butter fudge.
    
67. I don't like my hair, but feel guilty about my feelings because at least I have hair, and I'd feel even worse if I didn't have any. And it's not that bad, but trying to make it look good is the bane of daily life. Every person in my immediate family has fanfreakintastic hair. Ahh, genetics!
    
68. My mouth only ever grew two wisdom teeth. I ate chips and pizza at a party I went to the day they were removed.
69. I have lived in five states: Utah, California, Texas, Illinois, & Vermont.
70. I've been in the following countries in my life (actually walked on terra firma...not counting just being in the airport): Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, England, France, Ireland.
71. If I could go on a dream vacation, I'd take a Greek Islands cruise and see the Mediterranean
72. I hate MLMs. All of them.
73. I love the area where I live right now. It feels like home. I've never felt that way about any place I've ever lived before.
74. I grew up honestly believing I was the ugliest girl in the world.
75. I'm trying to become a runner, but my knees sure aren't cooperating.
    
76. Doc knows me better than anyone else in this world. I'm so lucky that way!
77. I'm shamelessly in love with my kids, and think they're the greatest. I wish I had 2 or 3 more. Did I already mention that I adore my kids? It's worth repeating.
    
78. If I had to pick only one food to eat for the rest of my life, I'm embarrassed to admit that I'd probably choose pizza.
    
79. I'm trying to become a better person all the time and I feel like my life is generally moving upward...a few steps forward and a setback here and there.
    
80. When I'm actually being organized and productive, I make lists. And yes, I'm one of those people who will add something to it after I've done it already, just for the satisfaction of checking it off my list.
81. I have a huge, negative response to large roaches. They simply freak me out.
    
82. I constantly wonder what's around the bend in life.
83. Some have observed that I am a great cheerleader for other people in their lives and endeavors. I think there's some truth to that because I just love people. I really value giving others the benefit of the doubt and think tolerance is a trait commonly wanting when it comes to how we view others. I think most people are generally good, and doing their best.
    
84. I don't have a favorite flower.
85. Glorious sunsets remind me of God. Every time.
    
86. I'm not really into jewelery, though I appreciate cute earrings when they come into my life. Unfortunately they often pass out of my life all too soon.
87. I am cold a disproportionately large amount of the time. For this reason alone, I'm glad to be living in a place that's blazing hot part of the year.
88. I have personally done the following home improvements in my lifetime: replaced toilets, removed popcorn ceilings, blacked a driveway, built rock walls, removed layers upon layers of wallpaper interspersed with paint, skip-troweled walls, installed a dishwasher, range, over-range microwave and new kitchen faucets, dug up sod to plant a garden, purchased, cut, installed and painted molding in rooms, replaced light fixtures, and assembled assorted furniture pieces.
89. I am positively enchanted by the sound of the creek near us. I mean, it's almost an obsession. I don't know anything that gives me the peaceful feeling that I get when I stand near it and just listen. To say nothing of how beautiful it is.
90. I'd rather pull weeds than try to find a new swimsuit or bra. Those are two items I loathe shopping for!
91. I had a school teacher once comment that I lacked tact and grace. Even though in hindsight it was a bit tacky of her to say so, there was probably a lot of truth to her statement and I still struggle with moments of gracelessness and tackiness.
    
92. The chore I fail at most often is putting away my clothes when I take them off. I tend to pile them on a chair till I dig in and clean the whole room. Which isn't often enough.
    
93. Politically, I care less about a persons stated position on something than I do about what kind of person they are. Their integrity matters more than almost anything else to me. This is why I'm so disillusioned by the 2008 presidential race.
    
94. My favorite teacher ever was in 5th grade. Claire Ryan was the first grown up in my life who seemed to care specifically about my happiness and how I was feeling. She changed my life.
95. I played the male lead in the school musical H.M.S. Pinafore by Gilbert & Sullivan in 7th grade. I was the Captain of the Pinafore. I was in plays during most years of my childhood, but haven't been on stage since 10th grade.
96. Once upon a time I went to Texas as a missionary, but I came home because of family problems after six months. I was a Spanish speaking missionary...theoretically at least.
    
97. I don't eat fast food. Almost ever. For years now. Even though within a 3 minute walk from my front door we have the following eating establishments: KFC, Taco Bell, New York Pizza, Subway, a Chinese restaurant, 3 Mexican Restaurants, a Sushi place, Shivers (old fashioned fast food place), Citrus Grill (nicer sit-down), EggWorks (sit down cafe), Cafe Express, McDonalds, Wendy's, a bakery and 7-11. It's really insane!
    
98. Holy cow 100 things is a lot and I can't believe I'm not done. Okay. I used to think I wanted 14 kids, and would tell people this. I don't know why I picked 14. I stopped this when I met a guy who actually did want 14 kids ("at least"). He thought he'd found his soul mate in me, and I had to do some fancy back peddling to get out of that spot. I was 18 at the time.
    
99. I used to be a fan of Krispy Kreme donuts. I also used to have a gall bladder. Thanks to a late-night "Hot Ones" donut eating fest with my friend America when I was pregnant with Gator, I had my 1st attack and learned that I had gall stones. Now I'm stone and gall bladder free. But I still don't get donuts very often.
    
100. Finally! My last tidbit is that my goal in life is to always continue growing and becoming a better person. I don't ever want to plateau out. I also hope that I become someone who is charitable in the true sense of the world. I have a friend who stated that their goal is to become a holy man. I don't know if I'll ever be a holy woman in this life. But I'm trying to be the kind of person that I know God wants me to be. And I'm grateful for the people along my path who help me in this effort every day. Especially Doc!