101 Things About Me That You May or May Not Have Known

Yep. It's kinda obvious when I run out of blog ideas. BUT, I give you something entertaining, non-the-less.

Here's 101 things about me that you may or may not have known.

1. I am a super mommie.
2. I have 1 daughter.
3. The factory is now closed.
4. I am the oldest of 4 children.
5. My brother is the only boy out of 4 kids.
6. Until I was 36, I didn’t realize that my brother could beat the crap out of me and my sisters. He always let us beat him up, so I thought we really could.
7. My siblings are still traumatized because I made them play mannequin when we where children.
8. My sisters are the best sisters a girl could have. They aren’t shocked by ANYTHING that I say.
9. My brother is the best brother in the world and he is shocked by EVERYTHING that I say.
10. My mother and my aunt are my touchstones. Even though they are crazy, I love them dearly.
11. I am spiritual but not religious. I use to be super religious but no one could answer my questions so I went directly to the source.
12. I ran away from home at 4. After I finished dinner at the neighbor’s house, I came home.
13. My mother and I had never spent more than 3 days apart until I was 16.
14. When I was 20 I moved to VA with my first husband. I cried the entire way there.
15. I moved back to GA when I was 24 and all but danced a jig.
16. I’m an Air Force Brat.
17. I’ve lived in the following places; Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Utah, New Mexico, England, and Virginia.
18. My favorite place to live has been Georgia.
19. My place to visit has been England.
20. New Mexico runs a close second in both areas.
21. I love watching baseball and football.
22. I was a water girl for the football team in high school.
23. I would rather pierce body parts with a rusty needle than watch basketball.
24. I’m 5’4 ½ “.
25. That “½” is very important to me. I had to fight with a nurse to get it in my medical chart.
26. I’ve never broken any bones.
27. My only major surgery was childbirth (oh and dental surgery).
28. I love shoes but I’m very picky.
29. I have the world’s biggest collection of hanging earrings. (OK, the record people haven’t checked, but I’m sure it’s close).
30. I miss the art of snail mail.
31. I try to mail out at least one letter and one postcard every two weeks.
32. I am a germaphobe.
33. I live in organized chaos.
34. I like to plan things out.
35. I DO NOT like surprises – AT ALL!
36. I like things in even numbers.
37. I would read books and magazines all day if I had the chance.
38. I’d cook and then eat all day if I wouldn’t get fat.
39. I’d “ski” most of the day if I found the right “skiing partner”.
40. I am a very happy person…unless I’m not happy --- then no one is happy.
41. If I kinda don’t want to do something, I might do it.
42. If I absolutely DO NOT want to do something, I won’t and there’s very little you can say to make me.
43. I would marry a good cup of coffee today if it asked me to.
44. I don’t believe in do-overs or regrets. Everything happens for a reason.
45. I only use scented markers. It makes the workday go faster.
46. I miss the bingo halls in VA.
47. I love 80’s music.
48. Early 90’s music is the soundtrack of my love life.
49. I could spend my entire Saturday watching romance movies from the 1960’s.
50. I hate expressways. I’d take back roads everywhere if I could.
51. I have an irrational fear of zebras.
52. I don’t like cats – at all!
53. I was a waitress at the Cr@cker B@rrel for 3 days. I hated it and cried every night when I got off work.
54. I took obituary calls at the local newspaper for 3 days and decided that it wasn’t the right job for me – I didn’t cry everyday after work though.
55. I had my first kiddie kiss with Will Rogers in 2nd grade - Lakenheath AFB. If you are out there Will, it was great!
56. I had my first real kiss when I was 15.
57. It was a slobbery, yukky mess.
58. Saddly, that was not my worst kiss!
59. My best kiss ever was December 2006.
60. I’ve been married twice.
61. Once I am finished with a relationship, that’s it, I’m done.
62. I’ve only been “in love” once. I’ve loved many times.
63. I’d run my second ex over in my car if I saw him on the street (and then back over him for good measure).
64. I’m best of friends with my first ex.
65. I’m obsessed with all things British.
66. I’m obsessed with all things “kitchen”.
67. I LURVE to cook.
68. I love going to the grocery store.
69. Shopping (of any sort) relaxes me.
70. I HATE dating. If I could find Mr. Number Three without dating, I would.
71. I am a vegetarian. I did it for me.
72. I won’t tell you what you can/can’t/should/shouldn’t eat.
73. I try to recycle and create a small carbon footprint.
74. I won’t die if I have to throw away a bottle or take a flight some where.
75. I love airplanes. I think you can whisper to God when you’re on a plane cause you’re right there near his ear.
76. I have about 101 romance novels in me just waiting to be written and published.
77. I don’t fear death.
78. I don’t overly mourn peoples passing. I think that’s selfish. They’ve completed their journey in life – let them go on in peace.
79. I don’t care for beaches.
80. I’m comfortable with my weight.
81. Because my doctor isn’t comfortable with my weight, I try to keep it down. She’s the boss of me right now.
82. I HATE exercise.
83. I walk every day (when I feel like it) and practice yoga often because I don’t want arthritis when I’m old and I’m convinced this will help.
84. The only way I’d run is if my arse was on fire.
85. My favorite number is 16.
86. My next favorite number is 3.
87. I don’t have a favorite color.
88. My brother thinks that it is crazy that I don’t have a favorite color (I guess that’s a fact about him not me. Oh well).
89. My second favorite body part is/are my toes. When they are all painted up for the summer – watch out!!
90. I’m not telling what my first favorite body part is, but I really like them.
91. I love the warm/hot summer months.
92. I am not a fan of cold winter months.
93. Give me a warm day, an adult slushie and a good book and I am good for the afternoon.
94. I love a hot bubble bath with lush bath gels.
95. I love to coupon my way through a shopping trip.
96. If there is something that I really want, I’ll spend good money to get it.
97. I have voted in 95% of the elections since I was legally able to vote. That includes the one-off elections for local offices. I figure if you don’t vote, you can’t complain.
98. If you aren’t doing a good job in office, I’m gonna complain.
99. I like hot sauce on my eggs.
100. I like ice cold milk.
101. The best day of my life was October 2, 1996.

This Was Not In The Child Rearing Handbook

I'm going to apply for a gun permit.

So, I took The Princess and Ma Mere to the mall Sunday and more than once (9 times, I counted!) little pimple faced boys stopped to look at my Princess. I almost threw my DQ blizzard at one of them (Not really. I'm not gonna throw food that I could be eating at anyone!) What did The Princess do when she saw the boys look at her? Was she disgusted and revolted? No! She smiled!

I'm getting a gun. I will learn to use it. And I DARE the boys to keep looking.

I know, I know. They'll look anyway and she will look back. But when the hell did this happen? I don't remember reading about this in the handbook! Ok, so I didn't read the handbook - I didn't have time. I was raising a kid!

I wonder how much time you get for shooting a kid in the mall. What if I shoot them in the leg and simply maim them? Do I get the same amount of time? Is that considered premeditated? Geeze, I need to ask a lawyer about those questions.

...Then I'd probably better ask for representation.

"Be Still" ~ Your Sunday Sermon

Life really is a crazy, wacky journey, isn't it? I've spent all weekend on the phone with several people from my past, updating me on their lives, making me cry and laugh and promises of plans to get together in the future. The most prolific statement this weekend? "Isn't it funny how we get what we ask for, even we don't ask for it out loud?"

VA Girl is so right. There have been so many times that I've wanted something but never dared ask. Sometimes it seems too big or I don't feel like I've earned the right to ask. It doesn't matter. For whatever reason, if He deems it ok then The Big G fixes it right up for me -- and I never have to ask. No, the obstacles don't matter. Those are OUR obstacles. We put those things in the way. He has no obstacles, except, well, us.

Is seems like everything is so rush, rush, rush - hurry up and get it done NOW, we don't take the time for things to simply fall into place. Yes, many times we have to do something, make something move in order for things to work but many other times, things are working themselves out. The Big G is taking care of it for us with the simplest of plans.

I guess "Be still" is something we should all take more time and do. I'm not good at "be still". It seems like a loss of control for me. I don't like to lose control. I like to know who, what, when, where, how and why.

But, I'm learning that sometimes being still and doing nothing is the very best thing we can do. Sometimes it solves a problem that we thought was simply too big.

And sometimes it solves a problem that we pretended we didn't have.

My Apartment Complex Doesn't Like My Compost Heap

Happy Earth Day!

You all know I'm a big supporter of mother earth. I've done my part in the past.

1. I stopped using plastic bags (and then discovered that without plastic bags I no longer have trash bags so now I have to buy trash bags)

2. I purchased recycling bags for paper, plastic and glass (and now my laundry room looks like the city dump because I just don't get to the recycle place that often and in a few weeks the ants will show up so I may have to seriously give this one up).

3. I use only those spiral bulbs (except for the vanity mirror because I'm sure my crappy apartment will blow a fuse if I use anything except the horrible 2 watt ((no, not 20, yes 2 - I'm scared people!!)) bulbs in there).

4. I recycle every bottle, can, piece of paper that I can (and now what do I do with the 40 recycled notepads that I have made from old paper? I can only write so fast!! Oh, and everyone is getting a really pretty pencil holder made from a tomato can, decorated with recycled paper and bottle caps).

5. I use fewer paper towels and more cleaning cloths (and now I use more water and detergent to clean them).

6. I thought about making a compost heap (ummm, that's yukky. I'd like to, really, but my "monk syndrome" kicks in and I can't - excuse me while I go wash my hands, twice).

I know, I make jokes, but really, it's important to do what you can. Even if you use 1 less paper towel or get 1 less plastic bag from the grocery store, change 1 bulb to a more efficient bulb, you are making a difference. Not sure what you can do? (Besides the typical "save water, shower with a friend," idea - which is NOT a bad idea depending on how hot your friend is!) I've added some links!

http://www.worldwatch.org/resources/go_green_save_green

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-simple-and-cheap-green-ideas.html

http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/environmentbiz/a/greenoffice.htm

Planning For The Future (with Paperdolls)

One of my "bookies" gave me a Mark Hansen (of Chicken Soup for the Soul fame) "Wealth Writers" seminar DVD. It had some very good takeaways.

One takeaway is that I am supposed to make a dream/vision board. One for my goals in life and one for any book that I am writing. Needless to say, it means not doing any work and googling clip art all day. The board for each book as I write it seems like a great idea. You use sticky notes for each chapter and points within each chapter (dialog/actions, etc.). I don't know why I didn't think of it myself.

However, I've been resistant to doing a d/v board for goals in my life because to me is seems like a gateway drug for paperdolls. I'm a list gal myself and adding pictures to the list, well, seems like something the Princess did when she was 8. Still, I'm game for almost anything that may assist in making myself the famous romance novelist that I fancy myself to be. So, google images, here I come.

I also have to make 101 life goals in 20 minutes. No, not the same as my 101 things in 1001 days. These 101 in 20 minutes goals are things like become debt free, buy a house, stop stalking famous song producers - stuff like that - a complete bucket list, not just things to do within the next 2 1/2 years. Once you've completed each thing you take a purple pen and write "victory" next to the item. Mark claims to have thousands of things on his list. I guess so if you put every thing that you think of down. But, I've got 20 minutes to kill. Here goes.

(clock goes from 2:50pm - 3:10pm).

Ok, I'm back. I managed to write down 56 things. They are pretty good. Now, it's your turn. YOU make 101 life goals in 20 minutes. Keep the list. Post it somewhere. Add to it.

AND, while we're at it, make a d/v board . If I gotta do it, so do you! I'll post the pics tomorrow.

So Far So Good!

Yes, I had a great birthday. Thank you so much for asking. It was so great, I felt that I need to give my O.sca.r award speech. So here goes.

First, I want to thank everyone for my "burf-day" calls, texts, emails and well wishes. Yes VA Girl, I do look good for 50, even though I'm only 38 (Side bar, calling me at 2am to wish me a happy birthday was a nice idea. That's why I turned my phone off! Better luck next year!). Thank you Tall Girl for my card, your constant support and lunch. I lurve talking about people with you (Can you believe we made those people get up and move!?!). Thank you pirate boy for your illegal phone call and heavy breathing but no, I do not want you to come searching for buried treasure (again, nice try, better luck next year).

Next, I have to give a shout out to my "lil budder" - The Arteest. He made me a cake. Wanna see it? It's to the right up there. He's so nice to me. No, it's not real and no, I can't eat it but then the calories don't show up on my hips. Yay!

And, thanks to the fam for the flowers and cake. Oh, yeah and thanks for eating most of the cake! No, really, I didn't need all the calories. And thanks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner all weekend. I've never eaten quite as much as I did this weekend. The food was de-lish! And super thanks for the shopping trip. Ma Mere and Auntie can be some wild ladies!! I had a great time with you two. Love ya'll.

And my "bookies" - thank you for the reading material. You guys were right on the money. It will take me a month to read everything you sent but I will enjoy it all the same!!

And last, but never least, I have to give a big hug and kiss to The Princess. She is truly my reason for breathing. She is the best birthday present a girl can every have. Thank you my princess!!

And thank you readers, all 4 of you, for letting me have my mushy, smushy moment.

Now back to the snarkiness that you know and love me for!!

Take far too many pictures, laugh just a little bit too loudly, be sure to forgive freely, and love like you've never been hurt.

That has been my header for the past 6 mos. Tomorrow is the big day. My "burf-um-day".

Each year I vow to live my life a certain way all year. This year I am vowing to live several ways.

Take far too many pictures
I have a friend that doesn't believe in pictures. He feels that you should take mental snapshots of people/places/things. I just bought a camera (yea me!) so this year I am taking far too many pictures. If you are near me, watch out! I'll be snapping pictures wherever I go! I'll post some of them. I'm not really big on posting pictures. I might want to run for public office one day (ha! I've already screwed that up!!).

Laugh just a little bit too loudly
Oh wow, this will be hard (not). This year I vow to have fun. I'll laugh and sing and have a good time. Sounds like I need to buy some wine!!

Be sure to forgive freely
Ummm, ok. I'll work on this one. Most people don't mean to be hurtful or harmful. Decide what if they mean to be mean and then forgive them. You'll feel better in the end.

Live emotionally well
I'll work on this one too. What does this mean? Well, instead of saying be honest or say what's on your mind, this mean just be nice. That doesn't mean lie, it just means be nice. Yes, I can still talk about your mini skirt and hairy legs, I just can't do it within earshot of you. AND, I can't do it all the time (sorry Tall Girl - your texts should go down drastically!!).

Love like you've never been hurt
Geeze Louise that one is hard. I have been hurt and it sucks. But, I'll love anyway. BUT, I will love me first. (sorry again Tall Girl - it doesn't mean what you think).

Work like you don't need the money
I've been writing. It's my first love. Right now it doesn't pay the bills but one day, it will. This is my promise to myself. Universe, make it happen!

Dance like no one is watching
Not a problem. I'm terrible dancer and an even worse singer but I do them both. It's one of the things "MY Jackie" told me to do before she passed away. I take every opportunity to do them both.

I've posted the paragraph below. It's worth posting again. It's this year's
credo.
As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to
ever let us down, probably will. You'll have your heart broken and you'll break
others' hearts. You'll fight with your best friend or maybe even fall in love
with them, and you'll cry because time is flying by. So take too many pictures,
laugh too much, forgive freely, and love like you've never been hurt. Life comes
with no guarantees, no time outs, no second chances. You just have to live life
to the fullest, tell someone what they mean to you and tell someone off, speak
out, dance in the pouring rain, hold someone's hand, comfort a friend, fall
asleep watching the sun come up, stay up late, be a flirt, and smile until your
face hurts. Don't be afraid to take chances or fall in love and most of all,
live in the moment because every second you spend angry or upset is a second of
happiness you can never get back.

What I'm Craving Right Now.

I'm taking a page from skirt!atlanta.

To be outside, reading a book, sipping an adult slushie, in a pollen free area * a pecan praline (okay 4 pecan pralines)* 3 hours to watch the past 3 Saturdays of SNL * another new pair of sandals *the ability to make the decision that yes, I want the starter kit from bareMinerals * 3 nice pairs of slacks in black, tan and navy (that fit my booo-tay correctly) * a tube of sheer cola gloss that has an unbreakable applicator * an all expenses paid 12 day trip to London * a new HP computer with ALL the bells and whistles * chocolate eclair cake * my comfy bed

I'm A Winner!!

"I'd like to thank all the little people that made this possible. And the big people. And all the people in between. And my 3 blog readers. You like me -- you really like me!!"

Pink of Perfection just sent me the following email...

You won a copy of In the Green Kitchen by Alice Waters! Please send me your mailing address and I'll pass it on the publisher.
Thanks so much for entering and for reading Pink of Perfection!
Best,
http://www.pinkofperfection.com/

You DO know that Friday is my b-day (21 again!!). This starts my bday week off right! Yeah! Thank you P of P!!

Such a twit.

Look over to the right hand side of my blog, towards the middle. I'll wait while you look.

Back? What do you see? Yep! I'm tweeting! Now you are in for some super duper action! Everything I do will be visible for the world to see. Every move I make, every step I take, every...

Ok, the 3 of you that follow me know that you will get little drips and drops of what I'm doing. I promise to try and make it semi-exciting. Well, I'll add stuff.

Enjoy peeps.

It's Spring Break and I'm Breaking.

On the first day of spring break, my true love gave to me...

Yep, it's spring break. That means I actually have time to blog! Recently I haven't had time to get a good night's sleep let alone blog. I've tried to stay current on email and work stuff and blogging has fallen to the wayside. I'm sorry about that. I know that all 2 of you are upset about that. Well, I'll try to do better.

My car is green. Everyone's car is green. Green cars mean pollen. The pollen count today was some ridiculous number like 2800. Why? I know that the bees need to pollenate the flowers but can they do it without spreading the spores all over the place? If I could get the camera to work correctly (stupid camera - I'm gonna buy a real one soon) I'd show you what my car looks like.

Pollen means misery. Well, kinda but not as bad as last year because I've been neti potting!! In the past I've been doped up on meds and I'd be sleepy and my eyes would be glazed over and my nose would be red and raw. This year I'm stuffy and snotty but nothing I can't handle. Yesterday was ickky cause I was outside most of the day but I came in, I rinsed my nose and things were better. Today things are a lot better. Am I going outside today? Ummm, no. I was planning on going to the hair dresser for my day of beauty but my hair dresser is coming to me. No need in going out into a pollen count that is a bajillion. (Side note - did you know bazillion is a real word but bajillion isn't? I'm gonna start a petition).

Other than that, the first few days of spring break have been fantastic. I've slept in, read a lot, cooked a lot, laughed with the siblings a lot and today I'm relaxing a lot. Oh! And I bought sandals. Whats a vacation without a shoe purchase? Well, it's nothing.

And, this give me time to work on stuff like writing and family tree searching. And, going to see all the teenie bopper movies that the princess wants to see. And reading the 50 magazines that have been piling up beside my bed. And cleaning out my closet. And eating, then exercising so I can eat some more. All in all, I can't complain.

I think I'm going to have some ice cream and brownie right now. After all, spring break calories don't count.