Thirty Six

Ouch.

Thirty-six years ago I was born. On my mother's birthday.

I've seen this done before by an old-old friend and a neighbor.

Here's 36 tidbits about myself in honor of my 36th (gasp) birthday:

1. I went to college as a nursing major. After I failed my first test in Nursing 101 I dropped the class and out of nursing all together.

2. I love a good chocolate w/ almonds in it.

3. At one point in my life I thought I would someday publish a book for teachers on the teaching of writing. Guess not now.

4. My very first car was an '84 Chevrolet Cavalier that was a piece of you-know-what. I had to sit on a square pillow to see over the steering wheel. Pathetic.

5. That very first car I had? Wrecked it on the same day I was accepted into college at the University of South Carolina. The high school auto students fixed it for parts only- super cheap. It just took a long time.

6. The first time I 'drank' alcohol was in high school- summer before my sophomore year. The thing is: I faked it. You know- put the bottle to my mouth and pretended to drink. I also remember the first time I smoked a cigarette. It was at a hotel party (weird) and I (again) pretended to smoke one of those long fancy menthol things. Gross.

7. I had my foot run over by a car once. Right before my junior year of high school. It hurt.

8. I have never broken a bone and only had stitches once: the summer before kindergarten. But I have sprained my ankle twice. Both times doing aerobics.

9. After watching Oprah on Monday I vow to never text and drive at the same time. Not sure I can say the same for talking on the phone and driving, but definitely no more texting while the car is in motion.

10. I have been arrested once: underage drinking in college.

11. My first job was an ice cream scooper at Baskin Robbins, making $2.80 an hour. Terrible.

12. I only applied to one college and thankfully got in. Not sure how b/c my SAT scores were P.I.T.I.F.U.L.

13. I'd love to make money by taking pictures of other people's children.

14. If I could birth another son that has been as easy as Jack- I'd have another kid.

15. Math is not for me. Numbers and I do not get along. I prefer the written word.

16. I have a minor addiction to Target. I think if I had to stay away for a month I'd have some type of withdrawal symptoms.

17. I have a slightly-more-than-minor addiction to reading people's blogs. Not sure why- just do.

18. I can't wait to take our kids to Disney. Gotta get on that one - quick.

19. I love to swim. My kids love to swim. And I'd love to have a pool in our backyard- one day. Maybe.

20. My mom worked two jobs while I was in college to help me pay for books, rent, etc.... I am not sure she knows how much I appreciate that.

21. My mom turns 62 today. Ouch.

22. I lucked out and married into a great family. So many of my friends aren't too fond of their in-laws. Not me. I love them. Tons.

23. I would go back to teaching if there were no politics and I could just close the door and teach, like I did in the fall of 1999, my first year of teaching.

24. I used my degree for only 5 years- and it took me 7 years to get it.

25. I like to make homemade pasta sauce and have changed my 'method' for making it many times over the years. Now I only use the yellow cans of tomato stuff.

26. I wear a size 8 1/2 shoe- rather large for someone who is only 5'2".

27. I have a few small other obsessions: clean counter tops, laundry, clean floors, being organized, etc....

28. I do not pay attention to astrology.

29. For years I have tried yoga on and off and only recently have really started to like it.

30. I want to trade in my Suburban for a Honda Odyssey Mini-Van but Todd will never allow it.

31. I am not ashamed to cry while I watch Oprah, Grey's Anatomy, American Idol auditions, etc.....

32. I have never, not in my entire life, enjoyed a glass of milk. My parents made me drink a glass my entire childhood before leaving the dinner table. It scarred me for life. :-)

33. Once- when I was about 10 ish- my best friend and I poured a bag of marshmallows all over the laminate kitchen floor and stomped on them- after my parents went to bed. I have no earthly idea why we did this. I dont' even remember if I got in trouble.

34. I am shocked that my 30's are more than half over. Ugh- getting old sucks.

35. I despise cats. There are not many things in life that I despise, but cats are one of them. They gross me out and if one comes near me I will not think twice about using my foot to shoo it FAAARRRR away from me.

36. I have no complaints- after the destruction in Haiti two weeks ago I CANNOT and WILL NOT complain about my life. I only wish there was something tangible I could do to help the Haitians- not just send money.

That's it - thirty six years gone- I hope for a fulfilling thirty six more.

Until next time...