25 Things about ME?

Okay... my friend over at Griffith Family Life did a post on 25 things about her. This type of list is also going around on facebook. Why 25 things?? My guess is that whoever thought up this list REALLY wanted to get to the self-revealing stuff. *Warning* If you continue to read this you may learn more about me than you really wanted to know, after all, who can list 25 things and not say something a little personal??

Still here??? Okay then, this brings me to my second *WARNING* I may just " get into" writing 25 things about me, after all, who better than me to write about me?? This blog could take on epic proportions. So... if you are sure that you wouldn't rather be doing something else.... checking your couch for spare change?? or folding that basket of mismatched socks that haunts you?? Go grab a cup of coffee... or if you are a self-respecting southerner... a glass of sweet tea and we will continue with 25 things about me. (or more) (hee hee)

1. I WAS a northerner. I lived in Michigan with my parents and two brothers, one older and one younger, until I was twelve. We moved to Louisiana two months before I turned 13. While I remember Michigan, I am a southerner. I enjoy the cold weather for a while but not the 9 months of snow that Michigan offered. I have been south longer (okay MUCH LONGER) than I lived in the north and so I am a southerner NOW.

2. I love to teach. I got my degree in education and most of my masters in early childhood administration. At that point in my life (college )I thought I would teach in public school until I had children and then offer in-home child care in the form of a pre-school program at home while my kids were home. I had no intention of home-educating at all. But... we are and I love it. I wouldn't trade being home with my kids for anything. I love working with them. There are certain challenges with home education (like teaching new content at a new grade level every year) and we constantly are adapting "what works for us" but it is an incredible experience. I love teaching... and I enjoy a classroom setting as well. I love walking into a school.

3. But... when I grow up, I want to be a librarian or an artist. My first dream was to be a teacher and I am. (and I will be for 12 more years). But after that... who knows? If they had offered a masters degree in library science at the university I attended I would have gone that route. As luck would have it... they didn't, so I went with early childhood administration. (Never dreaming that I would indeed be setting up a school in my own home!!)

4. I don't like to drive. I don't. I can easily maneuver around our little town and I am able to drive north , south and west (all on country roads) for about 1/2 an hour but I have only driven in Springdale 4 times in the past 9 1/2 years. I hate traffic. It makes me VERY apprehensive. I am a good driver. I have no tickets and I have never been in an accident while I was driving. Still... I don't like to drive. I have been known to go out of my way so that I only have to make right hand turns. (Not HORRIBLY.. out of my way.. but a little bit)
This is one reason we live where we do. When we first moved here, my parents moved with us, they came and scouted the area. They partially picked our town because it was closer to bigger towns and I could drive here. If I need to go to one of the bigger towns I go with my hubby or my folks. (who said confession is good for the soul?? I feel a bit freakish.. but, pressing on...)

5. I love books. I could easily while away my days curled up with a book. Really... everyday.. it would be no problem. We could live on cereal and salad and I could read. (oh.. we do have an occasional day like this... but not EVERY day.) I am an obsessive reader and read most books in one sitting if possible. I am pretty quick... but not a speed reader. It takes several hours to finish a good book. I did read the 7th Harry Potter book in one day. It took all day and it was like consuming a plate of cookies. I did not retain it... but enjoyed it immensely. (okay, so not exactly like a plate of cookies because I definitely would retain them... right around my backside!! hee hee) I have a bookcase in almost every room in my house and they are all full and many have double stacked books. I keep trying to weed them out... but am not always successful. I have an 1865 copy of a Louisa May Alcott book. I mean.. how incredibly cool is that?

6. I also love paper goods and paper crafting. Brian has always had hobbies: golf, his trumpet, wood working. Not so for me. I always had teaching and the kids. Six years ago I was introduced to stamping and I have become a woman obsessed. I love paper. It truly is my medium. I even have my own room now to store all of my goodies!! I make cards and notebooks and framed art and I LOVE it. I design things in my head while doing dishes and other chores. It truly, truly is so much fun. Plus... I get to share this with my mom and my girls who also enjoy it! Bliss.

7. I do not have a great sense of smell. I can tell WHEN something smells... but I can not always discern if it is a good smell or a bad smell. Many things smell to me like cat pee... (peach candy for example... smells like cat pee to me... eww!)

8.I have a tendency to make a short story long filling you in on all of the details. If you have ever talked to me on the phone you know this to be true. My girls have inherited this trait. We are gifted gabbers.

9. I am afraid of being wrongly imprisoned. Okay... sounds weird I know, but have you ever seen those awful prison shows on t.v.??? Prison is a TERRIFYING place. I am not saying we shouldn't have them... I AM saying I sure don't want to ever go and since I have no plan on ever committing a crime...for me to end up there I would have to be falsely accused thus the fear of being wrongly imprisoned. I am not a tough girl. I am a WIMPY girl. I would not make it. Since she was about 4 Bekah has believed that we can do anything Martha Stewart can do... NOT THIS!

10. Someday I want to learn how to play the guitar and learn to sew better. I would also like to improve my Spanish. (you know... get beyond my colors and numbers, days of the week etc..)
A pottery class would be nice too. I realize that is several things... just count this as things I want to learn...

11. Things I Hate: socks that go missing in the wash, having to say every day "Did you do the......fill in the blank..... chore?", feeling guilty and inadequate (which I do all too often.)

12. Things I LOVE: My family-- hubby, kids, folks... all are precious and good.
So much so that they get their own number.

13. Other things I love: My friends!! books, paper, sweet tea, CHIPS, Michael Buble, lazy days, craft projects, going to plays, spring, fall, holiday decorations, blogging, kids laughing, silliness, and music.

Okay guys... that is it for now. Earlier I couldn't sleep and so came to write this list... now I am yawning so will go close my eyes for just a few more minutes. Pay no attention to the time stamp on this post. I am sure it is much earlier than it says. Stop looking... don't judge!