One Hundred Things: 100 things

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Wednesday, December 8, 2010

One Hundred Things .... Becca

A collection of lists. Take the challenge. 100 things about yourself. Streaming flow of consciousness, as personal or as general as you care to make it...but make it count. You might learn something about yourself and I promise it's better than 20 questions!

1. I live on the coast in Georgia
2. I love walking out my front door being able to smell weather the tide is high or low
3. My mom is my best friend. I would choose her even if she wasn’t my mom.
4. I don’t know everyone on my facebook page because my husband tells his friends to add me since he doesn’t have a page of his own.
5. I love to write
6. I find cleaning therapeutic, when I am upset I have to clean something
7. This Christmas will be the first year my immediate family has all been together for the holidays since I was 17
8. I love to read books before I see the theatrical version even though I am disappointed by the silver screen adaptation nearly every time.
9. I am a geek for history, particularly WWII era.
10. Nonfiction human interest is my favorite genre for both books and movies.
11. I told my mom I was 5 I wanted to marry a boy from YMCA day camp. He was 11.I started dating that boy 13 years later. I married that man 2 1/2 years ago.
12. I love my husband more each day that passes.
13. The smell of fresh cut grass makes me incredibly happy.
14. When I went to my first civil war era reenactment in GA I was secretly terrified because I was a Yankee south of the Mason-Dixon. They take reenacting very seriously around these parts.
15. I love fishing.
16. I feel stronger for all the crap I have endured over the past several years of my life. It’s been a growing experience.
17. I am a Christian.
18. Getting hand written letters and cards in the mail makes my day, especially in today’s fast paced, instant gratification world. Someone took the time to write, stamp, address, and mail that piece of paper to me, I appreciate that.
19. I am a very nostalgic person.
20. I have been told by many people I have an old soul in a young body. I like to think I have an understanding of how history affects the present and future.
21. I love to sing and have a very musical background. I can read music and sing soprano. I have sung dozens of solos and performed in countless choirs. And yet, the idea of singing in a church choir still freaks me out.
22. I think my dad put it best when he told me “home is where your stuff is”
23. I hate shopping for jeans. Seriously, loath it. I have a 29 inch inseam. Even “petite” pants have a standard inseam of 30 inches.
24. I love the breath the moment just before a passion filled kiss. It’s slow, its tender, it’s a rush.
25. Rain boots make me happy. Yes, rain boots. They are so colorful and fun!
26. Cheese is pretty much the best food ever invented. I begged for The Cheese Bible for my birthday one year. My mom and dad found it for me even though it was and is out of print.
27. I was devastated when I realized I had to let go of my 1940’s Philco Radio/Record player console. There is NO sound in the world like a vinyl record being played. So many memories of sitting around the kitchen table with the radio turned on to the local AM oldies channel.
28. I think today’s generation of kids are completely spoiled and have zero work ethic. My children will hate me because they will know what work is and the value of a dollar.
29. As badly as I want to be a mother, I am secretly scared to death I will be a terrible parent and my kids will end up screwed up.
30. Too many people miss the music of nature. The ocean’s rhythm as it rolls in and out sooths my very soul. The sound of crickets at night, it’s like a mini symphony that often goes unnoticed.
31. A piece of my heart will always belong to Poland.
32. I get so frustrated because I have been unable to locate a bread that even remotely resembles the bread I had in Poland. I hear this is a common complaint from anyone who has ever visited the country.
33. Lion Bars are my favorite candy in the entire universe.
34. I love to quilt. I think it preserves a tiny sliver of history. The love and care that goes into each stitch is undeniable.
35. I am going to have to learn how to do container gardening this year as I no longer have a garden plot. But, I am very excited because I have a back yard and a patio that I can turn into my own personal garden jungle.
36. I am a totally sucker for romantic movies- The Notebook. I will watch it and cry time and time again. The Time Traveler’s Wife, same thing.
37. In January my husband and I visited GA. 10 months later we moved here from MN.
38. I find nature documentaries incredibly intriguing. The Planet Earth series were fascinating.
39. I have a house full of clocks. When I moved it was the one thing I absolutely, unequivocally refused to downsize. I have fond memories of my Great Uncle and his vast collection of clocks. Many of which he made himself or with the help of his wife.
40. I have two individual possessions I treasure above all others- a music box I got from my Grandma S.- my Grandpa S. gave it to her. She passed it on to me when he passed away. The other item is a silver dancing ballerina. My Grandma Z gave it to my Grandpa Z for Valentine’s Day in the late 1960’s/early 1970’s. They gave it to me just before we moved.
41. I cried harder than I have in years when I said goodbye to my grandparents before moving. It’s the first time I’ve lived more than 10 miles away from them in 22 years.
42. I find water to be very healing on many levels.
43. The most beautiful place I have ever stayed was at a resort in Mexico. And I am not talking about Cancun. My husband and I honeymooned deep into southern Mexico. The waters there are breathtaking. They are a color of teal I have never seen before. Life oozes from that place.
44. I love shared space. No conversation is needed, just a companion in a common area.
45. I sometimes wish I could play my thoughts on a screen.
46. I wish I could play my memories like a movie for others to see. I often wonder what details others would remember from the same events.
47. I sometimes feel like I was born in the wrong era.
48. It’s funny how making major life changes lets you know who your true friends are. Some will be supportive, others will completely cut you out of their life.
49. I have arthritis in both of my collar bones because I was so accident prone as a kid. I broke both my collar bones multiple times just being a kid- falling out of trees, diving out of carts, falling down stairs, sliding down the stairs in a laundry basket, and falling off the railing of the deck(for the record, I have much better balance on balance beams now).
50. I was convinced my birthday was cursed for years as a kid. Something bad often happened on my big day- one year I held my hand up high and told my brother to try and kick my hand, he did and broke my fingers. Another year I was swinging, jumped off and turned around- took the swing right in my eye. I had an awesome shiner for about a week. Another year, I went to my neighbors house to play catch- I missed the ball with my glove and caught it with my face. I had the worst bloody nose, thankfully it wasn’t broken.
51. Loose teeth freak me out to no end.
52. I don’t like to watch the local news- not because I don’t like to be informed, but because I don’t want to know about all the horrible things happening locally. Nationally I can deal with; I just don’t want to know if someone got shot a few blocks away.
53. Morgan Freeman makes me giddy. My husband makes fun of me to end because Morgan is old enough to be my grandfather.
54. Eric Bana also makes me happy. I tell my husband not worry, it’s just because he’s pretty. We have an agreement, I can find him attractive as long as I promise not to pursue him. I don’t foresee that being a problem…
55. I work in a craft store, I think it’s pretty much one of the best jobs on the face of the earth.
56. I am a total science geek. I like to know how things work. I am constantly amazed at the great things that God has made.
57. My wedding song was Etta James’s “At Last”
58. To my cat’s great dismay, I make my bed every single morning after I get up. He would prefer I leave it all jumbled up so he can make a cat nest in the covers.
59. My engagement ring was purchased with our winnings from pull tabs at a local pub. It was a good night for pull tabs my friends.
60. Going up into attics freaks me out because when I was a kid I wasn’t allowed in the attic because it was unfinished.
61. I want to go shrimping some day.
62. When I was a little girl I wanted to be a gymnast.
63. Thanks to my husband I dig movies from the 1980’s.
64. Gone with the Wind and Singing in the Rain are two of my favorite classic films.
65. I love my friends like family. I will defend them to the ends of the earth and expect the same in return.
66. I prefer carnations over roses every time.
67. I loath shoes. They are super cute, and I own many pairs. I just think they suck.
68. Southern Soul BBQ is my favorite Q joint hands down.
69. I have a physically demanding job pulling freight off the semi trucks. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
70. I am by nature an introvert. I have to make a conscious decision to be social most days. I have accepted this about myself.
71. I love to read. I don’t do it nearly as often as I’d like to.
72. I played the trumpet for 7 years in band. I loved it.
73. Sometimes I feel like a 12 year old girl trapped the body of a 25 year old woman.
74. I don’t actually think I am interesting enough for anyone to honestly care about my list of 100 random things about me. Seriously. I am so random.
75. I have been around so much glitter in the last 3 days at work I may be made up of 4% glitter now. Even after I shower I find glitter on my person.
76. I secretly find it charming when men stumble over words when they find me attractive. Who doesn’t enjoy a little flattery once in a while?
77. I love the idea of being caught in the rain during a summer rain. In reality, it sucks. It’s cold and wet. It leaves you feeling like a wet dog.
78. I wish my brain was wired to understand math better.
79. When I smell drying onion skins I associate it with the root cellar in my grandparents old house.
80. As an adult I appreciate my dad’s witty sense of humor far more than I did as a kid/teen.
81. I find it comforting to hear trains off in the distance. I’ve always lived close enough to hear the horns blow, it would be weird to not hear them anymore.
82. I can’t express how proud of my family members (inlaws included) who serve or have served our country.
83. As much as I appreciate the men and women who fight/fought for my freedom, I am very relieved my husband is not in the military. Military wives and husbands are stronger than anyone ever gives them credit for.
84. There is always time for one last grand adventure. Always.
85. I am super excited to make a 7 layer jello salad. I have never done it before, it looks like fun so I am gonna give it a whirl.
86. For years I’ve wanted to take a cake decorating course. I look longingly at the Wilton starter kits every time I go into work.
87. Some day I want to pick a cookbook and cook every single recipe in it.
88. I could beach comb every single day of my life and be content.
89. This summer my husband and I are going to rent metal detectors and play on the beach.
90. Right before Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 came out I watched movies 1-6 back to back. Greatest weekend ever.
91. Glee is my new guilty pleasure.
92. I very much want to see the Nutcracker ballet performed in the theater again. The last time I saw it I was about 13 years old.
93. I love hosting big, family holiday meals at my house.
94. I graduated summa cum laude and was 11th in my class of almost 200.
95. My husband used to call me Oscar when I was cranky.
96. When someone in our house needs and attitude change, we say they need to change their pants. This came from the terms “cranky pants” and “pissy pants”. If we are in public we simply say “pants.”
97. I know my husband looks like my dad, I don’t need to be reminded at every family function. Besides, I will still deny it to be true.
98. I desperately want a telescope so I can star gaze on a new level.
99. I think it’s sweet my cat thinks he’s a person. Not just a person, a nurse. Whenever we are sick he stays right with us until we are better.
100. I have been blessed beyond words by God who loves me and died for me.

One Hundred Things .... Paul

I found the love of bonsai during one of my trips to Japan. That was 1987 and 23 years ago. I teach, collect and find friendships worldwide because of this artform.
I work with children who for many circumstances have made decisions that have impacted their own lives and the lives of others in some occassions. I truly believe these are good kids making very poor choices.
Throughout my life I have worked with various human services, either by volunteering or working directly.
I stuck a short Navy career in the middle of my life. I will never forget the men and women I had met in those 8 wonderfully experienced years.
I stole a squad car when I was 16. Borrowed without permission won't cut it anymore...
Stole a car and a motorcycle too.
I was an altar boy growing up. I put “Hi Mom” on the bottoms of my shoes so that they faced the congregation while I kneeled at the altar.
I was raised in the Catholic faith. I remain grounded by this upbringing but have traveled the world and continue a spiritual path not nessarily away from the Catholic faith, but along side it.
I believe in God as the creator of all. I believe that Buddha and Jesus are brothers...spiritually speaking, not biologically....duh. I am in awe of Native American spirituality as well.
I have travelled around this globe. Actually all the way around the earth by the time I was 21.
I was born in Wiesbaden Germany in 1966.
From Germany we headed west back to the states.
I have lived in Virginia (state), Florida, Texas and Minnesota. Minnesota is my home.
I love Lake Superior for all its power and beauty.
My journey continued west through my life. I ended up in Central Africa in 1989, almost directly below Wiesbaden Germany (longitude-wise).
I crossed the equator 6 times.
South of the equator, I had to make sure I flushed a toilet to prove the water circles opposite.
I have seen the Southern Cross.
I have stood in the pouring rain and winds of both hurricanes and typhoons. Trust me, they are the same thing.
My kryptonite is pine nuts.
Pine nuts have almost killed me on 3 occassions.
I walked away from death on 9 occassions, which is weird because I am a Leo.
Not looking forward to the 10^th time.
I have witnessed both the miracle of birth and death first hand.
I believe in ghosts.
I am a tattoo enthusiast. Full right arm sleeve, back and chest piece and a start to a left sleeve in the works.
The brevity of man is the theme of my right arm. Tempus Fugit Memento Mori. (Time Flies Remember Death)
My daughter designed the chest piece tattoo. She is 7.
I play guitar. I picked it up in high school in 1983. I am still a student. If I practiced, I might be pretty good some day.
I ran a rescue farm for domestic and farm critters for a decade.
I owned a Scottish Highland Cow named “Bubbles”.
Animals have taught me many things about values and my own existence.
Thomas Merton, C.S. Lewis and Thich Nhat Hanh are my favorite reads.
I like to write. Whether poetry, songs or stories....I find written word an excellent way to vent.
I draw too. Sometimes I put my written word to a drawing.
I dabbled in smoking marijuana for many years. I get it. But understand lack of control and how life can be wasted.
I was married for 7 years, and divorced.
The day of the divorce I went sober. I didnt have a problem, just wanted to live my life chemical free.
I discovered wine making, and decided chemical free sucked ass.
I love wine.
I couldn't tell you what wine to drink with fish or venison, but I can tell you how buzzed I can get on a great bottle of Merlot or Shiraz....
10 years ago, I would never had known what the hell Shiraz was. I would have guessed it was some new latin female singer.
Speaking of....Shiraz makes me want to dance.
I was told once that my daughter is a Rainbow Child. You are gonna have to look that one up....I did.
I dated a girl once that introduced me to the Tamarack Dance Association. They meet once a month and do square and line dancing with a live band and callers. Was the most fun I have had in a long time. I miss the dancing, not her.
I actually do miss her, but not in the loved loss sort of way. She was good people.
I used to polka with my mom.
I miss her bunches. She passed on almost a year ago this coming February to cancer.
Cancer sucks ass.
My pops died of cancer too.
Cancer sucks ass times two.
I have two brothers.
One brother is a police detective in Florida. He didn't know I stole a squad car til just this year.
My other brother is a brilliant man full of math facts and stats that blow my mind.
I am completely and utterly math stupid.
He has Cerebral Palsy, but that doesn't define him.
My only sister is a giver. She has sacrificed much of her life these past three or four years to the care of both my parents until they passed. She is our angel.
My parents celebrated 50 years of marriage. You don't see that too often anymore.
Dear Cancer, you can suck it. Sincerely. Paul.
When I was 18, I had a tortion of the left testical. Which by the way is equivelant to an elephant standing on your testical....pain wise.
I no longer have a left testical.
I believe in Karma. That said, I still have no idea what I did to deserve the pain of an elephant standing on a testical. Oh wait..... I think I know....see #5 and 6.
I lived in the Phillippines where I had a housemaid that put a curse on me. I am kinda weirded out by that still.
Life goes on curse and all.
I think I have the answers to all life's questions. That is probably why I don't ask questions....I just do.
I passed that knowledge on to my daughter....she has the answers to everything. At least she thinks she does.
I am in trouble in 8 years....probably sooner.
I kind of feel sorry for any suitor that may come her way. I am a guy. I know how guy's think.
I own guns.
I am a pretty good shot too.
My daughter has two uncles and a boatload of serbian kin that are pretty good shots too.
Speaking of.... I am ¼ each of Serbian, Croatian, Slovenian and Hungarian.
My daughter is 1/6 of each including Polish and Irish.
I guess I really shouldn't worry about any suitor my daughter may have. She is gonna be able to defend herself without a doubt.
Twenty-five more to go!!!!
:) I know these last two were cheap adds on this list.
I have a Gordon Setter named Fas. (Foss). Or as my daughter calls him Fozz or Fozzy. Fas is latin for “fate”.
I really enjoy the companionship that dogs give. Unconditional loyalty and love. They see you at your worst and and at your best.
I live like that too. Giving my all for my friends and family. Unconditionally.
I am a night owl. My mom was too. We would stay up late just talking or playing cards til the wee hours of the morning. Good times.
I know that sleep is needed, but find that I function well on the sleep I do get. In spite of knowing that it is healthier to get more sleep. I could argue with myself about this all night.
Coffee helps me get through this argument in the mornings.
Mornings are always the best times to drink coffee.
The worst time to drink coffee is in a jeep on a really rough road. Not cool.
I like tea too. Chai mostly, but I can enjoy a good black tea. I doll it up nicely with loads of honey, sugar or creams.... so it tastes like coffee.
I am in my office right now, thinking I started this some hour or so ago. I liked the concept of this 100 list, and am grateful for my new friend to challenge me with the task.
I find her to be a mystery right now, but she is like the first sip of a morning cup of coffee. Awakening the senses that have slept through the night.
I am looking forward to sleep in about 10 more minutes.
That leaves me about 1 minute for the remaining ten items on my list.
I plan on changing jobs soon. Not that I do not like the one I have. I am a person that doesn't stay too long in one spot.
I enjoy variety and diversity. With that comes new experiences and connections.
I enjoy being connected to people \....and once connected, always connected.
The spiritual journey I am on is filled with these connections. For these, I am truly blessed.
I strive to be the man that God intended me to be. A good father, a good family man, a good friend. God is love.
I hope that through my connections, I can give more than I have received from them. I learn much about myself and this great world with every breath.
I am a student of life and love, laughter and understanding.
My brother has taught me that life is about accepting and appreciating all that I have.
I am a better man because of all my family, friends and the love that I have shared with all who I have met through the years.
I look forward to the years to come, so that I may become closer to who I am supposed to be.
Thank you Kathleen for the opportunity to share this with you.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Suzanne's list of 100

1. I’m doing this because my best friend is a pain in the ass and feels the world needs to know more about my boring self.

2. My best friend is seldom correct.

3.Very few people know the real me.

4. I’ve been hanging out online for 7 years.

5. People tell me I come across as cold.

6. I tell them it helps me to weed out the people I don’t need around me.

7. I test people for a long time before I’ll let them get close to me.

8. To date there are only a handful of people who I consider to be my friends.

9. I married my “high school sweetheart.”

10. I married him to get out of an abusive home, I’m not in love with him.

11. I was accepted into 5 well known Colleges/Universities.

12. I burned the acceptance letters so my dad wouldn’t find them.

13. The sixth one arrived when I wasn’t home. My dad got to that one.

14. I ended up at Old Dominion University.

15. I dropped out after a few months but didn’t tell my dad.

16. I almost died from a blood clot in my leg and ended up in the hospital.

17. This was when I broke the news to dad. (He can’t kill me in the hospital, right?)

18. I wrecked my dad’s truck twice in a week when I was 18.

19. One of the times I hit a parked car.

20. I learned not to try and drive while attempting to pick up the lit cigarette I had dropped on the floor.

21. Greg is my bitch.

22. I don’t really like the beach.

23. When I was 14 a dead body washed up on the beach right next to me.

24. Now I’ll only go to the beach where the water is clear.

25. Mice will make me scream like a girl and jump up on the furniture.

26. I’ve had 23 operations since I was 18.

27. No, I didn’t have a sex change.

28. I’m extremely self conscious.

29. I’m very unsympathetic at times.

30. I can’t deal with people who whine about their lives.

31. I’m blunt.

32. I’ll be the first person to tell you to shut up, get off your lazy ass and change your life instead of crying about it.

33. I’m often quick to judge people.

34. But normally I’m right about them from the start.

35. I’m opinionated, to a fault.

36. I like things my way and I hate not getting my way.

37. Those who know me will tell you that I’m not the callous bitch I seem to be.

38. I have learned to put up walls to protect myself.

39. I rarely let them down because I get hurt too easily.

40. I was always the good girl growing up.

41. This made it easier to get away with stuff once I was a teenager.

42. I told my dad I was going to wait in line all night to buy concert tickets. Instead I spent the night in a hotel with my boyfriend.

43. I’ve had 2 real life best friends in my life.

44. The first I met when I was 10.

45. We lived next door and were always together for 7 years.

45. She was in a car accident over the summer while I was out of town.

46. I drove 10 hours to get back home. In tears the entire way

47. She died 5 minutes after I got to the hospital. At least I got to say good-bye. She was 16.

48. My other best friend died suddenly from cancer at age 30. She was 5 months pregnant.

49. I blame myself for her death.

50. I feel that I should have seen the signs that she was sick and done something to help her.

52. When I’m depressed or upset I clean.

53. I’ve won 3 writing awards and been published.

54. I really hate talking about myself.

55. I have 2 boys.

56. I named my oldest son after the guy I had a crush on all through high school but my husband doesn’t know this.

57. Fine, I’m a freak!

58. I hate slasher flicks but love rotten.com

59. I love classic movies.

60. I collect Marilyn Monroe memorabilia.

61. I’m a hair band junkie.

62. In the last year or so I’ve seen Poison twice, Cinderella, Skid Row, Motley Crue,, Ratt and Veins of Jenna.

63. Mel Brooks is my idol.

64. I’m addicted to Hell’s Kitchen and Supernanny.

65. OK, and I love Trading Spaces and Flip this House.

66. My favorite color is green.

67. I find the Amish fascinating.

67. Most of the books I read are about their life and customs.

68. I love art.

69. Dali and Van Gogh are my favorites. And Munch and…..ok, I could keep going but I won’t.

70. I used to teach art classes at the local museum.

71. My parents sent me to Germany, Austria and Switzerland when I was 15.

72. I’m addicted to Diet Dr. Pepper.

73. I smoke…Marlboro light 100 menthols

74. I have a yellow lab named Daisy.

75. I lost my grandfather last September.

76. I regret being talked out of naming my youngest son after him.

77. I was involved in an online relationship for 2 years.

78. I’m really not passionate about politics.

79. But I’m extremely vocal about my views on abortion.

80. I’m a member of a few right to life societies.

81. I love to people watch and laugh.

82. I spend way too much time online.

83. I’m a smart ass. (like you didn’t already know that but I’m trying hard to come up with shit here.)

84. My favorite words are fabulous and fuck.

85. I’m a very strict parent.

86. I don’t allow myself room for error.

87. I’m hard on myself all the time.

88. It’s hard for me to not let that influence the expectations I have for my kids.

89. I love to cook

89. I have one tattoo tight now. It’s tribal art, 13 inches long down my spine.

90. Growing up I spent most of my days with my grandmother on her farm.

91. She taught me to bake bread when I was 5. And I learned the facts of life by watching cows hump while we sat on her porch.

92. I’m allergic to narcotics. Makes it hard to be a drug addict.

93. I can’t tolerate men who allow me to be in control.

94. I’ve studied many different religions and decided I’m agnostic.

95. People with no common sense annoy me.

96. Actually, most people annoy me.

97. Greg annoys me, but I love him.

98. I’m a pessimist, even my blood type is negative.

99. I’m in love, but I’m afraid it won’t last.

100. I tend to ruin relationships on purpose. It keeps people from getting too close.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

One Hundred Things .... Cherie

A collection of lists. Take the challenge. 100 things about yourself. Streaming flow of consciousness, as personal or as general as you care to make it...but make it count. You might learn something about yourself and I promise it's better than 20 questions!

1. I used to drink Pepsi until I found I was addicted to it and when I stopped drinking it I went through horrible withdrawal symptoms...nausea….the shakes…headache… it was terrible.
2. I love the darkest chocolate you can find my favorite two candy's are dark chocolate covered espresso beans rolled in dark cocoa and dark chocolate truffles rolled in dark cocoa.
3. I can’t get through the day without coffee…lot’s of it strong and black with a little cold water or ice to cool it down.
4. The more nervous I am the more I smile.
5. My favorite sport is golf and I really am bad at playing… so bad that they won’t let me on the golf course during certain hours or days so I go to the driving range at least a couple times a week… I never get any better.
6. I am an enthusiastic fan, the kind that jumps and shouts and boo’s, I love watching my favorite teams play.
7. My favorite football teams are the 49er’s and the Raiders but if I have to choose I choose the 49er’s.
8. If I get an idea for writing while talking on the cell phone and driving… I will talk, write and drive all at one time because if I don’t write it down immediately I lose the thought within seconds.
9. I like buttermilk.
10. When my first marriage ended I felt I had disappeared and become invisible… literally like I didn’t exist any more.
11. I’ve been told I’m a great kisser.
12. I’m a terrible singer so bad that the woman who is my mom’s best friend and my business partner puts tissues in her ears at church and my daughter asks me to not sing around her or but I love to sing and it’s why I go to church, the one place they won’t ask me to stop.
13. I want to live on a houseboat.
14. I’ve been divorced…twice I’ve lived with one other man for a couple of years but wasn’t married to him.
15. I haven’t eaten meat, foul or poultry for about 10 years but I do eat fish and seafood.
16. I have 2 grown children a son and a daughter and 3 grandchildren two boys and a girl.
17. I collect pink flamingo’s, chenille bedspreads, bumble bees and bee hive honey pots.
18. My second husband kissed me goodbye one morning a few days after my father died then walked out of my life forever without a word after 16 years of marriage… I never heard from him or saw him again until last summer when I got divorce papers in the mail.
19. It made me change and was the greatest gift he ever gave me and I know it was the only way he could do it so I forgave him.
20. I learned to love again.
21. I learned to trust again.
22. I love to hold hands… with women, men, children… it’s the feeling of connection.
23. If I love someone, friends, family, anyone… I tell them every time I talk to them, you never know who needs to hear it or if you’ll ever get another chance.
24. My first husband beat me and put me in the hospital several times and I always lied to everyone about it because I was ashamed and thought it was my fault.
25. When they took me to him on a stretcher to press charges against him the last time he put me in the hospital I almost didn’t do it.
26. If I love you, I’ll love you always…yes even him…I’m like that I see the good over the bad in most people.
27. My friend who lives 2000 miles from me I spend more time talking with than the one who lives thirty miles away.
28. I won’t be controlled or try to control another ever again.
29. I love hoop earrings.
30. I spend way too much time on the phone.
31. I believe in God.
32. I have a hard time asking for what I need or want from a relationship even the simple things like a phone call.
33. I’m selfish that I take care of homeless people on the street not for them but for me because it makes me feel like I have a purpose.
34. I don’t have a quick temper but watch out once I get to that point.
35. I was a truck driver for a very short time…yes the big rigs.
36. I got married at 16 the first time it lasted 11 years.
37. I want to be married again someday.
38. None of my windows have curtains or any type of covering.
39. Mashed potatoes are my favorite food followed by macaroni and cheese then broiled Salmon.
40. I only like real butter.
41. I’m a Pisces
42. I’ve never been given diamonds, candy, jewelry or any of the other “traditional” romantic gifts from the men in my life and I didn’t care but I’ve always wanted to be loved by someone who knew I would love to have gifts that showed he really knew me nothing expensive but that book I want to read or the cd I won’t buy myself…the little things.
43. My greatest achievement is shown through my daughter’s life.
44. I saw Jimmy Hendrix in concert when I was 15 on my very first real date.
45. I hate wearing thong panties.
46. I love pretty bra’s but it’s hard to find them in my size.
47. I have several times in my life gone for 45 days without eating a bite of food.
48. I’m photogenic…I look better in my pictures than in person.
49. I’ve lived in my home for 7 months and I’m still not unpacked, because I think as soon as I make it my “home” I will have to leave it.
50. I have an amazing resume, experience and education so at one time I made a six-figure income when that was a lot for a woman but I quit so I could follow my dreams.
51. Today I make less than poverty level of income and I’m happier than I ever was with more money.
52. I’m very interested in a man I’ve never met in person and I’m afraid to meet him because deep down I believe I’m not good enough or pretty enough for him...but I’m working on that.
53. I’m normally extremely self confident in person and if I’m not you will never know it.
54. I’ve stood in front of 1000 people and given presentations, training and motivational talks and nobody ever knew I had severe stage fright, crying and scared, just minutes before I stood in front of them.
55. I’ve designed furniture that sold for thousands of dollars and decided that I won’t design for paying clients any longer, but only for those I “feel” who they are… the other way sucked my soul dry.
56. I struggle with my weight constantly and I usually lose the battle…because I’m in denial and don’t see myself as heavy as the bathroom scale or the mirrors say I am and… I like food.
57. I love taking photos of people especially from behind or when they are unaware or of children.
58. The sound of the trains that run right next to my home are soothing to me.
59. I don’t hear the trains or their whistles when I’m sleeping but I do hear if one of my grandchildren makes a peep when I’m sleeping.
60. My dream trip is to Italy.
61. When I finish writing something good I always feel I will never be able to write again and it always scares me.
62. I LOVE my life.
63. I like to touch and be touched.
64. I haven’t been kissed romantically in over 4 years.
65. Or had sex in over four years.
66. I miss both but especially the kissing part.
67. I love blue jeans the older the better.
68. I love wearing boots.
69. I have a vintage pair of converse high tops that are hot pink that I wear almost every day.
70. I act and feel much younger than fifty.
71. I hate change, I want things to stay the same until they change then I realize it’s better.
72. Writing is my biggest passion but I don’t think I am very good at it.
73. I wear Cool Water Woman perfume.
74. I like flannel pj’s.
75. I love the feeling of showering with someone I love…the soap and slippery water is incredibly sexy to me.
76. Needles, blood and people clipping toenails make me feel faint.
77. I make a killer lemon pie.
78. I put 200,000 miles in 7 years on my car driving once a month back and forth to Oklahoma from California because I was afraid of flying but I got over it a month before my daughter came home for good.
79. I signed the papers to have my tubes tied before I had my daughter and the doctor forgot to do it while he was doing the c-section and didn’t tell me….until I miscarried the resulting baby because I drank too much went horseback riding and fell off not even knowing I was pregnant.
80. I was angry for years at myself for that but I quit drinking and finally quit hating myself for it.
81. I hate to shop.
82. I love to trout fish in mountain streams and rivers.
83. I have a pierced belly button.
84. On the inside of my left ankle I have a tattoo of a dove with an olive branch to symbolize the peace I prayed for when the army sent my daughter to the DMZ in Korea.
85. My favorite vacation spot is at Pismo Beach riding the quads on the dunes.
86. I’m a lousy hostess it makes me uncomfortable to have people in my home.
87. I am good at math….I can do it in my head faster than most can do on a calculator.
88. I’m allergic to many perfumes and colognes they give me migraine headaches.
89. I love sushi, blue cheese, raw oysters and escargots.
90. I have probably only had the television on 7 times since I’ve lived here and most were for my grandkids to watch movies.
91. The first memory of what I wanted to be never changed…I always wanted nothing more than to be a loved wife and have the kind of marriage where you met him at the door with a kiss at the end of the day and read the paper together in bed while having coffee on Sunday mornings.
92. I never was.
93. My favorite movies are One Night With The King…Murphy’s Romance and Beauty and the Beast.
94. I’ve seen every episode of Gilmore Girls at least 5 times some of them many more and my favorite line is from the last one where Luke puts a big party together for Lorilei and Rory and at the end she tells him thank you and he says it was nothing, she says Luke and he says……”I just like seeing you happy”…I would love to be loved like that.
95. I love romance (yes I know big surprise there but I’m running out of things to put on here).
96. Teens are my favorite age of kids.
97. I have trouble sitting through an entire movie quietly.
98. I can write you a killer resume and cover letter that will get you the interview.
99. The name of my business was Serendipity Dreams ..I specialized in bedroom accessories and design.
100. I had fun doing this hundred things about me.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

One Hundred Things .... Simona

This wonderful world continuously amazes me.
I am an adventure addict. I live on adrenaline kicks.
I get bored very fast. Is this a disease?
Sex without feelings does not work for me. Better NO than sorry.
I am not tempted to kill a friendship with a fuck.
Once upon a time I had a one-night stand. Boy, it felt crappy…
I don’t like to be touched by strangers (men). Keep your hands off my ass. You can hug me, but gently.
I am faithful.
God forbid if you step on my tail… I have a hot temper.
I am childish in my heart. I know, this makes you dream about Lolita…
You see me serious all the time. This is the mask played to perfection.
I can’t fake, especially feelings.
If I don’t like you, this cannot be changed. Live with it and don’t come back!
If I cry, hold me. If I am upset, hold me. Don’t let me alone, even if I say so.
I miss having pets. I used to kiss my cat on the ears and nose.
The things come to me at the exactly right time, it does not matter how much I cry to get them before.
I am not patient. I am working on it.
I can’t stand liars.
I don’t lie. It is time consuming. I don’t have time to remember stupid things.
I have lactose intolerance. Otherwise I like milk and cheesecake. (Kate knows the joke.)
If I take pills, I get even worst. Like now. Sleep cures me.
My favorite colors are red and orange. I can’t stand gray and barely wear blue.
I love summer and the sun.
Spooning was invented for me.
I eat vegetables and fruits. A lot.
Most of my friends are Asian. Yes, he is Asian too.
I like shy and sensible guys, like mine.
I can get a high from a proper long kiss.
I like changes.
Tell me that something is “impossible”. You’ll see me doing it.
Make me surprises. Many. Good ones.
I am toooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo independent.
You never know where you go with me, but it is for the best.
I talk dirty. A lot. Yes, I whisper too.
I can be a lady AND a tramp. It depends upon the context.
I am smart enough to know that simple and humble is the best way to be.
I have a lot of imagination. You can get lost in my head.
We do possess a wicked sense of humor. “We” = me and… myself.
The day when I won’t be able to write, I’ll be dead.
I gifted my fountain pen to Josh and I am happy with it.
I know when to let it go.
If I let you go, you’ll come back.
I know I am good but I want to be better.
My favorite perfume is Chanel # 5. I will wear it forever and a day.
I am crazy about food and I weight 95 lbs for years.
To get me (crazy), just cook for me.
I love mushrooms in anything but not in ice-cream.
One day the world will be mine.
I am an Asian movie buff.
I love airplanes and traveling.
I wrote this list on my last paycheck paper in the subway.
I just killed a mosquito that bit me. Sorry but I could not help it…
When I was a kid, I was afraid that I am superficial.
I was gifted with the writing skill. I have to take care of it.
I felt like I don’t belong to Romania.
I grew up in Transylvania but I am not a vampire. (That’s a lie…)
Arrogant people make me step on their pride.
I saw a lot of human drama, but can’t see animals suffering.
Some people make me desire that we can build safer things than Sing-Sing. Politicians, mostly.
I can’t deal with violence. But if you hit me, I’ll break your nose, guaranteed.
I am still angry, but less and less. Yes, I read books to educate my anger.
I hate plastic.
I learned five languages and can speak four of them.
Learning is another addiction for me.
Although I long for the freedom of combing with my fingers, I don’t want to cut my hair.
French men annoy me.
I like architecture but I know nothing about.
Best memories are things seen and smelt. Sometimes other people’s perfume drives me crazy.
I pray but I don’t go to church.
The only surgery I had was to remove the appendix.
I don’t let people too close to my heart. Too many patches there…
I still believe bad people have good parts.
Good quality leather drives me crazy. Yes, shoes, bags and so on.
I love butterflies.
I love sex too. (This is because if you read up to here you might loose the interest.)
I am a Bull and a Tiger. Don’t even ask…
I hate to be ordered. Just try to do it…
I have never been married. Thanks God! I would have already been divorced.
High heels make me feel very sexy. So I wear them with mini skirts.
I don’t watch TV.
First things I see when I visit you: books, CDs, DVDs.
I had “energy” healings. Before that I never believed it. Now I do.
I didn’t properly cook before coming to US.
I don’t remember what I speak if you call me when I sleep.
Don’t disturb my sleep; I am very cranky about it.
I always sleep with my cell phone on. But very few people know my number.
Don’t let me see snakes.
The most advanced video game I play is “Timon and Pumba” (Disney for 3 years old).
I can create a very good market product from YOU. Yes, I am a public image specialist and I love to do it.
The wildest place where I had sex was on a hospital bed when he was all tied there (broken foot).
I can’t swim. Don’t even try to teach me. Two times I was on the point to be drowned. But I do love taking bath.
I don’t drive either. I had drivers where I worked.
I have mad feeling skills. You can’t cheat on me or fool me. I am spooky man!
If you take me to scary movies, I crawl on you, cover my years and turn my back to the screen. I don’t know if you can deal with this.
Yes, I do masturbate. Everybody does.
Shopping is annoying for me, because I wear extreme small measures.
My bra size does not come with the rest of the package. I don’t know why.
Parents who mess up their children make me cry.
I don’t cry often but when I do, better hold me and get an umbrella.
I am passionate.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

One Hundred Things .... Miss Peggy Lu

I love to walk, and walk fast … anywhere, on the road, in the pasture, hiking in the mountains. If I’m with a group I have to force myself to slow down.
I love going barefoot.
I hate talking on the telephone and everyone knows it so they only call me when absolutely necessary and they never expect me to chat.
My first memory was when I was 3. It was Halloween, I opened the door saw 3 little creatures, screamed, slammed the door in their faces and refused to come out of my room for the rest of the night.
The first animal I can remember having was Chi-Chi, a Pekinese. I adored her, When she had puppies she would let me sit with them. When mom got pregnant she said we had to give Chi-Chi away cause she didn’t like kids. I thought she should keep the dog and forget having kids.
When I was 5 we lived near an almond orchard. I would wander alone in there When I got hungry I would climb up on a branch & crack the almonds open with my teeth. Raw almonds are still my favorite food.
I don’t like sitting on furniture, you’ll always find me on the floor.
I have 12 orchids and at least that many African violets.
In addition to dogs & cats & horses & chickens, I’ve had a pet chipmunk, squirrel, armadillo, rats, hamsters & snakes.
I have raised ladybugs, butterflies & praying mantis from eggs.
My favorite job was my last one. I was a preschool teacher for a large biotech company, I spent 6 yrs. In the same classroom … The Killerwhale Rm. I taught natural science & math to 3 year olds. I taught them how to make a rocket, how to make & fly a kite and how to build a waterfall. I could hold one hell of a circle time.
I am also exceptionally good at potty training and nap time.
I love to read anything except “how to” manuals.
I once invented my own alphabet based on the Greek alphabet and kept a diary written in it. It confounded my parents & the police.
I ran away from home twice. The first time I was 14, the second time I was 15. After that I figured I’d just wait until I was 18 and leave legally.
I always wanted to be 30. I figured by then I would have life all figured out. I was wrong.
I like dark beer.
My favorite band is The Tractors.
My favorite song is Israel Kamakawiwo Ole’s version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow.
I detest intolerant and mean people.
I am fascinated by serial killers.
I am writing a story about one.
I attended at least 12 different schools in 12 years.
I learned to touch type in the 5^th grade after I broke my glasses and couldn’t see the chart at the front of the classroom.
I started college when I was 43.
I once wrote a paper on the Preferential Child Molester.
I once wrote a paper on early brain development. It was 12 chapters long.
When I was in my 20’s I trained telephone operators and dispatchers.
I was once underground during an earthquake … it sounded like a boulder was rolling towards me.
I remember the 1989 San Francisco earthquake, the bay bridge collapse and that we didn’t have power for 2 days.
I remember the 2007 Ice Storm and that we didn’t have power for six days. It was a lot colder than the earthquake.
I love being outside in a thunder storms, the wilder the better.
Once my job sent me to Disney World in Florida. I had to shovel white rhino shit.
I once crawled into a cage with a wild dog and scared a bunch of people to death. Me and the dog got along fine but the men made me get out.
I have been nipped a few times but I have never been bitten by a dog.
I love wolves.
I love listening to the coyotes in my woods.
I have been deer hunting and squirrel hunting. The only thing I ever shot was a squirrel.
I like shooting a bow … a recurve.
When I shoot a gun, I shoot left handed.
I like to play pool.
I have a temper … it is loud.
I got my drivers license when I was 23 but didn’t start driving until I was 43.
I’ve only ever had one ticket … for making a right turn on a yellow light.
I cannot dance.
I cannot sing either … but that doesn’t stop me.
I have absolutely no sense of balance.
I don’t like rides that leave the ground. They once stopped the Octopus and took me off. I’m assuming it was because I looked as terrified as I felt.
I don’t like bloody movies, closing my eyes doesn’t help … even the sound effects bother me.
I love full moons & starry nights.
I hate cold winter winds & ice.
I like sitting outside in a hot tub when it’s snowing.
I like tobogganing.
I like Mai-Tai’s & Margarita’s in the summer & whiskey in the winter.
I have kept a diary since I was 10.
I got my first horse when I was 11, his name was Tony. I still have a lock of his mane in my first diary.
I am mechanically challenged. I don’t even wash my own car.
I talk to my animals. It drove my sister crazy when she came to visit. She kept thinking we had company.
People tell me my animals are “different.”
I like older men.
I don’t like being told what to do.
I don’t lie cause I’m no good at it.
I can’t hide my feelings.
I hate to cry.
I weighed 136 lbs the first time I got pregnant. I weighed 136 lbs when I went to delivery. I could look at food and throw it up.
After my 2^nd pregnancy I told the doc I wanted a tubal before I went home. She asked my husband. He shook his head & told her, “Do what she says. This marriage could never survive another pregnancy.” I was grumpy AND mean.
I haven’t worn makeup in years.
I never wear shorts no matter how hot it is. My legs are so white it would blind everyone in the county.
I never wear heels. I fall off flat shoes.
I’ve driven a car, a truck, a tractor, a boat, and an ATV.
I don’t know how to swim but I can float and do a surface dive.
I can’t see a damn thing without my glasses.
I love antique shows, flea markets & garage sales.
I hate going to the mall.
I miss drive in movies.
Churches make me cry. I usually only go inside if I can go alone.
If I could live anywhere it would be in a mountain cabin in the wilderness.
I have seen a forest fire.
Right now I have 2 cats, 5 dogs, 8 horses, 18 chickens and 2 cows. It can change at any given moment.
In the wild I have deer, turkey, coyotes, rabbits, armadillo, skunks & squirrels.
I like going down in caves.
I have always wanted to see a petroglyph.
I love redwood trees, old oaks, willows & bald cypress trees.
I believe in Bigfoot … I’ve stood in his footprint.
I like strange names … my oldest daughter is named Rhiannon, my youngest has a normal name cause I let her dad name her and he said he was going to pick something he could spell.
I have lived in Texas, Oklahoma & California.
I have never been outside of the United States.
I wish on stars.
I like to fish, I don’t like killing or cleaning fish.
My oldest friend is Paul, we’ve known each other since I was 16.
I don’t mind getting dirty and it’s a good thing cause I get that way a lot.
I like playing yahtzee & scrabble … I don’t care for monopoly … it takes too long.
I like wading in streams.
I like looking for rocks & crystals.
I like taking pictures but I don’t like having my picture taken.
My favorite colors are burgundy & dark blue … together.
I love campfires, fireplace fires and watching sunlight sparkle on water.
I eat oranges & lemons, my favorite part is the peel, store bought fruits have lousy peels. I won’t eat them.
I don’t like to fly but I especially don’t like those little bitty commuter planes where I can see out the window of the cockpit.
I want to go on one of those women only wilderness trips and see what I can do.

One Hundred Things