My friend, Allison, tagged me to share seven random things about myself. She suggested that because we’re so much alike, I could potentially just copy and paste her seven things; however, much to my surprise, there is only 1 item that I can copy and paste. It will be the 1st featured in my list of seven.
1. I‘m a walking paradox. I love a clean house, organized closets, sparkling car, and immaculate purse. Unfortunately, I am inherently a very messy person. I have a very hard time disciplining myself to keep things picked up and organized every moment of the day. Instead, I allow things to get out of control quickly, get completely stressed out about it, and then go on a cleaning rampage. Seriously, walking into my messy house physically affects me–the muscles in my neck tighten, I clench my jaw and the beginnings of a stress headache are born. Why, oh why, can’t I make things easier on myself and just stay on top of things?!
2. I’m obsessed with reality TV. It’s really becoming a problem. I think the reason I love reality TV so much more than TV dramas or comedies is that I feel I can connect with the people in the show because they are “real.” Please understand, I’m fully aware that the level of reality is somewhat skewed for the public eye, but I love the idea that the shows are about real people with real lives and there is a potential, although very small, that I could run into them at the local grocery store. The problem is this…I’m absolutely devastated when things don’t work out the way I want them to. For example, I mourned the divorce of Jessica Simpson & Nick Lachey and cried myself to sleep after the season 5 premiere of Jon & Kate Plus 8. It’s pitiful…I know.
3. I’m not crafty unless I can copy. I love to do arts and crafts. I love making things for my house or making unique gifts to give to other people. The only problem is…I have NO creativity in the arts and crafts area. I can only make things if I’ve seen them done before. I’m NOT the type of person that can see a drawer full of crafty junk and throw something together. I was the kid in art class that made my project look exactly like the teacher’s example.
4. I have a love/hate relationship with my independence. There are times when I can take care of things on my own and it makes me feel very proud of my independence. For example, last semester I took 2 classes @ Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. There were 4 weekends that I flew to Houston, rented a car, drove to Beaumont, stayed in a hotel, went to class, drove back to Houston, and flew home. I felt very thankful that I was able to do that with confidence. BUT I sometimes feel bitter about my process toward gaining independence. You see, my dad chose me as his personal project. When he started to realize that I was a lot like him, he started expecting me to do everything that he could do. I do appreciate some of the life lessons but some of them I could have lived without. Here are some examples of how my dad forced me in to independence (sidenote: I rip on my dad about this all the time and he thinks it’s funny. I have already shared this with him and he BEGGED me to put it on my blog so DON’T feel bad for him.)
- He made me start having a personal quiet time/devotional before I could read and start taking sermon notes before I could write.
- He made me call to order pizza for the whole family every Friday.
- He always elected me as the one to run back in and get more packets of ketchup.
- He made me start using Quicken as soon as I opened up a checking account.
- He made me shovel snow and mow the yard while my two sisters, Rachel and Shannon, relaxed indoors.
- He made me help him build any newly purchased piece of furniture.
- He made me pay a car payment to him every month to pay for my own car.
- He made me get a “real” job at 16. I started babysitting at 13 (to pay for church camp).
- He always made me pay half of my way to go to church camp so I would appreciate the experience more since I had invested my own money into it.
5. I hate summer weather. As a teacher, I obviously love the summer because it’s 2-3 months of free vacation BUT I hate summer because of the weather. There is nothing worse than taking a shower and after finishing the getting ready process feeling like you need another one because you’re sweating so much. The humidity is terrible and I just can’t enjoy being outside in the heat. I’m already counting down the days to brisk, cool breeze and hoodies.
6. I get bored very easily. I have a very hard time sitting still for extended periods of time. My mind is constantly racing and thinking of my current to-do lists. I have had to learn to carry a planner or a notepad with me to jot down my thoughts or lists so that I can focus on other things. The easiest way for me to watch a movie or a TV show is while I’m working on a project. If I’m not doing something, it is highly likely that I’ll fall asleep.
7. I love people but meeting them or being in large crowds intimidates me. I love a party or a reason to hang out with my friends but I have to totally gear myself up when going into a situation in which I’ll have to meet or mingle with new people. I become very nervous about saying the right thing or coming across the right way. Funny…once I get to know people, I seem to lose all those inhibitions.
Now, I’m supposed to tag 7 friends to participate in this exercise on their blogs.
1. My husband, Nick: Your blog needs some interesting information about you.
2. Jodi: You’re a kindred spirit, I suspect you might be able to copy and paste some of mine 
3. Karen L.: There is always random stuff to be learned about you!
4. Karen S.: I feel like you need a great reason to update your blog 
5. Heather : You also need a good reason to update your blog!
6. Jen: You inspire me when you write. I’ll be depending on this blog when you leave T-Town!
7. Becca: I love reading your blog! Your description of life with 2 little ones cracks me up!
