30 Things...

Below are 30 random things about me that you may/may not already know.  I was tagged for this via Facebook, but thought it was interesting to see what others wrote as their '30 things'...we are all friends for whatever reason, yet we are all individually our own person.  Love how we find that 'thing' to bond with someone over and maybe form a friendship that stands the test of time...

1. I want to volunteer for a living (granted, to be paid to do so would no longer be considered 'volunteering', but there's nothing like the feeling you get when you volunteer).

2. I rarely, if ever, babysat growing up. I was in no way interested in having children either until about age 28. Then came my two kids, and now I wonder what I ever did without them!

3. I want 'that dream date' one of these days. You know the one, where you're dressed in your fancy gown and this 'knight in shining armor' dressed in his tux enjoy a night on the town of dinner, dancing, and listening to 'that hot jazz group' in some swanky setting...yeah, I know I'm not 12 anymore, but hey, a gal's gotta dream, right?!

4. I miss the 'rose colored glasses' view I had as a 20-something. I never wanted to experience liking my dog more than people!

5. My ultimate goal in life was to work with my father and us be 'the team to be reckonded with' - over the span of my career thus far, I've have the opportunity to work with him 3 times. All three times have been absolutely fantastic!

6. I worry about my kids all the time. And I mean the 'Mama Bear' type of worry. Will they grow up into strong, healthy, well-adjusted young men...will they be complete and total gentlemen just like their grandfather...will they learn that 'things' don't count; but people do count...

7. I used to be the most organized, most anal-retentive, most structured person I knew. Now, after kids, divorce, and life in general throwing punches at me left and right? Well, now, I am the most scattered, disorganized, forgetful, but well-meaning woman on the planet. Love me anyway, promise??

8. I found out that when stress leaves your life, so does your 'baby fat' (of course, my 'baby' is in elementary school now, so it's 'lazy fat' instead). Thank goodness that happened, because when my Doctor told me I was on the verge of stroking out because stress was making my BP rise so high, I realized I didn't want to leave my kids in the lurch. They need me and by damn, I'm going to be there for them!

9. I thank God every day for my parents, my children, the experiences I've had the past 20 years, and hope I am prepared for whatever lies ahead. Carrying all these crosses can be pretty tough some days...surely, it's been for a good reason (yes, I'll stop calling you 'Shirley')?

10. I love to sit on my back deck, sweet tea or Diet DP in hand, and listen (truly listen) to the sounds of nature all around me. In the wee hours of the morning when I can look out over the mountain and see the city lights, there's nothing more peaceful.

11. I have been known to be taken seriously on more occasions than I can count, when in fact, I was being dead funny. How can people not understand my sense of humor?! ;)

12. A hug from my children chases all the blues away...ANY DAY!

13. I wish I were more domestic like my Mom - she sews like a champ, irons better than Martha, and cooks without using recipes with whatever is in her kitchen pantry. I have trouble separating my colors from my whites on laundry day!

14. I instantly know when I need to call a friend. I suddenly think of them, they won't leave my mind, and if I don't call and check in with them, something bad happens.

15. I secretly want to be a red-head like my youngest child. I think somehow having red hair will make me a more daring, more spontaneous woman...will my red shoes substitute??

16. I am a shoe whore. I am a snobby shoe whore. I lust after sexy, high-heeled shoes and boots in daring colors and prints, but am too conservative most times to make the purchase.

17. I believe God has laid out a fantastic plan for my life. I, however, am such a Type A controlling personality, that I wish He'd share the blueprints with me every now and then...

18. I think my parents are the best parents on the face of the Earth! I wish everyone could have parents like mine; not my parents, but 'like' my parents!

19. I will fight you for my mom's breaded okra and corn 'off the cob'.

20. I love all types of music. With the exception of most 80s music.  I am able to turn the dial on the radio and stop at nearly every station and sing to whatever song is currently playing (within the first few notes of the song, in fact).

21. I want to be pulled up on stage at a DMB, John Mayer, or Jason Mraz concert and be sung to...and I want to dance around 'like I just don't care' (feeling the urge to put on those red heels...).

22. I sometimes wish I could go back to being a lifeguard/swim coach in the summers again...and have the boys with the '68 Mustangs as dates again...loved those cars...

23. I have completely lost my ability to suffer fools, a*&holes, and jerks well. I silently scream in my head, "This is 'x-hours' I'll never get back from my life!" when I have to listen to their mindless banter.

24. I hate it when people falsely accuse just to make themselves look better. Ain't nothin' worse than a liar. Ain't nothin' worse than a liar that is so desperate for attention that they have to drag your name unfairly and untruthfully through the mud (Reference #23).

25. I want my kids to have a healthy fear of me; but still want 'home' to be the only place they crave to be with their friends as they get older.

26. I don't care what the 'Jones'' have, nor do I care if my 'things' measure up to anyone else's. I do, however, love to hear someone croon, "Me and Mrs. Jones"... :)

27. I've always wanted to have a male 'travel companion'. Something about experiencing new places with a fine specimen of a man is right down my alley (any takers??). LOL!

28. I imagine myself 'the crazy, fun one' at parties, concerts, etc. I am so reserved however, that I'm the only one who sees me dancing, singing, and being a nut in the privacy of my own home (Reference #15 - will red hair help that? Or red high-heeled shoes??).

29. My friends are my greatest assets. I will fight for them, stand up for them, praise them, and allow them to cry (and snot) on my shoulder at any given moment. I will also freely tell them "I Love YOU!" because I think if you feel it, you ought to share it. Too many people go through life not telling each other what they mean as a positive influence in their lives.

30. I want to 'live life out loud' and not waste a single minute! I also want to teach that philosophy to my kids (or at least let them know my Dad's catch-phrase: "Aim, don't let the bas*&rds get you down!").

Words to the Wise...

As a pediatric chaplain, I learn so much from the children. One boy, living with a chronic illness, and I were playing a board game. I kept drawing cards that put me back spaces. He said to me, "That's the way it is in life. Sometimes you get dealt cards you don't like, but you have to just keep on playing."

--Louise Shepard, Syracuse, New York

It's amazing how smart 'little people' can be; so smart, in fact, that we adults often wonder how we became so dumb compared!  A friend and I were having lunch the other day and were discussing our children's wise outlooks on life.  We were amazed at how insightful these kids were, and questioned each other as to if we were ever that bright.  We also wondered why becoming an adult squelched that wise outlook on life, and when exactly did we lose it?
 
I'm amazed each day at the phrases and thoughts that are expressed by my children.  They are so young, yet so wise and deeply rooted in their positive beliefs.  Just two days ago, my oldest was sitting with me to make out his Christmas list.  As we poured over the toy store catalogs, we listed the items he was interested in, and then I asked him which three he wanted Santa to bring.  He mentioned one item and then said, "My second thing I want from Santa is for everyone in the family to have a good Christmas morning."  As we finished up making his list, I asked him for the third item he wanted Santa to bring.  He told me he had all three items on the list.  I said, "But there are only two games; you can ask for a third."  He said, "I already have my third item.  I want everyone to have a good Christmas morning!" 
 
My youngest child is a mini-philosopher.  He's my 'under-the-radar' child.  We think he's not listening, but 9 times out of 10, he has zeroed in on a conversation and hears every last word.  This is also my deeply spiritual child.  He is the one that wants to know if we're going to see our family pets that just passed when we go to Heaven.  He is also the one that constantly asks the tough questions.  He's concerned about things like what happens to our bodies when we die.  He wants to go see the graves of our pets that passed, not understanding quite yet that the grave isn't the most important part of the process.  When I try to explain that the dogs' spirits and souls are in Heaven, he often says, "So we can always keep them in our hearts, and we'll never forget?!"  Exactly, dear child, exactly...
 
It is these little sparks of insight during our days that truly symbolizes the impacts we make on others.  On the days when my kids are fighting like cats and dogs, I can think back to these instances and remember that 1.) they are just kids - kids will be kids (and they may fight, but will hopefully love each other dearly one day); and 2.) I could learn a lot from listening more intently to my children's wise words of wisdom. 
 
I want to find that childish outlook again.  Because when I do, I will know that like the little boy at the pediatric hospital, I may not always like the cards I'm dealt in life, but I can most certainly keep on playing.