I've been tagged to do this by Shannon and Karis. After posting these rules, each player proceeds to list 8 relatively random facts/habits about himself/herself. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names.
1. I did not know how to cook when we got married. I knew a few basics like meatloaf, meatballs, cornflake chicken, macaroni and cheese, gourmet potatoes and mashed potatoes, but that was about the extent of it (and it was not the style of cooking Paul was used to). My Mom gave me a cooking magazine subscription and Paul (who had worked in restaurants) did a lot of the cooking. I'm not sure what we ate that first year, but I remember trying to cook chicken breasts once for company and I think its the worst thing I've ever served to a guest. Thankfully now cooking is often relaxation for me.
2. I love being organized. I have a harder time staying this way since I have Zoe, but I still like a place for everything and everything in its place. This could also be why I like doing our finances--I love to have things in order.
3. I have Old Order Amish relatives that still drive in buggies and don't have electricity. My grandparents lived this way when my Dad was born.
4. I have a fear of heights and I hate going up open flights of stairs. Once when we were on an anniversary trip, we went to a place called Chimney Rock near Asheville, NC. After we paid $12 for each of us to get in, I realized I had to cross over an open flight of stairs looking down around 2,000 ft. below. I decided to do it since it cost money, but I stayed in the middle of the rock so I wouldn't get dizzy looking down.
5. We did not have a television growing up. As a result, we kids loved to read and my poor Mom would have to fuss at us to put our books down and get our chores done. I have a lot of books now that I was given as gifts and have read and re-read many times. My dream is to have a room someday that I can use just as a library. Right now I have books in my den and the loft and the dining room....
6. I like NASCAR races. I'm not sure why, especially considering the fact we did not have TV when I was growing up and it wasn't the kind of thing my parents would have watched if we had. I like Tony Stewart as a driver though and it gives me lots of debates with my brother who likes Dale Earnhardt, Jr. I should point out that I don't follow it religiously, but I do like to watch the races.
7. I like to camp and hike. We used to go a lot more soon after we were married and want to start going again with Zoe. Our last hike was down Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. We took a shuttle to the top and hiked down. We did not know what we were getting into, but it was an interesting experience. Lets just say we could not walk very well the next day.
8. I love collecting crystal and china dishes and cookbooks. I try to limit these items, but I have a hard time resisting inexpensive dishes at yard sales. My Grandma would give us nice dishes or serving pieces for Christmas when I was a girl and my Mom kept them for me until I got married. I am more selective with cookbooks and only get unique or specialized ones, but I love reading them and subscribing to cooking magazines.
Tagged: Shannon Logsdon, Beth Keiler, Marlene, Anita, Andrea, Linda, and Karisa. I've edited the list to 7 and picked on some of you on Xanga. I'm looking forward to seeing your random facts and/or habits.
