30-Day Blog Challenge: Day 1

The 30-day blog challenge suggests that I spend Day 1 writing about what I hate about myself. Well, for one thing, I don’t hate anything about myself. Fact is I’m pretty awesome. Secondly, why would I start a blog by talking about bad things? I don’t want to write about bad things any more than you want to read them! Of course, no one is perfect. I have nothing to fear or hide, so how about I introduce you to some of my characteristics that might be somewhat less than desirable during certain situations. As you read, please understand that I embrace these idiosyncrasies as part of what makes me so awesome.

1. I cry when I’m happy or excited. No joke. Like, really cry…tears, snot, hic-ups…I go all out. Have you ever been to the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH? We were there 14 or 15 years ago—the summer after the Denver Broncos won their first Super Bowl. We watched highlights of the Bronco’s season in some super fancy theater. When it was all over, I was clapping feverishly and sobbing like a baby, “GO BRONCOS!!” I still don’t think my then 10-year-old stepson has forgiven me. He was so embarrassed; he practically crawled out of the theater on his hands and knees.

My husband and I played hooky from work one day and drove up to Georgetown, CO to ride the steam train. After we loaded the train, the conductor blew the whistle and yelled, “All Aboard!” I burst into tears. I may have frightened some of the small children.

I cried at the rodeo, too. It was right at the very start, the lights went out and the coliseum was almost completely black. The “Beef—it’s what’s for dinner” song started blaring, lasers were everywhere and about two dozen people came into the arena on horses—both people and horses had lights all over them. It was one of the coolest things I have ever seen and I showed my appreciation with a flood of tears. We were about four contestants into the bull riding before I pulled myself together again. My husband won’t go to rodeos with me anymore.

2. I always have to be planning something. I scour the internet for free family activities I can do on weekends with my daughter. I am always thinking of what needs to be done to the house next. I spend almost an entire week planning the next week’s menu. I can’t go into a store without a list. I will spend months planning a vacation. The last vacation we took, we met my husband’s family in Missouri. I got everyone to agree on a date and location and I made all the arrangements. His sister drove from TN, his brother and dad came from NE and we drove from CO. It took about 3 months to make all the arrangements, including planning meals and what to pack. I spent half of the ride to the vacation planning the next vacation. My husband said, “PLEASE—one at a time!”

3. The only thing I dislike more than cleaning my house is a dirty house. That’s right—read it again.

4. I do not like being wet. I’m the freak at the swimming pool walking around with my hands sticking up out of the water. I can’t be in the water for more than about 10 minutes at a time. It freaks me out. Of course, there are few things that I enjoy more than the feel of clean skin. So much so, that I often take two showers a day.

I think that’s about it. Not bad, eh? I told you I was awesome.