10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Me

  Well, it's officially been 2017 for the past 28 days, and I'm making an effort to update the blog at least twice a month. Blog topics are in short supply, due to our cross country PCS, Will starting a new job, Tony switching schools in the new year...you get the idea. Naturally, I searched Pinterest for ideas, and came up with a few blog topic posts to hold me over until I get back in the game. Admittedly, this one isn't very creative, but it was fun to write. So, without further ado...

 

1. When I was 3, I was in the living room watching Sesame Street. Itzhak Perlman (a very famous violinist) was a guest on the show. At one point, a little boy ran up on the stage with a violin, and played something that sounded truly hideous. Moments later, Perlman limped up on the stage with his crutches (he had polio as a child), and sat down on a chair. He lifted his bow, and played a beautiful melody on his violin. I was absolutely mesmerized. When Perlman was finished, he turned to the little boy and said, "some things are easy for you and hard for me. Some things are easy for me, and hard for you." I immediately knew I wanted to play the violin, and I begged my parents to let me take lessons. They-understandably-thought I was too young, but after 3 more years of begging, they let me start taking lessons the summer after kindergarten. I eventually joined the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, was a member of chamber ensembles and quartets, and went on to major in music (and English) at Lawrence University. Music has, and always will be, a huge part of my life. 
2. I used to be a REALLY bad cook. The first time I tried to cook dinner for Will when I was in college, the chicken was so raw I thought it was going to jump off the plate and run away.
3. I've always had the travel bug. While the Army can annoy me to no end, I will be forever grateful to Uncle Sam for sending us to Europe for 5 years. During our time overseas, we traveled to Belgium, Luxembourg, England, Ireland, France, Italy, Turkey, Greece, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Finland, Estonia, Spain, Austria, and the Netherlands. 
4. I inherited my dad's pasty white Irish skin. Put me out in the sun for 30 minutes without sunblock, and I turn into a lobster.
5. I used to be painfully shy, especially in middle school and high school. I was teased a lot, and the thought of fighting back and standing up for myself terrified me beyond belief. That...is no longer a problem. Lol.
6. I love reading historical fiction. I'm fascinated by the Renaissance and the Tudor period.
7. I would love to go back to school, but I have no idea what I want to study. Current career aspirations include certified nurse midwife, pastry chef, biblical scholar, and author. Nope. No indecisiveness here.
8. While I certainly don't consider myself a doomsday prepper, a survivalist nutjob, or a "the Rapture is coming and we're all doomed!!!!!" (one of the benefits of being Catholic, amiright? 😉), I do believe preparing for a natural disaster, economic collapse, what have you. I have a small stockpile in our pantry, and I add to it monthly. 
9. I am a snob about children's books. I love reading to my kids, love taking them to the library, and love collecting books. Seriously, we've filled up 2 bookshelves with children's books, and I was thinking about running to the IKEA in Atlanta to buy another bookshelf. Buy ALL the books!
10. I'm also a major coffee snob. I scoff at your Mr. Coffee machines and Keurigs. If my morning coffee isn't strong enough to make me feel like I can run a marathon (lol for days...I'm not a runner) or hot enough to burn the roof of my mouth, I want nothing to do with it. Give me strong percolated coffee or give me death.

Until next time! Happy weekend, everyone! 

Your daily dose of cuteness.