Things about me

Things about me....

I love reading everything and anything at all.

I get frustrated with being read to, it's so much slower than I want.

I order dessert first at restaurants if they serve key lime pie.

Dressing beautifully is important to me. I expect to look well put together all of the time.

I'm an avid gardener. Not great, in fact, when my daughter was alive she referred to my houseplants as "death row". 

I'm a bit OCD when it comes to housekeeping. I can relax once the house is clean.

I'm mama to a lovely rescue dog. She watches over and protects me. She has safely gotten me around when I could not on my own. She pretty much trained herself to be my service dog. She understands commands in three languages, and is quite clever.

I'm nearly blind in some lighting conditions, completely blind in others.

I have AutoImmune Retinopathy, a rare eye disease with no cure. I will lose more sight. No one knows how much. Possibly, I will keep light and dark, shapes and some colors. Many colors are already gone.

It's okay, I have apps for that. No matter what "that" is.

I have no tolerance for whining. Even my own.

Comfy socks are a must in my universe.

I miss driving. A lot

I worry that I will not be able to tell when my beta fish dies. They only live up to four years, so I'm crossing my fingers to keep enough sight to tell.

I'm a small town kind of girl. It's where I'm most comfortable. I grew up in one, and the feeling of being part of a small community makes me happy.

I've buried three children. Stillborn twins back in the 80's. My daughter who died after being thrown by a horse in '06.

I raised smart mouthed comedians. Both of my sons can keep a room rolling on the floor just by opening their mouths.

I'm not the great cook that I used to be. Occupational therapy has helped a great deal to give back skills that this eye disease has taken.

It bothers me that I cannot see to pluck my eyebrows even with 12x magnifiers.

Snakes in the house disturb me greatly. Scorpions and spiders run a close second in the "sure to creep me out" category.

Swimming relaxes me. I'm completely at home in the water.

I have a few close friends whom I trust completely. I have many acquaintances and casual friends.

I have been betrayed in the past. It makes me wary when it comes to opening up to new people.

My favorite television show is "Ally McBeal"

My favorite movie is "Same Time Next Year "

I have gone for years at a time leaving a tv in the closet, and only getting it out for storm warnings or special shows.

I love pillows on the bed. Piles of them to snuggle with.

I wrap up in a fleece blanket rather than get under the sheets. The fleece feels so much better against my skin.

Candlelight is comforting to me.

I grew up in a house with a darkroom, and was almost always with a camera until this eye disease began taking my sight.

I won't give up hope for a cure.

I see clearly in my dreams and often cry when I awaken still blind.

I lost my Mom a year ago this Tuesday, and my Dad thirteen weeks later. I'm not over either loss.

I'm extremely conservative in my political views.

I'm happy with very little. 

I learned long ago to not ask for things, to not believe promises, to not expect anything.

I react badly to most medications, especially those considered safe.

I adore traveling, but am always happy to return home.

I'm a learning junkie. Doesn't really matter the subject, as long as it catches my interest.

I speak three languages, read a fourth, and can curse fluently in five.

I've rode a bucking bronco and did not get thrown. Talk about an adrenaline rush!

I adore thrift stores. It's like going on a treasure hunt.

My soda of choice is diet Dr. Pepper, followed by Cream Soda.

I take my steaks as rare as I can get them.

Coffee has to be black and strong enough to worry the spoon.

I love oversized bath sheets when I get out of the tub. Large enough to wrap up completely in. The softer and fluffier, the better.

My perfume is Chanel No. 5

I never want to look my age. I don't mind being in my 50's, I just have no desire to appear that old. Vain? Fine by me, I will take that label and own it.

I'm a night owl. If I'm in bed before 10, call the doctor.

My favorite vacation spot is the island of St. Kitts. A lottery win would have me living there in a heartbeat.

I'm adopted.

I have over a hundred nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and great-greats. That's a lot, and hard to keep track of.

I won a yodeling contest at Octoberfest back in the '90's

Renaissance Faire's are one of my favorite places to spend a day. Some years I go in costume. 

I used to make my own soaps, and would like to resume it. 

I make brandy-rum balls for the holidays. It's one of the few holiday traditions I have kept over the years.

When the children were little I would put them on the floor,  and the Christmas tree would go inside the playpen. Didn't seem fair to pen up little ones for the sake of having a pretty tree.

Jack Vettriano is one of my favorite artists.

My favorite children's books are "The Secret Garden" and "A Little Princess". I always have multiple copies of each to pass on to little girls in my life.

I adore Robert Downey, Jr. Always have. Always will....

I collect Little Red Riding Hood. The laundry is full of framed prints of it. My salt and pepper shakers are Red and the Big Bad Wolf.

I keep my fingernails done at all times. Somehow, it just does not feel right to not have them looking great.

I adore high heels, but don't wear them often.

I play backgammon and euchre very well. Very well, as in wiping up with my opponents. 

I love hearing a clock ticking when all is quiet.

Spearmint tea on the front porch is relaxing. 

Rose patterned china is lovely.

I use the good things daily. The good china, crystal, etc. I don't believe in putting nice things away and only enjoying them on special occasions. I want to use and love the things I have.

I don't mind being alone, but dislike being lonely.

Brach's Maple Nut Goodies make me smile every time.

I adore red carnations. Second favorite flower is a rose, followed by Stargazer Lillies. Least favorite are Mums because of the smell.

Rain is one of my favorite things. From a soft mist to the wildest of thunderstorms, I love it all.

Old houses make me happy. Built in the 50's or earlier, they have a special charm that makes me feel at home.