25 Random Things

I've been tagged from several different directions to do a list of 25 random things about myself.

Even though I can't imagine why anyone would care about reading these things about me, I have to admit I really enjoy reading other people's lists.....

So...here goes the randomness:

1. I got married and had my 1st baby at 16.
2. I had my second baby at 18 (and 3rd at 23)
3. I became MIMI (grandma) at 37!
4. My first name is NICOLA and in 51 years, no one has ever gotten it right the first time.
5. I wish I could be a writer professionally....Pat Conroy and John Irving inspire me.
6. I could eat chips and salsa with a diet coke (lots of ice) every day.
7. I am a nightowl... I always think of one more thing, then one more thing to do before I can go to bed.
8. I own 5 pairs of Crocs (all different)...they're better than barefoot!
9. In my early 30's, I played so much Women's soccer that at one time I was playing 7 times a week on 4 different teams.
10.I have NEVER once in my life left my bed unmade.
11. I love cookbooks. I often read them from cover to cover, just like any other book.
12. I think I'm addicted to my Neti Pot (don't tell anyone...that's probably kind of weird)
13. I really enjoy doing laundry. The whole process...sorting, folding, organizing.
14. I like hanging laundry on a clothesline. I miss being able to do that.
15. Spiders and snakes don't bother me, but I'm TERRIFIED of grasshoppers!
16. I have been behind the same desk, in the same office, at the same avocado company for 24 years.
17. I am really good at looking in a refrigerator and making a decent meal out of whatever I find.
18. I am a list maker. Every day for all kinds of reasons. I once even made a list of lists!
19. I use Mentholatum for everything....chapped lips, cuts, burns, scrapes...my sons once said I'd probably put it on a bullet wound
20. I once almost, accidently, picked up a rattlesnake (long story...)
21. I have tasted alligator meat and kangaroo.
22. I love condiments of all kinds: hot sauce, dressings, salsas, whatever. My fridge is very often 50% full of condiments.
23. I am VERY afraid of heights.
24. In spite of #23, and the fact that I'm also afraid to fly, I'd go up with the BLUE ANGELS in a heatbeat!!(??)
25. I love pickled beets, lima beans, and brussel sprouts (separately, not together!) which most people can't stand.

There you go all you taggers...more than you could possibly care about!!

Now, how about you?? Go make your own list of 25 things about yourself and then leave me a comment so I can come read YOUR list!

so many books, so little time!

We are a family who loves books and reading.

When I was a little girl, I would often spend an entire day reading a whole Nancy Drew book, start to finish. Thanks to my Mother, I've loved books and libraries and writing as long as I can remember. Luckily, I managed to pass this on to all three of my kids, too. I read to them from the time they could sit up in my lap. We went to the library regularly, and bedtime included 30 minutes of reading to themselves in bed before lights out every night. They are all adults now and we all enjoy telling each other about the latest great book we just read and passing them around to each other.

I read cookbooks from cover to cover. I like a good biography. I love most things by John Irving (A Prayer for Owen Meany and Hotel New Hampshire). I always have several books on my bedside table. What will I be in the mood to read tonight?

Daughter reads all kinds of things. She loves anything by Jane Austen. We both love Pat Conroy (Beach Music and Prince of Tides). We both love children's literature. (If you don't already know the series of books by Russell Hoban about Frances the Badger, please go the library and spend 20 minutes in the children's section reading one or two of them! My Mother read them to me as a child and I own them all.....)

Oldest Son (a Sheriff's Detective) reads a lot of criminology related books, fiction and non-fiction, and military themed novels.

Youngest Son ( a Chef) reads a lot of Chefographies and food related books, cookbooks, and anything related to WWI history.

All 5 grandkids are avid readers. 12 yr. old always has a current young adult novel around. 11 yr. old finished all 7 Harry Potter books a year ago and loves science fiction and fantasy. 7 yr. old reads far ahead of her age level, with such beautiful voice expression and even does each characters voice. The little ones love her to read to them and I told her she should be doing a storytime at the library! A favorite gift for these girls on any occasion is a gift card to Barnes and Noble!

I have often thought about the fact that there are people in this world that hate to read or who have never owned a book. My heart aches for them and what they are missing. I am so thankful that in this country, for those who want them, there is an endless supply. In our 3 generation household we have many, many books of many kinds:

One of my greatest pleasures is seeing a member of my family off by themselves, enjoying a quiet moment with a book.

This past weekend it gave me much joy to take 3 and 4 yr. old to the library to get their "own Library card"!! They signed the applications themselves

and proudly handed the 'Library Lady" their own cards this time. They are enjoying these books even more this time because they checked them out themselves!

When we got home, I ran to the fabric store (YES! an excuse for fabric shopping!) and spent the afternoon making them each a library bag,

complete with an inside pocket for holding those special cards.

...AND OUR FAMILY'S LOVE OF BOOKS LIVES ON IN ANOTHER GENERATION!

Diving in headfirst

When I discovered the world of blogging , I never in a million years would have ever thought about writing my own. ...But after reading at least 20 blogs on a regular basis over the past year, I decided what the heck! I've wanted to be a writer since 3rd grade, when I had a teacher who was all about creative writing and we had to write multiple stories EVERY week and I loved it! So, move over Pat Conroy (my favorite author) I'm diving in headfirst......