The Slacker is Back with an Eight Random Facts Meme

Lynne, Chris, and Susan tagged me with a meme that’s been around the world at least twice since last week. I’m late to the party but I’ll share a few random facts about me that most people don’t know. This was difficult to compose!

There is probably no one else for me to tag but I’d like to hear some random facts about Julie.

Here are the rules for Eight Random Facts (if you care about rules):

• Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
• People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
• At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
• Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

1. Part I - I can’t roller skate or ice skate. I’ve been very jealous of anyone who can do it and my inability has made me feel inferior. Seriously. I tried desperately to skate from childhood up until about four years ago when I laced up Gina’s roller skates (the white boot kind). In the garage, I held onto the perimeter of stuff in it, i.e. lawn mower handle, golf bag, ladder, work bench, etc. It took me about ten minutes to skate fifteen feet. The trip exhausted me. To get back to the garage steps where I could sit and remove the skates, I crawled on my hands and knees instead of skating.

Part II - A related fact: I didn’t walk until I was fifteen months old. Toddlers fall and keep going – not me. My Mother said when I went off balance, my entire body would stiffen, she would wince, and I would fall backwards, straight and hard. Needless to say, the back of my head took a beating until I became a skilled walker. (hmmm…)

2. I steer clear of any discussion regarding politics or religion because most of the time they become heated. Of course I have my own beliefs and opinions but I’d rather not share them with a group. I grew up in a home where political and religious debates were common and I even witnessed my Dad asking his brothers and sisters to get out of the house when they didn’t agree, once on Christmas Day. I was a child of one registered democrat and one republican and they had pleasure in canceling each others’ votes on Election Day. I’ve had enough religion and politics, along with its poo-flinging, thank you.

3. I’m too sentimental (this might not be a surprise if you’ve been reading my blog). Yesterday I heard “Mercy Me” on the radio. I love Marvin Gaye’s version but when Robert Palmer does it, I get all choked up. Silly. I choke up and become teary-eyed about anything, really: Listening to or reading tributes, enjoying live musical productions or a church choir, watching a wedding on TV or attending one, watching old Pepsi commercials, seeing or feeling someone else’s joy, enjoying happy or sad movies, saying Hello or Goodbye, hearing kind words spoken to me… I marvel at anyone who can give a eulogy without choking on his/her words and turning into a trembling, whimpering fool. That would be me. Heck, I’m all choked up now!

4. I’m still young enough to dream about what I want to be when I grow up. But I am old enough to start thinking about what I have and have not done to make a difference during my time here. ~~~ I’ve heard these words a million times before but they are becoming more meaningful to me now.

5. I’ve never been able roll my tongue. So why did I choose to study Spanish for three years? (Refer to Part II in #1 above)

6. I am not judgmental but I can be impatient and harsh with others at times.

7. The Lancôme counter sucks me in every time. I can’t resist spending $25 to get the free gift.

8. I never learned to relax because I prioritize too much. How can I possibly sit in the sunroom and read for two hours when there are dirty dishes in the sink, feeders that need cleaning, or laundry to fold? Household chores should be completed before I open a can of paint to brush on the woodwork! Blogging has helped me to relax but I’m still a work-in-progress. I need to learn to treat myself more often. It’s a new concept.

9. Others’ idiosyncrasies captivate me. I can precisely imitate the way someone walks, as I follow them down the hall laughing all the way. Most victims laugh at me when I say to them, “Hey, I’m not laughing AT you, I’m laughing WITH you!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After a week, I’m still shy about posting. I spent time browsing my archives and enjoyed some of my posts, wondering how in the world I did it being the grasshopper I am. I didn’t intend on posting today or next week because I have not felt inspired - feeling rather blah. Sadly, I nearly forgot how to upload the few photos I took during the past week.

However,

One small thing changed my mind yesterday. One glance at it sent me running for my camera for the first time in many days.

See my small surprise in the middle of the pond?

I’ve only had white lilies. I’ve never had a graple one before.

10. Doesn’t take much to make me happy.