The Woman Behind the Children! :)

Several weeks ago, Christal tagged me on her blog. (You can see her blog in my links section, it's called "Live, Laugh, Love".) Cute name by the way!

So, from what I understand, I'm supposed to list 6 things about myself that not many people know. Change of pace for my blog, but I thought I'd go ahead and HUMOR everyone and participate. SO -- here goes!

1. When I was 15 I wrote & studio-recorded a song that was played on local radio stations! :) It was called "Memories of You" and was a love song I wrote when my very first "real" boyfriend moved away and I thought I'd never make it without him! :) Now we're both married to other people. Last I heard he has 6 kids, and you all know I have 7! So, life turns out differently than we think when we're young and in puppy love! :) I performed the song at an audition for our County Fair and couldn't hear the accompaniment because the speakers were in front of me, so I sang it terribly out-of-tune and that was the end of my pop singing career! But it was still fun to be interviewed on the radio and have my studio-recorded song played!

2. I grew up in the Chicago area, about 40 miles west in the Fox Valley area. Though I married a farm-boy and now love the country, I still absolutely love the city! People out here would think I'm crazy, and if I mention this, I think they want to kick me out of town! But I just love the hustle and bustle, the energy of the city! I love the smell of downtown Chicago, and just being there and seeing everything. I love to go to Salt Lake City for conferences for DH's work and just hang out there, go the the Family History Library, ride TRAX, tour the buildings, eat in fine restaurants, have a maid clean my room. . . and be a part of it all. BUT -- I love coming home and watching the horses in my back field and seeing tractors in the fields and the slower, value-based lives of these great people!

3. I started college as a music major, did that for one year, then decided it was too competitive and music was losing it's fun. Then I switched to social work for a semester, and decided it wasn't for me -- too depressing! So I tried nursing, but when I went to the first day of Chem 301, I knew that I was in the wrong place! By this time I was at the end of my sophomore year, so I searched through the school catalog looking for the shortest program that looked interesting. That's when I decided on family science with an emphasis in human development. I also finished my music minor with all my music credits. SO -- it was practically by chance that I ended up with the proper education for what has turned out to be my main career: raising 7 great kids! Incidentally, I took 5 years to graduate, getting married at the end of year #3, then having my first son at the end of my 4th year and going to school part time to finish up. I was pregnant with child #2 when I graduated in 1993!

4. I love to take long bubble baths in the jetted-tub and read a good book! ;) Reading is my passion, second only maybe to music composition and participation. I especially love to read things that teach. I love self-help, organization, parenting, finance & other educational books. I eat up a book in a few days and then try to apply whatever new, great ideas I find. There's always something new to learn, no matter how much experience you gain!

5. At our house, I control the remote and I'm the channel flipper, not my husband! Especially if I don't feel well, I can really get glued to that La-Z-Boy. Maybe we should call it a La-Z-Mom? I try to limit my sessions to one show unless I'm ill. I especially enjoy watching the morning news shows. The TODAY show is my favorite, but I miss Katie Couric, although Meredith is a captivating lady, too. I like old mystery shows: "Perry Mason" re-runs are my favorite. I like most of what's on PBS like NOVA, History Detectives, music programs, any educational shows are great. But I don't care for Charlotte Church, Lawrence Welk or that weird European guy with the long hair that plays love-songs on the violin and everyone in the audience is swaying! UGH! I used to really like Dr. Phil. I like the philosophy and figuring out what he's going to tell them, and to see if I agree with my own education. But I haven't watched it much this season because it's on when the kids are coming in from the bus, and it's sure gotten racy the last few years! I occasionally watch Oprah, as long as it's not one of the "meet the celebrity" shows. GAG. I can't stand most comedy shows (too many sexual innuendos and generally just a waste of time), drama/cop/medical shows (too illicit and violent). I do enjoy fantasy movies like Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia, Star Wars. So -- there's a little synopsis. . . whew! Makes it sound like I watch TV all the time. NOT!

6. I guess most people know this about me, but I like to rearrange furniture. I don't know if it's because my mother was always doing that (heck, she'd move around the WALLS!), or if it's just because I need a change once in awhile. Maybe it's because it's one of the few areas of my life that I am in complete CONTROL! :) Whatever the reason, I like to mix things up and make it different. I enjoy adding to my decor also, but I'm not the type that shops like crazy and then fills my house with little do-dads. I like to get a few nice quality pieces, and I even find those at yard-sales sometimes! I have this great heavy wood-framed antique mirror, I got it for like $1! I love bargains, but I don't just buy things because they're on sale. I'm not too sentimental about things, I can get rid of them and not feel like I'm giving away part of myself. The only reason I have too much stuff (and I do!) is because there are too many people living in my house who ARE sentimental about things! So they hoard and I quietly try to de-junk! :) Back to the furniture, one time my mother-in-law was visiting and she said, "You know, the one thing that is always constant in your home is change!" I don't know if she thinks that's a vice or a virtue, but but I'll take it as a compliment! I love change as long as it makes things BETTER!

Well, that's a little peek at the woman behind the kids. Hope you found it interesting!

Now I'm supposed to tag 6 people. SO -- here goes:
Valerie, Kellie, Tina, Christianna, Jessica, Dawn
So, now you're each supposed to post 6 things on your blogs that not many people know about you, then you each tag 6 other people, and let them know on their blogs. HAVE FUN!

Have a GREAT DAY everyone!