Well, this is it: Post #100. When I startedthis blog, I honestly didn’t know if I would stick with it for very long. But I’ve kept with it long enough to hit this milestone, and so in honor of my 100th post, I present to you:

1. I have a hard time believing anyone wants to read 100 things about me.

2. My parents had a big ol’ farmhouse out in the country, which was the perfect place to be a kid.

3. They raised my brother and me on less than $20,000/year, sending us both to private school from 7th-12th grade. I have no idea how they did it.

4. They owned an ice cream store from the time I was 4 years old. I was put to work in it right away, and worked there (around school and other schedules) until I got married.

5. Ice cream was a daily treat in my family.

6. My earliest memory is one of a 3-year-old me plugging in a little portable record player that I had, and getting an electrical shock. I have no idea how it happened – maybe my little fingers were up too far on the plug. But either way, I got a nice little jolt out of it, and that event was forever etched in my memory.

7. My kindergarten teacher had to drag me across the room on the 3rd day of school.

8. I spent hours as a child playing on my swingset, with my tape player nearby, belting out accompaniment to Kenny Rogers’ Greatest Hits.

9. I read as many Nancy Drew books as I could get my hands on in elementary school and was determined to one day be the next Nancy Drew.

10. I was born with a heart murmur. As a result, I always have to take antibiotics before dentist appointments.

11. To help pay tuition, I participated in a “work scholarship” program in junior high and high school. This means I spent my summers painting classrooms, cleaning blinds, waxing floors, scraping gum off from the bottoms of desks, etc. (followed by evenings working in the ice cream store, of course).

12. I was always good in school and got an A in every subject every year, except for a B in geometry one marking period in 9th grade, and a C (ugh! don’t tell anyone) in a business law correspondence course in college.

13. The night before I took my SAT’s, I went skiing with a guy I had a huge crush on.

14. It was only my second time skiing, but I let him convince me to try a black diamond.

15. I repeatedly fell my way down the entire slope.

16. But I got a 1460 on my SAT’s the next day.

17. I have never been particularly athletic.

18. But I held my school’s speed record in the Shuttle Run.

19. And I was a cheerleader for 5 years.

20. And (don’t laugh) I was on my school’s bowling team.

21. I was valedictorian of my class and still remember much of the speech I gave at graduation.

22. I worked as a cashier at a department store for two summers. Hated it.

23. I worked as a waitress one summer. Hated it.

24. I spent most of the weekends during my junior and senior year “cruising” with my friends – a.k.a., driving in circles, hoping guys would notice us, spending my hard-earned money on gas for my parents’ car.

25. When I was 17, I was a passenger in a car accident. I was foolishly not wearing a seatbelt and my head went partway through the windshield – making a lovely spiderweb pattern on the window. I had to wear a neck brace for several days.

26. When I was 18, I had to get glasses. I have issues with things getting too close to my eyes and as a result, I passed out at the eye doctor’s during the exam and woke up on the floor.

27. I took 6 years of German (4 in high school, 2 in college).

28. I went to college in Virginia, where I met my husband and some of the best friends I’ll ever have.

29. The roommates I had my freshman year quickly became 2 of my very best friends and were both in my wedding. We still keep in touch and try to visit each other when we can (which isn’t often, but we try).

30. I developed a crush on a soccer player within 2 weeks of being at college.

31. My husband Chad, turned out to be that guy’s roommate. It wasn’t long before I figured out which one was the real catch. Chad and I started dating during my sophomore year, and got engaged the next summer.

32. A very bad case of mono sent me home early from college at the end of my sophomore year and I think I’ve been tired ever since!

33. I spent many college evenings playing Rummy 500 in the Curriculum Library with my friend, Kathy (who was working at the CL).

34. Chad proposed to me in the back room of my parents’ ice cream store.

35. We got married while we were both still in college. We both worked and got through school, and hardly saw each other for a while. It wasn’t easy, I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone, but we have no regrets.

36. My dad died of cancer when I was 22. He had smoked for many years, but quit 17 years earlier. But it caught up with him and he battled against esophogeal and lung cancer for several years before it finally beat him.

37. I married into a very large family – Chad is one of eight kids. Needless to say, I experienced a bit of culture shock. However, over the last 12+ years, I think I’ve adjusted fairly well and can hold my own during big family gatherings.

38. For 8 years, Chad and I lived in a house that was adjacent to the homes of 3 other family members.

39. I developed post partum depression after the birth of my first child, nearly eight years ago, and struggled with it for about a year. My hope is that I can use this experience to help and comfort other new moms who find themselves overwhelmed by similar feelings.

40. I’m doing much better with baby #2. I’m able to enjoy all the “newborn stuff” so much more this time around.

41. I have not inherited any of my mom’s gardening or housekeeping skills.

42. I tend to worry.

43. I’ve been known to be bullheaded stubborn determined.

44. I crochet pretty well, and have made a ton of afghans over the years.

45. I love to bake, but can’t do anything with yeast.

46. I love, love, love Fall. The crisp air, wearing jeans and sweatshirts, desserts involving apples… perfection.

47. One of my front teeth is mostly fake. I broke it off at age 8 in a minor bike accident, and have had a crown ever since. But if you ever meet me, you’re not allowed to stare at my mouth to try to figure out which one it is.

48. I have never – ever – used a sewing machine. Really. Don’t own one. Never used one.

49. I’ve had about 20 articles published in various magazin
es.

50. It takes me forever to fall asleep.

51. But once I am asleep, I have very vivid and memorable dreams most nights.

52. I love a hot bath. Really hot. With bubbles. And a book, please.

53. I could live in jeans. Most days I do.

54. I’m not much of a home decorator.

55. Flying bugs in my house make me scream. And I’ve been known to deal with them with a can of hairspray and a large bowl (I’ll save that for another post).

56. But I’ve also been known to dispose of dead animals.

57. I have more books than I can count.

58. I’ve started most of them.

59. I’m always reading one fiction book and at least three non-fiction books (but often more like 10).

60. I’ve never had poison ivy.

61. I love, love, love to play card games and board games with anyone who’ll play with me (as long as they agree to play fair and follow the directions – unlike a certain brother-in-law who shall remain nameless).

62. I also like to win at those games. But I like playing more than winning, so I’ll even play games that I always lose – just so I can play.

63. I don’t deal well with chaos.

64. I don’t like seafood, mayonnaise, mushrooms, olives, cauliflower, and a whole host of other foods.

65. I do like chocolate. Anytime, anywhere. Bring on the chocolate.

66. I’ve never had a hairdo that I’ve been happy with. So I’ve given up.

67. My makeup routine takes 5 minutes and I use every common makeup item (foundation, blush, eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, etc.). I think I do a pretty good job. If you know me in person and you don’t think I do a good job, please don’t tell me. Let me have my little fantasy.

68. I love opening gifts.

69. I also love giving gifts. And I do it all the time. Just ask my husband and kids.

70. I hate unpacking after a trip. But I usually feel compelled to do it immediately. So by the end of whatever day we get home, all the clothes are in the process of being laundered, suitcases are put away, etc.

71. One of my favorite places is Panera. I love lingering over a bagel and coffee, preferably with a good friend or a good book.

72. I’m good at saying “No” when I’m asked to take on new responsibilities / volunteer projects / etc. Maybe too good.

73. I love to read mysteries.

74. I may be addicted to Sudoku.

75. I throw out too much produce that I buy and don’t eat.

76. I can’t stand most reality shows but love The Amazing Race.

77. I don’t really like to talk on the phone. I’m much more likely to send someone an email.

78. I need “me-time” regularly. And I have a wonderful husband who lets me have some.

79. I’ve been known to sleep in my car, during “me-time,” when a child has been sick or up all night.

80. I would gladly stock my wardrobe entirely with stuff from Land’s End.

81. I’m very much a homebody. I don’t really like to “paint the town red.” I’d rather stay home with hot chocolate and a good book.

82. I’m a bit of a perfectionist. But not about housework.

83. I’ve never felt the need to have lots of friends, but I’ve always needed a couple very close friends, friends I could share anything and everything with.

84. I can’t sing, can’t whistle well, can’t swim well, can’t ice skate at all.

85. I have about a million fillings.

86. I’ve always thought of myself as a “dog person,” but since cats are much easier, we have a cat. And will probably stick with cats for a long time.

87. I have Plantar Fasciitis and will have to wear special arch supports for the rest of my life.

88. I don’t really like change.

89. My “love languages” are words of affirmation and gifts.

90. I’m relatively new to blogging but have been completely and utterly sucked in.

91. I’m an ISTJ.

92. Since having children, I’ve discovered that all parents are pretty much just winging it.

93. I consider myself a nerd.

94. I talk to myself. All the time.

95. I’m getting tired of saying “I” here. But I’ll persevere.

96. Becoming a mother has taught me more about myself than I could believe. I’ve seen my strengths and my weaknesses. I’ve felt incredible euphoria, incredible guilt, incredible fear, and incredible love.

97. I am crazy in love with my husband. His personality is the perfect complement to mine, he keeps me sane, he’s a terrific dad, he takes excellent care of his family, he loves the Lord…he’s my best friend.

98. I am crazy in love with my kids. They make me smile, they melt my heart, they inspire me, they remind me that I’m still growing…I love being a mom!

99. The most important thing in my life is my relationship with God. Without him, I can do nothing. Without him, I am nothing.

100. I’m glad this list is done!