Challenge

I have been challenged to share things about me that others may think are strange. I think that they are totally normal but you are free to come to your own conclusions.

1. I once saw a show about this family living in one of the southern states who, when going to use the facilities, saw the head of a snake peeking back at them from the toilet. It turns out that a large, scary, and dangerous snake had found its way into their plumbing system and the only exit? The toilet. That totally freaked me out and to this day I will not go to the bathroom at night without turning the light on and checking for snakes first. I have carried two babies to full term which means many blind-myself-with-the-light night trips to the bathroom.

2. I love animals but am very afraid of any kind of reptiles. Mice, bugs, anything is fine except lizards, snakes etc. The first time I flew to CA to visit my then boyfriend Gerrit, I went outside with him and a few lizards ran across the outside of the house. I ran inside. I still married him.

3. I am not a picky eater or indulge on expensive groceries except meat. I get totally grossed out by fatty meat and/or by parts of an animal that are not intended for human consumption. (Dale and Kathy, I think that you can come with an example of this!) If I am eating a dish with meat that can not be easily studied (such as chunks of chicken in a casserole) and bite into a gristly part, I will not eat another morsel.

4. Food stresses me out. I really enjoy cooking and baking, especially if it something that I have not made before. If I had a day free of little ones, I would thoroughly enjoy spending it in food preparation. You could probably sell me a cookbook I already have for more than I bought it for. At the same time, I get very stressed if I do not have a menu plan for the week. I am not a "let's see what we have and what I can make with it" person. I feel very out of sorts if we are low on groceries. Once my fridge is full, I feel much better. In regards to the fridge, mine needs to be organized. It may be that you could not see flooring anywhere in my house but if people (husband) put things in my fridge haphazardly, I may have a break down.

5. I am not the greatest singer. I can follow a tune when music is provided but on my own I am hopeless. I can not harmonize or keep pitch. You will not see me in a choir or church praise team. One exception is singing soul. That throaty forced singing...I am really good at it. I have actually shocked people with this talent. If, however you ask for a performance, you will not get one. It has to be totally spur of the moment. The right place at the right time.

6. I have a thing with rings. After I had Tessa, my knuckles expanded. I could force my wedding ring on but could not get it off again. Stress, break down, melt down are much to mild to describe the feelings I have if I can not get a ring off of my finger. I think that I would literally pull my finger out of its socket to get it off. When I see someone else wearing a ring that appears to be permanently attached to their finger, my blood pressure soars. I can not fathom how they are walking around knowing that if they wanted to get their ring off, they couldn't.