25 Tess-ish Things

Amy's entry was pretty amazing and I loved learning about the beauty of her Amy-ness. Here is my lame attempt at confessons:

1. I had eight babies. I lost five (including one and half sets of twins) and kept three. I am eternally grateful for those three.

2. I met my dad when I was sixteen.

3. When I was little and loading the dishwasher, I had to separate the utensils because I was afraid that the knives would hurt the forks and the forks would hurt the spoons. They had to be in their own compartmentss -- for their own saftey.

4. I am a deep believer in a God who is patient, loving, forgiving and joyous.

5. I have two sisters named Debbie (Deborah Ann to be exact).

6. I prefer even numbers...my favorite being 24

7. My first job was at Baskin Robbins. When I applied, I did not know my social security number and listed my mom's work telephone number instead. It got me in IRS trouble.

8. I bought my wedding dress three months before David proposed. We hadn't even talked marraige yet -- but I knew.

9. I got caught stealing a pocket full of Brach's candy from a grocery store when I was 11. After that, I would feign headaches anytime my mom invited me to go to that store with her.

10. I am allergic to mushrooms.

11. I put David through medical school working as a Bodily Injury Specialist Claims Adjuster for Nationwide Insurance. I am CPCU certified.

12. I remember writing my first novel when I was in 5th grade. It was a jailhouse love story.

13. My daughter is a better writer than I am and I absolutely love that.

14. I compose music even though I can't carry a tune.

15. I find great joy in the success of others.

16. I talk too much.

17. My family narrowly escaped a carbon monoxide poisoning disaster when our boiler malfunctioned in Oct 02. Claire was completely unresponsive by the time I got to her and Eli couldn't even stand up. I keep the quarantine sign that they put on our home as a reminder that God has a purpose for my children. He could have taken them that day.

18. I remember loving crab/lobster as a child but hate all seafood now.

19. I put too much stock in what other people think of me.

20. I forgive and forget easily.

21. For a few years when I was young, we practiced Hinduism and regularly attended a church patterned after a yogi named Parmahansa Yogananda. I still remember the meditative chants that we would sing.

22. I grew up camping every summer.

23. My sleep is very important to me and I get really, really cranky when I don't get enough.

24. I used to sneak wine from my mother's wine rack when I was little and walk around the empty house with a half filled wine glass---pretending to be at a fancy party. Then I'd pour the wine down the sink and put a little water in the bottle so she wouldn't notice that I had taken some.

25. I have not worn nylons in over 23 years.