Learn About Me Challenge - Day Twenty-Four

Day 24- A letter to your parents.

My dad passed away a couple years ago. He was one of the biggest influences in my life. If I ever sensed his disappointment in me, I would feel crushed. His opinion mattered a lot to me.

Dear Dad,
I miss you more than words can tell. I depended on you for a lot of things. Just little things, a lot of times, but still, it was a comfort to be able to call you and ask you silly questions. You always had time to give me an answer.
Your values in life are ones I want to claim for my own. I know I fall short in a lot of areas, but you gave me something to strive for. Even Randall says you were a great influence on him, for the short time he had to know you. He valued your opinions. He wanted to learn more from you, but time didn't let that happen. He regrets not spending more time with you.
I'm trying to help Mom around the house. I'm starting to see what you had to deal with concerning finances. I pray daily for the strength and wisdom to keep us out of debt, to keep the bills paid, and to not lose my temper.
I'm afraid I inherited your short hot temper. But like you, I've learned to control it. Maybe not as well as you, but I find myself constantly biting my tongue, or leaving the house, just to avoid losing my temper.
Just wanted to say thanks, for everything you did in my life. And I love you.
Your baby girl, Sherri

My mother is still with us, in fact, we live in the same house. After Dad passed away, she needed help taking care of the house and bills. This is a touchy subject right now, and I'm not going to get into too many details. But here's a letter I'd write to my Mom.

Dear Mom,
I know you are worried about being broke. Keep your chin up. We can budget and plan wisely and still have free money to splurge. Just not as much as you are used to.
Please stop acting like you are going to sell the house. I don't want to move again. I love it here.
I'm so glad that you are going to retire next year. I know that you've gotten older, and are tired of working long days away from home. I'm happy about your decision. Please don't worry about making less money. I can get a job and help out more. Which means that more of the housework will fall on you, and I'll expect you to help out.
But with FLyLady's systems, we can keep the house clean, laundry washed, meals cooked, and all that taken care of without a problem. Don't worry. I won't dump it all on you, I still expect to do a lot around the house.
Randall and I have so many plans for the house and yard. It is exciting to think what we can make of the place. That's why I get so upset to hear you talk about selling it. It feels like you are trying to destroy our dreams.
I know that's not what you mean to do, so I'm hoping that once you realize the truth of it, you'll stop making those remarks.
I have a deep love and fierce protectiveness for you, Mom. I defend you a lot. Yes, I know your memory is failing. That's okay. It's not to the point of being a huge handicap right now, just a little annoying. *wink*
I want to take care of you, and make sure you are happy. That's a hard thing to do, making you happy. It's always been the one thing I wasn't sure how to do. So help me out a little, okay? Give me a hint?
There is only one thing I ask of you. Please, PLEASE, stop talking about our personal home life to everyone. You promised that if you ever had a problem with something here, that you would come to me about it. Instead, I'm hearing about it from other people, and not from you. Keep your promise to talk to me about what's going on. I'm not the enemy, you know.
I love you, Mom. Please don't take any of this the wrong way.

Your loving daughter, Sherri

Learn About Me Challenge - Day Twenty-Three

Day 23- Something you crave for a lot.

Sweet Potatoes with Caramel Sauce. Yummm.
I also crave fried potatoes, thanks Rebecca for reminding me :p
And chocolate. What woman doesn't crave for chocolate?

Learn About Me Challenge - Day Twenty-Two

Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else?

I guess you could call me a late bloomer. I didn't have many friends in school, and had very low self-esteem. Thus I was extremely shy.
I still am to an extent, but once I get to know you, I can be a very good friend to have. I'm a loyal friend, and willing to help generously.
I don't wear make-up, and don't fix up my hair. So it doesn't take me long to get ready to go somewhere.

Learn About Me Challenge - Day Twenty-One

Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy.

The Roamin' Gnome. I bought this little guy while in Michigan visiting my sister Rebecca. This little guy is supposed to be accompanying me on all my excursions, to pop up unexpectedly in photos.
I had to name him Bo. Because I always like Bo better than Roman. :p (see if you get that obscure reference)

Learn About Me Challenge - Day Twenty

Day 20- Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future.

I'm already married, and I see myself with him for the rest of my life.

Learn About Me Challenge - Day Nineteen

Day 19- Nicknames you have; why do you have them?
I have the nickname Wormy, which is short for Squirmy Wormy, because as a small child, I couldn't sit still :p
I also had the nickname Pony in school. This was because everyone knew I loved horses, but being a short person, they felt "Pony" was fitting, because a pony is a short horse. ;)

Learn About Me Challenge - Day Eighteen

Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have.

I dream one day of having my house perpetually clean. Or at least only 15 minutes away from being "company ready".
I plan on doing a lot of projects around the house. I want to get the laundry room straightened, cleaned and organized, and paint the walls a bright cheery color. I want it to be a room that I don't dread walking into.
I have a goal of losing enough weight to get back into my pre-pregnancy clothes. Which is about 30-40 pounds from where I am now.

Learn About Me Challenge - Day Seventeen

Day 17- Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why.

Oh this one is easy! I would switch lives with my husband! Here's why:

He complains all the time that I do nothing around the house. Cleaning, doing laundry, planning meals, taking care of the kids, etc, etc. He works setting up mobile homes. I know he has a hard job, and is tired when he comes home. But I believe that what I do is no less stressful and important.

I'd actually like to switch for more than a day, just to give him a real taste of it. Even though I'm not sure I'd like to do his job that long, because it is hard physical labor. But still, I'd hope he would have more respect for what I do afterwards :p

Learn About Me Challenge - Day Sixteen

Day 16- Another picture of yourself.

Dressed to shoes!

Yes, another recent one. Was doing a challenge with my sister about making sure we were getting our Morning Routines done, and that we were dressed to lace up shoes. So to make sure she knew I had my shoes on, I was pointing at them in this picture. 

Learn About Me Challenge - Day Fifteen

Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play.

I don't have an iPod. However, I do have music on my computer. So I opened Windows Media Player, dragged in all my music, and shuffled the list. Here are the first 10 songs in the list.

The Pirate Song (I want to Sing & Dance) - Ray Stevens
The Dash - Eric Dodge
Feather Duster Shake - Amy Benson Lacey
Blue Navajo - Gheorghe Zamfir
When I Need You - Gheorghe Zamfir
That's Who I Wanna Be - Eric Dodge
Time Is On My Side - Rolling Stones
Now We Are Free - Hans Zimmer
Claire de Lune - Zamfir
It Ain't Gonna Happen - Eric Dodge

Learn About Me Challenge - Day Fourteen

Day 14- A picture of you and your family.

Really, this is getting pathetic :p
Well, I've shown a few pictures of my sisters, and one of my favorite cousins. So I'll go with a picture of my husband and children.

Randall, Jacob, and Alyssa

My husband had two busy little helpers. This was taken early this year, while it was still cool weather. It's the most recent picture I have of the three of them together. Looks like I need to get a family picture taken of all of us.

And here's another one...

Mom, Dad, and my sisters

This was taken a few months before my Dad passed away. I still miss him. My sisters, from left to right: Angelia, Rebecca, Tammy, Heather, and myself. And my little girl Alyssa on the floor.

Learn About Me Challenge - Day Thirteen

Day 13- A letter to someone who has hurt you recently.

Ah, this should be interesting. It's a letter I actually plan to write.

First, some history...

I have a half-brother, from my mother's first marriage. He left home when I was only 1 yr old, and has since been in prison for most of my life. He briefly got out on parole, only to be caught stealing again, and sent back to a Federal Penitentiary. I don't have much to do with him, but he calls the house a lot to talk to Mom. He proceeds to give her grief over things that never happened, but he has made up to believe them in his head. Or at least, this is what my mother, and older sister who grew up with him say. I can believe that he has changed history in his mind, from the way he talks in the few letters he has sent me. Should I mention that he hates my guts? Even though I haven't ever done anything to him? I don't even really know him. I don't hate him, I don't know him well enough to hate him. I do hate how he treats Mom, though.

I'll even post his letter here, so you can see why I respond the way I do...
(yes, even with his punctuations and misspellings even though they make me cringe to type them out like that)

Sherri, Look here, I know you told that lie on me about my Bail... & your car! You & I know you lied. You can fool others but your not fooling me! And what happen to you putting out a garden this summer? What happen to you raising rabbits & chickens? Couldn't get off your lazy ass & do it, huh!! Not surprising. Mom's foot been hurting her & you got her climbing the stairs, or just stuck in the basement like a prisoner. Your a real piece of shit Sherri! You was probally behind mom's money disapearing she had. You knew her account number & all, you probally stole it for dope. You got lucky you didn't go to jail for leaving your kid in the car, I think they should take your kids from you, you leave them in the basement alone, you should be in the basement with them!! Anyway here's the deal, I don't claim you, & it'll be a cold day in hell before you win this one. You started something with me your not gonna win. I hate your guts, it is what it is. Tommy

So yeah, I would say that he is a person who has recently hurt me. His twisting of the truth, his flat out lies, his unfounded accusations, and base cruelty. He has so many things in this letter that are not based on fact. It hurts me that he would think so badly of me when I have never done anything to him.

Here's my response to him...

Tommy, You have things so twisted in your mind, I'm not sure where to begin. First of all, since when do I care what you think of me? You haven't ever been in my life long enough to matter to me. We share a mother, and that's all. And I treat her a LOT better than you do. You beg for money, and then cuss her out if she doesn't send it. You hang up on her if you don't like what she's saying. You give her grief about visiting you when she's on her way to the boat, not taking into account the THREE facts that make it impossible for her to do so. Fact One: She doesn't go through Manchester, it would be out of her way. It is NOT just 3 hours down the road from our house, try more like 6 1/2 to 8 hours. Fact Two: She catches the boat on a WEDNESDAY, which is NOT a visiting day. Fact Three: She's catching the boat!! Which means she's in the COMPANY VAN, and doesn't have the option of stopping to visit an inmate in a Federal prison while the rest of the crew sits and waits on her. For real... are you that ignorant? I want to address the issue you bring up about Mom staying in the basement like a prisoner. First of all, how can she even be considered a prisoner when she has the option and free will to do whatever she wants? Go where ever she wants? Hardly a prisoner. Two: I don't make her climb the stairs. In fact, I carry her supper plate to her a lot of nights, to save her from having to get up off the computer and coming upstairs. She does come upstairs now and then, because she enjoys our company. Imagine that.. she ENJOYS our company. Enough said. Three: She has a phone in her room and she uses it. She can call the house number and it will ring through so I can answer it and talk to her. Or she sends me a message online, if we are both on the computer. This is usually to save her a trip upstairs for a drink, or some other little thing that I can do for her. Mom doesn't mind staying in the basement. She has the biggest bedroom in the house. And she says she doesn't want to stay in the room that Dad died in. It has too many memories for her. She gets better sleep downstairs, because it is cooler, and she can breathe easier in the cooler air. She has a space heater under her desk in case she feels a little too cool while playing the computer. We have offered to stay in the basement, but she doesn't want to give up her room. She has a private bathroom, and we are remodeling an area to be a kitchenette for her so she can have a small fridge and cooktop to be more independent whenever she feels like it. Now on to the other issues. You say I am lying about your bail and my car. Several of my co-workers remember this incident because of the scene you caused at my workplace. You were asking anybody and everybody for money to put up for your bail. When I told you I couldn't, you called me a cold-hearted bitch. You didn't even bother asking WHY I couldn't. I'll tell you now. At the time, my car already had a lien against it, for it's full value. I couldn't have squeezed even another $100 out of it. But aside from that, why would I have wanted to? You were still pretty much a stranger to me, and your track record wasn't all that great. I wasn't about to risk my car for you. You know, and I know, that YOU are the one lying about this, and I don't even know why. It's stupid. So what? You asked me for bail money. You were asking everybody. I don't even blame you, I would probably have done the same thing in your place. I just wasn't able to help you at that time. No need to twist the truth and call me a liar. Mom and my sisters remember the incident too, because I told them about it at the time. You're not fooling anyone but yourself. My garden? Yeah, it did great this year. We had corn, tomatoes, black-eyed peas, squash, pumpkins, watermelon, cantaloupe, and hot peppers. Who told you I didn't put one out? We are still getting tomatoes out of it, it's ridiculous how many of them we've had so far. Couldn't get off my lazy ass, huh? Wow, you really are clueless. Chickens and Rabbits. Okay, again... where do you get your information, because this one is just retarded. We said we wanted chickens, never said we were GETTING chickens. And we never said anything about stinking rabbits. I can't stand them. Nasty creatures. Whoever is feeding you this line of crap is just wanting you to look stupid. Really. Either that are you are just making things up and twisting things around to whatever you want to believe. (which I believe you do, anyway) As for my own run-in with the law... I don't really care what you think. It upsets me that you think my children should be taken away from me. What about your own daughter? How long was it before you even ever claimed her? How old was she? The rest of the family certainly didn't even know about her until she was grown. Were you ashamed? Or were you just a bad father? So don't talk to me about my children. You don't have the right to even speak of them. You are NOTHING to them. Now to the last issue. Stealing Mom's money. Seriously. I don't do dope. Having children tends to make you get your priorities straight. I put money INTO her account, why would I steal it? I live here too. Not having the money to pay bills affects me too. Duh. It makes no sense to think I would be the one taking it. Besides, we know who did it. Not that it is any of your business. Keep your nose out of things that don't even matter to you. It is too funny how you think you have a right to even ask about things that go on here. You have NO RIGHT! We don't care about your opinions. We don't care about anything you say. I felt the need to write to you just to let you know, I DON'T CARE! Hate my guts? Good for you. You are the one suffering for that, not me. I laugh about it. Even called up my sisters and laughed with them about it. To think that you hate me is just a joke really. I haven't ever done anything to you, so why you hate me I can't even fathom. But really, when it all boils down to the bare bones of it... it just doesn't matter. Oh, and I just wanted to let you know, don't bother calling the house again. You have mom's cell phone number, use it. I live here too, and because of the way you've treated this family, including my mother and father, you have LOST the privilege of calling the house. I will be blocking the number the next time you call. Yes, it is a PRIVILEGE to be able to call. It's not something that is a God-given right. You have abused this family enough. I'm tired of seeing Mom cringe every time we see that number on the caller ID. I would do anything for her. And if blocking your calls will bring her peace, then I'm doing it. In closing, I wanted to say one more thing. You ended your letter with: "You started something with me your not gonna win." I wanted to respond with: What kind of game are YOU playing? I'm not trying to "win" anything. Get over yourself, dude. You sound really pathetic. I still don't understand why you hate me so much. It confuses me. I repeat that I haven't done anything to you that I'm aware of. I babysat for you and Carol when you lived in Oakton. I didn't turn you in to the cops when I KNEW you were smoking dope and breaking your parole. You act like I'm lazy, and don't help out. You act like you were treated so badly when you were a kid. Seriously? You're trying to cop out like that? Yes, I've had to push mow the yard. The entire yard. ALL SUMMER. I enjoyed it. I love getting out and mowing the yard, knowing that I'm helping out by doing something to keep the house in order. How long did you have to push mow? With the self-driven Yazoo, by the way. I've heard all about it. Poor little Tommy. Had to mow the yard a total of what? One or two times? Come off it, you're not fooling anyone. Everyone gets spanked as a kid. You're crying STILL? because of being spanked ONE time? Are you really that much of a baby? Grow up and be a MAN! Take responsibility for your actions and stop blaming everyone else. Once you start acting like a normal human being, instead of a spoiled brat baby, maybe Mom wouldn't have to cry when she gets off the phone after you chew her out for NOTHING. I swear, you really take the cake when it comes to being the one who hurts mom, and acting like you don't care about her. I can understand that you are bored in prison. I have no clue what it must be like. I see movies, but I know they don't paint the real picture. Honestly Tommy, I harbor no hate against you. It's not in my nature to hate anyone. I might hold a grudge for awhile, but I usually let it go, because it's not healthy. If you can explain to me (without lying or making things up and twisting the truth) exactly WHY you hate me, then maybe we can get over it, and be brother/sister to each other. I've never had a brother. I don't know what to expect out of one, except for what you've shown me so far: Animosity, jealousy, hatred, backstabbing, and abuse. Is that what a brother does? If you can't be civil, and act like a normal human being, don't bother writing me again. I will burn the letter and wash my hands of you. I don't need you in my life. But if you can calm down and act rational, then I can promise I'm a better letter-writer than mom. LOL. I'm actually still debating about blocking your calls. It will all depend on YOU, and how YOU act. Act like a fool, and you will be blocked.

And yeah, I say to him that he doesn't matter to me, but it's ridiculous how he thinks he has the right to say ANYTHING to me about ANYTHING.

So now that I think about it, my letter seems a bit long-winded. I'm also thinking about using this as a response:

Who ARE you? Why do you keep harassing my family?

Learn About Me Challenge - Day Twelve

Day 12- How you found out about Tumblr and why you made one.

Okay, again, this isn't Tumblr. :p

I found out about Blogger from my twin sister. She had a blog here, and I decided the blog looked pretty cool and thought I'd try my hand at it. So I used the same one she did because I figured if I needed help figuring it out, I could always just call and harass her about it. LOL

Pretty simple :p

Learn About Me Challenge - Day Eleven

Day 11- Another picture of you and your friends.

Really? I think I explained this the first time. I don't have many friends. Just family. And since I don't get out and about much, I rarely get my picture taken (especially since I abhor cameras).

So I'll do the next best thing. I'll put up a few pictures of different people I know.



Bethany


My cousin. Used to be really close to her when she was about 15, I was around 21 or 22. We're both mommies now, and she's moved back nearer home, so we see more of each other now. Our kids are close to the same age, so they have playdates every now and then.



Josh & Mattie


Josh is my husband's brother, and Mattie is his girlfriend. I babysit their kids during the day. Mattie and I get along great, and talk about a lot of things. Probably one of my closest friends right now.



Rebecca & Lanny

My sister and her husband. Becca and I chat online about everyday. We don't get to see each other much, as she lives in Michigan, and I live in Kentucky, but we are still very close.



Angelia


My sister Angelia. She lives the closest to me out of all my sisters, and we talk about everyday, too. We help each other out a lot too, like when I moved, she was there to help me clean and pack. When she moved, I helped her, too. Her kids are older than mine, but they still all play well together.

Okay, and that's it for my favorite friends right now. I'd add a photo of my twin sister, but I'd most likely pick the wrong one and then she'd yell at me for picking one that wasn't flattering or something, so I won't risk it. But yeah, Heather is a good friend too ;)

Learn About Me Challenge - Day Ten

Day 10- Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad.

I listen to pretty much the same thing if I'm going to be listening to music. Country music. Maybe some light rock. Although if I'm hyped, I'll listen to some Disturbed, or something similar.

If I'm in a cleaning mood, I'll put in my FlyLady CD.

I don't really listen to that much music... I guess if I had a good player, I might listen to more, but there ya go. I don't have one, so I don't. :p

(and yes, I skipped two days, so I'll post all three days now.)

Learn About Me Challenge - Day Nine

Day 09- Something you’re proud of in the past few days.

Okay, so I'm proud of myself. I actually went ahead last night, and cleaned out the back 2 cabinets, and got the dishwasher in there. Drilled the holes through the back of the cabinets for the water supply line. Need to get a new water supply line that's long enough to reach now. I also moved a few cabinets around to make room for the dislocated items from the cabinets I emptied. Of course, that just means I have other stuff to find new homes for, which means more cleaning and straightening and organizing. But it's a challenge I'm actually enjoying :)

Learn About Me Challenge - Day Eight

Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why?

Ah! This one is easy. I want to get the dishwasher put under the cabinet.
Now this will require a bit of work. The end of the kitchen is an open cabinet space, with cabinet facing the inside under the counter. Very awkward to get into those and use them, so I'm going to empty them out and put the dishwasher in there. But to do that, I need a longer water supply hose. And to get that I need to come up with about 15 dollars. (maybe less, depends on how much tax is)

Then I need to put the stuff from the emptied cabinets somewhere in a new "home" plus one drawer that is half under the cabinet. I swear, that kitchen was NOT put together well at all.

I'll have to take some before/after pictures and post them later. I'll edit this post to include them here. So anyway... it will be a project, but I'm looking forward to it.

Learn About Me Challenge - Day Seven

Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you.

(yeah, I skipped a day yesterday, so sue me, it was my birthday :p)

Wow... ummm, okay, I know... let me hunt up a pic...



The Holy Bible



How could any Christian not claim that the Bible doesn't have an impact on their life? It has instructions on every aspect of your life, gives guidance on what to do in times of trouble, and leads the way to salvation.

Yes, even though I'm not a strict follower anymore, this has had the biggest impact in my life.

Although... my husband and kids would have to come a close second ;)

Learn About Me Challenge - Day Six

Day06- Favorite super hero and why.

Hmmm, how about a mixed one?


Gambit from X-Men


Gambit... gotta love that accent. And a cool, usable power.
So yeah, my favorite superhero would be Gambit. Always loved watching X-Men as a kid, and Gambit was my favorite. Kind of a womanizer, but he always loved Rogue.
Was very excited to see him in the last X-Men movie remake. I think they did okay with the actor they chose, but not quite the same as the guy from the cartoons. But then again, this IS the first time he shows up in the movie, and he's not a part of the team yet.
Being able to charge up an object and then throw it as an exploding bomb. How nice would that be? It's not an uncontrollable power, like Rogue, or Cyclops, who have to wear items (gloves, goggles) to keep from accidentally letting their power run amok. No need for a gun or other weapon, a deck of cards is his first choice because he's a gambler. But technically, he could put a charge into anything.

As for a villian, I've always like Spawn. I mean come on! Natural body armor, weapons, and a dark sense of humor. How awesome is that?

Learn About Me Challenge - Day Five

Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to.


Jefferson Davis Memorial in Kentucky

When I was still in school (home-school) we took a trip to the State Capitol. Along the way we stopped at several landmarks. This was one of them. I loved that trip, and hope to repeat it sometime.
Another memorable sight was the Floral Clock.


Floral Clock in Frankfurt