Thursday 13 – Fantabulous edition

Props and more to Denise of Mental Excrements who posed the challenge to all the 13ers to do a list of things they like about themselves. And while I like to think I am quite humble (hahah, stop laughing cousins ‘O Love, Cool and Flair!), I know my strengths.

BTW, to comment, scroll BACK up and click on the word HEARTS! Thanks!

1. I am youthful
In fact, according to GOL, I am perpetually 12. I’d like to think I’m more 28ish because at 12 you can’t drink, drive or uh, do other stuff. So, let’s go with 28 and youthful.

2. I see the sacred in most everything
From the squirrels that entertain me in my backyard to the funky bugs crawling on my plants (HEY! Get off there!) to chicks wearing belly shirts that might want to reconsider their fashion options. Yep, I surely do try to see the sacred.

3. I work really hard to change things that seem to be impeding my personal growth.
I’ve spent years in individual therapy, group therapy, coaching and now mentoring. If there’s a way for me to grow, I am willing to look at it and try, even when it’s very hard, to change things about myself that are ingrained but unhealthy. I really like that about myself. (It may not make me cool, but it sure helped me deal with a lot of life crap including crap I brought on myself.)

4. I take exquisite care to pick out just the right gift for people.
I once worked with a woman who gave gifts to various other office mates for Christmas. But they were always seemed to be random gifts that looked as if she dug them out of a closet five minutes earlier. (You all know people like that, right?) Perhaps I am persnickity about stuff but that offends me. Even if I don’t know the person I am gifting, I will go out of my goofy way and FIND out something so that I can pick a gift they will like. That said, I will admit that the outfit I got Christine from Hot Topic several years ago was insanely horrible. I don’t know what possessed me to get it and it’s possible someone in HT drugged me or something at the register. I consider it a blight on my otherwise fabulous record.

5. I dance well.
And I can lay claim that I outdanced my friend (non-hockey) Kim at a bar. We used to call her the Energizer Bunny because she danced until the cows came home. It was one night after I had lost most of my weight from surgery and I was feeling gooooood in my body. It mattered not if anyone danced with me, whether I liked the song, even. I was out there just a’shaking my booty for all it was worth. Ah, good times. I still dance well but the only ones privileged to see any bootay shaking are the cats and Max.

6. I make a reasonably decent stay-at-home wife.
Why, just today Duty admitted that he likes when I’m home to greet him. (Doesn’t that sound so “June Cleaver”? I know. I don’t wear pearls to vacuum, though.) I don’t mind preparing dinner and now that we have a nice dining room table, we actually sit down for a meal instead of eating it watching television. If only it paid better. (sigh)

7. I am quite content with my own company most days and love the sound of silence.
Once in a while I get bored and/or lonely, but most days I’m content. (I will be a hermit by the time I hit 50 – just you watch!)

8. I have cute toes when they’re all painted up pretty.
(If you saw the toes that run in my family, you’d know why I am happy about this!)

9. Like Frieda on Charlie Brown, I have naturally curly hair.
It’s been the bane of my existence, mostly. All I ever wanted was straight, straight hair. Me and the hair? We’ve made peace with each other and can mostly co-exist now.

10. I am equally happy reading fiction as I am non-fiction.
As long as I’m reading, I’m happy. (I’ve been known to read cereal boxes if there’s nothing else around.)

11. I’m not materialistic so name brands on clothes or other things really don’t sway me much.
I went into the Coach outlet center today and almost passed out. $98 for a wallet??? A WALLET?? No. Hell, I am reluctant to pay that for a dress even, much less a wallet. (Okay, I admit I was happy with my $45 bass handbag I got for $15. Now, is that a bargain or what??)

12. I know all the hip lingo.
You know, words like “groovy” and “far-out” and stuff like that! heheh You know stuff’s become mainstream when your mother pops “bling-bling” into the conversation. :) I know the insider hip lingo – internetS, and all that sort of thing. Yeah, so this is all true.

13. I will never, ever use what someone told me in a vulnerable moment against them.
No matter what transpires, I made a solemn promise to myself long ago never to do this. How can you hope to encourage others to feel safe with you if you turn around and stab them when you get hurt or angry? This never felt right to me and I’ve never done it. (Wanted to, sometimes, but never have.)