8 Random Things....

Okay, so I'm finally getting my 8 Random Things together. I had some GOOD competition out there! I love reading other people's random things and I always think, "Man--I'm such a boring person!" (Traci R. and Alyssa tie for first in my book!) Anyway...here goes nothin'.

1. I'm technically a "morning person", because I can wake up very easily, and prefer to get up early to get things done (and because I'm definitely not a night person). However, even though I'm awake and relatively happy, I prefer not to talk for about the first hour of the day. It's not even a conscious decision...I just really don't want to talk to anyone. This is a problem when you have children, who wake up talking. :) I seriously have had to start waking up at least an hour (or more) before my kids, so that we can have a conversation at breakfast without me frowning. Okay, so maybe I shouldn't call myself a "morning person" after all....

2. I hate the taste and feel of toothpaste (although I still use it 2-3 times a day, I promise!) The only kind I've ever been able to swallow or even keep in my mouth is that cinnamon toothpaste that "hasn't been approved by the FDA". Obviously, I don't use it anymore. But, I did in college. Anyway, instead of brushing like a normal human, I lean over the sink, and let it all drool out of my mouth the whole time. I look awful when it's finished, with toothpaste all the way down my chin. Obviously, I've never been a person who could walk around doing other things while brushing my teeth. It doesn't work very well.

3. I get secretly very excited when we run out of necessities like bath soap or toilet paper. It makes me happy to shop for things we need and to restock the house. I have no idea what that's about....it satisfies some weird need in me.

4. Maybe it satisfies my need for lists, which brings me to number 4. I am an obsessive listmaker. I mean, I seriously need a group for addicts. Mark always laughs at how many lists I have going at any one time. I've actually stopped "cold turkey" in recent weeks because I was really relying way too much on my "check marks" to measure the quality of my day. God convicted me of that when I was complaining of getting "nothing done" for many days in a row because all my "to do's" weren't marked off. (And, yes, I'm one of those people who adds things I've already done to my list, just so I can check it off....)

5. I have to have a very cold pillow to sleep on. I sleep on two pillows and "flip them" often throughout the night to keep the top one cold. Don't worry....I still sleep well. I do the flip without even fully waking up. I'm a very hot natured person, especially at night. So, this cools me down, I guess. :) I also get very annoyed with Mark when he uses my pillow to prop his head up for TV watching before bed.....it gets very warm and clammy. It takes me a while for me to use it again.

6. I'm a pretty organized person, I hate clutter, and I have to have a completely straightened house (or at least the main living space) every single night before bed. However, I have the absolutely messiest closet and purses ever---and I don't even care! Eventually, it catches up and I clean it all out on one day. But, for the most part, these areas stay dreadfully disorganized. You should see the floor of my closet of the pockets of my purse---completely embarrassing!

7. A random one from childhood----When I was little, I was on the fearful side. And, I thought every night that someone would rob our house and use my window to come in. So, I came up with my own plan to convince him (robber-man) not to hurt me. I decided I would tell him that I was a robber too and that I always use my pillowcase for my robberies. I would offer to help him and then gather up all the things that I didn't want him to take. Then, I would head to my parents room pretending to steal stuff from them, only to alert them of the danger lurking around the corner. Yes, this somehow helped me sleep. Who knows---it made sense when I was five!

8. And, for number 8, I will take a special request, and honor Alyssa, who tagged me first. She asked that I mention Shamu, and to many of you, this may take you back to the college days, when I drove around in my lovely car, fondly referred to as "Shamu". For the rest of you who don't know about my sweet car, it was a product of a bad wreck and some bad insurance. I was side-swiped in Abilene, resulting in the front panel of my car being completely trashed. We went so far as to get the front panel replaced, only never painted. It was black....and my car was white. Yes, I know. I was "one of those people" too. I definitely went nowhere in secret in college. People knew it was me, as soon as I turned the corner. One of my best friends even added cardboard fins to it at one point. It is such a funny memory to look back on now....I'm glad it made my random list after so many years. And, I'm glad Shamu is dead and gone. :)

So, there are a few random facts. Now, for tagging some people...I can't wait to read lists from Sara, Amy W, Candice, Kristen O, Melissa B, and my sisters. :)