25 Random Things (blast from the past)

Those of you who Facebook (yes, I used it as a verb. So what?) might remember a thing that was going around a few years ago called "25 Things."

The idea was that you were supposed to post 25 random things about yourself and then other friends would do the same. In doing so, you would likely learn something about friends you've known a long time or those you just met, but also -- just in thinking hard about and selecting your own "random things" -- you would probably learn something about yourself. I know I did.

Anyway, I'd like to do a 25 Things for this blog, but first I thought I'd go back and find my original one on Facebook. It was penned on Jan. 26, 2009 -- before I was even pregnant with Cary and Dean. Reading it now, I find it extremely interesting. And I wonder what 25 Things I'll come up with to write now that my life has changed so much.

25 Things About Me (from 2009)

1) Sometime in my 30s, I developed a serious case of insomnia.

2) I'm a Gemini, but not a typical skitzo-one. Except in a few ways, like I can't stand for food to sit out after eating meals, but I will leave dishes in the sink, no problem.

3) I am a bonafide Daddy's girl. Case in point: My Dad is the one who took me shopping for the Prom.

4) My three nieces and three nephews call me "Auntie Tika." My Mom's side of the family calls me "Rab." My siblings all call me "Taneek." My husband calls me "beautiful."

5) I try reaaaaallly hard not to walk on sidewalk grates. They're scary.

6) I live for Turner Classic Movies.

7) Jesse Jackson once yelled at me during a phone conversation, and then bragged about it at the Black Baptists' Convention.

8) I have a LOT of girlfriends -- women whose friendship, advice and love I cherish. Thus, I don't really trust women who say things like, "I can't be friends with women."

9) When I'm concentrating on my writing, I take my shoes off and I need to be chewing something. Gum is best, but grapes or granola or some sort of cashew, pistachio, nutty type thing will do.

10) I say I hate cheese but I really only hate certain kinds: stinky ones, hard ones, cheese on sandwiches or grated on salads or on top of things, or by itself. Pizza, lasagna, cheese eggs, mac & cheese -- all fine!

11) My husband has made me more interested in politics.

12) I can't swim. Or ski. Or sing. In fact, I have no athletic or musical talent whatsoever.

13) I despise competition.

14) If there's a choice between watching some relatively new show on TV or the Golden Girls or Matlock, I'll take Blanche and Ben every day of the week.

15) I miss my Grandmother every single day.

16) I wear a retainer at night.

17) I was part of a school desegregation program in kindergarten and 1st grade.

18) I am borderline diabetic, which means I should not eat as many sweets or carbs as I do. Sigh.

19) In high school and college I would be so bummed that I didn't weigh enough to give blood. I finally gained enough weight in my mid-20s. As soon as I could give blood, at an office blood drive, I did -- and hated it. Never did it again.

20) I talk to my sister or my Dad - or both - every day.

21) Sometimes I wonder if I've missed my chance to have children.

22) If I have downtime (standing in line, waiting for an appointment, riding the train), I'll take a book over my iPod all day long.

23) Shellfish is my friend. So is chocolate.

24) I think "nice" is a word too overused to describe people -- most of whom really aren't.

25) In my next life, I will be a photographer and a philanthropist. And 5 inches taller. But I will still find Lester and marry him.

I'll think about my updated list -- which will likely have some of the same things on it -- and post at a later date.

What are your 25 Things?

Using my blog to force myself to be accountable

Blogging has many perks.
I get to vent. I formulate my thoughts.
I'm recording events/photos/memories for posterity's sake.
I get advice, support and encouragement from friends, new and old.
And now, I'm adding "accountability" to the list of good things about blogging.

Lester and I share Google docs about all kinds of things: our budget, invites to activities, letters we're co-editing, possible names for Curve Ball, etc.
We've had a doc listing the things we need to do to get ready for our daughter's arrival for weeks now, and neither of us has made one attempt to do anything about any item on the list. We're pathetic.
I keep reminding Lester that soon -- and very soon -- I will be too pregnant to be of any help to him whatsoever in this department (save ordering things online, which I can do VERY well), so if he wants my help, we need to get on it. Then I figured maybe if I get on it, he'll follow suit.
Problem is, I never get on it.

So...I decided to post our entire doc here, so that is now in the public domain. My hope is that by putting it out there for all the world to see, I will feel more compelled to act.

Yes, I'm using you blogosphere. No shame in my game.

So here's the list. My goal is to have this all done by early January, since Curve Ball is due Feb. 28! (Yikes!!)


Things to Do Before the New Baby Comes

1. Organize and streamline basement storage area to prepare for guest room stuff coming to live there

2. Move guest room furniture and racks of shoes to basement storage area

3. Paint guest room

4. Move boys’ cribs and furniture into guest room
Little table and chairs possibilities:

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&rh=n%3A165793011%2Ck%3Atoddler%20table%20chair%20sets&page=1

5. Paint boys’ room (now the new baby’s room)

6. Buy furniture/decor for new baby’s room

Possibilities:
http://www.amazon.com/RoomMates-RMK1439SLM-Scroll-Stick-MegaPack/dp/B003NGTNFG/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1318860787&sr=1-1

http://www.babysupermall.com/main/products/kli/kli5024bed4.html

http://www.nurserydepot.com/cribbedding/productdetails.asp?id=1-10001834-10001836-148224-4-2&id2=602-0-0-0-0&


7. Move furniture into new baby’s room

Baby Stuff We Will Need

1. Single stroller
2. Triple stroller
3. Crib
4. Booster seat
5. Playmat
6. Clothes
7. Diapers
8. Crib mattress pad and sheets, comforter etc. (bedding)

Also will need ONE additional convertible carseat (for one of the boys) -- hopefully donated!


So there it is...the list of things to do before Curve Ball arrives.

And we can add to that list: SETTLE ON A NAME FOR CURVE BALL!!! Gracious, we're pathetic.