101st post...

101 things about me
(OK, so someone let me know that they thought that posting prom pictures was a cop-out. Truth be told, I don't think I can think of 100 things about me that would interest anyone...but I'll give it a shot)

1. I was born in Oakland, California.
2. I love San Francisco.
3. I would love to travel, if only I didn't hate flying and I didn't get car sick.
4. I think that my background is incredibly boring. I sometimes wish I were Italian or Greek or something interesting and rich in history.
5. I have lived in California, Wisconsin, Alabama, South Carolina, and Georgia.
6. I wish I lived in Hawaii--except the schools are so bad.
7. I still hot roll my hair.
8. I wish big hair and shoulder pads would come back in style...I did the 80's really well....but I don't admit it to anyone.
9. I told my teacher in second grade that my name was really Alyssa Sue....and she believed me.
10. In second grade, I got tired of standardized testing and just filled in bubbles.
11. I think I must have been troubled in 2nd grade.
12. I can remember events in my life by the music of the era or the song that was playing on the radio.
13. We moved on Valentine's Day in 1976 and I remember sitting on my mom's bed with my tin foil covered Valentine's Day box, reading my valentines, crying, and listening to Barry Manilow. We would be moving the next day.
14. I loved playing SPUD when I lived in Wisconsin...I don't think anyone plays it anymore, and that makes me sad.
15. The first day of third grade in Alabama, I wore a dress and everyone else had on jeans.
16. We had a tornado drill that day, and I really really wish that I had worn pants.
17. The first person I met on that day was Pam Forbus. She had already developed and I can still remember the shirt she was wearing.
18. I spend most of elementary school wanting to be Becky Cardwell.
19. I broke my pinkie finger in 6th grade trying to catch a kickball way way way out in the outfield. Felecia Whetstone had been a captain and had to pick me. She was really mad when I dropped the ball.
20. I never went to prom, despite the fact that I had three people ask my best friend if I would go with them. I was way too picky.
21. My first date was a double date to Talladega Alabama. I still remember exactly what I was wearing...white capri pants and a turquoise/white shirt with HUGE ruffles at the shoulders.
22. I made a scrapbook devoted entirely to rick Springfield. I am so embarrassed when I look at it now.
23. My best friend in middle and high school reserved a page in my yearbook to reflect on our year together and pledging to be friends forever. I only heard from her once after we moved to Georgia.
24. My first kiss was at Mitzi Mallory's Christmas party with Randy Bentley. Barry Manilow was on the stereo.
25. I am a school geek. I have always loved school and studied without having to be told. I would still go to school if I had the time, had the money, and didn't have an intense fear of public speaking.
26. I didn't go to my high school graduation. I went to Europe instead.
27. I went to Europe at graduation, went to several countries, visited many famous places. Unfortunately, I was too interested in the boys to really pay attention.
28. I would never go back to high school.
29. I would go back to college in a heartbeat.
30. I roomed with 4 other girls in a townhouse for the last 2.5 years of college and it was the most fun.
31. I have never smoked a cigarette or done an illegal drug.
32. My Italian professor made a pass at me my junior year.
33. I was offered a summer internship in Italy my senior year in college. I didn't even consider it...because of a stupid boy!
34. I got accepted to UVA's master's program in special education. I didn't go....because of a stupid boy!
35. I did a lot of stupid things....because of a stupid boy.
36. I have no regrets...except maybe the Italy thing...because who knows how each of those decisions led me to where I am now.
37. I got a job immediately out of college teaching interrelated LD resource, and I loved it.
38. I loved the special ed kids, but hated the paperwork.
39. I begged my principal to move me to first grade. He did, and I've been there every since.
40. I love teaching a child to read, but even more to love literature.
41. I absolutely love my job and even if I didn't have to work, I still would want to teach.
42. When Maddy was born, I took a year off. I went to Josh's kindergarten open house and came home and cried. Not because he was going to kindergarten, but because I missed being in school.
43. When I was 11, I was "kidnapped" by a Baptist youth group who told me I was going to hell. From that moment on, I had an intense hatred for baptists.
44. Then I met and married one.
45. That experience when I was 11 colors the way that I talk to others about the Lord. I never want another child to feel the way that I did that night.
46. I still feel woefully inadequate when I try to witness....unless it is to a child or group of children. I like to think I witness with my actions.
47. but I know that in that area also, I fall woefully short.
48. The first church that I went to after I started going back to church will always hold a special place in my heart. It is the first place I really learned about God's love, and witnessed passionate worship.
49. Even though I don't go to an Episcopal church any more, I can still say the Nicene Creed, Apostle's Creed, and the communion liturgy by heart.
50. I played the organ (very badly) for my church when I was 13.
51. I took piano lessons from the time I was 8 until 16. I hated to practice, but hated even more the recitals and the competitions my teacher made me compete in .
52. I wish I had room for the piano that my grandmother left me. I love playing and would love to take it up again.
53. I wish that one of my children would take up the piano...or some musical instrument.
54. I took art, and can draw pretty well, but if I have anyone watching or any expectations, I clam up and can't do it.
55. I tried out of the drill team in 7th grade. I was one of three that didn't make it. That has colored my desire to try new things ever since.
56. I have a horrible fear of public speaking. However, I gave my testimony at church at three different churches and it was liberating. And once I got going, I wasn't even nervous.
57. I love to write. I would love to freelance.
58. I have a sister and a brother that I wish I were closer to.
59. My first husband was everything that I thought I wanted. he left me broken.
60. Daryl was everything that I thought I was NOT looking for. I told myself I would never date someone who drove a truck, wore a hat, or was Baptist. I didn't like red hair and blue eyes. I'm a sucker for good teeth. Yet, he is perfect for me.
61. Praise the Lord that God knew better than I did.
62. I really do feel like Daryl is a gift from God. Josh, when he was 9, once referred to Daryl as an angel that God had sent to help us. I think he is right.
63. I wonder how my kids turned out so great, considering the kind of mom I am.
64. My greatest fear in life is my ex-husband coming back into my chidlren's lives, and I know that it probably is something that they need to do...to confront him and to get some closure.
65. I have been taking medication for panic disorder since 2000.
66. I used to be ashamed of this, but realize that it is not because I am not strong, but that I have lived through some horrible things and this is the way God gave me to deal. I have been able to help others through my own experiences.
67. I filed for divorce, filed for bankruptcy, and stood in the welfare line all in one day.
68. We were the needy family for a Catholic church one year, and it was incredibly humbling.
69. I am running out of things to say about myself.
70. I do not enjoy being pregnant, but I love the labor and delivery process. Weird, huh?
71. I do not like the newborn stage. I loved my babies, but enjoyed them much more after they were 6 months old.
72. I am an all or nothing kind of person. Either I am 100% in control of my life, or not at all.
73. I have cried every day since I have become pregnant. Not because I am unhappy about being pregnant, but something has made me cry every day. Before that, I had not cried in a year.
74. I am not a pretty crier.
75. I love pizza.
76. Until I got pregnant, I was nursing a wicked diet coke habit. I still crave them every day.
77. I love bright colors, but rarely wear them because I do not like to call attention to myself.
78. I was extremely uncomfortable at all of my baby showers. I hated being the center of attention.
79. I had Josh before I had a chance to have a baby shower.
80. I have 34 pairs of summer shoes, and only 5 pairs of fall/winter shoes.
81. Given my druthers, I would wear a dress every day.
82. I go through about 2 novels a week.
83. When I am reading a book, I get lost in the story.
84. I hate laundry, and have been known to go out and buy us new socks rather than try to find matches for all of them.
85. My mother was the June Cleaver of mothers. I am the anti-June.
86. I cannot go out of the house unless I match.
87. I want to be comfortable in my own skin.
88. I think my daughters are beautiful, and hope that they always feel that way.
89. My first dog was named Puddles.
90. We have four dogs now. Never again.
91. I love to sleep, but have an incredibly hard time doing so.
92. Sleep and food always have been struggles for me.
93. I have seen Jimmy Buffett, Journey, Rick Springfield, and Sha-na-na in concert.
94. I love buying clothes for, and dressing up my little girl. Probably a little too much.
95. Even though I know it is bad for me, I love love love a good tan. I love laying out. I have never used sunscreen. I have always put it on my kids, though.
96. I love to swim.
97. I am incredibly shy, and people often mistake it for being snobby. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
98. I always wanted to be a librarian...because I thought you could sit around and ready all day.
99. I love the movie Grease and can quote it word for word. I never realized how risque it was until I grew up.
100. I love Washington DC, but doubt I will ever get my husband to take me there.
101. I am glad that I finally hit 101!