25 Facts About Me

I was tagged by my friend LF (who does not have a blog, but luckily reads my blog), so I had to think long and hard about this.  As those who know me know that I analyze everything but me.  They may have impact on me, but me myself? I'm the great deluder (as opposed to the decider....).  So, here goes....

1. I am a natural redhead - who helps it along because the grays are coming in fast and furious.  My grandmother had a glorious head of white hair at a relatively young age, my hair is similar, but it's coming in too slowly to let it go natural. 
2. My eldest is autistic.  He's 18 now.  There is so much information available now for parents, but my ex and I had to figure out more than we should have on our own.  I always feel like I've made far too many mistakes.
3. When I was a teenager I was a very preppy kid - I still have a strong preppy streak (DD calls me CT. Housewife), but the older I get the more left wing hippy I become - albeit a left wing hippy with a good job and a love of personal hygiene.
4. I'm a good cook - a really good one, if I do say so myself.  My big sister is a chef, and I've learned a lot from her, but I've done pretty well on my own, too.
5. I'm passive-aggressive when it comes to grown up activities. As for my small handful of readers or lurkers may know, I have had a lot on my plate the last few years.  Caring for a sick parent, single parenthood (see #6) to teenagers - one with issues - a stressful career fills up the glass to the top.  As a result, I let little stupid things go, like letting my EZ Pass get revoked, or forget to pick up dry cleaning for months, or let bills go sometimes.  I hate that about myself because its extended to health issues and I need to change it.
6. I like my ex-husband more now than when we were married.  Mostly because I don't have to live with him - I've learned what issues in our marriage were totally my fault and what traits of his are the reason we drifted apart, but we've been on the same page as parents since day one, and as a result, our kids are very happy and very secure in their distributed family.
7. I met my bestest when we were both 19 or 20, but neither of us remember it.  We met again about 10 years later and have been tight ever since.
8. I have a secret crush on Keith Olbermann on MSNBC
9. I hate to listen to music in the car - unless I'm on vacation. Otherwise, it's NPR all the time.  I love Talk of the Nation and Fresh Air.
10. I like bold art - little pastels of flowers, impressionists or poker playing dogs don't appeal to me.  I also like black and white photography. Let's just say I'm running out of wall space.
11. My mother was a model in the 50's.  She looked like Kim Novak.  I look like Mickey Rooney, imagine our relationship.
12. I like the taste of liquor - now before you start thinking I'm a perfect candidate for AA, I mean I like classic cocktails where the spirit isn't masked by sugary sweet stuff.
13. My favorite food is Spanish - I love the fresh seafood grills, paella and tapas.
14. I love red wine - goes well with #13.
15. I used to love a good cigar, especially when I was skinnier and wore CFM shoes  - it was a look! I pretty much abstain, but every once in a while DD's hubby can talk me into having one after one of their long dinners. I love it, but I sound like I should be working in phone sex the next day.
16. I'm addicted to MSNBC
17. I've had relations in unusual locations - and that's all I'm going to say.
18. I got stuck in an elevator and to this day get a little nervous when the door shuts.
19. I am great company whilst traveling, but dumb things often happen. I was chased down the Rock of Gibraltar (that's right kids, THE rock) by the RAF because I (along with a bunch of dumb American friends) was in the wrong place at the wrong time.  I spent the better part of a night in a Roman police station when my room was robbed and because of translation problems, they were starting to think that I was the criminal.  We finally figured it out.  I called the police in Key West, insisting that my car was stolen. After a couple of hours, we finally realized that I just forgot where I parked it (easy to do in Key West).  Many years ago, I had a budding Texan politician (not THAT one) declare undying love for me in New Orleans.  I had jumped on the last ferry for Algiers' Point while he was standing on the dock. We had met much earlier in the evening at Pat O'Brien's in the French Quarter. We were drinking margaritas. I leaned over to blow a kiss and dumped the entire contents of my handbag into the Mississippi.  Good thing I had my credit card and my license in the pocket of my pants. I never saw him again - I don't remember his name, but he was handsome :-)   Traveling with me is fun, but do it at your own risk.
20. I love my job and had to leave it to realize it.
21. I met the love of my life.
22. I always wear one large silver ring - I have several of them and always wear one of them.
23. I. CANNOT.SING. but I think I can...when I'm alone.
24. I purge.  Not eating disorder (one look at me and you can tell), but to get rid of stuff. I accumulate, then when it gets to me, I have to throw everything that I haven't looked at for six months out.
25. I'm on an unending search for the perfect mascara and perfect lipstick. I'm half convinced that the day I find them I will drop dead.....just kidding.

OK Devonshire, you're it.....