ABC Random Things

Having suffered from a bout of blogger’s block lately, I am finally getting ‘round to that 25 Random Things List that has been circulating. Coming up with a list of 16 things several weeks ago was hard enough for me, so I needed an aid. The former kindergarten teacher in me came to my rescue with the idea of using the 26 ABC’s as a framework.  Going through the alphabet, I just did a free association with each letter.  Some are memories, some are silly, some are serious, some are ideas or dreams…but all are random.

A – Art

I have always appreciated art for as long as I can remember, eventhough I can't draw to save my life. I love how it makes me think about things, often with a new perspective. I did not grow up with any artists in my family or anyone to influence me artistically, yet I feel such a passion for it.  I wish this was an area I could  have developed more as a child and I think that is why I am doing everything I can to expose my children to the arts now.

B – Babies

I would have many more if it weren’t for the fact that I am 42. There is nothing better snuggling up with a sweet little babe, listening to their adorable coos & gurgles. I remember moments when my eyes would well up while holding each of my babes...it was pure joy and nostalgia happening at the same time. I think I need to work with babies in the future, so I can get my fix that way!

 

 

C- Cupcakes!

I love baking cupcakes and visiting cupcake shops too. The best cupcakes I have ever made were from the book Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World. I kid you not - they are so fluffy and moist, much better than the cupcakes at some of my favorite shops. So now I just make my own.

D- Detroit

I have great memories growing up in the Motor City in the early 1970’s. At one point we lived right down the street from my Grandpa & Grandma. All of us neighborhood kids would walk to Jack’s corner store to buy penny and nickel candy. My Grandma & I would walk down Grand River Rd. to Kresge’s  5 & Dime  and stop at Sanders, an old fashioned ice cream soda fountain, on the way. There were many late nights of playing kick the can in the backyards that connected without fences. The MacDonald’s lived next door to Grandma & Grandpa and they had an inground kidney-shaped swimming pool which they let us swim in all the time. At Christmas time, we would head down to Hudson’s department store for their Winter Wonderland. Detroit was vibrant back then and I dream of its return.

 

 

E- Equality

Ever since I was a child, I had a soft spot for the disadvantaged. I just believe we should all have the same opportunites…what we do with them is up to us, but we should all be given a chance.

F- Family

I grew up with a very small immediate family. It was just my mom and I. My parents divorced when I was one. My mom & I were very close and I admire all she did on her own to raise me. Yet, this made me pretty different compared to many of my friends growing up during the 1970’s. There was always this feeling of being on the outside looking in.  Now I have the whole family I always craved and truly appreciate these times. My family is my number one.

G- Garanimals

I grew up wearing these mix & match clothes. Remember their slogan…they  “let kids be kids”? I often joke that I wish they would make them for time challenged moms who have no energy to figure out what to wear! I discovered that they still make them…but still just for kids http://www.garanimals.com

 

H- Hawaii

Every other year we go to our favorite get-a-way in Poipu Beach, Kauai. There is something very healing about that island and I feel better the moment I land there.

 

I – Italy

Rob & I spent three weeks in Italy before we had kids and want to go back with our kids in the next 3- 5 years.  I love the people, food, terrain, history, art , and visiting the Vatican is pretty amazing.

J- Jesus and St. James Cathedral

Yes, I believe in Him. One of my all time favorite places is The Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary inside St. James Cathedral in Seattle. My mom’s funeral was in the Chapel there and I have lit many a candle for her in this beautiful room:

 To see more:

http://www.stjames-cathedral.org/Tour/default.htm

 

K- Kiss

Yeah, I think kissing is an important part of  keeping a marriage alive, especially after children arrive.

 

 

 

 L- Legos

My 7 year old is addicted to them and I am amazed at his design and engineering skills – something I strongly lack.

 

M- Motherhood

Being a mom has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. It can also be very challenging, especially when I feel spread too thin, in too many directions. Yet, I am aware that I am in the midst of times I will always treasure, chaos and all.

 

 

N –Nutella

As strange as it may seem, it is not cheese that I miss now that I have gone vegan -  it is Nutella. I used to make Nutella & Banana Crepes and dip apple slices into Nutella for a quick treat. There must be a vegan version out there somewhere…

O – Ocean

I am a water person. Nothing is as peaceful to me as sitting on a beach and looking out at a  vast ocean and hearing the waves crashing into shore. I have an alarm clock that awakens  to nature sounds and mine is set to "ocean waves" of course. In my fantasy world, I live in a tiki-yurt on the beach and sell smoothies by the seashore.

 

  

P – Pigs

I think they are cute. And smart. Too cute and smart for me to eat them and their animal friends. 

‘Nuff said.

 

Q – Quaint

I love quaint little places. Some of my favorites are Old Koloa Town on Kauai, Cinque Terre, Italy, LaConner, WA, Langley, WA,  Saugatuck, MI, Port Townshend, WA …and of course my own little town where we now live.

R – Rob

He is my husband and best friend. We met in the kayak store where he worked. He proposed with a ring in hand in front of my favorite painting at the Detroit Institute of Arts after dating for 5 months. We married a year after our engagement and then moved out to Seattle one month later without having jobs or a place to live just because we were both drawn to the area. It's been nearly 15 years and 3 children later and I would do it all again with him in a heart beat!

 

S- Silly String

Was this not the best stuff ever growing up? Rob surprised my Grandma on her 90^th Birthday with a blast of silly string and she was such a good sport! I want to be just like her.

 

T – Tami

My name.  My dad chose it because of the 1957 movie & song, Tammy & the Bachelor with Debby Reynolds.

My mom didn’t really want it, but insisted on the T-A-M-I spelling. I am glad she did, because I feel more like a T-A-M-I than a T-A-M-M-Y.

U – Underdog

I loved this show growing up and would race home after school to watch it.

 

V – Vick’s Vapor Rub

Growing up, my mom used to rub this goopey, smelly, ointment on my chest when I was sick. I remember shouting, “Nooooo!!! Not the Vick’s Vapor Rub!!!”

W- The White Stripes

I am rather obsessed this band along with The Raconteurs and anything else Jack White touches. I love his lyrics, style, talent, and approach to the music business. I also love that he hails from Detroit (and can both forgive him and understand why he moved to Nashville).

 

X –  X-ray

Yes, I have had my share of x-rays, but I never broke anything. Knock on wood.

Y – Yuck factor

Two of my yuckiest memories both involve slugs. The first was on a tent camping trip where I woke up with a slimy slug on my face and the second was cleaning up doggy vomit and discovering a slimy slug intact! YUCK!!!

Z- Zots

This was my favorite childhood candy. Remember them? They were hard on the outside with a fizzing center. They were sold strung together like sausages and you could tear off as many as you wanted to buy. And best of all, I have discovered them again at a local shop called CC’s Espresso and have been able to introduce them to my kids.