11 Random Things

I was tagged by Nicki to participate in 11Random Things 
The first requirement is to share a picture of me, so here you go.

The next step was to list eleven random things about me.  Here they are, in no particular order.

1.   I like Vanilla Coke too much.

2.   When I was in 5th grade, my teacher called me "Missy."  I hated it.  Whenever it came time for parent-teacher conferences my dad would ask if there was anything I wanted them to address with my teacher.  I would always say, "Please ask him to stop calling me Missy."  Mr. Nelson tried hard, and finally succeeded.  Then, in 6th grade I decided I wanted to go by Missy.  Poor guy.  I went by Missy all through high school, switching back to Melissa when I went to college.  I still answer to Missy, thinking nothing of it, as well as "Lis", which is what my brothers call me.  My parents call me Lissa.  I also answer to Mom, but sometimes I pretend I didn't hear.  Just kidding.  Well, kind of.

3.  When I was a child, I always said I wanted to either be a veterinarian or a music teacher.  Today, I'm a homemaker, farm wife, and homeschooling mom--I wasn't far off now, was I???

4.  I am shy, but some people don't believe that.  I never know what to say in social situations and so like Chandler from Friends, I make stupid jokes and end up saying too much.  Maybe a better term would be socially awkward...

5.  Dennis and I watched the entire first season of 24 in two nights via Netflix.  Seriously, that show was like crack.

6.  I HATE SALAMANDERS.

7.   I totally enjoy being pregnant.  I really do.

8.  I have probably learned more because of homeschooling than our kids have. 

9.  My brother recently told me about Pandora.  LOVE IT.  My favorite stations are Motown and Bill Gaither's Homecoming Friends, but in reverse order.

10.  When I was in high school, I went on a leadership trip for Girls State (for the American Legion).  We raided the room across the hall, stole their mattresses and put them on the front lawn of the dorm.  It was perhaps the naughtiest thing I'd ever done or have done since.  Well, except for that one time that I...um, nevermind.

11.  When I was little, my bike had a name.  My bike also had a banana seat.  I don't remember what name I gave it, but I do remember that when it would make me fall off, I would get mad and spank it on the seat. 

Now to answer Nicki's questions to me.

1. What is the first thing that you do when you get up in the morning?

~ use the bathroom.  What?  TMI??? Oh, I mean, feed the baby.  Then--coffee.

2. What product could you NOT live without?

~CoffeeMate French Vanilla creamer.  Or tinfoil.  It's a toss-up, really.

3. What is your favorite book?

~Black Beauty.  A timeless classic.  Did you know?--it's the only book Anna Sewell ever wrote; she died shortly after it was published.   FYI:  the movie is stupid and does the book a great injustice.

4. In one sentence, what advice would you give to a new mom?

~Asking me to say something in one sentence would be like eating one Pringle, but I'll give it a shot.  My advice for a new mom would be:  Write down some things that you would like help with and give it both to your husband and to a trusted friend for those times when someone says, "How can I help?" and in your sleep depravity you cannot call anything to mind or you find it too awkward to ask but your husband or friend can arrange on your behalf.  There, that was one sentence.  OR you could post this link to your facebook page and see if that helps. 100 Ways to Encourage a New Mom

5. What room in your home do you spend the most time?
~the kitchen.  We don't have a "school room" so much is done around the kitchen table.  Between school and meal preparation, consumption, and clean-up, I spend A LOT of time in the kitchen.

6. What is your favorite part of the day?

~Truthfully?  The end.  Some days I'm so physically weary by the end of the day (sometimes by 4:00 in the afternoon) I'm just. so. done.
I also really enjoy the days in which kids get all most of the their work done and they go outside all together; I brew a pot of coffee, sit in the recliner and simply be.

7. How many minutes do you spend reading to your children each day?

~some days we might read for an hour or more.  Some days, none.

8. What is the messiest room in your house?

~the bathroom.  We have boys.

9. Do you have a guilty pleasure?

~When I have a meeting or some such obligation and I leave with enough time to swing through a drive-thru to eat something good all by myself.

10. What is your movie recommendation for families?

~any of the Sherwood productions.  Flywheel, Facing the Giants, Fireproof, and Courageous.  Oh, and Remember the Titans.

11. If you had one more hour each day, how would you spend it?

~sleeping or crocheting.  Sometimes I sleep and crochet, but that doesn't usually turn out well.

Now, I'm supposed to "tag" five friends and ask them to do the same.  Because I like to blaze my own trails I decided to change things up a bit:  I want to invite everyone who reads this to join in, too!  Because not everyone has a blog, I'd like for you to pick some or all of the following questions to answer in the comment section.  I'd love to see your answers.

If you have a blog, consider yourself "tagged"--especially if you're my friend!!
Leave me a comment telling me you made a post about it, m-kay?

1.  What is your favorite childhood memory?
2.  What is your biggest fear?
3.  When you started driving, what kind of car did you have?  (Whether it was the family vehicle or you were given it just for you.)
4.  What moves you to tears?
5.  Why do you think babies spit up on you whenever you've just put on clean clothes?
6.  What was the hardest life-lesson you had to learn?
7.  What is something you are good at?
8.  Fast forward 30 years and then look back.  What is something going on in your life right now that you'll probably miss in 30 years?
9.  If you have children, what is something he/she/they have taught you?
10.  Name something on your "bucket list".
11.  When you are dead and gone, what do you hope people will remember about you?

I can't wait to see what you have to say!