32

As I turn a year older, I decided to reflect a bit on me. Not because I am that narcissistic to believe anyone cares, but because I like reading about the past-in the future-and I will be happy I did this. One day I will think, Who was the 32 year old Melissa and how did she never have time to brush her hair? I want to know the answers to my questions about the old/young me.

1. Hoarding pajamas for my children is one of my favorite activities. The number of pjs that Anderson has had at every stage of his life is ridiculous. Now, that I have discovered I can start buying them matching ones, I am afraid might have to be committed.

2. I have an irrational fear of dairy products that have gone bad. This paranoia specifically manifests itself in the direction of yogurt. 

3. Things I have come to embrace and appreciate as an adult that I hated as a kid:
                    my hair, my dimples, my height, mustard

4. Brandon introduced me to caesar salads & honey mustard. Clare introduced me to avocados. I don't know why I remember these things, but I am grateful for them. 

5. Mom gave us a surprise party when we were 13 and in hindsight I should have known something was up because she did not go to mass with us; she stayed behind to let everyone in the house and set up everything. How did we not see that coming?

6. I am horrible at anything related to spatial awareness or logic. This is why I have backed into our garage twice, backed into our mailbox (coming down the street, not the driveway), hit a parked car, etc. This is also why I hate cooking. My mind cannot make sense of the fact that it has to be 1/3 of a cup. It seems so silly that it has to be so specific. 

7.Sometimes I pronounce data day-ta and sometimes dat-a. I actually asked someone who works in data for Knox Co. what the correct way is and he said it doesn't matter. I like that, so I mix it up. 

8. My sister innately sees the good in people. I usually do not. I don't know why this is. 

9.  I talk really fast, especially when I am excited, and I do not plan on changing that any time soon. In one of my first evaluations  as a teacher, I was told to, "slow down"  when talking. I explained that I can either be passionate or I can talk slowly. Doing both is impossible.

10. Since I don't actually remember how annoying it was to wear a garbage bag on my arm all summer, I am glad I broke my arm when I was 8 (or 9?). Actually, my brother broke it for me, but that is a different story. I like being able to check off "broken bone" on the to-do list of life. Thanks to 8 (or 9) year old Melissa for taking one for the team.

11. Every time I use the bathroom I check in the toilet to make sure there is not a snake in there. Every.time. This is weird, I realize.

12. Things I am proud of: Anderson's EYE success, my husband who risks his life every day for other people, the fact that I ran a marathon, when the fingernails on both kids and both dogs are cut

13. True story: our high school Biology teacher lived in his car

14. So far, this year is not really that terrible. (Knock on wood!). I say this because I am surprised. I was expecting to be so frazzled and basically on edge all of the time once I had 2 kids and a job that keeps me out of my house 10-16 hours a day. I have really pondered this and decided there are 3 reasons that all is good.

-First, Max is perfect. He really is just calming. Even when he is crying, I sort of just giggle at him because he is being so silly. I mean, you're fine, buddy. I never anticipated feeling this way about him and it is as much of a shock as the overwhelming love I instantly had for Anderson was. I love them both the same, don't get me wrong, but Max has just made me sort of calm. (I say "sort of" because I am just not meant to be a calm person. )

-Second, I survived last year. About a year ago I was getting ready for the year at Farragut, planning to teach some History, coach some cheerleaders and hang out with my friends in the workroom before going to home to my one kid and old carpet. BAM. In the span of a few months I started basically a new career that in no way resembled the one that I loved, 40 minutes away where I literally recognized one person in the entire building. Lots of tears were shed on the long drive home. Then, I found out I was pregnant. Which, while it was wonderful, did not help the emotional state I was in, nor did it take anything off of my plate. Then our washing machine fiasco occurred and we had to live crazy/out of our house for 6 weeks.That really was hilarious in hindsight,  It was rough times, but I made it through and now I realize how I am much better for the experiences.

-Third, as it turns out, I was right. Not having to patch a kid is a vacation!!! I really kept asking myself,
"Why am I not crazy?*" Then I realized-it's because I am not stalking Anderson's patch!

*I am still crazy, just not as much as I thought I would be...

Game.Freaking.Changer. . I can make it through any kind of crazy schedule and still keep it all together (for the most part) because I patched a toddler for 14 hours a day for 2 years. (I, of course, means we) trying to make dinner, clean up, give baths, read books, play, bring in bags from the day, wash dishes, make lunches, prep tomorrow's dinner, take care of dogs, do a load of laundry, etc. before finally crashing at 11pm is a tropical vacation compared with trying to do all of that AND keep a patch on a kid at the same time. Perspective is totally ruling my world.


15. I have always been intrigued by the idea of "lunch hour." Do people somewhere really get an entire hour to eat lunch?? Is this real life? As a teacher, I used to be totally jealous of people who had longer than 22 minutes to eat and now that my lunch time consists of shoving a granola bar in my face as I supervise kids between classes, I can't help but think how easy life would be if I had an hour to eat and maybe run an errand? Is that part of it?

16. I am just not a TV person. I watched a few episodes of the Kardashians on maternity leave, but that might be it for 2013.

17. My earliest memory is when I was 3 at my Nanny's.

I was trying to do 32, but I am tired and starting to ramble. Hello, future Melissa!