Friday, August 29, 2008

Old Crow

I woke up this morning to find my house decorated for my 50th birthday. Above is a picture of the bag of goodies they left -- for my old age. I had hoped to just quietly let this birthday come and go -- but not so. My older sister Nann and my niece Sandy came in the middle of the night and decorated my house. (Thanks Sandy, for coming with Nann. You know at her age she could have fallen and broke her hip!) There were RIP headstones, crepe paper, and even rubber mats down the stairs to prevent falls.

Gary said that the one on my car antenna was the best, "You old crow!"

My niece Sandy, and I have a running joke about witches and brooms. She came to my house once and I had a broom by the front door. She said "Carrie, did you get a new car?" So ever since we have been teasing each other. She left me a witch, witches hat and a broom.
Here's my list of 50 things about me. Sorry, it's not too exciting.

  1. I’m the 2nd of 8 children; 6 girls and 2 boys.
  2. My parents live through the block from me -- it's nice to know they are close.
  3. My middle name is Dawn, after my dad, Don.
  4. I lived in San Francisco for a couple of years when I was younger while my dad went to mortuary school.
  5. I believe everyone deserves a second chance.
  6. I had a pet monkey (squirrel monkey) when I was about 10 or 11. His name was Enoch. I have loved monkeys all my life.
  7. I want to go to South Africa when my youngest graduates from high school. Jaycee and I want to spend a month or two helping care for orphaned baboons.
  8. I want my headstone to read “Finally, a diet plan that works!”
  9. My first car was a Datsun truck. I had it painted orange with brown stripes. You could start it with a screwdriver.
  10. I lived in a mortuary growing up -- well the house attached to it.
  11. I hate mornings.
  12. I've never broken a bone (knock on wood).
  13. My favorite book is “Mrs. Mike.”
  14. I hate to cook.I do make chicken noodle soup with homemade noodles -- which my family loves.
  15. I love the smell of rain.
  16. I got married on July 18, 1980 to Gary.
  17. We have five children, 2 boy and 3 girls.
  18. My kid’s names all start with J -- Jared, Jamie, Jonathan, Jodi and Jaycee.
  19. My dog’s names start with M - Max and Molly.
  20. I have three grandchildren: Brandon 7, Eden 5 and Jayda 1. They are so much fun to spoil!
  21. I hate avocados.
  22. My mom rescued me from a burning house when I was 4 years old. She probably questioned why she did that when I was a teenager.
  23. I love to camp. We went camping for our honeymoon to Bryce Canyon. It’s still one of our favorite places to go.
  24. I love dice and collect them.
  25. When I was 18 I worked at a gas station. One night I got robbed at gunpoint. The robber told me to lie face down on the floor and wait 2 minutes before I called anyone. I said “I’ll wait for 5 minutes!” He went outside and fired a shot into the air to scare me -- and it did.
  26. I used to go backpacking in the Uintah mountains with my friends and sister Dena. I loved the sense of accomplishment of hiking in and living out of a backpack -- and the fun times we had together.
  27. I still wish on stars.
  28. And pick up lucky pennies.
  29. My husband is my best friend.
  30. Then Becky -- who I can talk to about anything.
  31. I love fresh peach pie with real whipped cream.
  32. I won a trophy skiing when I was about 15 -- only because all the good skiers wiped out that day.
  33. I quit skiing when I became a parent. I felt that flying down steep hills on sticks was to dangerous for a mom.
  34. I love to go camping!
  35. In 2002 my sisters and I went back to San Francisco for my sister Nanns’ 45th birthday. We got to go through the home we lived in as kids (it’s now an Asian church). Talk about deje vu.
  36. My favorite color is purple.
  37. I’m addicted to fabric!
  38. I love to sew and quilt.
  39. When I was little I wanted a Chinese maid (now I just want any maid!)
  40. My grandmother died when my mom was only 4 years old. I wonder what she was like.
  41. Growing up we had adopted grandparents who were from Holland. I have so many happy memories of them.
  42. I love salt licorice and Dutch chocolate.
  43. My favorite flowers are daisies.
  44. I love pizza and Pepsi.
  45. When I was in grade school I remember how at 10 p.m. an announcement wound come on our black and white TV, “Parents, it is 10 p.m. Do you know where your children are?” I thought it was cool to be up late enough to hear that.
  46. I hate spiders.
  47. I have RLS (restless legs syndrome). I’ve spent many nights walking the floor.
  48. I had carpal tunnel surgery on both hands at the same time. What was I thinking?
  49. My favorite vacation growing up was going to Canada, Niagra Falls and the Pageant in New York.
  50. I doodle all the time!

7 comments:

Nedra said...

I loved learning about you Carrie. You told us such interesting things. Happy Birthday! I love being in my 50's, so enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a great list. I can echo so many things you wrote. Enjoy your weekend camping! The best birthday gift is being with all you kids and grandkids. I hope they all make it there with you. I love you Sis!

Myra said...

Happy Birthday Carrie!
I can relate to many things on your list... 8-)
Have a good one!

Sandy Buffington said...

happy, happy birthday!

I hope you have a great time camping!

Anonymous said...

From one "old crow" to the next, welcome to AARP!! I was just happy we didn't wake you up with all the giggling. We had so much fun there and at the dollar store!

Hope you had fun camping BEFORE the storms came in.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! I love your blog. Your list was great!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! I saw the house decorated but not your car. Did you leave the crow on the antena?

I love peach pie too! Do you have a recipe? I remember Mom making it when I was little. I'd make it now but no recipe so I buy frozen and bake.