100 things about Kathy

1. The only things you’ll find me drinking are water and coffee.
2. And maybe a margarita or bloody mary on very rare (yet happy) occasions.
3. I love to knit.
4. But only with natural fibers – wool, cotton, soy, but no acrylic or other man-mades. Yeah, I’m a fiber snob. Sorry. I’m dealing with my issues.
5. I love to crochet too, but I stink at it.
6. I find that I had a lot more time for things like that before kids.
7. I like to read too, but that’s become an endangered hobby since kids too.
8. I always thought I’d be a professional saxophonist.
9. In Harry Connick, Jr.’s band.
10. I met his dad once, and the band he grew up playing with.
11. They said I could jam with them. But that was the end of it. Sax was in Florida, band wasn’t.
12. I was never meant to be a professional saxophonist. That was a disappointment.
13. Nor was I meant to be a professional athlete. I pretended that was a disappointment.
14. I truly hope my kids never think they need to feign feelings for my sake.
15. My favorite room in the house is the nursery. It’s pastel yellow with an alphabet nursery rhyme border, and lots of windows.
16. I’d sit there and read all day – if I had all day to sit and read.
17. I might knit a bit too, with that kind of time.
18. I hate wearing shoes.
19. I don’t like socks either.
20. I also hate having sand between my toes.
21. But I’m willing to make the sacrifice for the sake of a leisurely day at the beach.
22. I’m a seminary drop-out.
23. During a time of intense Life Issues I doubted God.
24. Some people thought that meant I didn’t belong with the spiritual giants at seminary.
25. I’ve learned that it’s okay to doubt God.
26. I’ve also learned that He’s willing to wrestle with me, when I need to wrestle.
27. My first job was a grocery store cashier.
28. I never was good with money.
29. My next six to eight jobs after that also involved retail.
30. Most of my bosses learned not to put me behind a cash register.
31. I still can’t balance my checkbook. It’s a good thing my hubby rocks at that.
32. I was also a bar-tender. I make a killer bloody mary.
33. My hubby is the sole beneficiary of my bar-tending skills now.
34. I’ve been to 13 countries outside of the US.
35. Only 2 continents though.
36. I need to see more of the world.
37. My husband’s probably been to twice the number of countries I have.
38. I’ve been held at gunpoint in a foreign country.
39. I’ve been randomly kicked off a train in a foreign country – twice.
40. Natural disasters follow me when I travel.
41. Friends don’t let friends travel with me because of it!
42. I have a weak spot for books.
43. We could cover our walls with book shelves, and it still wouldn’t be enough.
44. I’m learning to simplify my life.
45. Less spending, less stuff. More time with people.
46. I want to get a law degree. But I don’t want to be a lawyer.
47. I also want a degree in speech & language pathology.
48. And to be certified as a lactation consultant.
49. I’d also like a Masters degree in Eastern European history.
50. I think someone should just give me that one.
51. I have an article on linguistic teaching methodology published in a book.
52. I wrote my baccalaureate thesis on the political implications of Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony. You can read it if you’re ever having trouble sleeping. It’ll help.
53. I’m fluent in Romanian.
54. I used to be fluent in Russian, but no longer, for lack of use. I still read it though.
55. I think I’d get it back if I needed it.
56. I’d also like to learn Arabic, Georgian, Gagauz, and Hebrew. So many languages, so little time.
57. I can memorize complex linguistic structures, but not simple Bible verses.
58. Anyone want to explain why?
59. Numbers 37 & 58 aren’t really things about me – sorry. I’m also apologetic and filled with grace.
60. I’m quick to forgive when the person and the offense weren’t that important.
61. The closer the person is to me, and the more I care about them, the harder it is to forgive. That even goes for minor offenses.
62. God knew I needed a hubby who would be quick to forgive me though. And that’s who I have.
63. I have 2 beautiful children.
64. I’d like to have more, but I’m truly afraid my sanity would be a casualty of parenthood.
65. I recently started my own business
66. It’s scary, and fun, and forces me to grow in ways I never expected.
67. My hope is that it’ll take off and my hubby won’t have to work so hard.
68. It’d be nice if he could do something he was really passionate about.
69. We’re not sure what that would look like.
70. I think it’s important to take a stand for what you believe in.
71. I’m pretty good about naming the things I value.
72. But the way I use my time and my money doesn’t always reflect my values. I’m trying to fix that.
73. I want to join one of my church’s ministry teams to Thailand, to work with women who have been trafficked into sex slavery.
74. But having two young kids at home makes it hard to run off to Asia for 10 days. Go figure.
75. I never learned to ride a bike. I’m serious. Stop laughing!
76. I can swim like a fish though.
77. Maybe if there were bikes for the water, then I’d be able to… Let’s not go there.
78. I drool over fabric.
79. But I can’t sew.
80. I have a sewing machine in my closet.
81. I paid $8 for it at Goodwill. It’s ancient.
82. I used to sell yarn and knitting supplies on Ebay.
83. I still have a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf in my laundry room stuffed with yarn that I need to sell.
84. And a huge storage container filled with yarn and half-finished knitting projects.
85. I’m not good at finishing my knitting. I like to start new projects.
86. I also like to start new books.
87. I might have a problem with follow-through.
88. I’m an INFP (but I was in INTJ before kids).
89. I multitask well with lots of things, but not cooking.
90. I like to be undisturbed when cooking.
91. Mostly because I’m afraid something I’m cooking will splatter hot something-or-other and hurt one of my kids. I’m paranoid like that.
92. I’m also a perfectionist. If I burn what I’m cooking, I find it nearly impossible to forgive myself. Even if the other people eating it don’t notice.
93. Measuring cups are for sissies. I don’t measure anything when I cook. I’m still a perfectionist though.
94. When my kids cry it makes me crazy. (I’m about to lose it right now – they’re protesting their naps.)
95. I’m not bothered by other people’s kids crying.
96. I’m a sinner saved by grace.
97. I like to argue with God. I think He likes it too – at least I’m being real with Him then.
98. It’s taken me a long time to learn I don’t have to fake it with God. He can see straight through me.
99. I also like to dialogue with people who disagree with me about faith issues. Something about iron sharpening iron.
100. On my own I’m pretty darn incapable of anything much. But I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me. Thank goodness I have Him to rely on!