Seven Little Quirks

Since Monday's post was a little intense, let's go for something a bit frivolous today!  I feel like every other post I write these days starts with "recently, I saw this idea on another blog and..." but they do say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so here goes: inspired by Megan last week on Freckled Italian, these are seven of my little quirks!

morning cuddle time; February 2013

I sing to Charlie.  Like, a lot.  You'll get more on this next week when I tell you about Charlie's birthday, but this is probably as good a place as any to give you some examples.  Our favorites are "You Are So Beautiful" and the Moulin Rouge version of "Your Song" but we also really like "I Got You Babe" and "I'm A Believer."  Yes, he sometimes sings along, and yes, these are all love songs.  Don't judge us.

When I run, my fingers swell a whole size up and my engagement ring gets stuck even though it's loose anyway because I've lost some weight since Jon proposed last May.  And when it's cold and/or windy, my fingers constrict a full half-size smaller because I have Raynaud's.  So, basically, a quarter of the time my ring fits, a quarter of the time it's too tight, a quarter of the time it's falling off, and a quarter of the time I give up and take it off and leave it on my dresser.  Sometimes I'm tempted to try the Carrie/Aiden ring-necklace - but they broke up in the end, so that's probably not good karma.

The idea of having someone do my wedding make-up is making me anxious.  I mean, I don't know how to do it myself so that it'll last for 8 hours and look great for photos and I know it's best to find someone to do it who does, but my routine is pretty basic.  Remember this post?  I can count on one hand the number of times I've worn eyeshadow in the past two years.  Maybe I should start ramping it up gradually now so that it won't be a shock to my system when the make-up artist tells me that she can keep it natural but really does need to use more than just Chapstick.  Also, I should learn from Lindsay's experience and make sure that everyone knows I don't want anything drastic before any product touches my face.

That being said, I would love to have someone properly apply false eyelashes for me for special occasions.  They looked amazing the first time I ever tried to do it myself, and it hasn't worked since.  (I used Eyelure; any screw-ups were mine and not the fault of the product or the brand!)

I love country music.  I love America.  I love the fact that we have the freedom to worship any religion we want here.  But when the DC-area country music station, WMZQ, plays the National Anthem at noon every day, I change the channel, and I change the channel if they play two songs in a row that include references to Jesus.  It might not be rational, it does really annoy me that this genre seems to think it has a monopoly on patriotism and faith.  (See: the whole debacle with the Dixie Chicks back in 2003. Also Ghetto Superstar, even though that's not country.)

The reason I drink black unsweetened coffee is because that's how my mom drinks hers.  When I was a child, Mom would make the coffee right after waking up and then leave her mug on the counter in the bathroom just by the door while she showered; I'd sneak in and steal sips because I wanted to feel grown-up.  Ever since, I've associated black unsweetened coffee with being an adult, and that's what I drink in the morning on work days.  On weekends, though, I have half the cup of coffee and then use the rest to make a mocha!

Speaking of showers, I hate the idea of them.  I will do anything to put off taking a shower.  But it's heaven once I'm in and I'll do anything to put off getting out.  Conversely, I love the idea of baths.  I build them up in my head and go to town making them as luxurious as I possibly can - bubbles, candles, tea, magazines, the whole nine yards.  And then I'm bored after ten minutes in the water.  Can't win!


How about you, dear readers - what are your quirks?  I hope we can still be friends now that you know some of mine... and be sure to check out the comments in Megan's post to see the others that have been shared!