40 things..as I turn 40.

The big "40" birthday bash is approaching, this Saturday, to be exact. I am so looking forward to seeing old friends along with the new ones in my life. Plenty of pictures will be posted. So, in celebration, I decided to make a list of 40 things about moi that may be interesting facts or just plain boring bullshit to fill up this blog. Some of this is actually good blog material for future entries, at least I think so and afterall it is my birthday. (Everytime I revise this I think of more, so I am publishing before I change my mind.)

1. I am the oldest of three (born on X-mas day). Keep reading it gets better, I promise!

2. My parents wanted to name me Dawn. Good thing they didn't because I have pronunciation issues with that name, I pronounce it Don whether it's male or female.

3. I have three tattoos, one in the curve of my lower back, one on my ankle and one on my back, right shoulder.

4. Most people don't know this and when they find out are amazed since I appear not to "fit" the pre-conceived notions of one who "sports" tattoos.

5. I also have had my belly button pierced but had to remove it for surgery so the hole closed up...but I am reconsidering doing it again. Why not?

6. I get emotional about the unethical treatment of animals and some insects.

7. I will spend $25 on a tube of lipstick but will balk at spending $4 on a plastic cooking spatula.

8. I purchase way too much make-up..."Hello, my name is Michelle and I am a make-up addict" But you should really try this lipstick...

9. I purchase way too many hair and skin products..I am labeled the " tester" by friends, who frequently call me to ask what products I would recommend.

10. When I was in the third grade I punched a classmate, a boy, right in the nose. I heard and felt for the very first time the impact of my bare fist against the bone in his nose. I'm not sure who cried more, me, b/c he said he would tell my mom or him, humiliated and bleeding from a girl punch. In my defense, he told me I wouldn't do it...so isn't that like a double dare?

11. I was a tomboy. My grandmother used to yell at me to stop playing P-I-G with the neighborhood boys because it wasn't the proper thing for a young girl to do. Now, I am "afraid" of catching a flyball in fear I will break a nail.

12. I learned about "the birds and the bees" in the garage of the neighbor bot, who was five years older than all of us, (I didn't have it I learned about it). I, then went home and asked my mom, who was mortified that her little girl was asking about "intercourse". When she explained it to me, I walked away perplexed by the fact that "that" couldn't possibly fit into "that".

13. I recently became familiar with the following phrases : "That's how the cow ate the cabbage" " It's Colder than a witches tit in a brass bra" all thanks to my friend Amy. Amy's trademark phrase, "Good times'.

14. I also learned, that Amy's hubby Matt occasionally refers to making love as " riding the bone coaster..Weeee!"I know, too much information. But it made me laugh.

15. Favorite drink of the moment..dirty martinis w/ blue cheese stuffed olives.

16. Uh..I did have a mullet hairstyle. Repeat DID. I prefer to call it a shag, but once it was permed it looked like a mullet and I took my senior picture like that.

17. In seventh grade, I saved up enough money to have my hair corn-rowed. It took HOURS ...how do women do this?! To think I did this just so I could remove the braids and have these crimped waves in my hair-which I made last for days by not shampooing. EEWW. Now they have crimping irons that do that!

18. At that same time I also wore clogs (which are back) and tunic tops (again in fashion) If only I had known.

19. I have had a great and memorable time working in the business of radio. It has allowed me the opportunity to travel, dine and develop friendships with many, many artists in the country music, pop music and rock music genre.

20. My mom "put" me through baton twirling, tap dancing and swimming classes. I say "put" because I hated each one. Baton twirling b/c I had to wear a black unitard, which at that age full of baby fat, I looked like a sausage stuffed in casing. Tap dancing... she would make me practice 30 minutes a day in my room on the hardwood floors. But I was smart. I used to put those shoes on my hands and tap tap away without breaking a sweat. Oh, swimming classes. To this day, I fear water. I think it was when the instructor threw me in the deep end and told me to swim as I gulped water sinking slowly to my death. Yeah, (shaking) that was it!

21. Am I done yet? No, so at this age (21) I no longer needed my fake ID which looked nothing like me anyway.

22. I once was "acted", if you could call it that, in a TV commercial for a planned parenthood type of organization. Whenever I would go out in public someone was bound to say ..."hey you is that girl on that commercial?" Oh, I am so proud . Sarcastic tone

23. As a youngster, I played the organ (musical instrument , gutter minds :) ), the violin (did you know you can't have fingernails) and I was first soprano in choir. Now, I couldn't play a lick to save my life, I still have that violin in it's case and first soprano???...I don't know how I ever got my voice that high without breaking glass or someone's eardrum.

24. I have been blessed with many opportunities in my life and I thank god in my own personal way.

25. I believe people come in and out of your life for a reason. In that same thought, people make mistakes and everyone deserves a second chance.

26. The day of my senior prom I decided to allow a friend "who also cut hair" do a little shaping of my hair-she cut it up to my earlobes and hacked my bangs. Thank god, I was wearing a hat...."a hat?" oh god! I really wore a hat!

26. Last October I took a long awaited trip to Italy with my good friend Caroline. I have wanted to go there for years and I made it.

27. My secret passion? To be in a band. I used to "play" rock star in our family room when no one was home but me...with the music turned up loud, the chair was my keyboard and the remote was my microphone. During the commercials I "talked" to the audience.
Hmm, this may explain why I am in therapy.

28. The women in my life who have been there: Julie, Becky, Kristin, Donna, Amy,Caroline, Cathy, Emilie, Mom, Renee. If I forgot someone, forgive me.

29. I believe the basis of any relationship is honesty, respect and trust. This is what I come to expect in my friendships and relationships. Those who know me know this. I believe we all have to take it on the chin when we mess up. Treat others as you would like them to treat you.

30. The age (30)I had the most angst about turning. I think b/c I thought I should be married with 1.5 kids.

31. High maintenance-NO, not me....just order me up a spinach salad-hold the onions, delete the bacon, can I have balsamic vinaigrette , on the side and BTW, no croutons. I am trying to cut down on my carbs. hee hee

32. In my formative years between the age of 8-12 I used to "publish" in my basement; "Mother Goose News" It was a "paper" in which I would write editorials and news stories about fairy tale characters...i.e.Headline: "Tragedy occurred today as Mr. Dumpty fell off a wall"
story: At 12:15 pm, Mr. Humpty Dumpty fell off the brick wall at the king's courtyard. Several of the king's men tried to put him back together. One bystander, Mr. Knight, saw first hand....." OK..I know don't go on...my parents, the recipients of my works, were so proud. Mom saved all them for me.

33. My mom always thought I would be a writer. Not because of Mother Goose News but I wrote a book in the 6th grade that as quoted by my Mom; "was so well written, descriptive and tear jerking.." It won 1st place in the writing competition. A "would be writer" was born. Moms are good like that.

34. I was fortunate to have many special men in my life-Tim; my first, (insert: throat clearing sound here), Brian; my high school "love", Tim (different one)-my college love, Jeff-for the first "all night experience" (no need to clarify), John-so kind and loving, Greg; see #39 and Dave; first guy to be my best friend and someone who could make me laugh even when I wanted to cry .

35. I love red licorice(the thick kind) and chocolate covered raisins. My college roommates used to bring them to me when I was sad to cheer me up. I now buy them to celebrate!

35. Some call me Chelle, some call me Mitch (and a few call me some other names I don't think are very friendly) :) They're just jealous!

36. The age I started to panic about turning 40 and still being single with a cat.

37. Samantha-my cat. aka, Sam, Sammy, Boo Boo, Princess, and by some "Satan"-which is so crazy. She loves me unconditionally except when she is trying to rule the world. She is "my child", my little princess and I love her. Oh... and she likes to lay with her backend near my face when I am sleeping. Nice!

38. I have always loved to read and still do. I loved it when Mom would take us to the library every Saturday to get more books. I still love the library and go there to hide out and read.

39. I miss Greg-who died of colon cancer at 35. A very special friend to me in all types of weather. Also... responsible for my first strip club experience.

40. The age in which I am so excited to start a new chapter of my life!