Random Facts MEME

Laura the Crazy Mama tagged me for this Meme. I had fun reading what she wrote, so I'll do it too. ;)

Rules: Each tagged person must post 8 random facts or habits about themselves on their blog. At the end of the post, choose 8 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment telling them that they are tagged and to read your blog. Have fun!

1. I read compulsively. Now that I have 5 kiddos, my reading time is really limited [I used to be one of those people who would spend an entire weekend doing nothing but reading ... I hope to live to retirement age so I can be one of those people again!]. But even with 5 kids, I find time to read every single day. I no longer have the luxury of reading fiction [and I miss that], but I read non-fiction all the time. I'm particularly fond of religion books, parenting books, home making books, cook books, gardening books [though I didn't manage a garden this year!], and other such books that help me become better at my every day life.

2. I have a bad temper. It is just shameful. I am mostly very laid back and it takes a huge amount of "stuff" to set me off, but once I lose it, boy am I terrible. I learned this from my dad. I see my kids learning it from me. This is my next "thing" I need to work on [I worked on humilty/pride this year LOL!]

3. I didn't want kids and never planned to have any. I didn't particularly like children at all when I was a 20-something. But we decided to have that "one" kid, and I found them kind of addictive. I adore the crazy little things now.

4. I always thought I'd die before I was 40. We have a family history of early death from cancer. I lost 2 of my 4 older cousins to cancer in their thirties [breast cancer and brain cancer]. They both left very young children behind, a huge fear of mine. One of the 2 remaining "alive" cousins has type one diabetes so badly that it is life threatening. As I draw closer and closer to 40, it looks like I might break the mold, but I sorta find myself surprised to be here. For my 40th birthday I plan to have a massive party. :) Unlike most who hate to see that 40th birthday looming, I find the whole prospect kind of exciting!

5. I have discovered that it is easier to be a single mother with 5 kids than a married wife with 5. Isn't that weird? I have also come to the conclusion that people who think life long celibacy in religious life is a terrible, difficult fate have never been married. Being married is hard. LOL!

6. I don't have a favorite color. It drives my kids crazy, but I really don't. I like bright, vibrant colors - red, yellow, green, blue, purple. I even like black.

7. I used to be a vegetarian for 7 years, vegan for 2. I also used to be an animal rights activist and a ecology fanatic. I still am on some level, but I have too many other causes more dear to my heart right now.

8. I have a BA in History with a concentration in the History of South Asia [ie: India]. How's that for a helpful degree?!

OK, I tag Jen, Mel, Megan, Pam, Vicki, Shelly, JMJ, and Rick.