I Thought You Might Want to Know

I am on a scrapbooking league (I’m sorry if you thought I was cooler than I really am, but please do not stop reading here) with Ann, a friend I’ve had for twenty years and Joy, a friend I met in my daughter’s playgroup that I have known for 3 ½ years. As we were looking at some old pictures, we started talking about our lives before kids. Now, Ann pretty much knows everything there is to know about me. So it was kind of weird to have someone who I feel I know, but really knows nothing about me and my pre-mommy days. Ann was shocked that some of this stuff never has come up in the 3 ½ years that we have been getting together for play dates. What can I say? Mommies really like to talk about their kids. It’s safe, it’s relevant. I feel like we kind of jumped in to our friendship while we were redefining ourselves as mommies. And don’t get me wrong, being a stay-at-home-mom is pretty defining. However, I do feel there are things that I did before kids that are pretty interesting. So here are some of them. Maybe the next time we get together, let’s use this as a spring board to get to know each other a little more.

1. I went to U of M my freshman year of college and HATED it! I was wait-listed for a year and set up everything at a smaller state college. Then I received a letter asking if I wanted to remain waiting listed. I said no. My Mom sent in the letter (unbeknownst to me), and I was accepted. So I went because I was afraid to be so far from home and my high school boyfriend (even though we broke up during my first semester). I cried almost every day during second semester. I wanted to come home, and my parents said no. I thought everyone was too competitive, and after being defined by being a high school honor student I wanted a break and have some fun. After that year, I transferred to my original school and had a much better experience.

2. I worked a lot in the food service industry, but I was never a waitress because I can’t do math in my head.

3. I also worked as a secretary at a pet crematorium. That was interesting.

4. After living with an assortment of wierdos during my first two years at college, I lived alone pretty much until I got married.

5. I LOVE the Beastie Boys (I think Paul’s Boutique is genius), Weezer (Pinkerton is the best), Jay-Z, Kid Rock (I’ve seen him live 4 times), and No Doubt (I’ve seen them live 2 times).

6. I can speak Spanish OK, but get a few drinks in my, and I become magically more fluent. I also taught myself enough French and Italian to get by.

7. I once had dyed pink streaks in my hair.

8. I took a train from Michigan to California with my family and grandfather when I was 12 years old.

9. I used to love Tequila. I also used to drink Stoli and tonics with lime (soda if I was watching my weight).

10. I had a pimp and hoes party for my 27th birthday complete with costumes and Mickey’s Iced 40s in paper bags (a nod to my malt liquor drinking days).

11. I went to the bar in the New York Meatpacking District that Coyote Ugly was based on (but I didn’t take my top off).

12. I went to Europe three times by the time I was 27. My first time was a class trip to Spain. My second time was with my boyfriend after I graduated from high school to visit his dad that lived in Germany. My third time was when I went with my husband and, and we went to France and Italy.

13. I can’t tell you how many times I saw Pulp Fiction. It is one of my favorite movies of all time!


So there you go. There are some things about me that have NOTHING to do with having kids. (Ann, am I missing anything? Remember my Mom reads this)!

Now you spill it! Tell me something about you that is common knowledge, but maybe your mommy friends (or work friends) don’t know about you.