Sunday, July 09, 2006

The Fist 25

I had my latest 3-month check-up at the MS clinic today. All is well, but the heat is playing havoc with my symptoms. Also, the mood swings are not getting any better, so I’m starting Wellbutrin to try to get a handle on it. So maybe now I’ll just be a little cranky, rather than a raving lunatic!

Part of the discussion to decide what to take involved how my age and the state of my hormones might be playing a part. Being 40 now, I guess I can look forward to pre-menopausal mood shifts, in addition to the depression caused by the MS (seriously, not just depression because I have MS but it’s actually a physical symptom of the disease). Al is just so looking forward to this. I swear he actually had a look of relief on his face when I told him about the Wellbutrin. I can’t blame him. Being the only other person in the house, he gets the brunt of the swing. We’re also pretty psyched because this medication supposedly doesn’t affect the libido. And I’m psyched because the first side effect listed is weight loss! This is a problem? Weight loss would definitely lessen my depression.

So, my doctor visit made me a little thoughtful. Since we talked about how getting into her 40s is a sort of transition time for a woman, I thought I might take stock of who I am and what I’ve done. Maybe it will help me decide who I want to be, or maybe that I’m fine just the way I am.

It also gives me something to blog. So, periodically, I’m going to give you 25 facts about me. Maybe we’ll all be a little surprised.

1. I was born in Arkansas and lived in my hometown until I went to college.
2. I graduated with honors from the University of Arkansas, with a double major of English and Journalism.
3. I almost didn’t get my “with honors” title because I wrote such a bad final paper. I didn’t talk to my advisor during the writing process, just wanting to get it done. They let me rewrite it because my advisor felt responsible that he didn’t check in on me, but I felt that it was all my fault.
4. My honors paper was on Lillian Hellmann, but I don’t remember what I wrote about her.
5. I have an irrational fear of breaking down on the side of the road.
6. I’ve moved 11 times in 17 years, to 7 different cities.
7. I’ve been knitting for 2 years. My mother tried to teach me when I was a kid but I wasn’t good at it immediately, so I didn’t like it. Now I’m obsessed.
8. I have a masters in English from Louisiana Tech University.
9. After I got my master’s, I bought a cake for my party that said, “Master of Her Domain.”
10. I took singing lessons for years.
11. I’ve been in several community theater productions.
12. My first stage role was a whore in Three Penny Opera.
13. My favorite roles were Sylvie in The Female Odd Couple on stage and Katherine in The Taming of the Shrew for an acting class.
14. I love to cook and bake. And I send lots of food into work with Al.
15. When Al was meeting people in his new office but same building, the men said, “We hear your wife bakes great cookies.” Little spooky.
16. I never liked beer until I went to Germany to visit friends.
17. I still wasn’t a huge beer fan until I discovered microbreweries—New Belgium rocks.
18. I’ve helped my husband brew beer, but I don’t consider myself a brewer because I really don’t enjoy it. I consider myself Quality Control.
19. I love coffee, but rarely drink a whole cup.
20. I rarely drink a whole can of soda, either. They are referred to as “Kelley Cans” in our house because they have about a third of the liquid still in them.
21. The most surprising song on my iPod is “The Beautiful People” by Marilyn Manson. People will be shocked to hear that, but it’s good to work out to!
22. If there is a fire, I’m grabbing my iPod first. Yes, it’s that important to me.
23. My husband has a motorcycle, but I’m afraid to ride with him.
24. My dream car is a Jeep Wrangler. I want to be a Jeep Woman. Actually, it’s a Land Rover, but a Wrangler seems a little more obtainable.
25. I’m jealous of how funny my brother is and wish I was as witty and intelligent.

9 comments:

Jay said...

That's a pretty awesome list. And RE: #25. Believe me, there is nothing to be jealous of.

Jay said...

But that was sweet of you to say that. haha 8-)

F&W said...

I echo Saz's sentiments. We could stir up some craziness if all of us got together to read, drink our coffees to the half-way point and knit. I feel a bit giddy thinking about it.

I liked your list, Kell. Thanks for letting us know a bit more about you.

While your brother's blog often has me in stitches, I can rely on yours to bring me into self reflection. I like that and wouldn't trade it.

Kell said...

Saz--that sounds awesome! We can do virtual coffee trips and post about what we drank, read, and knit. Do you knit?!? I keep saying I'm going to the local coffee place and just sit and knit for awhile. But the music is a little loud, so I end up at home. But I'll go in the fall when I can sit outside.

Chelle--Thanks for the kind words. And ditto what I told Saz--virtual coffee break!

Kell said...

Saz--The only problem with posting the pictures is I'm working on things for my mom and brother for Christmas! Hopefully I'll have them done by then.

Anonymous said...

Gosh, I feel so left out...I don't knit...my brain just doesn't work that way. I love me some coffee though! LOL

Lisa said...

Kell, loved this post. I can't believe how brave and cool you are. You are an amazing person, for many, many reasons.

Kell said...

Thanks, Lisa. That's high praise coming from someone I respect as much as I do you.

Newt said...

This was a great post. (I'm finally getting caught up on my blog reading.) I have to agree with #22. The Ipod is my portable sanity and I wouldn't want to go anywhere without it.