Thursday, May 17, 2007

Seven Degrees of Randomness

On May 7th (yeah, I know ... I'm WAAAAAY behind -- so shoot me!)... Kimberly from Organized Chaos, Ramblings from VA tagged me for the 7 Random Things Meme.

Here are the rules: Each player starts with seven random facts about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about the seven things and the rules. You need to choose seven people to tag and list their names (who makes up these rules, anyhow?). Don't forget to leave them a comment that they have been tagged and for them to read your blog for the details!

So ... here are my 7 Degrees of Randomness:

1) I have a fetish for collecting serving dishes/platters -- all sizes, all colors, serving various forms of functionality. I'm really not into "antique" stuff, just new, big, and fun stuff.

2) Whenever I entertain (which is now a rarity with a 19-month old), I become obsessed with e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. -- details, colors, food, etc. I love to pull out all of my fine serving ware that I've collected over the years and make a big "to-do" of any occasion. It drives my plain and simple husband crazy. Literally. I will make lists of all the food I want to serve, shopping lists of things I need, I'll plan the food based on the serving dishes/platters I want to use, I'll visualize how the table will be set, and I'll even go as far as to draw out my dining room table and draw out the platters on the table like a road map, and make a list of linens, serving dishes, silverware, and flowers I'll be using ... you know ... as a key for myself ... in case I forget what I wanted to do. Then, I'll obsess about the party until the second every dish is washed and put away. I know. It's a sickness, and I confess it in front of all five of my loyal readers.

3) When "said party" is in progress, I do not know how to sit and be still and enjoy the company. Call me Martha ... but I need to be running around refilling platters, checking everything, washing empty dishes as the night goes on, and making sure everything is clean and in order before the last guest leaves. That way, I can just drop into bed without a disaster to face the next day.

4) It is very difficult ... hear me ... v.e.r.y. d.i.f.f.i.c.u.l.t. for me to put out paper plates. I prefer to manage the party size so that I can use real glasses and dishes. I know it's more work for me, but my mom ingrained in me that you always make your guests feel special -- going above and beyond to make their evening very special -- a treat for them. I find that I'm exactly like Ina Garten in that sense (whom I simply adore).

5) My husband loves to cook. He's a great cook, too. And it irritates me beyond belief when he wants to put his two cents in when it comes to food planning and preparation for parties. Which, in turn, irritates him because I don't want him to help plan and he feels left out. I've learned to be more relaxed about this, because I value our relationship more than the party -- but it's hard, and I feel like I'm dragging my nails across a blackboard. But now, I do paste a smile on my face and let him be a part of the plannings.

6) I have a "Type A, obsessive-compulsive" personality about certain things -- if you haven't noticed by now.

7) For some reason, I do NOT have a "Type A, obsessive-compulsive" personality problem when it comes to keeping my house organized and clean on a daily basis. I'd rather spend the time with my son and husband. But ... when we plan on having a party or people over, I suddenly become deadly to be around, as I whip around the house putting everything in order. AND ... I can't stand to have anyone help me. I guess it's a pride thing.

So there you have it. Seven Random Things about GiBee... and I know you were all just dying to know about them!

Now, I know that by now, most everyone has been tagged, but I'll do my best not to repeat a tag. I'll tag 1) Heather, because girlfriend is seriously behind on her blog; 2) Jeana, because she always seems short on what to say ... NOT!; 3) AggieJenn, because she's pregnant and has nothing better to do but lay on the couch eating bonbons (HA!); 4) BooMama, because seriously ... she's so shy and quiet and never shares about herself; 5) Sandy, because she's a woman who loves the same things I do, and who can't help but love her for that? 6) Lovely Rita, because we're relatively new friends, and I am simply curious like that; 7) Another Heather, because girl's got game.

6 comments:

Jessica said...

I totally understand what you mean about a Type A personality...I am totally there..especially when company is coming. My Dad always called it "Company Frenzy" when my Mom would rush around in, well, a frenzy. I have inherited the lovely trait.

Jennifer said...

:-) Ok, so I do lay on the couch a lot lately in my pregnant state (eating popsicles, not bonbons), but I have a 19-month-old, too, remember? When I drag myself off the couch, I'll get to you meme. ;-)

Susanne said...

I'd be loving to be invited to your parties. :v)

I came from a background of treating your guest well, too, not so much in the decorating area but the food area. I remember my mom cooking so many varieties of things just to make sure that everyone would have something they enjoyed. And like you she'd fuss around and make sure everything was clean before she dropped into bed.

boomama said...

Got it.

And I read your dare about tagging Beth Moore...I JUST MAY DO IT. :-) If I work up the nerve.

Kelly said...

I came across your blog from a WFMW post over at Shannon's. I've enjoyed reading through your archives and definitely had to comment on this post.

We had my son dedicated at our worship service on Mother's Day and hosted a luncheon, for our family and friends, immediately following. My tendencies are very similar to yours in this area so you can imagine how it went. I even went so far as to photograph the layout for the buffet table at my home so I could bring my digital camera to the church to assist me in setting up. Is there some sort of twelve step program out there for over zealous party planners like us?

Heather Smith said...

Okay, I've posted my randomness! Give me a break on my slackness, I've been working my tail off! Hey, somebody has to hit all the tropical locations to show them computer programs!