Tag! You're it!

Thanks for tagging me, Veganista! I've enjoyed getting to know you and other bloggers better like Amey, Bazu, and VeganNoodle by reading their responses to this meme.

Want to get to know me better?

V is for Vegetarian & Vegan (in sign language and all languages, it stands for peace!): Sitting on the sofa at Mastadon in PB, circa 1995, waiting for Art to get his ear pierced, I picked up what I thought might be a cookbook to pass the time, "Diet For A New America." I became enthralled, and by the time I finished reading about how all God's critters have a place in the choir, I was buying a copy with my hard-earned tips. My life would profoundly change, and my journey to being a vegetarian progressed as I read each chapter. First cutting out cow, then pig, poultry and fish. Once I knew this information, there was no turning back. I knew what veganism was, but didn't understand why, until I stumbled upon Vegan Lunchbox blog several years later. Cooking never interested me until "discovering" veganism, and now, I find it to be satisfying and full of meaning.

I is for Igloo: One of my earliest childhood memories are snow days! The snow was too high for the buses to get through. One year, I remember making an igloo in the backyard. When I was a little girl (stop snickering, I'm not THAT old!) it snowed like CRAZY! The ground would remain blanketed nearly all winter long. Then, in 1990, I moved to CA and stayed 13 years. When I moved back in 2003, I was stunned by the lack of snow. There was really none to speak of in the valley, and rarely if ever lasting more than a day before melting off. The snow plows were sold years ago, and our gardening climate zone was adjusted to a more mild rating. Record low moisture readings were being broken each year. I clinch my chest with concern for my daughters when I imagine the climate changing as much in their lifetime as mine.

C is for Crafty: I seem to always have a project going. Right now, I'm in the process of our anniversary quilt, family place mats, stained glass lamps, mosaics, and I've lost track of what all. I also finished projects (lol!), and I'm most proud of a king size quilt made of recycled men's neckties, a tile and broken plate mosaic, and a photograph collage of the City of Angels art statues. I spent much more time doing these types of things before the girls were born, but still find great satisfaction when time allows. I particularly enjoy taking used items and transforming them to something new.

K is for Kids: Art and I were married 10 years before we decided to have children. We savored the freedom to take risks, travel, and self-indulge. My time clock was ticking, but I ignored it because I'm a really good procrastinator. Then I had a "near-death" experience (well, it's all relative...) that made me deeply want to have kids. It was actually an infected root-canal. Because it was just a tooth, I have to defend myself, and you can ask Art, I have a pretty strong pain threshold. One of my biggest accomplishments (though it'll never make it on a resume) is that I gave birth to both girls naturally. I didn't even have a Tylenol, not that I'm against anyone giving birth in the way that it happens. Just to illustrate that this tooth thing made me feel like I was seriously dying! I was warped on codeine, and puking up everything and getting much weaker. It was then that I realized that if I died right now, not having kids with Art would be my only regret. That realization snapped an awakening in me and we began planning our family.

I is for Interstate: A childhood friend was going to Law School in San Diego and generously flew me out to see her for my birthday. I needed a change, and she needed a roommate. I went back home, packed and moved in with her one month later. During the 13 years I lived in Southern California, I lived in 12 different places, earned a teaching degree, got married, and had my first child. Wanting to raise our children in a different environment, we moved to Idaho, with Art's work still coming from California. The girls and I frequently visit California to see relatives/friends, and we keep a tiny studio apartment to use for our visits there and for Art's weekly business trips. We have driven many times but we typically fly these days, about every 6 weeks or so.

I get to tag 5 people, so if you'd like to join in the fun, Pisces Place, theONLYtania, TK, Maybepigscanfly, and Everyday Dish consider yourself tagged! :)

Here's the fineprint about how to play: Players must list one fact, word, or tidbit that is somehow relevant to their life for each letter of your first or middle name. When you are tagged you need to write your own post containing your first or middle name game facts, word, or tidbit. At the end of your post choose one person for each letter of your name to tag.
 Don’t forget to leave a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog. If I’ve tagged YOU, please join in on the fun!