Sunday, September 16, 2007

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!

12 comments:

Theresa said...

Great to learn about you, Vicki! What a cool story about going veg... waiting for Art to get his ear pierced! Does he wear anything in it these days?

Vicki's Vegan Vice said...

Hi theresa! naw, he dropped the earring a few years ago. On your meme, I especially liked your "S" for simple, and that you use an old wine bottle for a rolling pin! :)

Anna said...

Hey Vicki--I composed a message earlier but I think I lost it! Oops! I'll try to reconstruct it here, but if you just moderate comments and notice two comments from me feel free to delete this one. Just wanted to say yay!, thanks for doing this meme. I loved reading it. Living in 12 different places over 13 years--wow, I think you beat me there. It was so interesting to read what you said about how the desire for children hit you. Will we get to see your masterpiece quilt sometime??? :)

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

so wonderful to learn more about you!! I too received "enlightenment" about veganism from the Vegan Lunch Box blog, haha; and wow, you certainly have lived/traveled all over!!; your crafts sound so innovative... and are TRUE works of art!! excellent meme :0)

Vegan_Noodle said...

Vicki, how great to read more about who you are! I can't believe your story about the snow disappearing in Idaho. That is cause for some serious concern.

Oh how I admire your craftiness! I have been attempting to get a bit more crafty, but it's hard to teach that to my left brain.

And how awesome that you had your kids totally naturally! I really admire that.

moi + toi PHOTOGRAPHIE said...

When i was a kid i used to make igloos too! I lived in bc canada for all my life, so the little snow that came, we always built caves and such. I can't wait to have kids, so i can do it all over again!

bazu said...

I loved reading and learning more about you, Vicki! Your story about how and when you decided to have kids was fascinating. I'm undecided about whether or not I want kids, but the closest I came to really wanting to was earlier this year when I had my wisdom teeth taken out. My painkiller gave me this incredible sense of well-being and oneness with the world (drugs!) and I remember thinking how lovely it would be to have some little ones running around. Funny, must be some dental procedure/painkiller/kid connection there somewhere! Well, your daughters are adorable, and if I ever have kids, I hope they'll be cool like yours.

Teresa said...

Vicki- your meme is awesome. So many interesting stories... how you went veg, when you decided to have children, the amount of times you've moved. My mom always likes to mention that she had all 3 of her kids naturally and without any drugs. I saw my first live birth last year and I can really say that it is a miracle, and it is not at all painless!

Thanks for sharing and I'll be getting to my meme soon!

laura k said...

It was so fun to read your meme, Vicki. I love what you wrote about kids. I'm torn between wanting a family right now and wanting to enjoy the freedom that comes with being married and childless... But whenever I do have kids, I really want to give birth naturally like you did. That's an amazing accomplishment.

Anonymous said...

I too learned the hard way that codeine and tooth pain DO NOT go hand-in-hand. I couldn't stop vomiting either which sucks when you've just had your impacted wisdom teeth extracted.

I've always wondered about your constant traveling too and from California. I think it's pretty awesome that you get to go so frequently.

I am quite saddened about the change in your environment (although I spent the first 6 years of my life in ID and I can remember when I was 6 the constant snow and never want to experience that again).

Tanya Kristine said...

oh how lame i am. i'm honored you tagged me and i didn't even see it!!!!

i'll post one now...thanks VV :)

woof nanny said...

Oh wow, are you in San Diego also? I am intrigued by your neckties quilt. I recently started another blog about sewing with neckties
http://sewingwithneckties.blogspot.com