10 Things About Younger Me . . .

1. I had a weird aversion to sauces/condiments when I was younger. No syrup on my pancakes, no gravy, no mayo, minimal peanut butter and jelly on my sandwiches. I don't know why?! My tastes have evolved as I've gotten older and syrup and gravy are now allowed.

2. I was rather obsessed with the Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, and the Little House on the Prairie books when I was a kid. I've read all of the books multiple times. I got a bonnet (Laura Ingalls style) somewhere on vacation when I was little and that was the best thing ever!

3. I was a sore loser at cards. We used to play the card game Hearts all the time, and whenever someone passed me the Queen of Spades (not a good card in Hearts, usually) I would take it VERY personally. I would pout and sometimes run away. Once I crawled underneath the piano bench to protest the indignity of losing. I showed them! I am able to show a bit more grace these days when I lose at games, which seems to happen often.

4. Although I didn't take up knitting until about 7 years ago, I used to do cross stitch, crewel (embroidery), and latch hook when I was a kid. And the subject of the needlework design was often a koala. I don't remember any particular obsession with koalas when I was a kid but really, who doesn't love those cute little creatures?

5. My dad, brother, and I used to take Sunday "rides." We'd get Dunkin Donuts (I'm a big fan of glazed), listen to Casey Kasem and the Top 40, go to the park, and basically just drive around. Awesome memories!

6. Going to the movies was my thing with my mom, particularly when I got older. When I'd come home for winter or spring break from college, she and I would go to the movies every day. Popcorn and movies - the best!

7. Some early memories are of my dad reading the books Heidi and Little Women to me. Little Women is one of my favorites book to this day! He also introduced me to Robert Frost. My dad knew his stuff!

8. I was spelling bee champ a couple of times in elementary school. Which is funny, because I feel like I can't spell at all anymore!

9. I got stung by a jellyfish when we were on vacation in Hilton Head. I was only about shin deep in the water and I felt this horrible pain around my ankle. I screamed for my brother, who was floating on a raft nearby. He saw my face and came paddling in as fast as he could (my hero!). He told me later he thought I was being attacked by a shark. Hmm, maybe I was being over dramatic about the sting? Whatever, it hurt like the dickens.

10. As the story goes, my mom started me in gymnastics because she found me sleeping one day - while doing the splits. Combining some of my favorite things I guess - sleeping and gymnastics! I used to be super flexible, and now I can't even do the splits. Sigh . . .

There you have it! A glimpse into the life of little Stephi. It's been fun remembering some of these stories!

Share some of your favorite memories/quirks/anecdotes of when you were younger. I'd love to read them!