Just 4 You on Wednesday: What Makes You Tick?!

Lots of things tick….the wall clock in the kitchen, your biological clock, your husband when he forgets to complete that honey-do list (oh, that would be “ticked off”)…you get the idea!

What makes you tick?!  What are you passionate about?  What gets your panties in a bundle?  Curious about mine? 

• Hallmark Stores and all of the cute cards and gifts—there have been times I have gone to Hallmark on a bad day and laughed so hard I thought I’d pee myself.  I have the Platinum Membership to prove it. 
• Libraries make me feel nostalgic for college.  I love those big, old libraries with stacks and stacks of books and the idea of being there all day long just to read and learn and absorb information.  Even better if I am there with a smart, attractive guy (my honey, of course) during a thunderstorm.
• Step-aerobics.  When I was 12 or 13, my dad enrolled me in a step-aerobics class when it was all the rage.  I hated it and him for doing that to me…how could he?!  But here we are, many years later and it’s still a staple in my daily routine. 
• Yoga.  In college, I wanted to try it–my roommate thought I was weird and new age-y for wanting to check it out.  I loved it.  It centers me and makes me feel relaxed.   Now I’m looking around for a mom-daughter yoga class and not having much luck. 
• A really good vegetarian meal.  Yep–gave up meat long ago because I never liked it much.  When I find a place that caters to my meatless lifestyle, I want to kiss their feet.  Our neighborhood Chinese place whips up the best “Cashew Tofu” and knows my voice when I call to order it. 
• A well-written book that I can relate to.  Recent favorites: “A Reliable Wife,” “Her Fearful Symmetry,” and “The Swan Theives”
• A fabulous conversation with my husband while on the patio with a glass of white wine–Moscato grapes are the best!
• Reeses Peanut Butter Eggs and Gooey Butter Cake…see why I need that step-aerobics class?!? 
• Creating something like a flowering basket with colors that coordinate with my house and interior…even though it’s outside, it still makes me feel good knowing that it all coordinates with my home. 
• Party Planning.  I love it–from the initial concept to gathering and making the decorations.  I am huge on themes. 
• Shopping for cute “ensembles” for my girls to wear makes me feel like a kid playing with her baby dolls.  I’ve got The GapKids bill to prove it! 
• A Bargain.  Not just anything and certainly not junk…but something I want that I like, that doesn’t happen to cost an arm and a leg. 
• Garden Centers with cutesy interior decor.  Overwhelming, yes…hard to narrow down my choices, definitely…expensive, without a doubt…fabulous, always!
• Really cute personalized stationary and stickers.  The art of letter writing is sadly disappearing. 
• Anything monogrammed.  It’s simple, it’s classic and it’s personal.
• Architecture and Design.  Wanted to be an architect for the longest time.  My chemistry teacher would tell me to pay attention and I would draw a floorplan instead.  He took me aside–I thought I was going to get in trouble–instead he urged me to go into architecture.  But I figured if I couldn’t balance an equation, I couldn’t build a structurally sound home.  I still sort of regret that decision. 
• Finally, matching my underwear with my outfit.  More self-disclosing than you wanted?!  Well that is, afterall what gets my panties in a bundle! 

As a mom, sometimes we forget what makes us tick…we get so involved with our kids, our spouses and homes that we forget our own thoughts, ideas, and preferences.  It matters.  When we know ourselves better, we can parent better. 

Consider taking a few minutes  to jot down the things that make you tick.  Tell us what they are! 

Happy Wednesday : )