Wednesday, June 11, 2008

The Quadruple Triple Crown

My friend over at Life in Red Shoes has tagged me for a Triple Crown. I am to list 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 current collections/obsessions & 3 little known things about myself. She has given me dispensation on the last item because I've already done that twice and now you know everything about me.

3 Joys -
The joy of being alive. About 10 years ago I was diagnosed with Lupus and my doctor laid out the prognosis. It was one of the most wonderful things that ever happened to me. I felt like the heavens opened up and set me free. I remember sitting in my car in the parking lot and crying, at first because I was frightened but within minutes it changed to something else. If my prognosis was not exactly great then HELL I was really going to live. Flat out. Take risks. Fly through the rest of my life without a net. And that's just what I've done.

The joy of love and loss. The joy of love is an obvious choice, but loss? Everything can't work out in fairytale fashion. Loss holds some important lessons. I've still got some unresolved lessons. Time and patience are my teachers.

The joy of having children. I was an older when I had my first child. I'd pretty much given up being a mother. It was something I wanted but didn't dare hope for. It is a relationship unlike any other. It required me to change in ways I never expected.

3 Fears -
I can honestly say that I am not afraid. I cannot think of one thing that I'm afraid of. This is stupendously good news since I spent half a lifetime crippled by fear. I wasted years playing scenarios out in my head. I imagined every possible disaster that could befall me and planned every possible reaction. What an incredible waste of time. I never, ever lived in the moment. No, I was too busy wringing my hands about the past or fearing the future. It was CRAZY. Literally. If you go read Little Red Shoes she tells about how her Type A behavior got her a one-way ticket to a nervous breakdown. Yeah, I went there too. Big time. Five years of therapy effectively removed the fear and (see above) the pronouncement of my doctor signaled my graduation into full time freedom from fear.

3 Current Collections/Obsessions -
Cameras. I have an ongoing love affair with photography and cameras. I have lots of cameras both new and vintage. I love them. I love what they produce.

Orphan Creamers. What's an orphan creamer? It's a creamer pitcher than has lost it's sugar bowl. I'm not quite sure how this collection started, but I can assure you there are millions of orphan creamers out there and I've got a large number of them.

Vintage Hammered Aluminum - Most of my collection is composed of trays similar to the one my mom had on the bookcase in our home, circa 1955. They just say "home" to me. I've got some beautiful examples, mostly purchased from the Goodwill Store.

Thanks Red Shoes. That was fun. I'm going to Mary's (Little Red House) method of tagging others. If you want to be tagged, consider it done!

9 comments:

Vee said...

I'm not receiving tags...lol! Hope that you're receiving awards because I have one for you!

BittersweetPunkin said...

Oh my...I have so many things that I need to blog about because I am BEHIND...I love your comment about orphaned creamers...love that term. I think a lot of the stuff I collect is orphaned and I feel compelled to bring it home...now I know what to call it when I explain it to my husband! I hope you have a great day!
Hugs,
Robin

Unknown said...

Hi Suzanne... Thank you for your nice comment on my blog... My shopping in Sweden is about as exciting as your heading over to Iowa... it just SOUNDS cooler. I lived on Iowa/Ill as well.... so I know what I am talking about. Love your blog! It is so pretty, I am going to have to have you help me tweak mine a bit!!

Suzanne said...

Vee - Good for you. Be assertive. I am very glad to receive an award from you. Thanks!!

Punkin - You're behind. Well, get moving woman! I have to fight the compulsion to bring things home. I've got a pile in the trunk right now that I need to unload while the Farmer is at work.

My Norwegian - I love your blog and the look into living as an ex-pat abroad. I told you that I felt the same way when I lived in Texas....it's a whole 'nother country. I was pining heavily for Chicago food that was not available in Texas. As far as tweaking the blog....I don't know a darn thing about it. I had Shannon do this design for me. Her link is on the sidebar - EightCrazy Design. She's a dream to work with.

Thanks for the comments. I appreciate everyone who visits my place. - Suzanne

life in red shoes said...

Job well done!You see, we all have so much to learn from each other!

LIBERTY POST EDITOR said...

I am officially freaked out...by you. I collect orphans and hammered aluminum. I am just freaked out.

Heather said...

This is such a fun meme! I totally know what you mean about Lupus setting you free. It's a crazy mix of fear and relief and, ultimately, the freedom to live with wild abandon.

Shelly G said...

I love orphan creamers too... I especially love it when I find one that I think is exceptionally pretty or unique. I also collect orphan tea cups who have lost their saucers...When I go thrifting... There is something for everyone... some people only collect the orphan saucers...he he he...

Vee said...

I'm back because I just roared through yesterday. That was a fun MEME and I really enjoyed learning more about you. I'm still stuck in fear way too often so I'll be taking my cues from you and gals like you. It must be incredibly liberating.