… and 24 other things you might not know about me. This post was inspired by my friend wigsbabe who wrote a post today called 25 Things You Wouldn’t Know About Me. I learned a lot about her, and I thought I’d give the list a shot myself. So, here we go:

Numero Uno: I was afraid of the garbage men when I was little. Terrified of them! I would be outside laughing and playing without a care in the world, but as soon as I heard the groan of the monstrous truck making its way up our small street, I’d scream for my mother and run. I mean c’mon, the truck had TEETH!!! I actually wrote a short story about this horrifying childhood experience in college and got an A on it. I should go down into the basement and see if I can dig it up. Although my basement is scary and the experience of digging for that story in the dark, dank, smelly hallows of my house may drum up a new fear all of its own.

Numbah Two: My sister pushed me out of her car when I was five-years-old. Okay, okay … she didn’t push me, but I always get a kick out of telling people that. She had been in a car accident a few weeks before and the passenger door on her little Horizon was not fixed properly (at least, that’s the story she tells). We had just been visiting my Aunt down the street and were on our way home. We were singing songs together when she turned the corner up a hill, and the door flung open. I apparently did a cartwheel out the door and rolled down the hill. Back then, there wasn’t a seat belt law. It was winter, and while there wasn’t any snow on the ground, there was salt and sand which tore apart my skin underneath my nose. I ended up bringing my face in to school for show-n-tell.

Three: I carry my Mother and Father around with me. My parents are both deceased. I keep my father’s St. Jude medal, that he wore until the day he died, and my mother’s small rosary “worry” beads in my make-up bag. On particularly stressful or just plain ‘ol bad days, I keep them in my pocket to have them closer to me.

Quattro: I took Italian lessons in pre-school. I went to the International Pre-School where all the kids took either Italian or Spanish. Being Italian, I suppose was her reason, my Mama selected Italian for me. I used to speak to my grandfather and show him what I learned. I don’t remember much of it. I took Spanish in middle school and high school so I get the numbers confused. I do still know some things that I learned around the house growing up, but that’s a whole ‘nother post!

FIVE: I played the clarinet when I was younger and used to compete. I was in the Westchester All-County Band for four years in a row. The first year I competed I ranked 6th. I have a beautiful Buffet clarinet that my parents bought for me, and I couldn’t tell you the last time I played it.

Seis: I always put my left sock and/or shoe on first. I’m a righty, so what does that mean?

Luck Number 7!: I am the youngest of seven children, born on the 7th day at 7:17 a.m. I am the seventh grandchild on one side of the family, the seventeenth grandchild on the other side of the family, and there are seven letters in my first name. Creepy or coincidence?

Ocho: Am I really only on number eight? Feels like at least 20 already! I believe I have some form of ADD. I NEED to be doing more than one thing at a time.

Nine: I don’t like beer. Try and try as I may to get a taste for it, I just can’t. Put a pint of cider in front of me and I’ll suck it down. Wine with dinner and a good cocktail – I’m in. Just no beer here.

10: I love spinach and brussel sprouts! Really, I love most vegetables, but these two seem to be common dislikes of most. I can eat a whole bag of each on my own. I will fight you for the last sprout or scoop of spinach on the plate!

Eleven: I don’t mind cleaning the bathroom. I have to be in the mood to do it, but there is something gratifying about winning a battle against soap scum and hard water stains.

Dodici: I HATE the font Comic Sans. Yes, I realize hate is a strong word, but it is fitting for the disgust I have for the cutesy, overused font. There – I said it.

Thirteen: If there is a celebrity I think is gorgeous that I don’t know much about, I will look him up to see if he’s dating, married, etc. As if I have a chance or will ever meet him (other than in my dreams)!

Catorce: I’m a borderline introvert. It’s true. As much of a “people person” I seem to be most of the time, I have introvert tendencies.

15: Ten to go! I was obsessed with spitting when I was a little girl. I used to see my Dad do it and was in awe of his talent. He could even spit out the car window without it flying back at him! I went through a phase of constantly spitting, which drove my mother nuts.

Dieciseis: I was voted “Best Personality” for my senior yearbook epitaphs.

Seventeen: Should my home be invaded by burglars, aliens, terrorists, etc. I have a hiding place. I’ve had it planned out since I was a little girl, although I’m pretty sure that back then my concern was hiding from monsters. Luckily I live in my childhood home so I didn’t have to come up with a new hiding spot. Whew!

18: I want to own my own business and work from home someday. Should that someday come sooner rather than later, it would be fabulous!

Diecinueve: I am an extremely slow reader and it frustrates the heck out of me!

Twenty: Everyone called my Dad Jack and my Mama Nina, but their names were really John and Anna. John Joseph and Anna Amelia, to be exact.

21: I was in a bad car accident when I was 16. Fractured my pelvis and broke my collar-bone, all on the left side.

Double Deuces: I never knew my grandmothers, and it makes me sad that my children (hopefully I’ll have at least one someday) will not know my mother or my father.

Ventitre: I have to turn the radio off in the car when I parallel park. I just can’t concentrate otherwise.

24: I have Reynaud’s Syndrome and my fingertips, toes, and sometimes my lips turn blue when I get really cold.

TWENTY FIVE: I love taking photos to capture memories and moments that will last a life time.