Tag....You're It

Tarrie from "The Other Side" tagged me with the meme "8 Random Things About Me". I kept thinking, "what in the world could I say that would interest young adults". And, I say young adults because I believe I'm the oldest person blogging in blogosphere! I've looked and searched but so far haven't found another blogger within my age range.

I wrote my 8 random things and then thought, "Surely, I could have said something a little more interesting"! How utterly boring! But, I have them written and I'm not going to change anything. What you read is what you get. So...here they are:

1. It took me 15 years to finish college. “Well, duh!” you say. No, it wasn't because I was dumb as an ox or lacking a brick to make a load. The fact is, I wasn't interested in getting a degree. I got married at the age of 18, followed my husband to a hell-hole of a place called Huntsville, Texas where he was a junior at Sam Houston State Teachers College. By the time he graduated, we had a new baby and that was my life. I was completely happy being a new wife, a new mom, and being a help-mate to my husband in his new job. It wasn't long before he started nagging me to go to school and get a teaching degree. Just to keep him off my back, I enrolled in college. I would go a semester, lay out 2 semesters; he would start his nagging again and, just to keep peace, I would go back for a semester, and lay out a semester. This went on for years. Finally, I had enough hours banked up that I began to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I thought to myself....”Hey, I might as well get this over with so he'll be a happy camper!”
At the age of 32, in 1973, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.

2. I am Bi-Lingually Certified. A lie that was passed around among teachers was that if you were bi-lingual, you could write your own ticket for any place you wanted to go for any amount of money you wanted to make. I, along with about 20 other gullible teachers, swallowed this propaganda, hook, line and sinker. Twice a week for months, we struggled to gain a 'teaching proficiency' in Spanish. All we ever got out of it was the label “bi-lingually certified” on our employment records. Along the way, I did return to school to get an MR certification to be able to teach in the Special Education Department.

3. I love children. Now that I'm retired, I love working with children; NOT in the public school, but in Christian Ministry. Times have changed. There are those that try to say that today is not all that different from yesterday. But it is. There are too many children that have no one to listen to them. They have burdens, concerns, worries, just as adults and in too many cases, everyone in their little lives is just too busy to give them the time of day. I post often on my volunteer work with the kids.

4. I came back home after 43 years. When I married, I knew I had to leave my hometown and follow the guy I married, even though I didn't want to leave. All the years that we were away, I planned on coming back home. It was always on the 'back burner' of my mind. Thank goodness, I married a hometown guy or I would never have made it. I strongly feel that there was a Divine Intervention in our marriage. After all, my Hometown is one of those places that is most attractive from your rear-view mirror! (unless it's where your roots are!)

5. I have two daughters, two wonderful sons-in-law, 5 grandchildren. Those of you that follow my blog, read about them from time to time.

6. I will be observing my 50th wedding anniversary in December. I confess. It hasn't always been an 'easy' 50 years. There have been the ups and downs, the problems, and all the junk that gets in the way of a marriage. But, I am a strong advocate of toughing it out. It pays off in the end.

7. I have been fighting Glaucoma for the past 3 years. My vision has deteriorated significantly in the past couple of years. Even as I make this post, I have to edit, edit, edit. My eyes do funny little tricks. Sometimes I see things that aren't there, and other times don't see things that are there. I have to use 3 different eye drops twice a day.

8. This week end, I am going to my 50th year class reunion! Every living member of the class of 1957 has committed to be in attendance except for 2. Several of these people I haven't seen since the night we graduated, 50 years ago! It's going to be a blast from the past! I'm sure there will be some pictures and text posting of this big event!

Now, I have a real job ahead of me! Tagging 8 people who will play this game. I have some great bloggers on my blogroll that I will tag. The only problem is that they don't post very often! Maybe this tag game will get them motivated.

The Rules: Players start with 8 random facts about themselves. Those who are tagged should post these rules and their 8 random facts. Players should tag 8 other people and notify them they have been tagged.

crabby old man: my writing partner on Burning Zeal. He is a Viet Nam Veteran whose blood runs red, white, and blue! He is so loyal and true, that at times he makes me ashamed of myself for my apathy. He loathes Jane Fonda with a passion! He and his wife have been our friends for over 30 years.

JRR: one of the funniest political bloggers I've read; but the guy doesn't post but every 2 or 3 months! (the brother of joyful journey)

joyfuljourney: our pastor's wife. She's 38 and has 2 small children. A wonderful writer but way too busy.

icjesusnu: A children's minister...my friend and confidante, my inspiration...

tothepointnorville: a Christian-political blogger. Very profound in his 'real postings' but tries to add some light-hearted material along the way. He hasn't had time to blog for the past couple of months due to preparing for change in location....from Ft. Worth, Texas back to his hometown and mine. We've been acquaintances/friends since elementary school. We're looking forward to having him back home with us.

And, if you're counting, that's only 5, not 8! The only other bloggers I "know" are the ones on Steel Magnolia's blogroll. I feel like a "party crasher" by following her blog list. But reading all those blogs has brought a whole new element of interest to my life.

Thanks, Tarrie, for the tag! Writing these random things has brought back a lot of memories. I could actually write a book if I really got started!

Don't let anyone ever fool you! You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!!