I’ve mentioned a couple of times that I am slightly – slightly – obsessive compulsive. It’s not that I check our locks 15 consecutive times before I’m able to sleep at night – not that there’s anything wrong with that – but I’m quirky. Control-freaky. I actually prefer the term “eccentric,” but you’ll probably use the term “weird.” And that too would apply.
As it turns out, Lauren just tagged me to do a post where I list six weird things about me. Since I have had absolutely no writing inspiration today, I am going to take her up on her kind offer. Plus, I now have to think of six other people to tag, and that’ll give me something to do tonight besides just watching “24.” So Lauren’s actually done me a huge favor. :-)
And I’ll just go ahead and warn you that six things aren’t nearly enough, so vast is the prairieland of my weirdness.
With that stunning preface, I now give you a list: “BooMama’s 11 Weird Things About Me.”
(Alternate title: “Why I May Frighten You.”)
1. I will only wash towels with towels. I do not believe that towels should be mixed in with clothes or – heaven forbid – sheets. Occasionally, in cases of extreme laundry emergency, I will wash socks with towels, but I don’t like it, and I won’t pretend that I do.
2. I do not like to cross-pollinate brands. So I would never, ever use Tide detergent and then Downy fabric softener and then Bounce fabric sheets. I shudder just thinking about it. In order for all of our laundry products to be in perfect accord, I use Gain detergent, Gain fabric softener, and Bounce – WITH GAIN – fabric sheets. This makes perfect sense to me.
3. I have to drink diet Coke over ice.
4. However, I prefer diet Mountain Dew out of a 20 oz. bottle. Not a can. And certainly not a 2-liter because that would require, you know, ice. Which completely goes against my diet Mountain Dew drinking principles, though it would be completely in accord with my diet Coke drinking principles.
5. When I get in the bed, I must be covered by at least a sheet and a comforter. I cannot sleep with just a sheet. Nor can I sleep with no cover at all. I prefer a sheet and a medium to heavy weight comforter. A bedspread doesn’t count. That’s just a second sheet, in my opinion.
6. When I check email, I must read all new messages at once. I cannot read a message, do something else, and then come back to the rest of the unread messages. That makes no sense to me. And if a message comes in while I’m sitting at the computer, I read it right away. I can’t “ignore” it until I finish what I’m doing.
7. My lips are moisturized at all points in the day except when sleeping. But I hit ’em good before I go to sleep so that they’re not too dry in the morning. And those of you who have known me for a long time know that I am terribly brand-loyal in my lip-moisturizing pursuits.
8. I always have lamps on. Always. But I can’t stand overhead lights. There are SEVEN lamps in my den. They’re evenly spaced so that I can turn on all the lamps and have every possible reading place illuminated.
9. I do not like bar soap, because it seems to me that after you use it once, it’s dirty forever. Therefore, if you visit me, you will have a large array of liquid soap options from which to choose.
10. I’ve mentioned this to Diane, but it bears repeating. All bills in my wallet must be facing forward (and no upside down bills, either), ordered by denomination from greatest to least. And I cannot leave a store until I’ve turned all bills in the proper direction and put my money away. I’ve held up MANY a checkout line trying to get my wallet in order, believe you me. By the same token (pardon the pun), change must immediately go into the change compartment. I believe that I would twitch incessantly if I just tossed the change into my purse, all willy nilly and devil may care-like.
11. I am fundamentally opposed to two products: salad in a bag and pre-grated cheese.
Now I’m sure those of you who went to college with me are thinking, “Oh, you left one off the list! What about you and your magazines?” Because I had this thing in college that no one could touch my magazines or newspapers until I’d read them first. It was so bad that when I’d check out at Walmart and a clerk would casually THUMB THROUGH MY MAGAZINE as she rang up my merchandise, I would take the used magazine and swap it out for a fresh one.
However, for whatever reason, sharing periodicals no longer bothers me. I’ll buy a magazine and VOLUNTARILY let you read it first, in fact.
Because I’m so much more laid-back now, as you can clearly tell.
p.s. I’m tagging Addie, Karin, Janna, Jennifer, Janice, Rachel and Faith. I’ve upped my list to seven because I figure at least one person has already been tagged. And of course all you non-bloggers can put your own lists in the comments. Or just make fun of my list. :-)
Finally, if any of you get my blog via a feed reader, I apologize – I have edited this post about 15 times. My brain’s not cooperating with me tonight.
Oooh, I feel you on the Diet Coke & ice, the sheet & comforter and the lamps! I don’t care how hot it gets here in the middle of July, I have to have at least a sheet. I remember as achild feelong much safer and secure with my blankets pulled up. Without them you’re just all out there!
I have been quite OCD in the past, but now with 4 kids I don’t seem to be near as consumed with crazy compulsions!
I enjoyed the list. Now on to Tivo who is pausing 24 for me cause I just had to comment right now- it could not wait!
OK, let me hit these point by point.
*The towel thing — well, you’re just setting yourself up for WAY too much work.
*As far as the Gain thing goes and all brands having to be the same, whatever you want. I’m sure the Gain company appreciates your loyalty.
*About the Diet Coke, I’m totally opposite. I HATE Diet Coke over ice – the ice melts and makes the drink watery. And I don’t drink Diet Mountain Dew.
*I, too, must be covered at all times. I feel like a monster will reach up from under the bed and grab my ankle if I’m not.
*The e-mail thing is understandable. I love getting mail (hint, hint).
*I’m also a fan of moisturized lips. But while you are a Mentholatum gal, I prefer Carmex.
*Love the lamps, hate the overhead lights.
*I’ve noticed the liquid soap in your shower, but I didn’t realize it was because you thought bar soap was “dirty”. Strange. Do you think I’m dirty? Because I do use bar soap, you know.
*Money has to all face the same way with denominations in order? All I have to say is you better not be in front of me on a busy day at Kroger.
*If you would ever try salad in a bag and pre-grated cheese, you would have an extra hour of free time to watch TV or do whatever you wanted. AND IT TASTES JUST THE SAME!!!! Again, you’re setting yourself up for too much work!
Just Merritt’s analysis of your OCD… for what it’s worth.
Love your list! You really ARE weird – I mean eccentric! LOL!!! Mine will up momentarily.
First, I am delighted to know that Rachel also watches “24” and shares my love for diet Coke and ice. Great minds think alike, you know. :-)
Second, I love your analysis, Merritt. The towels thing really doesn’t create extra work because I just wait until I have a full load of towels to wash them. But it IS crazy, I give you that.
OF COURSE I don’t think you’re dirty because you use bar soap. I think my issues come from the fact that Daddy would work in the yard / garden all afternoon in the summertime, come inside, and then wash his hands in my bathroom…and some of the dirt would get left on the bar (being a man, he didn’t rinse it off). So I always felt like I had to rinse off the soap before I could use it…thus, the issues.
I had a long conversation with Bubba the other night about bag salad and pre-grated cheese, and he actually sees my point. So does Laura’s mother. :-) The bag salad (OH this is SO something my mother would say) tastes weird to me. And I just don’t think lettuce is made to stay fresh that long. The pre-grated cheese stuff tastes okay, but IN MY HEAD the block cheese tastes better. I grate it in the food processor, though, so it only takes about a minute to grate a 1 lb. block.
And I got your email hint. I JUST got the one you sent me this AM b/c I haven’t checked my account at D.’s work address until just now. Just so you know. :-)
I’d be lost without my salad in a bag and pre-shredded cheese!
I’ll have mine up tomorrow. :)
Hi Boomama – I loved your list. Now I’m challenged to come up with some weirdness of my own!!
By the way, you really should start living beyond yourself and try the pre-grated cheese. What a time saver! :)
Okay — I’ve answered the “call” of the tag! :)
Towels and anything else together? Nope, not at my house. Strictly towels only, with Gain powder and Gain fabric softener, and Gain dryer sheets, too.
I like my Diet Coke in the 20 oz. bottles, ice cold, no ice. :)
I don’t much care for diet Mountain Dew, but if I do, I want it in a bottle, ice cold, not over ice.
I must have my feet covered up at least, and preferably all of me. I use a sheet and a medium weight quilt or comforter year-round, with 2 fans blowing on me.
I pretty much am the same way with the email.
Don’t do the lip thing. Mine tend to peel MORE when I use a moisturizer or chap stick. I guess that’s another “weird” thing about me. ;)
I use lamps for almost everything, too. I do want my overhead lights to be BRIGHT, though, when I do need them. I have 2-100 watt bulbs in the overhead fixtures. You never know when you might need to do minor surgery, or something along those lines. :)
I’m not too fond of bar soap, either, mainly because it tends to leave soap scum on my tub. I think, if it does that on my tub, what does it leave on ME?
We already discussed the money thing. We’ll have to agree to disagree on that one, LOL. ;)
I think the bagged salad tastes funny, too, but I eat it anyway a lot of times because it’s convenient, and by the time I put all my extras on it, you can’t really taste the lettuce anyway. :) Cheese, I buy grated unless I want to slice it to eat with crackers. I can’t tell a difference.
First time reader, here. Like the blog.
I didn’t find the specific items on your list to be all that strange. But I did think that using fabric softener AND dryer sheets was strange. I always thought the idea was to use one or the other. But, since no one else even mentioned it, maybe I am the weird one. (Which would not surprise me.)
Thank you for the tag!! I am honored.
I am cross-eyed I am so tired right now, so I will have to post it tomorrow. (We just got in late tonight after a long day of travelling and then Easter dinner at the inlaws.)
LOVE your list!! You rock!
Ok – about the towel thing – totally with you. I rarely combine – and I am horrified when I discover, like i did tonight, that my husband has combined them… and with his socks!!! – horror – I am sure you can understand. The only thing stopping me from rewashing is the tons of post-vacation laundry I ahve yet to do! I used to never combine dishcloths etc with bath towels, but now I am getting lazy and I do. But i wash in HOT water, with soap and extra stuff like OxiClean thrown in.
The bar soap – YES!!! It is gross. Although I do use it sometimes, I always wash it really well – often with the liquid soap!! So why do I even bother with it? Well,it is only in my bathroom. All other rooms in the house have liquid. But I really prefer liquid and 85% of the time only have liquid in my bathroom. Biggest nightmare – public bathrooms with only a dirty old piece of bar soap…great now I am going to have nightmares tonight!
Lips MUST be moisturized.
About the bills – nope I am a lazy!! My OCD only applies to germs. I am too messy to worry about bills. My wallet is a nightmare!
I always choose the unread magazines – but I don’t mind if I know the reader. It is those strangers germs I don’t want.LOL
Salad in a bag – I really prefer to wash it again anyway, which kind of defeats the purpose. Grated cheese – goes moldy too fast. I only buy it if I am making a recipe and then YEAH I don’t have to wash the grater or the cuisinart!
Ok – now I am super tired! Good night and I will post tomorrow!
Here is to some good ole’ fashioned OCD!
I think I USED to be OCD, but am too tired these days to even think about it. My hubby is more stressed about things being done right, and I’m laid back. That HAS created a little stress in this house from time to time. ;)
I did this tag already, but I’m going to try and think of six MORE things that are wierd about me. Hmmm… Maybe I should ask my kids when they wake up? I’m SURE they’ll come up with at least six things, ha ha!
Here are my six…..the first four being “spin offs” of yours!
Linens: Bath Towels MUST be White. Sheets – White or Off White.
Soft Drinks: ALWAYS over ice (except in emergency situations) and preferably in a styrofoam cup (no CFC’s)
Lips: I’m with Merritt on the Carmex and just realized I’m OCD about it. The tube kind – 5 active ones – nightstand, vanity drawer, car, desk at the office, and a “floater” for my pocket if I’m away from the others for too long.
Lighting: Can’t be dim enough for me unless I’m reading. I’m a huge fan of the 25w bulb! Not opposed to overhead but MUST be on a dimmer. And absolutely APALLED by fluorescent light. NOBODY, I say NOBODY looks good illuminated by this light source.
Plastic: Don’t like plastic cups or cutlery. Don’t like Tupperware – I don’t thinks it’s EVER clean after it’s first use.
Poultry: My kitchen stays pretty neat, but if you introduce raw poultry into the equation ALL surfaces must be COMPLETELY disinfected. Not just the countertop or cutting board and knife. Sink, faucet, fridge, dishwasher, cabinet pulls etc….It’s SAD my fear of salmonella!
I feel somewhat comforted to be surrounded by so much weirdness. :-)
Diane, I love that you love Gain as much as I do. I mean, people wouldn’t mix perfumes, would they? Same principle.
Lori, welcome. And I’ve never thought about why I use fabric softener AND dryer sheets until you mentioned it…but I think my rationale is that fabric softener makes clothes soft, and dryer sheets eliminate static. But I may have been putting an extra step in the process.
Janice, I can’t wait to read your list.
Karin, what in the world were you doing up at THREE IN THE MORNING? :-)
And Bubba, dear Bubba – I didn’t know that you shared my mama’s dislike of plastic, although now that I think about it, you are styro-loyal. And I have such a visual of you pulling a tube of Carmex out of your pocket. :-) BTW, you and Sister could have a discussion on the evils of salmonella and the elaborate 45-step process to guard against its presence in the kitchen.
Alright, I’ll come up with some and let you know when I post em’.
I have to totally agree with you on the sheet’s and cover’s thing. We have several fans running at night, just so that I can be completely covered. Best feeling to have the air around me cool and to be snuggled in bed. :)
I bet your towels are super soft using the liquid AND the sheet softener!!!
I was just wondering if Bubba doesn’t like plastic for the same reasons that boomama’s Mother doesn’t? Because it “burns” his Carmexed lips? LOL :)
I love the Original Fresh Gain powder, liquid fabric softener and dryer sheets, but I don’t always use the liquid softener and a dryer sheet. Just depends. I’m OCD about the particulars concerning that, I suppose. :)
Linked to this post over here:
http://pezmama.blogspot.com/2006/04/maybe-im-weird-one.html
You are weird! :) Using both fabric softener and dryer sheets is new to me. It must cost you a fortune!?
I have always kept my bills in order (lowest denomination in front), but due to my love of small purses, I don’t really have a “wallet”, so have gotten in the habit of just tossing my change inside. I just emptied my 6″x7″ purse and had over $9 of change (coin) in the bottom. I think my “personal best” is around $23, though. :)
oh my gosh, this is too funny! i adore this list! i have mine to do still, but no way will it be this good. oh, i love it!
I think you are BAD obsessive compulsive. I think you might need to get on something. I bet you turn around in the road 15 times to check the iron. That washing the clothes thing is CRAZY. Now I am picky about my vodka and brand of soda water. I told that lady at the liquor store in Meridian that they needed to get some Grey Goose Citron and she replied “we only got so much room!” The only thing i can agree with you on is number 9. I will only use soap in a bottle. I ate salad in a bag last night and topped it off with grated cheese from the bag. That money thing comes from Daddy because I could care less how my money is in my wallet, as long as it SPENDS.
Stacy – I laughed out loud that you don’t care how your money is ordered as long as it SPENDS. And I have NEVER seen bag lettuce or pre-grated cheese at your house…Janie was actually the one who got me started on buying block cheese, b/c she always has those huge blocks from Costco. I didn’t even know that the food processor had a grater attachment until she showed me. She would totally understand my list.
Also, you are just as bad as I am about having lamps on…you know you are because we got that from Mama. I have watched you walk through your house turning lamps on, saying, “Don’t want the neighbors to think we can’t afford to pay our light bill!” :-)
I was at a Pampered Chef party and the lady said that they make the cheese in a bag after the block cheese has sat in the grocery a while and it is getting close to the exp. date, they will send it back to the cheese factory and grate it up and put something on it (it’s the white coating on there-you’ve seen it)to make it last a little longer and then they send it back to the grocery. I don’t know if this is true or not, she may have been trying to sell the cheese grater, but never the less, I don’t so the stuff in the bag anyway. The bock cheese does taste better. And it cooks better too.
I have not been to Costco in a while. We were buying all of that bulk and throwing half of it away.I was buying like a poor family feeding 10 kids. I have been buying the bags of lettuce that have the Ceaser Garlic kits. I don’t buy the others. We have tons of shredded cheese but since LM just said that it is old I will tell her. i bet we start grating ours. i really don’t like it because it tastes like rubber.
Mine is up!
Girl, you might just have to change your bi-line at the top here soon. Look at all these comments!
My weirdness is up too. :)
My PC consultant told me they put sawdust in with grated cheese to keep it from sticking together. I think staying away from bagged grated cheese is a GOOD THING! ;-) But maybe they just tell us these things so we’ll buy the PC cheese grater.
You crack me up… I loved your list. Who knew you could come up with so much weirdness, I hit the jackpot on that tag! ;-)
Actually I see your logic on some of them but holding the line up at the grocery store?? Thanks for joining in.
Stacy…..the cheese DOES taste like rubber, and the Lord ONLY knows what that white chalk is. Bagged lettuce has an aftertaste to it…metallic like. I told Boomama that I used to be a bagged lettuce fan until I found one tucked back in my crisper drawer…about a month past it’s expiration date. You know what….looked like it was fresh as new, and something is WRONG with that! Sidenote: I have a book for you and J….you people are NEVER home!
And Diane….plastic doesn’t burn my lips, just makes food taste funny!
Boomama, I think we were related in a former life. I am OCD and I agree with ALL your postings. Except I’m not so much OCD about the lamp thing. Loved reading it…mine will be up shortly. I’ll just have to think of some that are different than yours.
Sweet Jesus Son of Mary and Joseph YOU PEOPLE make me look laid back! I am dying with all these posts. Do ya’ll want to come live in a house with four men and TRUST me some of these things will go straight down the tubes.