Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6-7



Friday, January 31, 2014

Absolutely fascinating facts on Friday





Or not. No promises.

I was nominated for a Sunshine Award by Sarah at More than Enough, Denise at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Exchange, and Nancy at The Breadbox Letters, so I guess it's time I played along, which means reading random, silly, or boring facts about me. I'll try not to make it look like my driver's license.

I do promise some photos which I scanned this morning using Scanner Pro (h/t Everyday Snapshots)



I share a birthday with my 97-year-old grandma -- June 25. I always loved sharing my birthday with her, but my birthday was actually always shared with more than my grandma because my father's birthday was June 22, my brother's June 23, and my other grandmother's was June 24. Happy Birthdays!




There are two sets of Irish twins in my family, my brother Jeff and I (I am the oldest), and then 15 months later came David and John. Four in four years.

I grew up in Cincinnati in a small three bedroom, one bath, ranch home within walking distance to our Catholic Church and school (of course everything in Cincinnati is within walking distance to a Catholic Church).




love those 1970 outfits? so hip


We moved to Florida when I was 12 and moved back, but to a suburb of Columbus, when I was a senior in high school. We moved in November of my senior year, and whenever I tell people that they gasp as if that's the worst thing that could ever happen, but it wasn't difficult at all, actually. I guess I was lucky. For what it's worth, Florida is not a fun place to live, in my opinion.


We now live in a home that is, as the crow flies, about 1/2 mile from the house we moved to when we moved back to Ohio. My mom lived there for for about 10 years after my father died. I like driving by the house, because it's on the way to just about anything, but I wish I could live there again. It's a southern plantation style home, which sticks out like a sore thumb among the other architecture in our hometown, but I loved living in it. I felt just like Scarlett O'Hara.




remember the 80s?


My husband and I met in journalism school (I may have already told you that) and I was a sorority girl at the time, so we "dated" (visited) in the sorority house living room. We may or may not have been caught kissing a few times.




can you blame me?


We married in the chapel at his all-boys' Catholic school. My son will be married in the same chapel in 17 (and counting down) months.






I'd rather spend an evening in front of the fire, or, in the summer, on the deck, than going to any gala or night out. My husband is the same way. I guess that makes us homebodies. My kids are homebodies, too. I am such a homebody, in fact, I could easily not leave the house for a week or more if given the choice. If only I could get my groceries delivered!


I dress extraordinarily boring. If an article of clothing is comfortable, I will buy it in three colors. I blame Catholic school uniforms. I have recently become very fashionable, however, with scarves, earrings with color, and black suede riding boots. My mother will be so proud!



I like to knit, sew, cook, make rosaries and jewelry, and craft in general. My relatives use to call me Martha Stewart, which I really disliked (and not just because I am not a fan of Martha). I dislike the implication that everything I do is perfect, or that I attempt to make it perfect. I'm not perfect at anything and not very good at a lot of things. I do have one funny memory though, of a boy in college who took one look at the perfect Windsor knot in my skinny neck scarf (remember the 80s?) and asked if there was anything I didn't do perfectly. I didn't mind that he thought I was perfect because he was cute and I wanted him to kiss me, which he did. I wish I could remember his name now (my memory is a vast imperfection).




yours truly during my photojournalism days




Here are the "rules" for acceptance of this award:


  • Use the award logo in the post.
  • Link to whoever nominated you.
  • Write 10 pieces of information about yourself.
  • Nominate fellow bloggers who "positively and creatively inspire others in the blogospere"












14 comments:

  1. Sunshine for sure. Actually laughed out loud a few times, especially when I saw myself buying comfy articles of clothing in three colors. You only get three?!? I call a particular catalog (just one) twice a year like clockwork and often order every color they have that is, well, dark. (slimming) (which it's not, but we do the best we can at My Age). LOVED reading these facts about you!

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  2. I loved learning more about you. I think the wonderful things you make...the food..the knitting..the crafts..well...lets just say I will never be called Martha Stewart! ha. Loved the pictures and I can see where the children get their big pretty eyes from.

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  3. ps..looking forward to reading some of the other nominations.

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  4. Barbara, that was great! Thanks for joining in ... You pretty much had to with THREE nominations!! :-) It was fun to learn more about you, and wow, does Faith look like you!! I even asked Anna who the girl is in the 2nd photo (and she didn't know I was looking at your blog), and she said, "That's Faith!" Have a lovely weekend! (Hope you can be at home!)

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  5. Loved reading this post! :)

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  6. Loved the bio-sketch and the beautiful pictures! Can't believe how much Faith looks like you. Why haven't I seen this b4? You know, you really are quite amazing!

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  7. I love, love, love this post! Thanks for sharing!

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  8. Fun to learn more about you! I feel the same way about clothes and when I am dressing some mornings I fantasize about having some sort of uniform, lol.

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  9. Glad I popped in Barbara! Great post. Faith does look exactly like her mama. Beautiful!
    I have 2 sets of Irish twins too - Numbers 1&2, and 4&5 of my six!! :-)
    I am a homebody too - normally I leave the house twice a week. And get upset if I have to go out more than that, cuz I have to drive a minimum of 35 miles to the nearest town...
    Blessing to you!

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  10. That was so fun reading about your life!! We all have a story, don't we? I loved the pictures of young (er) you!! And your husband was a stud. You make a cute couple!

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  11. LUVed the photos and hearing about your photo journalism days!

    God bless you and your family, Barbara!

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  12. I find the whole post interesting, Barbara! You two are such a good looking couple. And that photo of your husband -- yes, who can blame you?

    I often have had the same label of Martha Stewart and I have the same objection. Perfection can't be found here. I try to do my best, but it's never perfect. And neither is MS. Plus I find her love of doing these domestic things are separated from the heart. It becomes a thing of pride instead of an act of love.

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  13. Barbara, I loved learning more about your life and yes,your husband was (and is ;) a total looker! I am thankful as always for your friendship but don't plan to do a list of my own. Quite frankly, I'm getting a little sick of me. : )

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  14. Thank you kindly for the award and for this super fun post! So neat to see the old pictures, and yes, you two were quite the dashing couple even way back when! Faith looks just like you, right down to the same little sweet smile. I'm rather a homebody too, as are some of my kids (but I do like visitors while I'm cozy at home!).

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I appreciate your comments -- sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself!