Get to Know Heidi

Okay, Shamae, I was going to wait to write about me until after I launched my new blog, but your post got me thinking...    :-)

1. I grew up in Albany, NY, and though I’ve lived in Arizona since 1992, upstate NY will always be home. I don’t miss the winters, but I do miss living there. I miss the people, greenery, the small towns and proximity to New York City, New England and Canada. There are times when I wish we were raising our children there, but then I think of the winters and I’m glad we’re here.

2. I graduated from Hampshire College, which most would consider “alternative.” Don’t let my suburban, soccer mom, minivan-driving image fool you. I have an artsy, crunchy, tree-hugging side, too.

3. I hate to dress up. I’m most comfortable wearing t-shirts/sweaters, jeans and casual shoes (ballet flats, sneakers, Ugg boots). As a teenager, I was a clothes horse. Today, fashion is not my thing. My wardrobe is tiny. My friends and family see me wearing the same outfits over and over again.

4. I choose quality over quantity. I buy good shoes and then wear them into the ground. I buy a purse and then use it for several years.

5. I majored in mass media studies and minored in art history in college. I went on to study journalism in graduate school and became a writer and editor. I also became an insurance agent, working with my husband, who owns an insurance agency. In retrospect, I realize I would have done well as a graphic designer, a potter, a photographer, a pediatrician or an attorney. I know, it’s a strange mix, but each of those careers would suit me well. I’m a wanna-be artist. I love kids and think I have what it takes to be a good kids’ doc. I am thorough and detail-oriented, and I have a super memory. If I had to do it all over again, I don’t know what field I’d choose to study.

6. And while I can’t do it all over again, I can still pursue interests. This semester, I returned to school and am taking a graphic design class. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time, and I’m happy to finally be doing it. I’ve always put the kids’ needs before mine, but now that all three are in school, I can finally carve two hours out of my weekly schedule to take this class.

7. I am an organized, neat-freak. I hate clutter. I want my house to be clean at all times. Yet, with three kids, two cats and a busy schedule, it’s not always possible to keep our home tidy and spotless. I can handle a few dust bunnies, crumbs underneath the kitchen table or baskets of clean clothes waiting to be folded for a few days, and then I go stir crazy and must clean, even if that means staying up to 1am to do so. However, I don’t care about unmade beds. We rarely make the beds in our house. If I had a lot of money, I’d hire a live-in maid.

8. My son might be type 1, but I am type A.

9. I hate mustard. If I am served a sandwich that has even the tiniest bit of mustard on it, I won’t eat it. I can’t.

10. I start each day with a can of Diet Coke.

11. I love vegetables and dislike most animal proteins. I spent a couple of years in my 20s as a vegetarian and could easily return to vegetarianism…if it weren’t for the fact that I enjoy a good burger, filet mignon and pastrami sandwich.

12. I love to cook and bake and try new recipes. I think I’m a better baker than a cook. When Jack was diagnosed with diabetes, one of my first fears was that I wouldn’t be able to share my love of baking with him. That was back when I didn’t know much about the disease. Now, he’s my happy helper in the kitchen, as are Madeline and Max.

13. I am a techno-geek. I appreciate how technology makes my life easier.

14. Many types of dogs, including basset hounds, Doberman pinschers, German shepherds, rottweilers and pit bulls, scare the heck out of me. Some day in the near future, I would like to get a small dog, though. I’d really like to get a diabetes dog for Jack.

15. I constantly tell my kids to “do the right thing.” I always strive to do the right thing myself. I try to always be friendly, kind and giving to others. I am honest. If you ask for my opinion, I’ll tell you the truth. I hate lies, cheaters, nastiness, wrongdoing of any sort, injustice and discrimination.

16. I’m a loyal friend, and I keep secrets. If you share something private with me and ask me to keep the information to myself, I will.

17. I am a city girl at heart. New York is my favorite city. I love its energy, diversity, architecture, people, museums, shopping, restaurants, Broadway and more. I hate living so far from NY.

18. I am not an outdoorsy person at all. I’d rather walk on my treadmill than take a hike. I have no interest in camping. (Though, the idea of sitting around a fire, telling stories and roasting marshmallows is appealing.) I prefer a swimming pool over a pond, lake or ocean. Arizona’s wildlife—snakes, scorpions, javalina, mountain lions—frightens me.

19. I have one sibling, my brother Chad, who is two years younger than I. Growing up, he was both my best friend and worst enemy. Today, he is only a best friend and I love him more than he will ever know.

20. Jack is a mini version of my brother. He looks like Chad. He’s built like Chad. He acts like Chad. He thinks like Chad. He speaks like Chad. He shares Chad’s sense of humor. It’s a little creepy at times. I feel as though I’m raising my brother. But I love the familiarity, too.

21. Growing up, I always wanted a sister (in addition to my brother). After I had Madeline, I had hoped to have a second girl to give her the sister I never had. However, two boys followed Madeline, and now I can’t imagine my life without them.

22. I love being the mom of young kids. Our youngest, Max, is now four and he scores high on the cuteness scale. I wish I could stop time and keep him little. I am going to miss this stage when he outgrows it.

23. I never sit still. There’s always something to be done, and I’d rather do it today than put it off until tomorrow, because tomorrow will only bring more tasks. My “To Do” is always a mile long. I always have a lot going on.

24. I prefer non-fiction. I’d rather read a memoir or a recipe book than a novel. I love reality TV and documentaries. I love reading blogs.

25. My life revolves around my family. I am blessed with a fabulous husband and three great kids, who bring me joy and make me proud. My parents are the best in the world. I absolutely adore my brother, his wife and their three kids. My in-laws are terrific, and I have aunts, uncles and cousins I love dearly, too. I am a lucky girl!