Pet Peeves & Endearing Quirks

[Boxcar]

I thought it would be fun to heard about everyone's pet peeves and excentric quirks.

I'll start:

I don't like to abbreviate. Except for "lol" which I think is nicer than "ha-ha".

I hate when people scream bloody murder at graduations. Let the other parents hear their kid announced too. Celebrate without being rude. Seriously, people.

I love the smell of cut grass.

I feel naked without my watch.

How is everyone else weird? I hope I'm not the only one...

[Chef Dave]

After looking at my list, I suddenly realized that I'm not turning into a cantankerous old fart. I AM a cantankerous old fart. :eek: Sheesh ... when did THAT happen?

I don't like to be interrupted when I'm talking or eating.

Students who are not properly attired should not be in my kitchen.

When given a direction, I expect to hear, "Yes chef" from my students. The only other acceptable reply is a question to clarify my directions.

I don't like having my menu or the quality of my food production criticized.

Teachers or students who did not order lunch during our restaurant service hours should not knock on the restaurant door after we close. After all ...when am I supposed to eat lunch? And what is the purpose of having service hours of operation if some people are going to ignore them? Closed means CLOSED!

Teachers should not ask my culinary arts department to provide complimentary drinks, paper plates, cups, napkins, disposable utensils, individual portion packets of condiments, or anything else. All of these items come out of MY BUDGET and I can't give away free stuff without reducing my own bottom line.

I especially hate it when administration asks me to provide free breakfasts for all students taking the AIMS test or free lunches for teachers at a faculty meeting. Again - all of these food items come out of my budget. If I can't sell these items, I can't recover food costs which reduces my cash reserves for the next fiscal year. Knowing this, I am raising all restaurant prices next year by way of financially compensating for what would otherwise be a budgetary shortfall.

Racist comments and jokes (even those not directed at me) really tick me off.

People who don't give a little wave of thanks when you let them cut in front of you on the road are extremely annoying.

Teenagers and young adults should not be allowed to have boom boxes in their cars ... especially between the hours of 9 PM and 5 AM on weekday nights.

Some people should not be allowed to have children.

... This is actually only a partial list ... my cats have gently informed me that it's long past time for dinner. This typically involves a great deal of whining, pawing at my leg, and intimidating feline stares that are even now boring into my back ... (sigh)

[SS Rocks!]

I hate when people scream bloody murder at graduations. Let the other parents hear their kid announced too. Celebrate without being rude. Seriously, people.

I was at my sister's college graduation a couple weekends ago, and it was insane. The dean actually said something like, "Grads, if you can't get your guests to calm down we might not be able to give out these diplomas." That calmed them down for a good ten seconds.

My pet peeve is people that lack common sense.

My biggest student pet peeves are when they fail to capitalize proper nouns and use abbreviations (OMG!, ur, b4, cuz, etc) on graded assignments.

I love the smell of gasoline (though each price increase makes me love the smell less).

I also have a tendency to keep things I think I'm going to be able to use in the future but never get around to using or needing.

[Bananas]

I am peeved with people who must enter the highway in front of me, causing me to break suddenly, aim for the ditch or other lane. Invariably, there is no one behind me, but they could not wait for me to pass.

I lack understanding with double standards. I cannot make sense when someone will tell me what I did wrong, yet it is okay for them to do it.

I like the top of my Cheerios dry and try to keep some of the sugar on the top.

I like to eat my M & M's in this color order: yellow, black, red, blue, orange, green. The green are the best, can you tell?

I like to at least finish the small step of something I am working on if I am interrupted.

I like my pizzas cut into squares, not triangular slices.

I can't stand burned meat.

I prefer my food without the sauces or dips, for the most part.

I sometimes get tired of hunting for whatever item hubby can't find at the moment, although it does make for an good exercise program.

I love the thoughts or intentions of a person's actions, even if it does not work out as expected!

[greenfiremajick]

I thought it would be fun to heard about everyone's pet peeves and excentric quirks.

I'll start:

I don't like to abbreviate. Except for "lol" which I think is nicer than "ha-ha".

I hate when people scream bloody murder at graduations. Let the other parents hear their kid announced too. Celebrate without being rude. Seriously, people.

I love the smell of cut grass.

I feel naked without my watch.

How is everyone else weird? I hope I'm not the only one...


I can't stand open cabinet doors in the kitchen..This is a direct result of driving my mother crazy leaving cabinet doors in the kitchen when I was a child and now living w/4 kids and husband...

Someone mentioned loving the smell of gas--me, too!

I also used to lick my mom's Zippo lighter when I was relatively young...I guess that shows what's wrong w/me, now!!

I absolutely MUST, every time I get a supreme burrito from Taco Bell, open it and eat all the contents of it with a fork. Then I tear the tortilla into strips and dip into the "Fire' hot sauce...

The only way I can eat smoked sausage, is if it's Hillshire or Ekrich brand (I think I "butchered" the spelling of those name brands--get it? Butchered??) and it HAS to be burnt...

I tell a lot of corny jokes....

I must admit--Mu hubby and I were truck drivers for 5 years and at times, when I KNOW it is most inappropriate, I get the overwhelmingly perverted urge to cuss like a sailor--or maybe I mean a truck driver....

People that don't understand the connection that a human can have with their pets really is a pet peeve of mine......

Hard hearted people that never bend, leads me to believe they are ignorant; not someone that can stick to their decisions or ideals--def a pet peeve of mine!!

I've noticed that the older I get, I become less accepting of people that won't do for themselves...I almost went into nursing--I'm glad I didn't...All those people laying around in bed would have driven me crazy!! Intellectually, I would have understood they were sick, but.........

[Aziz]

I do not like having my name nicknamed. Aziz is and will always be Aziz.

I love saying "good morning" while passing students and colleagues in the hallways. There is something I just love about the greeting in and of itself. Maybe the feeling of optimism the pleasant exchange creates.

I love being able to help people by translating.

I am often mistaken for being a lot younger than I am. While I don't mind being mistaken for younger, I cannot stand when others infantilize me because of their own underestimation!

I love a simple home-cooked meal made with fresh ingredients.

-Aziz

[Chef Dave]

I absolutely MUST, every time I get a supreme burrito from Taco Bell, open it and eat all the contents of it with a fork. Then I tear the tortilla into strips and dip into the "Fire' hot sauce...


Hmmmm ... Taco Bell? (sigh)

In Arizona no less with all of its authentic Mexican restaurants? (double sigh)

I'm afraid that this is even worse than Hamburger Helper ...

"Now," said Chef Dave as he donned his white chef's therapy coat and invited greenfiremajick to lie down on his camelback sofa, "The first step towards recovery is admitting that you have a problem."

"Errrr ... pay no attention to the bucket of KFC that's on my desk," said Chef Dave as he waved a drumstick in the air. "It's strictly there for visual effect."

"I am not actually eating this extra crispy drumstick," explained the chef as he bit into the KFC product. "You are obviously experiencing a hallucination brought on by your body's internal chemical reaction to the Fire'n hot sauce. Pay no attention to me as I appear to eat mashed potatoes with gravy and coleslaw. This is all in your head." :)

http://www.mongrel.ie/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/kfc.gif

[Boxcar]

i also eat my M&Ms in a particular order. I like to make all the colors the same amount. Then, I eat them in rainbow-type rounds. That way, I end up with one of each color at the end.

I like triangle pizza.

I must have my sandwiches cut. PB&J ones and cheese ones are in four triangles. Meat ones are in rectangle halves.

I prefer warm meals. They seem more comforting and filling.

I'd rather use a fleece blanket than put on a sweater.

I must sleep with a covering. It doesn't matter how hot it is.

I also save things that I might need but hardly ever do.

[greenfiremajick]

Hmmmm ... Taco Bell? (sigh)

In Arizona no less with all of its authentic Mexican restaurants? (double sigh)

I'm afraid that this is even worse than Hamburger Helper ...

"Now," said Chef Dave as he donned his white chef's therapy coat and invited greenfiremajick to lie down on his camelback sofa, "The first step towards recovery is admitting that you have a problem."

"Errrr ... pay no attention to the bucket of KFC that's on my desk," said Chef Dave as he waved a drumstick in the air. "It's strictly there for visual effect."

"I am not actually eating this extra crispy drumstick," explained the chef as he bit into the KFC product. "You are obviously experiencing a hallucination brought on by your body's internal chemical reaction to the Fire'n hot sauce. Pay no attention to me as I appear to eat mashed potatoes with gravy and coleslaw. This is all in your head." :)

http://www.mongrel.ie/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/kfc.gif


:p:p You still crack me up! I can't help it...If given the chance, I HAVE to go to Taco Bell! We live in a town that has 2 restaurants, none of them being very good and ZERO fast food places...I can't stop myself.....

[greenfiremajick]

i also eat my M&Ms in a particular order. I like to make all the colors the same amount. Then, I eat them in rainbow-type rounds. That way, I end up with one of each color at the end.

I like triangle pizza.

I must have my sandwiches cut. PB&J ones and cheese ones are in four triangles. Meat ones are in rectangle halves.

I prefer warm meals. They seem more comforting and filling.

I'd rather use a fleece blanket than put on a sweater.

I must sleep with a covering. It doesn't matter how hot it is.

I also save things that I might need but hardly ever do.

"I must sleep with a covering. It doesn't matter how hot it is."

Well, yeah!! If it gets too hot, you simply stick your feet out from under the covers, right???

[Chef Dave]

We live in a town that has 2 restaurants, none of them being very good and ZERO fast food places...I can't stop myself.....

Well then ... you'll find the Gila Valley to be an improvement over your current location.

We have ... lessee ... a steak place, a Golden Corral, Subway, KFC, McDonalds, Taco Bell, Burger King, Dairy Queen, Domino's, Pizza Hut, Sonics, any number of Mexican restaurants, 2-3 Chinese places, and a couple of diners. The casino at the San Carlos reservation also has a couple of decent restaurants if you don't mind an hour round trip drive.

I haven't been to Bricks, the local steak place. I've been told that their quality is overrated and that the prices have been raised because they do a lot of business with hungry miners.

I wish we had an Outback but the nearest Outback is in Tucson.

[Boxcar]

I also live by a lot of food places. Taco Bell. Wendy's. Arby's. McDonalds. Burger King. Subway. Quiznos. Just to name a few.

Is pizza considered fast food? if so, I also have an Edwardos, an Orealeos (sp?), a Pizza Hut, and a Johns nearby. I absolutely adore John's Pizza. If you are even in my area - Northwest IN or the Region - you have got to eat at John's. It is pizza like no other.

[DarrenB]

Funny stuff here...

I really enjoy those students who appreciate what we do as teachers to help them grow.

I really resent the students who can't imagine why I might be pushing them to grow beyond their limited perspectives.

I enjoy teachers who enjoy their students.

I resent teachers who can't understand what they are doing to actually encourage the negative behaviors of their students.

...and I enjoy that first bubbly cold beverage on Friday afternoon...

Darren

[DarrenB]

...and I used to have lots more "dislikes" before I started taking all my amino acids and vitamin supplements! Hooray!

[WVmtnlady]

I would have to say that my main pet peeve is that I hate to go to car dealerships with my husband. I've probably been to every major one around San Antonio, TX; Killeen, TX; Ft. Campbell, KY; Ft. Knox, KY; Woodridge, IL; Aurora, IL; Summersville, WV; Greenville, NC; and Newport News, VA.

I dislike it when the scrolled writing across the bottom of the TV screen has words that are not spelled correctly..... when no one in the house knows how to empty/reload the dishwasher except me..... going on road trips....and people who are rude.

I do love a good book, people who wave and speak to you even if they don't know you, spending time with my family, and enjoying the soothing sounds of my cat purring.

[pearcen]

I think this post is so cool... it is nice to see other people are slightly weird like me!

My pet peeves:
-turn signals left on when driving straight
-rude people in stores (such as Super Walmart) who will bump into you and not say excuse me or I'm sorry
-kids not coming to class prepared and asking me for pencils and paper
-the same kids needing to use the restroom every single class period
-running out of Coke Zero

My quirks:
-I must always have a Coke Zero... I'm totally addicted and my students tell me that all the time
-I am always wanting sweet stuff after dinner
-I would rather text message than talk on the phone
-I count when I do things (like pulling paper towels from a dispencer or brushing my hair)
-I constantly check to make sure the stove is off and the doors are locked
-I have to sleep with the TV on when my boyfriend is not home


That's all I can think of right now... =)

[Boxcar]

You are kind of like me. I'm also into sweet stuff after dinner. I'd rather text or e-mail than talk on the phone. I also check the doors and whatnot a couple of times.

[Bananas]

I count how many motorcycles are on the road in a day, and how many cars are on rural roads in a row without a chance to pass.

I love having the dog curl up next to me, and I love to see him stretched out on his side.

[Clix]

I kiss my fingers and tap the top of the car when we go through a yellow light.
I make a wish if I notice the clock says it's 11:11.
If the clasp of my necklace is down against the pendant and I notice it and wriggle it around to the back of my neck, I get to make a wish.
If someone is pacing as they're talking to me, I can't focus on what they're saying.
I don't screen calls, but I rarely answer the phone because it is NOT THE BOSS OF ME!
Pet peeve: Dating.

[carrieSAtoUSA]

- When eating a peanut butter sandwich, I break of the crust and eat that first and then dive into the rest of the sandwich (uncut)

- I HATE it when people pull out in front of me and then suddenly turn off again.

- I HATE it when people drive 10 miles below the speed limit and there is nowhere for me to overtake.

- I can't stand listening to the sound of someone eating food - the crunching drives me NUTS!!!!! I think if anyone were to think of a good torture chamber for me, it would be put me in a room with people who are noisy eaters / crunchers. I would be insane within minutes. (Anyone else with this same phobia??)

- I HAVE to make my bed before I get into it. My husband can simply climb in and pull the sheets up around him. Mine have to be straight with the sheet folded over the comforter (NOTE : I do not always have time to make the bed in the morning before school, and sometimes the kids play on the bed with each other which ends up with sheets all over the place).

- I cannot eat french fries unless I have mayonnaise to dip them into (my dad is from Holland and this is the way they eat their fries).

Am I weird? Didn't realise how much until I read back over my list!!! :-)))))

[Bananas]

I usually have to make a hand motion while swallowing pills to get them over the hump. :rolleyes: That always makes hubby smile.

Carrie, Bananas (the dog) would play a game with me most days. I would make the bed, he would scrunch up the covers for his comfort, I would make the bed, he would scrunch, make, scrunch, make, scrunch.

[Boxcar]

I eat the pieces of trail and chex mix seperately. Really no point in actually having a mix 'cause I just unmix it anyways.

I hate it when people snap thier gum. Also, spit it out or swallow it before you talk to me, please.

I'm terrible at making random converstation. Don't expect me to be filling in the silences. I'll try, but I'll be horrible at it.

I eat Kit-Kats and wafer cookies in layers.

I thy not to step on the cracks of the sidewalk. I think I just get bored walkng.

I love sunset and dusk.

I think best in the shower.

[carrieSAtoUSA]

Carrie, Bananas (the dog) would play a game with me most days. I would make the bed, he would scrunch up the covers for his comfort, I would make the bed, he would scrunch, make, scrunch, make, scrunch.

Gosh, that sounds like my kids. I make the bed - they jump all over it and mess it up; I remake the bed - they dive under the sheets to hide from each other; I lose my cool - they make the bed!!!

[MsCoffeeLover]

Okay, I have been sitting on this one for a few days. Let me see what I can say without having to start a new topic--new topic as major explanations--I will be picking up little tidbits from all of the posts already written.

Here goes:

1. The waving thing is a big on with me too. Whenever I let someone in (which is all the time because driving is rather stressful, and I don't want to add to it), you will hear me say, "You better wave!"

2. I can only tolerate repeating myself so many times. It is a must for a teacher because kids never hear, but sometimes it gets the better of me.

3. Sauces or dressings or dips must be on the side.

4. I like to eat all of the topings off the pizza first and eat the crust last. The topings are eaten off with a fork, and then I pick up the crust and eat that-saving the doughy end part for last. Truth be told, I could just eat the end crusts. The rest of the pizza really does nothing for me. Just that little bit of sauce and cheese attached is nice.

5. If I hand my students something, they have to say "thank you" or I will take it back. They don't think that much about it until I have a piece of cake in my hands.

6. That first sip of an ice cold pepsi or mountain dew is the best. I just love to hear the sound of the can when you twist the opener, feel the fizz, and feel the burn as it goes down my throat. It is very difficult to squelch the "AAHHHHHHH" when you are done. That first sip is usually a big one. I usually drink a little more of the soda, but not usually because none of the subsequent sips are as good as that first one.

7. I would rather talk on the phone than text or email. I love the idea of a sit down dinner or something. People don't talk one on one enough.

8. I prefer letter writing over electronic communication because that is a dying art.

9. I also hate the fact that when in the company of another person, they pay more attention to text messages and phone calls. I like to set aside time for people--just those people because the world is busy and stressful enough.

10. I love Ben and Jerry's Mint Chocolate Cookie ice cream, and you will see my mood alter considerably if a store doesn't carry it. When hitting up the ice cream aisle, it feels as though I walk in slow motion for fear of not seeing it because there are a few stores that don't always carry it. It is the reason I shop Publix.

11. I love a nice, hot, and long shower, and I seem to be standing in the same spot for like five minutes before I even get my hair wet.

12. When eating skittles or jelly beans, I don't really have a particular order in which to eat, but I tend to make sure a red skittle or jelly bean is the last bite. I apparently have the same kind of thing with french fries eating some at random and prioritizing certain ones until the end.

13. I don't like to use public restrooms. However, I know where all of the best restrooms are in the city of Charleston. They are the rest rooms that the public doesn't know about, but I just walk in like I belong in the place.

14. I don't like to pay for parking at all, and, along with the restrooms, I can find just about any way to park for free. The whole city is scoped out.

15. I am one of those people that actually return all shopping carts to the correct place--even if it means walking a good little ways. In stores, I fold clothing items as I found them or place them on the hanger or put things back where they started instead of leaving them where I changed my mind and found something else.

16. I clean up after myself in a restaurant and wipe the table down for the wait staff. When I go to the doctor, I am the one that removes the paper off the table and replaces it for the next patient. When I go to the restroom, sometimes the women's restroom is occupied, so I used the men's restroom because we have like three men in the entire school. I make sure I put the seat back up on the way out.

17. When making a sandwich, for some reason I must take a bite of it first before I leave the kitchen.

18. I have an addiction to Sharpies, and hardly share. There is just not enough color in the world. When I do share, the kids must be next to me so I can see them. They also must count them before and after. They don't go far, and they are so coveted that it really is special treat if a student gets to use one.

19. I walk on the same side of the hallway inside the line because I want my kids to do it. I also turn my cell phone off at work because that is what the kids are supposed to do.

20. I can only seem to work in multiples of five or ten. This list would have stopped a long time ago if I could. Then I thought of a few more. Then I was at 16, and I just couldn't stop there. Tens and twenties. My grading is the same way. Even though I have a grader, all of my questions are usually 10, 20, 25, 30, 50, etc.

Sorry for the long list.

[Bananas]

Another pet peeve would have to be those spam filters. I certainly understand sites needing them to protect their sites from being hit and wrecking havoc. My peeve is the part before I can submit. I have to type in the series of letter or the two words. How many times are the letters they use even unreadable? They curve or fade in and out. I have to guess what part it is, and know that I will have to do it again because it will be wrong. Can't it be plain to prevent that?

[Boxcar]

Some "good" sites have audio recordings of the codes. That way, the sites are accessible to indivudals with disabilties too.

[MissTeach]

OK, here goes:

Pet Peeves:

1. Teachers who keep asking 'stupid' questions in faculty meetings- Ask them AFTER the meeting.
2. Students writing on my white board without permission
3. Students trying to line up at the door before the bell rings
4. People who complain about the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over........
5. Students and teachers and parents who 'apple polish'- gggrrrrrrr
6. People who waste unneccessarily
7. People who are prejudice
8. The lack of common courtesy in our world
9. Getting stuck in the middle seat on a plane!!

Endearing Quirks

1. I enjoy dumb movies (Bench Warmers, Dumb and Dumber) on Friday nights. They help me relax after a long hard week.
2. I ride an old 'vintage' bicycle!. I hate the new modern ones!
3. I have to have a radio or cd player going at all times!
4. The only kind of coke I will drink is a strawberry Pepsi- the rest of the time I drink tea or water

[Karenrbw]

[QUOTE=MissTeach;26401]OK, here goes:

Pet Peeves:

1. Teachers who keep asking 'stupid' questions in faculty meetings- Ask them AFTER the meeting.

I think we all have at least one of those teachers in our school. You can just see everyone cringe when she pipes up.

My querks:
I can stand to lay on a pillow facing the open side of the pillowcase. If I roll over in the middle of the night, I have to flip the pillowcase. The pillowcase must be old and almost wore out to be comfortable. My favorite pillowcase is one with yellow and olive stripes. We have a picture of DH when he was about 5 sleeping on it.

Oreos and other layered cookies must be eaten in layers.

Mountain Dew is best out of a glass bottle.

I eat all of one item on my plate before progressing to another item.

I can just hop into an unmade bed and go to sleep, but DH has to have it made before he can sleep.

Smacking gum and food drives me crazy. I spen half my meal telling the kids to close their mouths when they chew. I don't want to see or hear your food.

Window blinds must be exactly level.

Washcloths and towels must be folded identically and stacked with the folds facing the same direction.

Socks must be tied in a knot and not turned inside out on themselves, that stretches the elastic out - another pet peeve of mine.

People who call my house and when I answer ask me "Who is this?" drive me crazy. Well if you know who you called, you should know who this is, right?

We have sheets that are made to go on the bed either way (head to foot), but the flowers on the pattern must be right side up or I have to take the bed apart and redo it before I can sleep.

I think we all have a little OCD in us and it just materializes in different ways for different people.

[Boxcar]

I agree. We are all a litte "kooky" in our own ways.

[MissTeach]

[QUOTE=MissTeach;26401]OK, here goes:

Pet Peeves:


People who call my house and when I answer ask me "Who is this?" drive me crazy. Well if you know who you called, you should know who this is, right?


This drives me crazy too! I always respond with, "Who are you calling?"

[cwp873]

1. I can't stand people who make "smacking" noises when they are eating!!! I'm glad you're enjoying your food, but let's not share, OK?
2. Do Not- EVER- turn down the corner of a page to mark your place in a book! (Can you tell I used to work in a library?)
3. I'm getting germ phobic. I turn off faucets in restrooms with a paper towel and will do anything not to touch the door handle.
4. I only enjoy talking to my mom on the phone. With anyone else, including husband and son, it's strictly to convey info, I don't chat.
5. I'm sad about the loss of letter writing. When I was a teen I had something like30 pen pals. Now it's rare to even get thank you notes!
6. I love scary movies - not gory, not slashers, but scary!
7. Contrary to above, I do not like sad movies where kids, moms, or animals die. You'd have to strap me down to get me to watch Old Yeller or read Where the Red Fern Grows!:( Don't know why stuff doesn't bother me in horror movies, but it does the rest of the time. Although I loved The Mist until the ending, and the I was devastated!
8. My number one pet peeve- being read to in meetings!! I cannot STAND the first day of school when they hand out the staff handbook, and proceed to read every word! Hello, I AM a teacher, I can read on my own, thanks!

[Boxcar]

Oooh! I hate being read to like that too. When people read to me off their PowerPoints word-for-word, I want to be like "Honey, let me show you how PowerPoint is supposed to be done..."

[MissTeach]

Oooh! I hate being read to like that too. When people read to me off their PowerPoints word-for-word, I want to be like "Honey, let me show you how PowerPoint is supposed to be done..."

I agree! At the beginning of the year, I go through the steps for presenting a PowerPoint for my students. I FIRMLY STRESS that they are not to put all info on the slide and they are not to stand and read the PowerPoint: that is reading, not presenting!!!!

[Bananas]

I agree! At the beginning of the year, I go through the steps for presenting a PowerPoint for my students. I FIRMLY STRESS that they are not to put all info on the slide and they are not to stand and read the PowerPoint: that is reading, not presenting!!!!

It could get a few of our kids reading a bit more, though. :eek:

[Boxcar]

That's true...

[MissTeach]

I know what you mean Bananas. We try everything we can to get kids to read!!!!

[Brit]

pet peeves:
Kids who think they know what I'm going to say before I say it -- and are right.

being woken up by the cat biting my toes

last-minute meetings, requirements, "favours"

Kids who don't pay attention, then ask "what am I supposed to do?"

typos and grammatical errors (except in my own work)

Quirks:
I only know 2 routes to and from anyplace. And i can't stand it if someone else is driving and they take a new route.

I talk to my dog. I don't actually have a dog, never have had, but I still talk to it.

I break out singing randomly. Not a big deal, except that my current favorite song is "A Little Priest" from Sweeney Todd.

I get a fiendish delight from pulling out the roots of crab grass in long strips in my garden.

I am a neat freak on par with Monica from Friends. Putting on sweats and cleaning is, like her, my idea of a girl`s night in.

[Bananas]

Talking to dogs that aren't there? LOL The key here is that you know there is no dog there. You reminded me of my mother. We moved her from Chicago to the rural area. Mom never learned how to drive, and with no real transportation system here, she relied upon us to get her shopping, to appointments, activities, etc. Here is this 82-year-old woman mooing out the window at cows in the pasture. We always had to keep the cattle dog in line from barking when he spotted them in a ride, but I never thought I would have a mooing mother. I had the forethought to warn a younger teacher friend about Mom's mooing fetish before we picked her up from the nursing home. I just didn't want J to be taken by surprise.

Which brings me to another quirk. I don't moo, but I do my "Wheeeeeeeeeeee" when going through the underpass on Bolton Rd. which is quite a nice dip. Just my idea of a roller coaster. I once, much to my son's embarrassment, took that dip, turned around to do it again, and then turned around for our 3rd ride and on to the county fair. I suppose it would not have been so bad had it just been my son, but he also had a new friend with him.

Oh, well, it's not like my children have never embarrassed me!