Learning about myself

Aside from learning that I can sleep through a tornado, living with my sister has taught me much about myself. For example, I am unable to start a conversation without an introduction such as, "Hey Rachel" or "So...". Without fail, every conversation is started that way even though we are currently the only two people in the house.

I've also learned of the many traits that I've inherited from my parents, rightly so as I have lived with them the longest. From my dad I've inherited a nitpicking attitude surrounding the appearance of our house and lawn. Although I can remember crying out in my youth, "There are child labor laws, Dad!", I am now so thankful that I know how to mow the lawn, check my tire pressure, and, oh yeah, paint the flippin' walls! The former tenants left many holes in the walls, covered over by a VERY POOR plaster job, covered over again by mismatching paint. What this means: smoothing out the plaster job, spackling up the holes, and repainting our ENTIRE living room and hall. Starting tomorrow that is. And this is only one such repair. No seriously, click on the picture below, this is what EVERY wall looks like.

From my mother, I've picked up many unique phrases like when an ornery child is around, he is "being a Crabby Appleton". I also have to have my hands talking with me at all times, which is especially fun as I often forget the word I am trying to say and thus must act it out. Some common words are "bowl", "lawnmower", and my personal favorite, "coffee grinder". It's especially entertaining when this happens during a phone call leaving awkward silences in the midst of me acting out the word...like they can actually see it.