Week 2: Meet the parents er I mean meet me..

So week 2 is apparently about causing torture. No longer can I lie to myself- I am definitely like my parents. However, in my ripe old age of almost 30, I definitely realize that this is not really a bad thing. Let's back up a little. I was born in 1982 into a 2 parent home with relatively young parents (24 and 25). My sister was already 8 years old. Thus, by the time I was 10, I was almost an only child (big age differences tend to do that I think). My dad worked 2-3 jobs at a time and my mom also worked full time all so we could have what we needed and wanted, a nice house, and cars to take us wherever we needed to go. Early on it was always taught to us that work ethic is important. My parents always took pride in our home, making it aesthetically pleasing as well as functional. School was always a major priority and I was always encouraged to do well so that I could (well, I think it was more I Would) go to college and do something I wanted and enjoyed doing- not working your butt off in something you had to do for your family.
Yet- my parents rarely complained. I mean it was extremely rare and it was never like we, the kids, were the burden when really, they would never have to work as hard as they did if it wasn't for us! Work was what you had to do- no questions asked. It's just what they did. They also always put family first and went the extra mile for everyone. That was something that came from my Pop (Dad's Dad) and so it was passed down.
I think I could write a whole book about my childhood and honest to God, there wasn't anything even remotely bad about growing up in my family. My teenage years sucked, but that was because of Lupus. I never felt like I had a bad childhood but looking back, I think I should've felt more privileged. You see, when you teach kids in an urban area that are lucky to have 1 parent in their lives, you realize how good you have it!
Anyway, this post is becoming rambling and I'm having a hard time keeping it straight so I think a bulleted list will be a nice summary.

How I am like my parents:

• I am a huge advocate of teaching work ethic
• I know school is a majorly important part of life and something we should ALL value
• I like to have nice things and new gadgets
• I don't do well with being fiscally responsible (just being honest- they've gotten a lot better but it wasn't something I was taught a lot about)
• I work hard in my jobs
• I am overly anxious about things and at time paranoid about the safety of my family
• I love animals
• When I am ready to do something, everyone else around me better be ready too!
• I like my personal space: I don't do well staying with relatives.
• I am picky about food and cleanliness (most of the time)
• I care too much about what other people think of me by just looking at me
• I love buying things for other people because I love the gift of giving

How I am different from my parents:

• everything in the house doesn't have to be perfect all the time
• The boys' faces and hands don't have to be immaculate when we leave the house
• I don't use a new towel everyday
• I don't think I have gotten to the point of sacrificing everything for my kids and families: they are some of the most Unselfish people in the entire world and I still have a hard time letting go of the me me me's.
• My cars don't have to be immaculate
• I hate getting up early
• I don't like to give up food I like just cause my kids want to eat it..

So, in summary, I am pretty much like my parents completely. The differences are pretty minor and I struggled to find them. However, as I said, I've learned it's not a bad thing. I am lucky to have 2 awesome parents and I don't know what I'd do without them!

So, here's week 2 and here's another blog I love to visit. Lydia Fielder is a moderator for splitcoaststampers.com, an online stamping community. Her blog is hilarious as well as creative! Check it out here: Understand Blue.