There’s a meme going around (last stop: Fashionista_35), suggesting that we post random facts about ourselves that no one knows. I posted something like that awhile back, but some things on my original list have been updated, and my LJ friends list has definitely expanded since then. (Yay!) So here are seven fun, fabulous, and/or frightening facts about me — depending, of course, on your perspective:
1. My father was a tent revivalist– his cathedral, a two-thousand person tent. Ever seen “The Apostle,” with Robert Duvall? That’s a close-up view of my dad. One day, probably after finishing my current project, I plan to write a memoir about that experience, as seen through the eyes of a child.
2. I once taught at an exclusive school for children of the wealthy and well-known (think Matthew Perry, the Portiers, the Hiltons). For Christmas that year, I unwrapped lots of luxe gifts, purchased at stores on Rodeo Drive by personal assistants, in mass quantities for me and the rest of the staff. Sentimental tokens of the students’ and parents’ affection for us teachers? On so many levels, not.
3. My name, words, and picture have appeared in Time Magazine, Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Times, USA TODAY, Christian Science Monitor, San Diego News Tribune, and other smaller presses — not to mention CNN and local broadcast media. No, they didn’t make me famous, nor was that the point: these articles were about important causes that I’ve sponsored or promoted.
4. A while back, in celebration of a milestone birthday, I rode my Bianchi from Seattle to Portland. Just me and ten thousand other riders, biking 198.6 miles over the course of two days. I cherish the medal I got at the finish line, proof positive that I am far from the finish line of my life.
5. I am the shiksa exemplar for the Yiddish word farblondjet: that is, I’m frequently lost, really lost. I’ve got a great moral compass, I think, but no geographic sense of direction at all. (And no, it’s not lost on me, the inclusion of ‘blond’ in that word.) My knight-in-shining-armor husband is rescuing me from this misery: he’s given me a gift certificate for a GPS for my birthday.
6. Samuel Ullman said it well: “Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting out ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.” I’m an optimistic, energetic person who believes it’s important to keep her soul, if not her face, relatively unlined.
7. On a related note, today, I turned 50! Here, an impromput picture of myself that I just took to mark the occasion. No PhotoShop retouching or digital tricks…take me as I am. As Coco Chanel once said, “Nature gives you the face you have at twenty; it is up to you to merit the face you have at fifty.” I’m headed out the door right now to prove her point.
You look stunning!
I want a GPS for my car! Please tell me how you like yours.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my new friend…. I like your facts!
I have NO sense of direction either… maybe it’s a birthday thing! Let us know how you like using the GPS!!
oh yes, and YOU LOOK GREAT!!!
You’re too kind! 🙂
I will, just as soon as I figure out how to use it, lol.
Thanks for the birthday wishes, friend. 🙂
Wow, I would never have guessed you were 50! Wonderful 🙂 (I was thinking closer to my age, 38, btw). My cousin could use a GPS — she can get lost coming home from the grocery store (huge family joke, of course) 😉
I would have never guessed I was 50, either…I don’t feel anywhere close to that. Still, thanks for the kind words. Mwwah!
You look marvelous, my friend. Happy birthday, Melodye!
You’re too kind! Thanks for the birthday wishes, friend of mine.
You look absolutely fabulous, dahling!
Enjoy your day!!!
Thank you so much! You’re so sweet. And I had a FABULOUS birthday!
Soundslike you’re definitely up to the challenge of fifty!! Great picture and stories– have a great birthday!
Oooooh, a birthday unicorn and cake! I’m so excited to have this on my blog! Absolutely stunning! Thanks for the good wishes for my birthday. I’m looking forward to seeing what lies ahead.
You’re beautiful inside and out, Melodye, and I’m so glad you’re a new online friend. Happy, happy birthday!
What a wonderful compliment. I’m honored that you’d say that, and I’m lucky to have you as my friend, too.
Happy Birthday to you, my steadfast LJ friend! Enjoy your day!
Thank you for the birthday wishes. Yes, I am your steadfast friend, and I count you among mine, too. What a gift to me!
I thoroughly enjoyed your facts. What an interesting life you are leading with a wonderful point of view.
Enjoy the birthday and many more adventures ahead.
I’ve had some really wonderful experiences in life…and lots of “learning opportunities,” too. LOL.
Thanks for the kind wishes!
Happy Birthday!
Have a fabulous birthday! You look beautiful!
Re: Happy Birthday!
You’re too kind…but I’ll take it! LOL
Thanks, Kim!
Happy happy birthday, Melodye. May it be as warm and wonderful as you.
Oh, Susan, these are such sweet words and wishes. I really appreciate them — and you!
Cute puppy photo, by the way!
Happy Birthday, Gorgeous!
You have the best icons, Brandie! And I’m always happy to see you online or in my Inbox. Thanks so much for the birthday wishes!
(HUGS)
Happy birthday!
Thanks! And are those bleeding hearts or fuschias? Whatever they are, they’re lovely. I’ve got camilias, roses, and pansies in bloom in my yard right now…I love flowers!
Ooooh! Another gardener! I love flowers, too. I had bleeding hearts in my garden this season (though that picture, sadly, is not from my garden but from some place on the web). I also grew fuschias and roses too. Unfortunately I live in NY where the growing season is only 3 months. Though despite the fact that it’s November, I still have a few marigolds and cosmos out there.
Hope you had a good birthday.
Yay!
Happy birthday!
That’s a gorjus unicorn painting up there in previous comments. . . .
Re: Yay!
Thanks — and it’s good to see you here!!! Thanks for stopping by to share my birthday!
I love the unicorn, too. What a nice birthday gift!
Happy birthday! You look mahvelous!
Thanks for the good wishes, Sara! Oh, and thanks for the compliment, too. What a friend. 🙂
Well, for someone who’s MY age, you look amazing, as do I, LOL…perhaps we were sisters separated at birth???
LOL! I’ll be your sister any day. 🙂
Here’s to the best years yet to come — and lots of great memories, too!
BEE-YOOO-TEEEE-FUL, birthday girl!
I’d take a pic of me and post it (I turned 34 today), but I am techno-challenged, am still wearing my pjs, and haven’t yet brushed my teeth. 🙂
HOWEVER….
Red Hot Date with DH commences in one hour.
Must get shaking….
Excuses, excuses… 🙂
Get dressed, brush your teeth, and get a photo posted. We wanna see you online!
Hope you enjoyed your hot date. Hubba hubba.
http://www.myspace.com/tammisauer
So there. 🙂
Have a wonderful birthday!
I enjoyed reading about your unknown facts–you live an interesting life! 🙂
I DO lead an interesting life…for better and sometimes worse, there’s always a story to tell at the end of my day. 🙂
Thanks for the birthday wishes, by the way!
I REALLY enjoyed this particular post. So personal. I feel like I know a little more about you, and the surprises were intruiging and interesting.
Hope you’re having a WONDERFUL day, me dear!
I’m glad you enjoyed them, Katherine. It’s fun to let down our hair now and again, eh?
I had a fabulous birthday, thank you. Thanks for sharing a little of it with me.
Now, where’s that Letter E post? *puts hands on hips and wags finger* LOL
You look stunningly, fabulously GORGEOUS!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY and may it be filled with as many rewarding experiences as this last one was. (And a book sale or two! *g*)
What a sweet and thoughtful wish, Barb. Thank you so, so much! And about that book sale (or two)…let’s hope the momentum gets going soon. I’d love to celebrate a sale during the holidays, but time’s sneaking past us as I type. 🙂
happy birthday. you’re a real mensch (or whatever the feminine version of that word is) ;o)
What an amazing complement. Thank you so, so much. That means a great deal to me.
Coco would be proud of you — happy birthday, gorgeous!
Thanks for the very nice compliment and birthday wishes. How sweet of you to stop by for my birthday party! 😉
Happy birthday you gorgeous thing you!
Thanks for stopping by to help me celebrate my birthday. The party wouldn’t have been the same without you. 🙂
Happy birthday! I hope you have a great celebration. And I love the photo – you look beautiful. 🙂
Oooh, you brought birthday balloons! Thank you! And thanks so much for coming to my birthday party. 🙂
You look fabulous!! I hope you had a wonderful day!
Happy 50th! I hope I look as gorgeous at 50 as you do!
You look great! Have a great birthday!
Happy, happy birthday, gorgeous!
If I ever have the pleasure of meeting you, sorry, but I will not stand next to you in a photo. No way.
Happy Birthday. 50 looks easy.
Congratulations Melodye! You are stunning. And thank you for the insights into your life.
HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY, MELODYE! Congratulations – I hope I look that good when I reach 50. Hope your birthday was as nice as you are… and have a great year!
Happy Birthday, Melodye! I hit the 1/2 Century milestone, myself this year…and (truth be told) I’d highly recommend it to anyone! There’s something so ‘freeing’ about being 50.
Enjoy~
Vicky
I hope it was wonderful!
I so agree with you about turning 50. I turned 55 about a month ago, and I love this decade – the best one of my life! I look forward to the 60’s. I only understood the cult of youth when I was young!
The photo on my post is about a year old. No facelift, no hair dyeing, the real thing.
Oh, and I could do with a GPS myself!
Amazing Face (50 Looks Great on You)
Sing along, please:
“Once you were lost” (pre-GPS)
“Now you are Found” (with the Mr., with your life’s work, with your friends)
“Amazing Melodye”
And what a song of joy you are. I love your name and you and everything about you.
Mwah. {}
-Pamela
Happy birthday, you gorgeous momma!
Happy bday! You’ve got a sparkle in your eye….
From one scorpio to another, let me wish you one fabulous birthday!!! Oh, and you seriously look amazing — I can only hope and pray I look that awesome when I’m 50!
~Lynn
P.S. Don’t we scorpios rock?! ;D
Thanks for the good wishes! I’ll post about the gps when I figure it out. 🙂