The Seven Wonders of Susan

When I first read what this week’s topic was, I immediately said to myself, “Well, this should be easy!” I sat down at my laptop, turned it on and then…nothing. For the first time in a long while, the words did not automatically flow out of my head, through my fingers and onto the screen. Why was it so difficult to ask the question, “Who am I?”

After pondering it for awhile, I had a startling revelation. “I am a complex person.” Well this was a real pickle! What am I going to do now? How can I possibly sum myself up in seven points! So I put the computer away and went to bed. I was awake off and on most of the night. But, by morning, I had worked out pretty much what I wanted to share with everyone. So…without further ado…

The Seven Wonders of Susan

1. I love flowers...in the ground, in a pot or in a vase. I don’t like them on the wall or on my furniture! Some of the greatest memories of my childhood were the yearly planting of flowers around the family homestead. My mom was very fond of geraniums. We’d plant them in the flower bed near the front porch every year. Always the same color, red, to match the color on the back wall of the porch. My love of flowers comes from those terrific memories. You’re probably wondering why I don’t like floral patterns on the wall or furniture. When I first moved out of the house, my parents gave me their old couch from the living room. It was practically brand new because no one ever sat on it. The fabric was this white and gold brocade floral pattern. At the time, it was very fashionable. I had that couch for years until it finally wore out. After that, I vowed that I would never again own a piece of furniture that had a floral pattern on it. As far as flowers on the wall…well that aversion comes from the family bathroom. My mom decorated it in a country floral pattern, complete with dried flower decorations everywhere and the lovely flowers on the wallpaper. I am a little embarrassed to admit that I used to love the whole country, floral thing. Today, my style is a bit more like beach meets the great outdoors. Someday, I will show you some photos so you’ll know what I am talking about. In the meantime, here's a photo that I took while on a drive early Sunday morning:
   
   


2. I love the colors of the Caribbean. For as long as I could remember, color has been an integral part of my life. My room as a child was pink, then a soft green. In college, I wanted the same color green, but my dad brought the wrong color and it was a bright green. Brighter than you could possibly imagine. Almost fluorescent…and I had that same room all four years of college! Today, I love the green and blue shades commonly found on various tropical islands. I find these colors soothing and calming. I try to use these colors in my home whenever possible. Since I live in California now, I am able to pair these colors with the neutral colors of the beach. It works very well for our lifestyle as we our outdoor people. Below is one of my favorite photos that shows the colors of the crystal blue waters that I love so much:
   
   


3. I love the arts…music, movies, theatre, books, and television. These were my friends and I found solace in them. They spoke to me in ways that no real person ever could. I’ve always said that “Music is my life”, and without a doubt that still holds true. Wherever I am in life, music has been there to lift me up and keep me going. For me to love something musically, it has to speak to me in my heart and in my soul. Therefore, I have such an eclectic taste in music, from Gloria Estefan to Frank Sinatra, Colbie Caillat to Chris Botti and everything else in between. I even like some of Katy Perry’s and Theory of a Deadman’s tunes. For me movies and theatre need to feed my need to escape reality, if only for just awhile. I need to find a connection that will take me away and let me forget. When I am able to see myself step inside and become a part of either, then I know the actors, directors and producers have done their job. When it comes to books, I have a voracious appetite. I read to feed my soul. I read to escape. I read for knowledge because to me, knowledge is power. As for television, I am looking for visual stimulation that ignites the various passions in my life. Therefore, no regular TV for me (except for The Big Bang Theory, which makes me laugh uncontrollably!) Normally, I watch The Food Network, TLC, A&E, Hallmark Channel and HGTV. My husband says that I am totally predictable when it comes to television. However, I have been throwing him for a loop lately. Why? Because he knows I hate science fiction anything and I’ve been watching two shows on the SyFy Channel that I actually like – Eureka and Warehouse 13. Watch them and let me know what you think?
   
   





4. I love Christmas! Hands down, this is my favorite holiday and the one I feel really defines me. All year long I am watching holiday movies to keep me in the mood. It helps to remind me why the season is so special. Because we were given THE gift so freely, it’s important for me to do the same. Known by a few as “Secret Santa” or the “Christmas Elf”, it brings joy to my heart when I give unselfishly to someone who is not expecting anything. As for me, I love nothing better than sitting back, relaxing with a cup of cocoa and watching my favorite Christmas movie. I have over 30 now.
   
   
   


5. When there is too much clutter in my life, I get claustrophobic. When I am talking clutter, I don’t mean just stuff around the house either. I am talking mental, physical and emotional clutter. When this happens, I do a major housecleaning and it is the most cathartic feeling ever. There is nothing like a clean sweep of your personal space. Throwing out the old to make way for the new. Sometimes the process is difficult, almost painful. When it’s done, the sense of relief and freedom is uplifting. I marvel to myself how much “garbage” I am tossing away. Where does it all come from? It can’t possible fit in this tiny box that I call my life, but the truth is that I have been hoarding it away for years. I continually put it into the tiniest corners I could find until it bursted out and tumbled down into one big heaping pile of “crap”. Fortunately, I have a really big shovel and I am not afraid to use it. And that goes for the stuff around the house too!
   


6. I am the master of my own destiny. As such, I have had the incredible opportunity to take myself to a number of places. As a child, I traveled east of the Mississippi River. As an adult, I have traveled west. I have lived in three states and hope to add a few more to the roster. I’ve vacationed in Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, and Iowa. I’ve been to Wyoming, Montana & Idaho (a la Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons). I’ve stood at the Four Corners, where Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah meet. I’ve fished in Oregon and traveled up and down the coast of California. My favorite place is Pismo Beach, but Kauai is a close second. I loved the Bahamas and the clear crystal blue waters. I want and am planning to go to England, Scotland and Australia. Any place I can’t get to, well thank goodness for the internet and the library. And all this is just the travel part of my “destiny”…the rest of it is just getting started!
   
   
   
7. I am the “Queen of My Own Life”, and without a doubt this thought is the inspiration that has changed my life for the better. Check out http://www.queenofyourownlife.com/ for yourself and you’ll see why.

Thank you for allowing me to share a little bit of myself with all of you. There is so much more, but I think these Seven Wonders are a good start.