Triple Dipping

Okay, you sucked me in. In no particular order:

1. 3 screen names I've had: jettstream, SewGrand, SewGrandMam

2. 3 things I like about myself: I'm even-tempered and my glass is always half-full. I'm funny. I'm a very good judge of character.

3. 3 things I don't like about myself: my sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits since I stopped cooking; I often talk (or write) too much; my own complaining about my 80-year-old mother

4. 3 parts of my heritage: English, Scottish, and a wee bit of German

5. 3 things that scare me: George Bush and the Religious Right; something terrible happening to my children; my own death

6. 3 everyday essentials: my morning cup of coffee; diet Dr. Pepper; touching base every day with at least one loved one

7. 3 things I'm wearing as I write: soft knit pj's, a wedding band, and my watch

8. 3 of my favorite songs: Etta James' version of "At Last"; bagpipes playing "Highland Cathedral" (a piper and organist played it for my daughter's wedding procession and I bawl every time I hear it—odd, since I stayed dry-eyed at the wedding); all verses of "Amazing Grace"

9. 3 things I want in a relationship: humor; encouragement and support to be the best Me I can be; certainty that he thinks I hung the moon

10. 2 truths and 1 lie: My oldest and best friend was a Wellesley classmate of Hilary Rodham Clinton. I look like I'm 46. I founded an investment club 10 years ago.

11. 3 things I can't live without: computer; books; sewing machine [We go on the assumption this doesn't mean family and friends, don't we?]

12. 3 places I want to go on vacation: Amsterdam/Benelux countries; Normandy beaches; the Edinburgh Tattoo and Festival

13. 3 things I just can't do: watch animals do disgusting things with/to each other (meaning watch nature shows); skip breakfast; ride rollercoasters or similar rides

14. 3 kids' names: Easy-peasy! Lee Ann; Leslie; Ella

15. 3 things I want to do before I die: Not die is my first choice. If you won't accept that then: dance at my granddaughter's wedding; take my grandchild(ren) to Europe; learn to yodel

16. 3 celebrity crushes: Alan Alda; Johnny Depp (Back off, Sophie!); David Letterman

17. 3 of my favorite musicians: James Taylor; Carly Simon; Alison Kraus

18. 3 physical things about men that appeal to me: a tall, rangy build; graceful and immaculate hands; a hearty laugh

19. 3 of my favorite hobbies: quilting; spending time with my granddaughter; computer stuff—writing, photography, surfing

20. 3 things I really, badly want to do right now: have cosmetic surgery on my eyes (Last week I made an appointment for a consultation at the end of January!); improve my appearance in general (start exercising, whiten my teeth, attend to my wardrobe); set off a bomb in my master bathroom and just start over—it's never been right

21. 3 careers I've considered: catering or specialty baking; buying and rehabbing houses for resale; editing for a publisher

22. 3 ways I am stereotypically a boy: I'm very mechanical and good with tools, technical tasks, or assembling things (furniture that comes in a gazillion pieces, computers, audio/visual systems). I can move furniture ten times my body weight (I didn't say I move it fast, did I?). I never look at something and think, "I can't do that."

23. 3 ways I am stereotypically a girl: I am NOT a high-maintenance chick, but I care about my appearance, even (especially) in the privacy of my home with hubby. I'm not a purse freak but I sure love shoes. I always expect a man to hold a door for me, remove his hat indoors, offer me his chair—I better not be treated as an inferior, but I sure like respectful deference.

24. Next!