Eight or Sixteen (or more) Random Facts Meme

I've been tagged twice today to do a "meme" ..... by Nina of Nature Remains as well as by Mary C. from Mary's Corner of the World.

I haven't done this before, so I hope I do this right. Here are the rules for Eight Random Facts Meme:

Players start with 8 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write their blog about 8 things, then post these rules. At the end of the blog they must choose 8 people to get tagged and list their names, then leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged, and to read your blog. Because I've been tagged "twice" today, I'll bend the rules a bit and leave 16 little-known facts about me. I hope this isn't too boring folks!

OK....after much thought... "drum roll"............here are the exciting (not) facts about little old me.

I am the youngest in a family of 4, two boys and two girls.
I am the only one who never smoked, thanks to my older sister giving me a puff when I was about 7. Never again, thankyou! ;-)

I always wanted to be a nurse when I grew up. But instead I married my
high school sweetheart and gave up that dream. I do regret not having gone to college.

I can roll my tongue. It's a genetic trait.

I've lived 5 miles from the ocean on each coastline of the USA 2 separate times in my adult life...starting in New Jersey and ending up in California.

When my children were small, I used to make my own jams and grow my own vegetables. I rarely cook now.

In my family tree, I am related to President James Monroe on my mother's side.

My maternal ancestors arrived in this country when the Dutch settled here in 1634.

I love to paint and wish I had more leisure time to do it. I started out as a decorative painter and am now moving towards painting on canvas....oils, acrylics, beginning watercolors.

I am math-challenged when it comes to algebra, probably one reason why I do not have a college degree - since it is a prerequisite for getting into school. I am sure I would love most all the college courses *except* math.

I had to wear orthodontic braces twice in my life -- once as a young teen and again as an adult.

I have a 20-year old grandson in the US Navy, stationed in Norfolk, VA.

My daughter turns 40 on Monday. GASP!!!!!

I used to sew my own clothes.

I taught myself to read when I was about 4 years old, thanks to my older siblings showing me how to make words with alphabet blocks.

I can knit and crochet and I love to hand-quilt, but I haven't quilted in awhile.

I can still take shorthand. Does that ever date me?!!!!

I can make my own bar soap from scratch... not the kind from a kit.

I never learned how to swim. I can do the doggie paddle, that's all.