7 things MEME

Well I just got home from my weekend away with my hubby and I find that I have been tagged by Christine over at Fruit in Season. Now we all know that I only just learned why they call a MEME-- a meme--yes, just a little slow on the uptake. So you are going to learn some more things about me.
Here are the rules: Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. You need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!.

1. I was very insecure when I went off to college in TN. So insecure in fact, that I would not go to the cafeteria and eat by myself. Kind of sad-----I am not this way any more. God had a lot of work to do on me. Needless to say I did not gain the freshmen 15. I did not starve myself--thanks to mom and her care packages I ate quite a bit of tuna and crackers.

2. I love peanut butter on my pancakes and waffles--and syrup of course!

3. I am addicted to ice. During the storm (Katrina) it was no where to be found until FEMA got here. I had gone two days with none and a delivery guy offered me his. I was so in need of some ice in my hot diet coke--another thing I love--I took it.

4. I eloped with my husband. I moved to Virginia for 3 months with a family that I baby sat for. While there I told my fiance of a year and a half that either we would marry (we had set the date and then he had backed out) or when I got back would no longer be dating. We married in Oakton, Virgina on November 21 of 1988.

5. I got pregnant on my honeymoon.
We had a church ceremony because Keith's Mom wanted to see her baby married. No one knew we were married--I had to tell Mom about the marriage and the baby so she could expand my slip in the wedding dress I had gotten before I went to Virgina.
Keith's Mom passed away a week to the day before the church ceremony.
Yes, not the best way to start a marriage and a family. We had some rough times but God pulled us through.

6. I attend culinary school for three years after we got married. And worked as a sous chef in a fine dinning restaurant for 7 years before I retired to be a stay at home Mom. And Christine, if you lived in the area I could give you those cooking tips. :)

7. During those years I won several awards and competitions. One that I won was as a finalists e in a dessert competition sponsored by Julia Childs. The final competition did not take place (it was for a fund raiser)but I got to meet her and have a picture taken with her. She was very sweet. I have a chef hat signed by her that I keep with the picture.
During those years I also met Emeril Lagasse (I almost went to work for him), and Paul Prudhomme. I was not a woman of God during these years. Matter of fact I had walked away from God during this time. But now that I look back I see His finger prints all over these years. He used this time to bring me out of my shell. I began to see that I had something to offer this world--even if I did become a little prideful at the time. He was taking me places even though I thought I had left Him behind. I have a powerful love for Him because of how He took care of me during those years.

Now for the seven people to tag.

Dee
'Nise
HalfMoon Girl
Holly
Sunny Susan
Southern Sunflower
The Desire Of My Heart