Just Who IS kitterztoo?

I am not a writer.  Nor do I profess to be one. My name is Nicole. I'm a mother, wife, sister, and friend to many. My identity is still quite unknown to myself except for the labels I've been given.  I'd like to think I'm an artist, although that is still being defined. I live in Southwest Michigan and I'm the youngest of 4 (2 other sisters and one brother).  I'm the only one in the family to have had girls--two to be exact.  I don't use proper punctuation most of the time.  Those damn commas really fuck me up.

I'm immature, or so I've been told. Don't confuse immaturity for being a piss poor parent.  I just don't think like a 40 year old. I love to have fun, and I certainly don't mind being self-deprecating. I'm not well-read so I apologize now if I've never heard of a certain author you adore.  I love Hello Kitty, but I also love Webkinz.  What are Webkinz? You'll have to read that story another day. 

Michigan State University took nine years of my life and I have nothing to show for it.  I am one semester away from having a dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Microbiology and Clinical Lab Sciences.  I also spent two years in their BA Studio Art program.  Unfortunately, migraines took the hopes of finishing any of those degrees away for the time being.  Parenthood consumed the rest.

I'm all kinds of fucked up physically and mentally.  I have a laundry list of what is wrong with me.  Let's just say I know for a fact there is a recall letter somewhere for my body. I think it's in the dead letter department of the post office or got lost somewhere when I moved.  When someone comes up with a full body transplant, I'll be near the top of the waiting list.  I have had migraines since age 9 which, if you do the math, makes it about 30 years now.  If there is an experimental treatment for them, I've probably been a part of the study five years ago.  I also have arthritis, fibromyalgia, psoriasis, extruded spinal disk, some sort of auto-immune problem, and major depression.  I truly believe I am the poster child for better living through chemistry.  Without a sick sense of humor, I would probably not be here.  When I had MRSA in my leg a couple of years ago, I joked with my oldest sister that if it had to be removed, they could officially call me Gimpy.  It nearly happened, and I still think it's funny.  Sick, eh?

I can actually brag say I'm quite talented with "crafts".  Not the popsicle stick/pompon glue kind, but rather a myriad of other artsy things.  Here's a list.  I quilt, sew, tat (a way of making lace with thread and shuttle), knit, spin fiber, scrapbook, lampwork glass beads (Moretti and Effetre), weave, beadweave, dye, cross-stitch, embroider, silk ribbon embroider, sculpt art dolls, make soap and candles, origami, kirigami, kumihimo (japanese braiding), as well as other things that I cannot recall right away.  If I don't know how to do it, I'm in the process of learning it.  Oh, and I can work on your car and rewire switches, lamps, and outlets.  I was raised like a second son my father never had.

I also have had a past I would never wish on anyone. Eventually you will all meet my skeletons, because I'm a firm believer in living in the moment and being an open book.  Which leads to anonymity.  I have chosen to be somewhat anonymous here.  I do have a journal, but I use that for another purpose.  I never thought I'd live to age 40, so when I turned 40, I had one hell of a party.  This also drives me to tell others who I am in blog form.  If I finally admit who I am to everyone, then I won't feel quite as invisible as my past.  That being said, I promise not to be a total downer.  See my personal journey through life. I'm still learning to be a great mom even though I had the worst role female role models.  I think that's why I'm still a little immature.  I can be very goofy/silly and it makes my girls laugh.  If that's all anyone can ever say about me after I'm long dead, it will be good enough for me.

Follow me on Twitter: @kitterztoo