Secrets. I’ve got a few. But, I’m not willing to blast my emotional baggage across the internet. I consider it BRAVE enough having revealed my name and face to the virtual world. Then there are those who have zero shame. Who don’t mind sharing their darkest secrets online.
Ever heard of the Postsecret Project? It’s a hub that encourages people to reveal the skeletons in their closet. Founder, Frank Warren, has received more than 500,000 secrets mailed to him on postcards. The themes that come through Postsecret are love, betrayal, and the fall from grace. The most common secret Warren gets is: “I pee in the shower.” I discovered this phenomenon through my friend Becca. In fact, she inspired me to investigate my own secrets. This movement also motivated my friend Little Miss Wordy.
So, today, I am going to lay things bare. But, instead of mailing a postcard with just one secret, I’ve decided to share TEN secrets with you on my blog. Anonymity is overrated, right? Here’s a sampling of my hidden confessions:
1. The beach is twelve minutes from my house, and yet, I rarely go in the water. My fear of being stung by a sting ray prevents me from splashing in the waves.
2. I can curl my tongue into a tube shape. Some people haven’t inherited this trait. Tongue rolling remains a popular debate in genetic studies.
3. I have a strange ritual before falling asleep. I MUST take my socks off and lay them at the foot of the bed. Socks do not belong between the sheets.
4. When I was pregnant with my first child, I craved Kraft Macaroni & Cheese round the clock. The creamier the better.
5. I love wearing scarves. Even though I live on the west coast, scarves are a must during cold winter nights.
6. I’ve never killed a bug, at least not intentionally. My husband catches the critters and escorts them to the front door. They have families too.
7. I only get a haircut twice a year because I like wearing my hair long. That, and I’m busy maintaining my home that I forget about my personal upkeep.
Husband likes the glasses. Kids NOT so much. I’m siding with the kids on this one.
8. During my twenties, I secretly wanted to get a tattoo. But fortunately, I was terrified of needles so I never got inked.
9. Every evening, around 7:00 p.m., I take out my contacts and put on glasses to give my eyes a rest.
10. My first concert was U2. Bono sounds even better live. My second concert was watching Santana open for the Rolling Stones.
I’ll throw in a bonus secret just because I love you so much . . . I secretly wish I could play the guitar. Acoustic or electric, it really doesn’t matter. Every chord reverberates with soul. Maybe Renaissance Man will teach me how to play.
Now, it’s your turn. What are some of your SECRETS?
That’s a fun post! And you are so pretty!!!!!
Posted by momtimes4 | January 17, 2013, 7:01 amGlad you like it! Not in the mood to divulge any secrets today? Like what you craved when you were pregnant?
Posted by Anka | January 17, 2013, 7:16 amOkay – here is what I craved:
baby 1: cherries
baby 2: twix bars
baby 3: anything mexican
baby 4: anything chocolate
Now I’m hungry!
Posted by momtimes4 | January 17, 2013, 7:18 amOh, I craved Mexican food too! My craving for chocolate NEVER subsides, pregnant or not. Thanks for sharing my friend!
Posted by Anka | January 17, 2013, 7:19 amI agree!
Posted by DressedinMYcloset | January 17, 2013, 7:35 pmChocolate 365 days a year sounds good to me. I don’t need an excuse to indulge!
Posted by Anka | January 17, 2013, 8:03 pm“Number 6 was SO sweet.” – said the giant hairspray bug murderer.
Great secrets Anka! Do you feel free? I feel free.
Posted by becca3416 | January 17, 2013, 7:12 amYes, I feel FREE! Thanks for the inspiration, Becca! But I’m thinking there are more skeletons in my closet than just craving Kraft macaroni & cheese . . .
Posted by Anka | January 17, 2013, 7:15 amMe too girl. Maybe I’ll reveal more at a later time. Could be a monthly post topic or something… hmmm.
Posted by becca3416 | January 17, 2013, 7:17 amvery nice post!Great sicret ,my friend Have nice day.With love maxima
Posted by Maxima | January 17, 2013, 7:29 amThank you, Maxima. Hope you have a wonderful day too!
Posted by Anka | January 17, 2013, 8:01 amYou should go check this link out, this blogger is creating her own PostSecret Project in the blogosphere called BLOGSECRET.
http://23seventeen.blogspot.com/search/label/blogsecret
Posted by Amber | January 17, 2013, 8:01 amThanks, I will definitely check it out. Have you participated in her blog secret movement yet?
Posted by Anka | January 17, 2013, 8:02 amNot yet. I am just getting a chance to catch-up on some blog reading this morning and came across it! So what a coinkydink that you posted this and I read it just shortly afterwards!
Posted by Amber | January 17, 2013, 8:05 amA coinkydink indeed! Sounds like we could all come clean about the secrets in our lives. Always great chatting with you, Amber. Have a lovely day!
Posted by Anka | January 17, 2013, 8:08 amLove this post. I too have to take my socks off, have a fear of needles, and only get a hair cut twice year for the same reasons.
Posted by When the Kids Go To Bed | January 17, 2013, 9:29 amYay! Another “fellow sock take ‘em off-er.” As for the haircuts, it’s a sad commentary when mom can only squeeze TWO haircuts per year. That certainly wouldn’t be the case for our babies. They’re always FIRST, right?
Posted by Anka | January 17, 2013, 10:46 amYou’re so crazy beautiful!!!
My first concert was Tiffany. With my dad.
Posted by mylifeisthebestlife | January 17, 2013, 10:29 amHa! I remember Tiffany and who could forget Debbie Gibson? Those were my girls! How is everything at home? Is everyone still healthy?
Posted by Anka | January 17, 2013, 10:38 amI ADORED Debbie Gibson!
Everything at home is good now. We had a REALLY bad night the other day, but it seems to be back to normal again. How are YOU? Are you healthy and fabulous again?
Posted by mylifeisthebestlife | January 18, 2013, 5:46 amI’m about 50% better. Thanks for asking my dear! We’re headed into a three day weekend because of Martin Luther King holiday, so I’m hoping to catch up on rest!
Posted by Anka | January 18, 2013, 8:39 amGirl, there’s no need to wear contacts, you can so easily pull off those glasses
Posted by luchessa | January 17, 2013, 10:31 amThanks for your kind words! But I feel self conscious when I wear my glasses. My kids tell me I look like a grandma!
Posted by Anka | January 17, 2013, 10:42 amMany women feel that way i guess. But seriously – look at your pic with the glasses…
Posted by luchessa | January 17, 2013, 10:45 amMy secret is that I want to be a surrogate (and possibly have more of my own kids) and experience natural childbirth just once. I had to have an emergency C/S with my son, but succeeded with a VBAC with my daughter. I made it to 8 centimeters and begged for an epidural. I want to try it one more time though!!!!! (Anita, if you’re reading, help a girl out…) Oh and I totally agree: you’re a sexy lady in those glasses!!
Posted by whencrazymeetsexhaustion | January 17, 2013, 11:36 amI was sensing that you wanted another baby! Nothing By the Book’s blog tipped me off. Anyhow, you should go for it! You’re still young enough. DO IT! And yes, Anita if you’re out there . . . give us some words of wisdom super mama!
Posted by Anka | January 17, 2013, 11:40 am
Posted by whencrazymeetsexhaustion | January 17, 2013, 11:42 am12 minutes from the water??? I’m so jealous! I would risk the sting ray sting right now to get away from this cold weather in Wisconsin! When I was pregnant with my first I craved and ate sooooo much peanut butter that I actually made myself sick and couldn’t stand to look at it the last few months. I got over it a few years ago and am back to being a peanut butter lover on a smaller scale but Iris who I was pregnant with can not eat it for the life of her!
Posted by motherhoodisanart | January 17, 2013, 12:07 pmYikes! You already know how I feel about anything below sixty degrees. As for the peanut butter, I can’t believe you developed an aversion to that creamy goodness. And, your little Iris doesn’t like peanut butter to this day? I’m shocked!
Posted by Anka | January 17, 2013, 12:19 pmHi Anka…okay, just one secret today. I craved nachos with my first child. Not surprisingly, perhaps, he loves nachos to this day. it’s one of his favorite snacks! Oh, what did I start? I, too, can’t sleep with socks. Okay, that’s two!
Posted by The Bumble Files | January 17, 2013, 12:10 pmI loved Mexican food too, Amy! Did you eat jalapenos with your nachos? I know the OBGYN advises against spicy food when you’re pregnant, but I couldn’t resist!
Posted by Anka | January 17, 2013, 12:16 pmNo, no jalapenos! I don’t like things too hot!!
Posted by The Bumble Files | January 17, 2013, 12:17 pmOkay, it’s killing me! I must know if the socks stay at the foot of the bed all night once placed there.
I really enjoyed your enlightening post and am so glad they aliens didn’t abduct you!
Posted by littlemisswordy | January 17, 2013, 3:04 pmWonder no more . . . I keep my socks at the foot of the bed. Would that drive you crazy? You’re probably more of a neat freak than me. As for being abducted, no signs of alien life form in my neck of the woods. But, I’ll keep my eyes peeled open.
Posted by Anka | January 18, 2013, 8:43 amActually that’s too funny what miss wordy says, where, oh where do they go Anka?……… Seriously super post, love love loved it !! Number six cracks me up, I’m the same way, except I never concluded about their families too ! Small silly secret: since I love coffee so much, I switched to half caffeine…now I can drink it all day and do ! As always Anka, super sweet !
Posted by mistymidnite | January 17, 2013, 3:49 pmYou too, curious about my socks? They go at the end of my bed. As for your secret, I have to wonder why you switched to only having HALF the caffeine? I’m on the opposite side of the spectrum, if I’m not totally wired from my cup of joe, then it’s not worth it. Have a lovely weekend, Ellie!
Posted by Anka | January 18, 2013, 8:46 amI would share my secrets, but I’m too busy being jealous of your proximity to the beach.
baby 1-juice, any and all juices
baby 2-salty salty salty fries with chocolate milkshakes
baby 3-skip the fries, just give me the salt
Posted by mrs fringe | January 17, 2013, 5:37 pmOh, Mrs. Fringe, I can definitely relate to your cravings with baby #2– salty fries with a chocolate milkshake. Is it safe to assume that you dipped a few fries directly into the shake? I still do that on occasion. Now, my kids do it too!
Posted by Anka | January 18, 2013, 8:52 amIs there any other way? :p
Posted by mrs fringe | January 18, 2013, 8:58 amI hide candy from my kids. I tell them they can’t have candy; then I sneak it for myself.
I count down the minutes everyday until I can get back into my sweats.
I like to sing in the car…..loudly….and pretend I’m on a stage.
LOVE the post!
Posted by Kerry's Organized Chaos | January 17, 2013, 7:22 pmKerry, I knew I liked you for a reason! You already know what I do with my kid’s Halloween candy . . . steal it for myself. As for singing in the car, I pretend I’m a rock star too. Then when I pull up to a red light, I stop and try to act normal. Have a great weekend doll!
Posted by Anka | January 18, 2013, 9:04 amSuch a lovely post, Anka! Number 6 is my favorite. Our family also has bug escorting rituals, basically by my husband and kids. I don’t have that kind of patience, and may have squashed and crushed a few here and there. Now thats’s my secret, a bug murderer! But on my defense, not sure if that’s intentional! Their appearance usually terrifies me! Yes, I am so terrified of bugs!
Posted by Jiawei | January 17, 2013, 7:40 pmJiawei, you’re a self professed bug squasher! How will you live with the shame? No, really, I’m sure I’ve crunched a few bugs in my lifetime too. The only insect I REFUSE to go near is a spider. They have a paralyzing effect on me!
Posted by Anka | January 18, 2013, 9:13 amYou are very pretty in your glasses! And of course without them
I guess my biggest secret to share is I am afraid of permanent contraception. I guess I think I’ll go into a dark depression if I can’t keep having kids! I tell everyone this is my last baby (since #4) but I honestly have no plans to the my tubes. I kinda feel a little loco:-) when I was pregnant with #1 I craved Taco Bell and mashed potatoes
#2 ICE and sweet tea!
#3 & 4 (they were practically the same pregnancy) Mexican food from the taco shop
#5 steak!!
#6 seafood! Crab and crawfish!
Posted by reaching4hishem | January 17, 2013, 9:02 pmUnbelievable! I craved Taco Bell bean burritos with my first baby too. There’s something about their cheesy goodness that soothed my morning sickness. With baby #2, I craved crab sushi rolls. They weren’t raw but my husband advised against eating any form of shell fish. By the way, I think it’s amazing that you’re raising four children and wouldn’t rule out the possibility of baby number five. There is definitely a special grace over your life!
Posted by Anka | January 18, 2013, 9:22 amThanks Anka I have 5 and am due any day now with number 6! Haha! That adds a little more crazy too it
Posted by reaching4hishem | January 18, 2013, 4:48 pmOh, I didn’t realize you’re on baby number six. For some reason I thought you only had four. Well, congratulations. You are a true super HERO in my book!
Posted by Anka | January 18, 2013, 4:57 pmAnka you rock with those glasses! I always wanted to wear a pair (never really needed them) and when I was around 14 I lied at the optics just to make him prescribe me a pair (am I crazy or what??)
Posted by wonderlandbytatu | January 17, 2013, 11:27 pmHa! Tatu, I can’t believe you were so desperate to wear glasses. Do you own a pair now? If not, then I am envious of you for having impeccable eyesight. My vision started to deteriorate when I was twenty. It’s been downhill since then. So wonderful to hear from you girl! Have a fantastic weekend my friend!
Posted by Anka | January 18, 2013, 9:26 amYeap, now I actually NEED a pair to drive at night but I do forget to put them on sometimes (ironic, right?) I hope you enjoyed your weekend! xxx,T
Posted by wonderlandbytatu | January 21, 2013, 3:32 amI am TERRIFIED of ladybugs. Oh, and if I were allowed to eat only one food, it would be gummy cola bottles, hands down.
Posted by thisisthecornerwepeein | January 19, 2013, 7:10 pmHey you, how are you feeling? Has the plague left your house? I so get the ladybug thing. Legend says they’re supposed to bring good luck but I’ve had one too many leave something else on my arm. As for the gummy cola bottles, if I ever ate one of those, my kids would think I was the COOLEST mom in the world. My go-to candy is usually a chocolate covered raisin!
Posted by Anka | January 19, 2013, 7:20 pmBtw, those glasses are ridiculously terrific. I love them!
Posted by thisisthecornerwepeein | January 19, 2013, 7:12 pmYeah, trying telling that to my kids. They can’t stand when I wear my glasses!
Posted by Anka | January 19, 2013, 7:21 pmOkay, you want secrets? I’m game! Okay, I decided to make my own post about it. Here it is, if you’re interested. https://valkyrieiam.wordpress.com/2013/01/20/secrets-now-not-so-secret/
Posted by Fox | January 19, 2013, 11:18 pmSuper! I’m on way over to take a peek.
Posted by Anka | January 20, 2013, 7:27 amYou sure can rock those glasses Anka!
I enjoyed your secrets. I totally understand the guitar desire. I was reading through some of my writings from THIRTY years ago where I was saying THEN what I’m still saying now “I wish” I could play. My friend said last night we should each get guitars and take lessons together. Now, of course, I think I should. That, and my xylophone! lessons. 
Posted by Chatter Master | January 20, 2013, 7:09 amColleen, seems to me that your desire to play the guitar has not subsided. You NEED to listen to your friend and start taking lessons. I’m sure you won’t regret it. Then, once you’re really skilled at it, you can post a vlog of yourself playing the guitar!
Posted by Anka | January 20, 2013, 7:35 amI was surprised when she suggested it last night. We will do this! And I will do a vlog just for you! Uhm….but don’t look too soon. We just ordered the xylophone! I should probably have that in my hands before I tell Husband we need to buy yet another musical instrument!
Posted by Chatter Master | January 20, 2013, 12:32 pmCute post, Anka! I HAVE that book–Post Secret, and it is juicy!
Here’s a a lil handy 411 from one beach gal to another: if you shuffle your feet when you go in the water–not picking them up at all–this will allow the rays to get out of your way before the tail lash. I call it the: Stingray Shuffle, appropriately enough! (but confess it’s been at least a year since I took a dip)
Posted by Charron's Chatter | February 18, 2013, 11:28 amFabulous advice, Charron! I like what you’ve dubbed this stealth-like maneuver. My kids are definitely going to get a lesson in the “Stingray Shuffle!” Hope you’re enjoying this sunny southern California Monday!
Posted by Anka | February 18, 2013, 5:21 pm