Pulling teeth. And I’m not talking about my own kids. I’ve put my fingers in more mouths than I care to admit. And I’ve successfully extracted a dangling but stubborn tooth from a frightened kid every time. Some folks call me … the tooth whisperer. (Seriously, I want a cape.)
Making grilled cheese sandwiches. It was the first thing I learned how to cook as a kid. My gift was recognized immediately so I was quickly promoted to head chef in my family when we made them for dinner. Sadly, poor cookware and a smoke alarm installed entirely too close to my oven have created far too perfect a storm for me these days. And three fire house visits (by dudes who all could have jumped directly from the firemen’s calendar, by the way) are enough for me. I’ve hung up my spatula until we move to a new house.
My Mary Tyler Moore impression. It’s only a few words, but I’ve been told it’s pretty darn good. And I owe it all to hours of classic (The Mary Tyler Moore Show) and super classic (The Dick Van Dyke Show) TV shows with my mom and dad.
Flat ironing hair. Well, duh, if I’m anal about it, I’m also probably good at it. It’s actually the only thing Vivien will allow me to do to her hair.
Folding t-shirts. Thanks to years of experience acquired from my job at Limited Express. We actually used a clipboard to ensure that every shirt was folded the exact same size back then. Now I can do it free form. Because I’m just that good.
Remembering numbers. “Hey, Michele. What’s my license number again?”… “Do you know your checking account and routing numbers?” … “Do you remember your childhood phone number?” … “Does anyone know the customer service number for Cox Cable?” Yep. I can answer all of these (and lots of others) off the top of my head. Which has often earned me mouth-dropped looks like I’m Raymond Babbitt. I guess this is where my son …. who we called Rain Man as a toddler … gets it. Three minutes to Wapner …
What about YOU?
What are your freakish talents?
June is Blog Post by Numbers Month. Wanna play with Mel and me? Just write a “listy-type” post with a number in the title (ex. FOUR Reasons I Love Mayonnaise, SIX Things You Can Do With A Paper Clip). Then link back to us and tweet us about it so we can include you on June 30th in our final list: (Number-Yet-To-Be-Determined) Great Bloggers Who Played the Blog Post by Numbers Game!
OldDogNewTits 
Is it odd that I, too, have a MTM impression? Hope you and Dave are doing well. I just found out I am going to be a Daddy again!
From: OldDogNewTits <comment-reply@wordpress.com> Reply-To: OldDogNewTits <comment+r60qruli3-z7am6rat2264y9@comment.wordpress.com> Date: Monday, June 23, 2014 10:40 AM To: Michael Strecker <mstreck@tulane.edu> Subject: [New post] SIX Oddly Specific Things I’m Good At Doing
OldDogNewTits posted: ” Pulling teeth. And I’m not talking about my own kids. I’ve put my fingers in more mouths than I care to admit. And I’ve successfully extracted a dangling but stubborn tooth from a frightened kid every time. Some folks call me … the tooth whisperer. (S”
A. I’ve GOT to hear that. 🙂
B. Congratulations!
I think I might want to marry you. (*Wink*)
Mostly because I love grilled cheese and a gal who can fold a T-shirt or towel correctly.
Just for the record Michele, I am loving these lists of numbered things. I will miss them in July.
Truth? I’ll actually miss them. But I’ll also be able to finally start working on some other projects, feeding my family, watching TV and bathing again! 30 posts in 30 days?!!? What the FRICK was I thinking? (Frick. Me = Ned Flanders)
watching TV and bathing are good things. 🙂
Love you “Ned Flanders” .
Bathing. Who am I kidding? I haven’t had time for the luxury of an actual “bath” in years! (But “bathing” is always funnier than “showering.” I don’t know why. I don’t make the rules.)
Remembering song lyrics 🙂
Ooh. That’s a good one that could actually be put to use. Unless you’re like a nuclear physicist or something. In which case it’s a waste. 🙂
I NEED YOU HERE! How fast can you get here?? Zander has a tooth that’s been hanging for far too long. I have tried to pull it, but have been unsuccessful. It’s gotta go!
THIS IS WHY I NEED A CAPE! AND THE POWER OF FLIGHT … OR, AT LEAST, TELEPORTATION!
My 6-month stint at the Gap in high school also made me a professional folder, shirts and pants! Comes in quite handy with 3 children! Also pulling teeth… I have a move called “The Mommy Smack-Down” that is the only way my son will let me help him pull his teeth.
Sounds like we have a lot in common. How are your grilled cheese making skills?
I don’t want to brag, but…