Eleven

The blog is suffering - there's no doubt.  I just haven't been feeling it.  But my friend, Mandi tagged me in this fun post so I'm gonna go for it.  I think it's fun and I have enough OCD that I could never ignore being tagged in a post:)


Here are the rules: 1. Post these rules. 2. You must post 11 random things about yourself. 3. Answer the questions set for you in their post. 4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer. 5. Go to their blog and tell them you've tagged them. 6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people.

11 Random things about me:

1.  I love to travel and I'm not very picky about where I go.  In a car, train, plane, whatever... wherever.  I will need my tablet, iPhone, Kindle and computer with me though. Oh, and my kid and husband, too.

2.  I am utterly enchanted by wikipedia and spend much of my online time on this site.  I also use Google as a tool to win arguments with my husband on a regular basis.  I also love words and consider it a source of pride if I'm able to use a word in conversation that my husband doesn't know.  And then we turn to google.  It's a vicious cycle, really.

3.  I wish very much that Diet Coke and iced lattes were healthy for you.  Like many people, I'm addicted to both.  I get a little bummed the night before I know I have to work the next day, but the idea of an iced latte from Sugar Rush literally makes me happier and gives me that special something to look forward to the next day.

4.  I get very excited about kitchen gadgets, but rarely remember to use them.  I also love getting serving dishes and new pots and pans, but I use the same two or three over and over.  

5.  I'm a reader.  I also have some obsessive characteristics so sometimes when I'm reading certain books, I get a little too invested.  Series are really not a good idea for me.  For instance, it's hard for me to leave Hogwarts and come back to reality when reading Harry Potter.  I also get very invested in specific authors.  Nobody will ever be able to convince me that Nelson DeMille isn't one of the most brilliant people alive.  

6.  I would love to wallpaper an entire room in old maps one day and I find globes inspiring somehow.

7.  I love living in the country b/c of the wide open spaces, but much prefer the convenience of living in a large city.  Because I live outside of town again since we've built our house, I feel very uncomfortable if I leave my home without a bag packed full of "possible needed items" no matter where I'm going or how long I will be gone.

8.   I am a huge fan of TV on DVD and have a complete collection of about 20 shows (so far).  The Office and Friends are my faves, but there are several different series that I've watched over and over.  I use them when I need to get over the desperation of having finished my last book series:)

9.  We're sports people.  Most of you know that.  Now that football will be over next week, we are relying really heavily on basketball, but I'm already dreading that dead time between basketball and the major golf tournaments.  I already told my husband to plan some trips for his job.  If I'm not going to have any sports to watch, I'm gonna need to be staying in a hotel a lot.

10. I am the only person I know who does not like grilled hamburgers (although I do love hamburgers).

11.  I do not consider buying books to be spending money.  I could be very happy by myself in Barnes and Noble for several days (I would need the Starbucks to be open though).

Mandi's questions for me:

1. How long should you know/date someone before marriage?  I'm fine with short relationships.  I only knew Ben 7 months before we got engaged.  
2. What is your favorite memory of me and you?  Mandi sent my son a gift of a t-shirt she had sewn a bowtie on.  I LOVED it and it's still a favorite of mine.
3. What is one book that everyone must read?  I have so many that I can only get it down to three:  Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers; Safely Home by Randy Alcorn; The Charm School by Nelson DeMille
4. Which is better, a rainy day at home watching movies or a sunny day outside?  If my husband and son are with me, I'll take a rainy day at home ANY day
5. What do you remember most about your childhood?  weekend trips almost every weekend - it may be where my love of travel comes from 
6. Biggest pet peeve?  people giving too much information or pouring their feelings out to others in front of an audience - makes me extremely uncomfortable
7. Favorite weird food combo? I put french fries on my burgers but I'm not sure if that's weird
8. Sonic or Dairy Queen?  Sonic 
9. Favorite name for a boy? Girl?  Boy = Jack  Girl = Eden
10. Outdoor/church/other wedding?  I had a church wedding and I don't regret that at all, but I love attending weddings that are outside the box.  I most like weddings that seem to fit the couple.
11. Most effective diet exercise plan you've tried?  I had some results with The 30 Day Shred, but it was HARD!

My questions for my friends:

1.  What is one book that everyone must read?  

2.  Favorite name for a boy?  Girl? 

3.  Favorite movie quote?
4. If you needed a rocking new outfit, which store would be your first stop?

5. What is one thing on your bucket list?

6.  Favorite sports event/team?

7.  Where is your dream vacation destination?

8.  What movie can you watch over and over and over?

9.  Favorite Word?  Least Favorite?

10.  Boots or Heels?

11.  Other than your current profession, what profession would you most like to pursue?

People I'm tagging:

Emily at http://encouragementfromemily.blogspot.com/

Karen at http://reflectivereasonings.blogspot.com/

Melanie at http://www.kevinandmel.com/

Elizabeth at http://thewonderfulhappens.wordpress.com/

Kyetra at http://www.kyetrabelton.com/

Alexis at http://mom2mycrazy2.blogspot.com/

Shoshana at http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/

Courtney at http://courtscorner-courtney.blogspot.com/

Pam at http://theadventuresofmrsreagan.blogspot.com/

Sarah at http://sarahsmithstorm.blogspot.com/

Gail at http://sophisticatedsteps.blogspot.com/