May the Blogging Begin: 20 Facts

I am being a copy cat, haha, and going to steal my sisters list for blogging. Why? Because I love to blog but dont make the time...and it seems like a pretty fun thing to do! So here's the list and I will start with #1. I am not sure how often I will do it. I dont want to commit to weekly, daily, or anything like that. But the subjects excite me so we will see how this goes. And thanks Jana for having better resources and ideas than I do! xoxo

THE LIST:

1. List 20 random facts about yourself
.2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.
3. Describe your relationship with your parents.
4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.
5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?
6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?7. What is your dream job, and why?
8. What are 5 passions you have?
9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
10. Describe your most embarrassing moment.
11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.
12. Describe a typical day in your current life.
13. Describe 5 weaknesses you have.
14. Describe 5 strengths you have.
15. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?
18. What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?
19. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
21. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?

22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
23. List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.
24. Describe your family dynamic of your childhood vs. your family dynamic now.
25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?
26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?
27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?
28. What is your love language?
29. What do you think people misunderstand most about you?
30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for.

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20 Random Facts

1. I am completely freaked out by things that "look like brains"...however I am not at all grossed out by ACTUAL brains. For instance: crop rows or the scales on the flying dog from Never Ending Story.


2. Fritos are my favorite chip. ESPECIALLY when served with French Onion dip. I could eat a whole bag in one day.


3. My mom is my hero. She's the strongest, most incredible woman I know and I hope to be just as strong and centered as she is.


4. One of my favorite memories is M&M brunches. I think that we should re institute them as MJ Square brunches. They're the most fun you can have before noon.


5. I avoid confrontation at all costs yet I love to debate. So much that it has gotten me in trouble a few times. There are a lot of things that I can overlook and let slide but if I feel my rights or someone else's are being crossed...I have to speak up.


6. I cannot wait for the day I am a soccer mom and homemaker ( complete with minivan). Its my hearts desire and always has been. And not for lack of desire to work, but because I desire to be the kind of mom who does it all and has it all together for her family. My heart is to serve my family.


7. There are days I feel like I will never overcome my battles with weight. And some of those days I am somewhat okay with that. And others it completely devours my thoughts and emotions making me think that Im a horrible person. I wish I could get past it but its absolutely the hardest thing Ive ever known.


8. I dont do well around or with older people. They make me uncomfortable and I dont know how to handle it. Its like I forget how to have conversation or behave. And that worries me....since we all get old.


9. I have irrational fears of chickens, armadillos, and cars submerged in water.


10. I knew I wanted to marry my husband 2 months into dating him. It took me 3 months to tell him I loved him...in an around the bush kind of way. haha He caught up to me 3 months later and it was the greatest moment of our dating life.


11. Laser Tag is possibly my favorite active activity. I get very competitive and extremely upset by the bratty children who dont follow the rules. (See, even now Im irritated writing about them haha)


12. In a perfect world, where money didnt matter, I would do some form of theatre involvement full time. I think it would the perfect thing. But in a world where I have to help pay bills which also means I have to work 8 hours...its just not feasible. However, if it were, I would quit my job tomorrow. Theatre is in my soul and there's no denying it.


13. I want another dog. But Im scared that Peanut will not adjust and it will just be complete chaos. Im also always worried that one dog will "snap" and hurt the other one. Ive seen it happen before and Peanut's even been a victim, but I hope one day I get over that.


14. When I think of dream homes, I dont think modern or grandeur. I think of a nice, warm tone, cookie cutter home in a good school system with a nice backyard. Thats the kind of place I want to live. Thats the kind of place I want to raise a family.


15. My deepest fear is that I will fail as a mother and wife. Nothing scares me more in the world.


16. I have learned that I am terrible at maintaining friendships. Not only am I terrible at it, I am jealous of those who arent. I havent always been this way but for some reason I cant remember how I did it before.


17. Musicals make my heart sing. I grew up on the classics. Summer Stock is my all time favorite.Annie makes me laugh. All of my own performances make me nostalgic. However, if I am cleaning house or crafting my choice would be Madea Goes to Jail (dont hate).


18. I miss singing in choir. I quit one choir/praise team for theatre which led me to a new choir. I quit the new choir to date my husband more or less. And now, I am in no choir and miss the feelings you get when you're singing with others (choir, theatre, or otherwise).


19. I want to take my husband to New York more than anything. To show him the things that flood my mind any time we watch ANYTHING that was filmed in NY. To let him feel the energy of the city. But Im not sure how to make that a reality without breaking the bank.


20. There are very few things that can brighten my day as instantly as hearing "Ant Mallowy" from my niece Kynlee. Shes the most precious 5 year old I know and I feel blessed to be her aunt. Its a joy to watch her grow up, though it sure does make me feel old!

Life

Life is great.

I absolutely LOVE being married. Its the greatest thing since sliced bread. We've been married now for 2 months and 2.5 weeks and every day is an adventure. Its just right.

Sure not everything is easy, but we have just about the same amount and level of "rough patches" as we did dating. They are very small and far between and we always end up making it better. Its life and it goes on and as long as it goes on with him, Im okay.

There are two things I have noticed since being married.

1. I cant spend money whenever I want. Its really hard to not just go buy the new pairs of shoes that you want because you know you have the money in your bank. REALLY hard. But we're on a budget and Im sticking to it. We're sticking to it. We're determined to save from the beginning (which we have) and never be caught up a financial creek. So far, we're doing really well. We have about 2 months of our expenses saved up. Sure there may be things we want to do along the way (vacations, etc) but we want to buy a house and have a significant amount to put down and still have some in savings. So we're saving. And Im passing on shoes and hoodies and impulse buys until then. :)

2. When you get married, your friends seem to disappear. I think its probably something that starts in the midst of an engagement and then you see the full results after the wedding is over. Im sure its because you're focusing on each other and the joys of being  married and being with each other. But it is nice to be with others too. Its hard to feel forgotten. To feel like you've done something wrong or offensive (or that maybe they just dont really enjoy your company after all). Its rough. I will survive with my husband, but it would be a much more fulfilled and joyful life if we had community to enjoy (outside of xbox headsets). And I get that friendship is a two way street....but it would be nice to feel like people weren't detouring away from our street all the time. Its been so long since we've been asked or contacted and it gets so hard to ask and get turned down so much. Empty promises and "we'll get together sometime"s are hard.

We just had a four day Thanksgiving weekend which we spent relaxing. It was nice. He helped me decorate for Christmas (because for some stupid weird reason, this year I wasnt motivated to do it like before). We had a spontaneous mini-date at Hey Day and played an hour of laser tag (thanks to buy 1 get 1 free). We did laundry, played lots of Halo Reach, slept in and stayed up late. And then there's Thanksgiving. This year my mom and her new husband took Cara to San Diego, CA to spend the holidy with my step sisters. Jana and Ryan went to his parents. And Jeremiah and I went to his parents for the meal. We had a wonderful time there. I love my inlaws. And then we went over the soon to be wed, John and Dale's for desserts. We ended up staying there for 3 hours just chatting it up...which is a favorite past time of mine with them. I cannot wait for their wedding in December (even though Im not able to attend physically)!!

However this was the first year Ive not seen any of my family. Its not about not loving who I did spend it with. Its about missing my own blood. My own traditions. It was weird. I dont like it. I never really thought it would be a big deal. But it is. Im going to need this not happen again. My family is my center. My support. My haven. So I need that in my life. I NEED it. Im going to be more conscious of this next holiday.

Which brings me to Christmas. I love this time of year. Its cheerful. Its bright. Its cold (I HOPE). I love it. What I dont love is the stress of feeling like you have to get people gifts. Its so hard! Do I love getting gifts? YES. And I actually love giving them....when I have the money AND when I dont feel obligated. This year, being newlyweds, we really dont have the extra to spend on everyone. Now dont get me wrong...we're still doing gifts. Just not what everyone would expect. I just hope it goes over well. I hope they see past the present.

In other news, we are volunteering and Poteet Theatre this week (hopefully will get to see Mrs.Cyndi Steele Harrod knock Ms. Hannigan out of the park). I just bought Kelly Clarkson's "Stonger" album and She & Him's Christmas Album. AND I can finally go look at Christmas lights! SO excited.