tag, I'm it!

Back on December 20th, before our move, sweet Bekah tagged me in a post that was oh so fun to read but that I had no time to respond to due to The Move. So, I hereby respond to said tagged post with the answers I am required to respond to, and also post The Rules that I am required to post, and tag the folks that I want to hear answers to MY questions from... 

Here are the rules:

1. You must post these rules.
2. Each person much post 11 things about themselves on their blog.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
4. You have to choose 11 people to tag and link them on the post.
5. Go to their page and tell them you have linked him or her.
6. No tag backs.
7. No stuff in the tagging section about 'you are tagged if you are reading this.' You legitimately have to tag 11 people.

Here are ELEVEN things about me (chosen randomly according to whatever comes to mind at this very moment):

1. I've had my nose pierced for 13 years come April, and I've never had a proper nose ring stud in my nose... just a tiny diamond earring stud...

2. I am a singer and I play guitar and a little piano. I've been playing guitar for 17 years. 

3. I am 5'8" and I weigh 135lbs. pffft. Now you know.

4. I looooooove to dance. 

5. I was born in Atlanta, but lived in England and Colorado between the ages of 10 and 18. 

6. I ran away (or rather, sneaked away) from home once... 

7. I've been a raw foodist, done macrobiotics, been vegan, vegetarian, Body Ecology... it's all good. But the best I EVER felt was the day I ate chicken after being raw vegan. HA!

8. I am currently drinking vodka with sparkling water and lime and I like it! (that was last night before my battery died ;o) )

9. I lived in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii for two looong consecutive summers and we were supposed to move there, but moved back to Atlanta instead... I was heartbroken... and so began the beginning of the end of my youth. 

10. I have cut my hair completely off (to short short pixie cut) five times and grown it out completely (to my lower middle back) five times... always regret it... ugh - what does that say about me? Am I a closet masochist?
11. I have a permanent yellow dot on my bottom middle right tooth ... it came in that way, and the dentist always tries to pick it off... irritating!


Here are Bekah's questions and my answers!

1. What are you grateful for?

I'm grateful for a strong marriage, a strong back, a wide open future, a God that provides and a supportive family. And a roof over my head. And food stamps.

2. Could you honestly say that you are happy?

Honestly, some days when I really struggle with my kids and money and stuff, I am not happy (like today... stayed up too late, I'm grumpy and frustrated). But in general, yes, I am happier now than when I worked 50-60 hours a week making lots of money... I am not as happy with my SELF but that is another issue altogether!

3.What motivates you?

The desire for real, tangible change. The desire to move forward and be done with where I am at, no matter where that place is. Seeing others in a better place when I am done... 

4.What do you value most in a relationship?

Flexibility and understanding and trustworthiness - Speaking about friendships - I am not good at casual friendships. I usually have one or two close friends that know me intimately and then that's it... and sometimes even with them I am not consistent. When I find a friend who can understand that sometimes I just need to go into a hole and not come out for awhile and they aren't offended, I hold onto those friendships.

5. How have you grown over this past year?

I've learned that the things that matter most are not things. Not that I didn't realize that before... I just have grown to realize that worrying about money or stuff is pointless. Making sure Jason and I are good, the kids and I are good, and that we hold on to hope is what matters... yielding and allowing God to provide, and keeping hands open to give and to receive, it is very freeing... and unless you have open hands, there really is no way that you can experience the fullness of this. And it is very full!! The quote that was rolling around in my mind this morning was that one from Corrie Ten Boom... “There is no pit so deep, that God's love is not deeper still.” 

6. What gift would you love to give to a loved one?

I would love to give my husband a new pair of Asolo full leather hiking boots. That happened tonight!

7. Best date night.

I like date days that turn into nights... This would describe one of our honeymoon days/nights: a day on the beach in September with my man, dinner at Cafe 30-A and  a romantic night at our Rosemary Beach house... or a long day hike in the North GA mountains, followed by a great meal at the Crimson Moon in Dahlonega, and a long soak in the hot tub, good wine and ya know, stuff like that. :)

8. Current etsy love?

Hmmmm.... I have an etsy shop but I don't spend a lot of time perusing shops, mostly because I am so broke!  So honestly, I can't say I have a favorite... 

9. Current blog love?

I find myself reading Violet Bella and Casey Wiegand consistently. 

10. Book recommendation?

I am not much of a reader, mostly because I am so easily distracted. But I am currently reading The Help and Eat, Pray, Love at the same time. I like EPL because it's an easy one to pick up and put down... and doesn't make me feel bad about eating lots of good food. I plan to read Corrie Ten Boom's book, "The Hiding Place" this year. 

11. Favorite gift you are giving this year?

Santa brought Noah and Shiloh a really cool teepee... I think I liked it more than they did. I foresee some great indoor picnics with that thing...

TAGGED: Danielle, Jess, Casey, Jessica I., Lora, Brooke, Gemma, Rhiannon, Samantha, Gretchen, Sara

Here are my questions for the folks I've tagged:

1. Spiritually speaking, what person has influenced you most in how you live out your spiritual life?

2. If you could transport yourself to one place on earth that you've been to before, where would that be and why?

3. If you could eat one thing right now that you don't currently have in your pantry, what would it be and why?

4. If you could change one thing about your inner self, what would that be?

5. If you could change one thing about your outer self, what would that be?

6. What DIDN'T you get for Christmas that you wish you had?

7. What DID you get for Christmas that you wish you hadn't?

8. What are you doing tomorrow?

9. What were you doing before you sat down to write this blog post?

10. When you die, what is the one thing you most desire that people would remember you for?

11. If you won the lottery, what would you do with your winnings?