I am so late on posting this and I really would like to keep up with my blog, I promise to write more!


Thanks to the sweet Heather over at High Heels & Flip-Flops for tagging me in this fun little question game, here are the rules...

Rules:

1. You must post these rules.

2. Each person must post 11 things about herself on her blog.
3. Answer the questions the "tagger" listed for you in her post, and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
4. You must choose 11 people to tag and link to them in the post.
5. Go to each blogger’s page and mention that you have tagged her.

1) Who inspires you, whether historically, in your day-to-day life, or both?

Historically I have always been inspired by strong women who made a difference in their own lives and lives of others like Harriet Tubman, Susan B. Anthony, Princess Diana, Barbara Walters, and Oprah.

Personally I am inspired by my husband and step-children, my best friend Rebecca, and certain women that I have met through blogging who are strong, independent women who are photographers, jewelry makers, crafters, and wedding coordinators.

2) Do you have a favorite season?

I love the Spring and the Fall...the weather isn't too hot or too cold and there are beautiful landscapes to enjoy.

(Spring Flowers)

(Fall Colors)

3) What’s your top goal to accomplish within the next five years?

In the next five years I hope to learn more about editing and perhaps take some PR classes to learn more about business promoting and public relations. I've also been thinking about taking some photography classes as well.

4) What was the first job you ever had?

First job as a kid was a paper route and baby-sitting. First job when I was a teen was working at a Park's Environmental Center answering phones, moving mulch, and taking kids on "nature tours".

5) What’s your all-time favorite book?

I have so many! When I was a kid I loved Charlotte's Web, but my all-time favorite book would have to be "Eat, Pray, Love", because she took a break from life and explored the world and explored who she was...would love to do that. It's also my favorite book because my husband and I read it together!

6) What’s the most unique place you’ve traveled to so far in your lifetime?

This question is a little lost on me because I haven't even been out of the states! But I really loved Naples, Florida because there are beautiful riverside mansions as well as swamp lands with wild animals, you have the best of both worlds there!

7) If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I would love to live in a warmer climate near a beach with clear blue water, so any where like that is good for me!

8) Which qualities do you love most about yourself?

I love that I am honest, loyal, forgiving, friendly, and creative!

9) If you could describe yourself in just one word, what would it be?

Thoughtful.

10) What’s your favorite type of workout routine?

I enjoy a workout routine that is fun and enjoyable. I like to dance to music for my warm up then start on the eliptical for 30 mins and then do some weight lifting for another 30 mins. I don't always get this done every day and I wish I would stick to it more...but I'm trying!

11) What’s your favorite guilty pleasure meal or snack?

Well thats nice, after talking about working out now I get to talk about food... lol! I would have to say Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies, I can finish off an entire sleeve of those in one sitting...hmm should I really tell you that? Don't judge me!

So now I must create 11 questions for 11 bloggers!

1. If you could meet anyone in the world, living or dead, who would that person be?
2. Why did you start blogging?
3. If you became extremely rich by winning the lottery would you help people from your past that popped up again?
4. From when we were little girls till we are grown women we dream of future baby names, what are some that you thought of?
5. On that note, would you be upset if a friend took your future kid's name that you really loved and wanted to use if she had a baby first?
6. Do you have any tattoos or would like to get any, if so what are they?
7. Are you obsessed or do you like to follow the life and career of any celebrities?
8. Do you collect anything; i.e. dolls, collectables, animal objects, etc?
9. How many states have you been to, do you have a favorite other than the one you live in?
10. When you were little what was your dream career, has that come true or changed?
11. Do you have any secret talents or quirks that you don't tell a lot of people about?

Tagged Bloggers...

This is open to everyone who wants to join in...but as the rules go I can only tag 11!!

Heather: High Heels and Flip-Flops
Jacin: Lovely Little Details
Shawna: Poppies and Sunshine
Casie: TheNameisCasie
Diana: Express-O
Reese: Rambles with Reese
Krystal: A Village Town
Cheryl: Oh to be a Muse
Hilljo: Daisy to Sunflower
Jody: About Last Weekend
Tairalyn: Little Miss Mama 

In Need of an Update!

WOW...the holidays have been over for almost a month! So I am now wishing you all a Happy New Year and hope that 2012 is treating you well! I have to say this Christmas season was one of my favorites. Spending time with the girls and taking them out to all of the neighborhood holiday activities like the Christmas tree lighting, listening to people sing, and taking our picture with Santa really made this year special! Plus having my husband on vacation was also nice because we got to enjoy Christmas week together while the girls were off from school.

I know I always say this.... but I just love being an blogger/online writer and getting the chance to meet and interact with people from all over the world. I love writing positive posts that make someone's day better, and sharing information about handmade and independent shops that make a living from their passion and from making people smile. Last year I won a jewelry giveaway on my lovely friend Shawna's blog "Poppies and Sunshine" from the Etsy shop Rambles with Reese. When Reese emailed me it was no longer about winning a jewelry giveaway, but about making a new friend... a new friend all the way from Italy! You never know who is going to be on the other end or if this is just a quick email, nice to meet you, lets get this out of the way sort of thing. But when you meet people like Reese who care about who she is making her handmade product for you know she loves what she does, she puts that care and attention into her creative work, and you know you will feel proud to wear and share that piece and the person behind it with everyone.

So check out Reese's Etsy Shop and more about it on the post I did on AWS and about another sweet and kind Etsy shop owner Lindy who makes handmade greeting cards.

http://fashion.allwomenstalk.com/reasons-to-love-rambles-with-reese-jewelry/

http://lifestyle.allwomenstalk.com/fun-facts-about-etsy-shop-crafted-by-lindy/

Which brings me to other awesome people who are always so positive and put a warm, happy vibe out into the universe.... I know I don't have to name names, but if it weren't for some of these people, blogging wouldn't be so fun....

Casie from: TheNameisCasie

Heather from High Heels and Flip-Flops

Jacin from: Lovely Little Details

Shawna from PoppiesandSunshine

There are so many more names I can name, especially all of the amazing women who stop by my blog even when I have disappeared for a while. But I wanted to names these 4 amazing ladies because they are always so upbeat, positive, hard working, and always make me smile. Also because I feel a close friendship to them and feel that I can email them for advice and ask for their honest opinion on anything.

So this Christmas I made a lovely little gift for them being so awesome:

Okay this part might get a little mushy:

Thank you ladies for being nice, kind, sweet, and welcoming to a girl who always felt unliked and not good enough. In my personal life I have a loving husband and three amazing stepchildren and some great friends, but I only have one best friend (who I met in college) that has my back, who never teased me or put me down, who always encouraged me to do anything. She is a friend who Ive never had a fight with or didn't like something she did. She is a positive, warm, sweet person, just like you four ladies. Other people in my life have come and gone, ones I thought were my so called "friends" but were really talking about me, teasing me, or pushing me around. I don't call many people my friend and Ive learned who is a true friend and who isn't. So thank you for being awesome!

Happy Holidays!

I know, I know...I've been a bad blogger. Maybe my New Year's Resolution should be to blog more on my personal blog. I really enjoy chatting and getting to know everyone and love sharing stories and reading your blogs too. I'm popping in today to wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season and a Very Happy New Year, may 2012 bring you good luck, happiness, love, and everything good that you desire!

I also wanted to mention a post I wrote on All Women Stalk a few weeks ago about a very sweet blogger named Mel aka The Oceanside Bride and her new Etsy shop called Oceanside Designs. On there she sells her handmade photo and print coasters that I just adore! Check out the post and her shop to learn more...oh and take a look at the gorgeous gift she sent me...

LOVE!!!

There are two more but they have my step kids and the bridal party in them (sorry I only post photos of us!). I was so thrilled when Mel told me she wanted to make these and just taken away by their beauty when I saw them in person!

Thought I would add a few more handmade Christmas cards I made too!

The first two were made with my very Best Friend who is a Stampin' Up consultant and the last one I made on my own to send to her!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Coming up next....handmade ornaments!!