Eleven, Eleven, Eleven

It has been a while since I was tagged to do a blog post. While I sometimes cringe at being tagged or tagging others, I decided it would be a good idea to spend the time and participate in the Eleven, Eleven, Eleven I was tagged to do by Gina @ Chic Homeschool Mama.  I always enjoy getting to know my blogging buddies through posts like this. And, since I'm usually short on time and am only able to share snippets of my life here and there, I thought it was a good idea to participate in this little game and share some more of myself with all of you wonderful people who visit here.

The Rules: 

1. Post these rules.
2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random facts about you.
3. Answer the questions given to you in the tagger's post.
4. Create 11 new questions and tag new people to answer them.
5. Go to their blog/twitter and let them know they've been tagged

Photo of me: (to quote Jim Carrey in The Grinch - "Hate, hate, hate. Double hate. Loathe completely!")

 That pretty much sums up how I feel about being in front of the camera. 

Eleven random facts about me:
1. I like the porch lights on at night, and a nightlight in the bathroom.
2. I studied ballet growing up and seriously wanted to dance professionally, but God had other plans.
3. I broke part of the vertebrae in my lower back when I was 5 years old and no one knows how. I wore a cast for 6 weeks.
4. I had a serious shoe obsession before I was married and had kids to raise on one income. I had well over 300 pairs of shoes.
5. I do not ride roller coasters.
6. My first car was a manual, metallic dark brown, two-door hatchback Subaru GL. And I loved it.
7. I hated and dreaded school growing up. Loathed every minute of it. I managed to get good grades despite the fact that I spent 99.9% of my day day-dreaming, and did all my homework assignments in the period before they were due, which only reinforced my opinion that it was a ridiculous institution.
8. Before becoming a SAHM, I worked as a Print Production Manager for an advertising agency.
9. I have a terrible sense of direction. I have lived in the same area for the past 38 years and still get lost. In fact, I took the "scenic route" to the museum the other day. The same museum we have had a membership to for the past two years!
10. After nearly 10 years of carrying a child on my hip and doing chores one handed, I now have regular back pain and my left leg is shorter than my right. Seriously. I started physical therapy last week.
11. I am a sucker for nostalgia: old cartoons, old product packaging, old electronics, anything that takes me back in time. I love it.

Now to answer the question Gina came up with:

1. Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Virginia Beach, VA, and have only ever lived in the surrounding area. I love that we have a change of seasons, but long summers and relatively short winters. I'm not a fan of the cold.

2. Coffee or tea?

Coffee in the morning and iced coffee in the afternoon. 

3. What's for dinner TONIGHT?

I have no idea. Usually Italian or Mexican are my go to meals when I'm not feeling inspired, which is often! I really don't enjoy cooking. We'll probably have burritos tonight. Which reminds me, I need guacamole...

4. Favorite dessert?

Cookies. I have a terrible sweet tooth. I eat cookies after practically every meal. It's bad. Very bad. 

5. Color tones throughout your home?

We first painted everything very neutral, with beiges and coffee colors. Then we remodeled and went more dramatic with deep red and green. Honestly, I'd love to repaint my kitchen blue, but there's no way hubs would go for it. He's had his fill of remodeling work.

6. Describe your personal style.

I used to have style, but then I used to have money to shop too. These days I wear jeans, casual knit tops or t-shirts and flip flops. I'm totally bummed that my favorite Steve Madden platform loafers finally gave out this winter. They were about 14 years old though, but sooooo comfortable and cute with jeans. 

7. Any random, useless "talents"?

Um, I can touch my nose with the tip of my tongue. Totally useless.

8. Food you don't like?

I don't like super-spicy foods, but I don't mind a little heat. And I do like nuts, but not in my food. I'll eat them as a snack occasionally, but, for the love of sweet chewy goodness, don't ruin a cookie or brownie with a bunch of nuts!  ;P

9. Fear of? 

Failure. Unfortunately, I have let my fear and insecurity stop me from persuing my dreams in the past, and I have always regretted it. Now I most fear failing my kids.

10. Do you have pets? What are they?

A 4 year old mantle great dane named Bella. I met a huge great dane years ago. He ate one of my favorite t-shirts. I have been smitten ever since. 

11. Worst thing you did as a kid?

Stole gum from the store. The package was open and I ate some of it. My mom promptly caught me and made me apologize to the clerk, then we paid for the whole pack.

And my eleven questions:

1. What was the make/model of your first car?

2. What was a favorite hobby or pastime that you enjoyed as a kid?

3. If you could afford to splurge on yourself today, name something you'd love to buy.

4. What was the best job (paying job - not parenting) you've ever had?

5. Where did you grow up?

6. Do you have brothers and sisters? How many?

7. Would you rather spend a busy weekend in the city or a quiet weekend in the country?

8. What was your favorite subject in school?

9. What do/did you admire about your Dad?

10. What trait do you have that you also see in your kids (or hope to see in your kids)?

11. What is one of your favorite simple pleasures?

I'm tagging the following people but please join in if you are so inclined:

Tish at Le Mei Foto
Kim at Mom Tried It
Gem at Savvy Gem
Danelle at Danelle M Photography