Liebster + Mingle Monday

 Happy Monday, all you lovely ladies!!

I hope that you're all having a wonderful start to the week.

I have some exciting news to share with y'all!

Well, at least I think it's exciting, hopefully y'all will too ;)

The super amazing and sweet Valerie over at Make Mine a Cosmo has nominated me for my very first blogger award and I am oh so thankful for her thinking of me! 

The award she has nominated me for is...

Here's the description of the award (stolen by Valerie):

The Liebster Blog Award is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. The Meaning; Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.

How sweet?! I have absolutely fallen in love with the blog world since I started back in March and it's nice to know that even though I don't have the 1,000's of followers that some people do, people still read what I write and that means the world to me! 

Here are the rules for receiving this award:

 1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you've tagged to answer.
3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.
4. Go to their page and tell them.
5. Remember, no tag backs!

 So, let's get started!!

 11 things about me:

1. I hate sweet tea and chewing/bubble gum.

2. I ran my very first 5K this past weekend and finished with a time of 34:37! 

3. Japanese food is probably my favorite thing on the planet.

4. I played travel softball for 11 years.

5. I hate those giant waterslides at water parks. They always make my bathing suit top fall off. 

6. I have one older brother, no sisters :(

7. I am currently trying to convince my dad to let me get my first tattoo. Aren't I so sweet to ask his permission? ;)

8. No matter what time of the day I eat my first meal, it has to be breakfast. 

9. My favorite TV channel is Food Network.

10. I've been best friends with my best friend for 8 years. Best 8 years, ever.

11. I've had a total of 5 dogs, 1 cat, and 1097489423 fish. 

Valerie's questions:

1. Biggest pet peeve?

People complaining about others being "all up in their business" when they posted "their business" on social networking sites for everyone to see...

2. Did you play a sport growing up?

Why yes, I did. Two, actually. Softball and cheerleading! Wish I was still playing..they kept my butt in shape without me even knowing it. Hello, thunder thighs...

3. How many pillows do you sleep with at night?

I sleep on two, but have to have another on the other side of the bed, even though I don't use it. 

4. Favorite slogan or saying?

Everything will be OK in the end. If it's not OK, it's not the end. (God is in control, everything will ALWAYS be OK in the end)

5. Do you have an e-readers (Nook, Kindle) or a tablet (iPad)?

Sadly, no. And this may be because I've never read a book on either of these before, but I think I prefer actually reading the book itself??

6. Have you ever had caviar? Did you like it?

No, not real caviar. I've had those little orange things that they roll sushi in, but I don't think that qualifies because it doesn't have any taste. Haha!

7. Favorite way to spend your birthday?

With my family, preferably taking a day trip somewhere! 

8. Have you ever had an experience with the supernatural?

NO, thank goodness and I hope I never do! My brother's gf has and she freaks out even if someone starts talking about ghosts. Eeeeek!

9. Allergic to anything?

Not that I know of! Not even pollen. I'm blessed. 

 10. Dream job?

Family psychologist. I have had the best family growing up who has always supported me in everything and we've always gotten along great, and I want to make sure that others have the best chance at having that experience, too.

11. Can you snow ski or snowboard?

Oh, CAN I? Psh, you're looking at the next [female] Shaun White, right here. I love love love to snowboard with my brother [my dad skis].

And finally, my questions:

 1. How many cellphones have you had in your lifetime?

2. How many states have you visited? Ever been out of the country?

3. Around what age did you switch from taking baths to taking showers? 

4. Japanese, Mexican, or Italian food?

5. French toast, or pancakes?

6. Your all-time favorite restaurant?

7. How many times a day do you brush your teeth?

8. Do you play an instrument?

9. What were the colors and mascot of your high school?

10. What's your ideal outside temperature/weather?

11. Favorite all-time song to jam out to?

Nominations:

 Jenna @ Yours Truly

Elissa @ It's Only Life

Kait @ Designing Kait

Asha @ Asha's Aspects

Kayla @ Keeping up with Kayla

Gail @ Sophisticated Steps

Erin @ His and Hers

Samantha @ Samantha Elizabeth

Jodi @ Jodi Bean's Blog

Amanda @ It's a Powell Life

Dianna @ Married With a Blog

Valerie, thanks again for thinking of me!! xo

Also, linking up with Meg over at Life of Meg for Mingle Monday!

 

This week's question: Any summer reading recommendations?

1. Midnight Bayou, by Nora Roberts

2. Violets are Blue, by James Patterson

3. A Painted House, by John Grisham 

Hope you ladies have a fab rest of your Monday, and be sure to check back tomorrow for my weekly Bachelorette Recap!! 

weekend "wonders" and mingle monday #2

Oh, Monday...you came again so soon. How thoughtful of you. 

...not.

Anyways, I hope that y'all had fabulous weekends while I was confined to bedroom with philosophy notes, and a drama book. 

.......

But, really.

Here's how it all went down.  

After my exam Friday afternoon, I came back to take a very much needed nap --it was quite possibly the best nap ever. Then I proceeded to do a whole lot of this..

 ALL STINKIN' NIGHT.

no bueno. 

At least there was a whole lot of this...

to keep me sane.

Pandora on a DMB loop.

And a whole lot of this...

why yes, those are haystacks, rice krispy treats, goldfish, birthday cake oreos, and choc. ice cream

to keep my hands occupied so they wouldn't claw my eyes out. 

Friday night Saturday morning saw me going to bed at a good 'ole 4am after 10 hours of torturing my brain. Sorry, not my decision, brain.

My philosophy exam was at 12pm on Saturday...yes, Saturday. Cruel and unusual punishment, anyone?? I thought so too. Anyway, I survived and treated myself to some retail therapy and a LOT of calories.

 

FIVE GUYS - little cheeseburger w/ lettuce, tomato, ketchup, & grilled onions, regular fry, and a lemonade

 ...and I ate it all. Every single fry. 

Yeah. I had to prepare for my super fun Saturday night full of MORE this...

drama, instead of philosophy

 P.S. - if you're a drama buff and love reading plays in your free time..don't ever read Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot". Worst 2 hours of my life. And I'll never get them back. Shame.

Sunday was full of more drama reading. BOO!
But my toenails got a fresh makeover...

along with an attempt at doing my fingernails...

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in "Mint Sorbet"

 (please don't laugh at how bad they are. I struggle when it comes to fingernails.)

all while watching this addicting show...

 Anyone else have a girl crush on JLH? She is so cute. 

I sure hope y'alls weekends were much more exhilarating than mine was! 

Now, linking up once again with Meg over at Life of Meg

for Mingle Monday!
I absolutely love this link-up, y'all. Such a great way to meet new bloggers!

This week's question:
What fashion trend do you really want to try out this summer? 

Hmm..I've already been messing with it a little bit..but color-blocking! I just love how some girls can totally pull it off and make it look flawless. That's my goal by the end of the summer! ;)

Now head on over to see Meg and help spread the word about this awesome link-up!

Have a wonderful Monday! xo 

bittersweet birthday wishes and mingle monday #1

Happy Monday, y'all! 

Hope this brand new week has started off wonderful for all of you so far! 

Only 4 1/2 more days 'til the weekend ;)

...is it sad that I only make it day to day by  focusing on how many days I have until the weekend? Oh well.

Today is going to be a double post..lucky y'all :)

First up: bittersweet birthday wishes to my sweet, sweet mama. 

For those of you who don't know, my mom lost her battle with lung cancer a little over 8 years ago, on February 5th, 2004. I was only 11 years old then and it's been a rough ride since then, but my brother and my daddy keep me going. You can read a little more about it here. 

February 5th is the day on which we grieve, but on April 23rd we do our best to celebrate instead. Today would have been my mama's 53rd birthday, and I have no doubt in my mind that she would still look 35. 

my beautiful mama, Jackie

I was thinking about it last night and sadly realized that I don't really remember celebrating her birthday when she was alive. I know that we did, and I've seen pictures to remind me, but they're not memories that stick out in my head. But I try to remind myself that I was only 11 years old and she was diagnosed and gone in less than a year (Jun. 2003-Feb. 2004), so I didn't really have to time to recognize what was happening. 

I guess what I'm trying to say, and I know this is cliche, but it's true: cherish every moment you have with your loved ones, because you never know when it will be your last. Yes, I knew my mother was dying and I still hold on to those last months I had with her. But on her last birthday, her 44th, on April 23rd, 2003..we had no idea that it would be the last one we would ever get to spend with her.  

Happy 53rd Birthday, Mama! I know you're having the best birthday yet in Heaven with our Lord & Savior. I cannot wait until the day when we're all able to celebrate with you again. We all love you so much, and miss you more and more everyday. Hope that you, Granddaddy, Pops, and Granny Marge are all party rockin' with Jesus. 

she had the best beach bod ever

please ignore my expression; fixing my hair for a wedding

my favorite picture, at my aunt's (in the background) bridal luncheon

mama and daddy in Bermuda celebrating their wedding anniversary, their last one before she passed - 05/2003

daddy, me, mama, and hunt, circa 1997

me, mama, & hunter - Easter '02 I believe

i get it from my mama ;)

family portraits, 1995 - don't know where Hunt and I got the blonde hair from

 Love you so much, my beautiful mother. Happy Birthday♥ 

 

Now, for Mingle Monday Weekly Blog Hop #1! Linking up with Meg over at Life of Meg. 

Basically, this link-up is a just a way to easily meet other bloggers!

This week's question: What is your OCD habit? Do you have one? 

...Oh, do I. About 51684638 to be exact. 

But the most OCD one, and the one that I get teased the most for, is...

having to put lotion on my feet right before I go to bed. 

I know y'all, this sounds weird. But I hate, hate, HATE having dry feet. Eeeeeeeeek! Drives me nutso.

 For real. 

The very last thing I do before hopping into bed is put lotion on my feet, therefore there is always a bottle of lotion on my nightstand wherever I go. And if I get in bed, then get back up again before I fall asleep...gotta do it again. 

   

 Now head on over to see Meg and join in on her fabulous link-up!! 

Enjoy the rest of your Monday, loves! xo