2016 Liebster Award

I want to thank Patricia Mitchell, blogger at Fitness for Life, for nominating me to receive the 2016 Liebster Award. Please check out her inspiring blog at https://newfit40.wordpress.com.

Here are the rules:

My responses to Patricia’s questions:  

1. What made you decide to start a blog? I recently made the decision to focus on my blessings, rather than my life’s imperfections, and to strive to live a more authentic life. My blog reflects this mission (struggle).

2.  How did you discover your life path/career? To be honest, I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. I realize that I’m running out of time! I really believe that you can have everything, but not all at once. I’ve been lucky enough to have had a career and to have been able to stay home with my kids when they were little. Right now, I’m trying to enjoy my last days with a preschooler. Not sure, what’s next…

3.  What brings you joy? Peace and Harmony. I am happiest when my family is enjoying each other. Sibling squabbles make me crazy…actually all squabbling makes me miserable.

4.  What is your favorite movie? Why? I think it’s a toss-up between Annie, Grease and Frozen. I really like musicals with happy endings.

5.  Who inspires you and why? I can’t really name one source of inspiration. I find it in the strength and wisdom of my friends and husband, off-handed comments made by my children and sometimes even strangers I encounter throughout the day.

6.  What is your favorite restaurant and favorite meal there? The mere mention of the word Chipotle makes my kids groan.  I could eat a chicken burrito/bowl for every meal. It just never gets old.

7.  What hobbies do you enjoy? Photography. I recently learned how to use the manual settings on my camera and am addicted. I love taking photos of my kids; I am also working to provide more original photographs for my blog, too. Ÿ Tennis. I just started playing in a doubles league with a dear friend. It’s been so much fun! I love learning the strategy and the opportunity to work at a new skill. Ÿ Books. My idea of a perfect vacation involves a quiet place with a stack of books. In my real life, I don’t allow myself to read as much as I’d like because once I start a book, everything else on my to do list doesn’t get done…

8.  Who or what inspires your blogs? Life. My blog has turned into a form of therapy for me; it allows me to explore the lessons that life is trying to teach me.

9.  What’s number one on your bucket list? I actually already crossed it off. When we lived in North Carolina, I really, really wanted to go to the Outer Banks and to see the wild horses. At the time, there were a million reasons why we couldn’t swing the trip. To celebrate our 40^th birthdays, my husband and I took our kids to Carova – a 4 x 4 beach at the Northern tip of the Outer Banks and stayed for a week. It was my favorite vacation to date. We unplugged and played together as a family. In the evenings, we’d track the horses and play board games. It was incredibly recharging to get away from our everyday responsibilities and to just be a family.

10.  What’s your favorite splurge/cheat meal? I have absolutely no will power when it comes to monster cookie dough. When I bake, I typically sneak enough of it to count as a meal!

11.  When did you start your blog? I started my blog three months ago, as one of my New Year’s Resolutions. At this point, I think it’s safe to say that it’s stuck.

I nominate the following bloggers for the Liebster award:

1. https://hebroughtmeicecream.com
2. https://stephenaroth.wordpress.com
3. https://rebeccaburtram.com
4. https://hey40blog.com
5. https://writeandamuse.wordpress.com
6. https://tolivealifelessordinaryblog.wordpress.com

Here are my questions for the nominees:

1. Why did you decide to start a blog?
2. What inspired your blog’s name?
3. How long have you been blogging?
4. What is the best piece of advice that you’ve ever received?
5. If you could have any super power, what would it be?
6. What has surprised you most about adulthood?
7. What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
8. What is your favorite book?
9. What is your greatest blessing?
10. What is your favorite television show?
11. What is your favorite quote?