I just don’t have it in me to do a “Face to Face Friday” today and am getting feedback that most of you prefer a written post with a vlog every now and then so that’s what I’ll do from here on out, friends. You speak, I listen.
Not to mention that I feel like things have been a little heavy around these parts lately and I certainly don’t want to be labeled a “Debbie Downer” so we are going light, light today…
About six weeks ago, Michelle from “Lost in the Prairies” (who is the host of Caffeinated Randomness today) tagged me in a note to answer seven things about me that not many people know.
A little slow on the draw, but here are eight things (because I’m not a good direction-follower) about yours truly:
This is not my bed – but I wish it was…Could it be any cuter?
1) I am compulsive and crazy when it comes to making my bed. If I haven’t made it (and the only way this might happen is if my husband gets up after me) and it’s time to get in bed for the night, I will MAKE the bed then get in. I know. It’s completely crazy. But there is a science behind the blankets and I don’t want them all bunched up and uneven when I sleep. Oy vey, even as I write this I’m aware that I’m sounding crazier and crazier…
2) I was a lover of running when I met my husband – in fact, I was training for my first marathon. I love running. It literally saved my life (see “Life Story” on top right corner) and I believe God took something I was very unlikely to think I would ever do and used it to draw me closer to Him. He has such a good sense of humor, no? I ran the Chicago Marathon in 2002 and I still say to this day it was one of the most challenging things I have ever done and so worth every minute of training. I’m starting to run again after a six year hiatus during which I was producing children and it is transformative yet again.
3) God has really recently been convicting me of watching what I feed my soul – in other words, monitoring what I am reading. I love me a good People magazine but as I surrendered “The Bachelor and The Bachelorette” series this season of my own free will, I sense People might be next. Now hear me on this: There is absolutely NO condemnation if you also love you some People. I’m just saying that I’m spending time reading it when I could be reading something a little more fulfilling to the soul. Plus, I have an e-reader and I much prefer to read books these days because it’s just too easy. Not to mention that I don’t really now anyone in People anymore because well…I’m 37 and Justin Bieber just doesn’t interest me.
4) Magazines I am reading these days? Weight Watchers. Healthy Taste of Home. Real Simple. Health. Yes, I’m changing my name to Gertrude.
5) Speaking of magazines, there is an eternal pile next to my bed at all times. I will pick it all up and feel oh- so-organized and within minutes, it’s back again. And yes, Virginia, that’s my current stack. Proof of #4. No, it wasn’t staged.
6) I am a HUGE bargain shopper when it comes to my clothing and will rarely pay full-price for anything. BUT. I will fork over however much is necessary for a correct-fitting bra (sorry all five of you male readers), a flattering pair of black pants, a well-made and versatile handbag, stylish BUT comfortable boots/shoes, and a great-fitting pair of jeans.
7) Speaking of what I put into my soul, you can pretty much always tempt me out of the house with the promise of a good bottle of wine. That’s not really a big secret but alas, it’s something I love…
8) I’m an absolute crazy reader. I know, another shocker. This isn’t a secret. But here are my “Top Five Favorite” books of all-time: The Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore, I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb, Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott, and The Girls From Ames by Jeffrey Zaslow.
Joining Michelle from Lost in the Prairies for “Caffeinated Randomness” and Rachel Ann at Home Sanctuary for “Company Girls”…
You’re fun :o)
I read people sometimes… not as much as I once did…now I only pick it up if I like the person on the cover (and right now that is anything Royal Wedding related…I might be obsessed!)
I am the same way about the bed thing (and um that bed in the photo is FAB)
Loved the random 8!
WOW. May copy your reading list. I wish I could have a pile of mags beside my bed. Or at least I wish mine were newer than the ones at the dentists office.
If the Lord tells you to quit something, it is so much easier than when you try to sanctify yourself and do it on your own. Seems to me.
natalie…I had the same conviction a while ago about what I was feeding my soul! God is good to lovingly encourage us to get rid of some junk in our lives to make room for some really fulfilling things:). Thanks for sharing your heart!
You are so wonderfully refreshing…and we have way too much in common! You really made me think of what I put into my soul…I need to dump my true crime stuff!
It feels good to be vulnerable and transparent…that’s what we women need more of from each other! Thank you for sharing your vulnerabilities!
I loved that you make your bed BEFORE you sleep in it, I do the same!! Love it! Oh, and I MUST apply Carmex or Chapstick on my lips (always after a good toothbrushing) before I hit the pillow…or I will literally wake up from my lips being too dry during the night…I know, weird!
Have a blessed day!!
Stacy O’Neill
I had to really focus and pray to God about what I was feeding my soul. Good thing we don’t have cable and I don’t read magazines, but I did get stuck with reading MSN’s Celebrities and Gossip section.
I love these types of posts. You read so much of what goes thru ones mind with their thoughts on various subjects but you get to know a person by the ‘little’ things of the day to days, likes and dislikes…I think we would be fast friends in real life. The relate to all of these accept I am a big reader too and have yet to read one of these books as your top picks!I am headed to the store to get them ASAP! The bed thing, I get….it drives me nutso when my teenagers don’t take the time to make it before leaving the house. To crawl into an unmade bed, FLIPS ME OUT! I’m glad to hear you are back into the running thing, good for you, it is soooooo great isn’t it? I can line my Ipod with these podcast and it makes the run filling not only to the needs physically but for the soul too. LOVE IT!
Thanks for sharing, Marlece
My only regret is that we don’t live closer and can’t go out and share that bottle of wine and a good talk about books:)
Nice to get to know more about you. I gave up things like magazines and tv and now I feel so much better that I can’t believe I used to be into all that kind of stuff. I at least know who Bieber is, but can’t say I’ve ever heard one of his songs. (I do still do the radio but usually only the Christian station following along with the above…)
Your on the side of the bed magazine pile looks like mine!
The People magazine one made me smile. My husband told me a few years ago when I had a subscription that it embarassed him when he saw it in the mailbox. Ouch! But I knew it wasn’t what I should be soaking in. (on a sidenote: I saved your site under my favorites when I read your She Speaks article b/c it really spoke to me. You have a great site – look foward to reading more! :)
I too have an issue with the blankets on the bed! This is my first time here at your blog…I’m lovin’ it. I’ll be back for sure :)