More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About Me - The Leibster Award

Hello, sweet friends!

I have been nominated by Nicole at Seven Flowers for the Leibster Award which is for the smaller blogs, like mine, to help us to grow a bit.

Here are the rules:

• Post 11 things about yourself.
• Answer the questions posted by the person who nominated you.
• Create 11 questions you want your nominees to answer.
• Pass this award to a maximum of 11 blogs.
• Let them know that you've given them the award.

So, here we go...

11 Things About Me

 1. I have always loved books and have fond memories of working as a Library Rep in my school and later in the library at my children's school. I love the smell of a new book and old leather covers (okay I'm weird, but if you're a book lover yourself you know what I mean!)

2. I wrote stories and poetry from my childhood and throughout my teens. I also wrote sappy poems to my hubby in our early marriage. I guess blogging is now my creative outlet.

3. As you will see by #1, my favourite thing to do is curl up with a good book...watching movies with my family is a close second. Well, snuggling with hubby supercedes them both ;)

4. I was a tomboy growing up and climbed trees, scaled walls and tried to keep up with my boy cousins every vacation we spent at my grandmother's. ( I refused to slingshot lizards though...a girl has to make a stand sometimes!)

5. As #3 might imply...I have never been a fashion plate. I prefer to wear what I feel comfortable in. That is not to say I don't like dressing up, but I'm drawn to classic style and not what's in. (I was probably labeled odd as a teenager by people who weren't my friends...who were odd too!) Jeans and a top is my uniform of choice.

6. When I was young I loved animals (more than I do now) and dreamed of living on a farm in some place like the English countryside or Scotland or Ireland. (Those books I read left a great impression on me!)

7. I always wanted to be a SAHM (I believe a psychologist may say this was because my own mother worked)...this desire was made absolute after I watched the movie "Baby Boom" with Diane Keaton in my late teens...does anyone else remember this one? I embraced the idea of making my own fresh foods, preserves and jams from my own garden and baking up a storm in the kitchen. Well...the reality is not what I thought it would be...but I did get my wish come true!

8.  I really DO love cooking and baking up a storm in the kitchen.

9. I am a serious recipe hoarder.

10. I love the simple things in life...I'm a country girl at heart.

11. The thing I'm looking forward to the most right now is going to Florida to see my eldest graduate from college. Woo Hoo!! I'm so proud...can you tell?

Questions asked by Nicole:

1. If you could have 3 "Do Over's " in life, what would you do over and why?

Firstly, this is a hard question. I've made a conscious decision not to look back at my mistakes of the past because I would find myself grieving at the outcome. However, my first do-over would be to put God first in all things. I think that would have made a huge difference in many of my choices early on. Next would be a different approach to my marriage. I honestly wish I'd had the benefit of the wisdom of older women, other Christian women. I had a lot to learn and I learned it the hard way. Now, I am dedicated to being a Titus 2 woman to my own girls and to whomever God leads me. The next thing I'd do differently would be to purge myself of all the negative childhood influences that shaped me and affected my own motherhood and other relationships.

2. If you could have 3 wishes, what would they be?

I would wish for the ability to really be who God calls me to be...to get past, once and for all, all the little insecurities and fears that hold me in bondage. I would wish for the resources to be a blessing to others more than I am right now. I would wish for my girls to have a clear vision of what God wants for them as they are all at crossroads in their lives where career choices are to be made. (all except the 6 year old that is) for her I would wish that she could just enjoy her childhood with innocence and purity...so easily robbed in this world today.

3. What is the first thing you would do if elected President of the USA?

Oooh...that's a toughie! Especially since I am not an American national and not particularly knowledgeable of American politics. I will say though, as a Christian, I would do whatever was necessary to bring people's hearts back to God and make an intentional effort to bring the nation back to its founding principles, where laws were built upon God's laws and the motto "In God we trust" was actually lived out.

4. If you had an all expenses paid vacation, where would you go?

Hmmm....I'm a Caribbean girl and so I would love to see some of the temperate seasons. I would love to experience a part of winter, (not so sure I could take the cold for long) just so I can actually see and play in the snow....though I love the look of fall. I know that doesn't really answer the question and  I have to say that nothing beats the idyllic ambience of a beach in the early morning or late afternoon and I can get that close to home ;-)

5. What was your first babysitting experience like?

When I was growing up babysitting wasn't very prevalent where I live...it still isn't actually. Folks around here mostly ask grandparents or aunts and uncles to babysit.  I guess I'd have to say when I took my husband's two year old nephew along with us for the ride as we did some shopping for our wedding one Saturday. I remember holding his sleeping body and being at once thrilled and nervous.

6. Did you have your wedding all planned out as a young girl?

Actually, I didn't.  I didn't start fantasizing about marriage until my late teens and even then I didn't really think about what I wanted...except that I wanted roses for my bouquet and my favourite colour blue.

7. How old were you when you went on your first date?

Pretty old by modern standards...17 when I went to the movies with my friend and her older brother (that romance was nipped in the bud by my father) and 18 when I went on my first official date.

8. Any siblings? Are they local? Do you get along?

I have two sisters and we live about 12 miles from each other.  It pains me to say that sibling rivalry can continue on into your 40's  :)

9. Do you get along with your Mom, your MIL?

My MIL passed away earlier this year. We took a few years to come to an understanding of each other...my husband's upbringing and mine were so different. We did become close later on and she came to support me even more than she did her son, my own husband (that one could get me in trouble!)  My mother and I do not share the kind of relationship that I have with my daughters, but we don't bicker and fight either.

10. Do you get along with your Father, your FIL?

My father passed away thirteen years ago. We had a rocky relationship and it is one of my regrets that I didn't do more to overcome his reserve but as the saying goes 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree'. My FIL is very quiet and doesn't talk very much....after 22 years of marriage I still don't know alot about him, except what my MIL has shared.

11. How old were you when you first born again? Who led you to Christ?

Well, I'm a cradle Catholic so God was always a part of my life. I came to a deeper relationship with Jesus, though, when I was anointed in the Spirit after I did a Life in the Spirit seminar when I was 25. I will always be grateful to my sister, who encouraged me to do this with her. I guess that is the moment I was 'born again' into a life in the spirit.

My Questions to the Nominees:

 1. Why do you blog?

 2. What do you think is the best thing about blogging?

 3. What are you most passionate about?

 4. Do you have any dreams you would still like to pursue?

 5. What is your favourite childhood memory?

 6. What did you want to be when you grew up?

 7. What do you do when you need to re-energize?

 8. What is your absolute favourite thing to do?

 9. Do you have any pet peeves?

10. Were there Titus 2 women in your life to inspire and guide you?

11. What do you consider to be necessary to you for a happy life?

The blogs that I have chosen to nominate are:

Keri @ http://www.growinginhisglory.com
Laura @ http://www.wedoersoftheword.blogspot.com
Jean @ http://www.healthyspirituality.org
Marissa @ http://www.forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com
Kelly @ http://www.imperfecthomemaking.com
Beth @ http://www.footprintsinthemudblog.blogspot.com
Nicole @ http://www.justlikemary.blogspot.com
Joy @ http://www.adventurousbeginnings.blogspot.com
April @ http://www.countrymomto4.blogspot.com
Donna @ http://www.simplethingssweetlife.blogspot.com
Beth @ http://www.messymarriage.com

I wish all you ladies prosperity in growing your blogs...I am always blessed when I visit you. A great big thanks to Nicole for nominating me!

God bless you all and your families!