Salty, sweet and spicy.

Just some random, silly things about me and also mixed in with my favs.  This is kinda like the grab bag or bowl of mixed nuts called my life.  I just needed to write tonight and this was fun. :)

1. My family.  Took them for granted in the past, but now realize what I have in each of them.  Number one, my parents.  They are amazing. I mean, really. I love them with my whole heart and hope that someday I can be half as decent people as they are.  They are my rocks here on earth. Truly showing the love of the Father in everything they do. Plus they have a great marriage and I love watching that.  Number two: my brother. He is really like my best friend. I love that man alot! :)

2.  The sunshine. I mean, come on! It is amazing!! Probably my most favorite thing on this earth, next to the beach. So glad they go hand-in hand. I would lay out all day long if I could. (And I do in the summer on my days off)...

3.  Sunflowers and tulips: the two most cheerful, happy flowers there are. I love them! No roses for this girl. I like a flower that smiles back, and laughs.

4.  Driving fast. Oops! I admitted it.  I love to jam out my music and just cruise in my zippy mobile.  Thank God for my good breaks when I see a cop. :) Does this mean I am horrible?!

5.  Water. Any and all forms of it.  I love to play in it.  Could anything be more beautiful!? It takes on the color of the sky and surroundings and reflects the beauty around.  Therapeutic to say the least. Kinda like mud...I like that too...

6.  My feet. They take me on so many adventures.  They are happiest when running in the country or on the beach.  I play hard and work hard.

7.  Singing.  You can find me doing this whenever I'm in the car or home.  I love to belt out a good tune. Growing up, I pretended my curling iron was my microphone.

8.  Flying in airplanes. I almost love the trip as much as the vacation.  I welcome the LONG flights b/c it means I get to be in the plane for a long time.

9.  Adventures alone.  I like finding out what I'm capable of doing while depending on myself while ultimately on Him. I welcome time for me, b/c alot of my life is spent being a social butterfly.  But love being with people too.

10.  Reading. I really own a small library.  I have a few favorite authors, but usually won't get a book at the library b/c if it's good, I don't get to add it to my library.  I usually only read a book one time. Maybe 2.  I read mysteries growing up, so I usually figured out the movies before the ends.

11. Fact: I am a bit OCD when it comes to locking doors. Any and all kinds.  I must pull/click, etc many times.

12.  When I laugh hard, I get the hicoughs.  Ever since I was a baby.

13.  I am related to William Penn and Abe Lincoln. Really.

14.  I rarely have bad days, but when I do, it reminds me how good my life is.

15. I used to hate myself and now I love myself. God's done alot of work over the years! I am grateful for this work. It makes me smile. :)

16.  I will jump over an ant instead of crushing it. I always am thinking about the family of ants that would lose it's brother or sister. I'm a softie, but also tough...

17.  I am most happy in the middle of a bunch of guys watching football and chowing down on hot wings.  I love hanging with girls who are the same way.  I can dress and play the part of a girlie girl if I need to, and have found the balance somewhere in the middle.  I can rock the "no makeup" look as much as the girlie face. :)

18.  Up until a couple years ago, I wouldn't touch raw meat without gloves. Ha!! And my Dad was a meatcutter.  I don't care anymore.  Heck, I eat raw fish.

19.  I used to be SO serious! Now I recognize the importance of fun and laughing in the day.  You need people around you who get your humor. It can be rare to find, but if you just be yourself and you'll attract who you need around you.

20.  I love Chic-Fil-A. Like alot.  If I must eat "fast food" you will find me here. And the Chic-Fil-A sauce is to die for.

21.  I am probably more like my Grammie than any other grandparent.  She dated until she was 92 years old, and was a bit spicy.  She liked to stir the pot, so to speak.  I miss her alot.

22.  I am gonna have wrinkles from many laughs and smiles. And I just don't even care.  I lived.

23.  I used to not want to have kids at all, and that is changing in me.  It's nuts that I'm actually saying this right now...

24.  I will own my own business someday here soon. It's in the works and I'm pretty darn excited about it.  Timing is everything and I have been working on it for a year thus far.  Time for the next step!

25.  I have lost 50 lbs and love who I am.  God has freed me from much!!

26.  Fav foods to date:  Beau Joes Pizza, beer, and cheescake.  (I make a mean one) Oh, and brussel sprouts. Must eat daily: bananas and Greek yogurt.

27.  I can cook. I just want to have someone appreciate it, otherwise I don't do it a whole lot. I don't want it to be expected of me, but do it and have it recognized.

28.  I absolutely love being the butt of fun jokes. I am a prankster! I have many stories of leading the pack in pranks at high school camps...and I love nicknames.  I just smile so wide when someone calls me one they have given me.

29.  My eyes used to be brown, and now they are greenish brown.  I don't know why they changed, but I like to think it's b/c I'm truly myself now.

30.  I love life and love the people who step in it, no matter how long they are beside me.  Once a friend, you are always my friend.

31.  I worked at a marina for 4 years. I know a lot about boats and even how to winterize the cabins on cruisers.   I might not get to go back this summer and that makes me very sad.  I had to get a "grown" up job, but I'm grateful for where I am and love it in a whole different way.  From working with all men to all women...oiy!

32. I am very competitive. Throw a challenge my way, and I'm in! I will try to beat you! :)

33.  I will own a boat someday. After working around so many kinds, I know what I want.  And color is key!

34.  I am now gonna drink some black strong coffee, run to the gym, do weights, and run home. Cuz that's how I roll...

35. My ideal place to live is in a cute lil house on lotsa land with a view of the mountains.  I love the country God's made and would like to look at it every day!

36.  I always look at the mountains in the morning to determine what the weather's gonna do and what I should wear.

37.  I have this crazy love for Sour Patch Kids. I have no idea why. I always have to have them at the movie theater.

38.  I rarely get mad.  Usually it's only when something has happened that is unfair.  I am very fair and like to hear people out before I make a decision on how to react.

39.  When I do get mad, tho...I am a firecracker!  I will speak my mind and you will know exactly where I stand.  I have been learning on what to say and to think before I speak.  When I'm mad, more times than not, I cry.  It's just how I deal with it I guess.

40.  I live in flip flops and running shoes.  I have recently aquired a love for heels.  To be honest, I love the attitude they give me! They make me a bit spicy and I like the way they make my legs look. :) Ah, shoot! Watch out for me in heels! Ha ha!

41.  I used to drive a very lifted, Jeep, complete with crazy designer 4WD seats.  And now I drive a Mini Cooper. Go figure.

42.  I am very ticklish.  I love laughing, so welcome being tickled. (Ah, shoot, should I share that!?)

43.  My favorite holiday is Fourth of July.  There's just something to be said about the BBQs, weather, and colors. Plus I love me some ribs and corn on the cob.

44.  I am a very simple girl. Give me simple fun, love and friends and chill, and I'm smiling both in my heart and lips. I'm up for about anything, but also love just chillin' doing not a whole lot.

45.  On my days off when the weather is warm (above 40), you will find me out running between 6-13 miles.  I absolutely love running. It's my therapy. And it gives killer calves!

46.  I love helping people. Ministry is right in front of your face in every day.  People don't just "pop" into your life for no reason.  They crossed your path for some reason, so figure it out!  Be yourself to them and see what happens.  I am amazed daily at how many things God does when we are ready for the adventure.  It's a blast!

47.  I love giving.  It makes me smile.

48.  I may appear really really tough, which in some ways I am, but am really a softie.  I,  like many others, just want to be safe and protected and am learning how to walk in the role God has given me in this life as a woman.  I hate this word, but really it's been about control.  I was leading and controlling many things that weren't mine to lead and letting go of them and relaxing after many years is hard.  It's about retraining myself to let go.  I'm learning how and It's refreshing and leaving my life with more room to smile and grow.  :)  I am grateful for a great Dad and that I know God's heart now more than ever!

49.  I love steak. And meat of any sort.  My dad was a meatcutter, so there's no way this girl will ever go Vegan.

50.  My motto in life is to dream big, and if you have to, chase down your dreams and beat them into submission.  Nothing is impossible in this life and if you work hard enough, with God leading you, you can accomplish what you set out for.  I am ready to click into my calling more and more!! Bring it on.

51.  I overuse "smileys" in text and stuff, but it is honestly b/c I'm always smiling! I am genuinely happy most of the time. I also think it's important to be real about your feelings and I will flat out tell you when I'm having a bad day or whatever emotion I'm feeling. No guessing here.  Heck, you've gotta be real and truly feel what you are feeling.  I've been known to just ask for hugs, too, and just give them.  

Well, there's a bit of fun. What you see is what you get with me. I wear my heart on my sleeve and am hiding nothing.  This is me! Life's too short to play games and create drama.  I've gotten hurt in the past for being so real and open, but it doesn't stop me from going for it again and again.  Hey, there's always another chance and nothing can hold me down.  I'd rather play in the game then be a bench warmer.  I get through very tough stuff pretty quickly and cleanly.  God tends to do alot in me all at once.  He always has.  I am a survivor and determined to be successful in this one shot at life.  Mine will be amazing. :) Dream on, friends!