11 Random Things Game

Hey guys!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I was tagged by The Worstest Mommy to play the 11 Random Things Game. I've done a few of these games so I am going to do my best to make this as interesting as possible.

1. Post these rules.
2. Post 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them you've tagged them.

1) I'm 5'2 (1/2). There are days when I hate being short and days that I embrace it.

2) I love antiquing and I think that if I had more money it would go towards that hobby.

3) My husband is the most caring and selfless person I know.

4) He helps me to be a better person.

5) My dog is a food junkie. She loves to swipe my jellybeans, saltines, peanuts, candy corn, etc.

6) I'm ready to be out of the first trimester, I slowly feel my energy returning.

7) My husband loves to play golf and I actually watched a golf tournament with him yesterday. It was pretty humorous, because I would never have watched something like that otherwise.

8) My husband's favorite dish is Chicken and Rice. (I prefer something with a little more flavor such as a Mexican dish or an Italian dish.)

9) My favorite places to shop: Bath and Body Works, Kohls, Target, Dollar Tree, Good Will and Thrift Stores.

10) I'm now paranoid about my makeup because of an interview I watched on the Today Show. I really need to get rid of my old stuff.

11) Sometimes I feel like I have so many goals for the future. I don't know where to start!

My Questions:

1. What is your favorite thing to drink? I love coffee, but can't drink it now. The smell isn't good anymore. :( 
2. What is your favorite color? Plum
3. What is your favorite vegetable? Broccoli
4. What is your favorite season? Fall
5. Do you collect anything? Magnets, from all the places we visit.
6. Do you have a hobby? I craft on occasion.
7. What is your favorite movie from the 80's? Pretty in Pink
8. What is the best vacation you have been on? St. Mary's Georgia with my husband. I didn't want to leave!
9. Where do you live? Hickory, NC
10. How did you meet your spouse or partner? We met through a mutual friend at my high school's football game.
11. Who is your favorite author? I couldn't just choose one!

I've tagged people before in these and so I'm not going to tag anyone in specific. If any of my readers wish to participate, consider yourselves tagged! ;)

My questions to you:

1) What book are you currently reading?

2) What was your favorite subject in school?

3) Do you have any pets?

4) What is your favorite dessert?

5) Who inspires you?

6) How do you like to spend your free time?

7) What is your favorite movie from the '90's?

8) What's your favorite memory from childhood?

9) Where's your favorite vacation spot?

10) Do you prefer the city or the country?

11) What kind of  climate would you prefer to live in?

Well that's all for now. Hope you all have a lovely Monday!

<3 Anna

Book Worms Unite! ;)

Hey everyone,

I saw this neat survey on Oh Mandie"s blog and thought it would be fun to share my answers! :) Oh and you should definitely pop on over to her page! http://thisoldhenhouse.blogspot.com

1. Favorite book - This is a tough choice, I'd have to say one of my favorites would be Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. It was one of my mom's favorites and something about it drew me in as well.

2. Least favorite book - Twilight-Stephenie Meyer I tried to get into this book, but couldn't get past the first few chapters.

3. Book that makes you laugh out loud - I couldn't think of anything else---so you will notice a pattern. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants- Ann Brashares. There are so many funny and memorable moments!

4. Book that makes you cry - The Uncommon Woman by Susie Larson, It's very inspirational and has very touching and though provoking examples.

5. Book you wish you could live in - The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett - This was my favorite book when I was a little girl. I used to dream about having a garden full of flowers and a swing just like the one in the book. (I'm keeping this answer, I felt the same way!)

6. Favorite young adult book - The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants- Ann Brashares I pre-ordered the final book and got it today! :)

7. Book that you can quote/recite - Same as 6

8. Book that scares you - I really love Erica Spindler and Mary Higgins Clarke: Two good examples, The Copycat Killer and Moonlight Becomes You. (Both have creepy killers)

9. Book that makes you sick - Laci: Inside the Laci Peterson Murder. This story is so sad and happens far too often.

10. Book that changed your life - The Confident Woman- Joyce Meyer This book is very encouraging and has helped me to be a more positive person.

11. Book from your favorite author - I don't really think I have a favorite author. I like to dive into various genres. Right now I really enjoy reading books by: Jodi Picoult, Erica Spindler, Joanne Fluke, and anything that looks interesting. ;)

12. Book that is most like your life - Emily Ever After- Anne Dayton This book is about a young woman finding her place in a big world. That's me. ;)

13. Book whose main character is most like you - Vision in White-Nora Roberts, Mackensie Elliot---I can relate to this character in many ways. She struggles with trust issues, can be very emotional, would do anything for her friends, etc.

14. Book whose main character you want to marry - Hmmm...not sure.

15. First "chapter book" you remember reading as a child - Pony Pals- Jeanne Betancourt and The Babysitter's Little Sister's books. I have fond memories of reading these!

16. Longest book you've read - Probably one of the Classics, like A Tale of Two Cities are something of that nature.

17. Shortest book you've read - Probably the Little Golden books. ;)

18. Book you're most embarrassed to say you like - The Pretty Little Liars series, it's like crack...lol

19. Book that turned you on - This question freaks me out...lol. (Probably one of the trashy Nora Robert's books I read when I went through my romance phase)

20. Book you've read the most number of times - Number the Stars-Lois Lowry, I remember really loving this story and reading it over and over.

21. Favorite picture book from childhood - The Shy Little Kitten---Little Golden Book

22. Book you plan to read next - Sisterhood Everlasting-Ann Brashares

23. Book you tell people you've read, but haven't (or haven't actually finished) - Uncommon Woman-Susie Larson, I'm already recommending it, even though I have two chapters left to read.

24. Book that contains your favorite scene - Redeeming Love- Francine Rivers, The scene where she returns to Hosea...oh wow!

25. Favorite book you read in school - The Great Gatsby- F. Scott Fitzgerald...The Roaring 20's...enough said!

26. Favorite nonfiction book - Audrey Hepburn, An Elegant Spirit: A Son Remembers- Sean Hepburn Ferrer I love Audrey Hepburn and this was a fun read! :)

27. Favorite fiction book - Since I have a hard time choosing favorites, here's a random one. I was a big Fear Street-R.L. Stine fan! :)

28. Last book you read - Blueberry Muffin Murder- Joanne Fluke This book combines my love of mystery and baking!

29. Book you're currently reading - My Sister's Keeper- Jodi Picoult I'm enjoying it so far, love getting to see the varying perspectives!

30. Favorite coffee table book - A Dog's Life (It has quotes about dogs in it) and Ice Cream for Breakfast- Leslie Levine

31. Favorite adventure book - The Princess Bride- William Goldman, I love this book and movie so much! It's such a great story!

<3 Anna

100 Facts about me (Part 4)

Hey everyone!

It's time for the final 100 facts post. This has been a lot of fun:) I've enjoyed coming up with facts and reading my followers facts as well. It's pretty cool to see what we have in common and where we came from. Those are the things that make us who we are. :)

76. I love to paint, but am not artistically inclined.

77. I am lucky to have grown up living next door to my great-grandparents. They are still living in the same home, I grew up playing in. All the holiday events are held there.

78. I’m a Cancer, water sign. I used to really be into zodiac signs and learning all that stuff. I feel that my sign is pretty accurate with my personality.

79. My favorite piece of clothing is cardigans…they are cute and go with everything…and now come in a lot of fun colors.

80. I’m very much a worrier and struggle with anxiety. I’m doing a lot better with it now.

81. My hubby and I have baby names picked out already.

82. I still remember fondly ABC’s TGIF lineup and Saturday morning cartoons. I would spend this time at my grandmothers getting spoiled and eating junk food. ;)

83. I’m fascinated with the Roaring twenties---everything about that time period thrills me.

84. One of my favorite classes in college was Theatre Appreciation.

85. I’m a fast-food junkie…it’s pretty terrible.

86. Chamomile tea is amazing and relaxes me. I only drink hot teas. (Yes, I’m from the South and could care less about sweet tea.)

87. Pretty much any task is better when done with my hubby. We make a great team

88. I don’t have many hosting opportunities---but I love it when I do.

89. I love fairy tales and all things Disney.

90. I’m a Greek Mythology nerd. I would love to study more mythology for fun.

91. I can’t wait to read to my children.

92. I love reading other people’s blogs and making new friends. :)

93. I like getting free samples and trying new products.

94. I love all music with the exception of heavy metal and blue grass.

95. Some of my favorite bands/musicians include: Adele, The Corrs, Hootie and the Blowfish, Daughtry, Third Day, Colbie Callait, Michael Buble, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Edith Piaf, Sade, The Goo Goo Dolls, David Cook, Journey, The Postal Service, Plain White T’s, etc.

96. I love music from the 90s and miss it a lot.

97. Even though I’m very girly, I’m pretty low mainentence with my hair and makeup.

98. I still wish upon stars and am fascinated by them.

99. I’m very competitive.

100. I love happy endings. :D

<3 Anna

100 Facts about me (Part 3)

Hey everyone!

It's time for part 3 of 100 Facts about me. I'm really enjoying this challenge and getting to know all my friends in the blogosphere.;)

You can link up here:http://www.meganwrites.com/1/post/2011/03/100-facts-about-me-part-2.htm


The final post will be:

Tuesday, April 5th

51. I love getting mail, especially when it’s not bills.;)

52. Belle is my favorite Disney princess; one of my friends got me a coffee mug with her on it for Christmas. I love it!

53. I haven’t had the opportunity to travel much, but I hope that will change.

54. I’ll be taking classes to get my Cna soon.

55. I love looking up meanings of dreams…especially for the really weird ones.

56. Autumn is my favorite season.

57. I’m a Coke Zero fanatic.

58. Those little Reese’s eggs are perfection…just the right amount of chocolate to not go overboard.

59. I HATE Walmart. I avoid the place at all costs…especially around Christmas time.

60. Favorite animated movies: How to train your dragon, Despicable Me, Flushed Away, Up!, Beauty and the Beast, Fantasia, Fantasia 2000, Tangled, and many more. 

61. Favorite movies: Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Moulin Rouge, Australia, The Patriot, The Princess Bride, Smother, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Spiderman movies, Pirates of the Caribbean movies, X-Men movies, Harry Potter movies, Funny Girl, Matilda, The Batman movies—new and old, etc.

62. One of my favorite actresses is Audrey Hepburn. She was beautiful, talented, stylish, and dedicated to helping others.

63. Favorite authors: Oscar Wilde, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Ann Brashares, J.D. Robb, Joanne Piccoult, Erica Spindler, Mary Higgins Clarke, Emily Dickenson, C.S. Lewis, Francine Rivers, Hans Christian Anderson, The Brothers Grimm, Sara Shepherd, etc.

64. Favorite tv shows: Frasier, Friends, The Office, Desperate Housewives, The Golden Girls, Family Matters, The Cosby Show, Modern Family, Daria, Invader Zim, Lie to me, etc.

65. I’m not a huge fan of mayonnaise and the only kind I will use is Dukes.

66. Foods I hate: beans (with the exception of green), onions, mushrooms, olives, fish (with the exception of tilapia), etc.

67. Magazines I read: Glamour, All You, Psychology Today, Woman’s Day, Woman’s Health.

68. I’m terrible at Math and pretty much hate it.

69. Fears: Spiders, Clowns, failure

70. As you can tell per my blog layout, purple is my favorite color.

71. I love planners and writing things on my calendar. I like to be organized.

72. Every now and then I break out the crayons and color. It’s very relaxing. 

73. I love to sing, but don’t have the greatest voice.

74. I was in chorus in middle school and high school.

75. I hate public speaking. I’m not gifted in that area. I can better express myself in writing.

Until next time!

<3 Anna ***Don't forget to check out this post: http://inadaze13.blogspot.com/2011/03/welcome-baby-oron.html ***

100 Facts about me (Part 2)

Hey everyone!

Here's part two of what I started yesterday. If you are interested in linking up go here:

http://www.meganwrites.com/1/post/2011/03/100-facts-about-me-part-2.html

The next post will be as follows:

Thursday, March 30- Part 3
Tuesday, April 5- Part 4


26. I look forward to being a mom one day. :)

27. I’m not a breakfast person. I usually have to make myself eat.

28. I’m thankful for the rain we are getting, it is especially helpful when you are very allergic to pollen.

29. I would like to one day own a vanity and a chinese room divider/screen.

30. I’m very girly, some people don’t like that…but it’s who I am.

31. I used to be on time for everything, now I have a tendency to run late.

32. I have yet to find an exercise I like, but I’m trying to be consistent for my health.

33. I love antiques. I love shopping in consignment shops and thrift stores.

34. I love art. Some of my favorite artists are: Monet, Georgia O’Keefe, Salvador Dali, Vincent Van Gogh, etc.

35. I’m very much an introvert. I greatly appreciate my alone time. I have scattered times where I really appreciate the company of other people, but for the most part I’m content to be alone or with a small group of people.

36. I love saving money. I clip coupons, look at sales papers, look at websites, etc.

37. I know how to make my own bath salts and laundry detergent. I love learning to make new things.

38. I’m a tutor and I enjoy helping people learn, it’s very fulfilling to me.

39. Since I love teaching so much, I’m strongly considering homeschooling my children.

40. I would rather be in the mountains than on a beach.

41. I can only handle camping and the beach for a weekend.

42. The above leave me feeling unclean and eagerly wanting a shower.

43. I love History and everything to do with it.

44. I would love to learn about my ancestors.

45. I know that some of my ancestors were Dutch, English, and Cherokee Indian.

46. I have never had a good father figure in my life. This makes it hard to trust men. I’m thankful that God allowed me to see the good in my husband and the guy friends I do have.

47. I love to learn about anything and everything.

48. I used to be a cat person, but am now a dog person.

49. I love animals. I wish I could have a zoo, farm, animal rescue, etc.

50. I have bouts of baby fever every now and then.

Until next time! <3 Anna

100 Facts about me (Part 1)

Hi everyone,

This post is for all of my readers. (I think my newest readers will especially appreciate it.) I've seen this posted around and I thought it looked like fun:)


If you are interested in linking up go here: http://www.meganwrites.com/1/post/2011/03/100-facts-about-me-part-1.html

The next 3 posts will be posted as follows:
Part 2 - Tuesday, March 29
Part 3 - Thursday, March 31
Part 4 - Tuesday, April 5

Here's the first 25!


1. I have been with my hubby working on six years (October 19), and married three years (August 15). John is my best friend and he gets me better than I do myself sometimes.

2. My favorite past time is reading. There is nothing like curling up with a good book on a rainy day or any day really. ;)

3. I don’t have any children. I have a black lab mixed with chow, her name is Sophie. For now she is my baby.

4. I love bright happy colors, but also love earth tones.

5. I love to cook and bake (even more!)

6. My favorite cookbooks are Gooseberry Patch.

7. I love cute shoes, but have bad feet---so it’s hard to find shoes that work for me.

8. I’m a coffee addict. If nothing else puts a smile on my face that can.

9. I’m not a morning person. I’m working on it…but it’s not my time.

10. I’m the oldest of four girls.

11. When I was in third grade I wanted to be an archaeologist. I still think that would be pretty amazing!

12. I’m not much of a gamer, but I loved super Nintendo: Zelda Link to the Past, Donkey Kong Country, etc.

13. My birthday is in July, all of my sisters were born in September.

14. I’m not a big Shakespeare fan…but I love A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

15. I’m a Christian. This seems to mean different things to different people. For me it means trusting God for everything. It means doing what is right even when it means sacrificing what my selfish nature might desire. It means allowing God to judge others and learning how not to do that myself.

16. I’m a child of divorce. My husband is a child of divorce. Divorce has had a great impact on my life.

17. My husband and I hope to beat the odds and be one of those happy old couples. ;)

18. I started writing in second grade. I really enjoy it and want to start getting back into my creative writing again.

19. I want to travel---my top pick, Ireland.

20. I love The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams

21. I love Italian food. My favorite restaurant is Johnny Carinos.

22. If I’m not out in public, I’m wearing pj bottoms.

23. I love Peanuts. My hubby and I dressed up as Linus and Sally last Halloween.

24. I want to make lemonade from scratch this year.

25. The best present I’ve ever received was from my hubby and mother-in-law, they made me a beautiful blanket with pretty pink flowers. I still use it to this day and I’ve told John that he’ll never be able to top it. He hasn’t, even with my beautiful rings. It still didn’t bring the tears that the blanket did. I cried a lot for both though. ;)

Until next time, <3 Anna

All about Spring....playing catch up;)

Hi everyone!

I'm a little behind, but am now participating in the Spring in the air blog challenge. Check it out here:

1. What do you look forward to most about spring and what about winter are you going to miss?
(March 21)

I look forward to:

Seeing my plants grow

warm weather

wearing flip flops and painting my nails fun colors

Easter

bar-b-quing

new babies being born

and much more...

What I will miss about winter:

hot chocolate/apple cider

soups

my electric blanket

snow days (not that we get many)


2. What's your favorite spring outfit {or two}?
(March 22)

Spring cardigans

Skirts

sun dresses

Cute t-shirts

Flipflops

<3 Anna

Words from GoldenGirlFan:)

Love: Love is one of the greatest emotions of all. Often misunderstood and associated with red roses, chocolates, and cheesy "love" songs. I'm also pretty positive that it is used far too often and far too loosely. Thankfully, I have a Father and husband that prove to me everyday that true love isn't dead.

John Leviner: I don't know what I would do without my husband. He is pretty much the only person on the planet that truly understands my madness;)As cheesy as it sounds I love him more and more each day. He's the jelly to my peanut butter the macaroni to my cheese:D I'm so glad that God blessed me with such an amazing husband.

Social Work: A few years ago, I thought this was it. The job that I would be doing the rest of my life....now I've come to the end of my program and I have no idea:/

archaeology: Ever since I was in the third grade I've been interested in archaeology. My mom even got me a subscription to an archaeology magazine for kids. My dream was to travel to Egypt and discover an ancient artifact or who knows...I still would love to go a dig one day...that would be pretty ahhhhmazing:D

interior design: Also another career thought awhile back...anyway, I love interior design, I hope to one day be able to better decorate my home and have some couch covers that are not a hideous shade of red:/

Five Words

Leave a comment saying, "COMMENT" and I will give you five words I associate with you. Then post about what they mean to you, along with this, at your journal.

I got the words: daisies, Disney, family, pearls, and cooking from Bibsy:)

Daisies: My love of daisies started in high school, like daisies I felt plain and overlooked. Now I see them differently, daisies are not plain. They are beautiful in a more subtle way. They are classic more so than roses to me. Also according to Meg Ryan in "You've Got Mail" they are the "friendliest flower" and I would have to agree:)

Disney: This obsession started early, I think it's a healthy obsession though...if those exist;) My mom still talks about how I watched Cinderella so much that the tape broke and she had to go out and buy a new one. I can identify a great deal with Walt Disney, he was a dreamer and lover of faraway distant lands. He loved to tell a good story and he had to have loved music. Disney was/is a great escape for me. When the world disappoints or makes me feel that I can't do anything. I can watch a good Disney movie or listen to a song from a Disney movie and it helps cheer me up:)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPfiZmzBok8&feature=video_response

Family: My family is very close-knit. We enjoy spending time together and holidays are especially important to us. It's always been important and known that we would all stick together, through the good and bad in life. We are not perfect and we do have arguments and difficult times, but we know that we need each other and that's what keeps us going strong. I love my family<3

Pearls: I'm an old-fashioned girl. I tend to fall for the classics. Pearls give anything a more polished and put together look. They make me happy and I feel a step closer to Audrey;)My sister, Brandi, when traveling to Peru brought me back a pair of pearl earrings. I wore them to my wedding for something new and now I wear them everyday:)

Cooking:Cooking is a newer love of mine. It's not like I didn't like it, it's just recently become a love. I feel that cooking is an art form. It's one thing that is in that genre that I feel competent in tackling. I love creating and doing nice things for others so cooking is pretty spot on for that;) It's also a sort of therapy, when I become stressed, angry, sad, etc. Cooking gives me a peace that helps me to deal with that nervous energy and I feel better about whatever is going on:)