Friend-Makin' Monday -- My Favorite Time of Day

That's right, it's a two-fer!  Mostly because it's the Longest Monday Ever at work and I needed a distraction from some mindless (yet important!) work I was doing.

The rules for Friend-Makin' Monday are just to answer the questions, and have fun! Oh and go and comment on Kenlie's original post with a link back so you can share in the FMM love with others!

Today's theme is "Fall," so I HAD to play along. The running joke in my family is that, as a little girl, I once said that "Fall is my favorite time of day!"  So my mom and dad tell me this every as autumn rolls around and temps in Texas drop to a frigid 82 and we sweat under our scarves and as we sip our pumpkin spice lattes.  Fall is a state of mind, I say.

On to the questions!

A New Season

1. What is your favorite thing about Fall? The fashions. I LOVE leggings and sweater tights and scarves and boots.

2. It's not Fall until... Pumpkin spice everything hits the shelves and the cafés. And football starts.

3. Apple cider or hot chocolate? Cider for fall. Hot chocolate for winter!

4. Share a happy Fall memory. We're making going to the Dallas Arboretum kind of a fall tradition in my house. Also, I found out I was pregnant last fall. That was pretty awesome.

5. Do you have any hobbies that are seasonally specific? If so, what are they? I think I read more in cooler weather. I like snuggling up with a book and my puppy at my feet.

6. What do you miss most about Summer now that it's officially over? Well, I never got to go to the pool and go swimming. I was wayyyyy to pregnant and wayyyyy too cranky about it.

7. Do you prefer pumpkin pie or pecan pie? Easy - pumpkin. I'm allergic to pecans.

8. Do you suffer from allergies? I do, but the Spring allergens are way harsher on my system than the autumn ones. My poor husband, on the other hand...

9. How do you celebrate Halloween?  Our neighborhood always has a block party that we attend. It's fun to see all the little kids dressed up.  Now that we have Z, we'll probably start looking into more activities for him.  Once he's older, of course. Trick-or-treating with a four-month-old would be a bit silly.

10. What is the biggest change that you expect to experience during this season? My life has been changing so much. I guess I could say that continuing to adapt to being a parent, and finding my new identity (or a new aspect of my identity) will be the biggest change!

Friend Makin' Mondays -- TV & Movies

 I haven't played in a while, and this one looked like lots of fun.

TV, Movies and Me

1. If you could be a recurring star on a show that is currently on TV, which show would you choose?  Uh, Mad Men. Duh.

2. Name the movie that you are most embarrassed to admit that you love. I pretty much own my guilty pleasures with out much of the "guilt."  But, Center Stage is pretty awful, but I sure do love it.

3. Name one show that you’ve never seen and would love to watch. Once Upon a Time. I know that season 1 is available on Netflix, but I HATE being behind!  I'd almost rather wait until the series is finished and all available for me to watch.  See also: Downton Abbey.

4. Do you ever go to movies alone?  Rarely.  Michael and I are usually on the same page about movies we want to see.  However, I did go see Black Swan alone.  Terrible idea. I was wrapped up in a ball of anxiety for hours afterwards.

5. If you could only watch one TV show for the next year, which show would you choose and why? Everybody Loves Raymond.  Because I love it, the writing is genius, and the family just reminds me so much of our own.

6. If you could star in one reality show, which one would it be and why? So You Think You Can Dance.  I WANT TO DANCE LIKE ALL OF THEM.

7. If someone rented a billboard for you, what would it say?  "Save a life. Adopt a pitbull." I don't need it to be about ME.  Just something I care deeply about. 

8. Who is the most famous person with whom you have been in the same room? Hmmm...I'm not gonna count concerts, because I've been to too many.  I was at a California Pizza Kitchen once in Boston, just a table away from Travis Barker (of Blink 182), though.  So that was cool.  (And I'm happy to report that he was super nice to fans who wanted to meet him and take pictures.)

9. If you were chosen to be a contestant on a TV game show, which show would you want to be on?  Jeopardy!!!

10. If there was a movie being made about you, which actor would you choose to play you? Definitely Amy Adams.  Because she's ADORABLE and she's a ginger and she's an amazing actress.  She could do the role of Mandy justice. :)

Friend-Makin' Mondays -- 12 in 2012

I'm really bad about doing FMM posts, but this is a good one. I like reflecting on the year as it comes to a close, so thanks Kenlie for giving me an early chance to!

Twelve in 2012

1. What was your greatest personal accomplishment in 2012? I grew up a lot. I know that seems...too general, or something, but I really did. I ran smack into a brick wall of realization of just how much my selfishness was hurting my life, my friendships and my marriage, and I stopped being so selfish. I can honestly say that 2012 has been the best year of my life.

2. What’s the best thing your did for your health? I stopped drinking sodas and booze back in May, and started eating much more naturally.  As a result, I lost about 25 lbs and quickly.  My skin and hair look better, even. Just goes to show how much that stuff harms your body.  I'm not saying I'll never have another Dr. Pepper or Shiner, but I will definitely monitor my intake a LOT more now.

3. Share one thing that caused a significant change in your life this year. Well, see #1 first. I had my eyes opened to the importance of what I have in my life right now, and the addition of a few key people and some key choices (see #8 and #2, respectively) have just really improved my quality of life in general.  But I'm going to cheat since those are all other numbers on this survey and pick one more thing: getting pregnant.

4. List a few things that you experienced for the first time at some point over the last twelve months.  

• I assistant directed and sound-designed my first show.
• I directed my very first show alone (a staged reading, but still).
• I got pregnant.
• I earned a Star Performer award where I work.
• I finally saw SERYN in concert! THREE TIMES!  And maybe once more on December 30th!

5. What was the coolest place you visited? Sadly, I don't think I traveled at ALL this year! But, my husband and I visited the Dallas Arboretum this past fall and saw a really cool Chihuly glass exhibit.  We don't really get out and take advantage of our local attractions that much, and I hope we'll change that, especially once the BabyMonster arrives.

6. If you could change one thing about the last year what would it be?....I honestly don't think I'd change a thing.

7. What is the best meal you ate this year? I have no idea.  Food doesn't stick out to me really, when I think of the year.  But, seeing as how I'm starving right now and I'm ALWAYS starving, I'm gonna go with "the lunch I'm about to have."

8. Tell us about a new friend you made.  Savannah and Erica, my Oklahomies. Changed my life. Seriously.

9. What did you hope to accomplish this year that you did not? I was hoping to get back into running, and maybe direct one more show.  But I'm not upset that neither of those things happened.

10. Share something you learned in 2012. Putting others before myself truly does make me happier. Especially when those others are my husband, my family, and my close friends.

11. Share an odd and unexpected thing that you experienced this year. I got pregnant.  Is that answer old yet? GET OVER IT. 

12. How do you think 2013 will differ from 2012?  I'm going to have a BABY. A small spawn of me and my husband completely taking over my life.  And I cannot wait.

Friend-Makin' Monday -- Personal Stuff

 I almost skipped today's FMM post, because of all the hoopla that's been going on around social media lately (a couple of the questions touch on politics and religion), but I feel like blogging and I like Kenlie's prompts.  So here goes.

Oh, and by the way, should you feel like playing along as well, head over to Kenlie's post and leave your link in the comments and spread some comment love yourself!

A Little More Personal 

1. Are you a morning person? Absolutely not.  From the time I was a small baby I've been a night person. I swear I "activate" around 11pm.  It's very hard for me to shut down and fall asleep, and I could easily sleep til 10am (or later) every single day.  

2. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?Are you kidding me? 

 3. Are you addicted to anything? If so, what? You know, I never thought of myself as having an addiction to anything.  I mean, even as much as I wax poetic about my coffee, I could quit if I had to (I'd need a real good reason, though). But I do have some mental and spiritual addictions, I think -- things that cause me to be selfish and vain and stumble in reaching the goals I have for myself in becoming the person/wife/mom/friend I want to be. 

4. How many times have you been in love? Twice.  My first love was absolutely nothing like the love I have for my husband, but I really think that, for what little I knew of love at 18, I was in love with my first serious boyfriend.  It didn't end well, and every so often I wonder about him and hope he's doing well.  

5. What is your position on politics? I have strong opinions on a few key issues (namely the role of government in telling me what I can and can't do in my personal life and with my body) but really?  Overall I don't know much.  I would much prefer to watch episode after episode of Battlestar Galactica or The Office on Netflix than watch CNN or the local news, even.  However, I compensate for this by a) watching the debates around election time, and b) shutting up in major arguments. If I don't have all the information, it's useless for me to argue. 

6. Are you religious? I hate this question. One of the definitions of "religious" is "scrupulously faithful; conscientious," and that's how I usually define the word.  It also has an extremely negative connotation, more and more negative every year it seems. The bottom line? I love God. I believe Jesus is the son of God and the way to salvation, through His grace. I will try my whole life to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

 7. Would you prefer backpacking or a luxury hotel? Totally a luxury hotel. I am an indoor girl. I'd be whining and complaining after an hour of backpacking.

8. Do you have/want pets? Um, only the best dog ever.

 9. Are you a sports fan? ABSOLUTELY. I love the Boston Red Sox, the Texas Rangers and the Philadelphia Eagles.  And I LOVE the Olympics. 

10. How often do you brush your teeth? Twice a day.

11. Do you have tattoos and/or piercings? My ears are pierced and I have one tattoo. 

12. What’s your favorite clothing brand? I don't really notice that I buy a particular brand over another. But I have noticed that I have expensive taste...the things I pull off the rack to examine are always the designer/expensive brands.

13. Should a man open doors for a woman? I think anyone should open doors for people coming in/out behind them.  It's the polite thing to do. 

14. Which season is your favorite? Usually whichever one is next.  

15. Would you rather eat less or workout more? Eating less seems to help me lose weight more quickly, but I would rather work out more just to build good habits and be in the best shape I can be.

16. What’s your idea of romance?  You know, I could create a big ol' scenario here, but honestly it all boils down to "thoughtful."  Being thoughtful about a date, a gift, a "just because" visit...those are the things that are the most romantic to me. Taking the time to think about what might make me smile or feel loved.

17. How often do you do things that are outside of your comfort zone? Are you kidding? I'm in theatre.  I've had to do some insane movement exercises where I've had to get outside my comfort zone REAL fast.

18. Christmas or Halloween? Christmas!  I do like Halloween, though. 

19. Would you rather live in the country or the city? City.

20. Share your life philosophy. Matthew 22:37-40

Friend-Makin' Mondays -- Goals

As a blogger/blog-fan, I'm much more of a reader/lurker than I am consistently a commenter/participant.  But sometimes I'll see or feel a prompt that makes me want to express my own thoughts.  Kenlie is always good at that, with her thoughtful Friend-Makin' Mondays posts.  Today's was one that gave me a push to play along...

Goals and More

1. Brag about some of your daily, healthy habits. I drink a lot of water, and I do not drink soda of any kind. -- I'm stealing Kenlie's answer here, because this is a new habit of mine that I'm really proud of.  I don't even miss soda.  Occasionally, I'll feel like I want something sweet to drink, but usually a green tea will do the trick.  I think I just get bored of coffee and water and need to introduce something new to my palate on a given day.

2. Do you track your daily food intake? If so, how? When I first started my journey after the Day of Reckoning back in late 2009, I counted calories.  It worked REALLY well. Now, I find that I resent it after a couple of days, and I don't necessarily eat well just because I'm tracking calories. So I don't track anymore.  I try to eat mostly natural things that come from the earth and aren't processed (very much), and I have become very aware of my portion sizes.  So far it's working and I feel great.

3. What do you want to change most about your daily routine? I want to get up earlier!! Whether it's to get my workout in early, or to be at work early so I can LEAVE early and ALWAYS have time to get a workout in. I am the worst about filling up my schedule and then making excuses about why I don't have time to exercise.

4. How often do you exercise? Several times a week...in a good week I'll work out 4-5 times, for at least 30 minutes.

5. How do you stay on track when you’re on the go? I'm....not very good at this.  But I'm trying.  Cutting out sodas and (most) sugar and all the stuff I mentioned above has led to me actually feeling SICK if I make a poor choice -- my stomach can't handle it -- but I'm trying to keep myself armed with good snacks and NOT put myself into a position where I'm starving, unarmed, and not thinking clearly.

6. What’s one excuse you use that prevents you from reaching your goals? "I've already lost _____ and my husband thinks I'm hot and I can wear super cute clothes, so why try any harder to meet my goal weight?"

7. What scares your most about your journey? This...this one almost deserves its own blog post.  I'm scared of doing all of it for the wrong reason -- which is vanity and selfishness and desire for attention. It got me into a REALLY BAD mental state last time, so I've been afraid to lose weight again.  I know, that's vague.

8. What do you think will change most when you reach your goal? (If you have reached it, what’s different?) If I'm doing it for the right reasons, I'm hoping that I will have made a lasting change in my life regarding what I put into my body and how I view my body.

9. What motivates you to reach your goals? My most recent motivation has been that my husband and I are probably going to start trying to start a family this fall.  I want to be in the best shape I can be before I'm a host to a fetus for nine months.  Also, I'd like to be able to get through L&D more easily, for which I can prepare by getting into great shape and trimming down. I also want to ultimately set a good example for my child(ren).

10. Share a few of your goals.

• Reach my goal weight (which is also my OB/GYN's suggestion for me) before I get pregnant.
• Be able to stop doing the modified versions of yoga poses and amp it up a bit.
• Be able to do a "boy push-up."
•  Make working out a habit, rather than something I sometimes have to force myself to do.

Three Things (getting back in the groove)

I hear tell that Kassie and Kristen are working on some prompts for a summer round of ReverbBroads blogging (which I tried feebly back in December...no doubt June is just as busy, but I'd like to get back to blogging, especially since Kelsey is hounding me to...;) )

So I'll start with a meme...why not?  Kenlie's so good about these Monday prompts and all.

Apparently everyone who blogs has a "K" name. 

Anyway.

FMM: Three Things

1. Three of your favorite movies (OH GOD JUST THREE?!):

• Juno
• Remember the Titans
• Enchanted.  (Yep. I stand by it.  PATRICK DEMPSEY YOU GUYS HE SINGS IN IT)

2. Three of your favorite things to drink: 

• Coffee
• Diet Coke
• Beer

3. Three of your favorite songs (at this moment anyway): 

• "Albatross" by Big Wreck
• "We Will All Be Changed" by Seryn
• "I've Got this Friend" by The Civil wars

4. Three people who have recently been a positive influence on your life (outside of your family): 

• Julie B. at the Campus Theatre here in Denton.  She's the Outreach Director and organizes Play Readers and Writers of Denton.  She has been so supportive of me recently in my directing endeavors, and she's so smart.  I'd actually call her my theatre mentor right now.  I love this lady.
• Amanda.  I never get to see her because of our completely separate, busy lives, but those times we DO get to sit down and catch up?  I leave feeling refreshed.  She is completely honest and candid with me, and she is the kind of wife and mom I'd like to be some day. Love. This. Woman.
• This is taking me too long...honestly there are so many people.  If you're reading this, you likely found me from Twitter or my FB timeline, and so you're probably included as a person who has made me smile or helped get me through a tough day.

5. Three things you to do keep yourself entertained: 

• Read
• Play on the internet (I keep thinking I'll grow out of this...)
• Clean my house. Since some home renovations, I'm obsessed with it.

6. Three things you’re attracted to in the opposite sex: 

• Compassion
• Talent
• Sense of humor

7. Three things you love about yourself: 

• My hair
• My sense of humor
• My ever-growing self-awareness

8. The last three people who text messaged you: 

• Kelsey
• My husband
• The two pals that I'll be carpooling with for the next month for Oklahoma!

9. Three things you’re looking forward to this week: 

• Starting Oklahoma! rehearsals at Lyric Stage.
• My husband's students' spring recital.
• FOUR DAY WEEKEND, BIOTCHES!

10. Three wishes specifically for yourself…What are they? (Be selfish, and be honest.)

• I wish I had smaller thighs/longer legs.
• I wish we had more money.
• I wish I had some cheese fries.

11. Three of your favorite quotes: - 

• I'm lazy.  Here's a list I've bookmarked on my Goodreads profile: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/list/2784620

12. Three of your biggest fears:

• Not leaving a legacy on this earth/not making a difference
• Spiders crawling on me while I sleep.
• A Kardashian holding a political office.

13. Three of your favorite TV shows: 

• Everybody Loves Raymond
• The Big Bang Theory
• The Office

14. Three of your favorite things to purchase when you’re shopping. 

• Sundresses
• Books/Records
• Candy

15. Three things that you enjoyed last week:

• Drinking on a Tuesday night (a questionable decision, actually) with my bestie
• Finding Barry Manilow's Greatest Hits on vinyl for $0.99
• Eating Mexican food with my husband instead of cooking like we should have

16. Three things that you always have in your bag or close to you if you’re not a purse kind of person. 

• Water bottle
• iPhone
• Journal

17. Three types of food that you wouldn’t want to give up. 

• Pizza
• Oreos
• Peanut butter!!!

18. Three things you do to enjoy burning calories: 

• Running/Walking with my pup
• Elliptical (no really, I like it!)
• Sex

19. Three things you dislike about blogging:

• Feeling like I have to keep up with it ALL THE TIME
• Inadvertently creating a "persona" that I can't break away from and that I feel defines/should define me...
• ...and then ultimately feeling like a giant poser/flake.

20. Three ways blogging has changed your life: 

• I've met some AWESOME people...some of whom have made a giant impact on me as a person...some even IN REAL LIFE.
• I've learned (or am still learning) how to censor what I put "out there" without actually censoring myself.
• I've learned how to waste time like a pro.

Friend Makin' Mondays -- Getting to Know You

Happy New Year, readers!  Here's the thing...by now I've usually done my "Year in Review" post for the recently-ended old year, but I haven't gotten any further than getting all the accompanying pictures saved into a "2011" folder...and that's on my HOME computer.  So...it's coming. Just not yet.  Maybe not even til February. 

But until then!  It's time for another Friend Makin' Mondays post courtesy of Kenlie.  You know the drill!  Answer the prompt, then go leave a comment on Kenlie's most recent FMM post with a link back, and enjoy the comments!

1) What is one of your favorite ways to spend a Saturday? At HOME.  I have a very busy schedule most of the time (self-inflicted, naturally), and my favorite Saturday would include waking up around 10am, making coffee, sitting in my big chair wrapped in a quilt and watching bad/awesome movies til about 1pm, then making lunch.  Maybe going for a run.  Finally getting dressed/cute around 8pm, and going out and having drinks with my husband and my favorite gal-pal Jo. 

2) List your top three favorite TV shows. Oh Geez....in no particular order (I guess), Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond and The Office.

3) Would you rather be in pictures or take them? That depends. I do love a good picture of myself, but I can be highly critical of myself if I don't take the picture myself.  I love taking pictures with my stepdad's fancy-pants camera, though. I took all the pictures for my cousin's baby shower and had a LOT of fun with that.

4) Why do you blog? Guh. I hate this question, actually. I have a REALLY LONG answer, but I don't feel like it, so here's the answer in a nutshell: I like to write and I'm a narcissist.  There. 

5) Share five websites that you visit regularly.
a) Twitter
b) Flickr
c) My Fitness Pal
d) Tumblr
e) Goodreads

6) If you could have lunch with one person from your Twitter list who would it be? I refuse to follow the rules on this question, because there are so many.  So I'll pick one CITY where a lot of my Twitter friends live and say that I'd like to have lunch with the following people in Halifax, NS (Canada): Mike, Neil, Nicola, Morgan and Scotty.

7) List a few of your favorite snacks. Apples, almonds, HUMMUS OH GOD HUMMUS, smoothies (usually post workout)....

8 ) Do you have a pet? If so, what kind? I have the BEST pet.  A pit bull named Carmen.

9) Which three material possessions would you struggle to live without? Definitely my iPhone. Television. Ummm....the money to buy Starbucks?? haha

10) What’s your favorite drink? Alcoholic: rum & Diet Coke with a lime.  Non-alcoholic: Coffee or Dr. Pepper

11) Do you enjoy cooking? Very, very much

12) Do you have children? Nope. A husband and a dog keep me busy enough at the moment.

13) What are your favorite hobbies? Running, reading, singing, theatre

14) Would you consider yourself to be shy or outgoing? Seriously?

15) If you could change one thing about yourself, what would you change? I'd care a little bit less about what other people thought about me.

16) Who is your favorite actor/actress? You know...I never really think about this question, but a couple of weeks ago I was watching the Kennedy Center Honors, and never fully appreciated what a beast Meryl Streep is until I saw the montage of her work.  So for females, she'd be the most talented, in my book.  Male? Hmmm...the first two who came to mind were Tom Hanks and Gary Oldman.

17) What’s the coolest thing you’ve done this week? Uh, well...seeing as it's only Monday morning? I guess it's cool that I got myself AND all my shit out the door on time this morning AND had enough time to stop for coffee. Cool.

18) Do you live near your family or far from them? Very near. Most of my family is within 15 miles of me.  It's a blessing and a curse.

19) List three of your talents. OKAY!  Singing, acting, writing well (mostly academically).

20) What is your greatest attribute? Playing up my narcissism today, are we, FMM?  I can deal with that.  I think my greatest attribute is the willingness and desire to constantly better myself in one way or another, whether it be academically, spiritually, physically, etc.  I never want to settle for a current version of myself.

#reverbbroads11 Day 19 AND Friend Makin' Monday

It's a double post day!  Sort of.  I'm just combining two things on which I've fallen shamefully behind:  Reverb Broads posting and Friend Makin' Monday participation.  So here goes!

FMM: Have You Ever?

1. …traveled outside of your home country? If so, where? I've only been to Mexico.  Twice.  Once was in the 6th grade, and it was a mission trip with my church.  The second time was to Cancun when I was 17.  But I went with my mom and my little brother, so no big crazy Cancun Senior Trip stories here!  Lame. I REALLY need to travel more...

2. …performed on stage in front of at least 1,000 people? If so, share some details! Not 1,000 people in the same place, no.  Not yet anyway.  I've been onstage TONS of times, though, but just not for houses or theatres that large!

3. …watched an episode of Jersey Shore? I can proudly answer "No" to this one.

4. …baked a cake from scratch? I have not!  BUT, I have made sugar cookies from scratch, iced with homemade buttercream frosting.  I just started those last Christmas, so this year was my second year to make them both. 

5. …worked in a grocery store? I have not. I feel like I've done just about every other "first job," but never made it into the grocery world. 

6. …dated someone who was your best friend first? No.  Michael and I were very good friends before we started dating, but we weren't BEST friends.  I was, however, madly in love with my best friend in high school...and introduced him to his girlfriend.  "le sigh."

7. …made a difference in someone’s life during Christmas? Oh man...I sure do hope so.  And not just at Christmas time. 

8. …been on TV? Yeah!

9. …had cosmetic surgery? Nope. But it's something I sometimes think about.  I'll most likely never do it.

10. …learned a second language? I'm not disciplined enough to do this.  I took Spanish in high school, and four semesters of it in college, and retained pretty much NADA.  (See what I did there?)

And now for today's Reverb Broads post:

Self-Portrait: Post a picture of you that you like, write about yourself, post a video - what do you want your self-portrait to say about you? from Kristen 

Wow.  What a day to ask me something like this.  Normally, as you may well have noticed, I'd jump at the chance to be narcissistic and post a photo or video of myself. 

Today, however, I'm feeling kind of down and blue and a little weepy.  Maybe it's the holidays.  Maybe it's the cloudy weather.  But my emotions are very close to the surface today, so perhaps it's best that I pull out this one again:

Just me. 

No makeup. 

No perfectly angled camera position. 

Natural light.

I hope that photos of me show that I'm happy.  Happy in that moment and happy with who I am as a person, how I look and feel, where I am in my life...Most often I'm smiling in photos...but today I feel a little more like the photo above.  Quiet and contemplative.  But it's still me.  Maybe it's more me. 

This is way too deep for me today.  I'll come back tomorrow more like myself, I hope.

I’m taking part in a blogging group called Reverb Broads that will be suggesting daily blogging prompts this December. If you want to join in, feel free! Go here or here to learn more!

Friend Makin' Mondays -- On Dating

I haven't participated in a Friend Makin' Mondays blog in a LONG time...but to be fair, I haven't really been good about blogging in general, so I don't feel too guilty.  But, I'm caught up on work for the moment and thought I'd play along today.  If you want to play along on your blog, make sure you go over to Kenlie's blog and post in the comments with your link!

Just a fair warning...I've been told that women hit their sexual peak starting in their 30s so if I seem a little....whatever...well, remember which birthday I just had.

FMM: Dating

What is your current relationship status? (Be as specific as you’d like to be!) Married.  Just celebrated the 3-year annivesary of our wedding in September.  We've been together for almost 9 years total, though. 

List a few qualities that you look for in a significant other. A sense of humor, talent (and this is very broad...I just prefer a man who has a hobby that's important to him, and maybe even that he is able to make his career!), compassion for others, a penis.
If you could choose to date one character in TV or film, who would you choose? And which characteristics are most appealing? Just one?!  You're killin' me, Smalls.  Hmmmm...honestly I'd pick Jim Halpert from The Office.  I. Love. Him. He's tall, he's laid-back, he's funny, he's adorable...what's not to like?

How long should you date before becoming exclusive? That is completely up to the couple. 

What are your thoughts on public displays of affection? As long as it's just AFFECTION, I don't mind it at all.  I really like seeing couples be affectionate and considerate of each other. Holding hands, a little tiny kiss here and there, a man letting a woman go through the door in front of him, his hand on the small of her back.  Those things make me smile.  Dry humping and making out hardcore?  Keep it in your bedroom.  Or living room.  Or backseat.  Or...

Do you kiss on the first date? Oh if only you knew who you were talking to.  I love kissing so much.  Sometimes I didn't even wait til the first date, but then again, you're looking at the erstwhile Makeout Queen of North Texas.  Sometimes I wish we could make NCMOs a thing (non-committal makeouts) in this society. I love kissing my husband, but man oh man do I miss that feeling of kissing a new person. 

Biggest turn-off? Smelling bad.  I just can't get past it.  Breath, body, hair....it's not THAT hard to shower and clean yourself. 

What’s the first thing you notice about the opposite sex? That it's a man.  Hey, judge me if you want...I have no type.  Men are awesome. 

How long do you/did you wait before becoming intimate? Again, that's something that each person and each couple has to decide individually (or as a couple, obviously...one would hope it'd be a mutual decision).  I waited until I fell in love and then I married that man.  Now I just have the occasional awesome (Ryan Reynolds) or awkward (people I work with, former bosses) sexy dream. If (GOD FORBID) anything were to ever happen with us, I can't honestly say how long I'd wait. 

Describe your dream date. I have always hated this question.  If the person with whom I'm on the date is awesome, chances are the date is gonna be awesome.  And if he's REALLY awesome?  I'm known to make the first move and kiss him.  Maybe that's emasculating to some men, but most guys I know would probably think that was pretty awesome.  Chime in, guys, am I right??

Friend Makin' Mondays -- The Last Thing

Happy Monday, lovers!

Since it's Monday,it's time again for:

I hopped on over to see what Kenlie chose today, and it was another survey! Which means I decided to do another vlog! (Um...you're welcome?)

Here are the questions:

FMM: The Last Thing

1) What is the title of the last book you read?
2) What is the last movie you saw in a theater?
3) Briefly describe the last person you saw today.
4) Which store did you most recently shop in?
5) Who’s the last person you spoke to over the phone?
6) Where’s the last place you vacationed?
7) When was the last time you kissed someone of the opposite sex?
8) What’s the last thing that made you laugh?
9) What’s the latest app that you downloaded on your phone?
10) What’s the last kind thing you did for someone?

Aaaaaand here are my answers, Vloggy Style!

Enjoy! Pop on over to Kenlie's blog and play along!  Make sure you leave a comment so you can get the comment love on your own post!

Have a great day, everyone!

(ETA: I just wanna say I LOVE FMM.  I woke up excited to get to work and see what today's topic was, and now that I've made my post, I'm sad that it's over.  Hurry up and go comment on Kenlie's post so I can go read more blog posts!)

Friend Makin' Mondays -- The Driving Force

I got a lot of great traffic on last week's Friend Makin' Mondays post and frankly it just made MY day to write that letter to myself! 

It's Monday, which means it's time to play again!

Here's today's topic that Kenlie chose:

FMM: The Driving Force

What is the driving force behind your weight-loss?

Hmmm.  I could be very simple with this or I could get a little deep on you all....I'll try to find a balance, how's that?

If you click on the Healthy Living tab at the top of this blog, you'll get a quick rundown and some of my favorite links from when I started my weight loss journey up until fairly recently (a couple months ago...I should really update that page). 

When I started my weight loss journey, the driving force was that I hated the girl I saw in pictures.  It's a strong sentiment to say that I "hated" her, but....I kinda did. That's not the person I saw when I looked in the mirror.  I guess my self-image wasn't too terrible, huh?  But the cold hard facts were there: the number on the scale, the size on the tags of my clothes, and, if I'm honest, the way I felt every time I went shopping, got dressed, was around thinner girls, etc.  The part of me I buried down deep within me and convinced myself didn't exist because I was happy! I was accepted! I was talented! 

So I changed my lifestyle habits.  And I made a LOT of progress in one year. 

Then, once the weight started coming off and the attention started pouring in, I felt amazing.  I thrived on the attention and the compliments.  And if I'm honest...again...I focused too much on that part.  I started to lose myself a little bit and become a little bit more vain and self-focused than I should have been.  My relationship suffered some and my priorities were in the wrong place.

I had a bit of a wake up call after the 3-Day walk, when my feet and legs were way too banged up and painful to really work out like I had been.  I gained some weight back...along with some perspective.  There were other factors that helped with that...some relationship revelations...some spiritual growth and personal growth...etc.  (This is the part where I'll save you from a SERIOUS trip into Mandy's brain. You're welcome.)

So while of course there is still a driving force to want to fit into that One Special Size of jeans and to play that One Dream Role and to feel good about myself and be pretty and get compliments (don't tell me you don't love getting attention! the day I stop loving attention is the day hell freezes over!)....I'd say my driving force NOW?

I want to be healthy and live a long and fulfilling life.

I don't want the old laziness and complacency to return and be the cause of health problems.

I don't want the manic desire to be thin and pretty to return and cause problems in my mental and physical well-being so that I lose focus of the person I really am inside.

I want to maintain a healthy attitude towards my size and appearance and take pride in how I look, but I don't want it to define me. 

I'd rather be remembered for being joyful, happy, healthy and loving than for being hot.

I may always have thick legs...but they will carry me across finish lines and help me in lifting and chasing after my (someday) children.  I may always have a round behind, but it will never cease to be smacked when I walk by my husband. ;) 

Last thought:  I went to a funeral recently and as I sat there and contemplated my mortality, as we all are wont to do in that situation, I prayed fervently and earnestly that the Lord would keep me on this earth until I am old and gray so that I may experience ALL that this earthly realm has to offer.  He has the ultimate say, of course, but I have a responsibility to make sure that I keep myself as healthy and happy as possible so as to prolong the life I've been given. 

So. What's YOUR driving force to lose weight and be healthy?

Friend Makin' Mondays -- Letter to Myself

So, if you'll recall my awesome Vlog post from last week that I got from Laura, who apparently got it from a blog called All the Weigh....it was apparently part of a series called "Friend Makin' Monday." 

Because I need yet another day-of-the-week blog post idea (no really! it keeps me blogging!), I think I'll play along again. 

Today's theme is "A Letter to my Future Self."  How interesting and appropriate! See, I'm working quietly on a blog post and project right now with the women in the Denton Women's Collective I've been meeting with for a couple of months now.  I've asked each girl to do 2 things: 1) take a current picture of yourself that you love, and write down 10 things you love about yourself, and 2) find a picture of yourself from middle school/early high school and write a letter to yourself at that time in your life (i.e., "Dear Middle-School Mandy...."). 

ALSO, one of my DayZero/101 in 1001 tasks is to write a letter to myself to be read when 1001 days have passed.  SO THIS IS PERFECT!

So here goes.

Dear Future Mandy,

Today is a Monday, and you're having a good morning so far.  Also, your hair looks kind of awesome, considering that you slept on it wet:

I just want to tell you a few things about your current life that I hope you are still recognizing and remembering in a few years:

• Right now you're approaching the end of what will be a 5 month break from theatre.  You've really enjoyed being at home with your husband and pup, reading books, watching baseball, and making your life well lived.  Performing is important to who you are as a person, but spending time with friends and family and time by yourself and for yourself is both good and necessary for your soul and your peace and happiness.  Don't forget that.  Nobody wants another 2009. 
• You are currently about 15 pounds from your goal weight.  But you care about that number less and less the more active you are and the more personal goals you reach (right now you're hoping to be ready for a 5k in September and possibly a 10k after that) and the happier you are with your life (see above re: taking breaks). Being a size __ is important to you as a personal goal, so I hope that you've reached that point by then, but more than anything I hope you are even more healthy and fit and happy than you are right this minute.

• Lately, you've been focusing on your husband and the people who are truly important to you in your life, rather than having a HUGE circle of "fringe friends."  I hope that, by the time 1001 days are over and you're reading this again, that you've continued to invest in the frienships that truly matter and that those friendships are even stronger.
• You've currently been deleting your devotional emails along with all the junk mail you receive overnight. STOP DOING THAT.  Remember how much happier and more peaceful you felt when you took a measely 10 or 15 minutes to read them while you drank your coffee?  Yeah. 

• You are 33 YEARS OLD right now. Holy. Freakin. Crap.  When I wrote you this letter, you were only 29.  Now, not only are you in a whole new decade, but you probably have children.  So let me just say these things:
• Do not let having children keep you from being healthy and fit (see above).
• Do not let having children keep you from having sex with your husband consistently.
• In that same vein, your husband is not another of your children.  He is your husband and your ally. 

I don't really have much else to say...I'm sure I'll think of other things along the way, but these seem to be pretty important. 

Above all, Future Mandy? I hope and pray that you are happy.  I hope that you're happy in your life and in your relationships and in your job and that you continue to recognize on a daily basis that, even when things seem shitty?  You're still doing pretty well for yourself as far as your life goes.  Don't ever stop finding the silver linings to your cloudy days, and if it helps? Keep blogging about them every Wednesday to remind yourself. 

Take lots of photos, write things down (or blog them...who are we kidding, nobody actually uses a pen and paper anymore), give hugs and tell people you love them, laugh a lot, and try to make someone else smile. 

You, Future Mandy -- are awesome.  I should know, because I, Present Mandy, am awesome.

Love,
You