Want to know a little more about your gal?!
Here ya go!
1.) I love to read.
Give me a good book, and I can sit there for hours and get through it easily.
My youngest daughter calls me a book nerd, and a book worm, and I’m okay with that. She’s not lying! 🙂
I’m more into non-fiction, reading about different cultures, places, autobiographies, etc. but occasionally, If I see a fiction book that looks and sounds good, I’ll give it a try. I’ve been known to enjoy a good Christmas romance novel here and there. ❤
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2.) I love abandoned places.
Farmhouses, regular houses, barns, churches, etc. If it’s abandoned, I’m interested in stopping to take photos, really appreciating the view, and wanting to know the story behind why it’s abandoned. I find things like that amazing and wonder who was there before it was abandoned.
Who lived there? Who worked there? Who made that place their church, or their home, or their farm – before it wasn’t anymore?!
My kids joke with me and tell me that’s how I’m going to die one day. Exploring an abandoned place, and suddenly – I’m tied up in some old barn with a weird creepy guy humming to himself, while starting his chain saw and smiling. lol.
Of course, I’m never crazy enough to go inside these abandoned places. I like to pull over, get some photos and keep it moving – from the safety of the road!
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3.) I love helping others.
I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again – you’re NEVER going to see me brag or talk about helping anyone. I don’t do it for “clout” or for bragging rights. I help others to be a good person, and because I want people to feel like someone out here in this cold world – cares about them.
Be it helping with some money if they need it and I can do it, or paying for someone’s meal, sitting and talking to them if they’re feeling anxious or depressed, making them laugh, buying a pack of diapers for another single mom – whatever I can do – I’ll do it.
The Bible talks about helping others in secret. In silence, so that God will see your heart is pure and reward you, and that’s what I was taught to do. Help others and nobody need to know about it, except me – those people I help – and God.
It makes me feel good, and I like seeing people smile.
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4.) I collect trolls. The adorable crazy haired, big – eyed dolls from the 90s.
My kids call them creepy, but I love them! I think they’re the cutest things.
Whenever I go to antique stores, I’m always looking for new trolls, and actually – there’s a place in Illinois called the Volo Museum – that always gets trolls in often, so when I’m in Illinois, I make it a point to stop there every time to see if they’ve gotten new antique trolls in. ❤
I just added 4 new ones to my collection recently from there.
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5.) My favorite foods are Chicken Alfredo, and Hawaiian Pizza, and YES – Pineapple goes VERY WELL on pizza, Thank you very much! 🙂
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6.) I NEED my coffee in the morning – with half and half. No sugar.
My kids joke that I’m a lot nicer with coffee, too! ha.
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7.) I love sitting and watching sunrises and sunsets, usually by the lake, but I can watch them from anywhere. Home while the sun is rising or setting behind the trees, in my car while the sunrise or sunset is on the side or clear enough to see in my side mirrors, or anywhere else. I love and appreciate a good sunrise and sunset and will absolutely take photos.
One thing I totally want to do this year, is find a pickup truck, lay some blankets in the back and drive to the middle of a field to watch the sunset from the back of it. ❤
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8.) I’ve always wanted to adopt a child.
I think every child in the foster care system should have a loving home and at least one loving parent.
I tried to adopt a 10-year-old named Logan many years back and it didn’t work out.
His case worker approved everything, except bedroom size because he and my older son were going to share a room, so they needed a bigger bedroom. (Illinois rules! I wonder if that’s changed now?). Anyway – Before I could move and get the new place approved, Logan was adopted by another family, and that broke my heart.
I often think about Logan and wonder where he is now, how he was raised, if he’s happy or not, and who got to love him before I did.
In the future, I may try to adopt again, but that’s when I have a house and tons of space.
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9.) My favorite colors are Purple and Yellow.
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10.) I’ve been best friends with my best friend (Trish) for over 32+ years now.
That’s a long time, huh?! I wouldn’t trade her for the world. She means everything to me, and we’ve had so many great memories, and we’ve gotten through so many crazy ones, but she’s always been there for me, and I know I can trust her with my life, my secrets, everything.
I couldn’t ask for a better bestie! 🙂
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11.) When I was 15, I caught a pretty serious case and ended up on Probation.
My probation officer was this little, short lady – but she was so tough. She didn’t let me get away with anything, and I can’t even tell you how many times she violated my probation. It was plenty, but no matter how many times she took me back to court, she always suggested something else and never asked the judge to lock me up.
When my probation ended, and I completed everything I had to do, I asked her why she never had me locked up. She replied with, “I know a bad kid when I see one, and I know a good kid who just needs a little extra love and guidance, and you’re one of the good ones. I see a lot of potential in you!”.
From that moment on – I’ve always had it in my heart to become a probation officer and help kids and teens (or even adults on the wrong path) – try to change their lives.
I started changing mine not too long after that. I never thought college for was me, and I’ve tried college for different things, but currently – I graduated with my associate degree in Criminal justice last year, and I’ll be graduating in August this year – with my BA degree in the same field, hoping to become a probation officer.
It’s never too late, right?! I’ve completely turned my life around, and I always say that even if probation isn’t for me, wherever God puts me in this field, I just want to help others see their own potential.
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12.) I’m not a gamer, but if you put an original Nintendo in front of me, and hand me the controllers for the original Mario 1, 2 and 3 video games, it’s over!!!!! I’m going to sit there for hours trying to save the princess, kick Bowser’s butt, and beat all the levels! lol. I love those old school games, and don’t even get me started on Donkey Kong, the original Mortal Kombat and Sonic for Sega.
While I’m not a gamer – I will be for those.
I miss the 90s.
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13.) I have a jar that I save all of my change in. 🙂
My kids laugh at me for this whenever I take all my change out of my purse and tell them I’m putting it in my “Down payment for a house – jar!”. haha. Hey! It all adds up, right?!
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14.) I’ve been in the medical field for nine years now, and this is my last year in it.
It’s kind of sad, but at the same time, I’ve been ready to get out of it for the last 3 years now!
I’m ready to jump into a new field and a new career.
I’ve met some amazing patients, families, nurses, doctors, bosses, etc. along the way – as well as doing so many great things in this field, but it’s time to begin a new journey.
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15.) I love to write. (As you can see!). More importantly, I love to make all of you laugh as I try to write with humor, but also a lot of love and truth from my own life – so if you’re going through anything tough, you can see from my own things going on – that you’re not alone. ❤
I’ve been trying to write a book for years now and my kids have always encouraged me to do so. My son always asks me, “What if you’re sitting on a NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER and you haven’t even started it yet?”.
I just want it to be good. I want it to be really good, and I just have to start writing and trust God, I guess.
One day.
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16.) Three stores I can easily spend too much money in – are Bath and Body Works, Walmart and Hobby Lobby!
I try to stay away from all three – when possible.
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17.) I enjoy watching sports on T.V.
Football, Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, etc. I find it really relaxing actually – whenever there’s a game on in the house.
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18.) I love to cook and bake!
When I bake, my specialties are cupcakes and Brownies.
My kids love those. I’ve recently added chocolate upon chocolate cake to the mix, and my kids want it all the time, now! ❤
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19.) If I ever get married again, I want a small and quiet wedding.
I don’t want anything huge. I don’t want to pay a lot of money for a big church and huge hall afterwards.
I just want something low-key, fun, with some family and friends and a small back yard get-together. I want it to be chill, and relaxed. Maybe somewhere on a beach, or by the lake, but nothing huge or crazy.
I don’t want all the headaches, and Bridezilla stuff.
I DO want a pretty ring, though! 🙂
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20.) I love to travel. BY CAR.
I enjoy driving, seeing new scenery, or just going home to Illinois to visit family and friends.
It does my soul good and refreshes my spirit.
I love to just get away from my little town sometimes and get back to familiar faces and places. I relax when I’m driving and the music is blasting, and I know I’m headed somewhere familiar, or – just to the middle of nowhere to check out some abandoned places.
Either way, a good drive and loud music is amazing.
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21.) I listen to all kinds of music.
I grew up listening to oldies because that’s what my mom loved. 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s classics.
Then again, I also love the really old music that came from the 20s, 30s, and 40s because it’s what my grandparents listened to, and I can easily still listen to some of it.
I love country – new and old – because my dad and his dad listened to it, and I grew up on that.
I also love hip hop, House mixes, Freestyle, Latin music, and so much more.
When I’m trying to sleep, I’ll put on some Jazz, Johann Sabastian Bach, Beethoven, Johann Strauss and other composers.
I listen to Rock, and alternative sometimes.
I can listen to almost anything and everything – depending on my mood.
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22.) One of my best birthdays – was when I turned 40!
I received a beautiful silver Mickey mouse necklace, some Chocolate covered strawberries, some homemade cookies from a great friend of mine, a few gift cards, a cute pair of shoes and a cute pair of sandals I loved and still have, AND….
I was blessed to be able to go to the MIXTAPE TOUR and see groups in person that I grew up listening to.
SALT – N’ – PEPA. ❤ NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK. ❤ EN VOUGE.
It was a blast and it’s one birthday I will never forget!
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23.) A few of my favorite Disney movies – (Yes, I still watch them, okay?) – jaja – are Moana, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast (both the Disney cartoon version and the real human version).
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24.) I collect anything with cute Turtles on them.
There’s a whole story behind this related to my oldest child who passed, but I’m not going to get into here.
Just know if it’s anything related to turtles, I’m probably getting it.
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25.) I love good conversations.
If someone can hold a conversation about anything and everything, I’m totally down to sit and talk with you.
I enjoy that kind of stuff. Even better if wine is included.
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26.) I’m brutally honest.
I’m the type that will tell you truthfully – how you look in that outfit, or if there’s lipstick on your teeth.
I will tell you if I have an issue with you, so we can talk it out. I will gladly speak my mind and share my thoughts – and some people love me for it, some don’t. And that’s okay! If I have something to say, it’s getting said. If I feel a certain way, it’s getting discussed.
And – if you want to know how I feel or have a question you need to ask – prepare yourself for an honest answer.
I don’t sugar coat anything. I don’t beat around the bush.
I tell it like it is and I’m pretty straight-forward.
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27.) I have one younger brother who just came back from a Navy Deployment recently, and even though he drives me crazy, jokes around a little too much, and rarely takes anything seriously, I love him dearly and couldn’t live without him.
He makes me laugh so much when I don’t even feel like smiling sometimes, and we have such a strong bond.
We fight. We argue like most siblings do, but it never lasts long because we either have something funny to tell each other, or we just start talking crazy to each other and make the other one laugh.
He’s a riot, and he likes to have a lot of fun. Sometimes – too much – but that’s my little brother and I’ll always have his back. ❤
Believe it or not, while we’re talking about siblings, we almost had an African American brother.
I still think that story is pretty cool!
Our dad was in the hospital one time when we were younger, and we used to go visit him with our mom.
Next door to him, was a newborn baby that had been abandoned by the mother.
My dad would go next door all the time and visit with that baby, and he kept asking my mother if they could bring him home and adopt him if the mother didn’t come back. My mother kept saying, “We’ll see!”. She told my father if the baby wasn’t out of the hospital or the mother didn’t come back by the time my father was released, they’d ask about adopting him.
Unfortunately, the mother – who had abandoned that little boy – ended up changing her mind and did come back for him, and the hospital let her.
Had she not – my brother and I would have proudly accepted our new sibling, and I could have been writing about both brothers right now, but I just have the one.
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28.) I steal hats and hoodies!
Seriously. Ask anyone who knows me personally. They’ll tell you! 🙂
If I see it on you and I like it, it automatically becomes mine. Playfully of course, and I’ll take something right in front of your face and claim it as mine.
My brother knows. Ask him how many hats and hoodies I have of his. lol. It’s all for fun, but – I’ve never had anyone tell me no – either. I’ve even taken a gold chain right off a friend’s neck before and put it on mine. He said nothing. He laughed and told me, “At least I know who has it!”.
I love different kinds of hats and hoodies, so if you’re around me – be aware.
(Laughing as I write this!).
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29.) I love listening to the sound of Thunderstorms, birds and windchimes.
All of them are relaxing and peaceful.
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30.) I love Orchids and Lilacs.
Orchids are just really pretty, and Lilacs remind me of my grandma Ann.
She used to have a Lilac tree in her back yard that bloomed every year and looked / smelled so pretty.
During the warmer days, she’d set a kiddie pool out under the Lilac tree for my brother and I, and she’d sit there and watch us play, and enjoy her tree.
I miss those days, her and that tree.
Lilacs still make me think of her.
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