As I mentioned in my July Goals, I’m working on growing my blog, and I joined a challenge called #30DayWriters. I’ve successfully kept to my goal, and have written a post every day so far.
Yvette, one of my fellow bloggers in the challenge who blogs at Hello World, nominated me to tell you 11 things you don’t know about me. She sent me the questions, and I’ve answered them for you. At the end, I’ve nominated some other bloggers, so you can check them out too! I think it’s pretty fun to find out about the people behind the blog, and I hope you do too.
Question 1. Why did you start blogging?
After my twins were born at 25 weeks, 5 days, I needed a way to inform everyone of their condition, as well as an outlet for my emotions. A therapist suggested a site called Caringbridge. It’s a free website with a journal to keep your loved ones informed during a health event. It really helped me process and express everything we were going through.
Once the boys got home from the hospital (91 and 93 days in NICU,) I wanted to continue writing. That’s really when my blog began.
Now that they are older (3-years-old,) I have more time to focus on writing and helping others.
#2. If you could see anybody (dead or alive) in concert who would it be and why?
When I was in my teen and 20’s, I went to A LOT of concerts. I’ve been lucky enough to see most of my favorite artists perform. I’ve seen everyone from Icons like Madonna, David Bowie, Prince, and the Beastie Boys to smaller bands like The Lemonheads, Fountains of Wayne, and Ben Folds Five. I used to go to Lollapalooza when it was a touring show, as well as a music festival we have in WI called SummerFest. I love music, and I love a great concert experience. There are actually 2 artists who I still have yet to see, and are on my list. One is Lisa Loeb, who is a singer/songwriter. She still tours, so I’m hoping one day she’ll come close enough. The other is George Michael. I’ve loved him from back in the Wham days. I even choreographed a Pom Pom routine to Wake Me Up before you Go Go back in the day. I’m pretty sure his touring days are over, but if he ever comes around, I’m there.
#3. Where’s your happy place and why?
I would say my happy place is at home, specifically in my bedroom. I have a TV, a computer, and our comfy bed. I like to be snuggled in watching a show, playing spider solitaire right before going to bed. It helps me relax and think. It may seem strange, especially the doing two things at once, but it helps clear my mind.
It’s also nice to have everyone come in and snuggle in the morning or when the kids get up from a nap. And no food allowed! It’s the one room we have nice new carpet.
#4. What’s your favorite season and why?
My favorite season is Fall. I love the feeling of “Back to school,” the cooler temperatures, and the way everything changes color here in WI. It’s also the time of my birthday and my oldest son’s birthday. We got married at the beginning of October, plus Halloween, which is my favorite holiday. I LOVE to dress up.
# 5. Where would you like to be right now and why?
I was going to say Vegas or Arizona, but then I remembered how hot it is right now. I went to college at University of AZ, and Vegas is a favorite spot for me and my husband. We went there on our Honeymoon.
So, I’ll say right now I’d love to be in London. I’ve been there before, and I loved it. Great shopping, great people, and tons to see. Plus, the public transportation is awesome. I wasn’t a huge fan of the food, so that would make it easy to stay on my diet.
#6. What’s the most amazing thing you have achieved?
I’m very proud that I danced with a Modern Dance Company, and went back to school to earn my MBA.
#7. What do you like to do in your down time?
I honestly don’t have much “down” time with three boys. When I do have time to myself, I like to wander around a shop, watch one of my shows on Netflix, take a nap, or take a long, hot shower. Pretty exciting, I know.
#8. If you could be an animal, which one would you be and why?
I think I’d like to be a sea otter. I love watching them glide around the water. I also read a book to my kids about them holding hands when they go to sleep. I don’t know if it’s true, but it sounded super cute.
#9. If you were granted 3 wishes, what would they be?
My first wish would be for me and my family to be happy for the rest of our lives. The second wish would be that we all stay healthy. And the third would be for enough money to live comfortably, travel, and not have to worry about it.
#10. Who’s your role model and why?
I can’t just pick one because I look up to both my parents equally for different reasons. My Mom stayed home with us, took us to all our activities, made lunches and dinners, and kept the household running. Until I became a mother, I had no idea how hard this truly was. In addition, she still helps me out all the time and it a wonderful Grandma. My Dad worked hard at his job until he became part owner of his company. I’ve always looked up to his strong work ethic. Even though he traveled a lot, he still made time to play with us kids too. Now, he always makes time to play with his grand kids. He goes to every one of my nieces soccer games, and always helps me when I need a pick-up from pre-school.
#11. Who’s the most famous person you have met and what were they like?
After I graduated from college, I moved to Los Angeles for a couple of years. I did “extra” work on TV shows and movies, so I got to see a lot of famous people, but not really meet them.
Later, after I moved back to WI and got engaged, I had a chance to go on the Rachel Ray Show. She was helping people find wedding dresses on a budget, and I wrote an essay, which was chosen. I got to fly to Boston, participate in the “Running of the Brides” at Filene’s Basement (a huge bridal gown sale,) pick a dress, then fly to New York and be on her show. I met Rachel before the show and talked with her a little bit after. She seemed exactly like she does on TV, but is really tiny in person. I also met her style segment producer Gretta Monahan and an Olympic Runner Brianna.
Now, it’s time to get to know some other Bloggers. Suzanna from One Hoolie Mama, Samantha from Pearls and Polkadots, and Feyi from Uncover the Untold you’re up!
Here are your questions:
1. How long have you been blogging and why did you start?
2. Where is your favorite place to travel?
3. Tell us one of your guilty pleasures.
4. What is your favorite color and why?
5. What did you want to be when you grew up?
6. Tell us one of your must-have items.
7. What is your favorite TV show or Movie?
8. Tell us about your favorite birthday.
9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
10. Do you have any special talents?
11. If you could travel in time, would you go forward or back? Why?
Good luck with your questions, and I can’t wait to read your answers!
My happy place is on my couch! My best friend lives in LA and is doing extras for TV shows! She loves it!
It was definitely a fun and unique experience. I’m so happy I did it.
Challenge accepted! Thank you for sharing – my post is scheduled for Thursday or Friday…haven’t decided yet 🙂
Awesome! Can’t wait to read your post Samantha!
I love this post! I’m so glad your twins are doing well now, that must have been so scary! I also spent my honeymoon in Vegas and then moved there. Isn’t London amazing? That is the place I want to go back to as well! Your 3 wishes sound perfect as well. Great get to know you article!
Thank you so much Kelly! So cool that you live in Vegas!
How fun–it is always fun to read these! Your boys are adorable! 😉
Thank you!
Enjoyed this post! Thanks for sharing :).
Thank you!
Being on TV- what a memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Yes, it was awesome. Plus, free wedding dress!
Loved reading your 11 things and getting to know you better!
Thank you!
It’s always great to get to know bloggers a little more personally! And how cool that you were on Rachel Ray. She seems so sweet!
Thank you! And thank you for reading!
I love your answer to #8. I have declared sea otters as my spirit animal 🙂
Awesome!
what a great chance to get to know you! PS. I love naps too, LOL
Thank you! Naps are the BEST!
I love London and have a few blogger friends there. Let’s hop on a plane and go! LOL Great answers–I loved getting know you!
Thank you! And I’m in! 😉
Totally doing this post! 😀 I tag myself. hahahaha
Go for it! I’d love to read it!
Love this! I need to do one of these, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading!
I play spider solitaire too!!! lol There is nothing like watching something on TV and playing a computer game!
Isn’t it so addicting?! 😉
Your twins are so precious!
Thank you!
I have severeal twin mommy friends who blog for that very reason! 🙂
I love this! I totally agree on sea otter–but a close second would be a cat, because they sleep for like 20 hours per day. 🙂
xo, Caitlin
And Possibly Dinosaurs
I was thinking cat too! Great minds…
What a fun post, I love reading things about the “behind the scene” of a blog. Aww, your little guys are precious! My uncle’s wife had his baby at 25 weeks, He was so tiny! It’s such a struggle & now I see they re thriving.
Thank you for reading! I hope your Uncle’s baby is doing well.
Halloween is my favorite holiday too!! Fall is the absolute best!
Yes! You’re never to old to dress up!
My must-have item would be pjs. I cant imagine lie without them lol.
Ha! I live in mine too!
Wow, that was great. Wonderful to learn more about you. 🙂
Thank you!
I have yet to go to London, but I’m so looking forward to that! You made me laugh about staying on your diet because the food is only so-so there. I love Fall for many of the same reasons you do too!
It’s so true. If you ever go, stay away from the sausages for sure 😉 Thank you for reading!
It sounds like you’ve had some really cool experiences! Both dancing with the Modern Dance Company and going on the Rachel Ray show seem like very unique opportunities.
Thank you! And I’m still dancing…not professionally, but having fun. 🙂
Your boys are so sweet! I love getting to know more about my fellow bloggers!
Thank you!
I love posts like this. I remember seeing the bridal gown marathon on the news every year.
Yeah…it was pretty crazy. Thanks for stopping by!
This was so lovely to learn about you!! 🙂 Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks for reading!
Fall is my favorite season as well! My birthday is around there too.
Awesome!
Great getting to know you through this post! I love London too! I got a chance to explore the city when my friend went there on a business trip and she said I could tag along. This was before kids of course! But I would love to go there again with the kids & hubby.
Yes, mine was before kids too. Thanks for reading!
amazing seeing the pics of how your babies fought to become the handsome little guys they are now, i know the nightmare of a newborn struggling to survive, love seeing your happy ending…. you’re the second otter lol 🙂 x
Really? Too funny. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Ahhhhh my favorite place is my bedroom as well! After a crazy day of chasing a 3 year old around. There’s no other place I’d rather be lol
Yes! 🙂
I enjoyed reading your post and it’s great to know a few things about you. I liked George Michael, too.
Cool! Thank you.
Your twins are adorable! It’s nice to know some things about you. Halloween is also one of my favorite holidays.
Thank you!
Loved learning more about you with these answers–so fun! And I am SO impressed with your 30DayWriters challenge. Go girl!!
Thank you! 🙂
This was a fun read! It was great to learn more about you. I am very intrigued that you were part of a dance company. You have accomplished so much…it is truly amazing. I agree with you whole-heartedly on your 3 wishes, happiness is my number goal for my family.
Thank you so much!
I enjoyed learning more about you. I have to agree London has incredible shopping!
Thank you!
I love fall too! Any reason for pumpkin anything is good for me! 🙂 I love learning about the blogs I follow!
Oh yes…mmmm pumpkin. Thanks for reading!
These are great questions and great answers. 🙂 Always good to get to know someone a little better. I also love fall and just about everything that comes with it. Definitely a welcome change.
Thank you for reading!
How cool that you were picked to be on the Rachel Ray show. I love the wedding gown you picked out.
Thank you so much!
I’d be so scared if my littles were born that early and yeah, don’t come to Arizona right now! lol
But, it’s a dry heat…. 😉
I am glad that your twins made it through! I used to work in NICU and I find all the babies there very delicate and sick. Looks like they’re very healthy and happy now, your kids. ^_^
Yes. We were very lucky. Thank you!
great interview. i love questions like that. i get to fulfill a concert dream in December. my husband got me tickets to see reba.
Nice!
So funny because my sister and her friends had a routine for Wake Me Up before you Go Go! Thanks for letting me get to know you better.
Ha! Too Funny! Thank you for reading. 🙂
Knowing your role model is a good start to motivate yourself. I enjoyed reading this.
Thank you so much!
Thanks for sharing details about yourself and your life. I’ve done these kinds of posts, too, and they always seem to get a good response.
I’m so glad your precious twins are healthy and doing well after their early beginning to life!
My fave season is also fall.
How neat that you won that contest and got on the Rachel Ray show – congrats!
Thank you! And thank you so much for reading!
Great to get to know you! We have a few things in common! Prince, Netflix, and “my bed is my sanctuary”! Who knew! That was an awesome list!
Thanks Lisa! 🙂
I too love to be in my bedroom with my tv, laptop, etc. It’s one of my fave places to be and being there attracts everyone else in the house! LOL! Such cool facts to learn about you! A fun read! Thanks for sharing this with us readers! ?
You’re welcome. Thanks for reading 🙂