Nominated for Liebster Award - I'm Honored!!

I have to apologize head of time for some of the layout problems in this blog. When I previewed it I noticed there were extra spaces between some lines, but when I went back in to edit there was no way for me to remove those extra lines without everything getting put to close together. I know I took the lazy way out, bu I just decided to say screw it and post "AS IS" Especially because I really needed/wanted to get this posted!!   I want to THANK Our24YearGap for nominating me for this award! Take a second and head on over to her blo0g and check it out (but don't forget to come back here).

Seems there are rules, Policies and Procedures with every and anything (or is that any and everything). Anywhoo... Here they are:

• When one receives the award, one posts 11 random facts about oneself and answers the 11 questions asked by the person who nominated you.
• Pass the award onto 11 other blogs (while making sure one notifies the blogger that one nominated them!)
• One writes up 11 NEW questions directed towards YOUR nominees.
• One is not allowed to nominate the blog who nominated one’s own blog!
• One pastes the award picture into ones blog. (You can google the image, there are plenty of them!)

11 Random Facts About Me:

1. I was born and raised along the Oregon Coast and Willamette Valley areas).
2. Me and my husband moved to Texas in 2007.
3. I consider Firefighters, Paramedics, Police, Rescue Workers, Soldiers to be amongst the TRUE HEROES.
4. When I was about 5 or 6 years old my aunt was going to read me "Wizard of Oz" for a bedtime story..... I took the book and read it to her.
5. I use to entertain myself as a child making up stories in my mind (Time-Outs to my room, even sitting on bed, were worthless - I could spend hours making up stories).
6. I had (undiagnosed) problems with hyperactivity as a child, but could spend hours sitting their watching planes at an airport.
7. Most mornings I'll have 2 cups of coffee to start my day.
8. I had my one and only son when I was 30 years old (just like my Mother-In-Law
9. I've had 2 step-mothers in my life. The last one was after I was married
10. My biological mother died when I was 5 years old
11. I don't even fit the height requirement for "Petite" clothes. Petite clothes are designed for at least 5'3" (or maybe it's 5'1").... I'm only 4'9" or 4'10" (don't remember for sure at this time).

The 11 questions I have to answer from the person that nominated me:

1. Why did you start blogging?

I'm not entirely sure what made me begin to start blogging. It started out as a way to just "jot" down thoughts and maybe play around w/ story ideas (though I haven't done as much w/ this latter) thus the name jottings and writings)

2. Are you where you want to be in life?

To be honest not really though I have no real regrets. I have no grandiose visions of prestige but sometimes I wish I could do something more with my life than just being a mother and wife (both of which I feel as if I fail at miserably at times). There are things that I have achieved in the past (nothing major mind you) that I regret not keeping up with.

3. What is your favorite thing about life?

I guess my favorite thing about life right now is being on twitter and sharing info with others about Fire/EMS as well as Social Media and some (but not much) on Writing. that and the volunteer work I (try) to do for the DFW Alerts Network

4. Do you have an animal you love and that loves you unconditionally?

Don't have any pets at the moment as it would require a pet deposit (not to mention all the rules and crap to go along) that we can afford. The last pet I had was a completely (and I do mean completely - toe to tail) black cat we had named Leilah (which is Hebrew for night). We had basically adopted her straight off the street in about 1998 and she pretty much attached herself to me. When we moved to Texas in 2007 we ended up leaving her behind.

5. What is/are your favorite book(s)?

What I have to pick my favorites?? I like all sorts of books so picking a favorite (or even just a couple) is damn near impossible. I have to admit I enjoy reading romance stories, but I also enjoy reading books related to Fire EMS Police Rescue (that kinda thing).

6. Can you recommend a book I should read or a movie I should watch?

Right now I'm in the process of reading a book called "Paramedic: On the Front Lines of Medicine" by Peter Canning. It's an excellent book so far :-)

7. Do you know any firefighters/paramedics/EMTs out there? Other than myself of course. What’s their story?

Personally? No. I have met quite a few on twitter though (or at least I have to assume they're telling the truth - benefit of the doubt kinda thing - Pretty good chance that at least some are). I have had the opportunity to talk to one Firefighter Captain Allen with the Fort Worth Fire Department who has an AMAZING story: Blog Talk Radio - Swingman with Alex Allred & Captain Marshal Allen (The blog that the previous link takes you too is a small volunteer organization of which I am an Reporter/Admin - I guess you'd call it).

8. Describe yourself to me in 3 words. Would your friends agree with that?

• Talkative, yet shy (Talk too much and too fast when nervous)
• Friendly (most of the time)
• Withdrawn

And yes I think my friends would agree (or pretty sure they would)

9. When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I think the first thing I remember wanting to do was to work with kids who were going to be going into surgery. Helping them to be more comfortable and not be so afraid. Later I wanted to get my EMT license, which I did end up doing (but didn't stay current - and never did work as an EMT).

10. What is your favorite time of the year?

SPRING - Not too hot not too cold nice & sunny

11. Tell me a secret, one you have never told anyone.

Hmmmm a secret I've never told anyone before..... Hmmm well the only one I can really think of (thought it's not ACTUALLY a "never told" secret is that I struggle with being frustrated and depressed (not at the level of clinical depression or nothing) about the way my life has turned out. Sometimes I feel like I haven't accomplished anything worthwhile and I feel like I'm a failure as a mom and as a wife. I feel as if my husband and son don't really need me around.

Blogs I follow and want to share:

Coffee Break Contemplations GunnarSpeaks Social Graphics (AKA Fondalo Funnies) Chasing Revery The World of My Imagination Firefighter/Paramedic Stories It's Not My Emergency Writings and Ruminations Jodi Ambrose's Blog Chester Maynes It's Rhymetime okkk I'm gonna break the rules and go one more :-P Its a Disaster

11 Questions for my Nominees to Answer:

1. Describe your most favorite child hood memory?
2. Describe an event that took place involving someone elderly (like the age of your grandparents or older - In fact it could be your grandparents)
3. Tell about a teacher who inspired you (names don't have to be included)
4. What was your most favorite subject in school? What did you excel in? (that may be 2 separate answers)
5. What is your most favorite past-time?
6. What is your favorite quote and (if possible) by whom?
7. Who are your HEROES (general answers are okay - doesn't have to be a specific person)?
8. Tell about an experience that involved A Firefighter, Paramedic, Police Officer (or similar)
9. Describe a disaster that affected you (we're talking something major like a natural diaster or something major - things like your favorite clothing article being unavailable for wear or not finding the perfect prom dress, etc DOES NOT count).
10. Do you use Social Media Platforms (Twitter, FaceBook, Google, Instagram, FourSquare, etc)? If so How? and Why? What is your purpose for using them?
11. How do you unwind and de-stress?

Good luck! And don’t forget to add me to your award page so I get to see your questions! - {Not entirely sure how your suppose to do this one.... I guess send me a comment on one of my blogposts (that's what I'm gonna do)}.