Five Things About Me!

I was tagged my the hilarious and adorable Erin in the “5 things about me” game!  I love these little games because I get to know things about my favorite bloggers.  Hope you learn some new things about me : )   But first, I tag Faith, Kate, and Jackie!

1) I don’t drink milk

Seriously, why don’t I like milk?  I haven’t drank milk since I was a little bitty infant.  Ever since, I about throw up any time I come close to it.  No worries, I love cheese, ice cream, yogurt, and anything else dairy.  I have no clue what it is…I have even tried chocolate & strawberry milk and it’s a no-go.

2) I don’t cry ever

Well, don’t get me wrong, I cry.  Just not usually.  AND especially I don’t let it flow if people are around.  Derek’s another story.  I can cry more easily around him.  But not often.  Maybe two times a year?  Anyway, sometimes I wish the emotion came to me more often.  Like happy tears.  I definitely wish I could cry happy tears!

3)  I used to be a huge tomboy

So, you all know that I grew up on a farm in South Dakota.  But even after moving to Ohio and all through middle school, I used to be a HUGE tomboy!  I didn’t start wearing makeup every day until graduate school.  In college, I would wear makeup when we would go out on the weekends.  But every day mascara and some powder, yeah, that didn’t start until 4 years ago.  Besides makeup, I loved being outside.  Growing up, I was never inside.  My childhood best friend and I would be outside in the woods, in creeks, on the 4-wheeler, or wherever the day would take us.  As long as we were outside and getting dirty, we didn’t care.

4) I’ve never broken a bone before

Considering number 1), I feel like I’ve really lucked out!!  Believe me, I’m knocking on wood right now because I do not want to jinx myself with this one.

 

5) I've been in a fist fight

Well, let me rephrase that.  I’ve been punched in the face before.  On my 20th birthday, we were out at a bar (not drinking of course because I was underage and that would be illegal ;) ).  Well, I was standing by this random group of people and all of the sudden I get punched in the face.  Some drunk guy was swinging at the man standing right next to me and missed.  He hit my jaw instead.  What an idiot!!  Good thing the drunk guy ran out of the bar immediately because there were a huge group of people about ready to beat him down.  THAT was a memory that I’ll always remember. 

So, I hope you learned some new things about me today!

Why I Watermark

I had a completely different post planned today, but decided to let all of you in on why I watermark my photos.  If you are wondering why I’m bringing this silly subject up, it’s because I received this comment yesterday:

“I'm sorry, I tried to follow your blog, but the the addition of your blog name right in the center of every picture is too much. It's distracting and completely annoying.”

C’mon, tell me how you really feel…

Not surprisingly, this commenter did not have an email address to reply back to nor a Blogger profile (I’m sorry I’m not sorry that will be the only bitchy and snarky comment on this post).  However, if I could reply back, this is what I would say…

It’s very plain and simple, it’s the internet!  It all started after reading this post on Becky’s blog where some stranger was using her photos and claiming her daughter was their own.  Not only is that wrong on so many levels but it’s just creepy.  While I may not have an innocent child to protect, my photos are my property and while I choose to share them with you all, I do not want them stolen from me.  I mean, how easy is it to right click and “save-as” or get the image location?  People are able to use your own image and not cite your blog.  Therefore, I watermark all my pictures.

I completely understand this is my own opinion and not everybody agrees or wants to go through the trouble of watermarking.  And that is one hundred percent ok!  However, I decided after reading Becky’s post to start doing it to all of mine.  Sure, I could only do it to the pictures that have people in it or do it the pictures that are “worth” marking.  But, I have gotten in the habit of doing all photos.  While I’m editing and rounding the corners anyway, I might as well add my blog name to the picture.

Of course, to make it less “distracting,” I could always move the watermark to the corner or somewhere not as noticeable.  But how easy would it be for somebody to crop it out and use it as their own?  I understand that if you find it annoying, then you definitely should not waste your time with my blog because all of my photos will be watermarked.  However, I just thought I would let you know why I’m doing it.

Whew! 

How do you feel about watermarking?

Sorry I’m Not Sorry

I’m linking up with these lovely ladies for a round of Sorry I’m Not Sorry!

Sorry I’m Not Sorry for….

Making lists all the time.  And I prefer lists on paper (in case you were dying to know) so I am able to cross it off.

Yelling at my husband when he is driving crazy and then when I’m by myself, I do the exact same things.  Hey, he’s so much scarier when he does it ;)

My head being full of song lyrics.  Seriously, I’m pretty sure 80% of my brain is full of lyrics.  Super helpful when making my commute everyday to work.  Singing along to the radio is the only thing keeping me entertained every day while driving.

Being drove crazy when people do not shut cabinet doors.  Seriously, how hard is it for you to shut the door?

Being in love with their dog and treating it like part of the family. 

Using too much of every product…this drives my husband crazy.  Whether it’s body wash, shampoo, toothpaste, eye cream, etc. etc. etc.  You name it, and I use way too much.  I know I do it….I just have a hard time visualizing how much I need.

Watching crap tv.  Reality tv is about the only thing I watch.  The crappier it is…more likely I’ll watch it!  I’m craving that fluff stuff when I get home from work.  I don’t want to watch anything that needs my brain to work.

Being horrible at geography (ahem, Mr. TBC).  I promise you, it’s not my fault!

Derek and I have our own secret clap.  You know, a hand clap routine you did with a rhyme or something when you were 5 years old?!  Well, we were awesome when we were in high school and started doing a small secret “handshake” (which involved clapping each other hands).  We have been adding to it every since and now it has gotten kind of long.  But every so often we will pull it out to see if we can remember it. 

Eleven

….Things, questions, and tags!  Jax from The Roaring Twenties (and thirties) tagged me a LONGGGGGGG time ago!  I’ve had it in my drafts…..and forgot all about it!  So, I thought it would be fun to bring back the tag-you’re- it game again!

11 things you may not know about me

1) I’ll be 25 in July…..I think this is the first time I’ve ever posted my age on here.

2) I gave up caffeine in November (even my beloved diet dr. pepper that I had onceadayeveryday) and I feel like I’m hanging in there pretty strong.

3) I drive a standard…not like that is super exciting, but every car that I’ve had (except one vehicle that only lasted for 9 months) has been a standard.  I cannot wait to own an automatic!

4) I love sprinkles…like l-o-v-e them!

5) I’ve got some anxiety.  Some times it even effects my every day life.  For example, you know those life-sized Jenga games that are at bars?  Ya, I cannot be around them.  Why, you ask?  Because they will fall, duh!  And that just freaks me out!

6) My nighttime routine takes me hours.  Not literally, but I feel like I have an unusually long routine before bed (wash face, brush teeth, eye cream, etc. etc.)

7) I’m pretty particular about some most things, just ask my husband.  For example, I cannot stand when cabinets and drawers are left open.  Close those sucks!

8) My least favorite chore to do around the house is putting fresh laundered clothes away.  I don’t mind doing some washing…or even folding for that matter.  But putting away clothes is just exhausting!

9) I have an abnormal fear of snakes.  It gives me the hiblejebbles just think about it….ugh

10) I love every season and really do not have a favorite (that’s probably why I enjoy living in Ohio!)

11) My favorite wine is a dry merlot or cabernet; my favorite beer is Stella.  You know I’m running out of ideas when the information turns to alcohol!

11 Questions from Jax:

1) What is your profession?

Health care.  I just got my master’s degree in hospital administration

2) How would you describe your style?

Hmm….I feel like I really don’t have a personal style.  Is that bad?  I try to keep my clothes as classic as possible.  However, I do like to try out the new trends and have fun with those as well.

3) What one make-up product can you not live without?

Chapstick, does that count?  I’ve always been addicted to chapstick

4) If you could be besties with one celebrity, who would it be?

I can’t choose….it would have to be Giuliana Rancic or Tori Spelling

5) What is your dream vacation?

Beach…anywhere….nuff said

6) What magazines do you subscribe to?

Real Simple, The Food Network, Rachel Ray, and Home Beautiful

7) If you could have a special talent {that you don't currently have}, what would it be?

I wish I could up my game artistically…..drawing, singing, photography, any of the above!

8) What is your favorite breakfast food?

If I’m cooking, then any sugary cereal (cookie crisp & reese puffs are what currently resides in our pantry).  If a restaurant is cooking, then I like the traditional breakfast of eggs, toast, and bacon!  Yum!

9) If you could do anything, what is your dream job?

I know I’ve mentioned this before, but it would either be wedding planning or some type of personal shopper.

10) What is your guilty pleasure?

Reality TV.  Seriously, my favorite nights alone always involve a DVR full of reality trash tv!

11) What is the best piece of advice you've ever received, and who gave it to you?

This one is an easy one…. “mind over matter.”  This is a saying my dad always said and it has always stuck with me.  Feel like I’m a much stronger person because of that phrase : )

Thanks so for the tag!  Now, I get to pass on the lovely 11 things and 11 questions to 11 other lovely ladies!  No pressure, but if you would like, tell everybody 11 things we may not know about you and answer the same 11 questions:

Courtney @ With Gratitude
Sarah @ Total Basset Case
Caitlin @ Southern Curls and Pearls
Faith @ Life, Love & Marriage
Whitney @ Just a Country Girl
Kristen @ Joyful Ramblings
Jane @ In the Pink and Green
Jenn @ Hollands on the Hill
Leah @ Everyday Love
Sean Marie @ A Mad Girl's Lovesong
Erin @ Love, Fun, and Football
 

Friday Fun- Tagged!

I was tagged by Jennifer over at Hollands On The Hill!  I know there are a lot of these games going around, so I'll post the rules for this specific one:


1. Post the rules.
2. Answer the 11 questions from the person who tagged you.
3. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag.
4. Tag people and link them to your post.
5. Let them know that you tagged them.

Jenn's Questions for Me:

1. Where is your favorite place to shop?
Great question!  As you all probably already know, I love to shop!  Maybe something you do not know, I love a bargain!  Therefore, my starting point is always a place where there is a sale or I have a coupon.  Therefore, I start with Express, H&M, The Limited, or Macy's.  Although, if I'm really lucky, I'll go to Nordstrom.  I try not to go in here as ofter as I would like because I ALWAYS find something that I "need!"
 
2. What football team(s) do you cheer for (if any)?
Well, this one is an easy one...The Ohio State Buckeyes of course! 



3. If you could be best friends with any celebrity, who would it be?
Another good question!  I'm pretty much obsessed with celebrity gossip.  This might sound crazy but I know for a fact that Jay Leno and I could be best friends if we knew each other.  LOL, I'm so serious.  But if I had to pick a lady, definitely Giuliana Rancic or Tori Spelling.  I love these ladies and pretty sure we could have a good time!


4. Paper, plastic, or reusable shopping tote?
Unfortunately, I would have to say plastic.  I know I know....ask me again in a year and hopefully I say reusable!

5. What superpower would you pick for yourself?

I'm not sure if this is considered a superpower, but I would say that it would be awesome to not have to sleep!  I mean I love sleeping as much as the rest of us; however, I think we could accomplish so much more if we didn't have to sleep or feel a sense of tiredness!

6. What always makes you smile when you're having a hard day?

That's easy, Brutus or my husband.  Both of these gentlemen have a way of making me smile!

7. What was the last movie you watched (and did you like it)?

We just watched Drive last night with Ryan Gosling.  I have to say that it was much better than I thought it was going to be!  It was a great role to see Ryan playing instead of his typical chick-flick stuff.

8. What's your proudest accomplishment to date?
This might sound stupid or crazy to some people, but I consider one of my proudest accomplishments graduating summa cum laude from Ohio State.  Believe me people...I had a good time all 4 years if you know what I'm saying =)  However, I'm proud that I was able to graduate with a 3.95 gpa.  Very small and pretty menial thing, however it is personal thing.

9. What show or character reminds you the most of your childhood?
Where's Waldo?  Haha, for a lack of a better answer, this is the only character that I can think of that represented my childhood.  I moved more times than you or I have fingers.  Therefore, I would say Waldo.

10. What's your favorite holiday?
I'm actually not that big into holidays!  The holidays I'm used to (being from a divorced family) take on a life of their own.  I would like to add that I like any holidays that get me off of work =)

11. What are your nicknames?
Well, my name is just Katie.  No Katherine, Kaitlyn, or anything else....just Katie.  So I really do not have any nicknames.  Wow, these last 3 questions have made me feel really boring...haha!

Thanks Jenn for tagging me.  Now here are my questions:
1. Where is your dream vacation and why?
2. If somebody handed you $5,000, no questions asked, what would you do with it?
3. What is your favorite dessert?
4. If you could start your own business tomorrow, what would it be?
5. What do you wish your phone can do that it cannot?
6. What is one personality characteristic that you've always had?
7. If you had to choose, would you prefer to have a personal assistant or a driver?
8. What is one thing you can do that relaxes you?
9. What is your favorite website?
10. Do you and your family have any traditions that you will/want to pass on to your kids?
11. Are there any cleaning tips that you have discovered that will change our lives?

No pressure, but if you want to answer these questions, I'm tagging:
The Powells
Bennet Love
She's Got Heart(s)
College-Nanny Chronicles
Sweet VA Lemonade
The Byler Brigade
Jazz's World
Puppies Pearls & Problems

The Question Game- Answered!

Sorry for not living up to my word and posting these responses on Friday.  I was notified of some unfortunate news (which I need to collect my thoughts before I post on here) and all I wanted to do was have some chill-time on Friday!


ANYWAY- thanks again for all of your questions and without further adieu:

• How did you know your Husband was "the one"? (CMae)- This is a very good question.....to answer the long of the short of it, I think it was really the commitment and effort Derek and I put into the four years of the long-distance relationship.  It really proved to me that he was "the one" and our relationship could really make it through anything!

• When do you guys want to start a family and how many kids do you want? (you know I was going to ask that one!). :) Also, what are your favorite clothing stores, you always look so cute! (Courtney)- Another great question! We definitely want a family but we're in no rush!! We have been married two years now so we will start TALKING about having a family, I would say, next year. We haven't been on our honeymoon yet, so that's the first priority =) We are very undecided on how many kids we want. We are excited about starting a family so I would say anywhere from 1 to 3!
• Thanks so much for the compliment by the way! My favorite stores would probably be The Limited, Macy's, and Nordstrom

• What do you do for a living and how did you decide that career path?  If you could choose only one vacation place to visit for the rest of your life, where would you go? (Kristen)- I don't think I've ever shared this on my blog for some reason but both my husband and I are in the health care field.  He is a pharmacist and I'm in administration.  I just completed my classes for my Master's in Hospital Administration.  I work at a 2-hospital system here in Cincinnati doing everything from marketing and finance to strategy and human resources!  I decided this career path by completing my undergraduate degree in -basically- the same thing.  I had interests of one day becoming a physician....but the administration field intrigue me sooo much!  AND- I didn't want to go to school for another 12 years!!!
  • One vacation place...that is a hard one because I want to travel so many places!!!!  But if I had to choose one, I would probably pick Mexico. As Brad Paisley graciously puts it: "No one I know goes to Mexico to drink the water anyway" =)

• When did you start blogging and what's your favorite thing about it? (dave and jenn)- I started blogging when I got engaged!  We had our own wedding website, so this is really where my blog began....then it finally turned over to a site kind-of like Blogger for about a year.  I followed so many of the blogspot blogs, so I then (once again!) moved my blog to Blogger last December!  I've met so many great friends (including you Jenn!)
  • My favorite thing to blog about....hmmmmm.....probably either fashion, food, or decorating =)

• 1) What is your ideal meal - first course to last?  2) What made you build instead of buy?  3) Do you shower in the morning or at night? (Kate)- My ideal meal, this is an easy one because I LOVE food!  First Course: Jumbo lump crab cake; Second Course: Any type of "waldorf" salad!  Love those  fruit, nuts, and blue cheese crumbles in my salads with a delish vinaigrette!; Third Course: Medium rare filet mignon (hands down!)!!  If you don't mind, I would love a side of roasted asparagus and loaded au gratin potatoes; Dessert: Ok, let me preface by saying, I LOVE me some sweets.....but I'm not a typical "dessert-at-restaurants" kind of person...so I would say my request would be a chocolate chip pizookie!

• We built our house because after looking, we couldn't find exactly what wanted.  I come from a family of built-homes (my dad built all 3 of them!)...so it kind of runs in my blood!  Plus, there is nothing like living in a brand-spankin' new home!  We weren't in any rush because we were living in an apartment with a month-to-month lease, so the timing was perfect to build

• And my shower habits (I love your questions Kate, haha!) I'm definitely a morning showerer!!  There is just something about it......AND the shower helps wake me up and feel refreshed!

• What is your favorite movie? (Brittany)- Well this is another hard question.  My favorite genre is probably action/suspense movies....but I would say my all time favorite movie would probably have to be Mean Girls.  A CLASSIC!
  

 

• What has been the hardest part about building a new home? What has been your favorite part? What was your favorite aspect of wedding planning?  (the girl in the red shoes)- The hardest part has been coming face-to-face with reality that we are not going to furnish this house over night!!!!  There are so many other expenses that come along with building a new home like landscaping, buying a lawn mower, blinds, paint, grass seed, light fixtures, etc!  So it makes it a bit challenging to sit back and slowly-but-surely get this house furnished!!
  • My favorite part would probably be just having a house!!  It was so much fun to pick out all the last details...but now that we are actually in our house, it's so nice to have it be "ours"!  
  • My favorite aspect of wedding planning.....EVERYTHING!!!!!  I was on such a tight budget (think: champagne tastes on a beer budget)!!  So that really made me plan and budget like no other!  I made everything, from the save-the-dates, to the invitations, table numbers, place cards, guest book, programs, thank-you cards, card box....you name it, I made it!  It was sooo much fun for me!

• What's your dream vacation?  If you could do ANY job, what would it be? (Mrs EyeCanSee)- My dream vacation would probably be a New Zealand, Australia, Fiji trip.  You said dream right =)
  • ANY job....definitely relates to the question above.....my dream job would be a wedding planner!  PSA: Anybody in the Cincinnati/Columbus area, I would pay YOU to let me plan your wedding!  Ahh maybe someday I'll be able to do this....

Thanks SO much again for all of your great questions!  I really enjoyed answering and hope you enjoyed reading!

Free Plug Friday

It's free plug Friday (whatever that means!)  I'm going to be a complete copy-cat and do something I've been seeing on other blogs!  It's time to ask me WHATEVER you want!

Seriously!  You can make it fun, you can make it serious....whatever you want to ask....ask away!  I'll answer all the questions on my blog next week. 


C'mon, I know you got it in ya = )


Have a great LONG weekend everybody!