Hello all, this month instead of writing about the same ol' stuff about my life, I've decided to split it up into 4 parts and write a bit of new info for you to read.
1. Introduction and a recent photo.
Hello! I am Kelli! I'm not afraid to admit that I'm a nerd, and that I love Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and LEGO video games.
2. Meaning of your blog name.
Living the Life I Want kind of speaks for itself. I know when I first started this blog it was named something else, but then I deleted a bunch of old (and embarrassing) posts and decided to focus on the good as much as I can. I want to be able to live the life I want, not the life others want for me.
3. Why do I blog?
I blog mostly so people can see what's going on in my life. I don't post daily status updates about all the crazy thoughts I have, the spiritual journey I'm on, or what's going on personally. If people want to read my blog, then that's where they can see what I've been up to, but they're not forced to see it on Facebook. I also blog so people in my life might have a chance to relate to my experiences, or maybe someone will speak up and say that they've had the same experience as me. I like to be able to reach out and share what my life is like so people don't feel so alone or so different from everyone else.
4. Your favorite 5 blogs.
Easy! I'll try to choose others besides just baking ones (even though they're my absolute favs!)
A) Sally's Baking Addiction (very talented and enthusiastic, like me!)
B) Style Me Pretty (GORGEOUS photography, I can't stop looking!)
C) The Kitchn (A wonderful and very helpful blog about all kinds of kitchen-related things. Everything from kitchen redesign, kitchen tips, science of baking, etc.)
D) Ink Pug (You know I have to have something pug related! This artist is amazing, and I love all of the illustrations!)
E) Sweet Lavender Bake Shoppe (another favorite, her photography is beautiful and she just does a little bit of everything like me, she's also very open and honest with her readings, which I admire!)
5. Best advice I ever got.
I have gotten so much good advice over the years I can't even begin to pick just one piece. But I think all of these pieces of advice narrow down to the same idea: God is in control. If I can just remember that He is in control of literally everything ever, then I can really live life the way I was supposed to. Of course, I have to also remember I am human and won't do this perfectly, but I think as long as I work towards trusting His will at all times, that's all that matters.
6. Something for your kids to know.
I don't have kids (obviously) but a future note to my children who will probably never read this or know I had a blog, and might not even know what a blog is: Just know that I will do my best being a good mommy. That's all I want to be to my children; a good mother who loves unconditionally. Will I be that mom? I hope so.
7. What am I currently reading?
I started Wuthering Heights like two months ago and could not seem to get started with it. Recently I've been on a Jane Austen kick, and absolutely looooove classic literature in general. Along with Grimm's Fairytales (a book Jose gave me a while ago), that's about all I've been reading. I am looking at purchasing the Science of Baking (nerd alert) so I'm excited about that investment.
8. 20 facts about you.
I am left-handed. I love Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings and often make jokes that reference one or the other which most people don't get. I have a pug named Chauncey and he's the cutest dog in all the land. I have a nose piercing. I have two tattoos; a breast cancer ribbon and a pug illustration. I was born (as in: came out of the womb) with dark brown eyes, however, my eyes are slowly turning hazel (weird!). I love love love coffee. I'm obsessed with color and patterns. I collect thimbles. I'm a great baker but when it comes to cooking I am only good at Mexican food and soul food. I was born in Fort Carson, Colorado. I have worn glasses since I was 9. I can never find pants that fit because I'm either too tall, my waist is smaller than my hips, or a combo of both. I like to knit, sew, and do other crafty things. My favorite colors are robin egg blue and lilac. When I was young I wanted to be a Disney princess so bad I'd go around singing to birds hoping they would come sing with me (this is not a joke). I love food photography and am obsessed with it. I'm not a fan of the color pink, yet I have a pink tattoo, work in a bakery who's main color is pink, and when I buy pink things it's for Susan G. Komen. I love to make lists, and I even make lists for lists. My favorite animal is a giraffe because they're tall like me!
9. Your favorite quotes.
A new favorite: "Never miss a chance to shut up." - Will Rogers
A long-time favorite: "Embrace the current season of your life." - Gabrielle Blair
A few more simple ones: "It is what it is." "Arrange whatever pieces comes your way."
One more: "Faith in God includes faith in His timing." - Neal A. Maxwell
10. What are you afraid of.
There are a lot of things I'm afraid of. There are more natural things like spiders and tornadoes, etc. I've also, as of late, have become irrationally afraid of dying. I'm not sure where this stems from, and it's nothing I can really control. I become incredibly anxious when I think about dying before I live the life I want to live. I don't want to go out of this world without having made an impact on someone's life or lives. I don't want to leave without experiencing everything I can experience. I know, though, that God takes us when He thinks we need to go, so I have to remember that when the times comes, there's a reason for it. It's just a scary feeling to not have control over something so big, but it's also a reminder that I'm not in control of something so powerful as death itself.
11. Your pet hates.
Does this mean the things my pet does that I hate? I used to get worked up about what my dog did, but I've mostly let go of these habits that pugs have. One thing that can irritate me very easily is when he has to smack his lips to swallow water or has drooled in his sleep. It's hilarious but if I'm tired or irritable, it can drive me nuts! Other than that and him cleaning his butt in front of guests, he's just a dog with doggy habits.
12. What are your worst habits?
a) Talking too much is one of the habits I have that annoys even myself. I'm working on listening more but it is what it is. I've always been one to talk more, and I've learned that I can't beat myself up about it anymore. b) Over-commiting is another bad one. I tend to think I have plenty of time to do things when I really don't. It's not because I don't want to disappoint anyone, it's mainly because I have a really bad perception of time. I'm working on that, too. c) Trying to act cool is another one I'm working on. This causes me problems, because in order to "act cool" I tend to be very catty and rude. I'm getting tired of being so sassy, so I'm working on just shrugging things off when someone says something sarcastic instead of coming back with a mean retort. d) Getting angry over other people's actions. Truthfully it's none of my business what people do, but I get worked up about little things, and then before I know it, I hate humans and don't want to talk to anyone ever again. I am working on accepting others for who they are in their entirety and just being happy with life. Acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. :)
Thanks for reading, feel free to respond with a similar experience, or just something you liked about this post! I always love reader/writer interaction!
