Greetings from Minnesota. It feels like fall harvest time ’round here. Today the sun was shining, the wind was blowing leaves everywhere, and I definitely needed a sweatshirt. Right on schedule for mid-October!
Thanks to Heidi @ Run-around-aroo, I have a ready made topic for this late night post. She tagged me with both the “Versatile Blogger” and “I Dig Your Blog” awards.
Awwhh, thanks!
Given that I have two awards, I believe the rules require me to share 10 fun facts about yours truly and then pass the awards on to some deserving blogs.
Let’s get going; shall we?
1) I never really knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, but that didn’t stop me from heading off to the University of Minnesota with big plans. 4 years later, I emerged with a double major in Accounting and Marketing and a double minor in Animal Science and Applied Economics. How’s that for narrowing things down?!?
2) I love to read and feel like I’ve read some pretty epic books. As a junior-high kid I even read the entire Bible, cover to cover, over the span of several years. I figured if I’m a Christian and believe what the Bible says, I need to KNOW what the Bible says, right? Definitely a good decision.
I have also read and enjoyed such classics as Gone With the Wind, Crime and Punishment, and Anne of Green Gables. I’m a C.S. Lewis fan and highly recommend The Screwtape Letters if you’ve not read it.
3) I am a packrat. I hate to admit it, and I honestly would like to downsize. Some of the things that plague me are rubbermaid totes full of trophies and ribbons from my 4-H days, various high school and college memorabilia, and wedding gifts like a 36-inch griddle and a chip & dip set with a built-in electric dip warmer. What is a person supposed to do with this stuff??
4) I love to follow professional running and track & field. They say the sport has a hard time gaining fans, but I am devoted. I also follow many athletes on twitter, which is how I found out one of my favorite runners will sign the cover of Runner’s World she graces. Thanks Lauren Fleshman!!
5) I really do drink chocolate milk after my long runs (and many short runs). ‘Nuf said.
6) I recently paid $100 for a new pair of work boots. Not stylish, pointy-toed, knee-high boots either. My new bogs will keep my toes warm in weather down past -20. And that’s worth $1,000+ to me!
(Sadly my previous pair was officially worn out after last winter.)
7) I don’t believe that a person only has one path or career or life that could make them happy. If we make good choices we will hopefully be fulfilled and successful, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only “right” way.
If you would have asked me 5 years ago where I thought I’d be now, I probably would have answered grad school or law school. Or maybe working in a marketing or financial job in Minneapolis. And I think I could enjoy those paths, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy being caregiver to calves or mastermind of farm software programs. 
8) I have an insatiable sweet tooth. I require something sweet after supper, and if I’m not careful I can polish off a dozen cookies before I realize what happened. Should I mention I’m eating a slice of carrot cake while writing this?
9) My iPhone is my friend. It lets me capture photos of my farm life and keeps notes on cow numbers and reminders handy. Not to mention email, RunKeeper, twitter, etc. Did I mention it basically writes my blog too? I probably blog from my phone about 80% of the time because it’s so gosh darn handy!
10) Using power tools makes me feel tough. The other day JR asked me to do a little project with the DeWalt. I did it no prob-le-mo. Yup, super tough.
Voila!
Now to share some blog love. Don’t feel obligated to re-post, but know that I dig your blog! And, I think you’re versatile too. 
Shelby @ Eat, Drink, and Run – Just like it says; great eats, drinks, and running
Jess @ Old Nichols Farm – Awesome photos, awesome family
Bree @ Bees Knees Life – A fabulous fellow Minnesotan and runner
Cassie @ Kitchen Floor Diaries – Beautifully written faith, family, and photography
Kathy @ Life, Really – Wonderfully honest fitness and faith
Jena @ Life is Beachy Keen – Florida, running, & life; what’s not to love?
Brit @ Duke’s House – Coolest travels ever. Oh, and she lives in India right now!!
Sweaty Kid – Runner and writer extraordinaire
Marathon Maiden Talented gazelle; runs more in a week than I do in a month
Dana @ Run, Dana, Run! – Follow her training for the NYC marathon!
And of course, the fabulous Heidi @ Run around aroo – fun and creative, combined with the majestic CO mountains!
Eleven blogs, ten things. I think that’s enough for tonight!
Do you agree with me on #7? Why or why not?
I totally agree with you on #7! Chris and I often talk about how we have made decisions along the way that have taken us down paths that we never expected and always surprise us. I am always thinking about what else I could be doing that would help me net even more satisfaction with life. Sometimes it pays to explore new things, make dramatic changes, and not be scared of what if.
Very true! You guys seem great at exploring what’s out there & not being afraid. Even for myself, I know what I’m doing today could change faster than I think. Even though I’m on the farm a lot, I try to make choices & get involved with opportunities that challenge and engage me. It’s what life is about!
I am still trying to figure out who/what I want to be when I grow up. Some days is drives Chris crazy because I can’t decide on one thing. I should probably get my act together…
Our cellphone contract is up pretty soon so we are getting new phones – I really don’t want an iPhone, just because, but I’ve heard so many good things about it…and most apps come out for an iPhone before an Android. I just might have to suck it up!
Thanks for the shout out!
I definitely agree with you on #7, 100%. I definitely always thought I’d be a corner-office type person. I definitely did not think I’d be 31 years old and working retail, and moving around every couple of years for a spouse’s schooling/job opportunities/etc. But I can’t complain too much about life, so I guess it has worked out!
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Working a job that involves lots of hiking around in a muddy, swampy rainforest, I can attest that the hundo I spent on my Bogs was the best money I put toward any article of clothing or apparel in the last two years. And you’re right… so warm…. can’t really put a price on that.
I love your #7. I certainly never imagined I’d be doing what I’m doing. It’s one of those cases where reality far exceeded my imagination.
Thanks for the blog love!
I, too, agree with #7! I would’ve never guessed that my life would be where it’s at right now — and I don’t necessarily know what will come of it in the next 10 years.
Oh, how fun! (It’s been over a year since I’ve seen that Versatile award thrown around)
Totally agree on number 7, and I’d even take it a step farther in applying to life partners/spouses. Shortly after getting married, we had a friend ask us how we KNEW we’d found the right person for us. We both looked at each other and admitted that even as in love as we were… it didn’t mean we couldn’t have been just as happy with someone else, or that there wasn’t someone else out there who might have been a better match. But what we had worked for us, and we were satisfied with that. Not the answer our friend thought he’d hear!
Well, I will say I agree with you! I believe God has plans for our lives, but I also know we have free will and our decisions can take us in many directions, many of which can be good and blessed by God. Thanks for your thoughts.
What a great collection of things about you and blogs! I feel honored to be mentioned here!
And I’m right with everybody else on #7. And I agree with Jess, too. God is actively involved in our lives and has very distinct plans for us, but I’ve come to see that those plans can be realized through a variety of experiences. There’s not just one right path and we’re screwed if we miss it.
And #8? Me too.