Double Tagged!

Lauren and Amy both tagged me for the 11 random things meme...after a weekend of insanity followed by John's birthday and a championship tournament basketball game yesterday (which they lost...sad face) I'm going to take on both of these at once...

Here are the rules:1. Post these rules
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them
6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people!

I'll be breaking the rules some, but lets start at the beginning:
1. I have been coloring my hair for a REALLY long time. Lately, I'm realizing that I'd be full on silver if I didn't. Part of me wishes I was brave enough for that, but then the sane part takes over and I go back to the salon again.

2. While I really miss having a pet, and while the kids would LOVE it if we got one, the more practical side of me realizes that I can barely keep up with the dependant living beings I already have.

3. I am one of those people who could eat the same thing every day and not grow weary of it. I see a lot of that in some of my kids.

4. I would read books all the time if I weren't so compulsive about getting to the ending. So I am forced to wait until I can devote enough time to finish the entire book before I start one.

5. I am the antithesis of crafty, but I can crochet. I crocheted my kids' baptism gown - all 4 of them wore it. I was pretty proud of that...

Julia

6. People laugh at me when I tell them I have this weird fear of biking, but it's true. I don't think I've been on a bike since middle school. Not sure I remember how. I am quite sure that part isn't helping me overcome this fear...

7. After the race Saturday, I listened to Riyanti and Dave talk all about the places they've travelled in their lives. I have never been outside of North America. Someday that will for sure change - I can't wait!

8. While I am a terrible housekeeper, I secretly love to do laundry, and I hate it when John "helps" because he totally messes up my system.

9. I worked at a canoe outfitters in the BWCA summers all through college. I think I would live there still if I could.

10. When I first signed up for the Chicago marathon in 2010, I never expected to fall in love with running. Or that I'd still be doing it 2 years later. So often, I start a "thing" only to lose interest later. I'm so glad that didn't happen this time!

11. I love to drive really fast. I rarely get the opportunity anymore...

Now on to Lauren's questions:

1. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Australia
2. Do you have a goal / legacy that you’d like to leave behind? Just my children - I want to raise good, happy people
3. What is the food you eat most frequently? I eat cheerios almost daily
4. What is the best meal you ever ate? I got engaged over dinner. I have no recollection what I ate, but it was the best day of my life at that point.
5. Favorite Run? Grandma's marathon 2011
6. Who did you last talk on the phone with? John
7. What is the last book you read? Janet Evanovich - Smokin' Seventeen
8. Open- or closed-toe shoes in the summer? open
9. What’s the coolest race swag or prize that you’ve received? Nothing remarkable, sadly.
10. Do you consider yourself to be shy or outgoing? Nervously outgoing?
11. Do you live near or far from family? As close as we've ever been, which is still a 90 minute drive.

And Amy's:

1. What is your #1 best memory – the one that will always make you smile? As an adult, it's a toss up between my wedding to John and the birth's of all my kids. As a kid, it would be Christmas Eve at my Grandparents' house, complete with fake Santa and the ensuing mountain of presents.
2. If you could do anything (career wise), and money was no object, what would that be? If I could afford it and could find the time, I'd go into forensic pathology.
3. What is the most awesome place you’ve ever visited? Hawaii is magnificent.
4. What is your go-to comfort food? Taco Bell.
5. What is your guilty pleasure (that you’re willing to admit to in a public forum?) Vampire smut novels. Love them.
6. Favorite way to relieve stress? Running. Followed closely by driving while singing really loudly.
7. Favorite book? Too hard to choose. Although I always return to Gone With the Wind.
8. Favorite movie? The Princess Bride
9. What are you good at that hardly ever gets recognized? (example, are you a masterful karaoke singer? do you plan a mean harmonica? is your hidden talent hopscotch?) Why yes, I AM a masterful karaoke singer :) (I so wanted to be in a band when I was young)
10. What did your 10-year-old self want to be when you grew up? Do you still want that? (Are you that?) Either a pediatrician or a veterinarian. But I think I would get too emotionally attached to my patients.
11. What’s holding you back? Usually, only myself. But I'm getting there...

I'm not playing the tagging part, sorry...thanks, though - this was FUN!