Me in a 25 question nutshell.

I’m it! I was tagged in Blogger Tag Game by Nickie at Life Inside Nickies Little Bubble, and while I might despise these things on facebook or old school chain emails, I do think it’s a great way to get to know fellow bloggers.

1.  Where were you born? 
Burlington, ON, Canada.

2.  Were you named after someone?
25% of strippers everywhere? I mean come on, Crystal is right up there with Candi & Bambi (I apologize to all Candis, Bambis & fellow Crystals everywhere, but we all know I’m right). I’ve been called either Crys/Chris or Cricket most of my life & I’m happier that way. Seriously though, I believe I was named after an old friend of my moms. I am 99% sure she was not a stripper.

3.  If you have children, how many do you have?
One little monkey, Lillianna (aka Lilly). She is 2.5.

Admit it, she’s the cutest thing you’ve ever laid eyes on.

4.  How many pets do you have?
One dog, two cats & one husband.

5.  What was your worst injury?
I just had hernia surgery about three weeks ago. Other than child birth, it’s the roughest thing I have been through. Scratch that. I was up moving faster after child birth…

6.  Do you have a special talent?
OMG, too many to mention I am a jack of all trades; I can sew, sing, act, and write. I do love crafting & cooking & think I’m decent at both. I volunteer a lot, run a local political organization and strive to excel at my career in professional marketing. I also think I am kick-ass at the talents of mothering and wifeyhood. Honestly, I often worry that I’m not really great at any one thing…

7.  What’s your favorite thing to bake?
Lemon cranberry scones with fresh lemon curd. However, our daughter was recently diagnosed with Celiacs Disease and I went gluten free along with her. Have to tweak my recipe and see if I can master it.

8.  What is your favorite fast food?
Truth moment – Taco Bell. Before everyone starts gagging, I am primarily vegetarian. I only ever buy the stuff with beans in it, never meat. That makes it ok, right??

9.  Would you bungee jump?
I really, really would like to think I would. Brave on the inside

10.  What is the first thing you notice about people? 
I’d love to sound sweet and say it’s their eyes, or something like that, but honestly it’s likely their clothes. I am a fashion junkie and I love seeing the different outfits people put together. I can sincerely say it’s never a judgement thing. I have a ‘to each their own’ mentality on fashion and character. Just take a look at my 17 year old self for proof

11.  When was the last time you cried?
About three weeks ago. 2 days after my hernia surgery, my daughter hugged me and told me she missed me & missed cuddling with me. I’ve been going through cuddle withdrawl ever since.

12.  Any current worries?
That my anxiety about strangers will heighten as my family grows and gets older. I can thank my child hood for that little gem of a trait…

13.  Name three drinks that you drink regularly.
Coffee, about 4 times a day… Bourbon and ginger ale. Tea in the evenings on occasion.

A very common sight on my Instagram feed.

14.  What is your favorite book?
If I had to pick, Where the Red Fern Grows. I have read it at least half a dozen times and cry every. single. time.

15.  Would you like to be a pirate?
Um, no?! I rather like bathing, thanks.

16.  What are you favorite smells?
Vanilla, fresh coffee and onions frying in the pan.

17.  Why do you blog?
I blog because my kid is far to funny to just be contained in our home. I needed to document this stuff. I have also been a professional marketer for nearly a decade & always blogged, tweeted, etc. from a corporate position. It was very freeing to get into the blogging world from a personal perspective.

18.  What song do you want played at your funeral?
Whoa. That’s kind of morbid. Do people plan this sort of thing?! Is there a “Guide to Your Perfect Funeral” right next to the wedding planning books at Chapters?

19.  What is your least favorite thing about yourself?
Right now, my boobs. In fact, I just whined all over a blog post about how I traded my boobs for a baby.

20.  What is your favorite hobby?
Writing. Hands down. I have been writing (stories, poems, news articles, songs, etc) since I was in 1st grade. 

21.  What do you look for in a friend?
Support and someone to laugh with.

22.  Name something you’ve done that you never thought you’d do? 
Pole fitness classes…what was I saying about my name… Seriously though, it was fun and actually an incredibly intense strength workout. I do suspect it may have caused/worsened my hernia though, so I am having reservations about getting back into it.

Xena Warrior Pole Princess…in my head.

23.  What are your favorite things to do?
Play with my kid. I had so many other things I loved to do before I became a mother, but nothing trumps a good old game of hide’n seek with a squealing toddler. It’s a combination of watching her have fun and pretending to be a kid again myself. Perfect mix.

24.  Any pet peeves?
Cliques. I was never Ms. Popular in high school and thought the idea of cliques would be left there, but the truth is they still exist in the adult world. I have never understood it. I can be friends with just about anyone who wants to be friends with me.  

25.  What’s the last thing that made you laugh?
My daughter recently asked me why I have to go to work. I told her it’s to make money to buy things like the house. She offered to buy the house for us. She then informed me that she has enough money to buy two houses. She has a cup in her room that she puts change in and it is nearly full, so to her, that is A LOT! This little conversation made me laugh pretty hard.

That’s me in a 25 question nutshell. Here are the ten bloggers I invite them to participate. They are all incredible. Please check them out:

She Said, He Said 
Canadian Dad
Inspiration Strikes. In The Kneecaps.
A House of Mini Men
Martinis and Minivans
Dysfuntional Dose
Shuggilippo 
Raising My Boys
Tweenspot 
Maven of Mayhem