Second Chances Girl - a Miami family and lifestyle blog!: about me

Back today with #30ThingsChallenge (30 Things About Me That I Want My Kids To Know)! It's been a couple of days since I posted about the challenge, but I did start this challenge knowing it would take me all year!!

#6: Describe 10 pet peeves you have.

Pet Peeves. Everyone has at least one thing that someone else can do that will drive them absolutely insane! The actual definition (according to Wikipedia) is a minor annoyance that an individual identifies as particularly annoying to themselves, to a greater degree than others may find it.

1. SPITTING. This is by far the most disgusting thing someone can do in front of me. Ewww, I'm getting grossed out just thinking about it. I just do not understand the need to spit and especially out in public. YUCK!!

2. CHEWING WITH YOUR MOUTH OPEN. Is this really necessary? Were you not taught as a child that this is bad manners? Adrian will do this sometimes and I just have to shoot "the look" over at him and he knows. He is a child and can forget sometimes but I have seen adults do this and I have to walk away. I can't handle it.

3. DRIVERS WHO DON'T USE A TURN SIGNAL. I'm thinking they just don't know where it is in their cars. How can you not use a turn signal? Ugh, I have had to do so many "sudden brakes" to stop myself from getting into accidents because the driver in front of me never used their turn signals.

4. WHEN THE KIDS ASK FOR SOMETHING WHEN THEY ARE GUESTS. Oh I will lose it on them. I do not like that and I warn them before we walk into a place, whether it's a class or someone's home. To me, they need to wait until they are asked if they would like something. Do not ask for or much less demand anything.

5. HAIR IN THE SINK. It drives me nuts when JC is finished shaving and I find hair in the sink. I just stare at it and wonder how many more times I will have to remind him to clean the sink.

6. WHEN A SONG PLAYS ON THREE OR FOUR RADIO STATIONS AT THE SAME TIME. This happens often and I don't understand. I have 12 stations programmed in the car. How is it possible that four stations decide to play the same song at the same time?

7. LEGGINGS AS PANTS. This is probably my biggest pet peeve of all. How hard is it to cover your ass? Leggings are to be worn under skirts or tunics or dresses or shorts, not alone as pants. This is a huge problem here in Miami where lots of women like to wear tight clothes and they believe that leggings should be worn alone, you know to show off their big butts. To me, it's just lazy and tacky.

8. CAPTCHA ON COMMENTS. I really dislike this. If I am leaving a comment on your blog, I don't want to have to type in 400 numbers or letters that I can barely make out. Just moderate your comments and publish the ones you like. I don't understand the need for CAPTCHA on comments.

9. GROCERY STORE BAGGERS WHO DO A BAD JOB. I have dealt with so many broken bags (from overpacking) and run-away groceries that I prefer to bag the items myself.

10. NAIL BITING. This is such a nasty habit. Hands touch everything and then you are going to put them in your mouth? EWW! All three kids are big nail biters and I am constantly yelling "Take your hands out of your mouth" or "Sit on your hands" because their hands are always in their mouths. I'm hoping it's a passing phase.

WOW! I did have 10 and I could think of a couple more. I think I might have to start meditating to relax my soul!

What are your pet peeves? Are you participating in the #30ThingsChallenge? If so, leave your blog link below so I can check it out!!

Happy Friday!! I've had a rough week mentally and am ready for the weekend! We are planning a big Easter brunch for Sunday so I'm not sure exactly how much rest I will get but I will try! Anyway this week I am participating in Ask Away Friday!

Today, I am honored to have partnered up with my bloggy buddy, Tamara from Tamara Camera, for the revamped Ask Away Friday!

Tamara and I "met" last year through visiting each other's blogs and have quickly become super bloggy friends! Tamara is truly amazing: amazing mother, amazing photographer, amazing storyteller and amazing person. She is so open and honest and kind and I really am honored to know her!

To see Tamara's answers to my questions, click here! She has sent me some incredible questions so let's get started:

1. I am in awe of people who live somewhere nice year-round! Have you ever experienced snow and cold? Where is the farthest you've traveled from home?

I do love living in Miami. I love the sunshine, the beaches, the clear skies and the warm weather. It is pretty amazing. I have traveled to parts of the US with cold weather (NYC, DC, Colorado) and I really don't know how you guys do it. When Adrian was about 2 we went on a big family ski trip to Breckenridge for a week. We rented a beautiful house, played in the snow and skied. It was super fun for about a day. When we had to walk into town, in the snow, I quickly got over it. Snow and cold is definitely not my thing!

2. I grew up in a blended family, like the one you are raising. What is the most complicated part to you of being in a blended family?

I think the most complicated thing about raising a blended family is making everyone feel comfortable. Jealousy and selfishness are horrible creepers. They pop up out of nowhere! JC, Adrian and I are together all the time so when Amberly and Gian come by (every other weekend) it immediately becomes a difficult situation. He is used to all the attention and then he has to share JC with two more kids. His kids want their dad and want his attention and affection. At this point, I am around to make sure everyone is fed and wearing clean clothes.

3. If you lived that dream of a farm on a beach, tell me more? Would it be in Florida or somewhere else? What are three aspects of the farm that you see in your wildest dreams?

It is a pretty out-there dream right? I've never known of anyone who lives on a farm by the beach. In my dreams, I would have this beautiful 2 story white farmhouse, with black shutters on the windows and an orange door. There would be acres of land in the back with cows, sheep, pigs, horses, chickens, goats, and dogs, lots of dogs! I can picture myself feeding the animals and tending to a garden. Oh and then the beach can be seen from the front porch of the house. It's just a short walk away! I could probably have this beach farm somewhere on the west coast of Florida. I might have to start looking into this!!

4. Which is your favorite social media platform and why?

Instagram!!!! I love Instagram (@scggirl). I feel like it is the most personal platform. On Instagram, you get to see people's daily lives, not the uber-edited pics for their blogs! I share the most on weekends and the least on holidays since that's family time! I also feel like there is more interaction and I don't get those annoying notifications like the ones from FB.

5. I know you said you don't really like sweets, except dark chocolate. What would be your perfect "dessert" on a special occasion? (and believe me, buttered popcorn is one of mine so it doesn't have to be sweet)

This bad boy right here is pure perfection in my eyes! My mouth is watering as I type this. I eat this special treat about twice a year and each time it really is heaven!! It's creamy and chocolatey and yum, when you bite into the brownie pieces!!!! Other than this, I will take a bite out of a dark chocolate bar a couple times a year and that's it for sweets.

6. Tell me about your favorite sports teams!

Miami Dolphins

Miami Marlins

Univ of Miami Hurricanes

When it comes to sports, I am a hometown fan, through and through. All my love goes to Miami teams. I have watched all these teams play since I was a child. My love of sports started as a way of spending more time with my dad. He would watch all these teams play on TV and I would sit next to him and just listen. He loves baseball so baseball was my first love. Then came football!! My brother could pretty much be a commentator for the NFL. He knows facts and tidbits about every player, every coach and every team. I have learned so much from him and now I can hold my own in any football-related argument. I went to the University of Miami for college and Hurricane football becomes your life!! When I met JC, he loves basketball so we watch lots of games together and cheer on the same team, the Miami Heat!!! I have instilled this love of sports to my son and now he is a BIG Heat fan!

7. What is a book that has changed your life, or perspective?

I honestly can't remember how many times I have read this book. I read it when I'm happy, when I'm sad, when I'm bored and when I just need something to read. It is a story that shows that love prevails. I don't want to give out any details, in case you haven't read it. I first read this novel after I broke up with my first real boyfriend (4 1/2 years together) and my parents were getting divorced. I was so hurt and angry and thought that love wasn't real. After reading this novel and then re-reading it, I realized that sometimes relationships don't work but love is real. Love is amazing and beautiful. This novel also reminds me that "if it's meant to be, it's meant to be!"

8. Say you got a $1,000 gift card to Target. What's the FIRST aisle/section you run towards?

Oh Target, how I love thee!! I love going to a store and getting everything I need in one trip! If I received a $1,000 gift card to Target, my first stop would be bedding. I would buy myself a fabulous Nate Berkus bedding set and new pillows. Then, since I'm a mom, is the toys section. I would grab two or three toys for each child and then go straight to the kitchen section. I would get a new mixer and a juicer. Oh boy, I think I might need more money on my gift card!!!

9. How did you meet JC?

JC and I met at work. Yup, steamy hot office love affair!! It was 2011 and I was slowly crawling out of the hole I had dug for myself. I needed a job but was unable to find work anywhere. My sister's friends' husband owned an engineering firm and they were looking for an office manager. I jumped at the chance. It was within walking distance of my house and Adrian's school so it really was perfect. I went to my interview and was hired on the spot. My new boss then proceeded to give me a tour of the office. I remember walking into one of the offices,looking over and seeing the most handsome man I had ever seen. I'm sure my cheeks turned bright red! I said Hello, was introduced to everyone and came back the following Monday for my first day at my new job. Lucky for me, JC was the person assigned to getting me hooked up with email and Skype and passwords so we spent much of that first day side by side. He was so smart and soft-spoken and kind. I was smitten! A few weeks later, I realized that he liked me too. We took it slow and really got to get to know each other, we talked about the kids alot. We started dating within like 3 months of meeting and then we told our boss. He was and continues to be extremely open and supportive about our relationship. We did move fast after that, moving in together and spending all our time together, but it just felt right. It has been almost three years that we are together and I am so blessed to have found such an incredible person. He is my second chance at love. He has provided me my second chance at a family. I truly love him!!

10. Do you have any plans to travel this spring or summer? And have you ever been to a blog conference?

Yes, we plan one trip every year in the summer, usually after 4th of July. This year we are taking the kids to Busch Gardens and then doing a water park tour. It is H-O-T in Florida in the summer so water parks are always a hit with the kids.

I did attend my first blog conference this year, Hispanicize, which was here in Miami in April. It was unbelievable. I had an incredible time and have been recapping it on the blog. Here's Day 1 and Day 2. Day 3 recap will be up next week!

Thank you Tamara for the questions. Ask Away Friday is graciously hosted by Tamara from Tamara Camera, Tiffany from MrsTee LoveLifeLaughter, Christy from Uplifting Families, Stacey from This Momma's Ramblings and Amber from Bold Fit Mom.

Remember, go check out the questions I asked Tamara here! While you are there, make sure to look around and check out her stunning photos!!