She Tagged Me!!!!!!

She isn't just anyone though; she's my best friend in the whole wide world-as a fourth grader would put it.  :)  This is Marie from feedingfive, and she has tagged my blog.  Her blog is great.  She's catchy with her words, honest in her heart, a great cook and fantastic baker.  And to top it off she has three wonderful children that fill her blog with wit, fun, and happy times.  Did I mention she also has a pretty great husband.

We've been friends since our first babies were about five months old.  That's going on twelve years.  Has it been that long...yes it has, amazing.  I can't say enough wonderful things about her.  She means so much to me.   We have a connection that is unique to us and we will always be close no matter where we are. I love you Marie-and happy blogging.

1.  My full name (including maiden) is Shauna Maureen O'Rourke-Klippel.

2.  I've only ever been to one concert in my whole life and it was recently.  My sister and brother in law took my husband and I to see Elton John and Billy Joel at the HP Pavilion in San Jose.  It was so fun!!!!!

3.  My dad would show me how to pick up rattle snakes when camping, hiking, etc., so don't worry if we ever come across any I'll know how to handle it...literally.  :)

4.  My mom would read Harold and the Purple Crayon to me often, when I was little.  I love those books for our children now.

5.  I prefer to wear skirts or dresses to anything else, for sure.

6.  I don't care for fiction novels.  Currently I'm trying to find a good book on Margaret Thatcher, she fascinates me.

7.  I am happy to say I have a degree in Political Science from Santa Clara University.

8.  I wanted to go to Cal (Berkeley) but I didn't get accepted.

9.  I home school my children and I love it, truly.

10.  I'm a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

11. If I were facing my last meal on this earth, it would be Thai food.

Marie's Questions to me:



1.  Has your blog changed since you first started blogging? 

Yes.  My husband started our blog in the first place.  His intention was to have me take over, it took awhile but I'm doing well.  It really is a great place to document heart felt moments that family and friends can tune into and that will last a life time.

2.  Tell me about the most expensive shoes in your closet. 

Alright- this a two fold answer because my dad purchased me a pair of Franco Sarto boots that were $100.00 about ten years ago.  I love them and still wear them even if they may be a little outdated.  But, with my own money I purchased a pair of Steve Madden boots that were $59.99 at an after Christmas sale a few years back.  I still love those too.

3.  What did you have for breakfast this morning?

The usual...in a bowl I put a half cup granola, a tad of almond milk, next is a dollop of Greek yogurt, followed by a drizzle of honey.  On top of all this is apple, grapefruit, strawberries, blueberries or whatever fruit I have on hand followed by pecans and peanuts.  It's so good.

4.  Ever chopped your hair super short?  Pictures?


Yes, I have had it short once in my life and I was pregnant with my third baby, Reece.  See pictures below....It was cute, and my hair has a lot of natural wave so that helped.  But, to be honest all I could think about was having long hair again....so it hasn't been this short since. 

5.  How often do you fly?


Not very often, but when I was in seventh grade my dad moved up here to Northern California.  He would fly me up every other weekend from Southern California where I lived back then.  


6.  Favorite TV shows?


We don't have television in our home but we do down load some shows.  My all time favorite show has been Downton Abbey.  And I'm proud to say I think my husband and I were among the first Americans to watch because he found this show right when it came out in Europe.  Don't ask me how he got the episodes...:)  I also loved Lark Rise to Candleford and the Foresight Saga.  I don't watch any American shows.  But, I could give you a list a mile long of British Television-I love it!


7.  Speak another language?


I don't, which is a shame because I've taken the equivalent of five years of French. 


8.  Musical artist you can listen to over & over.


Bebel Gilberto.  She sings this Brazilian music that is so refreshing and beautiful.  Think of your windows open, curtains flowing in the beautiful breezy sunshine, with her music in the background.  If you haven't heard her, name her on Pandora and you'll love her!  


9.  What brings you inner peace?


Serving other people, whoever it might be.  When helping others we usually put our concerns and stresses aside-it's then that we can have inner peace during those times of service to others.  


10. Tell me something you're good at.  C'mon, brag!


Alright, if you're making me.  I am really good at public speaking.  I don't know why, I've never had any training or what have you, but I just am and I quite enjoy it too.  I'm more and more thankful for this talent because it's one of those things that can scare people to death, if they have to do it  (speak in public).  


11. The love of your life/ideal man in 5 words.


My husband is...Loyal, Forgiving, Spontaneous, Handsome and Intelligent.  Oh how I love this ideal man of mine...


My Questions to you: 
1.  What is your favorite meal to cook?
2. What world leader inspires you (dead or alive)?
3. If your could have lived in any other era which would it have been?  
4. How would you describe yourself in four words?
5. Do you wear makeup every day?
6. What are you passionate about?
7. What is your middle name?
8. What do you love about being a woman?
9. Fiction or Non Fiction?
10. What is your favorite game to play? (board game, cards, etc.)
11. Who have you been told you look like? 


These are the people I tag:


Amy- The House of Nash: She's a great writer, takes great pictures and I go to church with her.
Ameena- Fancy This Fancy That: This is a great blog.  Her blog is real, funny and did I mention funny?
Becky-Farmer Freitas' Wife: Becky's blog is about her life with her family.  She has a great way of relating her day to day life and her daughter is something else. 
Jill-Angell Family: Jill is one of my dear friends and this is her family blog.  She's great with her kids. 
Ashley-Hudson's Happenings: This girl is inspiring with her photography and her sweet words.  Her family is so cute.
Val-Val So Cal: Oh I love this blog.  She posts yummy food and great pictures.  
Karly- Buns in my Oven: If you haven't seen this blog, oh boy.  She bakes like nobody's business and it's amazing.  
Kelleyn-Traveling Bug: This is her family blog.  Sweet words, inspiring posts and heart felt.  
Tinajo-Tinajo @ Home: I like her blog because it's simple and sweet.  She posts great pictures and she's in Sweden!  


Rules For Bloggers: (you must repost these) Obviously rules can be broken.  I only listed nine blogs.  I love reading your blogs and I think you are all great!  Take care and I hope you participate!!!


1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer the questions the tagger 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 that you’ve tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tagging section about ‘you are tagged if you are reading this.’ blah blah blah, you legitimately have to tag 11 people.