Giving the Gift of Myself (I've been tagged)

I was tagged by David! Thanks, David!

Right now, in my life, I probably do less for myself than ever. I am caregiver to my 86-year-old father, and I know how important it is as a caregiver to take care of myself first so I can better take care of my father. Well, that doesn't happen as often as it should.

But, here are the activities I do enjoy, and you will soon see why I joined this community. I need to get back to the healthy lifestyle I once lived.

1. I love to read: I read at least an hour a day just for pleasure. As a blogger and freelance writer, I am either writing or reading all day long. But, on a daily basis I make sure to escape into a good story. My favorite stories are mystery and suspense, although I enjoy any good book. Most recently I read Duma Key by Stephen King, and just caught up with the last three books in Susan Wittig Albert's China Bayles mystery series.

2. I love to watch TV: Mostly I watch the CSI procedurals, Without a Trace, NCIS, The Mentalist, etc. Anyone see a trend? A guilty pleasure is sneaking the Young and the Restless in once a day. Otherwise I don't watch soaps. I have my daughter's visit last New Year's to thank for the one show I do watch.

3. I love food: Unfortunately, since moving to Michigan in 2006 to take care of Dad, I have not followed the best plan for my body. Hence the weight gain and the desire to focus on healthy eating this next year.

4. I love sports: In the past, I was very active in intramural sports such as softball and football (with my brother and his friends), bowling, golf, tennis, etc. Nowdays, my body is lucky if I take a walk or do any exercise routine. This is the greatest need in my life at this time - get back to healthy workout activities.

Currently, Dad and I watch just about every pro football game we can find. This has been a great bonding experience for us.

5. I love to write: I am having a great time this year with my blogs and websites. I have too many blogs at this point to keep up with them all - need to cut a couple of them loose. But, I have met many wonderful people through blogging, and hope to hone my writing skills, and limit the number of blogs this next year.

6. I love music: I often wish, instead of hanging around my hometown and marrying the guy who lived across the street (how quaint is that?), that I had headed into the great unknown to see what else was out there. The few times I have looked back over my life, I think I would have liked to move to Nashville and tried my hand at singing and songwriting. Two years ago I drove around downtown Nashville, and spent the night in the area as I was travelling. There was a sense of "what if" as I drove around. I love country music, inspirational, solid gold, R&B, and some pop.

I love to sing, write songs, and listen to music.

7. I love my family: I really enjoy the comraderie we have, that was sometimes missing in the past. Over the last few years, especially, we have bonded after the loss of my mother, who was the hub of our family wheel. Whereas everyone and everything seemed to radiate from her love and her ability to hold all of us together as a family, now that she is gone, we are much more inclined to lean on one another. Has anyone else had a family member that seemed to hold the family together? When they are gone, the dynamics change.

Rather long post, but there are 7 things about me.

Now I am going to tag: McKay K and Nancy.