YOU DON’T SAY?

I received a prestigious award today but before I get to that allow me to wish one of my bestest bloggy buddies a belated happy birthday.  I don’t know how it happened and I’m hanging my head in shame but I missed Janie at Midlife Slices’ birthday!  Oh.Yes.I.did!  I know!  Awful!  See how I am! 

Happy Birthday, dear friend from your slacker bloggin’ buddy! 

In the same day, I found out that I’m a terrible friend and completely dropped the friendship ball and then I received this lovely award from Jane at Gaston Studio telling me that I’m a good blogging friend or at the very least leave good comments.  Hmmmm?  I think that this means that I’m a good friend with a crappy memory.  Yeah, that’s it, I’m sure.  

The Super Comment Award is given to bloggers who leave comments worth discussing on other blogger’s posts. It may also be because those comments are great in quantity, great in substance, or just great in general.  Leaving comments at Jane’s site is easy because I’m always in awe of the very exciting life she’s led and her tales of adventure leave me begging for more.  I am honored that Jane would think of me to pass along this award.  Thanks, Jane.  I promise to keep commenting if you promise to keep telling me stories.  Deal?

There didn’t appear to be any firm rules attached to this award but passing it on to great bloggers who leave great comments is the general idea.  I hereby award the following bloggers the Super Comment Award:

Only a Movie

Mrs K

Midlife Job Hunter

Linda at Fat Cat Crochet

Midlife Slices

Jason of The Jason Show

City Gal Moves to Oz Land

Congratulations, bloggers!  And thank you so much for your comments.

Thanks again to Jane for bestowing this award upon me.  I will keep it on my mantle in a place of honor. 

And happy belated birthday to my friend, Janie!  MUAH!!!

THE BLOGGIES AND MORE ABOUT MEMEMEMEME

I am hanging my head in shame. A few of my very good bloggy buddies have bestowed awards on me and I’ve procrastinated so long about posting them that I believe they have expired. I am so NOT worthy. If you have given me an award in the last month or so and I haven’t posted about it, please forgive me. Let’s chalk it up to my being an idiot lame undeserving forgetful.

Today, I received an award from my bloggy friend, Funny Girl at Funny Girl Goes Blog. She is a real sweetheart to honor me with this award that I clearly do not deserve. (see above) And I figured that I better post it ASAP before I forget my name where I live all about it. Without further ado, allow me to present:

The Love My Friends Award is given to those bloggers who aspire, inspire, and share the most beautiful of human attributes; art, wisdom and friendship. Deliver this to eight friends who must deliver it eight more. (I think that Funny Girl may have gotten me confused with another blogger but Shhhhhh, if we are very quiet she might not realize it and I can place this purdy thing on my mantle and claim it like it’s my own.)

Along with forgetfulness, I am also not very good at following instructions. I’m going to try really hard this time though. *scout’s honor*

Somebody, remind me to come back to the instructions later…….

Before we worry about that, I’ve been tagged with a fun little MeMe, meme. (I still don’t know how to say that……Where is Thistle? She was so informative about this sort of thing? And she loved herself a good mem………….whatever)

My new buddy, Donna over at Carnwath’s Corner has tagged me with the Crazy Eights Meme. I’ve done this one before I think but I will try to come up with some new material or I might just copy what I did last time and you’ll never know.

Eight Things I Am Looking Forward To:
1.going to Virginia.
2. having cookouts.
3. taking the boat out.
4. go fishing.
5. painting my bathrooms
6. the winter, to have the fireplace going
7.my days off from work
8.RETIRING!

OK, all the above were Donna’s answers but they were really good. I’ve never been to Virginia. I would like to see it. Now where’s my boat?

OK, I promise not to cheat again………………………..really.

Eight Things I Did Yesterday:
1. Conversed in Spanish even tho I don’t speak Spanish.
2. laundry. I’m always doing laundry.
3. Went out to dinner at our favorite haunt and had the best server EVER…..Daughter #2.
4. Lost a bet to another server and paid up. A deal’s a deal.
5. Watched the Cubbies lead in the first few innings against the Braves. Anybody know how it ended?

6. Blogged.

7. Tweeted
8. Yesterday was a long time ago. I’m surprised that I came up with 7.

Eight Things I Wish I Could Do:
1. Sing like Carrie Underwood.
2. Go on a really LONG vacation.
3. Remodel my kitchen myself. (I’m sure I could do it if someone would just show me how.)
4. Build a tiki hut on our patio. (You know, with my new remodeling skills – see #3)
5. Travel………………….everywhere. So many destinations, so little time. (see # 2)
6. Tap dance like Gregory Hines.
7. Wear a size 6.
8. Remember everyone at my high school reunion next month.

Eight Shows I Watch On TV:
1. Royal Pains
2. The Mentalist
3. Leverage
4. Brothers and Sisters
5. Army Wives
6. In Plain Sight
7. How I met Your Mother
8. Big Bang Theory

OK, now I’m supposed to tag 8 bloggers for this meme. But since I can’t really follow directions exactly, I’m going to combine the Friendship Award and the meme. The following bloggers get both. (You can show your appreciation with chocolate chip cookies)

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you………………………………………the WINNERS!

1. tera at Olive Hue Designs

2. Oz Girl @ City Girl Moves to Oz

3. Nothing Fancy

4. Linda (pretending to be Joe) at My Quality Time

5. Only a Movie (She’ll have lots to list when she gets back from “hiking”

6. Sharon at Dances with God

7. Deb at Views from Deb’s Porch

8. Mrs K who is my new hero because she can curse like a drunken sailor in English and Spanish.

Thanks again to Donna and Funny Girl. You guys ROCK!

By the way, from now on……………I’m blogging with wine instead of whine. It goes down much more smoothly………….much smoother…………….smooth…….hmm?…..EASIER.

I’D LIKE TO THANK THE ACADEMY

It is awards season in Bloggyville. I am flattered and honored to accept some really cool awards from some really cool bloggers.

The first award comes from Pseudo at Pseudonymous High School Teacher. I met Pseudo early on in my blogging experience. Since those first comments back and forth, we have developed a friendship that I cherish. But besides being a friend, Pseudo is an amazing woman who lives in paradise with her husband and two wonderful children. She is a breast cancer survivor and an amazing writer. She continues to inspire, entertain and engage me with every post. She is also an English teacher which gives me hope for our future. With teachers like Pseudo at the helm of our childrens’ education, we can’t go wrong.

Pseudo has awarded me the Noblesse Oblige award. I’m not sure what Pseudo was thinking when she included me with the other blogs that she awarded this honor but I think wine might have been involved. I am humbled and a bit overwhelmed.

This award like all other awards comes with instructions and rules. They are as follows:

The recipient of this award is recognized for the following:
1) The Blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervades amongst different cultures and beliefs.
2) The Blog contents inspire; strives to encourage, and offers solutions.
3) There is a clear purpose at the Blog; one that fosters a better understanding on Social, Political, Economic, the Arts, Culture, Sciences, and Beliefs. I slipped thru the cracks on this one. I’m not really sure what the clear purpose of this blog is so if someone else knows, please email me. But shhhhh, don’t tell Pseudo.
4) The Blog is refreshing and creative.
5) The Blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking.

The Blogger who receives this award will need to perform the following steps:
1) Create a Post with a mention and link to the person who presented the Noblesse Oblige Award.
2) The Award Conditions must be displayed at the Post.
3) Write a short article about what the Blog has thus far achieved – preferably citing one or more older posts to support. I’m really sorry but I can’t think of a thing this blog has accomplished. Hmmmmm? Nope, I got nothin’.
4) The Blogger must present the Noblesse Oblige Award in concurrence with the Award conditions.
5) Blogger must display the Award at any location at the Blog.

There are many blogs that I think deserve this award. Some have already received it from Psuedo or others. Others still prefer not to participate in the award process. With that in mind, I would like to pass along this award to the following bloggers.

Janie at Midlife Slices – Janie doesn’t really like to participate in these awards but I will give it anyway. (You don’t have to follow-thru, Janie) I just couldn’t let this one go by without saying what an amazing blogger, friend and woman Janie is. She speaks her mind and is true to herself and everyone else in her life. Janie inspires me and has taught me so much. (Some bad habits along with the good ones *wink*)

Jan of Jan’s Sushi Bar-Jan will astound you with you her wit and wisdom. I would read Jan’s blog just for the recipes but she is so much more. Jan is who I want to be when I grow up. (Which is sad because she is younger than I am)

Fancy of Nothing Fancy-Fancy thinks she is nothing fancy but in fact she is quite fancy. She is drop-dead gorgeous, a fashionista and can tell a love story like nobody’s business. And she kissed Luke Duke.

Linda at Crone and Bear It-Linda never fails to make me laugh out loud. I love her sense of humor and her sarcasm. You never know what you’ll read at this blog but rest assured you will leave it glad that you came.

Mona at Wsprsweetly of Cottages-Mona’s eye for decorating is reason enough to stop by this blog. But it’s when she gives you that rare glimpse into her life that her words really come alive. Dig thru her archives and you will see what I mean.

Tricia at Shout – I don’t even know how to express the respect and awe I have for this writer. Just go there and you’ll see what I mean.

If you aren’t already reading these blogs, check them out. You won’t be disappointed.

Last week, I was notified by Jan of Jan’s Sushi Bar that she had bestowed her very own Sushi award upon me.

A Sushi Grade Blog! Gosh, Jan! I’m blushing. I am so honored to be given this award and to be included in the list of Charter Members.

A Sushi Grade Blog is a cut above other blogs that are canned and turned into salad or casseroles. A Sushi Grade Blog is fresh, lively and of superior quality. It is rare, has character and is of good taste.

Oh, and it’s packed full of heart healthy Omega 3 oils.

And since it seems there must be rules for awards, here they are:

1. Grab this nifty little graphic and display it proudly on your site

2. Choose 5 blogs of superior quality and list them, along with why the are A Sushi Grade Blog

3. Link to them, announcing their award

4. Leave them a comment letting them know they’ve been given an award

5. Link back to the blog that awarded you

Oh, and somewhere in all of this, list these rules (which, if I must say, are pretty standard).

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you my picks for the Sushi Grade Award:

It’s Only a Movie – I was first struck by Erin’s honesty but it’s her heart that keeps me coming back. I just love her. If you don’t already, you will too.

Fragrant Liar - The adventures of Miss America give me my cute fix but this writer is full of so much more. Yep, that’s right. I said she’s full of it. And I love it.

SnowWhite and the 76 Dwarfs – She’s young, fresh, funny and she loves sushi. Nuff said.

Jane at Gaston Studio - I am fairly new to Jane’s blog but it was love at first sight. She is a master story teller who has led a very interesting life and bit by bit is telling us all about it.

Midlife JobHunter – I quickly became a huge fan of this blogger and her way with words. Join her as she reinvents herself with a new job and whatever else lies beyond the horizon.

I was also given two awards in the last few weeks that I have already received. I’m not going to pass on these awards as I already have but I wanted to thank the givers just the same.

Thank you, Pseudo, for the Friendship Award. I am honored to consider you my friend.

A big thanks to Midlife Mama for the Zombie Chicken Award. I sure hope I’m not risking the wrath of the Zombie Chickens by not passing this one along again. EEK!

I highly recommend every blog linked here. If you aren’t already reading them, you don’t know what you’re missing.

I’M ONE OF THE COOL KIDS NOW

My good friend, Pseudonymous High School Teacher, has given me an award for the Coolest Blog. Isn't that COOL! I've never been one of the cool kids so this is a first for me. I'm always more of the cutesy, silly, dorky type. Cool just isn't a word that people usually use to describe me so it comes as quite a surprise that my blog is cool. I would like to take this opportunity to offer up my biggest cup of gratitude to Pseudo. Thanks, Girl! You're the Best!

***MUAAHHH***

If you haven't checked out her blog, go there now. For starters, she lives in Hawaii and posts great pictures and videos but there is soooo much more. I am honored to be considered in the same league.

As with any award, there are rules to be followed. The coolest part of this award is that the only rule is you have to pass this honor on to five other blogs. The hardest part is narrowing it down to five. I've been at this blogging thing for six months now. I would like to honor the first five blogs I started reading. After all, if they weren't cool, would I still be reading them? I said I'm not cool, I didn't say that my friends aren't.

***sound of envelope opening***

And the award goes to:

Jan's Sushi Bar

Midlife Slices

My Life Interrupted

Nothing Fancy

Of Thistles and Maple Leaves

Enjoy your award, Ladies. I love you all!

If you haven't checked out the blogs listed above, you're missing it. You will find recipes, gut-splitting, belly-laughing wit, a little sarcasm, midlife issues, family secrets, cuteness personified and really cool information. These women are a mix of backgrounds, education and cultures.

Just go there.

Now!

I'm a little bossy today, huh? Must be the hormones again. (I blame them for everything.)

A MANLY AWARD FOR MOI?

Goodfather at GoodfatherBlog has awarded me with a man award! GF and his friend, Captain Dumbass, felt that all the awards being showered upon bloggersville were just a little too much on the feminine side. So GF came up with an award of his own:

It's so manly, I'm about to swoon! But seriously, folks, having this very masculine award bestowed upon me is quite an honor. That GF thinks my blog measures up is quite flattering. But giving this tall, dark and handsome award to me with that macho measuring tape just makes me want to go out in the garage and fix something, drink beer, smoke a cigar and spew obscenities. Hmm, that sounds just like when I bake?

Like any award worth it's salt, this one comes with rules and they are as follows:

1. Say one nice thing to a man in your life. I told My Harley Stud he has a cute butt. (And he does.)

2. List at least six ways that you measure success in your life (or for your blog).

1. Living within your means
2. Working at something that gives you pleasure and a sense of accomplishment.
3. Finding contentment
   
4. Losing the desire to keep up with the Jones'. (whoever they are)
5. Giving back in a way that's meaningful to you
6. Owning a vehicle that has multiple cup holders.

Accomplishing these things is the hard part.

3. Assign this award to six other blogs and leave them a comment telling the blogger that you’ve assigned them this award.

1. After the Dust Settles
2. Anecdotes, Antidotes and Anodes
3. Bear Naked
4. Highway Hags
5. Indianahomegrown
6. My Life Interrupted
7. Nana Diaries
8. Nanny Goats in Panties
9. Nothing Fancy
10. Slap Happy Musings
11. The Blue Ridge Gal
12. The Chicago Blogger
    
13. The Daily Rant

(Sorry, I can't count)

4. Link back to the blog that you received this award from. check

I would like to thank Goodfather for awarding me with this most pretigious bling for my blog. GF is truly a favorite of mine and that he would include me in this very talented group of people touches my heart and my ego. GF, you ROCK!

I would like to be the first to congratulate the above listed blogs to whom I am passing this honor. Wear this badge with pride and keep on doing what you do.

THE BLOGGYS

It's award season in the blogosphere and I am so honored to have been selected to receive not one but two awards. So put on your fanciest duds and meet me at the Bloggersville Community Center for the ceremony.

Bling #1


Bling #2

Pseudonymous High School Teacher has presented me with the prestigious Hooked on Your Blog award.

and

Midlife Mama has presented me with the coveted Kreativ Blogger award.

I am truly amazed that anyone is "hooked" on my blog or thinks that I am creative. I came to the blogosphere like most of us, for a creative outlet and a place to put my rambling thoughts and have found so much more. I have stumbled upon a community of friends like no other. Here is a place where we can marvel at our differences with respect and find comfort in our similarities. To bloggers everywhere, I salute you. It is a good thing we are doing here.

As with all awards there are rules and they are as follows:

1. List 6 things that make you happy. (I'm going to follow Pseudo's lead here and say that this rule comes with both awards)
2. Pass the award on to 5 bloggers for Hooked and 6 bloggers for Kreativ.
3. Link to the blogger who gave you the award.
4. Link to the blogs receiving the award.
5. Notify the recipients.

First things first,

Six things that make me happy in no particular order:

1. Spending time with my children. Now that MHS and I are empty nesters, the time with our kids is rare and precious.
2. Spending time with the rest of our family. We are spread so far apart that it just doesn't happen often enough.
3. Roadtrips.
4. Coming home.
5. Good coffee.
6. Our loyal canines.

And now the drumroll, please..............

I would like to present the Hooked on Your blog award to:

Midlife Slices

Jan's Sushi Bar

Nothing Fancy

Midlife Musings

Shout

I would like to present the Kreativ Blogger award to:

Nana Diaries

Slick Sumbich

Stepping Thru

Swampwitch

Thistle

The Chicago Blogger

Allow me to be the first to congratulate the bloggers listed above. They are all unique and entertaining in different ways. If you see one that you haven't visited, run on over there and check them out. (A warning to the faint of heart or easily offended, Slick sometimes gets a little rowdy over there. Consider yourself warned.)

IT'S AN HONOR TO ACCEPT....

MLS at Midlife Slices has presented me with the very prestigious I love your blog award.

Look, isn't it pretty.

This award like the one I was so fortunate to receive yesterday comes with the same rules.

1. The winner may display the award on their site.
2. Link the person who presented you with the award.
3. Choose 7 blogs to receive the award.
4. Link to those blogs.

I've tried to select blogs that have not already received this award. Let's hear it for:

Lynn at After the Dust Settles

The Contessa at Haute Flash Contessa

Reader Wil

Tricia at Shout

Rhea at The Boomer Chronicles

Country Girl at Dreams of a Country Girl

Nana at The Nana Diaries

Congratulations, bloggers! I think you are GREAT!

Thanks, MLS! And right back at cha!