An Award? For Me?

My friend Kami at The Biggie Blog gave me an award! And now that I'm over the inital shock and shaking and remembered that I did, indeed, have that 'thank you' list in my bra (I was so flustered I forgot!), I am now able to post.

Although she didn't specify the actual name of my award, I'm going to go with "Most Promising New Blogger" or maybe "New Blog on the Block", or maybe even "Beer: It's For the Lawn - No, Really". Since I'm one of those people that never wins anything... it doesn't matter what this award is for, I'm taking it! And because the love can't and won't stop with me, I now present this glamorous award to the following:

1. Beth at Sugar and Spice - Because I'm so lucky that she's my cousin and friend! She is one of those people that is actually as cute in person as she is on her blog. I can't think of her or anyone in her family without smiling. Oh, and if you're ever in need of a good hair day - she's the one to call - she's way hair talented!

2. Laurie at Jacobson Party of 7! - Another neighbor and friend (hence the 'new blog on the block', because I literally am). Because she got me hooked on Goodreads - and because I read a totally naughty language book that she recommended - and loved it! And also because she is that way laid-back, spur-of-the-moment mom that I wish I could be - she has the best posts about their family adventures and expeditions.

3. Amanda at SouleMama - I don't know her and probably never will, because I pretty much just blurk on her blog. But she has the most amazing photos and thoughts - another one of those moms that loves going on adventures with her kids. You should read this post - it's one of my favorites - I wish I could put my thoughts into words that well.

4. Chris on Facebook - His blog is private.... really private.... once I sent a request to be a 'friend' and he denied me (his own mother!) but what he doesn't know is that I'm smart... way smarter than he thinks and I have my ways of keeping tabs, so after the initial shock, I got over it, and have laughed about it ever since... because I so would have denied my mom too, but we couldn't deny people from atari (which was our high-tech) - we didn't need to deny anyone the pleasure of watching that ball bounce back-and-forth, back-and-forth...

5. Andrea at mcconahay.net - She's one of my oldest and best friends from high school (go tigers!) and I think that she was one of the very first bloggers - I've been able to check in on their family for probably about nine or ten years now. I always thought it was super cool, so I don't know why it took me so long to jump into this blogboat. She's also way fun to be around... and if you like usborne books - she's your go-to gal... she runs great specials all the time!

The really great thing about this particular tag is that you don't have to play along - just accept your award and live high on the hog for a day or two! But if you so choose to play, here's the rules:

1. Please put the logo on your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3. You must nominate 5 fellow bloggers for this award (yep, I changed that one - I only had 5, so I couldn't ask you for more than me, but if want, you can nominate 7).

4. Add links to the recipients.

5. Leave a comment so the recipients know they have received an award.

Last but not least.... Congratulations, everyone! I think you're all awesome!

WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE???

So I'm sitting here sipping my white grape Crystal Light (which is very, very delish, by the way) and wandering in and out of other people's lives like no tomorrow. I'm learning all kinds of new words like 'tagging' and uh, 'blogligated'... and all I can think is 'WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE'? And 'why do I think they're all so freaking adorable' and 'this is so cool that I get a little sneak peek into their world.' Then it hit me like a ton of bricks: OH MY GOSH, I'M A SPY!!!

Seriously, so in very humble apology to anyone I have been spying on (oh, if you only knew how many - and it's not like they know anyway... because, well, I've been SPYING), I decided to put a little piece of myself out there and take Kami up on her tag to everyone - and I had to make it from Kami because she's the only one I've admitted to that I've looked at her cute blog... although, believe me... I know who YOU are... (this is where I'm hearing psycho music in my head.) So here goes...

How to play the game. Post these rules on your blog: List 3 Joys, 3 Fears, 3 Goals, 3 Current Obsessions/Collections, and 3 Random surprises about yourself. Tag five people at the end of your post by leaving their names.

3 JOYS -

*Being a mom - I know that's totally a general statement, but it fully brings me joy each and every day of my life. Watching them not only try the things they do, but seeing them succeed - that is so joyous!

*Tapioca pudding - I feel like I need it in my fridge at all times lately, it brings me comfort, and I very rarely share with the kids - they get otter pops and have to eat them outside because I'm sick of my floor, table, chairs, etc. being sticky this summer!

*Scaring my husband - it truly is one of my favorite pastimes. In our new house, there's a clear shower door (of all things!), which has completely ruined my ritual of sneaking in and SLAPPING the shower curtain, thus causing my big, buff husband to squeal like a girl - I've honestly had some of the best laughs of my life in the bathroom! I've been very verbal about my sad loss over a shower curtain.

3 Fears -

*Lately, the one I've thought about nearly every day is the fact that my kids are growing up way too fast - I blink and they are different. Just the other day I went to wag my finger in Chris's face (oh, teenagers!), when I realized that not only was my neck kinked from looking up at him, but if he keeps growing my arm may not reach that high, even with my finger fully extended (okay, a little exaggerated - but he is tall). Although one of my greatest joys is watching them grow and succeed, I fear for the day that they don't need me anymore. I ravish in it when they roam through the house calling my name - I even sometimes hide so I can hear them call for me just a little longer. I know, sick, huh? What's worse is that when they get close, I usually jump out and scare the bejeebers out of 'em - sick, but so funny from my perspective - remember, it brings me joy, so it's justifiable, right?

*That someone I know will send me this card - because that means they've jumped on a trampoline with me. Every time I get off, Katy asks (while laughing), "Did that 'thing' happen to you again, mom?" Well, hardy-har-har, Katy... laugh it up, kid - one day you will have had babies, too!

*That one of my kids will actually believe that I love one of the others more. I secretly tell each of them that they're my favorite - but it's a secret - hopefully they don't tell each other. If they do, it will be a harbinger (dictionary.com word of the day - go me!) for a huge family feud. I have a friend at work who's kids actually come in and count how many pictures there are of them to make sure there are equal amounts of each one of them. But I have to say, Jill, no matter how much I tease you about this - I KNOW YOU LOVE THEM THE SAME, I promise I know.

3 Goals -

*To get a table set that actually has a minimum of 6 chairs. Right now, Mike and I take turns sitting in the folding chair and on the bucket. At least I'm keeping my goal of us eating dinner at the table together, right?

*To get the Adidas Strikerfest over and done with (and that it's as great a success - or better - than last year) - and hope that I don't get fired for all the phone calls I've been getting about it at work.

*To get to know my new neighbors better - and be a better person to the friends I already have.

3 Current Obsessions/Collections -

*Blogging (obviously) is my latest - and I so enjoyed this post, although it was one of the ones that made me wonder, "Who are these people?", and I was very content that I was NOT a blogger until I read number 15, and then after that - 'blog stalker' - yep, that's me.

*Reading - I will read ANYTHING - seriously, anything that is put into my hands, but the obsessed part comes in because once I get into a book, it's very annoying to me to have to put it down.

*Soccer - because even though I LOVE watching Katy do karate (she is the most beautiful creature in the world doing those forms!), I don't like watching anyone else do it - but soccer, I could watch any game, any time, any place - and if I don't know the two teams or have a loyalty to one or the other, it never fails, I'm always rooting for whoever is losing - because I like the underdog.

3 Random Surprises About Yourself -

*I love my crockpot - sometimes I come home and want to hug her and thank her for being so loyal.

*My favorite frustration word is 'argh!' - yes, like a pirate, only I'm not a pirate. My kids know that if I say it, that I've had enough.

*One of my biggest pet peeves is people who don't take their carts to a cart return - it drives me crazy, so when I take mine to the return (or all the way back in sometimes because it's closer), I try to stack one or two strays and take them with me on my way - unless I'm in hurry, but even then I always put mine away.

Okay, so the thing is - I don't know anyone to tag - that is so sad. So if anyone is lonely enough that they read this, and you have your own blog, consider yourself tagged. Oh wait, RICH! I know Rich! You're IT!