Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful

I always hated that commercial.  It made me talk to my tv.

Lady, we don’t hate you because you’re beautiful.  We hate you because you’re a snot.  Get over yourself.

But hate is a strong word.  More like ‘want to throw a pillow at you’.

Anyway.

I mentioned before that a second blog award was coming, and here it is.  The big reveal.

Because I know you’ve been waiting anxiously.

I actually got this from 2 different people, so I must be really beautiful.

Don’t hate me.

For this one I’m also supposed to list 7 things I’d like you to know about me.  I’m not sure that I really feel that you need to know anything about me – I’m sure you’ve survived just fine without knowing all about me.  But in case you’re interested, here are a few tidbits.

1. I’m a Christian.  I would hope that this is evident in my life without me telling you, but because I am Hopelessly Flawed, I’m sure it isn’t always obvious.  For that I am sorry – I’m trying to do better.
2. I adore Alton Brown.  I love his knowledge of food, his scientific approach, his quirky camera angles, and his whole ‘I know I’m a bit nerdy and I’m cool with that’ attitude.  I’m pretty sure he & I would have been great friends in high school.
3. I’m a sort-of runner.  I was serious years ago and pretty much gave it up when I had kids, but a couple of years ago I took it up again and I’m glad.  I like the time alone on the treadmill to process my thoughts.
4. You know those crazy old women with 100 cats?  I could easily be one of them, only with dogs.  I hate cats, but I’m a sucker for a puppy every single time.
5. I secretly fantasize about making a radical life change, like moving abroad.  I’m too emotionally attached to my parents to ever do it – they live a mile away and I’d be miserable without them nearby.  But I watch House Hunters International and daydream.
6. I’m a night owl and an insomniac – a bad combination.  I usually get a very unhealthy 3-4 hours of sleep a night.
7. I am a terrible singer, which is quite sad considering how much I really love to sing.  I used to be semi-decent until I had my tonsils out at the age of 20.  However, I think I’ve found a way to make my love of singing – despite my terrible voice – work for me.  The Singing Bee.  I’m destined to be a champ, if only I can get up the nerve.

If there were to be a #8, it would be that after making my 100 list, there is nothing left to reveal about me.  I’m fresh out of tidbits, people.

Moving on, I’m supposed to share this award with 3 other beautiful bloggers, so here are the lovely ladies I’ve selected.

Such the Spot – If you’ve read her blog, you know why Darcie is beautiful.  And if you haven’t, you need to – now.  Darcie is one of the most beautiful, inspirational friends I have ever been blessed with, and I am very grateful for her presence in my life.  If only she didn’t live so far away…

She Just Had To Say It – Soliloquy is one of the most fabulous bloggers I’ve ever encountered.  She’s wicked funny and brutally honest, and she shares her faith in a way that is both passionate and inspirational.  She is one of the most approachable, un-intimidating Christian writers you will ever find.  I admire her in many ways and would love to be more like her.

Sellabit Mum – Tracy is a friend that I knew before her blog was born, and have enjoyed getting to know her better through her writing.  She is a beautiful, beautiful writer, and she touches my heart and brings tears to my eyes on a regular basis.

Now that I look back, I’m seeing an inspirational theme here.  I love to be inspired.  Hopefully you do as well.

Why thank you!

I am behind, and this is a really terrible thing to be behind on.  It’s praise and love for the blog – how could I delay in sharing that with you?  Well partly because I’m a jerk with a bad memory, so I don’t even remember who sent this to me.  Terrible, right?  I’m so sorry.  Please step forward if it was you who sent it (many moons ago).

I’ve got three of them, but I’m going to put them in two separate posts.  I had a reason why, but right now it’s about 2 am and I’m hopped up on Nyquil, so I don’t remember that reason.  Just go with it.

So the first is bloggy love.

Great compliment, right?  And I’m supposed to pass it on to 3 others as well, so…

The Glamorous Life Association – Marcy.  Oh, Marcy.  How I love this crazy witty lady.  She makes me laugh on a daily basis.  Humor and Glamor – who doesn’t need more of those?

From Inmates to Playdates – Yet another very funny lady.  She has a running series going that cracks me up every Monday (and she writes great stuff the rest of the week, too!)  Stop by and give Julie some virtual love.

Tales From the Nightstand – Book reviews, people.  And good, reliable ones, too.  One of her first posts was about The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and after reading the book and loving it, I was sold. Great blog.

504 Main – A recent discovery of mine, this is a really fun place.  Lots of craft ideas, from kid to grownup, cute to classy.  And she’s a wedding planner, which is one of a zillion jobs I’d love to have one day, but will never live long enough to accomplish.  So I live vicariously.

Struggling to be Stylish – Another of my more recent finds, this blog is great.  Besides being stylish, it’s also beautiful, clever and well-written.

And ever the rebel, I broke that 3 policy.  So ladies, feel free to pass it on to whomever you like.  Or don’t.  I’m not big on rules.

The second is this little beauty:

Which was given to me by Cheryl Ann at Ramble Time – Reinvented.

In case you can’t read it:

Thank you!  Sweet Friends Add Kind Words, Mix In Sweet Thoughts, Enjoy Good Times

The rules are this:

a) copy and display the award on one’s blog.
b) List who gave me the award and link to their blog
c) List 10 things that make me happy, and
d) Pass the award on to other bloggers and visit their blog to let them know.

So to fulfill my obligation here are 10 things that brighten my day.

1. Divine grace
2. my daughters
3. coffee
4. old friends
5. football season
6. a good book and a lazy afternoon
7. surprise packages
8. an organized room
9. HGTV/Food Network
10. stand-up comedy

And I’ll pass this award on to Amanda’s Adorables – Amanda is a good friend with a great heart, and one of the kindest, most supportive people you’ll ever [virtually] meet.  She’s adorable, you might say.

Sleepless Mornings and A Slice of Heaven - Two more very kind, very gracious ladies that I have met through the blogosphere.  And I’m sure I will be seeing Allison in Disney one day soon!

Spread the love (and cupcakes)!

The Lemonade Award!

I can’t do 10, but here are a few of my faves:

Bring The Rain

Does This Blog Make Me Look Fat?

The Online Prayer Notebook

The Cullimore Girls

Be As You Are

Thank you ladies, for making the world a brighter place for all of us.

Aw shucks

The very lovely Darcie at Such The Spot has bestowed on me my first bloggy award. Thank you so much!

For those of you who don’t already know her, you really should. She’s one of the coolest chickies in cyberspace, and a great writer to boot. Her blog makes me laugh on a regular basis, and I’ve even shed a few (good) tears too.

So paying it forward, I’m going to award my dear friend Peppi at It’s All About Me. She’s another great lady that I am honored to call a friend. She’s a rare find in a friend – that person who knows what you’re thinking because they are thinking the same thing. And even if you don’t talk as often as you’d like, you don’t feel like the friendship has been affected by the passage of time. An all-around high quality person, you might say.

I am also sending this out to Tracy at Sellabit Mum. She has a great sense of humor, fantastic fashion sense, and really amazing gardening tips. She always has a new post up when I read her blog (more than I can say about myself!) and she always has amazing pictures to go along with it. And she is THE source for everything Matilda Jane. And really, who doesn’t need a little MJ in their life?

Thank you ladies for brightening my day with regularity!