Me? Versatile?

My friend Rosie over at "Hello, Rosie" awarded me an award today...

"The Versatile Blogger."

Although I'm honored and thrilled and flattered -

I'm actually kinda' disappointed she didn't award me the OTHER award she had to give out...

The "Nice Rack" Award.



Hee.

Apparently, Rosie knows me all too well and knows that if there's ONE award I don't deserve, it's the Nice Rack Award.

Ahem.

Moving on.

So, in the Spirit of the The Versatile Blogger Award, here's seven amazing & thrilling facts about moi...Seven amazing and thrilling facts that NO ONE...I repeat, NO ONE...ever knew before.

Okay. Maybe some people knew. But they don't count.

If YOU already knew this stuff, just pretend you didn't. 'Kay?

1. I am an amazing jump roper. I always have been an amazing jump roper. I can jump faster, longer and better than just about anyone. Really. I could be in the World Olympics of jump roping - if there ever were such a thing - and I would take home a medal. What makes this fact even MORE amazing is that I am a year shy of my 50th-birthday - and I'm still that good at jumping a rope. Amazing. Hee.

2. I absolutely, unequivocally detest Kate Gosselin.

3. I have a bit of an unhealthy obsession with my vacuum cleaner. I love my vacuum cleaner. Actually, its a central vac...and I love nothing more than to hook up the giant hose and go through my house, sucking up the tiniest bit of dirt and cat hair and lint....I'd suck up my kids if they'd fit through the hose. I've tried.

4. I absolutely, unequivocally love hummus.

5. Things that make me afraid: spiders, sky-diving, and drowning. That pretty much covers my fears.

6. My favorite Disney ride: the Haunted Mansion. Grim, grinning ghosts make me giggle. Hee. I could get forever stuck on a Doom Buggy and I would be in heaven.

7. Things that amaze me: my kids. I am honestly amazed when I watch them grow and mature and become young adults.

So...now to pass on the Versatile Blogger Award.

I'm in a giving mood tonight, being Easter Eve and all...and so this award is open to any and all of my readers! Feel free to take it, enjoy it and pass it on!

Peace.

Most Stylish!

I woke up this beautiful, frosty morning to find that I had won an award.

Isn't that exciting?! I love awards.

Yes, today I found out I won the following award:


And this was awarded to me by fellow-blogger Brett, over at BrettBootyByeBye - go check out her Very Stylish blog!

So, I'm supposed to share 7 things about myself, but that's rather difficult, as I don't have too many secrets left after blogging for the past 2 years.

You're all nodding your heads in agreement - stop that.

I've pretty much let it all hang out - for better or worse - and so what 7 possible things could I share with you right now?

EUREKA! I know!

I'll try to mix it up and tell you 7 things "RIGHT NOW" in my life - so, here goes.

1. The book I'm reading RIGHT NOW on my Kindle:
"Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things" - written by some psychology professors that is actually very interesting.


I like psychology books and the study of behavior, and because I've gotten hooked on the A&E's "Hoarders" - this book is explaining a lot of what I'm seeing on TV. Pretty weird stuff.

2. What I'm wearing RIGHT NOW:
I've got on my favorite pair of blue jeans, a soft green sweater, and my favorite slip-on shoes. This is pretty much a standard "stay-at-home" outfit for me, because it is SOOOOO comfortable. (Oh - I have a pair of Cuddle-Duds on under the jeans. Go ahead and laugh - but they're WARM!)

3. What I'm listening to RIGHT NOW:
Actually, complete silence. The kids have gone back to school today (Yay!), and I am enjoying the solitude and quiet. Every now and then a bird will come CRASHING into one of my windows - but that happens so often here at the lake that I don't even flinch any more when I hear it.

4. What I'm doing RIGHT NOW:
Well, other than the obvious (blogging!), I've got the dishwasher running, a load of laundry in the machine, and I'm getting set up to host a wild & wacky game of Bunko tonight here at the house. I've got hordes of women descending later this evening to have some food and fun, and until then, I have some food to prepare, a house to clean, and most importantly - the Margarita machine to get up and running. Priorities, you know.

5. What I'm looking forward to RIGHT NOW:
Besides looking forward to the Margaritas tonight (duh!), I'm looking forward to tomorrow, when I start my Culinary classes. I'm a little anxious, though, as well - which is usual when I start new things. I think it will be exciting, though, and I can't wait to start!

6. What I'm watching RIGHT NOW:
No TV today for me - too much to do. So, I've been watching the fog as it rolls across the lake this morning, and watching the birds as they clamor around the (almost-empty) feeder. If I didn't have 100 million things to accomplish today, I would be watching "Good Morning, America" at this time of the morning - as I've gotta' get my news & weather fix for my addiction.

7. What I'm most thankful for RIGHT NOW:
Everything. Really. I am so blessed. Good health, a great family - I am truly living the dream, and I recognize that and I appreciate it. However....

I am MOST thankful that after THREE snow days, the kids are FINALLY back in school today.

I know - I already mentioned that. But, I'm so THANKFUL!

Woot!

Now...I'm supposed to pass this on to 15 other bloggers...however, I could never pick or choose - and frankly, with Bunko here tonight, I just don't have the time. So - if you're reading this - then you are MOST definitely STYLISH in my book, and you can take the award for yourself!

Pass it on!

Peace.

An Aha! Moment

Aha!

Do you have "aha" moments?

I know I have....those moments in life when I am hit with an epiphany...and make life-changing decisions that (hopefully) have improved my life and made it worth living....

I received an interesting email last week, from a woman named Megan R. (Last name withheld for protection!) Megan works for a production company that produces Mutual of Omaha's ad campaign featuring "life's aha moments".

I've seen these little snippets on television...they've captured my attention, because it shows real people talking about those little moments that changed their lives. I've found them thought-provoking and inspirational...

...so imagine my surprise when Megan mentioned that she had come across this blog, and was inviting me to film my own "aha" moment for the campaign.

Mutual of Omaha has a 34-foot Airstream mobile film studio that is traveling the country on a 25-city tour to capture the country's aha moments...the Airstream was in Kansas City last week to film, but unfortunately...I was not. So - no aha moment on film for me.

But that's okay...this blog is full of little aha stories, and that's enough for me....Plus, just the honor of being personally invited to come in and film is pretty cool.

If YOU want to see what an aha moment is, visit their website at www.ahamoment.com. And keep your eyes open - if the Airstream visits YOUR city, you may have a wonderful opportunity to share YOUR moment!

Peace.

Hershey's + Easter Baskets = Money!

I was given this virtual Easter Basket by my blogger buddy, La'Tonya, at 40s - Reason's to Live, Love, and Laugh Out Loud. La'Tonya and I are twins separated at birth. Her posts crack me up because she's just like me... if you haven't already, be sure to check her blog out.

Today, our posts are going to help Hershey’s raise money for Children’s Miracle Network. For each #betterbasket blog post they are donating $10!

Hershey’s has pledged to donate up to $5,000 to The Children’s Miracle Network.

Here’s how you can help....

I am passing along Hershey’s Better Baskets to a few of my blogger buddies today! Check out these blogs - they're all wonderful!

Melanie of Pressing Forward
Dual Mom at We're At Dad's That Week
Niki at The Grounded Drink Lady
Diva Ma @ Mommy Fabulous

HERSHEY’S BETTER BASKET BLOG HOP RULES

* Copy and paste these rules to your blog post.

*Create a blog post giving a virtual Easter Basket to another blogger – you can give as many Virtual Baskets as you want.

*Link back to person who gave you an Easter Basket.

* Let each person you are giving a Virtual Easter Basket know you have given them a Basket.

* Leave your link at BetterBasket.info/BlogHop comment section. You can also find the official rules of this #betterbasket blog hop, and more information about Better Basket with Hershey’s there.

* Hershey’s is donating $10 per each blog participating to the Better Basket Blog Hop to Children’s Miracle Network (up to total of $5,000 by blog posts written by April 4th, 2010).

* Please note that only one blog post by each blog url will count towards the donation.

You're Beautiful! So Beautiful!

And now…an important announcement…I am now honored, tickled and pleased to report that I have received my SECOND Blogger Award!

I am so humbled. Really. Seriously.

Thanks to Kate at Fabulous @ 50 for bestowing upon me the Beautiful Blogger award.

As I told Kate in my acceptance speech, sometimes I wonder, as I sit here and muse, if anyone really pays attention to what I say….and sometimes, as I struggle with writer’s block, as we all probably do, I wonder if I should just give it up.

And then…along comes some kudos and appreciation and hope is restored and the writer juices start flowing again. So – woo hoo!

Now it's my duty to tell you 7 things about myself and pass on the award to 7 other beautiful bloggers.

7 THINGS ABOUT ME:

1. I have a mole on my little toe. Just a little tiny mole – it looks somewhat like a freckle – and I actually think it’s rather sexy. I’ve asked my hubby several times if he agrees with me – “Isn’t it sexy, honey?” – and he just looks at me like I’m crazy. Sigh. Cindy Crawford’s mole is considered sexy. So why isn’t mine?

2. I am a gadget junkie. Especially travel gadgets. I am addicted to a catalog called www.Magellans.com where I shop for all different kinds of goodies that make my travels so much easier. When I DO travel, it becomes a virtual “Show and Tell” as I show off all of my gadgets that are fun, fabulous and oh-so-essential. ☺

3. My eyes have changed color over the years. When I was younger, they were definitely brown. As I have gotten older, they have turned lighter and lighter – they are now brown around the pupils, surrounded by green, and then surrounded by blue. Some people have called them “Rainbow Eyes” – which sounds really cool. But the Driver’s License Bureau didn’t exactly let me put “Rainbow” on my license….the eye doctor told me they are genetically blue. So, blue it is. Sigh. “Rainbow” sounds so much prettier.

4. One of my first jobs right out of college was as an Assistant Supervisor in a billing department at a large area hospital. This was in the mid-80’s – I’m ashamed to admit that I would wear a “Power Suit” every day to work – with the giant, padded shoulders and tight skirts…I was so “Falcon Crest”/”Dynasty” – and I thought I was so, so hot. Oh, let’s not forget the Big 80’s hair…pouffed and teased and held in place by a gallon of hair spray every day.

5. I don’t like the sound of wind. It kinda’ creeps me out. Which makes it difficult to go on hurricane assignments with the American Red Cross, as I’ve had to ride out some hurricanes, and I am extremely anxious when the wind is whistling and blowing. A nice, juiced-up iPod with good earphones is very helpful in these situations. I’ve learned to carry 3 of them when I travel – God forbid the battery runs down on one before the hurricane is over – I have 2 for back-up. Hey. It works for me.

6. I seriously love, love, love the sun and these cloudy, dreary, grey winter days are killing me. I thought I would get a sunshine fix while in Jamaica last week, but alas – it was cloudy and dreary there, too. I can’t wait for spring. Seriously.

7. I love jewelry. I love rings and bracelets and necklaces. Earrings – not so much. But I love the bling…I wear rings on almost every finger – and the sparkly, the better. I don’t wear them when I travel – but the minute I get back home, on they go. My fingers are happy and I’m happy.

Now, my 7 winners are:

LaTonya @ 40’s Reason’s to Live, Love and Laugh Out Loud
Noelle @ Elastic Waistbands and Comfortable Shoes
Niki @ The Grounded Drink Lady
Diva Ma @ Mommy Fabulous
Aunt Juicebox @ Bacon is My Lover
Chief @ Hiding From the Kids
Jenny @ Jenny Matlock

So, thank you - for this awesome award. Now I'm going to go out for a celebratory dinner - any excuse I can find to have hubby take me out for dinner, hey - I'm all over it.

And The Oscar Goes To....

I won! I won!

My very first blog award – I am SO honored! Yes, I won the very prestigious & highly sought-after “From Me to You” blog award! With my fellow bloggers' assistance, I managed to finally upload a picture of the award right up there! At the top! That big blue thing - that's it!

My award is from one of my favorite bloggers, Elizabeth, at www.confessionsfromaworkingmom.blogspot.com. Elizabeth’s blog caught my attention because her blog could have been written by me. I could relate to her experiences – and I just “get” her. I used to be a working mom myself – before I went crazy retired – and so her “confessions” hit close to home. Also – how weird is this? We both knew who Lawrence Tynes is….if YOU know who he is, welcome to a small, exclusive club!

So, please, go check out her adventures and confessions and tell her I sent you!

So, back to the award – which is just FABULOUS! In accepting this honor, I would like to first thank my publisher, “Blogspot,” who made this all possible…and of course, I have to thank my very patient Hubby, who provides me with so much blogging material…and thanks to all of my fans – who give me so much support and criticism and hugs and all that blogger love!

I’m going to put this award right next to my Oscar on my mantel in the new house! It will look SO good next to my Emmy and my Tony…and that “empty” spot you see over there? That’s for the Golden Globe or the People’s Choice Awards – which I’m just SURE are right around the corner! Oh – what’s that you say? You mean it’s not THAT kind of award? What? I don’t get a little miniature golden man statue? I don’t get ANY little statue? Well, that stinks!

Oh, dear readers – I jest. I don’t need a little weird-looking dust collector on my mantel to feel the love…..! All I need is a cute little picture on my blog and I am a happy girl!

So, without further ado, I have to follow the rules that come with this award. Yes, you read that right…this award comes with RULES! How fun is that?! So, in following the rules, I must tell you all 7 things that you don’t know about me.

1. I sleep all curled up in a little ball, totally buried underneath several blankets – I mean, even my head and face are under the covers….I do this to maintain a constant body temperature while I sleep – weird? Perhaps, but it works for me! If my face is out of the covers, then my face is considered “cold” and I will not be able to sleep.

2. I do not like breakfast foods…at all. Eggs? Excrutiating. Pancakes? Puke. Waffles? Even worse! Oatmeal? OMG – gag me. However, knowing that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day, blah, blah, blah” – I would love to eat a S’more Pop Tart every day, but I settle for a Special K breakfast bar. Yummo.

3. In my “real life”, I am famous for being obsessively organized. My clothes are first organized by season, then by type, and then by color. My canned goods are in alphabetical order in my pantry. My CD & DVD collections are in alphabetical order, as well….OCD, perhaps? Yes. I admit it. I own it. I live it.

4. I am a fantastic vacation itinerary planner. You can tell me where you’re going, when you’re going, and for how long – and I can come back with the most FANTASTIC itinerary you’ve ever seen – for a vacation of a lifetime. I usually do it just for my own family – but I’ve been known to do it for friends or extended family who beg. Or offer me chocolate.

5. Some people’s ancestors were Italian…or German…or French…I believe that my ancestors were hobos. I could seriously put a knapsack on a stick, hop on a train, and travel the world.

6. I hate Kate Gosselin. There – I’ve said it. “Jon & Kate Plus 8” should have been off the air a long time ago. I am sick of seeing her on the cover of every magazine I see at the store. Enough – go away already.

7. I am a morning news junkie. Before I even hop into the shower, I’m turning on the TV in my bathroom to the local morning news show – I love traffic, weather and sports. Then, I flip over to “Good Morning, America” for the national news. If I don’t get my daily “fix”, it’s not pretty.

Now, I'm supposed to pass this on to 7 other bloggers - but, in the spirit of NaMoBloPo, (National Blog Posting Month), I'm going to save that part for another day - yes, I'm going to stretch this out to TWO posts! So, check back later and see who I pass the award to....

In the meantime, I'm going to savor the moment and then head over to the after-award parties - I hear Wolfgang Puck throws quite a party after Awards Night....I'll be dodging the paparazzi, of course, so I don't know if you'll get to see my beautiful designer gown I'm wearing....

You'll just have to use your imagination...(and keep in mind I look just like Angelina Jolie. Uh huh.)

Peace.