Award time!

Thank you to Angie for this lovely award!

So the deal is I share 7 things about myself and then pass the award on to 7 other awesome bloggers. Nominating 7 bloggers isn't hard, but coming up with 7 things about myself that I haven't told you yet might be a little tricky for TMI girl here... Here goes!

1. I haven't always been a cat person. Growing up, my family always had dogs and my dad absolutely hated cats.  After I moved out on my own I wanted a pet but couldn't have a dog in my apartment, so I got Atticus. Now I prefer cats, they're so much more quiet and out of the way!

2. In high school, my best friend and I wore the same size shoes, and we each owned a couple of the same pairs.  So we said we were "sole mates."  Nerd alert!  ;)

3. I was a late bloomer. I didn't have my first kiss until I was 17, and then I was afraid to make out until I was 18, at which time I had a cute boyfriend so I got over it.

4. I'm currently in a bowling league with Hubs and my older brother, C.  Our team name is Aardvark.  Not "The Aardvarks" or even "Aardvarks," just plain Aardvark.  That was my brother's and my doing.

5. My younger brother, A, and I used to hang out listening to comedy music - you know, like Weird Al, Adam Sandler, S.ifl & O.lly etc. Hubs still looks at me sideways when I bust out with random songs, although he's learned some from me that he sings too. 

6. I've always wanted to go skydiving.

7. As a kid I used to collect rocks and polish them to a flawless shine in my rock tumbler.  I had some nice ones, but have since lost them all.  (Nerd alert times two!)

I now nominate 7 people I want to learn more about:

Steph
Misty
SpeechGirl, AKA My Husband Grows Cotton
Kate
Lex
Caitlin
CJ/Lookingforaplussign

Hope award

Thank you so much to Miss Ruby for this beautiful award. I love it, and I absolutely love the message, it's so fitting right now.

During difficult times it can be hard to even think about the things that bring happiness, let alone find the energy to take joy in them. It's even harder to hold out hope that the future will bring better, happier times, and that one day your dreams may actually come true. I know that's the case for me; I have a tendency to wallow in the mire. But I'm learning to change that, I guess it takes practice, huh?

The rules for this award are to write a post about one thing that makes you happy right now, as well as something you have hope for. Strangely enough, it's harder to think of something that makes me really happy than something I'm hopeful for. I won't lie, I am having a hard time staying 'present' right now, so this is a particularly useful challenge!

I guess outside of the standard "husband and home" response, the one thing that makes me happy right now is feeling really close to my girlfriends. As you know I'm a bridesmaid in two different (and quickly-approaching) weddings this month, and I'm very excited about that. Particularly because my friend A and I were the best of friends for years, but for a couple of years up until November 2009, we didn't see very much of each other at all. We didn't have a falling out or anything, we just kind of drifted our own separate ways for a while. But I'm so happy that we're rebuilding our friendship and that she asked me to be a bridesmaid. I'm also really excited to be in my friend T's wedding. She is overflowing with excitement herself and it's infectious! It's hard to be sad when there are all these happy events going on in the lives of the people I love, and when they've invited me to take part. In the end, I'm grateful that if I had to miscarry, that it happened when I had time to deal with it, but not too much time to dwell on it.

As for hope, well I have a lot of hope right now. I'm hopeful about getting pregnant again and carrying to term, but I'm not ready to think about that too much just yet. I have big hopes that hubs and I will be able to sell our house within the next couple of years and buy something bigger, and that doesn't require as much TLC. That's something we've recently been talking about more and more. I'd love to have a second bathroom! And a kitchen where ALL the cabinet doors close snugly; and floorboards that don't squeak so much. I love our little house and I'm proud of all the work we've put into it, but I'm ready to be done!

I'm going to cop-out on nominating any particular people for this award. I'll just say, I nominate ALL of you, and if you feel inspired to write about something in your life that makes you happy right now, and something that gives you hope for the future, I would love to read about it.

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I went and visited my grandma in the hospital on my lunch break today (I actually took two hours, good thing I warned my boss I'd be out for a while). She looked pretty good, but was tired. I don't blame her, she said she'd been awake since 5:00 a.m., and had family coming and going nonstop since 8 or 9. About 8 other family members were there the whole time I was, that's enough to wear anyone out. They say she might be going home tomorrow; I very much hope so.

I think that's about enough out of me today. Thanks again to Miss Ruby!! Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday, everyone.

Happy 10 for Happy Friday

Thank you to Kate for giving me the Happy 10 Award! I'm always on the slow train in posting awards, but better late than never, right?


So on with the show. Here are ten things that make me happy (in no particular order):


1. Being married to hubs, who is the yin to my yang.

2. Atticus! I maintain that I managed to adopt the most awesome cat in the world, and he brings both hubs and I lots of joy.

3. My backyard. It may not be the prettiest yard ever, but it's big and sunny and smells like plants. And if it wasn't for the backyard we could never have parties!

4. My underlings. They make my job bearable.

5. My best friends, A, J, B, and T.

6. Music, especially fun harmonies that I can sing along to and blast on my car stereo.

7. The smell of the ocean.

8. The smell of ripe strawberries in the fields on my drive home. Mmm... And later in the year, the smell of onions! DIVINE!!

9. Long, sunny Saturdays.

10. Fridays that ZOOM by!!! (Fingers crossed!)


I now nominate (and sorry for any repeats):

CJ at Al/right already!
Nichole
MotherHen
Steph
Caitlin
Heather
My SIL - Pinkzombies
Rain
Ashley
E

Honest Award

Thank you, Tanya, for nominating me for this prestigious award :) I really like it! It reminds me of the "Rosie the Riveter" posters. We're a bunch of tough broads who can handle anything!

The Rules:
1. Thank the person who gave you the award. List their blog and link to it.
2. Share "10 Honest Things" about yourself.
3. Present this award to 7 others whose blogs you find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged you.
4. Tell those 7 people they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving the award.

On to #2 - 10 Honest Things about yours truly.

1. I think I'm hilarious. I have a weird sense of humor that hubs doesn't always get, but I crack myself up all the time.
2. I try to stay out of political discussions but more and more things are starting to rile me up enough to start talking. I don't argue over anything I'm not educated about.
3. I not only love watching Metalocalypse, but I want to get some of their music too.
4. I HATE the thought of cleaning and doing yard work, but once I get into it I don't mind it.
5. I discovered that I'm a good cook - that was a surprise!
6. I'm a big believer in, "If you want something done right, do it yourself."
7. I'm learning how to listen to my intuition.
8. I'm an introvert, but I'm getting to be more outgoing. It's a conscious effort.
9. I talk to hubs about you ladies like I see you all the time.
10. I have a bad habit of comparing myself to everyone else.

Now I would like to nominate...

Dot
Steph
Sherry
^J^
Allison
Kristin
M

The Tops

Thank you to Steph and Rain for this award! I do what I can for the little people, and it's nice to be acknowledged. ;) Hahaha.

By the way, I am in love with that image. Too cute!

On with the show.

Rules
1. You Can Only Use One Word
2. Pass this along to 6 of your favorite bloggers
3. Alert them that you have given them this award
4. Have Fun!

The Fun Part
1. Where is your cell phone? Hidden
2. Your hair? Shorter
3. Your mother? Logical
4. Your father? Emotional
5. Your favorite food? ...Undecided
6. Your dream last night? Vivid
7. Your favorite drink? Tea
8. Your dream/goal? Motherhood
9. What room are you in? Purgatory
10. Your hobby? FD ;)
11. Your fear? Dark!
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Minivan (symbolically!)
13. Where were you last night? Couch
14. Something that you aren’t? Romantic
15. Muffins? Muffintop?
16. Wish list item? BFP
17. Where did you grow up? Beach
18. Last thing you did? Managed
19. What are you wearing? Glasses
20. Your TV? Heavy!
21. Your pets? Meowzer
22. Friends? There
23. Your life? Emotional
24. Your mood? DONE
25. Missing someone? Nope
26. Vehicle? Sammy!
27. Something you’re not wearing? Straightjacket
28. Your favorite store? Target
29. Your favorite color? Teal
30. Last time you laughed? Marilyn
31. Last time you cried? Wine
32. Your best friend? Hubs
33. One place that you go to over and over? Freeway
34. One person who emails you regularly? SIL
35. Favorite place to eat? Mom's!


You ladies are next! Thanks for keeping me entertained with your stories while I'm stuck at my wretched job all day.

Yep, I'm picking all pg ladies (even though some have already been nominated):

Christina

Speechgirl

Nichole

M

AJ48

Erin

Blog award

Thank you, Dot, for this award! (*Cue blubbering and the "You like me, you really like me!" speech.*)

I would like to pass it on to these amazing ladies, in no particular order:

My Husband Grows Cotton - Although you've "graduated" from IF, you haven't forgotten about us here in the trenches. When I "graduate" too, I hope to emulate you.

Caitlin - You've been through so much, and are still so supportive of everyone else!

Kristin and Daisy83808 - I am in awe of your faith and strength.

Thank you all for being wonderful examples and inspirations to me :)