Dudes, My First Award. Ever.

Oh, what's that beautiful, inscribed glass vase you ask? That's just my award from Hearts United Against Cancer. You know, my first of... well, my FIRST ever! How cool is that? 

Technically, it's a volunteer award. I was the 2017 Cancer Hero Volunteer, but I REALLY got it for having fun and feeling good and hanging out with some awesome people. Who thought you could be awarded for something so selfish?

 And here we are... the "power couple."

Hold on. I'm laughing too hard. 

Still laughing. 

Okay. So, anyway, Dr. Fabulous is the one who is usually raking in the awards. I am usually the one clapping while he stands up at the podium. But, tonight our roles were reversed. I've never seen anything cuter than this man gushing over with pride and excitement for me. He was, like, telling everyone about this event in the weeks leading up to it, then singing my praises all night, and video tapping my little speech with a big smile on his face. I got more of a kick out of HIS reaction than anything else!

I have been active as a volunteer with Hearts United Against Cancer since 2015. I didn't know anything about them until I received a Care & Comfort Bundle right after my breast cancer surgery. A friend of mine, who was also a Board Member of this new non-profit, had requested this Bundle for me, and delivered it to my home. 

The basket was beautiful - filled with so many items personalized just for me. There was a book, a gift card, a cute coffee cup, a journal, a robe, and other little items. There was also a beautiful lap blanket that was hand crocheted by someone who didn't even know me. This basket was more than a "gift," it was filled with love and compassion. It brought me a great deal of cheer during a vulnerable time and made me feel less alone.

I researched the organization and found that there were so many great ways to volunteer and get involved. So, I vowed to pay the feeling forward. 

That's how I met Beth, the founder of this non-profit, and that's how I became a volunteer. So did my kids, who help decorate cards and go to the big Saturday events. 

My dad and step mom came out to support me, as did my in-laws. My mom and step dad were still in Morocco and couldn't make it. 

The Gala was great, we knew lots of people there and had so much fun. I was so tickled to be recognized like this, but honestly, I am the one who is honored to be part of this amazing group. The only silver lining of getting cancer was that it led me to this amazing group of wonderful women and I wouldn't have changed it for the world.

Beautiful Blogger Award

Our Winter Break is going by pretty fast.  The girls of course are off until after the New Year and Dr Fabulous took off all week as well. 
Last Friday through Tuesday were chaotic with traveling, holidays, and activities.  
The "relaxation" part of the vacation did not really kick in until Wednesday.

Pajama Breakfast at the Pop Shop 

Friday, my mom and step-dad took Pink and Tink and their 2 cousins to the Panto Theatre to see a play followed by dinner.  That meant Dr Fab and I had one-on-one time with Rella all day.

Which involved a lot of eating out.

I said to my husband over dinner "Man, one kid is soooo much easier.  Could you imagine?"
We looked at each other and exchanged the same thoughts telepathically.
"No.  No, I can't imagine." he said.
Nor can I.
Of course we can't.  Our crazy, loud, large family is just the way we like it.

A quick trip to the mammoth light display a few towns over from us never disappoints,
even after Christmas is officially over!

It was nice and quiet there with no crowds.  Visiting this block is a family tradition that almost didn't happen this year.  Glad we squeezed it in, even though we were a few kids short and a few days late.

*********

Okay, shifting gears. 

The Beautiful Blogger Award was passed on to me recently by the adorable and inspiring Joy at the blog i can say mama. (THANK YOU SWEETIE!). The award is given from one blogger to another as “a simple way to recognize a fellow writer and celebrate someone else’s accomplishments.” The rules state that recipients post the award on their sites, list seven things about themselves, mention seven bloggers and then pass the award on.  
So, according to these laws of the blogosphere, I will now happily fulfill my bloggy obligations.

Seven (insanely boring) Things About Me

1. My breath is God awful in the morning.  I'm talkin' rancid.  As Dr Fabulous says "Something has crawled into your mouth at night, sh*t itself, and then died." He's highly romantic like that.

2. I HAVE to set my alarm one minute over  the time I want to get up - like 6:01 instead of 6:00, 7:16 instead of 7:15.  Ya know, rational stuff like that. 

3. I sleep with socks on, even in the summer.

4. I was a high school drop-out. True story.

5. I can't drink lukewarm coffee or tea - it needs to be super hot. 

6. I am petrified of horror movies to the point where I have to shut my eyes and plug my ears even during a scary movie trailer.  

7. I love anchovies on my pizza.  Unfortunately, no one else does so I can never indulge in my favorite pizza topping.  

Gosh I'm so interesting.  Anyway, here are some TRULY interesting bloggers with amazing blogs.  These are not the ONLY bloggers I love but I just had to pick seven and tried to pick some of my "newer" finds.  

Seven Insanely Awesome Bloggers 

(which was difficult to do since I love more than seven - I'll get ya'll next time!)

a moon, worn as if it had been a shell - Always and forever.

Four plus and angel - Exquisitely written.

Mostly True Stuff -  Funny and real.

mom.run.craft - Cool crafts, great photos, running/fitness inspiration.

Flux Capacitator - Magnificent poetry and prose.

365 Excuses - A new, down-to-earth blogger!

Yeah. Good Times. - Pee-your-pants hilarious

Now, to "pass it on."  I would like to bestow this illustrious award to one of my favorite blogs, 

The Writing Life. 

 I am always inspired by Kari, a writer and mother with an incredible soul.  
She is Zen.    

And that'll do it!  

tHERsDay and Versitility

tHERsDay is HER day...

Life speeds by but time stands still when she smiles.

I also wanted to share tHERsDay with another little announcement.  CB doesn't mind.  See, she's even smiling about it!

The Versitile Blogger Award was passed down to me and and my lil ole blog by the woman behind the curtain of Autism Mom Rising. What a great honor because I LOVE her blog! She is inspiring, interesting, slightly unconventional (a total "must") and full of heart. Please go visit her and you will be a loyal follower too!

Isn't it just lovely? 

As a recipient, I need to share 7 things about myself and then pass the award on to 7 versitile bloggers.

First, lets get ME out of the way...

Seven dumb things about me in no particular order of importance (like you had to guess):

1. I seriously never know what to write with these gosh darn lists.

2. I have all 4 of my wisdom teeth and all 4 of my grandparents.  Not that these two things are related. 

3. I can eat 6 large Hershey Bars in one sitting.  Not that I've tried...

4. I never eat the end of the banana because I'm scared of that little black stem thing.

5. I always set my alarm clock to an odd number.

6. My underwear is seriously beat, but I'm too cheap to replace these relics.

7.  My secret husband is Bono and I occassionally cheat on him with my secret crush - Simon LeBon from Duran Duran.

Ok, now on to Part II:  This is tough because there are lots of blogs I adore. I have already given a few awards over the years, so I won't select the same bloggers whom I am obsessed with  ( I hope ya'll know who you are!)  Instead, I will select some of the "newer" blogs I have been following for inspiring me, making me laugh and cry, and making me think.

In no particular order here are some blogs that I have recently added to my blogroll that I LOVE.  Go visit them and give them some comment luv!

1. The Squashed Bologna

2. Fruity Pebbles For Dinner

3.  The Writing Life

4.  The Roc Chronicles

5.  Cinda

6.  Adventures in Extreme Parenthood

7.  Autism's Gadfly

This post was composed whilst drinking a local winery's blueberry wine and munching on goat cheese.  Ah, could life get much better than this?

I'm a Spicy Pickle!

I wanted to thank Corrie at Just Because My Pickle Talks Doesn't Make Me And Idiot. She created some adorable awards (she's so creative!) and I received this awesome one for my post "Goody Bag Guilt."

Corrie is a passionate, fun, creative blogger and mother of 3. Her middle child is diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. I love stopping by her blog and you will too! Go over and tell her I said "hi."

Please, all of you in my sidebar and those whom I read, grab a Spicy Pickle Award - I nominate ALL of you! Pass it on and make sure to show some link luv to Corrie and her Talking Pickle!

More Awards!!! Whooo Hooooo!!!

I was recently awarded 2 blog awards: One Lovely Blog Award was given to me by Erika over at The Flight Of Our Hummingbird. The Over The Top Award was also given to me by BOTH Erika AND BJ from the sensational blog For What It's Worth... Or Not.

First, I want to thank Erika whose blog touches my heart and soul with its sincerity, strength, vulnerability, and beautiful writing. I also want to thank BJ whose blog is a new find for me. It is a breath of fresh air, beautiful to the eye, and full of humor, fun, and real life. Thank you guys both for being my supportive readers and such wonderful, talented bloggers!

Now, I'm passing both of these awards on to these well-deserving AWESOME bloggers and encourage you all to hop over and visit each one! You'll keep coming back for more, I promise!
Away We Go
Just Because My Pickle Talks Doesn't Make Me An Idiot
The Phamily Blog
The Bon Bon Gazette
Becoming a Work From Home Mom: A Journey To Freedom
To those who have been given these 2 awards... Write a post and proudly display your awards! If you'd like, you can pass on the award to other bloggers you know. In your post, copy this meme below (or whatever the heck its called) and answer the following questions, for no reason whatsoever. Hey, I don't make this stuff up, I just follow the directions:

1. Where is your cell phone? good question

2. Your hair? dirty, uncombed and in desperate need of color

3. Your mother? a trip

4. Your father? a surgeon

5. Your favorite food? sushi, seafood, ice cream, and anything chocolate.

6. Your dream last night? I forget now

7. Your favorite drink? diet pepsi, frozen pina coladas, hot caramel apple cider

8. Your dream/goal? survive the day. Oh, and get a book published. In that order.

9. What room are you in? CB's room because thats the only place for the computer

10. Your hobby? writing/blogging

11. Your fear? child abduction, no afterlife, and that Bush will get back in office

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? with my husband and children

13. Where were you last night? home

14. Something that you aren't? sane

15. Muffins? sure, why not?

16. Wish list item? CB out of diapers

17. Where did you grow up? Suburbs of Philly

18. Last thing you did? cooked dinner

19. What are you wearing? A wetsuit with a pink tutu. WTH?

20. Your TV? off

21. Your pets? none

22. Friends? my support system

23. Your life? pretty bleepin' GREAT!

24. Your mood? improving

25. Missing someone? nope

26. Vehicle? smashed up

27. Something you’re not wearing? a coat? this is so dumb

28. Your favorite store? ummmm, i dont shop for me anymore

29. Your favorite color? sage green

30. When was the last time you laughed? yesterday

31. Last time you cried? dont remember... but probably reading Rhema's Hope because I always cry when I read it.

32. Your best friend? my husband

33. One place that I go to over and over? Insanityville? Oh, and the grocery store

34. One person who emails me regularly? more than one

35. Favorite place to eat? ummmmm.... don't go out to eat either

Wow. I'm such a super exciting person I just can't stand it!

And The Kreativ Blog Awards Go To....

So along with the Lemonade Award I received recently, the honor of the Kreativ Blog Award was also bestowed upon me. I was nominated by one of my all time favorite bloggers, Tanya, over at Teen Autism. I know I highlighted how much I love Tanya's blog a few posts ago, but I'm lovin' that I get to do it AGAIN! Her blog is magnificent - beautifully written, sincere, poignant, and full of love for her 2 boys. Tanya is an exceptional writer, strong woman, and the type of loving mother I strive to be. Go visit her and you'll never want to leave!

To Those Who Are Nominated: Here are the "rules" of the award:

* You must thank the person who has given you this award
* Copy the logo onto your blog (in post or sidebar)
* Link to the person who nominated you for the award
* Name 7 things about yourself people may find interesting
* Nominate 7 other Kreativ bloggers
* Post links to the 7 blogs you nominated
* Leave a comment on each nominee's blog to let them know they have been nominated.

7 Oh So Super Interesting Things About Myself:

1. I really dislike listing interesting things about myself because I'm seriously not that interesting of a person. In fact, if I had no kids to talk/vent about, I would be the dullest person on the face of the earth because I seriously have no life.

2. The smell of limes makes me involuntarily gag.

3. I love writing letters - like REAL letters with pen and nice stationary and sending them via snail mail.

4. People who whistle incessantly while grocery shopping annoy and perplex me profusely.

5. I have a borderline phobia of the ocean, snakes and David Hasselhoff.

6. My pinky toes are seriously decrepit.

7. I have been known to eat sauerkraut straight out of the can, cold.

And here are my nominees (drumroll......)

The House That Osh Built : This blog is one of the BEST blogs ever. It's like stumbling upon a little gem when you least expect it. "Osh" and her son/sidekick "Streetwiser" are beyond hilarious. Quirky, funny, smart, and sensitive, The House That Osh Built is written in a totally fresh, wholly different style than the "typical" blog. Snippets, bits of conversation, disjointed thoughts, and pieces of funny stories provide a uniquely humorous and inspiring blog. It's brilliant! Oh, and it's got Johnny Depp in it too (*sigh*) which is just the icing on an already terrific cake. The best part is the banter between mother and son. You just can't MAKE these priceless conversations up!! You GOT to check her out!

Stimeyland: Speaking of hilarious, Osh and Stimey are neck and neck. I need to wear my daughter's Depends every time I read this blog. Stimey's writing style and creativity are pure genius. Stop whatever you are doing right now - SERIOUSLY - and read one of the funniest posts I've ever read in my life HERE. Ok... glad you're back. Good fart stories are always the best, am I right? I *heart* this blog to pieces!! It makes me squirt diet pepsi out my nose.

The Adventures Of Mr. Busypants: Jeannie over at The Adventure of Mr. Busypants is so adorable, sweet, lighthearted and a creative story teller. A talent in many ways, Jeannie shares parenthood's funniest stories with a relaxed writing style that feels like you're chatting with her on the phone. I'm always smiling after I visit her site!

Send Chocolate Now: T. is a fantastic writer who can easily shift from a very serious journalistic approach on a serious social issue to a funny, sarcastic piece that has you in stitches! She is also the creator of, and contributing author for, the powerful blog Autism Sucks which has provided a forum for many parents to safely and openly 'vent' and process stories about raising children on the spectrum.

The Traveling Circus: I'm new to this blog and really love it! Cristie is a great Mom/writer/entrepreneur and what I like about her blog is that she doesn't just write about mommy/family. A lot of her essays are just about life and herself and random subjects. And they are really well structured pieces that read like butter (or is that butta'?). Anyway, she's my new find and I'm lovin' her!! Go check her out and give her some "new bloggie" luv.

Okay, that's not quite 7 nominees, but hopefully the Blog Award Police won't fine me for this little transgression. Please visit my nominees and ALL the phenomenal bloggers on my blogroll whom I loyally read and ENJOY!!

And The Lemonade Award Goes To....

I was very touched to receive the wonderful Lemonade Award from fellow blogger, Laughing Stars over at Stark Raving Bibliophile. I "cyber met" Ms. Laughing Stars during her book promotion of Frankie the Walk N Roll Dog. She is a very talented writer, writing coach and publicist as well as an avid reader. As an avid reader myself, have enjoyed her amazing and well-written book reviews on Stark Raving Bibliophile! I always check out the books she recommends!

In receiving this award I also get the exciting privilege to PASS this award along to bloggers who inspire me with their attitude and gratitude.

The Lemonade Award is a feel good award that honors blogs that demonstrate great attitude or gratitude. Here are the rules for accepting this award:

- Put the Lemonade logo on your blog or within your post.
- Nominate at least 10 blogs with great attitude or gratitude.
- Link the nominees within your post.
- Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
- Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

Here are my nominees for the Lemonade Award!!

If you do nothing else in your entire life, go and read Claire's blog, Life With A Severely Disabled Child. Seriously. Now. It is phenomenally powerful, provocative, insightful and real in that stripped down, gritty, real way that you seldom see. Because few can really "go there." But Claire does. Her posts began several years after her typical 5 year old daughter had a stroke and became severely disabled. This is more than the story of life with a disabled child... it is what is in Claire's head and her heart. There is inspiration in her honesty and courage not just in what she deals with, but that she shares her struggles with the vulnerability of her own humanness. When I read her posts, I am both shattered and redeemed. Heartbroken and inspired. Filled with both pain and with awe. And often she is just so flippin' funny and sardonic I laugh outloud! Full of important medical information, honest opinions, and the daily challenges of non-typical parenthood it is also full of brilliant writing, evocative metaphors and imagery, and is often richly spiritual. When I read this blog I am deeply and powerfully changed.

And, while I am on the topic of phenomenal writing, I HAVE to include Elizabeth from A Moon, Worn As If It Had Been A Shell . First of all... the best blog title - Ever! She loves poetry, so I would love her simply for that. But oh, there is more! A seriously talented writer/published author, she can move me to tears, touch my heart, make me smile, and comment with intelligence and sharp wit on a social issue. She is funny, sensitive, poetic, genuine, and mesmerizing to read.

The inspiring Fully Caffeinated blog is where I go to feel grounded, enlightened, and joyful... like I am taking a big, meditative, cleansing breath. I love Carrie's snippets of life with her son Rojo and her photos and reflections on life's "big picture" resonate deeply with me. She keeps it real when life gets her feeling down, but in her honesty her perspective always brings her back to center. She is a breath of fresh air and a superb talent.

The MINUTE I went to Tanya's blog, Teen Autism, I knew this woman was a phenomenally talented writer and quite an amazing individual. I was hooked by her first post and remain quite an addict! She has accomplished so much as a mother, as an advocate for her son and for all affected with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. In fact, she just went to TIBET on an amazing philanthropic/educational/awareness journey. Her writing style is sensational and her posts poignant and honest.

Michelle at A Day In My Life literally takes you through a day in her life... or should I say a day in her head... and I laugh myself silly! In her style, which is reminiscent of Erma Bombeck, this mother of 2 little boys and a jack of all trades, gives you a window into her life as a stay at home Mom and you realize that someone else out there thinks the same silly, fun, mommy-brained way as YOU do.

When I go to the beautiful site Rhema's Hope (Autism In A Word) I literally cry. Every time. CRY! I'm not exaggerating. Rhema and Hope are beautiful twin girls, one neurotypical, one with Autism. Rhema and Hope's amazing mother documents what her girls teach her about love, life, and motherhood with such attention to detail, deep faith in God, poetry, and emotion. It is impossible not to be moved and strengthened by her wisdom, courage, and how she faces moments of challenge. Her spirit is beautiful. Her writing phenomenal. Her words always powerful, moving, and quietly inspiring.

Calling The Shots is a newer blog and I am so glad to have found it! Beth is a wonderful writer, breast cancer survivor, and a fountain of support, encouragement and information for educating people on how to advocate for their own medical care. Candid and wise, Calling the Shots provides expert advice from her own experiences and is a must read if you or anyone in your family is sick.

I am so IN LOVE with my newest discovery, Michelle at Just Eat It. This is a blog I want to eat up... totally devour. Michelle's style of writing is so conversational, natural, familiar, quirky, funny, and true that you feel like you are having coffee with a good friend when you read her posts. It's like, I want to BE her good friend, but she's like really far away. And, I'm probably too lame for her, because she's really cool and down to earth and sassy and intelligent and her kids are like the world's most beautiful children. She's super funny and truly gifted as a storyteller. She's totally authentic too and really open about sharing her ups and downs. You just got to visit her!

I totally struggle with parenthood, feeling balanced and in harmony and serene. What I love about Mama Om is its unique slant on addressing the idea of finding peace, engaging in "peaceful parenting" (a phrase she defines on her blog) and being positive. Stacy is very insightful, humorous and relatable. This gifted writer and mother of 2 helps me feel like I'm not the only one trying to find the garden of Zen in the minefield of motherhood! You'll love her too.