An award and an embarrassing apology.

Friends. Are you still out there? Well, for those of you who have me posted on your sidebar, perhaps you saw my name pop to the top of your list. I can't even remember what that's like! For the rest of you, well, you'll either find my new post by stalking the blog or maybe I'll FB it. I haven't been there in awhile either. I do understand that unless you feed something, you can not expect it to grow. I'm pleasantly surprised to see that so many people still stop by the blog. I appreciate that more than you know. Lately, I've just been busy watering and feeding the real me. Yep,  I stopped growing. Literally came to a halt. I'm trying to fix it, and weird as it may seem, I feel more comfortable talking about it right here. For now, there are too many details, but to give you the condensed version, "I made a mistake. A stupid, careless mistake." When drama flows around me, that tends to happen, but this time, I hurt the ones I love the most.

I thought it would be brilliantly helpful (economically, healthy, emotionally, creatively) if I stopped taking my prescribed medications. I'm not talking about slowly weaning off of them. I'm not talking about taking away one med each day. Nope, I was going to be the strong woman I felt I could be and I stopped. Cold Turkey. The man begged me not to. But he's a "Big Pharma" guy; of course he'd say that. My pharmacist bestie said that it was not a smart thing to do. I figured I was helping her out by not having to fill all those scripts! My daughter begged me not to. All I kept thinking was  that I could be that mom who was strong enough without all of the medicines that were clouding up who I really was. I couldn't even remember who I was. I wasn't sure if I even missed her or not. I have an online buddy who also told me to take everything slowly; to make sure I was talking with my doctor before making such a decision. I could talk to the moon and back about who or why I was doing this. The simple and selfish answer? It was for me. I worry that one day we might not have the insurance to cover some of the ridiculously priced drugs. I worry that while taking them, I'm not the mom/wife/friend/superwoman I'm supposed to be. I quit taking them with no regard for anyone but myself. I was going to be my own hero; not leaning on anyone but myself, because that's what strong girls do.

I'm a freaking fool. That's all I can say about that right now. The rest is too painful. And embarrassing. So embarrassing, I was willing to start a sentence with the word, "And".

There's my apology. I'm so sorry to any of the wonderful people I've let down. If you felt like I wasn't listening to your advice, well, get in line. I had my own agenda. Now I have to pick up some pieces and do some serious work.

You're probably thinking, "What the He**? I came here because the woman said she received some awards? I don't need any of this Debbie Downer stuff!" To you, again, I say, "Get in line". 

I actually was  blessed enough to receive 3 awards. I'm spreading them out over the week, so you're not overwhelmed by all this happiness I'm throwing out to you. Calm down, people. Breathe.

Award #1 was given to my by the wonderful Sarah @The Mommy Chronicles. Sarah, if you're saying, "What? When did I give that to her? Well that would be a big, fat, (let me look...) four months ago!! Which blog award did I receive? Oh, that's right:

Bless you, Sarah, I hope you still feel like passing that baby on, because I love it and want to stick it right over there on the side of my blog (Where it looks like I rock as a blogger). My untimely response has in no way diminished my excitement! I absolutely owe you a coffee for this one :)

The Rules for accepting this award are:

1. Accept the award! Thank you, Thank you Sarah!

2. Post the award and link back to the person who gave it to you.

3. Give ten facts about yourself.

4. Award some other bloggers .

My ten facts. (Haven't I spilled enough shame on the world of bloggers already?)

1. I love the show, "Grimm."

2. I love trashy movies like "The Hangover, Bridesmaids, Old School and Hot Tub Time Machine."

2. My daughter is getting ready to fly the coop and I haven't been very nice about it.

3. I have 1000 things to do and an emotional wall I can't seem to knock down in order to complete the tasks.

4. I didn't realize how deep my love was for Mike and Ike's. Ive been eating them as if they were an essential food group.

5. The oscillating fan in my room is my best friend at night. (Hot flashes do not rock.)

6. My favorite thing is laughing. (Do I sound like Buddy the Elf?)

7. In the deepest part of my soul, I do believe I have the capacity to be epically awesome :)

8. I have the best undercover blog friends ever.

9. In case you're wondering, I am back on the "drug wagon".

10. Still don't know what to think about that.

A few bloggers, I think are epically awesome:

1. Dawn @ Words of Deliciousness (yummy recipe genius!)

2.Lilybean @ Needles, Eggshells and Hairspray (hard working, sweet student, sewer and blogger).

3. My friends @ Rock Bottom (Sweet friends who speak the truth)

Stay tuned for my next installment of "Awards and Embarrassment". Oh, Heck yes, there's enough to go around!

Happy, "Be the best YOU you can be today", my friends

-Michele

I didn't know my child was a loser until the PTA told me....

Trophy Triumph!!

I received this cute little trophy from Karen@Baking in a Tornado. She created this award with her friend Kristy over at Black Sheep Mom. It represents making it through the everyday things that might otherwise break us down. Karen wrote me a message before giving it to me, asking if it would be okay. OK? Are you kidding me? It's a trophy of a woman ready to pull her hair out! How does that NOT scream, "Here you go Michele, enjoy your moment with a trophy of a woman that could be your twin."? Nope. She gave it to me because she is awesome and because with the trophy you are allowed to vent. Mmmhmm. If you live in "Blog Land" you're probably thinking, "Shellybean venting? Oh this is going to be fun!" If you live in my real world and know how I can be, you're scooting up really close to the screen hoping this is not about you. (Don't worry, it's probably not.)

In accepting this award awesome trophy, we must do the following:

1. Display the Trophy in your post.
2. Write a short piece that starts with this: "I didn't kill beat up____________today. It doesn't have to be a person; it can be an appliance, a business or anything else you choose.
3. Nominate a few people to pass the trophy on to and let them know it is THEIR turn to vent.

As usual, this is my story to tell. Please do not take offense to the following vent (unless it was you):

I didn't beat-up  a few of the "ridunkulously tunnel-visioned"adults  at my son's school today. Not that I would, I'm not a violent person. I've had just about enough of the "Haves/Have Nots" business going on in our elementary school right now. Here is one of 3,567 things I'm venting about...

The thing is, I actually taught at this school. For a good chunk of time.  I don't know how else to explain it. I was the first teacher that many of the students at the school encountered (I taught Kindergarten.) For the first month, all we practiced were procedures. How to sit in a chair, how to share pencils, how to work as teams, how to enjoy books, how to be kind. That last one was a doosy. I wasn't a strict teacher, but I always felt that my students deserved to feel safe, loved and accepted. I demanded this from each person I met and I demanded it of myself. The reasoning behind this has to do with my childhood and the fact that school was a safe-haven for me. I knew that I wasn't ever going to let a student slip through my fingers without knowing that they mattered; that they were important and respected. If you made someone else feel like less of a person because they didn't have as much money, if you mentioned someone was wearing the same clothes two days in a row, If you made fun of anyone that didn't meet your standards, we would spend another day practicing. "You can't say, You can't play." It was our cheesy mantra, but we lived by it. Teachers after me kept that attitude going. We were a school of equals. Every student was valued.

So you might understand my anger when I say that my son came home last week from school crying. When I asked what was wrong, he didn't want to talk about it. "Did you get hurt? Did someone hurt your feelings? Did you get into trouble? What did you do?" As a teacher, that last question usually gets asked first. Through the sobs he finally told me. "We were in last place. Our class was in last place!"

"Last place for what?" I couldn't think of what he could possibly be talking about.
"Our class didn't raise enough money for the pizza party." he continued.
This is when I figured we'd be having the talk about how it was OK to not win all the time; to take defeat by congratulating the other teams. But then came this:
"Mom! We came in LAST place. Our class walked the track just as hard as everyone! Every class brought enough money for the walk-a-thon except for us!"

All right. "Enough money?" He was definitely exaggerating now. Who would be unkind enough to infer that there was a last place? I'm sure he was just upset that he missed out on a pizza party. This wasn't about how much money an 8 year old child could give, right?  We wouldn't embarrass children for not collecting enough money from their parents. No.

Yes, people. That is exactly what happened. I wouldn't have believed it myself until our school newsletter came home. On page 3 (of 4) was a list of every single teacher's name along side an exact amount down to the cent of what their contributions were. My friend's class collected $935.59. My old coworker was slipping at her job. She collected $552.52. It went on and freaking on. Every teacher. and at the bottom of this money tree was my son's class with a meager $139.02.  Here's my issue. Did they really need to list the amounts? The classes were also placed in order of the parties they won. Pizza parties to 8 classes. Ice Cream Parties to 13 classes! Pizza and Ice Cream party AND a 1 hour recess to 5 classes. The big winner, who collected $1, 472.23 gets a party at a gymnastics center. I'm pretty sure it was the 23 cents that put them over the top. My son's class and one other class were under the "Thanks" column.

Please don't get me wrong. I am not a sour grapes kind of girl. I'm thrilled that there were winning classes. I'm pretty excited that the new playground will finally be up to code. I'm also sure that there were volunteer parents who worked their butts off at the event. What makes me sick is that someone actually printed this list out, with exact numbers of money, had it go through an editing process and be okayed to print. Why not just say, "Our school raised 17,000 dollars! Thank you everyone! Our top class was.______________We will contact the winning classes!" Nope. Just that list, a calendar of going-ons, grade news, and a list of PTA Thank yous...

Here is another vent. There is never a thank you to the handful of parents who were too busy working two jobs so their child could have shoes to wear to school. There were no thank-yous to the other families who quietly donated to every other fundraiser/field trip/art project this year. I don't think I witnessed one shout-out to the single dad that walks his kid to school everyday (because they don't have a car) so that child can take advantage of the free breakfast program...Are those children less worthy because they have a different home-life? On and on it goes.

I apologized to my little boy. I had to tell him that his class didn't "lose" at anything at school. His class donated 7 dollars per student. That was wonderful! I explained that parents give what they can. That it was in some degree, a contest among them, and not the children.

I would totally give up class parties and Field Day to not have another hard-working, loving, young child humiliated. Oh, and those last place teachers of my son's? They have rocked his education this year. He loves going to class and has made all kinds of forever-friends. His teachers have loved my son and have given him all that they can. There, dear readers, are your winners.

So, no. I didn't beat-up those select few tunnel-visioned adults. I'm nicer than that. I don't know what happened in their past that would make them think that any of that was acceptable. I simply hope that they will rethink patting themselves on the back at the cost of others next time. If you can't work together, you will fail alone. Heck, I learned that in Kindergarten! Or on "LOST". I can't remember everything....

Okay. Breathe in-breathe out. Thanks for thinking of me, Karen. You know I love you. I'm passing that sexy-lady trophy to two man-bloggers! They both have salt-of-the-earth blogs and I honor each of them with this prestigious accolade. Work it, boys.

Slu from Slu's World

Jon from Speaking My Mind.

Happy "Be kind to everyone" day, friends.

-Michele

Joan Rivers would have a field day...

Hey-O friends. I hope you're doing well. This is a long post. Stick with me, please!

Over the last few weeks months, I've been lucky enough to receive some new awards for the blog. The wonderful thing about getting them, is that someone is acknowledging admitting they've been reading or checking in to see if I'm still alive. They are kind enough to pass on some blog love.

The awards, which are very much appreciated because they are given by our peer-bloggers are  blessings, but they are also a lot of work. Much research to link and pass on the accolades are involved, which is time consuming. That said, I accept every one of them with the most humbleness. It's been the blog-land lately, that I've turned to when things were difficult in my world. There is something wonderful about people who only know you by your words, understand your surface issues and are still willing to give you advice and kind words.

To you, my readers and commenters, I thank you for making it worth typing out my thoughts. Your comments are so welcomed. Sometimes, it's the only chance I get to keep up on your worlds; sometimes you are my outlet when I'm dealing with real world things. I'd much rather keep up with my friends online than say, grocery shop, rake the leaves, or finish the 187 pressing things I have to do...

Pardon all of the cut and paste..there were a lot of topics to cover!

I happily accept the Liebster Awards from Leslie @ Proud Mama's Corner

and from Vicki@ The Greek Housewife Vicki was kind enough to offer up the award even after knowing I had previously received one, but hers is pink and round and who am I to give up some love???

Okay, the rules of the awards:

1. Link back to the Nominators. You can reach their blogs by clicking on their blog names.
2. Write 11 facts about yourself.
3. Answer 11 questions given to you.
4. Pass on the award to 11 deserving bloggers (preferably those with under 200 fans) and give them 11 new questions.
5. Post your award, Link back to the person who gave it to you! Congrats!

2 awards= 22 facts.

Holy Hannah. 22 things you probably don't need to know:

1. I am 5'5"
2. I can't remember my real hair color.
3. My father was born in Tokyo, Japan.
4. My middle name is Lynn.
5. I hyphenate my last name.
6. I'm not a fan of helicopter moms.
7. I love school lunch corn dogs.
8. and sloppy Joe's
9. My favorite ice cream is Pralines and Cream
10. I'm afraid of fire.
11. I love microwave popcorn.
12. I could win an award (if there was one) at burping. Classy, I know
13. I don't think you should have to rake your leaves until they have all fallen.
14. I can twirl a baton.
15. I miss snow days.
16 I love dill pickles.
17. and olives. (and their juice).
18. I make my bed every day.
19. Okay, not every day...
20. I don't understand why vendors set up food samples at Costco.
21. I don't understand why they do it on the end caps of aisles. On Saturdays.
22. I love cinnamon dental floss. Yeah. 22 things are hard!

Here are my answers to Leslie's questions:

1. What is the most unforgettable moment in your life?

The births of my children.

2. To whom are you dedicating every post you do?

Anyone who can take something from it and smile or relate.

3. Given a chance to write about someone, who would it be? Why?

My blog is all about my family. I am working on a second project about...ahem, me.

4. What is your greatest fear?

Losing the ones that I love.

5. What is your best asset?

My empathy.

6. If you are to rate yourself as a writer, what would it be from 1 to 10? 10 is the highest.

On the blog? 7

7. Can you imagine yourself performing on stage play?

Not live on stage, but I would rock the world playing some one's evil twin on a soap opera.

8. What made you cry easily?

Seeing children hurt.

9. Have you tried to write a song? What title did you give to it?

Always wrote songs/lyrics/poetry...they were sad little "woe is me" teenage-love drivel.

10. Are you a romantic person?

Yes.

11. Have you been to the Philippines before? What can you say about the Filipino people?

I've never been to the Philippines. What can I say? Someone from the Philippines gave me an award! They rock :)

Here are my answers to Vicki's questions!!

1.  Why do you blog? 
To keep in contact with the ones I love or to document things I won't remember tomorrow.


2.  What can't you live without?
  My family


3.  What's your star sign?
  I think horoscope sign? Virgo


4.  If you were stranded at a deserted island who and what (one item) would you like to have with you?
  My family and my laptop.


5.  What is your favorite pastime?
  Sewing/ Writing


6.  What is the silliest thing you've ever done?

  My college roommates and I would throw big parties and collect all the leftover cans to recycle. I believe those parties paid for the electric bill more than once.


7.  Where in the world would you like to travel to? (Pretend money is not an issue)  Anywhere that I could hear the waves at from my bedroom.


8.  Describe yourself in 3 words.  
I can't do it. (See?)


9.  What is your favorite sport? (to play or watch)
 Football


10. Which is your all time favorite song?

  "I ain't missing you" by John Waite





11. What is your favorite love story?

  I fell in love with the Time Traveler's wife. Not so much the movie, but definitely the book. Movie: "An Affair to Remember"

Thanks once again to Leslie and Vickie

Here are my 11 Questions for the next nominees.  If you're nominated, choose the "Leibster" that you like :)

The 11 Questions are short and sweet!

1.What was your Kindergarten teacher's name?

2. Coffee or tea?

3. Do you watch much TV? Favorite show?

4. What is your favorite holiday?

5. Do you use Twitter or FB?

6. What was the make/model of your very first car?

7. Can you drive a stick shift?

8. Pie. What is your favorite kind?

9. What was your first job?

10. Mac or PC?

11. What's for dinner?

The questions may seem short, but people will learn a bit about you from them! Good Luck friends! 

1. http://www.thedivvyspot.com

2. http://happydays-mary.blogspot.com

3. http://alishakaydesigns.blogspot.com

4. http://stacysrandomthoughts.com

5. http://footprints-earth.blogspot.com

6. http://matthew634noworries.blogspot.com

7. http://momlifelessons.com

8. http://www.whenthesuncomes.com

9. http://chatterbusy.blogspot.com

10.http://nannahbreadknots.blogspot.com

11. http://shantalhiatt.blogspot.com

That cute Vicki from The Greek Housewife also awarded me with the Sunshine Award! Woo Hoo! I didn't read about this one until later....but, Yay!!! IF you haven't checked out Vicki, click on the link. She is a funny mom living a Greek Goddess life. (She'll love that!)

How cute is that?

The rules for accepting the Sunshine Blogger Award are:

1.Thank the Award giver.

2. Post the award.

3. Link the Award giver

4. List 10 facts (Oh dear..)

5. Give away to 10 bloggers.

10 Facts

1.This is the part where I think you've stopped reading..

2.I love smelly candles.

3. I have just enough of everything.

4. I wish I had more energy.

5. I love my phone more than I ever thought I would.

6. Very few people know all of the parts of my life. I like it that way.

7. I wish I was a better mom. (cue energy)

9. I truly enjoy reading other's blogs.

10. I will never have a clean garage.

Nominees

1. JaeMac@ http://imjustsayindamn.blogspot.com

2. Slu @http://slusworld.blogspot.com

3. Dawn @ http://www.wordsofdeliciousness.com

4. Leslie @ http://proudmomscorner.blogspot.com

5. http://bhindthesmile.blogspot.com

About 2 weeks ago, I received the "Sisterhood of the World Bloggers" award from an awesome lady who writes a hilarious blog with a hilarious name Menopausal Mother. Now yes, I have a few bloggy boys that I love to read, but the women that I'm most in contact with, have given me a whole new circle of "girlfriends" to enjoy and look up to. I have learned, laughed and cried when reading what these bloggers share. Some posts are raw, some make me want to say, "hey, I've been there too". There are even a few I can give my own advice to. I'm telling you, if You're thinking of blogging about ANYTHING, someone will find you and make you feel like you count. I love that.

Rules for the Sisterhood Award:
1. Post award.
2. Thank the giver /link back
3. List seven interesting facts.
4. Pass on to 7 deserving bloggers.

Instead of facts, I'm going to write seven things I'm grateful for. Hopefully by reading them, you'll learn even more about me (I know, I know. What else is there?) Don't ask, just play along.

7 things I'm grateful for:

1. My husband makes me coffee every single morning. Even on the days he'd like to poison it, my coffee is always waiting for me.

2. I am beyond grateful to all the bloggers who give these silly, but meaningful awards. 

3. I'm grateful my soon to be 19 year old daughter decided to come along on our latest family vacation. It ended up being one of my very favorite trips.

4. I'm grateful to have sold all of my latest bags. It couldn't have been done without my friends sharing/tweeting/FB forwarding...any of it. 

5. My mother in law made a beautiful comment about the kind of teacher I was. I was humbled and proud. It meant everything to me.

6. I'm grateful for the ridiculously fun time we had carving pumpkins last night.

7. I'm grateful my family doesn't shake their heads in disgust when I ask them to pull out the pumpkin guts for me.

Nominees: (I'm using my first Swap Sisters)
1. http://happy-little-feet.blogspot.ca/
2. http://stacysewsandschool.wordpress.com/
3. http://sorrykid.blogspot.com/
4. http://www.peanutlayne.com/
5. http://dinoheromommy.com/
6. http://mybrainonkids.net/
7. http://momofbigalittlea.blogspot.com/
8. http://bakinginatornado.blogspot.com  



I appreciate the chance to even write a post like this. I'm not an every day blogger. I don't always have a lot to say (unlike today). But it's become a happy part of my life. Thanks for checking in.

Oh, and Joan Rivers. When accepting these awards, a normal person might have on their custom dresses and high heel shoes. They may be wearing jewels borrowed from Harry Winston or be carrying decked-out clutches shellybean bags.

But not me. Eat your heart out Angelina,
 you cute little thing. I'm accepting these awards at home AND>>>>>>

Oh yeah.  I BROUGHT it.

Shoes: Lavender Fluffy slippers by Target

Ducky Robe from the now defunct Mervyn's

Pajama bottoms- purchased after the birth of my second child (now 14)

Hairstyle by "Hey, it's been a hard day!"

Handbag replaced by 2 pound jar of Gingersnaps from Costco. (They were on an end cap)!

Happy Spread-the-Blog-Love Day, friends!

1. 
   

Two awards and a crossroad..

Hello friends,

I was blessed to be given two blog awards this week! Some things are "right on time" and that's how I feel about all of the blog love lately.

Recently, I've been having a lull in my blogging. I'm sorry about that.

Have you ever had times where you're frustrated or disappointed...where you're a bit lost and not sure how to handle the life you have right now? Come on. I CAN'T be the only one... I find it hardest at these times, to be witty or crafty or sane. If I type what I'm really thinking, I fear I may scare some of my readers off or get arrested or something...

I told my husband last weekend that I was thinking of quitting the blog. I always wanted to make it to  25, 000 hits. It was huge number at one time to me.  Then this weekend, there it was. 25, 003. Fantastic. Now what?

When the man asked why I wanted to give up something I'd worked so hard to build, all I could answer was, "I don't know if I have anything else of substance to say".

Words matter. I know that. Because I say it all the time. I just have to figure out what to do with MY words.

While I was in the midst of all this contemplating, these awards came along.

Oh, how they make me smile.  I'm so proud of them and adore the people who passed them on to me. I love that readers have stopped by to check out what's going on in my world. I've gotten the chance to meet many new blogging friends, too; people I never would have met in "real" life. NOT meeting them would have been a shame, because many of us have so much in common. I'm more than grateful for those blog-ships and all the smiles that have accompanied them.

So Claire and Ashley?  Thanks for giving me another day of something else to say. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for that.

Thanks first to Claire, from Another New Day for passing on the Laine Blogger  award.

It's kind of a beauty-blogger award. I know. I'm not that much into the whole "beauty products" stuff.  Not because I don't want to be.  It is just that I'm a stay at home mom who sometimes doesn't wash off her make-up at night and wears her clothes to bed out of exhaustion. Before that, I was a teacher who played with pudding paints and strung Fruit Loop on yarn necklaces. It was hard to feel beautiful dressed in  an ABC jumper and clogs....

 None of that matters though, because I'm learning from these beautiful bloggers every day. Who knows, I may make it to the grocery someday with more than a ponytail and chapstick. I'm halfway kidding...

I've chosen to pass this award to the following five blogs. They are all written by some talented girls. Stop by if you get the chance, tell them I sent you and give them some sugar.

1. Across the Pond
2. Houndstooth & Heels
3. Sew much to do, Sew little time
4. A Little Dash of Diva
5. Barbara and 1923

To pass the award on,  you:

1. Tag the blogger who awarded you

2. Answer the 5 questions

3. Award it to 5 more bloggers

And my answers to the questions are:

1.What is your current beauty obsession?

Other than getting a brush through my hair? I'm loving the bright, creamy colors of nail polish out now. I've fallen for a Revlon periwinkle color. I only polish my toes, but it's been fun for summer flip-flop weather.

2. What is the one beauty item you wished you owned?

I was thinking that I wanted a big old bottle of WEN shampoo. The infomercials make it look like a hair miracle. But then, I read a hilarious review from a fellow blogger that changed my mind a bit. It is by the way, a must read.

I guess as a back up, I'd love any product that could make my freckles-turned large age-spots disappear.

3. What is your favourite post to read or write about?

I love reading/writing about sewing reviews, sweets and being an over-anxious mom, but even more, I love anything that makes me or my readers laugh.  

4. What inspired you to become a blogger?

Validation. It's a way to prove I'm still walking upright.

5. What nail polish are you wearing now?

Nothing on my fingers. On my toes? Avon's Ruby Red Slippers. So fun.

Thanks again, Claire @Another New Day!! Claire is also a teacher-turned-SAHM. She's from "across the pond". How cool is that?

***

My second award was given to me by Ashley over at Sorry Kid, Your Mom Doesn't Play Well With Others (I know, best blog name ever..) Thank you, Thank you for passing on the award! (wiping away yet another tear..) If you're not a perfect mom and you want to laugh until embarrassing things happen, stop over there now.

 Here are the Rules for the Versatile Blogger Award:

1. Add the award to your blog. 

2. Thank the person who presented it to you. 

3. List seven random facts about yourself. 

4. List the rules. 

5. Pass the award onto seven other bloggers. 

6. Inform each blogger they have won by posting a comment on their blog

Seven Random Facts about Myself:

1. I can decorate, sew and craft the bologna out of a house, but I will kill anything outside of one. I loathe gardening.

2. I've ALWAYS wanted to be a mom and a teacher. Always.. But, 

 I NEVER wanted to be married. Yeah, I didn't really think that one through, but thank goodness that all ended well.. 

3. I'm ambidextrous. I eat and write left handed, but do everything else with my right hand. (I wouldn't be caught dead in school using those Lefty scissors). Sure, I get ink/chalk/pencil lead on my hands from scraping them along my writing, but I can put away groceries and empty a dishwasher like a super hero.

4. I kill the environment by drinking water from water bottles. It's wrong. I know it, and I can't stop. Lukewarm water in a bottle is the best.

5. I'm a very good tipper and I always stack all of the dishes on the table to make it easier for the busboys/girls. Waiting tables seems hard, man.

6. There is nothing more important to me than the people that live in my house.

7. I love football season. The man and I waste a ridiculous amount of time watching college football on Saturdays. Then, the NFL on Sundays in the afternoon AND night.... Eventually Mondays...and Thursdays, too. We have the paper marked up every week with our picks. We're Mitten People first. Michigan Wolverines, Detroit Lions, and then every body else....ahem, Dallas Cowboys last. :P

There you go.

My 7  choices are people I constantly read or stalk. No, those two are not the same thing. Please go give them a look. You may be hooked as well :)

1. Go Momma

2. Tropical Mum

3. Frou Frou bynickie

4. Boogies and Boo-boos

5. The Greek Housewife

6. Articles of Absurdity

7. And who says you can't

Happy thoughtful Tuesday, friends.

I am so honored...

Thanks so very much to Josie B. from GO MOMMA for passing on to me, the Liebster Award. I'm not going to say I was excited when I saw the accolade, but I'm debating printing the award off and hanging it next to my college degrees...

Okay. Not really. But I am so touched. Sure, ten other bloggers were given this recognition too, but I was one of 11 winners!

The man and I were on our last day of a beautiful vacation on Monday, when I found out about the award. I was checking in on my favorite bloggers and there it was...all written out. Josie (the gift-giver) couldn't notify me personally because she was, um....giving birth! Likely excuse, I know. I got an award and she got a beautiful baby girl. It's kind of the same, eh?

Anyway, writing this blog has been quite a journey for me. I have made and reconnected with many friends from both the blog and the real world. I'm still unfamiliar with so much of the "linking up/ guest blogging/award thingys", but I'm having a blast learning.

I started writing for my extended family and friends from Michigan. I wanted to be able to keep in touch and let them see how my world was spinning. I also was writing for my friends because everyone needs a laugh or six, and writing about my crazy life seemed to be the most logical thing to do to make them smile.

Since the blog's beginning, I've been able to introduce my little shellybean shop, share parenting mishaps, give out a few unhealthy recipes, show some pattern reviews and show off my inept attempts at home improvement. I hope that those of you who have followed (pun intended) along, have found something to smile about or laugh at. As always thank you for reading and especially for letting me know you've stopped by. Comments are like crack to me. I'm not kidding. Completely legal crack, of course.

The wonderful thing about the Liebster award (besides the fact that I get to twirl around on my kitchen floor yelling, "They like me! They really like me!") is that I get to pay it forward to more bloggers. That makes me extremely happy. (please video your winning twirl).

Okay. Here are the rules to the new Liebster winners:

1. Please give your most honest (or creative) answers to my eleven (Holy Hannah, 11?) questions.

2. Come up with 11 questions of your own. (Make them awesome, and if you get juicy answers, link back to me!)

3. Choose 11 of your favorite bloggers to pass the award onto. They must have FEWER than 200 followers. I love this part because you're finding and introducing new bloggers to the blogging universe and letting them know that they matter. How cool is that?

Here are my 11 answers to Josie B.'s thoughtful questions. Deep breath.....Try not to lie. Try not to lie.

1. Who are you writing for (besides yourself) when you blog?

To be honest, I think I started blogging because I was trying to validate that I belonged in the world. My whole family was back in Michigan, I had quit teaching to be a stay at home mom, and I just thought that I could find myself through writing. Like I mentioned earlier, it was also a means to let my family and friends (near and far) know that I was alive and kicking. Now, I enjoy chronicling the funny parts of my life. I try to make sure people know that I'm far from a perfect wife, mother or friend. I'm trying to get by. Just like everyone else, except that I need much more chocolate.

2. Which of your family members (if any) enjoy reading your blog?

The man usually reads everything I write because I go into edit-crazy mode before I post. Sometimes I think he wonders whether or not the world needs to know so much about our world, but he's as supportive as they come. Some of my family from Michigan reads regularly. My sister comments the most (she know how much that means). The man's sister checks my blog every day ( I love that about her). The man's family reads often, as well, but don't like to comment. It's okay though because they always say nice things to me about the blog later on...

3. How much information is TMI for you?

For me personally, there is no such thing as TMI. I grew up in a neighborhood of a million kids who taught me all kinds of things about the world. I also gave birth three times in front of a multitude of strangers and heard ten years of students talk about the goings on in their homes...Nothing shocks me. My blog, on the other hand, is much milder. I do have to consider that a lot of my readers know me as a Kindergarten teacher and not the girl "with a sketchy past." Every once in a while that girl pops up., but in small increments, as not to put any reader (or in-law) into the fetal position...

4. What's the worst "groan" joke you can think of?

Again, I was a kindergarten teacher and have two teenagers. I also have a husband who is ALL boy. If jokes have anything to do with bodily functions, I've heard them all. Let's see.

"Eeyore? Have you seen Tigger?"
Eeyore: No, but I just came back from the toilet and saw a little POOH...

How do you get a Kleenex to dance?
You put a little boogie in it. Bad-um-bum. I'm here all week.

5. What subjects are off limits on your blog and why?

 I don't love to speak about my health. The occasional cold and flu is one thing, but anything else is a little weird for me; unless I'm able to help someone, then I guess I'm game.

Also off limits? All the reasons my sex life is better than anything you'd find in 50 Shades of Grey. (that was just to check if you were still with me)

6. Have you ever offended anyone with your blog and would you care if you did?

I've never offended anyone with my blog, but I did stir up quite a fodder when a mean girl from high school caught wind of it. Mind you, I have been graduated for 24 years. For a few days on FB, I was the girl whose life was all rainbows and glitter.  She tried to be mean about its positivity every chance she could.  It killed me for a while until I realized I was so far removed from her lifestyle, she probably couldn't relate. How can most people change and grow so vastly, yet others stay in the exact same place? When I understood that, I had to let it go.

7. What did you laugh about today?

The man and I were looking at a ridiculous site called "Uh-pinions". It's a place where people write reviews on products (like on Amazon) that are completely hilarious. Being that their parents have zero class, our children found us rolling on the floor trying to talk through laughs. Please. Check it out.

8. When is the last time you cried and why?

My aunt posted a picture of my Grandfather from the summer before he died. In the picture, he was in a swimming pool, sitting on a large, blow-up alligator. The look on his face was mid-laugh and it was everything wonderful I remembered about the man who helped raise me. The gratitude and sorrow I have at his memory are palpable. I bawled heaving cries knowing he would tell me not to get any tears on his good grass...I miss him with my soul. The cleansing cries since, still haven't erased how much I miss him.

9. What's the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?

Easy. When my daughter (about 7 years old), asked me if she was going to get "boobs" like me? I was in the bathtub at the time. When I answered yes, she cringed and asked, "Are they going to touch my stomach like yours do?" Oh, I love me some humility.

10. Who makes you laugh the most and why?

Hands down. My children. They are kind, caring kids. But I'm absolutely most proud of their humor. They are quick, sarcastic and get every ounce of that from me. Watching the Olympics the other day, our daughter got up from her chair and without looking, left the room saying "Congratulations on not raising any Olympic Champions. No gold for this house. Good on you, Mom." So. proud.

11. What's the funniest thing you've ever seen?

Too many funny things. That's what makes my world go round. While we were on our vacation though, my son thought this would be a cool note to leave with the hotel workers.

To any hotel workers, I apologize profusely.

Okay, friends. Here are my Liebster Award winners:

1.  Ann @ West of Zion
2.  Jackie's Sewing
3.  Kooky Quirky Cute
4.  Kerri @ Mummy and the Monsters
5.  Tara @ Therapy4Roses
6.  Applebypie @ Another New Day
7.  Karen @ Baking in a Tornado
8.  Johanna @ Handmade Dreams of Mine
9.  Tara Denny @ Nowhere to go but crazy
10. Behind the Smile
11. a pretty mess @ needles, eggshells and hair spray

Here are my eleven questions for you.

1. What was the title of your very first post and what was it about?

2. How did you come up with the name of your blog?

3. Do you have an underground blog or does everyone in your world know you write it?

4. Have you ever had to deal with negative comments?

5. What is your worst pet peeve?

6. Do you think it's important to respond to every comment?

7. Do you blog for money? If yes, has it been worth it?

8. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. One day. What would you eat?

9. Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

10. At this moment in your life, are you content?

11. Do you see yourself blogging for the long haul?

That's it! Congrats, Liebster winners! I can't wait to read your answers.


For the rest of my friends.. will you answer #8 or #9 or #10 (or all) in the comments sections? I really would love to know more about you :)

Happy "Hey-we're-all-winners-here" day, friends!