Many, Many Thanks!

I've been slack in my blogging lately and have let some important things go unmentioned for a while. Please allow me to redeem myself.

First off, I am the ever-so-grateful recipient of two awards!

Jenny, at Daily Dose of Motherhood, has honored me with the Arte Y Pico award.

I have no idea how to pronounce it, but it sounds really cool, doesn't it? Makes me feel sort of cultured! Thanks, Jenny!

Also, Melissa at Chasing Cheerios passed the Brillante Weblog award on to me.

You ladies really know how to brighten a lowly ol' blogger's day! I can't tell you how grateful I am that you thought of me. I happily accept them with many thanks.

I shall now pass them on to a few other ladies whose posts I always find myself eagerly awaiting:

• If I Only Had Superpowers
• Our Green Nest
• Thimbly Things
• The Artful Parent
• Choosing My Own
• No Time For Flash Cards

Speaking of being a lucky gal...I won something! I'm not the type to enter blog contests just to enter, because I know I won't win. But if there's something I'd actually like to have, I'll usually jump through whatever hoops are necessary, even though I'm still pretty sure I won't win. But, wuddu-ya-know? I won a nifty embroidery pack from Needle N' Thread! My package arrived a few days ago, complete with embroidery floss, tea towel, stitching book, and needle. And, if I can get past the fact that I don't really know what I'm doing when it comes to stitchery, I might actually do something with it.

If you're into that sort of thing, go check out Needle N' Thread. She has lots of tips, projects, and giveaways related to stitching. Thanks, Mary!

And thanks to all of you who pop in every now and then to see what we're up to over here!

Bloggy Business: Meme of Fives and an Award

First of all, I was tagged by Maureen, Toddler Mom, for the Meme of Fives.

How it works:
1. Post the rules of the game at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags five people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they've been tagged and asking them to read the player's blog.
4. Let the person who tagged you know when you've posted your answer.

What were you doing five years ago?
I had just completed my Master's Degree and was searching, and searching, and searching, for a job I didn't want in a career that I had no interest in pursuing.

What are five things on your to-do list for today?
1. Clean house (perpetually on my list)
2. Sew some felt
3. Upload the day's photos
4. Post to my blog
5. Try to maintain my sanity

What are five snacks you enjoy?
(Lately it's been:)
1. Yogurt
2. Granola
(before it was:)
3. Ice cream
4. cookies
5. frosting

What are five things you would do if you were a billionaire?
1. Hire someone to clean my house.
2. Travel extensively.
3. Hire a private instructor to teach me to sing and dance like a Broadway star.
4. Take classes...all kinds.
5. Blog about being a billionaire.
(These are all completely self-centered. I'm sure I would do a ton of philanthropic stuff, too.)

What are five of your bad habits?
(all of my habits are disgusting...fair warning)
1. Picking my ears
2. Picking my nose
3. Scratching my head
4. Plucking my chin hairs with my fingernails, especially while driving
5. I think four bad habits is more than enough

What are five places where you have lived?
1. Florida
2. North Carolina
3. Missouri
4. Virginia
5. Germany
(The first four were in the last 5 years or so, the last one was when I was a kid)

What are five jobs you've had?
(in no particular order)
1. Card stuffer (Hallmark)
2. Graduate TA
3. Shallow water life guard
4. Exceptional Student Teacher's Aid (one-on-one)
5. Compensation Analyst

Five people I tag:
1. Somebody who can't think of anything to write about.
2. Somebody who has something in common with me based on my answers.
3. Somebody who has never been tagged and would like to be.
4. Somebody who cares for at least one toddler on a daily basis.
5. Somebody who puffy hearts Memes.

And...I was awarded an award! My first bloggy award!

I have the marvelous CC from If I Only Had Super Powers to thank for my award. Thank you, CC! My gratitude overfloweth.

I am passing this award on to:

My Sweet Life because Kelsey is going to help me improve my picture taking skills. She is a very talented lady who not only takes inspiring photos with touching and humorous stories, but also gives great photography tips on Fridays.

Bits and Pieces because Jenny is a lovely gal who openly shares her home and family in a way that makes you feel like you've been pals forever.

Here you go ladies....this is for you!