#46 - BEAUTIFUL BLOGGER AWARD...

How in the world did we function before the internet???  I have been so wrapped up in catching  up on some paperwork that I forced myself to break out of my normal internet routine for a mere 36 hours.  I am consequently going to spend 48 hours sorting through new emails, new blog entries, important news articles, etc.  I thought I was headed back to my pile of paperwork after leaving FB a little bit ago, but in perusing through some of the blog entries that I missed, I found that Jen and Jill passed along to me their nods for beautiful blogger award, so I figured that I would get a new post up and pass along the award to a few other deserving mamas.   Thanks so much for thinking of me, girls!!

The rules are simple: just give 7 facts about you and then nominate 7 people for the beautiful blogger award...

1. I’m not a terribly religious person, but I am quite spiritual and have my own beliefs about the divine world. I believe in signs, especially those sent by friends and loved ones who are no longer physically with us.  All signs, from the small and subtle to the large and profound. 

2. I have very little tolerance for people who have the ability to educate themselves about anything in life, but refuse to do so, and instead allow themselves to be functionally stupid. I have a similar amount of tolerance for closed minded people who refuse to think outside of the box - or even open the flaps of the box.

3. I struggle with the words ‘I love you’.  I tell my husband that I love him all the time, but I can’t seem to get the words out for anyone else in my life…my father, my sister, my closest friends.  I want to say it in the worst way, because I love them all more than they will ever know, but other words always come out when I open my mouth.  It’s like the words are physically blocked – they can’t be pushed or pulled out by any amount of force.  I have been conscious of this problem for years, yet the issue apparently still lurks (in fantastic camouflage) under the surface - somewhere out of my immediate grasp.

4. I have been a volunteer firefighter (I have been an assistant chief for over 4 years) in a fabulous, top-notch department for over 15 years.  Unfortunately, it appears that our department will likely close its doors some time within the next 1-2 years due to a variety of overwhelming circumstances.  I am really sad about it.  I am sad about what it means for my community; I am sad about what it means for the strong and distinguished history and tradition of our department; I am sad about what it means for many of our dedicated members who have been in it for the long haul.  I am sad about the choices that it will force me to make about my future in the fire service.  I am sad because my husband will probably hang up his firefighting hat completely, and this is something that we have done together for most of the last 15 years. 

5. I am allergic to caffeine.  Yep, you read it correctly.  Allergic to caffeine.  It’s actually not that bad – as far as health and nutrition go, it eliminates a lot of temptation.  But, it does mean that I cannot partake in gourmet coffee and chocolate like a normal woman.  To compensate for this loss, I indulge a little too much in jelly beans, cashews, salt & vinegar potato chips, and French fries. 

6. I love Celine Dion’s music.  Yes…really.  (The first step is admitting the problem, right?)  I was very disappointed that I did not get a second Las Vegas vacation in before her show closed.

7. I am a diehard New York Yankees fan.  It’s my dad’s fault.   :-)
   

I am passing this award along to the following bloggers:

    1.  Brandy @ Forever Elliot’s Mommy

    2. Maria @ The Sipirt of Sterling

    3.  Jamie @ Week by Week

    4.  Lareina @ Surviving Without My Little Man

    5.  Malory @ Mommy of an Angel

    6. Margaret @ She’s Come Undone

    7. Kristin @ Once a Mother