I'd like to thank...

Nan!! What a sweetheart she is, she awarded me with this!!!


How cool is that? and, what a totally wonderful way to start my morning! I have my routine, Mandi leaves for school, by this time the dishes are done (or dishwasher is unloaded and dishes put away), beds are made, laundry is going and I have my cup of java and sit at my puter and surf my favorite blogs and message boards! Total, self indulgent, me time and I love it!! Imagine my surprise this morning when I found out about this fun blog award! Thanks Nan, you are da bomb girl!!

So, the rules are, I need to tell ya'll 6 things about myself, nominate 6 bloggers for this award, link said bloggers in my blog and then notify them of their cool, new award!! Here goes:

1. I love to bake. I don't often do it because, lets face it, at this stage of my life, who needs all those extra calories..but, nonetheless, I love to bake and at one time had dreams of being a pastry chef...never say never right? (wink)

2. I'm afraid of the dark. Have been all my life...I mean, come on, creepies and all sorts of scaries lurk in the dark!! I have to have some type of little light shining somewhere in my house at night...just do! Nuff said!

3. I LOVE...LOVE...LOVE Horror movies!! Yep, I know, kinda goes against the whole "afraid of the dark" deal but I seriously can't get enough of them! Good ones, not the stupid, all they are is slasher type movies...good, scary ones!! Favorite being "Halloween" (it's soooo not even scary to me anymore though since I've seen it like 300 times!!) and "Jaws" while it's my favorite movie of all time, I don't consider that a horror movie...neither does Mandi, I'm just sayin'!!

4. I didn't have my first soda until I was 19 years old!!! Totally true story! We just never had soda growing up and since I had never had one, the thought of that dark, sparkly type liquid just never appealed to me...when I went to a birthday party or something, it was water, milk or....hummmm (about the same age frame) beer!! LOL I had my first soda, thanks to my darling husband! Yep, he introduced me to Dr. Pepper and my world changed forever!! It is, hands down, the bestest soda around and the only soda I will drink!!!

5. I love birds. Just a small tidbit about me. Love them! I had one as a pet, years ago, but, that's another story for another day and it didn't end well...factor in a cute little girl named Mandi and her Uncle Wayne and...well....let's just say...no more birds in our house! I just love them though, hearing them chirp in the morning when it's all quiet and my window is open, well, there isn't a sound I enjoy more!

6. I have a love/hate relationship with scrapbooking! Seriously! So many times the stress of "figuring out what to do" just makes me want to throw up my hands and say forget it!! but, when a layout comes together for me, and I finish it off, that's when I'm loving it...when I can see something I've made and that I really enjoy! I also love the social aspect that scrapbooking has brought to my life and all the wonderful friends I have made through it...girls that are amazing and talented and fabulous, girls that I would have never met had we not had the connection of scrapbooking to bring us together! for that, I will always love scrapbooking!!

alright, there are just a few things bout little 'ol me....now for the nominating part! I think these gals ROCK the bloggy world..even if they don't update each and every day, or even if they do!! Cathy...you are one heck of a talented scrapper and now, stamper too! Wish I had an eighth of your creativity and ability to just "do it"!! Cinnibonbon...Luz...I totally love that we have become friends!! I hope that someday we will actually get to hang out in person, jam along with our 80's hair band and scrap some fun stuff! You always have the best blog entries and fabulous-ness that you create!! Amy!! Published how many time now? LOL, and while I check out your blog each day and like me, there isn't always a new post, when you do, and you show your newest creations, they always ROCK! love that new Valentines mini you just did..super cute stuff girl! Rachel...you are amazing with your ability to work a full time job, raise an amazing daughter, and blog almost every stinkin' day..as well as create some really terrific stuff! I am so thankful that we both attended CKU Chicago back in the day, that you joined the Secret Sister Swap and that we became friends! Now, we just need Katie and Mandi to meet!! and last, but not least, I nominate Chris. I know that Chris has taken a bit of a hiatus right now...and that is totally cool...but, when she comes back, you need to visit her blog..see her amazing work, especially her photography! I had the good fortune to have Chris come to Chicago a little over a year ago and do a photo session with Mandi and me...I can't even begin to tell you how much I love her photography skills and the pictures she took of us! (well...you might notice since I scrap them all the time!! LOL)..I can't wait until she can come back and do another session with us!!!

so, there you have it, my 5 award-ees( I know it's supposed to be 6...deal with it!) Love to surf your blogs girls..keep up the good work!

Alright, I must get my rear moving...have a lunch date today with my girl Mary! woo hoo....haven't hooked up with her in awhile, it's gonna be nice to sit and chat and eat some good stir fry!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful day,

Until next time,
Blessings!