Isn’t That Just Lovely?

So, a while back I posted a very snarky, angry post (You Can’t Make Me).

But I’m Canadian. And I grew up in a very conservative Christian culture. And it’s quite important to me to be, well, nice.

So it was actually very polite, with only a slight edge.

But I made it clear that I am in no way a fan of chain letters or the like. I hate the pressure. And I’m one of those uptight, super-conscientious types who has a hard time “letting people down”, so even something silly like this hangs over my head and stirs up all kinds of impolite feelings. Which is hard for me. As a nice, Brethren, Canadian gal.

BUT last week I received an “award” for having a lovely blog. And it’s very much like a chain letter, circulating amongst the bloggers. Except that it’s an award. For me.

Turns out that kind of thing totally trumps all my icky, unCanadian resentment of the genre. I’m thrilled. And honoured to be chosen.

Take that, all you gym class captains who didn’t pick me year after year! Ha!

The best part is, I was nominated by a blogger I really respect. Mrs G at With Wit, Not Leisure is an adoptive parent of teenagers. She blogs about loving children who have been seriously damaged by RAD and FASD; the real behind the scenes story that you won’t see in Dave Thomas’ adoption ad campaign. She writes with honesty and hope and faith. AND she’s funny.

So here it is, the Lovely Blog Award:

THE RULES

Thank the person/people who nominated you and link back to them in your post.

Share seven possibly unknown things about yourself.

Nominate fifteen or so bloggers you admire.

Contact the chosen bloggers to let them know and link back to them.

Seven Possibly Unknown Things About Me

I’m not sure these are things anyone ever wanted to know about me, but no one is making you read this, so suck it up.

1. I have an outie belly button. Like a cabbage patch doll. If you don’t know what that is, you are too young to read this blog. Go play webkinz or something.
2. I have had 7 operations in my lifetime. And spent significant time in the hospital over the years. But I’m okay now. Mostly.
3. I only have 1 kidney (see previous point and note that I had one of my kidneys removed).
4. I never believed in Santa Clause. Don’t even remember hearing about him until I went to school.
5. I HATE answering the phone. I have been known to run walk with dignity to the other room when it rings, then yell calmly request that someone else pick it up. But mostly I just let it go to the machine. I look forward to a world that operates entirely via email/text.
6. I am a dork (this is known). Possibly unknown, I have been known to read fan fiction online. I love reading the continuing adventures of a series that has been cancelled or more background about my favourite character in a novel series. Granted, some of it is terrible, barely readable stuff and some of it is worse than that (I mean come on, if you want to write creepy porn, fine, but don’t pervert my favourite characters to do it!). But some of it is excellent.
7. I cannot stand whipped cream, cheese cake, pudding, marshmellows… basically anything with a phlegm-like consistency. Blech.

Bloggers Whom I Admire

In choosing some Lovely Blogs to nominate for this award, I am struck by the generic nature of the word (like nice or competent) – hardly narrowing down the field, so I’m including the reason these bloggers are lovely to me.

• Honest – Maybe it’s cheating, but I pick With Wit, Not Leisure even though she picked me first.
• Inspiring – Sober Boots often surprises me with lessons about addiction and grace which apply to my everyday life.
• Sweet – Vita Familiae cost me an entire evening as I read through their entire adoption story. This beautiful family brightens my day.
• Eloquent – Last Mom on Earth is an amazing writer. I come away from every post feeling like I was right there with her, in the middle of her memory, her truimph, her despair…
• Funny – Becoming Cliche makes me laugh. Enough said.
• Practical – Modern Mrs Darcy gives advice, encouragement AND she wrote a whole series of “Lessons from Green Gables” that I love.
• Fascinating – A Portia Adams adventure is one of the few blogs I follow by people I know. My very good friend from High School is writing a novel series. On her blog we can follow the process and her research along the way.
• Creative – So I don’t actually scrapbook anymore. But I still love to see what my bestie Marjolaine has come up with at Twelve Stones Scrapbooking. I love looking at the beautiful things, but don’t intend to do anything about it. A lot like Pintrest.
• Also creative – Along the same lines, but in a whole other way, A Turtle’s Life For Me is full of home-making tips and recipes that I thoroughly enjoy, but rarely do anything about. I consider her my pintrest guru.
• Kindred – Love That Max is a great blog for special needs parents, not shying away from the hard realities, but celebrating our wonderful children just the same.

So, I realize I owe more recommendations, and certainly I have read many other lovely blogs, BUT life is crazy right now and I’m out of time…

So here’s me, the WINNER!