Quick update first: I took the job on the other team. I'm happy to be in a better situation, but sad to leave some truly wonderful teammates and a truly wonderful job description. And I'm dying to post some photos but can't find my camera connector cord thingy!! ARGH!
OK - lovely Seussgirl at One Day Two Day sent me an award! It was very kind of her, and I'm quite honored. I am now actually attempting to get back to what you're supposed to DO with that award! (I'm notoriously awful at getting around to doing these things. I like to fly by the seat of my pants, and these structured posts aren't so much that, so it's hard to get goin'. ;)
First I'm supposed to talk about 7 blogs I find brilliant in design. Can I change that a bit? I find lots of blogs brilliant, so instead, since this is "honest scrap" (look at me.. can't for the life of me tow the line) I'm going to post about blogs I admire for their sheer honesty. It's always something that really grabs me - raw, open, eloquent truths. Funny that I'm so cautious with so much of what I say here, but admire such openness. I try to be very honest with my feelings though, and that's what I value most. So without anymore blabbering...
Fertilized - I have to agree almost word for word with One Day Two Day on this one. She lays it out there like it is and maintains a lovely integrity all the while. You go girl!
Who Shot My Stork? - I love Io's "love me as I am" writing style. She's also savvy, fresh and witty as she lets us in on what's really going on in her world.
An Older Version - She has been dealing with some tough stuff lately, and her struggles are illustrated deeply and beautifully in her blog. When she tells a story or shares her feelings, I always feel my thoughts swirling into the story with her, or start nodding as I identify.
Here We Go Again - OK. It may seem like Jen hides things because she just seems so predominantly happy. I am here to tell you that this is not a trick. Jen really is happy... and kind, and fun and silly. And she really doesn't swear! Sometimes I embarrass myself with my potty mouth. Anyway, her blog reflects who she is beautifully, and she really does share herself with us.
Creating Motherhood - Who doesn't love Cali? I mean - really. I am always in awe of her writing ability even in times of great stress. I'm grateful to her for sharing the story of GM with us. It's heartbreaking and real and so necessary that people understand. Bravo.
One Day Two Day - No, not just because she tagged me. I'm grateful to her as well for sharing her true motherhood experiences - glitzy or not.
Relaxing Doesn't Make Babies - Natalie has been through some amazingly heartbreaking times, yet has managed to share it all with such a beautiful ability and grace that I am in awe. I think she has probably made a tremendous difference in so many lives by merely sharing.
So - just so you know, one of the other reasons I always put off doing these things is that I have such a hard time with listing awesome blogs and leaving other awesome blogs out. There are still tons rattling around in my head right now, but at this moment in time, these are the first 7 that come to mind with my favorite deeply open posts.
And now I am to name 10 honest (so I can't lie??? Bummer) things about myself. If I name something I did in another meme, please forgive me and consider yourself doubly informed!
1. I cannot truly straighten my first fingers. If I try, the tips point inwards a bit just like my Mom's.
2. Sometimes I literally want to fling my arms around a tree and hug it. Could this be how that term was coined?
3. In addition to the tree thing - sometimes I see something like the golden ripple of a wheat field, and I wish I could run my hand across all of it to feel its tickly softness just like you would a plush rug. Alas, I would have to be a giant to do that. And since these are "honest" things, I can't make up a story here.
4. OK, really honestly? I feel in nature what I think you're supposed to feel inside a church. I have always felt much more reverence outside than in 4 walls.
5. OK - enough with the serious. Often, when Hub crawls in bed after I've been asleep, I give a half laugh. I think he was insulted until I explained that I'm only conscious enough to express happiness in small, easy packages. Laughing works.
6. There's nothing that makes me happier than someone playing with my hair.
7. Burnt Sienna is my favorite color to say.
8. My favorite animal is a horse.
9. I can't stand getting water in my eyes or splashed on my face.
10. I'm so susceptible to cold and appreciate warmth so much now that sometimes I go out and lie in the driveway to soak up the sun and feel warm for a minute. (let the neighbors look. ;-)
