It seems like forever since I just chatted and caught up with everyone. Maybe it’s just the summer – maybe it’s that I’ve been really focused on work, but I’ve gotta make more time to stay connected with the people I care about. I keep thinking “next week…” and “when the kids go back to school…” well, how about now? Now’s good. Now works for me.

I’ve got some things to share first, tags from friends who I hope don’t feel neglected (I do reply in e-mail, I swear it) and they deserve some blog linkin’ love.

A whole bunch of stuff to read here….

First, Angel gave me a Rockin’ Girl Blogger award (back in July, see, don’t I suck?!)

I just have to say this – Angel has the sweetest kindest gentlest soul and I just pink puffy heart her all over the blogosphere. I am always humbled when people say they like my creative side, and coming from her it’s like the most sincerest compliment ever. She’s really a lovely person, so if you don’t know her, I encourage you to take the time to get to know her. I’m not going to tag anyone, I am just going to give her a big public {{sqwishy hug}}.

And then, SleepingMommy tagged me with this 8 fact meme thing and called me nice names which makes me feel extra obligated to comply {{just kidding Ammie!}} so here goes:

Here are the rules:

List 8 facts/habits about yourself

Post the rules at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed

Tag 8 people and post their names, go to their blogs and leave them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and ask them to read your blog.

Urmm… 8 things about me. Stuff you don’t already know? What might you not know about me? Lemme see if any of my list comes as any kind of shock to you:

1. I have a hard time listening not hearing, mind you, but listening. I don’t know why, and I don’t know what to do to improve my listening skills.
2. I’m a horrible conversationalist. (Unless I’m talking to myself, then I do just fine.) The listening thing causes me a lot of problems in this area.
3. I get really ticked off at parents/people who just assume I feed my kids crap and candy and hand it to them like it’s perfectly normal and acceptable to eat sugar and preservatives and junk.
4. I grew my hair out just to pull it back in a ponytail. :duh:
5. I forgot that my long hair is naturally curly and kinda has a bit of a frizz to it.
6. I’ve gone to church almost every single Sunday for the last couple of months. I finally found a church that I like, and one that my hubby actually wants to attend, too.
7. I cannot go shopping with a list and only get the items on my list. It has never happened, and probably never will.
8. I bought a new car (a 2005 Toyota Camry) in August 2004 and I only have 18,000 miles on it. 2,600 miles are from one single trip, so that means I put about 5,000 miles on my car a year. Yes, I stay close to home. 😛

So, did I surprise anyone with my eight things? Any advice on the listening skills? You guys are better at it than I am, I can assure you of that. I have a photographic memory. I can tell you what you were wearing when you said it to me, but I couldn’t tell you what you said. Bah!

My dear friend Nancy tagged me too, this sweet Creative blogger award.

Thank you so much, Nancy! There are so many creative people in the blogosphere, I want to pass this on and introduce you to a creative soul whose artwork is natural and beautiful, her name is Caren Goodrich. Her artwork is straight from the heart, you should go have a scroll through her archives.

Nancy also tagged me with a Google meme, it goes like this:

1) Go to http://www.google.com/
2) Click on Google images
3) Type in your name and search
4) Repost the picture of the oddest, craziest, strangest, coolest, oldest, etc. person that shares your name. Post multiples if you find a few you like.
5) Pass it on to at least 5 other people.

This is odd. This is crazy. This is strange. This is cool, and this is old (fashioned, anyways).

5 people – if you’re willing, consider yourself tagged!

Last up is Pamibe, who seems to think I’m a schmoozer. NOT!

“Schmoozing isn’t schmoozing unless you do it with others. I must pass this on to other self-absorbed, narcissistic, attention craving bloggers…but you know I mean that in the nicest possible way.”

Uhhh. This kinda makes me want to go hide. It also makes me feel all warm and fuzzy because the way she puts it, it’s not ME who is a schmoozer, but it’s everybody ELSE who wants to be pretty whilst they schmooze! Ok, now I’m alright with it. I graciously accept my schmoozer award and pass it on to everyone wearing one of my designs.

* * * * *That is all for the Meme’s, I think I’m all caught up?

Now for some random link love – people, I do adore you, and I do read you, and I know you think I probably don’t care, but I do. I blame my father for my inability to show people how I feel. So there. It’s all his fault, so if you’d like to give him a good finger shakin’, I’ll keep trying to be better.

Totally random and just because I care:

• D
• Robin
• Raehan
• Friglet
• Carmen
• LadyBug
• Renny
• Kailani
• Lisa IS the shizzle
• YellowRose
• Laura
• Marisa
• Shelly
• Sword Girl
• Tink
• Debbie
• Heather
• Jen
• Janet
• JAM
• David
• UsedToBeMe

I want you all to know that I pink puffy heart you. I do.

In other funny daily life news, I snickered yesterday about someone who tried like 100 times to start their lawnmower just to intentionally mow a certain patch of grass on someone else’s property, only the mower kept dying. Then when it finally stayed on, waited until the property owner was out of plain sight before mowing said patch of grass and blowing the clippings into their yard. That’s just too stupid not to laugh about! Like mama always said, stupid is as stupid does.

Now, I must go to the grocery store and buy produce. I am fresh out of fresh, and I weigh in again tomorrow morning. I bet you’re just on the edge of your seat waiting for this weeks weigh in results, right?! Yah, me too!