Award Overwhelm

I never knew it was possible, but I am totally overwhelmed.  In the past 2 days I have been awarded not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, but 5 blogger awards!!

TV from TV's Take mentions in her most recent post the feeling of "feeling only as good as your last post" and I completely agree with her on that.  Lately I have been struggling with the same feeling.  Ever since I started taking the 25-day Challenge, I have wondered if it even would resonate with people, but I decided to do it anyways, following one of the most important rules of blogging: I am doing this for myself.  It is gratifying, honoring and comforting to find out that the writing I do is not only read by others, but also appreciated. 

So, on that note, I would like to start thanking people, passing awards on to others and sharing stuff about myself.

First of all, thank you Maryanne, from Lipglossed Mom for the Sunshine Award.  You have no idea, how you made my day.  First my team (The Netherlands) won the semi-finals of the World Cup Soccer and placed themselves in the finals.  Then, I go to the office and check my email, only to find out that you awarded me this great award.  Speaking of bringing a big friggin' smile on my face!!

 I would love to pass this award on to the following bloggers:

A Walk On The Sunny Side
Because I Said So
Momma's Pixie Dreams
Sanity is Overrated


So today, I get a message from TV at TV's Take saying that she gave me 'some awards'.  4!!  4 awards!!!  What awesomeness is that!!

So, this award, I would like to pass on to:

Because I Said So
Mommy Monologues
My Crazy Kind of Wonderful
Once A Mother...
Sanity is Overrated

This sweetness, I would like to pass on to:
Being Zara & Zidan
Chubby Cheeks
Sellabit Mum
Toddler Awesome
What's a Mom to Do?

These are some beautiful blogs, by beautiful people:
Mommy Monologues
Dial M for Minky
The Girl Next Door Grows Up
Land of Mama Grits

And last but not least, the Substance Award:
A Walk On The Sunny Side
My Crazy Kind of Wonderful
Our Journey to Financial Freedom
Sellabit Mum
Dial M for Minky
The Girl Next Door Grows Up
What's a Mom to Do?




I understand that for the first 4 awards, I am supposed to share 7 things about myself.  NO!!!  I am not going to give you 4 x 7 things about myself.  That'd be too much of a good thing.  I am just going to give you 1 list of 7 things:

1. All the 'Orange Fever' going on back in The Netherlands for the World Cup Soccer makes me miss my home country.  I used to be one of those students who would paint their faces orange and decorate it with red-white-blue flags on my cheeks.  It was sooooo much fun!!
2. I don't seem to be able to avoid being spit up on.  Oh wait...that's called "being a mommy".
3. As of today, my toddler tends to get joy / comfort / whatever out of gently slapping my butt when he walks by.  It's kinda cute, I have to admit it.
4. For several years I've had a great idea for a Food Network show.  It's solid on all grounds (marketing, viewer involvement, branding, etc.).  I've tried to get it pitched, but never reached the right people to even talk to.  It's still my dream to have it made (and host it).
5. I have some recipes for some killer cocktails and would love to share them.  Can I do that on my blog?  Or is that against some 'alcohol-is-dangerous' rule?
6. It really bothers me when an earthquake disrupts my cocktail-making (like it happened this afternoon)
7. I love LOVE massages, pedicures and facials but don't seem to have enough time (and $$) to get them regularly.  But then...which mommy ever does?

Finally, to honor "A Blog With Substance" Award, my blogging philosophy in 5 words (in no particular order):
Inspiring - funny - opinionated - honest - elaborate (sometimes a bit too much.  I know.  Sorry, but hey at the end I will have great memoirs for the kids).