Tune me up!

One of the things on my 40 before 40 list is to listen to a CD of a band/ musician/ music group/ singer I've never heard before.

This is hard. It sounds dumb to say this is hard but it is. ITSam and I went to a really cool used record store, which also carries CDs, and found one and I don't like it. It's not even something I can remotely find interesting enough to listen to the whole thing. As a matter of act I had to text Sam while typing this post to even ask the name of the band: The Black Keys.

So, I'm appealing to all of you for help. Prizes will be given. I need some musical suggestions.

What I do NOT like:

• country (however, bluegrass is okay... like Allison Kraus)
• scream-o
• rap
• music that has rap or talking anywhere in it (Mac will play me some "Great band, mom" and I ask if it's rap. He says no and then half way through the song, it's totally rap. Yuck.)
• hip-hop
• emo/ Goth/ industrial
• disco
• most classic rock... uh, yeah I suck... (I do love all things Beatles)

I do like:

• pop
• Elton John, Barry Manilow, Rob Thomas, Matchbox 20, Billy Joel
• 1980's
• some rock
• Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Dean Martin
• 50s & 60s music
• Glenn Miller, big band, swing, jazz, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday

I obviously like so many other types and styles of music but I can't say too many more without adding some sort of clarification. I like "most" hairbands. For example, I love Bon Jovi but am not a huge G&R fan. I LOVE Green Day but don't care much for the rest of the Punk scene. I like about 4 John Mayer songs but don't care for the rest of his sound. I can say the same for Pogue Mahone, Flogging Molly, Red Hott Chili Peppers, Bruno Mars, Jason Mraz, Pearl Jam, Katy Perry, and the Black Eyed Peas. All of these, I love SOME of their stuff, but not all.

If you could make suggestions of bands/ songs/ stylings of anything that could be compared to what I do like, I'm open to suggestions. The name of a group plus a recommended album would be especially sweet.

I'll even give a prize to the blogger whose suggestion of band & album I buy and listen to all the way through!

This is a tough challenge, I know, since I listen to a wide and eclectic group of music. It has to be a band or group I've never heard. I'm thinking of amending it to to a singer or group that maybe I heard 1 song on the radio and should get the whole album?

Please help me with your musical stylin' sounds recommendations!

musically yours,

Mags

I still just love awards!

I've recently been following a blog called Pfeiffer Pfilms and Meg Movies, which is all about Meg Ryan and Michelle Pfeiffer and I thinks it's a fun spot, and the author of that blog, Paul, has given me an award- thank you Paul!


As with all awards there are rules:
1 - Thank and link back to the person that awarded you this award,which I've just done.
2 - Share 7 things about yourself.
3 - Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers.
4 - Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.

Here are the seven things about me:
a. I have freckles
b. I want to move to England or Ireland to live but have no idea how to go about making this happen
c. I need new black penny loafers because mine have identical holes in each shoe, over the big toes
d. I think I'm outgrowing being an atheist
e. Mac's driving makes me nervous which is ironic since I taught him to drive
f. I still didn't see some of the most famous, popular Christmas movies of all times like White Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life, and A Christmas Story. Can I still watch 'em in January?
g. I want a big blizzard so we get a week's worth of snow days.

Now, I'm supposed to 15 recently discovered bloggers. This makes me feel terrible because I haven't been out trolling the world for new blogs to read; I can't keep up with all the ones on my current list (thank you to those who do not post daily- hahaha!) So the following nominations are to people I read who I've either recently discovered (we're not going to define recently) or who I know who have been blogging for less that a new. And no, there are not 15...

1. D-Nice
2. Mignardise
3. Pink in the City
4. Mommy with a Penis
5. Phlog
6. The English Writer

Thanks again to Paul for the award. And thanks to all the great bloggers out there!

Mags

Random Thursday

Mac has a girlfriend. It's his first one. She's cute and seems nice. But Mac has a girlfriend. And I officially got ditched the other night; he went to do something with her instead of me. It's official. And weird and I'm not sure I like it.

I have over 100 followers. That is so cool! I hope I can end the year with over 100. Thanks to all of you who follow.

This is the next to last day of Round 4 in the voting for Top Blog. I'm 13 votes behind making it to the top 5. Please vote for me. I'd love to make the top 5!!!!!!!!! I know, from looking at the numbers, that I won't win but with a surge of voting for me at the end and I could make the top 5 at least! And a huge big thanks to all of you who have voted for me all along!

Today I get to see the Broadway musical Annie. I'm chaperoning a school trip! This is a cool perk! I have no insurance and I barely make above minimum but I get a free theater ticket and food to one of my all time favorite shows!

I had a chance to drive a transport last night. And it looks like I might be able to drive a whole bunch over Christmas vacation if I want. I'm torn between the lure of cash and the time off to rest.

I discovered I can be bribed with Oreos. Yeah. I worked the concession stand the other night at a high school boy's wrestling match and was bribed by the athletic director with Oreos and I caved. By the way: I'd never been to a boy's wrestling match before and it's icky. And this was a long one- it was a 4 school invitational. Ah, what I won't do for the bliss of chocolatey goodness and creamy filling.

Earlier this week I wrote about the Christmas movies I'd watched and not. Well, the day that posted, I went to the library. I was speaking with the librarian about the Christmas movies I have NOT seen like White Christmas, specifically. What caused the conversation was a huge stack of Christmas DVDs that she was putting in a display. It wasn't in the stack; someone had checked it out. But as the words are spoken and hanging in the air above our heads, like a balloon attached to a cartoon, a guy returns a stack of movies and White Christmas was on top. It was fate and too much coincidence. I checked it out and it is here, at my house, ready for me to watch this weekend. (So was The Bishop's Wife, which I had to snag as well.)

So, I work in a library but I'm not reading much this month. Part of my issue is that I have head aches and need new glasses. I'm going to have to cave in and get the stupid bifocals this time. Ugh! The other part is that I just feel like I'm struggling to find anything that appeals to me. I have a huge list of books I want to read, like about 103 to be exact, but I just can't seem to find a focus.

Busy busy busy!

I've been so busy! I know it's partially the time of year, but I feel like I'm super busy even when not doing holiday stuff.

This week alone I've had Mac's choir concert and tonight is his band concert. I had to sort all the Alcatraz Prom pictures with the photographer last night. Monday night I helped ITSam- he needed a ride to his son's band concert so I did that ('tis the season to be nice, right?). Something every night this week!

Friday we're going to help Daddy-O decorate the rest of the house for Christmas. I committed to working an extra secretary shift over the weekend. I promised to take Princess Christmas shopping Sunday, which is a good thing since I haven't bought a single gift! (Thank goodness I have a list of what I want to get!). XRay Girl wants to have dinner one night this week, I haven't seen Curly socially in a month, and I only could see Princess for 2 hours the other night.

Additionally, I promised Mac to help him with a HUGE paper that's due tomorrow and he wants to get some serious extra credit in Spanish class so he needs to MAKE a pinata. Are you kidding? I offered to just buy one, but that's not allowed. I told him to ask Daddy-O for help since that's an art project.

Add to this a new job and then working extra as my "peripheral" jobs... ugh. I've been so very tired. I've been trying to make hats for the Alcatraz kids (with the help of my elves, thank you very much!), blog, read blogs, read books, relax, hang with friends and there's no time for anything. I'm really not complaining; I just feel so overwhelmed. I actually went to bed last night at 8:20pm.

The purpose of this post was originally two fold- to just say thanks to everyone who is reading me (and voting for me as one of the top blogs- please keep voting!) and to tell you that I'll be back to reading soon... maybe over Christmas break?

I could also preview a few other upcoming posts: Christmas food, my 40 things to do before I'm 40 (PLEASE more ideas needed!!!!) my new job, kiwi fruit debate, and the Christmas swap.

I do miss you!
Mags

I wasn't voted off the island, er...uh...blog yet!

I made it to round three of voting for the top blogs of 2010! Holy cow! So the voting continues. Round three votes are this week, until next Friday at 6pm. Cool.

I am still just shocked that I was nominated at all- thank you Evil Pixie- and even more stunned that people keep voting for me. that is so cool!

Thank you all so much. Please keep voting for me! This is awesome!

Maggie

Good news!

Mac applied to 6 colleges and now is the waiting. Well, he finally got his first acceptance letter! (Please don't be his last!) and we are thrilled. I blogged about the school that treated him like a rock star- well, that's the one he got in, so far. Yay him!

And the good news on the Mac and school continues. Not only did he get into School 1, but they gave him a scholarship: $20,000, broken into 4 years of $5k each. OMG! I am so excited! he opened hi letter, told us he got in and we all jumped around, high fived and hugged. then later, like an hour, I pick up the letter to read it. There's an attachment explaining the award. I about fell over. He missed that the first time around. Even sweeter!

I worked at Alcatraz at the library last week and it was so good to be back. I hate that my friend who was the librarian won't be working there any more, but am thrilled I will be. It was completely insane and crazy, though, because she was trying to train me AND wrap up her book fair, but it was so very very good to be back. I'm sure I'll have more to report later!

My last piece of good news is about the top 25 blogs of 2010. I made the first cut! Thanks to all of you who voted for me during round one. The voting continues. So please go and vote for me again. It starts all over again with new votes. So we have to all go do it again. I would appreciate it if you would give me some more voting love. Just click the button in my side bar, please!

What a great day!
Maggie

Leftover blogcake

A long time ago when I first started blogging, a blogging buddy used the term "blog cake" when he had a post that was nothing but just random thoughts. When I went to title this post, I thought of him and his blogcake words and the idea of left overs because of yesterday and hence the post title.

Time is running out. Today, before 6pm, is the last time anyone can go vote for me as one of the top blogs of 2010 at the Blog Guidebook. I'd appreciate the votes, please! Click on the badge at the bottom of this post to check it out! And to vote for me! Please!

And I am loving all the suggestions of things I should do before I turn 40 years old. Please keep those ideas coming. I thought I would post the final top 40 on Monday but since ideas are still rolling in, I'll wait. But feel free to hit my 40 for 40 post and throw in your 2 cents!

Yesterday was Thanksgiving here in the States, and nothing says "thanksgiving" better than Burlesque (the 196th movie I've watched this year). Yeah, I actually went to see that yesterday! With Daddy-O and Mac. I went because I like movies, Mac went because he's intrigued by musicals, and Daddy-O went because he loves Cher. It was good, too! The musical numbers were awesome, and the costumes and makeup were amazing. I wish I could do my hair and make up like that daily... and look normal, anyway. I also saw Love & Other Drugs. On a date as friends with ITSam. Why do I hear cries of bloggers everywhere hollering reminiscent of Ricky Ricardo: "Maggie, you got some splainin' to do!"? The movie was good. It was a romantic comedy of sorts with lots of naked in it. And sex talk and bad words, but it was really good!

Other than the movie, Thanksgiving day was normal, for me anyway. I slept in, which I think it the best start to any holiday. We also had dinner at Bro and SisIL's; wonderful hosts, great meal (well done SisIL!), good times. And I got to play kissie-face with my niece and nephew, of course! Right now the niece is in the Terrible Twos and hates all of us except her mom, which is okay because the Divine Ms K is well... 2. Duh. My 6 month old nephew loves everyone and he is the smiliest guy. They are both adorable.

I have a 4 day weekend due to the holiday. I am also greedy; therefore, I don't "have have" 2 days off. I agreed to work at the front desk doing my secretary thing at Alcatraz today. THEN I was called and asked to drive a transport. Many of the Alcatraz kids have earned a chance to go home for a few days over the holiday but they need to be picked up on Sunday. Awhile back I said I would be willing to haul kids around but I'd never been called to do it. I agreed to pick up three of the kids, one of them being PRINCESS! So, even though I have a 6 hour drive one way to go get her, I still get to hang with her Sunday. And get paid to do it. In a company car. So it's win win all the way around. The only thing I did was blow my 4 days weekend down to 2 days. Oh well! It's just 3 weeks until Christmas vacation! I can take some time off then!

Other than working tonight and the transport on Sunday, my big plan for the holiday weekend is to see more movies, if I can. I want to see Harry Potter 7 part I, and Morning Glory. I want to see Unstoppable and The Next Three Days but those aren't the I WANT TO SEE THEM NOW films like the first two I mentioned. Maybe I'll get to 'em. I want to finish a small knitting project as well. I also want to sleep in. I need to clean my room, clean the garage, do laundry and organize my closest but that feels so much like work.

Tickled Pink Saturday

I have three reasons to be tickled pink this particular Pink Saturday (thank you to Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for hostessing this weekly event!) that I just have to share!

FIRST!
I want to say thank you to Evil Pixie, blogger buddy extraordinaire for nominating me for blogger of the year. I am officially one of the top 25 best blogs, so far, as chosen on The Blog Guidebook. My status can go up, with a little help from my readers. Voting commences today. It says "Voting starts Saturday at 6 a.m., and ends at 6 p.m. on Friday. The five blogs with the lowest votes will be eliminated." This is for Round 1. So, if you click HERE (or on the button) and vote for me as "best blog" I'd be much obliged! I'm just tickled Pink that Evil Pixie would nominate me for such a wonderful honor! Thank you dear Pixie!

Here's what Evil Pixie wrote about me: The blog is written by Maggie O’Sullivan, and it is warm, funny, and frequently brilliant. Maggie writes about her life as a single mother, struggling to provide for her little family but always keeping her sense of humor. It is honest, insightful, and fun. Most importantly, it is real. She discusses everything from her relationships to her struggle in making ends meet. This is a blog that completely deserves your award. Thank you so much. I can't say thank you enough! (And though the award itself isn't Pink, the lettering is!) So please please please vote for me!

SECOND!
Princess went to her Prom tonight and she looked amazing. Alcatraz has a prom for their juniors and seniors and call is the President's Winter Ball. The dresses the girls wear are all donated and this is a huge, big deal. Princess had a donated dress that was not very becoming. So...

I borrowed the dress from a high schooler I know. Daddy-O got in the act and bought the shoes. Curly took care of all the jewelry and XRayGirl donated Bath and Body Works products for pre-prom preparation. I took her for a hair cut and color earlier this week- and to get a tiara. As I said, she looked amazing. Better than amazing. Beautiful. Stunning. She was a princess. Absolutely gorgeous. She had a wonderful time. It was a fancy dinner and dancing. She was the belle of the Winter Ball. It was my pleasure to be there. I was so proud of her and so happy this could happen for her. Here are two pictures of her (due to privacy issues, I can't show her face. You just have to take my word for it that she looked stunningly beautiful, like a true princess...) dress. Did I mention she likes pink?

I was tickled pink she was Cinderella for a night, and that we could all be her "mice'!


THIRD!
I'm tickled pink over my new job. I know I've mentioned it before, but I just can't wait to start work at Alcatraz in their school library. I start work on Wednesday. I am beyond happy and thrilled to be back there. And as the librarian!

Maybe I should wear pink shoes on my first day?

Happy Pink Saturday!
In Shoes We Trust,
Maggie Mae

I got a blog award!

Thanks to fellow blogger Jesse at "The Art of Jesse" for giving me such a nice Blog award- it's the "Pass the Baton of Friendship."

As with many blog awards, it comes with "requirements." The obvious one is I have to display the award.

Next, I have to answer these questions:

1 - too small when you were asked, what you wanted to do when you were big; What did you reply?
2 - What were your favorite cartoons?
3 - What were your favorite games?
4 - What year was your nicest birthday and why?
5 - What were the things you absolutely wanted to do, and not yet done?
6 - Which 'was your first love? sports? or what not?
7 - Which was your first musical idol?
8 - Which was the most' beautiful sought (and eventually received), Santa Claus, Jesus' Child, Saint Lucia, Christmas gift?

1-I wanted to be a garbage man when I grew up. I was about 3 years old when I said this. I also wanted to be an actress.

2- I was never a huge cartoon watcher as a child. I remember Coyote and RoadRunner.

3- We loved games, especially board games as kids: Monopoly, Clue, Life, Sorry, Aggravation, Old Maid, Perfection were some of our favorites.

4- I'm sure I've had other nice birthdays but the one I remember most, since I'm thinking about my childhood, is my 11th. My parents let me have 10 girls stay over night; they all came and it was awesome.

5- I already have a huge Bucket List. I would say that so far I want to live in England, and I want to spend a summer, at least, in Italy.

6- First love was with books and that's a romance that still lingers on even today. I also loved music and theater early on.

7- Music idol was probably Bon Jovi. Go ahead and make fun- I can take it.

8- The best Christmas gift ever was the Barbi Dream house my grandfather made me for my 8th Christmas. It was amazing, and much better than the plastic one at the store.

Now I have to pass it on to 10 people:
I give it to Curly, Gulo, and Sam/P. They are folks who don't blog but they read me every single day and are my friends and I wanted to give them something. Love you ladies!

4. Bragger
5. Lilith
6. Jimmie Earl
7. Evil Pixie
8. Jain at Food for Thought
9. D-Nice
10. Wiley

So there you have it! Thanks for Jesse!

Maggie

Random moments aided by flashbacks

Okay, so with blogger's little brain fart yesterday, I didn't have the chance to get everything posted that I wanted to post. I was supposed to have two posts but I was lucky to get the one to actually work. And you might want to check that out. In case you missed it, fellow blogger Evil Pixie interviewed me and posted my interview answers on her blog. If you want to know more about me, check it out at her place, Evil Pixie!

And since we're speaking about other bloggers, I want to give a HUGE thank you to Wiley. She gave me an award. An award that SHE created just FOR ME. She made the Blogitzer Award her very own self... you know, like Pulitzer but for bloggers? She was "touched" by the post I wrote about Mac's unfortunate vagina cheerleader incident. She gave my writing a thumbs up for humor. Thank you Wiley!
I also had a super amount of fun with Princess yesterday!!! We went to the mall in Northern Civilization and she told me all I need to know about cute formal dresses- the what's hot and what's not if you will. Boy, was I educated! We had some dinner and tried on hats everywhere we went. Oh! And she had NEVER been to Starbucks so I had to induct her. She she is now in love with Vanilla White Mochas. Oh yeah, baby! It was a great time. We also got some fleece and she's going to make a blanket for herself. She's never made one of the "cut and tie" fleece ones before so it's a project. She's awesome. Tomorrow night she's going with me to Mac's choir concert. He has a solo and she wants to hear him sing.

I also want to drink a Cosmo toast and give a warm welcome to new followers, and to those who've been reading me forever! I appreciate you all! And thanks to those newcomers. I hope you enjoy! I can't believe I have 92 followers. I am totally going to do something special at 100 followers. I don't know what, but something.

There is a teacher who has been absent for 4 days. She's got a terrible stomach flu/ throat infection thing. She teaches sophomores and that class is reading Frankenstein. All the days she's been gone, the kids just read and do a worksheet. The English teacher in me is going crazy because I want to TEACH while she's gone. It's such a waste to to have me just sitting there, doing nothing and the kids are bored shitless. I hate it. But I can't do ANYTHING about it.

And there is quite a bit of teacher drama at this school. I learned a long time ago teachers get involved in lots of drama and politics. I learned a long time ago I want nothing to do with that and usually eat lunch in my room and am kind to my fellow educators but that as far as it goes. I might find 1 confidant (hello Gulo) and stay out of the rest. Well, yesterday I got sucked in and it wasn't on purpose.

The 7th grade Eng. teacher was giving a test. She needed "readers" (which is part of the job of a special ed. aide- we read tests aloud) for all her classes where there was a special ed. kid. I'm only in her room 1 period a day. She told me and I signed up my class and the other 2 in the "master book" in the special ed room where people do this to ensure a reader is available. I had checked my schedule and knew I could do the other 2 periods. Well, my boss found out and told me that wasn't how it was done. She said the class teacher is supposed to send her and my supervisor an email and they will assign people to read; it's not the aide's decision to make. O-kay. I apologized. She said it was just a 'miscommunication' and she wouldn't worry about but wanted me to know how it was for the future. But she said it in a snotty, snippy way. I said it was my fault and I would correct it with the English teacher. My boss proceed to send an email to the teacher, "cc-ing" me and my supervisor with the appropriate way to do it and told her she should know better. Well shit.

So I got to her room and apologized, explaining it was my mistake and I was sorry for the email and I was trying to help. I also told her I had said I was going to let her know my mistake and suddenly we all had the email, and I was sorry and it was all just a small misunderstanding- me trying to do "more" than what was my job. Well, the classroom English teacher was PISSED!!! At my BOSS! She said she was going to talk to her.

She said I was a teacher and capable of making this sort or arrangement and I knew if my schedule was busy or not. She said furthermore, they should treat me like the teacher I am rather than a babysitter and be nicer to me since they were lucky to have someone with my experience. She also said if she were me she'd look for another job rather than work for someone who obviously thought I was incompetent. She told this to my boss. She loves me in her room and knows I'll team teach and go above and beyond, just in the week I've been there. Wow. Wow. I don't think I've had anyone stand up for me like that. Wow. This is going to be interesting...

Mags

Cherry on Top

Look what lil' ol' me received from the fabulous and wonderful Wiley!!!! An award!!! We all know I love awards, but this one is special for several reasons! First, because the wonderful Wiley gave it to me. And because it's pink! And because it's all about cupcakes, which have to be the world's best dessert! So thank you my dearest Wiley for bestowing such an honor upon moi!

As always with these awards, I have some things to do to show my appreciation! The rules are simple: talk about three things about myself I love, and then pass the award on to bloggers I love. I can so do this!

1. I like my sense of humor. Several years ago, when I first started teaching, I learned I was funny. I didn't care that I made a fool out of myself on occasions because if it got a laugh, I thought it was awesome. Around that same time I had a Sam who always told me to "never be afraid to go fro the funny." I've followed that advice ever since then. And since then, I've sort of played to that strength. Sometimes I go for the funny and find it wasn't that funny. Sometimes the "funny" sounds better in my head that when it actually comes out my mouth. But I think I have a small talent for making people laugh.

2. I like my brain. I'm not a dumb person and I like I can think. I like that I have a big vocabulary. I like to reason and think and sort. I like words and learning new things. I think knowledge is power and I try to not weld it as a weapon, but I like just having, and SHARING, knowledge. Sometimes I feel like a font of worthless knowledge but it's still my knowledge.

3. The third thing I like about myself is my creativity. Now, my creative synapses are not always firing but when they do, I like what I can generate. I'm not a very crafty person so my creative side is usually seen through something I've planned like an event or an activity or a trip. Or through my writing. Or the way I dress.

Now, I'd like to say this award goes to:

• Why Are You Stalking Me?
• Bragger
• Retired in Alaska
• Frosted Petunias
• Creative Carmelina
• Evil Pixie

And the award goes to me!

As with all good blogger awards, there come rules.

1. Brag about the award.
I got an award and it's so cool! I love awards. They're like presents. And I love presents. An award!!!!! For me me me!!!!!

2. Include the name of the blogger who gave you the award and link back to that blogger.
Wiley gave it to me- thank you, thank you, thank you!!! She so rocks. If she didn't give it to me first, I'd give it to her! And I'm super-duper excited because she moving to the States and then we can hang out. Hey, I know she could be 2000 miles from me, but that's better than the current 3 million-jaillion miles and a bunch of oceans and mountains and stuff away that she is now!

3. Choose a selection of blogs that you find brilliant in honest content. Show their names and links and leave a comment informing them that they were prized with this award.
So I present this award to the following:

• Jain at Food for Thought is brilliant in presentation, word, and deed
• Shan at Shansland is funny, creative, an excellent mom, and beautiful inside and out
  

4. List at least ten honest things about yourself...
Geez, 10 honest things about me? Really? Okay here goes:

1. My real middle name is not Mae; it's Janelle.
2. I worry about what other people think of me and I hate that I do. I wish I was more like French women who just don't give a flying monkey's butt what people think and do their own thing anyway. Guess that's why they're French and I'm not.
3. Being in love scares me to death and I avoid it because I just can't fathom being hurt again. Our hearts don't regrow or bounce like I pretend they do. I just can't stand the thought of romantic disappointment again.
4. I get pissed off at the weather, which is stupid because I can't control it, but the rain made the roof leak and screwed up all my clean clothes, making me wash them AND dry them all over again.
   
5. I want Mac to get a summer job but I can't MAKE that happen, just like I can't MAKE anything else happen.
6. I'm seeing a pattern that I have control issues so I'm honest in that I have control issues.
7. I'm really hating my job right now. Yes, I am lucky I have a crummy pay job with no benefits and it's better than being unemployed. But that doesn't mean I still have to like it, right?
8. I worry I won't be able to afford Mac's college tuition. Sperm Donor is NOT an option; let's not go there, shall we?
   
9. Chocolate doesn't solve all the problems of the world but it seems to help.
10. I like to get mail that's not bills. I love to get letters, cards and magazines. These make me happy.
    

I love bloggy 'presents'!

I received this award today from a sweet blogger who's a newer reader here at "shoes/purses" and I am SO flattered and honoured that she should want to bless me such an award already! So thank you so much to Anna at Frosted Petunias for the Happy 101 Blogger Award!

I'm supposed to list ten things that make me happy:
10. New shoes
9. Great fitting jeans
8. Knowing the final Jeopardy questions
7. Pizza for dinner
6. Watching a good movie
5. Chocolate
4. John Cusak, Jeffery Dean Morgan, & Johnny Depp
3. Bubble baths, new Bath and Body Works lotions (Butterfly Flowers, White Citrus, and Wild Honeysuckle), champagne, roses, pedicures, moonlight, violin music,
2. Long, slow, deep, wet kisses that last for three days
and...............
1. The Right Sam

Thank you again Anna@ Frosted petunias- you are so sweet, and you, too, make me happy!

And the award goes to,
Maggie

Not one, but two awards!

I am such a lucky girl! I received two awards from one of my biggest fans, Jesse at the Art of Jesse. Thank you so very much; I appreciate them both- you are too sweet!

The first award is the "Child" award, I shall call it.

The rules for this award are:

1. Post the sentence : Nenhum olhar è mais puro do que uma criança: The phrase in the Portuguese language means... "There is nothing so pure as the look of a child."

2. Post the logo on your blog and link it.

3. Mention the blog that gave birth to this award: "Arte Da Li"

4. Pass it on to 10 blogs and leave a comment on their blogs to let them know they've been awarded.

The second award from Jesse is the Sunshine Award!

And the rules are:

1. Put the logo in your post or within your blog.

2. Pass the award on to 12 fellow bloggers.

3. Link the nominees within your post.

4. Let the nominees know they have received this award by leaving a comment on their blogs.

5. Share the love and link to the person who gave you the award.

All of my readers deserve this award so I bestow it upon all of you! But for those who like to see their names in lights, I especially hope the following folks take the award and run (run back to their blogs of course, and post it up!): Lilith, Nan, Evil Pixie, Shan, Anna, Duchess of Tea, Finn, TaDa, Bragger, Jimmie Earl, D-Nice, Wiley, and Carmelina!

Thank you again Jesse!

Love and pink lipsticky kisses,

Mags

Tids and Bits

Remember two weeks ago when I told you Mac went to District Vocal contest and received a First place so he would be going to State?

Well, he went to State yesterday. And no I didn't go since I've been feeling under the weather. And my car is also feeling under the weather and I thought it might just fall to pieces if I were to drive it to our state capital about 2 hours away. And it was suppose to snow and I am sick to death of driving in the feckin' snow! Also, Sperm Donor was going and since I heard Mac sing at District AND he and I had a very serious talk about how he would feel if I didn't go (and he was okay with it), he rode with his father and I stayed home. Honestly, I was torn. I thought I should be there NO. MATTER. WHAT. because that what moms do, right? Well, I was also such a nervous wreck at District for him that is made him WAY more nervous than he should've been so it was almost better that I stayed home.

Oh, yes, I should probably tell you how he did... my son kicked some State vocal butt and walked out with a Gold Medal! Whoot-whoot, he got another first, with an excellent score of 12!!! I am SO PROUD of him!!!!!!

And do you also remember when I said Mac wanted to sing "It's Raining Men" for the Spring Spec concert? Well, that idea isn't gonna fly. It has nothing to do with his song choice, him being in drag, or the choreography. It has to do with the fact that the seniors picked "2000: The Decade" as the theme and since that song is NOT from that era, he can't do it. I can't decide if I'm bummed or relieved. Or worried about what he WILL do now...

I still have the golf ball sized lump in the middle of my throat and yes, my worry is growing exponentially about it. I've been the the meds for four whole days and it hasn't gone away or gotten smaller. Is it time to panic or do I wait the entire 10 days to see if it's a virus that can't be killed by an antibiotic and just goes away on its own?

So I was given an award by my blogging friend Jesse, the artist. Thank you Jesse!!!! I *heart* you!

As seems common practice in the blogger world when one wins an award, there are some suggestions such as Linking to the blogger who gave you the award (check), write 10 things that make me happy (check), share it with 10 friends (check), and have fun!

Okay here goes my happy list:

1. It makes me happy when I work with Kool.

2. It makes me happy to spend time with Mac that's FUN time!

3. It makes me happy when we have snow days.

4. It makes me happy when I can spend time with friends and Daddy-O.

5. It makes me happy to get a bunch of blog comments.

6. It makes me happy to finish projects and cross things off my to-do list.

7. It makes me happy when I don't have late library books. (I'm working on that!)

8. It makes me happy when snow melts.

9. It makes me happy when I can eat chocolate.

10. It makes me happy to get get new shoes.

And I have to say I just LOVE this award because it's pink, it makes an educators reference, and it has CUPCAKES on it, which we all know are the world's most perfect dessert. Thank you again, Jesse!

For the last bit, the 10 people to share in the award love, who I have my own reasons for picking (ask me and I'll tell ya why!): Bragger, Wiley, Shan, Jimmie Earl, The Duchess of Tea, D-Nice, The Eejit, Anna, Cheryl, and Evil Pixie.

And I think this wraps up enough bits for me today!

Maggie Mae

Groundhogs,Grammys, and Oscars

Yesterday was Groundhog's Day and the whole shadow/ no shadow thing was a question everyone wanted answered.

According to folklore, if a groundhog emerges from its hole and fails to see its shadow, it leaves the burrow, which means winter is almost over. If the groundhog sees its shadow, it will go back into its home and go back to sleep, signifying winter will last another six weeks.

This year there were mixed results from famous groundhogs around the world. (I can't believe I just typed "famous groundhogs around the world"...OMG) I personally am a firm believer in good old Punxsatawney Phil of Pennsylvania. He seems to be the most renowned rodent of them all, and he was made even more famous after the Bill Murray movie called... Groundhog's Day. And that little rat saw his shadow. ICK! And to top it off, it then snowed for about 3 hours this morning. never mind that it didn't stick or anything, and actually got up to around 39 degrees today, the point is 6 more weeks of winter. I'm tired of it already.

The Grammys were on tv the other night, and I didn't watch it. I just didn't care. I'm not a fan of the huge musical awards shows because most of the time I find I don't know who half of the performers even are, but I also think there is something weird about the Grammys. Seeing jazz musicians with pop with country artists and the like all blended together is just... frightening. A place where Taylor Swift and Lady GaGa can both win an award on the same stage just boggles the mind. I do know one thing about the Grammy awards: I'm so glad it's over so I don't have to listen to that stupid Black Eyed Peas song that was in the background of every advertisement for the show. My ears say "thank you."

Finally the Oscar nominations were released yesterday and I was not surprised a bit. It was pretty expected and no surprises, which is a bummer. I always like a surprise coming out of the Academy. I don't like that Best Picture is now open to 10 films, rather than the traditional five, but no one asked me. I'm also proud of my bad self because I've seen half of the nominated films with plans to see at least three more prior to the ceremony. I don't even really have a favorite. I would be excited for Meryl Streep to take the Oscar for Julie & Julia because it's my favorite movie of last year and I have a soft spot for her. I have NO desire to see Precious, no matter how many nominations it gets; I don't think I have the emotional stamina for such a movie.

Randomness in action,

Maggie Mae

I Won another Award! It's like Christmas, or something!

I won this "Circle of Friends" award from follower Jesse. He gave it as a blanket award to anyone who reads his blog and I wouldn't normally claim a general award but Jesse came here to my blog and told me I should go claim it. So I did.

I give to all of you! As Jesse said, no rules, no limits!

Thank you Jesse for such a lovely honor!

~ Friendship award ~

"Friends are like fresh water
circling around in eternal ecstasy...

they make our moments more
profound, without even noticing
until much later on in life...

friendships are the type that
are unconditional and always
a short distance away...

Therefore, I hand this out to all
my blogger friends, and in turn
you can hand this award out with
no rules. To your friends."
~Poem by Jesse Noe

An award for me? Who me? Awwww, shucks!

Thank you for award, Anna! You know I love award,s and I appreciate this one so much: The Honest Scrap Award! This is awarded for having a blog that you share Honest information about yourself on. I try to be honest, and if the last few days are any indication, then I might be TOO honest sometimes! But thanks again, for the award.

As with many blog awards, there are a few rules which are as follows:

1) Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged me.

2) Tell those 7 people they’ve been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving the award.

3) Share “10 Honest Things” about myself.

Here are the honest things about me:

1. I think I'm not getting hired because I'm a bit overweight.

2. I love musicals. I don't care if they are cheesy and corny, I still like them.

3. I feel people should vocalize their opinions but in way that isn't hurtful to others. Now, I realize I don't always exercise this, but I really, really try.

4. I've worn the same polish on my toenails for 2 months. I forgot to take it off as it started to peel and now I'm just watching it "grow" off.

5. I don't look good in suits. You know, like a formal business suit? They just don't fit my body style, I guess. I just look out of whack. Even if I find a suit that "What Not To Wear" would pick out for me, I just look weird.

6. I'm miserable if I don't have morning coffee. Really. I would like to say that's a myth but in reality, I can be a real bitch if I don't have my morning coffee. When I taught college, my students would bring me coffee just in case I didn't have time to get any because they were scared of me without it. And with reason.

7. I liked smoking pot. I'm not elaborating and I'm not using it but I liked it when I did all those years ago.

8. I honestly have no idea what I'm going to do with my life if I don't teach.

9. I realize my "Number 1" Could be indicative of the following: I would eat an entire bag of Oreos in one sitting if guilt didn't get to me first. Or a package of Mallowmars, the world BEST cookie (thank Goddess they're only sold on the east coast!). Or a Wick's Sugar Creme pie.

10. In all honesty, I swear I'm telling the truth: I LOVE awards!

And now for the nominees:

a. The Prodigal Tourist- the man published a book. He encourages.

b. Knucklehead- he always makes me laugh.

c. JE- he inspires and loves me and is honest and just a great Daddy-O!

d. Evil Pixie: I met her under another name and I think the changes she wants to make in her life are admirable and I cheer her on!

e. Shan- she tells it like it is with much humor, grace and style

f. DNice- even though she's been blogging a short time, she is laying it all out there. My thoughts and positive energies are with her and Chef.

g. Wiley- she live half way around the world from her man who is at war and she has a high stress job but she tells it the way it is. Go her!

It was really hard to just pick seven, but there you have it! And thanks so very much, again, Anna, for the award!

Thank you for the award!

Thanks so much to Anna at "Let's See if this Works"! She presented me with the Kreativ blogger award- many thanks! I love Anna's blog, too! Thank you!

There are rules that go along with winning this award and even though I can be a rule breaker, I promise to follow these guidelines this time!

The rules:

1.) Thank the person who gave this to you. (did it!)
2.) Copy the logo and place it in your blog. (did it!)
3.) Link the person who nominated you. (did it!)
4.) Name 7 things about yourself that no one would really know. (did it!)
5.) Nominate seven 'Kreativ Bloggers.' (did it!)
6.) Post links to the seven blogs you nominate. (did it!)
7.) Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know you nominated them. (did it!)

The 7 things about me:

An aside: this is hard because I've been blogging for more than 3 years and I think ya'll know everything!

a) I like a scoop of orange sherbet in my vanilla ice cream milkshake because then it tastes like one of those old fashioned orange push-up pops.

b) I resigned my job at the ice cream store on Wednesday, effective Oct. 2, 2009.

c) I have really bad arthritis in my right hand, especially my thumb, index finger, and the "fuck you" finger.

d) I often check out more library books than I can read during the allotted period so I either pay fines or I return them and check them right back out again since I usually have about 15 home at a time. But the reason I want so many at once is in case I get sick and have loads of time to read, or... well, what if I don't like something? I need to have another choice. And my mood changes so I have to have at least 3 different genres at home at once. Um, does this make me sound weird, or like I need medication?

e) I'm uncomfortable around old people because I feel like I end up talking to them the way I do a 5 year old and I never consciously do it. Then I catch myself and I feel like an idiot.

f) I don't recycle and I don't feel bad about not doing it but I feel bad about not feeling bad...

g) I like to wear flip- flops with toe socks just for a few weeks in the fall to make my foot transition back to real shoes easier. I try and trick my feet into being happy about shoes again. it doesn't always work...

My nominees

1) Bragger- I know I've given her an award before but I think she is SOOO worthy! Her blog is always thoughtful, and usually funny or insightful. AND she's smart! I love her blog and her brain! I have a 'girl crush'!

2) Julie at Riding Solo- her pictures are beautiful. And you never know what you might get with her blog- something personal, something insightful, something funny, quirky or just off the wall! I love it! (AND she works with BOOKS!!!!!!!)

3) Shan at Shansland- her blog is another potpourri of delight. She might have a video of anything, including her kids, or some insight or just a quip about her life. All good stuff. I also personally appreciate her comments that she leaves on my blog. She is funny, kind and always offers words that make me feel better; she shows through her comments that she is a good soul.

4) Finn McCool- my blogging buddy across the Pond in the land of the Emerald Isle had beautiful pictures, smart poetry, or a personal thought to share. (And I think his writing is sexy...)

5) Tense Teacher- a fellow high school English teacher who shares her stuff- the good, the bad, and the ugly. It's well written and I appreciate that she pokes a little fun at herself- anyone who doesn't take themselves too seriously, posts the greatest memes, and is always grammatically correct gets my vote as a FAB blog!

And the next 2 nominees are a bit unconventional...

6) Patti who is a member of a group photo blog called Through Our Eyes. This is her only blog but she is great. i love her pictures- they are stunning! And she is a frequent commenter here who always has something smart of fun to share. She is witty and insightful and I'm glad she's become my blog friend- and I hope to meet her in person someday!

7) Curley who is also a member of the group photo blog Through Our Eyes. She has a great sense of humor, which is apparent in her photos. I also appreciate her diligence in blog reading and commenting. She is a wonderful lady and I'm happy to call her my best friend and fellow blogger.

(Patti and Curley- we can post your award with your next picture on "Eyes" if you want!)

So once again, thanks to Anna for the award- I *heart* awards! And thanks to all the great bloggers who make my days just a little better!

Hugs and kisses,
Maggie Mae

Giddy!

Even though I'm 37 years old and should really know better for a whole host of other reasons, I'm all happy and twinkly excited about this!

I got another blog award! thank you so much to Eejit, the blogger from Northern Ireland who has a cool photo blog called (Not Quite) A Daily Photo from Colraine. Thank you so much for this honour! I appreciate it so much! Kisses and Hugs and Cosmos to all!

And I pass this award on to Bragger at Bragger. This is a woman I admire and who inspires me. She is brilliant and funny, a fabulous writer, a biker, she's jumped outta planes, she survived marriage, she has an all grown up daughter in the military, she teaches, she has a PhD. This woman KICKS ASS as does her blog- where I learned all this cool stuff about her through her wonderfully creative, usually hilarious, sometimes poignant posts. Go read her. Right now. So I bestow this Golden Blog Award to the soon to be infamous Bragger! (I so want to meet her in person!)