Many thanks to Memee over at Memee’s Musings for her kind nomination into the Versatile Blogger Award community. I’m greatly honored when other writers choose to compliment my work. We tend to be a particular bunch, so when someone steps forward and names Riddle from the Middle as noteworthy it does make my chest swell a bit with pride. (But not in that obnoxious, “well, doesn’t SHE think she’s the bees knees” sort of way.)
I tend to stutter step a bit when people ask what Riddle from the Middle is about. They say you’re supposed to have an “elevator pitch” – a one or two sentence summary to describe your blog. But no matter how I try, I can’t seem to boil RFTM down into that kind of description. When I try to answer someone’s “What’s your blog about?” I end up rambling about parenting and dogs and adoption and life and current events and sharing interesting links and such…quite a mess, right? I much prefer the title “versatile” to “can’t get her shit together” so this award falls solidly in the win column for me.
If you are nominated, you’ve been awarded the Versatile Blogger Award.
- Thank the person who nominated you (because, you know…manners).
- Include a link to that person’s blog. That’s also good manners.
- Then select 15 blogs/bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly who you consider versatile and excellent in their writing. Nominate them for the Versatile Blogger Award and notify them on their About page. (Full disclosure: 15 is an intimidating number. I’ll do my best.)
- Finally, share 7 things about yourself. Interesting is good…truthful is important…bonus points for brutal honesty.
Now for the seven fascinating facts about me:
1. I have been blessed to love five dogs in the last twenty years. One we lost to natural causes, and I was with two others when they took their last breath. Holding Ginny and Roxie as they died split my heart wide open, but each time I was grateful that my loving eyes were the last thing they saw. Now I adore two very different dogs – a giant Golden whose fluffy goofiness is matched by her tendency to cause trouble, and a mid-sized Lab mix who has wormed her way solidly into my heart.
2. I’ve spent most of my life being perpetually cold. I nap under throws year round, and I can only stand walking around barefoot in the very hottest of months. Unfortunately, I also adore a great pair of flip flops. These two sides of my personality are constantly at war with one another.
3. I hate heels. My feet hurt terribly when I wear them, but I’d probably hate them even if that wasn’t the case since the odds of a foolish spill increase exponentially with heel height. In my twenties I had bunion surgery in an attempt to make dress shoes less painful. Two decades later I know this: a) dress shoes still hurt, and b) telling people you’ve had bunion surgery makes you sound remarkably old.
4. I do not give two flips about sports teams. For any kind of sports. At all. You wouldn’t think this would be a particularly notable fact except we live in an area where Sports are King, and apparently I’m breaking some sort of unspoken law by not having a favorite college basketball team I’m willing to defend to the death. Seriously, people look at me like I’ve sprouted wings when I say I really don’t care. I’m worried one of these days I’ll be deported to a state where sports aren’t taken quite so seriously. Like Utah. (Wait, is there some Utah team I’ve just dissed? See? I have absolutely no idea.)
5. I was once implicitly accused of brainwashing my students with a Republican agenda by having them write a letter to the president. A fact which is all the more ironic when you consider I was the president of the University Democrats at my college.
6. I greatly dislike small talk. For a while this confused BrightSide – I was in a sorority, and I had to do that whole small talk thing during Rush. But I didn’t like it then and I’ve only grown more introverted as I’ve gotten older, so now making small talk is akin to walking over hot coals. I recognize it’s a necessary evil; I just don’t enjoy it.
7. I find few things quite as soothing as a soft dog curled up by my side for a nap. Especially if they snore just a little.
These are my nominations for the Versatile Blogger Award:
1. All In A Dad’s Work
2. Coach Daddy
3. vanbytheriver
4. Okayest Mom
5. Adoption Expectant – Hubby Edition
6. Joeyfully Stated
7. Chronicles of a Blogaholic
8. Herding Chickens and Other Adventures in Foster and Adoptive Care
9. almostfarmgirl
10. Behind The White Coat
11. A Thomas Point of View
12. mind JO business
13. The Ninth Life
14. Molly B and Me
15. Bipolar For Life
Each nomination is my recognition of a writer’s unique perspective and voice. I enjoy visiting these blogs; pop on over and you might find a few new favorites, too.
Aw! Thank you so much for the “nomination” and the praise. Hugs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s well deserved! Hope you have a wonderful day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the fact that you don’t give two flips about sports teams. I’m loyal to mine, but also know the value of being out of season, of just being, and not trying to run a pro franchise from my armchair. Thanks so much for the nomination – I will participate, although I’m not sure when!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think your passion is inspiring, and you have lots (LOTS!) of company from my neck of the woods. They are VERY serious about their basketball around here so I’ve just learned how to stay out of the way. 🙂 My passion lies elsewhere. Join in when you’re able — thanks for dropping by!
LikeLiked by 1 person
WOW! What an incredible group of bloggers to be included beside. I’m honored for the mention. I’m with you on the small talk. As in introverted extrovert, I find small talk difficult. Thanks for the nomination!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are most certainly welcome. These are all blogs I truly enjoy reading — hopefully some others discovered new favorites, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awe. Thanks for the mention! Also, I’m totally with you on the small talk thing. And I’m in sales! My job takes every last shred of extroversion out of me everyday and by the time I get home the only ones I want to talk to are my dogs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course! Sales would be one of the hardest jobs ever for me…don’t know if I would make it. Though I agree that dogs are sometimes the best companions at the end of a long day. Nothing but quiet acceptance there! 😊
LikeLike
Laura, Congratulations to you. Thank you very much for your nomination and your kind comments.
Shine On
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Happy to share the news about your blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations and thank you for the nomination & your kind compliment 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats to you, too. You have a wonderful blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations to you! Thank you so much for the nomination of BTWC. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely. I’ve really enjoyed reading your work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, Laura!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Tonya. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your answers. Utah does have a few professional sports teams now…not so many in the past. Thanks for the nomination. I’m honored to be in such good company. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your nomination is well deserved! And for real, I could have thrown a dart at the map…there are only a handful of states where I’m aware of diehard sports franchises. The rest are a mystery to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
OMG. we were given an assignment to rite the President when I was a kid in school. Nixon was the President then. what knuckleheads.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I mean, BLESS! I didn’t even know what to say…all I could do was send back a copy of the newspaper prompt I’d used for the assignment. I can only hope it made the person think twice before jumping on a teacher again. 🙂
LikeLike