Life interrupted my plans to interview Bear this week – it’s remarkable how impossible it seems to find free time once the kids are back in school and playing sports – but Stomperdad over at All In A Dad’s Work was kind enough to nominate me for a Liebster award and inspiration struck.  Why don’t I do a Liebster post, Forever Family style?  It sounded like a neat idea to me, plus it was the perfect way to buy more time for the interview.  (Thanks, Stomperdad!!)  You should check out his blog!

Here’s how the Liebster works:

  1. Thank the blogger who nominated you.  It’s courteous and shows your mama raised you right.
  2. Share 11 random facts about yourself.
  3. Answer the 11 questions posed by the blogger who nominated you.
  4. Nominate 5-11 bloggers you love and let them know they’ve earned a Liebster!
  5. Give your nominees 11 questions to answer.

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11 Facts About Myself

  1. I’ve always enjoyed photography so two years ago I took an introductory camera class, and it’s been cool to see how my photos have changed.  Hard core photographers freak me out, though – one time I was trying to hold my own in a conversation then blanked out completely when he asked what kind of camera I use.
  2. My second toe is longer than my big toe.  Some say this indicates a qualitative leader who is dynamic and creative.  Others say it’s genetics.
  3. I am incapable of drinking straight from the milk or juice container.  The few times I tried to buck my upbringing I’ve been rewarded with cold liquid running down my chin and shirt.
  4. Sometimes phrases pop out of my mouth and a millisecond passes before I realize I actually said it aloud.  Often those phrases are highly inappropriate for that particular setting.  I’ve learned to just roll with it.
  5. I love a lot of things about food, but the smell of freshly baked bread sets my mouth watering.
  6. I had to give up diet soda when we were trying to get pregnant and was convinced for a few weeks there that life was no longer worth living.  It also became painfully obvious that I should never become a heroin or coke addict.  There’s no way I’d be able to kick real drugs if I was craving a carbonated drink that hard.
  7. I have a tattoo.  This may surprise 75% of the people who know me, but my kids have known for years.  There is no privacy in a house with toddlers.
  8. I have played every position on the soccer field and, as of a few years ago, even coached. I can’t begin to tally the total number of hours spent with that sport, and I still love it as much as the first day I laced up my cleats.
  9. In the third grade I plagiarized a poem for my poetry project.  My teacher gave me every opportunity to come clean, but I stubbornly insisted I’d written the piece and she allowed me to include it.  I still have that little laminated book.  Every time I look at it I remember my intense desire to create something special, the feeling that nothing I wrote was as spectacular as I wanted it to be, and a teacher’s compassionate handling of the situation.  We learn so much more than 2+2 in school.
  10. I am physically incapable of staying silent at my kids’ games.  Taking pictures keeps my hands busy, but shutting me up would require duct tape.
  11. I won’t go so far as to use the word hate, but I really don’t enjoy The Andy Griffith Show. Please don’t write to tell me how wonderful it is – a realistic depiction of life in those times, full of great lessons, wholesome entertainment, etc. etc.  I can’t explain why I don’t like it; I just know I groan deep down inside when someone turns it on.

Questions

Would you go skydiving?

Absolutely not.  I like to think I’m adventurous, but something about hurtling through the air until a parachute slows my fall to the earth is distinctly unappealing.

Would you consider “roughing it” sleeping in a tent or going without cell phone service?

Being without cell phone service would make me itchy and agitated, but sleeping in a tent qualifies as roughing it.

What is your dream car to drive?

A Mazda Miata convertible.  (Yes, I know I’ve owned this before.)  I’m not a huge car junkie…I couldn’t tell you about the new cars out there, but I do remember how gloriously fun that Miata was to drive.

Traveling to which country would put you farthest outside your comfort zone?

Iran or North Korea.  Both speak languages far removed from anything I’ve studied, so I’d be anxious about getting around safely.  Also, I’m not certain how comfortable I’d be living by their political and cultural restraints, even if only for a short time.

If I were to come visit your town, what should I come visit first?

Buttermilk Creek Farm.  You’ll drive beautiful country roads, probably get turned around a couple of times, and if you’re willing to pick then you’ll be rewarded with some of the most delicious blueberries, blackberries, and peaches around.

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So how does a Liebster award, Forever Family edition work?  All of my nominees are people who blog about fostering, adoption, parenting, or all of the above.  Their work is poignant, meaningful, thought provoking, and real.  Visit their blogs to read some of their work.

My Nominations

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My Questions

  1. Sweet or salty?
  2. You’ve been asked to write one city ordinance that will be in effect on the fourth Wednesday of each month.  What is it?
  3. Do you remember any of your teachers in particular?  Why or why not?
  4. Would you rather be trapped in a crowded elevator for twelve hours or stranded alone on a lifeboat for three days?
  5. Name two things you have on your person right now.
  6. You’ve been given a million dollars tax free with the condition that you spend it within seven days.  What do you do with the money?
  7. Complete this sentence: I’d love to know more about _____.
  8. Your neighbor’s hosting a potluck and you’ve agreed to go.  What are you most likely to take?
  9. Would you say your life is an open book, by invitation only, or locked in the vault?
  10. Recommend your favorite author, musician, or artist.
  11. Describe two ways to spend a beautiful Saturday afternoon.