Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!

(Name that tv show-question 1)

I got an award!

My first blogging award!

I didn't even know there were blogging awards.

Yet, now I am the recipient of one!

One of the best parts about blogging has been meeting wonderful people and getting to know them through your blog and theirs.

Worst parts about blogging?

Post Paranoia.

You know.

When you write a post you think is funny or interesting, watch your stats and see people look at it, notice people aren't leaving comments, and then you wonder why on earth people don't want to leave a comment.

Then you go back and re- read the post and make sure it made sense.

Then you ask your good friend whose clothes you steal why your post is dumb.

Then you don't believe your good friend whose clothes you steal when she says your post is fine.

(Name that friend -question 2)

Post Paranoia.

But that is a story for another time.

Joyce over at From this Side of the Pond gave me this award.  You should all stop by her site and say hello!

She's Fab.

 

So this award comes with rules.

I'm to post 10 things that make me happy and try to make at least one of them part of my day today.

Then I'm to pass the award on to 10 bloggers who brighten my day.

Let's start with 10 things that brighten my day and make me happy...

 

1)  My chocolate raspberry creamer.

 

Well . . . it's actually a love/hate relationship.

I simply love it.

But I hate it because it contains calories.

Raise your hand if you are sick of me talking about this creamer?

Moving on then . . .

2)  My kids.

Of course.

I am with them every day.

We are BFF.

3)  My Lumberjack

He can also drive me nuts, but that is besides the point.

4)  Hymns.

Weird, huh?

Bet you didn't expect that one.

I love Blessed Assurance, I'd Rather Have Jesus, How Great Thou Art, It is Well with my Soul . . . and oodles more.

I love how beautiful the words are and love to hear the stories behind how they were written.

I love them so much that my wedding party walked down the aisle to "Blessed Assurance."

5)  There is a specific moment in my day that I wouldn't trade for anything.

After lunch, the kids run amuck while I try to attempt to clean.

Then the kids and I clean up the mess they created while I attempted to clean up from lunch.

Then we all pile on the couch and read a few books before nap time.

Books like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, The Napping House, Time for Bed, Chicka, Chicka, Boom Boom, and The Cat in the Hat.

I absolutely love this time.

The boys are sleepy and cuddly.

They happily point to the books and say words they recognize.

I am happy because I know nap time is near.

And when nap time comes, I put on a cup of coffee and drink a steamy cup with my favorite creamer.

Oh, how I love nap time.

So, we read some books.

Then we all give smooches and the boys are put to bed.

6)  Camping.

We always have fun memories . . . no matter how awful my camping hair looks.

Seriously.

100 (meaningless) points to anyone who can come up with a cute camping hair style for yours truly.

(question 3, and perhaps the most important to my heart)

Some points to consider:

1)  My hair has to be washed every day.

2)  My hair does not air dry nicely.

3)  My hair has a wave.  But not a pretty wave.  A wave that looks like a 12 month old dying and lifeless perm.

Help.

 

7)  Friends.

 

Like this friend here who lets me steal her clothes.

Can you believe she sprays whipped cream in to her child's mouth?

Honestly . . .

8)  Musicals.

I love them.

"The Music Man"

"Oklahoma!"

"Hello, Dolly!"

The Lumberjack hates them.

But I hate the song "Convoy" by CW McCall that he so greatly enjoys.

So, we're even.

 

9)  English Literature.

Can we not all agree that Wuthering Heights is a most splendid book?

 

10)  Brushing my teeth.

It makes the world feel right again.

 

Ok.

Done with that part.

Now I need to name 10 other blogs that make me happy.

Here we go, Lumber-Joe's:

 

1)  Those With Young.

Written by my long time friend, Angela. 

It is a great site for mom's to get encouragement from the scriptures.

2)  Mabel's House.

This is written by a girl named Liz, who is an aspiring writer.

She also has wonderful decorating ideas.

And she has a dog named Mabel!

Win-Win-Win!

(Name that tv show-question 4)

3)  Is it Bedtime Yet?

Written by a mom named Erin whose husband is currently deployed.

She writes about her many hilarious adventures with her mother-in-law, who she lovingly refers to as Pat the Bunny.

4)  Andi's Ramblings.

Another gal I have met through the blogging world.

She is so nice and a great blogging friend.

She has some pretty funny stories to tell as well.

5)  The Cameron Clan.

A real life friend.

Not just a blogging friend.

A mom who homeschools and shares a bit of her life, recipes, and more!

6)  The Little Brown House.

Also a real life friend and a blogging friend.

She even went out and bought chocolate raspberry creamer and tried it just because I rave about it so often.

I don't think she was quite as impressed with it as I am.

But, by golly, she gave it a whirl!

She has some yummy recipes and great design ideas.

7)  Chicken Feet Soup for the Soul.

A real life friend!

Recipes, frugal tips, and of course, funny moments with her kids.

8)  Wandering Home.

A real life friend!

She is currently living in Turkey!

9)  Blog Schmog

Written by my real life friend, Jess, a natural story-teller.

10)  The Park Wife

A blogging friend who is the wife of a state park ranger.

She has some funny adventures to share!

 

I actually have a few more blogs that make me quite happy, but then this post would go on all day!

Don't forget to try to answer any of the 4 questions in this post!

Not that you'll win anything.

Except the satisfaction of knowing you were right.

 

Thanks for enduring this long post!

 

This is the Lumberjack's Wife, signing off to pay bills and buy diapers!

And milk.

We always need more milk.

Oh, dear.

Guess what my 2-song IPod Dad got for Christmas?

There he is!

Mr. Technology himself. :)

Well, first . . . .

He needs to conquer this tricky packaging.

Hmmm . . .

And we're in!

Now, listen.

I love my dad.

And he is actually the smartest person I know.

Truly, he is.

 

Dad?

Are you out there on your tricky internet machine?

You are definitely my "Phone-a-Friend" if I am ever on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?"

So, gentle readers . . .

Did you guess what he got?

Hint:  It's sorta like an IPod . . . for books.

Yes.

He got a Kindle.

Very Interesting . . .

Guess what I got?

Rubber gloves.

From my Auntie.

For to touch the raw meat!

She knows me too well . . .

Check out what I am wearing.

So . . .

I borrowed Melissa's black top for a party awhile back.

And I haven't gotten around to returning it.

I'm a busy girl.

And since it was conveniently right there in my closet, I wore it again.

Why not?

You would do it, too.

Plus, I am wearing the Perfect Black Sweater with Ruffles that I guilted her into giving to me.

And to top it all off, I am wearing the jeans that she got too skinny for.

What would I do without her?

She dresses me.

But, Melissa, I have terrible news.

And I can't think of a better way to share this news with you, than to post it on my blog for all to see.

That way you won't kill me.

You know.

Because of all the witnesses.

So, in between the party and Christmas, the Lumberjack helped with laundry.

What!??!

I know.

My Lumberjack will, upon occasion, get the urge to do a few rounds of laundry if I am gone all day.

I have pleaded with him in the past to please not help with laundry.

I have pleaded with him in the past to please at least not do MY laundry.

Now, I know that sounds foolish.

And I know I am a lucky girl to have a husband who does laundry, even it it is only a couple times a year.

But the Lumberjack only does laundry one way.

His plan?

Wash everything in the hottest water on the heavy-duty cycle.

Melissa.

I fear the beautiful black top you lent me is "hand wash only".

And I fear that your lovely, delicate top was "lay flat to dry."

And I also fear that the Lumberjack was feeling particularly helpful the morning your lovely shirt was in the hamper.

So . . .

Oops?

But it might be okay.

I wore it yesterday.

I think it is okay:

I don't know.

Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?

Or at least could you find it in your heart to forgive the Lumberjack?

Speaking of the Lumberjack:

Look how happy he is!

He can be festive!

Who knew?

Guess what Wii game he got?

Put your thinking caps on.

100 (meaningless) points to whoever can guess what game he got

200 (meaningless) points to anyone who can convince Melissa to forgive me.

But guess what else I got:

WooHoo!

Slippers for my oh-so-frigid icy cold wood floors.

And . . . The Pioneer Woman Cooks by Ree Drummond!

So now, I will be able to cook like her.

But if I could only blog like her . . .

Oh, well.

Guess who gave me these precious gifts?

Hint:  She touches fish.

Hint:  She has red hair.

Hint:  She knows what channel locks (sp?) are.

Hint:  She is more woman than I will ever be.

300 (meaningless) points to whoever can guess the giver.

Come on.

I know you can do it.