The Sunshine Blogger Award — Getting to know me

I was nominated 3 times by 3 different bloggers! 

That’s gotta be a record somewhere right? And you all had different questions. So bear with me, friends. This might be a bit of a longer post. 

The Sunshine Blogger Award was created to showcase bloggers who are creative, talented, joyful and dedicated to the blogging world.

There are a few rules to get to know the blogger.  These are:

• Thank the blogger who nominated you in your blog post and link back to his/her blog.
• Answer 11 questions the blogger asked you.
• Nominate 11 new bloggers to receive the award and give them 11 questions you have chosen.
• List the rules in your post on your blog. (And display the award!)

I was nominated by: Amey of  Stunning Complications, Connie of Halos and Life, and a while ago by Jessica of Sane Momma. 

Ladies, I combined a few of your questions together, since they were similar. And some were answered incidentally, so I didn’t post them separately.

Why did you decide to become a blogger?

This was asked by all three nominators. The answer is: I didn’t. I didn’t really “decide” to become a blogger. I started blogging about 8 years ago, as a personal journal. My life, at the time, was chaotic, and I was struggling to make sense of it all — to even remember it. My marriage was new and it was in big trouble. I’d had 2 children, and I was pregnant again with the 3rd. I was sleep deprived, and I thought I was happy, but I think I was more naive. 

It morphed over the years to what it is today. I’ve deleted some of the original posts as I changed names and domains. Some things are republished from years ago. And some things have been updated and repurposed. 

This incarnation of my blogging has come out of a desire to stop repeating myself. I started writing out the answers to my frequently asked questions. That way I could post a link to the answer, rather than typing it out again and again. 

Has your blog always been the same niche, style, or platform? What has changed since the beginning?

Not the same style or platform, but generally the same niche. While I started blogging married, I spent half of my marriage single parenting, so that’s kind of always been on the radar. I started blogging on Blogger, and moved to WordPress, then moved to self-hosted WordPress. Originally I had both my business blog posts and my personal posts on one site, but I separated them a year ago. And then I did a complete rebrand on this site.

What is your favorite movie or genre and why?

I don’t actually watch a lot of movies these days. But I like the action flicks. I bought myself the complete Jason Bourne series for a birthday present a couple of years ago. I think I like them because they are so out of my reality, they are truly an escape. Chick flicks and drama films are too close to my life story for comfort. 

Oh and my favorite movie is Winnie the Pooh. The classic Disney version. Just because. 

Aside from blogging, do you have any other hobbies?

I work. A lot. When you run your own business, there’s always something to do. On the rare chance I do something just for me, I will read for pleasure. And I enjoy the sim-building video games, like Civilization or Spore. I don’t get a lot of time though. 

Blogging is hard work. What motivates you to keep writing?

I have a story to share. And I have answers to questions. I can’t help but write. 

Describe your dream vacation?

Sunny, warm, a good book, a cold drink, and being left all alone. 

What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?

I hope I haven’t achieved it yet! So far, I’ve managed to keep 6 children alive, fed and relatively happy and healthy. But I’ve got big plans..

What is your favorite post on your blog?

Hmmm.. this one. I wrote this one after having a few moms come up and cry on my shoulder. I’ve been there. I know what it’s like. And I know how desperate you can feel. This is my second favorite one. Because sometimes I forget what it’s like, and I needed to remind myself. 

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?

Put it in a savings account and consult a lawyer, financial planner and accountant. I’d need to be educated before I could do anything else. 

What can make you smile, even on your worst day?

A hug from one of my kids. Or all of them. Sometimes they’ll just puppy pile on me, and we’re all better for it. 

If you could buy one thing, regardless of cost, right now, what would it be?

I have everything I need. 

If you could be any super hero, which one would it be and why?

Some people already call me a super hero. I’m not sure why… I’m just a survivor.  But if I had to pick, I think I’d pick.. Iron Man. Because having lots of money and time to make cool toys sounds like fun. 

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? If you could choose any place in the world to visit, where would it be?

I would choose to live here. I love my city. I moved here for a guy 15 years ago, and I fell in love with the city more than I did the guy. I keep coming back here, because this is home. 

I would love to visit Europe. England, Ireland and Germany to start out, and then possibly Spain and France. I’m a huge fantasy fan, and I love history, and I just want to explore all the castles.  

Do you prefer cooking at home, or eating out?

I actually really enjoy cooking. But I’m often very tired, so we do take out and convenience food way more than I like. But when I have the time and energy, I prefer cooking at home. 

Do you collect anything and if so, what?

I collect frogs. Stuffed ones, figurine ones, pictures, frames.. I also collect books. Lol. Oh and funny mugs. Because if I’m the only one who’s going to enjoy a cup of flavored-and-sweetened coffee around here, I want something special to put it in! 

Do you like ice cream (who doesn’t?) and if so, what flavor?

There are a few rare people who don’t like ice cream, but I’m not one of them. I like peanut-butter-and-chocolate flavored kind. Or creamy French vanilla with a warm brownie. 

Are you a “coke” or “pepsi” person, or neither? 

Pepsi. 

Are you “city” or “country” and why?

City. For one because I like people. I like hearing them. I like having everything close by, and even being able to walk places. For two… I grew up in the country. And I spent summers inside, because, as it turned out, I’m allergic to hay. Like severely allergic. Think anaphylactic allergic. I choke up when people cut grass near me! 

What is your favorite color and why?

Green. Deep, emerald, forest, evergreen green. It’s my mother’s favorite color too, and I just love it. It makes me think of home, and warmth and love. 

Is blogging your full-time job, or do you hope for it to be some day?

Kind of? I work from home, but mostly in and on my business. My blogs are a vehicle for my business, mostly. I’d love for them to pay for themselves though. 

Who is the most influential person in your life and why? 

It was my grandfather. I spent a lot of time with him growing up, and I can still hear his voice in my head. He taught me to drive a vehicle. He taught me to do things even though I didn’t like them, or I was scared. And he taught me that there was nothing wrong with me, even though I never did fit in anywhere. I miss him, and it’s been decades. I wish he could have met my children. 

What would you like people to take away from your blog?

I say it frequently. There’s always a way. It doesn’t matter what you want to do, there’s always a way to do it. All you need is the right support. 

If you could give a younger version of yourself one piece of advice, what would it be? 

Have strong boundaries. Do you, and don’t compromise that for anyone. 

If you could describe yourself as an animal, which one would you choose and why?

Cat. Lol. I’m contrary, independent, and to be honest, a day of sleeping in the sun kinda sounds like the perfect day to me. 

Which famous celebrity (alive or dead) would you like to spend the day with?

Um… umm….  (I’m not sure I could name a celebrity…) 

So that’s a bit more about me. I nominate:

RealMomBlog (so awesome!) 
TootsMomisTired (because I love that name!!)
LettersToMyDaughter (I read every post I see!)
RaisingARagamuffin (powerful stuff)
HarassedMom (I so relate)
ANightOwlBlog (because.. night owls are the best)
TheSquirmyPopple (cute, right?)
Dragon’sEyeView (because everything’s better with dragons)
HooksandDragons (I hope I’m this cool when I grow up)
WayBeyondtheNorm (authentic and wow)
TalesFromHome (just because)

Your questions are: 

1. What’s your favorite part about blogging?
2. Which social media platform do you spend the most time on?
3. Non-alcoholic beverage of choice? 
4. Did you have a nickname as a child? What was it?
5. THE book you recommend everyone read. 
6. What fashion style did you rock as a child? (bonus: post a picture if you dare!!)
7. What’s your favorite age (of children) and stage to hang out with?
8. What’s your go-to meal you cook (or order in!)? 
9. What was your favorite Christmas gift or birthday present ever?
10. Did you vote in the last election in your country? Why or why not?
11. If you could wave a magic wand and immediately and permanently fix one world problem, what would it be? 

Happy blogging everyone! Congratulations! I’ll be watching for the answers.