It's Been A Long Time

Before I start my real post, I just want to say happy engagement day to my husband. I love you. 

It was so, so, so sweet of Emily from Domestic Deadline to nominate me for this award. She asked about new blogs or those that didn't have a lot of followers, so I replied because even though I've been blogging forever (okay, since 2007) I don't have a lot of followers. Which I'd like to change, of course.

Anyway, I can't even remember the last time I did the whole award thing, but I think it's awesome that it's back and it's a great way to discover new blogs. This award is a little more challenging than the ones I remember from back in the day; you have to answer interview questions from the nominator, list 11 facts about yourself and nominate other blogs that are just getting started (or are small, in my case).

1. How long have you been blogging and why did you get started? I've been blogging since 2007, although I was a member of some online writing groups before that. I started because I loved to write and wanted to get over my fear of having other people read my work. 

2. What is one thing you wish you could do over?  Maybe start my blog knowing what I know now. :)

3. What is your favorite dessert? Probably a warm brownie with vanilla ice cream. But I'm happy with anything that involves chocolate. 

4. What is your favorite place in the world? I have so many places I love. I think as long as my family is with me and we're having fun together, any place is my favorite. 

5. Do you have a secret ingredient that you won’t share when you give out a recipe? I don't think I've ever given out a recipe. If I did, my secret would probably be that the recipe is really my husband's. 

6. What is your favorite color? Purple, green, black. . .it depends on whether we're talking about clothes or walls or flowers or. . . .You know what? I can love any color but orange. 

7. What is your favorite money saving tip? Buy ahead when it's on sale. When our favorite bread is on sale, I buy a bunch and store it in the freezer. I never run out and I never pay the full (over) price for it. 

8. Where would you go if you went on a dream vacation? I have a serious problem coming up with just one answer for anything. For me, it would be Italy and Greece. But for the family? Probably that Disney resort in Hawaii. 

9. What is your favorite thing to write about? Stuff that ticks me off. I love to vent. 

10. What was your favorite childhood toy and do you still have it? My dollhouses and yes, for the most part we still have them and all the furniture and dolls. Too bad none of my kids are really into them. 

11. What is one thing you do every single day? Eat? Sleep? Hug my kids? That's probably all I can be guaranteed to do every day. 

11 Random Facts About Me

1. Apparently I did do a get-to-know you meme in 2013. 

2. I hate coffee and its evil cousin, mocha.

3. I can read French but I can't speak it.

4. Besides New Jersey, I've lived in Boston, Portland, Seattle, and Kansas City.

5. I've never broken a bone.

6. I cannot keep plants alive.

7. I would much rather sing in the car than in the shower.

8. I would love to take tap lessons again.

9. I love talking about myself until someone asks me to talk about myself. Then I become self-conscious. Like I am about this post. 

10. My first crush was on Rick Springfield. 

11. The only kind of music I don't like is opera. 

My Nominees, not necessarily new bloggers but who definitely aren't getting the recognition they deserve: 

Melt Into the Text

BecominNeurotic

The Dawnie Project

My Mommy's Place

Surviving Mommyhood

Any one of you who wants to be tagged: leave a comment with a link to your (smallish) blog and I'll nominate you! 

My Questions:

1. How long have you been blogging and why did you get started? 

2. If you could have a day to yourself, what would you do?

3. What's your favorite guilty pleasure TV show?

4. What is your goal for your blog?

5. Who was your first celebrity crush?

6. Who is your favorite author?

7. Where have you lived?

8. Gold or silver?

9. What's your favorite thing to drink?

10. The beach or the mountains?

11. What's your favorite vegetable?

The Rules:

1. Thank the blog that presented you this award and link back to their blog. 
2. Answer the questions asked by your nominator, give 11 random facts about yourself. List 11 questions for your nominees. 
3. Nominate several blogs that you feel need the recognition that have fewer than 1000 followers. Contact the blogger to let them know they have been selected by email, commenting on a post, facebook, etc. 
4. Upload the Leibster Award image to your blog.