Competitions

Although my kids have done sports when they were younger (soccer, basketball, swimming, gymnastics, etc.), as they get older they tend to gravitate towards other fields such as academics and the arts, and they usually do pretty well too.  I'm not gonna lie -- sometimes I feel a little proud of my kids.

LittleDuckling usually attends a district chess competition each year and always has fun.  His Jr. High team often places and moves on to the regionals up at the U of U (I think he mostly enjoys getting out of school for the day to attend! haha.).  He's a little concerned about what will happen to the chess team now, since the teacher/coach passed away last month...  :(   I hope the new faculty sponsor will have just as much fun with the kids as Mr. Gadd did! (We miss you, Mr. Gadd!)

This has also been a great year for my Senior, Keenan as well.  If we're friends on Facebook, no doubt you saw my plethora of posts about his work in the high school musical, Grease.  His solos were great and the audience totally loved him; he ate it up.  This past Wednesday night he took first place for his monologue at the Regional Drama Competition.  He was way excited, as am I. 

PrettyPrettyPrincess has had some successes of her own this year as well.  It started off with the yearbook cover design competition.  Her art submission won and was selected to be the cover of the yearbook this year.  So, of course we HAD to order a yearbook.  I haven't seen it yet, but I am way excited for her.  Her History Fair project placed at the school level and yesterday morning we got up bright and early so I could drive her up to the district for the District Level Competition.  Parents weren't allowed to stay, since the judges were roaming around, interviewing the kids on their projects, etc.  So, I hope we find out how she did soon.  And finally, she won her school's "Keyoff", typing at 70 wpm with ~0~ mistakes.  She goes to the District "Keyoff" next week.  They are little achievements and even if she doesn't come in first place, I am proud of her.

Yes, I think I do have amazing kids.  Many times they enter these competitions without me even knowing until they've placed!  Crazy how motivated they become.  But even if they don't win, I am happy they are learning the value of hard work and that it does pay off.  These are great life skills!

The Lemonade Stand Award

As usual, I try to save the award ceremonies for the weekend. Here is another I have graciously accepted. It's the "Lemonade Stand Award". Cuz when life hands you lemons... well, you get the idea.

Thanks so much to Megan (click here) for this award.

Here are the rules:

1) Put the logo on your blog or post. (I just did.)

2) Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude! (the whole making lemonade out of lemon thing)

3) Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4) Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5) Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

As rule number 2 says it all, these are the ten blogs you should be checking out right now because they truly and certainly deserve this kind of award (drum rolls):

Toni
Sarah
Kaye
Ann
Anna
Ardis
Julie
Holli
Rhonda

Betty

Catching Up with Awards & Nominations

Megan over at Infertile Myrtle gave me an award!!! Whoo-Hoo! I love awards! It is the "Encouraged Blogger Award". Here's what she had to say about li'l ol' me... "because she's a riot and seems she would be a great friend to have outside of the blogosphere." Well, isn't that just the cutest thing ever? Ok - so, here are the rules...

1. The winner may put the logo on their blog.
2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award.
3. Nominate 5 blogs.
4. Put links to their blogs.
5. Leave a message for your nominees.

So - here are the 5 bloggers I am nominating, since I have received encouragement (directly or indirectly) from them, their posts or their comments.

1) Ashley at The Linares Family
2) The Queen in Residence at Shiners House of Fun
3) Carol at Siswick Construction Zone
4) Ardis (one of my BFF's) at Hapa Hoale Five
5) Holli at The Dog Is Not A Toy


I also received this award from Vickie at Vickie's Scrapbooking and Tidbits and I am honored, for this is the second time I have received it! Here are the rules for that one.

To translate the gift from Portuguese to English, it means:"This blog invests and believes, the proximity[meaning, that blogging makes us 'close' -being close through proxy]. "

Once this award is received, it then must be paid forward to 8 other bloggers!!! That's it...no other rules!!! Yay!!! Here are my nominations for the Proximidade Award...

1) Kaye at The Butler Family Diaries

2) Rhonda at Whetten Wonders

3) Tomoko at Locomoko

4) Mumzie at My "So Called" Crazy Life"

5) Tamie at Peterson Party Page

6) Betty at Weins World

7) Amy at The Seasons of Our Life

8) Mrs. S at S Club 3

Then, last but not least, I received the "Your Blog is Fabulous" Award from Two Blessings From Above. The rules for this award are that I must list five of my favorite addictions and then pass along the award to five other fabulous blogs.

Five Addictions:
1 - Blogging
2 - Cooking
3 - Talking
4 - Crafting
5 - Writing

Five Nominees:

1 - Ann at Families are Forever
2 - Ruthie at A Hoosier in Nevada
3 - MaryJo at Du Webb Family
4 - Toni at A Stochastic Chrestomathy
5 - Cindy at The Grass Can Be Greener

So congrats to all - and don't forget to pay it forward!

I Was Voted For!!!

Wow - with all of the election stuff happening earlier this week - I almost missed this!!! Mrs. De Miranda gave me this award. I am so excited! Thank you sooooo much!

Here are the rules...

List 6 things that make me happy:

1) My Children
2) My Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
3) My closest friends
4) My gifts and talents
5) My Freedom
6) Laughing so hard I cry - and perhaps almost pee my pants

Pass on to six other bloggers: (in no particular order)

1) Angela at MyDogumentary - for making every day a "dog day". So witty and clever! I feel like she "gets me".

2) Kaye at The Butler Diaries - for blogging about her VERRRRRRRY entertaining daily life as a mom to 2 tweens. She is a riot! She has that sweet-n-sassy Southern Charm too!

3) Ann at Families Are Forever - for sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly; for "keepin it real" and making me laugh at the same time!

4) Megan at Mmmboppin' - for reminding me that I can find humor in this thing we call life! She is a breath of fresh air. (I miss having you in the neighborhood, Meg!)

5) Julie at Now That's Funny! - for her candor. She is never afraid to tell it like it is. Also, If I need a good laugh, I can always count on her! We also have some of the best late night Wal-Mart Rendevous!

6) RhondaLue at Whetten Wonders - for being one of my bestest "bloggy friends" ever! She is supportive and *loyal*, not to mention LOL-Pee-Your-Pants-Funny! I can always count on a funny comment from her! Plus - she even had the guts to comment on my Mom's site about Big-D! hahaha!

So Congrats to the Winners! I could have easily handed out a dozen or so more. But, I guess the line gets drawn somewhere! By the way, I am noticing a common thread with these winners...they are all F-U-N-N-Y!!!

Puh-Lease take a sec and go check out each of their blogs! Tell 'em the Mindless Banterer Sent you! hahahahaha!

Bling-Bling for Bloggy BFFs

Thank you sooooo much TULSI for nominating me for some Bloggy Bling-Bling. So here is how is this award works. I have to choose 4 bloggy friends who I consider to be "Blogging Friends Forever" PLUS 1 bloggy friend from another country. This is a hard one, because there are so many of you out there that gimme so much bloggy-comment-love all the time. But rules are rules, and I didn't make the rules. Ok - so without further adieu, here are a FEW of my BFF's (Blogging Friends Forever)!

1) Melanie - for not only being a blogging friend forever, but for being a true friend forever! Not only does she LOVE blogging, but she is generous to EVERYONE in our blogging circle with her bloggy comments. She is also one of the best neighbors I have ever had! Thanks Mel!

2) Susie's Homemade for always being willing to share her EXCELLENT homemaking skills/talents/recipes. She is a great "cheerleader" as well, and is always giving me encouragement and great household tips! Three Cheers for Susie!

3) Mrs. S is forever sharing laughs with me! She is also a great supporter and full of encrouagement! She isn't afraid to share her faith AND her ideas on ANYTHING I have questions or concerns about. She's a lot like me in that we are NOT shy! Props for Mrs. S!

4) PurpleHaze was a looky-lou of my blog for a while (thanks to nursemom for directing her here), before she finally "introduced" herself. She lends a lot of perspective, and she is sure catching on quick to blogging in the short time she's been in the blogosphere. Most of all, she is diligent in stopping by and saying hi! (No more "lurking" - haha) Hip-Hip-Hooray for PurpleHaze!

And I only have one in my blogroll from another country, but I also have a rule of nominating someone in my family when I get awards. So - I proclaim #5 a TIE!!!

5a) Carol totally cracks me up! She has this way of putting things...so clever, so witty, so hi-LAR-ious! It's as Ann says, "Pee your pants funny!" I miss it when Carol's not around! I LOVE her spin on life! Just ask her to prove to you how chocolate is healthy! Afterwards, you won't be able to prove it's not! Brilliant- just brilliant!

5b) Even though puphigirl isn't from another country, she does live in another COUNTY (haha). And IT DOES feel like she has been away in another country, since she is back in school and is sooooo busy! Anyway - she is good at leaving comments and is known for catching me off guard quite a bit! Woo-Hoo PuphiGirl!

Now - go and pay it forward by making your own nominations! Good Luck!!!

Honored...

Thanks Tulsi for another Bloggy Award!!! This one's a pretty one!

To translate the gift from Portuguese to English, it means:"This blog invests and believes, the proximity[meaning, that blogging makes us 'close' -being close through proxy].

"They all are charmed with the blogs, where in the majority of its aims are to show the marvels and to do friendship; there are persons who are not interested when we give them a prize, and then they help to cut these bows; do we want that they are cut, or that they propagate?"

Once this award is received, it then must be paid forward to 8 new bloggers!!! That's it...no other rules!!! Yay!!! Here are my nominations for the Proximidade Award...

1) Jennifer Rae at The Only One Woman Posse
2) Denise at In a State of Confusion
3) Emily at Once Upon a Time
4) Mary Jo at Du Webb Family
5) Naomi at Puphi's Postings
6) Ruthie at A Hoosier in Nevada
7) JoDell at The Parke Family
8) Tomoko at Locomoko

Congrats to these winners, and don't forget to pay it forward!!!

Arte Y Pico

Pour Moi?

What is this you ask? Arte y Pico? Well, my friends, I am giddy to announce that I have managed to somehow snag another bloggy award. Yea!!! A special shout-out to Blogstalker for the nomination - thank you! So, what does it mean anyway??? And How can I get one??? All good questions. I'll do my best to explain!

The Literal Translation is Art Peak. And if you click here it also says that "it translates into a wonderful phrase in Mexico, “lo maximo.”... It will never find its counterpart in English, but if it HAD to, it would be something like, Wow. The Best Art. Over the top."

Now for the Rules...

1.) Choose 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award based on creativity, design, interesting material & overall contribution to the blogger community.

2.) Post the name of the author & a link to his or her blog so everyone can view it.

3.) Each award winner has to show the award & put the name & link to the blog that has given him or her the award

4.) The award winner & presenter should post the link of the "Arte y pico" blog so everyone will know the origin of the award.

5.) Post these rules.

This was a tough one as I am "meeting" new bloggers ALL THE TIME, and there are definitely more than 5 that deserve this award. But alas, the rule is 5...so, I tried to select ones I haven't selected in the past. And the winners are...in no particular order...

Whetten Wonders I am a new follower of Rhonda's blog - but she Cracks Me Up!!! You've gotta check her out! She is soooooo funny and tells it just like it is. I love to read her blog and feel like I am right there while it is happening. She chronicles her life with her kids and hubby, like when she had a non-date with her 7 year-old at the mall and he "tries out" mattresses while she shops!!!

Siswick Construction Zone What's not to love about Carol??? Plus she lives across the ocean in the UK. So, of course I read ALL of her posts with the British accent. Carol is hilarious! I love when she shares her rants on motherhood to two little ones. She is clever and witty and she has a secret thing for Krispy Kremes!!! But it is probably her hint of sarcasm I love the best!

The Seasons of Our Life Amy & I "grew up together separately"...meaning our families were great friends and we grew up in the same area. However, she was older than I was, so I am just starting to get to know her. I love to read Amy's blog because not only does she crack me up, she is genuine! She LOVES being a mom, and is so DANG GOOD at it!!! I am secretly taking lessons from her!!!

Hapa Haole Five Ardis & I go waaaay back to college dorm days. We are kindred spirits! I love her love of life and her encouragement and support for all of those she loves! The best thing I LOVE about her BLOG (aside of her honesty) are her PICS!!! She has a great camera that she has been "dabbling" with. And her pics of her hapa haole (half-white ...lol) kids are sooooooooo adorable!!! Gotta see 'em!

The "Willeyes" And finally, last but not least, my neighbor Mel! Trust me - despite it's name, you will not get the "willies" from visiting her blog. Mel is a "sharer", which is why I love her blog! She shares good ideas, fun facts, great stories and quotes, and beautiful pics of her family adventures. Most of all you can tell that Mel loves to have a good time!

Congrats to the winners! I hope the rest of you will check out their blog and post a comment or two...y'know...Quench The Blog! Oh - and winners, don't forget to nominate 5 new winners!

Interview with a Mindless Banterer

So recently, I was honored at the Bloggy Bottom Awards (BBA).
This is a major event, in which the Blog-cademy scrapes the bottom of the barrel in search of the most mindless blogs. The following transcript is from the Bloggy Bottom Junket Interview.

Bloggy Bottom: Are you familiar with interview code 401c?
Mindless Banterer: No - what is that?

BB: That you can't answer a question with a question.
MB: ok. I can handle that.

BB: What are your muses?
MB: I'd have to say that everyone and everything around me is my muse: My idiosyncratic family, the situational comedy that is my every day life, and my observations of what people are NOT telling me.

BB:When you leave this world what do you hope family, friends, and people in general, will say about you?
MB: Have you read her blog?

BB: What is one bad habit you have?
MB: Switching from past to present tense mid-blog. I blog about past experiences, therefore the writing should read past tense. However, in an attempt to make my readers feel like they are right there with me, in the moment, I usually switch over to present tense at some point. Bad habit - a writer's faux pas; possibly even punishable by the Association of Bloggers.

BB:What is your favorite comfort food?
MB: I'd have to say pretty much anything that you can eat, which is edible, meant to be consumed, or otherwise known as food is my favorite food.

BB: What is your five year goal?
MB: Blog. Go back to school. Blog about school. Get degree. Blog about graduation. Teach high school choir. Blog about that. Write a book. Feature it on the Blog. Marry the man I was meant to spend the rest of my life with. Blog about him and our blissful, perfectly-perfect love. And, if I can find the time, I'd like to blog more.

BB: If you could change something about yourself, what would it be?
MB: Sleep more. Eat Less. Exercise more. Weigh less. Make more. Spend Less. You get the idea...

BB: If they wrote a song about your life what would it be entitled?
MB: No need to write a song about me. I already have several "theme songs". Let's see... There's Green Day's "Good Riddance"- things are always unpredictable with me- I just try to make the best of it and have the time of my life. John Mayer's "My Stupid Mouth" pretty much sums up all of my social casualties. Police's "Voices Inside My Head"...well, that's self-explanatory ...Actually, I sort of feel like my life could be described in a musical soundtrack with all sorts of songs.

BB: So, if they wrote a musical about your life, what would it be called?
MB: Ummm... "Musings of the Mindless Banterer-The Musical?" duh.

BB: I heard you have a thing for shoes. What are your favorite kind of shoes?
MB: Let me clarify - I used to have a thing for shoes - but that sort of thing take fundage, of which I am currently lacking. The perfect shoes however, would be sexy but comfy heels in every color and a pair of awesome tennis shoes that are both cute & comfy. But also - I HATE FEET! So, generally speaking I would prefer the ugliest shoes as opposed to looking at someones ugly feet.

BB: We all know how much you love to talk and blog. What would you do if you were in an accident and you could no longer blog and your jaw had to be wired shut?
MB: Probably go completely mindless! However, I would definitely entertain myself with all of the mindless musings in my head. The Dr's & nurses would probably wonder why I was always giggling.

BB: Which TV Family would you live with if you could?
MB: I have to confess that I have secretly always wanted to be a part of the Camden Family from the WB's (now CW) 7th heaven I always loved how Annie could manage 7 kids so well, and keep her family organized and centered on Christ.

BB: What inspired you to use "Musings of the Mindless Banterer" as your Blog Title? I mean are you really bantering with your readers, and is your banter really "mindless"?
MB: I do enjoy a good banter, and I do engage in a little banter with my readers. However, mostly the banter is just something that occurs between the various voices in my head, which usually leads to the "mindless"-ness of the musings, thus resulting in a Blog Post.

BB: So, that's pretty much the thought process that directs your posts?
MB: Pretty much.

BB: I've been told you are a person of faith. How do you rely on the Lord to help you through tough times?
MB: Fav Scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths." Typically, I over analyze the situation to figure out what I should or shouldn't do. Then after banging my head against the wall several times, I realize it's time to "turn it over" - to believe that it will all somehow "work out". It usually does. I think having a positive outlook creates some sort of synergy or whatever you want to call it, which in turn creates powerful faith. Easier said than done.

BB: What are you most proud of in your life? (Aside of your 3 a-DOR-able and smart children)
MB: At the risk of no longer sounding "mindless", I would have to say that I am most proud of "surviving". There are things that have happened in my life - whilst in the midst of them seemed impossible to bear. But I got through them. I accomplished things I never thought possible. I realize through the last two years - the hardest of my life - that my trials help define who I am, that I am not alone, and that I CAN do hard things.
____________________________

Ok - so that was fun! As you probably figured out - this was all just a parody. However, the questions were real, and I thank all of you who submitted the questions to help in the making of this post.

Now - - Anything else anyone would like to know??? Ask away!!! I may just have enough for a second "interview".

Thank You! Thank You!

Oh my goodness! I am speechless! I'd like to thank the academy and all of those who made it possible for me to receive this award. All right, all right! It's just a simple blog award - but to me it's something everything I had hoped to achieve in this blogosphere we call blog!

I was nominated by Blogstalker to receive this prestigious accolade. (You should totally check out her blog too!) The best part is, in order to receive this award, I had to do absolutely nothing!!! Now I am supposed to nominate a few other blogs that I enjoy reading, and pay it forward!!!

It was a HARD decision. But I have nominated the following 5 blogs as winners as I think we all share a similar (humorous) outlook on life, and even more importantly, Motherhood! So Congratulations to...

The Joys of Parenthood
The Dog is Not a Toy
Now That's Funny!
MMMBoppin'...Through the Insanity

and, my very own sis...(sniffle, sniffle)...

Am I Going Crazy?

Check 'em out and see why I think they deserve this totally awesome award!