I have been a giant slacker in responding to the lovely recognition from Waterblogged for the Real (please, RealLY!) Neat Blog Award. So… Thank you! [Especially since I like romance and cheesy stuff and I know you don’t!]

And today I received another Liebster nom from Paul at wwwpalfitness — Thank you!

This is my second nom for the Real(ly) Neat Award and my third Liebster Award — my seventh and eighth awards since I started this blog. I am honored and flattered to be chosen. And I’m still stunned every time I receive a notification for anything like this. Mostly because I still cannot believe anyone actually reads… and enjoys… what I write.

I don’t want to break anything here, but I’m a bit overwhelmed at the moment, so I’m just going to answer the questions for now and give a giant THANKS to Waterblogged and Paul. (And you’re all going to know even more about me you may never have wanted to know!) I’m sorry if this is somehow wrong, but I’m pretty sure every blog I would nominate has already received these or other awards from me or someone else!

Answers to questions from Waterblogged:
-1- The last book you read from a foreign author?
Do Harry Potter books count? My son and I read the Half Blood Prince at the same time. It was fun to chat about each chapter! I am in the US, so JK Rowling is ‘foreign’-ish!

-2- Christmas in Finland or Christmas in Antigua?
Can I switch off every other year? Honestly, I’d miss the snow, so Finland. Then Antigua for New Year’s.

-3- If you could choose where to live (regardless of family, your commitments, etc.) – where would you live?
Directly along the coast somewhere in Hawaii. With my own private beach.

-4- Somebody you admire – why?
Teachers. I could never be a teacher and I admire those who can. I think it must be one of the most difficult jobs yet people choose to become a teacher anyway. It can be frustrating and exhausting and, unfortunately, these days, dangerous. Yet there are truly amazing teachers out there.

-5- What did you do for your last holiday?
Do you mean holiday as in vacation? I haven’t traveled for a long time, but whenever everyone’s home on a break from school or work, we do fun family things – play games, visit family, cook together, build cities out of LEGO…

-6- Your favourite book?
I’m pretty sure my honest answer to this would horrify some of you. I think I’m going to keep this one a secret… for now anyway.

-7- Do you prefer travelling by ship or plane?
Being in the middle of the ocean or other such body of water scares me, so I’d have to say plane. But… I’m not very keen on flying either. I like to drive!

Answers to questions from Paul:
-1- Why did you start your blog?
I love to write and I thought maybe someone would read my fiction or read my personal stories and find some solace in knowing someone else has felt what they may be feeling.

-2- What do you write about and do you intend on adding to your categories?
I write fiction, personal stuff about pretty much anything, the occasional recipe when something is especially good. Not sure if I will add, but that’s certainly a possibility!

-3- What categories do you like the most?
I like writing and reading fiction. And I also benefit from a good rant every now and then.

-4- Which bloggers are in your top ten list?
Oh God, I hate to choose 10 from those I follow because I know I’ll leave out someone whose blog I love but couldn’t list them all!!

-5- What is your favorite meal?
I don’t have it often because, well, obvious reasons, but… big fat juicy cheeseburger.

-6- Do you rather cook or go out to eat?
I’d rather cook… except for the big fat juicy cheeseburger. (I like those from Five Guys… or several other places in the area.)

-7- What is your favorite movie or book?
I realize I am an adult… and only getting older, but truly Tangled (Disney) was one of the best movies I’ve ever seen.

-8- What time do you go to sleep at night?
Lately, it’s between 3 and 4 am… which is bad!

-9- What is your current job?
Laid off / Unemployed / Don’t know what I want to do…

-10- Do you have any pets and if so tell us.
I had a cat for about 15 years. A black one named Spooky. We have not had any other pets since him.

-11- Which Holiday is your favorite?
Used to be Halloween, but I don’t dress up anymore. Still fun with the kids, though. Now I’d say Independence Day because we get together at Mom’s and go swimming.

Thank you again!