Honest Scrap

It’s an “Honest Scrap Award,” given to bloggers who:
1) write soul-bearingly, thus exposing themselves to possible ridicule

2) have blogs that are “brilliant” in either content or design

What a cool award. I love all the awards I've received, but this one is very special to me because of what it stands for. I also love what Zayna over at Zayna's Garden wrote when honoring me with this award. "I’m passing this award along to ShadyLady @ Behind Big Shades because if I deserve it, then she does twice over for her awesome down to earth, heart on sleeve posts."

Wow...I'm truly touched. Zayna's blog is every bit as down to earth, heart on your sleeve as mine. Plus, she writes the most amazing poetry.

So, the deal is to write “Ten Honest Things About Myself” and then pass the award on to another blogger who will do the same.

1. I believe in the Law of Attraction. I see it at work every day.

2. I used to eat McDonald's at least twice a week. I considered myself the least crunchy person you'd ever meet. Now I eat a Nourishing Traditions/Weston A Price style. I haven't been to McDonald's in nearly two years. I totally thought I would gain a ton of weight eating so much fat (whole milk, full fat yoghurt, lots of butter, red meat, bacon, shall I go on?) I lost weight without even trying.

3. I had a nose job when I was 15 years old. Yes, it is the only plastic surgery I have had.

4. I saved my Nancy Drew books (54 of them) since second grade for the daughter I knew I would one day have.

5. I was in a six year relationship with an alcoholic, beginning at age 20. It was a terrible relationship and was followed by bad relationship after bad relationship, each one abusive in it's own way. I moved to Portland at age 30 and had yet another bad relationship. I was done. I was never going to have another relationship.

6. I met the Lizard King when I was 34. Both of us were done, never wanting another relationship. We were friends for about six months...just friends. In an instant everything changed. That is a story for another time.

7. I taught myself to knit last Spring and totally love it. I'm horrible at reading patterns so I frequently have to solicit help to do anything more than simple items. The fact that HerbiFaery started this Spring and has become my go to gal for knitting help blows me away. I bow down to her, the knitting goddess.

8. I eat naturally. I recycle everything. I use glass rather than plastic to store food. I make my own cleaning products. I go to the Environmental Working Group for ratings on makeup, skincare, etc. Yet, I color and highlight my hair and use a ton of product on my hair. It is the one thing I have not been willing to change.

9. I may have mentioned this before, but I correct people's grammar in my head all the time. My stepson even mentioned it in his toast when LK and I got married.

10. I am afraid of being judged and labeled "cheap" because I am Jewish. Ya know, the whole stereotype thing.

Well, there you have it...my ten honest things. Now, who to pass this award on to? This is a tough one. I read quite a few soul exposing blogs. It's so hard to choose...really hard. I will pass this award on to.......Momma Bear. She has shared her cankles, her double eyebrows during Hair of the Blog and so much more. What stands out most for me is this post, a post where she let us see a very private part of her. You rock Momma Bear!

I've Been Tagged: 25 random things about me

I was tagged by a friend on Facebook and thought I'd share my 25 random facts with you all!

1. My all time favorite movie is “Titanic”. My husband bought me the movie poster and had it framed beautifully. It’s hanging in my living room and I always feel self conscious about it because it seems sort of high school. On the poster it says “Nothing could come between them”. My husband says that was us. His ex-wife tried to move heaven and earth to break us up. She almost succeeded. In the end it didn’t work. Perhaps it's not so high school after all.

2. My former favorite movie is “The Wizard of Oz”. I used to be able to recite practically the whole movie.

3. I’ve always wanted a dollhouse. This year we bought one for our daughter. Do you think she’ll let me decorate it for her?

4. I absolutely LOVE to play board games. We rarely get a chance to play. My husband hates Pictionary because of a past experience. I kick ass (or at least I did) at Pictionary. I’d like to change his view about it one day. Anyone up for a game?

5. In my early twenties I partook of a particular drug that gives one lots of energy – enough energy to stay up all night. Those of you from my past will probably know what it is (are you reading this Steve?). One of our favorite things to do after partaking was to stay up all night playing Pinochle. (Yes we did wild things, too. I won’t mention those at this time.) We played teams with trading cards. You would think after the incredible amount of time I spent playing that I would remember how, but I don’t. I would love to relearn and find another couple to play Pinochle with.

6. The decision to homeschool is one of the smartest decisions I have ever made.

7. It has taken me more than 40 years, but I think I have found the best friends anyone could ever have. My dearest Freckle and HerbiFaery. I just hope that I can be as amazing to them as they are to me. I love that my daughter’s dearest friends are my friends’ kids. I love that my husband gets along with their husbands and that he becoming friends with at least one of them.

8. I recently stopped watching TV. For the most part anyway. Up until January 8th I watched at least 2 hours a day. Since then I may watch 2 hours a week. I’m not sure how this happened.

9. I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. (but then you all knew that, right?)

10. People are always surprised to find out that I am extremely shy. Why? Because once I know you I don't shut up or if I am in a comfortable place I appear very outgoing. Pick me up and put me in a place with a lot of people and watch me shut down.

11. I used to be anal, very type A personality. Since having a child that has changed. It was a slow progression, but I have relaxed a lot.

12. I smoked for 14 years - Marlboro Lights. Now I think it's totally gross.

13. I have always wanted to be a teacher and secretly wanted to be an actor. But the thing I really wanted more than anything was to be a mom.

14. I consider myself a pretty smart person, but feel intimidated by very smart people.

15. I don't have eyebrows. I totally over-plucked in high school and they never grew back. Somehow, nobody notices that I draw them on.

16. I absolutely LOVE fireworks!!!

17. I can't think of a food that I don't like. Within reason...I'm not eating bugs.

18. I love David Bowie, particularly his older stuff.

19. I wish I could sing like Pat Benatar or Ann Wilson.

20. I correct people's grammar in my head ALL THE TIME. (and my husband recently told me he's been infected with this as well ;)

21. Spelling is important to me, especially when it comes to names. And I really hope that I didn't spell anything wrong in this list. (okay so maybe I'm still a little anal.)

22. I was a "wild child" in high school and for a while after.

23. I don't accept gifts on Facebook.

24. I am totally addicted to Vanilla Rooibos tea. Thankfully it's caffeine free.

25. I love to cook and I hate to bake. Fortunately, I have a husband who loves to bake. Now he needs to learn to bake gluten free for me due to my recent affliction.