Why I'm Awesome

I have been known to be a bundle of insecurities. I often wonder what anyone sees in me, why they're my friend, why they stick around, if they might one day get sick of me, why they don't call or visit or like my stuff on Facebook.....blah, blah, blah.

It's real easy to read into EVERYTHING. It's honestly something I have fought with most of my life. And just when I think I've made some real headway, something triggers an "insecurity reaction". Two steps forward, one step back....

But you know what, I do see qualities in myself that are worth loving.

10 Reasons I Am Awesome

1. I am compassionate. I am able to put myself in others' shoes and see why they feel the way they do. It's why I cry over everything!

2. I am good at compromise. It's why I'm still married! Seriously though, it's kind of an essential component to most lasting relationships.

3. I have a great sense of humor. I'm not afraid of political incorrectness, sarcasm or snark. I can make fun of myself. You gotta laugh at life. It can very absurd.

4. I am loyal. Like a dog. There are very few people who I've completely written off in my life. If I did, there had to be a really good reason.

5. I notice the little things. I've come to realize it's not the grand gestures people make that touch me so much as the little, every day things that work their way into my heart.

6. I'm faithful. I believe in things that can't be seen or proven. I believe in God and angels, the powers of the universe, THE BIG PICTURE, magic and Santa Claus! I believe in the soul and the journey.

7. I am strong.....

8. ....yet also broken. My brokenness makes me authentic. As much as I resent the saying, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger", it's the truth. Being broken lends to learning and wisdom. Also? See #1.

9. I am open minded. I do not think I'm always right, do not claim to have all the answers, will listen to any one's opinion at least once, can debate respectfully and don't think we have to hold all the same beliefs to be friends. Again, see #1.

10. I'm a good mom. I'm not perfect and never will be, but I love my children fiercely, wanted them with all my heart, want what's best for them, want them to be happy and I don't think I'm doing anything that will scar them for life and they'll turn around and blame me for. I don't think.

All My Love

Dear Computer,

I <3 u.  I just want to get that out of the way from the get-go.

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You have given me one of the best gifts ever.  Nevermind that I have to pay for it.  That's not important.

The Internet.

You hold the Internet which gives me email and Facebook and Twitter and Google and Wikipedia and banking and math help and recipes and BLOGGING.

Right here, right now, I am sitting here writing you this love letter ON MY BLOG which is ON THE INTERNET.

Because of you, dear computer, I can share my life with those I love when we can't be together, and they can do the same.  I can meet new people and make new friends even though I am just a lowly stay-at-home mom.  I can search for anything my brain is curious about.  You even make paying bills more fun that it used to be.

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Because of you, my flat black beauty, I am instantly connected to the world outside my door anytime I want to be, day or night, 24/7.  I can find news, games, TV shows, movies, comics, ebooks, shopping and more.  I can reach out for support or help with a problem and get it with the just the click of your cute little mouse.  I can even never again hand write ANYTHING if I don't want to.

You teach and entertain my children.  They can play educational math games or Plants vs. Zombies.  They can take care of their Webkinz!  You  are helping me to raise well-rounded kids and it touches my heart.

Yes, I freely and openly admit that I love you, Computer.  No, I will never apologize or make excuses!  I don't care if people judge us because they don't understand.  It is what it is.  And what it is, is a beautiful relationship.

I wrote this in response to the Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop prompt #5: Write a love letter to an inanimate object.

Blog on Fire!

I wasn't going to post today.  I'm pretty sure I've posted every day for the past few weeks so I was thinking I could stand to take a day off.

But a certain someone had other ideas.

My new bloggy friend, The Sarcasm Goddess, at For the Love of Writing is, as she would say, all kinds of "AWESOMESAUCE"!  And she does say that.  All the time.  About herself.

But she's not the only one who thinks she's awesomesauce.  She had not one, but TWO bloggy awards bestowed upon her last week.  And the neat thing is she now gets to pass them on.

What does this have to do with me?

Ms. Sarcasm passed a "Blog on Fire" award to me!

Thank you.  Thank you very much. (Read with Elvis in mind.)

She said: "Just Jennifer because her name should be Just Plain Awesome."

I asked her if she knew she could be nice sometimes.  She said she tries not to make a habit of it.

Here's the award:

Yep, that's it.  Just a picture to add to this post.

Whatever.  Did you get an award?

Now I'm supposed to share 7 things about myself with you, and then I get to pass the award on to 10 other bloggers.

There's just all kinds of sharing going on here!

Not real sure what to tell you that I haven't already written about, but I'll give it a shot....

1.  Stats: I'm 37, an Aries, married 13 years, have a daughter age 11 and a son age 5 1/2.

2.  Places I've lived: Everett, WA; South Lake tahoe, CA; Albany, El Cerrito, Hayward & Castro Valley in the SF Bay Area, CA and Marysville, WA.

3.  I haven't done much traveling.  Have only traveled around Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada and Florida.  Been to British Columbia on a couple day trips.  That's it!

4.  I got my first tattoo for my 36th birthday.  I want another one.

5.  I color my hair.  Have since I was a teenager.  Still do it now because I have greys.  Oprah thinks hair color is the single greatest beauty invention.

6.  I believe in Santa Claus.

7.  I have been watching All My Children since I was a kid when my mom would come home on her lunch break and watch it.  It was off and on back then, but I've been a loyal fan my entire adult life.  I still record it every day to make sure I don't miss anything.  Very sad that it's coming to an end.  Don't judge!

I don't think I should pick any of the same bloggers Ms. Sarcasm did....here goes....

1.  No Longer Quiet because he's a guy who blogs and it's not just stupid guy stuff.

2.  MomJovi  because she calls herself "MomJovi" of course!

3.  Things I Can't Say because I covet the title of her blog and because she is nice and hosts fun link-ups that have opened me up to the blogospshere.

4 & 5.  Four Plus an Angel and a belle, a bean and a chicago dog because they are hosting a Summer Blog Social for bloggers who aren't attending any of the blog conferences this summer.  Really cool idea!

6.  Holly's House because it was through commenting on her blog that I got FREE WINE!

7.  Mommy Needs a Vacation because she likes wine and cocktails and owns it!

8.  The Kir Corner because she knows when to put herself in the corner.

9.  Lola is 40 because she is older than me and draws cartoons.

10.  Practical Parenting because this is one STRONG mom and woman.


Well that was fun.  Sharing is fun.  Mostly I really appreciate that someone as awesome as The Sarcasm Goddess thinks I'm awesome too.