you LIKE me! You really LIKE me!! {sniff.} :D

Well, at least, Thandi does. ;)

Where do I begin?

First of all, many thanks, Thandi, for bestowing this award on me. I am really honored that you think so highly of me and my little blog. I hardly feel stylish (right now I am in workout clothes, and still have yesterday's make-up on), and I don't think my blog has much pizazz either. But, I do what I can, and am humbled and giddy that someone appreciates it. Especially someone that I admire and love. And I do love you.l I love that you're not perfect, and don't pretend to be. I love that you are honest and real, and that you have deep empathy and are unashamed to share your feelings. Keep doing what you're doing, lady. You inspire me to strive to be a better wife, Christian woman, and someday, mother. You inspire me to love, to write, and to acknowledge my feelings. Even though we've only connected over the magical waves of the internet, I feel like you have made a difference in my life and my way of thinking. I cherish your blog, and I thank you for opening yourself up to the world, and to me.

Ok, so, back to the award. I couldn't track down the origin of it, but this chain letter type award is passed on from blogger to blogger. I think it has moved on from being an award given to those who are "stylish" to being given those who's contributions affect us. And if that is the case, I will take it! There are some rules that come with the award, and they are:

1. Thank and link back to the person that awarded you this award
2. Share 7 things about yourself
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award

Now to share about myself. I was trying to think of fun, interesting things that you don't already know. I think I will have succeeded in surprising many if you, but if not, oh well. No big deal.

First things first. I'm a Harry Potter fan. And not just any Harry Potter fan. I'm one of those Harry Potter fans. Yes, I get dressed up and go to all the premiers- including the book premiers. So what?? I can't get enough. And my cloak is so awesome that kids always ask me where I bought my costume. Haha. I wish I had some pictures to share. Maybe after the next (and last!) movie....
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I love anime. That was one of the first things that my husband and I found we had in common. My all time favorite anime is an old, slightly girly one, called Saber Marionette. (My favorite character is Bloodberry. She is awesome.) I have an autographed box set of the entire series. :) I also am current on the longest running anime series of all time- Naruto. It is so good. And just the other night, we found the first episode of a brand new series, Ao No Exorcist. Usually it takes a few episodes to get into a new anime, but this one grabbed my interest from the first one. I'm eager to see more. It has so much potential- I just hope the animators and investors stick around. Yes, I am a dork.
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To reveal even more of my inner dork, I will tell you that I love sci-fi. My cat and (parent's) puppy are named after Star Wars characters. I actually played a character in a no budget, online series that ran for 7 seasons, The House Between. I loved the cast and crew of that show, and though it was grueling work, I miss it and wouldn't hesitate to go back.
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I love event planning. From swanky parties to casual dinners, Christmas parties, to my own wedding, I love all the details that go into making an event special. I love planning the menu, picking out decorations, and even finding the right napkins. My wedding was a perfect combination of me and my husband, and it was perfect. The only glitch was that nobody could see the fortune cookies where the event staff placed them at the exit. Other than that, the centerpieces (which Chris and I designed and assembled ourselves the week of the wedding) and bouquets (which my mom, sister in law, and grandma assembled), and the flavor of cake (which we paid for. lol) were perfect. The wedding went off without a hitch, in part because of our careful planning, but also with the help of the staff. I want to do it again! That was definitely the most fun party to plan, cuz there are so many details.:)
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I am a serial hobbyist. Ok, maybe that's a little extreme. I go through phases where I have no desire to do anything, but when I do, it takes up much of my time, energy, and sometimes money. I seem to be in a circular pattern where I'll drop one hobby for the next, and the next, and then come back to the first hobby. It was jewelry making, then knitting, crocheting, scrap booking. One of our scrapbooks (yes, Chris actually scrap booked with me) is what helped us win first place in a competition we did here in Charlotte, called the Amazing Race. No, not that Amazing Race, but a scaled down, cheaper version. I've been knitting again, though now that the weather is warming up, I've been out in the dirt putting plants in the ground. I have to stop that, though, since we are moving away and I won't get to enjoy their beauty. So, I also spend lots of time looking at homes and designing the furniture layouts, etc in my head. And of course I write. It used to be poetry (maaaany moons ago), and now it's a blog. Don't worry, I don't think this is just a phase, and hope to be blogging away for a long time.
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I love dessert. So much. I could eat it for every meal, ha ha.When Chris and I first met and joined the Amazing Race, our team name was Love and Dessert. Our motto was "All you need in life is Love and Dessert." Corny- yes. Us- very much so. :) My favorite dessert is Tres Leches, a dense, moist wet cake that is sweet and sinfully Delicious. But I love desserts of all kinds, from puddings and custards, to cakes and pies, to ice creams and sorbets. Yum!
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The seventh and final of these fun facts about me is that I have always, and will always, love Michael Jackson. When I was a kid, my classmates used to call me Alicia Jackson. Then I grew up and married someone who can dance much like the man. I saw him live at the taping for American Bandstand's 50th anniversary show, and the man was such a perfectionist, that he performed twice. I got to see him twice. And I swear he pointed at me... in a sea of faces that I'm sure he couldn't see into. I will miss the man, but his music will live on in my soul!

Ok, that's definitely enough about me. Now for those that I nominate to be recipients of this award. There is no way I'm naming 15 bloggers. That is a lot of work, half have probably gotten this award already, and that large of a number just seems impersonal. I don't want to just pass them out to every blogger out there. So, I will award a handful.

For some loc love, I check out Beautiful Me's blog. She started her locs just before me, so I can travel on over there and see that I am in fact, pretty much where I'm supposed to be, even when I feel like I'm not. Plus she puts up pretty photos for inspiration, and shows off her styles.

I love reading Sara's blog. It is always littered with beautiful pictures. She captures awesome moments, and usually speaks straight to my heart.

I love the life that Bonnie leads, and the love she shares. Her thoughts make me think. Check her out at Bonnie's Luminous Thoughts.

I get house inspiration (and encouragement) from the Chic Little House blog. Even though their house, and much of their style is different from my own, I love seeing the DIY projects, and following their journey. I can appreciate their style and their finds for around the home. I love keeping up with this one.

I adore the Expanding Beauty blog. I love the positive vibe, the adventurousness, and the drive behind this amazing and beautiful woman. And her locs are gorgeous, which is how I found, (and instantly got hooked on) her blog.

Ok. That's enough for now. I am pooped! Thank you to all of you that have been keeping up with me. It means more to me than you could ever know.

In peace, and with love,
Alicia