The Liebster Award: Part 1

I would like to thank April from Living by Faith and Linda at Out One Ear for honoring me with the Liebster Award.  I am fairy certain that the lovely Linda figured I had forgotten all about this seeing as she first notified me about the award back in February.  Yes, February.

The literal translation of the German word liebster is: dearest, sweetest, kindest.  April and Linda, are you sure I should be getting this award????

As with any blogging reward, there are rules.  Here they are:

Liebster Award Rules
1. You must thank the person who gave you this award
2. You must display the Liebster heart on your blog
3. You should nominate 3 to 5 up-and-coming blogs with less than 200 subscribers
4. Each person must post 11 random things about themselves
5. Answer the questions given to you by the blogger who nominated you
6. Create 11 questions for those you nominate to answer
7. Notify your nominees and provide a link back to your post.
8.  You’re not supposed to do “ping-backs”

I shall try my best to follow them. . . err most of them!  I will be answering a combination of the questions posted by April and Linda because I am certain that all of you will leave me if I attempt to answer all 22 questions.  Longtime followers know that my blog is an open book so there truly isn't too much you all don't know about me.  That being said, I have shared 11 random things in a previous meme and that can be found here.  (Random question: why is it always eleven questions?) More randomness and hilarity can be found on my post How I Got Here: From Combat Shoes to Cowgirl Boots, which will actually make you feel very sorry for my parents and say that all of Ellie's antics are payback.

Now, on to the questions!

1. What is your favorite travel destination and why?  Mittenwald, Regensburg, and Detwang, Germany.  My husband's father used to live in Germany and regaled Andrew with stories of his youth.  In fact, Andrew's eldest brother was born in Frankfurt, Germany.  For these reasons, we decided to honeymoon in Germany--in more rural, lesser known parts of Germany [except for Regensburg which is more densely populated].  The stark beauty of the country is breathtaking.  The Bavarian villages that quietly scatter the mountainous countryside is like something from an old novel.  The food.  Oh the food is delicious.  The architecture--imagine the German, Roman, and French Napoleon influences in Regensburg  The hospitality of the people is something rarely seen in the U.S.  By that, I mean everyone we met in Germany was kind, gracious, and not trying to con us into or out of something.  The weather beats this desert of a place and by desert, I mean Texas.  There is just something about lush, green hills and jackets and fuzzy socks.  Germany is a symbol of our "young" love and the beginning of our marriage.  I hope to go back with Andrew in the future.  The fact that I do not speak German is besides the point.  I can say "One more coffee, please." which is enough for me to get by!

2. If you had one hour to yourself, how would you spend that time?  Sleeping.  Provided that I could actually fall asleep right away.  Otherwise, a cup of coffee and a good book.

Where's Ellie?  Seriously, how is it a child can just fall asleep on the floor?
Notice the new paint job?  We are still finishing up the room renovation.

3. Do you own any pets?  If so, what kind?  Oh yes.  My first baby is a black bombay rescue cat from the ghetto streets of Camden, NJ.  Tama.  Tama is loosely translated to mean "lightening storm" in Native American.  She is full of teenage angst.  Although she is more middle-aged now.  Maybe a midlife cranky crisis?  Surprisingly, she meows with a Texan drawl and has a soft spot for our dog. Amelie is my second baby.  She is also a rescue kitty.  The day after we returned from our honeymoon, I walked into a PetsMart to pick up kitty liter and dog food and walked out with Amelie (the rescue shelter was there!).  I have since been forbidden to shop at a Pet Store.  Ame is tortoiseshell kitty full of spunk.  She is bowlegged with a Michael-Jackson glove/paw.  She actually carries on a conversation  .  Then there is the Sophie Princess Puppy Paws.  She thinks she is a cat.  A rather big cat.  She is a "South of the Border" collie.  She protects Ellie, but tries to herd the vacuum cleaner.  This is why I rarely vacuum.  

I cannot forget my first puppy.  Our rescue, Border Collie Rodeo.  He was Andrew's puppy and when I moved in with Andrew, he was so protective.  Rodeo would sprawl sideways across the bed so that I couldn't be near Andrew.  In the end, he knew I was his loving mommy.  RIP Rodeo.

4. What story does your family like to tell about you? There are many and yet, this one has been repeated many times.

This is my daughter:

Sometimes bibs just don't cut it.

Apparently, Ellie gets it from me.  Perkin's Restaurant in St. Louis used to have this pancake covered in delectable whipped cream.  It was my 1st birthday and my parents ordered this sugary confection to celebrate. My parents claim that I was so incredibly messy that the restaurant  had to shut down.  The cake was mashed into the carpet and the whipped cream was everywhere, but my mouth.  I will have you know this---they shut down after I was 7 years-old because I distinctly remember my father loading my brother into the car, but failing to unlock my door.  He tried to drive away with me banging on the car and shrieking.  I was 7 years-old and nearly stranded at a freaking Perkins.  They closed sometime after that after incident.




5. How do you motivate yourself to exercise?  Who says I exercise?  Seriously, I am still looking for motivation.  Help me!  I was the Zumba Queen of Sexiness until my car accident when I was physically unable to work-out for a few months.  It should be noted that I was cleared for physical activity at the end of December.  Here it is June and I have only worked out a few times.

Random Ellie Pic

I will finish this up later and then include my nominations and questions for them in the next Liebster post!