Wednesday, October 2, 2013

The Sunshine Award


My dear friend and fellow empty nester, Katie of Preppy Empty Nester, recently awarded me the Sunshine Award.

Katie prepared a list of 10 questions for me to answer along with 11(yes, Katie always has to one up everybody) other bloggers.

Here goes nothing...

1. You ladies are all creative and talented.  What was the biggest blooper that you made while decorating?



Letting my girls talk me into painting their bathroom bubble gum pink, which led to hubby having to install a dimmer switch.

2.  Which child is your favorite?  Oh wait...What is your favorite movie and song of all time?

It's a Wonderful Life.


"Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings."



I once was lost but now I'm found.

3. If you wrote a memoir, what would the title be?

Simply... LKJ
just being me

4. What has been one of your most embarrassing moments?

Fainting in a shopping mall, while pregnant, with older child and friends who were from out of town in tow.
I guess it could have been worse...at least I wasn't wearing this!


5. What is your biggest regret?


Not finishing college.  I attended one semester of nursing school, decided it was not for me, and while trying to decide what to do next, I got a job, met hubby 3 months later and well...the rest is history!

6.  If you were awarded an all expenses paid vacation for two weeks where would you go?



Back to Italy!  We went to Venice, Lake Como and Bellagio several years ago and I have been dying to go back since.

7. How many homes have you lived in?  Which one was your favorite?

12!  (and no, I am not a military brat)  My favorite, our current home...the home I have raised both of my girls in, and have managed to live in more than 3 years (that was the average before).

8. If you could sit next to any famous celebrity on a 5-hour flight, who would it be?





Definitely Gordon Ramsay!  I love Hell's Kitchen, Master Chef, and am obsessed with his new show Master Chef Junior (if you have not watched it, you need to).  I could talk cooking all day!  And if I am being honest, I love that the man just tells it like it is...there is no sugar added to his words. LOL

Now if you really want to know the truth (Katie loves dirt)...I would pick the middle seat between he and Hugh Laurie!  I was seriously addicted to House and his sense of humor.  And, if I could have worked with someone like him, I just might have stuck out that nursing career!!! LOL

9. What would your friends say are your 3 best qualities?

So glad she did not specify qualities (this girlfriend is not about to talk about her booty).

My way with words...they know they are going to get the God's honest truth. (now you understand why I have a love of Gordon!)
My sense of humor (thanks dad)...when you are the only girl in a house full of boys...you cope!
My organizational skills.  I was doing what most Organizational Bloggers are doing YEARS ago.  We just didn't have blogs waaaaay back then!

10. Why do you blog?

Because I have no friends in real life and y'all make me feel loved.  Just kidding!  I love people, I love being surrounded by people and their creativity.  I grew up in a house full of boys people...this girl needs some girl bonding!!!  It gives me a chance to connect with others who are experiencing this crazy phase of life...not sure who came up with the phrase "empty nest"...last I checked the hubster and both dogs were still here and quite needy!!!   I have "met" some amazing people I would have never had the opportunity to meet otherwise.

Okay, so now it is my turn to pass this along to 10 (very unsuspecting) bloggers that I adore!  And who, by the way whether they know it or not...bring a little sunshine into my day.  ***disclaimer...participate if and only you have time and would like to.  Please feel no pressure to pass along.  If ya just want to share your answers to my prying questions...that is A O K!!!  If you are busy, this momma of two grown girls TOTALLY gets it..no hard feelings.

Katie, For Lauren and Lauren
Sybil, Peace It All Together
Becky, This Is Happiness
Megan, Honey We're Home
Amanda, Dixie Delights
Michaela, Michaela Noelle Designs
Meg, Henning Love
Ashli, Mini Manor
Courtney, A Thoughtful Place
Cassie, Hi Sugar Plum

Okay girlfriends,  I know most of you are superstar bloggers with a ton of content and posts already scheduled for the next several weeks...but, if you want to participate here are your set of questions and the "rules":

1. Be sure to include the award logo in your post on your blog.
2. Link to the person who nominated you.
3. Answer 10 questions about yourself and write 10 questions for your nominees to answer.
4. Nominate 10 bloggers to receive the award.  Link your nominees to the post and comment on their blogs letting them know they have been nominate (or email them...works for me!)

Alrighty gals...here are your 10 questions (aren't you glad your not competing in the Miss America pageant?)

1.  Where are you in birth order?  only? oldest? middle? baby?
2.  Your greatest disappointment thus far in life?
3.  Favorite song to sing along to in the car/shower?
4. Least favorite feature?
5. For tanning beds or against?
6. Favorite time of the year, and why?
7. One thing you wish you knew in high school that you know now?
8. Most romantic thing your husband has ever done for you?  (this was prompted because as I am taking pics of my hubby's shepherd pie he made us for dinner, he told me to take a closer look...he carved...I luv you, in the mashed potatoes.  Go ahead and hate me now!) and of course my girls are reading and saying...TMI!
9. Do you prefer bare feet or shoes? (FYI...I hate shoes)
10. If you could be a color, what would it be and why?











13 comments:

Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest said...

I am doing this tomorrow - your answers are great and my embarrassing moment is similar :-)

Laura@Elegant Nest said...

Fun post Lauren...thanks for sharing!

Cassie {Hi Sugarplum} said...

Love reading all these about you, Lauren!! You are too sweet to nominate me...thank you so much!

Sybil@PeaceitallTogether said...

Thanks so much for the nomination! I hope I can respond with a post soon...I am so bad at this kind of thing. You're answers were hilarious!!

Preppy Empty Nester said...

Fabulous job!!! I painted #1's room bubble gum pink and the mister has never let me live it down.

henning love said...

bubble gum pink?? too bad you don't have a photo :-) thanks again for the award lauren you are too sweet!

Becky {This Is Happiness} said...

Love the bubble gum bathroom color and then having to install a dimmer - ha! And would love to travel to Italy! Really enjoyed reading all your answers Lauren. Thanks again for nominating me - it made my day!

Michaela said...

Thankk you so much, Lauren! Loved learned more about you!!! Here are mine:


1. Where are you in birth order? Oldest!
2. Your greatest disappointment thus far in life? That I didn't study abroad in Europe during college.
3. Favorite song to sing along to in the car/shower? Anything country!
4. Least favorite feature? Hmm...I have spider veins in my left leg already. NOT okay! That, or my knees. they're really knobby... Boo! haha.
5. For tanning beds or against? Against, definitely!
6. Favorite time of the year, and why? Summer for the cute dresses and family vacations and Fall for the boots and colorful trees :)
7. One thing you wish you knew in high school that you know now? That I wasn't really that cool, and that life does go on after a break up. Friends, parties and boyfriends are not everything. And not everything is as dramatic as my group of friends made it seem. I look back on high school and laugh!
8. Most romantic thing your husband has ever done for you? NA :)
9. Do you prefer bare feet or shoes? Bare feet in the house but love me a cute pair of shoes.
10. If you could be a color, what would it be and why? Purple, of course :) Because it's romantic, not too girly and can be very sophisticated.

Val said...

This is such a fun blog post!

Brandi said...

Congrats on your award! So fun to read more about you.

Allison said...

So fun to learn more about you! We have lots in common Lauren!

Jamie said...

Bubble gum pink bathroom?! I love it.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

HELLO THERE LAUREN!

So great to get to know you a bit more this morning! I have been to Italy on the coast and loved it, but Como Lake is definitely on my wish list. I love blogging for the same reasons as you do, and people like you who come and visit to leave such kind words are the reason why I love this. Thank you my dear. May you enjoy a relaxing and SIMPLE weekend. Anita