Well, this is awkward…
Rob over at Weight 2 Lose 2013 tossed another award in here; the Butterfly Light Award, which originated by Belinda’s blog, idotwriting and is intended for beautiful bloggers who spread light into others’ lives or are a positive influence. Thank you, Rob…I am still looking for that perfect piece of rope for The Tie That Binds. 😉
Conditions For Accepting The Award
1. You must write an acceptance post, making sure you link back to the blogger who awarded you and thank them. You may not lump this award in with a batch of other awards.
2. You must individually name and re-award to a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 9999999 bloggers. You must let them know either personally with a comment on their blog OR a pingback (I’d suggest their about page)
3. You must link back to Belinda’s blog either to http://idiotwriting.wordpress.com/2014/03/13/i-love-charismatic-geeks/ OR http://idiotwriting.wordpress.com/about/
4. You must write a short paragraph – Entitled either “How I’m Spreading Light” OR “How I’m A Positive Influence”
5. Display the “Butterfly Light Award” badge on your blog.
So what’s awkward, you ask?
Have you ever had to write a short paragraph about yourself in a positive light? I know, right? Me, neither, but I think the graphic is pretty cool, and I would hate to turn down an award, so I have to write SOMETHING without sounding like a totally self-absorbed schmuck. I find that I can be kind and put even the biggest asshole in a positive light, but when it comes to myself? I say things to me that I wouldn’t say to my worst enemy. Can any of you relate to that?
That said, I’m going to try and put all of that “positive self-talk” training to use, so here goes:
How I’m a Positive Influence
I probably have the worst luck of anyone I know. You know the old phrase, “If it weren’t for bad luck, she’d have no luck at all”? Yeah, that’s me. However, while sometimes I really have to wonder if I simply don’t just suck at life, I still manage to find humor in the things that suck, and over the past 24 months, there have been a LOT of things that suck. (And let’s be honest. If we can’t find the humor SOMEWHERE in the suckworthy? Then why bother?) My hope is that, through this blog, if someone like me can find humor in the rotten things that life throws out there, anyone can. I am hoping that by putting my brand of humor on the suckfest du jour (and this can be anything from the fear of a screwy mammogram to conflict with my offspring), it might make someone else going through similar smile, even if it’s just for a moment. I also hope that my ability to shed a crap-ton (just shy of 50 lbs) of excess weight and get out there and do a 5K mud run will show that if I can do it? ANYONE can. Just saying.
That said? I now present you all with my nominees for the Butterfly Light Award:
Liz over at Liz Logic – I’ve actually met Liz in the real world. She is the neighbor of a mutual friend. She is every bit as lovely as her blogs convey. I simply *heart* her and the uplifting vibe of her blog. Liz is also an amazing photographer, and I suspect we’re connected in some way, shape or form, because I don’t ordinarily believe in coincidence.
Skwarl at There’s a Squirrel in My Blog – My girl (garl?) Skwarl is one of my real life besties. I’ve known her several years. We are 11 days apart in age, and she and I were born within 40 miles of each other back in California, and met some years later out here in eastern NC…talk about a small world. While her blog is in its early stages, she is a riveting read, and keeps it real in a way that makes me smile on the inside and out. She is also a ridiculously creative mind, and she stokes my creativity.
Virginia up the road at Banded Carolina Girl – Virginia’s blogs are absolutely the real deal. She is no-nonsense, inspirational, and very motivating. I have not had the privilege of meeting her, as yet, but we don’t live terribly far apart from each other and one of these days I want to give her a big ol’ hug in person and thank her profusely for the impact she has had (and continues to have) on me.
So, *whew*….I think I got everything.
Until next time (which will be a blast from the past and some reflection)…
Random Musings From a Type-A Workaholic 
Congratulations of the Butterfly Light Award nomination, Julie! You do spread beautiful light and cheery feelings around among us readers! You deserved this and so much more! Hope you don’t really feel that you don’ t have good luck, you are doing well at writing and pretty successful with this blog! Smiles, Robin
Awwww, Robin, thanks! 😉 this last couple of years has been a little off, but we keep plugging along. And the blog helps me decompress, and if someone will laugh along with me? That makes me really happy!
I have a didgeridoo…I can’t play it, but I do stroke it longingly.
The didgeridoo I mean.
I just spit wine! Heheheheheheh!
So that was the good thing about my part in this – I got to skip the part where you have to write something about yourself (sorry – Don Charisma’s clause not mine 😉
I think you did a FAB job. 😀 (and thanks for accepting it!)
Thanks so much for stopping by! 🙂 I was proud to accept it.
You always brighten my day! If I was in my pre-surgery state I’d do that mud run with you! They do one down in Galveston in May and October and I soooo wish I could do it this year! 🙂
THAT would be so much fun! We only have one locally each year, and I missed this year’s because of the stupid wisdom tooth…Although, I hadn’t trained for it, either. 😉
Last year was the first one I’d ever seen. I wasn’t in it, but had the girls told me about it ahead of time I would’ve done it with them in a heart beat! (We were only in town a short time) I don’t think anyone trained for it. They just went out there and had a good time trying to make it to the finish. If I’m ever in your neck of the woods when it comes around I will soooo run it with you! 😀
I am absolutely in!
Jules — You truely are a ray of light, sunshine, and joy!! Thank you for nominating me! I saw a cool quote the other day: God’s middle name is coincidence….it seems that way; I’ve never met anyone or re-met someone that wasn’t preplanned by God! Glad you are still writing and shooting too! You are so loved!
Jules you just turned a REALLY bad day into a brighter one…Love ya sissa!
Skwars Garl
I love you, too, Bay Area! *muwah*!
Nice job, Julie! I found it difficult to write about myself as well. Your stories are hilarious and you have great insight to situations that we all encounter. Thank you for accepting the award and congratulations on a job well done!
This was the single hardest paragraph I have ever written, Rob…but thank you for throwing this in my ring, because I think that it’s good…REALLY good…to find the good in ourselves and attempt to put it out there without sounding like a total ass hat. 😉
It’s tough to do, but you did it well. But I agree, it’s good to reflect upon who we are and what good we bring into this world. 🙂
There is a big amen, Brother! ❤ thank you again for throwing it in my ring, as it were…
And I get to meet squirrelingdervish! Looks like a great blog!
Oh, Rob, she is a terrific writer and an amazing artist!
I hope that she doesn’t mind me harassing her the way that I do you!
Oh, she can totally take it. 😀
Good to know! lol You better warn her that I arrive early at parties and the last to leave.
We should deaf ride together. We can take turns being DD. 😉
What’s DD? I gotta know if we’re riding together. 😉
Geez, deff. #%^{ auto correct…
lol!
Designated Driver. An hour from her doorstep to mine, lol…
Ahh! Ok, we’ll take turns. Does she throw a good bash?
ZOMG, yeah, she sure does! Bring guitar!
And my ukelele! Let’s pahhhh-teeee!
You can play a uke? My dad had one. I never learned, but I did manage to pick up a little mandolin. Keyed the same as a violin, just double the strings, so it was easy.
I had a mandolin, but couldn’t pick the notes. I’m a bass player, so I’m used to really fat strings. I got rid of the mandolin and was able to navigate around the uke, since there are only 4 strings.
That is what I loved about cello…thicker strings, but never got as good on it as I did violin. Now, correct me if I am wrong, but the uke is the higher four strings of the guitar, correct? Or no?
Almost. It’s G C E A, as opposed to G B E A. The G is also an octave up, as opposed to being a lower note on guitar or bass.
I was close, lol. Have you heard (and are you a fan of) Eddie Vedder’s solo work? Ukulele Songs, I believe, is what it’s called…the album I’m thinking of.
I love Vedder. Moreso his voice, but I’m familiar with that album. I find it strange that he’s gone the route he has, but that’s what makes him interesting.
Their last release as a group got me through two 5K’s. BTW, you inspired the post I did tonight. 🙂
I did? Do tell!!!
Go look! Lol!
Awesome!!!!! Love your post. So, when we head over to squirrels house, we’ll take a few instruments too.