One Singular Sensation

I got it back, and that can only mean one thing. I get to pay it forward again. This time it's going out to my adorable, amazing, incredible blogging friend, Leslie.

I call her Buck.

I love her. Really.

I sing her praises with loud and long operatic notes. And not just because she drew this picture and posted it on her blog:

But for lots of other reasons.

I fell in love with her witty writing right away. You will too. I dare you to go to her blog and not be completely swept away. She is lovely, and funny, and quirky, and honest and oh-so-many-other-things.

And now, of course, she is an award winner.

Congratulations Buck, you are one schmooze operator!

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We were on the road again this weekend, and I will tell all and share some photos, just as soon as I have finished the new Harry Potter book (I am on page 410). In the meantime I leave you with (What? Another Andrew story?) this:

Tucked comfortably into a corner of the couch I am reading my book when Andrew approaches and requests "Can I watch CARS?"

"Certainly", I say, then close the cover on the magical adventure temporarily to help him find the DVD and prepare the player.

The trailer images appear on screen and I settle back to my reading. Looking up a few minutes later when I hear the tell-tale sounds of the main menu to Disney's CARS movie I watch my four-year-old slither off the couch and begin to move various objects (throw pillows, small toys, discarded pajama pants) from the chocolate brown rug in our living room. The music is booming repetitively from the television.

da na na-na nana, da na na-na nana! da na na-na nana, da na na-na nana!

I ask him "Okay, then. Is it time to push play?"

He snaps his head and catches my eyes in his, thrusts out his hand in classic STOP gesture and with all the power in his lungs shouts "NO! I NEED TO DANCE FIRST!"

At which point he proceeds to run the Indy Holland 500 around the living room rug, chanting "See me dancing Mama? I'm dancing!"

"Yep, baby. That's what they call cuttin' a rug"

He stops abruptly and says "Yeah. I gotta get a scissors."

Thank You for Being a Friend

"Mom, mom, mom, mom. The goose. The goose are talking to me!"

"The geese are talking to you? What are they saying?"

"HONK HONK HONK HONK HONK!"

"Yeah? And what do you suppose that means?"

"uh... I don't know."

"Do you think they are saying thanks for the bread you're feeding them? Are they saying 'Thank you, Andrew'?"

"uh... yeah. They are saying thank me Andrew, thank me for that bread!"

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Thank You Mark!

Mark awarded me the Schmoozer. I am graciously accepting because, well, look at this cool button.

I am pleased and proud to hang it on my side bar, and I thank Mark over at The Green Fingered Photographer for sharing it with me.

This is what it's all about:
"Schmoozing is the natural ability “to converse casually, especially in order to gain an advantage or make a social connection.” Good schmoozers effortlessly weave their way in and out of the blogosphere, leaving friendly trails and smiles, happily making new friends along the way. They don’t limit their visits to only the rich and successful, but spend some time to say hello to new blogs as well. They are the ones who engage others in meaningful conversations, refusing to let it end at a mere hello - all the while fostering a sense of closeness and friendship"

And I now get to pass it along. I didn't see any 'rules' posted about it, so I am arbitrarily choosing to give it to six, no, seven *NOW NINE super schmoozy bloggers. In no particular order I share the love with:

Allison, over at Soccer Mom in Denial. In my mind, no one is more deserving. She was my first commenter and has been a loyal friend since the first moment she tripped upon my site.

Ken, who writes The Ambassador Returns. Baby, no one can schmooze like this man can!

Jen, author at A2EATWRITE. Friendly, kind, warm and wonderful. That's Jen.

Jami, from Not That Different. In a single word: Hilarious. In two words: Absolutely fabulous.

Fourier Analyst (I don't know if she's telling her real name so I shall keep it secret) Honest, funny, fresh, and gorgeous. That she is my offline friend too is my treasure.

Michelle, at Scribbit. Brilliant blogger. Great friend. AND? And I got to chat (as in SPEAK) with her via Skype* yesterday. Now, that was fun.

Ellen, who blogs from Belgium at Goofball's World. Always with a fun perspective and a friendly smile. She is a great presence in my blog neighborhood!

Happy Schmoozing friends!

*UPDATE~~UPDATE~~UPDATE

While I was sitting in the acupuncture hot seat this afternoon, it occurred to me that I had forgotten to add in two bloggers who really deserve this kind of nod. This, I suppose, is what comes from trying to rush through a post. After all, I can't hold all that much in my brain any all of the time.

The rest of the awardees are:

Brillig, at 'Twas Brillig. Schmoozer just may be her middle name.

Rebecca, writing from down under at Rebecca James. Sweetest human on the planet. And sharp wit to boot.

That's it for real now. Even though there are others, many others, lots of others, DOZENS of others who should be getting this award. But I have to stop somewhere. I will leave it to those on the list above to send this award winging it's way 'round the neighborhood.

*want my Skype id? just email me.