People are just so nice! -- UPDATED

So I got a fabulous surprise yesterday, when Holly from Life Laugh Latte left a comment to let me know that she and her partner in crime, Charisse, have given me an award! Dig me!

This kind of award -- from one blogger to another -- reminds me of high school, when my friends and I used to decorate each others' lockers on our birthdays. Such a fun surprise and it makes you feel so loved!

What is the wider sociological meaning of this phenomenon?

1. Holly and Charisse are as sweet as pie.

2. The community of women who participate in blogs and online social networks seems intrinsically generous and loving-- I have felt nothing but uplifting support and kindness from women I have never met, but who have connected with me in a way that shows the positive power of the information highway.

3. I do too much talking and not enough laundry.

One of the "requirements" of receiving this treat is that I get to award it to someone now! So come on back later today, and check it out!

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

So after thinking about all the lovely commenters I have met, and remembering their lovely comments, and basking in their loveliness, I would like to tell you about two of these lovelies.

The first one is not a blogger, but she is a faithful commenter, and is always so encouraging. The fabulous neighbor browbeat gently urged me to start my blog in the first place, and has been more than fabulous about commenting both on my blog and in person. So hang on a second while I run over to her house and stick the award on her front door.

The second of all my lovely commenters that I would like to acknowledge is my Aussie blogging friend, Polly. She found my blog very soon after I started it, and has left so many funny, sweet, and thoughtful comments -- you should be so lucky as to have a regular commenter like her. AND her blog is great, with lots of book recommendations and fun stories about her life. She's expecting another little one, so I hope you also send her all positive vibes, wishes and prayers during this last three months before her Big Day.

Silly Haiku Wednesday

Jenn's theme this week is LIGHT.

My tall boy needs no

step ladder or chair to change
a light bulb. He's tall.

I woke up -- the light

outside seemed different. "Get
up! We've overslept!!"

Thy word is a lamp

unto my feet, and thus a
light unto my path.

Is it bad . . . ?

Is it bad that as I look out my kitchen window (as I stand at my sink, in classic "Diary of a Mad Housewife" fashion), it appears that one of our three cats has . . . how shall I put this? . . . taken a dump in the deck chairs?

Does it make it better or worse that I choose to believe that this is an acorn collection -- yeah, that's it! An acorn collection. Oh, please, dear God -- let it be an acorn collection. And is it a good thing or a bad thing that I have made a decision NOT TO FIND OUT?

OK. A bad thing. I guess I should investigate. Oh, please. Oh, please.

Score! Acorns!

Is it bad that I truly wasn't sure how this post was going to end . . . ? Don't answer that.

Oktoberfest

Oh, pipe down -- I know it's not October yet. Apparently the Germans love Oktoberfest so much you're allowed to celebrate it early. Or it officially starts early. Or my party hosts couldn't read the calendar. Whatever.

It wouldn't be Oktoberfest unless we enjoyed some brats along with sauer kraut and potato salad. Did you know that it is illegal to serve any sort of green vegetable at an Oktoberfest party? Totally against the law.

You are allowed to serve wine, though. Ask me to tell you about Oktoberfest monkey wine some time. It's a scary story -- maybe for Halloween.

But as you have probably gathered, we all just really like each other, and are glad of any excuse to get together. The fabulous neighbor told a ridiculous story, and since he's from New York he is completely incapable of talking without acting out the drama . . .

. . . even with a broken thumb.

I missed the punch line, but it must have been a humdinger.

Jolie Blonde's big day

So Coleen's oldest girl, Jolie Blonde, has been begging to get her ears pierced since she was about fourteen weeks old. I'm telling you -- there was never a girl who was in more of a hurry to grow up. Mostly this has shown itself in her mature outlook on life and her fabulosity as a BFF to my youngest girl. Also in her refusal to wear ruffles.

Jolie Blonde: 2nd grade

But Coleen has had years of experience watching out for the sneaky use of eyeliner and mascara (second grade), the intense need for blue-streaked hair (fifth grade) and the "I'll die if it doesn't happen" passion for dangly earrings (lifetime achievement award).

Well, Friday was the day she got those ears pierced, because (pause for wipe of bittersweet tear) she's thirteen now. The youngest urchin and I went along for the adventure -- we headed to Pincurls, owned by the fabulous Lynda Lee, and gathered with bated breath to watch the drama.

First, Lynda marked the perfect spot with a special pen which I suspect was just a Sharpie with a hifalutin' label. The heart-faced urchin watching so intently is Coleen's youngest girl -- my god-daughter!

Next, Lynda prepared the instrument of torture weapon cute little non-threatening ear piercing thingie.

Nope! Doesn't look like a gun at all, does it?

At the moment of truth, Lynda said some serious and slightly scary stuff like, "Don't move a muscle even if it hurts like a big dog, because if you do your ear will get stuck to the gun and then you'll have to wear it instead of an earring forever, and you'll get kicked out of school for bringing a weapon, and I'll have to charge you extra for the gun/earring." Or something like that. Actually it was over in a flash -- and now her dream has come true! She's way easier to shop for now, too.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOLIE BLONDE!

Here's what I love:

. . . Saturday evenings with the fabulous neighbors.

Sometimes we plan an actual block party and I say "we" in the sense that I show up with my assigned potluck supper dish, after the fabulous neighbors have done all the scut work.

But sometimes (like last Saturday) we throw together a more last-minute, spontaneous, "you bring the paper plates because I've only got napkins," pizza in the cul-de-sac night.

Funny -- I sense that some fabulous neighbors
hate to be photographed . . .

. . . while their husbands hog the camera.

I bonded with my tall boy, who loves to sit back and listen to the jibber-jabber.

As the night got cooler, we were happy to have the fire pit (courtesy of the fabulous neighbors, of course). The youngest urchin and her street sister pulled out the cozy blankets and kept on partying.

More fabulous neighbors -- parents of the street sister.

Blaze the wonder dog watches the . . . well, I guess he's watching the blaze, isn't he?

Silly Haiku Wednesday

Jenn's haiku theme this week is MUSIC. Oh, my dears!

The radio plays;
An iPod playlist shuffles:
"Ooh! I love that song!"

I love to belt out
"Paradise by the Dashboard
Light." It kills my kids!

The hymn says it all:
"How can I keep from singing?"
The theme of my life.