Best of the Blogosphere: February 2012 Blog Tour

It's time for my picks for Best of the Blogosphere, the February 2012 Edition.

 

February 2012 Edition

There is so much great content out there, and since there's also a LOT of content out there it's sometimes easy to miss the really stellar posts. Every day we bloggers give pieces of ourselves to the blogosphere. This feature is my way of showing my appreciation for your efforts and to thank-you all for supporting mine.

Won't you join me?

There are three ways to participate in the Best of the Blogosphere link up!

1. Link up your best post from the month of February
2. Recognize a fellow blogger by linking up someone else's awesome post
3. Write a list of the February posts you enjoyed most, like I did, and link it up. (Remember to also include in your list the post you're most proud of writing this month!)

Please grab and display my button anywhere in your post. Follow me if you like (no pressure). Feel free to leave me a comment - it makes me feel loved! Be sure to visit some of bloggers I am recognizing this month and those who have linked up below, and make some new friends!

 

GRAB THE CODE! 

<a href="http://cookieschronicles.blogspot.com/search/label/BOTB"><img src=" http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6151/6195153924_bc1901c235_m.jpg" alt="cookies_chronicles_BOTB_button" width="150" height="150" /></a>

Here are some of my favourite February reads:

11 Questions: The Sequel

It's #MondayListicles time again. This week's topic was selected by Rachel of Totally Ovar It. What are the top ten pros/cons of attending your class reunion? This is going to be a fun topic and I can't wait to read all of your answers.

However, I am behind the eight ball this week, so I'm going to combine two posts in one and write a slightly different listicle.

Before I get to my list, I want to remind everyone that the Best of the Blogosphere linky will go live on Wednesday! It will be open until March 10th, giving you lots of time to link up a favourite post or write up your list of February favourites.

Last week, Bianca of Bits of Bee tagged me in an 11 Questions post. I love her questions, and can't wait to answer them.

SU and Triberr Tutorial

I've had a request from the blogging world for a tutorial on StumbleUpon. If you're unfamiliar with it, then the first question you may be asking is, What IS StumbleUpon?

In a nutshell....

StumbleUpon is a tool for discovering new and relevant web content. When you let StumbleUpon know what you like by rating (with a thumb up or a thumb down) and optionally reviewing pages, you'll get back recommendations for additional content you might like and might not have discovered otherwise. You can also see what people you follow have Stumbled and liked. Click here to set up an account and start Stumbling! You can also download the StumbleUpon app from Apple for you iPleasure!

Wordless Wednesday Toy-splosion

I'm tempted to explain... but I think today the photo will be allowed to speak for itself!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

You can't scare me!

I've been through a lot. I've had hard times and hard jobs. I have battled medical issues and still do. I'm a child of divorce. I've been divorced myself. I lost two parents and all of my grandparents, when they were too young - when I was too young! I've been through all of this and more, but nothing prepared me for motherhood.

Yes, it's the most rewarding, wonderful, life-altering experiencing a woman can have and I wouldn't trade it for anything. BUT, it's also the most sanity-sucking, sleep-depriving, confidence-shaking experience I have ever had, or will ever have.

What would I rather do? Oh... about a million things.

This week's #MondayListicle, hosted by Stasha at NorthWest Mommy, is an absolute breeze for me to write. The topic, suggested by Wendy of Twisted Domestic Goddess, is 10 things I would rather do than clean the house. To be honest, the list of things that I would dislike doing more than cleaning the house would be far, far shorter. I am just not the domestic goddess that Wendy is.

Before I get to my listicle, a reminder:

If you haven't already, be sure to enter my Blogiversary giveaway! I made something special as a token of my gratitude for the support you have all given me during my first year of blogging. And if you own a Kindle or other e-reader, enter the Cookie's Book Club Blogiversary giveaway too!

And now, an un-ode to house cleaning.

A token of thanks. Blogiversary Giveaway!

As you may have heard, I recently celebrated the first anniversary of the day I began blogging. What a year it's been! On Monday, I reflected on what it is that I love about blogging in a special dedication. Check it out: It's My Anniversary! And love is in the air.

My first year of blogging wouldn't have been what it was - in fact, I wouldn't have lasted this long at it - if it hadn't been for you, my supporters and friends.

So, in honour of my Blogiversary, I made something pretty to give away.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Jack told me that he wanted to make Valentine's cards this year. A bit of a discussion ensued in which I tried to ascertain just how involved he was going to be in his Valentine's cards project and just how tired I was going to be after staying up all night to finish said project. In the end, knowing full well I'd have to do most of the work, I caved and agreed. Actually, it didn't take that much. I dig crafts.

Here's the result:

It's my anniversary! And love is in the air.

I've been blogging for just over a year now, and it's time to reflect on the year that it has been.

I began blogging every day, but after a few months I was worn out! I have two blogs - keeping up with the writing, administration and social media requirements of two blogs has been quite a challenge!

I eventually settled into writing somewhere between two and four posts a week and didn't get too down on myself when even that didn't happen.

Earlier this year, my computer died, and it's been a struggle to find files and get back up and running. The pause taught me that life indeed does go on even if I'm not posting regularly, and that my beloved friends and fans will forgive me and visit when I return.

Linky Followers: The new way to connect!

Welcome to the Winky Linky Weekend Hop! 


This hop is designed to introduce bloggers to the new Linky Followers widget, which can replace GFC and has lots of bonus features too!  Not only does Linky Followers keep track of all of the blogs you are following, but it also allows you to organize blogs into categories!!  

If you don't have a Linky Followers account, head over to the web site and sign up (it's free)!  Once your widget is on your blog, please link up here so that others can follow you! 

Sign me up for Linky Followers!

If you follow me and would like a follow back, please leave me a comment with your blog url!  Let me know you're following from the Linky hop and I'll return the follow!

The Soundtrack to my Life

My west coast friend Bruna of Bees With Honey, picked an awesome topic for last week's #MondayListicle:

“If they were to make a movie of your life what would the soundtrack be like? Share 10 songs that best tell the story of your life. Be sure to include the period or event that each song represents”.

Thanks to computer challenges, and life in general, I'm a little behind, but so be it! I don't want to miss out on this topic. My apologies to Jackie of Wifezilla who chose a great topic for this week too! Click here to read all about what I'm supposed to be writing about today.

Those of you who know me even a little, probably know how much I obsess over music. Well, you can imagine how excited I was when I read Bruna's topic choice. And then... anxiety set in (as if I needed anything else to be anxious about). Just ten songs to represent my whole life? No pressure!

11 Questions

My blogging friend - and now in-real-life (IRL) friend ever since she moved to Cowtown - Robin of Farewell Stranger, tagged me in her 11 Questions post. Thanks Robin! This is just the thing to help me get back into blogging after a forced computer-trouble-related hiatus.

Robin came up with some very interesting questions for me:

1. What’s your superpower?

Longevity. Seriously. I have SO much stuff to do I may NEVER die.

2. What blog do you never miss? (other than Farewell Stranger, of course)

I don't think I could pick just one. I like to visit the bloggers that regularly visit and comment on my blog - they have become like friends and I like to support them as they support me. Check out my Blogs I Follow page to see who I try to keep up with!

3. If you could change your name, what would you change it to?

Sway. Just Sway. It's an alternative pronunciation of Sue, which is as boring as dirt (no offence meant to lovers and aficionados of all things dirt).

4. Do you consider yourself a “blogger” or a “writer”?

Right now, I'm a blogger, but I have some moments of writing prowess (however small and short-lived they may be). One day I hope to be a writer.

5. What was your biggest failure and what did you learn from it?

Oh boy. Biggest failure? Hmm. I had my own business for a while. I was a consultant on my own. It didn't last. I recognized that more heads and hands are better than just my own when it comes to something of that magnitude.

6. What’s the most embarrassing song in your collection?

Gawd. I'm pretty sure I have a recording of Who Let the Dogs Out around here somewhere. And if that's not embarrassing enough, there are multiple BackStreet Boys CDs in my possession. They don't get a lot of air time anymore.

7. Are you shy?

Mmm, sometimes I guess. I'm quiet in large groups because I have a pretty soft voice. I'm most comfortable one on one or in small groups.

8. How do you prioritize yourself in your own life?

I'm pretty high up there. That hasn't always been the case, but with age I've realized that I need to take good care of myself if I am going to be available to do all that I want to do and be there for my friends and family.

9. Where do you stand on chocolate?

I'm all for it though, these days, it has to be dark chocolate. May as well be good for me too, right? Milk chocolate is very sweet, and, of course, I am already sweet enough. :)

10. What’s your biggest source of inspiration (other than your family, etc.)?

My history, really. MySELF. When I look back at each challenge and how I've risen to meet it, I find the strength to reach even further.

11. What do you hope to do this year that you’re really excited about?

This one is hard to put a label on. I'm excited about a number of changes that are happening that are really about personal growth. They'll result in a healthier, happier, more productive me. Very exciting!

Now it’s my turn to tag 11 others and give them 11 questions to answer. But first…

The rules:

You must post these rules.

Each person must post 11 things about herself on his/her blog.

Answer the questions the “tagger” listed for you in her post, and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.

You must choose 11 people to tag and link to them in the post.

Let each blogger know that you have tagged him/her.


I'm tagging:

Stasha at NorthWestMommy
Ado at The Momalog
Bruna at Bees With Honey
Tonya at Letters for Lucas
Nadia at Mama and The City
Lisa at Schwartz Chronicles
Amanda at Lilahbility
Bianca at Bits of Bee
Jennifer at Just Jennifer
Christine at The Aums
Shannon at My New Favorite Day

The 11 questions I'd like them to answer are:

1. What would you be doing right now if you weren't answering my 11 questions?

2. If a genie were to grant you three wishes, what would your three wishes be?

3. What's in your purse? G'head. I'll wait while you empty it out and catalogue the contents.

4. What book are you dying to read (or, if you're more of a movie person, what movie are you dying to see)?

5. What are the three best words to describe yourself?

6. If you could trade places with someone for a week, who would it be and why?

7. What is your favourite song?

8. What's the best title for your biography or autobiography?

9. If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money? How would it change your life?

10. Your worst day ever?

11. Did you resolve to do anything differently this year? How's that going?

Perhaps some of these questions will lead to some interesting blog fodder. Hopefully, none of you are annoyed that I tagged you and made you answer these questions! :) Can't wait to read your answers!

I've got the First Friday Blues

It's the first Friday in February, and you know what that means! Oh... you don't? Well, apparently, neither do I. It's supposed to be dress up day at Jack's preschool. Today is Western Wear day, aaaaaand Mama forgot. Mama has a good excuse: my computer died and took with it, it would seem, my brain. Ever since I lost my calendar, and despite my attempts to resurrect/recreate it, I have no idea where I am supposed to be at any point in time.

I'm at the library right now with my new laptop - which is finally, something like a month after the last one croaked, up and running - while Jack is at school sans Cowboy gear (sniff). Anywho... I'm back in the game - ish.

You see, it's not just the fact that I lost my computer, my files, my calendar and my brain that has me in a tizzy.

Last week, Jack and I had a conversation that I've been tormented by ever since. I wondered how long it would be before he started asking questions. I wondered if he would ever ask THE question. Answers? Yes, and approximately 4 years.

"Mom, I want a brother or a sister."

"Oh. Wow. Ah. Um. You do?"

"Yes, I really, really do."

"Hmm. I don't know if that will happen, Jack. Can you tell me why you want a brother or sister?"

"Because then I would have someone - not a mom or dad - someone to be with me always."

"What about your friends? Won't you always have your friends?" 

"Yes, but they won't be WITH me ALL ways."

Oh boy. It's like the kid ripped the words from my brain. This is the one thing that has had me considering a second child all these years. It's a BAD idea for us, for multiple reasons, but for this one reason I haven't yet completely closed the door on child #2.

"Well, Jack, if I have another baby, I'll be very, very busy looking after your baby brother or sister."

"I can help! I'm very good at taking care of babies!"

It's true. He has several of his own 'babies' - stuffed animals - that he sings Rock-A-Bye baby to, comforts, and sleeps with.

"Well, I'll talk to your daddy about it Jack, but you need to know that there are a number of reasons why it may not happen. Remember when I told you that sometimes we parents get lucky and have a child when we want a child, and that sometimes it doesn't happen that easily? Daddy and I are also getting older and... We'll see, okay?"

Older?! We're officially OLD. When Jack is 20, I'll be 3 years older than my mom was when she passed away. It's definitely time. If it's going to happen it needs to happen pretty much now.

I lost my parents too soon. What if I'm not around for Jack when he enters adulthood? We're not surrounded by family here. Jack's cousins are all older than him and far away. I always told myself that his friends would be his family, but... Family is... family. You know?

Ack! My brain is going to explode. What happened to all of the time I had?

Sigh. Time waits for no mother!

Am I blue as the title of this post suggests? I guess a little. I really wanted to give Jack a sibling and so far it hasn't been in the cards.

Anyway, it's nice to connect with all of you again. I hope you are all enjoying 2012 so far. If you don't 'see' as much of me this year, well... you know where I will be. Pulling my grey hairs out!