I have been shamefully remiss. I am as fond of comments and feedback as donkeys are of cookies (unless they’re rocks). I have inexplicably sat for weeks, months even, on the best kind of feedback for a praise-hungry ass like myself, fellow blogger bestowed awards.

Today I am making amends and dusting off the awards I’ve been given, by women so talented and beautiful in both spirit and person, that when I discovered the praise I both teared up and squealed, while my feet made energetic-1920’s-synchronized-swimming-bathing-beauty-flutter-kicks-of-joy.

The Rockin’ Girl Blogger

This badge gets around like certain Hollywood starlets, yet I still take the receiving it with a reverence reserved for things like 25 minutes showers with new girly products, too expensive to have made their way to me by any means other than as a gift, and the ZZ Top-She’s Got Legs-quality-smoothness of my gams upon emerging from the shower. I feel kind of like a knock off Yoplait girl, but seriously, this makes me feel that good.

Thank you, Jenn. Having someone as deft at the keyboard as you praise me, girl-crush me, even, well it makes me blush.

And you over there, the striking mom with the razor wit, and staggering vocabulary, I’m on my knees. The day you posted my name under this mantle was a day I’ll not soon forget. Ya’ll gotta head over to the divine Chicken and Cheese, she’ll feed your soul, I guarantee it.

Thank you,

More thanks to a-better-than-she-knows mom of three boys. I dig you, big time.

And special thanks to a woman I am not ashamed to call my idol, she’s witty, ravishing and deliciously spicy. I’m sure you already know her, but if you don’t, you’ll wonder how you ever got by without her once you taste Nutmeg. Swoon.

This next one I saw all over the place, each time sinking a bit as I saw myself as a Twinkie in a world of dense, high nutrient super-foods.

Then it happened, I got called out, and by someone who sits high on a shelf I reserve for a select few. I hope she knows just how highly she is thought of in our amazing circle of bloggers. Thanks, Kelly.

And these next three are quite dear. Sometimes it’s easy to get down, to think you don’t make a difference and that you are irritable and unbending (Saying “no” and administering time out are necessary, but damnit they make me feel like a villain sometimes).

Three women that have touched me: one with her unerring visits to my blogs and her precious comment, another with her valiant fight and crusade to increase awareness of IBC, and another by touching me as a woman, sister-figure and at times, a bit like a daughter, acknowledged me with awards that speak more to character than to writing.

Thanks, Colleen and Lara.

Colleen, you are the one who is thoughtful, I am honored, touched and hooked on your stories about life with your little angel.

She was thanking me for my comments, on her blog and others’, I should be thanking her. She’s doing important, world changing work, both by conquering her cancer and ensuring two more spirits are raised by an amazing mother, and by spreading the word. Thank you, WhyMommy.

I don’t think she posts these kinds of badges, but Kate has a way of writing that I envy. I would certainly pass a Thoughtful Blogger Award to her for the piercing choreography of emotion and wisdom in her essays at Sweet l Salty.

Bossy is the ultimate Thinking Blogger, with a take on things that never fails to make me stare at the computer with my mouth hanging open, wishing I’d thought of what is before me –(and yes, sometimes I wonder if I am a little slow as things sail over my head).

And to Sarah, a Nice Award, presented in my best Borat voice. She delights me with her posts, tickles me with her comments, and makes me so grateful that I started this blogging thing, otherwise we might never have met.

The Schmoozer, is “an award for those who have the natural ability to 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.”  I am giving this one to Mike, who writes beautifully, both as he comments and as he posts. I am so happy to have found him!

Janet is a constant Rockin’ Girl Blogger. I cherish her comments and look forward to her posts.

And last but not least, Trina Rockin’, Thinkin’, Thoughtful, Nice and just generally awesome.

Whew. That felt good. Happy Saturday.