Me? Versatile? Who Woulda Thunk It?

Through blogging I have "met" a lot of people over the past few years. Some of these people I have come to consider friends.

I know that we've been told to be careful when "talking" to strangers on the Internet. And I am.

I don't give out my address and other vital, personal information to just any random stalker/serial killer. I'm very picky.

Hey, it's just the way I am.

There are a select few women that I have come to love. And, seriously, I am not worried that they are lying about their identities.

I don't believe they are actually big, fat, hairy, men just looking for a victim. I don't envision them sitting behind their computer screens sweating and Tweeting to me as they play our eleventy-thousandths Words With Friends game.

How could they be? We have been bantering back and forth for a few years now, so if they wanted to come murder me, well, THAT would have been done a long time ago.

RIGHT?!

*looks over shoulder*

Anyway, I learned last week that one of those women likes me too. She really does!

And how do I know this? She has bestowed unto me this award!


Mrs. Priss of The RHOK (The Real Housewives of Oklahoma) aka Jonni Baloney of That's Baloney picked me! And I was at the top of the list! No more last kid picked for the kickball game for me.

No, not me, I was numero uno.

SQUEEEEEE!

You see Mrs. Priss, along with Mrs. Albright aka Dawn of Dawn's Diversions makes me want to uproot from Jersey and move to Oklahoma. I heart them that much!

Okay, who sounds like the stalker now? MUAAAHHHAHHHA!

Ahem.

Well, back to the award. Thank you Mrs. Priss (which really? I'm not sure is an accurate pseudonym. You should SEE some of the words she uses playing WWF!).

I shall now wind this post up by fulfilling my awards requirements.

I must tell you 7 truths about myself.

1. I married my best friend; after I dated half of his friends, back in the day. Gross, right?
   
2. I have a huge fear of sharp objects, especially aluminum can lids. I hate using a can opener and seeing that sharp edge of the lid. I immediately imagine slicing open a finger or two. Maybe I died tragically in a previous life while making tuna salad.
3. I once was robbed, at gunpoint, while I worked as a bank teller. Ironically, after posting #2, I am NOT afraid of guns and am actually a pretty good shot.
   
4. It took me 5 years to conceive my first son and 4 1/2 years to conceive my second son, both with the help of fertility doctors, medication, and procedures. It took me exactly 6 weeks to conceive my daughter. She and son #2 are 10 months apart. You do the math.
   
5. I love Rocher Candy. I would love one or a baker's dozen right about now.
6. I have both PCOS and PMDD. I tell my husband, monthly, that he is not to "eff" with me during certain weeks of the month because I could totally use my condition as a defense in court. Did I also say I love Rocher Candy? Oh, and that I'd like some right now? CAN'T SOMEONE JUST GET ME SOME EFFING CANDY?!!
   
7. I don't know how to accept compliments. I usually blush and get totally embarrassed. You can't see it, but my face is a total shade of pink. But then again, that could just be the hot flashes.
   

I shall now pay forward my award to 7 bloggers:

1. Kimberlee at Autism Mommy - Therapist and I went to the same high school. She has two young sons on the spectrum. She? Is a strong, amazing woman. I am in awe.
2. Audrey at I'm Barking Mad is an inspiration. She has been to hell and back and is now in the process of trying to focus on herself. She has touched my heart with her story.
3. Liz at This Full House is my fellow Joisey girl. Need I say more? She ROCKS!
4. Meleah at Momma Mia, Mea Culpa is another Joisey girl that I adore. Heeeeey guuuurl ~ Fist Pump!!
5. Christy at Tiddly Inks is a very, VERY talented lady. I believe her work should be seen in books, on store shelves, and EVERYWHERE in between.
6. Jonni Baloney at That's Baloney (how could I NOT include her personal blog?) is a lady I want to become BFF's with over drinks, lots and lots of drinks. I know we'd have laughs a plenty.
   
7. Dawn at Dawn's Diversions would have to join Baloney and I because I would not feel complete without her. Yes, Dawn....you complete me.

And there you have it. Be sure to tell me YOUR 7 truths!

Make Me The Dark Horse

It's A Schmitty Life is one of the nominees for a BlogLuxe Award at the Socialluxelounge. Can you believe it? (I can, considering I nominated myself. Heh.)

I am listed in the Funniest Blog category. Can you believe THAT? (Once again, I can.)

But nominating myself isn't enough. I can only VOTE for myself once a day. Me thinks that won't be enough votes to get me to win. I've already fallen behind such dream crushers greats as; Cake Wrecks, Attack of the Redneck Mommy, and the almighty Bloggess, Amalah, and Dooce.

Wouldn't it be killer to beat Dooce? Right now at 19 votes, I'm only 13 votes from pummeling clobbering whomping overtaking her. What a rush THAT would be!

Now, I am a realist, I think it's fair to say I won't win. Barefoot Foodie is already at about a 1,000,001 229 votes. I don't even have that many readers. Not by a long shot. But I would like to feel like a contender. Stroke my ego and let this realist live in a fantasy world for a few weeks.

So, help a girl out. You can vote daily by clicking on the nominee button. It's A Schmitty Life is listed in The Funniest Blog category.

FYI: The more votes I get, the higher up on the list I will go, it would make it so much EASIER for you to find me that way. Just saying.

Thank you, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!

Thank You So Much!

I received an award...twice! The Lemonade Award is handed out to blogs that show great attitude and gratitude.

WOW! I am so honored.

I received this award from two wonderful women; Kellyn at The Fritz Facts and Liz at This Full House.

Thank you so much!!!

Now, I am to share my award with those I love.

So, without further ado, will Georgie, Meleah, Laura, Leigh, Christy, Maria, Kelley, Patois, Jennifer, and Bonnie please accept this award?

And if you feel so inclined, please pay it forward:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs with a great attitude / gratitude.
3. Link the nominees within your post.
4. Let them know you have given the award by leaving them a comment on their blog.
5. Share the love and link this post and to the person from whom you received this award.

The 2009 Bloggies

It's that time of year again. Time for you, the reader, to nominate your favorite blogs in the Annual Weblog Awards. In it's ninth year, this contest is open to any weblogs that existed for a period of time during the year 2008.

Nominations are open from Monday, January 1, 2009 until Monday, January 12, 2009. After nominations close, 200 randomly selected voters will receive an invitation to choose the finalists from a list of the most-nominated weblogs in ten random categories. On Thursday, January 22, the finalists are announced and voting reopens to all to choose the winners.

There are approximately 30 categories for you to list your favorite blogs in. I entered my favorite blogs the other day; Wiping Up Snot, Magneto Bold Too!, Attack of the Redneck Mommy, Just Eat Your Cupcake, and of course Our BlubHer Overhaul (Best Group Weblog) just to name a few.

So go on over, nominate a few hidden gems, get them recognized. And if it happens to be It's A Schmitty Life, I will lurve you forevah! (I kid, I KID! Seriously, I heart you all, no matter who you nominate!)

The 9th Annual Weblog Awards
The 2009 Bloggies

Me? Captain Of The Cheerleading Squad?!

A few days ago I told you all how my dear, DEAR Sistah, Sarah, nominated me for The Dottie Awards. I was so flattered!

She shouted my praises from the rooftops. [blush, blush]

The voting phase has now begun. She again is cheering ME on. (So, who should be getting this award? RAH! RAH!) She even threatened to go to our fellow Sistah's homes if they didn't vote. I'm sure just for a talk. Hmmmmm.....I could use someone like her.

Okay, back on topic.

When I started Our BlubHer Overhaul with Karly, I never imagined it would take off the way it has. I never imagined it would be having the impact it has on others. The women taking this weight loss journey with me are so supportive and caring. They are so appreciative.

I am honored you have nominated me and are voting for me. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside to know that I am helping to make a difference in your lives. You all are doing the same for me.

So, my loyal readers, I'm asking you to do me a favor. Please click on the button below and vote for me as the Captain Of The Cheerleading Squad. I would love to win because it will help spread the word about Our BlubHer Overhaul. I would love for more women to join this quest for a healthier body. Thank you in advance for helping me out.

~Mrs. Schmitty

The Dottie Awards

I am so completely honored! Sarah at Mom Tips and Notes from the Zoo, one of my Sistahs from Our BlubHer Overhaul, has nominated me for The Dottie Awards!

The Dottie Awards are being sponsored by MomDot.com. They have eleven different categories that you can be nominated for. Sarah has requested that I be placed in the running for Captain of the Cheerleading Squad!

Captain? Me? Wow! Back in my youth I was a cheerleader in the sixth grade. I wanted to prove to everyone that you didn't have to be one of the "popular girls" to be a cheerleader. I proved it and had fun....but not that much fun. When you have to hang around with a bunch of rich snots who were too busy looking at themselves in the mirror than to be well, nice, it gets somewhat boring. Biotches!

I quit the following year and hung with a new crowd. They were more fun, they taught me how to smoke and ditch school. What can I say, I had a well-rounded childhood.

But back on subject here. Can you imagine my surprise when I saw a post from Sarah this morning that said,

"Ladies I think you will all agree with me when I tell you that Mrs. Schmitty ROCKS!! She started this whole Overhaul and she has been working tremendously hard to keep us going.

As recognition for her hard work and inspiration I have nominated her for Captain of the Cheerleading Squad over at the MomDot Dottie Awards. Follow me and do the same would you?!

The actual voting doesn't start for a week or two but I think she deserves all the nominations we can get her!

Thank you Mrs. Schmitty for being one awesome cheerleader!"

I had tears in my eyes! When I, along with Karly from Wiping Up Snot, started Our BlubHer Overhaul blog, I thought we might get a few women to join us. I figured it would be a nice place to write about my weight loss journey.

I never imagined it would turn into what it has. We have 27, dedicated, wonderful women blogging. They are the most supportive and sweet friends. We are truly in this together. We average 15 posts per day with comments galore. No one judges if I slip up. Each person is truly happy if you do well. They offer great advice. They make me laugh. I love each and every one of them.

I have a long way to go in this quest. I will be leaning on my sisters for help. I will also be there for them whenever they need me.

Thank you again Sarah, this nomination means the world to me. I feel like I've actually made a difference in someone's life.

Sharing The Love

I received an award from my dear, blogging friend at The Fritz Facts! Thank you so very much!

This beautiful award was created by Crystal, blogger of Memoirs Of A Mommy. She wanted to honor the organ donor who saved her son Noah's life. Her son was born with a congenital heart defect known as Critical Aortic Stenosis. He also had an Abnormal Mitral Valve.

This subject hits extremely close to home for me. My son, W., was also born with a congential heart defect, known as Transpostion Of The Great Arteries as well as an ASD. He was operated on when he was only 5 days old.

W.'s surgery was a corrective one and he did not need a transplant, as did Noah. We did, however, become friendly with the family who had a child in the bed next to W. Their son had Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. He received many surgeries to repair his heart, however, they were unsuccessful. He eventually received a heart transplant. Unfortunately, due to complications of pneumonia, he passed away. We will never forget that little boy and the family we bonded with during such a difficult time.

A.J., this award is for you! I will pass it along and every time I see it on some one's blog, I will think of you.

That being said, would Maria, Shauna, and Jamie please accept this award? All you need to do is pass it along to someone you love!

2008 Blogger's Choice Awards

Okay, so I'm getting a very, VERY late start on this year's awards. I'm looking to get votes in 4 categories.

Do you like me? Do you, huh, huh?

If you wouldn't mind given me some lovin', I would be so appreciative. I would be your BFF for life if you'd vote for me.

I'm loving the Hottest Mommy Blogger category the most. I had some fun playing around with my art program tonight. Check out the "New Me" on my sidebar. What do you think?

Don't I look smokin'? Or as W. and his friends would say, "I'm Sexy Hot!"

Don't forget to click on a Blogger's Choice Awards button and vote for me.

Pretty Please with Sugar on top and a Cherry?!

And The Parents Of The Year Award Goes To....

I guess the Schmitty kids are getting bored with summer vacation already. It's been extremely humid and they don't want to play outside. They do, however, want to run through the rooms screaming like banshees, play WWF as they use my furniture to jump off of and dive onto each other, and they especially want to fight like cats and dogs!

We had one such a day like that last week. I tried, I really TRIED, to keep them occupied. Everything turned into a fiasco. Let's play a game, W. turned into a sore loser. Let's color, T. and R. fought over the same crayon, the green one that we have about ten of. Let's cool off in the kiddie pools, nope it's, "toooo hooooot" (notice the whine). Go read a book, "I donnnnn't waaaaaant toooooo", you see the pattern.

At this point, I am thinking to myself, "You idiot, you just HAD to use the video games as punishment yesterday, didn't you?"

By the time Mr. Schmitty came home from work I wanted to run, screaming from the house, never to return.

He sat the three of them down in the living room for a "family meeting". Picture me making those quotes with my fingers as this really wasn't a meeting, per say, but more of a shut up and listen or I'm gonna beat yer butt type of gathering. I didn't say a word, I'm usually the disciplinarian, so this was a nice change.

After he lectured them into a sleepy state, he told them to go in the playroom and actually use it to play. We stayed upstairs and talked for a few minutes. Then we heard them calling us.

"Mommy, daddy, come here! We are puppies. BUY US!"

I looked at Mr. Schmitty and saw the devilish grin that was spreading across his face. The same one I knew he was seeing on mine. Then I said to him, "They are in Ruby's crate, you know that don't you?"

"Ummm hmmmm...." he says and I know he's thinking what I'm thinking.

We jump up and race to the junk drawer. It's there, oh this is gonna be good!

We walk down the stairs and there they are, all three of them in the dog's crate, barking away.

I'm twirling the padlock on my pointer finger and begin telling the cute little puppies good night. I hand the lock to Mr. Schmitty and he puts in the combination.

Now, my children all have a great sense of humor. They know their father and I like to tease them. They love to tease us back. Mr. Schmitty and I are laughing as this is going on. All evidence is pointing to the reality that this is a JOKE!

I guess I misjudged just how tired my boys were because before we could even get half way across the room, W. and T. burst into tears! R. tough as nails, of course, is laughing hysterically.

OMG! I am the worst mother in the land! I quickly ran over and opened the door. I grabbed up the boys in my arms. I hugged them and started wildly planting kisses all over their heads and faces.

"I'm SO SORRY!! We were only kidding! Do you seriously believe we would lock you up in a cage? You guys know us, we would never do that! We were laughing, you have to know we were teasing!"

I looked at Mr. Schmitty, "I'm going to hell!"

"Or jail!" he replies.

"Yea, maybe for murder!" I say under my breath as I glare at him.

When they were all better and were finally sleeping peacefully in bed, Mr. Schmitty and I went to the other side of the house and laughed until we cried.

Thinking Blogger Award

Wow! I am totally and utterly surprised to receive the Thinking Blogger Award! I would like to thank Mom On Coffee for bestowing this honor on me. I enjoy reading her blog on a daily basis and I love to think that a wonderful blogger like herself, is out there actually READING and enjoying "It's A Schmitty Life".

I began writing this to keep an almost diary of sorts, of some of the happenings in the Schmitty household. I like to keep it light most of the time so I can remember some of the funny situations that occur. The ones that make you know this life is so worth every second. Documenting them here will help me remember. I would like to pass the stories along to my children when they are grown and visiting me in my nursing home, where I'll surely be sitting, all old and senile.

This award is a meme tag. I am to pass along the torch to 5 other bloggers that make me think. They are then to write their own post and tag 5 others. Make sure to include the award badge in your posts. Wear them with pride!

So here goes:

1. This southern gal is the mom to 2 little girls. I love reading the Blonde Mom Blog daily as she really can make me laugh. I love to laugh. She also Hearts the 80's, so she was an instant friend of mine!! Plus I just adore people from the south and wish I could move there tomorrow.

2. Chantel of Bread Crumbs In The Butter is a Canadian mom of 4. Anyone who outnumbers me with kids, has my vote. She has a truck driver mouth, which gives us an instant connection. She plays soccer and has her own catering and event planning business, she is Wonder Woman in a jogging suit! Plus after 10 years of marriage her husband still loves her arse in jeans, that's a great accomplishment.

3. Mrs. Chicky of Chicky Chicky Baby is a mom who like the rest of us, makes mistakes. We aren't perfect. But I admire a woman who is not afraid to admit it. She takes her job as a mom very seriously and you can feel that when you read this thought provoking, beautiful post to her 2 year old daughter.

4. Internet Safety Queen is doing a wonderful job educating the masses about Internet Predators, Cyber Bullying, Pornography, and Identity Theft. I commend her for the wonderful work she does to help us keep our children safe in this not always safe world.

5. And last but certainly not least is Jessica at Oh, The Joys. She is one of the most hilarious writers I have come across in the blogosphere. I can't wait to read each and every new entry she posts. Not only does she keep me in stitches, she can throw in the most intriguing stories. Stories that will leave you thinking when you leave her site. Stories that positively deserve the Thinking Blogger Award!