Hornet's Nest - Or How Nuffnang Stuffed Up Big Time

I am a tiny little fish in a very big pond of Aussie bloggers. This year, my voice has been even smaller as I struggle to post in this busy world.

But over at Digital Parents a large hornet's nest is opening up and spilling forth multiple Mummy bloggers buzzing with ire, as some of our most proficient and well known big fish bloggers are leaping vocally out of the Australian territorial pool.
"Why?" I hear you ask.

Well you see in the blogosphere there is a large commercial presence that goes under the name Nuffnang. You see their banner on many a blog, and also the multiple ads that go hand in hand with said banner. I am not a commercial blogger, but that is a whole other post.

Now Nuffnang run annual awards. Many of the more well known bloggers are nominated in lots of various categories. The most influential blogger being one of the biggies.

And, in my opinion, they stuffed it. They chose a blog I decline to link, for I will not be responsible for boosting traffic to such a site. I find this person blatantly offensive, racist and sick in her rants. I will not term them posts for, from what I have seen, they do not deserve to be categorised as such. I would not even compare her writing to the scribblings of a child, they lack any style and the content is... well, vomit-worthy.

If this is what they consider the best of the Asia Pacific region then I must admit I am proud to not be affiliated with Nuffnang.

Oh, and the best bit? They chose to blatantly ignore their own TERMS AND CONDITIONS by choosing this blog as the winner! Commercial whoring at its finest!

Thank you DP for revealing this travesty.

Boy, am I grateful to be a little fish at this point!

Holy Reviews Batman!

Right now I am very happy to have had two c-sections to birth my boys as I am jigging and dancing in over-excitement.

I HAVE BEEN REVIEWED!

Never before in the annals of Madmother blogdom has such an event occurred. I mean yes, some lovely bloggers have honoured me with many wonderful awards (always a humbling experience, especially as these bloggers are a bunch of truly talented people), and no, I do not blog for the accolades, but hellfire and puppy poop, it is a pretty awesome experience to read a positive evaluation of yourself on an acknowledged, well-known review blog.


Wait, I just have to sit down quietly for a moment, feeling a little overwhelmed and faint...

But you can look at my pretty coins whilst you wait...

Okay. Hyperventilating under control (gotta love those brown paper bags), I'm back. Did you like my pretty coins? Yes, I was awarded (drum roll)

FIVE GOLD SOVEREIGNS!

The highest honour Argentum Vulgaris bestows. Look carefully peoples - it is not often you see the jaw-flapping Madmother jaw-dropping.

So, now you all need to head over to the Blogger's Cafe and have a look. Read the reviews, find some new blogs to follow. There are some incredible photos as well as the brilliant reviews of many, many blogs.

I think I might just sit here quietly for a while, basking in my glory. Oh, does it matter if I am still in my jammies?

Awards - Blog Love Even when I am a Bad Madmother...

Still on the housekeeping, bad, bad me trail... I have a *few* awards that I have been remiss in accepting, acknowledging, passing on.

Bad Madmother, bad, bad, naughty Madmother!

And as usual, I will probably forget some... Really, I am not worthy and as such a slackarse maybe you should consider me an ungrateful wench to whom no awards nor meme's be passed.

So working back again from latest to oldest I will start with this one:

The gorgeous kakka @ The Half Full Glass saw fit to bestow The Sunshine Award to me a little while ago (thanks sweets).

 I apparently need to list a few things that make me happy. Let's see. My two boys. Oh, my two boys, and of course my two boys.

Yes, they are a *little older, bigger, maybe even wiser now than here.

My wonderful husband, Big Boy, who I still love deeply even nearly twenty years down the track, who won't let me post photos. Honestly, he is such a tolerant, supportive man and I am blessed to be growing old with him.

My beautiful mother, Wise Woman, about whom I will be doing a post over the weekend, continuing my fuzzy five family posts of which I only completed three.

The wonderous part of the world in which we reside.

The incredible generousity of spirit of the women in my life, on the web, and in person and those who are flowing between both.


And as for passing it on - I was going to follow my previous post and bestow it freely on those willing to accept, but I have to give it to one person in particular.


Ro, over at Get Over It... I Did. A newish friend, and one whose posts make me laugh, cry, and wish I had her talent with the written word (envy is the term methinks). I felt like I knew her immediately. You know, that loud *click* you sometimes get upon meeting someone, and you just know you are going to be friends. Her blog is one I read and go: "Hell, yeah. That's what I meant to say!"

This wonderful woman rang me last night. She was concerned because of the tone of my blog posts of late. Now, I have a confession, one I made to her last night.

Whilst the previous week or so prior to this one, had been hellish in ASDland, this week was bad for another reason. My lack of sleep. It is still linked into Boy 1 somewhat, as it was due to him suffering nightmares and coming down to me seven nights in a row. I don't normally mind, but find I do not go back to sleep usually. So from anywhere onwards of 2am, I was awake. I finally put my foot down (as it was obvious he was playing on it and happy to be in my bed), but that night Boy 2 suffered the same. Not his fault, and as he so rarely has the issue, there was no way I was telling him to go back to his own bed.  So night eight was a no catch up night. By this time it was Wednesday of last week. The next two nights, well, I had lost the ability to sleep.


No sleep = no cope. No Blog. No rationality.

But, it was a wonderful surprise when the phone rang last night and a bemused, confused Big Boy hands it over going: "It's Ro, from Melbourne?"

As sleep deprived as I was it was a fantastic surprise! And (I think) the start of a really good friendship. We talked, it felt as though we HAD known each other for years.

And last night I slept the sleep of the dead. All the nights of insomnia gone, *poof*. And I put it down to you Ro. Your lovely generous heart, reaching out to a stranger, taking a risk and extending the hand of friendship and empathy.

I cannot write this as well as you would, but thank you my friend. It meant a lot. And so The Sunshine Award goes to you.


Awwww, hell. Now I've spoilt my bad girl reputation, haven't I?

The Competitive Nature of Blog Awards

I am laughing so hard at the moment and it bloody well hurts! Have just followed E.  @ whining at the world around the blogosphere handing out notifications about the last blog award post. Felt like the dag following the cool kid and copying her moves.

Just remember my friend - imitiation is the sincerest form of flattery!

Luckily, for me, it was not the same award...

And now, my turn to bestow the same one she was shopping around.

Once again, here are the rules:

1. Thank the person who gave you this award. Already done in last post, but will again. Thanks Jen!
 2. Share 7 things about yourself. See below.

3. Pass the award along to 7-9-15- however many  bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic! I had said only six on my last post but as I have to share seven things I'll make it seven.



4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award. Give me a chance to list 'em would ya!

Seven things from my deep dark history. Oh crap, how do I find seven things I haven't already shared?

• I wanted to be a singer. Desperately wanted to be out the front of a band rocking my arse off. Had all the moves, just missing one thing. A voice. My singing sucks.
• I was bullied at school. Probably why I am so protective of my two boys and any hint of this recurring.
• I crank the music up when alone and dance, dance, dance. God was being very nasty when he gave me a child who cannot stand any loud noise.
• From sixteen to around twenty-nine I took an hour and a half to do my makeup and hair. Every day. Sometimes twice. Even to do the grocery shopping, did not set foot outside door without full face on.
• I have an incredible memory. If I read something once I can nearly recite it word for word.
• Up until my early thirties I could out drink ANYONE. Nowadays I am a cheap drunk.
• I love browsing through antique shops, second-hand bookstores, and op-shops.

My list of seven new discoveries from blog heaven:

1. Thea @ Do I really Wanna Blog? Really enjoy reading Thea's take on her life. Find myself sitting nodding in agreement. Shame no-one can see.
2. Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit. Outspoken, honest, says what we all are thinking a lot of the time.
3. Lulu @ Unperfect Life. How can you not like someone who has "When life gives you lemons, reach for the Tequila" written in the title of their blog?
4. Lori @ Random Ramblings of a SAHM. She is really funny. And creative and makes new words up like I do. 
5. Kitty Moore @ Kitty Tells It As It Is.  A truly gifted writer. Her story in a captivating series of blog posts (start at the oldest and work your way through). Oi Kitty - write faster, I'm waiting...
6. Fiona @ Fe... a life. Because she is raw, truthful and blunt. Just the way I like it.
7. Tara @ Waffling Along. For lots of reasons. Firstly because she is one hell of a tlented lady, secondly, even though she is busy she needs to bloody well start blogging again. Screw Twitter - we need you more! Thirdly, because I know her. Yep, really face to face. She is THAT one.

And that bloggers is it. Off to inform the lucky recipients. Then to pop more painkillers.

Thank You, and Things I should have Done Before...

Painkillers kicked in, I can sit for a while now so I'll catch up with a few things I have been slack about doing.

Firstly, a big

for all the comments in response to my sooky-la-la last post. I am not a good sick person, or injured as the case is at the moment, and do not cope well with stopping. And right now, stop I must if I wish this to mend quickly.

Secondly, have been able to comment on some blogs this morning without issue, so maybe glitch is fixed? It was several different blogs yesterday, not just one, which is what worried me.


Thirdly, I have been truly remiss in accepting awards over the last few months. And so I will try and remedy that here now. I am going to limit my pass-on lists to six otherwise it could take forever.

The lovely Jen at jemikaan awarded me the Beautiful Blogger Award a couple of weeks back, and I have slackly not accepted formally, nor followed through with the following requirements.

Here are the rules:


1. Thank the person who gave you this award.


2. Share 7 things about yourself.


3. Pass the award along to 7-9-15- however many :p bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic!


4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.

Also, somewhere in the fog of the last few months I was awarded the Circle of Friends Award.

 And I cannot find where. *Hangs head in shame* Yeah, you are all shaking your heads in disgust at my lack of appreciation, aren't you. That's okay. I'm pretty disappointed in myself too. Normally do not let things get this out of hand, but somehow I have. So if it was you who had the decency to award this to me, firstly my apologies. As it is not the first time I have done something similar I have no excuse. Please forgive me, if you can.


And, whilst trying to track the above award down, I also found that I had NEVER followed through from the said award from Mel at The Things I'd Tell You...

What can I say? There is a reason I dye my hair blonde you know!

Tackling the last first, because it is the easy way out, and because it is the oldest...

Everyone LOVES COMMENTS. It is a shame that more do no add there comment when they read, because we bloggers are usually putting some pretty personal stuff out there. I know it is our choice, but, even when the ticker is climbing, it is nice to know you are not talking in an empty room.
What is also sad is that the people I will pass this onto have probably already received it many times over. Because they are the same, constant, sharing, supportive people who comment on all the blogs they follow.

I bestow the supportive commenter award to:

• karen @ menopausal mumma
• jen @ jemikaan
• linda @ pink patent mary janes
• alex @ whoa-mumma
• elizabeth @ whining at the world
• melissa @ sugar coat it

To EVERY single person who comments on my blog realise I read, absorb, and appreciate EVERY time you leave a message. When things are truly bad it can be the one thing that lights up my day, and when things are good it is the icing on the cake which makes this hard-hearted old wench go all warm and fuzzy.

I am not going to bestow the circle of friends award until I can do it properly, so unless someone links me again, or else I track it down I will leave it gathering dust in the cupboard under the stairs with Harry.

And just to annoy you. This post is beginning to resemble Tolstoy's War and Peace, so I will come back with the Beautiful Blogger award in my next one.

Do You Vote For Yourself?

Yes. it's that time again. Blog This Challenge 32: Comfort Food voting has opened and I have a question for you.

Come on, be honest! Do YOU vote for your own entry in challenges? I know it is not the done thing, certainly not considered politically correct and most people would deny it until blue in the face, but I do. Not all the time, but when one of my entries captures my heart (and we all have those favourites) like my Literary Whore, or, yes I will admit it, my Midnight Oil Eat It Out entry for this challenge,  I vote for ME!

I also am a competitive git, and as I said in one of my earlier posts, have this immense fear that when I go look at the poll a big fat zero will be there staring right back at me. We all crave acknowledgement or recognition, it is the nature of the beast. Once we have a taste of it, we want more.

The two challenges I have won, the first one I entered: Challenge 26 Quick Fix Meal and the most recent Challenge 31 My New Super Power, have given me an incredible emotional high and confidence boost. And once you have experienced this, well it is addictive.

You see I do not, like a lot of people who write or blog, truely believe in myself. I still find it incomprehensible that I have 58 followers! 58 people who want to see what I write, who find me entertaining enough to want to come back, who like my blog. I think it stems back (at least in my case) to the life change which comes with being a Mum. It is the most rewarding job on the planet BUT you also lose a piece of yourself, of your individuality. A lot of my self-worth was tied into my former working life. It is a situation where if you do a good job, you receive a pat on the back in the form of personal praise, a bonus system, or review. Motherhood rewards are not that clear cut, and usually come from sources who you know have strong personal ties to yourself. And so you lose that little bit of confidence in your ability. Winning these challenges gives you back a piece of that. Others who do not have a strong personal involvement have chosen to honour you and your entry by voting for you.



Get free graphics at blixy.com!

Anyway, enough of my self-analysis, what about you? Do YOU vote for yourself? Just sometimes, maybe? Come on, 'fess up... a bit of self-belief is nothing to be ashamed of.

Oh, and go read all the entires in Challenge 32, and vote for the one you like best. Every one of us who enter would appreciate it more than you could ever realise.

No undue pressure or emotionally charged persuasion from this end this time, but...

Awards, Counters and The General Lightness of Blogging...

Yes, yes, I know I have been remiss in accepting this one that Kakka over at The Half Full Glass bestowed, so the Gods that be gave me a swift reminder kick up the proverbial. Ooops, sorry not Gods, but Wendy over at W.M. Morrell's Musing's from Down Under .

Now, the terms of accepting this one are that I need to list ten things that make me happy. Easy, right? Ah, maybe...

1. The obvious starting point: my family. Never again will I ever take this gift for granted after coming so close to losing Wise Woman last year. I know some would say I am an unreasonable woman for wanting her to live longer as she turned 90 last October, but she is my Mum and whilst her quality of life is as wonderful as it is now... Oh, hell, this wasn't meant to be a novel, let's just say I now appreciate every minute. NEXT!
2. Another blatantly apparent one: my friends. I think 2009 was to teach me what true friendship is about. Whilst it was a painful lesson it was also a worthy one as so many of my wonderful friends stepped up to support me. I thank each and every one of them, new and old.
3. Following on from previous post: Girls nights out!
4. Now these will go in any old random order from this point - as I think of them. My beautiful cat Flower. It has been years since I had a pet of my own and she is gorgeous and adores me unconditionally.
5. Skating! No, not ice skating, brrrr, too icy for the fiery one. No - I am talking about ROLLER SKATING. See here for more details.
6. Comments! Every blogger knows comments make you soooooo happy!
7. Reading. Wise Woman often brings up my reading obsession. I learnt to read at not quite four years of age, and from that point on it was nigh on impossible to get a book out of my hand. When reading was banned at the table (rightly so) I would read the back of the cereal packet. WW gave in around 3 months later when I started dictating the ingredients of each type before I would choose one.
8. Alone time. Once, before children... actually before Big Boy even, I had the luxury of closing the door on my inner city terrace, turning on the answering machine and shutting out the world for days at a time. Now, of course, this is a rare indulgence. On my few days off I fit in catching up with friends, appointments, grocery shopping, duties for Wise Woman, time with aforementioned Wise Woman (always a true pleasure), and so on. I now feel guilty if I stop. When I do somehow manically juggle responsibilities to avoid my conscience kicking me in the head it is a wonderful experience.
9. Head massages, you know - the kind you get at the hairdresser. Oh hell, stuff it - all massages! Oh, but the relaxing kind not that masochismic deep painful stuff.
10. Last but not least, dancing to a good rock band. I love to dance, even if I have a few more jiggly bits than in my wild youth.

Now I have to pass this on. My problem here is that so many of these awards have already done the rounds, so if I double up for a few people, please forgive me.

To the blogs which make me smile on a regular basis:

• Pink Patent Mary Janes 
• Kellyansapansa
• Caitlyn Nicholas
• I'll Think of a Title Later

Done.

And as for the great counter fiasco? Well, at least I'm not alone. Sally over at a blog by any other name... is having the same trouble!

I am no scrapbooker but I have tried...

to create an award. Here it is:

Not much, I know, but hey - the idea is there! This one is for the straight talkers, the bloggers who think political correctness has gone too far, the people who tell it like it is!

Now I will have to go and ponder to whom I will bestow the initial honour on. Sadly one of those to whom I would have automatically given it has left the blogging world (yes, Alex - YOU).

Oh, and any photoshoppers who want to help refine this one more - please, step up. Can give you the bits 'n pieces if that helps...

Back on the Bandwagon - The First Award Catchup.

Not quite sure what to do here. I appreciate each and every comment left on my blog, no matter how long or short. The list would be endless if I started one to pass this on!
So to every person who has taken the time to let me know your thoughts, this is for you! To me you are all my top supporters/followers and I am humbled to think anyone reads my babbling.

Besides, I am pretty sure all of you commenters with blogs would have one already! No point in doubling up, just know you are appreciated by every blog you have ever commented on.

But keep your eyes peeled, I think there may be a new blog award on the horizon...

Found One - but I think there was another...

Or maybe not?  And how crap do I feel, my only excuse is that whole holiday passed in a bit of an insanely manic bubble of time. Thank God for Google.

So sorry. It was the wonderful Mel, my muse and inspiration...

I will be back to spread the love after my self flagellation is completed.

Okay - Seriously Blonde Moment

I know someone gave me an award whilst I was away on holidays with limited internet access, but I can't for the life of me remember who or what for...

My humble apologies, I know I commented my thanks on your blog, and am off doing some serious searching, but if you read this could you please post me the link in a comment.

I am so embarrassed and humiliated. Just think: I was once an organised, intelligent, articulate woman. Well, that sure ain't so anymore!

Sugar Doll Blogger Award

I think the Gods are trying to tell me something, because I have now been awarded this twice (interpreted as "Get off your arse and do something about this, you lazy woman..."). Firstly, Jacintah over at Live life now! gave it to me, and now Melissa, from The Things I'd Tell You.... has passed it on also.

So now I have to dig deep into the memory banks and find ten more random things I have not as yet blurbed all over the net.

Ten? Ten, unknown little ad hoc facts? This is the bit where I kick myself for having a big mouth and posting my stuff all over webland...

Hmmm, what can I come up with?

Think, woman, think!

 Okay, here goes:

• I was a tomboy growing up. Guess I still am. Whilst my older sister cooked and sewed, and did girly stuff, I was mowing, edging, raping and pillaging the garden, stoking up that blazing incinerator and helping Dad in the shed. I was Dad's Boy. Really.

• Following on from previous fact, I can re-tube a pianola! Ever seen the inside of those things? Comes from hours of sitting helping my Dad in his restoration work. In his shed. Him on one side of the mechanism, me on the other. Tube after tube after tube.

• When I was twelve I saw AC/DC at the Civic Theatre in my little country home town. Got all their autographs, including the late great Bon Scott. And lost the damn piece of paper somewhere in one of my cleanouts! Not happy Jan!

• For some bizarre reason, when I commenced my writing course in 2007, the instructor got it into her head that I knew exactly what creative writing was all about. She kept looking to me to validate her points, with statements such as: "You know what I mean." and "You'd know about that, wouldn't you?" when I had NEVER had any writing experience at all post school. And of course, I kept nodding as if I did...

• In my youth I constantly changed my hair, was in hair shows, had weird and wonderful cuts and colours. Started in high school with the old pink food colouring in my strawberry blond hair for the school disco, progressed to black reverse streaks in my blonde hair, blonde bleach as my hair darkened, layers, cut short at back, left long at front (as someone commented, looked like I had been hit by an axe in the back of my head), blue streaks, purple streaks, flouro pink streaks (that was June this year). I even died it deep red once, and bought blue contact lenses - plus new makeup, new wardrobe... very expensive experiment that one was! Hated it even after 12 months, didn't look like me in the mirror.

• I sleepwalk. Haven't for a few years, but that is more likely down to the broken nights with children, not that I have grown out of it. Have numerous funny stories I could tell, but will restrict it to a couple. When I was around twelve Wise Woman 1 and the Flame-Haired Hellraiser were in the kitchen having a late night cuppa. I walk out, smile angelicly and murmer "Fart number fourteen" turn and go back to bed. Didn't let one rip, merely made comment. The second tale is a little more embarassing. I was in my twenties, useless boyfriend of the time was staying as was his mate. I slept naked back then. Woke up looking out door of sunroom - still starkers. Having walked straight through spare bedroom where mate was, and realising I had to return the same way to get back to clothes in bedroom. I *think* he was asleep. I sure as hell hope he was asleep...

• I used to skateboard. Blame it on Leif Garrett, or more to the point, my teenage obsession with Leif Garrett. Anyone remember the movie "Skateboard"? Boy 2 now has my skateboard. Numerous falls, but no broken bones, thank goodness. For either of us, touch wood.

Wooohoo - only three to go!

• I am afraid of heights, but refuse to let it control me. Have done stupid things like rock climbing just to prove fear cannot and will not dictate my actions or choices.

• I used to water ski! Managed to get onto one ski, but never conquered barefooting. Haven't skied in ten years, might have to give it another run soon.

Last but not least,

• I am a friend collector. I have friends from all the stages of my life, childhood, school, Uni, all my various jobs, motherhood, and now my kids' school, and of course, the internet! One or maybe two, sometimes more, who have stayed in my life and been there by my side, as I am by theirs. True friends. I think the poem is right, and I am blessed to have many lifetime friends. Anytime you need me, know I am here.

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON,

it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.

They have come to assist you through a difficulty;

to provide you with guidance and support;

to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.

They may seem like a godsend, and they are.

They are there for the reason you need them to be.

 

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,

this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.

Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.

The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,

because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.

They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.

They may teach you something you have never done.

They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.

Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;

things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.

Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,

and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life,

whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

Now, to pass this on...

All of you are wonderful bloggers who I enjoy so much:

1. Dharma at A Mermaid's Diary of Living Out Loud  - really like this woman, think we'd be irl friends if we lived closer!
2. Pink Patent Mary Janes love her blogs.
3. Gretchen at Cocktail Mom, found her through Gwen Bell. Enjoying her style.
4. Sharalyn at Daily Musing of a Rainbow Life, of course.
5. And Sally, one of my faves... a blog by any other name

And I think all others already have it so it is a short list this time!