Blog Thanks, a Meme, and a Break

First of all, I recently received two prizes that I won in the most recent bloggy giveaway.

My kids have already read and reread these. And I've tucked this away in a closet for a little girl who's going to be super thrilled and excited when it arrives on Christmas morning.

Thanks to Deb and Erin for hosting such fab giveaways!

Also, I was tagged for a meme by Melanie at Mommy Doodles awhile back and haven't found the time, so I'm taking it now to tell you 6 quirky things about myself.

1. Link the person who tagged you.
2. Mention the rules on your blog.
3. Tell about six unspectacular quirks you possess.
4. Tag six following bloggers by linking them.
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger's blogs letting them know they have been tagged.

As for number 4-5, if you're reading this and haven't participated yet, consider yourself tagged by me. I really just want to know all about you, my friends.

1. I can get rid of hiccups (my own only) no fail every time with a trick I learned on Sesame Street. You drink water from a cup upside down and backwards. It involves some strange maneuvering over a sink, but it's totally worth it because I hate the hiccups.
2. I pick things up off of the floor with my toes all the time. It saves time. I can reorganize the entertainment center with my hands and put legos in a bucket with my feet, all at the same time.
3. I can't stand to have my nose touched. I always feel like I'm drowning when my nose is covered. When I start tickling my husband, he automatically goes for my nose, knowing I'll back off and slink away. I have no idea what is up with that, except that I breathe through my nose way more often than through my mouth.
4. I read lightening quick. Give me a book and I'll make it through in a day, maybe a day and a half. This isn't really a talent, and I mostly wish I could slow down. It stinks to anticipate reading a book and then be done with it in a few hours. The last book I did this with was a children's book called Penny from Heaven by Jennifer Holm. Although the primary audience is kids 8-12...everybody should read it! (I finished it in a little under 2 hours with distractions.)
   
5. I was once semi-fluent in French. After 4 years in high school, and three years in college, I read French books, wrote essays in French, and spoke it fairly well. Now...I can't remember how to say dog in French. (Actually I can, it's "chien", but that's about all I know.)
6. I think jeans are comfortable. I even sleep in them occasionally. Which prompts my husband to get really irritated, and much of my family to wonder how we ever got five kids. I'd explain it to them...but they probably don't really want to know.

So there ya go. All about the unspectacular me.

Which leads me to my next big announcement...

I'm going on a bloggy vacation. Dr's orders.

The kids start school on Monday, and after the meet-the-teacher night, I realized that this is going to be a transition year for them.

All of their teachers are fabulous, but the way the classes were set up, most of them don't have their best friends in their classes. And in Jare's case, his two best friends for the last 4 years have both moved. They are going to need to adjust, and I want to give them 100% of me to help in that process.

I also have a gigantic work project that needs some TLC. Add to that a two week plan to clear clutter from the undersides of my home, and I'm gonna be busy. Not too busy for you, darling readers. Just too busy to give you the attention you so richly deserve. There's a chance that some old posts will drip while I'm away. Posts that still have 0 comments on them, because they are from back when none of you knew me. But mostly, I'm going to step back and take care of some things that should be on the front burner, but have gradually been pushed back.

When I come back on September 8, I'll have all kinds of wisdom and stories to share with you...and maybe a souvenir to giveaway. I know how y'all like souvenirs, they're much better than wisdom any day.

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