Blog Award Nomination

 I have been looking at a lot of blogs lately - and learning so much!!  I have often seen blog awards listed, and I wondered if I would ever get one. Low and behold, next thing I know I'm reading this email -  "I am so thankful to have run across your blog through Barb! I love all things technology!!! You should have way more followers, teachers need more blogs like yours!  I nominated you for a Liebster Blog Award. " - from Sarah, who posted this comment to one of my blog posts. Now I know what it feels like for celebrities to get that phone call that they've been nominated for an Oscar!!  I'm so excited!! The intention of the award is to help bring recognition and more followers to up-and-coming blogs/bloggers.   So, I have to do a few things to qualify. The first thing is to list 11 random things about myself, so here goes:

1.  Spending time with my husband of 23 years and my kids is my absolute favorite thing in the world!!  My kids are 19 and 21, and they both still live at home while they are finishing college. I don't know what I will do when they move out!!  

2.  I am a follower of college football!! We are HUGE Auburn fans!!  I believe in Auburn and Love It. War Eagle!!  I love spending AU game-days with my family - there is absolutely nothing like it!! .  

3.  I can crochet. I always crochet a baby blanket for all new babies in the family. I am currently getting ready to make three blankets - my cousin is expecting twins and my niece is expecting - all due on the 4th of July. 

4.  I enjoy creating digital scrapbooks at mixbook.com.  I have made beautiful wedding books, senior memory books for my kids, a cookbook of family recipes for my kids, a first year book for my niece, etc. They are so much fun and turn out beautiful!

5. I am an Instructional Technology Specialist at an elementary school.  My job is the BEST -  I get to explore technology in the classroom all day long with students and teachers!

6.  I am a Disney fanatic. We love to visit Disney World in Orlando, and I love to read about all things Disney on the many Disney blogs.  I would rather go to Disney World than just about anywhere.

7.   I don't know what I would do without my iPhone, iPad, and iMac. iLove!! 

8.  I love books and reading, especially children's books - I have so many books!!  

9.  Pink is my favorite color. 

10.  I hate to grocery shop! UGHH!  I will often talk one of my kids into going for me.

11. My favorite Bible verse: "Trust in the lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will set your path straight".  This single verse has gotten me through many tough times.   

Next, I will answer the 11 questions that Sarah has for me :

1. Where did you go on your honeymoon, or where would you like to go for your honeymoon?   I spent my honeymoon in Orange Beach, AL.

2. You're leaving work late, again, and you are just too tired to make dinner. Where do you stop to get a quick bite on the way home?  I swing by Chipotle for two soft carnitas tacos. YUM!!

3. Do you sit down and eat your lunch? Or do you have a "working lunch"? Both, but more often a working lunch. 

4. What is your go-to thing to do when you need to get away from it all (work out...call up a friend for a coffee date...)?  go for a walk at Auburn University, the most beautiful college campus!!

5. When did you know you were meant to be a teacher?  teaching runs in my family - my mom, my aunt, my sister, my cousin, my great-aunt - so I just always new I would be. 

6. If you hadn't become a teacher, what would you have been? a photographer

7. Do you have siblings? yes, 3 brothers and a sister

8. Do you have pets?  yes, a Brittany Spaniel named.....Brittany!

9. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?  The Louvre in Paris 

10. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be? Why?  My husband - love of my life and best friend -  we don't get to have dinner together often enough!!  

11. What color pen do you correct student work with?  any color except red

Next, 11 questions for my nominees:
1.  What is your favorite thing about your school?
2.  What is your favorite technology tool or website to use with your students?
3.  Would you rather go away for a vacation, or stay home for a staycation? Why?
4.  What is your favorite restaurant?
5. What is your favorite Christmas movie?
6.  Do you go out to dinner/get take-out  or cook at home most nights?
7.  Wh0 is your favorite children's book author?
8. Who is your online teacher-blogger  "hero"?
9.  What is your biggest "pet-peave" (mine is people who refuse to check their email!)? 
10.  Would you rather get a gift card or a gift?
11. What inspires you?

And finally, drumroll please, my 11 Nominees:

My Hullabaloo

Exploring Digital Media in Education

First In Maine

Reading Through Life

My Life With A Cherry On Top

Bumblebibi

Bee The Change

Oodles of Teaching Fun

Strive to Sparkle

InTech InSights

An Educator's Life

And what they need to do - if they want to accept:) -   Create a post with 11 random things about you and answer my 11 questions, create 11 questions for your nominees and list of your 11 nominees (should have less than 200 followers).  Then, leave me a comment with a link to your post - I can hardly wait! Finally, don't forget to leave a comment for your nominees! How excited they will be!  The guidelines differ a little from the ones in the image below, but you can at least see the intended meaning and spirit of the award.