The Southern Fried Mom over at Grits and Cheese has awarded me Thinking Blogger Award. I have to admit I must have reread her post at least four times to make sure my eyes weren’t deceiving me.

I’ve watched this award weave its way throughout many of my favorite blogs, and I chalked it up as one that would never apply to this here blog. You see, as much as I had loved the idea that someone would consider me so, I’m afraid I haven’t been provding the kind of content that could be considered “thoughful.” So you could imagine my surprise when I saw I was awarded. Thank you. I am humbled.

But now? The PRESSURE. Now I feel like I need to actually say something worth saying. Oh crap!

First let me get the particulars out of the way. I want to pass this distinguished title (yeah, I don’t know if I can say that with a straight face now that I’ve been included) to the following folks.

A Citizen at Hysterical and Useless for providing such thought-provoking posts in small manageable doses.

Paige at The Avery Lane Experience and not just because she inspired me to go buy some vitamins this weekend.

There’s NOLA Notes not only for making me think of my beloved city, but also for setting an example of perserverance and not giving up on that city.

The Pissed Off Housewife and I don’t always agree politically, but I sure do love her and love being challenged by her.

And finally, Beth at Books Etc. from whom I gain so much regarding her experience raising boys and her ability to make me fall in love with words all over again.

So each of you may now pass this award on to five bloggers who have made you think. And just link back to this post. That’s it.

As for my thinking? I think all the time. It’s actually a problem. My brain is always racing. Most of the time however it’s full of random thoughts and anxieties that I can neither control or channel into multi-million dollar ideas. I often need to turn on the TV at night just so I can stop the racing thoughts long enough to fall asleep. I dream all night–vividly, and I almost always remember them in the morning. So I think I have the thinking down. What I need to master however is ability to transform those thoughts from paste to gems.

Tell me. What you’ve been thinking about lately? If you have nothing in mind, leave me a word association. Start with this word:

LEMON

It’s no secret I love New Orleans. I mean there’s the food and the way of life and the food and the architecture and the food and the people and the food and the architecture and…well you get the point. There’s something else I’ve lately discovered about the city–and well the state. They turn out some kick-ass bloggers.

One is particular is NOLA Notes. She quickly drew me in and I was compelled to add her to my daily reads. Please stop by and tell her hi, hear what it’s like to be committed to that wonderful city.

Now, she was darling enough to ask me to tell you some three things, but I have to admit the request was made some time ago and I fell a little behind so I hope it’s not too late to comply.

Three Things That Scare Me: Michael Bolton, Kenny G & Star Jones

Three People Who Make Me Laugh: Shakey, PFunky & Eddie Izzard

Three Things I Love: hugs and kisses from my boys, dancing until the wee hours & lying on sparsely populated beach with a cabana boy to adjust my chair and bring me frosty beverages

Three Things I Hate: the Head On commercials, that carbs don’t make you skinny & being cold and wet at the same time

Three Things I Don’t Understand: murder, intolerance & Portugese

Three Things On My Desk: a cup of Pop Tops (save ’em, send them to me), random papers I don’t want but don’t think I should throw away & old copies of Roll Call

Three Things I’m Doing Right Now: Watching I Love the 80’s-1987, drying off and drinking a Diet Pepsi

Three Things I Want To Do Before I Die: Visit the Grand Canyon, Go on a photo safari in Africa & vacation in the South Pacific

Three Things I Can Do: make a garden grow, rap all the words to It’s Tricky & supposedly VACUUM

Three Things I Can’t Do: fold fitted sheets neatly, pee (neatly) standing up & grow hair on my chest

Three Things I Think You Should Listen To: Your Mamma, your kidlings & your gut

Three Things You Should Never Listen To: Michael Bolton, Kenny G & Star Jones

Three Things I’d Like To Learn: to SCUBA dive, be a doctor & to be a good photographer

Three Favorite Foods: homemade pasta, crusty bread & bananas foster

Three Shows I Watched As A Kid: Mr. Rogers, The Electric Company & Zoom

So you’ve humored my by hanging with me this far. Thanks.

Now if the following three bloggers would–okay I can’t come up with any witty way to say “do this meme” and frankly I’m now singing to myself, “her name was trio and she dances on the sand…” Do you think I’m stuck in the 80’s?! Anyway, I’d like Steve, Southern Fried Mom and Eva Las Vegas to play along. Sure hope they will.

Dear Queen of the Mayhem,

Regarding your comment concerning OTJ’s “cyst”, I wanted to say I share your concerns about 69.

I personally find it difficult to completely enjoy the pleasure of receiving when I’m also supposed to be focused on…

What?

You meant problem NUMBER 69?

Oh…well…um…nevermind then.

The woman who first won my heart in the blogosphere nominated me?!! This silly blog where I let spew the inane thoughts clogging my brain? Shoot, I was just using it as an excuse to delay cleaning. I know, I know, Mom. I’ve been successfully doing THAT since before Al Gore invented the internet.

But check this out…

Thanks Karrie. I’m humbled that you’d even think of me. Can’t wait to lay eyes on you in Chicago!!

The trips, the travel.

I started my day hearing the news that my legal eagle-in-training, the lovely Jay, will be heading to Sao Paulo for the internship of his dreams this summer. It doesn’t hurt that he’ll be near a certain someone as well. Way to go Jay!

Then I myself took a detour to Rio where I tamed the wild caterpillars.

Nothing but Brazil on my mind.

It’s 11:16 p.m. on Sunday and I FINALLY caught up on all of your posts!

It’s becoming clear to me that I have too many blogs in my reader, but I don’t feel like breaking up with any of you. What even worse is that I see the lists of other blogs people love or who are honored with one award or another and I think I really should get out to see those folks as well. Of course, all of these are blogs theoretically still in the same community. I’d love to also get out and check out some blogs of people who are living completely different lives than my own (not to suggest you all live the suburban bliss I call my life–but you know what I mean).

Problem is I run out of time most nights to post to my own blog, take part in any of my hobbies or read a book.

Guess I’m going to have to stop doing work at work so I can focus on more important things (just kidding boss).

**************************

In the spirit of catching up, I also have just one meme left to complete.

For my pal Dorky Dad, I will complete the following.

List four sentences you’ve never said before:
1. I love the Boston Red Sox!
2. “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” (at least not yet)
3. I hate shoes.
4. Orgasms are just no fun.

List any number of song titles that describe how you felt this week.
“Ain’t It Funny How Time Slips Away”
“Family Tradition”
“Let Me Clear My Throat”
“Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow” (I mean it’s only April)
“Pride and Joy”
“Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves”
“I Want Candy”
“Welcome to the Jungle”
“Sugarhigh”

Imagine you’re having the perfect day. What four things would you be doing.
Ummm, my mom is reading…
1. Laying on a beach in the warm tropical sun.
2. Having a fantastic time splashing in the water with the kiddos.
3. Going out on a date sporting a great tan and a sassy sundress.
4. Dancing!!!

Make up five creative names for a rock band.
Creativity is going to be a stretch here. I can barely focus on the screen.
1. Headless Peeps
2. Final Fringe Feeling
3. Egg Popping Chickens
4. Grey is Good
5. Red Snails (In the Sunset)

Congratulations! You get to go back in time and ensure that three songs were never written, thus sparing humanity from ever having to hear them. What three songs would get the axe?
1. Mony, Mony
2. What I Like About You
3. Broken Wings

Phew! I’m exhausted! Sorry you had to read all that.

I’m tagging Mr. Big Dubya because he’s been gone for a while and I’m thinking maybe he just needed something to get him back into the swing of things, and JJ because, well, it’s been far too quiet over there as well.

It would means they actaully need to GO to sleep!

The Bunny’s getting tired, and she still has baskets to fill!

Got to get to bed early so I have enough energy to meet the early morning sugar high.

Woohoo! Easter candy.

Help me!!!!!

Rolling Stone called and wanted an exclusive with a nerd girl super-cool blogger. I told them I was sorry, but they’d have to get in line behind the two cracked journalists who had already submitted their requests (oh, okay! They offered to throw me some questions and jumped all over the chance).

First from Wonder Mom.

1. New Orleans makes me feel:
Happy. At home. Warm. Creative. Carefree. There is just something about having lived there. It became part of who I am. I wish I could lay more claim to the city than just four short years, but I’ll take those. It is by far my favorite city in the country. The greatest thing about New Orleans is that it’s warts and scars are part of its charm. I guess I’m just a sucker for character.

2. What’s the most boring day you have ever had?
Oh what I wouldn’t give for a boring day! It’s so hard to think back far enough to find one. You know there isn’t one that immediately comes to mind, but if I were to guess, I’d say it probably involved a family road trip when I was a kid stuck in the back seat with my sister. I’m sure she spent the entire trip “on my side.”

3. What is your favorite keepsake from motherhood?
I’d say it has to be the photographs. The boys are all growing so quickly that I’m shocked when I look back at pictures from just last year and notice how much they’ve changed. I love capturing their smiles, their funny faces, their fashion statements.

4. Do you still want to be a rock star?
Definitely!! You have no idea how cool I think it would be to rock out on stage, belting out amazing tunes. Of course, I’d be stick skinny and probably dress like Joan Jett. I’d want to kick-ass but have a soft side too. Unfortunately, there’s a better chance of me winning the Pulitzer Prize for blogging (and you’ve read my blog) than there is of me developing the ability to carry a tune.

So instead I don my iPod and pretend when I’m all alone.

5. I saw you posted this is June..update it. Mamma loves…
This all goes back to the origin of my blog’s name. I have this fantasy of opening my own shoe boutique. I want to call it Mamma Loves Shoes (because I do indeed LOVE shoes). Since that didn’t look like it was going to happen in the near future, I adapted the title for my blog. The idea was that I would talk about things I loved and things I didn’t. I couldn’t stick to the format but the name was already there.

Today Mamma Loves…

All of her guys
Her family
P-Funky
The book club girls
Friends in low places
Her bloggy friends
Danger Doll (for the free advice that even a ludite like me could use to pretty up the joint)
Her adopted twin nieces (and their mamma of course)
The Latvian Princess

(and in no particular order)
A day at the spa
Mojitos
Shoes
Good music
The sound of her guys’ laughter
Warm sunshine
Long, passionate kisses
Her garden
Shoes
End-of-the-year bonuses
Massages
Comments (yes I’m a whore for a good comment–so leave one dammit)
A great bag (a girl can dream)
The beach
Diet Coke
Shoes
Helicopter rides
Hawaii
The perfect color lipstick
Laughing
Shoes

And from Mrs. Chicky

1. How old were you when you got your first kiss? What were thecircumstances?
With tongue? That would be sixth grade—which is horrifying since my oldest is finishing up fifth grade now. I can remember it like it was yesterday. I was standing at the corner of the school building on my way to my bus and my “boyfriend” Chris told me he wanted me to walk the long way with him and when he was sure no one was looking he laid one on me. I think I was shocked. I may have kissed him back, but I’m sure it couldn’t have been for more than a few seconds and then I ran for my bus blushing like you wouldn’t believe. I’ve definitely refined my skills since then.

2. If you could pick to go anywhere, where is the perfect vacationdestination?
A sparsely populated Caribbean beach with my own cabana boy to bring me frozen fruity drinks, adjust my umbrella, ensure the proper coverage of suntan lotion and fan me as necessary.

3. Did you play sports in high school? If yes, which one(s)? If no, why?
Ah yes, I was a tennis player. I wasn’t very good at sticking to a practice schedule, but it was fun. I wish I still played as much as I did. I’ve been thinking about getting back into it.

4. Favorite movie couple: Hepburn and Tracy or Jolie and Pitt?
No contest. Hepburn and Tracy hands down. Katharine Hepburn is one of my idols. What an incredible woman.

5. What is your favorite article of clothing that you own?
Now you’d think it would be a pair of shoes, but right now I’m not in love with any particular pair I own. I’d have to say it’s my denim jacket. It seems to go with almost anything. I’ve worn a denim jacket in one form or another since middle school—not the same one, don’t worry. I think it sort of sums up my personality. I used to be a tomboy as a kid but I’m definitely became more girly in high school—not too girlie though. I’ll wear a skirt and flats and then throw on my denim jacket to head out. I don’t know. I guess it makes me feel like I can be dressed up but I still don’t have to take life too seriously.

I’d like to thank my two gracious interviewers for their terrific questions. Should you like a reason to tell Rolling Stone “NO,” just give me a shout and I’ll send some questions your way.

I can’t believe prom is already just a memory.

Duuuuuuuuude! We had a killer time last night. You should have been there.

We had a well-stocked fridge.

The wine coolers! The Asti!! AND Michelobe Lite. The guys really got the good stuff for us.

We SO know how to party.

Don’t we just make the cutest couple? I just know we’re going to be together forEVAH. (try it was over six weeks later)