How nice...

Well, dear readers, this was something that I would never have expected in a million years.

This morning, I was feeling really quite residually awful. Downright crappy, if the truth be known. Because for the past three days, I have been flat on my back with the worst case of heat exhaustion I have ever suffered. I had it all: the headache, the chills and fever, the colliwobbles of the tummy (to put it mildly and politely), you name it, people. I LITERALLY couldn't. lift. my. head.

Until this morning.

And this morning, when I opened my eyes, I realized that the world had finally stopped spinning and my head had stopped splitting. I staggered down to the kitchen after Child Number Three, who was vociferously demanding a "Pee-buddah Samwich!!", and, as is my customary habit, flipped on my computer before beginning the food prep.

This is what met my eyes:

My good blogging friend, Shauna, over at Up In The Night, has awarded me the Nice Matters Award!!

To say that I was thrilled to bits would be a wild understatement. Hell, I went thundering back upstairs and woke up my husband (samwich-jilted three-year-old child screaming behind me) to tell him the Big News. Even HE was impressed, and sprinted down to the computer screen to take a look.

I am so proud. So pleased, and proud. Because, I haven't been at this blogging-thing for very long. I've been a little bit insecure about my writing, especially after reading all the tremendously intelligent, articulate and downright hilarious stuff that's out there on the Women's Blogging Circuit these days. I have felt honoured to be allowed to stand amongst you, thrilled when I discover that you're actually out there READING what I write, and that you actually seem to enjoy it.

And as for "nice"... Well. What can I say, except that I am blessed. I am truly fortunate to be living the kind of life that I do, surrounded by the people who are my family and friends. For all of this, I am thankful. And I am pleased to share that with you.

So thank-you, Shauna, from the bottom of my heart. You have given me a huge honour: my very FIRST award, and on my 200th post, too!! Right back atcha, girlfriend, the feeling is entirely mutual.

And now the enormously difficult task of passing on this award falls to me... and it is not a task I take lightly. Because the list of outstanding blogs that I read on a regular basis is quite staggering, so I am going to give myself a day or so to make a decision. But I'll let you know!!

Thank-you again, Shauna. The boost you gave me today did more for me than any medicine could!!

A late-breaking update...

Thank EWE, at Wherever Ewe Go, There Ewe Are, who has ALSO chosen me as the recipient of a Nice Matters Award!! Gosh, people, I'm just overwhelmed... Two in one day!! Check out the delightful Ewe at her "slightly mad" blog (moo!) She is another truly nice blogger who is absolutely worth a daily read!