So, here’s the really cool thing about this blog: Just when I thought the only people following it were all the moms living in my small town and my ex-husband, it turns out that at least one other blogger has started reading along. She’s Connie over at “I Suck as a Parent” and she has even gone so far as to nominate me for a Liebster Award, which she likens to the Grammys for bloggers, minus the red carpet.

And while there’s no one winner and it’s more like an ongoing shout out amongst bloggers, it’s pretty cool to be recognized by one of your own. And in a world where some bloggers are busy elbowing their way to the top of the heap, it’s nice to know that other bloggers are willing to share the spotlight with those new to the blogosphere.

But Connie frets about some of her parenting decisions and is a shoe hoarder and counts The Silver Palate as one of the most important books in her library, so how could we not really like each other? She even went to Greece this summer.

The deal is that we nominate our faves and ask them to answer 10 questions and those bloggers in turn make nominations and craft questions.

Herewith, answers to questions posed by I Suck as a Parent:

1.    Why did you start your blog?

While my first impulse is to joke and say I just really like talking about myself, I think I was drawn to blogging because I’ve always been good at telling stories that make people laugh – especially stories about my kids and being a mom. And writing is just something I can do, the way some people can add big numbers in their heads or easily slip into a side split (neither of which can be found in my bag of tricks). But with all that laundry I had to fold and butts that needed wiping, it took me about a decade to get it together and actually make the blog happen.

2. What is your favorite movie?

I love Hobbits and dinosaurs, crying (“Blind Side,” “Out of Africa”), sassy teenage girls (“Juno” “Easy A”) and kitchen porn (anything written or directed by Nancy Meyers but “Something’s Gotta Give” in particular). And the list would not be complete without some shirtless Gos flick (hello, “Crazy, Stupid Love”). Favorite? For purely sentimental reasons, I’d have to say the “Toy Story” trilogy. The movies share the arc of my oldest children’s childhood and the first movie was in heavy rotation on our VHS as my oldest sat and stared, inspired by Woody and terrified of Sid. He and Andy went to college the same year and as I watched the fictional character pack up the stuff of his childhood, it broke my heart that that part of the story had come to an end. Just like mine.

 3.    Where was your last, best vacation?

Blue sky. Hot sun. Salty water. Warm breeze. Crowing roosters. Roaming goats. Seaside villages. Ancient ruins. Pebbly beaches. Endless reading. Flapping sails. Cold beer. Strong coffee. Sweet pastries. Local tavernas. Good company. Lapping water. Starry sky. Greece 2013. Opa.

 4.    Who is your favorite author and why?

Oh, to pick just one is like trying to pick a favorite child. It’s the “Sophie’s Choice” of writing.

So off the top of my head and in no particular order, I need to read everything written by Junot Diaz, Cheryl Strayed, Anna Quindlen, Kelly Corrigan and Tina Fey.

And at the top of the list of favorites is my idol Nora Ephron, who always wove a strong and identifiable voice throughout all of her writing. Even when she wasn’t writing about herself, you could sense her there, among the words. It inspires my writing and encourages me to keep honing my own voice. And her belief that “everything is copy” has become my mantra. Much to others’ chagrin.

 5.    What is your most prized possession?

This was by far the most difficult question. But after running through a mental inventory of all that I physically own, and coming up short, I turned inward and decided that what has been critical throughout my life and has helped me out on numerous occasions is my undying sense of optimism. Without it, I might still be lying on floor somewhere in despair. But for some reason, I can pull it out of my back pocket and know that everything will work out. With it, I believe in my heart that life will always improve. And I hope I can leave a big dose of that optimism to all my children along with my extensive collection of wooden cats and beige sweaters when I check out some day.

6.    Cat or Dog?

Dogs because at least they (for the most part) poop outdoors. But don’t let me fool you: I’m kind of obsessed with our cat and am always commenting on the way she tucks her paws under her chin just-so or how cute and fat she is when she rolls around the TV room floor. It’s like having some weird raccoon living in our house, minus the rabies.

 7.    What is the most delicious food you have ever eaten?

Even when it’s bad, pizza is so damn good. I could eat it for every meal, every day. And while I’ve grilled pizza here at home and had fancy pies at restaurants sprinkled with arugula and shaved prosciutto, and eaten slices served at Hoboken pizzerias that are the size of a newborn baby (literally, Benny Tudino’s has a picture taped on the wall of a sleeping infant next to a slice and they were comparable in length), I’d be happy with the so-so pizza served right around the corner from me. Sprinkled with some parmesan and hot pepper flakes and folded in half … heaven. I would marry it if I could.

8. What is your favorite quote and by whom? 

“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.”
― Nora Ephron

Here’s one thing I’ve learned over the last 47 years: You need to be the captain of your own ship. Because once you give away control of the wheel, man, you don’t know where you might end up. But when you take charge of your destiny, you have only yourself to credit or blame for the outcome and can course correct and change direction at will. You can practically feel the wind in your hair.

9. If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be?

Straight up, Oprah.

Or, maybe Tina Fey. Hmmm … I love Amy Poehler, too.

And that new Pope is kind of cool.

I just asked my 16-year-old daughter what she thought I should say and she thought for a second and said, “I don’t know. Like, Beyonce?”

Really? Do I really seem like the kind of person who would most want to meet Beyonce?

I think I might need to start acting more serious around here.

10. What is your favorite post that you’ve written? (Please provide link!)

I had a really bad break up earlier this year. We’d been together for a while and had grown pretty close but in the end, I realized I wasn’t doing myself any favors clinging to such a one-sided relationship and had to say good-bye. But you know, I’m gonna miss that salty good-for-nothing. You can read all about it HERE.

I had lots of fun answering all the great questions posed by I Suck as a Parent and love that she recognized my blog and asked me to play along.

And in accordance to the Liebster law, I’d like to nominate the following bloggers:

• Carpool Candy
• Em-i-lis
• Still a Dancing Queen
• Wow, I’m a Widow Now

And here are your questions:

1. How did you pick your blog’s name?
2. Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your 13-year-old self?
3. What’s your favorite TV show?
4. What are three things you cannot live without?
5. Who is your favorite fictional character?
6. What is your most prized possession?
7. Describe yourself in three words.
8. What is your guiltiest pleasure?
9. What single quality do you most appreciate in people?
10. What’s your favorite post that you’ve written? (Link, please!)

You can find more details on the Liebster Awards here and make sure you link out to everyone and share the blogger love.