Thank you...

Well, this was unexpected!

A newly disclosed reader and fellow blogger (Mrs FF) has given me an award!  I'm not sure that it's entirely merited, but I am grateful that she thinks enough of my blog to share this with me.

There are quite a few rules that go along with this award, they are as follows:

• Add the award logo
• Link the nominator's blog
• Nominate 5 - 10 blogs I usually follow
• Let the nominees know that they've been nominated and add their links
• Say 7 random things about yourself.

 OK, so, the picture's been added and Mrs FF's blog linked.  My nominees are as follows: -

• Lee over at Pink Granite
• Roo at Lala Ween World
• Caroline at Rhymes & Reasons
• Lisa at To Love Bella

OK, so I realise that I'm only nominating 4, but these are the 4 blogs I'm comfortable sharing with you.  The other blogs I visit are wildlife blogs/pop in without commenting blogs, so feels a bit weird to nominate them.  The friends other friends I'd love to nominate include Wendy, Pia, Louise and Nicola, but they all seem to be in a bit of a blogging slump at the moment, so it's not fair to add them to my list as their news is all old!  Perhaps this will get them to pick up their pens again...

OK, so the 7 random things about me...

1. I hold little value in material possession.  The type of car you drive, the house you live in, the designer handbag you carry all mean very little to me.  I truly am happy with the simplest things in life.  A thoughtfully hand-picked bunch of flowers means by far more than an expensive bunch bought at the florist.
2. I have panic attacks in the night time over my child's safety and one of my greatest fears is being attacked in our home at night.  My house is like a fort, I have tried to do everything possible to keep it safe.  I am fiercely protective of my child.  Being a mother is the most rewarding challenge in life.  I would give my life for my son, without a moment's hesitation.  That said, I also panic that something will happen to me, leaving Jake on his own.
3. I am 100% satisfied with the fact that I only have one child.  The idea of having any more freaks me out more than you can imagine.  Besides the expense of it all, it's emotionally draining to see them facing problems.  Babies are easy, kids are not.  I think I've reached the stage where I'm selfish enough to know that I'm happy with life as it is.  Plus, I'm 35 and Jake is 8, means I'll be 45 by the time he finishes school - young enough to enjoy a lot of life!!
4. I'd love to write a book.  Probably a children's book, but I have no idea where to start.  Would love to do this with Jake.  Like the painting I want to do with him...
5. I love the beach, I love knowing it's around the corner, but don't visit it as often as I should.  I love South Africa (besides the crime and politics) and cannot imagine living anywhere else in the world.  While I love travelling, Cape Town has always been home and hopefully always will be.  A walk on the beach and an ice-cream with Jake this afternoon is not a bad idea, the weather is stunning (20 deg C forecast!).
6. I get grumpy when I don't know when my next holiday is.  Ask Danie.  My heart is always away, thinking about where to next.  Unfortunately, life for now dictates that we stay at home for a while.  This is also good, but I need to know where to next.  Jake wants to go tiger fishing in Botswana, I want the bush and I think Danie would just be happy to have a break from work, even if he doesn't go anywhere.  For now, it'll probably only be 2014 before we do anything hugely exciting again.  Don't get me wrong, I am happy to get away for a weekend!
7. I am a hopeless romantic. I love cards and flowers and date night. I love cuddling on the couch with a good movie (I hate channel surfing more than anything, would rather not watch, as Danie knows). I love holding hands and feeling taken care of. Some of these things (like date night) don't happen often enough at the moment, but that's life...
8. Since I'm in the swing of things and since I only made 4 nominations, perhaps an extra "secret" would make up for it...  I love my girl friends, sisters and mothers to bits.  I am so blessed to be surrounded by so many amazing, strong women.  I don't see most of them as often as I'd like to, but again, that's life.

OK, so that's it.  Thanks again for the nomination, I feel very special!

Sue X