Well I'm really embarrassed about how little I've been able to blog lately, particularly when, on logging in this week, I discovered that the wonderful Mama4 at http://abigsmile4.blogspot.com/

had sent me this a long time ago and I hadn't responded:
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gznSDn4dTh10VUnRVLxsciA1yLSqJW-jER_Z77LNbmHRTHyYIhSFOVLlwLl4eGfvb3A3EuBEdRQIuH0gTYMGAKpB81ZU2FXwrHI-HlFtFoGRLnBv6LJ2RgLC935qXVY205-CqpPhHuY/s1600/blog_award.jpg

I've never tried linking before, so this post is going to be terribly messy and may not work at all (any tips on how to fix it will be greatly appreciated though, lol!) but this is a 'Beautiful Blogger Award' and should be passed on to up to 15 newly discovered bloggers you find inspiring, and you have to list 7 things about yourself.

I'm so flattered to receive this - although it feels especially unjustified in light of my appalling attendance on my own blog lately! I'm not sure I can link at all, and I'm not convinced that I have discovered 15 blogs, but I'll try my best :0)

So, I'd love to pass this on to:

Joxy, at http://freerangefamily-joxy.blogspot.com/ because I love reading it and it always inspires me to blog more frequently.

Kat's blog, at http://www.slugsontherefrigerator.com/home/ which is always fabulous reading but especially so at the moment with so many gorgeous pictures of their new baby girl!

Claire's blog, at http://blackhobbescat.blogspot.com/ because it's inspiring and real and I'm really looking forward to the GP meet and to seeing you all again!

Becky's blog, at http://napfan.wordpress.com/ because it's fabulous, and because I so admire Becky for her determination and dedication to her writing - I dream of doing this in the future!

Pippa, at http://when-i-get-the-time.blogspot.com/ because I love this, although I have no idea how P finds the time to be so creative as well as such a gentle mama!

And Lucy at http://daisymoon-benpixie.blogspot.com/ because again, she's an inspirational creative mama who manages to find more hours in the day for wonderful adventures than I realised was possible!

Thank you to you, and to all whose blogs and kind words on the GP forum inspire me to be a better mama and a better person. I know that sounds icky, but really, I'm so glad I discovered this online world that helps to make real life a better place!

And 7 things about me:

1) I can't believe I'm lucky enough to have two amazing children already and another on the way, I feel so lucky everyday, even when I'm being shouty mummy
2) I hate the shouty mummy in me and I really want to find ways to banish her from our house!
3) I have been inspired and changed hugely by the Green Parent Forum and the new friends I've made there
4) I'm training to be a doula and antenatal educator and it's really exciting!
5) My husband is more patient than I deserve and we've been married almost three years
6) I intend to get fit after this baby is born and to have fun doing it!
7) I don't know if I'll ever again have a job that makes use of my degrees in English and Critical Theory and I don't care!!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful bank holiday weekend :) xx