Jack-ette of All Trades

I've never been really good at anything.

Honestly, I haven't.

Not that I'm necessarily bad at a lot of things, either.

I'm just not stellar at a lot.

I'm halfway-decent at quite a few things I do. I'm a pretty good teacher, a quality trainer, and an above-average cook.

But I'm not exactly Teacher of the Year, Trainer to the Stars or Top Chef.

And no one is lining up to nominate me for much else, either.

This, my friends, has always been my issue in life.

I like a lot of things. I adore writing and reading and working with children and scrap-booking and cooking and sewing and politicking and counseling and dancing and teaching and fitness and public speaking and sleeping in and painting designs on all my old furniture.

And, for obvious reasons, I've yet to find a way to channel all that into some kind of award-winning career.

How else do you figure a girl with degrees in journalism, history, and a master's specializing in health communication ended up as a high-school teacher?

It's a winding road I walk, I tell you.

Anyway, I'm kind of a jack of all trades. Or, because I'm a girl, a jack-ette. (Not to be confused with anything of the coat or windbreaker variety.)

I'm good at a lot; superior at nothing.

But, as an adult, I've kind of grown OK with that.

I'm less interested in receiving recognition from my career than I've ever been. What I do doesn't really define me, anyway.

I've gotten to the point where I'm OK if I just do my best, even if that's not as good as someone else's best.

I've grown to love my versatility despite of myself.

So, when Marlessa over at Southern Loves gifted me with The Versatile Blogger Award, I was so touched. Thank you, Marlessa!
In acceptance of this award, I must list seven things about myself:

1. I'm afraid of the dark. In college once, a horrible boyfriend took me to see the horrible horror movie The Grudge, which scared me so badly that I proceeded to spend weeks sleeping in my roommate's bed with her, much like a little sister. When I finally returned to my own room and bed, I slept with the light on. For a year.

2. I have no idea how many children I want to have. The hubs and I always said we wanted four, but that, after four little ones, if it's possible, we're the kind of people that would end up caving and saying, "Oh, what's one or two more?" Obviously, we really like kids. And,obviously, haven't had our own child that requires constant midnight feedings yet.

3. I like shopping but hate the mall. HATE IT. I will go shopping anywhere over the mall. I dread that place. I even have to emotionally talk myself up when I'm forced to go the mall and get my Clinique skin-care products once every four or five months.

4. In college, I took a part as an actress in a dinner mystery murder to raise money for a local food bank. It was Shakespeare-themed interactive play. I played a modern-day-vernacular-using twist on Lady Macbeth and got to wear an outfit the likes of which most Renaissance fairs have never seen. And, though I was not the murderer, the audience always voted me the culprit. Still don't know what this says about me.

5. When my husband and I are older, I want to open a local breakfast cafe/diner. Our many teenage children can work there with us (see #2.) It can be small enough that we know our "regulars" but big enough that some new-comers want in on what we're serving, both the edible and the emotional. There's something downright missional about serving quality pancakes, omelets, cups of coffee, and good conversation to your community. It feels more like a calling than a job. And though I have no restaurant experience (and my husband only has restaurant managerial experience) I think we could do it and be great at it.

6. I'm terrified about getting a tattoo of my own. (Big fear of needles: Party of One.) But I love my husband's tattoos. And I'm so excited to see him get the one we designed for him when we have our first baby.

7. I'm actually a really serious person. Unless I'm on vacation. Then Vacay Brittany takes over, and I'm tons of fun! My husband even comments on it every time we get away. His favorite line is, "You actually think I'm funny when we're on vacation! You're laughing!"

And now, for the 15 bloggers I'd like to give The Versatile Blogger Award to:

1. Alicia at The Diary of a Crazy Wife
2. Name Twin at Molly Lou Gifts
3. b.e.g. at brown eyed girl
4. Brittany at Living Life Abundantly
5. Annie at Adorkable Annie
6.Mrs. Potts at Experiments in a Galley Kitchen
7. Amber at The Survival Guide for the Young, Fabulous & Newlywed
8. Hilary Lane at The Tale of this Newlywed
9. Garden State Prep
10. Gwen at Handbag Obsessed
11. Karen at Green Onions
12. Maria at Two Hearts Made Four
13. Jessica at Called to Serve
14. Gina at Namaste by Day
15. Katie at Loves of Life

***

Happy Thursday everybody!