Yes it’s been a long time coming, having been to two previous blog awards only to come home with my hands hanging, but at last my genius has been recognised. On Saturday night I won ‘Best writer’ and ‘Best Personal Blog’ at the first Irish Parenting Blog Awards.
I must admit I had no clue who would win, as in every category the competition was very high. I was more than prepared to once again return with only a smile, to my ‘barely supporting’ family, who look at my blogging in a ‘God love her she’s a bit demented‘ sort of way. However luck was smiling in my direction Saturday night, and wow was I delighted. So delighted that for one night only I’ll post a photo of me, being perhaps a little too happy! 
The night itself was perfect in just about every way. The welcome on arrival, plus the glass of bubbly set us up, as we gathered and stared around us, wondering who the blazes was who. I decided to grab a sticker and wrote my name and blog on it, and thankfully so too did many others.
It was a real joy to meet so many who I ‘know’ online. The only downside is, it is not possible to speak to everyone for any real length, and today I am left a little bit regretful that I missed so many and had only moments with others. However overall I can’t begin to tell you what a craic we had, but there are many photos of the madness to be viewed on the here if anyone is interested.
After a few drinks (just a few) and a beautiful meal (interspersed with some games I was miserable at) we went upstairs to the perfect venue, the rooftop of the Odessa, for the awards, and on two occasions my name was called out. As I heard my blog name I can tell you, all I felt was relief and gratitude; everyone in the finals puts their heart into their blog, all deserved to win.
We had been asked to prepare speeches. I was all for this, as I believe when organisers go to the trouble of getting sponsors and working so hard, the least we can do is thank them and speak for a moment. However, no matter how hard I thought about it, I just couldn’t believe I would win anything, so I prepared nothing. Well you know the saying ‘fail to prepare, prepare to fail’, sadly I lived it. I did say a few words on each occasion. I barely remember what they were, but I don’t think I thanked the sponsors of my awards, mykidstime for best writer, and Bear for best personal post, nor did I speak very well. I do know, that despite my lack of preparation I did remember to refer to two very special people who are close to me every day while I blog, my dad and young Daniel, and I also remember that mentioning them nearly broke me, but I got my act together again quickly…I think.
The rest of the night flew by and I returned home at the reasonably respectful hour of 1.30am, but if you take 
into account the night beginning at 5.30pm it was a lengthy enough evening. The following morning I awoke to discover that only one of my beautiful award tea pots, hand painted by the very talented colourines wonderful, had made it home.
Feck, I wait two years to win an award and instantly lose one.
Luckily I located the missing one relatively quickly, thanks to social media, but my family believe my misplacing it to have occurred due to an excessive consumption of alcohol. Can you believe they would think that of me? (Can you believe that mind the baby, who may or may not have had it ‘resting in her account’).
So here I am today, back home in Cork, all the excitment over. How do I feel? I feel over the moon, but I remain hugely grateful. For without readers there is less joy in writing, and without the comments of those readers, such as yourselves, I would feel much more alone here on my blog. So today I wish to say a big thank you, to those of you who have ever read my posts or commented. To those who took the time to nominate me and who continues to be a very real part of my online world. Thank you, each and every one of you, you have encouraged me in my writing every step of the way, and that encouragement has made all the difference to my confidence and compositions.
When I look at my tea pots I will be thinking of you all.
To the amazing organisers of the event well done, every last detail was covered to perfection.
Lastly a mention goes to Kate from Kate takes 5. Late in the night kate ,who is in the photo above looking just as overly happy as myself, said, ‘At last you will have respect from your kids’. I looked at her incredulously and said, “Are you for real? Can you imagine what my kids will say when they ask me what I won and I say, two teapots!”. Quick as a flash Kate took a card out of her pocket and handed it to me. “Here you can have my free netflix subscription I won in the game earlier, as I have it already”. I was stunned, but not too stunned to quickly grab and pocket it.
So thank you Kate for your kindness, and for at last giving my blog some kudos among my family.
** Photo credit to the very talented A modern mommys world.
My thoughts on a page. 
Congratulations you so deserve it xx
Thanks so much.
Awesome!!! I smiled all the way through the reading!!! Congratulations Tric, you deserve these awards. Your blog brings us laughter, tears, and just plain enjoyment. Giving you long distance hugs!! So very happy for you!
Thanks Charlene. You helped get me there.
I FECKIN KNEW YOU WOULD WIN!!!!!!!! 😀 Congratulations Tric!!!!!! Those teapots are absolutely fabulous. I would move to Ireland just to win one. ❤
They are beautiful. She does them commercially. I am thinking of getting some matching cups for my crew here.
I’d a great night and am delighted to at last win something. 🙂
Well earned Tric. And perhaps you should wait until after Mother’s Day……. 🙂
fantastic, tric !
well done – and richly deserved too
[I always knew you were a winner] 😆 x
Thanks Duncan. You were definitely here from the beginning and I thank you for that.
Congratulations Tric, you fully deserve to win 😀
Thank you Irene.
Well done on the win, both are much deserved. You are an inspiration as a blogger and as a person 🙂 Having come across your blog recently I’m still catching up but it is always a good read. Congratulations on the recognition, and the teapots!
Thank you. Glad our paths have crossed.
Congratulations! Awesome deal!
Thanks Angie. I was delighted with the whole night.
Way to go, tric. Congratulations on bringing home the earthen ware. Coincidentally, I was in Odessa for brunch on Sunday – a fine venue befitting blogging royalty. Enjoy the afterglow.
Thanks. I loved the venue. The rooftop was perfect for the awards and we ate on the first floor. What a coincidence.
Well deserved Tric, it was lovely to meet you xx
Thank you, and to meet you. I have really enjoyed looking through the photos you took. You have a great talent.
Congrats!!!!! So proud to know you. 🙂
Haha. Thank you.
It was definitely resting in my account! Ahem 😉 Congratulations! What a great night we had xx
I think the measure of a great night is how often in the days after you remember and smile… yes definitely a great night.
Lovely to see you again, and congratulations on all your hard work.
it is so deserved and i am sooooooooooooooo happy for you, tric!
From your comment on my FB page I knew you understood what this meant to me. Thanks beth for always being there.
Well done and congratulations!! Sounds like a great venue too.
Thanks J.D I was well pleased, and yes I loved the venue. Have you been there? It’s a night club after 11.30. Maybe I’m turning into a country hick but it was very unusual. Loved it though.
Love it Tric, heartfelt and warm. Delighted for your wins, well deserved ; )
Thanks. Lovely to meet you on Sat and you looked amazing.
CONGRATULATIONS Tric! I am THRILLED for you, absolutely thrilled for you, so well deserved. 🙂
Thank you so much. Well done on your prize too. Pity you missed the night.
What a great night, heh? And your wins were so well deserved, I was thrilled for you. I would like a formal explanation though as to how the hell you misplaced a teapot??? 😉
It was a fantastic night alright, and lovely to see you again. As for the teapot… I have that sort of talent which I demonstrate all too often. 🙂
Oh but we all knew you were a winner a long time ago! I’m so happy for you! It’s a night that will last long into the moments that make life so wonderful! Sending many hugs, wiping tears, and savoring the bubbly I will have in your honor as soon as I’m off meds!
Thanks so much Corina. I know we blog because we love to, but I was thrilled to win. Now back to normal once more. 🙂
Congrats Tric! So nice that they recognized what we already know!
You are too kind. Thank you I’ll finish my day with that lovely comment. 🙂
Congratulations Tric, I’m so happy for you! ❤
Diana xo
Thank you Diana, I was a small bit happy too. 🙂
Congratulations Tric. Both awards are well deserved. 🙂
Thank you. I’m not sure about that, but I ran with them in case anyone changed their mind. 🙂
Congratulations!!!! Very, very well done and much deserved! I’m so happy for you!! (And your picture is great! Don’t know why you hide)
Glad you found the missing teapot. What a bummer if it hadn’t been located. 🎉🎉🍷🍷
Can you imagine if I’d lost that teapot? My family would have thought I was making it up.
I’m not a great one for photos of me around the place. I think I look better in your imagination.:)
Thanks Deb, one of my very faithful readers.
I don’t think anyone likes the way we look! I run and hide from cameras also. Usually I blink just as they snap the picture and I end up with a less than attractive photo! More like a mug shot for drunk and disorderly!! Anyway, congrats congrats congrats!!!
Oh YAY! Congratulations! I have to say I’m not really surprised. I love your blog and never miss it. Cheers!
Thank you. and thanks for your words of praise, they mean a lot to me.
Yay!!! I had a feeling you would win 🙂
Thanks April. I’m afraid I’d no such feeling, I was so delighted.
Many, many congratulations. You write a brilliant blog.
Thank you so much. I’m still getting used to it, and love passing my two teapots.
Many Congratulations…continue to write more 🙂
Thank you. I will, I’d be lost without this blog.
I’m so very happy for you! Two teapots for you and Netflix for the family – who could ask for anything more? 😉 Seriously, though, congratulations on your awards! Thank you for bringing the evening alive for us. It must be amazing to meet so many fellow bloggers, even if there isn’t enough time together as you would wish.
Thank you Joanne. It was a wonderful night, and meeting fellow bloggers was great, as we ‘know’ each other so well online.
The Netflix subscription definitely saved me. My gang are thrilled with it.
Thanks for your continuing support here, reading and commenting regularly. I really meant it when I said, I owe so much to my readers.
Congrats Tric, you really deserve it! Not just one, TWO awards – worth the wait 🙂
Thank you. I still can’t quite believe it.
Bravo, Lady! You put so much of yourself into your blog that you certainly deserve the prizes. Those teapots are adorable and I know you will treasure them. Now get busy and keep those writing juices flowing as from any ordinary old teapot and make room on the mantle! ❤
Thanks Jackie, one of my most regular commetors. I owe you a cuppa out of the teapot as your reading and support have got me this far.
Congratulations, Tric! I am so happy for you, and they are both well deserved.
Thank you. There were so many other great bloggers in the final, I feel so honoured to have been chosen.
Massive congrats, once again, Tric. Well done you.
Thank you so much. Maybe next time you’re home we will get to meet up. Congrats on getting to the finals. As you know I hugely enjoy your blog.
Very deserving winner in both categories. I’m delighted for you. Huge Congratulations!!
Thank you. Am laughing here as I have just commented on your IPB post. 🙂 A big congrats to yourself too. It was a great night and we have our teapots to remember it forever.
Cheers to our teapots 😃
Congrats again Tric.Was so good to see you again.
Thanks, it’s always a pleasure to spend time in your company Aedín. I was so delighted you won (twice).
Congratulations! I’ve been reading your blog nearly from the beginning of my first one, and I always come back for more!
Thank you Karen. Yes you have been with me through thick and thin and I thank you for that. I’ll have to have a cup of tea for you. 🙂
Enjoy your tea.
A Wonderful Accomplishment !!!
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Congratulations
for being rewarded
for all your hard work
and insightful creativity
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Keep caring & sharing
Congratulations! A deserving winner 🙂
Great post Tric and congrats again on both your well deserved wins! Was such an honour to get to meet you in person, it truly was an amazing night x