Tag Archives: blog award

Awards

Shine On, You Crazy Diamond

I don’t know why song titles perpetually pop into my head when it comes time to write an award post, but it seems to be my thing!

I am not, in any way, suggesting Marlyn Suarez Exconde is crazy or encrusted with jewels, but her words are – glittering, not crazy.  As are her light-imbued artistic renditions of moments and movements of her life.

It is an honor, therefore, that she has nominated me for The Lighthouse Award.  That she feels in any small way that my words have been a beacon of light in this world is humbling.  I can only dream of bearing but a spark of flame.  Thank you, Marlyn!

Here are the rules:

  1. Display the Award certificate on your blog.
  2. Write a post and link back to the blogger that nominated you.
  3. Inform your nominees of their award nominations
  4. Share three ways that you like to help other people.
  5. There is no limit to the number of people that you can nominate.
  6.  HAVE FUN.

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‘Help’ is something I hate asking for and have a hard time accepting.  I try to offer it to others, however, in simple ways.  1. Listening.  2.  Finding common ground.  3.  Making someone feel he or she is not alone.  Simple, yet fundamental.

Got a light?  These people do – and they’re not afraid to share it:

Momaste – I was kind of surprised when I read a recent post of hers about struggling with depression.  Charlotte is so positive and life-affirming.  Whole lotta light up in here.  (An example for me to follow 😉 )

The Wannabe Saint – Brian culls and creates meditative spiritual pieces that always leave me in a better place having read them.

I’m Fine, but Mommy Has Issues  – Shannon writes an exquisitely expressed blog about parenting a child with special needs and the disabilities it highlights in herself.  Her honest sharing has created an extremely positive community for people walking a similar path.

61 Musings – Chris had me at introvert.  As someone with this acutely inward personality, I truly appreciate the light she sheds on our challenges and strengths.

Infinite Sadness . . . or Hope? – Even when discussing horrifically difficult things, Cate’s magnanimous attitude and lifestyle shine through.  Radiant.

Blog for Mental Health – In a world of light, this blog is a mirror.  It gives as much as it receives.  A voice for those stifled by mental illness, a repository for those stories that fuels awareness and healing.

Calvin’s Story – Christy Shake is the inimitable narrator of her son’s story living with epilepsy.  She offers hope, community, comraderie, and communication – including information on the latest treatments for this debilitating disease.

Burgeoning School Psychologist – If you’ve ever been a ‘first-year: teacher, counselor, school psychologist’, you can appreciate how much better that year would have been had you Mo in your corner.  She offers light in that she reached it at the end of the tunnel of her first year – and kept going.  I dare say she radiates light out of every pore of her body.

Shining on is even more important, the crazier we all – or life – becomes.  Thank you to Marlyn and the lovelies listed above for doing their part.  Shine on.

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Technology, Writing

It’s the Most Wonderful Team. . .Member Readership Award

In the spirit of delayed recognition of awards I’m perhaps non-deserving of, I would like to thank Patty Mitchell for nominating me for The Most Wonderful Team Member Readership Award.  Whew.  What a mouthful!

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I think this award follows the WordPress Family Award nicely.  Having an on-line community of readers and writers who thoughtfully approach your work and share their ideas, questions, and challenges in a constructive way is tantamount to making this thing worthwhile!  Many of the people in ‘mi familia’ would be on this team.  There are also bloggers, readers who consistently check in to see what’s been posted on my site, take the time to like a post, or make a comment.  I am truly grateful for their time, effort, and thoughtful attention.

Word of the day: thoughtful.  I know I use it a lot, but that’s the best way to describe the comments and dialogue these family and team members give to me.  It’s not off-the-cuff, by-the-way, putting something down just to do so.  I value the give and take that occurs and the time you spend with me.

Thank you so much to all my friends, family, acquaintances who take the time to check in here on a regular basis and support my writing efforts.  You truly are the most wonderful . . .

And the nominees are (it just never gets old) . . .

The names above are not necessarily the titles of each respective blog.  They are the names I know them by, the ones that pop up when they lay their wisdom on me 😉

I cheated and added a few more nominees than was originally prescribed, but due to the late nature of my entry, does that count like interest on a loan?  Also, my wonderful nominees, do not feel obligated to do anything other than enjoy this honor – it is I who am indebted to you.

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Identity, Writing

Three Liebs to the Sun

When you write about depressing stuff most of the time it’s hard to fathom anyone accusing you of doing a service to humankind.  But two fellow bloggers have not only done that, but awarded me for it!

Shannon from Mommy Has Issues has gifted me with a Liebster Award.  Count ’em – 1, 2, 3!  Thank you so much.

Cate at Infinite Sadness . . . or Hope? nominated me for another Sunshine Award.  I know at times I’m one hot mess like the sun, but didn’t know I had that much light to spread!  Thank you kindly.

Both of these writers obliterate the idea of perfection before it can even get its feet under it.  Bravo!  Shannon does so for motherhood.  Cate does so for mental health.  And both do it smashingly for surviving this wild ride known as life.

As I’m a repeat offender with these awards, I will complete only the ‘interview’ portion of the process.

Inquiries from Mommy Has Issues: 2818120_orig

  1. If I could haunt someone who would it be and why?  I can think of someone I’d love to torment, but I really don’t like this person and don’t think I’d want to spend so much of my afterlife with her!
  2. If I could go back in time, what era would I visit?  The 50s for sure.  I would follow Jack Kerouac around like a little lost puppy dog.
  3. What 3 things would you take on a deserted island (excluding husband and children)?  A stack of books (yes, that counts as ONE of the things and yes, I’m cheating), a Swiss Army knife, and I know I should say a honking bottle of water, but probably some sort of chocolate/peanut butter combination.  (By the way, I’m glad husband and children were excluded so it doesn’t look bad when I leave them out)
  4. What is my favorite color?  Purple.  And it warms my cockles that my kindergartner has chosen this for hers as well.
  5. Wine or beer?  I have to choose?  That really is unfair.  Depends on what I’m eating.  Salty = beer.  Robust = red wine.  Cheese/seafood = white.  Just call me the Michelangelo of imbibing.
  6. If I were to write a memoir, what title would I give it?  In the spirit of a second-grader, I can’t tell you for fear you’ll steal it.  It’s in the works.
  7. If I were a Superhero, what power would I have?  Definitely flying.
  8. If I could ask my future self one question, what would it be?  Tempting.  But you know what?  In surprise to myself and probably all of you reading, nothing.  I’m gonna see where it takes me.  Wow.  Did I just have a moment?
  9. Do I want to go where everyone knows my name?  Is this a trick question?  I grew up about 60 miles from where Cheers took place.  We still all yell if we meet someone named Norm.  But me – no, I prefer anonymity – unless of course you know a solicitous editor.
  10. Do I like birds?  Heck, yes.  Want to be one.  Any one – EXCEPT mockingbirds.  Me and mockingbirds, we don’t play well together.
  11.  Who is my guilty pleasure music artist?  I can hear my friend, Chris, laughing at me right now.  The Black Eyed Peas.  So out of my realm.  But it’s got a funky beat and I can dance to it 😉 (And Shannon, NIN and Nirvana are not guilty pleasures!)

Many thanks, Mommy, for your nomination!  I am honored.  I love reading your posts of truth and triumph – and often, hilarity!

 

Questions from Cate:  The Sunshine Award

  1. Favorite color: purple
  2. Favorite animal: Red-breasted robin
  3. Favorite number: Three.  I know, ironic, right?
  4. Favorite non-alcoholic drink: green tea with pomegranate juice and seltzer.  Makes me feel fancy.
  5. Favorite alcoholic drink: Again, with the choosing.  Right now, some sort of ale.
  6. Facebook or Twitter: Facebook.
  7. My passions: obsessing – ha.  Writing.  Reading.  Enjoying nature.  Searching.  Photography.  Creative endeavors (vague, I know.  Think where home decor, collage, scrapbooking . . . intersect).
  8. Giving or Receiving Gifts: Giving.  Though free stuff is always good.

Cate, I have so enjoyed reading your thoughtful and thought-provoking writing on your blog.  Thank you for doing it and thank you for sharing.  And thanks for thinking of me . . . 🙂

 

The blogosphere is often a lot more hospitable than the actual one in which we live.  Thanks to Shannon and Cate for making it so!

 

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Writing

It’s Gonna Be a Bright, Sunshiny Day

A View from My Summerhouse.

Doesn’t get any more peaceful and relaxing than that.  Just the words themselves evoke images of light, bright spaces.  It stands to reason, then, that it is the woman behind this blog, Sherri Matthews, who nominated me for a Sunshine Award (which she writes is “awarded for writing positive and inspiring articles and so bringing some ‘sunshine’ into the lives of others”.)

Sherri, my doppelganger (a fellow Virgo, mother of three, and plodding through the writers’ life) across an ocean and continent, writes beautiful reflections on life – as we wish it to be and how it actually is and how the two intersect.  And she said my blog was ‘exquisitely written’!  Well!  Thank you so much, Sherri, for the honor and for sharing your sunshine with the world.

Here’s how the award works:

Rule 1.  Post the Sunshine Award logo on your blog.  The Sunshine Award

Rule 2.  Nominate 10 fellow bloggers

Rule 3.  Announce their nomination in their blog’s comment section

Rule 4.  Mention links back to their blog, including a link to the person who nominated you.

Rule 5.  Answer the questions.  This is designed to help people get to know you better.

Ten other bloggers spreading sunshine into the dark corners of our world are:
  1. Jardin Luxembourg – It was through Tieshka’s Liebster Award that I ‘met’ Sherri Matthews.  So glad to have the ‘introduction’!  And to read her refreshing, carpe diem take on life.
  2. A Canvas of the Minds – Spreading awareness, acceptance, and knowledge about mental illness.
  3. Free Little Words – Spreading love and positive energy with her positive world view and words.
  4. DENY – because they showcase beautiful design and give me way too many ideas for the new home I’m supposed to be decorating.
  5. Mamacravings – Such a positive, inclusive atmosphere to support mothers in finding the joy in it.
  6. 2 Guys Photo – Gorgeous photos, unique in their perspective, accompanied by thoughtful written commentary – plus practical help if needed.
  7. Vox Nova – Thoughtful dialogue on spiritual matters.
  8. Motherhood is an Art – A great mix of the personal and professional aspects of motherhood (in other words what it means to us and what we need to be to our kids).
  9. Reluctant Mom – There is beauty in her honesty and in others’ seeing they are not the only non-PollyAnna momma.
  10. Blue Bicicletta – An inspiring intersection of graphic art and reflections on life.
And now for the interview portion of the show:

1. Favourite Colour:

Purple has always been my go-to answer, but lately I’ve been leaning toward persimmon reds and orange – trying to be bold in this phase of life, I guess.

2. Favourite Animal

Birds?  I’ve had many dreams where I fly; I love watching robins put their heads down and run; they also have metaphorical meaning for my husband and me.

3. Favourite Number

Three (also the # of this question – should I play it in the lotto?)

4. Favourite Non-Alcoholic Drink:

Lemonade and iced tea combination at the Vietnamese restaurant at which my writing group meets.

5. Favourite Alcoholic Drink

Bellini (champagne and peach nectar – of the gods!) – and perhaps another reason you and I are doppelgangers, Sherri?

6. Facebook or Twitter?

As I am one of the three remaining people on earth who does not have a Smartphone (and feel Twitter is pointless without one) – Facebook

7. My Passions

Uh, no pressure.  Loving my husband.  Loving my children.  Writing.  Burning a hole in my corner of the universe.

8. Giving or Receiving Gifts?

Giving, definitely.

9. Favourite City

Roma or New York City

10. Favourite TV Show

In a disturbingly, Kramer-it’s-hideously-scary-yet-I-cannot-look-away sort of way, Hunted, which I am so sad to say will not continue in a collaboration between the BBC and Cinemax.  Still waiting anxiously for its next incarnation, though.

Now it’s your turn to go blow sunshine up someone else’s @$#, 😉

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