A New Award

And a spectacular one at that...
No offense to anyone else, but this has to be my favourite award every, given to me by a very special lady, whose artwork literally adorns my walls and my workspace. :-)

Thank you Sarah, for this award.
I shall display it proudly. :-)

Hybrid J Gave Me An Award

And, yes, it took me, what, two weeks to post it here?

I had no real clue until tonight how much of an influence Hybrid J has had on me....sitting crossed legged on the floor of barnes & noble, going through the writers and writing books. I came across a book titled 'A Writer's Space' by Eric Maisel--and my first thought was, wow, I bet Hybrid J would love this one. It'll kick both our butts. :-)

Going through everything these past few weeks, Hybrid J is one of the few blogs I would drag myself around to the computer to check out what was going on on her blog. :-)

Here is the award she gave me, this time. I am very proud of this one.




Here, I shall cut and paste and change one name --so this will say exactly what it says on J's blog as well...simply because, well, it's been a long day...my dd is sick, like throwing up sick, and I am waiting for my phone to ring...waiting for a client I adore...
so, without further ado...my bit of thieving (and laziness) for the day...

Hybrid J passed this award to me as a token of my diligent in pursuing my writing as well as knowing when to slow down for recharge. I was very moved by her generosity and her sensitive understanding that we all needed encouragement along our creative journey. And what more encouraging than an award for trying hard!

I have to say, I think this is my first writing award as well.
It took me too long to decide to call myself Writer...and after deciding I can and should do it...I added Artist as well....
It's nice to be known...and recognized.
Give me a little bit to regain my whatever here and I shall pass this lovely award along to others....

THANK YOU, Hybrid J, my friend!

Mel's Award

Ok, so it has been over a week since Mel gave me this award:



But it has really been such a busy week!

And I have been trying to figure out to whom to send this award on to as well....there are so many worthy people out there....

Ok--let's start with the rules and expectations here...
I really like the no obligations part....


*****

As always, I give with the No Obligation Policy in effect....

The Guidelines:

1. Post picture of award with link back to person who honoured you -
2. Pass along the award to deserving persons whose blogs you have just discovered - more on that in a minute!
3. Leave a *note* informing aforementioned recipients of your bloggy award-love - will do!

******

First, here is the post from Mel, so you can get all the juicy details.....and so you can read on about the "more on that in a minute!" bits. :-)

Deserving people?
Wow--there are SO many......
where oh where to begin......

Let's see....

1.ELK
2.Kitty
3.Messy Fish
4.Elinjanne
5.Scarlet

And that isn't to leave out all the other blogs I didn't yet get to nominating, didn't yet get to, or that I already dearly love and appreciate daily.......but these are for 'new discoveries' so those near and dear to my heart, you get one anyway (like Hybrid J and Sarah, just to name two)......

The Noblesse Oblige Award

Details of Noblesse Award:

The recipient of this award is recognized for the following:

- The Blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervade amongst different cultures and beliefs.

- Their Blog contents inspire; strives to encourage, and offers solutions

- There is a clear purpose at the Blog; one that fosters a better understanding on Social, Political, Economic, the Arts, Cultures, Sciences and Beliefs

- The Blog is refreshing and creative

- The Blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking



The Blogger who receives this award will need to perform the following:

- Create a post with a mention and link to the person who presented the Noblesse Oblige Award

- The Award Conditions must be displayed at the Post

- Write a short article about what the Blog has thus far achieved – preferably citing one or more older posts as support

- The Blogger must present the Noblesse Oblige Award in concurrence with the Award conditions

- Blogger must display the Award at any location at their Blog




Ok--so we got all the rules and regulations of this award out of the way. :-)

Hybrid J, whom I love and adore, gave me this award. It has taken me a week of procrastinating to reach a place where I am ready to write my short article about my blog and its purpose here.

I love reading Hybrid J's blog-she not only has incredible information-but she is a horrible enabler-I am trying NOT to buy any more books-especially ones on the craft of writing-and after reading many of her posts-I find myself HAVING to buy books just because the exercises are so interesting....

:-)

And that's only half of it too.


Do you know one reason I procrastinating on writing my little article about my blog?
Well, there isn't just one reason....

I was flummoxed to find out that, yes, my blog is actually positive. I tend to rant about the exs and the kids and, well, icky stuff comes up alot. Even when I don't mean for it to. Some days my blog is my only voice. This truly is my journal. And although I do hold some things back--because not everything needs to be made public--most of it hits the fan here.
I asked several people who know me-and they all agree-the blog is very upbeat and positive.
Ok-so that blew me away.

The other thing is--me? creative? Some days I actually just don't get that.
Other than my writing, for which I often feel small and inadequate and just god-awful, I do not feel talented at all. And again, I think everyone who knows me jumped up to smack me in the head over that one-so I will just smile and wave, (like the penguins, you know? smile and wave, boys, just smile and wave), and nod my head and keep trying to accomplish the things I want to accomplish, in my own inept and foolish way. :-)

Not to mention-I offer solutions? I thought I kinda chronicled my ridiculousness and futile encounters and attempts at all things-but I guess I can say hey I did it this way-now you go do it the right way. :-) Or at least, the right way for you. :-)

And is there really a clear purpose to this blog? Do I have a purpose for anything? :-)
I created my dream board on Saturday. My wishes and intentions for this month-although I think I am more laying a foundation for the future than expecting to get everything this month.....
But as much as I look at the thing and think, yes, I see what my subconscious was trying to say, the more I feel I am out in left field and the Universe has a plan that no one has really told me about. (more on the dream board later....)
That's sort of like this blog too.

When I started a blog, years ago, I was in a horrid relationship w N's dad. I was trapped in the house, with two kids, an utterly uncommunicative man, and my books. I wanted to learn to knit. I wanted this-I wanted that-I wanted FRIENDS to talk to, since that man cut me off from too many people and the only people I got to talk to were the ones determined to come to me to see me--and there were a couple too. So-I got online.
I have more than this blog. I have my work blog, which I haven't really done much with and don't really promote all that much-although it still garners a client or comment now and then-which amazes me. :-)
I have my writing blogs, although I have been letting Raven lie stagnant while I focus more attention on Alice.
I have E's blogs, which we really don't do too much with anymore. Ditto the pets and the house blogs. I am not letting them go entirely as I feel there may be a need for them later on.

This year, this blog, it really did become my online journal. I may censor alot of things (children and family could read this, for heaven's sake, so I do tone a few things down, now and then), but overall I am honest. I say things that a year ago I would never have spoken out loud to but a few secretive souls. This is my blog-this is my year to stop hiding completely - to truly be free and be honest and be open about me.
Maybe my one friend is right and I am having a mid-life crisis. :-) Maybe it's more what I think and not a crisis--but a rebirth.

I did not actually begin this blog with any true stated purpose. My only purpose is to genuinely share myself, to put myself out there, to connect with myself if with no one else, and to be responsible and accountable to myself. If others enjoy what I do-or hate what I do-or whatever it is about what I do that compels them to react in some way-then good. Then the Universe is working the way it's supposed to work. This is is my year to be honest and open and to not let other people put me down or keep me down. I often use is as a soap box to show things the ex does to me-I also use it to profile the weird artistic things that I do-and to show people how to screw things up since I have to screw something up in order to do it myself. :-) I never think I am any good at anything-sometimes people comment on my posts and work and they say nice things and it makes me cry because I don't know what people can see or why they would say anything I do is good. But people keep coming back and they keep saying nice things-and it is starting to sink in that maybe I do have something, maybe a small something that needs to be broken up, broken down, polished, shined, polished more, but there is something. Maybe I do have something.

This blog is me, reaching out to the world, letting the world in. Giving volume to my little tiny voice-and being happy in the sharing. Even when I am not feeling well, or am overwhelmed, or am hurt or angry or tired or sad-or happy and joyful and blissed out and overly saturated with an unconditional and passionate love from my very best friend. I come here to honour myself, my friends, my children, my home, my goofy pets, the whole nine yards, even the exs in their due time and course.

I don't think I need to quote past posts to prove my point. Just read about any of them. :-)

I think I have accomplished all of that-and I shall continue to accomplish all those things. I don't plan on changing a thing. :-) I am actually tickled to death anyone else reads this stuff but me some days. :-)


I think that covers my article writing for the moment, doesn't it?

Now, my real problem is giving out the award. I hate having to pick blogs to do this to--because there really are SO many good and inspiring and incredible blogs out there-some I visit nearly every day-some I get to once a month-I have no clue where to begin.
So, I am going to take a page from Hybrid J's post and I am going to give this award to EVERYONE.
Everyone who comes here to read my blog and who sees this post -- this blog award is for you and for your blog.
Why?
Because you deserve and I love you and it needs to be spread around as much as we can.

Now-come get your award-you've earned it.

Blessings.

Kreativ Blogger Award

Thank you, Pam, for making my Friday shine!
She gave me this wonderful award today-and I love her statement about the whole community here online-and I would quote it better except that now blogger won't load her blog at the moment...but still...very cool.

I am supposed to tell you about seven of my favorite things:

Favorite things? Hmmmm.

I do so love the smell of sharpies in the morning. :-) Does that count?

1. Spending time with the significant other ranks right up there. I love to curl up against him and just be.

2. The way my kids hair smells--when they are CLEAN-- and the way they look when they are sleeping. :-) They look so innocent then. (yes-I know it's two-but it's my kids--I can throw in I love to cook with the little beasties as well)

3. The sound of my kids laughing. Should I stop putting kid related stuff in there? It could take up alot of room.

4. Standing stock-still in the middle of the woods on a sunny day, surrounded by the shadows and the foliage, and just... listening.

5. The way the smell of the ocean tastes when the wind is blowing it right into your face.

6. Leaning against a horse and not just smelling how strong he/she is, but the muscles moving beneath the coat, the structure, the entire feel of it. Just leaning against the horse--and getting the horse-ness of the thing. :-)

7. As much as I avoid the sun, falling asleep with the scent of drying hay all around, sunlight wafting down, with not a care in the world.

I didn't say I got to do these things alot lately, but that doesn't mean they aren't a few of my favorite things.

Hey, there's always going to a yarn shop just to touch things. But really any textile shop is good for me. I can do this in a fabric store too.
Mud between my toes. Wet clay between my fingers. The scent of honeysuckle on a summer's day. The smell of baking bread whenever. The way my dog looks at me when she wants something. Those big brown eyes of hers. All of these I love too. I hate to have to pick just seven.
And-just because I can-I love it when things go decently well between the ex and me and we act like real grown-ups and there is none of that insipid interplay and ego-mashing that we are normally up against--it doesn't happen very often-but it can--so I hold out hope that it can grow and so can happen more frequently until that's just how we do it all the time.

Now, I get to tag seven other bloggers--which is SO SO hard for me, because there are so many people out there I would love to tag--and I don't have the room or the time to do it to everyone. Plus, I try to pick different people every time too--because there are just so many people out there I would love to give something back to for everything they do for me, simply by doing what they do.


1. Genie Sea

2. Hybrid J

3. Sloane

4. Myth Maker

5. Mary

6. Leigh

7. Christine


Can I do some honorable mentions too?

Like Leah?
Like Jamie?
Like Heather?
Like Leonie?
Like Anita Marie?
Like Kerry?
Like Sarah?

Lemonade Award

There is nothing better when you are not feeling up to par than to have someone give you some good feed-back. It doesn't even have to be amazing feed-back--just something positive in any respect does wonders.

When I checked my email this morning, there was a comment awaiting moderation for this blog, from Pamela. I could have cried it was so sweet--and the timing was so perfect.
Yes, I am a mess to let something like this make me cry--but some days just that little nudge is enough. The cry was a good thing--really.

Now, my real issue all day has been trying to decide to whom to give this award.
See, I would have given it to Tabitha--and not just because of her cool name--but because I love to read her blog and see real inspiration at work.
I also would have given it to Sarah--and not just because I go to her blog to feed the fish and wish I could draw like that. :-)

Then I sat and thought--do we give these things to the 'bigger blogs' out there--
like Leah or Leonie or Jamie.

I'd actually like to give it to Pamela too, because I love her blog--and she has encouraged me to submit poetry and all sorts of things--and I get great ideas from her blog--and swipe as much as I can -- like Poetry Play Thursday.

I want to give it to people who need that little pick me up--and who really tickle my funny bone alot and get me going and get me inspired and moving. I spent all day pondering the blogs I return to again and again, small ones not everyone hears of, people I adore even if they have no clue who I am.

There are a couple people I'd like to give this to, from me personally, who don't have blogs. You three know who you are--I'll throw some lemons at ya to make sure you know it is you too. :-)





A Lemonade Award is given to bloggers that show a positive attitude, gratitude,and a willingness to share their ideas, support and online friendship. In other words, people who make lemonade when they get lemons!


Here are the rules for the award:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 7 blogs that show great Gratitude and/or Attitude.
3. Be sure to list and link your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know they have received this award by leaving a comment on their blog.

The following 7 blogs have blessed me and helped me in my journey and I would love to thank them for it.

(Yes--I cut and pasted straight from Pamela's blog--you bet i did. :-) )


1. Tinkerbell the Bipolar Fairy @ Tinkerbell's Tea Party
Come on-just her name is inspiring in and of itself--and her art is gorgeous.

2.Kerry Vincent @ Creative Kaleidoscope
Kerry has always made me smile-and she writes amazing stuff-and everything she touches is gorgeous.

3. Senua @ The Lost Garden of Senua
Senua is an incredible writer-as is her daughter-not to mention she has the most interesting family. :-)

4. Anita Marie @ Anita's Owl Creek Bridge
There is just not enough to be said about AM's writing.....other than always highly--entertaining.

5. Genece @ Shibui Studio Fine Art
Her work is just beautiful. And she lives close to me too!

6. Eileen @ Little Acorn Learning
I have followed her blog for a long time and I always find great peace --and smiles galore-- there.

7. Gail Ragsdale @ Art By Gail
I am always this close to buying something with one of her horses on it....some days I just go visit her blog and stare in wonder--wishing I could ride....


There are so many more people I'd like to acknowledge. I am just grateful Pamela thought enough of me to award me one. Thank you.