An award.....thank you

to Orea of The Higher Voice for giving this to me. I am supposed to list 7 things about myself and then pass this award on to 15 NEWLY FOUND blogs. Sorry to say, every newly found blog I wanted to pass this award on to already has been given it! I was involved with the A-Z Challenge and even though I did find some new blogs I loved, I really didn't have time to do much searching once I was through posting each alphabet post. So 15 NEW blogs is kind of a tall order for me.

Now.....since its my blog....(heh heh heh) I'm going to change things a bit. I am awarding this award to you if you are on my sidebar as a blog I frequent and love. Yep.....yours for the taking.....and well-deserved too, cause if your blog wasn't fantastic, it wouldn't be on my sidebar. So please accept it....from my heart.
Now, the 7 things.
1. I enjoy watching some cartoons.
2. I talk to my plants.
3. Animals love me, even guard dogs will let me pet them. (blowing their owner's minds)
4. If someone hurts me, I never really recover from it or forget it.
5. I'm terrified of doctors and dentists and will make myself sick thinking about an upcoming appointment.
6. I've always wished I was musically inclined (cannot carry a tune with a basket or play any instrument)
7. I had 3 imaginary friends when I was little (plight of an only child).

So there you have it. Please take your award and pass it on. And, thank you again, Orea.

Thank you!!.....another award!

My dear friend, Linda, of The Good, The Bad, The Worse has given me another award. I want to thank her from the bottom of my heart for this......my friends mean a lot to me and to be included in a Circle of Friends makes me feel very special. So thank you again, Linda, and here are the rules that accompany this sweet little award:

First, you post about your award, advising who gave it to you and create a link back to their blog.

Then you list five things that make you happy.

Last, pass along this award to five bloggers who make you smile.

Five (more) things that make me happy:

1. Although I know my children and grandchildren aren't things, they make me happy when I see that they are happy.
2. Close, loyal friends and the bond we share.
3. A really, REALLY good book.....one that you don't want to put down. I've read more than a few that fall into that category.
4. Being greeted at the back door by my dog enthusiastically and lovingly even if I've only just walked outside to get the mail.
5. My faith in God and the peace that comes with that.

So, I pass along this Circle of Friends Award with much love to the following bloggers who have made me smile and in some cases, laugh out loud. I hope each of you will accept this award and pass it along.

1. To Dana of Life is Good. Dana is so talented and so funny. Her posts have made me grin, snicker, laugh out loud and almost pee my pants. Yep, she's that good.
2. To Jamie of Everyone Thinks I can Fix It. Jamie is definitely within my circle of friends and she puts a smile on my face because I so enjoy chatting with her. She makes you feel so at ease and comfy.....you feel like you're in the same room with her.
3. To Soul of Soul Survivor. Soul is an extremely talented writer with the ability to make you feel like you were sitting at the kitchen table, drinking coffee and chatting. Some of her stuff is really funny....some of it really deep and we all know that only the talented can go from one extreme to the other and do it well.
4. To Smocha of Cats on the British Counter. I love how this woman writes and she's made me laugh out loud more times than I can count. If you were going out and about and she was in your group, you just KNOW that you're gonna have a fun time!
5. To Christine of Real Men Don't Watch American Idol. Christine is hilarious in her 'tell it like it is' posts. Her sense of humor is unique, terrific and rated "R".

I hope each of you will accept this award and pass it on. I wish I could have given it to everyone on my blog roll, but past experience has taught me that when you do that, everyone gets all shy and they don't want to take it. Keep smilin' and remember that laughter is the best medicine of all.

An Award......Happiness

Smocha, of Cats on the British Counter, gave me this award. Thank you very much for thinking of me. Your blog makes me happy too.

The rules that come with this award are as follows:

1. When you receive this award you must thank the person that awarded you in a new post.

2. Name 10 things that make you happy.

3. Pass this award to other bloggers who make you happy.

So here are my 10 things, in no particular order:

1. The sweet smell of puppy breath.
2. The sounds of crickets and frogs on a warm summer evening.
3. A comfy couch, excellent coffee and a good book.
4. Watching horses run across a field with tails and manes flowing in the breeze.
5. Snuggling against you, the little grunting noises a contented newborn baby makes.
6. The delightful smell of freshly cut grass.
7. The sound of an old wooden screen door opening and closing...(squeee, creak, squeee, bang, thump, thump)
8. Having enough guaranteed income every month to cover my expenses.
9. The wonderful fragrance of freshly washed air right after a thundershower.
10. A close friend, good conversation and hot coffee.

I pass this award along to the following bloggers that I look forward to visiting because they truly make me happy in various ways. Some for their love of animals, some for their love of other people and some for their love of life....just plain and simple LIFE. Each of them have broadened my horizons and awakened a spirit within me. I'm glad I found each of you and in some cases, you found me....but I'm the better person for it. Thank you to each of you for that.

So, in no particular order: I pass this along to 8 Bloggers that make me happy.

1. Jamie of Everyone Thinks I Can Fix it.....(such a strong lady who has her priorities straight)
2. Linda of The Good, The Bad, The Worse....(Oh, Linda just makes me grin and giggle and is a terrific FRIEND)
3. Gypsy of Teardrops and Rainbows....(my Pisces soul-mate from down-under)
4. Joy from Joy of Six.....(another true soul-mate....someday we'll have coffee and chat)
5. Sheryl of Ain't For City Gals...(A city gal would surely curl up in a pool of tears...awesome blog)
6. Mikey from The Horseshoeing Housewife....(one awesome lady who can do Anything!)
7. Grace from Hope 4 Grace....(she's found the secret to Happiness and is such a terrific role model for her children)
8. Karen from Life is Good (she truly finds good in everything)

I love you all. Enjoy your award and please pass it on.

I am so sneaky.....

Since I couldn't choose 7 of my blog favorites to receive this award, I decided to let YOU do it. So the first 7 people who commented on the previous post are the recipients of this award. So take it with my love and post it along with 7 items about yourself on your blog.

1. Coffeypot - it couldn't go to a more beautiful person; inside and out...don't let him fool ya.
2. Respectfully yours at Here is what I Think.....I love her memories.
3. Mama Llama - of All Green Thumbs - We've been blogging buddies for a long time now.
4. Rae of Weather Vane - Oh you're gonna love her posts, I guarantee it.
5. Fiwa of Do You Speak Fiwaese - Another beautiful person, inside and out....hands down. We've also been blogging buddies for a long time and I'm a better person for it.
6. Jamie of Everyone Thinks I Can Fix It - One of the first blogs I read way back so many years ago. A good friend and a wonderful person. Her posts are like being there, having coffee with her.
7. Gayle of Gramme's Blog - A young grandma and her lovely stories about her grandson, along with other things we often think about. Everyone loves Gayle - go read her.

Well, that's it. Now you 7 ....don't you go all shy on me and not pick up your award. Pick it up and pass it along....that's what makes them so special. May beautiful thoughts go with you as you do so. Keep smilin'.

Beautiful Blogger Award.....

I have been given an award! Oh how I love to get awards!! Linda, of The Good, The Bad, The Worse presented this to me and thank you so very much, Linda. You all must use the link and go read her....her posts are thought-provoking as well as delightful. She and I share a passion....DOGS! We both love our doggies!

One of the conditions of this award is that I have to name 7 things about myself. Then I have to pass it on to 7 bloggers that I have newly met and think are fantastic. Well, that's going to be hard to do because all the blogs I read are fantastic. So, I'm going to bend the rules a bit. If I read you, you're on my blog roll and if you're on my blog roll, then please accept this award from me. Just leave me a comment and let me know if you've accepted it and I'll come and read your 7 revelations about yourself. Please link the award back to me on your post.

1. I LOVE cookie dough!
2. I do not like clowns and would never allow my children near any.
3. I am the most creative when I'm depressed (art and writing).
4. I love the smell of a new book.
5. As far as music goes, I love the blues; it speaks to me.
6. To see horses gallop across a field makes my heart swell and brings me to tears.
7. I believe in angels.

Now, go do yours so I can read about you! Thanks again, Linda.

P.S. I am no longer accepting Anonymous comments. I'm tired of being free advertisement for others selling ambiguous or nefarious items. If anyone other than "anonymous" has trouble commenting, please let me know and I'll see if I can fix it. I'm sorry for any inconvenience to my readers who aren't ashamed to comment under their name. Google accounts are free. Sign up.

An award and a Meme.....

Joy, from Joy of Six, graciously presented me with this award and a Meme to go along with it. Thank you so much, Joy, not only for the award but for the kind things you said about me.

If you want a wonderful reading experience, please go visit Joy. Her blog has something to interest everyone, but primarily her thoughts are beautifully transferred to typed word, to be savored, enjoyed and remembered. This is one special lady who I consider a good friend.

Now, I'm going to pass this along to anyone who would like to participate because if you're on my Blogs I Stop and Visit list, then you are definitely "Over the Top" in my book. Answering questions with only one word is a lot harder than you would think.

Hopefully some of you will take the challenge and if you do, please let me know so I can see how you've done. Here goes:

1. Where is your cell phone? recharging

2. Your hair? colored

3. Your mother? unforgettable

4. Your father? mourned

5. Your favorite food? steak

6. Your dream last night? vivid

7. Your favorite drink? coffee

8. Your dream/goal? contentment

9. What room are you in? den

10. Your hobby? reading

11. Your fear? illness

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? secure

13. Where were you last night? home

14. Something you aren’t? dishonest

15. Muffins? cinnamon

16. Wish list item? maid

17. Where did you grow up? farm

18. Last thing you did? this

19. What are you wearing? nightshirt

20. Your TV? off

21. Your pet(s)? dog

22. Your friends? cherished

23. Your life? introspective

24. Your mood? varies

25. Missing someone? yes

26. Vehicle? parked

27. Something you’re not wearing? makeup

28. Your favorite store? Kohl's

29. Your favorite color? blues

30. When was the last time you laughed? yesterday

31. Last time you cried? unsure

32. Your best friend? relocated

33. One place that I go over and over? memories

34. One person who emails me regularly? Jackie

35. Favorite place to eat? home

An award......

Lee, over at Hormones, Headaches and Hot Flashes, is a regular hoot. She has the ability to take a time period of about 10 years in a woman's life that is filled with all sorts of craziness and joke about it. We women can all identify with it and most men can too since they have to live with us.

I'm honored to have been one of many of her readers to be given her award and also to extend an invite to anyone that wants a chuckle or two to go read her blog. She's taking a little rest until after the beginning of the year to handle family stuff and we all know that real life trumps blog life....so make it a point to visit her then.

And, thank you Lee, for remembering me.

An award and a MEME.....

Thank you, Gypsy, for including me in your group to receive this award. I'm supposed to pass this along to 6 people but I am going to extend this award to anyone who has commented on my blog in the last two posts. So if you have, consider yourself a recipient and accept this award from me because if I have you on my blogroll and I read and comment on your blog, I consider it to be genuinely "over the top" in every way possible.

Now......for the Meme part. Apparently the answers to these questions can only be one word. Hmmmmmm....kinda hard for most women to do, but let's see what happens.

Here goes:

One Word Meme............

Where is your cell phone? Purse

Your hair? Colored

Your mother? Passed

Your father? Passed

Your favorite food? Steak

Your dream last night? Driving

Your favorite drink? Coffee

Your dream/goal? Happiness

What room are you in? Den

Your hobby? Reading

Your Fear? Pain

Where do you want to be in 6 years? Secure

Where were you last night? Home

Something that you aren’t? Dishonest

Muffins? Yes!

Wish list item? Maid

Where did you grow up? Michigan

Last thing you did? Typed

What are you wearing? Nightshirt

Your TV? Sharp

Your pets? Dog

Friends? Valued

Your life? Introspective

Your mood? Variable

Missing someone? Yes

Vehicle? Pontiac

Something you’re not wearing? Pantyhose

Your favorite store? Kohl's

Your favorite color? Blues

When was the last time you laughed? Yesterday

Last time you cried? Unsure

Your best friend? Relocated

One place that I go to over and over? Memories

One person who emails me regularly? Wanda

Favorite place to eat? Home

Don't forget to retrieve and then pass on your award to keep it going. Happy Saturday!! (and YES...I'm feeling better already!)

An Award For Me.....

Thank you, Joy from Joy of Six, for giving me this award. A little history of the award must be posted with it, so keep reading.

The Van Gogh's Ear Award was created by.... Roger of Idaho Photo; The following is an excerpt from his blog. Please link your award back to his site.

A Top Award for You

Every year I like to make up a award and hand it out to people that make a difference in the blogsphere. I like to make it a award for all to enjoy and pass out if one so wants to, I just ask if your going to give it out to link back to me as the creator of the Van Gogh's Ear Award.

Inspiration of the Van Gogh's Ear Award

You may know the story of Vincent Van Gogh a well known artist in history. Although a brilliant painter in his later years went quite insane he received the nickname of fou roux ("the redheaded madman"). The most bazaar of Vincent's behavior is when he cut off the lower part of his own left ear lobe, which he wrapped in newspaper and gave to a prostitute named Rachel in the local brothel, asking her to "keep this object carefully. After this he suffered recurrent bouts of mental illness, which led to his suicide July 29, 1890 he was 37 years old. His works of art are priceless.

The point of this award

We are all artist in are own way be it art, photography, writing, philosophy, comedy, blogging and we all go a little crazy sometimes. But if you ever feel so crazy to cut off your ear and give it to a prostitute "Seek Help"!

Always remember you're unique.
Just like everyone else.

So, I would like to pass this along to the following bloggers because I truly do enjoy reading what they have to say mainly because of their own little unique way they have of saying it. Brad and Tina, yours is for your artistic talent as well.

Brad of Kuboto Farm
Mary of As If You Care
Tina of Big Cute Beach Girl
CBW of Life in Mathews
Christine of Real Men Don't Watch American Idol
Smocha of Cats on the Counter

An award to pass on.....

I was given this award by Joy from Joy of Six and I really do appreciate it so very much. I want to pass this on to the following bloggers.

Fiwa, of Do you speak Fiwa-ese.....because she is, without a doubt, one of the kindest, most thoughtful, compassionate people I've ever seen. She has inspired me to Monday Random Acts of Kindness and inspired countless others to just be good to one another. What a joy you are, fiwa. Bless you and all that you do.

Happy One of Life is Good. She has such an optimistic outlook on life and such a pure heart that her glow just leaps out of the computer and encompasses you. Once you go on a daily walk with her and witness the beauty around you through her eyes, you'll be back for more. Her references to Bible verses along the way here and there are a source of strength to many of us.

Elizabeth of Crusty Beef. I just don't have enough room to say all the nice things I'd like to about this young wife and mother. What a wonderful job she's doing raising her sons and teaching them all the right things. Add creative writing talent, intellect and a wicked sense of humor to that and you've got one special woman. Her boys are so lucky....not to mention hubby.

I have been awarded.....

Velvet of Velvet Sacks has awarded me this pretty Gratitude with Attitude Award. I am so deeply touched by being awarded that I don't quite know what to say. Thank you just doesn't seem like enough. We all love to be appreciated, that's for sure ..... and all I can say to Velvet is thank you so very much for the compliment and it makes me happy that you enjoy my writing.....but I bet I enjoy YOURS more!! LOL

Boneman has also awarded me a "ValStar" award because I was nice enough to do that Meme he tagged me for. A ValStar award means you are a "go to gal" who gets the job done. His words. Thank you Boney for this award....it means a lot because you took the time to make it for me. I think I will pass this one along as well....Boney, don't be surprised if your own artwork pops up somewhere else. ; > )




So now I pass along the Gratitude with Attitude Award to the following:

Brad: Because he is just so caring about everyone and everything and that includes our environment......I am grateful for his caring attitude and the kindess he has shown me as well as others. I honestly think everyone loves Brad.

Maria: Because she has a resilience not often found....she is raising her child to be a caring individual who holds no prejudices in a world that can be so unkind. For her beautiful writings that sends one deep into their own soul, I am grateful to have found her.

Soul: What can I say. Is there any person who has more attitude? She has endeared herself to so many people. She is the morning cup of coffee and reading her daily post is just like sitting down at the kitchen table with her. I am so grateful that she loves me enough to call me "Charlotte".

Summer: For having to bend like a willow tree for everyone you seem to come in contact with. You are appreciated, Summer.....by more than you know. The ones who don't appreciate you are missing out on a lot. I'm grateful there are kind-hearted people such as you. Thank you for just being you.

Well, now that brings us to the ValStar Award. This is the one awarded to a "get 'er done" type of gal. I award this to the following:

Jamie: Because she's had life in the traumatic lane for quite some time but she hits every day running with determination....never letting anything slow her down. What a gal to have on your team if you want to be a winner....and she IS a winner. Good luck on that garage sale BTW.

Anonymous Boxer: Because she's determined to keep her business going and have happy satisfied customers no matter what.....and she does. And lets face it....anyone who can live with a herd of Chihuahuas (not to mention the redwriter) has got to be a 'get 'er done' type.

Elizabeth: Because she's a devoted mother to three little boys, plus a loving spouse..... seeing to all their needs....yet finds the time to write so eloquently you just get lost in her words. And did I mention she's also an excellent housekeeper. This is definitely one 'get 'er done' type of gal.

An Award to Pass On.....

Soul gave me this award and made me feel great. Its wonderful to receive a compliment, isn't it? I had a smile on my face the rest of the day. Thank you again, Soul-friend. So now I am passing this on. Soul, Jamie and Gypsy certainly would also have been on my list of recipients but they already have this award. I pass this lovely award on to the following:

FIWA... because she is my daily dose of sunshine. A more caring or compassionate person you will never find. You just want to have her for a best friend cause you just know she's loved by everyone. So FIWA, come get your award and have some coffee and cinnamon rolls with me.

Kelly Jene.... because through all the pain she has, she has never lost her faith and love in God and in HERSELF. She's had some rough times and still manages to set a wonderful example for her boys. Good things are going to come your way soon. Come get your award and stay for coffee and rolls with us.

Hensteeth....because every time I visit your site your exquisite prose has taken my breath away. Such beautiful thoughts send my mind back.... waking memories I had tucked away and forgotten about. It takes love to write like this and Hensteeth certainly spreads this love to all who read her posts. Thank you for that. Come get your award from me and stay for coffee and rolls with us.

Bill and Heather.....because they have so much love that they have adopted a child with special needs and are thinking of adopting another child who is also blind. Thank God for people like Heather and Bill, who shower their love on children that many ignore. I have personally seen how their son is flourishing in their loving care. So come get your award, you two, and stay for coffee and sweets. Oh yeah, Bill....my faucet is leaking in the kitchen, so while you're here........