Nenos awards and Mr Petals Art

I've been honored with an award from my buddy Tammy over at Queen-sized funny bone! I just can't get enough of her blog which switches from humor to heartbreak on a dime! My blogging soul sister Lucy at Luluspetals also awarded me, another versatile blog that takes you on a roller coaster ride of emotions I crave daily!

Lately I have been on a blogging lull, very sporadic in my posts because of other creative endeavours, plus the frustrating lag in my computer.So this little perk me up forces me to kick it up a notch!! Thanks ladies, much appreciated!

The aim of this award:
* As a dedication for those who love blogging and love to encourage friendships through blogging.
* To seek the reasons why we all love blogging.
* Put the award in one post as soon as you receive it.
* Don't forget to mention the person who gives you the award.
* Answer the awards question by writing the reason why you love blogging.
* Tag and distribute the award to as many people as you like.
* Don't forget to notify the award receivers and put their links in your post.

Why I love blogging.
1. I love to write, possibly keep a record for my family and future generations
2.It's an intimate way to connect with like minded people
3. I have connected with bloggers making unexpected devout friendships along the way

4. Sometime you receive lovely surprises, like this wonderful follow your dreams necklace (Check out her May giveaway!)
I won in a draw on Ronnie's blog at Radiantrace.
5 and this amazing birthday gift from dear blog friends that you come to love!

Acrylic done by Mr, Petals with love from his hands
and Lucy's (Mrs Petals) heart for my birthday!!
I love it too....if you look to the left part of the mountain
looks like a set of lips, I feel like they
actually sent me an early birthday kiss!

6. Blogging allows you the ability to contribute whatever you want in any form you choose.
7. It's a way to express sides of myself not always divulged.
8.It's cathartic to release plaguing thoughts and feelings difficult to express in person.

9 I feel so much joy when I can inspire others with something significant.
10. I've come to rely on blogging as a wonderful creative outlet.

I enjoy so many blogs that I read, I apologize for being remiss at commenting lately, so I'm challenging anyone interested in giving their reasons for blogging to grab this award and run with it! I would love to read your reasons!

I'd rather be blogging!

I fully intended on posting a Thursday thirteen with thirteen things in my house all different hues of one color! My dirty fridge beckoned me, and the freezer had some shrimp thawing making stink stink! So I needed to go through that mess of crap...Gee I wish I was more diligent about those tasks.

Since I started eating vlassic pickles I really haven't been able to eat Bicks brand, they're way too soft in comparison. I love the crunch of the vlassic they remind me of the pickles my mom and aunt used to can when I was a kid! Something I never do is put old pickles that have been sitting out, back in the jar, but I think someone did. Sure enough my costco size jar of neglected Bicks had some kind of white mung floating like a thick cloud of mold on it. So gross...how did I not notice it sitting on the door of the fridge I wonder? Well if that's not airing my dirty fridge cooties I don't know what is! Truthfully it's not a fun job and I now know why it doesn't get done often....it's because I'D RATHER BLOG!

On a nicer note, Mimi gave me a friendship award, as one of her vixen friends. I don't think of myself as a vixen more as a goddess, however I have been known in my past to be a bit of a vixen! I guess that wild side lays dormant now! I love the illustration of that award and feel honored that Mimi mentioned me! Thanks again Mimi.... you may know Mimi from the peace blog initiative, she started this bi annual event as well as the message in a bottle too!

So all my vixen blogging friends, and you know who you are......Queensize, Lucy, even sweet Gemma may have a bit of rebel in there!! Take this award ladies you deserve it as well!

If any of you are informations junkies like I am then you will love this website called TED it's information worth spreading. Check it out! You'll probably get as mesmerized as I do there!

Dear Keith over at Keith's Ramblings friend asked him why he blogs. To read his answer you can go here! Had I been asked that when I first started blogging the answer would be totally different than it is today! This was my comment on his post in hopes his friend may read it!

I think blogging is the intimate outlet so many of us crave. For people to know our inner workings. To attract like minded souls, so we feel less alone in our uniqueness! I also think it's a way of preserving our mortality. Am I getting too deep here! I think it's special people who blog, it fills a wonderful void. It's a great way to connect! Plus it's really really fun to write...if you love writing that is! There is another aspect to blogging, it's a form of self discovery. I challenge anyone not to learn something new about themselves after they start blogging! It just happens!! That's why I love blogging, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!! Plus I f$%king hate cleaning mung out of the fridge!!

Just think I was contemplating leaving blogging to concentrate on more serious writing and art too! But I'd probably just have to clean the fridge more often, blah!

Busy blog day, Matinee Muse, and award!

Here I am, Princess for a day!! Sans a new haircut!

It's a busy blog day and I really feel.......fat in this dress...but happy as a clam....hum....are clams really happy? It's one of the queens hand me downs, it's pretty frumpy! I'm not gunna lie!! What was she thinking when she bought this thing!! Not a good cut for me either...... It kinda makes me look hippie don't ya think??? Well it is what it is, I better lay off the .....hmmm....goodies?

Matinee Muse prompt for this week, " Not in my Wildest dreams"

Ten years ago

I couldn’t have imagined

My life

As it is today!

Creating daily

Art, poetry

Blog posts

I couldn’t have imagined

A peaceful heart

Acceptance

Unconditional love

I couldn’t have imagined

Being revered by my child

My brother, My son-in-law

I couldn’t have imagined

Relinquishing

Some independence

Feeling weak at times

Needing others as I do

I couldn’t have imagined

It being okay

Submitting to what is

I could not have imagined

Having art dreams

A sore knee

A fifteen year old car

Wearing glasses full time

Not wearing eye makeup daily

I could have never imagined

Being less humorous

Being more introverted

Than extroverted

Enjoying solitude

Not being with a man

Or caring if I was

But most of all

I could never in my

Wildest dreams

Imagined

Menopause!

Looky looky what the kids bought me from the flea market on Sunday!! About one hundred fifty dollars worth of art supplies for under twenty five dollars!!! Porcelain paint, transfer goop, blank post cards, paint, molding clay three of them, I paid ten bucks a few weeks ago for one! Texture medium, candle medium, paint extender a flat stamp, and a bunch of pigment...I have no idea what to do with pigment or how it works.....I will google search it though....anyone know?

It's a sad story though. The lady selling off the supplies was robbed at knife point while teaching an art class to young children. She closed her doors the next day and never went back. So sad....Pepper is a good people reader and felt she was sincere! They spent ages picking through the products they knew I'd like!

More exciting news! My friend Cookie Sunshine presented me with an "I love your blog" award yesterday!! I love, your blog too Cookie....very much!! Cookie is so sweet, I've really enjoyed getting to know her, through personal emails and her Cookie sheet!

Thank YOU very much!!!

Here's what I found out when I received the lovely graphic:

1. The winner can put the "I Love Your Blog" logo on her blog.

2. Link the person you received your award from.

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

4. Put links of those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message on the blogs of the girls you’ve nominated...

Seven blogs I really love! This will be fun!!!

I would like to pass this onto (in no particular order)...

1.Violette... Folk Art

2. Lucy Humor

3. Tammy Humor

4.Mystele Folk Art

5.Ang Folk Art

6.Lisa and Coco Art

7.Mennonite Girls can Cook! Yummy Recipes!

A Roar for Powerful Words

It was quite the surprise to have the amazing Deb at Janepoe present me with this award for powerful words. One of my favorites so far, because it helps dispel some of the myth from my past. That my words were unimportant.

My mother was an avid reader, always quoting those she read. “They say" had been my anonymous nemesis growing up! All this advice she gleaned from strangers.Often misinformation too. Some anonymous writers, including a few rag newspapers, got more recognition and respect than my actual life experiences and interaction with people. It was very frustrating. So it’s a special honor to have my words finally acknowledged. Thank you so much Deb for such an acclaim. It’s especially thrilling from such a revered writer as you!

In receiving the award you are asked to share three things that you believe make writing good and powerful, then pass the award on to five blogs that exemplify good and powerful writing.
The three ingredients I value are:

Unique Perspectives - which help me to grow and change

Passion- writing from the heart with verve!

Motivating and humorous- the ability to lure the least eager reader with humor and inspiration!

My Picks for this award are
Violette for her ability to motivate people to find their artistic side
Amber for humorously exposing her resilience over a torrent childhood to become an amazing mother.
Tammy for her authentic intimate posts about ALS and her daily struggles.
Rick for his terrific use of humor
Janet for her consistently genuine blog, that exudes humor, love, joy, kindness on a whole consortium of subjects


Often times my writing is actually more cathartic to me than it could be to anyone else. I just wish I could pepper more humor into it on a regular basis. Seems like a small part of my humorous side has faded over the years. Although many life experiences garner constant giggles. Like last week when I went to hem Peppers pants kept threading a needle over and over, only to find as soon as I pulled it through there was no thread in the hole. I burst out laughing when I realized I had only an inch and a half long thread that I was repeatedly trying to thread. Not hard to tell I am a descendant of the monkey!

The wild side

Dormant within

A frivolous rude jester

Goofy youthful harlot

Reckless rascal

Who’d like to

Drive fast

Rebuff housework

Dress vulgar

Drink often

Never cook

Dissuade cares

Is Staid!

Writers Island Horizon

Photo By Bryan, taken Tuesday Morning

Writers Island prompt "Horizon"

A Horizon of

Freshly fallen snow

Blankets surprise

Secreting a bud

Preparing to emerge

On a spring adventure

Enthusiastic

To splash color

Where Winters

Monotony Resides

Dear Janet at the cozy Lavender Loft honored me with a you make my day award! I highly respect Janet's ethical blog so it's even more exciting to know that I too can bring a little light to her life! A fellow artist and purple lover Janet is a charitable, kind and a creative inspiration who loves purple as much as I do!

I've been very delinquent with my blogs visits lately. I seem to read a few each day to catch up! So all of the bloggers whose blogs I visit are well deserving of this honor and just know that I sincerely appreciate you and your comments! Take this icon and mount it on your blog, because if I visit you it means that "YOU" make my day! Thank you Janet you too make my day!

Careful what you wish for!

Shelley Hrdlitschka

While responding to my blogger friend Lucy at lulu’s Petals I did a google search of an old writers group buddy Shelley Hrdlitschka, an award winning author of teen novels. We lost touch after she moved to North Van. I’m excited to say, as of July, she became a blogger.

I remember fifteen years ago, before her first novel was published. We’d gone as a group for dinner at Earls; individually we did a round table discussion on where we’d be in ten years. Always the jester, during my turn I joked about being divorced, even though I wasn’t serious about it at that moment! We all took turns; Shelley reflectively commented that she’d have several books published. Guess what? She does, and I'm divorced! I should have had a better ten year plan! I do now though, I’ve learned my lesson!

1995 Shelley, Barb and Laura posed on the B.C. ferry for this photo!

Laura, Me and Barb Summer 2006 on a fireworks cruise in Vancouver harbor!

Barb and Shelley 1995 in Parksville, during a writers retreat. It was a life altering trip for me. I decided that weekend I wanted a divorce, it took ten months before things were put into play!

Barb and Laura last month.

Barb H, Shelley, Coral, and Barb F, 1995 at the beach in Parksville!

Imagine my surprise to see that Shelley is now a fellow blogger, with one new book coming out in spring of 2008, and another to follow, called “Sister wife” in the Spring of 2009! I have read two of Shelley’s six books, hearing rumblings of controversy surrounding one of the books I haven’t read. If you have young teens looking for a meaty novel to read, I can assure you Shelley touches on teen issues in a very authentic way. Being a mother of girls, teacher turned writer, she knows kids. With Shelleys high ethics I have no doubt her novels are scripted with the utmost finesse, sprinkled with important lessons. Even though Shelley may not get caught up in the blogger award hoopla, I just have to acknowledge her with the Rockin Girl Blogger award! Just because she is a spectacular person who is making a difference in the lives of teens!

Deb at Jane Poe presented me with the honor of Rockin Blogger girl! It's really special for me to be acknowledged by a wonderful poet such as Deb. Thanks Deb you Rock too! So in turn I am presenting it to Lucy because she is a funky mama at mid life, using the passion of humor and love in all her posts.

Janet already has one, but I am giving her another because she has started a new blog encouraging creative bloggers to make items for people less fortunate within their locale, in the name of a special blogger friend!

Amanda Hone because she is one of my favorite artists, my color soul mate and a wonderful inspiration! I think she is a Rockin Blogger girl and I'm hoping to inspire her to blog more...I love her posts!

Tammy is no doubt an incredible Rockin Blogger girl with her sage, creative, prolific writing and resilience despite her disability! You can steal any Music off my blog, anytime Tammy, because you rock!! Besides the music I put up is to introduce others to the many diverse artists they may never have heard of!

Reflection Award

It’s been an honor this week to be nominated by both Ninnie and Tara for the reflections award. Tara a woman of substance passionately writes about variety of extremely vital subjects! Her assorted vivid photography and prolific writing astounds me! Tara at Paris Parfait is an inspirational icon with an alert sensitivity! Thank you so much for the recognition!

Ninnie at Ninniesplace is a spiritual and artistic woman who has advised and educated me on bereavement of a child! Ninnie provides us with tender hearted insight into the life of her loving family! Again I thank you for the love Ninnie!

I was completely flabbergasted to be chosen by these two amazing woman! I have hesitated in picking five bloggers sooner because I feel every blog I visit feeds me assorted precious and unique inspiration. In my mind they all deserve this award! In order to pay this lovely priviledge forward I am honoring these bloggers who play a large part in inspiring me with their excellence!


Lucy at Lulus Petals has such a playful sense of humor inspiring me to sprinkle a little bit more silliness in my blog. Her excitement about blogging and new technology mirrors my own enthusiasm. I love her gigantic heart!

Deb at Jane Poe interjects all aspects of her life into melodic stanzas of extraordinary poetry. Forthright and honest, I can’t help be enlightened by Debs perception!


Tammy at mylifeasawarrior has exceptional fortitude as a warrior who generously gives so much self while living with an extreme disability. Tammy’s beautiful soul shines in each creative post! Tammy is living proof that we are much more than the labels we wear!

Footpad at R L in technicolor covers a myriad of subjects with such finesse. Determined to break the patterns of his childhood, his candor is eye opening and keeps me yearning for more!

I feel affirmed by Vanessa’s positive, humorous quirky life! Her tenacious constitution as an artist provides a fabulous example of how to become a success. Visiting Vanessa’s blog at afancifultwist is just like Christmas, colorful and always a fabulous surprise!

Please nominate five deserving bloggers who have been an encouragement, a source of love, impacted you in some way and who have provided a Godly example. In other words, five cherished bloggers whom, when you reflect upon them, you are filled with a sense of pride and joy... of knowing them and being blessed by them.” Place the icon on your blog, write a blurb about each one, and then notify them about their award!