Award and a Friend's Contest

Woohoo! Julie Daines of http://juliedaines.blogspot.com gave me an award today - thanks a million, Julie!

Please go visit her site. Now is a great time because she just happens to be running a contest.  (And who can resist an Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card?)

So, onward.  Here are the rules of the award:

1. In a post on your blog, nominate 15 sister bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award. (Fifteen isn’t mandatory, but it’s a nice gesture. Try and pick at least five.)
2.  In the same post, add the Versatile Blogger Award.
3.  In the same post, thank the blogger who nominated you with a link back to their blog.
4.  In the same post, share 7 completely random pieces of information about yourself.
5.  In the same post, include this set of rules.
6. Inform each nominated blogger of their nomination by posting a comment on each of their blogs

So, seven random pieces of information?
Okay.
1. I'm shorter than I used to be.
2. I like sunshine.
3. I'm wearing running shoes.
4. I'm not a 'runner' per se - unless you count doing it in my car. (Then I run A LOT.)
5. I'm participating in a first page contest on http://throwingupwords.wordpress.com/. (See the January 23rd post: http://throwingupwords.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/project-writeway-season-1-episode-1/ for last weeks entries, and see today's post to vote for the latest round (it's coming after 10:00 a.m).
6. I didn't win in the first round, but I'm doing the home challenge. Be a doll and go vote for your favorites. Don't worry about trying to get mine. We all have pen names and we're not allowed to share them.
7. No, I'm not giving any hints.

Next, I'm passing this award on to these wonderful and amazing bloggers:

Leisha Maw: http://leishamaw.blogspot.com/
Lydia Kang: http://lydiakang.blogspot.com/
Kyra, Chris, Ann Dee and Carol: http://throwingupwords.wordpress.com/
Elizabeth Mueller: http://elizabethmueller.blogspot.com/
Chersti Nieveen: http://cherstinieveen.wordpress.com/
And all the fantastic writers at Scribblers Cove: http://thescribblerscove.blogspot.com/
 which are: Elizabeth, Emily, Susan, Rachel, Elizabeth, Chersti, Amber, Leisha and Rebecca

Congratulations, all and thanks again, Julie!

THE IRRESISTABLY SWEET BLOG AWARD

The awesomely sweet Brenda Sills has passed on this award and I’m so flattered, especially knowing a bit about her. Last year, we carpooled to a writing workshop, and I can honestly say she’s one of the sweetest people I’ve met. She’s also amazingly versatile, talented, supermodel beautiful, and a super-mom to boot! Check out her blog here:

http://brendasills.blogspot.com/

Here are the rules:

To claim your award:

1. Copy and paste the award to your blog. 

2. Thank and link to the person who nominated you.

3. Share seven random facts about yourself.
4. Pass the award along to 5 deserving blogging buddies.

5. Contact those buddies to congratulate them.

And here are the seven random facts.

1. I just saw the movie Super 8 last night and it was fantastic! It’s kind of a mix between Goonies and ET and Alien. I won’t say anymore, other than I was either laughing myself sick, or clinging to the back of my chair through the whole thing. You won’t want to miss this one.

2. Last night for dinner we had creamed peas, pearl onions, and baby potatoes over biscuits. I’ve only made it three times as an adult, but remember eating it as a child (minus the pearl onions.) The kids are still scratching their heads over whether they like it or not.

3. Today my family blocks actually read ‘Family.’ See post: http://thewonderfulobsessions.blogspot.com/2011/05/family-blocks.html

4. Secret book discovery: If you haven’t read THE THIEF series by Megan Whalen Turner, you are in for a killer treat! Oh my heck! It just gets better and better and better. The first book has you wondering what in the world it’s about, but hang in there because by the time you get to book two and book three, you’ll be raving like a lunatic to every soul you meet. Trust me! It’s happening right now. (Thank you, Leisha, for adding a new addiction!)

5. Last week I attended the Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers Conference http://wifyr.com/ with master teacher Martine Leavitt, and I’m in heaven! My head’s swirling with information and ideas I can’t wait to put into action. If you love to write, save your pennies, mark the week of June 11 – 15, 2012, and start watching the website like a hawk in January 2012 for registration.

6. I’m writing a pirate book right now, and, after the conference, I’m literally bursting with the story.

7. I’ve decided to become a sporatic summer blogger so I can spend more time writing the pirate book that isn’t letting me sleep. I apologize right now.

And so, we’re onto awarding 5 super sweet blogging buddies:

Chersti Nieveen

http://cherstinieveen.wordpress.com/

Elizabeth Dimit

http://brightlightsdimit.blogspot.com/

Yamile Mendez

cheboricuas.blogspot.com

Emily Mah Tippets

http://www.emilymah.com/

Elizabeth Mueller

http://elizabethmueller.blogspot.com/

Congratulations all!