8/27/08

I Am An Awesome Blogger Friend ...And ....

Isn't this a gorgeous award? It's was created by Ettarose from ettarose-edge of sanity. com and I am one of the bloggers lucky enough to be nominated. Ettarose is one of the funniest writers and nicest bloggers on the internet, so I couldn't have been happier when I saw that she thought of me, well...actually I couldn't believe it. Thanks Ettarose. You've made me smile once again.

And I took the liberty of quoting some of what you wrote in your award post.

"I created this award because words sometimes are not enough to show how much you guys mean to me. I have “met” so many good people on the internet, and a lot of you have brightened my life in so many ways. "

She also said that the blogs she nominated had the option of either passing the award along to others or posting it, it was up to them. Her only request is that you link your post back to her, the creator. Because when bloggers forget to mention the blogger who created the award we lose sight of where it originated and that's a drag. Therefore, remember the awards creator when you pass it along to your "Awesome Blogger Friends."

Thanks again Ettarose for this magnificent honor...you're the greatest.

And because I think both you and your award are also "awesome" I decided to pass your award along to my special "awesome bunch" of friends. Who are:

Dawn at Twisted Sister
Sandee at Comedy Plus
Ferd at The Best Parts
Eric from Speedcat Hollydale Page
Bud at WTIT Radio Blog
Maunie at her new blog Maunie's World

Farvel Cargo
Paula's Playground

I usually don't place awards on the same post, but I'm been blessed enough to be nominated for a few more by my buddy Sandee from Comedy Plus that I've had for some time now. I love them too and I wanted to pass them along before Sandee thinks I forgot. Both of these awards were passed to Sandee from The Teach at Work of the Poet

One is the You Make Me Smile Award and the other is the Super Commenter Award, both of which I would like to pass to everyone I nominated for The Million Dollar Friend Award I gave out on Monday, so check the list. However, I would like to mention a few bloggers for The Super Commenter Award who frequently leave comments that keep me going on a daily basis. Thank you again Sandee and thanks to all of you~

Nominees for the You Make me Smile Award is everyone on my blogroll and on my list for The Million Dollar Friend Award.



And special thanks to my regular super commenter's:

Dawn at Twisted Sister
Sandee at Comedy Plus
Maunie at her new blog Maunie's World
Bud at WTIT Tape Radio Blog
Chilly at On The Bricks
Daisy at Daisy the Curly Cat

Sue at Farvel Cargo


Paula at Paula's Playground
Ettarose at ettarose-edge of sanity.com
Eric at Speedcat Hollydale page
Ferd at The Best Parts
Jeni at Down River Drivel
Kim at Purple Frogcat
Broadway Matron at Broadway Matron


If you are a regular commenter and I left out a link to your blog, please forgive me and let me know...and I will promptly add you.

Congratulations to all of you and thank you Sandee and Ettarose for nominating me. Both of you made my day, week, and year....

8/26/08

Tuesday's Question, Childhood Dreams

Readers/Bloggers comments are posted after the main post with a link to their blogs~

Hello, and welcome to the 40th Tuesday's Question posted on A Nice Place In The Sun. All participates answers will be posted today in this post along with a link to their site, but you don't have to own a blog to participate. All you have to do is write your answer in comments and I will do the rest~

In addition, every participate is welcome to a Tuesday's Question Brag Badge posted with a code in my sidebar. The Brag Badge gives you the opportunity to bring your visitors to archived Tuesday's Questions where you can show off your ingenuity from your past comments.

Whether you are participating or reading I thank you for stopping by for a visit. Answers will be posted as quickly as possible throughout the day with a link to the bloggers who commented, therefore, don't forget to visit the participating bloggers blogs. Chances are if you liked their comments you will like their blogs. Have Fun, and remember Tuesday's Question is a weekly post of original questions, well, questions off the top of my head anyway. ~

Today’s Question is: If your fairy Godmother appeared to grant three of your childhood dreams or wishes, what would they be? All of us had fantasies and heroes when we were children, what were yours? For example, what if you had the opportunity to magically transform into Batman, pilot your own airplane, dance on Broadway, or star in your own movie, which three would you choose? Which movie star, Disney character, novelist, or songwriter did you admire?

However, those are just examples, you can choose more realistic childhood dreams that could come true with or without the help of a fairy Godmother. All morning, I tried to decide whether to ask what three wishes you would ask a fairy godmother at this time, or what three childhood wishes you would pick. Therefore, if you would prefer to answer the adult form of the question, I suppose it would be fine with your fairy godmother. In addition, one of the main objectives of the Tuesday’s Question feature is to help us learn more about you, and your wishes and dreams are a big part of who you are. Moreover, you never know, a fairy godmother may be listening, especially if you believe in magic, because if you believe in your dreams anything is possible.

For instance, magic has happened before on this blog; for one thing this is the 40th question, and what began as a way to get to know my readers, introduce bloggers to each other, and share link love has created many important friendships for others; and me and I find that pretty amazing.

Also, I would like to offer a special thanks to my regular supporters of Tuesday's Question, (you know who you are) because this feature wouldn't still exist if it weren't for you.

Remember, because your comments are published in real time, (or as close as possible) feel free to comment to each other, copy the links to new bloggers blogs, and have a good time. Are you ready? Here’s the question again,

If your fairy Godmother appeared to grant three of your childhood dreams or wishes, what would they be?

My first comment just arrived from Sandee at Comedy Plus. Sandee took the time to write an answer that is written with an intensity and passion that will blown you away, it did me. Click on the Read more to read Sandee's comment.



Click "Read more" for readers comments:


Here's Sandee Comedy Plus comment... If you haven't read either of Sandee's blogs Blogging by Sandee or Comedy Plus, treat yourself, and click on one or both of these links.


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Sandee's comment:


First, it's great to see a Tuesday's Question. Fabulous.

1. That my parents never got into that awful car accident in the late 60s. It really did kind of end my dads good health.

2. That I could have enjoyed my high school years. We lived on a farm and we milked cows every 12 hours. I was the eldest so I had to help milk cows, along with a million other chores.

When I started high school I was voted to be the princess of the first official dance. I couldn't go. It ended my popularity pretty much.

I attended one football game in all the years of high school. I just wasn't allowed to do anything. I can still hear my parents saying, "You have to do your chores."

3. That my family would have been more loving. It's not that we didn't love each other, but we just didn't show it. We weren't taught to hug those we loved, so we didn't. We siblings are hugging each other now, but it would have been so nice when we were growing up.

Thanks Ann for an opportunity to relive some of my past and mostly for being able to make it better...even if I really can't. Big hug and lotsa lovies honey. :)

August 26, 2008 12:59 PM

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My next comment came from another friend and veteran of Tuesday's Question, Paula at Paula's Playground

Paula always writes the nicest comments. Read this,

Hi beautiful. So glad to see the question today! What a great one it is too. It's hard to remember what wishes I had as a kid but I'll try.

1) I always wished for my mom and dad to be happy and healthy. My mom was sick a lot of my childhood due to a back injury and a bucketload of surgeries. She is good now, but most of my teen years she spent in bed and I hated watching her suffer and be in pain.

2) I wanted to be a dancer or a ballerina on the stage and wished for that. In my dreams sometimes I dance and dance and dance. I think it is such a freeing form of self-expression.

3) I would always wish for lots of kids when I got to be a grown-up. Well, look at that! One of the wishes did come true! :-) I guess I should remind myself of this when they are driving me crazy. (smile)
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Then, my buddy Dawn from Twisted Sister, who always makes me smile...plus, blogging just wouldn't be blogging without her.


Like Sandee said... it's great to see Tuesday's Question again!

1. I desperately wanted to live with the Brady Bunch. I knew it was just TV but I used to imagine it was real. They had a large family and everything was perfect. I had a large family and everything was not!

2. I would lie awake at night and pray that my parents would move back to Toronto. I had a hard time adjusting to country life... although I did in the end :)

3. I wished I would grow. I was the runt of the litter and still am! Although I am grateful for it now... I was teased a lot for my size as a kid.

Thanks for the therapy Ann! I feel much better now :)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Then, I was thrill to see that the always hilarious and kind Sue from Farvel Cargo stopped by to give us a laugh.

WooHoo! Three wishes!
Ann how have you been? I've been sending happy thoughts your way!

Dear Fairy Godmother, my first wish is for bigger boobs. This wish can be applied to either back when I was a kid or now.

Dear Fairy Godmother, in the sixth grade I really would have liked to have had the guts to finish cheer leading tryouts. I chickened out at the end and ran to my mother waiting in the car. They said I would have made the squad had I stuck it out.

Dear Fairy Godmother, how about granting me the wisdom to listen to my parents when they said an education is important.

There you have it, now if someone would let me borrow their time machine, it would be swell.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And another dear friend who also writes good comments, Ferd from The Best Parts


Finally! Geesh! A Tuesday Question! Where the heck have you been!?!
Kidding!!! I'm really glad to see you back!! I worried about and missed you, Annie!

1. Growing up, our family was very disconnected. We still are, except for a very few things that bring us together. It is the reason that today I long for connection. Fortunately, that wish is slowly being granted. I am slowly learning to do that, which does not come naturally to an introvert.

2. Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be a doctor. That wish did come true, and it has been a very important part of my life.

3. I wanted and needed a loving and healthy primary relationship. It took a while, but that dream has also come true.

I guess I have a lot of blessings to count! Thanks, Annie!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And another blogging buddy, Jeni from Down River Drivel

THe things I wanted most growing up were 1) a brother or a sister; 2) a dad and 3) marriage and a large family -the house with the white picket fence type thing.
I was an only child and hated it -absolutely hated it! My dad died when I was not quite 3 weeks old so I never knew him. I didn't realize that it was the fact I didn't know what he was like, therefore, how I may have been like him and that lack of knowledge created a lot of angst I guess you could say within me as I tried to figure out who I really am.
I did marry -had three children and now, 3 grandchildren -my absolute pride and joy as you know if you've followed my blog for any length of time. Over the past 10 years or so I have slowly come to learn bits and pieces about my Dad, what he was like, what he liked too, as I have been digging in to family tree research. And as to brothers and sisters, over the years I have often done my own brand of adopting brothers and sisters -even quasi-parents too and my kids have adopted many of these people as their substitute grandparents, aunts/uncles, extended families as well. Who knows, maybe someday I will even find someone who accepts me for who and what I am and might even find marital happiness after all. I'm not looking exactly but if someone came along that was comfortable with me and I, with him, I wouldn't walk away from it.

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My next comment is another touching one from Ettaerose at ettarose-edgeofsanity.com

Annie, I am glad you are feeling well enough to do Tuesday's question. My three wishes are as follows;
1 Parents who really loved each other the way I think they should have. My Mom died a quick sad death and my Dad remarried after 8 months. I was told by him that he finally knew what real love was.
2 I wish my children were not harmed by someone when they were growing up. I still have a hard time with this.
3 I have always wanted to be a doctor. More than anything. Being married at 16 I never did.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And last, but certainly not least Maunie at Mauniejames2 left one of her great comments.

Hi honey,
First congrats on winning blog of the day over at Santa's...

1. I was not the cherished child so I always pretended that I was adopted and my real Mom would came rescue me...I adored my Dad and hoped he and I could just disappear.

2. Most people on one side of the family were very musical and boy I wanted to be able to sing...My son who has a band told me to stop singing to my granddaughters because they may be tone deaf...I sang to them anyway...and taught them many songs...so there.

3. That I went to college instead of modeling school...my parents never listened to me...why in this instant did they give in...I'm the only one in my family who doesn't have a full degree...what a dope...
I've had tons of courses but its disjointed and they don't add up to a full degree.

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Double and triple thanks to all of you who participated. All of your comments were passionate, heartfelt, and most of all honest... It is really impressive to read, and I appreciate all of you~

8/17/08

The Million Dollar Friend Award




"You are never a burden.. don't ever think that. Friends need each other to pick them up when they are down and I would do nothing less. "
Dawn Drover~


This phrase was written in an e-mail I received at one of my lowest moments. My dear friend Dawn Drover from Twisted Sister was responding to a comment I wrote to her in an e-mail.

Dawn is a gifted writer with a great sense of humor, but she is also one of those people who instinctively knows what it means to be a good friend; this kind of person makes you look forward to the days ahead and fondly remember the days that have passed.


Therefore, I think her words nicely define the sentiment behind The Million Dollar Friend Award. In the last few months I've been too ill to write much on A Nice Place In The Sun and everyone's support really helped me remember how great people can be.

We remember the value of friendship in times of hardship, so I wanted all of you to know that your actions made a difference- Therefore, in keeping with the spirit of friendship, I decided to bring back The Million Dollar Friend Award, in an effort to show my gratitude. Many of you already have The Million Dollar Friend Award so I made it look a little different, or more childish anyway. Now others will think that you are one terrific friend and you're probably thinking how immature some grown woman can be... (meaning me) but I had to make the graphic different because it's a different award.

Moving on, I've tried to include everyone, but if you have left a comment, wrote a post, or posted a get well wish, and you are not nominated for an award, please let me know. Because I will be upset if I overlooked anyone, especially someone who went out of their way to wish me well. And...if you are not listed here, but you are on my blogroll, it's an oversight and please let me know, because of course you are nominated. Basically, everyone is nominated for this award, however, I wanted to especially recognize everyone who has been supportive over the last few months.

Also, you do not have to receive a Million Dollar Friend Award to nominate other blogs, but please respect the wording in the paragraph and link back to the blog who passes it to you, along with the original links.

If you have some million dollar friends you would like to pass this award to be sure to copy and paste the following paragraph with a link to Twisted Sister to acknowledge her words that touched me in my e-mail and I'm sure touched you.

Also include a link to A Nice Place In The Sun where the award originated. I have included both the links to Twisted Sister and A Nice Place In The Sun within the paragraph to go along with the award.


In addition, if you would like to include what a million dollar friend means to you, please feel free to do so, it will make each bloggers post interesting and exciting to read.


To pass The Million Dollar Award to your million dollar friends, copy and paste the award image along with the original paragraph below~ (click on blog names for the links)

Start Copy---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You are never a burden.. don't ever think that. Friends need each other to pick them up when they are down and I would do nothing less. "
Dawn Drover~ Twisted Sister

A Million Dollar Friend is the
kind of person who instinctively knows what it means to be a good friend; this kind of person makes you look forward to the days ahead and fondly remember the days that have passed.

A Nice Place In The Sun

End copy------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now, post your nominees and what a million dollar friend means to you. And that's it.

I decided not to include any rules since my friends generally aren't rule followers. :)


And speaking of friends, along with an award nomination, I would like to dedicate The Million Dollar Friend Award to a few bloggers who have become dear friends to me throughout my first year of blogging. I've written 448 posts since July of last year, and I thank all of you for helping me survive and enjoy every minute of it. Here are some of my first friends...

Dawn, from Twisted Sister without whose laughter and inspiration I couldn't survive... My dear friend Sandee at Comedy Plus who is a daily ray of sunshine. Sandee's golden spirit shines through every comment she's written on my blog since I've known her, especially lately...and she is another perfect example of a Million Dollar friend. Sandee practically helped me build my blog and is always there to cheer me on, correct me, or give me a pat on the back, and this time she was here to tell me to "Get some rest and do for you," and every comment ended with "Big hug and lotsa of lovies"

So Sandee, Big hug and lotsa lovies back to you honey, everybody loves you, including me.

Another great example is Maunie, whose daily comments made me laugh and kept my spirits up...thanks Maunie- I appreciate you, and big hug and lotsa lovies to you too~`


Ferd, thanks for the words of encouragement. And Bud, I love your repeated comments or your comments when you decided to add something else, but your words became entangled; I don't know if you were trying to be funny but they were hilarious. Speedy, thank you for remembering that I ask my readers every Saturday what song they're singing today, and for being you~ No matter how bad I felt it made me think of a song. Sue, thanks for stopping by to wish me well and make me laugh, Turnip, at Turnip of Power, Mel at Monday Morning Power, everyone at The Blue Ribbon Bloggers, Christy at Christys Coffee Break, Dan at dcr blogs, Aussie at Aussie Cynic, Meleah , Ettarose, Jackie, Chilly,

Special thanks to Dawn from Twisted Sister and Bud from WTIT Radio Blog for creating and displaying their spectacular "Get Well Annie" banners, and to Sandee at Comedy Plus, Broadway Matron, and Ferd from Crazy Medical Cases for posting them in their sidebars.

Also, a special thanks to the bloggers who sent get well wishes in their posts, and again if I've missed anyone please please let me know. We can blame it on technorati, then I will add your post immediately. First, Dawn from Twisted Sister blew me away by wishing me get well wishes and posting the lyrics and video to my favorite song Only Time, by Enya. I was beside myself with gratitude and in tears.

In addition, thanks to e?e, (I tried, but I cannot write the symbol :(

So, let's try it this way, thank you Watching and Writing for mentioning me in your post People in Need.

It was a kind and thoughtful gesture and it helped, also, thanks to Robert at Black Tie and Sneakers for his post Sunday Sing Along.

In closing, I was impressed with everyone who continued to purchase my ads and drop on my Entrecard. I will not forget your kindness, and I'll catch up with my purchases and begin dropping on your cards as often as possible. I've tried to include as many of your links as possible, but if you're an Entrecard member, please consider yourself nominated.


And The Million Dollar Friend Award nominees are...


Sandee at Comedy Plus
Dawn at Twisted Sister
Eric at Speedcat Hollydale Page
Bud at WTIT Tape Radio
(the blog)
Ferd at CrazyMedicalCases
Dan at dcr Blogs
The Blue Ribbon Bloggers
Aussie at Aussie Cynic
Margaret at Travelin' Show
Meleah at Momma Mia, Mea Culpa
Sue from Farvel Cargo
Arv at Thoughts On The Wall
Turnip at Turnip of Power
FeeFiFoto Blog
Robert at Black Tie And Sneakers
ettarose- edgeofsanity
Extremely Funny
The World of Silly Willy And Fluffy
Broadway Matron
Paulas Playground
Christy at Christys Coffee Break
Jackie from The Painted Veil
Mimi from Mimi Writes
Jennifer at Robin's Woods
Abelle at Only In Silence
Kim at Purple frogcat
Sugar Queens Dream
Chilly at On The Bricks
Jennifer at Down River Drivel
Jude at Mature Not Senile
Mariuca at Mariuca's Perfume Gallery
Laura at That Grrl
Kathy at The Junk Drawer
Mo at It's a Blog Eat Blog World
Claire at A Little Piece Of Me
Babs at Beetle Blog
Henson at Henson's Hell
Daisy at Daisy the Curly Cat
OMYWORD! Did I say...
Beeker's Words
Tricia at Tricia's Musings
Deb at Deb on the Rocks
Scott at Wildclips
Mel at Monday Morning Power
AmyOops at AmyOops!
Margie and Edna at Margie and Edna's Basement
Maunie at Mauniejames2.blogspot.com

My cat Simon insisted on being nominated for The Million Dollar Friend Award. (I didn't nominate him for the last one)
I'm sorry, he just doesn't understand, and he threatened to knock down everything on my kitchen counter if I didn't nominate him. I took this photo awhile back for a post. I caught him red-handed in my chair. He kept looking away from the camera like I couldn't see him if he couldn't see me, so he still thinks he got away with it.








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Motherhood- Courage


Motherhood is an art impossible to explain, one which requires a vast sea of love, devotion, compassion, and understanding, unmatched by any affection we will ever know again.- Ann Clemmons

Courage-

Courage



Humor-

Humor


Words-

Words are the core of our souls, without written, vocal or lyrical expression we lose sight of one another or worse, ourselves. Words bring forth the essence of the human spirit; so express yourself without abandon.

Ann Clemmons

Favorite Phrase

I remember I used to half believe and wholly play with fairies when I was a child. What heaven can be more real than to retain the spirit-world of childhood, tempered and balanced by knowledge and common-sense...

Beatrix Potter’s Journal, 17 November 1896, from the National Trust collection.

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The Storyteller, by Dawn Drover

Alone in her world
of make believe
weaving her stories
of magic and light

She brings joy
to the eyes
of innocent minds
less jaded and free

For only they know
what's in her heart
holding the secrets
she guards so well

Life's hidden mysteries
belong to those
whose wisdom and truth
shine on in imagination


Written for Ann
~Dawn Drover~

Of The Horoscope Junkie




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Most of the worlds' great things were born of adversity and hardship; because these roadblocks encourage us to dream, imagine and believe.- Ann Clemmons

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In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since.

Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.”'


F. Scott Fitzgerald. (Lines from The Great Gatsby)
"A Southerner Talks Music"

Mark Twain

"A book must be the ax for the frozen sea inside us."

Franz Kafka

An author values a compliment even when it comes from a source of doubtful competency.

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