My blog turned 3 months old in April and was awarded with 3 different awards. I love balance! I am honored and humbled. I only learned at the end of March that blog awards were a thing. To receive one myself is such a privilege, especially when they were awarded by such wonderful and respected bloggers. I am sorry it took me so long to get these posts together! Let’s start with the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. This is the first time I’ve paid an award forward. Hopefully I get this right…

I was very excited to receive this nomination from Joe Bradshaw at Iamforchange and Art inspired and created from the heart. Joe follows so many talented bloggers that I was stunned to even be noticed. Thank you, Joe, for introducing me to blogging awards and so generously nominating me.

7 Things About Me:
1. I have a paralyzing fear of mice. This is not your stereotypical, stand on the couch and scream, type of fear. This is all consuming, voice stealing, tear inducing, panic attack causing, fear. I know how ridiculous it is and still can’t control it.
2. I do not like to drive, at all. I try to never do it.
3. I planned to leave my day job last summer but was laid off before I could give them my notice. While going out on my terms would have been a mental victory, going out on theirs was a bit of a financial windfall. I’ll take it.
4. Despite not doing any creative writing whatsoever for 15 years, I decided last December to write full time instead of returning to my career. (good riddance, I say)
5. I bought my first home as a single mother of 2, 16 years ago. We still live in that house today.
6. I am an American football junkie. I never miss a Detroit Lions game. I watch the Red Zone channel from the minute it goes live until the second it goes dark every Sunday during the regular season. We take an annual trip to Vegas during the season so I can bet on games. I manage two fantasy football teams and run a fantasy football league.
7. I can read tarot cards. I own a real crystal ball. I collect magic wands.

Here are my nominees for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award:

1. Dennis Cardiff: Gotta Find a Home *This was an easy choice. If you haven’t read his blog, pick any entry. You will be inspired.
2. Jeremy Farmer: jeremytheboypoet *What a brave and incredible journey. Jeremy’s strength is inspiring.
3. Richard Ankers: RichardAnkersWrites *Richard’s talent and use of many different forms of poetry has inspired much of my own work.
4. AB: Perspectives on Life, Universe and Everything *The images alone are enough to inspire. Then he puts his words to them and they are breathtaking.
5. Payton: HealthSmartMomma *Payton is young, ambitious and beautifully navigating a very challenging and busy life. She inspires promise and hope.

(I could go on with nominations forever, but this is a very solid group of inspiring bloggers. Plus, I have a couple more awards to distribute today.)

Rules for this Award:

1. Thank the person who nominated you.
2. Add the Very Inspiring Blogger Award to your post.
3. Share 7 things about yourself.
4. Nominate a list of bloggers that inspire you.
5. Include this set of rules.
6. Inform your nominees by posting a comment on their blogs.

I understand that not everybody chooses to participate in awards. That’s cool. Just know that you are read and respected, even if you decline.  Much love to all!

I was nominated for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award by Jody at Jody’s Scribbles. Honestly though it is I who should be awarding her. Her blog is uplifting, she touches on sensitive topics with grace, she is a gifted wordsmith. You must click the link and check her work out.

Here are my nominees for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award:

1. Jenny In Neverland
2. Love From Tara
3. Laura Macky
4. My Invisible Crown
5. kendraballesteros

(So many gifted women here on WordPress. I do hope I get the chance to pay forward more awards in May because my list is certainly longer than this.)

Rules for this Award:

• Link to the blogger who nominated you and say thanks.
• Nominate blogs that you find a joy to read.
• Link to the nominees and tell them about the nomination.
• Include the award logo in your blog post.
• Answer the same ten questions I’ve answered below.

1. What is your favorite color? Purple I guess is my favorite, but I also love yellow, silver, red, blue…

2. What is your favorite animal? I have dogs and cats. I can’t pick between them, so both.

3. What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink? Cherry 7-Up

4. Do you prefer Facebook or Twitter? Twitter I think. It changes with the wind.

5. What is your favorite pattern? I like geometrical patterns.

6. Do you prefer getting or giving presents? I prefer giving them for sure.

7. What is your favorite number? 27 ~ my birth date and my favorite roulette number

8. What is your favorite day of the week? Saturday, the first of 2 full days that I get to spend with my husband.

9. What is your favorite flower? Orchids, they’re bright, colorful, and fairly easy to keep alive.

10. What is your passion? Easy, Writing!

I understand that not everybody chooses to participate in awards, and that’s ok! I still think you should know that you’re read and enjoyed immensely. Love & hugs!

I was nominated for the Shine On Award by Jez Farmer of The Boi Poet and jeremytheboypoet. Check out his blogs. They are brilliantly written, surprisingly educational, and incredibly brave. To say that I was flattered to receive a nomination from such a powerful blogger would be a serious understatement. Thank you again!

7 Things About Me:
1. I spend an inordinate amount of time playing video games.
2. My memory is horrible. The iPhone changed my life (when I remember to use it to set reminders).
3. I’m pretty sure my 110+ year old house is haunted.
4. I suffered a fairly serious back injury in 2012 that resulted in surgery and almost 6 months of recovery. Through all of it, I missed only 1 week of work (the pro & con of working from home).
5. I was promoted on my job last July. I was laid off rather unceremoniously a month later when they eliminated my new position during downsizing. This left me with an extra 60+ hours per week to kill. I decided to fill at least some of that time with writing.
6. I collect movies. I would rather own the DVD or BluRay than go to the theater.
7. I love Las Vegas. My husband and I were married there. We vacation there at least once per year, sometimes more.

Here are my nominees for the Shine On Award:

1. SFoxWriting’s Blog
2. Brendan Cole – Writer
3. stgreenie
4. Contortum Designs
5. From a Clogged Mind

(This would be easier if I could just nominate everybody that I follow. I do follow them all for a reason.)

Rules for this Award:

1. Display the award logo on your blog.
2. Link back to the person who nominated you.
3. State 7 things about yourself
4. Nominate other bloggers for this award and link to them.
5. Notify those bloggers of the nomination and the award requirements.

I understand that not everybody chooses to participate in awards. I have no problem with that! Please just know that I read what you write and it leaves an impression on me. Much love!