AWARDS

Kreativ Blogger Award and THE No Strings attached award!!

Thanks to the cool cat Angeline Trevena and the energegic and fun Carrie Sorensen from Chasing Revery for the Kreativ Blogger Awards!

And wow! A bunch of thanks to the always entertaining, EJ Wesley for the No Strings Attached Award. Whoo Hoo!!
 Got my tractor purring, they did.

So in order to accept the first award the rules are to get off my horse and:

1. Thank and link back to the person who presented  the award to little old me. So a million thanks ANGELINE and CARRIE!
2. Answer the questions below: Exciting I know.
3. Share ten random facts/thoughts about yourself. Yup, can't wait for that.
4. Nominate seven worthy blogs for the Kreativ Blogger Award. Only 7?

---

What is your favourite song? Depends what I'm doing. 
Working on Finding Balance? Anything Nickelback will do.
Working on Surviving the Storm? Firehouse is better
Working on getting lucky? Metallica please. 

What is your favourite dessert? Anything CHOCOLATE. yum.

What ticks you off? People who think money is a goal. 

When you're upset what do you do? Write.

Black or White? Damn now that I got chocolate on my brain it's all I can think about. They both rock.

Which is/was your favourite pet? My St Bernard handles all my editing. When my work comes back drooled all over, I know I got gold.

What is your biggest fear? Kryptonite. I married Superman.

What is your attitude mostly? People say I'm a little too laid back, but that's because 90% of my day, I'm in a fantasy. The other 10, I'm trying you convince you to join me.

What is perfection? Lounge chair, Nickelback, beer, laptop, a light breeze, and a kickass idea. No need to explain, just join me you'll get the idea what perfection feels like in a hurry.

What is your guilty pleasure? mmmm. perfection.

Thanks EJ Wesley 
from The Open Vein

10 random things? 

1.I have no problem picking up snakes.

2.Mice scare me, even if I know where they are.

3.I find the first snow fall of the year to be the happiest day ever. No reason, it just is.

4.My birthdays always make me sad. No reason, they just do.

5.I feel the urge to let you all know that EJ WESLEY has a blog that just rocks, so if you're not following, you might want to check out his world.

6.My dog isn't actually my editor, that was a joke, when she drools on my work, I wipe it off.

7.I once took my dog for a walk, but forgot her in the house. yes. i did that. 

8.When I was in high school, I could high jump over my height. In fact I went to provincials and won a ribbon. I had to look up at my competition.

9.Someone told me I had to eat an entire strawberry pie if I wanted to be a real Reimer and not just married to one.

10.I am a real Reimer.

And now to pass the award on so you can learn some more about some of your other fellow bloggers:

Christine Bryant at Day Dreamer
JE Fritz at Still Writing
Chantele Sedgwick at My Writing Bug
Meradeth Houston at Write Stuff
Loralie Hall at Apathy's Hero
Liz at Laws of gravity
Regina at Unsettled

Lucky 7 Meme Award

I was tagged a few times in this fun game for writers. Yes, you do have to be insane to play!!!! Can't wait! 
Thank you Vicki from Writ of Whimsy 
and Teresa from Dreamers, lovers, and star voyagers


The Lucky 7 Meme Award Rules:

1. Go to page 77 of your current manuscript.
2. Go to line 7.
3. Copy the next 7 lines on your blog as they're written. No cheating!
4. Tag 7 other writers to pass this meme on to.

Congrats to these Lucky 7 winners who get to do the same if they are up for the challenge:

1. Miss Cole Seeks Publisher

2. Jan Morrison

3. Write Brained

4. My First Book

5.Sierra's Writing Adventure

6.Seeking the write Life

7.The Character Depot

You Lucky Seven have been officially tagged!

Happy Writing! And yes, all comments are welcome.

Celebrating a Year!

Happy Blogoversary to Life's like that! *insert cheers of shock and excitement here, maybe a few oooohs and ahhhs too*

Oh my. I did it. There were moments where I had my doubts I'd survive a year out here. For those of you who don't know how much can happen in 365 days, you've never followed a blog.

I survived a crusade. I sent my blog to hell, brought it back, and showed others how to do so. I interviewed some impressive (and some insane) writers- yeah you know who you are. I met great writers, agents, publishers, crit partners, won all sorts of cool things including an honorable mention or two, and made real friends- yeah you know who you are. Most importantly, I learnt what BTW and LMAO mean. (my sister got a kick out of it each time I texted her in a panic with a new set of oddly used letters. Thanks sis for your patience with me.)

And that's just my blogging world. The real world was still spinning around me making me dizzy. Yikes eh?

The odds of me surviving this year without my family, blogging buddies, and readers encouraging me would have been zip. So!I'm celebrating by giving out an award to the first 20 still active bloggers who left comments on my blog.

Thanks Richard!!!
Thanks Elizabeth!!!

I've been honored with the "Great Comments Award" twice! By RICHARD HUGHES from Writing and Living by Richard Hughes and by Elizabeth Varadan's Fourth Wish.

Richard was my first real blogging buddy. We grew together. We learnt together. And I'm glad we found each other because it can be a scary world to face alone. He leaves many Great Comments which I look forward to each week. So often I hear that if you just be yourself, if you support others, and if you have something to say that is honest and genuine, that you will go far out here. Richard is that blogger. His site is not only impressive, it's my other home. I love to sit and chat with Richard. So thanks for the great award and for sharing my journey with me this year.

Elizabeth and I have been commenting back and forth since last March. March! I had to look it up, I knew it'd been a long time but geesh. No wonder it feels like I learnt I lot from her. I did. Elizabeth's site is very warm and inviting, and she brings that with her in all her comments. She teaches, she shares, and she's just all around fun. She's great at feeding my addictions; always has a book suggestion or is just a plain living example of what it takes to be a writer-- heart and soul, dedication and love, passion and motivation, friends and family. I hang out at her place a fair amount too. So thanks for the great award, makes me feel a little less stalker and a little more friend. Thanks for sharing the magic with me this year.

As for all you other commenters... Love Love Love to have you stop by. Everyone teaches me something new, makes me smile, and brings my words to life in a new way. Yes. I am just a fool blogging to myself without you!

As for all you readers who don't leave comments-- hugs, and thanks for reading me. It leaves me with a warm feeling inside to know you stopped by.

So these are the gems who came to visit me and left comments on my blog, back when I had zero followers. They all left great comments that led to wonderful debates, conversations, and friendships!

1- PK HREZO                                   2-Liz Arroyo from Chandara Writes   
3-Regina from Unsettled                      4-Beth from My Characters Lives
5-The Happy Whisk                            6-J.L. Campbell from The Character Depot
7-Betsy from Write Brain Mommy       8-Jayne Ferst from a Novice Novelist
9-Lynnette Labelle                              10-Donna Hosie from Musings of a Penniless Writer
11-Writing in a Nut Shell                     12-Catherine Awinn from the Writing Room
13-Lydia Shart from the Sharp Angle   14-Laurel from Unhinged... Seriously
15-DB Symith                                      16-Shelli from Market My Words
17-HowLynn Time                              18-Krista from Mother, Write. (Repeat.)
19-Carolyn from Serendipity                20-Lindz from Rapturous Randomocity

Now to accept this award one just needs to pass it on to another 20 bloggers whose comments you just love!

Oh. I am so not done.

Next, I was honored with two awards (last August, sorry for the delay, life was spinning around me!) from a dear friend over at Letters from Valentina Hepburn. Valentina's site is a great place to visit when you just need an escape. Her letters took me away on a little journey into the imagination. I never knew where. Oh my. I never knew where I'd end up. Once we were in some guy's place stealing his girlfriend's knicker's-- please don't ask why. hehe. Plus, she always knows just what to say to cheer me up when life makes me dizzy.

Thanks, Letters from Valentina Hepburn



Thanks, Letters from Valentina Hepburn



And so, I am passing them on to seven  eight (I couldn't cut it back) bloggers who are both versatile and sweet. All they need to do is thank me, and pass them on to 7 other deserving bloggers. Don't forget to share 7 things about yourself!!

Check them out, you'll see why I chose them and couldn't leave one out. Not one!! Wonderful sites! 

1. Duta from places with character                2. Cherie from Ready Write Go

3. Trisha from Words + Stuff                        4. Autumn Shelley at Conspiracy Cafe
5-Susan Kane from the Contemplative Cat   6-Erin Kane Spock from Hold on to Your Bloomers
7-Victoria Lindstrom from Writ of Whimsy   8-Teresa Cypher from dreamers, lovers and star voyagers

And here are the 7 fascinating things I learnt this year while blogging:
1- That it's one step from Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Yahoo groups, GoogleTalk, Skype, and Goodreads. What did I miss? Any other crap I need to sign into? Bring it on.

2- Blogging is really just writing in public. For a closet addict like me, not so easy to do. But! I am still here. A year later I've posted 63 times, and I now submit to several newspapers! I did it. Thank you for giving me the courage!

3- That every day I learn something amazing. 

4- That a writer is never alone. This one is really three things but they interlink;
        -Not only are other writing addicts out there-- some are worse than me. Sharing with them kept me motivated.
        -My wonderful family doesn't get why I write daily (heck, neither do I), yet they support me. They help me make time to write when there is none. They turn me back to the computer when I announce that I am done and they read with me so I have someone to talk with about my passion.
        -A writer needs only one other thing-- readers. This is the magic.

5- That I have more stories to tell than time to tell them. Does that even make sense? Probably not, but you get it, right? Thought so.


6- That I know very strange things. Like how to kill an immortal, and how to make shirts with my characters on them to motivate me when I feel like quitting. (no wonder I have no time, eh?)

7-I have no idea what "no" means anymore. Staring at the pile of rejections I got this year, really, I should have an idea what "no" means. I should. But! I don't. Do you?


7 1/4- I can do whatever I want on my blog, it's mine. Get your own and send me the link.

7 1/2 -(yes 1/2- see number 7 1/4 if this confuses you.) By the way, BTW does not mean Bitch That Writes. Sorry if I confused a few people with that one.

Oh my. What did you learn this year that stuck with you?

Happy New Year!

Bring it on

and

thanks for not only sharing the magic with me

but making it happen.

One Sweet Award and One Versatile Award

The one thing I LOVE about blogging is passing on the awards. Of course I can't do that unless I win one!!! Well, lucky duck, I won TWO!!
Thanks MARGO at Writing at High Altitude. Be sure to check out her great blog because she won these awards first!!

The rules are:

• Thank and link to the person who nominates you- check.
• Share seven random facts about you.- check 
• Pass the award along to 5 new-found blogging buddies.Contact those buddies to congratulate them.- check

7 things about me that prove I am versatile or irresistibly sweet or maybe not;
1- I live on granola bars, oreos, hot chocolate, and fruit and nut bars (the chocolate kind). -yum, this is the foundation for all things sweet, is it not?

2- I wrote 20 000 words for my new MS Soulmates of Freedom during 3 consecutive work days (not at work- let's make that clear).- yup juggling life and writing; oh so sweet, oh so versatile.

3- I once broke an egg on my brother's head because he pissed me off and when he told my mom on me, I convinced her that egg yolks were good for hair, and I was looking out for him because I loved him so much. - See how sweet I can be?

4- I once came face to face with a fox when I was running cross-country, and decided to let him pass. Softy that I am, I went another way. yeah.

5- I held a conversation with over a hundred different people at the community St Jean Baptiste Celebration last week, including their kids. yes i did. Yet! I haven't spoken one word to my neighbour in 2 years.

6- I no longer cut out the newspaper articles I submit, but I do make an effort to cut out any photos of my kids if they get in the paper. And at work, I scrapbook any photos or articles involving anyone from our community.

7- I wore mismatched socks for three days in a row. I doubt the wash will sort out my problem as my kids are doing laundry for the summer break. I don't have time to fish around for pairs in the morning, but no worries, I'm so sweet, no one is brave enough to comment on them anyway. ;)

5 6 new blogging buddies who inspire me because lately I really feel like NOT writing and just going to the beach with the other rockstars;

Reece Hanzon His writing is so powerful it gave me goosebumps on top of the goosebumps. Thanks for the inspiration.

Samantha Sotto Her stories and photos always give me the fou-rire- is there a word for that in English? (It means uncontrollable laughter that has you giggling like a nut on the floor and dialing all your friends to check out her site asap because it is just too perfect.) Thanks for the inspiration.

Richard Hughes from Writing and Living He always gives me something to think about, talk about, research, and write about. Thanks for the inspiration.

Summer Frey of Twenty Something She always makes me feel young again. Thanks for the inspiration.

Valentina Hepburn She always makes me smile, laugh, and man, does she tell freaking funny stories. Thanks for the inspiration.

Brooke Rousseau She writes great stories my kids love, and keeps me motivated to write my own, even when I'm pretty sure it'd be easier to pack up and go to the beach. Thanks for the inspiration.

Oops that's one too many! LOL. I could go on and on. You're all so sweet and versatile and these are just a FEW of the great bloggers out there who have kept me inspired these past few months!!! Thank you all so much for your great posts, your kind words, and your gentle nudges.

Versatile Blogger Award

Elizabeth from Chandara Writes gave me this kick-a award for being versatile. Wow, thanks. Be sure to check out her site, because she keeps me inspired. Any day when I just think, why for the love of writing do I continue?, her site is where I find myself. She will have something to motivate, to push me back into my writing chair, and to remind me that I am just a work in progress too. ; Thanks E. Arroyo!

And to keep sharing in the fun, the winners can

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

2. Share seven random facts about yourself.

3. Pass the award along to 5 blogging buddies.

4. Contact those buddies to congratulate them

7 facts about me that show how versatile I really am;

1. I once caught a falling cactus with my bare hands. I KNOW!

2. I speak, read , and write in French and English.

3. At work, I am the janitor, the cook, the waitress, the bookkeeper, the painter, the web designer, the reporter, the photographer, the programmer, and once, I even cleaned out the rain gutters. Yeah, I am that gal.

4. I normally talk on the phone while I fold laundry.

5. I currently have 40 unpublished posts because I have that many ideas I have no time to spell-check.

6. I know how to catch a rabbit.

7. I once drove a car without brakes down a very steep slope, across a one lane bridge, in a snow storm. Do not try this at home- I am versatile.

Now 5 sites that I find versatile, and exciting to visit;

Kinley Baker

Waiting on the Muse

Darke Conteur

Left brained by Day; Write Brained- All the Time

Brooke Rousseau

Okay, I have to admit, 5 was NOT enough, but these are the first five that jumped off my sidebar. Have fun passing it on. And check them out because they all rock!!

One Lovely Blog Award

I was gone for a month and don't even have a funny story to share about it. So I thought I'd share an award instead.

Samantha from the Slight Detour presented me with this lovely blog award. Thank you so much Samantha, it's beautiful, is it not? Samantha has a fun fun fun blog. AND! Her book will be released by Crown/Random House on August 2! Now, it's worth checking out. I can't wait to get my hands on it. But! I won't ruin the discovery for you, pass by her place and go on an adventure with her yourself.

Now the fun thing about awards is passing them on. There are so many deserving sites, but here are six gals who I'd like to single out as having lovely blogs. Be sure to discover their loveliness for yourself.

Vicki Tremper (VB Tremper)
Margo (Writing at High Altitude)
Eileen Wiedbrauk (Speak Coffee to Me)
E.C. Smith (E.C.s Ramblings)
Autumn Shelley (Magick, Alchemy and Love)
Brooke Rousseau (Brooke Rousseau)

Thanks for the visit.

Awards! Who Said Living In a Fantasy Wasn't Fun?

HOLY TRACTORS! I won two awards. TWO. For being stylish while I sit here in my long johns, my toenails blue from the cold!! Yup baby, that's style.       ok, so I'm not in my long johns, but it is chilly, I should be.

Vicki Tremper presented me with this stylish blogger award. Thanks Vicki!!!Her site is so much fun. Vicki has been on incredible adventures. I love her stories, her ideas, her fun love of life, and her writing is an inspiration. Be sure to stop by and visit my new friend. It'll be fun, she always has a tale to tell. Ah stories.
.

Witless Exposition at Cerebral Lunchbox presented me with this styling award.

Jessica is a fellow crusader and we landed in the same group, which means we have a few things in common. That we do. We love urban fantasy, video games, great books, and our dogs-  despite their drooling faults. Check out our Interview here! Her site is one of my homes away from home, so be sure to check out my new buddy, and share in her discussions, she brings life to everything with great photos and details. Thanks Jessica!!!

OK. So on to accepting these awards. I made two lists, about myself;

SEVEN THINGS THAT CONFUSE ME and why

and

SEVEN THINGS I HATE and why

turns out they were exactly the same so here they are, summed up in one list.

1- War. How is this fun?
2- Competitive sports for kids. Why is this fun?
3- Parents who take sports for their kids tooooo seriously. Who forgot this was for the little gaffers? Cripes.
4- Query letters. Why did all my fun end here?
5- Dogs that bark in the middle of the night. Why for the love of all things written don't they sleep? not.fun.
6- Socks with holes. I just don't get why one always wears out before the other. (I always wear two socks. It just doesn't make sense and frustrates me.)
7- The fact that everything I cook burns. I just don't get how I burnt mac and dogs. I really don't.

And now. I pass this award onto 15 unsuspecting stylish bloggers. Again, I did this twice, turned out to be the same ones! 

They all deserve a peek if you aren't following. If you are; yay!
All winners-- pick up your award and pass it on, give me praise and tell us 7 things about yourself. Go.
Life of Lois
Write on
Reading, Writing, Romance
The Girdle of Melian
Life, Love & Living in France
Literary Coldcuts on Toasty Buns
Ali Cross
Imagination Investigation
The Queen of Procrastination
Making It Up
Conversations with Self
Pensive Sarcasm
Carrie Keeps Typing
My Comfy Chair
Chris Phillips - Slushpile Savant

Stylish Blogger Award

Thanks to E.C.'s Ramblings for this STYLISH award.

I am so new at all this blogging, that I'm sure I bring a real idiot-style to the team. It's all good, and everyone is patiently nice to me. THANK YOU.

Still, in one month I've learnt a lot. To receive this award I must confess 7 things about myself.
So, these are the 7 things I learnt or experienced in my first month as a blogger.

1. The pay is EXACTLY the same as I make for writing my novels, so I steal time from one habit to pay for the other habit. What a sweet deal.

2. I am so stylish, baby, I won the same award twice. Yeah.

3. I received an Honorable Mention in the Pay it Forwards contest for my Mid-grade novel, I Whisper Alone. (yes, I'm bragging, everyone who knows how wonderful that is, scream hooray for me!!) So far, no one but me is excited about this. No one. Nothing but a nod and a pat on the back. Still, I really really am tickled pink. Honorable Mentions are cool. I printed it up and framed it and everything ;)

4. I know more about people I will never meet than I do about the neighbors I've lived by for 15 years. I cried with my new friends, I laughed, I teased, I learnt from them, I taught them the weird things I know, and I can't wait to come back tomorrow and do it all again.

5. I joined a crusade, something I vowed to never do, I mean they rarely end well, and I hate dying for things I believe in. I mean, I really hate it. Yet, I'm excite, and it's fun so far. Weird.

6. I got an email asking my opinion on a WIP from a really cool doctor, and one asking if I was interested in a long distance romance (my husband thought it was funny that it was a woman asking this- he's still giggling about that too ;)

7. I learnt this week how to manage the 150 plus blogs I follow with google reader. (HERE) Thanks Rachael. Gee, I even learnt what BTW stands for. (By the way.--- last thing I expected it to represent.)

7 1/2. (that's right, and a half, my blog, my rules, suck it up buttercup.) I'm easily distracted, and have too many ideas. In fact, I have over 30 drafts waiting to be posted, and never get around to posting them because of contests, awards, and other really wicked things I just have to read.

I'm passing this award to a few of my new favourite stylish bloggers. Now to me, every blog has it's own unique style, but it would take too long to give it to everyone, so we do this the old fashion way. I went through 100 plus blogs, searching for who to give this award out to. Don't feel left out, you all rock, but well...  these stood out for a few fun reasons.
Check them out.

If you are the winner, to accept this, do these things, and be happy:
1.) Thank and link back to me, pick up your award and post it on your blog. Email me if you need instructions, I was clueless, and made a step by step checklist.

2.) State 7 things about yourself in a post

3.) Pass the award to 10-15 recently discovered bloggers

Oh and then, visit all the other winners, you won't regret it! (Ok so that's my rule, but I am giving you an award, geesh)

CHECK THESE AWARD WINNERS OUT!!!

Approaching Utopia  ok, so Charlie's been blogging for longer than me, but he's recently discovered in my world, and I love his site, it always makes me think, or rush out and try a death by chocolate coffee. Yum. Now that's style you just can't buy at Timmy's! (or Starbucks for you non Canadians ;))

Writing and Living by Richard P. Hughes ok, so Richard's been blogging for longer than me too (I really am the new kid, eh?) but again, his posts have always hit home. I love visiting his site, and have made it a habit I hope I never break. Ah, to sit among friends and chat about writing-- that's just my style.

Magick, Alchemy and love Autumn's style is so wicked. Makes me feel all tingling inside, and she writes about things I enjoy reading. (Who am I kidding, I'd read anything with words.) Still, check it out.

Writer's Blog  I only discovered Gina's site this week, so she's new in my new world. I really enjoyed her voice, her style of writing. Bet I visit her blog often.

Windchaser's Journey Norma's site jumped out at me. It's very stylish indeed, and she talks about life with a wonderful stylish voice that lures me in, which I love.

The Writing Garden Stephanie has a beautiful blog. It's probably the prettiest garden I've seen this week. (too be fair, there is about five feet of snow outside). Ah, just trust me and smell the daisies while you read, very unique, inspiring.

Porch Swing Chronicles Lisa's site is worth checking out. I enjoyed my visit there, and felt right at home. Well, the title alone lured me in, there's something homey about a porch swing, no? Home, that's my style.

The Open Vein I stopped by E.J. blog this week, and was so glad I did. I loved it! It's well made, with fun stylish sarcasm that rings true to me. Loooooved it and will be a regular, I'm sure.

The Insect Collector ok, the name of Katharine's blog says it all. Now that's style. It was so original, I stalked her for about half an hour, curious why her site was called that. It was time I should spend writing, but I don't get paid for that either, so it's all good.

The Guardian Writer I was at home at Melissa's site instantly. It's a fun place, she has a very creative style, and I'll be back to stalk her too.

Deborah Burns Deborah's posts usually jump out at me, with their fun style.  Pick up a writer's badge while you're there. Wear it with pride ;) Now. That alone is style I adore. Ah, fun.

Congrats to all the winners. Hope you have fun passing this award on, and checking out each other's sites.

Thanks for making me cry, laugh, or just for being a friend while I torture myself with my writing addiction.

Stylish Blogger Award

I was awarded this awesome award!

Thanks Elizabeth Arroyo of Chandrawrites! http://chandarawrites.blogspot.com/

So to accept this award I must
1.Thank and link back to the person who awarded it
2.Share 7 things about myself
3.Award 10 recently discovered great bloggers
4.Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award


Seven things about myself
Now since I've been so bummed this week, I decided to write 7 things that make me proud about myself.
Leave yours in the comments, might cheer me up.
In no order:
1. I survived pregnancy and childbirth- twice, and am about to undertake preteens.
2. I was class valedictorian and won a LT Governor Award that I gave to my mom since she's the only one who thinks that's cool.
3. I wrote ten novels and I'm still happily married.
4. I did three media interviews in one week about three different subjects
5. I made a website and a blog, even though I had no idea what I was doing
6. I can run like nobody's business, but chose not to
7. I live a rockstar life even though I can't sing and have no money.

Here are my ten bloggers! Check them out.
Flo of http://challenge-to-change.blogspot.com/
Lianne of http://lianneslifestylelog.com/
Lisa of http://lakemichigan37.blogspot.com/
Betsy of http://writebrainmommy.blogspot.com/
Karen Amanda of http://karenamandahooper.blogspot.com/
Summer of http://andthistimeconcentrate.blogspot.com/
Jaybe of http://jayneferst.blogspot.com/
Deirdra of http://astorybookworld.blogspot.com/
Regina of http://regina-unsettled.blogspot.com/
Norma of http://windchasersjourney.blogspot.com/

Thanks again!!