Friends

Wow!



That's all I can say.



Just, well, wow!



It's been award frenzy of late at the Sister site. I have just received the latest...a "friend" award from one of my newest friends, Holly over at 504 Main . What I am thrilled about is that my new friend finds my blog charming enough to bestow this honor and for that I am humbled.

The rules of this award a simple:

*This award is to be bestowed on blogs that are exceedingly charming.
*These kind bloggers aim to be and find friends.
*They are not interested in self aggrandizement.
*Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated.
*Please give more attention to these writers.
*Deliver this award to other bloggers who must choose others to pass it on to and include this "cleverly written" text into the body of their award.

I'd like to pass this award on to Michelle Keith over at The Domestic Mama, to Luis over at The Muddy Runner, and to Diedra over at Jumping Tandem. They are all wonderful blogs that I sincerely hope you will take the time to check out.

Over the Top!

What a wonderful day this has been! I opened my email and SURPRISE! I've been given another award! This award came from one of my newest BBF (best bloggy friends) over at Life Laugh Latte and also from one of my oldest and dearest blogging buddies, Willoughby at This Stop Willoughby. If you haven't already, you should really check out their sites. Willoughby is presently hosting a marvelous cocktail party and there is a sidesplitting, ongoing discourse about tampons and pads over at Life Laugh Latte (sorry guys...girl humor)

In my agreement to accept this award I am suppose to give one word answers to the following questions. I warn you, though, that to respond to anything with one word is difficult at best for me. I always feel the need to "explain" everything but I'll do my darndest.

1. Where is your cell phone? Charging

2. Your hair? Pick one: Thick, thinning or from a bottle

3. Your mother? Faraway

4. Your father? Ditto

5. Your favorite food? Lamb

6. Your dream last night? Strange. Okay, my dreams are always on the weird side. I happen to recall a snippet of last night's dream that I just have to share. In this dream my son removed his leg, which happened to be a foil wrapped leg of lamb, and ran it through the price scanner at the grocery store. I was miffed because we were running late for the hockey game. Ha! I'd like some psychologist try and figure that one out!

7. Your favorite drink? Wine

8. Your dream/goal? Mountain cabin

9. What room are you in? Bonus (aka the "home school room")

10. Your hobby? Cooking (and running)

11. Your fear? Snakes

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Retired

13. Where were you last night? Pool

14. Something you aren't? Vindictive

15. Muffins? Savory

16. Wish list item? KitchenAid

17. Where did you grow up? Kansas (literally), after kids (figuratively)

18. Last thing you did? Mop

19. What are you wearing? T-shirt

20. Your TV? Complicated

21. Your pets? Daisy, the rescued lab

22. Your friends? Blessings

23. Your life? Happy

24. Your mood? Content

25. Missing someone? Brother

26. Vehicle? Toyota

27. Something you're not wearing? Make-up

28. Your favorite store? Bargain

29. Your favorite color? Tie: Purple/Blue

30. When was the last time you last time you laughed? Recently

31. Last time you cried? Friday (during Mass)

32. Your best friend? Loyal

33. One place that you go over and over? Bathroom

34. One person who emails you regularly? Sisters

35. Favorite place to eat? Jamaica

I'd like to pass this award on to the following blogs I feel are particularly deserving:

The Muddy Runner

Marvelously Mundane

Tattoos and Teething Rings

Who Has the Thyme

Yesterday's Tomorrow

This Stop Willoughby

Katie's Korner

A Dash of Life

One Step at a Time

These blogs have been with me from the very beginning, giving me support, providing me with marvelous insights and lots of laughter and love. God bless them all!

The "Write" Stuff Blogging Award

Today is Award Day on The 5th Sister.

I was reflecting upon how I got started with all of this blog business. Funny thing is that I really had no intention of blogging...EVER! Gradually, I was exposed to certain blogs of interest through other networking sites I was an active participant on. All Recipe's Recipe Exchange was the most influential. That is where I discovered The Pioneer Woman, Cake Wrecks and other blogs of note being discussed by the exchange members.

During this time, I helped launch a continuing thread on the Recipe Exchange that related to a dream I had about running a race in Africa. These thread of posts detailed our virtual safari through Africa, beginning in Cairo, Egypt and ending in Johannesburg, S. Africa. Members, interested in getting fit, logged their miles that they either ran, walked, hiked, biked, stair-stepped, ellipticalled, rowed or swam. We were able to complete our trek in just 4 short months! Pounds were shed, muscles were defined and friends were made along during this virtual journey! We all had such a great time that we are now in the process of a virtual North American Tour, stretching from coast to coast with a foray into Canada to visit our Canadian friends.

I also began following a particular blog during the aforementioned trek. This on line journal was about one person's endeavor to change their lifestyle from a sedentary one of obesity and ill health to one of fitness, healthy eating and weight loss. I followed this person with great interest as they trained to fulfill one goal to the next. This person's honesty and wit made a strong impact on me and helped inspire and motivate me to do the same as well.


This person's blog gave me the impetus to take ownership over my own state of health. I have lost over 15 lbs. since last summer and can now run a mile in under 10 minutes following the training advice on their blog. Reading their blog made me consider how beneficial it might be for me to pen my own on-line journal. Maybe I, as well, would see improvements in my body, health and mind along the way. That was how my blog was born. Okay, so I have a tendency to ramble on and muse about a variety of topics, but it's a start, right?


In addition to their blog, this person was instrumental in getting both the African Safari and North American Tour exchange threads up and running smoothly...documenting miles and distance...keeping us all on track! This particular blogger was (and still is) a partner and the biggest fan of these threads. He/She busily encourages us along our journey: through funny posts and links to photos of where we are at any particular moment.


Without further ado, I am pleased to announce that the very 1st recipient of The "Write" Stuff award is Luis Bueno of The Muddy Runner.

It may not be a "pretty" award, but it is given with great respect.

You, too, may be the bearer of this award. The rules are simple:

1. Determine what ONE blog has had the most influence on you and your decision to begin your own blogging endeavors.


2. Post about this blog on your site, along with a copy of this award.


3. Let the honoree know of their award by commenting on his/her blog.


4. You may only give out this award ONCE and to only ONE recipient.




5. A particularly influential recipient, may, however, receive the award more than once.



6. The recipient is to acknowledge the award in a brief post on their blog.

Honest Scrap

I am truly humbled to have won another blogging award. This time Raouly's Girl and Gracey nominated me for the "Honest Scrap" award. The rules are as follows:

1. Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design.

2. Show the 7 winners names and links on your blog, and leave a comment informing them that they were prized with "Honest Scrap."

3. List at least 10 honest things about yourself.

When I began my blog, I revealed 7 things about myself that somewhat fit into this category. You can find that list here. I will now add 3 more to this list to make it 10.

1. I enjoy red wine probably a bit too much. It is my only vice and that is the reason I have made the "sacrifice" of giving it up for Lent.

2. I have 2 patron saints: St. Veronica, my chosen confirmation name, as legend has it, is the woman who wipes the face of Jesus, with her veil, while He was on His way to Calvary. I chose her because of her great courage and compassion. It is my hope that I can incorporate these traits into my own life in how I deal with others, especially in my line of work. My 2nd Patron Saint was selected for me by Marianne, at her blog. Marianne's charism lead her to choose St. Martha for me. Oh, how I am so like Martha...always busy, busy, busy with the tedium of everyday tasks. Her worrisome nature and distraction keeps her from focusing on the truly important: listening to and being with Jesus. Fortunately, Martha learns her lesson. While grieving the death of her brother, Lazarus, she hears that Jesus is near. She immediately leaves her guests, leaves her mourning, and goes to greet Him. She demonstrates faith and courage when she states, clearly, without a doubt that she believes in Jesus' power, in the resurrection and that Jesus is truly the Son of God. Jesus then goes on to raise Lazarus from the dead. The beauty of Martha is in the simple passage that states "Martha served". She isn't in the spotlight. She doesn't grab attention to herself. She simply serves Jesus. Beautiful. That is how it should be. Then why do we find it so hard to do so? I hope and pray to achieve this level of faith and servitude in my spiritual journey.

3. I am truly happy. It's funny. I was at work this past weekend and one of the ICU nurses asked: "Are you always this happy?". I had to consider this. After a few moments of pondering I had to honestly reply, "Yes, I am." It wasn't always this way, but that is fodder for another post. Suffice it to say, marrying a dear, dear man, having children and converting to Catholicism showed me, as what Martha learned above, what is truly important in life. By living outside of "self" I found true happiness.

As often as you can during the day, recall your mind to the presence of God. Consider what God is doing, what you are doing. You will always find God’s eyes fixed on you in unchangeable love.

Saint Francis de Sales

I thank you both, Raouly and Gracey, for this opportunity to share with others, the importance of faith in my life.

Now to my nominations. I recently nominated several blogs for the Blogging With a Purpose Award. For the Honest Scrap award I do not have 7 to nominate but, instead, only two:

Katie from Katie's Corner

I nominated her for her honest and touching portrayal of living life with Crohn's Disease. Great blog, Katie!

Eric and Angela from Red-Brown Hound

For the honest humor and wit portrayed on their blog, especially regarding their most recent adoption. Please don't let it be so long between posts!

I am Honored

Imagine my surprise when I checked my blog today. I was nominated for the Blogging with a Purpose award by 4 bloggers of whom I have the utmost respect: Willoughby from This Stop Willoughby, Rauly's Girl from Who has the Thyme, Gracey from Dash of Life and Tats from Tattoos and Teething Rings. In accepting this award I must follow the rules which are as follows:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude.
3. Be sure to link your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know they have received the award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received this award.

And so I will. I nominate the following 10 blogs, in no particular order. I always find them either fun, inspiring, thought provoking and/or motivating (Drumroll please):

The Muddy Runner

One Healthy Mama

A Dash of Life

Who Has the Thyme

This Stop Willoughby

Tattoos and Teething Rings

The Ordinary Housewife

Looking Beyond Food

Pam-Fried Family Life

Yesterday's Tomorrow