Thursday, January 31, 2008

"Nice Matters"...


I received a "Nice Matters Award" from my sister Krissy.  I am so humbled, honey.  Thank you.

This award was created by Genevieve Olsen of
Bella-Enchanted who says this:

"This award will be awarded to those that are just nice people, good blog friends and those that inspire good feelings and inspiration!  Those that care about others, that are there to lend support, or those that are just a positive influence on our blogging world!"

Wow, I think this is so positive!   Thanks again, Krissy!

Now comes the hard part of narrowing down my picks.  I am allowed to choose a few journalers to hand the award off to.  I thought for a couple days on this.  I would like to give it to so many of you, but I had to narrow it down.  So I now present the "Nice Matters Award" to the following:

Merry:  Merry from Merry's Thoughts, the good and bad, dreams and wishes
has quietly been a confidante of so many in JLand.  She is a cheerleader and quietly loves and supports others in the background.  She champions many causes.  As I've gotten to know Merry I find her to be the nicest of the nice!!

Sylvia:  Sylvia from Ye Olde English Posy
  has many things that she must do athome to care for her husband.  Yet, through her blog, she is constantly gracing us with her inspirational stories and poems and her stunningly beautiful photos.  Taking the time to do this for us, is indeed nice.

Kellen:  Kellen from Faith in Roman Catholicism
has helped us through his wonderful blog.  Although he is still a young man, he gives us sage advice.  Kellen has also enhanced the blogging community by fostering great community spirit.  If you've ever joined one of his Journal Tournaments, you'll know what I mean.  They are educational, community building, but most importantly just plain fun!  Kellen's a joy to have in the blogging community.  And Kellen's more than nice.  He's really nice.

Jeannette:  Jeannette from Jeannette's Jottings
shares with us her poignant poetry and stories and beautiful photography in her blog.  She has also shared her journey with breast cancer treatment.  She allowed us to follow her to her appointments.  She champions animal and hunger causes and has a large readership.  She is a joy to read and a joy to know!

Congratulations on your Awards!  You may pick them up below and pass them on:

                                

If you want to see Krissy's picks her entry
is here.

Thanks for stopping by!

            

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Happy Birthday, John!


It's a special weekend in my family!!  You see, my brother-in-law, John, is celebrating his second birthday!!  He received his bone marrow transplant for bone marrow cancer two years ago to prevent full-blown leukemia.  What a ride it has been.  You can read his thoughts about his birthday
in and entry in his journal too stubborn to die and in a poignant interview with his wife Krissy in Sometimes I Think.  They are worth reading!!  Happy Birthday, John!!  You are my wind and I love you!!
    
                                               

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Black and White photo shoot...


            

This week's subject for Krissy's photo shoot is "Black and White".  I have three photos for you today.  One is in my signature tag.  All of these flowers were full of color, very vibrant color.  I like them in black and white as well.  They have a different "feel" to them.  I hope you like them!  If you would like to play, visit Krissy at Sometimes I Think
.  She has a new subject each week.


             

              


Hope you are having a good week and I hope you stop by again!

              

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Saturday, January 19, 2008

photo shoot, what's up...


I slept 16 hours last night.  16 hours.  I laid down around 4 PM to get a short nap and didn't wake up until 8 AM this morning.  I do this once or twice a month when my body needs it.  Wow.  When this happens I sleep solidly.  I don't feel refreshed when I wake up.  I never do.  I haven't in many years.  This is a problem with fibromyalgia.  You don't get enough oxygen to your muscles and organs when you sleep so you don't feel refreshed when you wake up.  Ever.  16 hours is better than two or three, which is what I get a lot of nights.

My kitty, Boo, made sure I woke up this morning.  He meowed every two or three minutes after 7 AM.  Whenever something is unusual, he will do this.  My sleeping this long was unusual, and he wanted to make sure I was okay, so he kept meowing.  I may have slept even longer had he not done this.  It's funny, Boo and I go to bed together on the same bed, but when I wake up he is on a chair by my bed staring at me.  Always.  No matter what time I wake up.  It could be 6 AM and I could wake up every five minutes.  He is STILL staring at me.  It kind of spooks me out.  Staring Boo.

Now on to Krissy's photo shoot.  The subject for this week's photo shoot is "
the letter 'T'... something that begins with the letter or resembles the letter
".

I have three photos today.  The first two are my children's tattoos.  Matt has a tattoo of a treble clef.  That is two t's.  LOL...  Matt has another tattoo on his other arm of a music symbol in Mandarin.  I don't have a picture of that, though.

                        

This is Chelsea's tattoo.  It's on her lower back...

                

I don't have any tattoos.  I have always wanted to get one.  I can't get one, though, as I am on blood thinners because of my shunt.  I know what I would get and where, though.  Do you have a tattoo?  Would you get one?

Finally, this is a shot I took of "two T's" in the sky with a rainbow behind it.  If you look closely you can see a double rainbow.



If you would like to play Krissy's photo shoot visit
her journal
.  She posts a new subject every week.

Thanks for stopping by!!  Hope you're having a good weekend, journal pal =)!! xox


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Sunday, January 13, 2008

Photo Shoot #124, what's new with me...


                

I wasn't sure what I was going to post for Krissy's photo shoot this week because I am still unable to upload from my camera onto  my computer.  I have had a professional look at this box and he still can't figure out why I can't.  I guess I will have to wait until my next computer to be able to use my camera =( .  It's sad.  I visited old pictures to decide what to post.  The subject is "a close up".  I decided to do an animal theme as well.

This is dedicated to my sister D. who lives in Florida and has a birthday today! 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, D.!!!!!  I love you and miss you!!!   The first two creatures I shot were in Florida when I was visiting my daughter while she was delivering Josiah.  Boy, that was 17 months ago!...

This is a salamander I chased ALL OVER the back yard of my daughter's apartment.  The neighbors must have thought I was a loon!  I finally caught a shot of him in the air conditioner vent.  He was funny.  Every time I was ready to take a shot he would RUN!  LOL  I was fascinated that there were actually so many salamanders in homes in this interesting state.  LOL...

              

The second shot is of a friendly bird.  I was chasing him all over the road.  Again, the neighbors must have thought I was a kook.  Or maybe just a tourist who never saw wildlife.  LOL  He, too, would move every time I was ready to take a shot.  Here is my nice little birdie crossing the street...

                

Finally, here is Mr. Michael, my sister Krissy's lovely Maine Coon.  He is so nice, so sweet, so loving...

              

I wanted to CONGRATULATE
Krissy on a new look for her photo shoot and a third successful year!!  Wow, 124 hunts!   Krissy started back in October 2004 and is still going strong!  Congratulations, Krissy!

I haven't been posting a lot lately.  There have been major changes in my life (or the people in my life).  Chelsea and her babies moved back to Florida.  It was a GREAT SHOCK.  I miss them sorely.  I thought this could happen, but not so soon.  They left a few days before Christmas.  It hurts.  I was in mourning for some time.  I was seeing the boys every day.  I was talking to Josiah on the phone daily, too, and now I can't.  It's hard.

Also, my son is visiting from Florida.  Now, that is a good thing, but he told me he is moving to Texas after the visit.  Texas???  That was weird.  He lost his scholarship at school because funding was low, so he is moving to Texas where his girlfriend lives.  Oh, and my stepson, Michael got married and is moving to Texas, too.  Yes, got married.  And is moving to Texas.  LOL  I love his wife, Nicole.  Michael is going into active duty.  So much, so soon.  Everyone leaving.  I am happy to see them having lives, though, but I had to "absorb" everything the last month.  I will be back topost again very soon.  Thanks for visiting me this morning and viewing my "close-up" entry.  If you would like to participate in Krissy's next photo shoot
visit her journal
and see what the next subject is!  Have a good Sunday, everyone!! xox

Update:  On a side note, my son told me that the creature in the air conditioning unit is NOT a salamander.  It is a lizard.  I guess I don't know my amphibians?  Reptiles?  LOL  I need to go read...

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Monday, January 7, 2008

Photo Hunt #123 participants...


Photo Scavenger Hunt #123 participants

subject: 
"New"

We received a good number of submissions this week!  Thanks so much you guys!  YOU ROCK!!  These entries are very creative, so please visit and leave a comment if you are able.  Krissy and I would like to thank the following journal for participating:

    
Photo Trek

     Promise... Me

     Gina's Space

     Linda's World

     Footprints in the Sand

     ALMOST Paradise II

     Smiles House
(private)
    
My Hugs Journal

     Breakaway

     Perception

     This and that, and hockey!


Thanks again, everyone!  You did a wonderful job!  Krissy will have this week's subject at her journal later on today so please go check her out
and see what it is.  She will be picking it up again.  Let's support her on her first month back in a few long months!  Thanks, Krissy, for honoring me by allowing me to do your Hunt for this period of time.  I love you, darlin'!

I hope everyone is having a good start to their week!  Oh, and hi Sara, ~waving~!!  Nice to have you back doing the Hunt!!

 

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Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Photo Hunt subject...


         

Photo Scavenger Hunt #123 will be due on
Sunday, January 6,
at 11:00 PM EST.
                                              
Our subject this week is:
  "New"

I am picking up the very first Hunt of the new year for Krissy and am very honored.  Thank you, Krissy.  I thought the subject "
New" would be an appropriate one.  Krissy will be back at the helm very, very soon.  I will let you know when.  Thanks for being patient while we took a break for the holidays.  The Hunt will be every week as scheduled.  You may interpret the subject any way you wish.  PLEASE post your submissions by copying your FULL entry URL and pasting it into the comments section belowIf you have any questions about how to do this (or how to upload or post photos) do not hesitate to send me an email at valphish@aol.com.  I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's Eve and I am wishing all the best for 2008!!  Hugs, Val xox