Tag Archives: awards

Monday Musings and TMI, Part 2…Awards Edition

By ladieswholunchreviews on | 74 Comments

As if I haven’t overshared enough already, I’m combining some recent awards into another chunk of TMI (too much information).

But rather than nominate other people, I’d just like to list some of my favorite blogs at the end and hope you check them out.  Anyone who would like to participate and answer the questions, please feel free to do so… if you’re following my blog, consider yourself nominated!

Number 1)

the-black-cat-blue-sea-award-rules

I was nominated for The Black Cat Blue Sea Award by Serena a lovely and talented young writer who blogs at Serena Joy Sinclair.  She is wise beyond her years!

Her questions are:

  1. What inspires you?  The desire to create something, whether it’s writing words or crafting something more tangible.
  2. What is your favorite book OR who is your favorite author and why?  I’m sure there have been many over the years, but one of my current favorites is Kristan Higgins. She writes women’s fiction with a wonderful combination of romance and humor.   
  3. The age old question of cats or dogs? (And why!?)  Dogs.  I have two right now.  They always give unconditional love, lots of kisses and clumps of dog hair.   I had cats at one time and they can be sweet, but my youngest son is allergic.

 

Number 2)

make-it-ulta

 

I also recently was nominated by Rob at The V-Pub and Friends Without Borders blogs for the MakeItUltra™ Blogger Award.  Rob is one of the nicest, friendliest and most fun bloggers I’ve met here at Word Press.  He’s a talented musician and song writer and if you haven’t checked out his blogs yet, you simply must!

(Copied from Rob’s blog.)

The MakeItUltra™ Blogger Award is an award given to bloggers by bloggers for quality content, originality and presentation. The intention of this award is to encourage connectivity and support in the blogging community and to increase exposure for individual bloggers.

Rules, rules, rules….

If you have been nominated for the MakeItUltra™ Blogger Award and choose to accept it, write a blog post about the MakeItUltra™ Blogger Award in which you:

Thank the person who nominated you and post a link to their blog on your blog. Take a moment to positively promote the person who nominated you.

Display the award on your blog by adding it to your post and/or displaying it using a widget on your page (Save the image to your computer and upload it to your blog post). Don’t forget to use the tag #MyUltraAward when you make your post!

Answer the MakeItUltra™ Blogger Award questions listed below.

Inform the people/blogs that you nominated that they have been nominated for the MakeItUltra™ Blogger Award and provide a link for them to your post.

Here are the questions:

What is your name?  My name is Diane, but family and some friends call me Dee.

Where are you from?  I’m from the western suburbs of Chicago and have always lived in that part of the U. S.

How long have you been blogging and why did you start?   
I started blogging a year ago.  I’m a writer by education and I wasn’t working, so I thought blogging would be a good way to try out some book reviews, then my blog evolved into articles and fiction…

What are you most proud of?  Well, in relation to my blog, I’m most proud of learning all the computer skills I needed to do this without constantly bothering my kids with questions! My college degree in journalism was a long time ago and I know how to write, but learning the ins and outs of Word Press and creating a blog was very daunting.  I was the one asking questions all the time in Blogging 101!

What are your blogging goals?  I was going to write book reviews initially.  In less than a year, that’s evolved into I’m maybe…probably…going to write a book.  Yikes, it still scares me to say that!

How do you spend your free time?   I read, write, lunch with friends, clean, cook … no, just kidding on those last two!


Provide 5 random facts about yourself…

I was painfully shy when I was young.  Speaking in front of class made me ill.  Literally.

I played the flute in the school band.  Hated the individual recitals.

I ran track when I was younger, was a basketball cheerleader, played tennis and now have occasional back and knee problems.  Go figure, huh?

I am beginning treatment for breast cancer and hate to pass up a story, so I’ll be adding some medical updates on a regular basis to my blog.  I know you can hardly wait! 😀  (There will not be boob pictures, sorry) 😉

When I worked at the Chicago area United Way, part of my promotional job was to assist with the filming of NFL TV public service announcements and I met some Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers players.  Unfortunately, at that time I’d never watched a football game so they were just a bunch of big cute guys to me…clueless, didn’t even ask for an autograph…

 

Number 3)

liebster-award

 

 

I was nominated for the Liebster Award by  Bound to Be Me, a young mom of two boys who writes about running and book reviews.  Her blog is a lot of fun and very interesting, check it out when you get a chance!

  • Thank the blog that nominated you and recognise their blog
  • Nominate 5- 10 bloggers you admire by tagging them in a blog post 
  • Create a blog post answering the 10 questions you were asked by the person who nominated you
  • Put a list of the rules in your post
  • Give 10 random facts about yourself
  • Ask 10 questions for your nominees 
  • Add the Liebster Award badge to your post/bl

Questions I was Asked to Answer:

  1. Describe a recently nightmare you’ve had.  Do you think it means anything?  Funny, I just did this in a different post.  I’ll copy it here.  I think it means something because I’ve dreamt it several times.  I’m in a car that’s driving along a narrow road and comes to a bridge.  After we drive onto the bridge, I see that water engulfs the road at the end and as we continue forward, we’ll plunge under water.  This is where I wake up!  
  2. What’s a goal you hope to achieve?  Write a book that’s worthy of being published
  3. Regardless of responsibilities, time, money, etc. If you could go anywhere and do anything right this moment, what/where would it be?  Maui, swimming and reading by the pool, grilling dinner, enjoying the views, especially if my whole family could be there
  4. What book would you recommend that is a must read for this summer?  If you haven’t read The Host by Stephenie Meyer, I highly recommend it!
  5. If you could take a pill like in the movie/tv show Limitless, without any negative side effects, what would you do or try to accomplish before the pill stopped working? Remember, you only have 24 hours before the pill wears off. Oh, so many men, so little time 😉
  6. What is one thing you look for in other blogs before you decide to follow them?  I love blogs with a sense of humor and I love people who respond to comments
  7. If you could travel back in time and give your younger self advice, what time would you travel to and what advice would you give?  High school.  Take more chances, don’t be so shy
  8.  What is your favorite dish/food you like to make?  Hah, not that many!  I make dinner reservations really well!
  9. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?  My age, but I’m afraid that ship has sailed 🙂
  10. If you could ask your pet three things, what would they be? And for those who don’t have pets, same question but if you could ask your house/rental.  Why do you eat grass and rabbit poop?  How can you sleep like that?  (That’s my Elkhound, Inga below) Do you really think I’m not coming back every time I go out?

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And there you have it!  More than you ever, ever needed to know about me!

 

Some of my favorite blogs that I wish you’d check out are:

Zach Smith

Once Upon A Hot Flash

Inner Ramblings Boulevard

Travels with Choppy

WitlessDatingAfterFifty

 

 

 

Posted in: creative writing | Tagged: , , , , , ,

TMI… Awards Edition

By ladieswholunchreviews on | 60 Comments

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I’ve been really remiss about keeping up with these lovely awards that some of my blogging friends have seen fit to bestow upon me.  So I’ve decided to combine the most recent ones into one or two giant chunks of TMI (too much information) about me.  I’m always happy to share.  I talked about myself ad nauseam during the A to Z Challenge in April so you know I’m like an open book 😉

But rather than nominate other people, I’d just like to list some of my favorite blogs at the end and hope you check them out.  Anyone who would like to participate and answer the questions, please feel free to do so… if you’re following my blog, consider yourself nominated!

The rules for this award are:

  • Thank the blogger who nominated you.
  • Name seven things you love about yourself.
  • Nominate and notify seven bloggers about this award.
  • You can’t nominate the person who nominated you.
  • Don’t forget to display the award in your post.

I was nominated for this award by the lovely Lennon Carlyle at Fabulous with Glitches. She is loads of fun, gorgeous and super nice.  If you haven’t checked out her blog, you need to drop by, especially on Wednesday for her Hump Day posts.  Hilarious!

I hope I can come up with seven things I love about myself.  I think writers tend to be our own worst critics sometimes.

1)  I like my sometimes odd sense of humor

2)  I am a loyal friend

3)  I am generous with my time and affection

4)  I am all about compromise

5)  I work to see the silver lining

6)  I’m a good mediator

7)  I’m pretty even keeled and go with the flow (when on my meds) 🙂

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

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I was also recently nominated for the Sunshine Award by Robert at Levishedated.  Today is Robert’s birthday and he has a very clever and witty blog, so please stop by to check it out and wish him Happy Birthday!  Here are are his questions:

  1. Where in the world would you like to live for the next 6 months if money and responsibilities were of no concern?  Maui.  I feel at peace there.  
  2. What is your favourite part of a rainbow? So many things, the colors, the rain ending, the pot of gold at the end!
  3. Why do you not forgive your worst enemy? I don’t really feel that I have an enemy.
  4. How many smiles do you think you could give people in a single day?  An infinite amount, you can’t put a number on happiness!
  5. When will you be famous?  Oh, I already am in some circles.  Nope, I don’t wish to elaborate.
  6. Who is your idol? Uhm, Billy?
  7. Do you dream in colour (do you dream at all?)  I often dream, it feels like it’s in color.
  8. Describe the sensation of falling off the edge of a tall building in a dream.  I would never be up there on the edge.  I’m pretty afraid of heights.  Instead, what if I tell you a recurring dream I sometimes have?  I’m in a car that’s driving along a narrow road and comes to a bridge.  After we drive onto the bridge, I see that water engulfs the road at the end and as we continue forward, we’ll plunge under water.  This is where I wake up!  I really would like to know what it means.  Does anyone know what it would mean?
  9. What are the 3 most interesting things about your wardrobe? The cost, the colors, the amount of jewelry 🙂

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I was also nominated for the Sunshine Award by Minaxi at Gameplan Happily Ever After   Minaxi is adorable and fun (she dyed her hair pink and it’s so cute!) and she’s like my adopted daughter.  She and her gorgeous hubby are in NYC right now and she’s been posting about their summer adventures when she can.  And here are her questions:

1. Favorite vacation place (which you have been/ in bucket list) so far it’s Hawaii
2. Top of your wish list currently? (can be anything) world peace (very Ms. America, I know.  But wouldn’t it be great?)
3. A person/memory/possession you are proud of the most in your life.  My family
4. Three qualities that define you (you can list more if you want)  likeable, generous, caring
5. One weird fact about yourself😀 It MUST be weird😉 I have the musical taste of a 10 year old girl.  I apologize.
6. What can rebound you from sadness? That makes you feel better on a bad day.  Hugs from someone I love, listening to my favorite music, talking things out, chocolate 
7. Would you change anything about you? If so what trait? Self-consciousness.  It’s a really selfish trait, because if I feel that way I know I’m turning inward and not focusing on the people around me
8. What is the one thing that turns you off totally?  Seeing someone being cruel to another person or living thing — I would have to step in 
9. When do you usually write? Like do you have any specific time daily for writing?  I don’t have a specific time, I tend to write in short spurts, whenever I can 
10. What posts do you wish to see more in blogosphere?  I love posts that are humorous
11. All time favorite movie? (more than one is also fine. I understand :D)  I love White Christmas and The Holiday, romance and Christmas, nothing better!

 I was also nominated  for the One Lovely Blog Award by Minaxi at Gameplan Happily Ever After

onelovelybloggeraward

1. Thank the person that nominated you and give a link to their blog
2. List the rules.
3. Display the award on your post of the award.
4. List seven facts about yourself.
5. Nominate (up to) 15 bloggers for this award and comment on one of their posts to let them know you have nominated them.

Seven Facts about Me:

1.  I don’t cook much, but I watch Food Network like a champ!

2.  I love most sports.  Right now it’s baseball and watching my Chicago Cubs!

3.  I think laughter makes the world go round <3. But love is pretty great, too!

4.  I’ve had to give up extreme sports (well, that’s what the doctor said!) because I found out I have a genetic blood clotting disorder and have to take blood thinners.   And now I’m lamenting that I never tried skydiving, although the whole fear of heights thing probably would be a problem.   So, thanks, mom or dad, for this one, along with my brown hair and eyes and anxiety disorder!

5.  I love to travel and we are lucky enough to own a timeshare on Maui

6.  My very first job was as a maid at a local motel when I was 15

7.  Christmas and the weeks leading up to it is my absolute favorite time of the year.  I love the smells, the decorations, the lights, the music, the baking, shopping for the perfect presents (usually online) and the movies on The Hallmark Channel.  I know, lame…

Here are some of my favorite blogs for you to check out in addition to the ones above and please watch for Part 2 of TMI, the Awards Edition…

Meg Sorick Writes

What Sandra Thinks

Jessica at Unmeasured Journeys

Kimboxin

A Certain Point of View

The Lonely Author

Heidi and Linda, The Fabulous Fare Sisters

Snapshots in Cursive

 

Posted in: creative writing, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , ,

Monday musings…

By ladieswholunchreviews on | 9 Comments

Sorry I’ve put off responding to these lovely awards but this is what happens when you nominate me for something:

First, I’m Sally Field on stage with her Oscar.  You know, “You like me, you really like me!!”  Followed by ladylike weeping…

Second, it’s oh, crud, now I have to post these pictures on my blog, then link back to the people who nominated me, answer several questions and then nominate and link to a bunch of people’s sites.  If you’ve read my blog at all, you know I panic over that — but I’m getting better.

bloggerrecognitionawardSo I’m borrowing a page from Dr. Meg and making up my own criteria, hope no one minds.  I’ll tell you some things I’m pretty sure you don’t know about me and then send you to some sites I like —

I have an older sister and two younger brothers and definitely have a middle child personality

After college, I started a career and had a plan, but when our youngest son was born with disabilities that required many surgeries and therapies, the plan changed…

I know how to cook, but I don’t really love the everyday stuff.   I do microwave pretty well and I watch Food Network like a champ.

Love may make the world go round, but I think a sense of humor keeps it spinning…

This year I realized that once a creative person, always a creative person, and the only writing I was doing was our Christmas newsletter, so I decided to try blogging.Pink Liebster Award

Here’s my list and why I like them:

Piran Café – Bob is very focused (pun, LOL), takes great pix, writes great copy and I like his sense of humor

Meg Sorick – I like to think she and I would go out for pizza and watch football on Sundays occasionally if we lived closer.  I love her writing style.  Plus, I have back problems, she’s a chiropractor

La Floralie 2 –  Plant life and floral photography that’s just beautiful and ethereal and magical

Feeding on Folly – C.J. is funny and has pets and writes wonderfully amusing articles with great recipes

Roundabout Forty – Juli is super witty and promised to share her crayons with me in Blogging 201

Fountain Pen Follies – Laura is a Cubs/Bears fan, too, and she posts articles about beautifully colored ink and pens that I don’t really understand but like anyway, and when she writes a longer post, she has great style

Scribbles and Musings – Sandy just added Pet Corner to her blog and she has a pet sitting business (she nominated me for the Liebster Award, thanks so much)

Ajoobacats – Babus has a very eclectic style of book reviews and is such a beautiful young woman, inside and out (she nominated me for the Starlight Award, thank you)

Retrospective Reel – Adam nominated me for the Blogger Recognition Award (many thanks) and has a very cool blog that, again, I don’t always understand, but find I like reading anyway

I’m so glad you visited.  Stop by and see me or my friends anytime!

Posted in: Monday musings | Tagged: , , , , , ,

More musings…

By ladieswholunchreviews on | 2 Comments

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I’m delighted to be nominated for this award by Babus Ahmed at http://ajoobacatsblog.com ! I’m very new to blogging, so I will try to do all the things that go along with this award.  It may take me awhile to figure out how to link all the sites of others I want to nominate, LOL, but I’ll do my best.

Here are the rules:

1. Show the award on your blog
2. Thank the person that has nominated you.
3. Share 7 different facts about yourself.
4. Nominate 15 blogs of your choice
5. Link your nominees and let them know of your nomination.

Seven Facts About Me.

1. I love baseball (go Cubs) and football (go Bears) and the winter Olympics.

2. I love dogs — have a Norwegian Elkhound named Inga and a chow-terrier mix named Chief.

3. I have a B.S. in journalism, minor in business.

4. I used to have a crafting business and still love working with wood and paints.

5. My first job was a motel maid when I was in high school.  I’ve worked in public relations, at two different law firms, as a transcriber for a Washington, D.C. court reporting firm and a school substitute and aide.

6. I’m a huge fan of all holidays, but Christmas is the best, sigh…

7. My favorite vacation is sitting my butt in a chair by the pool in Maui and reading, with tropical drinks, of course…

My not quite 15 nominees:

Inky Pinky DIY
Maddy at Home
Thoughts of a Blonde
The Wild Bookworms
BooksandOpinions
Libby Cole
Unquietly Me
Juli Hoffman
KT Book Reviews
Arpita’s World
JenAcideByBibliophile
TravellingMan

Posted in: Monday musings | Tagged: , , ,