Thank YOU!!!

 Imagine my happy dance when I recieved an email from Helen and Marly announcing thier nomination of my blog for this awesome award. "Your blog always inspires me and it had to be on my list! I enjoy every singlepost!" (Helen, thank you!)

WOW! I am so honored and flattered! Seriously, thank you Helen and Marly. I mean, I think we can all remember writing that very first post, begging our family members to comment, just to make sure "everything" works. And now, almost two years later, to not only have developed a wonderful group of friends and followers, but to find out you actually enjoy reading my posts. THANK YOU!

So, the first goal of the award is to share seven things about ourselves you may not know.

 How fun! Here are seven non-quilty things about me:

1. I have never been on Facebook! (Really!)

 

2. My nicknames in high school where fondly Olive Oyl and Big Bird!

3. I'd like to write a book someday. Thus one of the two main reason I even started a blog. (The other reason is to doucment my quilting and I find our virtual quilting guild very inspiring and motivating!)I document my writing progress under the labels: Life and Learning and Classroom Quilts. All the creative writing classes I have taken, stress, that you need to write everyday....just write. I totally find blogging a lot more fun and rewarding than talking to myself in a journal. (LOL!)

4. I haven't had a soda in years and gave up coffee after my gallbladder surgery.
 (I wish I could say the same about dark chocolate)

5. By the time I was thirty I had earned a bachelor's degree in Journalism, a Masters Degree in Elementary Education, married my DH, we had two young daughters, experienced surgical menopause after having a full hysterectomy and overcame cancer. (Hodgkins Disease)


6. With that said, yes, middle age and empty nest find me enjoying my freedom, being a grammy, quilting, wine and Life is Good t-shirts . All of these are my very favorite things right now. LOL!

7. And finally, today is the last day of my forties. Yep! Tomorrow is my:


 Oh sure, gray hairs are beginning to supplant my natural color. Gravity has begun to take its toll as I notice my neck sags (Are you kiddding me!), my stomach has a new bulge, my boobs droop, my face has wrinkles, my underarms swing like fish bellies as I write on the board at school and my skin is losing its elasticity. But on the bright side: I have osteoporosis yet I'm still 5'10", so atleast I'm not shrinking. Annndd...I don't have to worry about menopause. Well if you ask me:

: 

Life is never perfect. But if we are lucky, our obstacles are balanced with joys. I continue to live my life in gratitude and with as much grace as I can mustard. I like this age, this chapter of life. I'm content. I'm having fun! Thanks so much for being a part of it.

With that said and shared, the next rule of the award is to share some of my very favorite blogs.

(Ugh...I hate picking) I mean just check out my blogroll on the sidebar. I have all you guys there so not to miss a post. But here's a small preview of a variety of wonderful blogs you'll find there:

Kim who blogs at Sarah Lizzies

Sharon who blogs at Vroomans Quilts

Kate who blogs at Life In Pieces

Teje at Nero's Post and Patch 

Jo at ButterZ's. 

Paulette at Sweet P Quilting and Creations

Patricia at Dogwood Lane Rambles

Nita at Nita Dances

Tanya at Tanya Quilts in CO

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color

Check them out and hopefully meet someone new!