Sunshine Award
One year ago today two good friends and I launched breathelighter. We jumped in without any real idea of what we were starting and we had absolutely NO idea that there was a warm and inviting blogging community waiting for us. I couldn’t have imagined! Along the way we have met truly amazing people living in the most interesting far-away places. And I’ve met some California “neighbors” as well! You have all added so much to my imagination, my knowledge, my community–my life!
Things have changed for us over the year. One of the “3 well beings” had to drop out entirely, and some of you know Beth and her now famous Mae-be and Ruffles…but her very intense work schedule doesn’t give her as much time to blog as she would like. I thought we should change our name to something like “2 clueless women”, but WordPress doesn’t provide a means for making that change. For better or worse, the name remains.
But I think a one-year anniversary is a very good time to pick up some recently offered awards, don’t you? Kevin at Nitty Gritty Dirt Man and Meg at Meg Travels have both passed on the Sunshine Award. Meg also added in the Genuine Blogger Award. Kevin shares his passion for gardening and I enjoy following his schedule of gardening routines. Although we are on different coasts, I take a lot of cues from his gardening timetables. And Meg is passionate about travel and adventure. She writes about her travel experiences with wonderful photographic accompaniment. Both are super reading experiences!
The Sunshine Award comes with some requirements, which are:
1) Link the award to the person who gave it to you 2)Answer the questions that come with it and 3) Pass it along to 10 people and let them know they have received it.
So here are my questions and responses:
Favorite color: blue
Favorite number: 100—the older I get, the more determined I am to hit the century mark. I did just have a birthday, but I won’t be seeing this number for a while!
Favorite Non-alcoholic drink: Coffee with soymilk
Facebook or Twitter: I don’t like the Facebook changes, and I’m following several of you on Twitter…I apologize that it’s more like stalking. I’m having trouble getting the hang of it.
My Passion: My family. I enjoy lots of things, but none more than my family…my granddaughters are the reason I have my sights on “100.”
Favorite pattern: I’m a 60’s girl. Make that paisley.
Favorite Day of the Week: Friday…the day to exhale
Favorite Flower: Impossible to say for sure, but I love gardenias.
For me the best part of award season is the opportunity to highlight blogs I follow closely and enthusiastically enjoy. I have many friends who support me by reading breathelighter but haven’t taken the plunge into broadening their blog reading experience. I’m always hoping that maybe they’ll find the time to explore some of the sites I regularly read. So I’m listing some that I follow closely and this is my way of promoting them as good reads!
But first, I’m bending the wording of the rules just a little bit. Instead of formal nominations I’ve created an Honor Roll!
Some of these wonderful writers have indicated that they aren’t interested in pursuing awards–it takes too much time away from other blogging responsibilities. The Honor Roll doesn’t in any way presume further action…accepting the awards and running with them is entirely optional! I will even look the other way if you’d like to accept the award as an honorary token, bending the rules a little bit (wink! wink!). You decide what is best for you!
The Genuine Blogger Award doesn’t have any specific requirements and can be picked up at any time! So if you’re on my Honor Roll, feel free to attach both the Sunshine Award AND the Genuine Blogger Award to your blog. And if that doesn’t fit with your plans, just enjoy a moment in the spotlight!
Drum roll please….
breathelighter 
Happy Anniversary and Congratulations on your journey!
Thank you, Elizabeth! Compared to so many I’m just a newbie, but oh what I’ve learned in one year! A year ago I didn’t even know what a blogosphere was 🙂 Debra
Happy first anniversary, Debra and Beth, and here’s to many more.:-) I bless the day I found your blog, as I do so enjoy it. Just one little grumble though – how dare you keep introducing me to so many other great blogs? I’m running out o time….. 🙂
Oh what true words those are– and I love reading!! You all are so enticing -and one post links to another, and so on. . . and wow! I almost feel a “Peace & Love Trippy Moment” coming on!!! 🙂
Yes where will we find the time to read- and re-read so many good posts/blogs/ and enjoy the art also!! Enjoy what we find! Thank you! Beth
Ha! Ha! Thank you, Perpetua. You are so kind…and I completely know what you mean about more blogs! Goodness! I’m so impressed with what (and who) I keep finding out there…and I actually keep subscribing. And I have no idea how I even keep up as well as I do, but periodically I have to remind me that there isn’t a test at the end 🙂 Have a good weekend, my friend! Debra
An Anniversary — the First! — and awards all at once! Congratulations, then, to the Gang at Breathelighter! I foresee many more of each in your futures. And thank you for the honor of being placed upon your Honor Roll. Suddenly, I’m sitting in some good company!
Thank you!! John -you have been here for us no matter what we were doing or who took the front post!! Thank you- and 🙂 Beth & Girls
Thank you, John. We are having a very good time of it! I’ve never in my life been as stretched for reading time, but hey! But there’s no going back1 I’m hooked. I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to tell you in a separate message that you were going to be linked…my WordPress messaging has gone crazy! I’m being flooded by hundreds of emails…I’m in the process of untangling a big mess 🙂 The downside of blogging…ha! First problem in a year, though, so that’s pretty good! Enjoy your weekend, John Love to Max! Debra
Happy First Blogoversary Debra and Beth! I can’t recall what directed me here, but my memory says i first commented on a post you went to a museum or a park. For some reason, I’m thinking it was something about John Glenn. … Oh well .. I may be wrong.
Meanwhile, thanks for the awards and I invite your readers to drop by because i’m all over the place on topics. Meanwhile, I WILL visit each one of these links!
Hi-It’s Beth- Here surrounded by airbases of Port Hueneme– If you liked John Glenn (me too!!) -You would love this place! Before heading back to Mae-be and Ruffles I am going down closer to the bases and see if I can snap a pic or two for you!! Thank you for smiling and sharing with us! These connections this year have opened new’frontiers’ just like the Space Program did for us as hopeful, young Americans!! 🙂
You have a good memory, Frank! I think it might have been John Glenn…and then your responses started going to Spam! LOL! I do enjoy the eclectic nature of your blog! Very much. I would have enjoyed telling others more about the different blogs I’ve highlighted, but on top of other time factors, I’m having some “issues” at the moment with my WordPress features…and I have house guests this weekend. It’s perfect timing for our “annniversary” and proves to me that I am genuinely hooked on the whole blogging experience. I’m hanging in there even when it goes rogue! Have a good weekend, Frank! Debra
PS: Now that I’ve toured the list, you sure enjoy either eating, cooking, or cooking and eating! 🙂
I do! Both! 🙂 I badly need to update my blog roll! It is badly out of date. I need just a wee bit of time…soon! 🙂 Debra
Thank you for sharing your day in the spotlight, Beth — most generous of you. Here’s to your next year in the blogosphere and at least forty more years here on earth. I adore paisley, too.
Debra is REALLY generous– and creative! Her lessons and encouragement have allowed me to share a small apart of the breathelighter site! No words can easily , accurately say how this has connected our dreams & friendship deeper! I have also made friends and connected to so many wonderful ‘bloggers’ -and I am blessed! 🙂 Beth
You’re so welcome, Sharyn. I get so much from your blog…I want my friends to read it, too 🙂 Debra
Happy anniversary. My days is always a bit lighter and clearer when I read a post written here. Congratulations, and I’ll be back a few times more as I explore your Honor Roll (what a great way to extend this award).
Thank you, Penny. Of course you and I read a lot of the same great blogs, don’t we! I need to spend a little time on my blog roll and better list the many wonderful blogs I do read. I find it rather challenging trying to keep up, but I eventually read each post. The fact that I feel I “miss out” when I fall behind just amazes me! I would never have anticipated that feeling a year ago! I so appreciate your encouragement, Penny. You are a very special in my blogging community! Debra
Happy Anniversary, Debra!
Thanks for including SLTW on your list of 11! 😀
I’m so glad you embarked on this journey a year ago and that you have been pleasantly surprised by the community in which you now belong. Like you, I didn’t know what to expect as I pressed “Publish” on my first post. I just followed the mantra “No rules. Just write.” . . . with Spirit Leading (and Lighting) The Way.
Life is in the Journey . . . as the path unfolds before us!
Here’s hoping you make it (happily) to 100!
Thank you so much, Nancy. It’s definitely surprising to me how connected I feel…I previously thought any form of social networking was so artificial, but there is something really nice about communicating with others, and with no strings attached. I have a feeling this is good for all of our cognitive functioning and sense of overall well-being…maybe we’ll all be doing this on our way to that century mark! If can keep healthy, who knows?:-) Debra
Congratulations on a year, something to celebrate! And no the moniker two clueless women doens’t apply!
My favourite was ” Favorite Day of the Week: Friday…the day to exhale” perfect 🙂
Thank you so much, Claire! I appreciate that “clueless” doesn’t seem to apply…sometimes I’m not so sure–LOL! I often tell my non-blogging friends that the best part of the whole endeavor is meeting other people and learning how others enjoy their lives. The writing that I do is sometimes less important to me than checking in on those I follow. I was telling my daughter about you today…we were discussing the allotment! I find I learn a lot from how much goes into preparing the soil and all the planning you do! Thank you for encouraging me on…and enjoy the rest of the fleeting weekend! Debra
Happy Anniversary! I am glad I have found you as I enjoy reading and interacting with you. 🙂 I too love WP, so glad I joined last summer.
Thank ou so much, Marie! I think we are all having a lot of fun…it’s one giant conversation. I find that so great. And I appreciate your encouragement–always! Debra
Good Grief, I came here to give you an award and I see my name thank you so much. It is higly appreciated. I hope you will accept the Readership award at my latest post! Terri
Isn’t that funny, Terri! Thank you so much! I may need to hold off just a bit from going forward with the new award, but I will in time! I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to warn you first. LOL! I’ve had a few issues this weekend, but I guess I gave you a surprise 🙂 Thank you in return! Debra
Good grief, take all the time in the world…it is yours. That was funny…I enjoyed it! Terri 🙂
Congratulations and best wishes Debra! I hope you enjoy your anniversary and awards. And I think your blog name is perfect just as it is… 🙂
Thank you so much, Meg. You are so encouraging. I really appreciate it 🙂 Debra
Happy Anniversary. I’m also very honored to be included as one of the eleven. Muchas gracias.
Blogging takes up so much of our time – look at me I have to work tomorrow and it’s almost midnight – yet without meeting each other or even knowing what the other person looks like [your gravatar is a flower] we form fast friendships. It’s beautiful.
I think there is definitely a friendship factor involved in blogging and that still surprises me! It’s just great, though. I was up last night late because my dad was hospitalized with pneumonia and we were waiting on some test results…he is fine, I think by the way…but will be in the hospital for a few days on antibiotics. But as tired as I was last night, I was just enjoying talking to you and others and felt oddly comforted! It’s quite amazing to me. I hope your day at work today was a smooth one! We’ll talk again soon! Debra
Congrats on your 1st anniversary. What a great achievement. You’ve done so well and I wish you great success in the blogging years ahead. Yes, wordpress definitely has some quirks. Unbelievable how you’re unable to change your name. Best wishes for the future xx
Thank you, Charlie. I appreciate the congratulations. Another blogger shared links with me this morning indicating that we probably can change our name. I’m not sure what I read that made me think we couldn’t. So now I guess we have to decide if it’s worth it! 🙂 But I probably won’t go to “two clueless women” because it wouldn’t be fair to Beth! She isn’t the clueless one! LOL! So glad to hear from you this morning. I’m running a little slow with my reading as my dad went into the hospital this weekend with pneumonia. He’s doing well enough, but you know how these things go with time and being two places at once! 🙂 Debra
Congrats on your anniversary.. you gave me a chuckle when you said “two clueless women”.. Love your blog and look forward to many future posts.. 🙂 xo Smidge
Thank you so much, Smidge. It has been such a nice and enjoyable process for me…on more levels than I could have imagined. I’m grateful to each of you who take valuable time to read and stay in touch. What a wonderful community! oxo Debra
Congratulations on both a full year of blogging and some very well deserved awards. That you also for highlight my blog. The best part about awards is exposure to new bloggers that you may not fall over if it wasn’t for occasions like this!
Thank you, of course, and you are so welcome on the mention! I love what you share, and I just saw this morning that Nancy, from Spirit Lights the Way, commented on your swimsuit piece…which was great! I was so glad she mentioned that she found you because of my “shout out” because to me, that’s what these awards are all about. Sharing! Debra
Debra, I’ve been looking at the Support area iof WordPres as i’m wondering whether to move my blog across and I’ve found that you CAN change both your user name and you blog title if you wish. Have a look at these links and see what you think:
http://en.support.wordpress.com/change-your-username/
http://en.support.wordpress.com/changing-blog-address/
Thank you, Perpetua! I don’t know what I read that gave me the impression I couldn’t. Something did…but I will check out these links and see what we find out. Since our friend Gail dropped out very early, I may have looked into it then and perhaps things have even changed. Anyway, it’s good to explore. I am sure you’d agree that sometimes life is just so busy that it’s hard to spend any time on the “care and maintenance” of the blogs. My blog roll needs to be updated! And even this weekend I’ve fallen behind in my reading and other things. LOL! I know it’s both voluntary and there are no grades given at the end of the day, but I miss out when I’m not as available! So if you do migrate over to WordPress I know it’s kind of a big decision! I’ll be curious to see what you decide! oxo Debra
Congratulations on your anniversary! It’s awesome that you have “met” (and also MET) so many people through blogging.
Thank you so much, Andrea. Your blog was one of the very first I followed! I have enjoyed the year so much. I’ve been away a few days and unable to stay on top of reading, and I’ve missed it. I never would have though! LOL! Debra
Congratulations Debra! I just love coming to your blog. I enjoy reading about your granddaughters (It reminds me so much of my relationship with my grandma, and the one my mom has with my kids.) And I love all of your musings, philosophies on life and stories. It’s such a warm and welcoming place to visit. Thank you also for nominating our blog. It means a great deal to us. 🙂 I hope that your dad is feeling better. Thank you and congratulations again Debra!
Thank you, Kristy. You really warm my heart to hear what you feel in reading the posts. I do love sharing about my family! My dad is still in the hospital, but I spent the whole day with him and my mom and I think he’s doing better. Pneumonia is such an insidious illness in an older person, but he has great medical care! Thank you for asking. I really love your blog, too. I admire it, quite frankly, which is why I wanted it in my honor roll. To have so much research and creativity utilizing two young children to participate on the level they do…I’m just impressed. I want others to find you, and they will 🙂 Debra
I am honored to know such an amazing writer. Debra, I love how you express yourself and how you share your insight, the pleasures of Karina and Sophia, history, and current events. Congratulations on your one year anniversary! Keep writing as so many of us look forward to your posts. Blessings to you my friend.
Thank you so much, Ophelia. I’m so glad you enjoy reading it. I have so much fun sharing! It’s been the right thing for me to do at this time…I enjoy hearing from others and connecting through this interesting medium! Hugs, Debra
Congratulations! I have just given you the Versatile Blogger Award and The ABC Award – you can find out more about this here on my blog http://thethoughtpalette.co.uk/2012/05/07/awards-in-march-and-april/ I do hope that you will accept these awards in the spirit in which they are sent to you. With best wishes – and thank you for your blog. Alyson
Thank you so much, Alyson. I really appreciate being given an honor such as these! I have previously accepted the ABC Award, but the Versatile Blogger Award would be a new one. Since I just accepted two awards a few days ago, I may wait just a bit before blogging about the award and its acceptance, but I will, and thank you so much! Debra
you’re welcome! and you are allowed to accept an award more than once you know! just double congrats!
Thank you Debra! You are too kind! 🙂 Cheers!
Well, I really do enjoy your blog, Jen. Do what is best for you with “award season” but know you are appreciated! Debra
Thanks Debra, it really means a lot to me. I stopped passing around the awards due to “Award season” 🙂 it makes me happy to know that you really do enjoy the blog! I enjoy your as well, I think we have the same views on a lot of things… we would get along well 🙂
Congratulations with the awards. They are both very well deserved. And happy anniversary too. Quite an accomplishment, even if the original three have diminished to one and a half – or something like that. The Honour Roll is a brilliant idea to show appreciation of bloggers who don’t want awards. I might have to take up on that idea.
Thank you, Otto. I felt very comfortable with the Honor Roll approach. You know as well as I that some of our blogging friends just cannot absorb one more thing into their already very prolific writing and responding schedule, and I don’t like to presume anything about what someone is comfortable doing. I think I’m going to stick with the Honor Roll…and be my guest if you’d like to do the same! 🙂 Debra