A String of Pearls

After a couple of months of blogging, I wrote a piece about the community I discovered here at wordpress.com (https://randeebergen.wordpress.com/2013/09/02/community-who-knew/). Having never blogged before, I didn’t know that I should expect to meet new people and get so involved. I feel the need to check in several times a day, to let my fellow bloggers know I am reading and appreciating their posts. And I have this urge to post something daily, to contribute enthusiasm and fodder, to do my part to keep the machine running.

As I mentioned in the post I linked to above:  Whether school, work, family, online, or a sports team, it (community) feeds us and we feed it. Synergy.

In that spirit, today I would like to mention two blogging friends I have met in this community. Not only do I follow their blogs (because they are well-tended and have a unique quality about them), but I commend them for taking the time and energy to pay it forward with a couple of blogging awards/recognitions that get passed around in this community.

First, ashlynsmom99 over at http://2twistedforcolortv.wordpress.com/ passed the Liebster Award on to me. Ashlynnsmom99, I graciously accept! Thank you! 

And then, Christina, at http://lifebeinggirly.com/, presented–just a few days later–the same award to me along with another one called The Versatile Blogger Award. Thank you, Christina! I recommend checking out her blog because she is all about girliness, gratefulness, and good vibes. Her blog will put you in a better mood and give you a better outlook for the day.

And, now, I am passing the Liebster Award on to two others. First, I present it to the author of a blog called Conversations – http://eavesdroppingonconversations.wordpress.com/. Take a peek at her wonderful blog when you have time. I will also pay the Liebster Award forward to Vanessa at http://farfetchedfriends.wordpress.com/. Her blog is fun to read and she is awesome about reading other blogs and commenting and getting conversations going. And that, of course, is great for the community.

The Liebster Award is intended to go to a blogger who has fewer than 200 followers but who deserves a lot more traffic. It’s possible that these two have already received this award; if so, they get it again!

To accept the Liebster Award, and to pass it on, you must*

1. Create a link back to the person who nominated you.

2. Nominate other bloggers who have fewer than 200 followers.

3. Answer the questions given to you.

4. Create another set of questions for the nominees.

5. Notify the bloggers you have nominated them.

*There are different rules and regulations associated with the Liebster Award. These are the ones I chose to copy and forward on. Also, the award can be passed on to 1-15 other bloggers.

I must answer these questions:

1. What author would you most like to emulate?

Me! I have lots of favorites, but I don’t want to write just like them, and I couldn’t possibly anyway. It makes sense to find my own voice.

2. If you could spend 24 hours doing whatever you want, what would it be?

I think the hours would look similar to what I do every day – some exercise, some contributing to society (teaching), reading, writing, being a parent, connecting with others, and spending some time outside. I would cut out sleep if I could.

3. What is the song that best describes your teenage years?

Aye yi yi, that’s a hard one.

4. Whose poster was on your wall as a child?

Some of the cuties from Teen Beat Magazine. I can’t remember any of their names. Is that bad?

5. What is your favorite movie of all time?

“What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?” comes to mind.

6. Are you an animal lover?

Yes, but not to the point that I have a bunch of them. I grew up on a farm and, at one point, had 42 “pets.” Now, I have just one dog.

7. Do you prefer an artificial or real Christmas tree?

Artificial, because I am always worried about making stupid mistakes, like letting a real one catch on fire.

8. Candy corn: love it or hate it?

Love it for about half a bag. Then I’m good until the next October.

9. Are you athletic?

Coordinated, but slow as all get out on my feet. I play racquetball, run, swim, hike, and ride my bike to work some days.

10. Who would play you in the LIfetime movie of your life?

Aye yi yi again. I had to Google Lifetime movies and check out some actresses. I know I’ve seen some Lifetime movies, but I didn’t realize it was an entire genre. I don’t watch much t.v. or many movies.

And, I have questions for you to answer when you blog about getting the award.

1. What did you cut out of your life as you started to write/blog more?

2. What do you like best about the blogging community?

3. What frustrates you about the blogging community?

4. How has your family reacted to you spending time writing?

5. What is the most rewarding thing about writing?

Here’s to community! Love you guys!