I HAVE BEEN ANCESTOR APPROVED

I am very pleased to get this award from Donna Jane at Hanging From the Family Tree. 
I have this award on my genealogy blog so I cheated and copied my post from there (HAVE YOU EVER SEEN MY OTHER BLOG? NO? CLICK HERE)
Now I need to tell you about things about my ancestors that have surprised, humbled or enlightened me. Oh my what to choose? Here we go.

1. I was surprised to find out that my 11th Great Grandparents were the first official family to settle in New France. (Quebec) Louis Hebert and Marie Rollet both have statues erected in their honour in Quebec. 
2. I was really surprised when one of my sisters was sent a photo randomly from her sister in law of a trip she was on back in the 60's. There is my sister on her way to Nova Scotia and she is sitting on the edge of Louis Hebert's statue. This was 40 years before I did our family history and we had no idea we were related to him. 
3. I am humbled by the sacrifice of all my ancestors but most of all by my Metis ancestors who fought so bravely to try and save their land and their homes during the Louis Riel Rebellion.
4. I was humbled by my Grandmother who had given birth a minimum of 12 times. How did you survive something like that? How do you care for  them all? Feed them? Oh and the many that didn't survive. How do you bury so many like some of my ancestors had to do. 
5. I have been enlightened by all my ancestors. I had no interest in history before I started researching but now find many things to interest me about the past. A storm or drought from the past now has real meaning to me. 

I will have to end at 5 due to time constraints or I will never get this posted.
I keep my awards in a post that you can access on my sidebar on the left hand side. 

SUNSHINE AWARD

 

Many thanks to Jo Anne over at Surf Chick 100 and of Card Craft by Jo fame for the Sunshine Award. With the rainy weather we have had I think it was this sunny flower award that turned our Vancouver weather to sunshine on Tuesday. There has been a lot going on here lately so I am a little late in putting this out.

What a bright pretty award. Thanks again Jo.
Now she said it should be given to 12 people but I am breaking the rules. I will come up with a list but I can't guarantee 12. Lets play it by ear. 

Did you like a post? Click on the SU button to Stumble it. Thanks.

ATTA GIRL AWARD

 

You know I don't know why I didn't do this one sooner. Every where you look in the comment section of blogs you will find this person's comments. The don't simply say "nice post" or "great picture" but are carefully thought out and personal. She puts her heart into her comments and believe me she leaves many. The time involved in that must be great but she is faithful and kind in the blog world. She joins many themes and memes. She showcases others blog events on her sidebar regularly.

I would like to give this award to our host for Sunday Favorites every week. 

Chari @ Happy to Design

If you would like to give this award to anyone please feel free to take it. I just ask that you tell me so I can add their name to the list a tell them to link it back to my site so others know where to get it and what to do with it. There are no questions to answer or so many friends to pass it on to. Just give it to whomever you like and tell me so I can add their name to the list.

Did you like a post? Click on the SU button to Stumble it. Thanks.

ATTA GIRL AWARDS

I have been thinking about giving this person an Atta Girl Award for a while now but left it over Christmas. I think she deserves one not only because her blog is fabulous but because you will see her smiling face on so many blogs that you visit.
She follows many, many blogs and comments regularly on them. It seems that any time I find a new blog there is Kammy smiling out from the followers widget.
This deserves an Atta Girl Award because blogging is about community. About friendships and supporting others. I think Kammy from Small Home In The Country should get a pat on the back and a hearty Atta Girl!
Stop by her site and tell her congratulations.

There is no lists to make or others to tag with this award. You can give it to anybody you think deserves it but I must ask that you follow the rules in this link HERE so that I can keep track of who gets it and add them to the Atta Girl list.

Did you like a post? Click on the SU button to Stumble it. Thanks.

MY BLOG KICKS ASS - WHO KNEW?

Michele over at Finding Trinity has given me this Kick Ass Blogger award. What a cool award. Sounds like something I would do, doesn't it? Kick someone's ass.  I haven't known Michele long so this is a great surprise. She can't take it back can she? No? Good. I will pass this to someone soon but as I type this it is 5:30 in the morning here and I don't have my glasses on. If I have just typed out gibberish I apologize. Thanks Michele. 

Hey don't go yet...did you leave me a note?

HAPPY 101 AWARD

Either everyone has run out of blog friends to give these to or I am a very lucky blogger. I was given this award by three different people yesterday.

Bill West @ West in New England , Frances @ Branching Out Through The Years and Becky @ Grace & Glory . Now technically Becky awarded this to me on my other site Stories of My Ancestors but I will be lazy and write one post to put on both my sites.

As it usually goes with these awards we are required to tell something of ourselves and to pass them on to others. This list is 10 things that make me happy. I will skip over the obvious ones of  family and friends and try to come up with some different ones.

1. I am happy when the dog does not pee on the floor in front of company.
2. I am happy when I am not stopped by a train while on my way to coffee group. This is a bone of contention in our community. I mean I am talking my first cup of coffee for the day here. Move it.
   
3. I am happy when my husband remembers to call after a day of snowmobiling in the mountains to tell me they made it back to the cabin safely. Maybe I should be more worried about getting a phone call in the morning after all these guys have been back at the cabin for the night to make sure they survive the evening festivities. 
4. I am happy that my sisters can sing just as well as I do. Read this any way you like.
5. I am happy when I hear a basketball bouncing either on pavement or in a gym. I don't get that nearly enough anymore.
6. I am happy it doesn't snow often here in the Vancouver area. We are not supposed to get much snow here but last year was a doozy, snowing every day for over a month. So far this year we are good. Abnormally high temperatures here yesterday.
7. I am happy that I have tall people in my house to reach things for me. Second shelf is too high for me. Of course if these tall people would put things where I can reach them I wouldn't need their help. Hey...it occurs to me that all the alcohol is in the cupboard above the fridge. What's up with that?
   
8. I am happy that I am such a good driver because everyone else out there drives like an idiot. 
9. I am happy that I have so many unfinished projects in my life because I will have to live forever to get them done. 
10. I am happy that my family and friends actually know how crazy weird I am and they still love me. I know this because they all emailed me a warning when the government announced they were going to lock up all the crazy weird people in the city. "Run little buddy, run" was what they all said.

Now I am supposed to pass this on to 10 people. Yikes. So many of you don't post awards. Let me think. I try not to tag the same people over and over again. I will have to stop my list at 8 today. If you prefer not to join in just know that you were thought of.

• Sandy @ 521 Lake Street 
• Gail @ At The Farm 
• Joanne @ Cornish Beach Brummie 
• Ali @ Fifty & Fabulous 
• Lucy @ My Secrets for Happiness 
• Roly @ Wheelboy
• Gardening in a Sandbox  
• Foley @ Foley's Follies
  

Hey don't go yet...did you leave me a note?

ATTA GIRL AWARD - LOU @ THE QUIET LIFE

l

Lou @ The Quiet Life has posted on the past decade in her life. While reading this it occurred to me she is a woman of substance. One who deserves the ATTA GIRL AWARD.  Have a look at Lou's site. She is a strong woman, probably stronger than she even knows herself. She is fun, smart, ethical and sincere. 
Now Lou when you post this award I would appreciate it if you would make sure this award links back to here so others can give it out too. This way I can add the recipients to the list. 
It doesn't matter if you give it to anyone else and there are no requirements or lists to do. Just post it proudly because you really do deserve it. 
If there someone out there that any of you think deserve this award feel free to pass it on but you must ask them to also link back here with the picture so we can carry it on. Oh yes and tell me who so I can add them to the list. 

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS AWARD #2

I have been invited into another Circle of Friends and it feels good. Dupree @ chlorine in the gene pool sent this my way. He is a fellow Gleek and has a great sense of humor too. Apparently he likes fine wine and lots of laughs so I think we would get along great. I wouldn't be happy until I made the wine come out his nose though. 

I will send this on to others in the new year when you are less busy. 

Thanks again Dupree.

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS

I received this award from Lou @ The Quiet Life today. Lou is waaay down south in New Zealand but it always feels like she is so close by. She is a smart, fun woman and we have several things in common. Coffee, wine, books, delicious foods, okay not the going to school part but yes to all the rest.

I will spare you all my own list because I recently blabbed all about myself in  an earlier post. 

Anyway thanks to Lou for making me part of your circle. I think I will wait until after Christmas to send this one out to some pals. You already added Joanne and she for sure would be on my list. 

ATTA GIRL AWARD

Hooray, several Atta Girl Awards has been given out in blogland. I am backtracking through the sites though because somewhere along the line we lost the link back to my site and the notifying me of who you give it to,which is important so I can add them to the list of recipients. 
I really do want to share this award around blogland but I want to follow the procedure that was started in the beginning. Give it to whomever you think deserves it but please follow the instructions on my sidebar.

This increases traffic to their sites and I think they will be happy about that. So without further adieu here are the most recent winners that I have found.

Diane @ fit to the finish
266 @ 266  
Staci @ Weight Loss Mama 
Lori @ Finding Radiance 
Susan @ The Great Balancing Act
Shelley @ A Forty-Something's Weight Loss Journey  
Andrea @ Andreas Wellness Notes 
Rebecca @ Durch DICK und DUENN



Once again congratulations to the amazing ladies that have been given this award. You are each an inspiration.

KREATIVE BLOGGER AWARD

Thank you Jane @ Blondie's Journal for passing a Kreativ Blogger badge on to me. I sure try to be one and am in good company. 
The usual rules follow this badge: 

7 Things About Me

1. I am a messy person and it doesn't bother me. 
2. I am nosy.
3. I am impatient with people who whine but don't take control of life. 
4. I have a brother that I don't know if he is dead or alive.
5. I make up my mind about you in the first 2 minutes. I have not been wrong yet.
6. I would marry my husband again. (see #5)
   
7. My door is always open to friends. 

Now I am to pass this on to 7 other bloggers. I know some of you very creative people don't post these and that is fine. You know I am thinking of you. 
Now lets see? 

1. MBKAT @ Emptynester 
2. Linda @ Flipside 
3. Barb @ Grits & Glamour 
4. Deb @ Life on the funny farm
5. Mimi @ Living in France  
6. Maureen @ The Experimental Farmer 
7. Sandy @ 521 Lake Street 

I have chosen these blogs for very different reasons but they are all creative bloggers in their own way. Pay them a visit and tell them I said Hey.

ATTA GIRL AWARDS

You know what? We haven't had an Atta Girl Award given out in a long time. For those of you who don't know this is an award you can give to a fellow blogger who has done something worthy of a pat on the back and a hearty Atta Girl. 
Did they do something kind? Brave? Smart? Funny? 
You decide. Just copy the award from the sidebar and offer it to your blogger of choice. Just make sure it is a blog that accepts awards. Make it clear that they are not expected to pass it on nor answer any questions. It is just a pat on the back. I ask that you and they link it back to my site so others may find it too. 

If you award it to someone and they post it on their site please let me know so I can add them to the list. 

KREATIVE BLOGGER AWARD

Look at what I woke up to this morning. I know!! How cool.
Thank you to Lou @ The Quiet Life who passed this on to me. Awards, though welcome here, have taken on a bit of a "you touched it last" edge to them.
I do like them. Is it bragging? Sure is. I am bragging about the fact that someone in this huge world has read enough of what I write to think of me when they are given one of these awards. People I have never met come back often to catch up on nothing in particular. They comment and poke fun. They empathize or sympathize. Sometimes they do as Lou and several others have done and they offer me an award badge for my blog.
Thank you. I will display it proudly and I will also pass it on. You can duck or you can catch it square in the face. What matters is that you know someone else has thought of you this day even if you don't want to display it or to pass it along.

This award comes with the task of making a list of 7 things that I love, not including people. Just seven? I think I can do that. Then I must pass this on to 4 of you. I hope you enjoy it.

1. Cooking and entertaining. I love guests. Everyone is always welcome. Bring wine.
   
2. Sitting in the dark watching the world go by. I started this by getting up an hour before my kids when they were little so I could have quiet time and organize my head for the day. I still do it but now it is from not being able to sleep.
   
3. Blogging. I have learned so much this past 7 months. I have made some really special friends and contacts. I have seen a whole new world and I love it.
   
4. Reading. I read a lot but I don't retain a lot. It is just for enjoyment with no expectations. I read anything and everything from newspapers to novels. Text books to tomes.
   
5. Genealogy. I can't get enough of this. My own family tree is huge and goes back to the late 1500's in France. I do them for others too. Any one I can find that wants a tree done. I am very tenacious and I dig and dig until I find what I am looking for or can conclusively say the information isn't available...yet. It is like doing the New York Times crossword puzzle.
   
6. Laughing. I laugh out loud every day. At you, at me, with my coffee group, with my husband or sons. Out loud. Amazingly relaxing.
   
7. Creating/Crafting. I like to create things. I paint and cross stitch. I decorate with many made items. I am always looking at stuff in stores and saying "I could do that". Just don't look at my project room.

Now I will pass this on to the following bloggers:

• Robin @Miscellaneous Thoughts Robin has such an interesting blog with many different things to enjoy. A common thread seems to be some beautiful flowers.
  
• Marla @ Seven Palms is a creative blogger who is also a great participator.
• Claudie @ Bubblin' Over oh you have to see this blog. Truly Kreative with a capitol K
• Cindy @ Collector at Heart Cindy has great variety on her blog. She is learning lots of new things and joins in readily to the memes and themes that are out there.
  

Ladies I hope you enjoy your awards and post the Kreative Blogger badge proudly on your sidebars. Don't forget to pass it on.

SUPERIOR SCRIBBLER AWARD

Joanne @ Moving Forward- half speed has awarded me a Superior Scribbler award. Thank you so much Joanne. 
This is the first time I have seen this particular award. It started on a blog called The Scholastic Scribe.

http://scholastic-scribe.blogspot.com/2008/10/200-this-blings-for-you.html

The rules for this one are:
• Each Superior Scribbler I name today must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.
• Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.
• Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to this post, which explains The Award.
• Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor.
Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog


Now to award this to 5 scribes that I am familiar with. I know some of you don't post awards and some of you love them. If I send it over to you and you don't wish to participate at this time that is fine. Just know that you were thought of. 

1. Sue (or Ethel as some of us refer to her) @ Sullivan and Murphy who is always ready to have some fun. Her comments are full of great humor. She is an important part of the Lucy, Ethel, Lucy combo and will be great fun to have with us when we are on the lam...don't ask.
   
2. Sue (or Lucy as some of us refer to her) @ Luxe Lanai is a strong woman writing about some raw and difficult things in her life. Her sharing of all of this is really a generous thing to do. 
   
3. Keetha @ Keepie DaNiece's Eclectic Stuff is a little bit like a balloon losing it's air whipping around the room. She is so much fun and I am pretty sure the life of the party.
   
4. Bill @ Affordable Accoutrements has become a very popular blogger and looking at his site is such a joy. A very creative man who has exquisite taste, a sharp sense of humor and an artistic flair that keeps us coming back.
   
5. Shirley @ Shirley's World is game for anything is keeps trying to learn about the whole blogging world and to tweak her blog. She is doing a great job. Every time I go there there something to catch my eye. I love her country style and her willingness to share all of it with us. 

ATTA GIRL AWARD #9

I have a new recipient of the much coveted Atta Girl Award. This one goes to Joanne @ Cornish Beach Brummie for her wild and crazy day at the beach learning to surf. This woman never even went in past her ankles before but by the end of the day had been flushed under a huge wave and managed to come up laughing and with her contact lenses still intact.

The way this award works is that anyone can award it to someone they feel deserves it for any reason. Who deserves an ATTA GIRL? You decide but please link the picture and post back to my site so others can also pass it on. Plus I need to add the persons name to my list on the sidebar.

ATTA GIRL AWARD TO: BRENDA @ COZY LITTLE HOUSE

Brenda you have been given an ATTA GIRL award from Sue at Luxe Lanai and I can really see why. Brenda @ Cozy Little House has posted about a project that has surely made a difference in someones life.

The work being done is by Enchanted Makeovers who when contacted about painting a women and children's shelter went above and beyond the call. You can see the results over at Brenda's site.

Brenda I would be pleased to see my Atta Girl award on your page. You can copy and save the smaller sidebar award picture on my left side and post it onto your page. I ask that you add a link back to my site so anyone else who wants to award this to someone can find me.

Also if ANYBODY would like to pass it on just let me know who you give it to so I can add them to the list of great women who make a difference or step out of their comfort zone and try something new. Maybe public speaking or hang gliding. Meals on wheels or ballroom dancing. Anything that is great for us or others deserves an Atta Girl award.

SUNDAY FAVORITES: ATTA GIRL AWARD

Chari @ Happy to Design is re- hosting our re-posting again this Sunday. I hope you join in.

I started the ATTA GIRL awards back in May with the intentions of giving a pat on the back to other bloggers who make a difference in the world either big or small. This includes women who step out of their comfort zones and try something new, exciting, crazy fun.

It is still out there and available for you to give to someone you think is deserving of a pat on the back and a big ATTA GIRL. All you have to do is give it to someone and let me know about it so I can add them to the list. If you could ask that they link the picture back to my site so others can find out about it that would be great.
__________________________________________

I have read about some great things that my fellow bloggers are involved in. Charitable causes, protecting children, animal welfare and many others. I volunteer at our Senior's Centre and I know the time involved as well as the satisfaction it brings.
I have created an award to give out to a deserving person. If you know of such a person too you are welcome to take my award from the sidebar as long as you post a link back to this post and let me know to whom you have awarded it and why you chose them.

This presentation goes to:

• Sue @ Luxe Lanai - Sue fights the fight to get through PTSD and the depression that comes with it. To help her get her days on track she is adopting a dog and will not only give this dog a great home but she will also visit the Seniors Center in her area with the new pooch to brighten up the lives of the patients there. ATTA GIRL SUE

• UPDATED LIST HERE:
• Sue @ Luxe Lanai
  
• Kate @ Becoming Kate,
  
• Celia's Blue Cottage
• Caregiving is Not For Wimps now called Changes with Seasons
• Jane @ Key Lime Berry now called Spare Berry
• Joanne @ Moving Forward Half Speed
• Linda @ Flipside
  

SUPER COMMENTS AWARD - THANK YOU

Many thanks to Keetha @ Keepie DaNiece's Eclectic Stuff for sending this lovely
Super Comments Award my way. I have never seen this one before. It is a really pretty one.
Who says it doesn't pay to have a big mouth.

ATTA GIRL AWARD #7

Linda at Flipside has earned the seventh Atta Girl award. If you read her post from her holiday you will see she has kayaked after many, many years away from the sport. That would be enough but no, no, no. Linda did much more than that to earn this award.

Linda ate and paid for the most awful meal just so she could use the restaurants WiFi connection to post on her blog. Now come on people. What could be more deserving than that? Way to go Linda.

Now if you know someone who deserves this award just give it to them but please link back to me and also let me know who it is so I can add them to the list on my sidebar.

Linda you can take the thumbnail picture from the sidebar to add to your blog. You deserve it but I really would like to know what you ate. Thanks for taking one for the team.

ATTA GIRL AWARD #6

The sixth Atta Girl award goes to Joanne at Joanne Moving Forward- half speed. Joanne was on a little getaway to Whistler, B.C. this past week and you know what she did? She went Zip Lining!!!!!! Do you have any idea what that is? Go have a look at her site. Now that is something that deserves an Atta Girl award.
Remember you can give an Atta Girl award to anyone you would like to so long as you link back to my site and let me know who it is so I can add them to the list on the left sidebar.

If you receive this award please take a copy of the little thumbnail picture from the left sidebar and display it on your site. Link it back to my site so others can find it too.