Please Vote: Killer Nashville Reader's Choice Award

WHO R U REALLY? has been nominated for a "Reader's Choice" award in the Killer Nashville's Silver Falchion contest!


I'd be thrilled if you took a moment and clicked on over there to vote.

It's super easy.

Just scroll down to the bottom of the list and click on WHO R U REALLY? (the titles are alphabetized).

You can only vote once (but feel free to ask your friends to vote also).



THANKS!

Idaho Author Awards

The drive to the event was interesting with snow and rain and slick roads!

 

Margo Kelly (me) receiving the 1st place award for the young adult category.

 

The top three award recipients for the YA category!

 

WHO R U REALLY? by Margo Kelly received 1st place in the 2014 Idaho Author Awards (YA category).

 

Chris & Margo Kelly after the awards ceremony.

 

Idaho Author Awards

http://idahobookextravaganza.com/author-awards/

I'm thrilled to announce that Who R U Really? has received first place in the Young Adult category for the 2014 Idaho Author Awards.

YAY!!!!!!!

There will be an awards ceremony next week. ... I'll post pictures!

:)

A to Z Challenge Begins!!

I recently (okay ... like two months ago) received an award from a fellow blogger Christi Corbett:

Thanks CHRISTI!

But, with this award comes responsibilities:
1.Thank the person who nominated you
2. Share 7 random things about you (see below)
3. Share the love with your favorite bloggers (see below)
4. Put up the Versatile Blogger Award picture on your blog

...

And, I received an award from blogger Connie Keller and from Leslie Rose:

Thanks Connie and Leslie!

But, also, with this award comes responsibilities:
1. Share ten things about myself (see below)
2. Pass the award onto six other bloggers (see below)

...

And, I received the Sunshine Award from Kathleen Doyle:

Thanks Kathleen!

But, again, with this award comes responsibilities:
1. Write a blog post about it with answers to questions (okay, I'm cheating on this one, and just going with the ten things about myself listed below!)
2. Nominate 10 other bloggers for this award (see list below)

...

And, embarrassingly enough, back in September (I was distracted that month!) the wonderful Christine Tyler gave me:

Thanks Christine!!

...

So, let's tackle these things all at once! I'm combining the "responsibilities" for these awards, because really, who wants to know so much trivia about me?

Ten random things about me:
1. I have one teenage daughter who is very active in everything.
2. I have two boys graduating from high school this year. YIKES.
3. I have three old-used-cars ... but no car payments!
4. I have four wonderful ladies who come and clean my house every two weeks ... because my wonderful brother pays for them to do this. His gift to me.
5. I have five days a week that we get up at 6am and read scriptures together as a family. Nobody likes it, but we do it anyway, because it's good for us, and it's the only time we are all home at the same time.
6. I have six ... hmm ... what do I have six of? Maybe pairs of earrings - total - not a big fan of jewelry.
7. I have seven favorite foods: chocolate, pizza, chips, cookies, bread, cinnamon rolls, kettle corn, and ... oh wait ... okay, I have a lot more than seven favorites!!
8. I have eight years of flute playing experience (5th-12th grades).
9. I have been on nine cruises: Southern Carribean, Alaska, Bermuda, Hawaii, Western Carribean, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Bermuda (again), and Alaska (again). All expenses were paid (even gratuities) by Stampin' Up!
10. In less than ten years, I will have three colleges graduates (fingers crossed) and maybe I'll even be a grandma (no rush!). haha

People I'd like to pass the first two awards on to (click on their names to visit their blog and give them a shout out!!) AND, for those of you listed here, you may choose either the Versatile Blogger Award OR the Kreativ Blogger Award:

LG Smith
Belle
LD Masterson
Rena Traxel
M Pax
Misha Gericke

And, the following ten bloggers (click on their names to visit them!) may either choose the SUNSHINE AWARD or BLOG ON FIRE AWARD ... YAY!:

Leigh Moore
JA Bennett
The Golden Eagle
Sarah Allen
Denise Covey
Margo Benson
JL Campbell
Laura Marcella
Tara Tyler
Dianne Salerni

I know you already have a lot of blogs to visit today because of the A to Z Challenge, but take a second and visit the ones listed above and congratulate them! :-)

Happy April 1st!

Awards!

YAY! Awards! Thanks people.

I've received:

from: Lady Antimony

from: Deirdra

from: Madeleine

from: Elizabeth Mueller



I would like to pass the following award on to some very worthy blogs:

(and if you've already received this award, feel free to claim one of the other awards above!)

Check out these fantastic blogs:

http://www.mattconlon.com/

http://thewarriormuse.blogspot.com/

http://10minutes2breathe.blogspot.com/

http://inkpotsandquills.blogspot.com/

http://margoberendsen.blogspot.com/

http://perfectingthecraft.blogspot.com/

http://rolandyeomans.blogspot.com/

http://shalleemcarthur.blogspot.com/

http://shannonkodonnell.blogspot.com/

http://summersvoice.blogspot.com/

http://trishaleaver.blogspot.com/

http://wordsworldandwings.blogspot.com/

http://nerdgirlreadsandwrites.blogspot.com/

http://gblechman.blogspot.com/

To accept this award, simply do two things:

1. Post the award on your blog, and link it back to my blog. (thanks!)

2. Give the award away to at least five other worthy bloggers.

Thanks peeps.

AND, check back tomorrow for a guest post by David Baboulene, author of:

Awards!

The letter A stands for AWARDS!

First, let me explain that for the month of April, I will be participating in the A-Z blog fest. Which means: I will post Monday through Saturday with a blog topic starting with the letter of the day. There will be 26 posts, and considering there are 26 letters in the alphabet - - that works out well. ha. Now, if you want to partcipate, CLICK HERE and holy hannah ... I'm number 175 on a list of 958 participants. Could you just IMAGINE if our followers increased by that number?! That would BE AWESOME! Wait ... maybe the letter A stands for AWESOME! Ha. If you're a new follower - leave a comment saying so - and I will follow you back.

Now ... on to the AWARDS ...

Lucky me! I've received some blog awards. YAY! Thank you!

Kristal Lee and VB Tremper and Rebecca Enzor gave me the lovely Stylish Blogger Award:

And Beth Fred gave me the 7 Facts Award:

And Trisha gave me the One Lovely Blog Award:

THANK YOU!

Now the rules for the first two are the same: link back to the giver, list seven facts about myself, and then pass the award on to 15 other fabulous bloggers. Well ... I will ... kind of ... read on. The rules for the last award are almost the same, minus the list of facts.

7 Facts (I'm totally mocking Kristal Lee's list, because I thought it was great, but these are true facts about myself):

1. My favorite candy is M&M's
2. Autumn is my favorite time of year
3. I have NEVER been aboard Air Force One, but my pilot husband has flown me over the amazing landscape of Sedona, Arizona, in a single engine airplane!
4. I've eaten lunch inside the Space Needle
5. I don't necessarily like to watch hockey, but I love to ice skate!
6. I'd like to think I'm great at video games, but my kids would probably say I suck.
7. I own a $150 iron and a $15 ironing board.

Before I announce the award winning blogs, understand that if you have already received The Stylish Blogger Award, you may choose the 7 Facts Award, and if you have already received that one, you may choose the One Lovely Blog Award, and heaven forbid you've already received all of those awards ... PLEASE accept this wonderful award from me ... because I have visited all of your blogs and they are all fantastic!

But, please note, that the rules for the Electropositive Blog Award are slightly different. Simply link back and thank the giver, and then give away to any number of blogs that make you smile. :)

Amazing, Awesome, Articulate, Award Winning Blogs (please visit and congratulate them!):

http://alexiachamberlynn.blogspot.com/


http://my-poetry-place.blogspot.com/

http://elenasolodow.blogspot.com/

http://kaykays-corner.blogspot.com/

http://morikeofthechair.blogspot.com/

http://karimariewhite.blogspot.com/

http://thoughtsmusingsandbrokenpromises.blogspot.com/

http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/

http://lisanowak.wordpress.com/

http://lizficherablog.blogspot.com/

http://pieinthesky2010.blogspot.com/

http://lyndaryoung.blogspot.com/

http://mpaxauthor.blogspot.com/

http://scribbleandedit.blogspot.com/

http://margobenson.blogspot.com/

Thank you all for contributing to the blog-o-sphere. And thank you again for the wonderful awards.

Hurry! Only Two Days to Cast Your Vote!

ACK! Who knew?!

My short story: NEVER HIT A WOMAN has made it to the final five of the Hone Your Skills Blogfest!

Please vote for my story!

CLICK HERE to VOTE - - voting spot is located on the sidebar of Rosie's Blog

Click here to read my story - -  just in case you want to make an informed decision before voting - ha!

Voting is open now until 11:59pm Thursday (EAST COAST time - - that means 9:59pm IDAHO time!). So, be safe and go vote NOW! :)

THANKS people. You're the best!

... and ... how can I help YOU today? :)

BLOG AWARDS! Wahoo!

I love love love getting awards! More importantly, I love that you've taken the time to stop by the blog, read, and comment... *blushes* ... drumroll please ...  OH -- and be sure to read ALL the way to the bottom  (this morphed into a super long post - eek!) where I "unveil" a brand new blog award. Can you say, "WAHOO!!!" ??

I received the Stylish Blogger Award from two people! A big giant THANKS to Margo (not me) Benson. Must say: I've recently met more people named MARGO in the blogosphere, than I have in the last ten years of day-to-day life!  Check out her blog here! and a big thanks to Summer who recently hosted a fun blogfest! Check out her blog here!


To accept this award, I must:
1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award. (done!)
2. Share 7 things about yourself. (okay, okay, see below!)
3. Pass the award on to ten (Margo's rules) or fifteen (Summer's rules) newly discovered bloggers and let them know. (the fun part! see below!)

Ten things you're dying (of boredom?) to know about me:
1. Family is the most important thing to me. I have three teenagers and one husband (whew!) and a wonderful dog.
2. I work with wonderful teenagers in the youth program at our church.
3. On the 11th day of the year 2011, I sent out eleven query letters.
4. I do *not* enjoy housework, and I fantasize about having a maid.
5. I have been a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator for almost 13 years. Click here to see my SU! website.
6. I occasionally work at the Quilt Crossing in Boise, Idaho, selling Bernina sewing machines.
7. I love food. YUM! Well... except for shell fish - I've never really cared for those!

I am passing this award along to the following ten bloggers (YAY!) - check out their sites:
1. http://writinginanutshell.blogspot.com/
2. http://scribbleandedit.blogspot.com/
3. http://lizficherablog.blogspot.com/
4. http://rolandyeomans.blogspot.com/
5. http://clarissadraper.blogspot.com/
6. http://renajtraxel.blogspot.com/
7. http://cheekyness.blogspot.com/
8. http://ainetierney.blogspot.com/
9. http://shalleemcarthur.blogspot.com/
10. http://carolriggs.blogspot.com/


And, a giant THANK YOU to Patricia Timms (love her profile picture!) Check out her blog here!

The requirements for the Life is Good Award:

1. First, thank and link back to the person that gave the award. (done!)
2. Answer the 10 survey questions. (blech - but done - below)
3. Pass the award along to other bloggers whom you think are fantastic. (see below)
4. Contact the bloggers you have chosen to let them know about the award. (done!)

1. If you blog anonymously, are you happy doing this? If you are not anonymous, do you wish that you had started out anonymously, so that you could be anonymous now? Not anonymous and don’t’ wish I would’ve started that way. Truth.

2. Describe an incident that shows your inner stubborn side. I’m still sending query letters. If that isn’t stubborn, I don’t know what is. I’m determined to be a published author.

3. What do you see when you really look at yourself in the mirror? A chubby aging momma, with a lot of spunk and joy.

4. What is your favorite summer cold drink? lemonade

5. When you take time for yourself, what do you do? What is that?

6. Is there something that you still want to accomplish in your life? What is it? Be a traditionally published author.

7. When you attended school, were you the class clown, the class overachiever, the shy person, or always ditching? Overachiever. Still am.

8. If you close your eyes and want to visualize a very poignant moment in your life, what would you see?
Wedding day. Love my guy. Still. After 22 years.

9. Is it easy for you to share your true self in your blog or are you more comfortable writing posts about other people or events? Easy.

10. If you had the choice to sit down and read a book or talk on the phone, which would you do and why?Read a book – no question. It’s much more fun.


Award-winning bloggers:
1. http://loreleismuse-lorelei.blogspot.com/
2. http://the-open-vein-ejwesley.blogspot.com/
3. http://ablogadaywhileyoureaway.blogspot.com/

And now... here is the brand-new-created-by-Margo-but-inspired-by-you-all-AWARD...

Yup. That's right. TC came up with the name (how could I resist that name?) and Melissa suggested the color orange. :)

Okay, now Melissa and PK - - loved loved loved your writerly award ideas, and I would still love to do that one also... but on another day... I'm almost award-ed out for now. If you create it first - - let me know!! Otherwise, let's get it done next!

So, the RULES for this ELECTROPOSITIVE AWARD are:
1. You must post it on your blog and link back to the award-giver.
2. You must pass the award on to at least one other blogger (preferably more) AND note on your blog post why the award winner's blog makes you smile.
3. Be sure to link to the award winning blogs in your post.
4. Tell the award winners they've won the award by commenting on their blog!

Let's get started! The first ever recipients of this award are:
1. http://tcmckeewriter.blogspot.com/ - - hey her blog makes me laugh, but mostly, she's getting this award because she came up with the idea!! YAY! Thanks.
2. http://summersvoice.blogspot.com/ - - a blog with fun pictures and great ideas - I loved her recent blogfest! Thanks!
3. http://www.melissaddean.com/ - - I LOVE Melissa!! She is a great critique partner, and her blog posts make me want to be a better writer!
4. http://pk-hrezo.blogspot.com/ - - PK is uber-smart and I love the pictures on her blog - - they make me smile! THANKS!

So... what do you think? Do you like the new Electropositive Blog Award? :-) Have you ever created a blog award?

Let's Create a Blog Award

YAY! I received two blog awards recently (check back Monday to see who, what, when, where, why, etc.).

I haven't posted the awards yet because they have "requirements" I need to fulfill before accepting... and I've been a little busy... so I'll get that done for Monday.

IN THE MEANTIME... I think we should CREATE our own very original blog award!! Dontcha think?

Help me create it, and you'll be an original recipient of it! INCENTIVE! wahoo

So:
1. What should it be called? *think* original, creative, out-of-the-box, unique
2. What color should it be?
3. What "rules" should be attached to it? If any? Let's keep it easy-peasy! Some of us are time-challenged.
4. Anything else?

Post your answers and opinions in the comments here, and everyone who contributes will be an original award recipient. I'll try to get it finalized for posting on Monday - - so, hurry and leave your comments.

Blog Awards - Part 2

Someone should give me a "slow" award. :) Yesterday, I finished going through back blog posts and comments and found awards given awhile ago (sorry - I really didn't know what I was supposed to do with them!). EEEK!

First - thanks for the awards people! I've posted them on the side bar with acknowledgements and links to the award-giving-bloggers. YOU ARE THE BEST!!

Second - after spending the day yesterday blog-hopping... I have found more GREAT bloggers! YAY! So, I am passing on the awards. See the lists below, and be sure to check out their sites. I did not pick them randomly. :) I picked blogs that had worthwhile, helpful, and funny posts.

Sidenote: during my blog hopping, I read many posts from people who aren't feeling well (physically and/or emotionally) - so if you're an award winner here - I encourage you to pass the awards along. We can all use a little good cheer!

Third - Keep it up people - we're here to help each other! (Right?)

So, fourth - a drum roll please................

The "From Me To You!" Award received from Laura Kaponer, and the "rules" of this award say that you must list seven truths about yourself and pass it on to seven other people. (So, suffer through my list or skip ahead to the awesome blog post list!!)

1. I eat too much (well, not too much of the fruits and vegetables, just too much of the yummy stuff like chocolate, cake, cookies, bread, etc.)
2. I sew quilts.
3. I sell Bernina Sewing Machines.
4. I have three teenagers, two of which are sixteen-years-old, but they are not twins.
5. My dogs shed a LOT of hair, and since we have hardwood floors - we have to vacuum daily. Blech.
6. I love to read.
7. I love to write. (ha - betcha couldn't have guessed that one!)

Seven winners of this award:
1. Shallee McArthur Awesome post about writing romantic scenes!
2. Patricia Timms A post that reminds me why I will not venture out to the stores on Black Friday.
3. T.C. McKee My brother from another mother (if we were boys).
4. Chris Phillips Uh... he had me at "...I'd promptly punch you in the forehead to rattle your tiny brain back into place." Yes, that's right; I'm an advocate of violence... but only when it concerns tiny brains.
5. Elaine AM Smith Great post about whether or not to repeat. Yes, a wonderful commentary considering the benefits of reiterating a point for emphasis. :)
6. Lynda R. Young Six tips for writing YA - finding the joy of youth.
7. Regina Linton Where do you go to relieve stress?

Now... I *thought* this next award would be harder to give away, because the rules state I must give it to TWELVE bloggers, however, once I got started, I found it hard to stop at just twelve. There are so many great blogs out there. Holy Moly! I hope you have as much fun as I did visiting all of these blogs! Check them out!

The "Sunshine Award" was given to me by Chantal. And the twelve wonderful blogs I'm passing it on to are:

1. Christi Corbett
2. Elizabeth Mueller
3. Jo Schaffer
4. Ishta Mercurio
5. Jennifer Daiker
6. Pam Torres
7. Kathi Oram Peterson
8. Len Lambert
9. Misah Gericke
10. Shannon O'Donnell
11.Talei
12. Michelle Mclean

Finally, thanks for stopping by - hope to see you tomorrow!

Blog Awards...

I'm exploring the blog-o-sphere (is that a word?) and realizing I don't understand the whole "Blog Award" thing... I know... silly me. Could someone explain it to me? Please (without calling me dumb).

I *think* I get it.
1. Someone nice gives me an award on their blog.
2. I say thank you and copy the picture of the award (yes/no?).
3. I post the picture of the award on my blog (yes/no?).
4. I can give that award away to someone else (yes/no?).

Thanks for your help.

If I've got it right, then I get to give the following award away:
The Versatile Blogger

And, if I understand the award correctly, I get to give it to five people, WITH THE STIPULATION that they must list five things about themselves in the comments section (ah... tricky!).



And the winners are:

1. Alison Miller (Awesome Got Balls Post)

2. Melissa Dean (Even though she's a NaNoWriMo success story, and I'm not)

3.  Claire Dawn (Because it's simply cool that she's from Barbados and lives in Japan)

4. EJ Wesley (His blog title makes me think he's a serial killer, but his profile picture makes me think he's scholarly... wait... don't many serial killers have high I.Q.'s? Uh Oh... maybe I should delete this now?)

5. Margo Berendsen (duh... she has the same first name as me!!)

Thanks people... (please explain the award system). And, tell us five things about yourself while you're at it!

My five things:
1. Love Chocolate
2. Love Listening to Teenagers
3. Love My Husband
4. Love Writing
5. Love Solitude

Your turn...