Blog Housekeeping/Virtual Baby Shower

I am woefully behind in some very important "blog housekeeping" including the acknowledgement and dispensing of some cool awards from a couple of new blog acquaintenances, Tara at Too Much Information and Maricris at Zen Ventures. They are both warm and engaging bloggers and I am happy for the opportunity to get to know them through their blogs and receive an award from each. Yowzah!

I am new to blogging and the ideas of Blog Awards, Memes, feed burners, visit counts, etc. (Can't you tell I'm a newbie by my layout? Some folks have a layout that rivals Homes and Gardens Magazine. I tried a snazzier layout btw, but it was too distracting to my slightly ADD self, I just couldn't cope. Call me simple minded if you like, when I'm ready to rock out my digs, I'll let you know.)

Anyway, I am very flattered to receive any acknowledgement and was thinking this would be cool to do IRL. Give someone a button (like the one they wear on their collar) and tell them, "I think you're Great". Now on to our virtual awards-

The first award, The "Encouraged" Award, is from Tara. The "Encouraged" Award is for bloggers who encourage and support each other. This acknowledgement from Tara means alot to me. Tara is a sweet, smart, and devoted mother of a very special young lady, Chloe, who in turn inspires me. This award shows how bonds can develop across cyperspace through our comments and posts. Thank you so much, Tara (and Chloe). I find all my bloggers very encouraging and want to acknowledge and encourage all who stop by to please "grab the button and go". (Well, you could leave a comment and you don't have to just go, I mean you could stick around as long as you like...)




This next award is from Maricris of Zen Ventures and it is a quartet of awards including:


The Proximity Award
One Lovely Blog Award
Lemonade Award
Friends Award

The rules for this delightful assortment of awards is that there are No Rules, No Instructions, again just please help yourself.

Last, but not least, I would like to invite you to a "Virtual Baby Shower" for a long time blog friend, Kimbosue who is expecting her first child with her husband, Dean, this spring. Kimbosue is very special, funny, and kind and is the reason I got off my bum and started a blog. Please click over to "Kimbosue's Baby Shower" blog if you would like more information or if you have ideas or input. I thank you and I'm very privileged and delighted to play hostess to my friend and hope you can join us.