300th Post! Awards and More

This is my 300th post!  I can't believe it.  I'm a little surprised I still have things to write about.  When I started this blog back in May of 2010, I was hoping to create a place of inspiration. A little sanctuary that would inspire me to dig deeper, write more often, to follow my dreams in the face of criticism and maybe encourage others to do the same.

I never imagined that I could gain so many friends and supporters all over the world.  I'm humbled by all of the very talented writers who give their time to help and support others.  I'm not sure that I've helped inspire anyone else but I'm grateful for all that I have gained from blogging.  I only hope I can give back more than I've taken.

Thanks to everyone who has encouraged me along this crazy blogging adventure.


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News

Jess from Write Skate Dream is being interviewed over at T.Z. Wallace's some time today.  And  DL Hammons has Round 1 of the WRiTE CLUB match posted. Check it out and sign up if you want to vote or join in on the fights.  This is going to be an exciting contest I can tell already!
 
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On to Awards

Kendra over at Flame Writer awarded me the Versatile Blogger Award and Alyssa at Life is Good gave me the Fabulous Blog Ribbon.  Thank you so much ladies.      

The Rules for Versatile Blogger are:
1. Thank and link back to person who gave you award
2. List the rules
3. List seven random facts about yourself
4. Nominate 10 people for the award and notify them


The Rules for Fabulous Blog Ribbon are:
1. Post the rules
2. Name five of your most fabulous moments in real life or in the blogosphere
3. Name five things you love
4. Name five things you hate
5. Pass it to five other bloggers

For the sake of brevity, I'm going to combine my answers.

Most fabulous moments:
1. Marrying my wonderful husband
2. Birth of my 3 children
3. Standing in front of the Taj Mahal at sunrise

Things I love:
4. Traveling with my family
5. The cool breeze in my face when I'm skating
6. Music of almost any kind, not too thrilled with jazz though
7. Snowflakes

I don't really hate anything except injustice.

And here are the wonderful bloggers who I'm awarding.  Feel free to choose the award you want or pick them both, because you deserve them!


 Doctor Faerie Godmother
1000th.monkey
Alyssa Rose Ivy
Sally's Scribbles
Journal of a Bookworm

Have a great week!

Kathy :)

Happy Wednesday!

Awards!

The other day Angeline Trevena was kind enough to award me the Kreativ Blogger Award.  Thanks Angeline! :)

The rules are:

1. Thank and link back to the person who presented you with the award
2. Answer the ten questions below
3. Share ten random facts/thoughts about yourself
4. Nominate seven worthy blogs for the Kreativ Blogger Award

What is your favorite song?
That's really a tough one because I enjoy so many different types of music I can't pick just one song.  But currently I love Secret Door by Evanescence.

What is your favorite dessert?
Anything dark chocolate

What ticks you off?
Mean people

When you're upset what do you do?
I really don't get upset too often.  When I do, I guess I replay the incident over and over in my head to see what could have been done differently.  And I talk about it, usually with my kids or my husband and they help me feel better.

Which is/was your favorite pet?
I had a green anole (lizard), I named Diny Joe, when I was about 10.  I was devastated when he died.

Which do you prefer to wear black or white?
Black

What is your biggest fear?
Being eaten by sharks; I was really affected by JAWS!

What is your attitude mostly?
You have to learn to laugh about things even when you want to cry.

What is perfection?
Perfection can't be achieved but you should always work toward it.  My family is as close to perfect for me as I'll ever find.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Hmmm, I don't really feel guilty about it but I feel exhilarated anytime I get a chance to skate for myself (I'm a figure skating coach if you didn't know that already).


Ok here's 10 other random things about me:

1. I don't have my ears pierced and I never will
2. I love my garden
3. I'm always cold (that's why I always have a cup of hot tea)
4. I used to eat lots of junk food, but I'm almost totally an organic whole foods foodie now
5. Learning to cook foreign dishes is a passion of mine
6. I love fishing especially with my grandpa
7. Traveling with my husband and kids is my favorite way to spend time
8. My kids think I'm crazy when I dance or sing
9. I can only draw stick people
10. I love reading history

Whew! That was a lot of stuff.  I hope you learned something new about me.

Now for the last part...I'm going to break the rules a little because I know some people don't really do awards.  So today I'm going to give this award to anyone who stops by.

I'd love to hear some random facts about you.  Any good news for this week?

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Kathy :)

Lucky 7 Tags and Awards!

Wow there's so much to catch up on now that I'm back.  I've been tagged a few times over the past couple weeks so I thought I would take care of it all in one big post.  

First off, Kate from the Scribbling Sea Serpent tagged me in the Campaign.  Here are the questions she passed along.  

How old were you when you started writing? I've been fascinated with words my whole life. But I really got hooked on writing in fifth grade when my English teacher had us make up stories using our spelling words.  

What's your favorite book/movie? It's so hard to choose just one. I loved the playfulness of Dr. Seuss books.  I wanted to rhyme everything I said.  Star Wars was probably the most influential movie in the growth of my creativity. At one point I tried to write down all the dialogue on note cards and make my family act it out.  

If you were the main character of a book what genre would it be? I would want to be a heroine in a sci-fi. I always wanted to be Princess Leia 

What genre do you write in? Oh I think I've overextended myself a little with all the projects I'm trying to work on.  Currently I'm focusing on a YA fantasy.  But I'm also working on a mainstream historical fiction, a non-fiction, and I have some picture books I'm trying to whip into shape. 

If you could have a superpower what would it be? And why? I would love to have Jedi force powers. As a kid I tried to use telekinesis. I was disappointed when I couldn't make it work. 

What do you like to read?  I love reading about Elizabethan England, the French Revolution, and other great periods in history around the world. Lately I've also enjoyed YA fantasy and sci fis. 

What is something unusual you've done? I got married on the ice (yes we were all on skates!)

How do you get your character names? I go to a babynames.com to find great names and their meanings. 

List the top 3 websites you go to:

Google- I use it for Google Docs, gmail, everything!

Grooveshark.com- I have my playlist going whenever I'm writing

 Khan Academy.org- That's how I continue my education (for free!)

Dictionary/Thesaurus.com 

Besides reading and writing, what 2 other hobbies do you have?  I love my day job as a figure skating coach!  I'm very lucky to work with so many great kids!  I also love cooking new ethnic dishes and traveling with my family. 

Where in the world would you like to go? 

Anywhere really.  Even when we go to Iowa with my husband on business we find neat things we'd never expect.  But my favorites are to the mountains, oceans or any foreign land.  

Alyssa over at Life is Good gave me the Sunshine Award. 

 The rules for this are to 

a.Thank the person who gave it to you

b. Link back to them 

c. Answer the questions 

d. Pass it on to 10 other great bloggers

The questions are:

Favorite color: purple

Favorite animal: cheetah, tiger or eagle

Favorite number: 5 cause we have 5 people in our family :)

Favorite non-alcoholic drink:  hot tea or water- boring I know!

Facebook or Twitter: I don't really use either that much, but Facebook more

What is your passion: my family, skating, writing

Getting or giving presents:  giving- I don't really need anything anymore

Favorite pattern:  I love looking at fractals, so cool

Favorite day of the week:  any day that my husband is home with us

Favorite flower:  rose or peony

Finally nick Wilford over at Scattergun Scribblings passed me the Lucky 7 meme. Here are the rules.

1. Go to the 77 page of your current WIP

2. Go to line 7

3. Copy down the next 7 lines-sentences or paragraphs-and post them as they're written. NO cheating.

4. Tag 7 other authors

5. Let them know

Finally answer the questions which were passed along.

So here are my 7 lines from page 77 starting at line 7.  

“We'll be there as soon as we can boys, we're all tired.”  I say patting William on the head.  

“Hey Robert, this looks like a good place to set up camp,” Cory says.  His words begin to sink in to my already exhausted mind.  “Set up camp”.  Tonight is the first night sleeping out in the wild.  We have to set up our own sleeping area, make a campfire, and cook food.  Tonight is the first night in a long string of difficulties.

Dara begins to set out cooking supplies.  “Elizabeth, come on over here.  We’ll fix supper while the boys ready our sleeping areas.”

The questions are:

 What is the title of your current WIP? Tell us about it.  I'm terrible at titles, so for now this is called Heading West.  Elizabeth marries Robert who seems to be the man of her dreams.  Her troubles begin when he rashly decides to move them out west to the Oregon Territory.  Along the way she discovers Robert is not who she thought he was...maybe even a traitor.  

When did you start blogging and why?

August 2009 is when I first started blogging on this blog.  I had made another one in May, but it wan't quite what I wanted.  I started it as a way to inspire me to write every day and a way to meet other writers.   

If you could do anything tomorrow, what would you do? well my perfect day would include skating, writing, and being with my kids and husband maybe add a beach or some exotic locale and it would be perfect

Describe your happy place.   Hmmm, this would have to be someplace in the mountains that overlooks the ocean 

What was your first happy memory?  I guess the first thing that comes to mind is fishing with my grandpa or having my dad read to me. 

What was the scariest thing you've ever done? river rafting down the Ganges   

What is the funniest thing you did today? well yesterday I was trying to update my Facebook status and I forgot to write a few key words and it came out as "I'm going to be really tomorrow!".  Then I decided to tell you about it in the answer for this question, but I posted it without fully finishing my sentence!!

What is the strangest place you've ever gotten an idea for a story? at the ice rink

Where do you write? at the kitchen table

If you just won a ticket to anyplace in the world and you had to take me, where would you take me and why? well Nick, since I'm happily married I'd feel a little weird taking just you along somewhere, so I think I would bring my family and you could bring yours and we'd go on an African safari.  Then we could write about all the cool things we saw.  

Whew!  That was a lot of fun but also a lot of work!  So instead of tagging lots of other people, I'm passing these great awards along to anyone who visits my blog today! :)

Have a great weekend

Kathy :) 

Dreams

First of all I want to say a huge Thank you! to all my new followers.  I can't believe I'm almost to 200!!! Yippee!

In other news, a few days ago I was awarded the Dream Launcher Award by Jess over at Write Skate Dream.    Rena over at Dr Faerie Godmother created this award in order to thank the people who have helped you become the writer you are today, the people who have helped launch your dreams.

I love getting awards but to me this one was extra special.  I'm honored that Jess gave me this award.  It isn't every day that a 15 year old shouts out to the world that her mom has helped inspire and launch her on the path to her dreams.  But we have quite a special relationship and I feel truly blessed.  I remember teaching her how to read when she was 5.  The word "the" always gave her problems, but we sat together on the couch and read "Go Dogs Go" over and over again until she got it.  I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to homeschool her and as we worked on her writing she helped reignite my passion for it which I had put on hold.  Now we wake up early and sit at the table together noveling and drinking our tea/coffee before the school day starts.  So while I may have helped launch her dreams, she has fired up my engines again and relaunched my own.  Thanks Jess!

I'm lucky I don't have just one awesome daughter I have two!  So I'm passing this award on to Alyssa from Life is Good, who is always encouraging me to reach new heights in coaching and writing.  Thanks Alyssa its such a pleasure to work with you on the ice and off! :)

I'm also passing this on to PK-Hrezo who was my first real follower.  I was ecstatic that I had actually met someone who thought my writing was worthy enough to follow and even comment on!  Thanks PK for being there for me!

And to Talli Roland who is always there with an encouraging word.

Thanks so much ladies!  I hope I can give as much to others as you have given to me.  :)

I'd love to hear who helped inspire/launch your writing dreams.  And what are you working on now?

Kathy
 
And don't forget to stop by on Monday to join in the fun for the Knights of Micro-Fiction! (If you like flash fiction that is!)

Sweet Treats and Awards

 Hope everyone had a lovely Valentine's Day.  After 17 years of marriage my husband and I have gotten pretty lax on celebrating.  I used to make him a special dinner and he used to make me a card, but last night I decided to take it easy and make a big pot of chili and a spinach salad (ok that is his favorite salad).  And he said, "Oh yeah, that's right today is Valentine's Day."  Ahh men!  But don't worry I'm ok with that because throughout our marriage he has supported me in all my crazy endeavors and opened my mind up to even more wonderful possibilities.  I've come to believe the every day stuff is more important than the once a year events!

Our daughter Alyssa had special plans for us though so she enlisted the help of my son Ryan. They made Red Velvet cupcakes, got out candles, picked out a pink cyclamen (flower) from the store and made little paper heart decorations.  Alyssa also spent time cleaning up the kitchen so it would look sparkly clean for dinner.  It was a wonderful treat!  Thanks Alyss and Ryan! and Happy Valentines Day Sweetie.



Other sweet things:  Awards!  Yeah!


 A few days ago,  Nick Wilford bestowed the Kreativ Blogger and the Versatile Blogger Awards on me.  Thanks so much Nick!  So here are 7 random facts about me:

1.  I love fishing.  I used to go fishing every weekend with my Gramps, we'd sit in the boat talking and watching the sunset and we'd even catch some big fish sometimes. Now I try to go with him at least once a summer, he's 90 and still fishin'.  Wish I could make it to Michigan more often!

2.  I used to be a terrible cook, but now after 17 years of cooking for my family I can actually devise my own recipes that everyone loves.

3.  I'm a nut about eating organic or home cooked foods.  I totally believe in the healing power of fresh fruits, veggies and yogurts and dark chocolate.

4.  I get overly sentimental when I see a delicate rose opening its petals, a sunset painting the heavens pink,  or a soft blanket of snow sparkling like crystals in the sunlight.

5.    I'm terrified of spiders and sharks but snakes and bats are ok.  I even had to save my husband from a bat once.

6.  I love traveling with my family!  We've been to lots of great places including: Japan, India, Mexico, Yellowstone National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, and some great Canadian cities- Whistler, Toronto, and Quebec.

7.  Last Fall we "moved" from Ohio to Seattle.  We drove the entire 2600 miles and saw Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore and Devil's Tower and all the corn in between.  Then we decided Seattle wasn't quite right and drove the 2600 miles back to Ohio seeing Sun Valley, Id, Craters of the Moon.  We got stuck in a snowstorm at the Grand Tetons and saw a bear and a moose!

And a bonus number 8 because my son says I have to add this.
8. My son says, I'm the worst at playing video games--even his grandma is better; but one day I beat a level in Mini Ninjas that no one else could! :)


I'm passing these on to the following wonderful blogger buddies:

Julie at Rosewood Pencil Box

Jess at Write Skate Dream

 Fair Betty at Fair Bettys World

Melissa Sugar at Fiction Tool Box

Rena at Dr Faerie Godmother

Alyssa at Life Is Good

Have a great day!

Kathy :)

Happy Weekend!

 I had a great time with all of the awesome blogfests this past week.  Thanks to Tara Tyler for her fun Blogoversary party and Christine Tyler for her Sparkfest.  I also want to thank Alyssa over at Life is Good for giving me some super cool awards!  Thanks Alyssa!

I'm also excited to be part of the Campaigners over at Rachael Harrie's blog. But today, I'm looking forward to a long weekend of some R&R up in Northern Michigan.  We are going to celebrate my Grandpa's 90th birthday!  We will be staying at his cottage on a lake.  I love waking up early and watching the sun rise over the mirror-like surface.  It has always been a great place for me to clear my thoughts and write.  Yeah!  Maybe I'll come back with my first 5 chapters done! Hope you all have a great weekend.

I'll pass these awards on when I return on Tuesday and I will also check out all my fellow campaigner's blogs as well.

Kathy