Several weeks ago, Lauren from Rein Rant ‘N Rave nominated me for the Versatile Blogger. I didn’t follow up as I should because there were many awards circulating at the time and I thought I could take a different approach. Silly me. Since Sally Field has been done many times (They like me, they like me), I was stumped for a new twist. I gave up on winning the Pulitzer for this post…maybe next time.

Then, this past week I was nominated for either the Versatile Blogger or the Liebster award by yearstricken followed by inclusion on RVing girl’s blog so I thought I better respond properly. First, I am thoroughly honored. As I have said before, bloggers, especially new ones, are needy. I love to hear that someone actually liked something I wrote. I truly want to thank anyone who has clicked a “like” or entered a response. That is the best gift you can give a blogger.

I had received the award a couple of months ago and did the required routine. Instead of boring you again, I have included the link. The bloggers I noted on that blog are still some of my favorite bloggers. Blogging is amazing. I have come to know people by their first name – Nancy, Rita, Dawn, Helen and the elusive Paprika and they are my internet BFFs. The make me laugh and cry (hopefully I do whatever is appropriate for the occasion). I have listed some new (for me) bloggers that I have found (or they found me) more recently. Most of them post on life experiences.  I have a short attention span, so people I follow usually keep it short.

Thanks to Lauren (http://reinrantnrave.wordpress.com). Her posts are great. They are about life — upbeat, positive and fun. I always like that. And thanks to year-struck (http://year-struck.com). I love her musings on life and her use of the English language. RVingGirl (http://rvinggirl.wordpress.com/) and I have been together for a while. Her blog is life mixed with spirituality.

Must read blog series:

Pschodynamom’s series on the adoption of a Russian child http://psychodynamom.com . It is heartwarming. I would check email everyday to get the latest news as the story unfolded.

http://www.geezersisters.com Her series on breast cancer is riveting for anyone who has gone through that experience.

More favorites:

Everyone needs a blog to keep them young. I visit Ashley to see what the young folks are thinking http://ashleyjillian.com. She did an interesting post on blogging tips.

There is Life is a Bowl of Kibble http://lifeisabowlofkibble.wordpress.com  who posts some unusual stuff, like a pixelized picture of herself. Brave woman!

Angrymiddleagewoman http://angrymiddleagewoman.com makes normal life funny or maybe funny life normal.

A new friend is Today I Think http://todayithink.wordpress.com. She posts short pieces almost daily – quick easy reads, sometimes just a quote or photo and sometimes a story or a book review. I found her because her Gravatar looks exactly like a cat I used to have. Oddly enough, after I found her, her cat passed away. I wouldn’t keep following just for that. I enjoy her work.

When I want to live a fantasy life in a foreign country, I visit Help! I live with my Italian mother-in-law http://lmarmstrong66.wordpress.com. She posts about life in Italy with her Italian mother-in-law. Do I need to say more?

I am a cat lover and it wouldn’t be right if I didn’t have at least one cat blogger noted here. Kittybloger is a hoot. There are several posts every day — no words, just pictures, graphics or clips. I always go there when I need a chuckle http://kittybloger.wordpress.com.

There are others too (in alphabetical order):

http://awkwardeldon.com

http://becomingcliche.wordpress.com

http://chickswithticks.wordpress.com

http://disseminatedthought.wordpress.com

http://goddessofglitter.wordpress.com

http://snoringdogstudio.wordpress.com

http://thesquirrelseye.wordpress.com/about

There are many others too. Some I have just found. The best part of the whole award deal is that you get introduced to new bloggers.

Thank you all, especially my eighth grade nun teacher who didn’t think I couldn’t write! You inspired me to prove you wrong! (She thought I’d be a good auctioneer because I could certainly talk a lot!)