The Ultimate Blog Party - Winners

All the numbers have been tabulated (thanks to Random Number Generator), answers were reviewed for qualifying party go-ers, and finally winners chosen.

Many party go-ers did not read the introductions thoroughly and so were, unfortunately, removed from the final qualifying round. At each blog, I asked a specific question and kindly requested a specific answer. If the question was overlooked or not answered, the individual was sadly eliminated. Luckily, many party go-ers did read the introductions, so the winners are...

At All Things Cherished, Aunt Rene (#20) of Aunt Rene won Pillow Talk by iMom.

At 365 Days of Christmas, Blp3 (#28) of Let's Talk Politics won The Heart and Home of Christmas by Karla Dornacher.

At 365 Day of Memories, Jenny (#52, non-blogger) won the four pack of handmade cards made by me.

At 365 Days of Organization, Forest Green (#51) of Katrina Relocators won a planner.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Thanks to so many for all the compliments about me and my blogs this past week. I have been truly touched by your kindness.

Sing to Me Saturday #5

God Bless The USA
by Lee Greenwood

If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.
I’d thank my lucky stars,
to be living here today.‘
Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can’t take that away.
And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.‘
Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well, there's pride in every American heart,
and its time we stand and say.
That I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.‘
Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

And I’m proud to be and American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.‘
Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

Check out video for a beautiful rendition of God Bless the USA.

Let me know what songs you cherish in your heart by adding your link to Mr. Linky below. Please link to your post and not to the main page of your blog. I look forward to seeing what songs my cherished followers and friends hold in their hearts.

Thought of the Day - 3/28/09

One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.
~~ Helen Keller ~~

All About Memes

Let’s talk about memes, what they are, and why they are good for your blog.

What is a meme?
A meme is a group of bloggers who blog about something similar at a set time, and then visit each other in order to get to know each other better and grow traffic to their own blogs.

How does it work?
Generally, a meme is hosted by a particular blog. Some, like Thursday Thirteen, have a dedicated site of their own. Others, like Tackle It Tuesday are hosted by a pre-existing blog. Each week or month, depending on the meme, a new theme or topic is posted and then participants post links to their meme post. For example, every Thursday, Thursday Thirteen participants post a list of 13 things on a topic of their choice, and then post their link on the hosting site. Participants then visit each other throughout the week and leave comments for other participants.

What is the benefit?
Doing memes can bring in new readers and improves traffic stats. Regular participation will produce loyal readers and build a more personal connection with your readers, which is good for your blog.

Is a meme a good option for you?
Participating in a meme takes time. In order for it to be effective, you need to take the time to visit and comment on other participants blogs each week. Otherwise, they will quickly stop visiting you as well.

There are many memes to choose from on many different topics.

Aloha Friday #7

My question this week:

What is your favorite family movie?

Join the hostess, Kailani, at An Island Life to see other fun, thought-provoking questions.

One Day to Earth Hour 2009

3,900 cities and towns in 84 countries around the world will turn out for Earth Hour. More than 300 cities and towns in the U.S. representing 43 states and the District of Columbia are going dark as part of the largest global climate event in history. Before the rooster crows in most American cities on Saturday morning, lights will already have gone dark in cities like Christchurch, Sydney, and Brisbane. By breakfast time on the U.S. East Coast, the cities of Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Singapore, and Manila will be celebrating the arrival of the largest global climate event in history. Just before lunchtime in America, the lights will be dimming in Mumbai, Amman, and Dubai. And by early afternoon in New York, it will be lights out in Paris, Istanbul, London, and Copenhagen.

Momentum continues to build. With just one day to go, Earth Hour continues to gain support in cities, with government leaders and celebrities, in the media, and on social networking sites.

Read all about it. Earth Hour coverage breaks nationally this week, with articles in People Magazine and The New York Times.

What will you be doing when the lights go out? From parties by candlelight to flashlight tag to simply going outside and enjoying the stars, there's no end to the ways people are planning to "turn out" for Earth Hour this weekend. What will you be doing? Tell us about it. Sign Mr. Linky below if you are planning to celebrate the largest climate shout-out in history.

Turn Out. Take Action.

Thought of the Day - Bonus

Thought of the Day - 3/27/09

In the midst of life's busy-ness, I am challenged . . .
to pause,
to breath deeply,
to contemplate.

Thought of the Day - 3/26/09

Happiness is your mind thinking through your heart.

Poverty . . . To Be or Not To Be

I'm 41, got a net worth of $0. Poverty is a subsidized house, an old used car with dents, dings, & rust, Goodwill & yard sale & passed down clothing, no money to travel & play, no money to save or invest, no retirement, no safety net, nothing.

I was recently told I don't know what poverty is. Most people who know me don't know I'm poor because this is not a fact to share with your neighbors, fellow PTO members, friends . . . even family.

I don't want to continually justify myself to others. I don't choose to be poor but I am. I don't choose to not be able to work a regular full-time job due to various health issues but I am not able to work. I don't choose to not have the financial help from the fathers of my children but I am a single mother.

I wouldn't change anything because I am home with my children when they need me. I wish I had better health, I wish the father's would pay their child support, I wish I had more money for basics.

I may not be able to go out to a restaurant for dinner, I may not be able to afford luxuries like a cellular phone, I may not be able to sign my kids up for fun activities like dance or karate. But I'd rather be poor and home for my children.

I may be poor but I am not low class.

Thought of the Day - 3/25/09

Thought of the Day - 3/24/09

I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.
~~ Audrey Hepburn ~~

Thought of the Day - 3/23/09

Anything of quality takes time.

Make Me Laugh Monday - Supermarket Surround Sound

New Supermarket Surround Sound

The new supermarket near my house has an automatic water mister to keep the produce fresh. Just before it goes on, you hear the sound of distant thunder and the smell of fresh rain. When you approach the milk cases, you hear cows mooing and smell the scent of fresh hay. When you approach the egg case, you hear hens cluck & cackle and the air is filled with the pleasing aroma of bacon & eggs frying. The vegetable department features the smell of fresh buttered corn.

I don't buy toilet paper there any more.


Join in making Mondays better by smiling &/or laughing. Share a joke, a comic strip, a picture, a riddle . . . as long as its clean (remember we are a family blog). Add the link to your post to Mr. Linky below.

Thought of the Day - 3/22/09

Honor your identity, fulfill your dreams, and reignite your passion.