SPARK, Liebster Award

Monday is here and it will be a little bit busy for us today because in addition to SPARKS we were nominated for a Blog Award and that will be AFTER we do our SPARK for today.     Since we WERE nominated for a blog award, it reminded me that we should always ALWAYS be thankful for things we get or have.    SPARKS was started by Annie McGuffy of McGuffy’s Reader but after she was hacked she discontinued the SPARKS posts – many of us who enjoyed participating in SPARKS wanted to carry on in her name……….so we post inspiring graphics on Mondays.    Maybe it will be something you will totally “get” the minute you read OR you will think about it and BOOM – realize instantly that it DOES belong in your heart.     Hopefully though it might get you to think a bit about the week ahead or maybe relieve your mind about something that’s bothering you……….My SPARK today is about being THANKFUL – in the midst of what’s going on, we still have a lot to be thankful for!

A pertinent SPARK message considering what’s going on in the world these days.   It sure hit home with me anyway.     I’m also very thankful that Kristiina of the blog PHOTOFINLANDRANTASALOT.wordpress.com nominated me as one of six bloggers to receive the Liebster Award.    I love Kristiina’s blog which she shares along with her cat Kosmo in the beautiful home they have in Finland.   THANK YOU KRISTIINA!!!   What gorgeous photos she shares.    The Liebster Award is an internet blogger award whose name is German in origin.  It’s really just a way to share blog addresses and provide new friends and a way to meet other bloggers for ideas and making new contacts.    I got this award years ago when I was fairly new to blogging.    I’ve followed the rules (somewhat) and that’s OK – you can be flexible in how you pass it on.    Here’s the actual badge that those who participate get:

There are even several variations of the badge but this is the one I received and am passing on to those of you who I nominate and choose to participate!

Rules to the Liebster Blogger awards:   (although there were six questions from Kristiina – YAY!)

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and give them a big hug give them a link to the blog.
2. Answer the 11 questions given to you or at least most of them
3. Share 11 or so facts about yourself
4. Nominate between 5-11 other bloggers
5. Ask your nominees 11 or so questions
6. Notify your nominees once you’ve uploaded your post

The SIX Questions for ME to Answer were:

1 Why do you blog?  It was my way of continuing to write after I’d stopped writing when I got ill in 2006 – blogging got me “going” again.  Now it’s just plain FUN and it’s actually not just MY  blog – it’s my cat’s blog as well so I’ve given him a voice.

2 Blue jeans or formal wear? Cake or a health bar? Why?  I am a total blue jeans girl……always have been.   I also am definitely a cake or cookie girl – I should eat “healthy” but I never have.   

3 If you could have one (more) animal live with you, what would it be and why? It would be another cat – to keep Teddy company – why?  Because I often think he’d be happier with a companion of his own species (he has humans!) and when it comes to the joy and fun cats bring, the more the merrier!

4 What do you feel are your greatest talents? Empathy…….an honest desire to help people if I can…….a big heart.

5 If you could be any age, what would it be and why? I’m a believer in enjoying whatever age you actually are……we can’t go back or forward to be in the moment and love who you are and what you are NOW.   So my favorite age is “almost 73” because I am.

6 If there was one thing you could go back and do differently, what would it be? Perhaps I’d go back and make more of an effort to start my adult life out on the right foot.   I sort of slipped and slid along for the first five or so years after I was out on my own…….but then that probably went into making me the woman I am today.

Now I know that a whole lot of bloggers have stopped accepting awards – in fact it had been a very long time (years) since I even saw a blogging award making the rounds.   But I’ll pass the award on to six bloggers and if you’d LIKE to participate please do.    I think most people already have the Liebster but like me – if you want another one (!) and answer the questions – then you can have a matched pair of awards!!!

First, here are my SIX QUESTIONS for you to answer if you are going to participate:

1.   Do you think there is life on other planets?   Why or Why Not?
2.   What is your VERY FAVORITE meal either to cook yourself OR to order in a restaurant?
3.   If you could afford ANY car in the world – what would it be?
4.  Are you superstitious?
5.   Do you prefer early mornings or late nights or both?
6.   What is your favorite type of music?

And here are my nominees…………..but remember – this is optional since I don’t know who does and doesn’t do awards (regardless of whether you received this one before!) – don’t feel bad if you don’t want to participate…………really!     I’m linking to all of my Nominees so you will be aware that I nominated you………………

The Cat Corner

Down Home In NC

Bad Cat Chris

Kolytyi

Meezer’s Mews & Terrieristical Woofs

Angels Whisper

The third part of my post today has to do with reminding all of you (because the Professors said I needed to) that tomorrow is Tuesday Teaser class and you will need to brush up on your geography tonight so you’ll be more able to deal with figuring out where the Teaser photo was taken tomorrow!    OK?   OK!    See you in class.

Hugs, Pam and Teddy too (Teddy says remember tomorrow is TEASER TUESDAY!!)