Happy 4th and Freedom to all!

Hey, Happy 4th and Freedom to all!

I hadn't been able to sign in for about two weeks. Very weird it was, and I think maybe because we use a Google sign-in for work. The blog kept insisting on my using that sign-in, yet wouldn't accept any passwords. I only tried a few times, as I'm on the computer quite a bit, but it's for work. By the time the reports are finished up and sent, I usually have had my fill of computer usage! Plus it's also usually quite late/early and I work fairly early in the morning, seven days a week. I haven't even Twittered very often and that is the quickest, easiest thing to do.

Anyway, I finally had time to monkey around with the blog sign-in today, even though I got on the computer to write up two reports from yesterday. Yeah, OK, now I'm feeling guilty about that and need to get to work and get those finished and sent.

A bad, bad blogger

I've been a bad, bad blogger (hangs head in shame) Being a "bad" blogger actually means being a NON-blogger. I love to blog but so many other things get in the way. Like work, for example. Last night I got home at 8:30 pm, hadn't eaten lunch or dinner yet and still had about six hours of documentation to do. So I've been on the computer, all right, but doing other things.

Another confession: I've been twittering instead. Yeah, I like blogging and reading blogs much, much better than the short, more impersonal "announcements" on Twitter. But Twitter works for me in the short bursts of time available, whereas, lately, at least, blogging, although more emotionally satisfying for sure(!) has not. I MISS you all! Anybody want to Twitter?

Been a long, long time

Oh it's been a long, long time since I've been here. I've really missed you all and reading about your lives. I used to wonder why anyone would ever want to leave, to stop blogging. Now I know. Sometimes there just is not any good thing to blog about.

Most people post a mixture of the good and bad things that are happening in their lives and there is a nice balance. In fact in reading your blogs the balance seems to usually tilt to the good side--which is a wonderful thing!

When the journaling (I use blogging as a journal) becomes a repetition of bad thing/worse thing/bad thing/bad thing it just doesn't make very good reading material. Even the most wonderful and sympathetic reader might just run out of things to say and get fatigued while trying to keep up encouragement to the "down" party. I really didn't want to put you through all of that and switched back to keeping a notebook journal. But I've really missed the social contacts and learning about the daily realities of other people's--YOUR--lives.

Hopefully this blog will have a better balance now of blessings as well as struggle. It's been a long, hard road. Everyone has some trials and turmoil in their lives at some point. This year has made me realize that I've lived a pretty charmed life, in the past. Not too much bad had happened to me (except in childhood--long since past) and maybe I just wasn't appreciating my good life enough. Who knows why bad things happen? Being unemployed for so long has given me the gift of a lot of time to think things over, dream a little, and plan for the future.

Thanks to all of you who kept commenting, some even E-mailing me--I really appreciate your care, concern and support!!!!!

Hope your present is going well, no I hope it's been going GREAT! And that this summer (or winter, for some) is wrapping up to be a pleasant and memorable time! I'm going out to visit some blogs, see ya at your place!

The Power of Schmooze Award.

I have been tagged by Sumo from the blog Sumo Merriment for The Power of Schmooze Award. Thank you for the wonderful honor of including me among those blogs you designated for the The Power of Schmooze Award.

So, what does this mean?

FORMS: schmoozed or schmoosed also shmoozed, schmooz·ing or schmoos·ing, shmooz·ing, schmooz·es or schmoos·es, shmooz·es

Slang To converse casually, especially in order to make a social connection. A perfect definition of blogging!

It was a nerve-racking and difficult decision but here are my 5 recipients of The Power of Schmooze Award. First, I need to stop and explain, that there are several great blogs that I read which have become private, by invitation only. They are totally deserving of the award, yet in fairness to those who can't read them, I couldn't give it to any of them.

And, there are so many bloggers I read as often as I can who also totally deserve the award. To them I will have to say, sorry, we're only allowed to pick five. (So did that fill up my alotted quota of speaking?!) So without further ado (I always wanted to say that) here are the 5 recipients of The Power of Schmooze Award. drum roll....

Lorna in Wonderland:

Lorna is always 3E in my book: Elegant, Entertaining and Educational! I learn something every time I go to her blog, and also laugh a lot at her very clever writing and observations.

Stuff I Think About by Bikercandy

Bikercandy has interesting and lively posts and observations about everything from her family to her work and riding on her motorcycle. Don't you just love her name? (If you don't already read her blog), you will love her intelligent and funny posts too!

Just Eat Your Cupcake, by Maria
Maria has thought-provoking, honest posts about the difficulties and the funny-side of relationships and parenthood. So many of the things she writes about are so universal, yet rendered poignant and poetic by her delicate touch.

Lost Here and Beyond by Walker
Honest, funny, outrageous, he writes about his out-of-the-ordinary family and friends, with some very interesting fiction thrown in. You just never know what you are going to get when you go there to read Walker's posts!

Sumo Merriment
Passionate and intelligent writing about the state of the world. Some great recipes and political comics too. Guaranteed to make you think, and either laugh or cry (sometimes both).

So that about wraps up the The Power of Schmooze Award recipient list. The award winners now have been specially endowed and empowered (except for those who have already done this, or don't care to do it) to bestow this precious award to 5 bloggers of their choosing.