Tidbits

How are you at spring cleaning? If you’re organized, it’s probably a breeze. If you’re unorganized like me, it’s a monumental task.

With the thought and hope of spring just around the corner, I decided to was time to do some spring cleaning in my mind. Don’t panic and leave, this isn’t going to be gruesome or messy. I just need to start being more organized in my thoughts. Clean out the cobwebs so to speak.

Now that I’ve got you totally confused and wondering what is wrong with me today, let me get down to some business at hand.

I have a winner to announce for the signed copy of “The Cougar Club” by Susan McBride. The winner is Helen of Straight from Hel. Congratulations Helen and thanks to everyone who stop by and commented on Susan’s post.

Next I haven't been able to acknowledge some wonderful bloggers who graciously passed on awards to me recently.

Michele at Southern City Mysteries awarded me the "Sugar Doll" award on Saturday, Feb. 6. Be sure to check out Michele’s blog. She recently changed themes and the new one looks very professional and she’s always got something interesting going on.

Jemi at Just Jemi presented me with the “From Me to You” (Picasso) award on Friday, Feb. 12. Jemi has a wonderful blog with very enlightening posts. Be sure to see what’s she up to since today is the last day of the Olympics and she will be leaving the TV. (Sorry couldn’t resist Jemi). :)

Terry at Romance Author, Terry Spear also presented me with the “From Me to You” (Picasso) award on Sunday, Feb. 21. Terry has a wonderful werewolf series that I adore. In addition, she creates teddy bears. Stop by her blog and then check out her website.

Carol at Under the Tiki Hut awarded me the “From Me to You” (Picasso) award on Monday, Feb. 15, and on Wednesday, Feb. 24, she also presented me with the Prolific Blogger award. Carol blogs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Her posts will keep you entertained and informed. Stop by to see.

Diane at Spunk On A Stick presented me with the "You Are My Sunshine" award on Friday, Feb. 19. Diane has a great blog, but her Sunday Sillies are a “must see” each week. Be sure to drop by to see what unusual photos she’s found.

Karen at karen...following the whispers  graciously awarded me the "You Are My Sunshine" award on Monday, Feb. 22. As many of you know, Karen is going through a difficult time with the recent passing of her mother-in-law (whom she and her husband had been caring for). She has been a pillar of strength and is now getting back to her writing and singing. Stop by and say hi.

Thanks to each of you for these terrific awards. I greatly appreciate them, I’m touched by your thoughtfulness, and I’m honored to consider each of you my friend.

Some of the awards came with rules, others didn’t. I’d like to be different and not attach any rules or conditions with the awards. I’d like to offer one or all of these beautiful awards to each and everyone who drops by Thoughts in Progress. I truly enjoy my blogging experience thanks to all the wonderful bloggers I’ve meet. This may not be the correct way to pass the awards on but there are so many great blogs that I visit I’d feel bad that I’d missed someone. So, please take an award or two and know I truly enjoy your visits and your friendship.

One other bit of business, I have a new giveaway to announce. Remember I’m expanding my reading genre experience.

"Just Let Me Lie Down" by Kristin van Ogtrop. This hardcover

biography/autobiography (ISBN: 9780316068284 is 272 pages and will be published April 1.

Here’s a brief synopsis:   Kristin van Ogtrop knows she's lucky--fulfilling career, great husband, three healthy kids, and, depending on the hamster count, an impressive roster of pets. She also knows she is tired. Always.

Using stories and insights from her own life, she provides a lexicon for the half-insane working mom. Anyone who has left a meeting to race to the Halloween parade immediately understands van Ogtrop's definition of "Kill the messenger" as "The action you must take in order to forget about the office for a time--that is, to remove your Blackberry/Treo/iPhone/whatever from your person and store it as far away as your neurotic self will allow." Filled with essays, lists, and resonant observations, JUST LET ME LIE DOWN establishes van Ogtrop as the Erma Bombeck of the new millennium.

Thanks to Anna and the Hachette Book Group I have three copies to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only and no post office box addresses can be accepted. To enter, send me an e-mail with “Win Just” in the subject line and include your name and address in the body of the e-mail. The giveaway will end at 8 p.m. on Sunday, March 21.

Since we’re talking about giveaways let me tell you about a new page I’ve added to the blog. Thanks to a link Diane at Spunk On A Stick posted on Friday, Feb. 26, I check out Morgan at Double M. The information was very helpful and I decided to see if I could add a page for giveaways.

At the top of the blog on the left sidebar under the welcome you will see a bar CURRENT GIVEAWAYS. Under it is a link “Click Here For Info.” Clicking on that link will take you to another page that has all the current giveaways and the rules for each. Thanks Diane and Morgan for helping me with this.

I know today’s post is a bit lengthy, but there was a lot I wanted to share. Check back tomorrow for a lineup of great authors that will be dropping by in the coming days. In addition, I have a question that has been plaguing me for sometime. I hope you can provide answers or suggestions.

Now, how’s your spring cleaning coming? Are you also cleaning out the cobwebs from your mind? Any tips you’d like to share to make either task easier?