Welcome 2010!

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Was your New Year’s Eve everything you wanted it to be or more?

Since I’m actually writing this mid-day on New Year’s Eve, I can’t even answer my own question. I don’t know yet how the evening is going to go. But since I knew I’d be late getting in, I decided to go ahead and write my post early so I won’t miss the first one of the New Year.

Now that I’ve decided to write it, what do I write about?

I had a little bit of free time Thursday (when I should have been reading) to do some browsing around on new blog sites. It’s like a domino effect when you go to one site, they tell about new sites they’ve found or ones they find interesting. You go check those out and those lead to more, and those to more and more, and you get the picture.

I am constantly amazed at what is out there in the blogging world. To be able to connect with people all over the United States, as well as numerous foreign countries is something else to say the least. You can tell, I’m still stunned by modern technology.

The subject matter of the various  blogs is unbelievable. You can find a blog that relates to all most any subject you can think of. I also understand there are other blogging circles that go in other directions, as well, such as the business industries.

I can find blogs about all types of animals - cats, dogs, horses; there’s numerous sites devoted to or include cooking, some focus on one type of cooking or ingredient while others are just cooking in general; books sites to delight a reader beyond words; and so much more.

One common element I have noticed at all the sites I have visited and continue to go back to - friendship.

All the sites seem to enjoy a new visitor making a comment. The visitor feels invited to participate in the conversation. You’re not an outsider just reading words on a screen, but a new neighbor welcomed to the gathering. I hope that's the way everyone feels that stops by here.

Some sites are serious, some are informative, some are entertaining, some are light-hearted, and some are just out and out funny laugh-out loud places to visit.

No matter what mood you’re in, visit a site and be uplifted, given something to smile about, shake your head in wonder, and yes, some times even cry about.

But, you’re not alone doing this. The comments on the site show you there are others out there that feel pretty much like you do (most of the time). Okay, so sometimes there are those that have a completely different take on the matter. But isn’t that the fun part - the interacting, sharing and discussing?

Thanks to everyone who has stop by, whether you’ve commented or not. Thanks to those who have commented, any and all responses are appreciated. Let me know what you think of the blog, of it’s contents and of the posts I make.

I’m looking forward to the coming year and all the adventures it brings. I’m looking forward to reading all the books I have and receiving lots more to read. I’m looking forward to finding new blog sites and making new friends. I’m looking forward to revisiting the sites I’ve found and especially enjoying the new friendships I’ve formed.

Anything you're looking for in 2010? What are your thoughts on the blogging community?

Surprises and Traditions, Goodbye 2009!

The 2009 year ends tonight at midnight. Do you have a tradition you celebrate each year as the clock strikes midnight?

Before I get into my comments about my New Year’s tradition, let me say a special “Thank You” to Albert the Cat. I was surprised yesterday when he stopped by and bestowed the “The Honest Scrap Award” to Thoughts in Progress.

In presenting the award on his blog, he noted: The Honest Scrap citation reads - "for bloggers who put their heart on display as they write from the depths of their soul." He went on to say, “Don't worry if you have received it before. Like the Oscars, they make good bookends.”

I’m proud to say, I have received the award before. It was my first award and was given to me by Michele Emrath from Southern City Mysteries.

I’m delighted to display both awards, along with the other two I have been honored to receive. Now in receiving Albert's award, there are a few conditions that I have to comply with in order to accept it - they are as follows:
*  Highlight the award on your blog and link back to the person who bestowed the award to you - I've done that.
*  Post 10 interesting things about yourself - that will be difficult as I don’t consider myself interesting.
*  Pass on the baton by presenting the award to 10 other blogs.

First, the 10 things about myself: 1) I love most animals;  2)  I don’t like mice, rats, or gophers;  3) I don’t like opossums (they caused my first horse to die); 4) I enjoy horseback riding; 5) I love flying, especially in helicopters; 6) I can’t ride roller coasters; 7) I enjoy taking photographs; 8) I hate having my photograph taken; 9) I love the outdoors; and 10) I enjoy all types of music.

Now to pass the baton on to deserving bloggers. There are so many it’s hard to select just a few. I would like to pass it on to the ones who have help me during these past two months of getting my feet wet in the land of blogging. Since it is my award now, I’m changing the rules a bit. I won’t require that the award is passed on, you can do so if you wish; you don’t have to link the award back to me; but 10 interesting things about yourself would be nice (since I had to come up with mine). Feel free to do as you wish with the award. I pass the award onto:
Mystery Writing is Murder
Southern City Mysteries
Confessions of a Mystery Novelist...
Under the Tiki Hut
Crystal Clear Proofing
Patricia Stoltey
The Conscious Cat 
Journaling Woman
Romance Author, Terry Spear
Lesa's Book Critiques
Cozy Murder Mysteries

Now for traditions. We have a tradition for New Year’s Eve that started the second New Year’s Eve after my husband and I met. We decided to get together with his cousin and his family; one of the cousin’s sisters, her family; and one of their brothers and his families. Yeah, there was a house full of people including a lot of children.

At the time VCRs had just come out and none of us had one yet. We rented a VCR and about a half dozen or so VHS movies from a friend who owned a furniture/appliance store. He told us we were crazy for watching movies on New Year’s Eve.

Well, we did. We stayed up all night watching movies, playing board games, playing games the kids got for Christmas, and playing "Donkey Kong." At midnight we shoot fireworks (we all live in the country).

The cousin’s youngest child was just barely a year old the first New Year’s Eve we all spent together. Tonight he will be there with his wife and their baby boy who just turned two in November.

Every year, even when the kids were teen-agers off dating, they were home (sometimes bringing their dates) by midnight to help with the fireworks. It’s been 28 years and we still rent movies and shoot fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

The crowd has thinned down to us, the cousin and his wife, and their three children and the children’s spouses and children. We no longer stay up all night, but we do still ring in the new year together. It’s a tradition that has a lot of history and meaning to us.

Do you have any traditions on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day? Does your family have a special meal on New Year’s Day?

As this year draws to a close, let me say a special thanks here for all those who have commented on my posts or just stopped by during the past couple of months I’ve been doing this. You all have made my blogging experience wonderful and I look forward to our continued friendship in 2010.

Have a safe and HAPPY NEW YEAR!