I was so lucky to receive the "Let's be Friends" Award from two great blogging "friends". Jillian of JILLIAN'S PAGES, whom I talked about in my previous post, sent this my way. Jillian, while just a young whipper snapper in chronological years is one of my "older blogging buddies"---in terms of how long I've been reading her blog and she's been reading mine!!! I know I would love to meet her in person some day and if I do, I hope she'll bring the Bebe and her mom, Jean, of THE DAISY CHAIN. Jillian, thank you for this award---I certainly appreciate our friendship.
The second person to send this award to me was Deanna of TIMELESS THINGS. Deanna, is a newer blogging friend. I believe we connected through Pink Saturday posts. Deanna lives in Texas and is also a gal after my own heart---she loves vintage treasures and thrifty finds. She does a wonderful job of sharing her fondness for those items through her blog. It's a spot I enjoy visiting and she will always have a surprise for you---just like the surprise I saw on a recent post dedicated to her hubby and the place where they were married! You see, they were married in a spot in Alaska that my hubby and I have visited a couple of times---Exit Glacier near Seward. I can't think of a more beautiful place to say "I do" than in that location. Thank you Deanna for including me in your list of recipients of this award. I look forward to reading many, many more of your great posts.
![Award2[1]](https://thestonerabbit.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551ebc5ca8834011278fc088428a4-500pi "Award2[1]")
This next award is certainly a special one. It was created by Claudie of BUBBLIN' OVER. She calls this award the "If the Shoe Fits-Wear It" award. It's about finding the heart and "sole" of friendship and is a "platform" for recognizing that each of us wears unique qualities of friendship (like a favorite pair of shoes and we wear comfortably and repeatedly).
This wonderful friendship award was created by one of the neatest blogging gals around--Claudie. She is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. She makes great efforts to feature her love of vintage---with a Claudie-Twist--- in the decorating of her home. Pinks and pastels are welcome with open arms---as are the best in chocolates, shoes and little furry critters. Claudie kindly promotes others on her site by featuring a blogger each week. Her generosity knows no limits. Claudie, I thank you for including me in your list of folks to receive this wonderful award of yours----you are amazing blogging friend.
Another special "Blogging Friend" is Cathy of THE CHRISTMAS CORGI. Cathy presented me with a fun tag to play! However, before I share that with you, I want to tell you about Cathy and her blog. I "met" Cathy through a fellow blogger, Susan. I instantly liked Cathy when I first visited her blog. You see, Cathy is an artist---with her favorite subjects being the Corgi dogs she loves so much! She and her family and friends are very involved in the World of Corgis---I find it so very interesting, as I honestly didn't know a thing about Corgis until I was lucky enough to meet Cathy! How exciting is this---her dog, Bridget, just competed in the Westminster Dog Show and won an Award of Merit! On her Feb. 9th post, you can see a video of the Corgi judging at the show. It is a great little piece to watch--they are adorable dogs and that Bridget was darling!
Thanks for sending this tag my way, Cathy, and thank you for sharing your artistic and blogging talents with us!
7 Random Things About Me Tag
1. I once won a talent contest for my pantomime and "dance performance" to "Ahab the Arab".
2. The best thing I have ever done for myself was to quit smoking. I did that on July 13, 1982...7:00 p. m. . It was also the hardest thing I have ever done----well, maybe not as hard as birthing babies. The pain of quitting smoking just lasted a lot longer! :)
3. My grandpa used to scare the "bee-jeebers" out of me (and my cousins) by telling scary stories to us about the Yah-Hoos who lived in the small mountains of Northern Arkansas. I can hear his deep voice right now saying "Yah-Hoo. . . . Yah-Hoo" (the sound those critters would make as they were searching for US!!!). We'd be squealing and shaking in total fear by the time he finished one of his stories. I sure wished he would have written some of them down.
4. My favorite car that I have ever owned and driven was a 1992 Grey Jeep Grand Cherokee. I drove it for 12 years and put thousands of miles on it. It reached the point where it was needing lots of frequent repairs, so we sold it and bought another vehicle. The car is still in use by a fellow in town---I see my little four wheeled friend every Fourth of July when the owner comes to the same picnic we attend. My heart just aches when I see the little faded grey beauty---I LOVED to drive that car.
5. I LOVE "24" and "Lost". Friends know not to call during the times those shows are on!
6. I have a really bad case of Motion Sickness. I can't even walk on a tread-mill because the movement of the belt makes me sick when I look down at it. Car rides, especially if I'm in the back seat, are torture. My friend Patty has a story she never fails to tell, whenever possible, about a car ride she gave me up and down the hills around Jefferson City, Missouri, and what I looked like by the time we arrived at our destination.
7. The most memorable dinner out that I have ever experienced was atTavern on the Green in NYC with two dear friends, Patty and Mary Ann. I was just awe struck by every little detail---it was the first time I had ever eaten Creme Brulee.
There you go. You have endured two posts on awards I have received and a fun tag. I do hope you visit the bloggers I have shared with you in this post and the previous one. It's always so wonderful to find new folks---I know you will love the ones I have mentioned.
Blogging is such a connecting force--it brings us together with the
most amazing folks. Blogs let us peek into the lives of each other, a
bit,--- visiting blogs helps broaden our knowledge in many new and exciting areas. Visiting blogs can take us on great trips to
spots we might not be able to see in person, or make us drool over
mouthwatering recipes, or introduce us to elegant lifestyles and entertaining ideas or share tips on how to
live frugally "in style". Bloggers are talented, kind, generous, caring, funny, creative---the list is endless. Bloggers share a unique friendship. I truly appreciate being a part of this community of special friends.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
What has Stella been up to, you ask?
Well, life this week has been fairly normal---and Stella has seemed to enjoy this!
On Tuesday, I had my mammogram appointment---Stella came along. As I entered the miniature dressing room they plop you in before the Big Squeeze, I pulled her out of my purse and placed her on my folded exam gown--I had an idea about photographing Stella next to my face just as the technician clamped that device down on me,but I promptly decided that I probably could not click that camera and remain still, so photos of her experience with the mammogram equipment were not taken.
I tried to get a picture of the area where my doctor's office is---it's in an area of Kansas City called The Country Club Plaza. This wonderful place was the first shopping center in the world designed to accommodate shoppers arriving by automobile. It is a real upscale location full of great shops, fountains and architectural design. On Thanksgiving night, every year, thousands flock to the area to see The Plaza Lights turned on for the first time---welcoming the Christmas season. They stay on until the middle of January and are truly a sight to behold.
When Stella and I were on The Plaza, it was a gloomy, cloudy, high-traffic type of a day. I tried to get a view of the main drag when I was at a stop light. It's a terrible photo, but you can see one of the many fountains to the right of the school bus. If you click on The Country Club Plaza above, you will find lots of great photos of the area--on brighter days! :)
Stella was impressed with the beautiful area--even though it was a "drive-by"!
Yesterday, I had to drop newspapers off at our little recycling container we have in our church parking lot. Stella pointed out a new container that had been added---one where we can place our cardboard and some plastic items. I told her the other items we recycle have to be taken to a city location not terribly far away. Stella was glad to see that so many folks are making recycling an important part of their daily lives.
Next on our agenda was doing a little grocery shopping! Our local HY-VEE store gives a 5% discount on our total grocery bill on Wednesdays--to us Elder Shoppers!!! It adds up to quite a savings over a month---I just forget to make certain I shop on Wednesdays sometimes. It must be that "Elder Shopper" memory thingy I have! :)
Stella enjoyed her tour of our grocery store. She did tell me she was really grateful that she didn't have to pay for groceries---she was shocked at my total spent, even with the Elder Discount!
Today, Stella visited our nearby mall, The Independence Center, with me.
This weekend my Breakfast Group is hosting a bridal shower for Laura's daughter---so I was on the hunt for a new item to wear with THE BLACK SLACKS.
Stella and I hit the Dillard's store first. It's my favorite place at this location. Unfortunately, after quite some time of looking and walking and walking and looking and trying things on------Stella and I left Dillard's's empty-handed.
After a little snack at the Pretzel Shop, Stella and I continued our search.
We checked out Macy's, Coldwater Creek, Chico's, Penney's and struck out in those spots, too.
Even though I didn't find what I came for, Stella was thrilled when she spotted a rack of MIZZOU shirts. She was so excited! She said she had heard stories about the WONDERFUL Missouri Tigers---even all the way over in England (the location of her origin!). She so enjoyed being photographed with the glorious MIZZOU shirts---and who wouldn't?
I forgot to show you what Stella had slipped into the shopping cart when we went to the grocery store. That Stella has a sweet tooth just like me---she saw these chocolate swirl marshmallows and just HAD to have them.
THE STONE RABBIT and Stella had the best time visiting and eating chocolate marshmallows. You see, THE STONE RABBIT has quite a little sweet tooth himself!
DANA
