Spreading Sunshine - Creative and Positive Inspiration

Completely out of the blue, Minelle has nominated me for "The Sunshine Award".

I am reliably informed that the idea is for bloggers to present the sun-loving flower to other bloggers who "creatively and positively inspire others in the blogosphere".  I don't know why you think I deserve it, but very many thanks.

Minelle has become my very good friend.  Despite great differences in our time zones, we manage to chat most weekends.  In fact, I was once on the phone so long and so late, that I got to the "final warning" stage.  

We talk about all sorts of things and often end up just putting the world to rights.  

Sometimes her Scotsman conducts a 'three-way' conversation in the background, and if her little dogs don't bark, I enquire as to their health!  

She is fun and supportive - and she is an artist and I can honestly tell you that her paintings are VERY GOOD!

If you want to join in the fun, the rules for the SUNSHINE AWARD are to:

1  Thank the person who gave you the award in your blog post.

2  Complete the Q & A below in your blog post.

3  Pass on the award to 10-12 deserving and inspiring bloggers, inform them and link to their blogs.

Here are the Sunny Questions implied for answering:

(I NEVER follow rules, then ALWAYS stress and panic, and then ALWAYS end up getting bitten in the bum!)

Favourite Colour:  Pinks, blues and lavenders.  I especially love flowers in these colours.  

Favourite Animal:  I have to say horses.  I'll love them forever!  My last horse, Troubadour, (or Toby) was the love of my life and I was so devastated when he died, that I have never had a horse since.  Luckily my son's girl friend teaches riding and equitation and I am able to visit her horses whenever I want.  Both dogs and cats come highly on my list as well, although we only have one vagabond, black, witch's cat at present.

Favourite Number:  7

Favourite Non-alcoholic Drink:  Costa Coffee Latte.  I also drink several glasses of 'spring' water every day.  Strangely I wasn't asked what alcoholic drink I prefer!  I wonder why!

Facebook or Twitter:  Facebook - I don't twitter.  I can only cope with so much technology!  It took me an eternity to learn how to create a blogsite, and all I ever do is ask for help with it!

Your Passion:  I love my husband and my family with passion, but I am passionate about writing, painting, gardening, riding horses and driving fast cars.  I've just discovered the art of patchwork, and am fast becoming addicted to Blogland.  When I first typed the word 'Spanking' into Google, little did I know where it would lead me!  It has changed my life and my outlook on it!

Giving or Getting Presents:  It has to be 'giving' presents. I adore looking for 'special' things that 'fit' the person, and I adore wrapping them in pretty paper with unusual ribbons and glittery bits.  I'm always the last to open my presents at Christmas, because I get all my enjoyment out of watching other people open theirs.

Favourite Day:  For me this is a difficult one to answer.  I love the first real day of summer, when the sun sears its way across a sky so blue you could drown in it.  Then I love the first time it really snows and covers the ground with sparkly white, and the flakes are big and fat and the sky looks grey and heavy - and I am inside in the kitchen baking!  I also love Christmas Day, in particular Christmas morning, when we break open the champagne and have smoked salmon for breakfast, although it was nicer when the kids were little and they used to drag in their stockings at five in the morning and shriek with excitement!

Favourite Flowers:  I adore old-fashioned roses, and they mostly come in mouth-watering shades of pink and white, and I love it when our garden is awash with bluebells and Queen Anne's lace, and the lavender bushes are in bloom and the scent wafts when you walk past them, scattering the butterflies.  I love blousey pale pink peonies too!

Now on to the nominations...

Truthfully, Starman and I have had, and continue to have, so much support, from so many people here during this stressful time, that I really feel like nominating you all!

Sara:  Sara has been there for me from the very start!  She's ignored some of my 'stranger' comments, she's mentored me through each and every 'sticky patch', and she has offered us both continual kindness and support.  Every so often I refer back to her blog for advice - it's like having a cup of coffee with a friend.  We have much in common, and I am forever grateful for her friendship and understanding.

SUNSHINE!

Lillie:  I will never forget how both Lillie and Ian offered support and advice when Starman and I first ventured into TTWD.  Hers were some of the very first posts I ever read out to him - and believe me, he seemed to take a lot of persuading back then.  (Funny how things change?!!)  

She also helped us more than she can ever know, by supporting us when we learned Starman had prostate cancer, and by asking their daughter questions on our behalf, which helped us to make informed decisions.  

I am still horribly envious of their quarter horses, and am one day determined to meet up just so they can let me ride one of them, regardless of the possibility that it may just earn me a spanking for shaking Starman's nerve!  And I must tell you, Lillie, that when a deer leapt right across the road in front of us on our way home from visiting our daughter, last night, I immediately thought of you!

SUNSHINE!

Mick:  I will always remember the first time I started reading Mick's blog!  I wrote him endlessly long emails and he always answered them!  His post entitled 'letter to my husband' was sheer genius and I wonder how many aspiring TTWD wives have used it to broach the subject of spanking?!  He has been a real inspiration to Starman and I!  (Even if he does lure Lynda into a 'closet' every once in a while!)

And, hey, Mick is also an avid Star Trek fan!  That makes us friends immediately!  I hope he has seen the new film - I haven't yet, but I fully intend to as soon as it does the rounds.

SUNSHINE!

Elisa:  Elisa's comments and emails are inspirational!  We share so many thoughts and feelings on various topics.  She has cheered me up during 'down' moments and made me feel that she is always there in case I need to talk.  

I am very happy to count her amongst my friends!

SUNSHINE!

Jan:  I love our chats back and forth.  Jan makes me laugh with her hilarious descriptions concerning things like carpets and wooden paddles!  It's lovely having Jan so near - how amazing is that!

Jan has been so very encouraging about Starman's impending medical trials. She's not had an easy time herself yet is always happy and cheerful.  We share a very similar sense of humour, and that helps too!

SUNSHINE!

Quiet Sara:  Sara and I have shared several emails.  She is a sweetie!  We have a great deal in common and she has been very supportive to me.  

I feel as if she has been around blogland for much longer than she has.  She fits right in!  I loved her memorable post about the 'different' positions for spanking - but I think I'll stay with what I know - I am not as flexible as I thought I was anymore!  I wish you

SUNSHINE!

Terpsicore:  Terps and I share a common approach to many things.  Her emails are kind and chatty and have offered support throughout.

Her glowing description of her 'Rose Paddle' was all the recommendation I needed to order one of the same.  (I am still waiting for it to arrive!)

Every now and again she will just 'check up' on me and I would to thank her for her kindness.

SUNSHINE!

Betsy:  Betsy was one of the first people to email me with support when we discovered Starman had cancer.  She offered me such good advice and I am forever grateful.

We have emailed occasionally since then and it is so good to know I have yet another good friend out there!  Thank you Betsy.

SUNSHINE!

Roz:  Roz lives a long way away!  However, she is humorous, supportive and happy to share experiences, which is so important when you are starting out.  

I have really enjoyed getting together to do the post we did!  Perhaps another time?!

SUNSHINE!

Dana:  Dana also brought comfort to me when Starman and I first heard the news.  She was full of offers to help and answer any questions I might have.  She fully understood how devastated we both were.  So Dana, here's some

SUNSHINE!

This is where I go "off piste", as there are people I desperately want to nominate due to their outstanding kindness and support over the last few months!

Because they have already been nominated by other people, I asked Minelle whether it would matter if I 'seconded' their nominations.  She said she didn't think so!  So here they are:

Minelle:  I can't explain what it is like having Minelle as a friend.  She is magic.  We usually manage one long (very long) distance phone call a week which goes on well into the second hour!  She makes me shriek with laughter.  Where she is, is usually early morning, so I don't know how she does it, and where I am is usually evening or even night time.  

We talk about all and everything.  We have so many things in common that it is spooky.  I adore the sounds of her household in the background as we converse.  

She has been, and is constantly supportive and never makes negative comments about anyone!

She is a star!

SUNSHINE!

Cat:  When I first heard Cat's drawl, I was lost!  I will never tire of listening to it!  Her sense of humour is second to none, and she has me in stitches.  I love the way she is a 'straight talker' and always truthful.  

Despite her own problems, difficulties and sadness, she is always supportive and full of humour.  And she also sorts me out on my blogsite!  I've threatened to turn up on her doorstep with my son and go sort out her fallen trees down by the creek!  Can you imagine getting a chainsaw on British Airways?!  Blessings right at you Cat!

SUNSHINE!

Sunny:  Sunny has quietly supported Starman and I throughout.  I love her little comments and emails, and I adore reading her stories.  I just want to thank you Sunny!

SUNSHINE!

Willie:  Willie has never failed to cheer me up when I've felt ready to cave in.  She was the very first to reach out and 'come out' to me, and I still treasure the photos she sent me around Christmas time when I was longing for snow!  Little did I realise that we were about to be dumped on for the next three months!

She ceaselessly rallies her troops, and I have enjoyed countless emails and chat sessions with her.  I am very envious of her beautiful Facebook picture profile!  I love her sense of humour, even if it does stretch the bounds of credibility at times!

SUNSHINE!

I'm not sure what I do now - or what the rules say about notifying people of the Award.  No doubt Minelle will come to my rescue before long!

Thank you everyone for reading!

Ami