Blog Awards

I haven't been blogging as much lately. I seem to have gotten behind on everything again. Now I'm playing catch up on my blog reading...think I got that taken care of. Today the weather has been so nice...it's only 66 degrees F right now. The wind has been blowing...it's kinda cool. Man, I love this time of year. Summer is nice but HOT is not my favorite. :P

I received two "I Love Your Blog" awards. *blushing* I love my online friends!!! I'm supposed to tag more friends and pass them along but I know some folks don't care much for tagging. So...I'm bending the rules. It's so hard to pick on a few blog I love so I've decided....If you're reading my blog right now...You're the recipient of both of these awards. Grab them and post them on your blog if you wish. I love everyone who takes the time to read my blog. :)

This one I received from Sandy who is super nice. She knits and crochets so I like to visit and see what she's up to. She does a lot of charity knitting and crochet so there's always something to see. Pop over and say hi!


This one is from Tea who did the same with this award and passed it out to everyone. If you haven't seen her blog...which would be a surprise to me....you really gotta check her out. She is a lot of fun and has tons of pretty pictures and projects to see.

Thanks to all who take the time to visit and don't forget to take these awards with you. It's my way saying thanks. Leave me a little comment so if I don't already visit your blog...I can now. :)

Hugs!

Award Day...

I received this award from Wendy today. Thanks, Wendy! I'm sure most of you already know that I have to pass it on...only to 5 people which is soooo hard to do. Since Wendy has already passed it on to some of the bloggers I would have chosen...she's making it a little easier for me. lol

I nominate the following bloggers for this award:


Shirl - Wonderful friend and talented knitter (keep an eye out...she has some designs of her own)

Froggie - Frog fanatic, awesome friend and dishcloth designer

Tea - Fellow country girl with an awesome sense of humor (she designs too)

hakucho - Always a great blog to visit if you're looking for inspiration...did I mention she's a designer?

Brian - You just need to visit this guy....he knits, crochets, designs in both, spins, dyes...okay I don't think there's anything he can't do

I just realized they were all designers...lol I have some seriously talented friends!



Now, here are the rules and regulations of the Arte y Pico Award:


1) Pick five (5) blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language.
2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.
3) Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.
4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award (http://arteypico.blogspot.com/)

Have fun and good luck picking your five.

Hugs!

Forgive Me For Bragging But....

Ms Thang totally made me proud on Awards Day. I think everyone (regulars anyway) know already that she is deaf. She has...for the last several years....been in the Learning Disabled (Special Ed) classes because she was beginning to struggle in the regular classroom and we were afraid she would fall behind. This year is her last one in elementary school and everyone (myself, teachers and therapists) agree that she is ready to move back into the regular classroom setting. She has really come a long way the past few years...thanks to some awesome teachers...we want her to start off in middle school being as "normal" as possible. I hate that word and I hate to use it that way but it's the best way to explain it to those who don't understand. She is as normal as it gets....she is deaf but that hasn't stopped her from doing or trying anything! She has played softball...she's taken dance (performed in the recital like a pro...couldn't tell she couldn't hear the music...YGG!)...she played little league baseball WITH THE BOYS...she can swim...ride a bike...you get the picture. She won't be told she can't do something. She has worked so hard this year and this is what she has to show for it.....

A/B Honor Roll...okay she always gets this one and is not at all impressed anymore. She knows this one is coming. lol It always impresses the family though.
*I (poorly) edited these photos to remove real names*

She had the privilege of serving on the Student Council this year. She helped the little kindergarteners plant flowers earlier in the year and made a few new friends in the process. I was really surprised they chose her....there's still an amazing amount of bias towards kids with disabilites and in her case they assume that she isn't smart....just cuz she can't hear which means she can't "talk"? ( we do sign) PULEEEZ! Do not underestimate my child. (All my kids are smart. :P)

She also received this nice little award with her certificate. It will go on the shelf with her sports and dance trophies.

This one was totally unexpected. The school administrators choose only 3 kids from the two grades to receive this award...not even the teachers knew who would get it. Her interpreter was so excited. Ms Thang was announced second so we can't even tell you who the third child was. lol
I was blown away that they even considered her given the assumptions about the kids in LD (Learning Disabled) classes. I shouldn't have been too surprised...I've walked around the school with her and practically everyone knows this girl. She speaks to everybody...the head custodian is her buddy....the little kids are fascinated watching her sign. It still blows me away though....every time.


Her Citizenship Award pin. I'm really proud of the progress she's made....sorry for bragging but at the same time....I don't take any credit for her achievements. She had the most amazing teachers and the best interpreter ever! She has a classroom full of wonderful kids who accept her as she is and want to look out for her and help her out when they can. We're really gonna miss those kids. I encourage her to do her best and I don't allow her to slack off even when she fakes a headache, tummyache....whatever.....but she did this herself. She's just a great example of what you can do if you put your mind to it...even when there's obstacles in your way.

I will have both bags ready tomorrow for those sweet boys in her class. I can't wait to see the look on their faces!

Hugs!

Who Makes My Day

As bloggers, we just love the comments and I don't know about the rest of you but it's a pretty dang good feeling to get one of these little blog awards. Today, I'm having a pretty good day because two of my blogger friends have listed me as one of the blogs that inspire them. How cool is that! Thanks to Shorty and Christy ,
you two really made me feel special. When I started my blog, I only expected family and friends would read it (they have to...or at least lie and say they did) but I've been amazed at how many great friends I've found through blogging. So, I want to pass on the love to some of the bloggers who bring me happiness and inspiration. Here goes....

Christy - A fellow knitter in Georgia who is a fun read. She makes laugh and isn't afraid to admit when she does something totally silly. I do these things too....I just don't tell y'all about it. lol

Shorty - This is absolutely one of the sweetest knitters you will ever meet.

Crafty Cat - Cat has become a wonderful friend. She is one of the most giving people I have ever met. She does not hesitate to help whenever you need it. I can't say enough good things about her.

Froggie - Obviously...my best friend and partner in crime. I taught this girl to knit and she has turned out to be extremely talented at designing a dishcloth. She has some awesome freebies...check them out.

Hakucho - Another very sweet and encouraging knitter and crocheter (I'm so jealous). She has some wonderful designs on her blog as well. I love to keep up with what she's got OTN. She is so creative.

Aunt Kathy - I don't even know where to start. She is so sweet! Even on her bad days, she somehow manages to see the light at the end of the tunnel. She is most definitely an inspiring person. She's also still running a contest so go check her out.

MissMandyGirl - Mandy is multi-talented. She knits, does scrapbooking and makes absolutely beautiful hand-made cards. She has the cutest little girls ever and also has a blog with recipes. I just love this girl.

Briley - He is proof that...not only do men knit but they're pretty darn good at it too. He has some awesome original designs (crochet as well) and he now spins and dyes too. This is THE nicest guy you will ever meet.

Tea - A fellow Southern girl...YAY! She also designs (love the Picot Swirl...it's one of my favorites) and her blog is always a good read. She can crochet...she can sew...she can cook! She has a great sense of humor.

Isabelle - I could never keep up with this lady! She's a very talented designer...from dishcloths to socks...she can do it all. She takes amazing photographs and I always look forward to seeing what takes next. She even took the time to help me learn something new.

I could probably go on for days naming people who inspire me and bring me happiness but I have to stop at 10. :( These are just a few of the bloggers/knitters/friends that regularly bring a smile to my face.



Now here's rules:
Give the award to up to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel so happy about Blogland! Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so that they can pass it on. Beware! You may get the award several times!