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Saturday, July 11, 2009

100th post giveaway!

First a little history. In September 2006 my husband had a routine procedure at a local hospital. The chances of problems occurring were 1 in 1,000. I guess his number was up because that routine procedure led to sickness through the fall and ended up with a trip to the ER two days before Christmas. Emergency surgey was required; he almost died while we were waiting for tests to confirm the problem. That surgery resulted in two follow-up surgeries in the spring plus one more unexpected surgery to fix the problem caused by Surgery #3. All of a sudden what was a pretty simple life became a nightmare of juggling job, trips to doctors and hospitals, learning to live on one paycheck instead of two, and a range of emotions I don't even want to think about.

Shortly after the first of the Year 2007, my dear friend/cousin Audrey fell at work and broke her foot. Now she was out of work for a while, too. She was required to elevate her foot for severals hours a day and was told "when you get tired of elevating your foot, elevate it some more." She eventually started to spend those hours at the computer and discovered the world of blogs.

I thought it was the dumbest thing I'd ever heard of. I mean, who would want to put their thoughts out there for just anyone to read! But then she sent me a list of her favorite blogs and told me I just had to look at these. The light came on! I could escape (temporarily) the nightmare Larry and I were living if only for an hour or so each day. I loved reading about sisters in Christ, quilters, cross stitchers, and loved looking at who was doing what with thrift store finds. Some blogs inspired me with Christian devotions, recipes, cleaning hints - well, you know what I mean.

I never thought I would get into this except that my daughters all started blogs, and it seemed like an easy way to keep in touch. We eventually signed up for high-speed internet (I think we were on the only ones on the planet with dial-up). One morning before I left for work, I fiddled around and figured out I could set up a blog. The rest is history.

Long story made short. I have had so much fun with this. I have met some wonderful people that I now call friends. I have been so inspired by some of the beautiful quilts and stitching I've seen. This has been more fun than I could have imagined!

So here is my humble gift as a ways of thanking you for reading all this stuff I write:

1. a BELIEVE block made by my daughter Mandy

2. a Scrabble tile necklace also made by Mandy


3. a packet of Dove Java Chip chocolate smoothie mix

4. a red/white tote bag that I made.


If you would like to win this, please leave a comment on this post. I will use random.org to chose the winner. If you post this giveaway on your blog, please let me know in your comment; and I will give you another chance to win. Our 32nd wedding anniversary is Friday, July 17; and I will choose the winner the morning of the 17th.

Audrey is back on two feet, and Larry is doing well. He still has one more surgery to go, but this time it will be an elective one. He is in no hurry to have it done. In the meantime, I continue to find more and more wonderful blogs; and I hope I am inspiring you as well. Thanks again.

42 comments:

Jennifer said...

I'm first! Okay, I helped take the pictures and edit the post so in reality I was the first to know this went up.

Mom, I love the blog you have made and enjoy getting on here and seeing what you are up to during the week. I enjoy the pictures, especially the one of the curly headed woman that should have been your profile picture.

I'm posting this on my blog, so please place my name in the hat a second time.

Karen said...

32 years! Congratulations! We always hear about the marriages that fail. Let's hear it for the ones that survive and thrive! Hope you do something fun together to celebrate! I love the give-away and have posted it on my blog! Love the new look!

Sara said...

Mary,

I am really glad that you found the world of blogging. Enjoy reading your blog and seeing all the things you have been up to.

Bloggers for the most part are really wonderful people...

Farming On Faith said...

Mary~
You have been a blessing to me trough your blog and your comments! Please count me in for your wonderful drawing and I will post your give away on my blog!
I am so glad your adversity has passed!
Blessings~
Carrie

Flat Creek Farm said...

I'll admit. The 'giveaway' post caught my eye first, so I headed over here from Carrie's (I think?). I have so enjoyed my visit, and what beautiful quilts (and more) you have created! Congrats on your 100th post! What a nice blog! -Tammy

Stephanie Reed said...

Your blog is beautiful. Happy early anniversary--my husband and I will celebrate 29 years next January.

I really like your daughter's art, especially the Believe block. I love Mark 9:23.

Congratulations on your 100th post. I just celebrated mine this week, too.

Melanie said...

What a beautiful post---I'm so glad you began typing!!!! It's nice to know others go through the same things you do--- whether it's a tough binding on a quilt, a tough day at the office, or a tough moment with family....

Here's to many more posts-- I love your header!

Rose said...

Please put my name in for the giveaway! I will also post this on my blog. Your daughter does wonderful work with wood carving and I love the bag that you made! I actually found your blog through Farming on Faith. God bless, Rose

MamaHen said...

Hi! I found your blog through Rose. Please enter me for your drawing. Congrats on 32 years and on your new grandbaby! I am also going to sign up to follow you. I would love for you to come visit my blog also!

Audrey said...

I don't know if I qualify to enter your giveaway since I am responsible for all of this! Well... God and I are responsible. He is the one that leads us!!! Your header is GORGEOUS just like your creations. I would love to win your red and white bag and Mandy's block to say nothing of the smoothie mix!

Anonymous said...

Hi there, I found your blog today and it is lovely! This post spoke to me today, as my Dad is about to begin cancer treatment and my daughter is leaving home. The simplest, quietest things give me some peace and I love blogland for that.

I too have met some wonderful people through blogging, and my faith in God has been deepened by others' walk with Him.

I'm so glad to hear things are better for you and congratulations on your 100th post!

If you are including overseas readers in your giveaway, I would love to enter.

Thank you for a lovely post and a lovely blog.

love, Tina :)

The imPerfect Housewife said...

That post almost made me cry. I feel the same way about the friends that I've made blogging. I'm so happy to hear that your loved ones are healing and life is returning to "normal". I'll let you know when I post this on my blog because I WILL but I can't today - going to lunch for mom's 78th b'day!! In the meantime, I'd love to enter the giveaway because it's all so cute! Have a great day ~

Katy said...

Well hello!!! I just found your blog and lo and behold...you're having a giveaway!!! I would love to be entered! :)
I know..the idea of blogging seems so strange...but it IS a lot of fun and you can make some really great friends with similar interests! :) I hope you will visit me as well! :)

Barb said...

Congrats Mary on the 100th post... I am so happy that thru *Mandi* I have connected with you! Your blog entries and your personal walk with the Lord have inspired me in so many ways, thank you my friend for being you. Oh I will be happy to post your giveaway on my blog, others deserve to meet you thru your blog words! Another PA gal, saying isn't it beautiful in PA today?

Brook said...

I am so glad that you started a blog. You are so crafty! I would love to win your giveaway...happy 100 posts!

Unknown said...

Hi, I just stumbled onto your blog, very nice by the way and would love to be entered in your kind giveaway, that tote is adorable! Congrats on 100 posts, they do add up fast! Thanks!

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

Hi Mary--Happy 100th Post--I just had mine less than a month ago--it is such a 'wild" feeling--you think back on the time--before blogging and you wonder how come you didn't do it sooner--yet we also have to admit that there's a right time for everything--so again happy 100th and may we still be blogging away when it's time for a 200th post??? happy upcoming Anniversary too--Have a great week--hugs, just, Di I have yet to be lucky in winning--but one never knows????????

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

Hello! I found your blog through Tammy @ Flat Creek Farm! It is lovely :)
Congrats on your 100th post; that's awesome!

Blessings to you and yours, Misha

Lindah said...

You have been on quite a journey! I'm glad the cousin and the DH are doing well now. Congratulations ahead of time on your anniversary!
I only recently found your blog, but you are on my reader now and I enjoy your posts.
God bless!

Jackie said...

Hi Mary,
I just found your blog today...and have enjoyed reading some of your thoughts and looking forward to reading more! Glad to hear your hubby is doing better and your cousin...hope that continues. Also congrats on your upcoming anniversary of 32 years...ours will be 29 this coming October.

Please enter me in your give-away as well...your bag would be handy for my many looming projects that I carry around. Which after reading a few blogs this morning I also see that I need to get back into the swing of things and get busy on my blog as well. So maybe this week I'll get back on the band wagon so to speak.

Have a Happy Anniversary and may God bless you with many, many more!
ja

Kitten said...

Congratulations on your 100th blog post!

Mrs. E said...

Oh how lovely!!! :)
I would love to be entered!
I found out about your
delightful give away from
Carrie @ Farming on the Faith!

Many Blessings~ Jen

Michele said...

I'm so glad I found your blog .. thank you for email me .. I will definately be back over and over. I felt the same way when I first started blogging .. wondering why anyone would want to hear anything I had to say or see anything I had to show .. I love that I was wrong! Because like you, I've meet some wonderful ladies and have friendships that continue to grow and grow.

Congrats on 32 years! We just celebrated our 34th :)

and yes please sign me up for your drawing .. and I'll be posting it on my blog for all to see and meet you :)

Anya said...

Blogging is great fun,isn't it? Thank you for the chance for the lovely giveaway!

Becca Watson said...

Thank You for stopping by my blog. Your blog is lovely.
Congrats on 32 years! I'm glad your husband is doing well! =)

I would love to be entered into your giveaway.

Nina said...

Hello :)

Congratulations on your 100th post!

I'd like to be entered too, your picture is on my blog (left side coloumn) and I linked back here.
Thank you :)

Kind regards from Hungary,
Nina

Феникс said...

A pleasure to participate in the drawing! Make me a list. Al posted at his post on the blog. I really liked the bag! Good luck to you and your loved ones! http://magic-feniks.blogspot.com/

Kim said...

First, congrats on the upcoming anniversary. Second, I am glad things are going better now. What a story about how you started blogging. How interesting! I just love the inspiration I get from blogs! I have so much enjoyed your blog. I will post this today on my blog, so count me in the give-away and lastly, congratulations on this blogging milestone! Have a great day!

Suzanne said...

Glad to hear that all are doing well. Congratulations on your anniversary. We will be celebrating our 32nd this October. ;o)

Thanks so much for the kind words on my blog. Love your tote and, let me tell you, I would love to win it!

mariah said...

Your blog is lovely. Have a Happy Anniversary !
Thank you for the chance for the lovely giveaway!
Kind regards from Hungary,
Mariah

elina said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The imPerfect Housewife said...

OK, I've got a link to your giveaway on my blog! Love your stuff and have a good day ~ :)

Unknown said...

Congrats on your anniversary!

I would also definitely love to enter :)

Anonymous said...

Dear, Mary!!
I'm really excited of your works!!
I'll be soo happy to have a little part of your art!! I adore bags, and even collect them!! So, please, include me in your draw!
With big respect.
Sveta

Charlene said...

i would love a chance to win your awesome giveaway :)

Charlene
hungryhungry_hippo@hotmail.com

Dia said...

Hello :)

Congratulations on your 100th post!

I'd like to be entered too.
your picture is on my blog:-)
Thank you :)

Kind regards from Hungary,
Dia

Melinda said...

Congratulations on your 100th post!
Thank you for a lovely post and a lovely blog.

Hugs,from Hungary:Melinda

Jodi said...

congrats on your 100th post! blogs are such a fun form of connectivity! take care!

Márti said...

Congratulations on your 100th post!
Thank you very much!!!

Márta from Hungary

Small House said...

Congrats on the 100th post. And what a great giveaway!!

Sandra

enigma said...

Congratulations :)....for all ...:)
hugs,
Kriszti from Budapest

elina said...

Hi ... my comment is coincidentally coincided with commento Nina so I revised it better.

Congratulations! :-)
Elina from Slovakia