Sunshine Blogger Award – 3

Thank you to the very witty and lovely blogger Sean over at The Land Manatee – if you haven’t read his responses, you must! Because who wouldn’t want to be sipping on some ‘Cuba Libre’ otherwise known as ‘una mentirita’ or ‘little lie’ while trying to decide whether to travel to Italy or Greece?!

About the Sunshine Blogger Award:

This award is given to bloggers by other bloggers who feel they display positivity, creativity, and sunshine via their content. It’s an honor to be recognized by your colleagues and peers. It keeps the motivation high which is essential in the writing community.

The Rules For the Award:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back to their blog.
2. Answer the 11 questions you’ve been asked.
3. Nominate 11 new bloggers and ask them 11 questions.
4. Inform your nominees through commenting on their post.

Sean’s Questions for His Nominees:

1. Why did you start blogging?

To shed some light on Chiari Malformation and Syringomyelia.

2. What have you learned along the way and how have you improved as a blogger?

Consistency is key. Also, connecting with your subscribers, being able to answer to the comments is appreciated.

3. What’s a challenge in life you overcame?

Lack of self-confidence. I’ve realized that you’ll never truly make others happy. Because when others are unhappy with themselves, they’ll find a reason to put you down, no matter what you do. So, I’ve learned to overcome and stop trying to make others like me and have gained self-confidence along the way.

4. Who has been a big influence on your life?

Because I live with chronic pain, I’ve learned to look up and not down. In other words, Jesus.

5. Do you have a hidden talent? If not, what do you wish it was?

I like Sean’s answer to number 9 – patience, God knew what He was doing when He sent me my little ones, it’s not always easy, but definitely worth it.

6. Where would you like to be in your life in 5 years?

I’d love to move somewhere in the Orlando area. We’re Disney Annual Pass Holders and can’t get to Disney World as many times as we’d like – even living just a few hours away.

7. What would your dream job be and why?

It’d be something in the legal field. I was working in the legal field before becoming a full time stay at home mom, and my heart loves the legal world.

8. How would you describe your perfect day?

No medicines and a pain free day!

9. If you decided to move to a new country or city, where would you want to live and why?

Somewhere in the Orlando area, close to the Disney World parks. I’d like to take advantage while my kids are still little.

10. What famous person or celebrity at any point in history would you like to meet and what would you want to talk about or ask that person?

I would love to meet this super star – in my eyes, Keala Settle from the movie “The Greatest Showman.” The song “This Is Me” has become an anthem in my heart and I’d love to let her know just that, ” … I’m not scared to be seen, I make no apologies, this is me.”

If you haven’t seen the movie, or heard this amazing woman sing, I share this clip with you below.

11. In what fundamental way have you changed over the years?

A health diagnosis in 2013 changed me – for the better or worse, I’m still trying to figure that out, but it’s definitely helped me appreciate today.

My Nominees:

Simply Chronically Ill

The Eclectic Contrarian

All The Shoes I Wear

My Questions for My Nominees:

(taken from Sean)

1. Why did you start blogging?
2. What have you learned along the way and how have you improved as a blogger?
3. What’s a challenge in life you overcame?
4. Who has been a big influence on your life?
5. Do you have a hidden talent? If not, what do you wish it was?
6. Where would you like to be in your life in 5 years?
7. What would your dream job be and why?
8. How would you describe your perfect day?
9. If you decided to move to a new country or city, where would you want to live and why?
10. What famous person or celebrity at any point in history would you like to meet and what would you want to talk about or ask that person?
11. In what fundamental way have you changed over the years?

Thank you in advance to all my nominees!

A-

Find me on Instagram @simple_naildesigns and  visit and subscribe to my YouTube channel.

The Liebster Award – 4

Thank you to my fellow blogger The Eclectic Contrarian. If you haven’t read his incredible poems or been to his blog for some lifting and motivational writing – pay him a visit! Thank you again for your support, I’m humbled.

 

Here’s How It Works:

• Create a new blog post on your blog thanking the person that nominated you, link to their blog and put in a graphic of the award.

• Answer the questions that were provided, and then share some facts about yourself.

• Create a new set of your own questions for others to answer.

• Nominate 5-11 others and share your blog post with them so they can accept their awards

I’ve Been Asked The Following:

-Whats a topic you love and don’t love to write about?

Always appreciate humor. And honesty. Or should I say honesty in form of humor.

I began this blog with Chiari Malformation + Syringomyelia in mind, however, I have my days when I just can’t get myself to speak on the subject. It just seems to drag me down at times, realty sometimes can get the best of me and I choose to not think on the matter.

-Who and what influences you to write?

Life itself, the brutal truths, the humor in life, my kids and what’s been on my mind at that particular time.

-What emotion gets your creative gears rolling?

Whichever emotion I am feeling at that moment is the best in getting me to write. Whether I’m feeling a bit low, happy or excited.

-Do you write from who you are? Or, who you wish you to be?

I like to go with who I am. I may not be everyone’s cup of ‘tea’ but being myself, authenticity is what will be the greatest in the long run. Those whom choose to stay, will and those who don’t, won’t. And that’s OK.

-Are you a city, country, foreign or even fantasy/sci-fi type of person?

Let’s go with foreign. I’m a little complex, but authentic.

Interesting Things About Me:

I’m a whopping 5′ feet tall!

I’m a righty and have two of my little girls that are lefty.

One of my favorite actresses is Julia Roberts and comedians Robin Williams†

I dislike talking on the phone – and texting

I will hold you to your word, which can be both a blessing and a curse.

I like to be punctual / on time to places. I believe firmly in respecting peoples time.

I think communication is key in any relationship, friendship or otherwise.

My family absolutely loves all things Disney World, including Walt Disney himself, his story, life, how it all began, etc.

Am very much looking forward to the movie ‘Toy Story 4’ being released later this year

As a stay at home mom, I like to work in an organized and clean house, otherwise it’s a no-go!

If I can learn how to do it, and do it myself, I will, for instance, painting walls, dying my own hair at home – been doing it for years, and just recently, cutting my boys hair at home because at $20 x3 boys = doing it myself! No offense to the professionals  🙂

I Nominate:

Simply Chronically Ill

Daily Grind Of A Stay At Home Mom

Bereaved Single Dad

Stubaby777

Gods Whispers Of Truth

My Questions To You Are:

• Do you feel your blog represents who you truly are?

• When in a rut, what motivates you to continue to write?

• Is there a topic that is off limits in your writing / blog?

• Was there any one person that motivated you in starting your blog?

Thank you to my nominees, I appreciate your time, so please take your time in responding.

Ana

The Christmas Tag 2018

This tag was sent to me by Stuart, if you haven’t read his tag, it’s here. He blogs about life but the honesty behind his words will always leave your heart feeling full – such great content. And I have been very blessed to have connected through this outlet with him. Thank you again for this tag Stuart!

HERE ARE THE RULES:

1. You must thank the person who nominated you
2. Link back to the original post (the one on this blog) and use the graphic provided.
3. Answer the questions given
4. Nominate at least 3 people. (or more if your feeling like a nice person)
5. Give the nominees 10 questions to answer (or use the ones previously given)
6. HAVE FUN!

HERE ARE THE QUESTIONS:

1. What present did you always want as a child and never received?

Great question, unfortunately, the answer will seem a little complex. Growing up in a low income household, I was taught to appreciate the little things. I didn’t know what was the ‘hottest’ toy and didn’t know what I was ‘missing out’ on. All I know is that, one Christmas I received a Cabbage Patch Doll – I may have been 5 years old, it was the best Christmas, I loved it so much. And I am fortunate to have a mother who held on to it. When I had my oldest daughter, my mother gave it to me. I still have it.

2. What are your top 5 Christmas movies?

I’ll link the post I did here of our families favorite movies to watch this time of year. I’ll will tell you, Home Alone 1 and 2 is always on replay, especially this time of year. And if you don’t know, Macaulay Culkin teamed up with Google to recreate some of the most famous scenes, so if you haven’t watched it – you must!

3. Out of all the Christmas songs, which one makes you truly joyful?

So easy, hands down ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ from Bobby Helms! Love it! A close second, ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ from Mariah Carrey, because you know, she’s fabulous darling!

4. What special memory do you have of Christmas morning, as a parent?

Making our very special Christmas breakfast. We go all out, making sure it is the most special breakfast, it’s a brunch, with all the toppings the little ones tummy can absorb. I make pancakes, waffles, eggs, bacon, and plenty of toppings, whip cream, chocolate chips, strawberries, blueberries, banana slices, etc. It’s a messy house, filled with the blessing of having an assortment of food.

5. What was your favorite Christmas gift?

My Kitchen Aid mixer, my husband gifted me the beauty about 4 years ago! It’s heaven for baking, HEAVEN!

6. At what age did you realize that Santa was not real?

I didn’t grow up with Santa, so I’m good! I was taught from teeny tiny, that Jesus brought us the gifts through our parents. I’m not trying my very best to instill that in my own kids, so not to disappointment them later. Hehe.

7. How long do you stay awake Christmas Eve setting everything up for the kids?

Is just Hispanics – aka Mua, but traditionally, we stay up all night and open gifts at midnight. Because of my condition, known as Chiari + Syringomyelia it’s getting tough to keep up to do that. We do try though, open gifts late on the 24th and then our family opens stockings Christmas Day after the breakfast I told you about in number 4.

8. What traditions have you and your spouse made for your marriage on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Not to focus on gifts for one another. We are our own special gifts, try our best to do better for one another, and promise to love one another as we are, flaws and all.

9. Are you a all year Christmas shopper or a last minute shopper?

I’m an Amazon Prime ‘Christmas shopper.’ However, we’re moving really soon, like next week soon – please pray for my sanity, and well, my Christmas shopping will be done literally last minute. And I won’t share more, because it’s too shocking to even say! Eek!

10. What is the hardest thing you have ever had to put together for your kids to enjoy once they woke up?

Haha! Last year, I so brilliantly wanted to gift the kids a mini kitchen, you’ve seen them, the one with the stove and the faucet made to resemble your own kitchen, they’re so cute. To put together, not so much! I had received it weeks ahead of Christmas, we manage to get someone to take the kids out of the house while we build it on the 22nd, and when I opened the box the ‘counter’ wood piece was cracked! Ugh! But, thanks to baby Jesus for my quick thinking, I went to the store and picked up some Marble Self Adhesive Liner. The kitchen finished off with a gray ‘marble’ counter top, and what the heck, I also lined did the insides of the cabinets, including the ‘microwave.’ And, ok fine, I spray painted the white kitchen handles in gold! Because I’m a tiny bit insane like that. Again, very cute, very much a hassle!

HERE ARE MY NOMINEES:

Bereaved Single Dad

The Eclectic Contrarian

Sparkkling Thoughts

My Namaste 365

Thank you to my nominees in advance for participating, please just answer the same questions. Happy Day to all!

Ana