Sunday, June 29, 2008

My One Year Blog-iversary Giveaway

I'm finding it hard to believe, but I've been blogging now for over a year! A year, people! One. Whole. Year! Isn't that something? I mean, I always knew I could jabber on and on forever; I'm just shocked to realize that you guys are still reading my blog after all this time! lol But thank you, thank you, thank you for doing so. My contact with all of you is something I look forward to every morning. I check my e-mail first thing to see if anyone's left me a comment and then I go around and try to read all of your blogs. I'm fascinated by our differences and amazed at some of the things we have in common. Blogging has done so much for me and my life. I've learned to really look at all the things around me ('cause you never knew when a good photo opportunity might be staring you right in the face!), I've learned that I shouldn't take myself so seriously most of the time - the things I think are so hugely insurmountable in my life are really just hiccups along the way. I've learned that good health is a blessing and that bad health can strike at even the best among us. I've learned that feeling happy can be contagious and I've learned that ranting and raving every now and again can not only relieve the pressures that build up over time, but it can also give others a little laugh and a place to say "hey, that's happened to me, too!". I could go on and on even more than this with all the reasons I've enjoyed this past year of blogging, but then I might start to bore YOU (yeah, you!), and I'm sure I've done that enough times over the twelve months I've been in Blogland. So let's get to the giveaway.
When we were traveling on our recent vacation, I kept trying to find the "perfect" Blog-iversary giveaway gift. But I kept getting distracted by snow and old presidents and beautiful scenery. (Hey, what can I say? I have focus issues!). Then I came across these little dolls:
They're each about 2 1/2" tall and are made of ceramic/porcelain (like I would know the difference!). They represent the 4 seasons I've been blogging. From left to right, in case you can't tell which is which, is Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn. 'Course, seeing as how they're so tiny and all, I can't just give them away without spicing it up a bit, so I shopped until my feet nearly fell off and found these things, too (Gosh, I'm such a lying little drama queen, eh?):
An 8"x8" metal "&" sign, a Morenci Bundt Cake scented candle (Morenci's are THE BEST scented candles I have ever had, bar none!) and a little resin birdie (which I so wanted to keep for myself, but how crummy would that be for me to do?). As a bonus, I'm throwing in 2 audio books; "Shiver" by Lisa Jackson and "Pop Goes the Weasel" by James Patterson. Okay, okay, I have a confession to make here. The audio books aren't new - the packages have been opened and they've been listened to - once - by me. But what in the heck do you do with an audio book after you've already listened to it? (Unless it's a Harry Potter or a Star Wars or maybe even a Dan Brown. I listen to those audios over and over and over and won't even think about parting with them!!) Everytime I go to put a "regular" audio with the Goodwill stuff once I've listened to it, I start thinking that maybe someone I know would want a chance to listen to them, too. (And then I forget to give them to anyone at all so they just sit on the table in the guest room forever.) So....I figured I'd just throw them in with the giveaway stuff. And if I get any flack about it, peeps, rest assured I won't ever do it again (I'll just slip them in the very next package I send out and pretend I don't know where in the heck they came from. lol). Just leave a comment on this post and on Saturday, July 5, I'll draw a winner. (And YES, this giveaway is open to the U.S. - of course - and Canada, the U.K. and APO/FPO addresses (little ol' customs forms don't scare me none! lol).
Thank you all so much for visiting with me time after time and thank you for showing me so much more of the world and the people in it than I ever would have been able to see otherwise.

37 comments:

  1. Kari - I just love your blog. You're honest and straight-forward. You say what's on your mind. I get such a kick out of your ranting and raving! In other words - you're my kind of people!

    Happy blogiversary to you!

    I love your new header picture!

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  2. Hi Kari,

    Congrats on your 1 year anniversary! I am right behind you in about 25 days or so. I can't remember how we found each other's blogs (hey, I can't remember yesterday LOL) but I am glad we did. Your blog is always fun to visit, remember menopause mondays? I miss complaining about my menopause stuff. Love you new banner and the miner league team tag. Fun giveaway, the little dolls are so cute and and so are all of the other gooodies. Thanks for the comment on my blog makeover, I wanted it to look like an endless summer because you know I don't want summer to ever end. LOL

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  3. You have only been blogging for one year I feel like I have been reading yours for so much longer than that LOVE THE FLOWER PICS

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  4. Kari, I was so touched by your comments about blogland! I know exactly how you feel! I have had an amazing and at times horrible year, but I found who my true friends are and never have even met them face to face! I remember whne Brenda posted about my tough time dealing with my son Marc leaving for the Air Force, there you were writing to me to show your support and concern, bless you! I'm going through another hard time of having to have major back surgery and hardly can sit long to go on line but stopped by today to say thank you! Wonderful of you to have a give*away, your sure a sweetie and hope to get to know you better in the next year! Later, love,Lori

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  5. Kari Darlin', I'd be so happy were I to win and I love those dolls...truely I do! Happy Blogiversary to you and here's to many more of them!
    love
    Aunt Sandi

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  6. Happy 1 year blogiversary, Kari! I love this post! Great writing!

    Wonderful gifts, I would love to win!

    Have a great week!

    Pat

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  7. hey we found each other pretty soon after starting for both of us. My year anniversary is next month. I'd have to look back but I think we've been blogging buddies since shortly after. WooHoo to a year of fun.

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  8. Happy Blogiversary!!

    I feel the same way you do about the whole blog communtiy. It's pretty awesome (and so are you!)

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  9. I really like the new header too...The Minor League just cracks me up!

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  10. Wow, one whole year! How time flies. Your giveaway is very generous. I love the '&' sign. i love coming to visit your blog.

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  11. kari...i just came from sharon's blog (cuz she posted her orange challenge late) and your comment there had me LOL....so i just had to come back and remember who this funny lady was! :) congrats on your one year anniversary.....mine came and went and i didn't even know it!:)see you next challenge?
    kimberly

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  12. I'm leaving a comment but please don't add me for the giveaway cause I'm such a newbie (I hope to change that in the future though!)

    Happy Blogiversary!!!!! Keep on writing, you never know who's heart you'll touch or who's problems you'll solve with your words.

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  13. I have only recently discovered you blog, and I must say that I love your wit and attitude. Your love for your family shines through your words. What a cute bunch you are. I am going to keep reading.

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  14. Oh I was SO happy to hear back from you. Dislike the feminist in you? Pishah! No way chick! I have just been fighting battles over here in Alabama. You've got to fight !! For your Right !!

    To BLLLOOOOOOO-OOOOOOGG!!

    Done now.

    I pray that within the next couple of weeks all will be normal again and I can read and visit at will.

    Take Care Kari.

    Jen

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  15. Kari, I'm sitting here with my jaw hanging open thinking about all the things that Blogging has taught you. I'm thinking that it's taught me the same things, but I've never put it to words. Thank you for doing that for me.

    I love your blog. Love it! I love your rants, your witty sense of humor, your conversational style, love it all! (I do confess that sometimes I find myself praying for Randey, but I never leave you out either! :D)

    Here's to the next trip around the sun!

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  16. Congratulations Kari! You know how much I enjoy popping in here to read your latest exploits!

    :-)
    Jayne

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  17. Awwww, aren't those little dolls just the cutest little things. ;) I can already smell that candle too. ;) Love your giveaway chick. :)
    I've totally enjoyed following along and reading what you have to say. You say it so well. ;)

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  18. I just KNEW that was a new header even though I've only been here a time or two. So CUTE.

    Congratulations on your anniversary. Time really does fly once we get into blogging. It's a great outlet, and I'm so glad to hear what all it has done for you!!

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  19. HAPPY BLOG-VERSARY!!!!!!! I am so glad you blog; I love stopping by here!!!

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  20. Hello, I was just over at sandi's place reading about her award and seeing who she passed it on to and I wondered what a granny skywalker was so here I am. Course I know about Luke.
    Congratulations on your anniversary. I don't expect to be included as I just found you but the goodies look great. Now I'm going to read more of your posts and get to know you better. I see some of my favorites in your blog roll so wonder why I've not visited before.
    Mama Bear

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  21. I agree with you about blogging. I enjoy it more than I can say. Please enter my name into your drawing. I would love to win!!

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  22. Kari,
    Congrats on your blog anniversary! I've enjoyed stopping by for visits.
    Hugs,
    Sue

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  23. Kari - As a special blogiversary treat, you won the book giveaway on my blog! I'll put the book in the mail to you today.

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  24. Happy Blogaversery!!! A year just seems to whiz by!! Here's to many more! You have a Wonderful and happy day!!hugs

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  25. hey sweetie Happy Blogaversary---- I do not need dolls but I have white birds like that:) blogging is a nice connect but sometimes i fill sad there is not more

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  26. Happy Anniversary dear Kari. Has it only been a year? I d=feel like I have known you so much longer...you are so special and just make my day a happier one when I can pop in for a visit with you.
    (LOVE the new banner photo! Miner league...you silly girl!)
    You are a rare gem of a person and I adore you, admire you and think you are one heckova lady.

    Here's to another 20 years of blogging! *grin*

    Love,
    Sue

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  27. Kari,

    It's been a while since I've visited but enjoyed catching up on your posts. Happy blogaversary. Time flies, doesn't it?

    Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my Canada Day post.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  28. Congrats on your one year! And congrats to me for falling into one of your mailing categories :-)

    P/S, I read your comment to my hubby about your youngest "snuggler" now thinking you're "an idiot". We both looked at each other and thought "A2's gonna think we're idiots too one day" :-( Why do they grow up so fast?!

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  29. Happy ONE year Blogiversary dear Kari!!! I'm so very glad that our paths crossed through our blogging and now we've now become friends:-) I thought I'd lost you there for a little while, thinking you had quit blogging but I'm glad you came to find me again!! I love your style of writing, don't ever change:-) Woohoo, look at all those goodies you're giving away...please add my name to your draw! xoxo

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  30. Count me in Kari dearie!!!

    Congratulations on making it this far---your blog is delightful! I'm always entertained---and sometimes I think you are really a mind reader posing as a wife & mother.

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  31. Dear Kari,
    Congratulations on your one year anniversary! You make the bloggisphere a much brighter place. It's always fun stopping by to see what you have to share!
    Now, let's see what you have in store for us for the next 12 months!
    Hugs and best wishes,
    Cookie

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  32. Dear Kari,
    Congratulations on your one year anniversary! You make the bloggisphere a much brighter place. It's always fun stopping by to see what you have to share!
    Now, let's see what you have in store for us for the next 12 months!
    Hugs and best wishes,
    Cookie

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  33. Congrats on your one year blogiversary!Please add my name to the pot for the giveaway.

    I'm right behind you - sometime the middle of this month and I'll be doing a giveaway myself thenso be sure to stop by!

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  34. because i have won one of your prices in the past please do not count me this time. I am so happy to know that i was one of your very first blogs, remember???
    I do! you left me a comment for my 4th of July post ;-)
    And that i am going to treasure FOREVER!!!
    yay!
    you are a fantastic soul and an amazing woman!!!

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  35. happy bloggiversary to you! I'm glad to have "met" you on this journey!

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  36. Girl, I love you even if you are a Oklahoma fan. You make my day brighter and definitely a lot more funny!

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  37. Kari, I love your writer's voice! I bet you are a lot the same in person too. I know we'd see eye to eye on a lot of things!

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