Thursday, January 14, 2010

General folderol

Don't you just love that word? It means nonsensical talk or writing so don't say I didn't warn you. I have two fun things to tell you about today the first being this...I won something! Yay! It's a book and is part of a blog carnival called I Win You Win hosted this month by Amy at All Things Ro. The carnival was started by Robin several months ago and the prize is a copy of the book Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes by Robin Jones Gunn. Here is how the whole thing started....and I'll let Robin tell it (and I mean Robin the blogger, not Robin the author)...

'As I finished the book up the other day I began to think about the two women the story centers around. The story begins with two pen pals in elementary school and they continue with their friendship for many, many years through letters and emails, but they have never actually met, not until things change for the main character. Her life takes an unexpected turn and she finds herself face to face with her long time pen pal. I began to think of the similarities between the two women in the book and all of you, my fellow bloggers. As members of this unique internet community we enter into each other lives as we read each others posts, as we comment, share encouraging words or just a well needed giggle now and then. But what I enjoyed as I read this book was the depiction of the friendship these two women shared. They had been intimately involved in each others lives but had never been in the same room with each other, never shared a cup of coffee over the kitchen table, never wept in each other arms. Yet they still shared in the deep bonds of friendship. The relationship the two women in this book have is a real friendship, as real as friendships get. I found the similarities between the book and the blogosphere to almost mirror each other."

Now, here is where the fun begins. Robin had the wonderful idea to 'share' the book. I think I'm the fifth person to read it and winning comes with a few responsibilities which are-
  • Read the book (preferably within a 4 week period of time)
  • As I read the book I am to make notes in the margin or on a favorite chapter of the book.
  • When I'm finished write the date and my blog address on the inside of the front cover. I can also tuck in a book mark as a small gift or even a surprise gift card or some other small prize but I'm supposed to have fun with it.
  • When I'm through I'll put the book on my blog and continue the “I Won You Won" giveaway. Then you'll have a chance to win and keep the sisterhood of the traveling book going...watch for that post in the next few weeks.
The next bit of fun is for NOW....I am approaching my blogaversary. Is that word in Webster's? I think not. Anyway, I hit 'publish post' for the very first time on January 21, 2009 and I think that calls for a little celebration don't you? I'm not too techie and I use too many words so I'm going to keep it simple...leave a comment on any post I write between now and January 20th and mention my blogaversary. You will then be eligible to win fabulous prizes. Not really. But there will at least be a prize and I will try to make it fabulous. I like big adjectives though (note my overuse of the word spectacular) so fabulous may be a relative term. I will for sure drop your name in the hat for a chance to win something 'good'. And of course I will be using a hat as opposed to one of those random integer generators because I think I just told you I'm quite the techie. Let's also say if you link to my blog in any of your posts between now and January 20th I'll drop your name in the hat twice, once for commenting and once for the link. And....you lurkers...if you de-lurk and become a real life honest to goodness follower of my blog you'll be entered twice too. Lurkers need encouragement y'all.

I will close the comments at 6 am Eastern Standard Time on January 21, 2010 (ooooh so official!) I'm sure I'll mention this at least 42 times once or twice on my blog between now and the BIG DAY so stay tuned.

Whew! Who knew planning a party was so exhausting?

13 comments:

  1. Joyce,

    First of all what a wonderful way to not only keep a giveaway going but inspiring the very hands that this book will touch. I love it, and count me in.

    Congratulations on your upcoming blogaversary, I hadn't even notice that mine has come and gone. I think I'll wait for exactly 365 posts since that would make for a whole year of blogging.

    So while I am a follower, and have left a great comment, add me to the giveaway as well. Or do I need to comment a second time

    Love and Hugs and Happy Planning! ~ Kat

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  2. Wow cool idea. My blogaversary (offically a word now 'cause more than one person used it...I am pretty sure that is how that works) is Jan. 17 and I was trying to think up a fun way to celebrate. I might steal your idea. Congrats on being at this a year!!

    Amy

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  3. Congrats on your upcoming blogaversary (sp.?). Wow. With all the changes that have gone on in your life, it's hard to believe that you haven't been at this longer than a year.

    I love the idea of the traveling book. Such a clever give-away--the book that keeps on giving. Can't wait until you're through reading it.

    Speaking of books. I am almost through reading "Same Kind of Different as Me." True story and well worth a read if you haven't already read it.

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  4. Congratulations on your upcoming one year blogaversary! How exciting...and with an exciting giveaway too! Thank you!

    I can't wait to read more about the sisterhood of the traveling book. I love the idea and certainly agree with Robyn regarding the bonds that develop between blogging women. I consider some of my blogging friends as close, dear friends and will have friendships with them for many years to come I'm sure. I've also been lucky enough to meet two blogging friends in person. It's not easy stepping outside of the box and doing this but the rewards are hugh. It was so worth it!

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  5. I love the traveling book idea! Happy blogaversary. I've really enjoyed getting to know you, and I love the new blog background.

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  6. Congrats on your blogaversary! And congrats on your win! That book idea is really a great one!

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  7. Well your off to a great start with an anniversary giveaway! My two year blogoversay is coming up in February.

    Be sure to give me a shout out when you have the book up/ I may be confused is your anniversary giveaway also the book giveaway too???

    Blessings
    Robin

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  8. I rolled right through my blogaversary without even recognizing it...I think it was last August/September/Octoberish? As you can tell, I'm quite the record-keeper. And yes, I keep track of when my husband's and my anniversary is the same way. ;)

    I love the idea of passing the book around like that! Congrats on being one to read it!

    I'm a follower, I comment nearly every time I read your blog...you're probably tired of me by now, lol. But who can resist a giveaway? What fun! (As is the word "folderol!") :)

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  9. Congrats on your blogaversary!!! Thanks for visiting my blog....and yes, that is granddaughter #1 in my header. #2 was born six weeks ago so I need to get to work on updating the header!!! Tried to click on the 100 things about you but it wasn't clickable.......

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  10. Hey, Joyce, thanks for the blog visit today and participating in my Friday fives!!! Glad I popped over to visit!! You are so cute and fun! I LOVE the idea of the traveling book....how FUN is that? Spectacular, really! ;)
    And congrats on your blogaversary! That's terrific!!!
    I think I will be your newest follower!!! thanks so much!

    Suzanne

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  11. Great idea with the book! I have trouble reading a good book without a pencil in hand, and without someone to listen to the good parts....This would solve that!

    Congratulations on your blogaversary! I'd love to win the fabulous prize!

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  12. Can the book travel all the way to England? :-) What a great idea. As I was reading the beginning of Robin's description, I immediately saw the correlation to blogging friends.

    Woo-hoo your blogaversary is coming up. You can count me in. I love prizes!

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  13. Congrats! You've made it a year! Whoo-hoo!

    Please drop my name in the hat! Yay!

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