Liebster Award

I was excited to see Friday that I had received the Liebster award from Rachel at doilooksick.

To accept this award, here are the rules:
• 1. You must thank the person who gave you this award – check
• 2. You must display the Liebster heart on your blog – check
• 3. You should nominate 7 other blogs – check
• 4. Each person must post 11 things about themselves – check
• 5. Answer the questions given to you by the blogger who nominated you – check
• 6. Create 11 questions for those you nominate to answer – check
• 7. Notify your nominees and provide a link back to your post. – check

doilooksick authored by Rachel is a wonderful site that I have been following for the last five months.   Her mission is to educate others on invisible illnesses.  Rachel has also added a wonderful series entitled Chronic Travel Bug.  doilooksick also just celebrated its first birthday.  I am happy to say that I have been following nearly half of its first year.

The blogs I am nominating are: 

• The Labyrinth – Miche is educating others on her ordeal with mold and chemical sensitivities while trying to attend college.  I can’t seem to get my comment to post.  Miche – I hope you see this.
• Living With Fibro – Calvin tells the story of a young man suffering from fibromyalgia.  Calvin has recently published a book of poetry and started The Gluten Free Chef where he bakes and sells gluten-free products.
• Celiac and Allergy Adventures – Amanda talks about living with Celiac Disease as well as other allergies.
• Jen’s Thoughts – As the author of a soon to be published book, I appreciate Jen’s blog topics on strategies for writers and reviews.
• Dysautonomiac – Lindsay shares  information into her life living with dysautonomia (POTS).
• akrummenacker – Allan also lives with fibromyalgia.  Despite the fatigue and pain that comes with fibromyalgia, Allan just had his first book published.  It is on my list of books to read very soon.
• Mastcellactivation – Anaphylaxing discusses what life is like constantly battling anaphylaxis.  As a person who has had her share of anaphylaxis episodes, I can sympathize with her.

And now 11 things about myself (wow that is a lot of things to come up with).

1. I love to read and am finding that I am enjoying my new Kindle more than I ever thought I would.  I used to read mostly mysteries and now I find myself becoming a more eclectic reader.
2. I love being outdoors when the pollen and mold counts aren’t too high and going for walks.  I tried bicycling but it sends my asthma into a tizzy.
3. I love old movies, especially Katharine Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn and Doris Day.
4. I wet sanded the entire primered body of my 1964 Chevy Impala that my dad was restoring for me in preparation for being painted.
5. I hated riding the bus in high school so rather than catch the bus a few blocks from my house to take me to the high school I attended, I walked the approximately 2 miles each way even in the cold and even in my short skirts and heels (we weren’t allowed to wear jeans or even pantsuits at the time).
6. I love the fact that in less than a year I have 63 followers to my blog and have published over 200 posts.
7. I was nominated to Who’s Who in Junior Colleges.
8. I nailed off the entire sub-floor of a 2500 square foot house by myself.
9. I want to be in Disneyland right now with my grandchildren but can’t because there is no place for me stay.
10. I am finishing up the final stages of my book in preparation for submission.
11. I enjoy crafting and sewing.  At one time in my life I had a boutique every year at Christmas where I sold my bears, dolls and other crafty things I made.

My 11 questions from doilooksick.

1. You don’t look sick. How do you look? In my mind I still look like I did thirteen years ago before I got sick.  My hair is colored, I am wearing my contacts, and I am wearing make-up.
2. What was your favorite thing that happened on valentines day this year?  My husband ate a simple dinner with no special dessert while I ate my lamb stew in preparation for my allergy treatment.
3. When you tell people about your illness or health problem, what would you like to hear in response?  How does this affect you?  I am so sorry that you have to live within such strict guidelines.  What can I do to make it easier for you to be around me (and really mean it).
4. What’s one skill you’d really love to learn? I would love to learn to tat.  As a highschooler an elderly woman my mom was caring for tried to teach me and I had no patience.
5. What’s one thing you’re wanting? A trip that is further away than a day trip where I can spend the night in a hotel, eat whatever I want, and go shopping.
6. What’s three things you’re thankful for? I am thankful for a husband that is still with me after my life became so complicated.  I am thankful for family that understands and are willing to accommodate my crazy life.  I am thankful that both my daughters have partners that do not think I am crazy  and have accepted my life since day one.
7. What has changed in your life in the past five years?  My sensitivities have improved some through treatment and I have been blessed with the addition of the last two of my three grandchildren.
8. What would you like to be different in five years? I would like to world to be more aware of chemical sensitivities and the ravages of mold exposures and I would like to be well enough to take a trip.
9. Do you have many friends or just a few close friends?  That is a good question.    I have about four friends that have hung with me through this illness and I have become close friends with a few that I have met along my way because of this illness.
10. What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened because of your illness or health problem? There have been a few that I can think of.  The funniest one was one that I talked about here in my blog.  My daughter and I were on the side of the road trying desperately to get a garbage bag over her hair because she had just had it done and it was making me sick in car when I highway patrolman pulled over to see what the problem was.
11. What’s your dream job? Gosh, I don’t know if I have a dream job.  I have learned to love writing since working on my book and starting this blog.  I also love to sew.  I would love to have the energy and stamina to make clothes for little children who have nothing.  A friend and I once said years ago that it would be nice to make Easter dresses for little girls and give them away.  I do, however, work on quilts when the mood and energy level are just right that I donate to a children’s hospital.

My 11 questions to those I have given the award.

1. What is your favorite childhood memory?
2. If you could pick someone famous to support your cause, who would it be and why?
3. How many books do you currently have on your shelf or e-reader waiting to be read?
4. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
5. What is your favorite holiday?
6. If you could cure one illness, what would it be?
7. Do you like surprises?
8. What are you most thankful for?
9. Who is your hero?  Why?
10. What is the last blog you have signed up to follow?
11. What is your favorite song?