A Potpourri Post....

Dear Readers, today I have a potpourri post for you. A mixture of material to share. First off in my mixed bag of tricks I wanted to tell you about a give away over at French Garden House . Lidy is giving away a signed copy of the new Romantic Homes publication entitled Vintage Vavoom! Lidy has posted some of of the wonderful contents of this book on her site so head on over for a sneak peek and a chance to win.With all the hoopla gong on in Hollywood about the writers strike and lack of awards ceremonies I am glad to report that this has had no effect on the blogging industry. Blog writers are happy to post with no pay and sometimes no comments! AND they are generous in giving out their awards. I am happy to report that I am a recent recipient of two blog awards from the lovely Heather at Mommy Monk. Heather and I recently met through the Proverbs 31 writing contest.

Here is the beautiful presenter, Heather, esteemed wife, mother, speaker, writer, teacher, and daughter of the King, all glorious within:

Here are the awards:

Here I am in a pouty pose for those pesky paparazzo as I am about to enter my big red ride to the red carpet event:

They always catch you at your very worst and publish your photo is the oddest places. "Please stop, your flashes are blinding me!" I say as I squint and try to turn my face into my hood. And here I am arriving on my limo, a girls gotta make a memorable entrance! The look on my face is because the hood is hot :)Here I am all gussied up for my strut down the red carpet.

"Sandy, Miss Sandy, who are you wearing?"

"Why Jack and Jill of course!"

"Tell us a bit about your gown."

"Well, It is red velvet over sheer white organza with a peter pan collar trimmed in lace and ruffles topped off with a little velvet bow at the throat. The underlay of the dress is a soft white tulle and is positively musical when I walk. A must have for every Southern Belle! Little gold bells on red velvet bows are stitched to the tulle and I sound like Tinkerbell every time I move."

"Who's shoes are you wearing?"

"These are Buster Brown's best! I decided to go classic with a black patten leather strappy little number. I love the darling details of the triple heart cutouts above the toes and chose to accessorize with the elegant but classic white lace ruffled turned down sock."

"No jewels this year?"

"No, I thought the gown spoke for itself and didn't need any bling to make it stand out."

"Tell us about the new do."

"Well, I have this look from my recent role as a toddler and I'm trying to grow it out but it is a slow process."

Now for my acceptance speech:

"She likes me, she really likes me!" (Sorry, had to spoof on Sally Fields just a little! ;) Seriously, thank you, Heather, for your kind and thoughtful support. I look forward to getting to know her better through her blog and pray that her writing, speaking, and teaching ministry will continue to expand a she blesses others with her gifts. I am honored and I humbly accept.

Here I am leaving the awards ceremony all smiles with bloggy awards firmly grasp in my hand. Can't see them you say, of course not, they are virtual awards silly.

"Sandy, Miss Sandy, just one more question! Where will you display your awards?"

"Why on my blog sidebar on my blog mantle, where else?"

I hope this helped you get your red carpet and awards ceremony fix! (My daughter just came in and said I have way too much time on my hands :)

Now on to the next ingredient in my mix. I do not know how these things get started, rumors and misconceptions here in blog land, it must be those terrible tabloids, but I'd like to clear one up. My name really and truly is Sandy, well, actually it is a nick name for my given name of Sandra, but I never go by Sandra, it's always been Sandy, although I did not know my given name was Sandra until I was six years old.

Picture the first two weeks of first grade. Every morning we lined up and filed into our class room behind our teacher, Miss Butts being my teachers name. (No kidding!) After scuffling and shuffling in the cloak room removing sweaters and jackets and hanging up book bags and placing our lunch pails on the shelf we each went to our assigned seats. Announcements were made over the loud speaker, we stood for the Pledge of Allegiance, the singing of the Star Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful, and bowed our heads in prayer as our school principal prayed for us.

We sat in our seats and our teacher called role and you were to stand up and answer, "Present." Everyday Miss Butts called each student by name and received the proper response to all but one student, Sandra. I wondered everyday why the teacher never called my name, being painfully shy I never asked. I also wondered why Sandra never showed up for school.

The teacher contacted my mother and said she thought I had a hearing problem and so I was tested and no problem was found. My mother told me I needed to answer my teacher when she called on me and I said I would. This went on for about two weeks with notes going back and forth between home and school. Finally in frustration my mother met with the teacher face to face to try and figure out the problem. She asked Miss Butts what she was calling me and was given the answer, "Sandra." My mother burst out laughing and said that was the problem. Never in my life had I been called by my given name only my nick name and I probably did not know it was me she was addressing. The next day I was thrilled when she called my name and I too got to stand and say, "Present!" So yes, my name is Sandy but I will not answer you if you address me as Sandra, I'll wonder who you are talking to.

If you wonder about the Miss in front of it, it is a Southern thing. We are raised to be polite in the South and always address our elders by proper titles of Miss, Mrs, or Mr and their last name. If one is on very familiar terms with an elder and permission has been given you call them Miss (even if they are married) or Mr and their first name. I am widely known in our area as Miss Sandy. It started with my children's friends and carried over into my church and it just stuck. I have no secret identity, my first and last name are published on my blog banner if you care to know this information.

I am a regular real person with no hidden identity! (But it might be fun to create one!) Now, go and have yourselves a really great weekend. I hear the call of scissor, paper, glitter, and glue so I must answer.

Blessings,

Miss Sandy