Really Must Blog!

I haven't been in a very bloggy mood this week. There was a lot going on, and I cannot believe the week is over! Hopefully next week I will resume trying to catch up on my reviews... Anyway, so, still alive! I received another award, though! Cool, huh, I am getting awards for being a slacker! People are encouraging me!

Coversgirl gave me the Splash! Award:

The Rules:

1) Put the logo on your blog/post.
2) Nominate up to 9 blogs which allure, amuse, bewitch, impress or inspire you.
3) Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4) Let them know that they have been splashed by commenting on their blog.
5) Remember to link to the person from whom your received your Splash award.

Another cool award! Thanks!

Blogging Awards

Okay, I am probably going to forget some... I really need to develop better organization skills, but anyways...

I got the Zombie Chicken Award! Finally! I really wanted it because, well, it is a cool idea! And, I got it not just once, but twice! Becky and Iliana were so kind to bestow it on me. Iliana also said:

She’d engage in a reading contest with the zombie chickens and we know who’d win that. She reads a lot.

I had to laugh at that! Anyway, the award:

The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken - excellence, grace and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all...

I am going to risk the wrath because I think most bloggers have received this award all ready...

Then, Dolce Bellezza gave me the 'I 'heart' your Blog' award. Thanks Bellezza! I love lots of blogs... That's sort of the problem, really! If I loved less my feed reader would be under-control once in a while!

Proximidade Award & The Sisterhood Award

"This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this clever-written text into the body of their award."

Leya from Wandeca Reads presented me with this award. Thanks Leya!

1. Put the logo on your blog or on a post.
2. Nominate up to 10 other bloggers which show great attitude and or gratitude.
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

C.J. from My Years of Reading Seriously presented me with this award.

She says:

her reviews are amazing and the girl's read 89 books already this year! I mean, talk about spirit!

Yeah, I have read a lot of books... Too bad most of them are from the library and not from my own TBR pile, though!

She then goes on to say:

I want to sincerely thank all of those that I nominated for this award. You've all made me feel like we could sit down and discuss books, or anything else, within minutes of meeting each other face-to-face, with none of that awkwardness you get when trying to get to know someone.

I totally agree with what she says! I think that is why even though I can be a very sporadic blogger, I am glad that people still have stuck around and are reading my blog!

So, because tagging 18 people would take forever, I am going to give 9 people both awards. At least I am awarding, okay?

Vasilly from 1330v - She actually amazes me! When she had her old blog I believe her profile said she was a single mother attending university. I have to say, when I was in university I had a hard time finding time to read around my schoolwork and my job, so I am amazed by all that Vasilly accomplishes! Besides, her new blog needs a couple awards to get it started.

Rachel from A Fair Substitute for Heaven - While not an active blogger at the moment, Rachel is really good on the book recommendation front. I have been known to randomly ask her for book recommendations and she always comes through. We also have conversations about other random things. (By the way, Rachel, I just finished Skulduggery Pleasant and I really liked it! I have the sequel on my hold list.)

JenClair from A Garden Carried in the Pocket - Reads and writes great reviews! I enjoy that when I leave a comment on her blog I almost always get a reply. Sometimes the replies turn into a couple emails back and forth.

Julia from A Piece of my Mind - Julia always has so much going on over at her blog. I enjoy reading all of her posts! I see she just added Twitter to her blog. Am I the only one that doesn't have Twitter...

Nicola from Back to Books - Nicola has given up the computer for Lent. I actually might have to try that one year. Just imagine how much spare time I would have! I don't know if I could do it, but I applaud that she accomplished it! She also reads a lot of great books and writes great reviews about them.

Aarti from Booklust - Aarti was a bit quiet for a while there, but I think she has read more books in three months than she did the entire year last year! (Actually, I could almost say same here!) Aarti is such a nice person. She has turned me onto lots of great fantasy novels in the time that I have known her. Yes, that's all it takes folks... Good fantasy. ha ha!

Clare from Confessions of a Book Addict - On the same line as above. I remember when I hardly knew Clare. I am not even sure if she had a blog yet. She gave me a HUGE list of fantasy books to read. She turned me on to paranormal fantasy, which was something I had largely avoided in the past. A very approachable person! Not to mention, if I hadn't started reading paranormal fantasy when I did I might not have discovered great authors like Patricia Briggs.

Court from Once Upon a Bookshelf - In the idea of sisterhood, Court noticed I was having a rough few days a month ago or so and sent me an email to see how I was making out! I thought that was really nice of her! I think of her and Rachel together because when one of them doesn't add a book to my wish list, the other one does! And yet I still like you... :)

Susan from You Can Never Have Too Many Books - A relatively new-to-me blog. The more I read it, though, the more I am amazed by how much Susan and me have in common! Did I mention all it takes is some good fantasy already? ha ha! Anyway, even with the Once Upon a Time challenge we are largely in agreement. I have yet to see her read a book that I couldn't easily see myself reading! So, yes, I am starting to think that Susan is one (of many) of my sisters in the blogging community.

Okay, so there could be so many more people to give awards to! I have been blogging for 3 years now, so I have met a lot of people over the blogging years. Some still blog, while others have moved on to bigger and better things! (For those of you wondering about the 3 years... yes, I forgot my only blog anniversary... Let's not go there!) Thanks to all of you that comment, blog, email, blabber, etc. This really is a great community!

Also, a special thank you to Marg from Reading Adventures because she is the reason I started blogging in the first place!

I'm Tink Approved!

"She is spreading her fairy dust, again!"

Thanks, Tink!

Deslily and one other person also gave me the Premios Dardos Award. Now, I really think there is another person, but I honestly cannot remember who I haven't acknowledged yet! I would go search through bloglines, but it is messing up currently and says that I have 1600 feeds to read...

Deslily said:

Kailana (Kelly) is a young lady from Canada who reads well above the norm. I think I met Kelly through Carls Challenge and have enjoyed her writings ever since.

We probably did meet through Carl and his challenges, but it's been a while and my memory isn't that great at times! All I know is that I really enjoy Deslily's blog, too!

Award Acknowledgement

Even though I have already received these awards and awarded it to others, I still wanted to say thank you to the other people that have been nice enough to give it to me!

Ana. O. at Cosy World gave me the Premio Dardos Award

Clare at Confessions of a Book Addict also gave me the Premio Dardos Award. She also said that she had a hard time coming up with fifteen people, so maybe head on over and comment so she can discover some new blogs this year!

And, then, a couple days ago Ana T. from Aneca's World gave me the Premio Dardos Award.

Thanks, ladies! I read your blogs, too, and while I may not comment all the time, I enjoy each of them!

I got smart with the library and I am going to try and work on series that I have read the first book, but don't own the next book! I have yet to actually get a book from the library and the phone hasn't rung. So, I am still waiting to see how this all works! Anyway, since Deslily likes Elizabeth Haydon's series so much, I requested book two. Then, I also requested book two in the Maisie Dobbs series. It makes more sense to do it that way because I am not a big mystery fan, so I don't really need to own them! I really need to finish some trilogies and series this year!

Another Award!

Leya, from Wandeca Reads, was kind enough to award me with the Premio Dardos Award. I figured I should acknowledge it now, because if I didn't, I would forget!

This award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his/her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary and personal values every day. The rules to follow are:

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person that has granted the award and his or her blog link.

2) Pass the award to other 15 blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment. Remember to contact each of them to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

I am going the lazy route and saying that if I read your blog, I probably like it! If I don't read your blog, though, it doesn't mean I don't like it, just that I haven't found it yet... Anyway, thanks to everyone that writes such great posts and takes the time to read my posts!

Teddy, from So Many Precious Books, So Little Time, also gave me the Butterfly Award. Since I pass that on already, I will just say Thanks, Teddy!

Butterfly Award

I figured I better acknowledge this now, or I will forget and then feel bad when I remember months down the road! Tink has awarded me with the Butterfly Award. Isn't it pretty? It will look very nice on my sidebar! She says: "Kailana was also one of the first bloggers I read but I've only recently started reading her again. I still enjoy her reviews though!" I can totally see that because I actually update my blog now... Strange thought!

Alright, to pass it on:

1. Put the logo on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3. Award up to ten other blogs.
4. Add links to those blogs on yours.

I am always so bad at tagging people!

Let's see:

Heather from A High and Hidden Place: I have been reading her blog since the very beginning! Something that dawned on me when I remembered it was her that made me want to read the Fables series, and she wrote the review three years ago!

tanabata from In Spring it is the Dawn: A fellow Canadian (although she has left the country), I really enjoy both her reviews and her pictures!

booklogged from A Reader's Journal: I have been following her blog for quite some time (actually, I read three of her blogs!) She was over in my neck of the woods visiting and I loved watching her see everything... Next time she comes this way she is going to come visit, right?

Clare from Confessions of a Book Addict: A lot of the great fantasy series that I have read and enjoyed over the last few years were books that I discovered through Clare!

Court from Once Upon a Bookshelf: Court reads a lot of Canadian books that always end up on my wish list, as well as other great finds!

Ames from Thrifty Reader: Ames has a bigger TBR pile than me... Reading her blog reminds me of that and makes me feel better! There is lots of other great stuff on her blog as well, though. :)

Zeek from The Way I See It: Zeek writes entertaining posts and she is the one that made me aware of Patricia Briggs having a graphic novel coming out!

Sassymonkey from Sassymonkey Reads: Another fellow Canadian! She calls herself Sassymonkey, who wouldn't love her? She also writes for BlogHer. I really enjoy reading all of her posts!

Tanzanite from Tanzanite's Shelf and Stuff: Great historical fiction reviews! And, she is such a nice person!

Teddy from So Many Precious Books, So Little Time: I have found a lot of books that I have never heard of before on Teddy's blog.

Christmas Spirit Award

Julia presented me with the Christmas Spirit Award! She also thanked me for an award that I had given her at some point and time and said such wonderful things! I am glad that the Advent Tour was a big help to you last year and thank you so much for the award!

Here are the rules for the Christmas Spirit Award:

"You must be a true Christmas lover to receive this award.
The person to whom you give the award must also be in love with Christmas.
Link back to the person who gave you the award.
List 5 things that you love about Christmas. If you can't limit it to 5 things, then keep going till you run out of space!
Pass the award along to as many people as you like. That can be 1 or 50. It's up to you! But keep the Christmas cheer going!
Let your recipients know that you have tagged them by leaving them a comment. Also, link back to the person who gave you the award."

Five Things I Love About Christmas:
1. Santa Claus.
2. Christmas Trees
3. A White Christmas
4. Christmas Villages (the little towns and things... I so want to start one of those!)
5. Christmas Music
6. Mincemeat Pie (only time of year I eat it)
7. Christmas Lights

Now, who shall I give the award to? I know so many people that are all about Christmas spirit this year, so it is so hard to choose! Here is my list:

Marg, my co-leader of the Advent Calendar, is a given.

Alabama Bookworm
Joanne from Lost in a Good Book
Susan from You Can Never Have Too Many Books
Louise from Lou's Pages
Penelope from Life's Sweet Passions
Booklogged from A Reader's Journal
Lisa fromBook Lists Life
Alison from The Homeschooler's Guide to the Galaxy
Ladytink from Ladytink's Neverland
Kim from Page After Page
Vickie from Scrapbooking and Tidbits
Rob from The Snig's Foot
Andrew from The View from Arizona Marny the Bookworm
Kerri from Latte' Buddies
Becky from Becky's Book Reviews
Melissa from Book Nut
Amy from Passages to the Past
Alyssa from By the Book
Raidergirl3 from An Adventure in Reading
Sherrie from Just Books
Kerrie from Mysteries in Paradise
Dolce Bellezza
Chris from Book-a-rama
Bookwormom
Mister Teacher from Learn Me Good
Bigsis from Through the Eyes of the Creator
Trish's Reading Nook
Nymeth from Things Mean a Lot
Lisa from Book Ahoy
Suey from It's All About Books
Emily from Dreaming on the Job
Stephanie's Confessions of a Book-a-holic
Cindy from Nocturnal Wonderings
Natasha from Maw Books
Somewhere in Between
Wendy from Caribou's Mom
Strumpet from Strumpet's Life
Chris from Stuff as Dreams are Made on
Tammy from Omah's Helping Hand
3M from 1 More Chapter
Stine from The Washingtonium
Kim from Sophisticated Dorkiness
Alex from Daemonwolf Books
Leya from Wandeca Reads
Julia's Book Corner
Hope is the Word
Laclau from Conversacions de Cafe
Krissi from The Swim Mom
Morgan from Insert Clever Name Here
Jessica from The Bluestockings Society
Naida from The Bookworm
BookClover
Book Thingo
Rhinoa from Rhinoa's Ramblings
Melissa from Remember to Breathe
The Bluestocking Guide
Michelle from Fluttering Butterflies
Think Pink Dana
My Friend Amy
Nicole from Linus's Blanket
Jane from Janezlifeandtimes
Memory from Stella Matutina
Debbie from Friday Friends Book Blog
Book Scoops
Carl from Stainless Steel Droppings
Sherry at Semicolon

Sorry if I missed anyone! Thanks to everyone that participated in the third annual Advent Calendar and made it a great success! I hope you will join again next year!

***Note: I actually commented on everyones blogs (I hope). Yes, the comments are all the same, no I didn't actually read the post I was commenting on in many cases, and yes, I hate word verification!

Super Commenter Award

I got the Super Commenter Award from Teddy Rose at So Many Precious Books, So Little Time. I was quite surprised to get this from anyone, to be honest, because I blog so rarely and comment even less! So, I chose seven people that have commented on my blog several times lately. It goes to my email and I am a really big slacker at deleting things from my email... It probably wouldn't be an exaggeration to say I have every comment I have ever receieved still in my email... So, these names come up a lot lately. I was trying not to use the same people as Teddy, because I could've in a few cases!

Deslily at Here, There, and Everywhere
Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings
Sassymonkey at Sassymonkey Reads
Nymeth at Things Mean A Lot
tanabata at In Spring it is the Dawn
Stephanie at Stephanie's Written Word
Rhinoa at Rhinoa's Ramblings

A Week in the Life....

Well, February is not going much better than January in terms of reading and blogging, but I am still alive! I just am never home and when I am I have so many other things to do, I do not get a lot of time to sit down on the computer. I do visit blogs, but not in any sort of organized manner, and I usually am so far behind that I mostly read and hardly ever comment, but I do visit!

This week I decided to watch a few movies in my spare time. I watched The Astronaut Farmer, Pan's Labyrinth, Flags of our Fathers, The Zodiac, and I bought and watched Across the Universe. I had seen it before, but I really like that movie, so I of course had to watch it again. In honour of it, sort of, I actually sang at karaoke last night! I cannot sing, it is a well-known fact, but I am passable. Everyone thinks I do not sing because I am shy, but it is mostly just that I know I cannot sing. Anyways, I sang Hey! Jude. It was actually in tune, and I do know all the words, so I was proud of myself. And, I am not shy, so I was not even nervous. I was proud of myself, but I will likely not do it again. Singing is not really my thing. At least not in public! Today, I am battling a cold. I felt it coming on yesterday, so all I really did all day was sleep! Now I have no idea how I am going to sleep tonight, so instead I am reading. I just wanted to take a break and say hi!

A couple people have nominated me for the 'You Make My Day' award, so thanks to Bonnie and Clare! I was surprised to get it from anyone because my blog is pretty dead of late, so it is hard to make anyones day when there is nothing happening! So many blogs and their bloggers make my day, so it is very hard for me to choose!

Julia from A Piece of my Mind
Booklogged from A Reader's Journal
Jean Pierre from Bombastic Bagman
Bonnie from Bonnie's Books
Samantha from Book Minx
Chris from Book-a-rama
Bookfool from Bookfoolery and Babble
iliana from Bookgirl's Nightstand
Aarti from Booklust
sherid from Bookie

These are just some of the many people that deserve this award... I never even made it out of B... Yes, I cheated.

And, my friend has me listening to Meatloaf... off to it, then!
Anyways, I am hopefully going to write some reviews this week because I am going to an amazing thing called reading!