Monday, August 10, 2009

No More Awards Please

Hello everyone, now I just know you all had a great day after all Tiger won The Bridgestone PGA Major and it was a sunny day. What more could we want?

What can I say? From the beginning I was a bit leery of the Awards and I thought no, I am blogging and enjoying making friends.....I'm not going to alienate any of them by choosing so I will pass on the awards.....I didn't think it would bother me not to receive an award but as I watched others receive them, ego got in the way and I began wanting them too, not to mention how much I admired and respected the wonderful blogger friend's who gave them to me. The past few days I had decided I would quietly accept the awards offered, post them on my home page and leave it at that. Yesterday I was given one which I had received before so I e-mailed my kind friend and explained what I had decided to do and after e-mailing back and forth we came to the decision I would post it and leave it at that. Being a new blogger she was excited to be passing the award along and I knew she wasn't very happy with me. I honestly didn't want to hurt her or anyone but since...well I have noticed she has removed herself as a follower. I now realize that every time I let my ego make a decision instead of my heart...well it just doesn't work out. Anyway my village bloggers know and understand each other and we always allow each other the choice of accepting or not without taking a refusal personally. So glad for my village....love you all. So now I want to thank each and everyone of you who have given me an award, they are special and precious to me but please don't hate me just accept my decision and don't give me anymore awards. I don't deserve them especially feeling the way I do about them. I tell you this as I don't trust myself, (oh I am weak aren't I) but my ego may get in the way and I will start over and put myself in the same position I was in yesterday. I don't know about you but I feel so much better telling you how I feel.

My neighbour called just before supper and asked me to baby-sit their 10 year old daughter as one of their parents had been taken to hospital. I said of course and did we ever have fun. Her name is Sarah and I BBQ a hamburger for her for supper and she said, that's the best hamburger I have ever had.....what a sweetie. Her long blond hair was braided and she has big blue eyes the size of saucers, not to mention all the cute freckles sprinkled across her cheeks and nose. Later we watched the movie, Nanny McPhee and she loved it when the children were bad and she was even a bit scared of Nanny McPhee at first but like the children in the movie grew to love her before it was over. Her dad picked her up around 7 and the house seemed quiet after she left. I really enjoyed her and hope they need a baby-sitter again soon, to see a movie through the eyes of a child is a wonderful experience, I enjoyed her giggles and questions more than the movie.

Have a great Monday my friends.......Good Night and God Bless....xo

37 comments:

June Saville said...

Hi Bernie
I absolutely understand where you're coming from with the award decision.
There was a time when I seemed to spend more hours doing awards thingamedings than sleeping. I put a little notice on my side bar (thanks to Vikki of RedChair who supplied some great art work)and I have had no problems at all. Everyone understood and many others have followed suit.
Don't worry my friend - things will settle down.
June in Oz

Valerie said...

I know exactly how you feel and respect you for making the decision to go 'award free'. I tried to do the same some time ago, writing what I considered to be a fair post, using an analysis of numbers to prove a point. But I was told that my post was upsetting to the award givers. However, I notice that more and more bloggers are beginning to do the same. Good luck to them, and to you. When I get back from this cruise (sneaked on using ship's computer whilst at sea) I shall take steps to follow suit. Again!

Jinksy said...

I've tried more than once to stop those so called awards! Even wrote a pemanenet message above my comment box, but I soon learned Bloggers are 'selective' readers, for they continue to ignore it. Personally, I think if somebody comes back to read your blog more than once, that's a big enough reward in itself.

A Bit of the Blarney said...

A difficult decision to make and I will certainly try to honor it. If I forget just let me know! You will not hurt my feelings. Have a grand day!!! OH! wish I could have one of your "best ever" hamburgers! Cathy

Anonymous said...

I understand your feelings, Bernie, and I respect them. Much love to you.
Bunches of smiles,
Jackie

Wanda..... said...

Good morning Bernie...
You are in my thoughts today!
Little children are special to have around...glad you had such an enjoyable Sunday!

You stated that very well about the awards Bernie...just like with any expression of appreciation from others...it's certainly is a feel good moment, but the awards easily turn to a stress related experience...I accept and acknowledge them like I would any compliment, but like you I stopped passing them on...which had been causing duplicates or even triplicates in the village...now that decision leaves me feeling a slight guilt feeling...can't win!
Unless you say I Love You, But No Awards Please! :)

Take extra care Bernie,
Talk with you soon!
Wanda

Rebecca said...

Wasn't Tiger awesome!? On a sports talk show this morning, the host was saying that he thinks Tiger is on his way to being the best athlete in history - not just the best golfer....

And re. awards, I totally understand. I, too, risk misunderstanding by just ignoring them. I'm not sure what it is all about anyway. I know many come directly from the heart. Others are just more like "chain letters" which I also ignore :)

Gail said...

Hi Bernie-

I am not a big fan of the awards. first of all I have no idea how to give an award to someone and if I get one I have no idea how to "post it". And I agree with you, there were times when I saw folks getting awards and I thought, "hey, what about me"?!!?? So I understand your sentiments and decision completely.
And how wonderful of you to care for your neighbors little girl in a time of need. :-) And I am sure it was a delicious hamburger.

Enjoy your Monday.

Love to you
Gail
peace.....

Diana said...

Good Morning Bernie,
I found a photo of Katie the other day, in it she was ten. I couldn't believe how much she's changed in four years! It is fun to hang out with children, they do make you look at things differently!
I totally respect your thoughts on the award thing Bernie. It should be a fun thing to do and if it's not then whats the point really.
I personally am happy just hearing about your day!

Cindy said...

Hello, I have nieces and newphews that I love coming to stay with me. I had no children but sure enjoy the kids, their laughter brings me great joy. love your blog. Back to visit soon. Thankyou for your kind words of support you left me. It was kind.

Teresa said...

Hi Bernie,
I don't think you are a stalker, and I probably should have let everyone know that I am fine. I know what you mean about watching movies through the eyes of a child. I took Bailey awhile back to see Nanny McPhee and we both loved it. She still does that little thing that Nanny did, and we both laugh.

Anonymous said...

I guess we all go through this award discussion. The key word is respect as in all relationships. I accept your decision. Your blog is your place to say and do as you please. I tried to defend getting awards but found it is truly stressful deciding who to share them with. I forget who I have sent them to, etc. The blogging experience is not a competition. There are so many different groups out there I can't deal with them. I do good to just put my thoughts down. Some times I like excluded when it says click here and there to join our group. I don't want to be seen "as a group" If I did I would have stayed in "Red Hat Ladies" "Altar Society" and all the other groups with rules and regulations. I just wanna write.
QMM

Bernie said...

June,thanks for understanding and I did pop over to your site and viewed your side bar, it was far down and I hadn't seen it before. Great idea....have a great day and as always, many hugs...:-)

Bernie said...

Val, award free I am and I am planning on staying that way. Enjoy your cruise......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Jinsky, you can only do what you can, but I am hoping now my problem is solved unless some new blogger (like I did) comes along and away we go....gotta love my village....they are so wonderful and matter so much to me, they "get" it. Have a wonderful day....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Cathy, it wasn't difficult to make the decision but very difficult to tell everyone without hurting anyone's feelings. I have made wonderful friends in the blog world and enjoy their friendship including yours my friend. Have a great day Cathy....and many hugs to you....:-)

Bernie said...

Jackie, thank you....luv you too and have a great day....:-) Hugs

Blessings each day said...

It does seem great at first to get the awards as they can be a nice recognition (especially to those of us so new), but after awhile it does get overwhelming, so I think I have an 'in between" way to deal with them as I will post one received tomorrow.

blessings and hugs,

marcy

Bernie said...

Hello Wanda, I hope what I said came out right....now will deal with the guilt okay, it's the ego that bothered me and always does, something I work on all the time.
Thank you for thinking of me today.
Many hugs my friend.....:-)

Bernie said...

Hi Rebecca, I really enjoy sports and when someone excels like Tiger does I can't help but admire and respect his talent, discipline and attitude towards others. Have a great day my friend....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Gail, you are not alone as many people feel as we do about awards. Sarah was lovely and I was the one blessed to have her company for a few hours.....have a great day Gail ......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Oh Diana, I love hearing from you with your honest and heart warming comments. I do agree children change very quickly but then I look at my picture 4 years ago and I have change too only not for the better......enjoy you week with hubby,......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Welcome cinner, I admire how hard you are working to control your weight, its not an easy thing to do and your attitude is wonderful. Good luck and come back soon okay, have a great day....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Terri, it is good to have you back, it's wonderful enjoying any and everything through the eyes of a child....so much fun! Hope all is well with you, ... :-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi QMM, thank you for understanding. Hope all goes well with your daughter. Have a great day.....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Marcy, am looking forward to your post tomorrow....only you could find a way to deal with this never ending problem and that's why I love you.....:-) Hugs

Eileen said...

Bernie, it's funny how some people get so excited about the awards, and some don't enjoy it at all, and I think most of us are somewhere in between.
I actually like learning more about everyone, but I hate the 'passing on the award' thing. From now I'll thank the giver, do the post, and then say 'whoever wants it, come and get it'. I think it was Wanda or Cathy who had done that once and I thought it was a good idea.
I wouldn't want to hurt anybody's feelings either, especially when you see the sentiments that are sometimes attached to the award. But it does get to be a bit much.

I'm sorry your new blogger friend was so sensitive about the whole thing.
Oh, that sounded so judgmental! Everybody is different, he/she has a right to their feelings too, but I wouldn't take it to heart, Bernie. You can't please everyone.

I'm actually going through something with my blog and it's making me feel like giving up the whole thing. It's more something going on with extended family having complaints. Sort of takes the fun out of everything. Oh well.

Talk to you soon.
Love,
Eileen

Bernie said...

Hi Eileen, Marcy is doing a post on the awards tomorrow, she has found a solution to all the controversy, should be good post.
I have decided to just enjoy my blog and as long as I use it for good and not hurt anyone then I am going to keep blogging. Its something I enjoy each evening. Have a great night.....:-) Hugs

Garnetrose said...

I understand the awards decision too and I hope she still comes by your blog even if she is not a follower.

I don't do the awards at all. I just like to blog and awards do not matter that much to me. I agree with Jinksy. I the only award I want is someone reading my blog.

Oh, Tiger got fined cause of somtehing he said. He was probably right but the PGA does not like criticsm.

Bernie said...

Hi Garnet, how are you? I knew Tiger was fined, he was upset when they put him and Padrig Harrington
"on the clock" at hole 16, for playing to slow. At time both were tied, Harrington got flustered and took a double bogey on that hole. Tiger said they had messed up what was a great match at the time....and he was right, they did as they were the last twosome with no one behind them. They were not holding anyone up. Sometimes things in life just aren't fair.....Hugs

Margie said...

Hello Bernie
I admire you for your decision on the awards.
I remember when I used to have a lot of tags passed onto me...I never did them as then I had to pick blogger friends to pass along the tag...just could not pick and choose.

Sounds like you had a wonderful day with Sarah!

TC, Bernie & have a great Tuesday!

Margie:)

Bernie said...

Thanks Margie, its so hard at this time in our society not to offend anyone when it should be so easy to just be ourselves. Oh well, all will work out.....:-) Hugs

Tranquility Speaks said...

Hi Bernie! I took an off from work and here I am doing what I love doing the most :D So glad to be reading you again!

Now if someone stops following you because you didn't pass on the award/ accept the award, it wasn't following you to get to know you in the first place. In my honest opinion, I don't think you lost much. It is very nice to be receiving and sending award, but they aren't above our friendship is it!

I am glad you had a nice day with the 10 year old. Time spent in the company of children is always so rewarding :) Loads of love Bernie and all the best with the visit to the dentist tomorrow!

Bernie said...

Stillness, I love children and young people....so easy to care for as one only has to love them and give them your attention and they give back so much in return.
Thank you for understanding about the awards....Take care my friend, (is your cough better)....:-) Hugs

Anvilcloud said...

If awards are given with thought and with the proper words, I appreciate them. But that's about it. I make a comment on the giver's post, and don't even post them on my own blog anymore. not that I get a lot. I think it's mostly a female thing ... as is blogging to some degree. Take a look at who comments here, for example.

Bernie said...

Anvilcloud, I like to think most awards are given with thought but I am not comfortable with them so have opted out and feel better since I "voiced" it.
I also think most bloggers are women (have no idea why....might be a good post) so the chances of them reading your blog are high.
It's nice as a woman to read a man's point of view so I enjoyed finding your blog.
Have a great day and thanks for stopping by I sincerely appreciate it.....:-) Bernie

The Retired One said...

Bernie,
Because you have been such a fan and faithful follower to my blog, you already know that I stopped posting awards too.
For those that still insist on giving them to me, I go on their blogpost and in their comment section I thank them profusely and reaffirm that I do not post them on my blog any longer. I may have lost one or two Followers thru this, but it has been SUCH a relief.
I found out that it was stressful to link back to the award giver plus to try and pick only 4 or 7 bloggers to pass them on to...I didn not want to offend the followers that I didn't pass them on to..it just got too hard.
And my husband, who doesn't blog pointed out the obvious to me about the whole award thing....he said...isn't is self serving? Wouldn't an award from a NON blogger to a blogger mean more? Otherwise, aren't you just awarding each other for advertisement of your own blog? Dang if he wasn't right.
I mean if the New York Times said in an article that my blog was fantastic, now THAT would be an award. ha
So, stick to your guns and your heart will be lighter. I promise.
It has been a huge weight off of my back.
And the Followers that really like you won't go anywhere.
If you are like me, their comments are my reward. And their friendships..like yours is to me.