Sorry, very long winded

It was back in January of 2008 that I first thought about starting a blog. That's when I opened my google account and made my first blogging attempt. My original blog is long gone and it never went very far to begin with. I was quickly discouraged when a certain person (who shall remain nameless) made a less than positive comment about my efforts. Although I gave up at that point, I continued to have the desire to blog. It took 9 months (how appropriate is that) for Ann's snap edit scrap to be born.
For months, I stumbled along writing posts, begging family members to read and follow, and shouting out new posts in the cafe mom forums. I enjoyed doing it but I felt like I was the only one who ever saw it. Here I was making digital scrapbooking things that I wanted to give away free and no one was there to take them. That's when my sister Tanyia suggested that I register with digifree. I tried that and I gained a couple followers, but yet I still felt like I was all alone in the blogosphere.
Finally I found Entrecard. It opened a new door in my blog world. I found so many new blogs written by the most wonderful people. I have made connections with people who have given my blogging purpose. I'm entertained by their posts on a daily basis. I laugh with them, I cry with them, I relate to what they are saying. Never in a million years did I think that my humble little blog would have reached 97 followers. I feel truly blessed by each and every one of you who stop and visit me. Which brings me to another subject. I've been given some awards.
Words can not begin to describe how honored I feel that two wonderful bloggers felt that I was deserving of an award.

This first one is from Swapna at Crafts and Cooking

Thank you so much for passing this on to me. It truly means a lot to have received it.
The rules of the award are
1. add the logo to your blog
2. Link to the person who passed on the award
3. Nominate blogs of your choice
4. Leave a message on the nominees blogs.

Without further ado I would like to pass this along to the following
http://donna-madeinheaven.blogspot.com/
http://beadedtail.blogspot.com/
And Will Oaks Studio

My next award comes from a woman who everyone knows and loves. Jackie at http://shinade.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much Jackie. You inspire me as well. Not only am I inspired by your beautiful photos and words, but by your dedication to your readers and your kind and thoughtful comments here and on the other blogs you visit.

Choosing who to pass this along to is very difficult because there are so many of you who inspire me, each in your own way. My choices are
Miawa who inspired me in more way than one through both of her blogs
http://eachstepitakewithgod.blogspot.com/ and http://withmiawa.blogspot.com/
Donna, here's another one for you. Your sweetness and hospitality have won my heart http://donna-madeinheaven.blogspot.com/
Vickie, you quickly became one of my favorites http://digivic.blogspot.com/
and finally Ratty, you have inspired me to go out and look for all the wonders the world has to offer. http://everyday-adventurer.blogspot.com/