Hello, Beauties🌸 Today’s post my Sunshine Blogger Award Nomination and My Nominees.
The Sunshine Blogger Award is a peer-nominated award for creative and inspiring people who bring sunshine to the blogosphere. The award encourages and supports one another and allows bloggers to get to know each other. Many bloggers bring sunshine in their unique styles. Some are featured here today; read on.
You already know them. They find ways to radiate sunshine on all their social platforms. This recognition, I say, is the visual Vitamin D. We all know the vital health benefits of this natural source. It’s called the Happiness vitamin.
This sunny blogger recognition reminds me of the Disney World theme attraction song, It’s A Small World After All. The lyrics say:
The World Wide Web is enormous, but virtual connections are small and intimate; sometimes, they become real.
Enter Amy Kennedy, a Forever Fierce virtual friend who nominated me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. Because of my involvement with Forever Fierce, Amy and I had a virtual encounter earlier this year. Our connection is MeetUps. I offered my assistance, and we continue to keep in touch to support her efforts in planning a Forever Fierce MeetUp.
Amy’s website, Your Favorite Chapter, is a blog about fashion and making this chapter of your life your favorite episode. We now have a virtual friendship of mutual admiration. I learned that Amy sees the cup half full, is always willing to help, and serves on the Forever Fierce Administration Team. Amy’s blog posts offer many cheerful words of encouragement and inspiration, a daily dose of sunshine. Check out Amy’s Instagram, too.
What a lovely act of kindness; thank you, Amy. I hope we get to meet one day. Now, it is my turn to answer questions Amy posed to me:
Why did I start Blogging?
First, when I started blogging in January 2013, the number of websites/blogs was 672,985,183, according to Internet Live Stats. As of 2019, the total number of websites was 1 674 926 703, steadily increasing by the second. One could say it’s a crowded market. There is ample room for everyone’s unique voice if they are brave enough for the challenge.
For perspective, in August 1991, there was one: the first-ever website by British engineer, computer scientist, and inventor of the World Wide Web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee. With so many claims about who started the Internet, we now know Tim Berners-Lee.
As I mentioned, when I started blogging in January 2013, I thought there was a void on the web for empty-nester women over 50. My background in the pharmaceutical industry led me to speak about health awareness for women. And, like many other Baby Boomer bloggers, I defy what age looks like when you reach midlife.
How do I bring sunshine to my readers?
Many people agree that my organizational skills are my greatest strength. After reading Strengths Finder 2.0, the book revealed my greatest strengths: Discipline, Responsibility, Belief, Maximization, and Connectedness. I, however, identify most with Connectedness. Meetups are my way of connecting with like-minded bloggers and women. I see myself as a bridge builder for people of all cultures and ages in my small world.
Anyone who knows me knows I like to celebrate birthdays with my family and friends and on social media platforms. The PopUp to subscribe to my blog asks you for your birth date. Why? Eventually, I want to automatically generate a Happy Birthday wish for each subscriber.
What are three interesting things about you that your readers may not know?
1. I have a passion for recycling. I take wire hangers to dry cleaners, and any plastic bags go to the recycle bins at the grocery stores. Instead of selling my less-loved clothes, I donate them to Goodwill.
2. My favorite vegetables are Beets, Brussels sprouts, and Artichokes. Fruit: Figs. All of which I didn’t eat during my childhood.
3. What’s in a name? My Dad’s name is Gene, his legacy. My childhood pet name is Cookie/Cook. My husband calls me Gina. Everybody else calls me Eugenia (You-gee-Nah).
What is your favorite thing to do to relax?
Listen to Smooth Jazz music and go to the Spa at the Hotel Hershey.
Now, to pay it forward and my nominations for the Sunshine Blogger Award, the following bloggers:
Sandra Mimran Smith, Boostwr: I met Sandra in October 2017 at Chico’s, my first Forever Fierce NYC MeetUp. Sandra is a Canadian-born founder of supportive lingerie called Boostwr for the fuller-busted ladies, those battling age-related laws of gravity, and an NYC realtor. Ms. Smith was instrumental in Forever Fierce New York City MeetUps: Rigby & Peller and Athleta NYC.
Jodie Filogomo, Jodi’s Touch of Style; The former cosmetic dentist serves on the Forever Fierce Administration team since the group’s inception on February 19, 2017, that’s when I met Jodie. Even though I’ve never personally met her, whenever I a Forever Fierce members birthday or have a question about social media, I contact her. She always responds.
Oh, I forgot to mention that Jodie blogs about three generations of women: herself in the 1950s, Nancy, her step-mom, in the 1960s, and Charlotte, her Mom, in the 1970s.
Shelia Agnew McCoy, Shelia’s Fit 50 Plus: Another virtual friendship, I featured Sheila in my Women of Grace series. The silver-sneaker fitness guru is active in her church community and a celebrity in the ATL.
Mz. Neti, Madame Too Much: By far, my most significant social media supporter reminds me every week with her comments on my blog. I’ve never met Mz. Neti, but this Caribbean fashionista lives in Florida and is a must-follow if you plan to retire soon or travel to the Caribbean islands.
Sandra, Jodie, Sheila, and Mz. Neti, I pass the baton to you.
Your questions to answer:
1. Why did you start your blog?
2. How do you bring sunshine to your readers?
3. What are three interesting things about you that your readers may not know?
4. What is your favorite thing to do to relax?
Here are the rules if you decide to participate in the Sunshine Blogger Award recognition:
♥ Thank the person who nominated you and includes a link back to his/her blog
◊ Answer the questions given to the person who chose you
♥ Nominate other bloggers and provide interview queries for them to answer
◊ Notify your nominees through social media or by commenting on their blog
♥ List the rules and display a Sunshine logo in your post
◊ Thank you for participating, and may your day be filled with sunshine.
Wow! What a fun post! Thank you again, Amy, for sending sunshine my way.
As always, thank you for reading. Have a fabulous week, and send someone some sunshine.
