Have any of you gotten to the point where you don't love a gold star?
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| DMacPhoto |
Gleaming, golden, 5-pointed proof that you've accomplished something that was a bit of a stretch?
Not me, I appreciate golds star for being ordinary, and I love gold stars for being extraordinary, you know, just for trying.
A good friend of mine from Xavier came from a big Gold Star Catholic family!
Her mother maintained gold star charts for each of her children.
I think there were six or were there eight? Hmmm. I'm an only & could never keep track.
I used to love to go to her house and disappear. She loved coming to mine to be my other only.
I used to love to go to her house and disappear. She loved coming to mine to be my other only.
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On Sundays after dinner,
their past week's performance was revealed on gridded charts showing who had excelled at homework, chores, behavior,
and personal hygiene...and who hadn't!
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| Barbara Peacock |
Gold stars used to come in a little cardboard box. You'd take off the lid and out would spill five hundred gold, paper-foil stars, stiff with dry-glue backs.
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Running your fingers through the pile of possibilities, you'd feel the self-worth!
Gold stars are very different when we give them to ourselves.
They twinkle & wink & whisper,
"Good for you!"
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| memriemare at Etsy |
The days when I sit down to write my blog are gold star days. Some are ordinary but many are extraordinary simply because you are here too!
I cannot thank you enough for that!
Just recently I was honored with a gold star from a dear blogger friend!
The lovely Renae Moore at Moore Designs.
She was so kind as to pass on to me a
Super Comments Award!
Renae is an Interior Designer who calls Atlanta home. She is so supportive and always stops by with a smile to say hello.
She is a super commenter!
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| Renae Moore |
She is also a dear friend to everyone who knows her!
Her faith, family, sweet puppy Erma, and friends are of the utmost importance to her and it shows in everything she touches.
And did I mention she does Triathlons?
You definitely get a gold star Renae and thank you again for thinking of me!
xo Lisa
A few questions came along with this kind mention.
Oh no! Questions?
I would much rather hear more about you!
1. Why do you blog?
2. Name your three best memories.
3. Name four of the best fiction books you have read.
4. What are the five best movies ever made?
5) Name five things I cannot live without.
6) If you could change your name what would it be?
7. Tell us a unique and interesting fact about yourself.
8) What do you love best about yourself?
9) If you had a freaky Friday experience, who would you change places with?
10) What is the best thing about being a woman?
To be a good bloggy friend Renae, I will do my best & try to earn a gold star here.
No.1
A few years ago before I celebrated 50
I began to realize that it's the small details of everyday life that feed my soul.
Small details can get lost in the big picture, especially in-between hot flashes, so I decided to start keeping track by writing them down no, no, not the hot flashes,
and so began the Lisa Porter Collection.
Then one day,
someone left a comment!
Yep, it was my "anonymous" mom in Scottsdale going on & on about me.
God love her.
But then someone in Florida left a comment!
Oh my gosh, it was Anne Harwell!
Sorry mom, but it was Anne Harwell!
I think most bloggers will agree that when you sit down and write from your heart and your message touches someone, or you show a picture of something that you've made and someone notices, it's both humbling and empowering.
I reminded myself that putting Lisa first was ok.
I then proceeded to reward myself with a fresh haircut, a personal fan, a desk, a pencil cup, new readers, more watercolor paper, a thesaurus, another personal fan, fresh flowers, sticky notes, a Privet candle, Skull Candy headphones, and a room to call my own!
I then proceeded to reward myself with a fresh haircut, a personal fan, a desk, a pencil cup, new readers, more watercolor paper, a thesaurus, another personal fan, fresh flowers, sticky notes, a Privet candle, Skull Candy headphones, and a room to call my own!
My family agreed....it was a good thing.
No.9 & 10
The best part about being a woman is confirmed by my 3 best memories. Marrying Barkley, and the day that Taylor & Collier were born.
No.6
The best part about being a woman is confirmed by my 3 best memories. Marrying Barkley, and the day that Taylor & Collier were born.
No.6
Cindy or Julie. After my two best friends in 5th grade.
No.5
coffee
sunshine
a place to dig
my camera
Oreos
No.7
I still have my ball & jacks from when I was the 5th grade Jacks Champion at Kiva Elementary School in Paradise Valley, Arizona.
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| Lisa Porter |
My "anonymous" mom gave them to me in a Tiffany & Co. box for my 40th birthday. Isn't she the greatest!
No.8
I often wonder...what kind of mentor am I to younger women these days and what kind of elderly woman will I be down the road?
Through my faith I know that I can continue to grow and have a full & rewarding life as a wife, mother, daughter, and friend by trusting the wisdom of my heart.
Writing here continues to bring great joy and satisfaction and along the way, I've met some really phenomenal people that I would like to pass this Super Comment Award on to. These ladies write incredible blogs and still find the time to visit others! I hope that they can answer all 10 questions and then pass the award on!
Through my faith I know that I can continue to grow and have a full & rewarding life as a wife, mother, daughter, and friend by trusting the wisdom of my heart.
Writing here continues to bring great joy and satisfaction and along the way, I've met some really phenomenal people that I would like to pass this Super Comment Award on to. These ladies write incredible blogs and still find the time to visit others! I hope that they can answer all 10 questions and then pass the award on!
and
Tina authors this beautiful blog & was so kind as to award me with a
Stylish Blogger award!
I urge you to follow her on her journey of building her dream home! Tina, thank you so much for thinking of me!
These other stylish bloggers have my attention too.
These ladies bring lot's of eye candy & interesting stories with a twist to their stylish blogs & always keep me coming back for more!
I know they will tell you something interesting about themselves & pass the stylish award on to others!
There are so many and they all deserve a gold star!
Lisa, you never fail to be beautiful in everything that you do. You are so kind to pass this award on to me. You and your posts brighten my day each time I read them.
ReplyDeleteGive me a few days to answer these questions, and I will pass this award on to some beautiful bloggers. Going to be very tough following in your footsteps.
Teresa
xoxo
Oh Lisa, you are such a treasure! You have such a fantastic way with your sentiments that is not learned, it's a beautiful gift from God! Super duper word pictures! I love the gold star remembrance, definitely brought smiles of the past back. I am overwhelmed with your kindness and the gift of your gift to me. My mother always told me that water seeks its on level and I am glad we are at the same level!
ReplyDeleteI love too that your Mom treasured you with the jacks set in the Tiffany box!
Erma sends licks of love to Gracie. ♥
xoxo
Lisa, Oh my... thank you so much for this cool award! I am honored to be in the esteemed company of these other fantastic bloggers! There are SO many bloggers I could pass this on to... I'm not sure where to begin. But, I'd like to start by sending one right back to you. You are the story-weaver extraordinaire. oxo
ReplyDeletePS... How fab is your mom with her idea for your 40th birthday present?!
Ahhh it's always nice to honor your followers :)
ReplyDeleteI love gold stars. I got them in workbooks the year we lived in England. That would have been, um, 1968. And I'm so glad you've been given awards. Well deserved.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you Lisa - Renae is an amazing person and blogger. Of course you chose wisely because you my dear have fabulous style. I love your blog (you know that) and am very grateful to be listed with all these other lovely talents. Thank you a million times. xo tamara
ReplyDeleteLisa..thank you so very much! I am truly honored and cannot express enough how kind this is. You have set the bar high for all of us, your fellow bloggers and you do an extraordinary job.
ReplyDeleteI will most certainly accept this gold star and post about it, will need to sleep on the answers to the questions...and happy to pass it to other fabulous bloggers.
I LOVED several of your responses and love your mom without knowing her..that was so funny about the "anonymous mom" part....a true mom, even there to be a phantom "blogger fan" when you need 'em! Really enjoyed why you decided to start blogging and could relate..and last we are soul mates, I too would have to list coffee as one of the five things I can't live without....if they made an IV drip with coffee, I would be the first to sign up:)
Lisa - congratulations on your well deserved awards.You are a kind, stylish and gracious blogger and will be the worthy recipient of many more I'm sure. My mother was a big gold star rewarder and gave me a similar present for my birthday - my Bronx Zoo elephant key - those of a certain age who grew up near NYC will know of what I speak.
ReplyDeleteBoy, I don't know the last time I got a gold star. Maybe in 5th grade?! And you know what, I find out today how much I really like them!! Thank you so very much for thinking of me. I would love to participate and share my thoughts. I will do that sometime this week and link back to yours. I love getting to know my fellow bloggers...and what a fun way to do it! Stay warm. It's cold here. brrrr
ReplyDeleteLisa, I was reading along reminiscing about gold stars and enjoying your answers when I was astounded to see that you had awarded me a gold star! I am honored and have begun working on my post already! Thanks so much for such a sweet surprise in my week! And thank you also for your superb blog; I am always inspired and enriched by your thoughtful posts.
ReplyDeleteGold Stars....nice memories and what a special blogger and artist you are. I too am so inspired and encouraged by so many lovely talented people here.
ReplyDeleteWishing you many more golden days and stars...
Look up, see the one twinkling....that will be me, smiling on you!
pve
Oh Lisa! You sweetie! How did you know that I needed a little starry, celestial pick-me-up magic this week? What a treat and a blessing you are! I'm overwhelmed by being included with such lovely bloggers. I am truly honored and a little tempted to make a gigantic glittery gold star to put on my fridge for all to see.
ReplyDeleteI loved your responses to the questions and appreciate getting to know you better through them. Thank you for the graciousness, hospitality and beauty that you give to your friends and readers. : )
loved reading your answers!
ReplyDeletethank you for the gift of the sweet memories of the gold stars! I could taste them!
and your jacks..... I 'loved' to play jacks and that your dear anon;)mother (I have an anon sister!) gave you them in a Tiffany box for your 40th, could almost make me weep.
priceless.
fondly,
joan
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteYou are like a soul sister to me!
From the start you have been so encouraging & always made me feel I was doing something worthwhile!
Wonderful Renae gave me the same award so come over when you have a chance.
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Oh Lisa you couldn't have written a more lovely post and wrapped it all together in a marvelous ribbon. The emphasis on the gold star was perfect. I love stories that spark a vivid memory and this sure did. I can still taste the glue on the back of those tiny stars. I don't know how many charts I did for my 4 as well? You have an amazing mom Lisa, no wonder you turned out to be an equally caring, warm, witty, and talented woman; hot flashes & all!
ReplyDeleteCheers to you and to all the tremendous women. Congratulations to all!! xo xo
Hi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI just got back from a mini getaway to find that you had awarded me one of your coveted gold stars!!
I can't thank you enough, just having you read my blog on a regular basis is truly the prize :)
Wishing you the best weekend sweet friend and thank you again for the acknowledgment... it means the world to me!!!
XXOO
Renae has been so supportive of me since the beginning, and I will not forget that...just like you Lisa, she is geniune and what my mom calls "the real thing". She deserves a gold star :)
ReplyDeleteBest,
Michelle
Oh, I remember those boxes! I enjoyed this post...Janell
ReplyDelete