Graduation Give-Away and Sunshine Award

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I was so excited to see the package in my mailbox. My good blog-friend, Delvalina Tuanger, had a “Graduation Give-Away” on her blogsite, and I won!

I was so happy to be a part of Delvalina’s celebration. She graduated, I got a gift. But that’s just like her.

I don’t remember how we got connected through our blogs, but I’m so happy we were. Delvalina is from Solo, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia. So my purse came all the way from Indonesia, not an short trip!


Please visit her at: Falling In Love With Jesus . She is a very faithful blog-friend, and I know she would appreciate meeting you!

Thank you Delvalina, for taking the time and considerable effort and expense to send me such a beautiful gift. I love it! She also sent me such a sweet note. It’s like getting to know her in a whole new way. We all read each other’s words, but it sure is special to get a handwritten note!



A heartfelt thanks goes to Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose for her help in forwarding the package.



I would also like to thank Marcia at Menopausal Mother . She named me one of her recipients of the Sunshine Award.
Her posts always give me something to smile about. Her blog is an honest, funny and irreverent view of life for a woman of ‘a certain age.’ Although our blog content couldn’t be more different, we have become good blog-friends. She introduced me to Nutella, so I have a lot to thank her for! I hope you will go on over and visit her too.

As part of the award, I am supposed to share seven things about myself. So…here goes:

1) I have only had Nutella once. But wow, mention that product, and you are going to get a reaction!

2) I have two grandchildren, with one on the way. They are all girls.

3) I have big feet. I wear a size 9 ½ to 10 shoe. I don’t mind though. I was a competitive swimmer from my youth through college, so I was always told they were good ‘flippers.’

4) I do not like coconut.

5) Purple is my favorite color.

6) I can’t sleep on planes.

7) I am one of eight children. Four girls and four boys.


You all have been a ray of sunshine to me. If you would like to accept the Sunshine Award, just grab the image. Write a post about it, and be sure to list seven things about yourself, and attach the button. That’s it!




54 thoughts on “ Graduation Give-Away and Sunshine Award ”

  1. The purse is indeed beautiful. What a generous gift! I don’t like coconut, either. Yuck! I like chocolate-covered just about anything…except coconut. Love purple, too…although I think blue is still my favorite. Not a fan of Nutella, but maybe I should give it another try.

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  2. Congrats on being nominated Ceil!! Yes, Marcia’s blog is funny! Your purse is beautiful and extra special that it came all the way from Indonesia! Hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving…have a blessed week!

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    • Hi Michell! Thank you! I do like to go to Marcia’s blog, she is so creative in her writing, and just a silly person. Gotta love that! And the purse was such a lovely gift, and from so far away. She really went through a lot of trouble for that give-away. I am truly blessed by such good blog-friends. Just like you.

      Thank you for being my Sunshine today :)
      Ceil

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  3. I like your new design Blog for Christmas. Thank you for sharing this post with us and for the links. The Internet is such a great way of meeting new friends.

    Congratulations on your new grand-child on the way. Best wishes to you and your whole family in this beautiful season.

    God bless you all.

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    • Hi Victor! Thank you for noticing the new design. I had so much fun playing around and trying to figure it out. I am really not very ‘artsy’ but I like how it turned out.
      Being in the blog community really is fun and I am amazed at how many people I have met. And all the different countries! And thank you for your good wishes and blessings. I appreciate them very much.

      Thank you for your visit today Victor!
      Ceil

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    • Hi Mari! You are so right. It is special because of Delvalina.
      Thank you for your kind comment about the seven things about me. Nice to know I’m not the only one to turn down coconut. Bring on the chocolate!

      Thank you for being my Sunshine today :)
      Ceil

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  6. hello! thanks for your comment at my blog! yes i am excited to take part in rcia – it’s so new and wonderful to me…. also, i love nutella too. at our farmers market in the summer there is a stand that sells nutella,banana,whip cream crepes -o my gosh they are good! can’t wait to get to know you better too … congrats on winning a purse!

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    • Hi Vicki! It’s always so lovely to meet new bloggers, thank you for finding me!
      That recipe from the Farmers Market sounds AMAZING! Not very farmer-y, but very wonderful. I like your Markets!

      Have a good Wednesday :)
      Ceil

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    • Awww, thank you Deb! That was such a sweet comment. You know I am always pleased to come by your place and catch up on what’s new with you. We are all so blessed to be connected :)

      Happy Wednesday! (you sure made mine happy!),
      Ceil

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  8. Congratulations on your Sunshine Award and for winning the ‘giveaway’ prize. It’s a very pretty bag.

    Yes, large feet, but I’m sure you won a lot of swimming medals in the process though. And I love a bit of nutella too, it just brightens the day. Enjoy the rest of your sunshine week :)

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    • Hi Rum Punch! I haven’t seen you for while, welcome! I did ok in the swimming world. Not Olympics, but does the Junior Olympics in the USA count? LOL!
      Thank you for being some sunshine for me today.
      Blessings,
      Ceil

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    • Hi Billie Jo! Thanks, it was fun to win something! I always enjoy reading a little bit about what people are doing, so it was fun to write a few things about me.
      And thank you for the good wishes on the grandchild. She is due to arrive 12/20!
      Thanks for being a ray of sunshine for me today,
      Ceil

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  10. How lovely! Such a wonderful gift from a special friend! You and I have both been blessed with gifts from friends that was a surprise! God knows just how to touch our hearts and lives and often uses people we never expected to do just that. You are always a ray of sunshine…and I keep finding little comments from you throughout my previous blogs…they always make me smile and feel blessed. Thank you for being that ray of sunshine today…for me and many others out there in blog land!

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    • Hi Pamela! You left such a sweet note, thank you! You are so right that God leaves little gifts for us through his children, and I think you are that gift for me today. I am so thankful for your blog-friendship, and I enjoy your comments so much too. We can be rays of sunshine for each other :)
      Have a wonderful Wednesday,
      Ceil

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    • Hi JR! Thank you, I like it too. And thank you for your good wishes. I am a blessed person, that’s for sure!
      Thank you for being a ray of sunshine for me today :)
      Blessings,
      Ceil

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    • Hi Mindy! Oh, you are so good to me Mindy. Thank you for your lovely comment. The purse is so cute, and I can’t believe it made it all the way from Indonesia. Thank you so much for visiting Delvalina. She is just such a sweet person.
      Thank you for being a ray of sunshine for me today :)
      Ceil

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  14. Ceil, congratulations on all fronts! Wow, how wonderful to have a purse come allll the way from Indonesia and to also win an award. You are such a blessing and I’m glad you’re being recognized for being you and sharing of yourself with all of us. :-)

    Your list made me smile. I cannot sleep on planes, either! It’s terrible on long overseas flights or from coast to coast when everyone around me is snoring but all I can do is stare at the seat in front of me. lol. Oh….and we have the same shoe size. Too funny!

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    • Hi Anne! So I have friend with flippers for feet too? Lol!
      Oh that not sleeping on planes is so annoying. I know exactly what you are saying. And unfortunately, I am so unpleasant after a long flight, I’m sure my husband considers disowning me :)

      Hope you are keeping warm and enjoying prepping for the Christmas Season with your little ones. So fun!
      And thank you for being such a wonderful ray of sunshine for me…always.
      Ceil

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  15. Congratulations on your gift! I’ve received several gifts from other bloggers in the last year, and it is so SWEET! Makes them seem more like real people, not just ‘bloggers in cyberspace’. ;) Love your blog.. I come here knowing I will feel better for having read it!

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    • Hi Aneta! It really is fun, I agree completely! How is it possible to develop a relationship with someone so far away? That is the great thing about blogging…and the communication by ‘snail mail’ really does prove that we are real people!
      Thank you for your sweet comment about the blog here. I really appreciate your support, it means a lot to me.
      Blessings to you!
      Ceil

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  16. Ceil,

    You are really made my day and true beautiful and faithful friend too. I’m so blessed to know you, and looking forward to know you more :) What you wrote here really touch my heart and *can I just hug you* I wish I could. It makes me smile to see that everyone likes that purse too and thank you so much, I think you’re the only one who really understand that how hard for me each time I need to send the package to U.S. but once they got the package I’m just so happy and nothing compares with what I have scarified hehe. I’m blessed that it never get lost on its way :) God is faithful.

    Our friend Stephanie is such a precious to me, and I’m glad that she did a good job to sent it. I’m so hoping that I could talk with her soon. :)
    And congrats for the Sunshine award. You’ve been my sunshine since the first time we met…and I remember how we met, I think you came from Stephanie and commented on my 4th July post, and how I pour how I love your country and I just want to jump in to that country. :D and you said something sweet there and I think you are beautiful person in God and I always like every post of you then we be friend. :)
    Thanks for sharing some facts about you it’s always fun. I always want to swim maybe you can teach me Ceil :)
    I love purple too! It’s heavenly color for me :)
    Thanks you for being sunshine!
    Blessing,
    Delvalina

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    • Hi Delvalina! I am so glad that this made your day, because you made mine! How fun it is to win anything really, but especially from a good blog friend. It’s so fun. And thank you again for your sweet note, I so enjoyed reading it.
      As far as meeting you…Thats right! I kind of remember this…I came over from Stephanie’s blog. What a blessed thing that was. I am so glad that we are blog friends.
      I always enjoy reading little things about my blog-friends, so I thought the seven things might be fun. Glad you liked them! You should learn to swim someday, it’s fun!
      Let’s keep being good blog-friends, ok?
      Thank you for being my sunshine today :)
      Ceil

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    • Hi Wanda! You are absolutely right about that. How would I ever have met anyone in Indonesia??? The blog-osphere is a wonderful place to meet faithful, active people. Just like you :)
      Thank you for being my sunshine! I got the idea to offer this button to everyone after you did the same with the Laetare Award. Just paying it forward!
      Ceil

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    • Hi Susan! So nice to see you here today :)
      It is amazing that I got to know someone from Indonesia. I am so blessed! Delvalina is such a great blog-friend, I hope you’ll go and visit her sometime.
      Thank you for your kind comment about the Sunshine Award. I feel the same about you.
      Have a good evening, my friend,
      Ceil

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  19. I love your header on your blog….so beautiful.
    I want to start off by saying how good it is to be here, as always. I get such a blessing from your blog….your kindness goes such a long way. You have a gift of kindness.
    What a lovely gift from Delvanlina. I love the purse! Not only is it pretty, but it shows a lot of caring from her and from Stephanie. Aren’t blogging friends simply the best!
    Now…on to your list. I have to smile at number six, and I must say that I am soooo glad to find someone else besides myself who is like that. Thank you. (I was feeling so out of sorts thinking I was the only one.) Really. When we fly, (and this happened when we flew overseas)….I looked around at everyone on the plane, and EVERYONE was asleep after a few hours except me! I wanted to be. I tried. My husband was asleep and was gently snoring. My 16-year-old daughter (at the time) was fast asleep, and there I sit. Wide-eyed and wishing I could join the crowd of sleeping people. But no. So, you are not alone, and I must tell you that I feel that I am in very good company, sweet friend! I feel better already, just knowing that I’m not alone in that feeling of not being able to sleep on a plane.
    Sending you hugs, Ceil.
    Love,
    Jackie

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    • Hi Jackie! So good to see you! I’ve missed you.
      Thank you for your sweet words about the blog. And yes, blogging friends are so lovely. I have been very blessed to have connected with such good people. Like you! I hope you will visit Delvalina sometime. She is so sweet.

      Thank you too for noticing the new blog header. I think it’s so pretty :) I am not very DIY, so this is about as artsy as I get!

      Isn’t it so hard to be awake with everyone else asleep? Like you, I TRY to sleep, but that probably just makes things worse. I wish I knew why I can’t seem to rest well in a plane. My husband can sleep anywhere, what a talent…
      You are such an encourager, Jackie. I know that you support so many bloggers with your kind words. That is a wonderful spiritual gift. I am so glad I get to experience it.

      Hugs right back :)
      Ceil

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  20. I’m a purple girl too, Ceil! I joke and say that purple is the color of royalty, and I’m a child of the King, so I have every right to be surrounded by purple. And I’m a 9.5 – 10 size shoe too, despite the fact that I’m only 5’1″!

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    • Hi Alison! Oh! Maybe that’s why I like purple? I didn’t think of that, great point! Thank you!
      I never thought that people who were under 5’5″ would have big feet. You have broken through that myth for me. I am learning a lot from you today, Alison. Thanks for visiting me :)
      Have a blessed Thursday,
      Ceil

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  21. Congrats on winning the purse. It’s lovely. And yes, from such a long way off!

    I’ve never had Nutella at all (am I the only one left?). ha. Purple is my favorite color too and neither can I sleep on planes, although I married a man who can go to sleep the second he sits in an airplane seat. :)

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    • Hi Lisa! Oh thank you, I am so impressed with getting it from Indonesia. And Delvalina’s trouble in sending it too.
      We have a few things in common! What is your position on coconut? LOL!
      My husband can sleep anywhere, anytime. I have to admire that.

      Hope you had a wonderful day, Lisa. Thank you for your visit :)
      Ceil

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  22. Hi sweet Ceil! My name is Stephanie and I am a follower of your delightful blog :) I feel like I need to introduce myself since it’s been FOREVER since I’ve been here. How have you been? I do hope you are well and getting ready for Christmas. Your header is so beautiful and is perfect for the Christmas season :)

    So glad you got your purse. That Delvalina in one precious young lady who loves the Lord with all of her heart.

    It’s so good to drop in, friend. Take care and big hugs to you!

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    • Hi Stranger! I have missed you!! But I know you’re working like crazy now to get settled. No worries! But it is fun to see you. Thank you for noticing the blog header. I am not as talented at design, but it was fun to do.
      Thank you for your mailing job, I know Delvalina really appreciates it. You are such a good friend to her, you are her “Sister Blog” which is so fun. Aren’t we all blessed?
      Big hugs back to you my dear. Take good care of yourself, ok?
      Ceil

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    • Hi Jean! No kidding, it was quite a lovely surprise. Thank you for visiting Delvalina, I think you’ll like her blog. She is such a faith-filled and sweet blog-friend. Hope you get to know each other. I agree that it’s great to all find our way to new people through our blogs. Gotta get that word of faith out there, right? And it’s so inspiring to read other perspectives.

      Happy Thursday! Thanks for the visit :)
      Ceil

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  24. Beautiful handbag! I’ll have to check out Delvalina’s blog… she sounds awesome (and I’m always on the lookout for other faith-filled bloggers).

    I can’t sleep on planes either! I don’t know what I would do if I were on a eighteen hour trip!

    Wishing you a lovely weekend my friend.
    xoxo

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    • Hi Jennifer! I am so happy that you are going to visit Delvalina! She is such a good and faithful person. And a faithful blog-friend too.

      I have given in on the plane thing, and have taken medication to help me sleep. It’s the only thing that keeps me sane on the other end!

      Have a wonderful weekend yourself! Hope it’s not too cold? BRRR! It’s below freezing here, and supposed to stay that way for a while.
      Hugs,
      Ceil

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  25. Awwww you did a GREAT job with this! I wish I had gotten over here sooner—I have been swamped with blog stuff lately and having a rough time keeping up with the two sites. It’s wonderful to get to know you better! We share the same shoe size and I am saying WOW to the number of siblings you have! Boy, I thought MY house was a busy one…..

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    • Hi Award-Giver! I’m so glad you like the way I handled the award and all. It was fun to think about seven things to share, and how about that! I think two other bloggers share the same shoe size. We are a big-footed bunch!
      Your house was busy enough, and it sounded so fun too. We had a blast together, and we are still close, even though we live in many different states.

      Thank you again for your generous award!
      Ceil

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  26. Congrats on your nomination and I love the handbag Ceil! Like you, I don’t like coconut and I love all shades of purple. Also, I am one of 9 children…I’m #8.
    Many blessings to you and your family,
    Marilyn

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    • Hi Marilyn! Thank you for your kind comments here. I am starting to think that the ‘don’t like coconut fan club’ is a pretty big one! Wow, I thought eight kids was a lot, you win :) I bet it was fun to grow up with so many siblings.

      Thank you for your blessings too. I am so glad we are getting to know each other.
      Happy Weekend!
      Ceil

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