Happy Birthday to Me...and the winner is........

This morning, Annie and I wrote out all the names from the contest (over 50 of them) and got this(see the picture above) and (drum roll please)(that's Annie's hand, by the way).....the winner is.................................

Ruth from Ottawa!!!!!!!!!!!

If you would email me with your address, I can send your prize on its merry way!

Thank you to everyone who participated- I will post a couple of the responses early next week!

Edited later.......

As I ws cruising through my usual Sunday morning bunch of blogs (I usually get caught up on Sunday mornings, seeing how much I have missed during the week), I came across the "tempest in a teapot" which is the Harlot's comment section. And so, I have to comment here. And I will start with a story. When I am driving around in my car, and I stop at red lights, my eyes are often drawn to the cars around me-I like to make sure I know what and who is really close to me. I honestly believe that some people consider their cars "super private", and that they will never get caught doing certain things, because they are in their "super private" cars. Yeah, people picking their noses, re-arranging their underwear, pulling unknown items out of their ears, talking LOUDLY on cell phones- all matter of (hopefully) private activities (I've seen even worse than this list). The only explanation I can come up with is that these people think they are above any kind of reproach, because they are doing (whatever) in their cars, and they have any and every right to do what they please because they are in their private cars. Yeah, but the view is pretty damn public. And yes, I could stare straight ahead, but that, in itself, is weird. For me, anyway. Now, to segue into the blogging comments over at the Harlot's. You get these people who start out their comments by saying "I hate to say this, but..." or else they say something horrid and then say "sorry", as if that will absolve them. (By the way, if one starts with "I hate to say this but", you can be assured they are just dying to say it and that it will be hurtful to someone) If one won't do "x" right in front of a person- like one's mother in law or boss or best friend, why is it that the "super privacy" of cars or of comment sections allow one have free rein to do that disgusting thing????? And yes, I think referring to someone's handiwork as "fugly" is a disgusting thing. I don't work on my knitting to be shot down. I don't write a blog to be shot down. And I know I am going to get a comment that will say"If you only want to hear happy and good things, then you are immature and unrealistic, and you shouldn't put out your thoughts in a public manner." Okay- I hear you, whoever wants to say that. But a question-why is it that people who are "just being honest" are nasty little beings? Why can't they "just be honest" and say something really nice??? Or, getting back to my car example- why should I, and my 9 year old, be exposed to someone else's questionable hygiene habits in the car. Yes, I would say I don't have to look. But the reality is- even if I don't look, I know it is there!!!! So, for the Harlot- even if I don't read through the comments to read the nasty ones, I know it is there, and I feel for her. Is there a reason why people feel the need to be rude and hurtful in their comments? Yes, I realize that you have a right to your truth and your opinion. But really- why?

The Harlot uses the comparison to her living room and her couch. Would someone come in and say "Hey Stephanie- your house looks great but that is one fugly couch." Not likely. So- is the comment section any different than inviting someone into your living room for a chat? Or is my expectations for civility and courtesy too much to ask? I don't think so.

And now, since it is my birthday and I will do whatever I wish today- I am off to a watercolour painting class with a good friend-we are going to go and PAINT!!!!!!!

PS_ My spellchecker is not working on blogger-so my apologies if my typing has issues.