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Have you heard? I've started a separate blog,
The Sugar Sharks, all about our life with Type I Diabetes.
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Friday, April 9, 2010

2010 Ultimate Blog Party

Ultimate Blog Party 2010
Welcome!  If you're stopping by for the first time from the Ultimate Blog Party, please come on in and make yourself at home! (And if this isn't your first visit, well, you know we're very casual around here-- so you should come on in, too!)

If you came to my home in real life, I'd direct you over to my kitchen island to grab a snack.  See... over there... go ahead and help yourself to some of my broccoli dip or my ranch cheese ball.     If you want to stick around for supper, you're more than welcome-- we'll be having my world famous chicken enchiladas, my family's favorite bean dip, chips, and fresh veggies.

As for this blog, well... I write about all kinds of things:
  • The majority of my posts relate to frugal dealsthrift store finds, coupons, etc. 
  • I read a lot, and lately I've been doing a lot of sponsored  book reviews for various companies.   
  • I like to share my craft projects, though lately I haven't had a lot of crafting time.  I created a Sunday meme for scrapbookers & paper crafters ~ Sunday Scrappin' ~ and these last several months my wonderful co-host, Bailey's Granny, has taken over the hosting duties. 
  • From time to time you'll find political and religious posts here-- those topics aren't off-limits in my home, so they're not off-limits in my blog, either.   I'm a ProLifer, moderately conservative (somewhere between Republican and Libertarian), not in favor of the Obamacare bill that was recently forced on us, a big fan of Sarah Palin.... and I enjoy a lively debate on any of these topics.  However, I do tend to tone things down on this blog, as I find these discussions are much better in person.   ;)
The #1 search that brings people to my blog is my post from 2007 about how to clean your dishwasher and clear up cloudy glassware.  It's not really my secret, it's something I learned from The Queen of Clean... but apparently it's a pretty common problem, because I have visitors every. single. day. who read that post.

If I can be serious for just a moment.... and I can... let me tell you  a little something about Juvenile Diabetes.  My seven year-old daughter was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes (so-called Juvenile Diabetes because it's usually diagnosed in childhood) when she was five.  If you take nothing else away from this party stop, let it be this: Type I Diabetes is very different from Type II, which is the type of Diabetes you usually hear about.   Type I Diabetes was NOT caused by anything she ate, and she will not "outgrow" her daily need for insulin- in fact, those insulin injections are keeping her alive.  And, because she needs insulin after every meal, she can eat anything she wants... so please don't judge when you see her eating an occasional treat like any other kid.  Sorry for the serious tone, but I like to take any opportunity I have to help educate others about this rotten disease.   It's a part of daily life around here, so I can't ignore it, even for a party. 

Meez 3D avatar avatars games
Back to the party...

If I look familiar, you might have seen me hanging out online somewhere- posting my recipes at RecipeZaar, at the Children with Diabetes forums, or on a variety of other forums.  I'm known as AmyMCGS pretty much everywhere online. 

I have a Twitter account, but I don't really tweet much... I don't think I quite have gotten the hang of that just yet.  Maybe you'd like to help me out and tell me what you enjoy about Twitter in the comments section?  Edited 4/11: OK, since the UBP started I've been playing around on Twitter a lot more, following #ubp10 posts, and I think I'm starting to "get it"!  :)  I'm adding a lot of new UBP friends to my follow list!

So... I know you have other parties to visit.   It's nice to have you visit, and I hope you'll come back again.  If you're like me, party-hopping today, you're probably finding lots of interesting new-to-you blogs, so you'll want to subscribe to my feed so that you don't lose your way back here.  Happy party hopping!



P.S.  If you're not familiar with the Ultimate Blog Party, go check it out-- there are lots of prizes to win just for participating!   I'd love to win the Be My Guest certificate ($250 value), which  is a 2 night stay for a family of four at any Hilton Garden Inn-- that would mean that my family would get to take a little mini vacation this year.  Of course, I'd also be happy with the Your Shape Wii game, the Hobo clutch bag, the Amazon or Target gift cards... or really, any of the other great prizes that are up for grabs! :)

42 comments:

  1. I love Paper Back Swap and Recipe Zaar! Our political leanings sound so similar.

    Twitter is fun but can be a time-sucker. Use in moderation! :)

    I have done 1 sponsored book review. But I really like to read what I choose (it wasn't a book I absolutely loved, you know?). But it was free fr. the publicist, so there you go.

    Have a happy day blog hopping!

    Brenna

    @BrennaDarazs

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  2. Thanks for stopping by! I am a reader too. Just not as much time for it these days. I blog and read tons of blogs! Love thrifting and making over JUNK. Toss in a few recipes too. Hope to see you again.

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  3. Hi- I wanted to come visit your lovely blog! I will be visiting again very soon!
    Jeri

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  4. Thank you for stopping by!! This UBP is so fun. Your blog is very welcoming and you seem talented in so many ways. I hope you enjoy this party and blog-hop til you drop :) Have a great weekend!
    Monique
    www.homesweetflorida.blogspot.com

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  5. I hear you on the Twitter! I try...but just can't get into it! ;)

    Thanks for stopping by for the UBP - thought I'd return the favor! Your recipe...can you say, "OH MY YUM?!?" Happy Friday! :)

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  6. Hi, just stopped by and I DID look at your on how to clean a dishwasher post and I always thought it was just hard water! Looks like you have a fun, active blog! Joni

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  7. Thanks for stopping by my blog! Your blog has been very informative, to say the least...and yes!...I would love to stay for dinner, although I'm afraid I would fill up on those delicious dips.

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  8. Thanks for visiting. I love your blog!! Very well designed. I love Recipe Zzar!

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  9. Hi! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I see you and I have stuff in common :) I'm going to enjoy reading about your deals. I also have a 'frugal blog' www.frugalsteward.blogspot.com

    I enjoy your blog. You're now in my RSS feed :D Nice to meet you! Come back anytime!

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  10. Big fan of Sarah Palin too! Also a big reader and I love to shop at Thrift Stores!

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  11. Happy Blog Party from one Amy to another! The broccoli dip was awesome!

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  12. What a great introduction of yourself, but I want one of those enchiladas. :)

    I have an adult friend who was diagnosed as a child with diabetes, and she is thriving and expecting her first baby. I pray God will allow the challenges to surface beautiful things for you and your family.

    So nice to meet you on the UBP!

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  13. So happy that you stopped by....Love your blog and the recipes sounds great...Love you blog border...Have a great weekend

    Teresa

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  14. Type 1 Diabetes is very serious...and for some reason doesn't get near the attention as type II. Good for you for trying to educate people! I'm stopping in from the UBP!!

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  15. HAppy UBP10! I totally love your blog. It is so darling!

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  16. I love it. You a totally a non-niche girl like me. Can't we just blog about everything and anything! :)

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  17. stopping by for the party. I look forward to reading more of your blog. I love that you posted about type 1 diabetes. I work with sophomore girls at my church and one of my girls was recently diagnosed with type 1 and so I am learning all about it as best I can. Even though we have slumber parties and such I always do my best to make sure that she doesn't feel left out because she can't have the same things that other girls can (I can now tell people where the sugar-free stuff is in almost any store!). I think its important for people to know about type 1. Some people don't realize what it means.
    Thanks so much and happy blogging! :)

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  18. Mmmm that dip looks SOOOO good! I hope you are having fun blog hopping!

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  19. Stoppin by via the UBP and enjoy your blog. Twitter is so much fun and can be addictive once you get the hang of it. One day I was asking for help about my bank of america account. what do you know? the lady sent me a tweet after 5 minutes of me asking for help!!! so amazing!!! thanks for stopping by and i'm your newest follower!!
    Have a wonderful weekend!!

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  20. Stopping by for the PARTY!!! WOW there are so many great parties going on!
    Looks like you have had quite a few people come to yours! WOOHOO!

    Smiles,

    Jody from Mommy Moment

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  21. Your dip looks sooo yummy! Happy party week!

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  22. stopping by from UBP. i checked out the dishwasher post, too!

    good luck winning!

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  23. Hi Amy- found you on Ultimate Blog Party! I love to scrapbook, although I haven't had much time for it lately... I'll have to stop back by on a Sunday sometime and scrap with you guys!

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  24. Thanks for stopping by our blog. We have a twitter account, but it is slow going for us as well. We would like to tweet more.

    A few of my friend have type I diabetes so I seem to know more than the average joe about it. Glad to see you are spreading the word.
    Joelle

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  25. Oh man, that broccoli dip looks yummy! I would be happy to stick around for dinner. I think we'd have a LOT to about. I think you and I would be a powerful political duo! *grin* We just had Sarah Palin here with Michelle Bachman. Now they're quite the duo!

    I love reading and do lots of reviews, too.

    I'm so glad you shared about your daughter's Diabetes. One of the guys on Celebrity Apprentice is playing for Diabetes and now his daughter is being tested for it.

    Will have to check you out on Twitter. Kind of funny, I've gone the opposite direction as you the last couple of days because I've been trying to hit blogs! :) I've even visited Bailey's Grandma!

    ~Mimi @ Woven by Words
    http://wovenbywords.blogspot.com/2010/04/ultimate-blog-party-5-minutes-for-mom.html

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  26. Hi Amy, another Amy stopping by for UBP! I am so excited to find your blog, my nephew was diagnosed in December with Type 1 and I am thrilled to pass on the forum to my sister!

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  27. My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes last summer. I know, somewhat, what you are going through. I hate when people tell me that she got diabetes because she didn't eat healthily. As you know, it has nothing to do with it! Nice to find someone who understands.

    I'm a board member at powerofmoms.com - a great website to help moms become better!! Check it out!

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  28. Stopping by from the UBP! :) Your broccoli dip looks fun!

    Blessings,
    Michele

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  29. What an amazing blog...I bookmarked it to come back and read more...love your design..This is such a fun party and I have already met some of the greatest bloggers... I am amazed at all the different and creative blogs. Stop by for a visit...just leave a comment on any of the last few posts on either blog and you are eligible for the GRAND PRIZE $100 GIFT BASKET!
    http://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/
    http://grammyababychangeseverything.blogspot.com/

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  30. Popping over from the UBP10. Your broccoli cheese dip looks so yummy!

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  31. Popping in and following along from UBP! I love your site! Come visit me and enter my give away www.clippingforcash.blogspot.com

    Blessings
    Amy

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  32. Nice to meet you! Having fun at UBP! I've posted a couple of recipes as well on my party post. Check it out --> http://threeboysandanoldlady.blogspot.com/

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  33. Visiting from UBP2010; so nice to meet you! Thanks for the snacks; it's almost lunch time so I was getting hungry! :) Have a great day!

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  34. Hi! I'm just stopping by from the UBP. Love the recipes. I'm now following this blog AND your recipe blog. I love my crock pot and am always looking for new recipes that I can make in it. :) Hope you'll stop by, visit my blog, and maybe follow me too. http://heidi-strawser.blogspot.com

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  35. Stopping by to say "HELLO!" from the UBP. I've enjoyed my visit and will also be posting a button to help fight juvinile diabetes. My hubby is a diabetic and this is something that is such a huge concern these days.

    I'm now following you on Twitter. Please, stop by for a visit when you can. :)
    ~Tanya

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  36. I'm here via UBP! Great blog. I can't wait to look around more.

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  37. Hi Amy!
    Just stopped by the UBP and am showing some love! Your blog is great!

    Hope to see you on twitter!
    Best,
    Li

    http://twitter.com/LaLicenciada

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  38. I adore your blog! It is so pretty and I love the little person that is you! How cool. Can't wait to see your posts and tweets!

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  39. Thanks for stopping by my blog during the UBP. It's nice to meet you, Amy. I enjoy seeing how everyone decorates their blogs. Yours is cute.

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  40. Hi there, popping over a little late from the blog party. Thank you for visiting my blog. I really appreciate it. I have an 8yrold daughter so we will have to get them together! :) Have a blessed day!

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  41. Happy blog party! I wanted to say that my brother in law was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just recently (a huge surprise to everyone) at 27 years old! It is definitely a very serious disease that more people need to understand!

    Have a great weekend!
    http://rediscoveringdomesticity.blogspot.com/

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  42. It's been wonderful getting to know you through your blog!

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* Thanks for visiting my blog! * The opinions expressed here are mine. I welcome your comments and discussion, but please, like we tell our children, "use your manners"!