Three definitions, straight from the dictionary:
Inspiring: [A person or thing who/that fills someone] with the urge or ability to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative.
Blogger: An individual or group of users who produce an ongoing narrative on a Web site.
Award: A prize or other mark of recognition given in honor of an achievement.
The very sweet, very cool, very talented pair of girls Debra Kristi and Angela Orlowski-Peart totally made my week last week by giving me this award – TWICE!! *absolutely humbled* They’re both inspiring women themselves, and I really, really, really hope you’ll stop by their blogs – I know you’ll love ’em as much as I do. Thanks, sweet girls! Totally honored!
The best part about being given a blog award is that you get to pass it on. Today I have the happy job of passing the love on to five bloggers that I find inspiring. Finding those bloggers won’t be hard – I’ve met some amazing bloggers over the past few months. It’s whittling the list down to five that’ll be the real task.
Lucky for you, I’m up to it. Here they are, in no particular order.
Blogger #1: Jim LePage Jim is a graphic/web designer in St. Paul, MN. His work makes my breath catch in my throat, and his blogs offer a fresh perspective on an often dry and stale topic: The Bible. Noteworthy posts: An Idiot’s Guide to Reading the Bible; Jesus Christ: Terrorist Killer?; Word: Crucifixion (Crucify Him!)
Blogger #2: Eli McCann – It Just Gets Stranger This blog is a crack-up, from start to finish. His most recent post (as of me writing this, anyway) The First Eye, had me giggling my arse off because (1) anybody who has an older sibling understands the terror they can inflict on us little ones with made-up monsters so horrifying Stephen King would have a difficult time facing them head-on; (2) I, too, have seen a UFO-flashy-green-light-in-the-sky, only to be mocked and abandoned by the person who saw it with me; and (3) My swimming style can be described as panicked rock slowly sinking (yes, this is similar to my running style of drunk girl slowly being chased by no one). Definitely a blogger worth checking out.
Blogger #3: Tameri Etherton – A Cup of Tea and Sorcery I love Tameri’s blog. Sometimes she cracks me up, like this. Sometimes she shows me things like this that just take my breath away. And I find it absolutely fascinating that she can navigate Disneyland without a map.
Blogger #4: Jenny Hansen – More Cowbell Jenny’s the total package. Sometimes she writes stuff like this that has me mopping up freshly-snorted-out-my-nose-orange-juice from my laptop. Other times she writes stuff like this that has me shaking my head at her techno-genius. Then she writes things like this that make me feel better about the bouts of mommy-noia (paranoia for mommies) that I often have.
Blogger #5: Natalie Hartford – Be Yourself…Everyone Else is Taken Natalie’s writes and advocates about things that literally shred my heart to bits when I read them, as well as things that have me rolling on the floor with laughter. Don’t miss out on Natalie’s blog!
There’s my five. They inspire me because they make me think. They inspire me because they make me laugh. Some of them inspire me because they’re my friends, and I hold them, their hurts, their hopes, and their dreams close to my heart.
I hope you dig this list, and that each of these bloggers become a regular stop in your reading!
Myndi Shafer 
A couple of bloggers on you list I haven’t had the pleasure of reading so I will stop by today!
Take a bow everyone!
A few I haven’t seen before, so I’m excited to check them out. And I have to second your nomination of Tameri!
Ohmygosh! You made me cry with that next to last line… “I hold them, their hurts, their hopes, and their dreams close to my heart.” That’s beautiful Myndi, just like you.
Congratulations on the award! Your posts are always entertaining as well. Whether they are touching stories from your childhood, or your Saturday leave a captions, I always take something away from your blog. Thank you.
And a big thanks for giving me the award! I’m so honored you thought of me and that Julie seconds it. Aww, you two are making me misty-eyed again.
I’ve not read any of Eli or Jim’s posts, so I’m looking forward to meeting a few new bloggers.
Again, thank you, Myndi!!!
Congratulations on the award, Myndi. You deserve it … twice! Whenever I stop by your blog, I’m guaranteed to read something that’ll either make me laugh or touch my heart. Thank you so much for giving me this wonderful entertainment!
Sheila said it all!
I just would like to add: congrats, winners!
The Inspiring award fits you perfectly, Myndi. And you got it twice!
Myndi, I’m sorry it has taken me all day to get back here!! Big work week again. I am SO HONORED to receive this from you. You are one of my fave new bloggers on the scene and I’m delighted to be able to give to you, as all you WANA peeps give to me. 🙂
I’m planning an awards post for later in the month and will include this. THANK YOU!!
Thank you! There are three bloggers on your list that are new to me. I have beenn looking for new, good quality blogs to read. It’s almost like you read my mind! I can’t wait to checkk them out.