"Life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself."
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Monday, January 26, 2009

I hate to be a party pooper!


I recently received several blogging awards that Tam @ Yakkidy Yak Yak, Barb @ Grits & Glamour , Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer & Susan @ Susan's Colorful Life have all graciously bestowed upon me. I appreciate them & I'm truly flattered but I can not accept them or pass them on. I'm really very sorry!

I've never been comfortable w/ the blog awards. I've always been afraid of leaving someone out & hurting someone's feelings. It's inevitable w/ these kinds of things. And then I recently read a post from somebody who had just received their first award after blogging for years. She said she had been feeling left out, lonely & wondering why she hadn't received an award herself. I HATE that anyone would feel that way. I'm sure it's just been an oversight of everyone's...she's a very friendly woman who often leaves comments & participates in blog parties so she's out there...she has just been overlooked in the awards.

I don't mean to come across as pointing fingers @ y'all & I certainly don't want to hurt the feelings of those who were kind enough to give me an award but I'm going to have to be a non-participant in the awards "ceremonies". I'll put a little notice widget on my blog somewhere (I know I saw someone else who had one up) that I will graciously decline all awards so please don't include me.

I really hope I don't offend anybody or hurt anyone's feelings...that's exactly what I am trying not to do. So please take my refusal of your awards in the manner that it's delivered...I appreciate you thinking of me & I am very grateful that my friendship is valued but I cannot accept the awards.

In the same vein & for the same reasoning, I will be removing the followers gadget from my blog as well as my list of those that I follow. I'll move everybody to google reader so I'll still be stalking y'all *grins*.... it just won't be publicly. Again, I don't mean to offend anyone who enjoys participating in the follows, I just don't feel comfortable w/ it myself.

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I've spent about 30 minutes already @ googlereader trying to "subscribe" to my list of blogs that I follow & it's going to be too big an ordeal to move evrybody over theer. Plus googlereader takes too long to load. So I'll remove the followers gadget from my sidebar but leave the list of blogs that I am following in my profile. You are welcome to continue to follow me, I just don't want a gadget displayed on my blog w/ the head count.

Also, I will leave the tablescapers award up that Debbie @ Confessions of a Plate Addict awarded us because it was an open award, bestowed on all those who have participated in Tablescape Tuesdays. If you want one, run over to her blog & grab the button. On second thought, I am taking down the tablescapers award, as lovely as it is & as proud as I am of it, I just don't want to have to explain it all the time, given the notice I have added to my blog. Sorry Debbie, I know you worked hard on it & it really is beautiful!

23 comments:

Lawsy Mercy said...

Sweet Cami,

There is no need to apologize for being yourself. We love you and will take you however we can get you; awards or widgets or not.

You are a special lady and we are so blessed that you share yourself and your life with us.

Hugs,

Vanessa

Anonymous said...

You expressed yourself very well, Cami. Even though I don't have a blog, the same thoughts have crossed my mind, even knowing that recognition is more important to some individuals. Kathye

Barb @ The Everyday Home said...

Cami - you are not a party pooper at all. I have felt the same way many times. It's not that I am ungrateful - just like you - but I have always hated that I had to pass along the award to "4" people, for example, and it put me in the position of choosing. So I whole heartedly agree with you.
I think everyone will understand it's nothing personal. I think anyone who commits to a blog is an award winner. This is hard work. :-)

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Awards and tags are great for some, but I find they are time consuming, and I rather journal my life. However, I do love other's blogrolls, because that is what I use to blog surf. If I go to your blog, which I have blogrolled, and I see you have someone I don't, well, because you blog in a style I like, the one you like, I may also like as a regular. But, my favorite thought on blogging is: it is YOUR blog...you can do what you want!!! Have a great week Cami!

Anonymous said...

Cami-what is the last post that you see? I'm trying to figure out what is wrong with my feed... Just email me at

cgkornegay@gmail.com

Thanks!

Shelby said...

Cami, I don't think your doing anything wrong...your doing what you feel you need to do!

I just passed awards on this morning and I even stated in my post that it was hard to do it because you are told to pick a certain number. I try to go thru my list of newer bloggers that faithfully come to my blog to give everyone something. In the past I have accepted and just passed it on to all reading.

What you are saying is so true though. I really hate for anyone to feel left out and like Barb mentions - anyone who commits to a blog is an award winner!

Salmagundi said...

Congratulations for doing what you feel is necessary for your blog. I've felt bad at times for not passing on awards to others, but I just couldn't choose. No one wants to hurt anyone's feelings - maybe there needs to be more discussion on this award subject! Thanks for sharing your life with us. Sally

Ginger said...

Cami:
I understand completely what you are saying. When I've been given an award and it says to pass it on, I never pass it on, because I don't like to choose someone over another. I am also wrestling with a giveaway post...I want to do it, but I hate to hurt anyone's feelings that doesn't get chosen.
This all goes back to when I was in school and chosen last for something I think...lol.
Ginger

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

I understand completely... that's why I've moved awards and blog lists off my front page....

Some people do get hurt feelings...and I don't think that is anyone's intention

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

Cami, If you look closely at my blog. I don't have awards posted. I have asked not to be given awards several different times. But, it just doesn't work. I would love it if people gave awards and they didn't have to be passed on. it really seems silly to me. You have to run around blogland searching for someone that doesn't already have that award. It really not an award at all. I don't know how these things got started. I don't want to hurt anyones feelings either. I may end up removing my followers, too. It does take a long time to download.
Hugs, Terrie

xinex said...

Hi Cami, thanks for coming by my blog and giving me your opinion about the change in my mom's room. She has not seen it yet. I am here with her in FL b/c of my daughter's wedding last Sun. and I am taking her home with me on Wed. I don't even think she will notice the change though, she is very forgetful. Many times, she cannot even find her room in the house...LOL, she is exscused b/c she will be 91 soon, bless her heart! I love your blog background and header!...Christine

Anonymous said...

Good for you, Cami, for standing up for what you believe in. It's awkward, the giving and the receiving of an award, no question in my mind. It's great fun and affirming to be recognized, but I'm more thrilled when a reader leaves a post. I like knowing that people read my blog and are interested in what I have to say or what I have to offer.

tam said...

oh well Cami you have to do whatever you are most comfortable with! I will try to remember that when passing awards around! I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. ~Tam:D

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Cami, I have a hard time choosing, too, and it is almost painful to me because I hate hurting anyone's feelings. I don't think you're a party pooper at all. I think you're a sweet, talented person!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Stacey said...

I have chosen not to pass awards on...for exactly the same reason you mentioned. It's really a fun feeling to receive a blog award but passing them on just feels awkward to me.

I also took the followers thing off of my blog because I really don't get the point of it.

FancyHorse said...

That's fine with me. I have a few, but I don't pay that much attention to them. I agree with what your friend Katypi said,
"It's great fun and affirming to be recognized, but I'm more thrilled when a reader leaves a post."

You're very smart to put that announcement right there on your header!

word verification
trivenct: trivets, etc.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Cami, I am so glad you said this. I've called myself a "party pooper" on my blog before, because the only award I've ever passed on was the first one I received. It made me so uncomfortable that I didn't pass any more along. I don't know how it is an award when we have to search through all of the blogs, desperate to find a certain # of blogs to gift it to. I do agree with you. Great post. laurie

Unknown said...

EEEK! Will I still get a notice that you have posted? I love your blog and I don't want to miss out. I may get to the same point you are. I remember how that felt. I blogged for many months before I got an award. And when I finally did I loved it soooo much. Isn't it silly?

You have given me food for thought!
Thanks!
~Liz

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Cami,
Nice post and don't worry about saying what you feel. I guess I'm kind of oblivious because I haven't given it much thought. I like seeing other blogs people follow so I can find new ones,otherwise I don't think about that much either. thanks for sharing, Cindy

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Cami...My feelings aren't hurt if you don't take the award or if anyone else does not take it. I just wanted all of you tablescapers to know how much I appreciate your hard work, after having spent HOURS on my first one...lol. Hey...this is your blog...do it your way!...Debbie

The Muse said...

it is a mixed bag of emotions...you have the right to do as you choose :)

Christie said...

Hey Cami,
I completely understand your reasons for this post and I feel the same way...I did participate in awards at my "somewhereintime-christie" blog and appreciate each and every one of them....but it was so hard at times trying to figure out who I wanted to give them to.... and I never wanted to leave people out or hurt people either, then I thought well, I just won't pass them on, but then I felt like It would be selfish of me not to pass them on... I'll be honest about it.....it would wear me out at times. Then it's the time it would take me to give out an award and accept one ....it seemed like so much work. I knew something had to give, I love blogging and sharing, but I just didn't want to do the other anymore. Sooo, when I started my new blogs I had to make an important decicision and I decided not to participate in them any longer. I love everyone just the same and appreciate the thoughts. I had hoped that people would understand....that's why I have it posted to my sidebar as a little note so that people will know. I knew that I could only do so much in a days' time, and that's all I could do. I think people really do understand, and I am glad I've done it. Good for you Cami for doing what you thought you should do for your blog. I am honestly glad to know that there are people out in blogland that are feeling somewhat the same way. Thanks for your posting!

Nikki via The Scarlett Rose Garden said...

Hi there Cami! Hey.... your "not accepting awards" has led me to you, lol!
Queenie and I were just discussing this same issue this week and when she saw your message she sent me over!
I'm so glad she did, what a beautiful blog~
Best,
Nikki