As I am sure you have noticed, I was removed from the Homeschool Blog Awards. As was Mom, Jocelyn and all the other HSBA team members. It seems that some people just can't stand that the best bloggers in the blogosphere not only head up the HSBA, but were also in the running for the awards. Therefore, "they", the disgruntled sour losers, not only were bashing the whole HSBA team, more specifically Sprittibee, but "they" also had to bring in legalities.
    The HSBA's were made up to award the best among us. They are for the people, by the people. We, "HSBA team", do not pick the winners of each category. You the people do. Yes, there is a chance we could cheat, but you know from reading our blogs that doing that would not be in our character.
    To "to avoid all appearance of evil", the HSBA team members  decided that none of the members would be in this year's running of the Homeschool Blog Awards. We made up a legal policy also. What really upsets me is that it couldn't just be a fun awards without all the fine print. I mean, who really wants to be in an awards election with all that fine print to read beforehand?? It saddens me that it had to come to this.
    For those of you who are actually in the awards, do you care that the team members were in the awards running?? Did it bother you?? I would really love to know.
    Last year I was in the awards, but I knew there was no way I could win because of the way the categories were set up and because I was not a very good blogger. This year, they were set up differently, and I have a bigger readership and am a better blogger. There was a very high possibility that I could have won this year. It would have been really nice to won the title of whatever category I was in.
    I don't really care about the prizes as much as the title. I didn't even really know about all the prizes til I was looking through the site on assignment. I am glad I didn't know what they prizes were before I agreed to stay on the HSBA team. No, actually I would have stayed no matter what. I would have stayed because I made a commitment to Sprittibee to be on this team and help keep up the site. When I make a commitment, I stick with that commitment. I didn't agree to be on this team for personal gain. I did it because my friend asked for some help and I love to help.
    So all this to say, you cannot vote for me in this year's awards. Instead, please vote for:

Best Homeschool Mom Blog: Our Homeschool and Other Such Happenings
Best Homeschool Dad Blog:  JackLewis.Net
Best Blog Design:                Sagerat Scribbles
Best Artistic Content Blog:   Life Nurturing Education
Best Crafts, Plans & Projects Blog: Training Hearts
Best Family or Group Blog: Home Where They Belong
Best Encourager Blog:        Where Righteousness and Mercy Kiss
Best “Live What You Believe” Homeschool Blog: Mama Archer’s Blog
Best Unschooling or Eclectic Homeschooling Blog: Eclectic Education
Best Geographical Blog: One Child Policy Homeschool
Best Current Events, Opinions, or Politics Blog: Home Where They Belong
Best Homemaking or Recipes Blog: Simple Folk
Best Teen Gal Blog: Deflective Compositions
Best Teen Group Blog: The HSB Backyard
Funniest Homeschool Blog:  Our Homeschool and Other Such Happenings
Best Cyber-Buddy Blog: The Milk & Honey Tea-House
Best Curriculum or Business Blog: Home Where They Belong
Best Variety Blog: On the Company Porch
Best Thrifty Homeschooler Blog: At Home With Kris
Best Super-Homeschooler: Heart of Wisdom Blog
Best Nitty-Gritty Homeschool Blog: Higher Up and Further In
Best NEW Homeschool Blog: THE Raspberry Pixie Muffin

    Well, congrats to all of the nominees. I hope you do well. I was very glad to be in with the likes of you.
Since I can't be in the awards... I have a couple of awards to give away.

I was a bit surprised to receive this award from those I got it from. I have so many great friends. It is so wonderful.  Thanks, Gals!!
My BFF's are...
    A10B8CM6- Nellie is really my friend forever. Not just blogging, but she is s truly kindred spirit. She always has something really in-depth and powerful to say and is so encouraging. She is a such a great friend and I am proud to know her.
    QuietCajun- Auntie Christina is one of the most discerning prayer warriors I have ever known. I love to her to death and so glad I know her like I do. She is one friend you want to have. She truly cares for others and wants what is best for her family and others. She walks in the way of the Lord and is a wonderful role model for everyone.
    BrielleCostumes- Brielle is such a sweetie and I have had the honor of actually meeting this loving girl in person. She is one of my best friends and I love her to death too. She is so very encouraging and totally deserves this award. She makes me feel like we have been friends forever!!
    Sparkles- I know she doesn't get to blog much, but Jenna is so sweet and lovely. She is just a wonderful girl who really cares about her friends. I am so happy she is my friend and I can't wait to meet her.
    Paulie- He is just a great friend whether he's blogging or not. Paulie is the kind of friend that you want to have forever. He would do anything in his capacity to help you. He is so awesome and I am so glad we are friends.
    DixieFiddler- Sarah and I have just become closer over the last month and it has been wonderful getting to know such a great friend. She is so friendly and I am so glad that I happened by her blog.
    RaspberryPixieMuffin- She is my bestest friend forever. I can't wait to watch her grow up and see what kind of woman she will become. I love to play with her and she her cute and sweet smile. She lights up a room and she will be my best friend forever!!
    Mom- There is so much I could say about Mom. She is truly the best friend I have ever had. We have not always be close, but through our hardships it has brought us all the closer.  I love my Mom and hope we stay friends forever and grow closer each day!!
 
    I was really excited to receive this award as just weeks before I was put down upon because of the theme of my blog not matching up with what I blogged about. Why would I have a Superman theme when it was not a Christian or Biblical theme and talk about being Biblical. Well... I was so happy that I got this award and am even more happy that I now get to give it out!!
    The beautiful blogs are....

    SimpleFolk- This blog is the essence of beautiful. It captures the beauty of things past. The beauty of simplier times and how elegant they are. Mrs. Amy is also just like her template: Beautiful. She is someone I can't wait to meet. She is encouraging and sweet and lovely.
    H0MEFree- I just love this blog because of the theme. I really do love laundry and I love the "Marvelous Mud Washing Machine". The colors go very well together also. Plus I go very nice with Mrs. HOMEFree too. She is funny and sweet!!
    ChesapeakeGirl- I am not a really big flower person, but the way the roses are on there are so pretty. I love the deep red that flows through the whole blog and I love the deep thoughts that flow through Sara Belle's post. She is such a great friend.
    HomeschoolHighlites- This blog is just fun to go through. Template and posts all. She has a really neat theme that totally goes with her blog. I think it is lovely in a fun way. Mrs. B. is really awesome too. Always encouraging and just a great friend.
    QuietCajun- Her blog is beauty in itself. I love the way the colors just go perfectly together. It is a sweet and lovely template that beings out Auntie Christina's character so well. It is very calming to look at and just makes you feel at peace.
    Mom- I think that this blog is exceptionally nice. It is very subtle and restful, yet at the same time it has a strong undercurrent. Her posts are very much like the template, they are beautiful, but also powerful. I find that when I see this template I get a sense of love and rest and yet a very strong personality that will not easily be persuaded in the wrong way.

    I know I not only talked about the templates as much as the heart of the blog itself and its authors, but that it what I get when I visit these great blogs. Please go check them out. They are really something.
    There you have it. I may not have been able to be in the Homeschool Blog Awards, but these awards will compensate for it. I am so honored to have received them and even more honored to hand them out.
    And just to let you all know, we got the laptop back!! It is so nice. Aahh!! Also The Homesteading Carnival #27: Newness Edition is up at My Learning Experience. It is really a neat and interesting carnival.
    Please go vote for the Homeschool Blog Awards and show your support for the best blogs this year.
    Thank you so much for your support and love for me. I love you all!!
As Always,   

Thanks for stopping by "Daily" at the "Planet"!!
©AmandaDixon2007

Commented by dixiecajuns

Hello, I am Dixiefiddler and Dixiebeauty's Mom. I just wanted to leave you a little note to tell you that you have been a wonderful inspiration and encourager to my two "unclaimed treasures". I am truely glad that they have met you. Keep up the good work.
Josephine

Commented by H0MEFree

Thanks! You rock, as usual!
Sorry about all the awards nastiness... you know people are people and people are not perfect. I know you know that. Stuff like this always comes up. I just hate it when it does. It makes me stressed, angry and wanting to vent. My poor husband usually gets to hear about it-- at great length. :) Yeah, he's a keeper!



Edited by H0MEFree on December 7, 2007 at 5:03 PM

Commented by BlogBoy

That is too bad. I can't believe they made you all get off. I didn't mind that the people running it where on the group, just sore losers thats all.

~ Eric

Commented by baruch117

Hello. It's been a while since I've been here last. How is it going over there? School is busy, but we'll be taking a break on the 19th for Christmas break. God bless and ttyl.

Matt/Eragon

Commented by dixiebeauty

That's horrible that you, your mom, Jocelyn and all the other HSBA team members were removed! It was wrong!!! I'm sure you would of won the title of whatever category you were in. :)

Yeah, it was really fun! It would of be cool if you could come with us next time. lol! :D

You are totally welcome for the comment on your other blog!! It was really cool! What are you going to be doing on it? :)

Well, hope you have a wonderfully blessed day and weekend!

lots of hugs,
Jordan Lee

Commented by Vicki

I was disappointed to hear that you and the family had been pulled from the awards as well...not just because you and your family are my friends, but because I truly believed that you belonged in the awards...But anyway, your still a #1 in my book!!!

SOOOOOO glad you got the laptop back!!!

Commented by Anonymous

I'm sorry everything turned out the way it did. Try not to take it personally...there are always people who go to any lengths necessary to try to silence those they disagree with.

Commented by Anonymous

Sorry...that was me. Dana.

Dana
http://principleddiscovery.com

Commented by totustuus

That's disappointing that you had to remove yourselves from the list of nominees, but of course you are a lovely blogger just the same! It's great of you to be willing to do that. Congrats on the other awards that you received!
Love,
Sylvia

Commented by LindaI

I have not be on the up and up with all that is going on in the Irwin household lately (my sons treatments) but I just was sitting down and reading blogs this morning. That just stinks! why cant anything be just for good fun these days? Why does EVERYTHING have to be legalized or gone under the knife? If you do not do it my way I will complain, sue or rip your good name to shreds! RIDICULOUS!

You whole family tops my list of favorite blogs to read. You guys are just a good bunch of people who write things I like to read about. So you make my list of tops if I had one!

Commented by BrielleCostumes

Hello Amanda,
Thank you so much for the award….I was speechless. You are so sweet in wanting to give it me…. Thank you. I feel as if we’ve been friends forever also….

I'm so sorry you and your mom and sis couldn't take part in the homeschool awards. That is such a bummer...well just so you know I wanted to nominate you. :) ,So I still think you blog is great.

Oh, how I wish we lived closer! I could use a good girl chat time right now…
So you said you are doing ok? Anything you’d like prayer for? I was really thinking about you this week so I hope everything is going good.

Have a wonderful day Amanda.
Thank you again for your thoughtfulness in awarding me.

Love you lots,
Your sister in Christ,
Brielle

Commented by SeaChel

I don't think that's fair at all that you can't be in the runnings! I personally had NO problem with the team being in it whatsoever!! Oh well...
Thank-you so much for praying!!

~SeaChel

Commented by Eyebright

I had no problem whatsoever with you and Jocelyn being in the awards. Even if I would have had no chance whatsoever if Jocelyn had been in them, I still had no problem. You guys deserve those awards!

Commented by TwoFriends

I am sooooo sorry that happened. Well I hope you will be in them next year. I am sorry people have to be do rude.

Makayla

Commented by A10B8CM6

Aww...thanks for the award! Thanks a bunch! I never got a blog award before, never heard of that. Your family has been such an encouragement to me. I have one more final on monday then I will be done. I can turn in my books and get my long and well deserved break. Ugh, yes, finals are awful, I am SOOO tired. I never knew someone I never personally met thinks so highly of me. You just made my day!
Blessings and Prayers.
P.S. I can see why they'd take you all off but I still think you all deserve the awards anyway, I love reading your all's blogs.
P.S.S. I got your e-mail alert but everytime I click on the link it takes me to Baby Susanna is Born post. Just a heads up. Maybe it's my computer.

Edited by A10B8CM6 on December 7, 2007 at 1:43 PM

Commented by Jo

Thanks for the prayers!

Awww... I'm sorry you got taken off. You are a great blogger anyway and it's too bad about the sore losers- they were selfish wanting the awards without so much competition. I wouldn't have cared if I had been entered and the people running HSBA had been too.

:::Jo:::

Commented by homeschoolhighlites

Thank you for the award and your kind words!
Bummer about the awards ---I wish I could vote for you!

Mrs. B

Commented by tanker

that really stinks.
I hpe that someday y ou will be able to get awards again.

Visit my blog please.

From: Ian

Commented by purpleprincess

Hi Amanda just stoping by!!!
Sorry about the aword thing....it doesent seem fair!!!
But off the chart I still nominate you if I could!!!

Commented by dixiefiddler

Well, that stinks!! I was going to try and figure it out so I could vote for you! >_< I don't think it's very cool. I'll just leave it at that. lol! ^_^

Awww!! Thank you! I'm so glad you found my blog too! You are so sweet! ^_^

Have a blessed day,
Sarah

Commented by Arby

When I first stumbled upon the HSBA I was shocked to see all of the comments criticizing the HSBA for the awards and how it is run. I believe I even left a comment to that affect. I could not help but wonder whether or not those sour grapes realized that there is a small red "x" in the upper right hand corner of their computer screens. If they click on the X it will take them away from the offending page. If these same people are watching a bad program on TV, do they change the channel or sit with the remote in hand and complain that the network needs to put something better on TV? To answer your question, I did not know, and did not care, that HSBA bloggers were up for awards. Big deal. You either have integrity or not. If you do, you will run a fair, successful program. If you do not, it will collapse from lack of participation. It looks like it is running well, so I believe the integrity question has been answered. I must confess, your choice for Best Home School Dad Blog award is incorrect. Vote for Arby's Archives!

Commented by mandygrace

Thanks for mentioning me as Best Encourager!

You did tell me before about your tortilla recipe, but I think you said it was whole wheat, and I can't eat wheat anymore, otherwise I would definitely have asked for it! The recipe I found seems to work pretty well. :-)

Have a good weekend,
Mandy

Commented by pianosteve

A couple thoughts in reading this. And please know that this is said in the most gracious manner.

1. It is quite standard in any type of contest, big or small, for those on the management team of the contest to be exempt. Regardless of whether or not you feel like your character speaks for itself, this really shouldn't come as any surprise. Avoiding "the appearance of evil" as you said you are doing by removing yourselves probably could have been better demonstrated if done on your own at the beginning.

2. My bigger concern, however, is with regard to the way you have communicated this here in this post. Calling others "disgruntled sour losers" and saying that "some people just can't stand that the best bloggers in the blogosphere not only head up the HSBA, but were also in the running for the awards" does not communicate the character that I think you want to communicate. It honestly sounds like you are being "disgruntled" and "sour" in your own response to this.

3. Saying that you "want the title" also communicates something that is contrary to what you should be wanting to portray. At the risk of sounding trite by saying, "What would Jesus do?" I think there is definitely some need to re-evaluate your perspective on this. As believers we are called to think of others more highly than ourselves (Philippians 2:3). How can you do that when you consider yourself to be among "the best bloggers in the blogosphere" and desire to have a title to that effect? And resenting those who think that it's a conflict of interest for you to both run the contest and be a potential winner in it?

As your brother in Christ, I would strongly urge you to reconsider your perspective and response to this issue and seek to demonstrate the heart of Christ in this.

If you feel the need to delete this comment, I will understand, but I hope that you will give consideration to what I have said.

Commented by Anonymous

By calling other homeschooling bloggers names, you've broken the rules of the contest you're supposed to be helping to manage. I'm sure Jesus would be so proud of you.

The issue other bloggers had with the contest was that by making exclusionary rules, the contest did NOT represent "the best" of bloggers, it only represents those bloggers personally approved of by the management team. By including yourselves in that same contest, you've provided the voting members a huge conflict of interest.

As for the legal questions, well, why not ask them? Should those involved simply participate because they're nominated, when in fact there were valid legal questions?

Oh, and btw, the HSBA site has been suspended. Maybe you should look into that....

Commented by JacqueDixonSoulRestES

Thank you Steve, for your gracious comment. That "sour losers" missed editing from me to Amanda to posting. You are correct in that her attitude is disgruntled. She is still working through her hurt feelings of wanting to participate, but instead choosing the best. And the comment about "the best homeschoolers" was actually made by one of the 5 lawyers who said we did not need to step down.

I do appreciate your comments. Truly.


Anonymous, aka doc:
You need to re-read the hsba rules. Unless Meg has become an Author on that site. Even if Amanda was in the running, that is not what they say.
In addition to that, her comment was in regard to those whose cause against the "Family-Friendly" rules was LOST. Hence the terms losers.


Jacque

Commented by Anonymous

Regardless of the legalities surrounding stepping down from the running it was the ethically correct thing to do. It's simply standard practice for those who are involved in running contests to exclude theselves from the running for what should be very obvious reasons.

A correction: None of this kerfuffle came from 'sore losers'. It came from one blogger who kindly and politely pointed out a concern that you at the HSBA awards promptly and responsibly addressed. A graceful response to that blogger would have been a thank you for helping you avoid future controversy and embarrassment.

I wish you the best in getting past this Superangel!

Commented by Anonymous

The last anon comment was...

Dawn at www'.daybydayhsing.blogspot.com

Sorry!

Commented by sprittibee

I want to first of all thank you, Amanda - for your dedication to the team regardless of the prizes... and for sticking your neck out to talk about this knowing that it would bring comments from perhaps some of the ones who started the issues which brought us to the place we are now. However, I do agree that MOST of us have had less than Christ-like thoughts and attitudes (me included) regarding the whole issue from time to time. It isn't easy keeping a Jesus-centered thought process when you are being called names and cussed at. A lot of the blogosphere sees the "tactful" arguments of the opposition, but they do not take the time to go and read the trash that is posted about people on the HSBA on blogs who have taken a stand against the HSBA. There is a whole different attitude represented off-site than there has been in the comments sections of people like Amanda. Regardless of that, I am sorry if my attitude or example (complaining) has been anything less than stellar.

Let's all move forward and get this behind us... with a positive attitude - and be thankful for all the lessons that we have learned. The best way to be a big winner is to "Do What Jesus Would Do". I'm sure that despite our lack of perfection, Jesus DOES love us anyway and is proud of us for taking the high road. :)

Commented by JacqueDixonSoulRestES

Thanks Dawn and Heather, for your nice comments.

Dawn... It is so easy to blame all of the 'kerfluffle' on the hsba team stepping out. No. It started with all of the name-calling, etc. about the 'family-friendly' clause. It is not about Meg, though I see at doc's that she can't let it go. She has to keep feeding doc more stuff to go on about. So, I wouldn't stand up for her innocence too much.

I would love to just move on. Wouldn't you? Go on with our lives.... wake up and not wonder who else has something nasty to say?

I am truly not trying to be smart. I appreciate your non-confrontational dialogue. Thank you.

Jacque

Commented by Anonymous

I am so sorry that you are having to deal with all of this. Thank you for the time and effort you put into these awards. Not everyone is so quick to attack.

May you find comfort and strength in our Savior. And thank you for your recommendations. I am honored that you listed me. :)

Peace to you,
Renae
http://reflective.homeschooljournal.net

Commented by Anonymous

Jacque - By kerfuffle I meant specifically the one surrounding the question about legalities that Meg brought up in her blog. Sorry about the confusion.

Actually though, no, I wouldn't like to see this dropped. I'd like to see it really discussed and debated because I don't think there's any moving on until the series of events that created the mess is finally understood, or at least addressed. But that's me.

Commented by Anonymous

And darn it, that was me, Dawn again. Seriously HSB needs some kind of edit feature in it's comments!

Commented by pianosteve

Jacque, Heather, Amanda, et. al.

Thank you for the responses to my comment. I would like to gently point out by way of further reminder, however, that the actions of others (name-calling, cussing, whatever) should not be the standard by which we judge or justify our own actions.

We are not called to look better than others, or behave less badly than others. We are called to imitate the heart of Christ. I get the disheartening feeling that in this situation, you are consoling yourselves with, "Well, we're not as bad as 'they' are", and thus rationalizing some of the response here. Every admission of a bad attitude seems to be joined with a "But you don't know how bad THEY are treating us."

Might I humbly and kindly suggest that a more appropriate response might have been, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do"?

The fact that the comments in response want to continue to insist on the guilt of others misses the whole point of my original comment. Regardless of how we are treated by others, we are to love, bless, and give. This is the message that Jesus taught. (See Matthew 5:38-48)

That's not what is happening here, and that makes me very sad.

Commented by Dawn-www.daybydayhsing.blogspot.com

Mrs. Adams,
I am removing your comment. I would appreciate if you would not comment on this thread/subject again. I have seen the other side of what you believe written on various blogs and it doesn't line up with your "nice" attitude here.
I was being honest in my post about my feelings and though some of them I clearly need to work through, at least they were honest.
I do not feel that from other things you have said, you are being honest in what you said on this thread.
Also, you said something about HSB needing to get an edit button... if you do not have an account on HSB you cannot edit your comments as anonymous anyway. But when you first post your comment you can change the name from anonymous to your name. ; )
Sincerely,
Miss Amanda Dixon

Edited by SuperAngel on December 13, 2007 at 1:47 PM