About Me
I am an Australian author/freelance writer living in Far North Queensland. I own two unruly dogs and recently moved the 130 year old Cairns Rugby Union Club to the family farm. I call this monster The RUC and figure I’ll probably spend the rest of my life trying to renovate it.
My favourite pastime is writing and I’ve won over a dozen national and international writing awards, the latest being shortlisted (top three) in the prestigious 2016 Ruth Rendell Short Story award which was judged by the wonderful and talented Lynda La Plante.
You can read excerpts of the novels listed below on my Novel Excerpts Page.
The Everything Theory – which took out an Interactive Press Publishing award in 2009. One to read if you love ancient technology and scientific conspiracy.
Let Sleeping Gods Lie – which took out an Interactive Press Publishing award in 2007. Set in the cane fields of Far North Queensland.
Wolf Pear – Also set in the cane fields of Far North Queensland. One for those who love a psychic detective v. serial killer thriller.
The Eleventh Question – definitely one to read if you’re into philosophy.
My book Manslaughter and other Tears is a collection of my award winning short stories. I’ve included samples on this page.
Writing Awards
1995
Cairns Post Writers award (QLD)
1996
Harper Collins award publication (National)
1996
Cambridge Writers award (National)
1997
Harper Collins award (National)
1997
FishPublishing award (International)
2000
University of Canberra award (National)
2002
Kerry Greenwood award publication (National)
2002
Scarlet Stiletto award publication (National)
2004
Ginninderra Press award publication (National)
2005
Scarlet Stiletto award publication (National)
2007
Harlequin/MIRA press award publication (National)
2007
IP Picks award (National)
2009
IP Picks award (National)
2011
Quarterfinalist Amazon award (US)
2012
YWO Book of the Year Award (Soul’s Child)
2016
Top three shortlist – International Ruth Rendell award
For more information I have a LULU author page (where you can find hard copies of my books) and an Amazon author page.
I’ve recently been making book trailers. Check them out if you have a minute and let me know what you think.
The following links will take you to more of my trailers on YouTube. I also take videos of the sugar cane harvesting in my area so feel free to have a sneaky peek around my YouTube channel!
If you need help with your writing or are looking for a ghost writer or beta reader I’d be only too happy to help.
Just leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you!
Thanks so much for following my blog!
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Thank you, Ashley. The humour in your blogs is brilliant!
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Aw, shucks. Thanks! 🙂
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Thanks Dianne for following my blog. I’m so glad to have found your blog with such promise for good writing tips. By the way, what do you mean by “a new-age Rottweiler?” Just curious.
Keep on keeping on.
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Hi Nathan – she’s just a sweet, sensitive girl and Rottweiler’s can sometimes have a bad reputation so I’m trying to improve that 🙂
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Hi Dianne!
Thank you so much for liking my new post, Down Under in Amed. Really appreciate it.
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My pleasure, Jen. Looking forward to reading your blogs!
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Hello, Dianne! Thanks for coming to my blog, and I’m thrilled to have read yours. I loved your most recent entry and I’m looking forward to hearing from you again!
Elizabeth
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My pleasure Elizabeth! Look forward to reading more of your blogs 🙂
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Thanks for the visit Dianne. Great to hear from down under!
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Thanks Richard! It’s freezing here at the moment, hope the weather is nicer in your neck of the woods 🙂
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I appreciate you following my blog. I look forward to checking out your stuff too. Sorry I can’t help you with the Dog Whisperer thing, I have only mastered the art of shouting!
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Hahaha – I do some shouting as well – particularly when I find my new shoes buried in the garden. Looking forward to following you too 🙂
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Hello there! I write to you from Medford in Southern Oregon. Thanks for the like and the follow! I wish you the best!
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Hi Josh – I hope the weather over there is better than it is in Southern Australia at the moment! Minus 5 and very icy. Looking forward to following your blog 😉
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Hey Dianne!
Yeah, that’s intense. My record low is a measly 11 degrees. Presently, it’s two weeks into Summer with the seasonal weather just beginning to show itself.
My goal for the blog was to write everyday for a year. My most intense and (in my opinion) pertinent posts have been written. My intent is to eventually turn this into a devotional. My anniversary is the seventeenth! I plan on posting once a week while I go back and edit my preceding posts with the devotional in mind.
I really appreciate your interest and look forward to talking more in the future! Blessings to you.
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Wow – a blog every day! Now that is something amazing. I’ll go back and read through the others 🙂
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Hello! Thank you for following my blog. Looking forward to reading more of yours very interesting! Have a great weekend!
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Thank you, Sherry 🙂
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Wow. A crocodile farm and “subzero” weather. Australia sounds so neat. Do you have much of a fly problem in the summer? Thanks for finding my blog and subscribing. Can’t wait to see more of your posts. Regards.
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Hi Sandra – yes a crocodile farm in the tropics and now sub-zero further south – Australia is a very big place 🙂 Looking forward to reading more of your blogs. Best of luck with the contest!
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Thanks for the follow! We writers need to stick together, right?
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Absolutely, Robin!
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Thank you for the follow. I hope you enjoy my posts and I look forward to reading more of yours. Enjoy and keep writing…
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And thank you, too! Look forward to reading more of your posts as well
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I was surprised to find that I got a follower…Thank you soooo much Dianne. You are such an inspiration ! 🙂
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Thank you for putting your tips up for a better weekend! I really enjoyed reading it 🙂
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Thanks so much for stopping by my blog :). Still having issues with WP and posting my comments, but i am hoping you get this.
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Hey Boomiebol – Your writing is beautiful. Thanks so much for stopping past my blog!
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Thanks for following my blog ! I really appreciate that. Have a great day !
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Hi Dianne,
The imprint of your eyes is sustenance for the living words on my blog.
Thank you so much for visiting, liking and following my blog.
I look forward to reading your posts as well!
Shawn (from Los Angeles, California)
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Hi, Dianne! Thank you so much for liking my book review of Redwall and following my blog! I don’t have that much experience with book reviews yet, and I also wish to become a novelist like yourself. Best of luck to both of us in our future writing endeavors, whatever they may be!
KP
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I thought it was really good (didn’t realise it was your first attempt). Keep it up 🙂
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Thank you! I wouldn’t say it was my first attempt at a review (I wrote one for First Along the River by Benjamin Kline previously), but now that I think about it, it’s definitely my first review on fiction I’ve posted. Glad you liked it 🙂
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Thanks for the follow. You have some excellent advice on your blog. Thanks and keep the faith. Cheers.
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Thank you – and good luck with your writing!
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Thank you for following my blog!
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Thanks, Ben! I come from a family of six children, I’m sure we were a handful, but I couldn’t imagine my life without my lovely siblings!
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I’ve nominated you for the Reader Appreciation Award since you are one of my followers! http://iagosghost.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/friday-free-for-all-my-first-blog-award/
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That is very nice of you 🙂 Thank you so much!
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Thank you for following my blog! I look forward to getting updates from yours!
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My pleasure – I love your blog!
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Hi Dianne! Thanks so much for the recent follow – I look forward to getting to know you better! (I actually went to a crocodile farm in Cairns on my honeymoon! Well, it was more of a tourist attraction so I’m not sure if ‘farm’ is the right word.)
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Great to hear back from you Jules! The one I worked at was a farm and a tourist attraction just south of Cairns 🙂
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Diane, A great pleasure to add my name to the many who, like me, have come to this page to thank you for following a blog, in this case Learning from Dogs. I keep using, perhaps overusing, the word ‘appreciation’ with regard to the many who chose to follow my scribblings. Perhaps a more gutsy and no less truthful way of describing my delight to all my readers and followers is that without you, and them, I would have stopped the blog ages ago. As it happens, tomorrow (JUly 15th) Learning from Dogs will have been running for three years!
So thank you.
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Hi Paul. Congratulations on your three years of dedication and hard work on your blog! I love the picture of Pharaoh – I have a German Shepherd called Sabre who is eight years old. He has survived a lot. He’s been baited (poisoned) by some hideous stranger, had cancer and a chronic ear infection but he’s healthy now and still with me and is truly one of my best friends (as is my vet!)
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Diane, that sounds like a great story about Sabre; a guest post from you would be terrific! Can I tempt you?
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Absolutely – let me know what I need to do.
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Hi Paul – I found your ‘how to submit’ page. I’ll be sending you something during the week if you’re interested. If not, I’ll post it on my blog (because I’ve already written it!). Hey – it’s Sunday:)
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Hi, thanks so much for following me! I’m looking forward to reading your blog.
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Thank you. I’m relatively new at this and, like you I dismissed blogging for a long time. But I think I’m getting into it now and I’m thoroughly enjoying reading people’s blogs – it’s like picking up snapshots of lives I would never have known about if I hadn’t started this.
I’m looking forward to reading more of your reviews – and best of luck with your journalism!
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Hello Dianne! Thank you so much for visting my blog and opting to follow me along my journey. I love meeting new friends and learning about them and their world. I hope we become great blogging friends. I look forward to it!~
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Thanks for visiting and following my blog! Yours is great as well. 🙂
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Thanks for the follow!:)
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Thank you! I can’t believe it’s so hot where you are (I’m very jealous). Where I am (southern Australia) we’ve had the coldest winter since the 60’s!
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Thanks for following my blog. I’m also in Australia. Congratulations on your success.
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Thanks Deborah – I really enjoyed reading your blog about ‘wild writing’. What a great idea 🙂
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Dianne,
Look forward to receiving your guest post – have no doubt it will be lovely. Thank you.
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Thanks for following my blog 🙂
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My pleasure, Rin!
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It’s only warn because it is our summer here in Canada 🙂
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I guess it’ll get really hot here in summer and then I’ll miss the cool mornings! Looking for a nice balance at the moment 🙂
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Oh, German Shepherds. Certainly special – probably beyond the Dog Whisperer…they are so sensitive and intelligent…not your average pooch, but a real joy if one adopts you
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They are VERY specail and don’t they know it 🙂 Thank you for taking a look at my blog!
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Thanks so much for following my blog. I’m following yours too.
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Thank you Dorothy. I was looking to see if you are on twitter, but couldn’t find you. If you are let me know and I’ll follow you there as well 🙂
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thank you for following my blog..i am truly humbled..australia..wow..im just a little condo cat in nashville..tennessee..usa..whoa..thanks..lilly
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Thank you, Lilly! You’re blog had me laughing (and checking myself for a mental disorder) 🙂 🙂
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Thanks for following my blog diannegray, looking forward to read your post
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Thank you very much for following my blog! I hope to continue on this part while making connection with true friends around the globe. Thanks!!
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Thank you! Your painting demonstration is wonderful 🙂
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Thanks for following my blog. I am glad to get to check yours out too. Gail
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Thanks Gail – the Optimist and Pessimist POV is excellent!
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Thank you for the follow, Dianne! I look forward to seeing more of your fine posts. Cheers.
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Thank you! I’m enjoying you posts as well 🙂
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Working on a crocodile farm is a unique job! Thanks for following my blog. I look forward to seeing what you’re up to over here 🙂
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Thanks for following my blog…I’ve sussed out yours…NICE:)
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Many thanks, Bradley :))
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I’ve blog tagged you! For details, see my post here: http://tinyurl.com/czp8oph
If you don’t want to participate, no hurt feelings here! 😉
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OMG! Congratulations! I’ve just popped the champagne cork – you are the award queen!!!!
I’m still unsure of what I need to do (call me stoopid) but I’m SO excited!!!
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LOL Award Queen? That’s awesome – I’m so using that!
Okay, your section is the “Blog Tag”. The rules are right beneath it. Pretty much all you need to do is paste the rules in your post and then answer the 11 questions. Then pick 11 others to tag (or however many you want to) and you can either have them answer those questions, or make up your own 11 questions for them to answer. Then comment on their blog somewhere that you’ve tagged them and where to find your post so they can find the rules and questions.
Does that make sense? Glad you’re excited! 😀 It was fun.
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Hi Dianne
Thank you so much for following my blog. Glad to meet you.
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My pleasure, Dorothy! Looking forward to it
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Thank you for following my http://koruknits.wordpress.com blog Do you knit or do handcrafts as well as writing??
I will have a good look at your blog here…..we are neighbours across The Tasman Sea:-))
I also blog at http://ordinarygood.wordpress.com and that is what will show up here
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Hi Lynley, I used to knit when the children were younger, but haven’t for a long time (but wish I had the time to). My mother knits and crochets and I thought I may be able to pick up some lovely ideas and patterns from you. I’ve just followed you on ordinary goodness as well.
Thank you for dropping by my pages 🙂
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Thanks for joining up to follow my other blog.
I hope you will spot something yummy off my knitting blog. Good wishes:-)
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Thank you, Lynley! I just love that fence 🙂
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Thanks for the follow!
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Thank you!
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Thanks from Up Here for following from Down Under!
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Hahahaha! Well put! Thanks John 🙂
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Ah.. I just realized that my last post (as Quebekop) didn’t have the right link to my blog, so don’t approve the previous one (Thanks from Up Here for following from Down Under!) or this one and I’ll repost the original. Phew.
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Thanks from Up Here for following me from Down Under!
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Thank you for the follow. I’m adding Soul’s Child to my reading list!
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Thank you! Hope you enjoy it (and let me know your thoughts).
Love your blog – I have a big interest in spirits that goes way back to my childhood. Keep up the great work 🙂
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Did I thank you for following my blog? Damn are you even following it? who cares I am enjoying yours…
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Hahaha – Yes I’m following!
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Went to your web and had a peek at your short stories… no wonder you’ve won awards… and yet still humble enough to share with us mere mortals on the blog… love your style…
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So glad you like it! Hahah – love the ‘mere mortals’ line 🙂 Can I copy and paste that into my CV?
🙂
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Only a pleasure and one day when I’m rich and famous picture what it will mean to you… God I hope I get there before I die…
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HI Dianne! Thank you for dropping by and following me! Your kind words of encouragement will be kept close at heart!
Now, I just have to go out and search for your books! In hard copy of course. Still old fashioned that way. I love the feel of a book between my hands. 🙂
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Of course! Thank you for stopping by my blog 🙂
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Hi! Wow, I think you were the first person to follow my blog! What an awesome feeling! Your dogs sound lovely – I’m a dog groomer by day and going to do the Caesar Milan training course in LA later in the year – very exciting, thought I’d share since you mention him. Have read a few of your posts, look forward to reading more! 😀
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Oh – you lucky thing. I watch all his shows and try out everything he does with my dogs, but the German Shepherd can still be a bit of a nightmare 😦
I’m so glad you’re reading my posts and I’ll be following yours – YAY!
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G’day, Dianne, and thanks for following “Swords, Specters, & Stuff.” Enjoy!
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Thank you, Mike. I am – and I hope you enjoy my blog as well 🙂
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Nice blog, Dianne! Thanks for stopping by onewritelife; I hope you’ll be back often. Keep writing and living like each moment counts!
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Thank you Sharron – I’m really enjoying your posts 🙂
I love the idea of living every moment like it counts – moments are very precious to me 🙂
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Hi, Dianne — thanks so much for the like and follow for Livritome. I’m enjoying looking through your blog as well. Good luck with finding your dog whisperer. L.
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Thank you – I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog.
The good news is, another blogger contacted me and told me they’re doing the Caeser Milan (dog whisperer) course soon! Hopefully they’ll be able to give me a few tips 🙂
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Thank you, Dianne, for reading and following my blog. I’m enjoying reading your posts and will be back for more!
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Thanks, Ruth. Keep up the good work 🙂
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Glad to have you following my blog. I did not really think people would be all that interested in poetry, but since I started this class and posting these poems, I suddenly have gained a lot more followers. Thank you!!
Love your brief jobs list. Juliana
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Thanks, Juliana! Best of luck and looking forward to reading more 🙂
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umm…a Rottweiler named Kitty, WOW, that’s a first! 😉
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Hahaha – she’s really very sweet 🙂
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Hi there… I have nominated you for the inspiring blogger award cause your blog is pretty interesting.
Please follow the link:
http://songofdusk.wordpress.com/2012/08/11/very-inspiring-blogger-award/
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Thank you, Sayantika! I’m very flattered 🙂
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Thank you for following my blog – I am looking forward to exploring your writing. Your brief bio is so intriguing.
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Thank you, Melody! I’m looking forward to following your blog as well 🙂
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Hello Diane! Published you are, how lovely. Thank you for following my blog. I’m honored. Carry on!
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Thank you Tina – I’m loving your poetry 🙂
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Hey. Thanks for stopping by and following my blog. Yours looks interesting as well – I liked your discussion on antimatter, even if physics typically escapes me.
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Thanks Kat! And thank you so much for the follow 🙂
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Thank you so much for following my blog! I’m new here so I’m still trying to figure out everything. Look forward to reading your blog!
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Thank you – I’m looking forward to following your blog 🙂
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Hi Dianne,
I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award: http://thejottersjoint.com/2012/08/14/inspiring-who-me/
~Gail
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Thank you, Gail – wonderful!!! 😀
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You are one of my nominees 🙂 http://momentsofclarityandotherthings.wordpress.com/2012/08/17/slightly-behind-the-times/
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Thank you Ash! I’m just a bit out of range at the moment so I hope this gets through to you:)
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Hi Dianne, Thank you for following my blog. I’m looking forward to reading your books!
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Thank you! I’m travelling around at the moment but will be back online soon – really looking forward to reading through more of your blogs:)
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Thank you for following my blog! I hope you enjoy it as I will enjoy yours!
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Thank you for following my blog as well! Looking forward to reading more of yours:)
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I look forward to reading yours as well!
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Hi, I have nominated you for the seven things award – http://tryingtoescapethedarkness.wordpress.com/. You don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to, it is just a small token of my appreciation of making me welcoming to our community. Kat 🙂
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Thank you! 😀 😀 😀
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Dianne, I know you’re on a trip, but here’s a little something for when you return
A nomination for the Reader Appreciation Award!
Just another way to say I love your blog, thanks 🙂
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I just came back online this morning and it was the first thing I saw!! Thank you so much – I’m very flattered 🙂
Don’t know how long I’ll be here today (going in and out of the webosphere) but I’m hoping to catch up on some of your blogs I’ve missed!
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Hi Dianne, I’m not sure, you’ve probably received this and you definitely exceeded 200 followers. Just wanted to drop by with my nomination for you for the Liebster Award, at http://rusticrecluse.wordpress.com/2012/08/21/the-liebster-award/ 🙂
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I have nominated you for an Inspiring blog award! All info on my blog (week 53.5)
EJ 🙂
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Thank you EJ! I’m SO HAPPY!!!! 😀
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😀
You’re welcome!!
EJ
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Hi Dianne, thanks for stopping by and visiting with Kate. I look forward to reading more of your blogs. You have a great site.
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Thanks Kate – looking forward to reading more of your blog as well:)
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Crocodile farm – wow, you just don’t hear that everyday! Thanks for the blog follow!
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Looking forward to following you:)
PS I love the name of your post!
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Thanks – the feminine in the winds of chaos riding waves of insanity reaching for shining stars and hoping to raise small, independent, successful Minions 🙂
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Hi Dianne, thanks for visiting stillvoicing. You’ve got a great site here. Write on! Allen
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Thanks Allen! Looking forward to visiting you again 🙂
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Thanks for visiting!
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Following now 🙂
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Thanks!
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Tag! You’re it!
You have just been nominated for the One Lovely Blog Award! Check out my post “An honor to be nominated” for details on what to do next. Congratulations and please keep those great posts coming! http://gnosticbent.wordpress.com/2012/09/01/an-honor-to-be-nominated/
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Hi Scott – thank you SO much. This is wonderful 😀
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The pleasure is mine, dianne! Keep up the good work!
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Good blog
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Thanks! 🙂
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I love your Shepherd’s name–Sabre. (I should add that to my name noteback.) German Shepherds have always been my favorite breed, btw, though my last two dogs were crosses from the SPCA.
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My son named Sabre because he was right into swords at the time! 🙂 I used to have a cross from the SPCA – he was one of the best dogs I ever owned (but he was killed by a snake when he was about 7 years old and I was really sad for a long time!) 😦
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Hi there… I have nominated for the Lovely Blog Award… to accept your nomination visit this post to find out what you need to do 🙂
http://dawnwhitehand.wordpress.com/2012/09/04/one-lovely-blog-award/
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Thank you, Dawn! This is fantastic 😀
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Hi! I nominated you for a Liebster award, please check out my post!
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Thank you – I’m coming right over! 🙂
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I nominated you for the One Lovely Blogger Award http://verynovel.wordpress.com/2012/09/06/the-lovely-blogger-award/
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Thank you so much – this is wonderful! 😀
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Hi Miss Diane, I know this won’t be the first time but I would still like to award you with this! 😉 http://haikucollection.wordpress.com/2012/09/08/one-lovely-blog-award-sophia/
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Thank you so much, Sophie! This is very, very nice of you. I’ve got a couple I need to go through first so I won’t be responding straight away (have a look at my latest post:) ). I’m going over to your blog now to take a look!
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It’s fine, Miss Gray. Haha. Just keep ’em posts coming! 😉
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Bwahaha, a ‘sensitive, new-age Rottweiler’ that rolls it’s own hemp, and doesn’t crap on the flowerbeds. I can’t wait to hear more about both of you. G’day Oz.
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Hahaha – glad you enjoyed that!
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Thank you so much for liking my poem. Your blog is wonderful…but then I wouldn’t expect anything less from a fellow dog lover!
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Oh thank you, Susan! I was going to call my blog “my dogs are my life” but thought it sounded a bit much 🙂
I’m looking forward to following your blog 😀
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Please forgive me, but you’ve been tagged! http://quiestinliteris.com/2012/09/13/the-look-challenge-the-wailing/
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Taken and actioned 😀
Thank you!
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Huzzah!
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Hi Dianne, Just wanted to say thanks again for visiting my blog and for your thoughtful comments.
I enjoy your blog very much!…your posts on writing are very interesting and thought provoking! I also love your photos! (the Aussie slang makes me smile, too!)
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Hahaha – Thank you so much – you’ve made my day! 😀
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Hi Dianne, I nominated you for 8 awards! http://maryannemistretta.wordpress.com/2012/09/18/8-more-blog-awards-for-me-and-right-back-to-fellow-bloggers/
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WOW! 😀
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I nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award. Find out more here!
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Here being: http://musingsofasteampunk.com/2012/09/19/one-lovely-blog/
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Thank you 🙂
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Surprise, Dianne!
It is my distinct honor to nominate you and your wonderful blog for the Addictive Blog Award! I simply love reading your work and I want everyone to know!
Check out my post for details. And congratulations!
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Thank you, Scott! I’m heading in your direction now to check it out 🙂
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Hi Dianne! I just nominated you for the 7 Things About Me Blog Award to you 🙂 You can find the post here http://paperkeeper.wordpress.com/2012/09/25/seven-and-7/ and it’s entirely up to you, just know that I appreciate you! 🙂 Bonnie
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Oh – wow – only just saw this 🙂 So excited!!!!!
Heading over to your place now 😀
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🙂
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You made my birthday awards list please stop by and pick one http://paulaacton.wordpress.com/2012/09/30/more-awards-on-my-birthday/
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Thank you Paula! Heading your way now to take a look 😀
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Hi Di I’ve nominated you for a Reader Appreciation Award
http://ramblingsfromamum.wordpress.com/2012/10/02/
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Thank you!!! I’m heading over to check it out now 😀
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and I stupidly forgot to put the ‘rules’ on the page – but they are there now… good grief! 🙂
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Thank you very much for following my blog. Charmed and inspired.
RR
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Thank you so much, RR. It’s a pleasure to have you drop by and say hello 😀
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I know you have received many awards and they are so deserved as it is always with pleasure that I look forward to your posts. So to show my appreciation I have sent you the “very inspiring blog award”
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Thank you my darling! You are wonderful 😀
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Just want to congratulate you on winning the Book of the Year award for “Soul Child.” I also want to thank you for liking “Murder on the Church Steps” at Paper, Mud and Me. Again, CONGRATULATIONS!!!
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Thank you so much, Paul! 😀
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Love your writing! Looking back through the recent comments…looks like you’re receiving lots of awards. They’re nice, but time consuming. Anyway, thanks for stopping by my blog and congrats on your Book of the Year award!!
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I haven’t had time to catch up with the awards yet 😦 They are really nice, but you’re right – time consuming…
Thank you so much for the congrats – the Book of the Year award was a wonderful surprise! 😀
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Nice and interesting blog, Dianne! Thanks for following my blog. 🙂
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My pleasure! 🙂
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Knowing such a nice author is an absolute privilege. Nothing like a great read. Glad I found your blog.
🙂
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I’m glad you did, too – now I can follow your lovely blog 😀
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That is such an honor.
🙂
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Hello Dianne,
Congratulations on your award. It’s wonderful!
On another topic, I wonder if you ever had a great dane called Paris?
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Hello D! It is my pleasure to nominate you for the One Lovely Blog Award. I hope it’s not one too many.
Here’s the link:
http://realityenchanted.wordpress.com/2012/10/11/nominated-for-one-lovely-blog-award/
Congratulations!
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Thank you so much. I’ve just gone over and had a look. WOW! 😀
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Hello 🙂 I’ve nominated you for the Beautiful Blogger award. Follow the link to pick up your award. Thanks! http://sonyaloveday.wordpress.com/2012/10/18/id-like-to-thank-the-academy/
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Thank you so much, Sonya! I’ve just been over to your blog to check it out and all the other nominees as well;)
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I just finished The Everything Theory. As a writer, I’m ashamed to admit I am at a loss for words. What a fantastic story!! I have never seen a picture of you, but now I can only imagine you with a gigantic cranium to store all of those ideas and plot lines. The time you spent researching that book must have been extensive. Wow…..that’s all I can come up with. That, and I’ll be heading to Amazon to buy the next book on the list!! You are amazing!!
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Oh, Susan – I commented on this, but commented to myself instead of you! Do’h!
I said:
Haha – I love the thought of me with an enormous cranium. I’m absolutely flattered by your comments. Thank you so much – your feedback means a lot to me!!! 🙂
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Just downloaded Let Sleeping Gods Lie….can’t wait!!
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Haha – I love the thought of me with an enormous cranium. I’m absolutely flattered by your comments. Thank you so much – your feedback means a lot to me!!! 🙂
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You have been awarded the Beautiful Blogger award for being so inspiring.
http://flyonthewalljamyd.wordpress.com/
Hope you have a lovely day 🙂
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Thank you so much! I’m heading over now to check it out 😉
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It’s funny. I swear a blue streak in my everyday life (depending on how impassioned I am about the given topic, and of course never in a professional setting!) but I really go out of my way to abstain from using them in my writing. Every so often I might drop an “arse” or “shite” but really, I make a concerted effort to keep it clean. At first it was because I didn’t want to alienate anyone, and then it turned into a bit of a fun game (I wanted to see what other turns of phrase I could use in lieu of [insert swear here]). Now it’s pretty much second nature!
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I love the name Ethel the Dean – very cool indeed! 😀
I like the game of finding other words to replace the swear ones. I think that would be great to add to the curriculum at schools! Could you imagine kids getting home and saying to their parents, “we learned a whole lot of new words today to replace swear words” – even though my kids are grown up now, I think that would have made me happy as a parent.
Thanks so much for dropping by to say hello 😀
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crocodile farm? cool! 🙂
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It was a very cool job 😉
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It is experiences like that, that make life even more exciting. 🙂
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Dianne, I cancelled my wordpress site. Long story. Boring. Do you have an email you are willing to share?
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Yes – it’s at the top of my page in ‘my readers’ or if you can’t get there it is everythingt671@gmail.com
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Congratulations! You’ve been nominated for a blog award! 🙂 See:
http://thelifeofathinker.wordpress.com/2012/11/11/blog-awards-thank-you-award-six-very-inspiring-blogger/
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Thank you, Liam!
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You’re welcome! 🙂
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For perhaps the 400th time, I have nominated you for the Beautiful blogger award. You inspire me every day to keep at my passion. Thank you.
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Looking forward to this weekend’s pictures of the ‘old barracks…’ Also wanted to mention I’m a fan of “Soul’s Child:” Aurora and Merv do it for me. One of the great quotes of the book is in the beginning line: “My father chiselled his way around integrity and common sense to find celebrity status of a sort.”
Glad you liked my interview with John Dolan — he’s a wonderful scoundrel (last known whereabouts was Amsterdam).
Always my best to you and hubby,
Billy Ray
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Thank you, Billy Ray! It’s always lovely to get feedback on my books 😀
John seems like a fabulous character and your interview was great 😉
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Hi Dianne, Sorry, tagged you on something before asking. Ignore if you’re not interested 🙂
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No problems! Thank you – I’ll go take a look 😀
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I’ve nominated you for a Reality Award, because I find you…
Real
Energizing
Amazing
Lovely
Inspiring
Touching
Yippee
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Woo Hoo!!! Thank you! 😀
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Hi! I have nominated your blog for the Wonderful Team Member Readership Award. If you are interested in participating you can pick up your badge and the rules for this award here: http://fitnessandfunatfifty.wordpress.com/2012/12/09/wonderful-team-member-readership-award/
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Oh, thank you! I’m going over now to check it out 😉
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Hi
I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Please visit http://wp.me/p1jxzE-6u to review my post.
Thank you
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Awww – thank you! 😀
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You are welcome!
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Hi. I’ve nominated you for a Liebster award. Please ignore this if it’s not your kind of thing. I’m new to this blogging and award thing so forgive me if I have breached some kind of blogging etiquette! If you want to read about it, please see my post here: http://ozonenut.wordpress.com/2012/12/16/the-liebster/
Thanks
Zoe
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No – you haven’t beached any blogging etiquette, Zoe 😀 Thank you so much for thinking of me – I’m going across now to take a look. I’m very flattered 😉
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I have really enjoyed your blog, so I nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. The rules are at http://www.livesimplykmm.wordpress.com
Congrats!
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Hi Dianne, I have been following your blog for nearly a year now – keep the regular posts coming. I really appreciate your dedication to the craft! Thank you for sharing so freely! I have nominated you for the Blog of the Year 2012 Award. You can visit my blog (where I blogged about it today) if you choose to participate. If not, I understand – please know that you are appreciated! Anna http://annahergert.wordpress.com
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Thank you so much, Anna. I am truly flattered! I’m heading your way now to take a look 😀
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*hugs* …. I just wanted to say … that I hope you had a grand Christmas Dianne.
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Thank you so much, Katie 😀 *hugs* to you and I hope your Christmas was lovely as well ‘)
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Hi Dianne! Awards ceremony at my place today. You have been awarded the Super Sweet Blogging Award. http://breezybooksblog.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/overture-curtains-lights/ 🙂
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Thank you so much, Maddie! I’m heading your way now 😀
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I know it’s 2013 now, but I just nominated you for Blog of the Year 2012 – I hope you will accept – do pop over and have a look at my blog for the rules. Happy new Year!!
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Thank you, Pat!! I’m coming over now to take a look 😀
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Thanks for visiting my blog. I look forward to reading some of your posts and, in time, some of your novels. I am a Melburnian but lived in Cairns for a year, experiencing, ironically or fittingly, Cyclone Steve! All the best for your writing and generally. P.S. We also have two dogs: a spoodle named Lulu and a Jack Russell/Cairn Terrier X named Harry. They blame their ‘parents’ for any of their behavioural problems:)
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Thanks so much for visiting, Stephen 🙂
Lulu and Harry sound adorable – I watch the dog whisperer and I think we must be very bad ‘parents’ sometimes because our German Shepherd is such a handful!
I don’t think they’ve ever named a cyclone after me – I’ve only experienced one here (I think it was Winfred) and that was bad enough 😉
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So many awards, so little time!! I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. You truly do make me want to continue my literary journey!! 😀 My post will go up shortly.
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Woot woot! Thank you, Susan!
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What can I say?? You’re my favorite!! 😀
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You’re mine too 😉
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😀
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Hey, just wanted to let you know I’ve nominated you for a Liebster Award, you deserve it.
Cheers!
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YAY! I just went over and had a look. Thank you! 😀
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Hi Dianne! Just wanted to pop by and say hi, and thank you for your presence on my blog lately. 😀 Really appreciate it!
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My pleasure, Becky! You’ve got a great blog 😀
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Hi,
I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger award because you are very inspiring.
If you would like to participate, you are asked to:
Display the award logo.
Thank the person that nominated you and link back to them in your post.
State 7 interesting things about yourself.
Nominate 15 other bloggers for this award and link to them.
Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.
S. Harry Zade, thenarrativeimperative.com
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Thanks so much for this. I’m heading over now to take a look 😉
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Hi Dianne, I wanted to respond to your story about the glasses, but maybe you are editing it or decided to delete it. As a near-sighted person who is now also far-sighted due to age and I have to wear glasses over my contacts to read — I want to beg you, please do not ever lend anyone glasses again. I’m not being a germ-aphobe, but it is unsanitary. Also eye strain is an awful thing. I had two eye doctors in a row give me the wrong prescription and I struggled almost a year with eye pain until I found an eye doctor who was smart enough to get it right. So, please, take care of your eyes! (Sorry to be sounding like a “mommy” but I don’t want someone else to go through what I did!)
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Thanks Maryanne. I’m not sure what happened to my post. I published it and then it disappeared and so I just published it again.
You’re not sounding like a mommy! 😉 You’re right – but my eyes aren’t really that bad and it’s probably best I stay away from computers for a few days anyway to give them a rest. I’ve got prescription sunglasses that are fantastic for driving and I’m actually wearing those at the moment.
Thank you so much for caring about my health – you’re a darling 😀
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Oh good, I’m glad you’re okay … I just know firsthand eye pain is worse than a toothache and I’d hate to see someone super cool go through all that 🙂
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Awww – I love being ‘super cool’!
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Wow, really impressive line-up of awards! Congratulations and Cheers to living the good life 🙂
Courtney
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Thanks so much, Courtney! Nice to see you here 😉
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Have you written about your experiences on the croc farm? Sounds like a story waiting to happen… Though perhaps an account of the real thing might be even better!
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I included a croc in Let Sleeping Gods Lie and would like to use them in future stories. I did have an interesting incident with a very big croc that I will write about one day. My boss dropped his sunglasses in the croc enclosure and asked me to keep the big guy ‘busy’ while he got them back. I was never going to win that battle! 😉
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Wow. Such a great story to hold in the arsenal! This is what I tell myself every time I go through any irritating, unfathomable experience: “It’ll make a great story one day.”
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LOL – I do the same thing. If someone or something annoys or upsets me I just think of it as ‘writing fodder’ 😀
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Congrats on all your awards Dianne! 🙂
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Thank you so much for coming to visit, Cathie 😀
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LOL Di I don’t think you need any of MY writing advice…I probably need some of yours!!!
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We can never get too much writing advice! 😀
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Touch` very true! I look forward to reading yours 😉
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Amazing work Dianne! Wow, so cool to see your work recognized with all the awards, a real inspiration to aspiring authors 🙂
You rock!
Rohan.
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Thank you, Rohan! Your comment means a lot to me. It hasn’t been an easy road, but it’s all worth the journey 😀
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I feel quite ashamed that you write all these lovely comments on my blog, Dianne, but I’ve never read your books. I just read the Profound Absurdities review and am determined to hunt out The Eleventh Question.
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Thank you so much, Jo 😀 Please – never feel ashamed, I love your blog! 😉
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Thanks for making the blogosphere a better place! I have nominated you for the Liebster Blog Award. If you’d like to accept this award, you’ll find the rules here: http://bit.ly/ZJEmyK All the best!
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Thank you so much! I’ll be heading your way now to check it out 😀
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Hi I’m following you! In the meantime I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award – pop over to collect it – http://www.mandyevebarnett.com
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Thank you so much, Mandy! 😀
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I’ve nominated you for an award! http://lifeonwry.com/2013/03/11/a-big-slice-of-gratitude-with-a-side-of-nature/
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Excellent. I can’t wait to read more of your writings and getting to know you.
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Thank you so much, Lila 😀
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Dianne,
Just wanted you to know that i’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blog Award 🙂
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Thank you so much, Anna 😀
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You have an impressive list of accomplishments! How inspiring!
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Thank you so much, Bec! It’s lovely to see you here 😀
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Glad to be here Dianne!
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I have nominated you for the Liebster Award. The rules for acceptance can be found on my blog – http://authormccloskeyspeaks.wordpress.com. Congratulations on being one of my favorite blogs!
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YAY – Thank you, Barb! 😀
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Your writing is fun to read and it has depth! I love the gecko story – OMG! Amazing! Look forward to reading more of you! Congrats on the nomination for the Liebster Award. 🙂
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Thank you so much! And a big thank you for the reblog. I’m very flattered 😀
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Morning Dianne. I wanted to give you the WordPress family award. It’s not an award that means a lot of work on your part, it’s just a way to say thanks for being a great support in my journey through blogging and through life. 🙂
The link is here: http://polysyllabicprofundities.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/wordpress-family-award.jpg
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Awww – thank you! I’m heading over to your place now to check it out 😀
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I’m having issues getting online this morning – be back this afternoon 😉
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Hi there, started to follow your blog. 🙂 It looks interesting.
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Thank you so much, Maarit 😉
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Hi Dianne, just noticed you’ve started to follow my blog. Thanks a lot for your appreciation.
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I’ve nominated you for an award. Check it out. http://lifeonwry.com/2013/05/07/feeling-lucky/
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I was just over there! YAY – thank you 😀
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I’ve nominated you for the Sunshine Blog Award, because your posts always bring a ray of sunshine to my life! You can find the rules and information on this at this link: http://dwelchel.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/sunshine-bloggers-award-i-feel-so-loved/
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Thank you so much, Darla! 😀
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I have nominated you for a Liebster Award 🙂 http://capecodscribe.com/2013/07/18/cape-cod-scribe-has-a-liebster-award/
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Is that your own photo above?
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Yes it is, Zia. It’s me and my family at the farm 🙂
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I wish there was a cattle in there too!
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I miss you!
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Awwww – thank you 😉 *hugs* xxxx
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Dianne, I’ve missed your posts…was it something I said?
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Hi Billy Ray – things are going well and this comment made me smile. Thank you so much for asking. I hope things are going well in your part of the world 😉
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All is well. Wishing you and family a lovely holiday season… My very best.
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I didn’t know you’d been FP! That’s wonderful, Dianne 🙂
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Thank you my darling – so nice to hear from you! 😉
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Am reading Manslaughter and other tears, thought I’d drop you a line to let you know I’m enjoying the stories
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Thank you so much, Maria! I’m glad you’re enjoying them and it’s lovely to get this feedback 😀
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Hey Dianne. You haven’t showed up in my Reader for a while, I hope everything is well with you. I miss your blog posts. I didn’t always comment but I always read. Can’t offer you sunshine as I’m in cold, grey London but I can offer a warm virtual hug and lots of love!
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Like rilzy, just missing you, Dianne. Is everything good in your world? Are you writing? Haven’t seen a blog post lately… And, that’s perfectly okay, if so…just keep writing. Just haven’t seen you in my blogsphere for awhile and just a tad worried. Blessings during the holiday season and beyond. HAPPY HOLIDAYS.
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I guess I’m just so busy writing I don’t know where the time has gone! I miss you all 😀
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Missing you! Missing you!! The RUC has swallowed you up! Come back and play when you can. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, Dianne! 🙂
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Hi my darling – so busy here! 😉 I hope you have a fantastic Christmas and a safe and happy New Year as well. Miss you 😀 xxxx
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Hi Dianne, just popping in to say Happy New Year and all that. And that I, like other commenters, miss your posts. But I know you’re writing, so good luck with that too. Look forward to your return.
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Thanks so much for popping in, Jenny – lovely to hear from you! Happy New Year 😀
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I found you via Today’s Author and liked what I read 🙂 I’m always interested in finding new-to-me bloggers and writers who live in Australia!
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Thank you so much for coming by my blog – lovely to meet you too 😀
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Hi Diane – I am currently reading Wolf Pear – about 50% in and totally loving it. I do a series on my blog called location, location, location where I feature books that I have read and reviewed that are rich in setting and location details. Books that set a tone for a certain part of the world. I would love to include Wolf Pear in this series. If you agree, I would ask for a 500 word guest post in which you write on the topic of how a unique setting in your own life contributes to your writing. I put that up with promo and my review of Wolf Pear. Please email me at guenettefrancis@gmail.com in interested. Thanks. I can hardly wait to finish this great book 🙂
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This sounds great, Francis. I’ll email you today 😉
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Will be thinking of you and praying for you as Cyclone Ita makes landfall tonight. Stay safe Dianne.
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Thank you so much, Lyn. It’s quite blowy here this morning. The road is flooded, but we’re dry in the house (thank goodness) 😀
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hey Dianne me again! How do I send you a private message/email? I would love it if you participated in a blog roll and don’t want to put all the details down on a “comment”. You can reach me on
ygmcadam@gmail.com
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I’ll email you 😉
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Congratulations, Dianne!
I have nominated your blog for the One Lovely Blog Award.
More about this nomination is at
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Dianne. I wanted to let you know I read Wolf Pear and loved it. Put a review on Amazon and Goodreads. If you would like me to add the review at other places just let me know.
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Thank you so much, Dannie. You’ve made my day/month/week year! I’m really glad you enjoyed the story. I’ve been a bit flat and not writing recently and in reading this I feel like I’ve been given the boost I need. Happy dancing now 😀
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Hi Dianne, thank you so much for visiting my blog and the ‘Likes’. Much appreciated:-)
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My pleasure, Khaya 😀
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That’s quite a CV, isn’t it? Thanks for dropping in on my blog. you’re always welcome there.
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Thank you, Fredrick 😀
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I hadn’t realized that you’d moved The RUC before beginning the renovation. (I’m always interested in homes and buildings that have been moved.)
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It was a huge job, Joy. They had to cut it in half and cart it down the highway. It’s amazing what they can do these days 😀
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Aloha Dianne,
I know you have been nominated before but when I thought of a creative blogger…you came to my mind 🙂
Please check it out:
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Thanks so much, Claudia 😀
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I came to know about your blog through Claudia. You have fabulous blog and feel free to check mine too.https://lifestylebites3.wordpress.com
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I just checked yours and it’s really informative – thank you! 😀
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Thanks Dianne and it means a lot to me.
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I’m looking forward to following your great blog!
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Thank you so much! 🙂
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Came across your blog! Look forward to reading more!
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I’m so glad you like it! 😀
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I have really missed you. I can only assume you are not well so I hope you can come back to us some day.
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Oh Hello Sheila! I’m so sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner. I’m actually very well and working hard on the RUC. Heaps of things have happened since I last blogged (including the birth of three beautiful grandchildren!) Truth is I just don’t have enough time to fit everything in. I want to get back to posting but I need to knuckle down and put my blogging pants on 😀 It’s great to hear from you – and I see you have also been blessed with a grandchild. A big congratulations from me 😉
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Hi Dianne, thank you so much for getting back to me and letting me know you are well and happy!! The thought of your having three grandchildren makes me smile – no wonder you’re not blogging!! We are so exhausted after caring for our new grandbaby I totally get not being able to write! I know the RUC is wondrous by now! Congratulations on your new grandchildren, the work on the RUC and your life in Australia. I am so happy to know that you are well and enjoying your life. Blessings to you and your family, my friend.
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