Star Registry of Sylvestermouse

I can not even begin to describe how I felt when I received the announcement that I had been awarded a purple star for It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. I didn't know whether to laugh, cry, hoot or sing, but clearly I wanted to celebrate!

When i published my very first effort on Squidoo, I requested critiques on the discussion board. I knew I needed help. I had done all I could on my own and I laid my work before others to examine. To this day I do not know how I was fortunate enough to draw the attention of Carol aka Stazjia, but I am grateful for her diligent work and patient assistance.

It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown was not my first published lens, but it did receive my first purple star. Therefore, my first star is named after my first helper and mentor, Carol Fisher.

To say I was shocked to be awarded a purple star for Halloween Treats, would be an understatement. I was stunned silent, a miraculous feat in and of itself.

I really enjoyed writing Halloween Treats. It was my own personal trip down memory lane. I hadn't thought about my brother giving me candy corn in a really long time. It is a great memory of a wonderful brother who is no longer with us.

I named this star after MiMi GrowWear aka GrowWear because she has been a constant support and inspiration since the beginning of my Squidoo journey. MiMi was my first Team Leader, my challenge coach and I now consider her my friend. Again, I don't know how I was so blessed to have MiMi as my first Team Leader. Shortly after I published my second lens, I received an email from MiMi inviting me to join her team for the Giant Squid Challenge. I laughed. Me, a giant squid, no way! But MiMi had faith in me, I know not why, but she made me believe in myself. I joined her group and I tried hard to earn my place on Team One and prove myself worthy of her praise.

Through my association with Team One, I officially met a lady who I greatly admire and respect. She has encouraged me, taught me, supported me and cheered me throughout my Squidoo existence. I have read many of her lenses and I feel like I know her personally. She writes from her heart. She is so honest and personal in her writings, that I feel her experiences deeply. It is interesting to note that one of her lenses was among the first that I read on Squidoo and when I found she was on Team One, I felt like I had met a real star. In that lens, her candid recollection of a very personal experience gripped my heart. I want to write like that someday.

Not only is Bev Owens aka BevsPaper an inspiration, she is also a fellow crafter and it seems only fitting that I name my third purple star after her. Therefore, the purple star awarded to Cross Stitch in the House of Sylvestermouse is named Bev.

I enjoy writing lenses on Squidoo for many reasons, but what makes it most gratifying are the other lensmasters who day in and day out read, comment, challenge, and support my efforts. I met Jennifer aka jptanabe on Team One during a Giant Squid Challenge. She has been my rock! She has offered support from day one and has faithfully read and commented on all of my lenses one by one. So, as I count my stars one by one, I think of her and her constant, steadfast loyalty and friendship.

As with all friendships, we have common ideologies, experiences and values. We both adore our children and our husbands and spend a great deal of our lives supporting their endeavors. Even though we had to go to another country to do so, we have walked the same street in Scotland and visited the same castle, probably even peered into the same store window. We both love animals and we make a pretty good team. While I write about threatened or endangered animals that exist today, Jennifer writes about fascinating mythical creatures that exist in our literature, dreams and possibly in our past. We both surround ourselves with our beloved pets and dote on them as favored family members. I consider myself blessed to call her a friend.

Now a beautiful purple star hangs on the lens, Decorating Our Christmas Tree. Just as each ornament on my tree reminds me of a loved one, this purple star will forever remind me of our friendship.

Isn't it wonderful how Squiddo brings people all over the world together and offers a platform to cultivate friendships. Awesome!

My Mary Beth star serves as a reminder of a wonderful friend, an outstanding photographer, and a real Squidoo Angel.

I haven't forgotten that it was this sweet and dear lady who left the very first comment on my very first lens. She was so kind that I instantly felt a relief from the tension and anxiety of publishing my first lens. After reading her comment, I immediately went to her profile and read her bio. Then I checked out a few of her lenses and found that she is a magnificent photographer. Her photos capture more than just images, they reflect feelings, thoughts and inspiration. With any real art, the viewer can look upon a piece and be touched by the depth of emotion, intrigued by the splendor and beauty, or be reminded of a personal moment. I have experienced each of these reactions to pictures by Mary Beth aka mbgphoto.

Her Autumn Beauty photo is one of my favorites. I love trees and she captured the perfect moment of change from summer to fall with this gorgeous picture. Indeed, a true beauty!

The Visiting a Covered Bridge lens takes me back to my childhood and the memory of rickety crossings. That was a time when I viewed the world in much simpler terms and had not yet experienced the bitter cruelties of living and learning that some paths are best left untrod and some bridges left uncrossed.

Her lighthouses are always a reminder to follow the light to reach a safe destination!

So, for this very special friend and source of inspiration, I dedicate the purple star for CB Radios ~ Pop Culture of the Past to mbgphoto for being the first one to reach out to answer my initial transmission in this new form of social networking called Squidoo:)

Sometimes we find friends in some of the most unexpected places and at some of the most unexpected times in our life!

I have already told you about several lensmasters who have helped me, inspired me and supported me. Now, I want to tell you about the friend who has laughed with me, cried with me, listened to me and rejoiced with me. We have spent hours, even days sending emails, keeping each other awake and keeping each other focused. We drink coffee together, we read together and we share thoughts, hopes, wishes and dreams. We have never personally met, but I feel like I have known Holley, aka 24websurf, all my life.

When you read Holley's lenses, you feel like you are talking to a family member just sharing the events of their week or sharing the unknown tragedies of their past. I have no idea how many times I have shed tears over her vivid descriptions of her personal experiences or roared with laughter over her comments.

I am truly honored to call her my friend and without her influence, I doubt seriously I ever would have been Squid Angel Mouse.

My Squidoo life has been greatly enhanced by the presence of this gracious lady. When I was searching for my place on Squidoo, I was welcomed and embraced by Bonnie and all of my fellow RocketMoms. Bonnie has been a terrific guide, a patient teacher, a marvelous encourager, and a valued friend.

I have no idea how many times I have needed and received Bonnie's help. She is always there, always willing to help and always kind in her comments and critiques. I have learned a lot from Bonnie who we all love and recognize as bdkz. Whatever success I have achieved on Squidoo, it has been in large part to her "most excellent" care and I owe her a true debt of gratitude.

It is only fitting that the purple star named after Bonnie would be the one adorning my Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe, since it is after all, my best recipe for a special treat!

It takes a pretty special person to draw me out of my self-proclaimed baking retirement and inspire me to heat up the oven, but Robin, aka rms, was able to induce me to work and play in the kitchen again.

The purple star on my How to Decorate Panda Cupcakes lens is appropriately named after Robin who not only inspired that lens, but has taken the time to teach me how to write a better lens. As my leader and coach during my second Giant Squid Challenge, I couldn't help but wonder which of us was really challenged the most. Bless her heart, she would make a simple suggestion and I would inundate her with emails and questions. She was always so kind and patient with her responses and gently directed me toward examples of implementation.

Her thoughtful comments and her giving nature have not only helped me develop some of my best performing lenses, but she has also supported the establishment of my own Zazzle store. I know her presence on Squidoo has not only benefited me, but not doubt, she has been influential in hundreds of lensmaster's lives.

Thank you, Robin, from the bottom of my heart. My heaven would not be complete without your shining star.

One of the greatest things about Squidoo is finding other like-minded lensmasters. By now, everyone knows that I have a tender heart toward animals, trees and the loss of our greatest resources and world beauty.

I met Skiesgreen during the very first week of my Squidoo life when she tried desperately to help me "shape" my first lens. Yes, she was the very first person to answer my plea for help in the forums. Since then, she has been a great inspiration. Her own lenses are nothing short of literary works of art and her giving spirit on Squidoo is unequaled. It is clear that she cares deeply, not only for saving our planet, but for enhancing the Squidoo community.

It is because of her heart and continuous efforts to help, that I have named the purple star awarded to In the Garden of Sylvestermouse, Norma. I wish I had more to offer in return for her kindness. This is but a mere representation of how much her friendship and direction has meant to me.

see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

Moderated by Sylvestermouse
Updated: 1/27/12