Guess What!?!
August 21st, 2008 at 10:56 am by Dee O'Neil Andrews
I was just going through my email while ago for the first time this morning and saw that I had an email from Tom from work. (He's the publisher of the Picayune Item, as you well know.)
The email subject line said simply, "Congratulations."
I figured it was a cc to me along with some newspaper friends we know or something so I would be "in the know."
Instead, when I opened it up, it was addressed just to me, but was empty except for his and the Lifestyles Editor's work addresses and such and an attachment to a Word document. I opened it up. It said: "WRITING CONTEST WINNERS, 2008."
I quickly scanned down to the category I entered in the Picayune Writer's Group contest back in May. (Remember?) Here's what my category (those 60 or older) list said (I've added links back to the specific stories so you can read them):
Senior Non-fiction, First Place, Acquisition, July 4, 1995 by Dee Ann Andrews; Second Place, Lost in the Shuffle by Lee J. Barras; Third Place (tie), A Perfect Day by Dee Ann Andrews and It Wasn’t My Fault by Ida Mae Burnor.
Y'all . . . I WON!!!
And, Tom definitely wanted me to be "in the know" because I hadn't heard a word from anyone about anything connected with the contest and the "news" won't be coming out until this Sunday's newspaper.
I'm tellin' ya - sometimes it pays to have friends in high places (and husbands who are newspaper publishers). I'm so excited. Those were my two favorite stories out of the four y'all helped me choose from and the two best out of the three I entered. In fact, "Acquisition, July 4, 1995" was my favorite of those two, but I love "A Perfect Day," too, because it's about the last day I spent with my dad on earth. I guess the judges agreed with what I (and you all) thought, which is neat.
What do I win, you ask. Well, I get a free copy of the Anthology 2008 they will be publishing in October and a Certificate of Merit. But, the best part will be your accolades because y'all helped me chose the ones to enter and are my best friends.
I immediately called Tom, of course, as soon as I read the winners and he is full of congratulations. We're going to have to celebrate somehow. I was already really happy this morning because I saw my endocrinologist yesterday for a three month check-up and my blood work was all the best it's ever been in the 38 years I've been diabetic. Plus, I'd lost seven more pounds since last time.
I hope you will all celebrate with me because when I submitted my stories and as the time has gone on I've continually prayed that God would be glorified by my work and that I might be able to reach out to someone new by it.
Cheers & Blessings to you all today! Dee
The perfect way to celebrate would be for you and Tom to fly out to CA (your expense, of course) and spend the weekend with us. I’ll grill the steaks, you can relax by the pool … and, of course, keep the psycho-pup placated at all times! Congratulations!!! I figured you would win something, but to win first and third is exciting. I’m proud of you!!
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!! !
me 2 proud of ya!
huggs
Congratulations, Dee! I am so happy for you. (And forget what Greg says about going to southern CA…. if you make it this far west, you *must* come see me!)
Way to go Dee! Congratulations! The endocrinologist news is wonderful too! Hope you find a fun way to celebrate!
A win and weight loss as well! What could be better? Perhaps a trip to wonderful wet and flooded Central Florida? No desert, psycho-pup, grossly dry air to worry about. Just hanging out with fellow lovers of weight loss and humidity.
How exciting for you. What wonderful news on both fronts - personal and medical.
Congratulations! I was certain you’d win. Those were excellent stories. I also celebrate with you the weight loss. That’s a real accomplishment. You’ve had quiet a week! Continue to bask and enjoy youself.
Congrats! You should celebrate!
Wow! That is really great! I knew that you’d win with those caliber of stories but to win two out of three….who can say that??!!
Congrats! This is great!
Congratulations! I’m not surprised!
That is wonderful! Great stories; you deserved to win.
Excellent! Thank you for sharing your success and your memories.
Congratulations, Dee! As I and others have been telling you for years, you need to get organized and get published. Maybe this will be the motivation you need to get started (again). I’m guessing, including all your old Community Editor columns and lots of unfinished stuff, you have enough material stored away to fill a couple of books. Read the Sidney Poitier interview in the latest AARP monthly. Despite a formal education equivalent to the fourth grade, he has authored several respected books. If he can, you can!
BBB