Break out the Kleenex box again, Robert.

Pearl:

Here you go, pass the box...

It's great to see that even with a non-scientific, vote-in contest, the best came out on top. As for the quality of the other winner and those who came in second... well maybe I'll just decide not to say anything.

By the way, our jousting team has just recruited a ringer named "Phineas." He says he has a lot of experience with "running people through." I suggest our opponents not wear any idols around their necks.

Jake:

Here, here...

There, there...

By all means, Phineas sounds like a good ol' bloke. Bring him along. We're jousting against our arch rival Columbia-eth. And personally, I'd like to, er, slaughter them.

Gosh I'm so pleased and so excited about this win! I want to thank all the little people who voted for us. Ya'll love us, ya'll really love us!

Congrats, Robert and Karen. Thanks for this fun place to get together and for sharing ya'lls lives with us.

I am so happy and beaming that you won Best Personal Blog. It just confirms that your story, your lives and your superb writing is something that so many of us want to be a part of. I am so grateful for this website and for your courage to share your feelings about Ariel (ZTL)and your family.

Congratulations again. All the best!!!

Suz:

Is it my imagination or does it happen that the more you write the heavier does your Texas accent become?

You've been with us a long time, and by now, I imagine, you're speaking Yiddish with a nice Texas twang.

Thanks so much, Suz!

"Karen and I look forward to bringing you the best of our hearts and minds."

ACHIEVED!

Robert and Karen, to have been through the unimaginable of losing Ariel, and still wake up each morning, get dressed, drink your coffee, and share the wonderful tales, opinions, and thoughts you have shared here, is really more than remarkable and generous. You are both inspiring.
Thank you.

(But, please, can we not discuss politics?)

Rachel:

You too have been with Seraphic Secret for a very long time and we count you as a good friend.

Thanks so much for all your support. And the next time you're in LA, we will definitely meet.

Congratulations! : )

Randi:

Thanks so much for the vote of confidence. You know, we don't make the coffee anymore, not since you so kindly deliver it every morning.

Politics. Hmmm. You know I get mail asking me to write more about politics.

Truth is, I write about politics through the prism of military matters. That's really what I know a bit about.

Right now I'm preparing a piece about why I think Ariel Sharon pulled out of Gaza and planned to pull out of much of Judea and Samaria. I've done a great deal of research and think I've come up with some unique insights.

It's all military; it all has to do with the fighting ability of the IDF. Sharon was first and foremost a General.

How can I not share it with my readers? They won't get such insights anywhere else.

But don't worry, Randi, "How I Married Karen" will probably never end.

Okay, okay, I get it...I'll just go back to making your coffee.

Irina:

Thanks so much:)

This is just the kind of well-deserved win that really warms the heart. Seraphic Secret is a truly unique and wonderful blog; congratulations, and thanks for all the work you have both put in here for our benefit.

Mazal tov

An obvious choice, well deserved.

Congratulations on a well-deserved win and a site that really honors Ariel's memory...

Looking forward to the future.

Alice:

Good to hear from you. You know it's funny, I never think of Seraphic Secret as work. You all just make it so much fun.

Jake,

Isn't amazing that the public always sees quality...

Mazel tov 'n'stuff.

Lance,

It's amazing how the public has a better track record than movie and TV executives... but I'm not sure about "always." How can you explain Britney Spears' success? Maybe if we leave out pop music, you'd be 100% right

Azriel:

Thanks so very much.

I want Seraphic Secret readers to be aware that Azriel and his wife are deeply involved in rescuing Jewish foster children.

An article in which they are featured was just published here:http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/newscontent.php3?artid=12036

Azriel's blog: Mochassid is linked on my sidebar and it's always worth reading.

Azriel is yet another distinctive Seraphic Friend whom I'm hoping will teach a course in "Foster Care, Adoption and Saving Our Children" at Seraphic University.

Esther K:

How nice to hear from the "authentic" Urban Kvetch. How was your cruise? Did you sing Karaoke? "These Boots Were Made for Walking," I'll bet. Thanks so much, see you soon.

Jake,

You are correct....

In my handicapping and investment work I constantly take advantage of "public" mistakes.

Ralphie:

Thanks n' stuff.

By the way, love the Danish flag on your site, Kerckhoff Coffee House: http://kerckhoff.blogspot.com/

Did you buy it in Gaza? They seem to have an awful lot of Danish flags for sale all of a sudden.

Robert,

Funny that you mention the flags in Gaza. A good friend and I have spent the odd moment here and there considering how we can make money by supplying them with flags to burn.

While their other friends make money by selling oil to us we'll see what we can do to pull some out of their hands.

Although truth be told they seem to have a great supplier of flags already.

And on a far more important note enjoy the accolades and all the acclaim that comes with being the winner of the JIBs.

You have earned it.

You know, Robert, Randi was correct back there. You & Karen truly have already brought us the best of your hearts and minds.
May you have the strength and interest to *continue* to bring us the best that you've got...and more.

Jack:

Thanks so much. Your regular comments have helped make Seraphic Secret the special place it is.

Everyone should look at Jack's Shack today http://wwwjackbenimble.blogspot.com/

Jack discusses "gerut" conversion to Judaism, the choice to become Jewish. A fascinating topic that, as with all things Jewish, is deeply controversial.

For instance, did you know that the Syrian/Jewish community will not perform ANY conversions? None. Get down on your hands and knees and beg. Not gonna happen.

I am priveleged to know several sincere converts. Their conversions had nothing to do with the pressure of marrying a Jewish partner.

In fact, both women are--I kid you not--former Catholic Nuns. Both conversions were strictly Orthodox.

Needless to say, conversation with these two ladies is endlessly fascinating.

Wow...I bet...

Interestingly, a community in Orange County, where I use to reside, has many converts......all kosher, and done according to halacha.

They were kind to share their stories....all engrossing and very uplifting.

The most interesting of the group was a woman whose father was a baptist minister.

Imagine what his colleagues must say....

Pearl:

Thanks so much for continuing to bring on the kind words.

Seraphic Readers should definitely check out Pearl's blog today http://wwwpearliesofwisdom.blogspot.com/

Why is today different than all other days?

Well, it's not every day that Pearl does a near-perfect imitation of Miss Diana Ross.

Karen and I could not believe our ears nor our eyes.

We are in awe.

Mazal Tov, Robert! Very happy to hear the "official" word!

Chana:

How good to hear from my very own shul, my synagogue, my home away from home. Thanks so much for everything. Rebekah too!

Robert, you are like a walking commercial for blogs today...very generous of you.

And, yes, Pearl is quite "Supreme".

Randi:

Ah, bet you thought I forgot about you, huh? No, no, no.

Randi, AKA Cruisin Mom, and our Seraphic Contest Winner, has been blogging about Star-Spotting in Hollywood.

Okay, here in LA, we've got wall to wall movie stars, so it's no big deal to spot some star schlepping along Hollywood and Vine.

But Randi has a much deeper connection with one of our biggest Late Night Talk Show hosts.

Yes, check out Cruisin Mom at http://www.cruisin-mom.blogspot.com/

Where Randi explores the spaces between teeth and how they have shaped her self-image her vision of show biz.

Seriously.

Robert...now everyone will think I was plotting to get you to advertise for me...(okay, good, it worked).

But really, you are the greatest, most magnificent Hollywood star I know.
(How was that? Did I make the $20 bucks you just handed me to say that, worth your while?)

Randi:

You put the decimel point in the wrong spot. I'm a hot Hollywood screenwriter afterall.

It was $200.00.

Don't forget my agent gets 10% and my lawyer, 5%, and my girlses get everything that's left over.

The lawyer only gets 5%...

That's a bargain. ;)

Lance:

Yup, my lawyer is great, I've been with him over 20 years.

Rebekah? Is that a word I need to know?

Suz:

Rebekah is just one of the spellings of the name Rebecca. Class dismissed, Suz.

"How good to hear from my very own shul, my synagogue, my home away from home. Thanks so much for everything. Rebekah too!"

Hmmmmm...now I'm really confused. But, of course, now I'm being confused bi-linguistically :)....I love progress! lol

Robert, to answer your earlier question, now that you mention it I believe my Texas twang is becoming more apparent as I get more comfortable with this northeastern and liberal west coast crowd ;) Texas is a law unto ourselves so I feel perfectly competent to trade repartees with ya'll. I'll have to look that up, do I trade repartees? or is the very act the repartee? We might be a little behind in the french conversing down here....lol... but we make that up in arrogance?

Suz,

Don't worry! I was born in Oklahoma. (Oh wait, that might make you hate me more).

Jake! I was born in OKC! Brother of mine! Actually, even if you were born in LA I wouldnt hate ya, I would just like to tweak ya some.

Congratulations Robert and Karen! It's so good to see the best win (for once)!

OKC... ME TOO! Oklahoma City Baptist Hospital. My dad was the Rabbi of Emanuel Temple at the time. Get this... I was born on 12/20, so the nurses gave me to my mother in a Christmas stocking! "Boy, do you have the wrong baby!" my mother said. She still has that stocking though.

Jake, reading this "dialogue" you're having with Suz reminds me of Ralph Edwards's show, "This Is Your Life."

Okay, Suz, you can come out from behind the curtain now. Maybe Jake will recognize you from OKC.

Just to let you know, Suz, not all readers here are West Coasters...or even East Coasters. Some of us visit from the other side of the border...when those border officials let us through!

Congratulations from all of us from William Lyon Financial of Nevada.

Gail:

Hi, I've hear so much about you. Your brother Lance is the Karl Rove of Seraphic Secret. Thanks so much for your votes. I hope you will all continue to read our blog and maybe even enroll in the Seraphic University Business School, where our motto is: More Capital = More Happiness.

Suz:

Do my eyes deceive me or did you really write: "..get more comfortable with this northeastern and liberal west coast crowd."

Liberal?
Moi?

I am sorely distressed and perturbed.

The last Democrat I voted for was... heck I can't remember that far back.

Adalai Stevenson?

I'm a member of the NRA.
My motto, which I learned in Texas I'll have you know, is: "Better to be tried by 12, than carried by 6."

Liberal?

Suz, you hush-up, y'hear. I may have been born and bred in liberal Brooklyn, raised by fanatical Jewish Democrats, but my heart is pure red-neck South, and before you know it, I'll be driving a pick-up!

Liberal!

Well, I'm just mad enough to spit grits.

Rightmom:

So nice to hear from you. And thanks for the wonderful compliment, we'll try and continue to live up to it.

Calm down Robert...there ARE worse things you could be called

Randi:

I suppose there are: "Commie" comes to mind. "Fanatical Islamacist" doesn't sound so great.

Outside of that, I'm kinda drawing a blank.

Robert, Yikes! I never, ever, ever considered YOU a liberal. I was thinking of a few of our commenters here (think my buddy from the cheerleading pyramid, Randi). But you, never! I know you have a chew in your back pocket and I'm amazed that you don't already drive a Dodge Ram with a gun rack. No wait, I'm having nostalgic flashbacks about the gun rack thing.

Jake, I really knew there was a hometown boy's heart beating behind that liberal facade...j/k!

Pearl, I keep forgetting about our Canadian buddies.

OK OK I take back my northeastern, west coast liberals comments. Ya'll are just Texans at heart! woooohoooo

I would have to agree with Robert....

To be called a liberal,
those are fighten' words. ;)

You guys are liberals in disguise, just don't want to fess up to it.

Watch it, Jack, these guys are in their medieval roles right now. Someone will challenge you to a jousting match. You ever jousted? That has got to hurt!

Politics aside......Mazel Tov! I hope for many
more successes to come!

Suz:

(Sigh of relief.)

Pass me that chaw.

T.P.

Thanks so much.

Congratulations! You know, by the time I read the posting...then the comments...I'm down a road that I'm not sure how I got to. Oh well, blame it on the peroxide. You all (Connecticut speak...not to be confused with y'all..tho I do drive a Ram with a livestock trailer.) are just the best! I've said it before, but there is just never-ending love here. I can only imagine how proud your son would be of Seraphic Secret. Thank you so much!

Lisa:

Thanks so very much. We hope that Ariel ZT'L would be as proud of us as we are of him.

Thanks Robert for your kind words. I must must must come back to L.A. I must be crazy for living in such cold weather. Does it say anywhere in the Torah that the Jews traveled 40 years in the snow? :)

By the way, since you've established a Seraphic University, you must have a mascot! Maybe make that your next contest :)

Have a good Shabbos,

Rachel :)

Rachel:

Yes, do come back. It's so nice and warm here.

And yes, you are sooo right. Seraphic University does need a mascot. Great idea. Any suggestions? Hmmm. I'm going to bring this up on a post. It calls for great minds to meld.

this is a really bad one, but how about mascot of a chicken, but only the right wing.

Rachel:

That is so bad, it's good.

WOOHOO! Delurking again - just to say how proud I am that OUR FAVORITE blog rightfully won the award! (and that my voting EVERY 3 days for Seraphic Secret wasn't in vain :)

Sara:

Thanks for De-lurking and thanks for your votes. We look forward to you becoming a regular commenter. No need to be shy. We're friendly folk.