1. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? In 10 years I will be 45.  Give me a moment because suddenly I’m feeling a crik (southern talk for ache) in my back. Thank you. In 10 years, we will be living on some land in an old home outside of Texas. I will be writing up a storm and my mantle will be lined with autographed copies of my first book.  Because I am that vain.  We will also be preparing for my first born’s high school graduation. Excuse me while I go stunt her growth.
2. Were you born in Texas? Born and raised and then my hubby and I lived in Arkansas, New Mexico and Florida.  We love Texas, but land is expensive here, so there might come a day . . .
3. What does your back yard look like? I am so glad you didn’t ask me this pre-stimulus check.  We just did a major overhaul.  Because sinkholes are not my friend and I didn’t want to breed mosquitos for a living anymore.  You can read way more than you want to right here. And there are pictures, lots of pictures, oooh, you are so lucky! Aren’t you glad you stayed?
4. Does your car stay clean? I think this question is just mean. You can read about what can be found in my car on any given day here.  (This is probably the point you lose the rest of the respect you had for me).
5. What’s the update on the squirrels? I don’t want to talk about it. Okay, if you insist.  They have taken over.  Please help us. I’m talking out of the side of my mouth so the squirrel that is holding a gun-shaped nut to my temple won’t hear me.  Thanks for asking.
6. What two colors would you paint your toes for the rest of your life? I’m not certified to paint my own toes.  And I like French Manicures.  So, those colors.
7. What are some of your favorite books? For years, I devoured Historical Christian Fiction like Brock & Bodie Thoene’s series and Lori Wick.  Lately, I’ve been into Jodi Piccoult. I loved The Plain Truth. I’m in a neighborhood book club that exposes me to things I wouldn’t normally pick up. Right now, I’m reading The Shack.  I’m pretty sure it’s going to change my life.
8. What is the most annoying thing about being a mom? The laundry. Oh, and the waiting in car lines, doctor’s offices, etc. I’m not a good waiter. And I can’t leave out, looking for ticks in the privates.  Just keeping it real.
9. What’s your favorite dinner? The one that’s cooked FOR me.
10. What’s your favorite ice cream? Blue Bell. Any flavor. It’s the best ice cream in the country. Don’t even argue with me about that.
11. How does McDonald’s sweet tea compare to Southern?  This question made me weep.  I have puffy eyes and a heavy heart.  It does not compare.  Be good to yourself and try this.
12. What things do you say to your kids that your mom said to you? Ask your father. Because I said so.  Don’t wipe your boogers on your clothes.
13. What are two things you can’t live without?(besides family) Total carnal answer here: my macbook and my iphone.  I’m an Apple girl, through and through.
14. What is the meaning of life? This link will take you to the best answer for this question. It’s long, but powerful and I fully believe it.
15. What is your ‘come to Jesus’ story? I love this question!  And since I don’t want to mix it in with the above nonsense, I think I’ll save it for it’s own post!

Answers PART I

You guys asked some great questions last week. I’m going to tackle the blogging questions today and will work on the personal questions later.

Because I’ve got to paint my toes to figure out the meaning of life (two personal questions I received).

A French Pedicure is my favorite.

Yes, I am that glamorous.  I’m also answering your questions in paragraph form.  Because I like to complicate things.

A complicated, fancy girl with a french pedicure trying to figure out the meaning of life.

The end.

A few technical blogging questions popped up in the midst of all those inquiring minds.  I’ll just admit right now that I am the LEAST qualified person to give technical advice.  I think this has been my greatest blogging challenge.  I need a manual.  It’s been trial and error.  Lots of error.

And, I’ve emailed perfect bloggy strangers and they have been helpful.  And I probably gave them a good laugh.  Because ignorance of my magnitude is funny.  And so, I hope this also answers the question about my plans to move my blog.  I’d love to move it to Word Press one day.  But my fears are real and I come from a long line of over-reactors.

I stumbled into blogging less than a year ago. I had read very few mom blogs at the time and was looking for a writing outlet.  I invited extended friends and family to read my little stories.  I don’t regret this, but if I knew then what I know now, I probably wouldn’t have actually sent an invitation.  So, it’s not anonymous, but the majority of my local friends don’t know about my blog.  And no one has ever said, “Hey, aren’t you THAT family?”  Although plenty of people have thought it.  I’m sure.

And when extended friends and family do bring up the blog?  It’s actually embarrassing.  Last week at my hubby’s family reunion, I had second and third cousins by marriage bringing up my Rear View. 

Seriously.

I find that I’m much more comfortable with perfect strangers knowing about my White Trash moments than my neighbors.  But, my hubby and kids and parents enjoy the stories and we like to laugh at ourselves. (My mother-in-law doesn’t have the Internet, but has her daughter read my posts to her).  Good thing, huh?  Because being nekid at VBS is hilarious.  Once your back home.

My kids even say occasionally, “That would be great on your blog, Mom!”  And of course, I can’t use it because tape recorded toots are just tacky.  Plain and simple.

As for “off-limit topics?”  I have many.  I don’t like to vent or rant about other people on my blog.  I try to keep it positive and only exploit those who live with me.  (Although the family reunion was fertile soil for some brilliant posts.  You’ll just have to trust me on that one).  I also don’t use my kids’ names or give our exact location. I don’t cuss (in real life either, all those years living with a Pastor, I guess).   And I do keep some things to myself.  I think they call it privacy and we need just a dab of it.  I do give out my email address and gladly accept gifts.  Thanks for asking   I also answer every email sent my way.

I loved the question, “How do you write funny stuff? Can you come make my life funny?”  I don’t think my life is any funnier than anyone else’s.  I think it’s just perspective.  Because believe me, in those moments, I am not laughing.  The line between hysteria and hysterical is very fine, my friends! 

I love order and organization and so does my blog.  When I first began, I would sit down, jot down whatever I could think of and hit publish.  I discovered two things right away:  I wasn’t very funny and I had a lot of typos.  I keep a little file on my computer and a notepad in my purse and I write down EVERYTHING that makes me laugh, even if it’s just one line.  I have dozens and dozens of ideas that may or may not become posts. I write a post and then let it simmer for a day or two.  I reread it and add a few things and edit it.  This works for me.

My passion is writing, so that makes that part of blogging easy for me.  I truly enjoy it and I feel such relief when I get a story on paper. 

The goals I have for my blog are evolving.  I’m still relatively new to all of this but I’d love to attend a blogging conference and meet other addicted dedicated bloggers.  I think a Texas Bloggy get-together would be a blast!  (And I’ll get right on that after I catch up on laundry.  So, it could be a year or four). Sure, I would love to make some money.  Is that bad?  I don’t have goals to get rich, but I got my first check from BlogHer Ads the other day and it made me smile.  Widely.  And if I only made .29 cents (TOTAL), I’d keep blogging. I’d also like to publish my blog in book form on Blurb.  I haven’t started yet, but a few family members have put in their orders. I love that I have some subscribers and it’s such an honor to see those numbers grow.  I always have a number in my mind and when I reach it, I feel like I’ve met a small goal.  Then I raise it a few. . .  

As for reading other blogs, I try to read what’s on my blogroll daily.  I subscribe to almost 100 blogs and follow them on Bloglines.  As I get to know blogs and want to share them, I add them to my blogroll. 

I used to spend a lot more time leaving comments.  This is the main reason my blog has grown some. Now, I spend the majority of my time writing.  During the day, in between mothering, I blog hop, read and leave a smattering of comments and I do most of my writing at night.  

Bloglines has helped me manage my time a little better in reading blogs, but I do not have a handle on the time management end of blogging!  I know I will never catch up!

Whew!  

I’ll tackle part two in the near future!

Don’t forget to enter my fun vintage apron giveaway here!