Thankful Thursday - Blog Friends

Today's "Thankful Thursday" post goes out to my newly-made blogger friends.  I am so, so thankful to have readers and to have made connections with so many wonderful people.  I always loved pen pals in elementary school, so I think of the blog world as a futuristic pen pal system.

One of the best people I've met through blogging is Mattie from Northwest Native.  She is a loyal follower, and I am to her as well.  She just nominated me for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award, too.  Thanks so much, Mattie!!

Here are the rules:

1. Provide a link and thank the blogger who nominated you for this award.
2. Answer a few questions about yourself.
3. Nominate 5-10 blogs that you love.
4. Include the award logo with your blog post.

Before I do the Q&A part, here are my blog nominations:

Shaunacey from Confessions of a Frumpy Mommy
Cyndi from Grace & Beauty
Kate from The Small Things Blog
Olivia from Snyders Tell All
Jess from The Newly


Okay... here we go...

Why did you start blogging?

I had wanted to start a blog for a while but, for some reason, could never pull the trigger.  When my husband pressed me about why I didn't just do it, I really had no answer.  I had excuses, though.

"I don't know what I'm doing."
"I have nothing to write about."
"No one will read it."
"I don't have time."

He told me to just start somewhere.  Just start.  So I did.

It's still not perfect by any means, and I still don't really know what I'm doing, but it's fun.  It makes me happy.  I've met awesome people.  And it's cheap therapy.

How do you think blogging has changed your life?

Blogging has given me something that I do during the week that's just for me.  It's something I like, something I make time for, something I do all on my own.  It's also made me think more deeply about so much about my life and the world around us...

Being introspective is hard enough sometimes, but putting those thoughts down in writing helps me understand myself more.  Does that make sense?

Has blogging created friendships for you?

Um, YES!  I've met bloggers virtually but also in person at BlogHer this past July.  I love learning about others, how they live, where they live, and what they live for.  I've always been interested in people's lives.  I guess it's my inner journalist.

What is your number one tip for blogging?

Read other blogs.  See what's out there, what you like, what you don't like, who you connect with... and leave comments for other bloggers.  That's how connections begin.

What is your favorite kind of post to write and read?

I love writing about situations that we can all relate to, whether they're funny, embarrassing, happy, depressing.  It's like a Seinfeld episode on this blog sometimes.

I love reading "day in the life" posts.  Like I said, I find people interesting.  I love seeing their quirky habits and rituals.  I've gotta write one of those types of posts soon!

Is it hard to keep up with blogging and your regular, everyday life?

Yes, yes, yes.  I return to my teaching job in two weeks, so I'm sure it will be even harder to keep up. There are just so many great blogs I love reading, and writing posts sometimes can be very time-consuming.  But I love it.  And I believe we make time for things we love.  (I know going back to work may lessen my number of posts per week, but I intend to keep blogging!)

What is your most popular blog post?

My recent one about Leslie Sisti's passing.  I think Leslie had a lot of friends in the blogging community because her zest for life was so contagious.  I hope she's up in heaven giving everybody makeovers!

What is your favorite post on your blog?

That's so hard.  I can't pick just one.  I love the one my husband guest posted on about our one dog's passing.  And any about my son I cherish because I have those memories recorded now.  Oh, and the thong one just makes me giggle.  I still don't understand thongs.


Thanks again, Mattie, for nominating me!  And thanks to all of you who take time out of your day to stop by my blog!