Blog Talkers

What are your opinions on the subject of giving personal information out in your blog entries? Do you use the real names of the people you blog about? Have you ever had a bad experience with someone getting ‘too much information’? I’d like to know: Do the people that you blog about ever complain that you are blogging about them?

I would have to say I am a bit cautious when it comes to blogging about personal information. I think I'm a little more scared with all the negavtive news of online predators. I haven't mentioned Scamp's real name on my blog and probably won't. I sometimes do list others' names even some of the children in our family because I don't post very many pictures of them, so I feel more secure using their names.

I try not to post any "in-the-buff" pictures of Scamp and my nieces and nephews. I also don't include any pictures or write any info about my address. I'm even a little wary about posting specific dates like anniversaries and birthdays.

I have not had a bad experience with someone using my personal information. My cousin's husband, however, had his identity stolen, and they've had a very long trial with getting the thief to stop charging items with his name and info.

No one has ever complained to me about writing about them. Most people like that I do include them. I think it's a way to tell them how special they are to me, but I'm still cautious not to relay infomation or show pictures that they may find offensive (except once -- that I no of -- with a no make-up picture of someone else. Sorry, I didn't have another one but wanted you to be included).

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Blog Talkers

If you had to spend one year living alone in a remote cabin, what would you spend your time doing?
(And let’s assume there is no access to Internet)
Being alone would be the perfect time for me to finish the best book I've never completely read, the Bible. I'm ashamed to say it, but I haven't finished the old testament. I've made it up to the prophets, specifically Jeremiah. I've found myself doing more "light" reading of the Bible with devotional books that concentrate on specific themes instead of just reading straight through it. There's no excuse. I just haven't made myself sit down and finish it. Of course, I would bring along lots of other books as well.

I would also focus on writing, starting first with my life story and how God has moved me to this point in my life followed by an attempt at fiction. I've been entertaining the idea lately that I would like to pursue my writing. I'm fairly comfortable with and very much enjoy writing about my life, but the more I read, the more interested I've become in making an attempt at fiction writing.

Hopefully, the secluded cabin I'm inhabiting will be next to a lake; therefore, I could enjoy lots of time in and around the water. This would be the most peaceful place to me. I think this atmosphere would be the best place to really relax and listen to God!

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Blog Talkers: Frightfilled Hot Tubbing

What’s the most embarrassing moment you’ve ever witnessed, live?

It was a gloomy, cloudy day, but Matt and I decided to head over to the pavilion for a dip in the hot tub. We had only been married a few months and were still living in an over-priced apartment complex. At least they offered an outdoor pool and hot tub and indoor sauna.

Not ready yet, I ushered Matt ahead me. Shorty thereafter, with my bathing suit donned and my legs freshly shaved, I traipsed down the sidewalk in my flip-flops into the gated pool area. The hot tub was located on the far side of the pool. I didn't see Matt anywhere, and on closer inspection I saw the tub was literally frothing at the mouth. Someone must had added too much chlorine because I couldn't even see the rim of the tub. It was covered with an ever-growing mound of bubbles.

Figuring Matt must have been disappointed with the look of the steamed bath that he decided to heat up in the sauna instead. I sauntered into the indoor rec area and peeked into the closed door of the sauna. He was MIA. "Where could he have gone?" I wondered. I turned and departed back outside the way I came and saw in amazement Matt sitting in the pit of foam sheepishly watching a lady and her two young daughters hurriedly making their way away from the hot tub and out of the gated pavilion.

"What's going on?" I asked Matt. Looking down at the bubbles he said that he did in fact go straight into the hot tub and waited for me to appear through the gate. As I arrived, he dove underneath the froth, held his breath and waited anxiously for my slender feet to step into the whirlpool. He anticipated giving me the fright of my life, but he mistook the feet that entered as mine! As I was walking away from the jacuzzi, a very unaware woman and her daughters had followed right along behind me and made the mistake of choosing the hot tub over the sauna.

Matt came bellowing out the water like the Creature of the Black Lagoon himself and roared for added shock. The lady jumped backwards out of the water in sheer terror and shrieked. Without a word, she gave Matt an icy stare and grabbed her two daughters by the hands, dragging them back toward the apartments.

I laughed haughtily because instead of scaring me, Matt gave and received the shock of HIS life. I've relayed the story again and again, laughing hysterically in remembrance every time, and realizing the poor woman and her daughters tell a completely different version of the story--without much laughter I'm sure!

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My Wonderful Mom

My mom and dad were married in high school at 17 and 20 respectively. She decided to focus on raising a family instead of seeking a career for herself and had my sister the year after she graduated. I followed 3 years later.

My mom stayed at home with my older sister and myself until I went to kindergarton. Her first job after she returned to work was at a bank. She worked there for a few years then found a different job during my middle elementary school years. She worked at another local elementary school as a teacher's aide so that she could be at home with us after school and during the summers.

Summers were my favorite with my mother. She along with my mom's cousins and their kids would take us swimming at least 2 to 3 days during the week. She would always pack us a picnic lunch and would let us buy ice cream as our afternoon snack. This was our summer routine for several years.

She started taking night and summer classes at a local community college my later elementary and early middle school days. By the time I was in high school, she was accepted into a nursing school program and started going full time. She graduated my junior or senior year and became an RN. I am so proud of my mom. She doesn't realize how often I share this story with others. She is such a smart person, and I'm glad to call her my mom.

My mom made the choice to focus on my sister and I as children, and I'm glad she did. I am also glad that she took the time to focus on herself as well and find the career that she loves. My mom is always there for me now, and I call on her more often since I am a mother as well. I realize how hard it was for her to raise us and let us go and for that she deserves the best. I am so thankful that she (and my dad because I don't want to leave him out. But hey, it's not Father's Day yet!) is so loving, kind, and helpful to Beef, myself, and Scamp. I love you so much, Mama, and I hope you always know that. This is a small token for you for Mother's Day. I really appreciate you driving up to help me take Scamp to the doctor on Mother's Day.


Inspired by the most recent Blog Talkers.

Blog Talkers

Who generally does the housework in your family? Do you say “Thank You” to your significant other when he/she does housework? Why or why not? Are you thanked when you do housework?

Even though I am a stay-at-home mom, I would never call myself a homemaker:) That to me entails that you actaully "keep" the house and may actually enjoy it! I loathe housework, but I do more than I used to since Scamp was born. I do enjoy a clean house, but I let a lot of things go out of sheer laziness, the fact I have other things I would like to do, and that it is harder to really "deep" clean with Scamp around.

Now that's said, who does the most housework? I would say it's a close wash between my husband and myself. I do more vaccuuming, mopping, dusting, and bathroom detail, but we both share in kitchen duty and laundry. I hate cleaning the dishes, but I don't mind laundry so much. Beef's the opposite in that he had rather load and unload the dishwasher. I always thank his mother for teaching him to clean.

When Beef was a young, his mom asked him to clean up the dishes one night, and he wryly replied, "That's woman's work." Needless to say he was responsible for cleaning the dishes until he left home! Thank you, Suzanne.

Beef and I both try to be considerate and grateful when the other does housework. We feel it is both of our responsibility, and we both like to feel appreciated. I think it is also fair of me to mention that Beef does the yardwork and car detail including changing the oil. Thank you, Honey!!

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Blog Talkers

What three main rules, standards, or morals do you live by?

I am not a perfect person, but I do try to live by the standards set forth by the Bible. One of the main commandments we are called to live by is to love God. He is our Creator, and He calls us to love Him because He first loved us.

Next, we are called to love others. Some people in our lives are easy to love. They are kind, giving, and encouraging to us. But the Bible teaches that we are not to just love those who are good to us but to love everyone, which may mean loving someone we consider to be unloving. Some examples are someone who talks about you behind your back, who has rejected you in the past, who doesn't agree with your way of life, or who doesn't believe in God or the teachings of the Bible. In order to love others, I must not be judgemental or critical, but I still have to stand up for what I believe in. That is not easy for me to do.

Thirdly, I believe that we have to live by hope. There have been times in my life where I didn't have hope. God has given me hope in the fact that every trial and hardship in my life is given to me for a reason. They are given to me to make me into the person that he wants me to be.

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4 NKJV

I often fail at all three of these standards. Hopefully, I will allow God to change me to be a better example for Him.

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Blog Talkers

Tell us something significant (either a memory, something learned from that time period, a person who made an impact on you, an event, etc) about your teenage years.
I have decided to share a couple of poems written when I was seventeen. Both are written to a high school boyfriend whom I considered a close friend. I felt alone and confused but knew I needed someone to trust. I had never trusted anyone with my true feelings before because I believed I didn't need to and that no one wanted me to. This was a huge part of the reason why I was on the brink of depression in the first poem and smack dab in the middle of it in the second one. I really latched on to this person or in other words was very co-dependent. I had to learn how to trust others with my feelings even though it was very hard.

Look into my eyes dear friend
And see right into my soul
All my deep, dark burning desires
Hidden by a show.

See my pain, my anger, and my fear
See my agony and despair
Locked up in a crazy world
With no key to let you near.

All my thoughts lurk just behind the bars.
I can’t see out.
You can’t see in
To my masquerading scars.

Pleasure is my agony.
Pain is what you gained.
It seems you cannot know me
Through my world I call insane.

But in the utter darkness,
Separate and alone,
Your world becomes my world,
Desolate and unknown.

If true love seeks to find us
Together we will stand
On the edge of madness
Forever hand in hand.SF
*******************************
Happiness comes into the day
As the sun rises
But never lasts the whole day through.
As night sets in
The despair comes again
Taking over my mind and soul.
The smile lasts on
But can anyone see
What’s really inside of me?
I say I’m happy
Because I don’t want to tell
How the world is seen through me.
No one cares
No one wants to listen
Except maybe you.
But can I trust you
To not look down on me
Because I’ve never felt this way before?
I’ve never needed someone so much
Or had to talk about my feelings true.
I’m sorry for the pain.
I’m sorry you did not gain
As much from me
As I from you.
I want to listen.
I want to care.
I don’t want you to carry my heart’s despair.
Please take time
Take all my time.
It’s there waiting for you. SF

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Blog Talkers #12

What do you feel most guilty about?

I am addicted to guilt. It has been known to control my life and squash my joy. Even as a child my mom told me that I wallowed in guilt. I am so obsessed about other's views of me that I literally ooze guilt. I worry about "small talk" with friends--that I may have said something to offend them even though they made no mention of it. I worry over the fact that I may not have responded to someone else's story in the way they wanted or needed me to. Then, I end up feeling guilty and roll around in self-pity for awhile. I have been guilted into submission, into doing things I really didn't want to do, and into serving God on many occassion. Then, I feel guilty on top of that for giving in or having a "bad attitude."

God is having to work overtime on me with this. I hope that I can say I'm not as bad as I used to be, but I still, on occassion, lay awake at night feeling the weight of guilt pressing down on me so tightly that I crumble--all because I couldn't be perfect for someone else!

But, the one thing that makes me feel guilty above all else (and I've done some pretty low things like using others to my benefit and the thoughts I have even dared to consider!) is not being a good mother. There have been times when I've yelled and ranted for little reason, times when I've punished out of anger instead of love, and times when I've been neglectfull and selfish. I hope and pray that God keeps me in check so that I will be the mother he has intended my daughter to have and that I allow him to release me from my prison of guilt.

Jesus has already taken my shame and guilt as it says in Hebrews 12:1-2, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurnace the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

He calls me to give my guilt and shame to him because, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." Romans 8:1.

So, why do I continue to carry the weight of guilt?

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Blog Talkers #11

If you had to spend a year on a deserted island with any five bloggers, who would you choose and why?

Oh, just five bloggers. We'll see if I can narrow it down. I'm still fairly new to the blogging world, but I've made several friends already. Here are my chocies in no particular order:

Kooky Kay because she would definitely keep me entertained with stories of her little Tornado. We can really relate to each other as well since our kids are about the same age, and I would love to talk about our cultural differences since she's from the Philippines.

Exceedingly Mundane because we could have some great conversations about anything and everything. She is also a great cook, and I know she could whip us up some really innovative delicacies on the island. She is also a very sweet and sincere person, and I would love to get to know her better.

Vader's Mom because we are friends outside of the blogging world. It's funny because we were never friends when we lived in the same city but now we are even though we live states apart. She is also a great encourager and would keep us all upbeat as we wait for rescue. It would be a great time for us to bond, and I know we could get into a lot of trouble together:)

Mommy of Two because she is a dear, sweet encourager as well. We would share stories about our adorable children, and she could give me insight into raising a little girl since hers is a few years ahead of mine.

Mo Mhíle Grá because we are just getting to know each other. We could have some wonderfully insightful conversations about our lives, families, children, God, etc. I think we both have a great desire to further God's kingdom and would definitely be kindred spirits.

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Blog Talkers #9

If you really knew me you would know that…

I'm destined to be a dancer/singer. No, not really. I actually have two left feet and am tone deaf, but that doesn't stop me! I've recently posted about Scamp being a Dancing Diva. Well, she gets that from me. I dance to anything! Every occassion calls for a little song and dance. I make up and sing songs throughout the day, and Scamp and I both groove to the beat!! When it comes to swingin' and swayin', I have no shame (except when we have company).

My mom used to sing to me all the time growing up, and I eventually became embarrassed. I dream of Scamp and I always being able to shimmy and shake together. But, alas those days may come to end when she views my hip-hoppin' as mortifying. But, until then I'm going to live it up and shake my derriere!

View more about me here.

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Blog Talkers #8

What is your most annoying habit? The thing that drives someone else crazy…..

My hubby would say leaving piles of paper EVERYWHERE, especially on his computer desk and on the coffee table. I'm not a neat person. I used to put that I was organized on my resumes, but that's a total lie. I believed the lie for awhile, but then it dawned on me. I'm just not coordinated. I'm also a little lazy. Why put things away if you're going to use them again soon -- does two weeks later count as soon?

On the other hand, I tend to know exactly where I've left things even though they aren't in a drawer or on a shelf. Wait. . . No. That's a lie, too. I think I know where everything is, but most of the time I have to search and search for hours for my lost keys, my license, my books, my clothes, my baby. Joking! I've never lost the baby (except for that time she followed the cat under the bed, but I eventually found her!).

Sorry, Honey, I know I have a pile of papers on your desk now, but I haven't found a place to put them yet! It's important that you leave them right where they are, so I don't lose them. Thanks. I love you, too!!

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Blog Talkers #7

If there were no blogs, what would you be doing right now?


Blogging has become a favorite past-time to me. Past-time?! What?! More like my daily sustenance. Hey, only joking. (Or am I?)

I have a tendency to become obsessed with writtng new posts. I'm always on the look out for what I can post next. It has become my "me" time, the time when Scamp is alseep in her bed.

I have to fit a lot of things into Scamp's nap time besides my "me" time. So, what else would or should I say "need" to be doing during that time instead of blogging: showering, eating, cleaning house, exercising. But, not today. Today, I chose to blog.

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Blog Talkers #6

Is parenting harder today than our parents had it?

The emotional distress of parenting was the same for my husband and I as it was for my parents. We are blessed with these new little babies and fall head over heels in love with them. We continue to love them more and more each day and have our heart strings yanked as they walk farther and farther away from us.

It starts with watching them grow from tiny babies we hold in our arms to toddlers who fight to be free of our grasp. Then, they become children who don't want to be hugged or kissed by their mom as the are dropped off at school. I have yet to experience this, but the thought alone breaks my heart and that's not even thinking ahead to when my child leaves home. As parents, we will go our entire lives worrying about our children. We will have to let our children go even though we desparately want to hang on to them.

A few days after Scamp was born, I was up late with her one night. She wouldn't go to sleep, and I was exhausted and tearful. My mom called at 6:00 am to check on us, and I was mad because she woke me up. She could have waited two hours to check on Scamp, but she didn't. She told me the next day that she had been awakened from her sleep with a feeling of dread that something was wrong with ME! She was up half the night and waited as long as she could to call. She was worried about her baby, not mine. I was so ashamed of my thoughts, but yet so blessed to think that my mom still feels the same about me to this day as she did the night she fell in love with me as a baby.

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Blog Talkers #5

Tell us about your first love. What did you learn about yourself from that relationship/experience? What kind of life do you think he/she is living today?

I was 15. He was 16, and we met at band camp. I didn't know he had a girlfriend, or I wouldn't have hung out with him so much. But, after camp, he broke up with her to "go out" with me. He was very energetic, liked to be the center of attention, and was pretty obnoxious about it. But, I didn't mind at the time. He was a romantic, a singer, and played the sax and guitar. He used to sing songs to me. We didn't ever really go on dates but a time or two because I couldn't date until I was 16.

He was very smart but didn't apply himself to his school work. He wanted to work in the computer industry, so that may be what he's doing today. We went out about a year before he broke up with me. He said he felt guilty because he had kissed a couple of girls over the summer while we were apart. I hated him after that, but finally forgave him. He went off to a Christian college, and I think dropped out. He was married and has at least one child, maybe more. I think we live in the same city now.

I hid my feelings a lot in our relationship because I didn't know any other way. But, eventually I learned that I needed to trust people, needed to share my feelings, and could have my own likes and dislikes without people disliking me. I really could be my own person.

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Blog Talkers Talk - #4

If you could take one picture out of all that you have to capture your essence, which would it be?



I had three pictures narrowed down. Two were funny because I think I'm a fun hearted person. But, at the suggestion of Beef, I chose this one with Scamp. She was only a few days old, and this is when I was falling in love with her. I also remember thinking at that moment that I was sorry for anything mean or hurtful I ever did or said to my mother. I became a different person after Scamp was born. I love this picture because you can see how much I love her. This picture is of a mother's heart!

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Blog Talkers

I saw this over at Stacy's site and decided to play along.


Do you consider yourself a high-maintenance, or a low- maintenance person? Why?

I am so high-maintenance. I just need certain things when I need them!! Here are a few exmaples:

I have to heat my feet in hot water in the sink before I go to bed because I can't sleep with cold feet. Yes, I sit on the vanity!

I have to wear earplugs to the movies. If I don't have any, we don't go to the movies!

I have to eat! I'm not the kind of person who can go for hours and hours without eating. I get very angry and nasty when my blood sugar is low, so don't get in the way of my snack!!

I can't just sleep anywhere. When, I was pregnant, I had to take my eggshell mattress on vacation even though we barely had room in the car. I also can't leave without my pillows!

I have a very low comfortable zone (body temperature). Beef complains about this one a lot. I have to continously turn the air conditioner/heat on and off, up and down to monitor the temperature in the car.

Just a few. I'm sure I can think of some more! What about you? Sign up at Blog Talkers by Write from Karen. She has a new question every week!