Why Do I Blog?

Today I'm joining up with Eden Riley and The Fresh Horses Brigade.  And I'm going to try my hardest to come up with answer to this question.

I started blogging a few years ago, just because.  Just because I have always loved writing, and also because I had quite  a number of people who thought I had something worth reading through my personal ramblings on Facebook.  So I thought I would give it a crack.  It's been a bit on and off, but over the last year, I have made a concerted effort to post regularly.  I'm sticking to my aim so far this year.  You are probably getting sick of hearing from me!

My blog has been a place where I could come and write out my feelings.  Whether they be good or bad.  I have been able to vent about things that shit me.  Throw ideas around about my little business.  And it's also been a place I can cheer on the champion moments in my life.  It's my little place.

It's no surprise that Eden from Edenland is one of my fave blogs to read.  It's not so much that I can relate to Eden, but the way she speaks so openly about her battles helps me, somewhat, to try and understand the battles my sister and friend go through, living with Bipolar.  Thanks Eden!

Mrs Woog, another no-brainer.  Keeps me highly amused, and is VERY relatable when it comes to motherhood.  She also has a wide variety of blogging friends, which means I get pointed to reading a wide variety of good quality stuff!

The third of my blogs I love to read and look forward to getting mail from is Jules from The Intrepid Thread.  I feel like I have gotten to know Jewel a bit over the past six months.  You see, Jewel is my secret weapon (well, not anymore!) in finding amazing fabrics.  She is SUPER helpful, does great deals, and always wraps my fabric beautifully!  I found Jewel on Etsy, but am kept up to date religiously through her blog, and she has lots of great friends who share ideas too!

So that's me.  Blogger me.  I used to be a bit embarrassed by the fact that I blogged.  I never shared the links to my posts.  But not anymore.  The turning point was when I wrote this.  And posted the link on my personal Facebook page.  And couldn't keep up with the feedback that flowed in.  I was able to change people's perception about something.  So it was worth it.

Feel free to tell me about YOU.  Do you blog?  And if you don't - why do you read blogs?  Most importantly, why do you read MY blog?  xxx

Day to Day

This Photo A Day Challenge is keeping me on my toes!  I remembered late last night that I needed to take Day 3's photo.....so today I have two to share....

Day 3 - Hands

 Surprisingly - I have not had a good look at my hands lately - have You?  I painted my fingernails last night, to cover the fact that it is almost time for me to get the gel overlays refilled.  I found after demolishing biting my nails for years, when they did grow back, they were frail and did not take well to the daily beatings they were receiving in my line of work - both paid and unpaid.  So I took the plunge and had gel overlays put on, and they now look remarkably well looked after!  I only have little hands, which is very strange considering my Mum has rather big hands, and I have taken after her in so many other aspects of my genetic make up.  I would love an "eternity ring" - but my husband laughs and asks where I am going to fit it given my wedding and engagement rings only just fit on my finger!

Day 4 - A Stranger

I didn't really cross paths with any strangers today, but when out at my veggie patch earlier, I noticed a stranger had been to visit.  Some nasty little sucker is getting in to my tomatoes!  The vines have taken approximately four months (!) to grow crazily and are now laden with fruit.  But these pesky little poops are chomping in to my produce.  Any ideas what could be the culprit?

And just a side-note........ I read Mrs Woog's blog post today, as I do most days, and was filled with emotion.  Her Father-in law, whom shall now be known as the amazingly insightful Dr Woog, wrote his thoughts on friendship.  It is a beautiful piece of writing, and mirrors the feelings I have for a wonderful circle of friends I have.  I've written before about how blessed and lucky I feel to have the beautiful friends I have in my life.  So I'll say it again.  Thank you dear friends - for without you, at times, I would be lost. xxxx

Is it OK not to "like" your kids sometimes?

Ahemmmm.......just clearing my throat before I begin. The title of this entry makes me a little uncomfortable, shifting in my seat as I type. And I'm pretty sure that it will make a few others uncomfortable to read also. But it was prompted by a conversation I had with another Mummy yesterday, and a subject that I think a lot of parents have secretly wondered, but were too scared to talk about?

This topic came up as a good friend and I were catching up on how our kids were going, and the crazy weeks we are having at present. Mine have been crazy due to the added extra child from Japan, Hers due to house renovations and taking up residence at her In-law's house with husband and three children. I think I would rather have a gaggle of Japanese kids staying with us opposed to moving in to the In-law's! Disclaimer: I LOVE my in-law's, just don't think I'd last long living with them and our four kids!

Before-mentioned friend - I shall call her Sally - and I have both been through a difficult time with one of our kids, and she brought up the fact that at times, she really found it hard to get along with her daughter (who is nine) and found they clashed all the time. "Is it OK that I just don't like her sometimes?" LIGHTBULB MOMENT! Of course it's ok I said!!! I have been through those feelings on quite a few occasions over the almost 13 years I have been parenting, and not always with the same child. I was quite happy to make her feel better by concurring that many years ago, I found it hard to get along with my eldest son, because he is SO much like his Father - the man that I divorced because, basically, I didn't like him. And at times, when I used to look at my son, all I could see was his Dad, and it frustrated me! It took me a little while, but I did get over that - and I adore my son for all that he is, including the traits that remind me of his Dad.

I also eased her mind by letting her know that I am currently finding it very hard, not too often thank god, to like my youngest son. I have posted before about how we have been seeking help with him this year, and although it is proving to be helpful, it has seen his "behaviours" escalate at times - almost like he has been given permission to act like a complete twit!

This does not in ANY WAY take away from the complete and utter love I feel for my kids. Or the love she has for her children. But it is just a natural reaction, as a human being, to dislike people at times - be it for their behaviour, attitude or the way they make you feel. Our children are no different. They push buttons, test limits and ultimately make you feel like a terrible person sometimes, when you are having to pull out the "bad cop" persona!

So, Yes, I think it's perfectly OK not to like your kids sometimes. Do you?

On a completely different note, I want to share something with you. I was catching up on Mrs Woog's blog this morning, and this is her latest post: http://www.woogsworld.com/2011/08/fuck-you.html I love Lily Allen and her oh-so-subtle way of getting her point of view across :)

Leap.......done!

Hello hello! I just popped in to Blog world to check out what Mrs Woog had been up to today, and thought I'd meander over here to tell you I had taken a Leap......of faith!

After months of "Yes I will, No I won't" talk to myself, I finally made a substantially biggish purchase on Etsy today....of fabric. I have bought a whole collection of fabric, in the hope - NO, I will - that I will create a beautiful little "mini collection" of little girl's clothing. I have been heading towards this since the start of the year, but was always too scared that I wasn't good enough at the craft of sewing. However a week or so ago, I took a deep breath, got some patterns and fabric, and begun sewing some little frocks - and LOVE them! And it seems I'm not the only one! I sold FOUR, yes 4!!!!!, in one day!!! So I thought, why the hell not?



I hope you like the sneak peek?

I have to say though, as I was deciding to take the leap, I was wandering through FB, and came upon a lovely page that I "like"- Georgie Girl. Beautiful, divine little girl's wear, and in super hot demand. But what I read on there gave me a furrow in my brow. It seems one of her likers out there in FB world had bought one of her products, pulled it apart and alledgedly spoke not so nicely about it on a "FB group". This then caused an uproar on her page and all preverbial hell broke lose with all sorts of accusations flying! This.....terrifies.....me! So I now need to figure out a way of protecting myself - so to speak! There's quite a bit of "agro" in the FB page world, and it's something I just don't like. I had a woman comment on my beautiful brand new labels when I posted a photo of them. There was probably no harm meant by her comment - but I had to bite my tongue before I replied to her, and try and be professional! And then I had other likers of my page messaging me, to tell me how infuriated they were! Oh, the joy!

Anyway, that's my exciting news for today! Now I just have to sit tight for the possible two weeks wait I have ahead of me before I get my hot little hands on this beautiful fabric!