Why I Blog

This is how my mind works: I sat down in front of my computer this morning (my HP mini that is working thank goodness) and thought okay what will I right about today? I came up with nothing. Then I thought I would just give you a list of my current frustrations. I started typing and thought that it would wind up being a very whiny blog so I deleted what I had written and turned of my computer. Something Amazing - that is what I wanted to write. So, I did what I normally do when I am avoid something, I got on Instagram. Instagram led to a post with a book about the funeral industry (which I used to work in) which lead to an amazon search which lead to me wanting to write about my time in that industry which lead to me remembering I was supposed to write about why I blog today. Whew- exhausted yet? Yes, I know that was a killer run-on.

The answer to the question, Why I Blog, is pretty much the answer to a lot of whys in my life.

My grandmother.

I started writing this blog shortly after my grandmother diagnoses with Alzheimer's. I also started genealogy and making sure every printed picture had a name with a date written on the back. Trust me about that last part you don't want your family members digging through boxes of pictures saying "Who in the world is this?" or "is this Bekah or Morgan?"

It is almost a given that I will be faced with the horrible disease of alzheimer's in some shape before I leave this world. Pretty gloom outlook, huh? My maternal family line has been plagued with "hardening of the arteries" now know as Alzheimer's for as far back as I can see.

When my father's mother was in the nursing home (she lived to be 96 with all her mental faculties in check) we said over and over that we would record her stories so that we have them. Those good intentions never took place and now what I have is boxes of letters between her and my father and from her siblings. I don't have all the great stories I heard growing up preserved.

I think that is what this is all about - preserving memories for my daughters. Documenting their lives, my thoughts on their life and my faith. I want my grandchildren to know how I met their grandfather in my words. I want Shelby to know how I felt to see her be baptized and how much I did behind the scenes to make sure she chose the best friends. I want them to see my ups and my downs - I want them to learn from me even when I am not there. Like the VHS tapes filled with home movies that are packed away in most homes, I want my blog to document our holidays, family vacations and milestones.

Even though I've been given the opportunity to start reviewing books via my blog I want to stay clear of a blog that is just full of me promoting products from others because that just isn't part of my mission here.

I do blog for other reason, though. I have always expressed myself through written word better than speaking. I have found I'm able to work out my feelings through blogging - that is still a great learning experience for my daughters, right?  I also write for you. I love hearing when you read my blog, sorry I had to admit it. My love language is words of affirmation. (if you haven't read Five Love Languages then you better get to Half Priced Books and find a copy - buy used!). I think JAG and Shelby cringe when I try a new recipe for dinner. My love language is sometimes a determent. I sit there during the dinner asking "do you like it?" "are you sure?" "you just said yes, you didn't say you love it." I am working on correcting that quirk some.

Okay, let me circle my wagons back around for you.

Today as I type this I feel my biggest regret in life is not helping my grandmother document her life before her disease took over her mind. I had time. I vow to not chance my daughters having the same regret. My feelings are so strong on this subject that my mother has started writing her memiours. It may not make the New York Times best seller list, but it will be the most precious gift I will ever receive.

I challenge your right now after you have read this to document your life today either through a letter to your child, journaling or a photograph. Male or Female your family will appreciate having an insight on you and your thoughts.

You don't have to blog like I do. I strongly suggest picking up one of these three things to get you started.

Left to right:
Roses in December - this a spiral book that got when I helped my aunt with an estate sale. I think I was 19 (even then I knew the importance of documenting). I don't think they make this exact one anymore, but they have all different kinds. They aren't really a grandmother's or mother's book which I like.

Grandmother's Memories to her Grandchild - this one is priceless. This is the book that JAG's grandmother wrote for JAG. I read it before I met her and before I her tour of where she grew up. It was great to know all the stories ahead of time and if you know her you know that she is a pretty straightforward lady and it comes across in her stories about her life. I can't wait to share it with my girls when they get older.

Lastly, an everyday memory book. This helps you document once sentence (or two) everyday for five years. I picked this one up at anthropologie, but again you can get them anywhere or make your own in blank spiral.

Please, please don't rely on Facebook or instagram to document your life because they may not be around forever. I also know that eventually I'll have to turn this blog into print for my children. And one last strong word of advice - mark ALL your pictures! You don't want people thinking that picture of Aunt Buela is actually Uncle Hank - things happen. I had a picture of my Meme and a woman I thought was her mother...found out it's not - it's her aunt.

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” 
― Albert Einstein

New Blog Recommendations for You and a Fun Swap

So, lately I’ve been a search for some new blogs. I still love everyone that I read, but I felt like I needed some new energy. I am sure you understand what I mean – hopefully.

In the search for new blogs I came across The Larson Lingo. I was first engrossed in her parties (she has a tab that it full of just parties) and over the past week I have gone back to read through the entire blog. You see Mel has two daughters that I believe are about 20 months apart and me being in my current condition it was perfecting reading material.

You can find her blog here

From Mel’s blog I have found these that are great as well:

I also want to tell you about The Macs. I have been reading Jess’ blog for almost two years now and love every word of it. Jess has two darling boys – one is Bekah’s age, so I like to see if they are progressing the same way.

You can find The Macs here:

I strongly suggest you stop what you planned on doing this afternoon and go read these blogs – you’ll thank me for it later.

Ok, so on to the swap. I am getting in on this at the last minute, so I wanted to make sure I told you as well. Kim over at A Cuppa Kim is holding her second annual mug swap. I am so excited to get in on this and you will be too, but you need to click the link below and request to be a part before Midnight tomorrow (August 8^th).

I will leave you now since it looks like you have a ton to do! Hope you are having a blessed Tuesday…I still feel sick, but I will deal…only like 7 or so more months to go. 

The Blog Formerly Known as StrawberryTart!

Well, as you know I have been doing a ton of thinking and praying regarding my blog name. I kept thinking I really really wanted something that is me, something that captures who I am today as compared to where I was three years ago when I started writing this blog. I wanted something that resembled more of my heart and didn't sound like a possible food blog.

The other night it dawned on me - just keep it simple. I thought there is nothing more me then my name - the name that was given to me by parents and probably thought of before I was even born. I didn't want to just have it be Dana, so I took it one step further and now call this blog Dana Rae.

I am almost positive that I am happy with this name - I second guess myself too often.

Anyway, update your information. My new blog address is

DanaRaeB.blogspot.com

(DanaRae was taken, so I had to add the B)

Now, it time for a little blog clean-up including a new AboutMe - which I hope to get to sometime this week. 

Still There?

I am surprised I still have readers since I have taken a complete break from blogging for the past two weeks. I haven’t typed a line and I have barely looked at anyone else’s blog. What can I say, but I am so pregnant right now and just want to sleep. I have been watching too much bad tv and not drinking enough water.

So I guess I should catch you up some.

Shelby got back from her trip seeing JAGdad and MomaB. She had fun after all the drama was over.

Then I had the most beautiful shower at church put on my four fairy godmothers. (do you capitalize the G in godmothers?) The shower was so me and I had a blast.

I loved this quote!

My feet are still swollen, one more than the other and I have 6 weeks to go!!! Only six more weeks – JAG is in official denial and I am overly ready to get her here.

North Texas is awful right now – it’s too hot for everyone especially pregnant women. Next time we are going to have a Winter baby.

I promise to keep you updated more!

Blogging Dream

One of my biggest blogging dreams to be a food blogger. To tour places like the Betty Croker Studios on invitation and get boxes of things given to me from companies like Tollhouse and Kitchen Aid.

I spent most of yesterday drooling over this food blog that I found on another food blog.

http://fakeginger.com/

This led me running back to the woman who I consider the queen of all food blog, Ree Drummond and her Pioneer Woman Blog. Which lead me on a trip to half priced books for a used copy of When Harry Met Sally, but that is a topic for another day – today it is about food.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/

Why do I love food blogs so much? Besides being 7 months pregnant and feeling like I want to lick the computer screen with every mouse click – its inspiration. My daily motivation to get my butt out of the fast food line and actually crank up the oven – even though it is 106 lately in North Texas – urgh!

My Granny started my cooking obsession at a young age when Melinda and I would spend summers alone trying to recreate taco bell recipes, but we would wind up just making ourselves ill and leaving a huge mess for our mother.

Then in my twenties I was introduced to the woman who brought it all back to me – Paul Deen. I stalked her for years – still do. I went to book signings and bought every cookbook and magazine she published. One a sad note – just last week my very first Paula Deen cookbook was “read” by my three dogs – this tearing up crap is getting on my pregnant nerves!

I was lucky to fall in love with and marry a fellow foodie – is that luck or punishment for the both of us, since we can’t seem to ever make it through a week of dieting without baking (or buying) something sweet.

Yes it is true that I do have a food blog.

http://woodenspooninhand.blogspot.com/

But I have not posted anything since October 2010 – slacker!

I do though still cook some and sometimes I photograph it to share with you.

Paula Deen's pound cake with fresh Strawberries.

I do realize that when I become I full fledged food blogger that my quick snaps with the iphone will not cut it – have you see the pictures on food blogs? Hello, pictures are the main reason I spend hours on there and am starving by the time I finally close the window.

Yesterday I daydreamed about how much baking and cooking and inventing I will get to do while I am at home with Bekah – then it dawned on me that I will be the mother of an infant – I keep forgetting that. I think she will just come out at the age of 10 walking and talking and playing independently.

I really do hope to continue the task of working my way through Paula’s first cook book – I just have to buy another one. Also, I hope to fill-in with new things – things maybe I create myself with beautiful pictures since I will have all this imaginary spare time to use the camera my father gifted to me.

Here are some other food blogs I love:

http://www.pauladeen.com/

http://picky-palate.com/

www.twopeasandtheirpod.com

http://www.goodlifeeats.com/

Thank You!

It’s been awhile since I have said thank you to you! Yep you…the person reading this right now at this moment. Thank you!

Yesterday’s blog had me thinking about how far I have come with the blog in the past year. 2010 was an Awesome blog year!

StrawberryTart! had 3,451 visitors in 2010. You all read 5,920 pages of my blog – there are not that many, but that is how many times a page was viewed in my blog.

My readers stretched across 28 Countries or Territories including Australia, Finland, Germany and Spain.

In the United States – and this makes me so happy – I had readers from every state, but one – what state is that anyway – the white one up the in the top right.

You all enjoyed reading my What I Wore Wednesday Posts in 2010 closely after that it was the posts written to explain who JAG is – love it!

Thank you so much! I don’t think you will ever fully understand how much each of those views and readings and comments meant to me.

So far, as I said yesterday, 2011 is going to be more Awesome than 2010! In the past two weeks there have been 1,089 visits and 1,622 page views. Thank you so much!

Just so you know I do not write for visits or pages views. I write for Shelby and for JAG and for my mother. I write to preserve my stories and to leave a legacy behind for my family – the stats are just a perk. A very good oh so awesome perk!

Even Small Projects = Big Deals

Hi…yes I know I have been away from you for a few days. There was no Happiness Project blog posted yesterday and no WIWW posted today (yet, I may post this evening).

You see I am projecting! When JAG and I were preparing for marriage we took one of the myers briggs sort of tests to see what kind of people we were like and if we would kill each other or live peacefully. We learned – we are different, but nicely different and will live peacefully – maybe.

I learned – or didn’t have to be told – that I love projects. While I am not a perfectionist by any means I will and I a quote – or so I remember – “will leave dirty dishes in the sink, but will spend endless time wiping off any crumbs that happen to accumulate on project notebooks.” I laughed – that was so me. Once I am start something I am 110% for at least a week, then life kicks back in.

This week – it is knowing where I came from. No, I am not adopted – I know exactly who my parents are even though my sister spent countless hours trying to tell me otherwise as I a child I know I am a part of this family.

I am talking beyond that.



My Grandmother and My Father

I was contacted on Monday by someone who is researching my dad’s family. They need a few more pieces of their puzzle and in turn they gave me a lot more of mine. Completing my family tree is on my bucket list – I started almost four years ago and then stopped – I have ADD, remember?

So, I am back at it. I love love love love it! I love finding new pieces – and actually hearing some stories. Yesterday I read about a ranch my great grandparents had in a now metropolitan part of Dallas. I learned my grandfather died in his home – I had always thought it was in the field. I learned that my maternal great grandfather died 10 days after my grandmother was born and I saw pictures of a great-great grandparent’s headstone. I want to learn more – I want it compiled all together so that Shelby has it and I want to continue to write. I want family stories for my great-great grandchildren to have access to.

I am sure I don’t need to tell you that this why there have been no other blogs, vlogs or even food journaling – I am obsessed with my family tree. I am sure it will past, but I want to make it a goal to spend at least two hours a week researching and compiling.

And as the test said – I have two project notebooks – one for maternal and one for paternal. This morning milk got spilt on one – I about lost it – I think that test was right on, don’t you?

Birthday Wishes for Someone Special

During my break I missed a very important post that I just had the opportunity to read today.

If you are on my Facebook, you may remember the excitement I felt when I found a fellow Lutheran blogger. I was so excited when I found Edie that afternoon since she has been on my daily reading and has provide me with so much. I don’t think I could put into words – even though I should  - what Edie’s blog has meant to me and the long, still growing list of things I have learned from her.

Two weeks ago, during my break from reading and writing, Edie lost her home and all of her possessions in a fire. She and her entire family and family pets made it out safely – she details the events here. Since I read that the first time I can’t stop thinking about what she is going through the pain of losing so many things that you hold dear and at the same time losing the security of your home. Many times we take things for granted thinking every day we will open our garage door and find the same house we left in the morning. Oh, I am letting my anxieties show, aren’t I?

The reason for this post is to let Edie know that her writing means so much to me and she has officially been placed on my prayer list. Oh and also to send her many many birthday wishes.

Picture of Edie I pulled from her facebook page - I hope she doesn't mind.

I know it hasn’t been the greatest couple of weeks, but I hope today a little light shines your way.

Please go visit Edie’s blog today as her readers wish her a happy birthday! You can find it here. And if you pray – which you should, am I just saying – then please lift Edie and her family up in your prayers today. Thank you!

And incase you need to ask - Yes this is one of those times where I am commanding you to go visit somone else's blog - now get going!

In Case You Didn’t Know…

In case you didn’t know – I cannot spell. Oh come one don’t act like you didn’t notice that not only have some major grammar issues on some days – I also can barely spell my name. This is what happens when you do not read to your child – sorry mom…you will always be my excuse. That I come by it naturally – another hit at my mom – I expect a phone call.

It was brought to my attention by my husband a loyal reader that Gweedo is not spelled correctly. I had to laugh, as my father says it because of my hooked on phonics way of learning. The reader proceeded to tell me that there are no words that are spelled Gw…well…I guess I have made up my own language because I like the looks of Gweedo.

Speaking of Gweedo, I thought it might be a good time to recap my characters on this blog.

Well first there is Me. I am pretty much the center of attention on this blog.

Then there is Shelby.

Then there is JAG. You can read about why when he was named JAG here. Even though JAG and I are now married – he will always remain JAG on this blog – I am not protecting him – I just like it.

There are My Mom and My Dad.

I also write about JAGdad and MamaB – JAG’s parents. Their names were self created and I love them.

Then there is Gweedo – the xhusband and his wife Mill. What? They are really that happy – I promise.

Through the posts I have thrown in some other people for you to meet like Nicole and Gweedo’s first wife Mibby. Please feel free if you get confused to ask me who I am talking about – sometime I just think you can read my mind.

Oh, fyi, Gweedo is not Italian – insert small laugh here – if you knew him you would understand.

I Cry – I Don’t Think There is a Normal.

Yesterday was All Saints Day. I am sorry to say that I do not know all the details of this day and the meaning in the Lutheran Church, but I am learning. I didn’t even know it was a day/service until JAG quickly told me as we walked into church. He had forgotten that the pastor made sure to tell him – you will see why. All I have to say is Pastor if you are reading this we really need to get boxes of Kleenexes in the sanctuary next year. Especially in the back left (my left, your right) you know where I am every Sunday.

When JAG pulled me aside and told me I didn’t think too much of it – I was sure I could handle it – it wasn’t that big of a deal.

Let me stop because I know there are a few of you that are just completely lost right now. Since I introduced you to JAG I have kept a story to myself mainly because it was not my story to tell, but the realization is that it is has now become a part of my story. I am just going to type and see what the Lord gives me to share with you today.

I am JAG’s second wife. I have dealt with dating (and even marrying) a divorced man. In many ways divorce is so much easier then what JAG had for me. His first wife, his first love, the one he would have never divorced passed away from cancer.

I think I knew more about her then I did him when I decide to meet JAG in person (we met online incase you hadn’t heard).  I swear I have typed and deleted about a dozen sentences so far in the paragraph. Lets just say I was a very cautious girl and did my homework which lead me to meet JAG’s first wife via obituaries and blog posts by JAGdad before I met JAG. This helped me, it helped me to have a face. Looking back, I think it help me with the bond I feel to her.

Even though looking back on our time together so far things have never gotten bad enough for me to run, it hasn’t always been easy. Since the beginning I believed we were put together at this exact time for a reason. When we met my father was just diagnosed with cancer and I was about to face the 1 year anniversary of James’ death. We understood each other. We both faced cancer with a loved one and we both lost someone who was close to us too soon.

To be honest with you – it has been hard. Harder then I could ever imagine, but at the same thing I would not change a thing. I struggle with loving someone so much who was in love me, but still so in love with her. That is understandable – I read articles on it in the beginning. I was very careful not to rush him I just sat back and let him lead. Her death was not sudden and if there is one thing that she did well was prepare. She prepared ever detail – she knew who would get what piece of jewelry, she knew the scriptures she wanted during her memorial service – she made lists galore. She also had a long talk with her husband – wait that is their story. I want to be very careful when giving this to you that I do not try to tell a story that does not belong to me.

Besides knowing that he loved someone still so much my other struggle is the knowing that all this awesomeness I am in now would not be if is wasn’t for her death. I think that gets me more than anything. It’s not guilt, it’s sadness. You know how I feel about grief. I am also a healer so if it were up to me she would be here right now and there would be no pain in her family or in his. Again, I have to think – things happen for a reason. Urgh…I am rambling aren’t I?

Let’s just say there are books about there, but they do not do any good because I don’t believe there is a right way – or a wrong way – to date, fall in love and marry a widower. I am kind of making it up as I go.

With that said I didn’t think that All Saints Sunday would affect me, but man I was so wrong! I opened up that bulletin and saw her name. I realized then that this would not be just a brief mention – I started bighting the inside of my mouth trying to fight back the tears, but it didn’t help. I felt it in my throat – the starting of my balling – full out balling. New purse equals no Klennexs. I looked around the pew – nothing. I jumped up and walked as fast as I could to the nearest bathroom. I pulled at least half of the box out – sorry I will bring a new box on Sunday – and proceeded to have a little out loud sobbing before going back in. My hope was it would be over by the time I got back. Of course that didn’t happen – someone upstairs thought I needed to face this. I am sure all you could hear during the moment of silence was my crying and Shelby asking “why is she crying?” over and over again. I regained composer after a few minutes, then turned to JAG and said “I am glad it is get a shot of wine Sunday. I so need it.” – I hope that doesn’t offend anything we really needed some comic relief at that moment. I think I cried enough for the both of us because JAG sat there as manly as ever – you could tell he cried on the inside, but you never saw a tear.

After service a younger woman that have I started to get to know came over. She had good intentions, but her statements are what led me to type this blog. She asked why I was crying and if I lost someone recently. I just looked at JAG because this was JAG’s church since he was a child – you have to have been sleeping through every service if you didn’t know the loss that JAG went through. She knew, but she just couldn’t grasp how it would affect me. She reassured me again and again how I was part of the church family now. Urgh how to do I say this with out sounding tacky – she had the best of intentions and I feel blessed that someone was concerned for my crying, but I think most people around me knew why I was crying. This is where I make it up as I go – I am not sure if it normal or not, but I cry about JAG’s first wife. I mourn for her. I feel like I have grown so close to her as well so when Pastor said her name it didn’t feel like he was saying my now husband’s first wife’s name, but that he was saying the name of one of my dearest friends. Many pictures of her still sit through out our home and she will remain there. If God gives us children, then they will know. Those are JAG’s memories and I will preserve them as long as he wants me to.

Again, it hasn’t been easy, I wish things were different, but I am so blessed to be the one going through this with him.

Sorry that I did not include a name. I mean you don’t even get JAG’s name, so I definitely wasn’t going to include her name. She is in this blog – there is a blog with a picture of her – I snuck it in.

I want to leave you with something pretty. While typing this I listened to Mindy Gledhill. This is one of my favorites for you.

Oh Bloggers Block!

I have Writer’s Block, so here are some cute cartoons instead.

Funny, but I don’t seem to have this issue.

August was AWESOME!!!

Yes I know I have to stop using that word, but please find me another to describe my stats for August.

294 Visits

218 were return visits

76 were newbie readers

I am not trying to big brother you, but these numbers keep me posting everyday! I love it! Thank you!

Check out the map!

Yeap that is the United States…and…

Canada

France

Netherlands

Tanzania

Sweden

South Korea

Italy

For a girl who has never lived outside of Texas this is an awesome feeling for me. I told my mom that I had a reader from South Korea and she asked, “What in the world are you writing about?” My mom was not one of the 294 visits, but I am giving her my laptop, so she can visit any site she wants without getting a virus. If you remember my father thinks my blog will give him a virus. God love them!

By the time this posts they will be here with Shelby and I. I am so excited. I really hope to get some good pictures if my father will let me. Maybe just one so I can document him without a mustache. Don’t worry I will only do it if he lets me.

Again, thank you! You ready this right now means the world to me!

Awesome People Write Awesome Blogs

Dear April, Courtney, Sarah, Shawni & Stephanie – You all are Awesome! I am so happy that you put your life out there for other people to read!

Who are these women?

They are Awesome People Who Write Awesome Blogs, you will remember them from this post about blogs I read, here.

Now, I have some new recommendations for you!

Life in Grace

Leigh Vs. Laundry

Pleasant Words are a Honeycomb

Pic really has nothing to do with this post. It's just Shelby on the 1st day of 1st grade...about that time again!

Two years ago I had a co-worker purchase and ship from New York a book called Smart Women Foolish Choices. I was so offended by that book that I never took it off the bookshelf- it is still there today. I thought “how dare she send me that. I don’t make foolish choices”. Looking back she was so right to send me that and it took some nerve to do it, but it also took care.

Today if you ask me what book I would send to a dear girl friend. It would be one of these three:

The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman

A Woman After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George

The Bible (I prefer NIV)

Now, next year these may change, but for the past year these three have been tops for me.

Lately, there have been incidents and conversations that have led me back to Elizabeth George’s book A Woman After God’s Own Heart. There is one point that she discuss in two different situations in this book. Let me start by sharing with you snip-its of her book.

In the chapter, A Heart That Loves, Part II, George states “I have very few ‘nevers’ in my life, but one primary ‘never’ is never speak critically or negatively about our husband to anyone. I try instead to practice the wise advice of a dear and godly saint at our church. Loretta smiles and sweetly coos, ‘Ladies, never pass up an opportunity to bless your husband in public.’ (And I would add don’t forget to bless him to his face as well!)”

In Motherly Affection, Part II, Georges ties this concept into motherhood by saying, “A loving mother whose heart is quiet never broadcasts any harmful or critical information, not anything general and specific about her children.” She goes on to describe two friends one who always pointed out publicly the negative aspect of her children like “teenage years are awful” and another who would sate things like, “oh 8, that was a great year.”

So I hear you saying “What does this have to do with the price of rice in China?” I used to have a Junior High teacher ask me that all the time.

First off, this is in public. This does not mean that shouldn’t have one or two close friends (preferably who share your same values) that you can talk to when going through relationship struggles.

I think in today’s society of facebook and twitter we should all be aware of the statements we make regarding our children and our spouses. Don’t call me a hypocrite, I am pointing back at myself.

I have done very well not advertising every bump in the road between me and JAG during our relationship. That is I have worked on it and I still stop myself. Just yesterday there was an incident that occurred and I found myself starting to type into my Facebook status bar what was happening. Then, I stopped and thought, “Remember what Elizabeth says.”

In the blogging world this is how writers can appear “fake” or only sharing “the good things.” I hope to find a middle ground. I hope to not spend this school year criticizing Shelby’s abilities in school, but instead sharing her achievements. I think the worst feeling is that of being a disappointment in any way to your parents- Shelby is far from this…fyi.

What I hope you get from this is to think how the person on the other end of that post would feel especially if it is your spouse or your children. Those people are your forever, they are going to be there until the end, and we need to treat them that way. Again…I am talking to myself as much as I talking to anyone else.

Also, I hope when you are browsing through the book store that you might go by and pick up one of these books. Elizabeth George’s husband Jim also wrote the book a Husband After God’s Own Heart.

Lastly, I really do hope that you do not think this post is any way me thinking I am better then anyone or that I am being fake. This is something that has been weighing on me for sometime and this week has hit home during my use of the common social networks.

Proverbs 16:21-24 (New International Version)

²¹ The wise in heart are called discerning,
       and pleasant words promote instruction.

²² Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it,
       but folly brings punishment to fools.

²³ A wise man's heart guides his mouth,
       and his lips promote instruction.

²⁴ Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
       sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Oh Here We Go Again!

I find myself again in a mood like this one, you can find it here.

Yeap…a funk.

One of those funks that is not caused by anyone or anything. Everyone breathe JAG and I are fine. Yes, mother, work is fine. Everything is fine I am just Blah.

I looked through my blogs and it looks like this is the period of time each month when I don’t blog, I want to overcome it this month, but I am having some serious writers block.

We will see what I come up with…I am currently having ideas pop into my head.

Until the next blog (hopefully tomorrow), let me leave you with a pic of the ENGAGED JAG and StrawberryTart!

We don’t look too bad huh?

Wow

That is really all I can say besides, Thank You!

Can you believe that I had over 200 individual visits to my blog this month? I can’t!

And look at this!

Yeap! That is USA, Canada, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Brazil and Australia! Oh MY GOODNESS! That is so awesome! Thank you!

So, I am coming up on my 100^th blog entry this week…kind of crazy to think about. I was wondering…is there anything that you want to know?

Come on…don’t be shy…I know some of you read me often. I would love to know what all you little dots want to know and really want to know what the BIG dot up in the Northern Part of the U.S. would like to know. I am an open girl…I don’t mind sharing (well may not mind…I do have some limits).

So, give it a shot! Leave me a comment below (in this blog) you don’t even have to tell me who you are. Then I will either answer in a written blog, or just maybe a Video Blog (oooohhhhhh).

Again, thank you! Even if you spent 2 minutes on here it means the world to me!

Thank You for Reading Me!

Over the past couple of days I have been overwhelmed with the realization that people actually read my blog. I know I sound stupid, but I think it is awesome! I love getting comments from reader and from friends that I didn’t know read my blog.

Also love getting my reports from Google Analytics and seeing all the little dots of readers I have in the United States.

You should have heard the squeal I let out when I saw I was being read in the United Kingdom! That is so AWESOME!

Then a bigger squeal when I had a reader appear in Australia!  

So I wanted to “shout out” to my readers in Texas, Wyoming, Utah, Georgia, Oklahoma, California, Ohio, Arizona, Louisiana and Florida along with Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. Thank you Thank you Thank you for taking time to read my blog!

And one special shout out to my x-husband. Woohoo! Shout out to you! You found my blog…Yeah! I am so glad that you had the time to read through the past two years of entries! Now that you have done that and thrown your fit I get to have a lovely little disclosure that says…

Some names (and faces) have been change to protect (not sure why) identity.

Woohoo! It sounds so TV Crime Show-ish! So readers, let me introduce you to Gweedo, my x-husband. Here he is pictured with his wife Mill.

Sorry…I know for my readers that this is a little dramatic, but I have to say my x-husband provides a weekly source of comedy in my life and that comedy is something I deal with therefore I choose to blog about it.  

My New Love!

Let me tell you a little bit about my new love. Ah it is a beautiful thing!

It’s Google Analytics. Have you heard of it? If you blog you better go check it out.

It is a website that monitors my traffic. JAG would always say, “oh I had five people look at my blog today” and this would make me jealous because he blogs on another service. I in no way was going away from Blogger, so I did my research and found Good Analytics.

It’s awesome because it tells me that you are reading me and some of you actually like me (heehee). There are many different reports that should what is read most and stuff like that. I can even see where someone is reading me from, there is a lovely map like this:

I will only show this one because I know exactly who that is that is visiting me.

So, I am probably five years behind like I normally am with technology, but I want to tell you my new love and say

Thank You So Much For Reading My Blog!

Please stay tuned…exciting things are happening in my life and if you asking any of my friends this is the only place where you will know what is going on. Seriously, my closest friends find out about things here before I tell them. I am also (when I get 10 minutes) going to start a blog about my weight loss journey. I have the domain…just got to get up the nerve to post my start weight. 

Are you reading me?

Do you realize I hit my 50^th post this week? Not a major milestone, but I am pretty happy about it.

Not much to update you on today.

Thank you for reading my blog…here are the blogs I have been reading!

Funky Vintage Kitchen

Back Away From The Donut

CJane

Clover Lane

71 Toes

NieNie Dialogues

Sweatpant Couture