Monday, June 11, 2007
I Blog . . . Therefore I am . . . or Not!
Chilihead is hosting "Inquiring Minds Want to Know" Carnival. If you want to participate, go sign up on her Mr. Linky here!
Tell Your Blogging Story
How did you start blogging?
I started reading blogs right around the time we started thinking about homeschooling. I wanted to get other's opinions and expertise on the world of homeschooling, so I scavenged for any tidbits of info. I could find. I found a blog that encouraged me and bookmarked it. One day my DP was reading along with me and said, "You should start a blog. You have just as much to say as she does."
So, in August 2005, I started "Homeschooling in the Peach State", which then turned into "Peachy Keen Homeschooling," which morphed into "Just Peachy" when I quit blogging about homeschooling much at all. Then, back in March I decided to return from Typepad to free blogging and changed my focus again, marking the debut of "Without Fear".
Did you intend to be a blog with a following?
No, I never thought I'd have anyone read besides my husband and my best friend. That is all I had for about the first four months, then the "meetin'" started! I am thrilled with the friends I have made and the friendships renewed through this forum. I am blessed to have anyone who stops by read what I write. Yet, I hope it will remain a place for me to pour out my thoughts, my questions, and my musings.
I think if I had to narrow it down to one primary goal, I want those who come and read here to continually be reminded of God's blessings -- great or small. We all lead busy lives, and I pray my blog will call its readers to slow down for a moment and intentionally thank the One who gave it all. Those who comment on Thursday Thanks Tanks sure seem to understand and respond to that goal, so I would say God is successfully blessing my efforts.
A secondary, yet no less important goal is to keep my life verse and its message on the forefront of my reader's minds. God calls us to a life without fear, and I plan to encourage others as I walk my own fearless path.
Has the focus of your blog changed since you started blogging? How?
Somewhat. My blog no longer centers on my homeschooling journey, but it is sprinkled throughout all I do. I found I am not always the "funny story" mom, but I am always a thankful one. So my posts reflect the areas of my strength and my own personal focus here at home.
What do you know now that you wish you'd known when you started?
I wish I'd been more aware of how much of an addiction this habit could become. Although I don't know that it would have made a difference. Blogging has taught me a ton about myself, my habits, my time management, my relationship development skills, and more than I can record here. I am glad to know what I do now. It has given me the wisdom to proceed more astutely from this place.
Do you make money with your blog?
No. Sure wish I did. It would maybe compensate for the time I spend here. I'd love to be invited to make money from BlogAds, too. I would also be up for reviewing products so I can try cool, new things, too.
Does your immediate or extended family know about your blog? If so, do they read it? If not, why?
My immediate family all know about it and read it regularly. My kids love being spotlighted for something they have done, funny or otherwise.
My folks and my brother do not choose to have access to the internet, so they have never read my blog at all. My mom appreciates all the prayer warriors I have met and will share prayer requests that I can tell my blogger friends : )
What two pieces of advice would you give to a new blogger?
Be yourself! Find your own niche and write about the things you love. Don't try to duplicate what you determine is "popular" and go with that. Authenticity is what keeps readers coming back for more. (I guess that was four pieces . . .)
I am a better blogger now than I was in the beginning, simply because I have re-discovered my love for writing and reading. I no longer am concerned with the number of comments or whether people are telling anyone to come visit me. I participate when I can, and I enjoy it immensely when I do.
Tell Your Blogging Story
How did you start blogging?
I started reading blogs right around the time we started thinking about homeschooling. I wanted to get other's opinions and expertise on the world of homeschooling, so I scavenged for any tidbits of info. I could find. I found a blog that encouraged me and bookmarked it. One day my DP was reading along with me and said, "You should start a blog. You have just as much to say as she does."
So, in August 2005, I started "Homeschooling in the Peach State", which then turned into "Peachy Keen Homeschooling," which morphed into "Just Peachy" when I quit blogging about homeschooling much at all. Then, back in March I decided to return from Typepad to free blogging and changed my focus again, marking the debut of "Without Fear".
Did you intend to be a blog with a following?
No, I never thought I'd have anyone read besides my husband and my best friend. That is all I had for about the first four months, then the "meetin'" started! I am thrilled with the friends I have made and the friendships renewed through this forum. I am blessed to have anyone who stops by read what I write. Yet, I hope it will remain a place for me to pour out my thoughts, my questions, and my musings.
I think if I had to narrow it down to one primary goal, I want those who come and read here to continually be reminded of God's blessings -- great or small. We all lead busy lives, and I pray my blog will call its readers to slow down for a moment and intentionally thank the One who gave it all. Those who comment on Thursday Thanks Tanks sure seem to understand and respond to that goal, so I would say God is successfully blessing my efforts.
A secondary, yet no less important goal is to keep my life verse and its message on the forefront of my reader's minds. God calls us to a life without fear, and I plan to encourage others as I walk my own fearless path.
Has the focus of your blog changed since you started blogging? How?
Somewhat. My blog no longer centers on my homeschooling journey, but it is sprinkled throughout all I do. I found I am not always the "funny story" mom, but I am always a thankful one. So my posts reflect the areas of my strength and my own personal focus here at home.
What do you know now that you wish you'd known when you started?
I wish I'd been more aware of how much of an addiction this habit could become. Although I don't know that it would have made a difference. Blogging has taught me a ton about myself, my habits, my time management, my relationship development skills, and more than I can record here. I am glad to know what I do now. It has given me the wisdom to proceed more astutely from this place.
Do you make money with your blog?
No. Sure wish I did. It would maybe compensate for the time I spend here. I'd love to be invited to make money from BlogAds, too. I would also be up for reviewing products so I can try cool, new things, too.
Does your immediate or extended family know about your blog? If so, do they read it? If not, why?
My immediate family all know about it and read it regularly. My kids love being spotlighted for something they have done, funny or otherwise.
My folks and my brother do not choose to have access to the internet, so they have never read my blog at all. My mom appreciates all the prayer warriors I have met and will share prayer requests that I can tell my blogger friends : )
What two pieces of advice would you give to a new blogger?
Be yourself! Find your own niche and write about the things you love. Don't try to duplicate what you determine is "popular" and go with that. Authenticity is what keeps readers coming back for more. (I guess that was four pieces . . .)
I am a better blogger now than I was in the beginning, simply because I have re-discovered my love for writing and reading. I no longer am concerned with the number of comments or whether people are telling anyone to come visit me. I participate when I can, and I enjoy it immensely when I do.
So, I do blog . . . I am . . . and I am happy. That's all I have to say about that.
Labels: blogging, creativity, friends, mind dribbles
Friday, March 30, 2007
Saturday Scripture + More Aquarium Shots
"For the word of the LORD is right,
And all His work is done in truth.
He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.
He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap;
He lays up the deep in storehouses."
Psalm 33:5-7
He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.
He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap;
He lays up the deep in storehouses."
Psalm 33:5-7
Not that the aquarium is a "storehouse", but it is a place where creatures of the sea are all stored. We had such a marvelous time at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. I would highly recommend going if you're ever in the area. Just don't go this weekend.
The Final Four is here this weekend. So, if you're totally into sharing your experience with a bunch of crazed March Madness fans, come on down!
Here are some of what we saw:
The colors were stunning. I am continually amazed at God's creativity.
This little starfish was actually walking across the rock wall . . . amazing!!
I loved this guy and his friends. Sea lions are just so full of personality.
Once again, God amazes me with His astounding ability
to create such vibrant colors and beauty. I am
so thankful He chose to express Himself in color instead of black and white.
Labels: aquarium, beauty, creativity
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