Heather's Questionnaire

Heather, at Fumbling for Words www.fumblingforwords.blogspot.com posted this questionnaire on her blog. Heather is a REAL writer, and is one of my favorite bloggers. You would never know from reading her blog that she 'fumbles' for words. But, she does. I thought I would answer this on my blog, as you might be interested in it too. (Please, at least pretend!)

1. Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging to remember. I wanted to record simple things that had happened in our family so that somewhere there would be a record of them.

2. Do you feel you've developed meaningful relationships on your blog?

Not so much ON my blog, as FROM it. I don't think you could read my blog and think 'Wow, I want to do this to make friends!' But, I have made connections with many people whom I never would have had the privilege to get to know. I LOVE that! To me, that is meaningful.

3. Have you used your blog to work out tough situations in your life?

Not so much. Although, I do talk a lot about my mom and how I struggle with her dementia. And, I'd like to think that I don't whine as much in my 'real' life, but that is debatable. Also, very kind people helped me grieve over the loss of too many pets this year.

4. Were there people you met through blogging who helped you through those tough situations? What did they do to help?

Several people have left comments on my blog about having parents with dementia. I cannot begin to tell you how helpful it is to remember that I am not (nor is my family) alone in this. Other people understand. And, they care.

5. Were there ever things that you felt you could talk about on your blog to "strangers" that you couldn't tell your flesh and blood friends and family?

I feel I owe it too my family not to whine so much to them directly. When I get whiny on my blog, the page can just be closed. When I get whiny with my family, they are sort of stuck hearing about it.

6. Do your family and "in-person" friends read your blog?

Yes. Many of them do. Not many of them comment on it, though. I would hope that I would never say anything on my blog that was mean spirited. I might give my interpretation of how I feel about something, but I would not want to use a blog to vent at someone else's expense. If it's wrong to talk about in person, it is wrong to blog about behind someone's back.

7. Have you ever regretted admitting really personal things on your blog?

I don't think that I have. I am way more private in person than I am on my blog, so it is more likely that it would happen here than in person. After I think about this question longer, I might change my mind. Maybe I have and just don't remember it.

8. Have you come into conflict with anyone on your blog?

Conflict? Me? Actually, it's hard to run into conflict when I mainly post pictures of my thrift store purchases. I think the only thing that could make me really mad would be if someone made a nasty comment about my grandson. Everything else is fair game. I also hold the power to delete unwanted comments.

9. Do you ever think about quitting blogging?

I am pretty much a hermit. Blogging is my social outlet. I can tune in to other people's thoughts at my own leisure. While rocking a sleeping baby, listening to a baseball game or sitting next to THGGM while he watches "Law and Order" reruns, I travel to far away places, pray for smooth pregnancies, get ideas for crafts, and drool over other people's thrift store finds.

(9 1/2 - does my husband ever think about my quitting blogging? - yes, yes, a thousand times yes!)

10. Any other interesting stories that might be applicable?

I express myself better in writing than I could ever do face to face. This might make me seem 'fake' if you were to meet me in person. You would think I was shy, tongue tied and dull. And you would be correct.

I have come to terms with the fact that I am terminally boring. I don't mind. I actually work at it. Never could I even pretend to have something relevant to say everyday. But I do believe that the normal day to day stuff that makes up a life holds more interest to me than the drivel I find on the pages of "People" and other such magazines. So, I might not have developed a plethora of deep relationships that will send me cross country to visit people, but, I have cried all night over the death of someone I've never met- because her husband wants to share their story for their young son. And, I have spent countless time in prayer for a healthy baby for someone who has already lost two too many. This summer I also wept over the loss of a puppy, because that is a pain I know too well. My pile of craft project ideas has grown so tall I will never live long enough to get to it all. Book recommendations - delightfully endless.

And, it goes on...