It's That Time Again...

Leaves are turning to vibrant and almost magical-like colors. Hues of orange, yellow and red are all popping up around on the hill and mountainsides of the Appalachians. I love Autumn here in Virginia.

It's also time to break out hand-me-down costumes, or purchase new ones for the kids that have outgrown them all. And not to mention, buying the goodies that you will be passing out to the little fairies, ghosts, superheros and goblins.

And for me personally, it will be my 2-year-anniversary post-transplant for my eye. It's strange to know that already two years has just flown right past me. I still wonder about my donor and their life. And I often think about the donor's family, that I will seemingly never have the pleasure of meeting. I even throw around the idea of maybe even writing them an update letter.

Also, it will mark 22 years since my mother passed away, on the same day that I celebrate my anniversary date. Wow!! 22 years. How is even possible? It certainly to me, does NOT feel like that much time has gone by. But it has.

As you can see, I haven't even posted on to ANY of my three blogs in well over a month. I pretty much have given up writing on them. For various reasons. And honestly, for the most part, I do NOT miss this. I felt freed up, truthfully. I don't feel mentally pressured to crank out posts. I have never been in to blogging as to be popular or get mega numbers in followers/readers. I did it/do it as a release for my mind and to just talk about things that interest me, and maybe bring awareness to topics (like Pregnancy & Infant Loss month, which coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness month...but is overshadowed by BCA).

So, consider this my update, but don't be too surprised if I don't jot in this area again for another good while. I really don't feel the "love" for blogging like I had once had. And I'm okay with that. If I lose followers/readers, I'm not going to cry over it, or lose any sleep. But it's nice to know that there are a FEW people that follow/read me that genuinely care about what I have to say on here. To them, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. And I thank you for still sticking with me, though you know it may be like forever before I write again.

Later taters!!

Thought I'd Update

Hello, Readers! Thought I'd pop in for a few moments and let you all know that I am always thinking of you guys and I hope that the Summertime is treating you and your family all well.

Any plans this year? Or have you already taken trips that you decided on?

Well, so far, so good here in my world. Summer days are bit muggy lately, so it makes for awful hot days. My son is enjoying his Day Treatment Camp time (goes Monday through Thursday, during the day, only).

My oldest who is going in to Middle School this Fall has made ALL Advanced courses, and was accepted/invited to attend a "gifted program" school for her grade range, where they have science labs such as a Lazerarium, Terrariums with different exotic pets (including an iguana and a couple of bearded dragons) and a "hands on" petting fish tank.

My youngest is starting first grade and is pretty apprehensive. But I know she will adjust quickly once she really gets to know her teacher (who is a LOVELY lady who LOVES her job and her students).

Here's a few pictures of some recent past adventures of Summer... And of how big our Bearded Dragon, Gobi is getting since I last posted about him.

Well, soon, we will have LOTS more pictures coming, thanks to our annual trek to King's Dominion coming up. Talk to you all again soon. I can't wait to be back on here more regularly. I'm still on my "hiatus", but wanted to let you all know that I'm still alive and am enjoying myself. Have a great rest of the Summer and I'll "read" you all again very soon.

Blogging vs. "Too Personal" Writing (Also known As "When To Keep It To Yourself")

I'm all for airing out things if need be on your blog. And yeah, I do believe in "your blog, your decisions on what to write about".

But I feel that even in the world of blogging, there is and NEEDS TO BE a line of how much of your PERSONAL life should be divulged to the masses.

For one thing, I really do NOT wish to know about the hanky-panky you and your partner have in your bedroom (or anywhere else in the home). Your personal sex life should be left where it belongs..in YOUR home, behind CLOSED doors. Be it with your hubby/partner or with another man/woman. I really don't want to know in explicit detail of your "hot and wild night" between the sheets (or hanging from the rafters).

If you are losing followers/readers, then it may be for good reason. I don't like going to someone's blog I have gone to for quite some time, knowing that while they can get a bit crazy (in a good way), they won't go ALL out there. Plus showing ANY kind of "private" body part is a HUGE turnoff for many readers, including myself. I'll go to Playboy/girl to see some skin and raunchiness, thanks.

Though I must say, that MOST of those bloggers that DO write about way more than I and many others care to know about the writer's real (and private) life do have their pages set to "Adult Content Warning"...But when it is up for EVERY single page, be it "adult-like" or not, it's hard to avoid what you wish to NOT read about, and instead, you are too late and are "suckered" in to it. For me personally, I REFUSE to comment on such "open" posts and just hit the back button.

This past week, I had also taken the liberty of "un-following" some blogs. Mainly because of this very problem and because some just no longer held my interest or the content just wasn't up my alley. Like I had said, if I want to see skin, read about sexual innuendo and what someone did in their own home and life, I'll seek out Playboy/girl or rent me a porn movie.

I'm sorry if this angers anyone. But you are honestly hurting yourself and your readership, as well as your comment rating as a writer/blogger by posting things that I don't even tell my own father. And we tell one another everything. I just don't go in to THAT part of my life. I don't want anyone to know about my sex life. And I sure as hell don't wish to know about yours.

EDITED..Why I THINK *my* blog's readership sucks..

**ETA** that yes, I did read the blog that now people are starting to Tweet about why people are not reading your blog (WHY NO ONE READS YOUR BLOG). Personally, I do not see where I fit really, within ANY of that posts "criteria".

Now onward with my original post...

True, I know I'm not always the "best" follower/commenter on the blogs that I follow. As a matter of fact, after this is posted, I plan on down sizing the list.

I Tweet and I link my posts to my FaceBook "Like" pages for each of my blogs (most of the time).

Due to personal matters, a busy schedule and stress issues, I'd taken a "blogging hiatus" for about a week. Come back and finally posted, with something POSITIVE. Got a couple comments and a good number of page views. Cool.

Then I posted something that I normally do NOT post. Christian-based posting with Contemporary Christian music videos, seeing as I wanted to share the "pick me up" kind of day that I was having..which for once was REALLY a "good" day.

Then I had posted in my other blog, The "Mental"-ist Mom blog about the effects that the robbery from a week and a half ago had left on my son primarily.

Wait a minute! I think I found what went wrong (or is that "right"?) as to why THAT blog (the latter) got attention... I was complaining or venting. Why? Because I am still LIVID as to what the robber(s) had done psychologically to my children. But my son has taken it the hardest, thanks to his Anxiety Disorder's problems being escalated.

Does this mean that I should always write about negative stuff? Nope. I look at it this way..SOMEONE will want to read POSITIVE things. And I am doing what I can to STAY positive. But I have to be honest..I'm tired of putting forth "commenting efforts" as I can, with no return results. Even by those that have been known to be "regulars" in the past.

Lately, I have commented on a few blog pages of those that I read regularly, but those "regulars" (to me) are being self absorbed within their own pages to not return ANY KIND (seemingly) of comment "love".

Maybe it's me. I don't know. But I can assure you, today, I'm Pre-Spring Cleaning my blog list. And possibly my Twitter list as well. I have even thought of deleting my "Like" pages, seeing as they are a waste of my time to post in and no one really "talks" in there either.

If this post causes me to lose readers, I'm okay with this. If it upsets people, I'm down with that too. If you are extremely upset with what I have said here, then MAYBE you are one of those bloggers/followers/readers/commentators that I'm speaking of.

I don't claim to be Perfect Patty (sorry SLIDE CUTTER! LOL) but I DO try to comment here and there. Even if to just say "I'm sorry this happened" or "What a cute story."... I don't expect long-winded comments, especially since for the most part, I don't give long-winded comments myself.

Heck! I can't even get ONE single Twitter Follower to RE-TWEET something for me, even after practically begging for the RT being that THIS blog has a new URL. That too tells me something.

Oh well. That's life I guess in the Blogosphere...

(Also note that ALL "LIKE" pages on FaceBook have been removed and I have cleaned out my Reader List on Blogger, as well as have down sized my Twitter list as of this writing.)

Would you care to be a *FEATURED* Blogger?

I'd love to have a new little "getting to know you" adventure. How would you like to be a feature guest? Gain a little exposure, and get possibly some new followers as well.

Thanks to Vic, who runs a WONDERFUL blogging community, For The Love Of Blogs, I've thought about doing this for some time, but just never got the "balls" to try it out. But now, why the heck not?

So, if you feel like this may be of interest, feel free to leave me a comment and I will get back to you. I'd like to model it after FTLOB and Vic's way of running it. From there, I will contact you via your private email address with the instructions and my return email addy, as to send me the finished product.

Basically, you will write a blog post about yourself, your life, and your blog. And it would be great to have some pictures included, and of course a link to your blog, as to let the readers find your direct page.

Each weekend, the featured blogger will change over. Each Sunday, a new Blogger will have the page to themselves.

**Entries must be in no later than the next Saturday.**

*VIEW OUR FIRST EVER FEATURED BLOGGER HERE*

*FEATURED* Blogger of the Week (Week 1)

"Featured" Blogger; for a newbie that stirs-up little chills that scoot up, and down, the spine. Suddenly, after sharing your thoughts, experiences, recipes and more, people take notice of you and little doors pop open with smiling faces on the other side. It's very exciting!

My door is wide open in return; you are so very welcome to come inside for a visit. By the way, my name is Patty.

Coffee is ready, served in one of my favorite Robinson Ransbottom mugs and, right over there, on a table, is the rough draft of a book I'm writing called "Another cookie, please!"

What's the book about?

This collection of memories is a bittersweet journey through my late mother's difficult life and later battle with dementia. Ironically, I became the caregiver for that parent who, for years, turned her back on the abuse of her only child. Somehow, I've grown to become an old married lady of 40 years, mother of 3, grandmother of 4 and a fairly productive woman. Then, a few months ago, I entered the world of blogging.

My humble creation can be found here.

http://anothercookieplease.blogspot.com/

What do I do?

Well, as a licensed hairstylist, I have the privilege of being a support specialist to women suffering from cancer, helping them maintain a positive outlook and appearance as they go through treatment and look ahead to recovery. My nickname "Slidecutter" pertains to a style of hair cutting/texturing done with shears specific to that procedure. Just thought that needed explaining..



Where am I from?

Upstate New Yawk...New York for anyone else. We have our own little accent here, in The Empire State and it's true about that "New York minute"; everything we do is at warp speed and 24 hours in a day is never enough!



Why do I blog?

Through the eventual publishing of my little book, and blogging, my hope is to reach out to other caregivers who might be struggling, who are angry and overwhelmed with the consuming task of caring for a loved one afflicted by dementia, other illness or disorder. I don't pretend to be an expert and I'm very candid, even sarcastic, in my opinions at times, especially now that I've gotten past the fear of being judged as I share several personal experiences in my postings; things like dealing with my own ADD, and my son's ADHD. For years, I've managed to deal with the ups & downs of this disorder, focusing on the creative things I love doing most while always fighting that battle to stay organized in other areas.

As I read over blogs from so many kindred spirits, I've been learning to step beyond my own sadness while finding there are so many positive things I can share with others. There is such a wonderful menu of creativity and meaningful posts to choose from; each day brings a refreshing new delight.

You're invited to visit me at http://anothercookieplease.blogspot.com/ , leave a comment and follow if you really would like to do so; if not, thanks so much for stopping here today!

**Message from Missy.. If you wish to be the next "*FEATURED* Blogger of the Week", then please be sure to go and read up on how I'm doing it, and where I obtained the inspiration to do my own Blogger's Feature by CLICKING HERE. Each Sunday, a new Blogger will have the page to themselves (minus this message to coincide lol). Entries must be in no later than the next Saturday.**

Would you like to be a *FEATURED* Blogger?

I'd love to have a new little "getting to know you" adventure. How would you like to be a feature guest? Gain a little exposure, and get possibly some new followers as well.

Thanks to Vic, who runs a WONDERFUL blogging community, For The Love Of Blogs, I've thought about doing this for some time, but just never got the "balls" to try it out. But now, why the heck not?

So, if you feel like this may be of interest, feel free to leave me a comment and I will get back to you. I'd like to model it after FTLOB and Vic's way of running it. From there, I will contact you via your private email address with the instructions and my return email addy, as to send me the finished product.

Basically, you will write a blog post about yourself, your life, and your blog. And it would be great to have some pictures included, and of course a link to your blog, as to let the readers find your direct page.

Each weekend, the featured blogger will change over.

Magical Monday With 'For The Love Of Blogs'

It's yet again another beautiful Monday here in bloggy land. Not so much around where I live. It's cloudy and cold. And it looks like more of the white stuff is in my future. No! Not THAT white stuff. Flakes on the ground, not in my hair, silly.

I highly suggest that if you have yet to do so, to join a wonderful, friendly, and well organized blogging community. It's For The Love Of Blogs. Best thing (besides getting your blog out there)? You do *not* have to be a blogger yourself to join. It's also meant to be a wonderful tool for readers to find new blogs to read that are of their interests.

Stop on by today, and tell them that Proudmom (Missy) sent you over. No, I won't get a prize, but I'm sure that they love hearing where others and newbies are coming over from as to scope them out. Just click on the blog button (below) to hop on over to their site.

BUT!! Before you do, if you have a blog or two (or more) that you wish to promote, feel free to also do so here in my linky tool area (also below, at the very bottom of the post).

Have a great Monday, everyone!

Follow Me... I DARE YOU!

I love having followers, just like any other writer/blogger. But I want not just "followers", but READERS who are not only willing to read or even (with luck) glance at my pages, but are willing to say something constructive about the piece.

If you notice on the left of my page, you will see that my FOLLOWERS/Google Reader list's numbers have dropped DRAMATICALLY.

Why?

Because I went on and removed all those "followers" that were using me as a "look at how many I follow" tool, and those that spammed my pages with "I followed, now follow me back" BS.

If you are going to REALLY read my stuff and at least make an EFFORT to comment here and there, then by all means join my page! But if I'm just a tool or "numbers game" to you, then really, I do NOT want you to click the "Follow" button.

On ANY of my three blogs...

Here.

ParanorMel.

Or on my newest creation, The "Mental"-ist Mom.

If you know me well, then you know me well enough to get it that I am not in to FAKE people, users or SPAMMERS.

So, if you are one of those three kinds, then please, don't bother my page, get my hopes up or waste my precious time.

Judging A Book By Its Cover...In This Case, Blog Posts.

Judgment. We all do it at some point in our lives. We may judge a person just by their looks or behavior. We might judge a place, just by secondhand "word of mouth" and decide to NOT go and look for ourselves. Or we judge a book, article or post by it's title, and refuse to read it because we automatically assume it's viewpoints are of a disgusting nature. And in turn, we once again base our opinion of not only the subject within the post, but we tend to judge the author as well.

This very thing happened with the previous post here on Homemaker Diary. Because someone had misread and in turn, misinterpreted the title to the post, taking it that I TRULY do believe in the nature as what the title "sounded like", I was made out to be a racist, controversy-seeking moron. When in fact, I am FAR from that "truth". And the post was named what I chose as to drive home a point. NOT to state what I truly felt.

If I honestly believed in the fashion that I had chosen for the title of my previous blog entry, then the "..." would not have surrounded the title's name. Hence I would have stated that I did indeed think/feel in that manner. But, I used the "..." to show the audacity of such a statement and show what I was about to write about.

Sadly, someone misconstrued the title with the ".." around it to mean that it was the title to the blog it's self and the statement that I really do think in the fashion of the title. And this person was only half right. And being that they flat out decided to not read the post in it's entirety, they missed out on the TRUE meaning and reflection of the post at hand. If anything, my post was speaking AGAINST such a statement. Towards ANY race/color.

If this person had swallowed their pride and not gone off half cocked, then maybe, just MAYBE they would have in the end agreed with me. Even after posting the main points from the blog its self, they still refused to read it. All because they decided blindly on the title's name.

If you wish to check out the post in reference, CLICK HERE.

This is what is wrong with the world today, in my opinion. And no, I am not innocent. Not by any means. To say otherwise would be stating an all out lie. ALL OF US are too quick to judge in this world. From skin color, to people with disabilities, to literally judging books (or in this case, blog posts) by their covers.

I lived my life with judgment all around me. Because of something I could not help. I looked different from my peers. I was not mentally challenged in any form of the word. But because I slightly looked different, with a trache in my throat, it left me open to automatic judging. Even by adults!

This is why I cannot stand ANY KIND of intolerance of any kind.Be it racial, ethnic, physically or mentally challenged, and a host of others. When you automatically "ASS"ume (which makes an ass out of U & ME) about a person, place or even an article BEFORE getting to know them or read the material, it doesn't make the offended look bad. It makes the offender look closed-minded and depending on the case, looking like a bigot and a hypocrite.

Personally, I would much rather read the article/post or get to know the person or place for MYSELF, **BEFORE** passing judgment upon it/them or making my opinion known. To do so leaves you looking less like a jackass.

This is for ANYONE, not just my "regular readers" for future reference...If you have nothing nice to say, being you are too closed-minded and/or scared to read something, be it here or on any other blogs, then here is a suggestion for you (and you the guilty, know who you are)...DO NOT SAY A WORD. Being you wish to predict what the post/article is about BEFORE reading it (if you choose to do so at all), and in turn closing yourself off to other's points of view, only to stay within your comfort zone I call Fantasy Island and not possibly gain a different perspective about the world around you.

Got a small beef with blog followers (from ANY blog).

Just out of curiosity...

Do you 'drop' a blogger from your list of reading ventures due to their not writing a post basically on a daily basis?

Do you, if you blog, write on your blog page(s) on a daily basis, a few times or once a week? Or do you blog when the mood to moves you?

I'm wondering if a (now former) follower dropped me being that it was almost a week or so between posting blog posts. I don't really care that they did so. But it popped in my head that I must not be writing enough to suit their reading taste.

Well, lets take a really good look at my blog and break it down, shall we?

Look at the name of my blog... 'The (Not Always) Happy Homemaker Diary'. Operative word here? HOMEMAKER. Which means that I am a STAY-AT-HOME wife and mother.

I have one husband and I have THREE kids. And those children (through this weekend) are on SUMMER VACATION from school. Which means three kids that need to have MY attention as needed BEFORE anything else.

Plus if you notice, I have written many times in the past about my son, who is a SPECIAL NEEDS child that requires more attention and time consumption than most 'average' kids.

Plus, I have to take care of the home, hence the HOMEMAKER part of my blog name. Laundry, dishes, vacuuming, sweeping, cleaning out cat boxes (being we have three of them) and any other jobs that need to be done around here.

Now, if you have read the blog entry from YESTERDAY, you will also know that I am gearing up to once again volunteer at my kids' school (hopefully) three days a week, if not more. I'm quite possibly being 'promoted' to Co-Volunteer Coordinator. Which means quite possibly more time at the school, as well as 'working' from home.

Plus I will be on not just one, but two Parent Advisory Boards for not only the school, but for my school's district.

So, when you add all of this together, it makes for MUCH less time typing up blog entries. And if you are looking for daily, or semi-daily bloggers, then I am NOT your girl. Especially with school starting.

Also, I have a secondary blog called ParanorMel that delves in to the realm of the Paranormal. Primarily with ghosts/spirits and hauntings. Even that blog gets posted to, maybe, I'd say once a week to every two weeks. It all depends on if I had a personal experience happen, if there is a topic in my head that I wish to cover, or if I found a video and/or article that I found interesting enough to share.

But also, I do NOT see my followers dropping me there. And they know I WILL post. Just not more than MAYBE twice a week. Or for as long as every two weeks.

With that said, I hope that you will stick with me and watch for new posts in the future. At this point in time, you might never know when I will write about my adventures in life, marriage and raising my kids.

Just know that I WILL BE around. Just not as often. I find it sad that some people base their reading on the fact of how often a person posts entries. It should be based on QUALITY of the work. Not on QUANTITY in the numbers of posting.

Blog Carnivals, Being Me and Followers.

What I am about to say will most likely piss MANY of you readers off. And I'm sorry for that, but I will not sugar-coat, nor will I sit here silent. And I sure as hell won't fake being happy, when in reality, I am not.

If this means I lose any followers/readers, then so be it. I would rather have followers that REALLY DO read my postings, and even leave an occasional comment. Rather than having someone "following" me only to have my blog serve the purpose of placing another "I'm Following" blog under the belt loop as to make YOU look good.

There are many, upon many blogging carnivals. So many, it really is hard to keep up and even remember all of their names.

Pretty much all of my life, I have never been one to be in a clique or an "in" crowd. And I don't see myself doing so now at my age (almost 34).

There are a few carnivals that I DO participate in. But it's a sporadic involvement. Those would be Weekend Warriors, Post-It-Note Tuesday, and What I Meant To Say Wednesdays, as well as one or two others.

When I write, I do it from the heart. What you read/see, is what you get. The REAL me. I have NEVER, EVER claimed to be anything more or less than what you see me type.

As of late, with all the drama BS I have seen, read, and heard about lately, especially pertaining to certain carnivals, I am more happy now than EVER that I don't really participate in them.

Most of the carnivals only (in my mind and eyes) seem to instigate cliques, fights and anonymous postings by those that don't have the brass balls to put their name to their shame.

My mama taught me (before her death) that I am somebody. Me. And that is all I will need to be, for those that will want to, to like me. For who I AM. Not for who I am POSING to be.

So, while I may take part in carnivals from time to time, they are the type that let me be ME. Let me feel in control of my writing. I refuse to play the "you follow me, I'll follow you" bit. Either you follow, or you don't.

And if we follow one another, then it would be LOVELY to see you comment on *MY* page once in a while. Instead of seeing me making all the moves and commenting on *YOUR* posts. Where's the love? Not on my page, I can say that.

That's one of the main reasons as well that I do NOT partake in carnivals. Because I know for a fact, with everything going on around in my daily REAL life, that I would NEVER be able to go and comment back to those that I participated with. At least not *ALL* of them, anyways.

So, now that you know that I refuse to play childish games, be it here on the blogs or in the head and heart, you, my fine readers have a choice to make.

Either respect my thoughts and feelings, and see where I am coming from...Or click the back button and remove me as one of the blogs you follow.

True, I do NOT follow every one of my followers. Because I don't have ALL day long to commit to reading every single entry that those that I read, makes. But I do TRY and at least READ the entries to the blogs that I DO follow. Because they interest me for whatever reason, and I feel like I can BE ME and say what I need to or want to, without persecution.

But also know, that I won't do carnival after carnival to "fit in" or just to gain more readers.

Either you like my work, or you don't.

New FACEBOOK *group* for Blogger bloggers.

Howdy everyone! I hope that your TGIF is a fab one this morning. It's gonna be a scorcher in my area, so it's certainly A/C weather!

Just a bit ago, I had started a NEW group over at Facebook for us Blogger blog authors. It's aptly named 'Blogger Blog Buddies Connections'.

Here is the description in regards to the new group...

"If you are a Blogger Blog Site author, and you wish to connect with other Blogger users/writers, then come on in!

Share your blog entries, find new blogs to follow, gain new readers/followers, give tips and help one another with the technical aspects of Blogger.

Best of all, gain new friends!"

But!! Yes, there is a 'but' in here. There IS a small clause which happens to be in the group's Recent News section, and it reads as follows...

"Be sure to add a small description about your post link in the post's status area.

Also, WARN OTHERS if there is adult-content within your post.

***ALL SUBJECT MATTER*** is excepted here. But we will not permit 'bashing' one another's religion, sexual orientation, disability, or nationality inside the group's walls.

If you wish to do so within YOUR BLOG posts, then that is on you. But no attacking within the group. And please REFRAIN from posting *THOSE TYPES* of blog posts within the group. "

So, now that you get the gist of what Blogger Blog Buddies Connections is all about, and you feel it's the 'fit' for you and your blog, then feel free, as a FACEBOOK member, to come join us.

CLICK HERE to join BBBC.

ParanorMel...Can you DIG it?

What in the world does a girl have to do to get her blog noticed these days? Sheesh!

I've got a secondary blog around here that talks of shadows, voices, mists, things seen from the corner of your eye, and MUCH more.

If you KNOW me, you will know that I am in to the Paranormal. Primarily hauntings and ghosts/spirits/apparitions.

Over at ParanorMel, I talk (from time to time) of my own PERSONAL experiences with the Supernatural and the Unexplained. Plus, I find cool videos, post about different definitions in regards to hauntings, spirits, and the like.

If you are in to that sort of subject, or you have had your own experiences, feel free to hop on over and follow me. You can...

Ask questions.

Tell YOUR story.

Request subjects to be covered/featured.

Know that you are NOT alone.

Sounds good enough to try, you said? Then click on over to ParanorMel and jump right on in to the thick of things.

As an added bonus, ParanorMel also has a FACEBOOK Fan/Like Page of the same name. Feel free to join us there, too.

It's interactive and I LOVE hearing from you, my readers, and those that are interested in hauntings and ghosts. On BOTH pages.

I'm LONELY! Wanna join me and have some fun (and maybe a spook or two)?

What in the world does a girl have to do to get her blog noticed these days? Sheesh!

I've got a secondary blog around here that talks of shadows, voices, mists, things seen from the corner of your eye, and MUCH more.

If you KNOW me, you will know that I am in to the Paranormal. Primarily hauntings and ghosts/spirits/apparitions.

Over at ParanorMel, I talk (from time to time) of my own PERSONAL experiences with the Supernatural and the Unexplained. Plus, I find cool videos, post about different definitions in regards to hauntings, spirits, and the like.

If you are in to that sort of subject, or you have had your own experiences, feel free to hop on over and follow me. You can...

Ask questions.

Tell YOUR story.

Request subjects to be covered/featured.

Know that you are NOT alone.

Sounds good enough to try, you said? Then click on over to ParanorMel and jump right on in to the thick of things.

As an added bonus, ParanorMel also has a FACEBOOK Fan/Like Page of the same name. Feel free to join us there, too. It's interactive and I LOVE hearing from you, my readers, and those that are interested in hauntings and ghosts.

I'm Me...Don't Expect More, You Won't Get But What I Can Give To The (Blogging) World.

After reading a friend's blog over at http://singedwingangel.blogspot.com/ by it's Author, Angel, I felt like I need to "explain" myself.

I have never been one, even as a little kid (but with rare exception, of course) to want what everyone else has, or to do what everyone else is doing. It's just not in my nature.

I'm the type that I "do my own thing" and I don't care what you think, either. Don't like it? Don't read it/watch it/be around it, I say. I'm not here to honestly please anyone (except my husband, my kids and ultimately, myself).

Have you noticed, I don't have "Bloggy Buttons", I don't do "Carnivals", I don't go out of my way to gain readers, I don't cater to people (unless I ask for topic ideas, which I have, and view as different from 'catering').

My readers come to me. Either by reading a post via Facebook, where it auto-posts my blog entries, by Networked Blogs application over at Facebook, by "word of mouth" via my readers I already have, or by my "Fan Page" I have for this blog page.

I'm not writing really to gain readers or popularity. I write to express myself, my views, my opinions, to share about my life as a mom/wife/Christian/parenting a Special Needs Child. Sometimes, I'm funny as all get out. Sometimes, I'm very serious. And at times, I can be both.

This blog is for ME. It's my outlet. My way of expression. My blog is not for a Popularity Contest, to see how many readers I can get to 'follow' me. Not to gain sympathy or a slew of comments. I like to educate others who may not know what it's like to parent a child with Mental Illness/Disorders/Disabilities. And to educate the populous in regards to Organ/Eye/Tissue Donation (I myself am a Donor, as well as a Corneal Transplant Recipient).

So, while my blog page may look "boring", being I don't have bunch of buttons, links to other bloggers, fancy page decorations and a "Nation's Populations in it's self" number of readers (that most don't even comment anyways), it's who I am...

Simple, comfortable, unpopular (nothing new there lol), and most of all...TRUE TO MYSELF and REAL (what you see on my page, posts and in between is who/what I REALLY am like in the REAL world).

If you want someone to "keep up with the Joneses" in bloggy circles and cliques, please do us both a favor, find another girl (or guy). Because this Blog Writer has too much else to do than keep up with the Joneses. I have a hard enough time keeping up with three kids, three cats, a husband, a two-story home (full basement) and life in general.