Something Special This Way Comes

 

“Inspiration, expectation, exasperation, concentration and wit.” Toss those ingredients into the industrial strength wordsmiths blender that is, Barking Mad, and you have this month’s Remarkable Blogger©.

One dog, two cats, three teens, one toddler, one Brit and one all American author make for some of the most hilarious posts you could ask for. Add a couple of extremely large spiders and well, just go read for yourself.

I found this blog a few months ago, while searching for new writers. And though it was her husband’s post that pulled at my heart-strings, as I’ve come to know Auds, I’ve realized the beauty and the stripped bare honesty of the person that she is. Her blogging roots run deep as she details her early experiences with the craft. And like most of us, her baptism was born of necessity to keep far away family and friends in the loop. (Just happened they were an ocean away)

I first discovered blogging about eight years ago when there wasn’t much of a “community” to speak of.  It was pretty prehistoric back then, but I kept it in mind as a means to express myself.  It wasn’t until the spring of 2005 when we discovered we were expecting our own little AmeriBrit baby that I decided to publicly publish my thoughts as I went through the pregnancy.  My hubby is from the UK and at the time we were going through the immigration process to get his Permanent Residence Card and he was there and I was here.  We were flying back and forth across the pond every six weeks or so, selling the house over there (originally after we married in ‘03 I immigrated over there but we decided to return to the states for various reasons) and blogging was a means to keep families on both sides of the pond up to date on the pregnancy.  The hubby had also just lost his dad and I wanted to make sure I journaled every single thing I could for the baby.  Besides, I knew once she got here, that I’d be crap at keeping her baby book updated and our initial blog, AmeriBrit Baby, was the ultimate “baby book” for me.  Add to that the fact we almost lost her when she decided to make an unscheduled early appearance, it was a Godsend to be able to update west coast family and Europe family via the net, as well as friends, and others who were concerned.

Never shy about what gets next to her be it, spiders or dogs , or neighbors who whistle too early in the day; Auds gave me the 411 on what her biggest peeves

…this notion of exclusionary cliques and groups of bloggers who are perceived as seeing themselves as better than the rest.  I’ve never experienced that and from my own experience, I’ve been embraced by the very women that unfairly get called out as being in the center of these mythical cliques.  Ask me again tomorrow what my biggest social media pet peeve is and it might very well be the fact that Twitter is a huge time suck and I’m addicted!

and addictions are when it comes to blogging.

…I’d have to say Twitter.  I got rid of my blog reader and between my blog roll, bookmarks, and the folks that post blog updates to Twitter, it’s how I stay on top of new stuff.  Plus I love the back and forth banter.

I asked Auds who she reads when she’s not reading the Bird or Twittering about the Casa. While her blogroll is extensive and I’m ultra sure her bookmark list must be off the map, true to her style, her immediate answer was heartfelt.

Even though I’ve been publicly blogging for more than three years now, I’ve only been aware of the awesome “community” of bloggers and writers for just under two.  But since day one I have always read I am Bossy.   Even on days like yesterday when all I want to do is crawl into bed and not do anything except dissolve into the mattress, I ALWAYS READ BOSSY.   Her style is completely her own and she never fails to put a smile on my face.  I think part of her charm is the fact that she writes in third person, her artwork is unique and who could not help but fall in love with her devotional to John Cusack.  Why do I think other’s should read her?  Well, one might fall into the depths of a deep depression after watching the evening news, or reading the paper…go and read Bossy, you can’t help but laugh and forget yourself and the world for a few minutes.

Defining moments in our blogs are usually hard for us to pinpoint. While our readers can generally take the pulse of a blog post immediately, its often difficult as authors to get a handle on it. Nonetheless, I went to Auds, looking for her defining blog post. I think you’ll all agree, the sheer transparency in her writing and her ability to convey what’s on her mind and in her heart, though not a definition in total of her, certainly shows her depth of compassion, of hope, and promise for healing.

This is difficult for me because things change from one day to the next around here.  I think everyone who reads the blog knows that right now I’m having a bit of a tough time but I really hope that isn’t something that “defines” me.    I am tempted to say “I am THAT Mom“  is defining…but really, it’s only a part of me.   However, having said that, I think that post, if we’re being singular, has to be it because I know it’s possible to make something out of being “THAT Mom.”  I’ve spent the last eighteen years trying to define myself after the loss of a child.  It IS possible and I’m proof of that.

Not just a Remarkable Blogger©, a Remarkable mother, wife, daughter and writer. Pop over and give her a read. Then just try and tell me you don’t agree! And don’t forget to tell her congratulations!

Wordle courtesy of Wordle.net

Give A Sista Some Read

One of my favorite daily reads is Kristen over at Motherhood Uncensored (she’s not kidding folks). Right now she’s surviving the long hot southern summer in a very pregnant way. (pun intended)

In honor of our country’s current fiscal situation and well the heat of the deep south and her husband’s currently missing libido (yall remember what pregnancy does to your own libdio don’ t ya?), she’s declared August Blogging The Recession Month!

The premise is simple. If you read blogs, then for the month of August, make the “pledge” to click through from your feed reader. No obligation to leave a hilarious comment or send a long stalkerish email (although both, within reason, are always lovely). Just click through to the blog (not on ads unless you are so led) and if you’re feeling generous, click around to their older posts.

Just those extra page views can make a big difference for bloggers who could really use the help, …

So, simple enough. Click around. Twitter with us about the recession, the heat, or what every ruffles your feathers. You never know what you’re gonna find here. My archives are full of all kinds of goodies. And, from time to time, a give away is likely to pop up in your reader.  Subscribe to my full read RSS, and don’t miss a minute of the Bird. When you’re all read out here,  drop by Kristen’s place, join the group,(Kristen’s got some awesome give aways planned,  and then click on over to one of my Hot Wired© Blog Compadres and spread the love!

Happy August!

I Have Just One Question

If you have a teen, ARE a teen, have ever been a teen you MUST see this video!

 

 

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING????

(And yes I’m screaming!)