Weird Question Number Seven

Mike's next question to me wasn't really a question. He's making fun of my food choices. That isn't very nice, is it?

7. Potato chips and ice cream? Really? 

Yes! Really!

One of my favorite treats is ice cream, but it just seems too sweet. I find that if I eat potato chips with it, my taste buds just dance with delight! I believe my Mom taught me that. Mom's know best!

(photo from the internet...I'd tell you where it originated but I don't know)

Weird Question Number Three

Continuing on with the strange interview questions from my own husband...

3.  Do you consider yourself scrappy or flamboyant?

At first I was going to say that I was scrappy because I think I am good at fighting...for happiness that is. What I mean is, I can take a lot of disappointment and still wrap it up into something that makes me happy. I think I am skilled at that.

On the other hand, the only time I had someone ask me to "step outside" (no kidding! a NURSE from my past was mad at me for questioning her judgment and wanted to take it out to the parking lot!) I blurted out, "NO! You would beat me up!" So, I guess I won't get any scrappy nominations.




All right, I will go with flamboyant. I'm making this statement solely on my use of color. I often buy clothes for our granddaughters that I wish came in my size.



I like color! Usually, I do NOT dress the way my heart wants me to dress or you'd see things like orange and hot pink paisley swirls or maybe lime green and yellow checks. How about bright red and purple stripes?



Yes, I am definitely flamboyant, at least on the inside.

Meet Emily!

 I am so grateful to Emily for sweetly succumbing to my pleas for people willing to be interviewed.  


Let me tell you a bit about Emily.  She actually has been reading my daughter, Maria's, blog for some time.  Maria also read's Emily's blog,  Bananas & Bees.  I started reading Emily's blog at Maria's recommendation.  Now, I would recommend to you that you check it out as well.  You'll learn that Emily has a kind and patient husband, an adorable little boy and creative twin girls.  


Emily actually flew to our town last May, by herself, to meet Maria in person for the first time.  While I can't quite bring myself to recommend this, it worked out well for the two of them.  They hit it off as if they'd known each other for years!  

It happened to be the week-end our son, Sam, graduated from High School.  Although Emily had not met him before that week-end, she bravely sat through that ceremony with us.  She was also here to meet Bode the very first day we brought him home.  So you see, she's practically family.  

Here's the results of my e-mail interview with Emily:

**************************************************

What is your earliest memory and how old were you?

Some of my earliest memories are from my fourth birthday party.  My mom made a Holly Hobbie cake and hired a magician to come to our house and perform some tricks.  We had a handful of kids from the neighborhood there and I remember blowing out my candles.  In my mind the cake was almost too pretty to eat!

Tell me something about which you feel passionate.

I feel passionate about lots of things, but most important on my list is children.  Under this big umbrella I could list out some specific areas like childhood literacy, orphans, and mothering my own children.

Tell me something about your childhood.

I am an only child.  I think this comes with a lot of stereotypes like being spoiled or being socially awkward.  I certainly don't think I was spoiled (we always lived below our means) and I enjoyed using my imagination as I played by myself.  That being said, I had many friends and am a part of a large extended family.  I have twelve cousins on my mom's side and five cousins on my dad's side, so I was around other children all the time.

Tell me your first memory of knowing you were loved.

My mom always made sure I knew that I was loved.  I remember many moments where she displayed that love to me-- holding me when I was sad, taking care of me when I was sick, forgiving me when I said I was sorry, and hugging me when I came home from school.  There are just too many memories to list!

Tell me something that frightens you.

Crowded elevators frighten me.  I usually won't get on one.  I'll either take the stairs or wait for another elevator.

Tell me something you have accomplished that pleased you.

I was teacher of the year for our school in 2007.  That made me feel pretty proud.

What was your first job for money?

My first official job was as a cashier at Hobby Lobby. I was sixteen and worked there until I graduated high school.

Tell me about your first experience leaving home.

My first time to be away from home for an extended time was after I graduated high school.  I flew with two friends to Europe for four weeks.  I had been saving my money from my job at Hobby Lobby for a full year to pay for my ticket and have money to spend as we traveled.  We visited six countries--crashing on friends of friends' couches or staying in weird European hostels.  We even camped in a tent on the beach in Pisa, Italy for five days.  We had adventures in France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic.  It was my first time to be so far away and to be completely in charge of all of my decisions.  It was an amazing trip, and I think it prepared me to leave home to go to college a few months later.

Do you think of yourself as an organized person?  Why or why not?

Sort of.  When it comes to things like my closet or kitchen pantry I think I do a pretty good job.  When it comes to paperwork, I am a complete mess.

Tell me of a time you used your creativity.

I love to write, so my blog is one way I try to express my creativity there.

Is there a particular person who had great influence on you and if so who and how?

Of course my Mom had an incredible influence on my life.  So did my Grandmother.  But another person was my friend Kim.  I met her when I was in eighth grade and she was a sophomore in college.  We went to the same church and she helped out in the youth ministry.  I was in a slightly rebellious phase and she decided to befriend me and pour into my life in a major way. She took the time to pick me up from school, take me out for ice cream, or hosted sleepovers for me and a few of my junior high school friends.  She also led us in several Bible studies and let her own life be an example of what a Christian woman should be like.  Now that we are "all grown up" she is still one of my closest friends and I feel that her personal discipleship helped keep me on the "straight and narrow" during those precarious teen years!

Tell me something about your views on spirituality.

You know that old song "Victory in Jesus"?  It sums up what I believe-- Jesus died for my sins, was buried, and raised on the third day all according to the Scriptures. "I heard an old, old story, How a Savior came from glory, How he gave his life on Calvary to save someone like me."

Did you go to camp as a child?  If so, do you have any fun stories to share from that time?

I grew up going to Falls Creek, a Southern Baptist youth camp in Oklahoma.  Just about everyone in the state of Oklahoma has either been to Falls Creek or has at least heard of it.  I have many, many memories of going to camp there.  The biggest thing to me at the time was the strict dress code that was enforced.  Shorts had to be to the knee-- no shorter.  And we had to wear dresses to Tabernacle services at night.  I was not into these rules at all.  Drove me nuts.  But I was completely wrapped up in myself at the time, sadly to say.

If you are married, tell about first meeting your spouse.  Was it love at first sight or did it cook up more slowly?

I met my husband Mike while we were both attending Oklahoma Baptist University.  I was a sophomore and he was a junior when we met.  I thought he was tall, dark and handsome, and I was anxious to meet him.  He was a studio art major and so was my roommate, so I got to know him through her.  We were just friends for about two months before he asked me out on our first date in September 1996. We dated for two years, got engaged in June of 1998, then got married in June of 1999.  Twelve years and three kids later, we're still going strong! :)

Tell me about your children.

I have seven year old twin girls named Hannah and Leah and a two year old son named Lucas.   

They bring me so much joy!

Tell me something about your time as an adolescent.

I was quiet and insecure most of my adolescent years.  I was obsessed with music and going to shows.  I pretty much lived in my large collection of band t-shirts, thrift store jeans and low top black Converse sneakers.

Tell me of a time you experienced loss.

Well, my most recent and most painful loss was when my mom passed away on May 3, 2011.  It has been nine months since she died and although there is something to the saying "time heals all wounds," I still miss her so much.  I still cry just about every day.  I still wish she was here and find myself thinking "I can't believe she's gone!" all the time.  I miss talking to her and spending time with her and seeing her love on my kids.  I miss going out on double dates with her and my dad.  I miss our family traditions and celebrations.  I just miss her.  BUT, as I grieve I have HOPE because I know I will see her again one day.  She followed Jesus her entire life, serving him faithfully until the day she died.  I look forward to the day I will see her again.

What do you do for a living?

From 1999-2007 I taught sixth grade language arts at a nearby middle school.  I loved it, but when I started having babies I decided to be a full time stay-at-home mom. That's what I do now and I wouldn't change it for anything!

What do you currently most enjoy to do with your free time?

Reading, cooking, baking, writing, spending time with friends or family.

Tell me something new you've recently learned.

How to take pictures on my "fancy" Canon.  Mike just bought me a new lens, so I want to work on becoming a better photographer so I can better document our family's history.

Is there something new you plan to learn?  If so, what?

I would love to learn to crochet! Oh and the photography thing too.

Whether I've asked a fitting question or not, tell me anything about yourself that you wish to tell!

One of the best things about blogging has been the relationships I have made along the way.  Like you and Maria for example!  Coming to Wyoming last May to meet you all was such an incredible trip! I hope to do it again one day! :)

---

Thank-you, Emily!

Anyone else willing?   If you are interested, you may see questions here.  I am enjoying these interviews.  You don't have to be someone I know for me to interview you! You may e-mail your answers to me at onlythemanager@yahoo.com and I will be delighted to do a post featuring you! I will be featuring more interviews as they come in. 

An Interview With Maria Rose

I know this next interviewee quite well.  In fact, I have known her since before she was born.  Yes, today I am featuring an interview from our daughter, Maria Rose. 

Maria was actually my inspiration for blogging.  When she first started blogging I couldn't imagine why she would want her diary on the internet.  After I started reading it, though, I loved it!  Her blog, Little Things are Big, is always uplifting.  She never, ever rants.  She tries to highlight the actions of others in a kind way and she focuses on the sweet blessings of this life.  I love reading it and I think you will as well!

Before I begin with the interview, it is important to me that you understand about her name.  Maria is pronounced like Mariah.  It may seem to you that we should have just spelled it with an h on the end but she was named after Mike's grandma and so we stuck with that Norwegian spelling and pronunciation.  Also, we lived in Turner, MT at the time and most everyone there had known Mike's grandma so it was not unusual there.  Her middle name, Rose, is after my grandma (the same Grandma for whom our Wyoming Rose Boutique was named).  Having explained all the effort we put into her name, I will also tell you that when she was a baby there were people who called her Georgette.  She looked a lot like Mike's Dad, George.

Besides being my daughter, Maria and I work together as shop owners.  We have a lot of fun shopping for vintage treasures as well as designing and handcrafting our original designs.  It is a joy for me!  She also is a beautiful model for our products!

Maria is married to Eric, a supreme son-in-law.  She is mother to the delightful Cordelia Rose and she is expecting our 2nd grandchild in July.  If you check out her blog be sure to weigh in on the baby-guessing game on the left side of her post!  They hope to find out March 1 whether it is a girl or a boy!

My interview with Maria...

What is your earliest memory and how old were you?

My earliest memory is just before I turned 2, or so you once told me that's how old I was. I remember a red windbreaker, my friend Jennifer and running. Mostly my memory is just the feel of the windbreaker.

Tell me something about which you feel passionate.

I feel extremely passionate about veganism. I feel that there is enough suffering in this world and if I can lessen my part in that cycle of suffering I will. Ultimately food is purely fuel, you poop it out---is that worth the suffering and death of a sentient being? I am heartsick when people say, “I can’t give up (meat, cheese, eggs, etc.).” I just grit my teeth and think, “No…you won’t give up (meat, cheese, eggs, etc.)” When I learned about the facts of the animal industry there was no turning back I felt morally obligated to become vegan. With that said I no longer try to actively convert people, they have to come to it on their own. My efforts to that end have only broken my heart.

Tell me something about your childhood.

I had a wonderful childhood. My parents made me feel loved, supported, protected and encouraged. My siblings were and still are so very important to me. I had a happy childhood and I truly believe that has been the foundation for my whole life.

Tell me of an experience from your past that was incredible or amazing to you.

Well, I suppose the most transformative experience was becoming a parent-which happened in stages. Everything had greater weight. The world was more…just more.

Tell me your first memory of knowing you were loved.

I don’t have a first memory of love. I always felt love from before I knew anything else.

Tell me something that frightens you.

Losing my family.

Tell me something you have accomplished that pleased you.

I try to be pleased with all of my accomplishments, from the way I stacked the dishes this morning (it was a sight to behold) to completing my MA.

When you were most recently with a group of people did you feel as though you fit in or not?  Why or why not?

I don’t ever feel like I fit in, not really. I have always felt like I am just a bit off, a little quirky. I used to be troubled by this, but now it is part of who I am. I am happy to be a little on the outside. I feel like I have a unique perspective.

What was your first job for money?

Baby-sitting. I even started my own babysitters club though truthfully I just wanted to buy office supplies and boss my friends around.

Tell me about your first experience leaving home.

Oh, that was so difficult. I left for college. I was so excited to be out in the adult world. Of course it was hard to leave my parents and brother Ben, but leaving Sam, who was 6 about broke my heart. Thankfully I had my then boyfriend, now husband, going to the same college. We really supported each other through the change into adulthood.

Do you think of yourself as an organized person?  Why or why not?

Most people think I am organized, but it comes with great effort and determination. I am not a naturally organized person. My inclination is to toss clothes on the floor, stack dishes in the sink and leave piles all over. However, after years of effort I have really managed to control my messy tendencies and I keep a neat house…my closet is even organized. My end goal is to be clean, have only things I use or love and to avoid piling things up.

Tell me of a time you used your creativity.

I always use my creativity…why wouldn’t I? Everything is more interesting if you use creativity.

Is your adult life different than you expected?  If yes, how so?

Oddly I spent much of my childhood and teen years dreaming of adulthood abstractly. I never really had a clear vision of who or what I wanted to be. Thankfully adulthood has given me many gifts so I suppose it is much better than I could have dreamed.

Is there a particular person who had great influence on you and if so who and how?

My parents…they made me who I am. The Copelands…they helped me to find who I am.

Tell me something about your views on spirituality.

I believe in God.

Did you go to camp as a child?  If so, do you have any fun stories to share from that time?

I did go to camp. My camp nickname was Bob, because I introduced myself as Bob…apparently I was hilarious as a 12 year old. I also remember my counselors wearing very modest sports bras on a hike deep in the forest surrounded only by girls and I was scandalized by it.

If you are married, tell about first meeting your spouse.  Was it love at first sight or did it cook up more slowly?

When I first met Eric he came by the junior high (he was a high schooler)and he was wearing black fishnet stockings on his arms and legs, tall boots and all black. Black crimped hair, black lipstick, black nail polish. I had just moved to the area from small town Montana and I had NEVER seen anything so strange in all of my life. He was super nice, but he was “dating” my friend. I did keep tabs on him for years as we were in the same circle of friends, but always on opposite ends. When we finally started dating a few years, and style changes, later everyone was kind of like, “why didn’t we think of putting those two together sooner?” It just made sense.

Tell me about your children.

Cordelia is two. She is one of the best gifts I have ever been given. She has made me a better person, brought me closer to my spouse and family. I am thankful for every moment with her. 

I am pregnant with our second, and last, child. I expect to find my life transformed once again. I can’t wait to meet this child and complete our family. We’ve been waiting for this!

I also have had two miscarriages, they are the children I have yet to meet.

Tell me something about your time as an adolescent.

I was awful, but I am so thankful that I was. I wouldn’t change a moment of it for fear that it would change my present.

Tell me of a time you experienced loss.

I have lost family and friends to accidental death, murder, age, illness—but the time I felt loss most deeply (thus far)was with a dog I never had. 

I had spent some time volunteering at an animal shelter when I first started college. Cocoa was a dog that had been in this no-kill shelter for quite some time. She was totally unapproachable and constantly in terror. I began to work with her every day and over the course of time she began to trust again. Eventually we felt that she might even be adoptable. I wanted to adopt her so badly, but I couldn’t I was about to move to Montana and had no home. 

When we found a woman to adopt her I was overjoyed. I interviewed her and had her sign a contract stating that she would return Cocoa to the shelter if it didn’t work out. I got her into her new home and left for my honeymoon. When I returned I found that the woman had put her to sleep---for no reason. I was heartbroken. I still am and I always will be.

What do you do for a living?

I kind of get the best of both worlds. I am a stay at home mom, but I also teach a couple of classes at the local college. I have a master’s degree in art history, but I wouldn’t say my part time work is really making me a living.

What do you currently most enjoy to do with your free time?

I like to spend time outside exploring and creating with my daughter, dog and husband.

Tell me something new you've recently learned.

I have learned metal stamping, it’s pretty cool and easy once you have the right tools.

Is there something new you plan to learn?  If so, what?

I have a looooong list! Currently I am reading up on canning.

Thanks, Maria, for agreeing to this interview.   If you are interested, you may see questions here.  I am enjoying these interviews.  You don't have to be someone I know for me to interview you! You may e-mail your answers to me at onlythemanager@yahoo.com and I will be delighted to do a post featuring you! I will be featuring more interviews as they come in. 

An Interview with AKM

Today I am introducing a reader named Angela, also known as AKM.  

Angela (AKM)

I think you will enjoy getting to "know" her a bit better through her interview.  I've enjoyed her upbeat and fun personality!  Here's my interview with her...


What is your earliest memory and how old were you?
    I THINK I remember the Fourth of July when I was 2 years old. I remember seeing fireworks and I distinctly remember sitting on a magenta plaid blanket we had. My mom says she doesn't remember that time specifically, but that it's definitely possible. 

Tell me something about which you feel passionate.
    I'm passionate about helping the disenfranchised, the marginalized, the oppressed. Jesus' best friends were these people, so that says it all to me. 

Tell me something about your childhood.
    I was fairly lonely as a child. I was tested and found to be gifted after I began reading early, and I never did fit in with the other children. I prayed and prayed for a little sister for years. Finally, when I was nine, I got a sibling...but it was a brother! EWW! A BOY! NOT what I ordered! 

Patrick and His girlfriend, Ashley

Once I met him, though, I instantly decided that we would be lifelong best friends. And we are.  

Tell me of an experience from your past that was incredible or amazing to you.
    Seeing the mountains of Colorado when I was sixteen was truly incredible. What majesty created by the Father! I decided then and there that I would someday live in Colorado, and I'm still sticking with that plan. I hope to live there once I get my MSW in two years.  
Tell me something that frightens you.
    Driving on bridges. Snakes. Driving in the rain and/or at night. Large statues of people. Clowns. Getting into a bad car accident. (Notice a theme here?)

Tell me something you have accomplished that pleased you.
    I still have a 4.0 so far in my second year (of four years) of grad school. 

What was your first job for money?
    I was always a babysitter as a teenager, and I was a good one. I would clean up the house as much as I could after the kids went to sleep, because I thought it would be a nice surprise for the parents. Kids loved me because I took the time to listen to them and I always had great books or movies or activities planned. My first real job was at Express, the clothing store, at Christmas my freshman year of college. It was kind of fun, and I spent every dime on Christmas presents for others and clothes for myself. 

Tell me about your first experience leaving home.
    I lived at home until I was 24, because I helped out so much with my brother. He was driving himself around by then and I finally decided to try the independence thing, so I moved into a small cheap apartment. I was still in college and I made $800 dollars a month working as a proofreader and receptionist at a local newspaper, and my rent was $200. I didn't have a thing, but I had tons of friends and tons of fun. It was probably the time I made the least amount of money as an adult, but it also might have been the time when I was happiest. Correlation, perhaps?! 

Do you think of yourself as an organized person?  Why or why not?
      I've always been peripherally organized -- I'm a secretary by trade -- but grad school has forced me to become organized to the very last detail. I plan out my budget, my work/school/practicum schedules, household chores and cooking schedules, assignment due dates, shopping lists/menus...I have to know where every penny goes and where every minute is spent. The more organized I am, the more relaxed I become. 

Is your adult life different than you expected?  If yes, how so?
      I always thought I would be married with children by now. I am almost 37 and single and without children, so it may never happen. I am satisfied with being a singleton, though, if that is what God has called me to be.

Is there a particular person who had great influence on you and if so who and how?
      Both of my grandmothers had a big influence on me. Grandma Gerry was my mother's mother, and I get my generosity, honesty-to-a-fault, and big heart from her. 

Grandma Gerry

Grandma Fran is my father's mother, and I get my wacky sense of humor mixed with a no-nonsense personality from her. 

Grandma Fran with Patrick's Dog, TJ

I am also influenced by Jesus Christ (of course!), Saint Francis (animals and simplicity), Martin Luther King (social justice), and Sir Paul McCartney (music and animals).  

AKM's Cat, Jackie

Tell me something about your views on spirituality.
       I came back to the Catholic Church last spring after a hiatus of at least ten years. I love receiving Jesus in the Eucharist. I love how the Holy Spirit moves me and guides me. I love knowing that I have a direct line to God at any time! (How cool is that?!) I love Mother Mary and I often get teary at Advent and Christmas when I consider the love she had for her baby boy, who would one day suffer and die so that others might live in the Kingdom forever. I love the austerity of Lent leading up to the great joy of Easter. I love loving my brothers and sisters here on Earth, as well as those who have gone before me, whom I will see again one day. I love babies, born and unborn, and I am pro-life.  

What do you do for a living?
      I am a secretary at a university in the St. Louis area and a part-time social work grad student. I will have my MSW in two years and I then hope to head West. (If Colorado isn't an option, I'm also considering states like Montana and/or Alaska.) I may try to get a federal job and work on an Armed Forces base. (Proud Army helicopter pilot's daughter here!) I also hope to serve in the Peace Corps at some point in my life. I am also currently an Inquirer learning about the Brothers and Sisters of Charity Domestic Expression, founded by John Michael Talbot, and I am considering becoming a celibate sister -- yes, a nun! -- and living at his Little Portion Hermitage in Arkansas someday. (http://littleportion.org/home.html)

What do you currently most enjoy to do with your free time?
      I love Sundays...Mass, family, friends, books, and relaxation. Sometimes I go out with friends on Friday nights and we do karaoke, which is a hoot. I'm kind of a homebody, though, so I am often at home reading, cooking, and snuggling with my cat.

Tell me something new you've recently learned.
      I've been immersed in domestic/sexual violence advocate training for my practicum, which is at a domestic violence agency from now until July/August. I have become passionate about the movement and it may be my social work niche. Everyone on the planet should feel safe in his or her own home and no one deserves to be abused. 

Is there something new you plan to learn?  If so, what?
      I have been kinda-sorta learning Italian for a few years. I'm not very good at it unless I can read it. (For whatever reason, I am good at learning foreign languages, but only specifically at reading and writing them; speaking them becomes a challenge. I think this might be because I am very much a reader and a visual learner.) 

Whether I've asked a fitting question or not, tell me anything about yourself that you wish to tell!
      -- I'm kind of a foodie and all of those "acquired taste" foods, like blue cheese, anchovies, and black licorice? I love 'em, and I have from the first time I ever tried them.
      -- I love coffee and tea and I must have some daily. I like all kinds of both.      -- I have never broken a bone or been stung by a bee.
      -- My favorite songs are "Thunder Road" by Bruce Springsteen, "Tin Cup Chalice" by Jimmy Buffett, and "In My Life" by the Beatles.
      -- I like tattoos, NPR, pigs, green olives, mob movies, British comedy, and Twizzlers.
      -- I am the guardian of one very spoiled and very beautiful one-eyed cat named Jackie.
      -- Like Pastor Mike, I am a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan. I also love Kentucky basketball and Notre Dame football. 

 

Tell Me Your Story

I will admit, I was a bit worried after yesterday's post.  I was afraid nobody would be willing to submit to an interview from me.  I was wrong and I am so grateful to my sweet volunteers!  The offer is still open to anyone.  If you are a blogger, I will link your interview back to your blog as well.

Of course I feel I must come up with some rules to  keep good order.  Let's see.... rules....  Oh well.  I will just make one rule.

Rule #1    If I think it is inappropriate, I won't print it.

OK, now that the rules are settled let us continue.  I came up with some questions and topics to get your thoughts going.  You may answer any or all or come up with some of your own.  You may just copy and paste these questions and e-mail your answers to me at onlythemanager@yahoo.com or you can just write up whatever you wish about yourself and e-mail it to me.

I would really be happy if you attached a photo or two as well.  It can be a photo of just yourself or of you with anyone else you wish.  Please don't attach professional photos that I shouldn't print.  Casual ones are my preference.  This is one of my personal favorites...

So, we're off!



What is your earliest memory and how old were you?

Tell me something about which you feel passionate.

Tell me something about your childhood.

Tell me of an experience from your past that was incredible or amazing to you.

Tell me your first memory of knowing you were loved.

Tell me something that frightens you.

Tell me something you have accomplished that pleased you.

When you were most recently with a group of people did you feel as though you fit in or not?  Why or why not?

What was your first job for money?

Tell me about your first experience leaving home.

Do you think of yourself as an organized person?  Why or why not?

Tell me of a time you used your creativity.

Is your adult life different than you expected?  If yes, how so?

Is there a particular person who had great influence on you and if so who and how?

Tell me something about your views on spirituality.

Did you go to camp as a child?  If so, do you have any fun stories to share from that time?

If you are married, tell about first meeting your spouse.  Was it love at first sight or did it cook up more slowly?

Tell me about your children.

Tell me something about your time as an adolescent.

Tell me of a time you experienced loss.

What do you do for a living?

What do you currently most enjoy to do with your free time?

Tell me something new you've recently learned.

Is there something new you plan to learn?  If so, what?

Whether I've asked a fitting question or not, tell me anything about yourself that you wish to tell!

Everyone Has a Story

 You won't believe it but Mike & I went to see "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" again.  I'd offered to take a friend to a matinee but by the time all was said and done it turned into a double date with dinner and a movie.  It was a fun evening and you already know that I really liked that movie.

After watching it a second time I said, "I'm not going to write another review."  I'm not, so relax.  However, I will say that we found clues and things in it that we missed the first time through.  It was a good movie, even the second time around.

As I said before, the movie really makes you realize and think about the fact that everyone has a story.  It's true.  Everyone does have a story.  Not everyone has a blog, though.  And even those with blogs may have specific purposes for their blogs, such as recipes or craft tutorials, and don't want to mix their story into it too much.  So...

I have this idea.  Yes, I use my blog to tell my story, bit by bit.  I was wondering if I could convince some of you to let me interview you and tell your story.   I am going to work up a long list of questions and then have my interviewees chose a few they wish to answer.  I'm not looking for long biographies, just snippets of your story.  Any takers?  If you are interested in being interviewed please let me know by e-mail at onlythemanager@yahoo.com.  If no one responds, I have a few people in mind already for whom resistance may be futile :-) so you may as well volunteer.

I've No Idea How to Title This Post!

I often decide on my post title before I ever write a word of the post.  An idea comes to me about what I want to write and so I put the title down and start.  The funny thing is, I frequently end up surprised at what my topics really turned out to be.  That happened yesterday.  My post was just to be about the little kids I taught this week and the fact that most of them gave me a sweet hug as they left class.  Somehow, though, I ended up focusing mostly on the kids I taught some years ago in New Mexico.  I had to go back and change the title, something about sweet hugs,  AFTER I'd already published my post.  That is not the first time that has happened! 

Those of you who blog, do you experience this as well?  It's like the words take on a life of their own and I'm no longer in charge.  I started a novel some months ago and I find that I am often surprised by the direction that story takes me.  It's kind of fun, almost as though I am reading a book instead of writing it, but it also disconcerting.  Shouldn't I be in charge of the things I choose to write?

This post, for example, was to be about the fact that I have an interview today.  After I put the title up, though, I decided maybe I shouldn't tell everyone that I have an interview.  What if the job isn't offered to me?  Won't I be embarrassed to have to tell you all that I wasn't selected for this position that I think I really want? No, I don't want to write about that.

Then I thought maybe I'd blog about why I am in the position of job-hunting in the first place.  I could tell you more than you ever wanted to know about an illness that grabbed me last year and shook my life up for months, robbing me of my job, my confidence in my own body, and sometimes even my dignity.  No, that seems too heavy.  I don't want to do that right now.

So, I really have no idea what I want to talk about today.  I guess I will just leave it at that!