There's a storm in the forecast after all

(You have to read the previous post for this title to make sense.)

Bring on the brainstorming. But you first, if you don't mind.

I'm enjoying blogging these days and feel like I have recaptured some of my original intent for this blog. While I am acutely aware that this wave might crest any day (or, more than likely, in a little under a month when I will get to see someone I have a little bit of a crush on--bet you can't guess who ;), I want to ride this out and see where the current takes me. I may just end up washed up, but we'll see. In the meantime, could you help me out? I would just like to know if there is anything at all that keeps you checking this blog (however (in)frequently) other than updates on me. Because I like posting random things as well as things that are somewhat about me but might have an impact in your lives as well (however (in)significant--whether it's Lily sitting on my kitchen window sill to share a smile, or a recipe/craft, or something more meaningful like an issue I am learning about or wrestling with). And, frankly, even I will lose interest if this blog is all about me.

So, basically, I would just like to know (1) Do you feel like this blog is all about me? (be honest!) and (2) If not, what kinds of things do you most enjoy reading/seeing here?

Thanks so much for your time and insight!

Obsession?

Last night, I actually had a dream about Pioneer Woman. She wasn't just in my dream, my dream was about her. And I really couldn't tell you what she was doing. It involved sketching murals and leading a crowd of people. I don't have dreams about people very often. This was very odd. I just hope this doesn't mean that my fascination is morphing into obsession. I'm really just not that kind of girl.

But, I did learn this morning that she's having another word nerd quiz tonight. Maybe my dream was just a sign that I might actually finally win one of her quizes.

Maybe?

Hey, a girl can dream.

This morning I'm reminded that I am not a "winner"

Oh, it's a sad start to Monday morning. It's my own fault, I suppose. Have I mentioned that I love Pioneer Woman? She's funny, she's compassionate, she posts lots of no-fail recipes, and she's an Oklahoma gal. What's not to love? Oh, and she has giveaways. A lot of GOOD giveaways. Which I do enter, but I never win. First of all because she can have 10-20,000 people enter any one giveaway. Secondly because I'm A LOSER! And I don't say that with a shred of self-contempt. I just never win anything. It's okay. I've (basically) accepted my place in the world.

Some of her giveaways involve quizzes on individual subjects. This past week she's posted a couple vocabularly quizzes, and she always tells her readers exactly what time these quizzes will take place. The first person to answer correctly wins the first place prize, and then more winners are randomly chosen to receive a lesser prize. Far fewer people enter these types of contests, too--closer to 4,000--so the odds are better. I entered the first quiz, but I didn't make an effort to be the first commenter. My theory is that it's easier to be a random winner than the first place winner. Some of those people are fast! At any rate, nothing came of that quiz. But PW posted a second quiz, and this time I enlisted Justin as my accomplice. We got online as soon as the quiz was posted and answered the questions together as fast as we accurately could. (And yes, this did involve Google. Who wants to know? Did I mention that first prize was a Kindle and the "lesser" prizes were something like $75 to Amazon? Exactly.) Fourteen minutes later, we posted our answers.

And now we come to the sad part. Sad because I am not enough of a skeptic. During the quiz all comments are hidden until the winners are announced. So last night before bed we checked to see if the winners had been posted. They hadn't just yet, but comments were slowly being revealed. I looked at the comments, and...wait for it...my comment was the very first one! And it seemed that the only comments that had been posted thus far were the ones that had all the correct answers. So hope was born. False hope. And I went to sleep.

At five o'clock this morning I woke up and my brain demanded answers. I got online. All 3500+ comments were up. Mine was number 557. Commenter #4 had been announced as the winner. Reality laughed in my face. The natural order has been restored once again.

If you're a "winner," you should definitely check out some of Pioneer Woman's giveaways. If you can't beat 'em, delight in someone else's success. Why not one of you?

A baby blog

I've added a new blog to my sidebar--something shara--which has been termed a "baby blog" by its author and my talented friend Sharalee. It's a baby blog because it was born just today. Welcome to the world something shara!

Sharalee is, dare I say, a multifaceted gal. College roommate. Running buddy. Blossoming photographer (definitely way past budding). Jewelry maker. Lover of kittens and edgy self-portraits. Always the capacity to surprise.

Sharalee agreed to be our wedding photographer 2 1/2 years ago. It was so nice to have her there both as a friend and as someone willing to say, "Okay indecisive people. Let's try this pose." Naturally she took some incredible pictures, and then she went above and beyond with the time she put into editing.

Now Sharalee is a full-blown entrepreneur. In addition to her photography, she makes and sells fun, flirty, and emo (multifacted, I tell you) bottlecap jewelry and a smattering of other accessories. You can check out her store here. And if you're a photography buff, I know you'll enjoy Sharalee's new blog. Check it out. Share some blog love.

Blogs and dogs

I discovered thepioneerwoman.com today, and since Justin left for his deployment this morning, I spent a ridiculous amount of time there reading and browsing through. She has an interesting story about transforming from a city girl to a...well, pioneer woman, and her blog also has a big following because she posts lots of tasty looking recipes! I particularly like that she includes pictures of each step, so even a culinary novice like me can't get too lost. (I think.) I have grand visions of trying out and perfecting several of her recipes while Justin is gone and wowing him when we gets back. Ha. We shall see.

So in the spirit of discovering new blogs, I'm curious. Is there one (a few, several) that you really enjoy keeping up with? What are they? What keeps you coming back?

Oh, and news! Justin and I finally found our beagle yesterday! He is full of energy but at the same time quite content just to sit with you and be loved on. His name (currently) is Elmer, and if you're curious about him, you can see pictures and a short description here. His foster is holding him for us until I fly home from Oklahoma on September 11, when I will pick him up and officially adopt him and have him to myself for a week. Yikes! (Oh yes, and I'm flying to OK for a week. I wasn't sure I should fly home, but when I found out my aunt and uncle will also be in town, that sealed the deal. And on top of that, my college roommate will be in town before running off to England to get her PhD and become the world's leading Shakespeare scholar.)