Twitter? Tweet? Twisted? Twerp?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.

I just finished reading Nathan Bransford's blog post on Tweeting and I'm a tad perplexed. I just got a handle on the blogging thing. I started my blog over a year ago and after not much interaction with it, I put it on hold for several months. Then I figured out you had to advertise it, so I did on facebook. To all my friends. And when I still didn't have much interaction with it, I started to check out other blogs to see what they were doing. And I commented on a few. And BOOM. People visited my blog, because, ya know, they now had a LINK. Hmmm. What a concept. Now, I don't believe I'm that technology or socially inept, but I have struggled with how to market myself and how to advertise. And I'm getting it. Really I am. You all are TERRIFIC teachers!

But then I read Nathan's blog and went CRAP! Now I have to TWEET!?

I get it. Its another form of social media that can get your name out there, that can advertise for you and work in your favor. It makes sense. It works, obviously. But wow. You've seen my hat list! Blogger and Tweeter would have to be added to that, because it would be one more thing to add to my already overflowing plate. I tell myself that I will look into the Twitter Epidemic when - I get my book written; or when I land an agent; or when I'm published. But then its too late, right? The sooner the better.

Frankly, though, for me, its one thing at a time. And right now, its blogging. If I miss the twitter boat, I guess I miss it.

How many of you tweet? And love it? How many hate it? Who out there finds it daunting and who can't live without it?

I AM

QUOTE OF THE DAY: You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it. ~Robin Williams

The other day someone asked me what I did. Generally, when someone asks that question, you usually reply with what you do to generate income, right? Well, I could have numerous different answers. I make my income in several different ways, but I am so much more than that. I am more than a business owner or an employee. So I made a list. The I AM list.

A Christian, Period.
A Mother (of 2, which automatically adds titles including but not limited to: Chauffeur, Tutor, Secretary, Nurse, Advisor, Counselor, Warden, Coach, Maid, Cook, Event Planner, Bodyguard, Financial Advisor, Referee, Judge, Lawyer, Cheerleader)
A Significant Other (similar to that of Wife, without the paperwork and although I hate the title, it sounds better than girlfriend. When I say I'm his girlfriend, that seems so, I don't know, high school I suppose :))
An Ex-Wife (while minor children are involved, this title holds significance simply because it consumes portions of my week)
A Sister
A Daughter
A Friend
An Aunt
A Cousin
A Niece
A Business Owner
An Independent Employee
A Co-Organizer for NoCo Writer's Group
A Writer
A School Volunteer
A 4-H Leader
A Coach (well, I was for two years at least, and not because of experience, but because of necessity)

And then I let out a big sigh because just reading the list exhausts me. Oh, but otherwise life would be boring!

So tell me, what hats do you wear? When someone asks you what do you do, how do you answer?

Just a little something for your reading pleasure

QUOTE OF THE DAY: EXCELLENCE is obtained if you...CARE more than others think is wise; RISK more than others think is safe; DREAM more than others think is practical; EXPECT more than others think is possible. ~Tom Peters, Author of Little Big Things

It's snowing like crazy today and my front yard looks like this blog page. It appears winter has finally decided to stay.

I just thought I'd post a little something I wrote some time ago. I was trying to see the world through my daughter's eyes, and remember those simpler times. Those things we used to do before everything was instant and digital and electronic. Before TV and Wii and cell phones. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it and your Sunday and whatever else it is that makes you smile.


ADVICE FROM GRANDPA
by Lisa Blandford

CREATE a fort with chairs and blankets
GROW a garden
CATCH some frogs
ROAST marshmallows over a campfire
SLEEP under the stars, COUNT them and WISH on the ones that fall
SAY hello to the man in the moon
HEAR the crickets play a melody
CHASE the angels
DYE Easter eggs...then HIDE them
EAT chocolate
SHARE chocolate
PICK some wildflowers for Grandma
SMELL the rain
FIND all the colors in a rainbow
LEAVE a May Day basket for the neighbors
LISTEN to the birds sing
PLAY hide and seek
FEED the squirrels
SKIP rocks on a lake
BELIEVE in the tooth fairy
HUG Mom and TELL her she's the best mom ever
THROW a ball for the dog...and WALK him, too
CHURN home made ice cream
IMAGINE what floats among the clouds
HELP Dad clean the garage
DIG up worms
TAKE a Sunday morning walk with Grandpa
SEE the sun rise
GO fishing
WADE barefoot in a creek
DISCOVER a secret hideout
READ to your brother
RIDE your bike
MAKE a wish and blow out the candle on your cake
CELEBRATE with friends
POP old fashioned popcorn
CARVE pumpkins
LET your sister go first
WATCH the sun set
BUILD a snowman...and snow angels, too
WRITE a letter to Santa
SET a good example
ENJOY growing up