Blogtember 8: Discuss ways that blogging or social media has changed you.

To start off - I don't do much shopping on Etsy, which is why you don't have a post from me for yesterday. I felt like pretending I'd bought stuff would have been awful!

It's no secret that social media as a whole has changed the way that we do things in our day-to-day lives. With Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, it seems like there should be no way for us to have secrets from the world. Of course, at the same time, the oversharing drives me absolutely up a wall. As for me, though, I think it's changed me - it has made me more comfortable with sharing parts of my life I otherwise wouldn't have. It's fun to be able to post a picture on Instagram of one of my cats, or just something silly I'm doing, and have other people like it and comment on it. It's also great to be able to promote my brands (both my blog and handmade business) via an outlet like Facebook. I'm not one of those people who just sits on Facebook for hours at a time - in fact, I barely use it to communicate! It's just a good timewaster for when I have a few minutes.

As for blogging, for a long time, I always just read blogs and loved reading the stories of other people's lives. It was a bit of a double edged sword, since I've been a writer for a long time and figured there would be no reason why I couldn't do it, except for how I felt about myself and how I compared myself to others. Now, though, I've gotten comfortable enough to toss caution to the wind and just write again, which is something I haven't been able to do for years and something I can definitely thank blogging for. And I always thought it would be really difficult for me to think of new things to write, and things like that - but every once and awhile, a great idea just pops into my head and I run with it! That's one thing I love about blogging, and one thing I definitely wouldn't change.
 

Blogtember 4: A story about a time you were very afraid.

You know, this is a weird one for me. I can't say that I scare that easily. But here goes nothing - the last time I really remember being afraid was, oddly enough, my last breakup. 

The end of us was near, and we both knew it. The two of us had been fighting for weeks. Most of the time, over nothing, but I was just sick of him and I'm sure he of me. These fights weren't just pithy, small, get-over-it-in-two-seconds fights. They were explosive, horrible fights where we just screamed at each other for no reason, and he even punched a hole in the wall of our apartment. It was going to end, and it would be a car crash, and I knew it. So, in an act of self-appreciation, I threw him out, instead of leaving myself. I was just so shaken, so emotionally over it all, that all I wanted to do was go to sleep.

Know what the worst part was? I couldn't. I had myself so convinced that he would break into the apartment while I was sleeping (for what reason I don't know). For weeks, I felt like a crazy person as I listened to each and every sound in my apartment - and honestly, at one point, the refrigerator's ice maker scared the shit out of me to the point that I thought someone was in my apartment. It was ridiculous.

I honestly can't remember being so scared of anything before, or since. Unless you count the first time I ever knocked the wind out of myself falling off of a set of monkey bars when I was nine. 

Even though the story isn't the best, and not really something I wanted to revisit - it's true, and honest, and all I try to be. 

Blogtember 3: Share useful advice or information you learned and always remembered.

"You know what's true."

These words have echoed through my entire life. My mother always said it to me growing up, but I never quite knew what it meant until I started to navigate my way through this crazy thing they call life. As I went through trials and tribulations, one dead end job to another... it was always in the back of my mind. 

When she said it to me as a kid, I just brushed it off as one of those "mom-isms" that would never come into play in my adult life. And you know what? I was wrong. Here you go, Mom! I was wrong! There are always outside influences at play in life, and knowing yourself is one of the most important things about getting through it. It really comes into play in my every day - at work, at home, even alone - it comes into my mind every day. As far as others went, if someone treated me like shit and I was upset about it, I always remembered that. It has been my security blanket and my one true word for my entire life, and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

I always remember that I'm a good person. A hard worker, and someone who would give a friend or family member the shirt off my back if they wanted it. It's been difficult to maintain that ferocious level of loyalty, especially since it seems to be lost on so many people, but I still do. Do I feel like the loser for it sometimes? Sure. But at the end of the day, do I sleep well at night? Of course. Because I know what's true. 

 ( Today, I found out about this awesome September blogging event courtesy of Story of My Life, and I decided to get into it - keep checking back, as I'll do everything I can to keep up! )

Sunday Social: Threes!

This is Week 33 of the Sunday Social blog hop, but I recently found out about it and always meant to do it - and sure it's a little bit late on a Sunday for a post, but I wanted to do it and not just think about it! I'm also doing next week's right away, so I won't have to worry about forgetting next week!

The Sunday Social is hosted by Ashley Lately and A Complete Waste of Makeup, and as I said, I'll do my best to participate every week going forward! This week's questions were all related to threes, so here goes!

1. Top 3 favorite kinds of food?

For me, I always go for a pasta or Italian dish, followed by soup and/or grilled chicken. Those are my absolute, go-to favorites. 

2. First 3 things you do in the morning?

Hit snooze about 4 times, brush my teeth/wash my face, and throw my hair up in the best five second ponytail possible.

3. Last 3 things you do at night?

Wash my face/brush my teeth, read a few chapters of whatever book I'm on, and usually fall asleep watching a true crime show or episode of Ghost Adventures. 

4. TV shows you never miss?

I may not catch them right when they're on, but Justified, Sons of Anarchy, and Gator Boys (most recently) are usually waiting for me on my DVR. I have several guilty pleasures as far as TV shows go, but I'll wait for a different post for those! :)

5. 3 places you want to visit?

Australia is a place I have always wanted to go to, as well as California and another trip to Las Vegas. 

6. 3 people you can always count on?

My dad, and my two best friends Tiffany and Laura. 

My dad and I riding on a race car at a Christmas in July event in 2012.

Tiff and I on Milwaukee's lakefront!

Laura and I at my birthday party a couple of years ago. I had a couple.

Thanks for checking out my first Sunday Social post! Come back next week for more!

The Blogger 411 - hosted by From Mrs. to Mama!

Throughout my perusal of various blogs on various subjects, I always see blog hops, but haven't ever participated in one myself! I kept seeing the button for one in particular this week, and decided to check it out and do one! The one I chose was the Blogger 411, hosted by From Mrs. to Mama. If you'd like to participate, check it out on her blog - I am very excited that I decided this was my first link-up!

1. How long have you been blogging? And what got you started on blogging? How has your blog changed?

 I started not so seriously around two years ago – I think my blog was made in March of 2010. I would post once in a great while, but nothing to write home about, certainly. It started as a way for me to just get things off my chest to virtually zero followers, but I found myself inspired by the other blogs I saw and spent time reading, and decided to get more serious about it earlier this year. I think it definitely changed from a place to be broody and ridiculous into a place where I could teach others to do fun DIY projects and let people into the pieces of my life I decide. It's valuable, at least to me. 

2. Did you go to college? If so where, and what did you study?

I went to Milwaukee Area Technical College from 2007 until around 2009. It just wasn’t right for me – I initially began my quest for an associate’s degree in Funeral Service, but later changed it to an Associate of Arts. It’s still waiting for me, but I’ll know when the right time is, or if the right time even comes.

3. Where have you traveled?

As an adult, not too many places. Columbus, Ohio for a tattoo convention in 2009, and Fort Wayne, Indiana for the same purpose in 2010.

4. If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would buy?

I would more than likely buy a house, if possible, or just use the money to pay off old debt and things like my car.

5. What are your 3 biggest pet peeves?

Negativity. I dislike people who can’t find any positive in life, who have to spend all of their energy putting others down or whining about how hard life is.

People who make weird noises with their hands in my ear. Long story, but one of the supervisors at work rubs his thumb and forefinger together in my ear, and it drives me crazy. I even started throwing elbows when I hear it!

Those who touch me when asking about my tattoos. Now, I’m pretty tolerant, and by all means have no problem answering questions about my tattoos or the meanings behind them. What I don’t like, however, is people that arbitrarily think that it’s okay to touch me because of that. I once had a random woman at a gas station touch the tattoo behind my ear to tell me that she liked it. It was a bit strange.

6. What is your favorite movie?

Of all time? I would say more than likely Cry-Baby. I am also a huge fan of all of Vincent Price’s films, so would say The Abominable Dr. Phibes, as well.

7. What is your drink of choice; wine, beer, or liquor. Or Water, Soda, Tea?

Of the two alcoholic varieties, I’d say beer and whiskey (Pabst and Jack Daniels, if it matters), and of the non-alcoholic I would venture to say Diet Pepsi or the delicious Chai Tea I get from my Keurig.

8. What is something you enjoy to do when you have me time?

Work on my blog or any number of craft projects I have sitting half-finished throughout the house. Either that, or I’m in the bath tub enjoying some relaxation courtesy of Lush bath bombs!

9. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, which store would it be?

Probably – and this is equal parts embarrassing and representative of my crafty personality – Jo-Anns. Or Target. You can never have too many craft projects or household goodies! They don’t call Target the $100 store for nothing.

10. Share with us an embarrassing moment of your past? Or present.

I would say that probably one of my most embarrassing moments would be… when I was about eight years old and stood up in my now aunt and uncle’s wedding as their flower girl. I may have even been younger than eight – in any case – I was responsible for throwing the flower petals down the aisle as they walked up, and the bottom of my basket was lined in Easter grass. You can bet dollars to doughnuts that I threw that Easter grass on the ground because I wasn’t paying attention, and that everybody saw it. That, and it was forever immortalized in VHS format by the wedding videographer.

11. What day would you love to relive again?

Any day that I spent shortly after I learned to drive. I would drive anywhere and everywhere, mostly aimlessly, listening to music loud, enjoying life. I am still a huge purveyor of driving around for no real purpose.

12. If your life was turned into a movie... what actor would play you?

I haven’t put much thought into a question like this! Hmm. I honestly couldn’t tell you. Christina Ricci, maybe? I have no idea.

13. What are the jobs you had in high school/college/the early years?

My first job ever was at McDonald’s on Oneida Street in Green Bay. I started working there at fifteen because I couldn’t get a job at the mall until I was sixteen. From there, I worked at a small bead store in Green Bay’s Broadway district, at a call center, an animal shelter, a Blockbuster Video, and countless office jobs.

14. Show us a picture from high school or college.

In high school, I was obviously the super-broody, living in my parents' basement having a rough time kind of kid.

15. If you could travel anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would you go?

Australia or anywhere in Europe. Australia because I’d love to hold a koala and I’ve heard that you can do that there, and Europe because I have always been a fan of, and have wanted to visit places like France, Germany, and England.

16. Show us the most current picture of you or you, or your family, or anything of meaning to you.

A silly picture of my cat, Reno, wrapped in a scarf like the cat in the ad.

17. Where do you see your life 5 years from now?

To be honest, I couldn’t tell you. I don’t know if I’ll still be in my job or somehow working for myself (!!!). I couldn’t say if I’ll be married or not, or what I’ll be into. Above all, I just want to be the happiest I can possibly be.