Loving the 'net

I'm writing this tonight, because I have a busy day tomorrow and have to get an early start...

Stop me...stop me NOW! I have become a blogging addict. I love to read other people's blogs. It's like a little window into their world. Some people have blogs dedicated to their families and they fill it with photos of the daily goings on in their lives. No matter how monumental or inconsequential. I mean, thanks for sharing your precious baby's throw-up with us--NOT. Although some of them are really cute and touching and heartwarming and even inspiring. I remember what it was like to be a young mother. A young working mother. At times (most times) it was overwhelming. Reading these blogs brings back memories, but also a twinge of regret that I didn't have that kind of support and network to other moms who were going through the same things I was. Most of the mommy bloggers handle it all with alot of humor. With a blog called http://mommywantsvodka.psys.org/ you just know life's gonna be alright!

I also enjoy home decorating blogs, particularly those that repurpose everyday items into splendid accessories for the home. Some are reallllllllly tacky, while some are incredibly clever and creative. One of my favorites used to be http://www.thenester.com/, although now you have to kind of weed through her ads and giveaways to see her true blog, complete with photos. Now this chick, The Nester, is like the ROCK STAR of bloggers. Women flock to her site and from what I've read, they actually ask for her autograph at blogging conferences. I watched the You Tube video tour of her home (which pretty much just included the entry hall) and it cracked me up. First, there's the giggly Nester-groupie at the beginning. Then, there's the house...nice, but not THAT nice. Right off the bat I noticed an empty urn by her front door. I'd rather keep my fake Christmas trees standing in the urns on either side of my front door until Easter than have empty urns. And inside, nothing special...she even brags about the hastily made pillows on her sofa. And the comments slay me: "LOVE netster! Her house is just stunning!!!! Its so fun to see it "for real" not just in photos on the blog!" These people have obviously not seen my friend Ann's house. Or Jacqui's house. Or Debbie's house...or MY house, for that matter. Oh enough...view the video for your own self: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQLOLZp-ZJ4

For the past couple of days, I've been reading writer's blogs. These are totally different. Some review books and some post their writings, or what they're doing to promote their writing, etc. It's been very eye-opening for me, since I want to write a book on Nicole's accident and miraculous recovery. Today, my friend Nancy Kay sent me the link to a writer's conference that will be held at Ole Miss in October. So, in rooting around on that, I came across a blogger who I felt an instant kinship with. She's originally from Jackson, graduated from Murrah, and now lives in Memphis. And not only that, she's going to the Girlfriend Weekend in Jefferson, Texas this weekend. So am I! And she's riding over with River Jordan, one of the authors we've read in our book club! Too much. I immediately friended her on facebook, and she messaged me right back, and that began an afternoon of banter back and forth. So, now I'm going to meet one of my new best friends in Texas this weekend!

Sometimes, I believe that with all the "stuff" there is in the universe (and 98% of that is now on the internet) God has a way of leading us to people we're supposed to meet. I mean, how else do you explain a white bread Southern girl like me meeting/falling in love with/'getting married to a swell guy from Venezuela? (And that was almost 30 years ago!) My new friend with the beautiful name, Susan, lives a parallel life to my own. She's a writer, a reader, and a lover of life! I'd like to introduce you to her: http://wwwpenandpalette-susancushman.blogspot.com/.

This has been long...lots of extracurricular linkage going on today. All to say, I love the internet...I love connecting with friends old and new...and I'm seriously thinking of powering my computer with bike pedals so I can at least get some exercise while reading all the creative blogs.

QUESTION: Do you read certain blogs regularly? If so, what are your favorites and why? Please leave a comment and if you are a HUGE fan of the Nester, please don't hate me...

Y'all say a prayer for those poor people in Haiti, who are suffering following the devastating earthquake there, and for all the people in Jackson who have been adversely affected by the broken pipes/water shortage. I'm extra thankful tonight that I live in a warm, cozy home with plenty of running water. God's been good to me.

Blessings to all who read this!
Susan

Post-Christmas bliss

I have had the best time in these days after Christmas, enjoying the leftovers (I could eat for a week and still have food!), the decorations, the wonderful gifts I received and spending time relaxing. My favorite thing to do lately is to cruise many of the wonderful blogs online. I'm getting lots of ideas and slowly learning a few things. As I said before, I plan on writing my own "good mood blog" right here, on this site, beginning January 1. I'm going to do it five days a week, and I want it to be something you'll want to read every day.

One of the things I found online is a conference in Nashville on blogging. It's called "Blissdom '10" (http://www.blissdom.com/) in early February, and I REALLY want to go. The registration fee is $299. I can't really swing that now, post Christmas, especially when Nicole has so many financial needs. So, I'm putting this out there...if anyone wants to sponsor me, they'll get frequent mentions on my blog! For any of you business-owners out there, you know that $299 is way cheaper than most ads. Right now, I have a registered following of 62 people who regularly log on when I have a new blog post. Imagine reaching 62 people--potential customers--over and over again for only $300. And my list of followers is continuing to grow. So it could just be the smartest $300 you'll ever spend! Think about, but please, if you are interested, please hurry. There aren't many slots left at the conference. I have a place to stay in Nashville (with a friend).

Now that I've got the begging portion of my blog over with, I will let you know that the Marquez family had a wonderful Christmas. We had a house full of people on Christmas Eve, which just made Larry and I very happy. People came and went...or came and stayed...and we all had a special time together.

This time last year, Nicole was on a pass from Methodist Rehab. She was still in a wheelchair, and we had to hire LeFleur Transportation to pick her up in a lift van to come home. Her power chair was so big and she kept knocking furniture and walls with it as she tried to navigate around our house. So, a year later, we are all thankful that she is walking around our house without her cane!

Christmas morning, my parents, my sister Sarah and her family (Big Bob, Matthew and Lauren) all came over, as did Joe and his precious girlfriend, Emily, along with our "other sista" Jacqui. We had a huge brunch with breakfast casserole, cheese grits, homemade sticky buns and lots of coffee, mimosas and bloody marys. Around noon, we commenced to opening gifts...which we did easily for the next hour or more. It was lots of fun, with lots of laughs and my house was a huge hairy happy mess when we were done.

Larry then went to the kitchen to get ready for our next meal of the day...chili and gumbo, along with my dad's Mexican cornbread. We kept it casual...everyone served themselves off the stove and ate where they could find a place.

That afternoon, Joosy Claus made it by for a visit, followed by a return visit from Jake Smith and Margaret Dutcher. The guys watched football, of course, while the women-folk hung out in my keeping room, visiting, laughing, and yes, EATING. (How?)

It was a great day, and we all went to bed full and fulfilled. It was a great celebration of Christ's birth, and we were grateful to have family and friends surrounding us.

Blessings to all who read this!
Susan