Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Help me out here...

I haven't completely forgotten that I have a blog. I've actually been thinking about it quite a lot. I can feel the neglect of this blog project I've started with the same keenly guilty conscience that I have about my scrapbooks right now.

SO, since I haven't been able to come to a full conclusion in my own mind on this matter, I'm calling you to help me out.

Dilemma One:
Who actually reads this? I think it is about 6 people (if I'm counting correctly). I'm not sure anyone else actually has the time or interest to do so. I have a hard time getting replies to just emails and those actually arrive at someone's inbox and don't have to be searched out.

Dilemma Two:
I've read that a blog needs a focus. An area of personal interest that may also interest readers. Here are my main "passions", if you will.
a. My own personal relationship with God.
b. Being a wife and a mother at home as well as staying connected with extended family and friends.
c. Ministering to women - fellowshipping with, teaching, learning with, hanging out with, growing with. Especially wives and mothers but also raising little women since I have three in my own house!
d. Physical fitness and health - I've been regularly exercising for 2 1/2 years and running for nearly two. I've done several 5Ks, two half marathons and two half marathons. I have another half marathon scheduled March 3rd. I am an RN but also have an interest in "alternative/holistic/natural/preventative medicine.
e. Travel - I love to go places and hear about others travels. Missions and Missionaries are fascinating to me as well.
f. Reading - I'll read the shampoo bottle if that is all that is handy. I LOVE to read.
g. I have a growing interest in finance and money management as well.

I don't know if I can write enough on just one of these topics and not bore you silly or write so infrequently that you lose interest. How do I narrow the focus down or create the thread that ties it all together and makes someone want to come back to check out what is new?

Dilemma Three - as I previously posted, I love dialogue. I don't want to just "run at the mouth" on a public blog without feedback. Maybe if the first two dilemma's are resolved this one will eventually work out as more people (hopefully) read.

My ultimate desire is for a forum like this to be a place where I can share what is going on in my life, in my head, and in my heart and for others to blessed by it. I don't want to just talk to the wind.

Do you have any insight for me?

In closing , I'll put a few fun pictures on here because this is the only place I seem to "scrapbook" in any form lately!
Gingerbread men, a tradition since 1992


New PJ's on Christmas Eve, a tradition carried on from my family



January 13th
Proof that you never know what you'll get weather-wise in Florida in January! Emily wanted to wear her new "winter" dress and Sarah decided to wear last year's halter style Easter dress. Emily was dressed for the calendar and Sarah was dressed for the temperature. Who were we to argue?! The extra little girl was Sarah's friend who came to sleep over the night before.