I Have a Voice for Blogging

Source  /  By Alejandro Escamilla

"You have a face for radio."

I think about that sometimes when I am blogging.

I write to be creative and because I was not as good as I needed to be at drawing and photography.  Goodness knows I can't sing to save my life

I tried.

My talent was in commercial art but before Photoshop.  I am positive if Photoshop was a class when I was in high-school, I would have gone down a whole other career path.

I was told that I write like I speak.  I disagree but only by a little.  I am nicer when I write than in person.  I think my voice as a writer is thoughtful but I do tend to rush a bit.  In real life I tend to say the wrong things but with the right intention.  I guess I do write like I speak.

You Won't See This Guilty Pleasures List on Buzzfeed

Guilty pleasure.  

I can think of many things I am guilty of, in fact writing this and neglecting my family would be one but I am not sure I would call it a guilty pleasure.  So, I did what everyone in this age does and googled the definition:

Then there is Urban Dictionary's definition:

I am not sure which of the two is better.  One seems innocent and the other seems down right dirty.  For the sake of this post I will keep my guilty pleasures on the PG side.

My Top 5 Guilty Pleasures

1.  People watching at the Market.  

Most days, when I am shopping at our Market, I am actively avoiding the tourist.  And, by tourist I mean those who don't come very often and have to look at absolutely. everything.  Drives me nuts.

But then there are the days that I take the kids up to the balcony, sit back and just watch.  It is relatively quiet when you are above all of the chaos and it reminds me to be still.

2. Grandma Freda’s Cupcakes.

Actually now, they are called Grandma Campbell’s Cupcakes but when they first opened their stand at the West Side Market (same as above) the husband and I have been making ourselves fat on them.  My favorite is the chai but they only make that one seasonally.  This past year they opened a shop in our city that has not just their cupcakes but also all of the other sweets they sell.  It is very dangerous to have it so close to us.

red wine soaked strawberries + raspberry powder + dark chocolate, wine, and my favorite paperback 

3. Wine, chocolate and a good book - alone.

With a schedule like ours, I don't get to be alone often but when I do and I want to splurge I head to Lilly's in Tremont.

4. A great pedicure.

I happened upon Addictions because of a Groupon and it is by far one of the best places I've gone for a pedicure and especially my hair.  I love them.  If you want to check it out - email me!  I have a referral card with a great discount I will happily give you.

5. Doctor Who.

What can I say, I am a fan.  My son and I sat breathlessly to see who the next Doctor would be and we were glued to the boob tube for the 50th special and the Christmas special, too.  We are fans and I love that I can share it with my kid.

What are your guilty pleasures? 

I Hate Endings, Maybe

Today’s prompt for NaBloPoMo is how you feel about endings. I hate endings. But, I love new beginnings. I suppose you can’t have one without the other but one does not necessarily mean a bad thing anymore than the other. As much as I hate endings you can’t have a new start without something ending.

The end of NaBloPoMo is tomorrow and I have successfully written a blog post a day for November. This is the first time in three years that I have been able to accomplish a blog post a day, on purpose. Some posts were okay and others were better. One post was featured on BlogHer and some posts just went unnoticed. I had a typo in the title of one post and I thought for sure I would just die of embarrassment. (I didn’t). And, one post hit over a thousand views (I may have had a small stroke) which is a lot for me to get in one week (and it wasn't the one on BlogHer). I even wrote a post checking something off my list.

Endings can be beautiful and sweet. They can be heart wrenchingly sad but also uplifting and joyous. Endings can bring closure and acceptance as well as provide perspective. Maybe I don’t hate endings as much as I thought I did. Maybe I only dislike endings. Maybe I should stop looking at things as ending but as a beginning. Would that be denial?

Change can be wonderful and scary. Change is just another ending disguised as a positive. My experience this month has changed me. It has invigorated my writing and even lead to a couple of new opportunities. I am learning from my mistakes, still, and slowly growing as a writer. Writing is not my first love but I am learning to love it as a creative outlet in a way that I never imagined. I am so very grateful that anyone would read what I write and thankful that someone does.

Thank you.

Because Prompts are Fun - Free for all!

Oh what weekend!  First Communion, Mother's Day, World's best in-laws in town and today - Iron Man 3!  Phew its been a busy week! 

For this week's theme I call FREE FOR ALL!

Yep, come back on Friday and link up anything that you have written that you would like to showcase as long as it is not a sponsored post or a giveaway. 

Because Prompts are Fun - Money

Happy Tax Day!

That seems like a silly statement but, eh, what can one do when it comes time for taxes?  At least there are the freebies and deals - Eat*Drink*Cleveland has a great list as does One Momma Saving Money.

And of course, it makes a great idea for this weeks prompt...

This week's prompt is - Money

1. What did you learn from doing your taxes this year?

2. How do you plan on spending or did spend your tax return if you got one?

3. Top 5 tips on spending or saving money

 

You know how it works... Pick one, write a post, and come back on Friday to link it up!  There is still time to link up to last week's on procrastination.

Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss a prompt or linkup!

Join @darcyzalewski and me in this week's prompt about money! ineedaplaydate.com/2013/04/becasu… twitter.com/mryjhnsn/statu…

— MryJhnsn (@mryjhnsn) April 15, 2013

Because Prompts are Fun - A Procrastinator's To-do List

I am not a to-do list kind of gal. I like lists when they are about fun things like Doctor Who or parenting but when it comes to things to do – yuck!

I don’t like to-do lists probably because I am a procrastinator. If I write a list of things down that I absolutely have to do than I will absolutely have to do them and, more than likely within a reasonable time.

I hate to do lists. But, since I have a whole lot to do I should probably start making them. My goal for the next month will be to do a list a week and cross off at least half of the items. Except for this weekend’s – I have to cross them all off.

My To-Do List

1. Taxes
      a. find baby’s SSN

2. Take books back to library (they are only two weeks over do)

3. Write a post about lists

4. Switch out baby’s clothes that she has outgrown and pack them up

5. Actually pack the clothes up for pick up

6. Laundry

7. BJ’s

Phew. Just writing it out is enough for tonight!

What’s on your to-do list?

Because Prompts Are Fun #10 - Spring!

Can you believe it has been 10 weeks since we started?!!?

This week let's think spring!  Blue skies, tulips, fresh starts and Easter!

This week’s theme: Celebrating Spring

1. What does Spring look like in your area?
2. Favorite Easter traditions or recipes?
3. 6 words to describe springtime? 

 
You know how it works... Pick one, write a post, and come back on Friday to link it up!

Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss a prompt or linkup!

Because Prompts are Fun - Inspiration Intervention

Blogger block:  the inability, temporarily, to write an engaging post. 

Thank goodness for prompts!

This week’s theme: Inspiration Intervention

1. What or who inspires you? How? Why?
2. Tell us about a Pin or picture that inspired you recently?
3. Share an inspiring quote that meant something to you.

You know the drill! Pick one, write a post, and come back on Friday to link it up!

New Post!Because #Prompts are Fun - Inspiration Intervention goo.gl/fb/tBHH5 #becausepromptsarefun
— MryJhnsn (@mryjhnsn) March 18, 2013

If you have a special request for a theme or prompt question, please let us know!  Also, we’d be grateful if you share this to let others know about these weekly prompts.  Thank you!

Because Prompts are Fun - Lucky Number 9 #promptsrfun

My lucky number has always been the number and I am a little obsessed with it.

From Numerology.com:

You are broad-minded, idealistic and compassionate. You should obtain a wide education, especially in the arts. You are highly creative. Many great artists are found under this number.

I am so obsessed that I am constantly adding up numbers and I am only satisfied when I get a nine (or a multiple of 3) as the answer. 

You can imagine that I get disappointed a lot.

When we set the date for our wedding and I realized that it added up to the nine (3 + 17 + 07 = 2 + 7 = 9) I set the time of our ceremony for 6:30 PM.  And, since we got married in Vegas but live in Ohio this means we got married at 9:30 PM EST.

Just a tad obsessive.  But, it has always proved to be my lucky number.  Do you have a lucky number?

New Post!Becasue #Prompts are Fun - Lucky Number 9 ##promptsrfun goo.gl/fb/kHhbe #becausepromptsarefun
— MryJhnsn (@mryjhnsn) March 15, 2013

Because Prompts Are Fun #8 - Luck #promptsrfun

Another week, another prompt!  It is hard not to take advantage of a St. Patrick's Day theme!

Being that it is also my anniversary (yes, on purpose) I feel the theme is fitting - lucky.

This week's theme is - LUCK

Pick one of the prompts below, write a post, and link up with us on Friday.   

1. If you caught a leprechaun, how would you spend his pot of gold?
2. Do you have a good luck charm or a lucky number? Tell us about it.
3. Share something inspired by luck or St. Patrick’s Day!

Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss a prompt or linkup!

New Post!Because #Prompts Are Fun #8 - Luck ##promptsrfun goo.gl/fb/uHLlI #becausepromptsarefun

— MryJhnsn (@mryjhnsn) March 11, 2013

Because Prompts are Fun - Relationship Fails #promptsrfun

The biggest disappointment that I have experienced in almost every relationship is me. Crazy to admit  but it is true. I am my own worst enemy when it comes to relationships – any kind of relationships.

I think these are more failures on my part so I am going to share my…

Top 5 Fails in Relationships

1. I can’t keep my opinion to myself

Even when I try to refrain from saying how I feel about something, it is written all over my face or is in what I don’t say.

I had this friend once who told me all the things wrong with her new boyfriend over the phone one day. I listened and agreed with her.

My husband happen to be sitting next to me and kept saying – don’t tell her what you think!  And, I wasn’t, till she asked. I swear all I said was something to the effect well at least you found out sooner than later.

I get an email the next day saying I was wrong, he is a great guy and we (essentially) are no longer friends. All I did was agree with her!

Turns out – I was wrong and they are happily married and I have never been so happy to be so wrong.  But, we are still not friends like we were.

2. Little things bug me

Remember that Seinfeld episode when Jerry broke up with a girl because of the way she ate her peas? That’s me.

Weird things like that turn me off so quick and there is no rhyme or reason to it. A quirk that bothers me about one guy (or girl) will have absolutely no effect on me with the next person.

The thing is, once I am turned off, I can’t seem to pick up the phone when they call or return emails and texts if I get them.

I also can't stand being let down, repeatedly.  I mean who can but  it is not hard for me to sever ties because of it.

3. Job change

If I friend someone at work and they (or I) leave I am horrible at keeping in touch.

I am good the first few months but I am just bad at returning phone calls, or emails… thank goodness for Facebook otherwise I would really look like a douche bag.

4. Wife or Girlfriend hates me

I may be the only chick that has more male friends but wants to have girlfriends and just can’t seem to do it.

I have been told that I am a guy’s girl but this really means I am too manly to be a good girlfriend but I make a great gal pal.

I am usually okay with that till they get a girlfriend (or get engaged) and I always hold out hope that I can be their friend too but it never works out that way and they always want them to stop seeing me.  I swear I never sleep with them!  Or want to for that matter... they fart in front of me for goodness sakes!

5. (insert your own reason)

I honestly don’t have a fifth reason. I wish someone would share with me what I do wrong to mess up friendships (besides the ones I listed).
 
So, here is my plea – If I have pissed you off, please tell me what I did so I can fix it.


It really makes me wonder how I ever got married in the first place.

Do you share my issues or do you have other relationship fails?

Because Prompts are Fun - Relationship Fails #promptsrfun ineedaplaydate.com/2013/03/becaus… #blogger

— MryJhnsn (@mryjhnsn) March 9, 2013

Starbucks from Mama Kat? Yes, Please!

If Mama Kat (or anyone for that matter) gave me $500 right now, what would I buy?

I could put it towards a bill or buy something the whole family could share but since this is a very unlikely scenario I am going to say - splurge on me and buy a Starbucks gift card.

Starbucks?  Yes, Starbucks.  Sure I would prefer local but, for $500 I would like to be able to buy coffee anywhere in the world and it seems that there is a Starbucks everywhere in the world.

Not that I am planning to go anywhere but that much money may last me awhile. 

I know that what they offer is potentially harmful.  One of their frozen concoctions meet the daily calorie requirements of most adults but it just tastes so darn yummy.

I do feel a little silly when I order my venti, quad, no foam, skim latte, but not silly enough to not order it.  That is my go to order after all.


And, sometimes the highlight of a hot summer day is a venti, unsweetened iced coffee.  Plain and simple.


But nothing and I mean nothing compares to that first pumpkin spice of fall.


Starbucks is a splurge for sure and our budget doesn't always allow for it but if I had $500...



Fine print: This is not a sponsored post... just fantasy.

The Prompt:
3.) If I gave you $500 today, but you could use it for only one purchase, what would you buy and why?

Prompts are Fun #7 - Disappointment

Welcome to another addition!  Be sure to join on Friday and if you have a suggestion for a future prompt leave a comment!

This week’s theme is DISAPPOINTMENT and FAILURE

1. Tell us about the biggest disappointment you’ve experienced in a relationship.
2. Tell us a story inspired by failure.
3. Have you ever been fired?  What happened?

Because Prompts are Fun - Anywhere in the World #promptsrfun

I have been daydreaming about summer since the first snow fall.  I love autumn, I tolerate spring, hate (hate, hate) winter and I absolutely adore Summer.

Don't get me wrong, I love my city enough to bear winter and spring and it makes summer all the more welcoming when it does arrive.

Until than, I'm daydreaming....

Of course, when I am looking for things to do around my city I turn to Macaroni Kid and specifically, Kelly at Macaroni Kid Cleveland West.  Holy cow is there a ton to do with the kids in my area!

What are you daydreaming about?

Because Prompts Are Fun #6 - Cabin Fever

Last week on Because Prompts are Fun (presented by Tales from The Nursery and yours truly), we asked you to write about guilt.  And boy was there an abundance of guilt and guilty pleasure!

Personally, the prompt last week fit perfectly because I have been feeling all kinds of guilty - besides being a bad housekeeper, I also broke my baby's teeth and my son makes his first confession tomorrow. 

Brian, from BE a Little Weird, wrote about some pretty fantastically bad movies and Dealin and Dishin wrote about crap TV as their guilty pleasures.  Kecia from Southern Girl Ramblings captured the mommy guilt very well and Perks and Quirks reminds us the power of guilt, especially in middle school.

There is still time to link up with last week's theme but even if you don't I highly suggest you take a look at all the great posts.

This week’s theme is CABIN FEVER

1. If you could go anywhere right now, where would you go?
2. Share tips on dealing with cabin fever.
3. Tell us some highlights from your area. Or local things to do to beat the winter blues.

Choose one of the prompts, write a blog post, and come back on Friday to link it up!

Planning to link up...? Will you help spread the word?

Because #Prompts Are Fun #6 - Cabin Fever goo.gl/fb/ZKMft #promptsrfun twitter.com/mryjhnsn/statu…
— MryJhnsn (@mryjhnsn) February 25, 2013

Because Prompts Are Fun - Dirty, Dirty, Guilty Homemaker #promptsrfun

I admit that I am a craptastic mom and I don’t even really feel all that guilty about it but what I do feel guilty about is that I am a horrible, terrible, crappy homemaker.   I wish we could afford a housekeeper.  I really, really do.

It’s not that we live in a pig pen, our house is relatively clean and mold free but the dishes tend to pile up around the kitchen and I have been known to scrape a mound (or two) of dried up tooth paste off the mirror after several days of looking at it.

I wish I was one of those people who loved to clean.  Hell, I’d settle for like but I would rather be playing with the kids or watching TV. I would even rather go for a run or workout than dust or scrub. And, don’t even think I am going to wash windows – that’s just crazy talk.

Floors get mopped, area rugs vacuumed and the bathroom is always kept clean but when you come to our home you know we live here because the stuff we love is very close at hand.

Mail is piled on the dining room table next to lunch boxes, coloring books and a random sock. There are toys strewn throughout and I really wouldn’t walk barefoot unless you are skilled at Lego dodging. Oh and that smell from the corner may be that sippy cup that rolled under couch and I have not been able to find it till now.

Baby’s room looks more like a storage room with all her old clothes spilling out of boxes that are not quite big enough to contain the clothes she has grown out of. I keep meaning to donate them; it is on the list to-do.

My son’s room actually is not bad but I have not looked at the playroom for a few months. I can only imagine the horror that awaits us in the attic but it is a safe bet that there is no food up there waiting to be disposed of like medical waste.  I hope.

I think the least cluttered room in the house is our master bedroom and that is because it is only big enough for our bed and the TV stand. We have a room off the bedroom for our dressers and well that is hit or miss, good thing I can close that door.

I work full time, volunteer and I have insomnia. Besides that, I love my kids and want to hang out with them, not clean. Sure these may sound like excuses to you because they are and because I am a really bad house keeper. That does not mean I am not a fantastic homemaker.

So, yes, I feel guilty especially when I am cleaning and the kids ask, “Who’s coming over?”

Feeling guilty? Want to share?

Because Prompts Are Fun - Dirty, Dirty, Guilty Homemaker #promptsrfun ow.ly/2v29IT

— MryJhnsn (@mryjhnsn) February 22, 2013

Because Prompts are Fun #5 - Guilt

Last week on Because Prompts are Fun (presented by Tales from The Nursery and iNeed a Playdate), we asked you to write about l o v e.  Love.

I shared my top 5 "Get IT on Songs" and it seems a lot of other participants preferred this prompt as well and shared their love songs lists.  In fact, only The Shopping Duck shared their first love story and it is well worth the read - sweet, touching and a funny.

There is still time to link up with last week's theme but even if you don't I highly suggest you take a look at all the great posts.

This week’s theme is GUILT

1. Something you know you shouldn't feel guilty about but do.
2. Confess a guilty pleasure.
3. Share a time you got in trouble.

Choose one of the prompts, write a blog post, and come back on Friday to link it up!

Planning to link up...? Will you help spread the word?

New Post!Because #Prompts are Fun #5 - Guilt goo.gl/fb/PyvbP #becausepromptsarefun #promptsrfun
— MryJhnsn (@mryjhnsn) February 18, 2013

Because Prompts are Fun - Top 5 Let's Get it on Songs #promptsrfun

Movies have played such a large roll in my life, probably more than they should play. I can pick out a movie to go with every major life decision I have ever made. High Fidelity is one of those movies, hence the Top 5 lists on my blog. I have been doing top 5s since that movie and unknowingly before that movie.

The movie is wrapped in music references to tell a love story and High Fidelity, is that movie that made me want to actually settle down and get married. I did not think I would get married and especially not to the guy that would become my husband.

What does this have to do with my music list? Nothing but the inspiration for every music list ever! And, every list of songs about love will always have Let's Get It On...

In honor of love, here are my Top 5 "Let's Get It On" Songs

1.  Let's Get It On, Jack Black

Must be the Jack Black version from the movie High Fidelity. I told you I loved the movie! The passion he brings to that song is surreal especially since it is so unexpected.

A Love Letter to the Object of My Affection

I’ve wanted to write this to you for such a long time and now that I am, I barely know where to begin.

I’m just sitting here looking at the keyboard, trying to work and I catch you from the corner of my eye. I can hardly type as it is; you’ve got me so distracted.


I love the way you look but more importantly, how you look at me. You make me feel wanted. And, I want you.


I want to get away with you and give you what you and I both need but there never seems to be enough time. And, when there is finally that moment, I worry - am I too late?


But then I look at you and you reassure me that I am not.


So, I take you in my hands and I fill you up.

Source: obaz.com via MryJhnsn on Pinterest

I love you, my dear coffee mug, I love you.

Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, and come back.
The Prompts:
2.) Write a love letter to the object of your affection.

Because Prompts are Fun #4 - Love

Last week on Because Prompts are Fun (presented by Tales from The Nursery and iNeed a Playdate), we asked you to write about movies.

Passport to Frugal had a brilliant list of movies as did Brian from BE a Little Weird.  Funny that I have seen every movie on both lists but no movie appeared on the others list.  Ashley did a fantastic job casting her family and friends in their movie and Dealin and Dishin almost convinced me that seeing movies at home is the way to go until I was reminded of the great Disney movies that are coming out this year from The Shopping Duck.

The linky for this prompt is still open if you would like to add yours or see the other great movie posts from last week!

On to this week's theme...  can you guess?

Source: joannagoddard.blogspot.com via Mary on Pinterest

This week’s theme is LOVE.

1. Tell us about your first love.
2. Describe your ideal Valentine's Day.
3. Share your list of favorite love songs.

Choose one of the prompts, write a blog post, and come back on Friday to link it up!