Friday, October 9, 2009

He just doesn't get it. Why I Blog...


Last night in bed, my husband turned to me.  I could tell by the look on his face that this was not going to be the usual bedtime question (you know the one I mean). "Oh no", I thought, "here it comes".  I had been dreading this elephant in the room for weeks, dancing around it, all smoke and mirrors. He leveled his gaze looked deep into my eyes and asked...

"Why do you blog?"

I was a deer caught in the headlights. "Well, I blog because I...because it..." I sputtered. "Ooohhh, I don't know why!!" He just looked at me. "Oh" was all he said poor guy. But how can I tell him why,  when I don't even know the answer myself?

I have been spending a lot of time on my laptop lately...I mean A LOT of time...hours...days..weeks. I felt a little obsessed and slightly out of control. Sitting here tapping away with the dishes and laundry piling up around me. Still in my pj's at noon. It's been my guilty little pleasure, my "new love".

I have a better handle on my priorities now. I'm showering regularly again, the house is back in order. But still, even with the house sparkling and dinner in the oven, I have a tendency to jump up from the computer the minute I hear his truck in the driveway. (I have no idea why I do that.)

But back to the other why.  Hmm... blogging...why.. Well, it started by chance. An adorable, young college friend of mine began blogging and I really wanted to know what was going on in her gifted mind.  I read her blog, loved it and wanted to tell her so. To do this it seems, I had to have a bloggy thingy of  my own. No problem. I filled out the form, came up with a name off the top of my head, and posted a comment to my darling friend. There. Done. Wait...

My blog looked so empty compared to hers. All of a sudden it was like getting a new apartment. I had an empty space to fill, colors to choose, little gadgety furnishings to place here and there.  SO FUN! I loved it.

When I was finished, I thought it was beautiful. But now what?  What would I do if this really was my new apartment? I'd have some friends over! I'd invite them. But to what, a blog with no blogs? No words, no thoughts..oh, I couldn't have that. That would be like having no wine in the fridge! I decided then and there that I'd better write something.

I sat down at my computer with a nice hot cup of coffee, put my fingers on the keys and ....nothing, not one word, thought or idea. Eww. I found this a tiny frightening.. I tried harder...still nothing. When did I stop thinking, I wondered. Trying not to panic,  I was finally able to bang out a few words strung together. But the fact that I couldn't come up with any thoughts profound or otherwise worried me. Was this the start of my downward slide toward slack-jawed drooling in front of the TV??

I needed to do something to get my my mind ruminating NOW! So every few days I sit down to write. At first, thinking was a challenge (I can't believe I am even telling you this!), but I'm finding, the more I do it the easier it becomes. Kind of like exercising...only for the brain..

 As a somewhat newly empty-nest mom, blogging has helped me get through some tough times. Times of family moving,  hormonal issuesMichigan winters and having my only grandchild live far away.. But in reality, more than anything else, I blog to keep my mind humming on all cylinders.

And to keep this from happening to me:





 
Wouldn't you??

24 comments:

tori said...

Trying to ask yourself why you blog (and others asking you the same question)...this is a normal step in the process of bloggie addiction (Hi my name is Tori....).
It will soon pass and you will be able to enjoy your addiction w/o silly questions bogging you down. I love how hurstburst.blogspot.com stated her addiction the other day.
"I drop everything, sit down right there at my computer, pull out my digital crack pipe, light it up and smoke it. Ahhhh, feeling the love."

yes It just feels good!

Lee said...

Yes, once you get started it snowballs and you can't stop. But it's a low cost addiction and isn't it fun!!

HalfAsstic.com said...

Oh my goodness, I really, seriously think it's addictive. Especially if you're like me and live a life not getting out of the house much, (due to extenuating circumstances), the majority of my friends are out in bloggy land. I have wonderful... realtime friends, as well, but I get a whole nother layer of support from my blogging buddies that I learn more and more about all the time. I'm glad you chose to do this, Lucky Girl!

Jewels said...

Sharing your witty, sparkling mind with those who care about you is a gift to all of us! Your illuminating blogs make me laugh, sometimes send chills up my arms, and often conjure up memories and experiences of my own. Some leave a tear in my eye, but they always leave me feeling .... well, just FEELING. Thanks for these poignant writings, especially those of simple life moments that most of us cook, clean, talk, work or ride right past. I know at least for a while, I will watch and feel the moments that matter more vividly.
Of course, then it's back to running through life like my hair's on fire!

Blog for me baby! BLOG!
(Till Bob gets home, then, RUN TO THE KITCHEN AND CHECK ON DINNER!)

Minky Moo said...

I am so grateful my hubby gets it. And for what it's worth, I think your blog is super pretty and I am ten kinds of jealous of all the cuteness.

Sara E said...

LOL....
isn't it nice to be able to vent and ramble at times?

I just started twittering a few days ago.. and I feel a little more candid there...in my small one sentence blurbs scattered here or there

Flory said...

I think most of struggle with what to write, whether for our blogs, a letter, a book...

My husband wants to know why I have to blog everyday. I tell him because it's what I want to do. So far he's accepted the answer.

Welcome to SITS!

Cluttered Brain said...

For a while I didn't really know why I blogged. I just saw my friends doing it and I thought it was cool. So I began the blogging game. I too wasn't sur about what to write. I saw my friends do all these great giveaways annd reviews..and I said WOW! I wanna do this too. (Just recently someone contacted me about doing a book review on MY site...YEAH) And I am contributing regularly on another blog for giveaways. YEAH! It's a dream come true for me. Only thing is my husband doesn't always understand. AHH. I also like to write and blogging helps hine my skills. Come stop by and check me out. You are an excellent writer. I am a follower now!!!
http://oneclutteredbrain.blogspot.com
VISITING FROM SITS! HAPPY SITFEST!

Unknown said...

I'm in the same boat. I started the blog to share painting & decorating tips, but soon learned that is more than a full time job (and I already have my hands full, thanks). Then I started really reading other blogs and learned it's so much more than that. It's sharing with others, connecting, learning, etc. And I just love it. Now I'm just trying to write as much as possible and interject a few painting and decorating tips.
Luckily, Hubby "gets it." 'Course, that means loads of unsolicited advice:)

2be said...

Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest!

The Husband is the same way with me. He has no clue why I blog. And honestly, I don't even know sometimes. Mainly because it is just a way to get things out there, out of my head, but not necessarily to anyone in particular.

jaquelyn {mama thoughts} said...

I liked this post! Stopping by from SITS to say hi and now I'm a follower. =)

I blog because I like to make new friends, to write, share pictures, things I like...And it's fun. What more can I say? =)

Nicole said...

LOL to the last picture. I think thats a great question to ask oneself, why do I blog? I think, like you, I blog because it is a space that is mine where I can write about anything I'm thinking and send it out into the universe, while knowing the writing will appear with my "essence" surrounding it, whether it be pictures, quotes I like etc.

Stopping by to visit from SITS!

Dee said...

That pic cracked me up.

And now you are addicted to blogging. My teen son introduced me to blogging although he doesn't.

Happy Sat sharefest from SITS

Spring M Fricks said...

That's so funny. I ask myself the same question every few days and I've blogged for over a year! Ha!

I'm still hoping to come up with a really good answer!

Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest.

Anonymous said...

Blogging is so therapeutic for me. But yes, my husband just doesn't "get it".

Anonymous said...

Hiya Lucky Girl, I'm blog-hopping through the SITS' rollcall, just because:)
I thought it was funny that you said that you jump up as soon as you hear hubby pulling in the driveway...in the morning when my hubby gets up, I'm usually on the computer and for some reason I get up right away and start putzing around..like I need him to see me doing something constructive...LOL.
It's great that your hubby asked why you blog...mine's just happy I don't want to "talk"...just kidding...I think?
Blog your heart out, for whatever reason. It's all good.
I hope you have an awesome weekend!
Take Care,
~C

Grey Horse Matters said...

Blogging is just fun and an outlet for a tiny bit of creativity. Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog.
I checked out your web site and your horses are gorgeous. The Andalusians and Lusitanos have always been some of my favorite horses. I'd love a barn full of them. By the way your farm looks gorgeous too.

Mommy Bear said...

Blogging is definitely addicting. Luckily my husband does get it and blogs with me. I wouldn't know how to answer that question either.

I blog cause...well...I just do.

Beth P. said...

I'm here from SITS and wanted to let you know that you are not alone. I can only come up with the reason of "free therapy" in regards to why I blog. Otherwise... I don't know. And, its terribly addicting. Great post!

Anonymous said...

Hello, newbie on the blogging block. Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest! I'm a new follower.

Foursons said...

This sounds so familiar! I struggled with what to write in the beginning too. Now the posts usually write themselves as I go through each day. The problem is trying to find the time to get it all written down before I forget my genius post.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Millennium Housewife said...

That was a really interesting piece and got me thinking about my own blogging...errr...but not answers yet. I'll kepp you posted. Thankyou so much for following my blog, it really made my day to see you up there - cheers! x

Unknown said...

LOL - I am right there with you! Hi, my name is Kim and I'm a blogaholic.

Just dropping by courtesy of the SITS blog roll.

Happy Monday!

Margaret aka: Fact Woman said...

My husband asked me the same question and I answered him that is was the only thing, some days, that keeps me sane. I am about to have an empty nest after parenting for 27 years and just need to do something that helps me find myself again after so many years. Thanks for following my blog and I look forward to following you. The book in a month sounds really scary!