Awkward

So this is all kinds of awkward to talk about, but I need to.  Therefore, I will.  I started this blog on a whim and never figured anyone but Momma Debi would read it.  And, my friend Brittany.  I knew she would read it because she's just crazy like that.  Refer to this story for proof.  Anyways, I didn't really think it would turn into a place to grow my photography business, vent my neurotic tendencies, connect with people, or help on the journey of cancer with Momma Debi.  But, turns out, this silly thing has done all of the above.  It's weird though, sharing bits of my life with who knows who.  You see, at first, I could basically count on one hand the number of times anyone viewed this blog.  Now, there are quite a bit more views and sometimes it feels odd to have this one way conversation.  Makes me feel like I'm talking to myself {and, please I do that enough as it is}.   

Many of you send me emails, messages on facebook, tell me in person, etc... that you enjoy reading the blog or that it has helped you or entertained you or made you realize you weren't alone in your cleaning craziness.  Like I said, this is all kinds of awkward because really, I think I'm just a nut.  I think to myself, "Who would want to listen to my words or look at my pictures?"  I really do.

Ok, I'll keep going now. 

I know sometimes what you share with me you only want me to see.  Of course when that is the case, by all means, send me a private message.  But, if you don't mind others reading your words, I would very much so appreciate you leaving your comments on the actual blog page.  Here's why: this has become my journal.  My story in a sense.  And, I would love for your reactions to my ramblings to be an attachment to it.  I'm thinking I will print this blog every year so I have a hard copy to go back to and reflect about where I was and where I'm headed.  If you leave your thoughts other places {email, facebook}, I won't have them with this later on.  Because I'm a tad forgetful, I probably won't remember what you told me.  That makes me feel a bit disheartened because so many times your words have meant the world to me.

Have I mentioned this is awkward?  

Part of the reason I know some of you email or facebook message is because it's hard for you to comment on here.  I'll explain the easiest way to do that so maybe that will help.  When you click on comment, this box shows up.

I circled, in red, the two options that are the easiest for commenting.  If you click on the name one,  all you have to do is enter your name {just first is fine} and then comment away.  If you click on anonymous you don't have to enter your name, but you still can at the end of your message if you want...totally up to you.  With any of the previous methods, you do have to do the word verification thing because it wants to make sure you are an actual human.  Then, you just hit publish, I get an email saying you commented, I will approve your comment, and voila!

Now, I hope more of you will leave your comments here instead of other places {again, unless you want only me to see it} so they will become a piece of my story.  And, if you don't want to, that's totally fine too!  I won't take your birthday away or anything.   

And, since I'm all about sticking my neck out right now...I have one last thing to say.  When I put pictures up on this blog, I reduce the resolution.  They are not in full quality; they are blurry if you print them or look at them larger or use them for anything else.  So, please don't right click and save these photos because they aren't the quality I would want them to be for you.  I'm all about sharing, so if you see a picture you enjoy and want, just pop me an email and we can figure out how to get it to you in full resolution.  I've even had a couple of people order art work for their walls from pictures on this blog, by all means, I'm happy to oblige!  :)  I just don't want my pictures to be used when they are not in their full quality.  That's all.  

Ok, I'm think I'm done with this uncomfortable one sided conversation.  If it made you feel as uncomfortable as it made me feel, I'm sorry.  Just pretend like it never happened.   

Wait, one more thing, just to entice you to figure out the commenting on the blog thing instead of email or facebook, I will randomly pick a comment from this post and give the winner an 11x14 picture of your choice from any of my blog posts printed with a fun metallic finish ready to hang on your wall.  You could tell me your shoe size, your favorite kind of toothpaste, your favorite thing to clean in your house...you know, really anything!  And, if you can't think of what to say in your comment, since summer is over and out...tell me your favorite  memory from your summer.  Maybe it was enjoying a s'more at sunset...

I'll pick the winner winner chicken dinner on Thursday {September 23} in the late afternoon.  Until then, go live your dream!