“The Dinoia Family”

http://www.dinoiafamily.typepad.com/

I started blogging when we moved to Iceland. I wanted to write more, and realized this was the perfect way to do so. The blog also gave me a way to keep in touch with our family and friends. They could see our lives in real time, and have a much clearer picture of our new world

I started our blog in July of 2005, not long after we moved to Reykjavik. I took a brief hiatus when my mom died in November 2005. It was very sudden, and it hit me in a way I didn’t expect. Four weeks after she died, I had a miscarriage. The two events combined nearly muted my desire to write. I gave myself a bit of time, and by January of 2006 I started blogging again.

Anything and everything, but generally what goes on in our household. My husband has a rather unusual job that has taken us to Iceland, Venezuela, and California, so that has helped with blogging topics. There is never a shortage of ideas and stories to share when we are overseas!

My favorites are from my friends. It keeps me up to date and in touch with them, even though we rarely (if ever) live in the same area. I also enjoy other Foreign Service blogs.

Don’t blog about something just because someone else does, and don’t feel the need to do it every day. Blog when you feel you should, and at your own comfort level.

Yes!

Yes, though the family sometimes views it sporadically. I think those who are less ‘internet-inclined’ just forget. I understand, and just send notes when we have had quite a few updates.

Not right now, but when I was pregnant with #3, pretty much anything pregnancy-related!

In the family room and in the office. It really depends on the time of day, and PC availability, since my daughters share our computers with us…thoughtful of them, eh?

I probably don’t spend more than two hours a week reading blogs. I would say I spend at least one hour per blog posting, if not more, so it really depends on how much I can write.

We have been pretty busy lately, so harder to do more than 2-3 quality postings per week. In an ideal world, I would post daily. We will have some changes in our family over the next year, so posting more frequently will definitely be my goal!

Probably not more than a few times a month. I have used Technorati a few times over a few years. Most of the blogs I read, I find by referral from other blogs that I like.

I honestly can’t remember, sorry!

My children.

Nope, sorry! Maybe in the future, but there are so many out there right now…I would have to come up with something pretty darn original!

I really enjoy blogging, and wish I had more time for it. I think it really gives me a release, and it feels good whether the blog is read by one person (me!) or 50. It also helps me to feel as though I am doing something to preserve our memories, and that is really the impetus behind it all.