“Modern Mom Musings”

http://modmommuse.blogspot.com

I started journaling at age nine, after the divorce of my parents. My books were always my best friends. Once I met Christ, as a teen, I turned those pages into places of prayer. I love scrapbooking, and found blogging to be a wonderful way to record my journal entries with included family photos. I am eager to print them all annually, to give my children important insights into their often-impatient momma.

Since 2004. I have had a couple blog host sites.

I normally blog about my children’s homeschool development, spiritual discoveries, open societal questions (like our secular vs. sacred American “holiday” culture), married life, and the difficulty of eating a restricted diet.

I read hundreds! But most of my favorites are by unschoolers, diet-restricted women/moms, or brilliant crafters, because they inspire me.

http://www.5minutesformom.com/
http://makinghome.blogspot.com/
http://soulemama.typepad.com/
http://danielleconger.organiclearning.org/unschooling.html
http://glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/
http://dinghome.net/
http://blog.beliefnet.com/crunchycon/
http://www.stephaniebalvin.blogspot.com/
http://antiquemommy.com/
http://mattmorgan.typepad.com/reston_mom
http://www.saltthesandbox.org/
http://throwingmarshmallows.homeschooljournal.net/
http://homeschool3kids.blogspot.com/

And the list goes on…and on….and on!!

Decide WHEN you will write, and restrict yourself to that time, because blogging is addictive. Do I follow this advice? Oh….well….no, I do not follow my end-time all that well, but I TRY! I have a problem, really…an addiction!

Decide WHAT you will write ABOUT because otherwise you might drop a line about everything, and…well, that might not ALL be interesting to others. Try to look for UNIVERSALLY intriguing topics.

Use humor! Leave a question at the end, to be answered in your comments area.

Don’t try to stay too “safe.” This is your place to write YOUR thoughts. Be yourself.

YES, YES, YES!

Yes. It is one way my sister catches up with me before she gives me a call. Several friends around the country check in. Some have me on RSS feeds. I post my addy whenever I comment on others’ blogs.

I use facebook, ning & yahoo groups for more active discussions about homeschooling–responding to something almost every day (especially local groups).

After 10 PM when the house is quiet. I try to finish by midnight–but since I have a lifelong struggle with insomnia, I am often writing/reading much later than that.

Too many!? This is my one hobby. I consider myself a writer (write professionally), and view blog reading/yahoo group involvement as critical to my Work, as much as the 12-20 hours a week I put into my professional life. I probably blog about 5-8 hours in an active week, and 1-2 hours on a slower week. Reading….now, that’s another story! Like I said, it can be awfully addictive.

No. I have enough to read already. I need to reduce my groups. I set up netnewswire (Mac program) on my computer to only read sites that are updated. It’s a great time saver.

Lord knows! I’ve been running right alongside since its onset.

Sheesh, I have NO idea…it was eons ago in technical timeline…probably one from a friend.

Scripture, my church (YAY Church!), my community, the Christian women I surround myself with, my children, the Holy Spirit, my mom & my diligent husband.

Yes. I have a small communication business:
http://www.bluestockingcommunication.com/

I am a writer on two Christian sites (sample articles here):
http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/BibleStudyAndTheology/Discipleship/wentland_forgive.aspx

and

http://www.myfrienddebbie.com/article_master.php?id=336

I also keep a couple other blogs, including:
http://tadtomtube.blogspot.com
http://madmomfuse.blogspot.com

In the area of anger-management, I have definitely improved, since opening up the rawness of my life to others. By reading others’ blogs, I have been greatly encouraged as a homeschooling mom, to see each day as one of exploration, filled with little joyous moments. I am most definitely a BETTER MOM since blogging!! I love being a part of a Grand Community of homeschooling Christian moms, who are all seeking answers from our faith & our Father. For me, who was not raised in Christian faith, I find tools online where I previously felt ill-equipped, and I really appreciate the accountability that comes through blogging.