Some of you book lovers might be interested in this bloggy book exchange over at Overwhelmed With Joy.

Also, Barb is giving away a set of Debbie Macomber’s books over at her place.

And while we’re on the subject of free stuff…I’ll have my own little giveaway to announce in the next day or two. And yes, you can rest assured that it has something to do with Monk & Neagle. Because I am nothing if not predictably obsessive.

This post by Veronica at Toddled Dredge took my breath away.

Enjoy.

Per Chilihead‘s instructions, I’m going to share a little “behind the blawg” info today.

It’s like “Behind The Music” on Vh1.

Only I don’t sing, I’m not famous, and I’ve never spent thirty days in a rehab facility for “exhaustion.”

But other than that, it’s totally the same thing.

And I’m using Chilihead’s questions as prompts because, well, I’m lazy.

How did you start blogging?

I had been reading blogs for awhile, and at some point about a year and a half ago I started to think that I should be writing down all my Alex stories – especially since any form of scrapbooking makes me want to use a large soup spoon to pop out my eyeballs.

Plus, I’ve always found my family to be hysterical, and I wanted to get our admittedly Southern sensibility “on paper” so that one day all the future generations can look back over the stuff that I’ve written and rest in the peace and the promise that they come from a long line of crazies.

Finally, D. really had been encouraging me to find a hobby. It sounds selfless, I know, but the fact of the matter is that he figured that if I had a hobby, he would have more time to play Xbox.

Now, of course, I wish he’d play Xbox more so that I could blog more.

THE IRONY, IT IS RICH.

Did you intend to be a blog with a following? If so, how did you go about it?

Um. NO. I never intended to be a blog with a following.

And I’m not sure I even like the term “following” because it makes me feel like some sort of cult leader. However, if I did have a cult of my very own, we probably wouldn’t do much besides watch a bunch of reality TV and eat fried chicken, and really, what’s the harm in that?

Honestly, I don’t think I’ve been a very strong promoter of my blog at all. I told my colllege friends and family about the blog about two months after I started it, and I only recently told my friends here where we live. I am very shy about it for some reason, and if anyone happens to mention my blog in front of me, my first instinct is to pray THAT I WILL SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUST.

Unfortunately, I missed the day of superhero school where you learn how to do that.

So I don’t really know how the “following” thing happened. Unless people were lured by the aforementioned opportunity to watch lots of reality television and eat fried chicken in a cult-type setting.

Because who could possibly resist such a tempting offer?

What do you hope to achieve or accomplish with your blog? Have you been successful? If not, do you have a plan to achieve those goals?

Oh, it’s so kind of Chili to assume that I have goals.

Much less a plan.

But seriously – the primary thing I want to achieve with my blog is just to have fun with it – to leave a legacy of laughter for Alex and any other young’uns that might come our way. I want for it to always, always be real and welcoming. And I want for it to be a testimony of my faith in and my relationship with God. Because I love me some Jesus.

Has the focus of your blog changed since you started blogging? How?

My first post was about tile and vomit.

So I’d have to say no.

What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you started?

Nothing. I’ve had a blast trying to make my way around the bloggy learning curve. And I’m grateful that I was blissfully ignorant about the traffic that would eventually come my way – because I think the expectation of having lots of readers might have changed the tone of the whole thing.

Assuming that I actually have, you know, a tone.

Which may be a bit presumptuous of me.

Do you make money with your blog?

Not yet [she says, wringing her hands and laughing maniacally].

But I have received some fantastic cleaning supplies.

Does your immediate or extended family know about your blog? If so, do they read it? If not, why?

They all know about it. Most of them read it. Some of them don’t – because they’re too busy doing things like “caring for their family” or “making a living” or “staying fit and healthy.”

Or because they’re technologically challenged and don’t know how to turn on the computer so that they can visit my BLOGSITE on the WIDE WORLD INTERWEB.

What two pieces of advice would you give to a new blogger?

1) Write frequently in the voice that’s distinctively yours.
2) Comment on other blogs as much as you can.
And I have to add:
3) Don’t post anything you’d be embarrassed for your grandmother or your kids to read. Because the stuff you put on your blog (or someone else’s comments) will never go away, and you might not want Memaw or Junior quoting it back to you one day.

I’m just sayin’.

You can check out other “behind the blawg” stories over at Chilihead’s place. Or better yet, write one of your own and add it to the Mr. Linky.

Have fun, y’all!

Go here. Now.

You’ll be so glad you did.

Thank you and have a lovely afternoon.

:-)

Okay. Several things.

1) Kelli has put together a prayer chain for Heather. Most of the slots have been filled, but I don’t see any reason why we can’t double (or triple) up in spots. So, if you’d like to participate, click here.

2) Speaking of Heather…if you haven’t read this post of hers, you need to.

3) Beth at I Should Be Folding Laundry has a new blog: Tales from the Scales. It looks like it’s going to be a great place for weight loss inspiration and accountability, so check it out when you have a chance.

4. Amy at Dandelion Seeds has a neat idea for this Thursday…something we can all do in honor of Heather. The link will lead you to all the information.

I believe that’s all.

:-)

As most of you know, Chris at Notes from the Trenches was so moved by your outpouring of love for Heather that she decided to round up some donations and give away prizes to the people who contributed to the love offering.

And as a result of Chris’ efforts, we have us some winners, ladies and gentlemen. Be sure to click over to see if you’re one of the lucky ones – and to thank all the people who gave of their talents so selflessly.

Which reminds me.

A couple of days ago I talked to Heather for the first time since she’s been at Mayo. She mentioned over and over again how very appreciative and humbled her family is because of everything y’all have done (almost EIGHTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS, y’all – that’s Ephesians 3:20 in action).

Because you have been so unbelievably generous, Heather’s parents and Emma Grace will be able to be with them this week. Because you have been so unbelievably generous, her husband will be able to stay with her for the duration of her time at Mayo. Because you have been so unbelievably generous, they will be able to live without financial worry while they’re in Minnesota for the next four or five weeks – they can focus on what really matters, which is, of course, Heather’s health.

That’s huge, y’all.

So thank you to everybody again – to Jada for setting the For Heather thing in motion, to Beth for organizing the giveway for people who helped to get the word out about what we were trying to do, to Chris for putting together this latest raffle, and to every single one of you who have prayed or donated or encouraged. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: y’all really are the best internets ever, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.

Finally, Heather’s surgery is this Thursday – the National Day of Prayer, no less. Kelli’s going to be organizing a prayer chain at her blog, and once I have more details – in the next day or so – I’ll pass along the info.

Hope y’all have a wonderful week!