Monday, April 12, 2010

Day 227 or UBP,May I Introduce Myself

Hi Everyone. For those of you who have previously joined me over the last 226 days, please forgive me for any boring, seemingly repetitive information -- well, not seemingly repetitive, probably actually repetitive. Nonetheless, please bear with me. Don' run away screaming or worse, skulk away as if you were never here (yes, I used skulk. I knew one day I would find an opportunity to use a 13th century Scandinavian word. Pretty good for a little Texan girl. But I digress -- don't do it. No skulking!)

So for those of you still with me, here's the Reader's Digest story of my life in the blogging world. About a month after turning 38 (hence the title), I found myself a SAHM in a new town. I say found myself which is ironic (not in the Alanis Morisette way) because I was very lost. I had not succeeded in the dreams of my 20s yet I had a good life. I was blessed with a fabulous family but I had nothing that was challenging me, driving me. And I had aways been driven. I'm a famously hard worker. So besides volunteering for WAY too many PTA committees (See here), what was a girl to do?

So on a girls' night with my best friend of almost 30 years, I saw the film, "Julie and Julia" and I saw something in myself in both of the women. They were women that had a lot in life but no direction, no sense of themselves in those lives. So Julia started cooking (SOOOOOO not gonna happen) but Julie started a blog and I thought "I could do that!" So I did. I started a blog. Just like that. On a whim. And basically, my husband and brother read it.

Then I got brave and told some old friends. And a few read. But one very special friend from one of my many former lives (Unknown Mami) told me a funny thing. She blogged, too. For some of the same reasons. And for reasons of her own (the beauty of blogging). And she taught me how to find other blogs and helped other bloggers find me. She taught me etiquette. But mostly, she taught me that the blogging world was safe and for that I am forever grateful to that beautiful unknown mamasita in the MOST beautiful city in the world. She knows this already but I truly left my heart there.

So I started to see people's names show up after my posts. And these names had things to say. To tell me that my hair wouldn't be orange forever, that I am NOT the worst mom in the world, that the pain of loss would pass, and that somehow I mattered in this world, in THEIR world. Wow! If you knew what a softy I was, you'd know that I am crying now. Literally right now -- salty keyboard, yuck! Oh and I am listening to Barry Manilow which doesn't help. Mandy gets me every time.

So that's it. Over time, I have made beautiful friendships, I have gotten to know myself a little more. I have gotten braver and I am finding myself a little less lost (slightly less ironic use of finding). I ramble. I am goofy (well established!) I am an imperfect mom, an out-of-work actress, an aspiring screenwriter (and actress, still, despite all logic or sense of reality), a lover of books with no time to read, and most days, pretty nice. So that's my intro. If you're not frightened off, great! Stay and have some fun. If you're on the fence -- read here (it's all the scary things you should know up front). And if you now feel like you have wasted precious minutes of your life (especially if you clicked any of the links), well I can't exactly blame you. I am not every one's cup of tea. But as I approach 39, I have finally become MY cup of tea.


Ultimate Blog Party 2010


Oh, and if you are not bored with me yet, I review kid's movies over at I'd Let My Kid See That and my husband and I are trying to live a little greener over at Cold Comfort Living.

14 comments:

Susan (5 Minutes For Mom) said...

I'm so happy you joined the party!

I loved that movie too and if I wasn't already blogging when I watched it, I'm certain I would have begun afterwards.

The blogosphere is such an amazing way for SAHMs and others to connect in powerful ways. I'm glad you've found it.

Liz Mays said...

I'm so glad you're at the party! I can't believe how many people linked up this year!

I'm so glad you blog! I heart you!

Felicity Grace Terry said...

Never a fan of Readers Digest, I would certainly subscribe to it with you in charge. A great post, interesting to hear your journey.

Lorenza said...

Wonderful movie...I saw it recently (South Africa is far away...) and must say I got a little depressed because I was already blogging but somehow it seems that my blog does not take off. Never mind, we have infinite lives.....

Love&Rainbow

chitra said...

Are you in reader's Digest. Great!!. I would read the other link you have provided.

mommakin said...

I LOVE that you're your own cup of tea!!!

Tiffany said...

So glad you started blogging!!

Kim Dettmer said...

Traci-

So fun to hear about your story that led you to blogging - and I agree we are on similar paths. Thanks for stopping by my blog - I became your newsest follower!

Shannon said...

Hopping over from the UBP. It's nice to meet you!

Claudya Martinez said...

I'm not even a fan of tea, but I'm a fan of you!

Thank you for the love. It has been my pleasure getting to know you on a different level.

Marilyn (A Lot of Loves) said...

I loved Julie and Julia too (although Julie Powell kind of ruined her appeal for me by writing about her affair in Cleaving. Blech). Always interesting to hear why others blog.

Laffylady said...

Hi Tracy..would you like to join in on the fun..come visit my new blog http://livingwithlaughter.com
pick one of your favorite funny posts, past or present and email it to so i can put you on the starring lineup...check it out Id love to have you..!!I know you are funny..!you already follow my other blog..!

Mama-Face said...

We really should hang out. Even though I've got a full 10 years on you. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I just relate to what you write so much.

:-)

Tricia said...

Just bopped over from UBP. I just started blogging two days before I watched that movie! How funny...something in common already! I just had to comment about that! I loved your transparency on your blog and I'll be back!