A Year of Blogging – Lois Lane or Crazy Aunt Lena?

Wow!  It’s hard to believe that my “mom blog” is one year old.  After writing 35 posts, I’ve finally learned the real meaning of making a committment and sticking to it.  I’ve also managed to keep my family in tact despite exposing some of our laughable, but not so glamorous moments (I Love You, You’re A Fat Ass), memorable quotes (Be-Steel My Heart, How Do You Know When You’re “In The Elderly”) and addictions (Addicted To The “Q“).  Though now, no new story is told in our house without a caveat like, “You’re not going to write about this, are you?”  We all know the answer to that one, “Yes!”.  And my husband keeps asking the eternal question, “What does this pay?” 

It’s not about the money, it’s about the writing.  I’m proud to report that I have a few followers who are humor writers whom I’ve never met and whose work I admire.  A few of my stories have even received recognition in humor contests.  Meeting with local humorist Dick Wolfsie (The Laughing Undertaker) was definitely the highlight of my year in blogging.  All of which I never expected when I jotted down the first entry about seeing a hot fireman while volunteering in the school library. 

 That is, until today when I was offered a volunteer position on the reader Editorial Board of a local weekly publication. 

That’s right, a real writing job with a real newspaper.  Call me Lois Lane.  Only, I don’t think Lois Lane wrote short opinion pieces and she definitely got paid.  I’m afraid to admit that sitting on a reader editorial board reminds me of my father’s crazy (some might say, “spirited”) Aunt Lena who used to write letters to the editor of her local newspaper on a weekly basis.  Whether the job is in the image of Lois or Lena, it’s an opportunity to exercise my First Amendment rights and write about issues that impact an entire community.  That’s right, I’m trading in my toilet brush for a notebook and pen.  At least, for one hour a month. 

Dear God!  This actually means that I have to be aware of the outside world for the first time in seven years.  It may even be an opportunity for this stay-at-home mom to regain control of the television remote from my Disney Channel loyal six-year-old and my ESPN devotee husband.  

It’s a new era of being in-the-know.  I won’t be embarrassed at the election polls because I have no clue who is running.  I think I can even give up my Better Homes and Gardens magazine for the daily newspaper.  Think of all the time I will save by not getting lost in the Wonderwall vortex on MSN.  I feel smarter already.

My mother has volunteered to keep me up to speed on local community issues in the event I cannot regain control of the television remote.  She does call daily to give me weather reports and breaking celebrity news.  While I appreciate her offer, I don’t think most of the community is interested in the QVC Values of the Day or Doris Day updates.  Yes, Ms. Day is still very much alive in case anyone was wondering.

So, “Move Over Darling.” (I couldn’t resist the Doris Day movie reference for my mother.)  I’m climbing up on my Soap Box for the good of the community and the good of my portfolio.  Wish me luck! 

Oh ya, and I’m also committed to another year of blogging.  Wish my family luck!