1. Sorry for standing you guys up last night, but the lack of sleep, constant running around, and head-in-the-cloud-ness finally caught up with me and I only managed about 5 minutes of sitting at the computer before throwing in the towel and going to watch a movie instead. It was some very much needed me time.
2. That being said, I kind of had a mini panic attack when I opened my Google Reader this morning. Oh gawl 😯
3.Think happy thoughts. Think happy thou… It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… doop, doop, doop.
4. Luckily, I managed to stock up on one of my most important food staples before the snowstorm hit, so I think I’ll be okay for a little while at least. Anyone want to come over for breakfast (or lunch/dinner)?
Whaaaat? There was a sale!
5. Speaking of snow and shopping… has anyone else come across a ridiculous amount of holiday decor in stores? I’m all for going big when it comes to Christmas, but being bombarded by Santa and his reindeers the day after Halloween is a bit much, even for me. At least they’re not playing Christmas music yet because as much as I love it, having to endure two months of ‘Fa la la la la’ and ‘You better watch out’ would be… unpleasant.
6. I should probably start putting more time and effort into food prep. I don’t even want to show you guys how lame my meals have gotten, but trust me – it’s bad. Think lots of cereal, AB/banana sandwiches, waffles, frozen pizzas, and eating at the kitchen counter. Tsk tsk. I blame my recent lack of interest in meal time on the fact that certain … err… other aspects of life have become far more interesting than food.
7. On that note, I know I’m being super sketchy when it comes to Mr. Starbucks, which ties in nicely to today’s NHBPM prompt – how you choose to write about others in your blog. To be honest, this is something I’ve always struggled with, and I’m not entirely sure why. I love getting a glimpse into other bloggers’ lives when they share things relating to their family and friends because it makes me feel like I know them better, but being able to share that kind of stuff myself? It makes me uncomfortable, and I have no idea why. Maybe it’s the fact that I feel like I should ask permission before disclosing things about others in such a public space? I know I could always ask them if they mind, but that would require having to bring up the topic of my blog, which is something I’m still a bit shy about. So what do you guys think? If you blog, do you have an easy time talking about friends/family? Do they know about your blog? Do you enjoy reading about the people in a blogger’s life? And is it okay to talk about people without their knowing it?
Eep! I know that’s a tonne of questions, but it’s something that I really have no idea about, so I could use some help. Hope you guys are having an awesome Thursday! See you tomorrow 😀
I think it is fine to write about people as long as you dont mention names. The only time I wouldn’t would be if i did not want them to see it and they may some time find my blog. We have free speech and we are lucky
I used to be shy about the blog when I first started out, but after a while, I realized it became much more than just a hobby. It’s something that I love and it is ONE thing that defines who I am…hiding that from others only keeps them from really getting to know the “true” me! When it comes to talking about people/life on the blog, you can only share what you feel comfortable with. I like getting a glimpse of my blogger friend’s “real life” and reading about their friends and family…like you said, I feel like I get to know them better that way. Like, I’m really curious about your parents and the Sunday dinners you speak so highly of…I’ve already started to make a mental picture of what your mom looks like! Wow, that sounds pretty creepy when I read it! Lol
But seriously, I talk about my friends/family on the blog all the time without divulging too much. I mean, you can still share without having to tell everyone everything. And you can even keep calling the boy Mr. Starbucks…actually, I kinda like it! 🙂
My blog was a complete secret for MONTHS!! I finally opened up to my mom about it, then manfriend, then some of my other friends. When I told manfriend about it, I had already blogged about him. I think as long as you don’t post pictures (which I am actually guilty of) there is NOTHING wrong with talking about someone without them knowing. How will anyone know who they are?? CALL him mr.starbucks and no one will ever know. Someday you may share your blog with him and he will probably think its amazing..I know my boyfriend did! As long as no personal info is divulged there is nothing wrong with talking about someone without them knowing.
I have barely told any of my friends about my blog and I only share info about others with their permission. But I love hearing/ reading about others and often I would love to relax and share more. I just worry about it coming back to bite me later.
I finally got my Internet back after Hurricane Sandy!! I’ve missed reading your posts!
Cinnamon Harvest is definitely my favorite cereal hands down! I’m on the next plane to Canada!!
EeeEE! Missed you too, Aimee!!
The question of over-sharing is something that’s been bugging me since I started a blog. I’m still super shy about my blog in general and only a select few friends know about it. I can only guess how nerve-wrecking it is to share a blog with a new gf/bf! With that said, I forgive you for not sharing about the new man in your life, but I hope one day you’ll share a teeny bit with us 🙂
Happy Friday pretty lady! Hope you have some great plans for the weekend (especially ones involving a certain someone 😉 )
It seems like everyone is going out crazy for Christmas this year! I can’t believe how many stores are already decked out, it’s nuts. I always go to the person and ask if they would mind being on the blog before I include them…I wouldn’t want them to find out randomly and then get mad at the fact they were being shown. It’s a hard line I think. It’s up to you in the end, and I love your blog regardless:)
Love you too! <3 <3
I can understand about not knowing what to write about people. I always ask if I include stories (though I normally don’t…one of the problems I struggled with “apparently” is being a mystery LOL). That being said, I think there is a fine line. I hate writing about personal things that I don’t want my facebook friends that I don’t know well enough to just be reading…
I always ask before posting about other people on the blog, so I understand your situation. After it is “official” though, I want details!! 😉
I hate when my google reader gets out of control… I just catch up on my regulars and then clear it out!
“Mark all as read” is seriously the only thing that keeps me from going crazy sometimes!
You just described my feelings about Christmas coming too early in a nut shell! Glad someone feels the same way! As for writing about others. I always ask. My parents and family like to read my blog and I like that they read it. But I would never post about friends or family without getting there consent. I don’t want to invade their privacy with my “public” life stories
Theyve already started with the xmas decor over here too and I CANT STAND IT!! I know they are doing it to get people in the mood to spend money and what not, but still, thanksgiving hasnt come yet! And that to me is one of the best holidays.
And Im feeling you on the food prep business. The only reason why my food is more than just cereal is because I buy pre-made stuff like canned veggie soups and fajita fillings. Im such a cheater 😉
Food prep has totally fallen to the bottom of my list of priorities as well, part being busy with work/school, but mostly wanting to spend more time with family/friends/boyfriend. Way more important if you ask me, I’d say you’re doing exactly what you should be doing! And as far as sharing about people in your life, I often share a little bit about my friends, family, etc. Mostly because it’s a blog about my life in general and they’re a huge part of it. Without including them at least sometimes, I don’t think I’d have anything to talk about! Haha. But I totally understand where you’re coming from, it can be sort of an awkward topic to bring up, especially with a new “love interest” haha. I eventually just bit the bullet, and am really hoping no one gets inspired to read my blog from beginning to end. That’d be crazy right?
The newness of it is definitely what makes it so awkward. I’d be a little mortified if I started talking about him and he found out 😳
I mostly keep other people off my blog. I don’t know if they’re comfortable with it, and I just don’t think it’s my place to share about the ins and outs of their lives. I mean, if they wanted to, they’d probably have a blog themselves.
I’m not particularly open about having a blog, like I don’t go around advertising it, but sometimes it comes up and people see it and it’s not a big deal at all. Which is a huge change, since I used to be absolutely self-conscious/mortified if someone found out (no idea why).
Yeah I have no idea why I care so much either. Maybe it’s the whole ‘will they think I’m weird for writing about the stuff that I write about’ thing…
As much as I love reading blogs, sometimes I seriously just don’t feel like doing it either! It can be so nice just to put away the computer and spend time by yourself with a movie or a book!
Haha I totally stock up on Kashi cereal when it goes on sale too! Considering it’s usually $6 or more dollars a box, it’s SUCH a deal when I can find it for $3.99!
I don’t really know what to do when it comes to blogging about others either! Usually I’ll only blog about someone if they know about my blog and if they don’t mind being included on it. It really depends on the situation/person though!
Maybe not mentioning names or any characteristics and instead just letting us know how it’s going/what you two have been up to. It can be as vague as you would like, but I know I speak for MANY of your readers when I say that we’re DYING to know!
I don’t tell anyone in my life about my blog unless I am sure that I want them to see everything I’ve written. If I’m okay with that, then I have no problem letting them know. With that being said, sometimes it can be nice to have a place to write and not worry about those in your life reading everything that’s going on. It’s a toughie!
Hehe and I’ve been dying to share. Working on it 😀
i tend to be super anonymous on my blog. i share more directly with blog friends, but posting it up there for the world to see makes me uncomfortable. so i totally get it.
it took me FOREVER to even tell anyone in my life about my blog. i am probably not as careful as i should be about writing about people/posting pictures but i always try to ask my friends before i do because i know the interwebs is a crazy place. also your kashi purchase is awesome – i do the same thing when it’s on sale! i seriously bought NINE boxes at one time once because there was a 3 for $9 and i just couldn’t believe how cheap it was. i’ve never tried the cinnamon harvest though because i don’t tend to like shredded wheat as much but you’re almost selling me on trying it 🙂
Haha love the four boxes of cereal! I am still trying to figure out how much to share concerning friends and family as well, it is a tough thing to decide.
Okay that’s it- I’m coming over for breakfast to help you raid that cereal stash :)! And all your meals sound so up my alley that I might have to stay for lunch & dinner! So glad to keep hearing that things are going well with the mister! As much as I would love to hear more, I completely understand & respect why you want to keep it private! Everyone knows about my blog but at the same time, I don’t like to share everything about my life on my blog! It’s great that some people totally put themselves out there but personally I like to keep some things private. Especially with those who know me in real life (and read my blog), I rather them not be able to completely read me as an open book.
If you’re getting an Amy’s pizza in the oven, I say you’re doing quite well! I always drool over your photos of the pesto pizza–my absolute favorite until I had to cut out gluten. This way I get to enjoy it vicariously through you. 😉 Over the past month, I’ve really had no time to prepare a decent hot meal during the week, unless Amy’s *microwave* entrees are decent. And I’m guessing that’s a big NO. Lots of bars and hardboiled eggs eaten out of plastic bags happen on a daily basis as well. Hey, food is food, yeah?
I’ve always been pretty transparent on my blog because I really enjoy sharing the people in my life with my readers. Most of my friends and family love being “featured,” and will often go out of their way to jump into pictures, in the offhand chance they may appear on the blog. (If I want to include a new person, I always ask them first). However, I think there’s tremendous value in keeping things more private as well. Once you open up to the world, you have to accept that everyone in your life *may* read, analyze and judge your thoughts and actions. In the beginning, I was sensitive about this, but now I enjoy being completely open; there’s nothing to hide. What you see (and read) is what you get. That said, I definitely filter my content, and often choose to only allude to problems/issues that I wish to keep private.
I’d loooove to learn more about Mr. Starbucks (and the other people in your life), but completely understand if you’re not comfortable sharing. Your blog is fantastic as is!
I think that sharing more about the other people in your life would be a good thing. Maybe you should try bringing up the topic with them, even though you might be shy at first.
Thanks Rose. You’re right. It would make forming those connections a lot easier, and that’s really what I’m trying to do. I’ll definitely put more effort into opening up a bit 🙂
Woops I meant to say more on your blog.
I think you should open up and start sharing more on a blog. I love to read about other people and what is going on in their lives, it makes blogs a lot more fascinating. Not to say that your blog is boring, but getting to know more about you and your life and things going on would make it a lot more interesting and it would feel like there is more of a connection between you and your readers.
I’ll be right over for breakfast!! 🙂 Just like Hailey said, I am sometimes embarrassed coming up with my blog on people who do not gove anything on what the heck I am eating everyvday or what my workout is. Still, if I do want to write about someone or even oost a picture, I ask. The other way round: I would not want to be posted somewhere in the public without knowing. Anyway, I start to open up a bit, but I still find it hard to write very personal stuff considering of what people might think or say out there.
I was totally into food prep a few weeks ago and now…not so much! I’d rather just whip up something that takes 15 minutes tops and sometimes that ends up being a homemade waffle–no shame. But I think it’s perfectly okay to slack off in the food department if you’ve got more fun things going on in life. Life isn’t all about food, so go you for embracing that!
Ahh I love Snatch! Possibly one of my favorite movies that features Brad Pitt 🙂
Ahh yeah I get the dilemma here! I love reading about the people in other bloggers’ lives, because it makes them so much more relatable – but I’d stick to just not using their names until you ask them! I’ve mentioned friends and family before, but I usually just say “my best friend” or “my sister”. Usually when I tell a friend that I talk about them on my blog they’re really flattered! But it really is your call – and when you’re starting to date someone, that’s the most akward/iffy blog-mention of all haha. BTW i’m SOOO glad things are going well for you in that department! Definitely more important than meal planning fo sho 😀
If you remember back to one of my older posts 2 weeks ago (i know forever ago), I had accidently bought 10 things of milk.. well, I’m thinking I’ll fly to you this weekend, bring my milk & we can eat lots of cereal together 🙂 🙂
Ooooo girl I love your thinking! Although you might want to hold out for a bit on booking the plane tickets because we’re kind of in the middle of a blizzard at the moment…
I’ll be riiiiight over 😉
Girl, I definitely feel ya when it comes to sharing information. I love reading about other peoples lives on their blogs and when they share more personal information about themselves, but I don’t really feel all that comfortable doing that on mine. Strange, huh?
I think it’s alright to share information about others as long as it’s nothing major. I guess we should be able to judge what we should or should not be sharing about others lives on our blogs.
Soo, I guess what I’m trying to say is…I expect some info about Mr. Starbucks in due time. JKJK ;P
I was in Wal Mart last weekend and was absolutely amazed – floor to ceiling Christmas decorations. My personal feelings are that I bring out the decorations December 1st – that is when the Christmas season starts for me.
Glad to see things with Mr. Starbucks are going well! I still get shy talking about my blog with people – it’s usually only ever brought up if people see me whip out my camera and take a picture of my food. In terms of putting people on the blog – the boyfriend, the family and the closest friends end up on it, but they all know about the blog (clearly) and if they ever told me that they weren’t comfortable being put on there I would take them off immediately, of course. I like seeing glimpses into blogger’s lives, so I’m assuming people want to glance at the people in mine too – but I don’t want to oversaturate it. It’s a weird balance to find!
It’s usually December 1st for me as well. And the last time I was in Walmart a few days before Halloween, they seriously had Santa next to skeletons. Made for an interesting combination 😯
thats when i hit read all in my reader and start fresh, really! and mr. starbucks is okay for now, but in a few month, i want details! LOL!
Oh ‘read all’…. feels so sinful but good at the same time.
I love this post because it is so you, and that is why I read everyday. I feel the same way about talking about specific people I rarely use names if I do. Or I abbreviate. After tonight I am realizing I need to put more focus into food prep or else I will have more nights like I had tonight. Which totally debilitate me. I am glad you took some you time. I hate all this holiday decor, just hate it. Way too early in my books.
Ahhhh this is something I’ve been trying to figure out too! Granted, I just started my blog last week, ha, so I’m definitely still learning the ropes with everything, but that’s been one of the hardest things for me to figure out. Thus far, some of my fam knows but not all, my bf knows, and I’m slowly telling some friends, but I’m shy about it, too. I’ve been talking to a couple about talking about certain things that they’re involved in and asking if it’s ok to mention them, but I’m still not sure how much I want to involve other people. Having said that, I really enjoy reading about other people’s lives on their blogs haha, so yep…no clarification about that…but at least I know I’m not alone in my uncertainty! And neither are you 🙂
Hahaha I know what you mean about opening up google reader and feeling overwhelmed. I get this really excited yet anxious feeling when there are a million new posts – I feel like I have to read them all like it’s a homework assignment or something! But I love reading them so it also makes me happy.
As for talking about others on my blog, my family and good friends all know about it and are completely fine with being featured on my blog sometimes. I am not that open with the fact I have a blog with most people, though. Maybe I am still a little embarrassed just coming out and talking about my blog with people that have no interest in healthy living blogs (like they will think “why on earth would anyone care to blog about their day to day eating/exercise/etc”). I also share general stuff about my personal life but definitely hold stuff back in the romantic department. I hope to soon hear a little more detail about Mr. Starbucks though 😉
Hehe yeah I think that’s my problem! I don’t really know a lot of people who are super interested in healthy living, so it’s like… why would she talk about that? 😯
No need to feel bad about prioritizing Mr. Starbucks – let’s call spades spades (what a weird expression, BTW) 😉 – to blogging! I’m happy for you, Amanda! Enjoy all the me time and time with your boy you want! I wish things were easier with “my” boy, too …
While I do enjoy getting to know lots about other bloggers’ lifes I feel uncomfortable sharing too much about mine. I’m neither showing pictures of my friends or family nor sharing their names. They don’t know about my blog and I wouldn’t want to appear somewhere in the internet not knowing about it, either.
Just as a random mention: I recently started a book you recommended – “The Art of Racing in the Rain” – and am enjoying it. Such a great idea of telling the story from the dog’s perspective. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you’r enjoying the book, girl! Definitely one of my favorites, but you might want to get a box of Kleenex when you near the end. And I hope things start going better for you with your boy too. Sometimes things can just change in an instant, so you never know!
How much do I love you?!?! It’s too hard to count the ways. YOU ARE TOO FLIPPIN’ ADORABLE FOR YOUR OWN GOOD!!!
Okay. So my meals have totally fallen to the PB/cereal/sandwich/yogurt/banana/whatever’s convenient level too. And, not gonna lie, I like it. My veggies for today were spinach pureed into waffle batter. #noshame. I somehow get my greens every day, and I listen when my body craves a huge salad. Otherwise, I try not to worry about it. And I totally stocked up on cereal today — god forbid I’d run out!!
Good for you for taking the night off. Ps. Brad Pitt = excellent “me time”. I approve. 😉
As for sharing others on the blog … I ask. I’m proud about my blog and talk about it often, so I don’t have a problem openly asking if people mind being on there. Oh, and I edit/omit the more personal stuff. Because I do like sharing, but I like keeping stuff back too. Hence why Le Boy is still known as Le Boy. I don’t know — there’s a fine line for sure. I think it would be much different if I were more “high profile” …? Maybe one day I’ll have to start making big blogger decisions. 😉
Give me some of your courage! I’d love to feel comfortable talking about my blog with others, but I’m shy. Ugh, it’s probably like all of those other fears though, isn’t it? Gotta face them and then find out it’s not so bad after all? Finneeee… Maybe I’ll try that.
Like I said in my comment on your post today. You shine like a supernova, but you’re dimming your light. I think that if you just let a little bit of your radiance start to shine through, you’ll be encouraged by those around you who enjoy what you have to share, and you’ll slowly open up more. But you have to be willing to let go of your insecurities and let yourself be radiant. And while I might sound like a cheezy shampoo commercial, I really think that this would give you a tonne of empowerment in all components of your life.
To quote the lovely Rihanna “Shine bright like a diamond — you and I, we’re like diamonds in the sky”. <3