Will You Be My Friend? Yes or No?

Since the middle of July, I’ve been participating in the SITS Girls ProBlogger Summer Challenge, along with nearly 500 (!) other bloggers.   The challenge is 31 days long, with a new task every day.  Yesterday we were asked to find a “blog buddy,” someone we could run ideas past, enlist for honest feedback, and who would give us a nudge when we’re in a rut or going off course. 

When I first read the details of the task, I had flashbacks to grade school, where we had to buddy up with someone for field trips.  I remember  assessing my options, trying to decide who I’d want to hold hands with for an entire day (yes, I know that I over think everything!).  Then, there was the anxiety while building up the courage to ask someone to be my buddy. 

So, who did I want to hold hands with in this challenge?  I took a deep breath and asked two people, both of whom are willing to be stuck with me for a bit. 

Today I’m introducing you to Alli, from Alli ‘n Son. 

Why did I ask Alli?

I chose her because we are similar.

We share similar parenting/life philosophies.  She is optimistic and grateful.  She is a slightly OCD momma (yes, M&Ms must be eaten in pairs of matching colors). She’s the stay-at-home momma of a spunky, energetic, and often frustrating two-year old boy. But she is thankful for each and every moment and even has a day dedicated to just that, the Thank You Journal each Thursday (stop by and link up). You can often find her up to the knees in potty training, bubbles and all things balls.

And, I chose Alli because we are different. 

Take just one look at Alli’s blog and you’ll see how incredibly creative she is.  She just oozes great ideas.  She takes beautiful photos and is a whiz with Photoshop.  I’m hoping that if I’m a great buddy and I don’t pick my nose, she’ll share some secrets with me.  I would love to be more creative and I’m hoping she rubs off on me.  She’s a self-described wanna-be photographer and gourmet chef, a highly creative woman and one-time graphic designer, all rolled into one.

Here are some examples of her best stuff:

Life without Limits

Tantrums and Everything

Beer Batter Pizza Dough

Sparkling Moments 

 

So, pop on over there and leave her a comment.  Maybe you could tell her that I have clean hands, I’m pretty friendly, and I don’t pick my nose.

 

And, stay tuned…I’ll be announcing my second buddy soon!

Without Friends I’d Be Dead. Stop Calling Me Dramatic.

Although I fell in love with Alex months ago, it was her recent commitment to limiting how much television that she allows her children to watch that made me realize that she is perfect for Small Moments Mondays.  By limiting television, she is attempting (and succeeding) to be more present for her two beautiful children. Whether she’s playing chase, dragging a kiddie pool through her house, or playing Go Fish, she is living in the moment with her children and she is making those memories that they will all carry with them. Check out her  Harcore Television Challenge!

I truly admire Alex, she is honest, open, funny, intelligent, and vulnerable, all of which are evidenced in God, What If I Cannot Handle It?, My Son, Revisited, and Our Common Humanity Is Easier To Find Than You Think.  Check Your Pants.

I am so grateful that our paths have crossed. I would certainly call her my PF.

(If you are unfamiliar with Twitter, here’s a brief rundown, Twitter Cheat Sheet.)

Thank you, Alex, for coming by and sharing your small moment with us!

Without Friends I’d Be Dead. Stop Calling Me Dramatic by Alex

I don’t do small very well. I have a loud laugh, big ideas, and a tendency to forget to use my INDOOR VOICE.

So Small Moments Monday intimidates me.

And as I’m staring at the computer screen, I have a twelve DM interchange with my best bloggy friend. Saying nothing and everything.

How’s your morning?

Stress poops, ahoy!

Your readers rule.

What do you think about this idea?

I’m crying.

Why didn’t you sleep?

We should tell them I’m your organizational coach. Haha.

She didn’t even TRY to murder me. Boo.

I hope today is a better day.

Our friendship is a fluke. I respond to something random in a conversation I’m not technically included in. She follows me back because of it. I DM’d her about a song. And then tell her that it’s stupid because she probably gets DMs about the song all the time. She says no, she’s never heard of the song. In the process, I accidently guessed her real name.

She and I needed more than 140 characters to finish our conversations over the next few weeks. We moved to email. Then exchanged phone numbers. Then met in person. Then the big finale FACEBOOK FRIENDS. (Friendships are TOTALLY like dating. Except for the kissing part.)

All the while, we refer to each other as pfs. Potential friends. Until one day I realize that we are FRIEND FRIENDs. But ff is already taken so we go nostalgic and breaking out the pf here and there.

And now I have this person who gets blogging and mothering and twitter-ing and insists my impatience is apart of my charm. (After I DM her: WHERE ARE YOU five minutes after my first DM of the day.)

Last week, while discussing BlogHer, I warn her of my overpacking tendencies (I GO BIG PEOPLE) and she responds: I am an underpacker. Together, we make one functional adult. Hoorah!

I can’t imagine traveling this bumpy road of blogging and writing and social awkwardness without a pf.

If you don’t have one, get one! Go out on a limb with someone you like in this bloggy world. Because as big as the Inter-ba-nets may be, it’s just made up of people. And moments.

Moments that wouldn’t be the same without friends. Meanwhile, you can always DM me… if you like loud impatient people.

When Alex Iwashyna isn’t DM-ing with her pf, she blogs at Late Enough mostly about life, parenting, marriage, politics, culture, religion, and her inability to wake up in the morning and not hate everyone. Often zombies, fire, and rude Southern people make appearances, but Alex can pretty much guarantee that she’ll still be in her pjs while fighting them off. She also hangs out on the Twitter as @L8enough and Facebooky.

I’m Officially a Bad Ass

There are a few people who could write anything–a phone book, a dictionary, a take out menu–and make it astonishingly beautiful.  Adrienne, over at No Points for Style, is one of those writers.  She is lovely, funny, and eloquent.  Want proof? Read Apologia, Patterns and Chaos, and Southern New Mexico: How Not to See It. I admire her tremendously and constantly learn new things from her.

And now, Adrienne has kindly awarded me with her Bad Ass Blogger Award, for my recent post, So Much to Say.

I am honored to be included in such great company as my fellow bad asses, Heidi D., from It’s just me…Heidi D., and Allison, from O My Family.  Check them out, you’ll see why I’m so flattered.

Thank you again, Adrienne.  Coming from you, this means so much!