Meet the Blogger: Elaina

Shelle Edit: So Elaina was the winner of the contest we had about a month and a half ago.  Her prize was to be spot lighted here on the Real World!  I'm sure she was super excited! hehe.  Anyway, I wanted to say Elaina is one of the most well spoken bloggers I have come across.  She has very specific views on about everything and you can tell has educated herself to defend her position.  I love her comments here and am so glad we have the opportunity to point people to her blog.  Read a bit about her and then hop over to her site!  I don't think you'll regret it.


MEET THE BLOGGER

Name: Elaina

Age: 24

Kids #, age, sex: Abigail is almost 3, and Holton (a boy, if it wasn’t obvious) is 1

Maritial status: Married

1. How many years in your current relationship: 6.5 years, and our 5th wedding anniversary is next month

2. Have you ever been divorced?: Nope

3. What do you do for work: I'm a SAHM, so I pretty much sit around and eat bons bons, and let my kids watch lots of TV and jump on their beds.

4. Education: I'm taking part-time classes this fall, and starting full-time in the spring(guess the bon bon days will be over!). I hope to have my BSN (bachelor of science in nursing) within 2 years

5. Blogs you contribute to: pretty much just this one, and my own.

main blog: Monologue - the title is inspired by a Margaret Millar quote: "Most conversations are simply monologues delivered in the presence of witnesses."


6. Religion: Agnostic

7. Political affiliation: (republican, democrat, libertarian): If pressed on a candidate, I'm likely to vote Democrat.

8. Basic philosophical leaning: (liberal, conservative, confused): Pretty moderate, actually. I'm socially liberal but fiscally conservative.

9. What is your motto in life?: I have two: "Live and let live", and "Be who you want your children to become"

10. Who has had the most influence in your life?: I would love to write something inspirational here, but I think I'm pretty much self-made. I'm far more likely to turn inward in times of crisis than I am to reach out.

11. Why did you start Blogging? (100 words or less): I actually started blogging early this year, after a visit with some family. I realized how different I am from them all, and I started to wonder why. I've used my blog to explore myself, I guess. Now, I’m so happy that I did, because I’ve learned so much about myself, and I’ve made a few really good friends in the blogosphere that I never would have known otherwise.

*What is the most favorite post you have written on any blog you contribute to?: This one, about why I miss being a Christian: http://loveyhowell.wordpress.com/2010/04/01/why-i-miss-being-a-christian/ , and this one, about growing up in an unhappy home: http://loveyhowell.wordpress.com/2010/02/26/ranburne/

12. Tell us in 100 words about your current relationship: I’ve written a little about it here, but I’m an Army Spouse of 4 years. My husband and I met right after I graduated high school, and we got married the following November. We had a miscarriage in our first year of marriage, and have two children; we don’t plan to have any more. We’ve done one 15 month deployment, and in almost 5 years of marriage, we’ve spent 27 months apart. Still, we make it work, and aside from a few rough patches here and there, we’re pretty happy. He’s a good guy, and I think we’re lucky to have one another.

13. BONUS or OPTIONAL: Tell us something we need to know about you that we haven't covered above. 50 words or less: I grew up in an emotionally abusive home, and ran away from home at 16, with my 4 year old brother. We moved into my aunt’s house, and it was, hands down, the best decision I’ve ever made. I wish I still had that kind of strength, but I think I’ve lost it.

Meet The Blogger, Nolens Volens

MEET THE BLOGGER--

Name: Nolens Volens - you can call me...NV
Age: Very well
Kids #, age & sex: 2, 8 & 3, boys will be shot for going near them
Marital status: Legally bound in vow, drats!

1. How many years in your current relationship: 12 years

2. Have you ever been divorced?: Who wants to divorce me?!?

***If so how many times?:

3. What do you do for work: I show people how to understand their stuff better and make them feel better about their stuff. Clear?

4. Education: Yes, I learned very well

5. Blogs you contribute to: I actually contribute to Real World, but I am listed as author and/or admin for 6 other blogs (not all are shown in my profile for reasons)

main blog: alienus-kairos.blogspot.com

Not Safe For Work

6. Religion: Atheist

7. Political affiliation- (republican, democrat, libertarian): I am NOT running for a position! Well, I am a Democrat.

8. Basic philosophical leanings (liberal, conservative, confused): Liberal - live like you are not going to see tomorrow

9. What is your motto in life?: Life is REALLY short! Carpe noctum!

10. Who has had the most influence in your life?: My mother

11. Why did you start Blogging? (100 words or less):I had been blogging on MySpace every week for two years and didn't like how I was "restricted". I wanted to explore the sexual self of me. A friend turned me onto Blogger.

*What is the most favorite post you have written on any blog you contribute to?:

Oh, hmm. I am ashamed to say that would be my own blog. I've enjoyed my journey in there.

12. Tell us in 100 words about your current relationship: My wife and I love how we tell each other everything. Even about other people and what we think of them, sexually.

13. BONUS or OPTIONAL: Tell us something we need to know about you that we haven't covered above. 50 words or less: I love hearing from bloggers who have a cybercrush on me. You never know...I may have one on you too. :)

Say hello to NV!

(Just a friendly reminder. NV is a more OPEN-or non-vanilla-definitely NOT a Mommy Daddy blog... blogger, so his website is NSFW or Not Safe For Work)

Meet The Blogger: Daddy Can't Hear You

Meet The Blogger

Name: DCHY (short for Daddy Can't Hear You)

Age: 40's

Kids #, age & sex:  I have 2 girls who loves me and drives me NUTS.  ;)  Their ages are in single digits.

Maritial status: Married

1. How many years in your current relationship: 10 years 

of marriage...a breeze

2. Have you ever been divorced?: No

3. What do you do for work: I work for a college, in two different positions...as a tutor and as a gopher for a faculty member in charge of international student exchange program

4. Education: Bachelor's in Communications

5. Blogs you contribute to: Real World Venus vs Mars

main blog: Daddycanthearyou.blogspot.com

6. Religion: Who cares?  My beliefs are mine and your beliefs are yours

7. Political affiliation - (Republican, Democrat, Libertarian): Democrat

8. Basic philosophical leanings (liberal, conservative, confused): I am an open-minded person who has had unusual experiences in life and I wish every single person is open-minded like me.  Sadly, that is not the case as I have experienced over and over.

9. What is your motto in life?: Be kind, you never know what may come back to you

10. Who has had the most influence in your life?: Funny thing is, not a single deaf person has had the most influence on my life.  My mother is.  She fought for my rights and made sacrifices for me.

11. Why did you start Blogging?  (100 words or less): I was encouraged by Shelle from BlokThoughts to write about my deafness.  I admit that I was scared to write about being deaf because I always encounter prejudice in real life when they find out I am deaf.  This has not been the case in the blogosphere.

*What is the most favorite post you have written on any blog you contribute to?:

That would be HSSS: Parenting the neighborhood kids

12. Tell us in 100 words about your current relationship: My wife is fluent in sign language.  In fact, she is better at it...and she is hearing.  She never lets me live it down.  ;)

13. BONUS or OPTIONAL: Tell us something we need to know about you that we haven't covered above. 50 words or less: Hearing people CAN suck (discrimination, anyone?), but I know many who don't.  Thanks for being understanding with me as a deaf person.

Meet The Blogger: Shelle

Meet The Blogger

Name: Shelle Blok


Age: 31

Kids #, age & sex: Two Kids.  DCar who is male and 8 yrs old, and PeePs who is female and 5 years old.


Marital status: Married for 10 years.


1. How many years in your current relationship: 12 years.



2. Have you ever been divorced?: No


***If so how many times?:

What do you do for work: I work for an airline as a Aircraft Routing Specialist and I do photography on the side, but I don't count that because I WUV it. :)


Education: Let's see... I finished High School.  Went to two years at the community college where I live, and then Graduated at Brigham Young University with my Bachelor's in Marriage, Family, and Human Development.  With a Minor in kissing boys. ;)



Blogs you contribute to: Well this one. Obviously.  And my very own personal blog over at BlokThoughtsnmore.


Religion: LDS, or Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or Mormon as others not of the religion generally refer to it as.

Political affiliation: Well if I must choose, then I lean to Republican.  But I go with the candidate that is closest to what I believe, and could actually win, and vote that way... because I don't want to waste my vote.


Basic philosophical leanings (liberal, conservative, confused): I'd say conservative.

What is your motto in life?: It changes with my mood.  Like sometimes it's "Get out of my way or I'll throat punch you!" or "Life is like a box of chocolates... ".  Ya know.  Changes with my mood.  But I'd say one of my most favorite quotes is this, "Don't give up what you want most, for what you think you want now."--because it applies to so many facets of life.


Who has had the most influence in your life?: I'd say my Mom.  Seriously.  She's threaded in some way into everything of my life.  I'm told I even look like her when she was young.  She's my best friend and one of my greatest confidante's.  But then again... my sisters have influenced so much and my brother's have played their part... and I wouldn't have some of my best characteristic traits if it wasn't for my father... nor my legs.  So I'd have to make that wider and say my family???


Why did you start Blogging? To put something up for family to see and friends on what we were doing.  We had just recently made a big move and left a lot of friends and loved ones.  So we wanted a place they could come to, to catch up.

But then I had some co-workers tell me I talked to much... I didn't like that at all, and I wrote about it... and some random people started commenting on it.  And the validation was addicting.  And like a train wreck I continue to write my thoughts down.


*What is the most favorite post you have written on any blog you contribute to?: I'm my worst critic every about anything I write. But I started to write a series of short stories that were all connected to make a whole story.  I only published two... though the story has continued.  My need to keep changing them stopped me from continuing to publish them... but I like them because it is imperfect and yet, that is me and it's authentic? What I Imagine Heaven Would Be... or I did THIS one which is a play on a meme I did, because I kinda don't like MeMe's and this particular person put my name down for one just to spite me, so I made it interesting (Which means I was totally sarcastic).


I decided to do the last two questions Via Vlog to switch it up a bit:  I do a sexy trick with my mouth so don't miss it... :)



I mention Ken (sorry Ken I don't remember your blog! oops. But I know you love facebook!) and PapaK in the blog (HERE is the post I was talking about)... it's only fair that I link up! :)

Hope you all have a good weekend!!!

Love,

Shelle

Meet The Blogger: Cheek of God

Name: Brian



Age: 41

Kids #, age & sex: Four kids, ages 16, 12, 10, 9

Marital status: Married for 19 years this year.



1. How many years in your current relationship: 23 years


2. Have you ever been divorced?: No


***If so how many times?:

What do you do for work: I work in the mix/pre-production department at Edy’s Grand Ice Cream.  That’s Dreyer’s to those of you west of the Rockies.  Yes, I eat ice cream every day . . .  



Education: Currently pursuing a BA in English & Philosophy with minors in Communication and Religious Studies


Blogs you contribute to: This one, and The Cheek of God


Religion: Reverently Agnostic

Political affiliation: I am a recovering Republican

Basic philosophical leanings (liberal, conservative, confused): I am fairly moderate, though I lean to the left when pressed . . .

What is your motto in life?: sapere aude – Latin: “Dare to Know” or “Dare to Discern”

Who has had the most influence in your life?: Wow. Probably my kids. They inspire greatness . . .

Why did you start Blogging? I began my blog as a project for a class titled Research Methods for Professional Writers. It was initially about memoir writing, and my own attempts to write a “living memoir.” It blossomed from there . . .

*What is the most favorite post you have written on any blog you contribute to?: So many to choose from! Probably the one about my Unibrow: http://thecheekofgod.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/the-taming-of-the-brow/ or this one where I finally give up smoking: http://thecheekofgod.wordpress.com/2010/06/30/the-elephant-in-the-blog/



Tell us in 100 words about your current relationship: My wife and I are in the process of getting old together. Which is sort of cool. We know how one another ticks. What makes us happy or sad or frustrated. We’ve been together longer than we’ve been on our own, so every day is a bonus, a chance to not only relax in one another’s familiarity, but also to strive to make the effort to learn something new.

BONUS or OPTIONAL: Tell us something we need to know about you that we haven't covered above. 50 words or less: I had weight loss surgery in 2002, lost over 200 pounds, and have kept it off all this time. I’m less than half the man I used to be. Amazing . . .


Shelle Edit: I have known Brian for awhile now.  I happened on his blog because someone referred him on a list of their must reads everyday.  I don't even remember what post it was that day, but I do remember coming away from his blog magically enthralled.  He's completely poetic when he writes, it's as if you can feel the words pulling you in and taking you on their journey.  Brian just took on his adventure to stop smoking...we continue to wish him luck, because if he takes smoking back up again, he's ultimatum is that he'll have to give up his blog, which would be way to tragic.  Much love your way Brian, thank for all you do for me and this blog! 


Brian-The Cheek of God

Meet The Blogger: Cajoh

Name: Christopher Johnson aka Cajoh

Age: 43 and counting.

Kids #, age & sex: I do not have kids of my own, but my wife has two. A daughter 29, and a son 25.

Maritial status: Married

1. How many years in your current relationship: 14 Years come September.

2. Have you ever been divorced?: No

       ***If so how many times?:

What do you do for work: Computer Programmer

Education: I have two Bachelors Degrees 

Blogs you contribute to:

       main blog:
       http://cajoh.blogspot.com

Religion: Methodist

Political affiliation- (republican, democrat, libertarian): Independent with leanings towards republicanism.
 
Basic philosophical leanings (liberal, conservative, confused): I consider a lot of my philosophical leanings to be more zen-like in that I am flexible and lean in many different ways without breaking.

What is your motto in life?: Be true to yourself as your own self true.

Who has had the most influence in your life?: It is difficult to say who, since some influences I may not even be aware of. I can't say that those I have known the longest have had the most influence because of the quantity of influence-- nor can I say those who have the most quality influence either since I do not know what constitutes quality influence.

Why did you start Blogging?  (100 words or less): I have what I consider to be a quite profound personal philosophy. I would like to be able to publish my philosophy someday, but I need to write it down first. Having a blog allows me to write it down as well as know how others interpret what I say.

       *What is the most favorite post you have written on any blog you contribute to?:
       http://cajoh.blogspot.com/2008/07/name-occupation-health-feelings.html

Tell us in 100 words about your current relationship: I have known my wife for more than one quarter of my life. I appreciate that fact that we have so many things in common and can get a long with one another quite easily. Even those things that we disagree with, we can be civil enough with one another to respect each other's opinions.

BONUS or OPTIONAL: Tell us something we need to know about you that we haven't covered above. 50 words or less: I used to think that I would NEVER get married. I was one of those people who felt very unlucky and never could find someone to love. Once I was able to concentrate on myself and not look anymore, love just landed in my lap and I have been happy ever since.

Shelle Edit:  I think what Cajoh brings to this blog is a sense of experience.  His writing exudes intelligence about life and it leaks over into his posts here at Real World.  Thanks for writing for us!




Cajoh

Meet the Blogger: Just Jules

MEET THE BLOGGER--

Name: Jules (My name is Julie)

Age: 36 and feeling better then when I was 30

Kids #, age & sex: 4 -- boy (10yr), girl (9) , boy(7) , ohhh boy(5)

Maritial status:

1. How many years in your current relationship: married 12 years-- together for 15 total

2. Have you ever been divorced?: No

***If so how many times?:


3. What do you do for work: Small business co-owner - dock and boat lift sales, repair, installations and removals.

4. Education: Not enough. I almost finished college (4 classes left) with my Elementary Education degree but quit to follow my then ex-boyfriend (now husband) to SW Colorado. I don't really regret that decision.

5. Blogs you contribute to:

main blog: Just Jules http://itisjustjules.blogspot.com

Also - RWVM

And my PROJECT for my town.

My Children's blogs - Trans-Atlantic learning Adventures (http://addieandsabin.blogspot.com/) and The Adventures of an Up North Boy (http://upnorthboy.blogspot.com/)

6. Religion: I was raised Catholic, married a Methodist, joined an Evangelic Free Church

7. Political affiliation- (republican, democrat, libertarian): I lean toward Republican but do not commit to a party 100%. I voted Rep, Dem, and Lib. on my last ballot. (Sage will probably never talk to me again ;)

8. Basic philosophical leanings (liberal, conservative, confused): Confused by the question.

9. What is your motto in life?: I guess it is to find a motto.... hmmmmm. Truly my motto, if I had one, would have to be - Be Genuine

10. Who has had the most influence in your life?: My dad I suppose. He was the one who would hand out the things to think about. But from that I did most of it on my own. I remember working very hard on who I was and how I acted when I was in college - I watched those around me and learned both the good and the bad, copied the good and learned from other's bad.

11. Why did you start Blogging? (100 words or less):

*What is the most favorite post you have written on any blog you contribute to?:

I started blogging to get my friend off my back. She kept telling me I needed to blog because I would "blog" to her on the phone everyday. But now I do it for myself. It has been a wonderful outlet and a great way to make some very good friends. Plus, it is entertaining

Favorite post ever- http://itisjustjules.blogspot.com/2009/08/who-were-you-in-high-school.html

12. Tell us in 100 words about your current relationship:
I am married to a High School Math Teacher. He is also the Co-Owner in our business. He is the one who does the labor. He also teaches at a juvenile center in the summer. I mention all of this for this reason - he is gone a LOT. Our relationship is one defined by our separation. We have been through many trials in our lives and have made it through when the stats say we shouldn't have. He is the straight line to my curvy swirly one. He tends to keep me grounded.

13. BONUS or OPTIONAL: Tell us something we need to know about you that we haven't covered above. 50 words or less: I don't like to do what other people are doing. I lose interest in something very fast if it becomes "the thing" to do. I prefer to be outside and while I look at home in a large group because I can "work a room" I prefer to be in a small group. I have 3 true friends as I eliminated everyone from my life that took more than they gave or were not genuine. I am happier for this (and I can't be contained in 50 words)

Shelle Edit: I think the thing about Jules is that she's not afraid to be vulnerable. She is at a point in her life where she has taken a step back to look at who she is and she shares her vision of herself and her relationships through her writing. It's open and honest and beautiful. Another thing about her writing is that you can see her heart in it. She just has this amazing way of making everyone feel like she understands them, yet, she gets her point across. Jules also shares her love of photography and this is where I relate to her most. Thanks Jules for being a part of this website you add so much to it!

Meet The Blogger: or our resident Islander--ANJENY!

MEET THE BLOGGER--

Name: Anjeny

Age: 38

Kids #, age & sex: 7 kids, three girls and four boys, ages 18, 16, 14, 12, 9, 7 & 3

Marital status: married

1. How many years in your current relationship: 18 years...will be celebrating 19th year next month
2. Have you ever been divorced?: Nope

***If so how many times?:

3. What do you do for work: I'm a stay-at-home mom

4. Education: Two year college

5. Blogs you contribute to: The Real World: Venus vs Mars, Book Club 4 Kids, & Laie Elementary
main blog: Ramblings of an Islander

6. Religion: LDS

7. Political affiliation- (republican, democrat, libertarian): Republican

8. Basic philosophical leanings (liberal, conservative, confused): Conservative

9. What is your motto in life?: "Live a honest and respectful life"...this is too broad but it entails a lot more meaning than enclosed.

10. Who has had the most influence in your life?: Jesus...after all I'm trying to live my life the way he taught and lived and of course my mom...I've never realized what a wonderful, self-sacrificing woman she was until I've moved away from home.

11. Why did you start Blogging? (100 words or less): I started blogging November of 2008. One of my best friends started blogging and she loved it so much she kept telling me to start one for myself. I admit, I had no clue what blogging is until I started reading her blog, and then started reading another friend who I found out blogged too and then next thing I know, I was reading other people's blogs on their blogroll and then decided to start one just to unload some of the thoughts that go through my head (which I haven't been doing lately). I also love the fact that if I'm blogging about how my family is doing here, I don't really need to write one of those yearly letters to relatives and friends, if they want to know what's happening in my family's life, they can just go online and get updates. Actually, I wrote a post about this very question so if interested, go here.

*What is the most favorite post you have written on any blog you contribute to?: I wrote a tribute post on this blog created by the infamous Crash last February on my mom's birthday...that I found to be my most favorite.

12. Tell us in 100 words about your current relationship:
My current relationship...hmmmmm, that is a book to write about....LOL. I am currently married as I've already stated. I married the only guy I ever fell in love with. I always describe our marriage as a roller-coaster ride..we have our ups and downs, there are points in our marriage where we feel like we're diving into the unknown, such adrenaline rush..LOL and then there are times where we actually thought we've figured it out but of course, the cycle starts all over again, we go up and then we come down. Although my hub and I agree on a lot of major views, like our kids for example, our personalities tend to clash sometimes and there are certain issues we don't agree upon. Sometimes we compromise on certain things, other times we just agree to disagree.

One of the difference in personalities we have is where my hub gets angry easily, he is also easily to forgive and forget. I, on the other hand, can be very emotional at times may take me a while to get angry but once I did, it would take me a long time to forgive and forget. Yes, our marriage is definitely a working progress, we have our good and happy times and then the not so good and sad moments but we're both willing to keep working at it.

13. BONUS or OPTIONAL: Tell us something we need to know about you that we haven't covered above. 50 words or less:
Hmmmm...you mean I have to voluntarily give you more informations about me...come on Shelle, you're going to have to do better than that. LOL

Since this is optional, I'm opting to not tell more than you asked but if you're looking for bonus, I'm gonna let you throw some questions my way...heck, get real dirty or gory if you want...if you throw it my way and dare me, I'd definitely be obligated to accommodate you...hahahah.

Shelle Edit: Well you HEARD her guys! Ask Anjeny questions and get dirty or gory but just remember to wash your mind and tongue out with soap afterwards ;) Anjeny I can explain in one word-HOME. I know weird right? But it is how I feel when I read her writing. I feel a constant. Don't get me wrong, she is completely unpredictable when she writes, you never know what experience she will put in her writing to relate it to the topic at hand... but she's constant in the fact that she's real. I relate to her relationship. She's happy and loves her husband but she shows that it isn't all roses, but that marriage comes with thorns and she's not afraid to tell us about them, but she also remembers to tell us how she overcame them...constant, safe the best kind of HOME. We love you Anj... thanks for contributing for us!!!

Meet the Blogger: Daddy Geek Boy

MEET THE BLOGGER--

Name: Daddy Geek Boy

Age: A spry 37

Kids #, age & sex: The Bean, 4, boy; Sprout 18 mos., girl

Maritial status: Married. Yes, married.

1. How many years in your current relationship: 8 1/2

2. Have you ever been divorced?: Nope.

***If so how many times?:

3. What do you do for work: Sorry, that's classified.

4. Education: Do Saturday morning cartoons count as education? No? Okay, I graduated from college.

5. Blogs you contribute to: Daddy Geek Boy; Hot Dads; Venus Vs. Mars; Reeling (on Offsprung.com)

main blog: DGB

6. Religion: Jewish

7. Political affiliation- (republican, democrat, libertarian): Democrat

8. Basic philosophical leanings (liberal, conservative, confused): I'm usually confused, but lean liberal.

9. What is your motto in life?: I'm going to borrow from Google and say, "Don't be evil."

10. Who has had the most influence in your life?: Growing up, my dad. Now a days, my wife.

11. Why did you start Blogging? (100 words or less): To scratch that creative itch while creating a record of my kids' lives.

*What is the most favorite post you have written on any blog you contribute to?: I really love my four part post about my vasectomy (posted on Hot Dads). Not the procedure, mind you, but the posts.

12. Tell us in 100 words about your current relationship:

A geek and a non-geek, harmoniously living together. WonderWife™ and I have a lot of different interests, but we view the world in a similar way. That’s what makes us click. We love each other deeply. We trust each other implicitly.

Shelle's Edit: Daddy Geek Boy or DGB as I call him :) has been with Real World from the beginning (Even though I LOVE the movie Transformers and he, well DOESN'T, he's still around...imagine that!). The thing that I love about his writing is that I feel like I'm sitting on a chair across from him. His writing makes me feel like I'm right there in the moment of what he's talking about. If you don't know what I mean then you should read his blog, especially when he talks about his kids, wife, movies, or his extremely weird obsession with bacon-but he is his own self proclaimed critique of food (in fact, his top 5 categories are parenting, The Bean a.k.a. his kid, movies, food and his Wife!). He's definitely one of the best kind of people to work with and I'm so very very happy and lucky that he writes here at Real World as one of the Mars Team.

Meet the Blogger: Donna

MEET THE BLOGGER--

Name: Donna (Essentials Today)

Age: 36

Kids #, age & sex: No Kiddos

Maritial status: Painfully single

1. How many years in your current relationship: 36 years, we've had a good run :)

2. Have you ever been divorced?: No

***If so how many times?:

3. What do you do for work: Human Resources for a staffing company

4. Education: Associates degree

5. Blogs you contribute to: This one! (Real World Venus Mars)

main blog: http://thebareessentialstoday.com

6. Religion: Methodist (spiritual but not religious)

7. Political affiliation- (republican, democrat, libertarian): Democrat

8. Basic philosophical leanings (liberal, conservative, confused): Liberal

9. What is your motto in life?: Don't criticize someone until you walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you do criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

10. Who has had the most influence in your life?: There are so many people, but my sister is probably the biggest influence.

11. Why did you start Blogging? (100 words or less):I have a lot to say! I've always wanted to try it, so one day, thanks to my good friend Anissa, I created one. It's been a great experience and I've *met* some wonderful people.

*What is the most favorite post you have written on any blog you contribute to?: Donna didn't have one on this, but I love THIS post of hers.

12. Tell us in 100 words about your current relationship: I am single and dating. It's been a rough go and I'm finding that there are not that many fish in my pond, so to speak. The choices get much slimmer as you get older. Ugh, I can't believe I referred to myself as *older*. But it's been an interesting experience. I've met some great people, some not so great people and have been learning a ton about myself in the process.

13. BONUS or OPTIONAL: Tell us something we need to know about you that we haven't covered above. 50 words or less: I have a wicked sense of humor, did a speech for Geraldine Ferraro growing up, have what seems to be a freckle on my eye ball and I am a Disney freak!


Donna-- The Bare Essentials.

Shelle's addition: I just wanted to add that Donna's outlook on relationships has been so good for this site in comments and also in her posts. She is so relate able and that is how she writes. She is so open willing to lay it out there no holds bar. I love that about her. I am so lucky she writes over here for us. Thanks Donna!

Meet The Blogger: Chief

Name: Chief (unless i absolutely have to use my real name)

Age: 37

Kids #, age & sex: 2 boys ages 9 & 13

Maritial status: Married

1. How many years in your current relationship: almost 17

2. Have you ever been divorced?: nope (unless you count the time I divorced him on Facebook for a day

***If so how many times?:

3. What do you do for work: Administrative assistant at a k-9 school full time and a cosmetologist part time at home when I feel like it

4. Education: not much.... HS and 1 yr of college... school wasn't mah thing... Cosmo school was two years and miserable

5. Blogs you contribute to:

main blog:

(Hiding From the Kids) http://ina9linebind.blogspot.com
Skinny Chics in Sumo Suits http://skinnychicsinsumosuits.blogspot.com/
Apples and Aprons http://apples-and-aprons.blogspot.com/
Venus Vs. Mars http://realworldvenusmars.blogspot.com

My newest adventure is: We Believe Blogs http://webelieveblogs.wordpress.com/

6. Religion: LDS

7. Political affiliation- (republican, democrat, libertarian): Republican most of the time

8. Basic philosophical leanings (liberal, conservative, confused): pissed off conservative

9. What is your motto in life?: I refuse to do things for other people. Did that for too many years. I live life for me and my family and no one else. This is me, take it or leave it.

10. Who has had the most influence in your life?: My Jr. High Choir Director - Jennifer Strassburg. She was a cancer survivor and one of the spunkiest people I have ever met. She took me under her wing and lead me through some very trying times.

11. Why did you start Blogging? (100 words or less): I was pressured by friends and family to document the idiocy of my daily life.

*What is the most favorite post you have written on any blog you contribute to?:

Peeing with a hairy man http://ina9linebind.blogspot.com/2009/08/peeing-with-hairy-man_15.html

12. Tell us in 100 words about your current relationship: Duke and I are best friends. He bugs the hell out of me and I drive him nuts. We tell each other everything and love each other for who we are. I wouldn't change for the world.

13. BONUS or OPTIONAL: Tell us something we need to know about you that we haven't covered above. 50 words or less: I love making people laugh. I hate to find out I have offended anyone with my lack of filter. I have a tough outer exterior and a mushy center (literally).... how many words is that?

Shelle's Note: Chief's blog truly makes you laugh. She always has something to say. Mostly done in sarcastic humor but it will make your day and we have this running joke that she owes me a few key boards because of all the water I have spit out while laughing at one of her posts. You will not be sorry if you take the time to hop over to her main blog and read her posts. Then follow her. Trust me. We love Chief over here because not only is she brutally honest but her humor trickles over here and livens up the place... yet her advice is sound and very profound.

Thanks Chief... for being a part of Real World Venus vs. Mars. We definitely wouldn't be the same without you!