Here is my very first blog post…how it all began…
Are You Finished Yet?
The short answer: no, I’m not.
But let me begin with why I have started this blog in the first place. Quite a while ago, it crossed my mind that maybe I should jump on this bandwagon to, if anything, chronicle all the funny, wonderful little moments of my children as they grew. A sort of literary scrapbook. Besides, it kind of tickles me to think I can embarrass my kids in cyberspace. At the time, my daughter was 4 and my son was 1. I was in “mom of young children” mode: the preschool scene, weekly playdates at the park, cutting grapes in half…you know the drill. Mommyhood was my life. (That’s not to say now that my children are at the ripe old ages of 6 and 3 , I’ve abandoned those things or the mindset. But recent occurrences have changed my inner world a bit, which I will explain in a minute.) However, like so many things I plan on doing, the whole blog idea became just another item on the “I’ll start it tomorrow” list. Well, my tomorrow has finally come.
What prompted me to finally get my backside off the couch in order to plop it down in my desk chair and start typing? A few things, but the most notable was a friend who is working on publishing a book on breastfeeding, called Milk Diaries. She asked if I would contribute a story about my own experiences with it, and after procrastinating an embarrassingly long time, I finally started to compose a piece about my horrifying and hysterical account with a lactation consultant. As I typed, I could feel this energy being created in my body. When all was said and done, I realized how much I missed writing. Since young adulthood, I had always been putting the pen to paper. The frequency slowed once I became a teacher and focused my skills on teaching others to write. Then once I had my kids, I pretty much stopped altogether. But after all this time, I realized I still had something to say.
This reawakening was encouraged by a few more incidents that reminded me that even though my most important job right now is being a mom, the part of me that existed pre-children was still sleeping away inside of me. She is still little groggy, and I think I have caught her hitting the snooze button a few times, but I am hoping this blog will help her drag herself out of bed, have a strong cup of coffee, and regain her former glory. No doubt there will still be talk of kids and juice boxes and “my-son-just-said-this-what-do-I-do,” and maybe even a little poop, but hopefully I will prove to be a more dynamic character and write about the girl who always dreamed of being an author.
Now, back to my title. I had finally made the decision to become a “blogger” (I really hate that term…it sounds like someone throwing up), but the hard part was figuring out what to title it. I can never make things easy on myself and be content with something like “Kelly’s Blog.” Let’s face it; there is no satisfaction unless I completely agonize over something until the muscles in my neck want to strangle the life out of me just so I will stop obsessing. Anyway, I was staring at the computer this afternoon, trying to think of something so I could at least register for the damn blog. My daughter Grace had decided that since I was working, she obviously needed to play computer games right at that instant, after ignoring the other seven hours of the day it sat unattended. “Mom, are you finished YET?” I did not have the heart to tell her that had she not given me a wealth of ideas with that simple question, I most likely would have given up in frustration and let her frolic on Barbie.com.
Are you finished yet? I hear it more than I care to, because usually it denotes that I am falling behind, taking time away from something more important that I should be doing. I hear it from my kids when I have told them I will play with them as soon as I finish putting away some loads of laundry. I hear it from my husband when he is going to bed and I am still in the kitchen trying to mold the perfect Star Wars character out of fondant for a cake I told someone I would make. I heard it from my friends in high school when we would go out to eat and they would be ready to hit the next destination while I was still working on my french fries (earning me the nickname Poke). Whether it is a matter of too much on my plate or just being plain slow, it seems someone is always waiting for me.
But as I think about it, the question means something else, something very relevant in light of my reawakening. I am not finished yet. Despite being sidetracked, I am not finished chasing my dream of being a writer, even if my greatest works only end up on a blog. I am not finished discovering where life will take me and what new talents and joys will be born. As a teacher, I always told my students that there is never truly a final draft in the world of writing. Revisions can always be made; a composition is never finished. Now get ready for my big epiphany: the same applies to life. So goes my story of being completely undone…
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Are You Finished Yet? 
How awesome! And even more touching because at my Bible study this evening we were talking about being unfinished. Every day we grow in our lives, whether it be as a mom, writer, mom, believer (talking about the man upstairs – not the Monkees – sorry), mom, etc. You are quite inspiring Kelly. I’m excited to read about your family and almost getting to the point of starting my own blog. We’ll see what happens. Does it drive you crazy when people can’t get their grammar right? I’m always so anxious about my writing, especially when replying to a writer’s blog. 🙂
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Ha! The “believer” comment made me chuckle…very clever! I say if you are thinking about the blog, just do it! Do it for yourself, do it to chronicle the moments of those three adorable kids, do it because it will be an outlet for you. Don’t worry about your grammar (did I just say that???). What I mean, is don’t let that be the thing that stops you. And for the record, I don’t grade my blog comments!
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I “like” this page. 🙂 I decided to explore your blog site since you took the time to comment against my Alice Cooper concert posting. I am a newbie to blogging. I think I was driving my Facebook friends crazy though so blogging seems to me to be a good avenue to ‘let it all out’. I tried Twitter and must have generated a gazillion, (yes a gazillion), Tweets…(which are now deleted)…but I figured I could not gain any followers. I was either not clever enough or….well, not clever enough. I also enjoyed the exchange above about grammar – I actually had a grammar class in high school and it was one of the best classes I ever took. I find in my blog stories that I have to ignore proper grammar. I’ll write something proper and then when I go back for an edit, I look at it and say to myself – I don’t talk like that, make it more ‘tucky’. 😉
Anyway, you have some cute stories……someday when you have those babies all raised up, take the time to read a couple of mine. You might find them cute….I would recommend starting off with First Kiss or perhaps First Steady……(oh, and I cannot believe my wife of 35 years is actually being patient with all my divergences)…..Ciao (or as we would have said where I grew up – Chow)
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I’m sure I will find my way over to your blog every now and again. 🙂 I do try to keep up with other bloggers as much as time will allow. Blogging has been a really cathartic venue for me; hopefully as you continue you will find the same. Thank you so much for poking around. I really appreciate your comments!
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I recently started up my blog again after a hiatus (due to another kid, postpartum depression, life). I’m not finished. And I’m definitely thankful for it because I have a looong way to go to be the mom/wife/creative person I want to be. Thanks for this.
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Welcome back to blogging!!! It can be such a great outlet. I have found it has made me a better parent…I reflect on things more than I probably would have otherwise. Happy NOT being finished!!
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I’m also happy NOT being finished. I recenty started a blog about a year ago, and it’s gone pretty well. I’ve been on Mamalode a couple of times and published in family magazine. I’m glad I found your blog, I can relate to you in so many ways.
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I am glad you found me, too! Congrats on what sounds like some great success, especially in your first year of blogging!
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I haven’t been able to read your posts, just went through your genesis (a part of it, I’ll admit) due to the greatest yet unavoidable problem of a human life – lack of time. But, I had to let you know:
I love your writing style! It’s absolutely refreshing!
Will be back for more!
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Thank you so much!
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So fun to read your posts. It’s like sitting with a friend! I am still in the cutting grapes in half phase but am also bringing writing out of the closet as it’s been shelved for too long now! I have three little ones but just (finally) started that blog and it is so amazing to feel in touch with who I was pre-mommy! Thanks so much for writing. Keep it up!
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Wow, that is a high compliment…”like sitting with a friend.” Thank you so much. Here’s to hoping your blog is as fulfilling for you as mine has been for me!
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Hi, Im a new blogger in South Africa! Just read your intro and i’m already hooked! Have so many ideas in my head about what to write about, but don’t know where to start. Ur blog just gave me inspiration, “ignore the grammar”! Happy writing Fellow Momma!
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And happy writing to you as well! Good luck on your blogging journey!
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I love it. I love the concept that you’re “not finished yet.” Very inspiring!!!!
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Thank you!
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