Click here for a (blogging) good time! #PayItForward

www.icescreammama.com

I never understood the whole internet dating thing. I mean, fall in love with someone you never met? How bizarre. How in the hell? And then I did. Multiple times. Sometimes at the same time. Often, I go back and forth between them all.

This wasn’t me at all. I married the first boyfriend I had, and now here I was slutting around the internet with people I didn’t really know. But they made me laugh, and sometimes they made me cry. So, I didn’t get dinner and a movie. They brought out serious, real emotion in me, stuff that lay buried under massive loads of laundry. I didn’t expect any of it. I didn’t mean for it to happen. It just did.

I hear my husband calling me. “Are you still on the computer?” and “The kids are hungry and playing with scissors!” But I’m in love. And when you’re in love, everything else takes a back seat, right? 

My cynical husband will roll his eyes. He believes there is nothing genuine out there on the internet. But now, having immersed myself into this world for the past four months, I am floored by the people I have found. People who put their hearts and souls out there every day. People who struggle. People who live wild, crazy lives. Mommies. Lots of mommies.

So whether they know it or not, I am in love and stalking, I mean following, so many rocking blogs. Here are a few that bring a little extra somethin' somethin' to my days... 

Ask Outlawmama why her skirt smells like pee, or how she and her husband get their sexy on - and she’ll tell you a story. A real, funny, generally embarrassing story that will have you nodding your head with glee. Maybe that’s why she’s constantly at the top of the charts at YeahWrite, an amazing weekly writing competition for bloggers and writers. Outlawmama knows just how to capture a moment. It doesn't matter whether she’s talking about her bad bangs or her bad self, she'll make you laugh at life and all its crazy. 

When I want to hang out with my best friend, I turn to Ateachablemom. She’s in the trenches with snot on her shirt and insecurity in her eyes. She's right in the thick of that wild jungle called mommyland, just trying to do better and doing the best she can. She’s constantly learning and teaching. When you’re with her, you know you’re not alone. She’s me. She’s you. She’s fabulous.

Watch The Landy climb big, snowy mountains! Watch the Landy work out! Watch the Landy race in mud! I never thought I’d be into this blog about an Aussie guy on a mission to climb a mountain. But dag nabbit, he rocks! He is a real man,with a sensitive side who waxes poetic while jumping from planes, roaring through rapids, leaping small buildings in a single bound! Every time I read his posts, I want to cheer – GO LANDY GO!!! I swear you won’t be able to help yourself. 

I met Pile of Babies here on Idol and got to know her and her blog a little better through our interview assignment. All I can say is - Awe.
First with her, because we were in different time zones, and at 7:30 pm her time, 10:30 pm mine - she had a quiet house with her twins already asleep while my three boys were running circles in their underwear.

And then there's her blog.

I simply loved every single thing I read. Meredith takes all the stuff in life that makes you want to pull your hair out, and instead has you peeing your pants. You will be both amazed and amused by her bravery to tell it like it is, and do it with insight, humor and a ton of snark. Mostly, you’ll be laughing your ass off. Not many people could write hilarious posts like, “Your threats do not scare me small person.” and “Having twins is not adorable, but thanks.”  If those titles alone don’t make you check out her blog, well then you must be, "Drunk, or 4 years-old".

So forget the dishes, the kids and whatever other mishegoss you have going on, and go hang out with these guys. I promise, you'll be totally entertained while you laugh, cheer and virtually fall in love.

It’s a beautiful thing. Just don’t ask my husband. 

Vote Ice Scream Mama at www.writersarthenewrockstars.blogspot.com

#payitforward

From the Judges:

That's so funny I used to be one of those "cynical" people, and most of my family doesn't "get" my blogging and social media interactions. I think it's a community that is really hard to understand if you have never been a part of it, but like you I have fallen in love. And you did a great job getting me to develop a little mini crush of my own on each of your "lovers". I do agree with Jodi about the transitions between paragraphs. They just aren't there. But, that's something that is really hard to do when you are essentially making a list. Which is why, as I mentioned on one of the other posts, this is one of those rare cases where centering a pic (like their blog button or a pic from one of your favorite posts from each blog) between paragraphs would help the flow instead of hurt it.

-from Wildflowers & Whimsy

You didn't do as well as some of the others, as far as pulling me in to go read the blogs, but I love the way you approached this. You didn't just say "Here's my favorite blogs, I like them, so you should too..." You actually gave it a story. You started with a beginning, and had a great conclusion. Good job!

-from My Husband Ate All My Ice Cream

I love the way you did this assignment! The love letter thing is great! You made me want to check out three of the blogs you mentioned, and I already love Pile of Babies.
Thanks for sharing these blogs! Good stuff.

-from Pinwheels and Poppies

This sounds very much like myself and my husband. He doesn't understand why I love my internet friends. He doesn't find them "real". I am glad that someone gets it. With that being said, your transitions between paragraphs were non-existent, and that kind of bugged the hell out of me. Other than that, good job!

-from Freetail Therapy

What a wonderful love letter to all of your favorite bloggers! I love how you incorporated your favorite blog posts into this with out disturbing your rhythm. Your love for them shows and I am certain that they will appreciate it as much as I appreciate learning about them. Wonderfully done.

-from iNeed a Playdate