Follower of the Month - Shea

October's Follower of the Month is Shea, otherwise known as The Fascinating Girl.

I met Shea a few years ago on SHARE and as we found ourselves moving on from SHARE, we began to stalk each other in Blogville.

Shea's blog is full of witty sarcasm and humorous self- criticism. Don't be fooled by Shea's cuteness. She keeps it real. Shea has a knack for finding humor in any situation. You can't help but laugh as you read some of her stories, because, most likely, you have experienced similar situations yourself. Especially if you're a mom. You can always count on Shea for a pick-me-up on a gloomy day.

And now, my fellow bloggers, please allow me to introduce you to Shea!

1.What's your name?

Shea

2.Tell us a little bit about you.

Wow I didn't know this was going to be so hard! Um I grew up in Alberta Canada. Due to teenage drama, I ended up going to school at Brigham Young University in Utah instead of University of Calgary. Karma kicked me in the ass and now I'm stuck in Utah. I've been married to Ryan for 15 years. He is a detective/trooper/sergeant, which is why we are stuck in Utah. I have two beautiful daughters, Hanna and Grace. I have one beautiful daughter in heaven, Evie. I also have 4 angel babies that I never got the pleasure of meeting. So my girls are kind of a miracle. I went back to work this year teaching 27 first graders and I'm just trying to keep my head above water and my eyes open past 7pm.

3.When did you start blogging and why?

I started blogging after Evie was born. My therapist told me journal writing would be therapeutic and blogging was kind of a new thingy so I thought I'd try it. I also thought it would help keep family in Canada updated. It has been very good for me and helped keep me off anti-depressants and out of therapy.

4.Tell us a bit about your blog(s).

Well, I like to think of it as a diary or journal. I wish I could write everything I think because I have some funny stuff rolling around in my head but I've learned (you can view snotty blog comments yourself) that you can't write everything you think because people you might never think of could be reading your blog. So it's just about my life, my thoughts, my struggles. I try to not make it all about my family or kids and I try to make it kind of humorous. Self-deprecating maybe.

5.Has blogging changed you or your outlook on life at all?

It has made me feel more confident about my writing. Believe me, I know I'm not a great writer but I like to hear that I made people smile or laugh. Everyone wants to be liked, right? I've also realized that others struggle with the same things I do. It's comforting to know you're not the only crazy one out there. I've also been disturbed by how willing people are to say really horrible things when they are under the cloak of anonymity. I'm trying to learn not to internalize hurtful comments.

6.Link us to 1 - 3 of your favorite posts from your own blog(s).

Sex Education in the Nordstrom Family Bathroom

Mrs. Nolipsmomhaircrazyeyes

Missing Evie

7.Link us to 1 - 3 of your favorite fellow bloggers

I have friends who blog but it was too hard to pick. I'm just putting some that I read religiously. Now that I work full-time I don't have as much time to read. I barely have time to write.

Smitten Kitchen

Mimi Smartypants

Post Secret

8.How did you come to be a follower of mine and why do you follow me?

I met Ter on the SHARE discussion boards. She was always so nice and helped me through a horrible time. Honestly that time of my life is really foggy so all I know is that I somehow started reading her blog. Must have been linked from the SHARE site. (note from Ter: I probably harassed her "doyagottablogdoyadoyadoya?")

9.What, if anything, have you gained from reading from my blog?

I have friends who have found Ter's blog from mine, they don't know her but they always comment on how they are moved by reading her entries. I feel the same way. I've learned not to take life for granted. That you might not have as long with a loved one as you might think. Oh and I love her even more because she's Canadian!

10. Tell me the truth, you're going to brag to all your bloggy friends that you were my follower of the month, aren't you? ;)

Sister, I'm mailing out flyers!

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Thank you for being my Follower of the Month, Shea! I hope you enjoyed your time here.

Please go over to The Fascinating Girl and say hello to Shea!

If you are here from Shea's blog, Welcome! Please leave a comment so I know you were here. And should you be so inclined, please become a follower too!

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If you would like to be a Follower of the Month, all you have to do is email me! The Follower of the Month is posted the first Saturday of every month.