Carly's Ramblings Blog - Style

Birthday Bash, Random Words, Compliments & Sharing

Today's blog...

30 Day Blogging Challenge

Wednesday's prompt.
Yes, Tuesday was fellow camp counselor Lyn's birthday! As I'm sure you're aware, she's been away the last couple of days. Let's welcome her back with a great outdoor celebration! Here's your chance to plan the ultimate summer bash...food, drinks, and entertainment! Don't be afraid to rely on your bunkmates to help carry out this event.

I am not a big party planner, but I read ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy 's post and she wants to get Benounce. Now that would be so awesome - but could you ever see Beounce camping! I can't see that.

I think it would be good to get those Sharkhorses and Faerie Folk in on the action as well; we don't want them wrecking havoc on the party.

The ultimate summer bash! Food - most definitely her favourites, but I am thinking yummies all around. And can it all be calorie free (don't the faeries have something to help with that?) so we can enjoy all we want. Drinks - alcoholic and non-alcoholic for those of us who want to indulge and those of us who don't. As for entertainment....hmmm. That is the quandary. I'd be open. Music and dancing are high on my list of possibilities.

Blog City – Day177

Prompt: Blue, rain, bridge, driving, insect, tree,sign,warning,chase silver Use these words in today's prompt any way you would like.

Feelings of blue crept within my soul as I crossed the bridge into Madison County in the rain. Driving to the General Store I looked for a sign for insect repellent. Ginny said the one with the silver label had a warning on it. I'd avoid that one. Another one had a tree on the label. I figured that one would do. Heading back up to the counter I picked up a bag of salt and vinegar chips, then figured that needed to be chased down with rootbeer. That would do me, for now. Or so I thought til I saw the sale on chocolate bars. Now that would do wonders chasing the blues away. I threw a few bars into my basket and began humming to myself. This trip may turn out to be all right, yet.

Welcome To My Reality – Week Thirty – Six

4. The Sunscreen Song tells us to forget the insults and remember the compliments. Tell us about a compliment you received that you remember. Who gave it? Why? What made it so meaningful for you?

This Sunscreen Song link is very good. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7AzBIJoI
It is worth a listen in its entirety as it makes perfect sense.

It is hard to forget the insults and remember the compliments but life is so much better and fuller if we hold onto the positive moments, no matter how brief. I think that is why I like my time here at Writing.com. People here are kind, they are often not afraid to give that kind word instead of just thinking it. Just yesterday ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy left me a little tidbit to say "My special thanks to you for how fun, delightful and meaningful you have made this month for me. Let's do it again sometime." Feeling the same about her, I told her what a pleasure it had been to go through this experience with her and everyone else in our 30 Day Blogging Challenge Camping Trip. I felt good that I had contributed to her experience and I let others know about it. Good feelings all around. This community as a whole has been that way for me. It is not mushy, sentimental (that is overwhelming and a bit much), but genuine and heartfelt.

Reviews are balanced in this genuine, heartfelt way - constructive criticism is delivered in a way that you know the reviewer cares and is there to provide support and guidance. We each come with our own unique experience and gifts and we share them in a loving community. Having a soft place to fall is necessary for lift - Writing.com gives me a cyber version of that soft place. I feel understood here and from others how share I know they feel that safeness as well.

6. Different people share different amounts of their 'real self' online. Some are very cautious, some are over-sharers. Where do you draw the line, and how do you decide what to share and what not to share? Does it bother you how much someone else shares or doesn't share?

I think there is a balance here when it comes to sharing. I come here as my genuine self - blogging has allowed me to find and nourish my writing voice - it is what it is and I am what it is. I tend to share quite a bit of myself, I feel safe here, but it has been gradual, I suppose. What I write now is different than what I wrote on here a year ago. A year ago I was only getting started in this community. I did not know anyone - I was a voice echoing in the wind. And then someone answered me - Rhonda or Hannah ♫♥♫ , I can't remember now, but they invited me into the Paper Doll Gang and since then things have opened up for me. I have blossomed under their guidance and friendship.

I do not let it all hang out. Somethings I keep to myself, details, but even those work into stories - fact mixed with fiction - I am a writer, after all.

I tend to follow my heart when it comes to other people who share. If it feels genuine, I respond in kind. Some people just click with you. Others take a little longer to warm up and that is fine; no harm in rushing or pushing things. Still, others can rub you the wrong way if they share too much - I get a sense of that in-person, but also online - and I am not sure how I would describe that sensation. It is a gut feeling. For the most part I haven't experienced too much of the 'over-sharers'. I think it is okay to let someone know if they have shared too openly - I would tend to do so in a humourous way so as not to hurt them. TMI - too much info. is sometimes given in fun.

I tend to keep my hubby's name out of things. I want to respect his privacy and that is important to me.