Or more like excessive begging from an 11-year-old won her way …
I’ll be here today …
And since the movie is 2 1/2 hours long, preceded by 15 minutes of previews, and a 30-minute wait in the concession stand line, I should be back home sometime around midnight …
Now I want to be perfectly clear. I am NOT an opening weekend movie person. Like as much as I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan …
… following Harry Potter websites and getting my books delivered via Fed Ex and re-reading the entire series 20+ time …
… and am overdue to do it again …
… I had absolutely no desire to attend the midnight viewings when those movies premiered. Or even go opening weekend.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m a big fan of The Hunger Games and an even bigger fan of author Suzanne Collins (you should check out her Gregor the Overlander series for middle grade kids) …
I’m just not a big fan of sitting in a crowded theater next to strangers as they slurp their oversized colas, and crunch on their oversized, over-greased popcorn, and burp their oversized cola buttery popcorn burps …
So why, you ask. Why? Why am I doing this?
I blame it all on one 11-year-old girl. One daughter who adores The Hunger Games. Who desperately wants to the see the movie. Who begged and whined me down …
That’s right, she wore me down with her whines (which should have come with an offering of wine) …
“… everybody is going to be seeing it this weekend mom…”
“… everybody will be talking about it at school on Monday mom …”
“… even Delaney is going and she didn’t even read the books mom …”
“… Tyler went to the midnight viewing and she said it’s not too scary mom …”
So we’re going. And not because of the pleads of an 11-year-old.
But because I love my 11-year-old …
…. and I know how much she loves these books.
Opening weekend here we come.
*yay*
P.S. My daughter hates this post. Didn’t want me to post this post (“ …everything on the internet stays there forever mom …”). Doesn’t want to gain internet fame as the ‘girl who whined me down.’ So in exchange for me posting this post I am her personal slave for the day …
P.P.S. Note to self: Never tell children that you’re writing a post about them ever again.
P.P.P.S. I’m 99% positive that my daughter will be running out of the theater for most of the movie. That’s why I’m brining my husband along. He’s not a fan. He can race out after her. Hmmm. Maybe we should take separate cars …
WOW!!!! congrats! that is awesome!
Excellent post! Although I’m small potatoes compared to most, I so appreciate when I receive replies to my comments and it does make me follow people more. When I consistently leave comments on certain “unnamed” (not you!) blogs and receive absolutely NO FEEDBACK, I pretty much stop bothering with them…even the biggies. Especially the biggies…take the time right?! Afterall, it’s all about communication. I don’t ever want to be that way when my blog grows up.
xo wendy
What an excellent blog post for today!!! I started my blog last May with a different name and I changed my whole attitude, name, and theme in January. And, I am so glad that I did. I have learned a lot in the last couple of months and love to read every comment I get. And, I try my best to leave comments on every blog post that I read (like yours). It is on my daily read list. 🙂 I almost feel like blogs have become my morning newspaper. I get excited every morning to see how many people have read my blog, how many comments I have received, and what new posts my favorites have posted. Blogging challenges me and it is something that I love to do. Thank you for posting Rhoda’s link too. I am now a follower of hers as well.
Have a blessed weekend!
xoxo
Kristin
theocdlifestyle.blogspot.com
I saw your feature this morning!! I was so excited for you. Aaaand weren’t you featured at Addicted to Decorating, too? Look at you go! Taking the design blogosphere by storm!
Linda, you are bad to the bone girl! This is a great post I’m glad you had the guts to write it. I’m fine with an occassional thanks but everytime from the same blogger thats a “no-no.” I have to agree with Herbalistic Garden the biggies I no longer bother with, feedback and paint fumes is what keeps me going LOL!! Have a great weekend
Congrats on your feature at Rhoda’s! I’ve been reading for a couple of months and I had to come over her and say you deserve it! Your blog is fun to read and I always look forward to a good laugh and lots of inspiration.
You are getting so big time! Being nice and taking a little time for those that take time for you is so important I think. Sometime sit takes me a weke but I make a huge attempt at a visit to people who visit me.
Haha Linda …you are funny! Yes we bloggers all love “there is a comment that needs moderating” emails!
OK..2 comments on one post…comment moderation excitement! Just visited Rhonda’s site and you have to go and read the comments. You have a serious fan club!
Okay now you have me feeling guilty i am an occasional “thank you” leaver! ~~HUFF~~SIGH~~ But i really do visit the blogs of the good folks who comment. For now i will hang my head in shame and promise to do better!!
Oh DUH, i’m so forgetful sometimes, much congratulations on your feature!!! xoxoxoxo!
I’m so happy for you! Congratulations! your words here couldn’t been truer!
Linda–
How awesome! I love comments, too…but don’t get many. I also don’t leave as many as I should. So I consider that “breaking even.” Again…congrats!
Comments are my favorite part of blogging. When we started, I focused on the number of hits a post got. Now it’s all about the comments for me. The main reason I love getting them is that I find new blogs to love. (That and it keeps me from feeling like I’m talking to myself!) Thanks so much for choosing us to feature over at Rooster and Hen, and big congrats to you! Really love seeing bloggers I love get a wider audience. (OK, I know there’s too much love in this comment, but I’m feeling it today 🙂
I have nothing witty to say, cept I’m wondering what sort of stupid comment I first left for you….
~Bliss~
W-o-w! Congrats on that!! How fun for you? I am always impressed when the people who get thousands of comments stop and take the time to make a meaningful response or, even more exciting, check out your blog. Makes me like/want to read them even more.
Congratulations on that great feature! This is a great post – every word you say is true. Comments keep a blogger going and when a blogger gives a “real” response to you, it makes such a difference.
I totally agree. Bloggers are addicted to comments. I have been blogging for a long time and just moved to WP and saw a decline in comments, but I know they will start to trickle in.
Rhoda has a great story and is a wonderful example to all of us. Congrats on your feature on Southern Hosp!
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you will visit again real soon! You have a great blog here…..I’ve been lurking for a while…lol
You are simply put a marvelous gal. Thanks for Sharing bits of your talent with me!
A few days ago we moved from Chicago (the burbs) to Denver (the burbs). I miss Chicago already. When I was there, I kept wanting to get in touch with you and maybe have a bloggy meet up of some sort. Your blog is very down to earth, but full of creative ideas, exactly what I strive for. I never feel bad after I read your blog, because it’s real. Anyway, banter banter. Sorry…totally not make any sense.
Of course I love leaving comments for you – trying to outdo my wit every time is tough but I’m willing!
Congrats on your fab Southern Hospitality feature!!
Kelly
What an awesome post! You could not BE more RIGHT! As a new blogger, I am very addicted to comments, and I am almost crushed when my posts have little or no comments. Silence IS deafening…and then I worry that I am yammering on about things that only I care about. But, most of the time, just one great comment can make me feel like the little engine that could…”I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…
You are truly inspiring! I loved the feature over at Southern Hospitality! Congratulations!
As for me, I will keep on chugging!
Have a great weekend!
xo-Lisa
oye, i send some simple “Thank You” replies from time to time…my thought process is that it’s better than no reply at all. i am just so short on time and energy to get back to everyone. it’s a constant struggle…do i sit at the computer all day/night and answer emails/reply to comments or do I DO SOMETHING? basically it ends up as some days are spent on the computer and some days doin’ stuff…i just can’t win. oh yeah, and then there’s that whole caring for your family thing getting in the way… 😉
anyway…congrats on your BIG feature..I’ll have to check it out!
So I am notthe only one who obsessively checks my comments? I feel so much less alone. Thank you (but not in a “I did not read your blog” way, but rather I read every word and am grateful you made me feel less like a lunatic).
“… and I don’t just send a generic “Thanks” from an iPhone. Really? What does that accomplish? What relationship does that develop? It tells me you haven’t visited my blog. It tells me you checked your email …”
NAILED IT!! Bless your heart! I feel so cheated when I leave a comment on someone’s blog and they can’t at least let me know they were at mine? One doesn’t have to like my post to leave a comment.
I kinda freak sometimes when I read a NEW blogger who’s only been at it for 2 months and they have 2,000 followers already with a gazillion comments every day. How did they do that? All I can say is I must have been out pinning too many Pinterest pins on the day THAT class was held. ;^P
PS. I haven’t heard of Rhoda’s site :^O Gonna go see what I’ve missed all along! Maybe THAT was the class I missed….
Hi Linda,
Woo! Hoo! I love Rhoda’s site.
Been a fan for years.
Also a big fan of Melissa at the Inspired Room. One day last October my blog numbers spiked for no apparently reason. It took me a moment for figure out that Melissa had mentioned my comment in a blog post and had included a link. Such a sweetie.
If you or anyone else are not yet familiar with the Inspired Room, here’s a link to where the highlights my (not a ll witty, and typo-filled) comment.
http://theinspiredroom.net/2011/10/06/inspired-holidays-day-7-christmas-holiday-advent-tradtiions/
All the best,
~ Dana
Cooking at Cafe D
I was lucky enough to start reading Rhoda before I really knew what a “blog” was. That series she wrote/is writing should be a book! I was thrilled to see you as her feature and went over for a visit. How very exciting for you. I am with you on leaving comments that consist of more then 2 words. I am all about making relationships and getting to know the people that take the time to read my blog, and then comment too! They definitely deserve more then a “Thanks”. Heading over the the RRR post next!
LOVE it!!! All of IT!!! Every single word!!! And YOU! Congratulations! Rockin’ Blog Star!!!
And, well, commenters are, at times, my best friends in all the world!
xo
~K
Linda, you are the queen of commenting! I swear. I have a smart phone (it’s a necessity even as a stay at home mommy) and I love reading my comment son it. The downside is that it is harder to respond back than when I’m at my computer.
EEEEK this is just SO exciting!! What a huge feature! Loved this post about commenting etiquette too. Which is why it still grates my soul that I can’t figure out how to make myself a do-reply blogger when I enter my name + URL. It GRATES AT MY SOUL, I tell ya.
Linda! Gwyneth and I are sending a big congratulations for the feature on Southern Hospitality! Your home is absolutely beautiful, and you are an inspiration, so we can’t think of anyone more deserving!!
xoxo,
mk & Gwynnie
Congrats on being featured! I started following her just a couple of weeks ago. She’s amazing and inspiring.
I love your decor style and your wit. Keep doing things just like you are and you can go as far as you want in the blog world.
Angie
This is a great post Linda…so, so true! I’m sharing it on my facebook page and then heading to Rhoda’s to bask in your glory. 🙂
You so deserve the feature over at Rhoda’s- congrats! I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who craves some feedback. 🙂 Thanks for a great post- I’m still learning the whole blogging etiquette thing.
I try to leave comments every time I visit a blog. I love comments. Kinda of like a little “Hey, I was here!”. And I always respond to comments, usually via email.
XO
Okay. I promise I’m not commenting just to get you to visit my blog. However, I wanted to let you know that you verbalized what I was thinking as a new blogger. I’m almost exactly one month into blogging and NEVER thought I would do this. On a whim, I decided to start a blog to learn, share and sell my creations. It’s be super fun and I’ve been sooo encouraged by others as they comment and recognize the work. Thanks for your thoughtful post. I’ve been following your blog and consider you a mover and shaker in this furniture redo world. Thanks.
You were the first person to leave a comment on my new blog, and after reading this post, I realize you knew all along the kindness you were doing me. It meant the world.
great post so true and resounding how i feel 😉
Hi Linda, LOL! It’s early and I couldn’t sleep, so blogland seemed like the place to be. I’ve giggled to myself while enjoying your blog and Rhoda’s. That gal’s blog caused me to have to see Cash Furniture in Georgia. You must plan a trip South! Love your city and your home looks terrific! I’m following you on Linky Followers now.
Thanks, Helen
well my friend — you know how i feel about that — i always answer back directly it is something that i have been doing from the start — there are a few times that there is NO way to identify the comment and i mean NO way — that is the only time that i don’t — i think it is very important to comment directly! very nice post…hugs…
This is a great post…Thank you for writing it!!! As a new blogger I really don’t know how this whole thing works…I love to comment on posts I find interesting….only mildly hoping that someone might visit me…when someone does comment on a post on my blog I usually answer back through e-mail…is that the proper way to do it??
Your house is beautiful and I wish I had half your talent!!! Keep the lovliness coming!!!
Patti
Congrats on your feature! It is well deserved!
Your thoughts on comments are spot on! Comments are conversations… a way to support, affirm others who are brave enough to put themselves out there to share their lives, projects, thoughts and ideas! Visiting those who visit you is a way to meet and support new bloggers! Beautiful post!
dee dee
Wow! How awesome is that? I really enjoyed reading it. Congrats! I also wanted to let you know that I passed on the Versatile Blogger Award to you. Stop by http://www.applesandpnutbutter.blogspot.com to find out how to pass it on.
Excellent post, I can totally agree with you. Well said and straight to the point. You have a great blog, and your house looks amazing!
Hi Linda. Firstly, congratulations on your feature, that is such exciting news and secondly I soooo hear ya with the comments thing. It’s slightly disturbing how some days the amount of comments I receive on a post directly correlates with the type of mood I’m in, lol! Thanks for this post, it’s fantastic.
Cas x
I love banter!!! So appreciate your comment on my blog…and your note with a much needed “head’s up”. I’m now your newest follower. Sincerely, patti west
I so enjoyed your “commentary”. I am not a blogger, just a blog hunter. I don’t know the first thing about doing that, other than it must be very time consuming and requires a lot of determination. I admire all you bloggers, love to read all I can and appreciate so much all the good info and tips you bloggers provide those of us who can’t blog. Keep up the good work, and please know I jump at every opportunity (even while at work) to check out my favorite bloggers – you now included in that group!
Thank you Donna! You just made my day. Seriously, I have a giant grin plastered across my face as I type this …
🙂
Linda
Congratulations on your feature, Linda! I will have to go and read all the posts you have linked to because I’m not familiar with Rhoda’s story but certainly see her mentioned on countless blogs that I read. I joined Karah’s link party today which brought me to your site. I started blogging last month but have seen so many projects by you in the link party wrap ups of the past. Your projects are beautiful and I’m now following your blog.
I really enjoyed reading your commentary and your description of how comments make bloggers feel is so spot-on. I am still learning how to forge relationships with other bloggers but have already found some lovely people who follow my blog and comment authentically.
Looking forward to more of your projects in the future.
Claire @ alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com
I thoroughly enjoyed this post, I love your writing style and appreciate what you’ve shared here about comments, basically returning the favour is the thing to do, I agree!