{Grateful Heart} List 25

Today I am grateful for my life, but more so for the things that make me want to wake up each day and be a better person than I was the day before. This list prompt from my List Yourself Challenge was perfect for today's Grateful Heart post.

25. List the real reasons you are inspired to stay alive.

My husband. He's a huge part of why I keep going every day. I have no idea how I made it before meeting him, and I have no desire to find out what life would be like without him now. (Lord knows what he'd do without me!)

My Family. I love them so much and knowing that they will always be there for me is such a great comfort. Plus, they have to love me. Haha!

My furkids. They are like real kids for me and Hubs. They are as much apart of our family as a tiny human would be. 

Pumpkin // Bear // Misty

My Friends. They are the family you get to choose for yourself. 

Chocolate. Hi, My name is Amanda and I'm a Chocoholic.

Music. It makes you feel. It makes you dance. It makes you grow.

Writing. It's such a wonderful expression. I always feel lighter when I complete a post, finish a paper, or sign a Thank You note. 

What makes you get out of bed each morning? What are you grateful for each day?

Linking up with

Behind the Scenes of Knock on Wood

Last week I was nominated by Meagan from All The Joys to participate in the Tour Through Blogland (you can read her post here). I've done something like this before, but things have changed since then, so lets get to it!

1. What am I working on?
I always have several post ideas going in draft, not all make it onto the blog, but I like to have options to possible go back to and build on. I try to prepare and schedule my posts out in advance,  but we all know that's no always possible. I mean, life happens ya know? Right now I am working on a few posts from the List Yourself challenge I announced last week. I'm also getting ready for the next Conversations Link-up and collecting ideas for some Holiday themed posts.


2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I suppose my blog would fit into the "Lifestyle" genre, but it more of a catchall file for those of us who like to write about anything and everything in our lives and then some. What's awesome is that every blogger is so different from one another that it's difficult to compare. I honestly don't think I stand out much from the other bloggers, but I do try to provide entertaining and engaging content for the few who do read my blog.


3. Why do I write what I do?
Mostly, I write for myself. I write what I know and what I feel. I have always be able to express myself more clearly when I write it down versus speaking off the top of my head. So, I write to let go, to convey my crazy ideas, to share a delicious recipe, or to tell a funny story with hopes that my readers are laughing with me, not at me.


4. How does your writing process work?
It starts with an idea for a topic that usually comes to me when I'm not exactly in a place to write things down, like when I'm driving or trying to fall asleep. Sometimes I steal ideas from other blogger (with their permission of course) and sometimes I find inspiration in books, movies, or in the conversations I have with people. I start by just getting everything out, words on the page. Then I polish it up, make it funny, fix errors and, most importantly, make sure it makes at least a little bit of sense. The fun part comes next. Pictures. I love taking, editing, and posting pictures. Finding the perfect image to compliment a post brings me so much joy. But it's not truly "live" until it's on twitter. Social media has been a huge part of growing this space and I'm grateful to have it as a tool.



Also today on the Tour (because all the people I wanted to participate are already doing so!):

Melissa from The Rambling Llama
She blogs about the comedies of her daily life: the struggles in raising two kids (and a husband), finding the time and energy to workout, and delicious healthy recipes! She shows that her life is not always happy go lucky, fun, and sunshine because let’s face it- no one's life isn’t always like that. Melissa is also a super good friend of mine from way back in the day before blogs, smartphones, and twitter were part of our daily lives. So go check her out!!

Anne from Love The Here and Now
How can you not love Anne? She's like the sister you always wanted and one of my favorite bloggers to sponsor. I'm so glad to have "met" Anne here in Blogland and you should go and meet her too!






... and From Last Week on the Tour

Rebecca from The Adventures of Bug and Boo
I've recently started following Rebecca and her sweet little girl. They truly are an amazing inspiration; moving across the atlantic! I don't know how she did it with a toddler, I don't think I could do it with just me and Hubs. OH! And have you seen her new design?! I Love it! Go see for yourself!



What goes on behind the scenes of your blog?

Also linking up with

Blogger Love

linking up with All the Joys

I'm going to try something different today for the Friday Favorites Blogger Love link-up. I'm going to share the awesome bloggers I FOUND through this link up as well as a few that I already read.

Blogging Soulmates by By Emily at Family Finta

Ok, I found this post via Meagan at All the Joys and immediately signed up because I am always looking for new bloggy friends. I have found a few friends through blogging, but Emily is making it even easier for you. All you have to do is fill out her form and she'll match you up with your Blogging Soulmate by August 21. Sounds fun right?? I am excited to see who she pairs me with.

How to Convince Your Husband you NEED a Puppy by Chelsea at The girl who loved to write

I found Chelsea via Amanda at Notes from a Newlywed. I have been trying and trying to convince Hubs we NEED a doggy and now I have some ammunition!! I've already tried it out today and he said we could talk more about it when he gets home from work tonight. I think I'm getting there folks!

When Your Spouse Changes Dreams Because of You by Chelsea at The New Wifestyle

I also found this via Amanda at Notes from a Newlywed. She listed some really great posts this week. This post is a huge deal in a lot relationships. The sacrifices and changes we make for our spouses mean a lot, and say a lot about a person.

Life isn't always Blogworthy by Kate at The Florkens

Seriously, it isn't. And sometimes we just need to vent without judgement or sympathy/pity comments.

Blogging 101: Creating a Watermark for Your Photos by Anne at Love the Here and Now

This is so important!! I want everyone to learn how to do this and then actually do it!!



What posts did you LOVE this week?

Procrastination Station

Everyone has put something off at some point, either because you don't want to do it or you have OCD tendencies like me and can't do something without doing this other thing first so you can concentrate on the thing you should be doing. This is happening to me more frequently now that I am back in school. And because everyone loves a good list, I present to you the list of 25 things I do when I'm supposed to be studying.

1. Writing blog posts like the one you are reading now!
2. Reading and commenting on other blogs.
3. Making/Editing images to go with blog posts.
4. Browsing Twitter.
5. Browsing Instagram.
6. Staring out the window.
7. Updating my editorial calendar.
8. Updating my planner.
9. Texting my mom.
10. Taking pictures of my cats.
11. Taking Selfies.
12. Dishes.
13. Texting my husband.
14. Saving a baby bird that fell out out of it's nest.
15. Checking on said bird periodically throughout the day.
16. Thinking of blog topics.
17. Re-organizing the craft supplies and other items that get piled on our kitchen table.
18. Checking and responding to emails.
19. Texting Kathy.
20. Texting Melissa.
21. Tweaking my blog design.
22. Doing blog designs for other bloggers.
23. Playing 4pics1word on my phone.
24. Talking to my mom on the phone.
25. Absolutely nothing.

Some of those things are totally ok though right? Like the dishing have to get done and you can't ignore your mommy!! What do you do when you procrastinate on something?

An Interview With Philip

I've seen this going around Bloglandia over the past couple months. I can't remember where I saw it first, but the most recent one was from Casey and her fiancé Eric. His answers had me rolling! So, after our walk this evening, I sat down with Philip for his turn. My apologies for his overuse of the word "stuff".

This Is Where I Write

Today I am pulling another idea from my Snicklefritz's blog idea list. 

#17 Where do you write your blog posts? Show me, Tell me!

The beauty of using a lap top is I can write from anywhere I want. For instance right now I'm writing from the guest bedroom in my parents house in Georgia.

Sunday Social

My mommy :)

1. Who do you call when you need to vent?
Most of the time I vent to my mom. She always gives the best advice, even if it's not what I want to hear. I did have to tell her once that I knew what I needed to do, I just wanted her to be mad with me. She responded with "I am so mad! Gosh darn it I'm mad!" in her snarky serious voice. I laughed so hard and felt so much better.

2. Where do you go when you need alone time?

I don't have to go anywhere. Philip works during the days, and I am home by myself. I get plenty of time to be alone with my thoughts. When school starts that might be different.

3. What is your favorite alone time activity?
Reading or writing. I enjoy and do both all the time.

4. What is something we should all stop and read right now?
Shannon's blog: Awash With Wonder. Her writing makes my heart smile.

5. Who do you wish would read your blog that doesn’t already? Family? Celeb?
a. Family: I would love for my mom to read my blog. I mention her a lot here and I've sent her the link a few times, but she's never been a blog or online reader, so it's hard to get her interested in starting.
b. Blog Celeb: I would probably pee my pants if Whitney became a regular reader. I adore her, her blog, and her dog.
c. Celeb: I would pass out from elation if Jennifer Lawrence or Anna Kendrick decided my blog was worthy of reading and/or mentioning to people.

My Writing Process: A Blog Tour

Jackie from Indecisively Blogging put out an A.P.B. about this on Twitter. I was intrigued and asked for more information. When she sent me the email, I was totally on board. You can read all about Jackie and her writing process here.

My Writing Process

1. What am I working on?
I always have several posts in draft. I like to prepare and schedule them out about a week or so in advance, when possible. Currently I am trying to get some pictures from my mom for the weekly link-up I host, well now co-host, called Throwback Thursday Stories. I loved the idea of the Throwback Thursday posts on Instagram and Twitter, but often find myself wondering about the story behind the photo, and so the link-up was born! You can get all the details about how to participate on my Throwback Thursday Stories page.

Sunday Social