Things you would know if you knew me well...

I am a little troubled today from an encounter I had a while back with a person I would describe as an acquaintance. I am using that word to describe someone that I know basic information about; name, number of children, where they work, and also a person that I would trade common courtesies with when we bump into each other. I feel lucky to have lots of "acquaintances"! I live a pretty small community so it is fairly easy to "know" or "know of" people. So this acquaintance of mine happened to share with me the enjoyment she got from reading my facebook posts and my blog. She was even able to share with me a particular story I had blogged/posted about and add that she really thought "I had it all figured out". I of course said "thanks so glad you enjoyed it, but really I don't have it figured out" and then we both chuckled and we said goodbye. Honestly, I am always a bit shocked when anyone, acquaintance or not, mentions even having read my posts let alone that they like them. On facebook I just really post randomly, and while my blogs are somewhat more thoughtful they are still just at best my musings....sometimes the only conversationally charged outlet I get in a day:)! What this encounter really showed me was just how wrong perception can be. I mean in today's day and age of technology we can all feel like we know each other without really knowing each other. I have fb friends that I haven't seen in 10years but I know what they ate for breakfast, have seen their child's latest school picture, and I can tell what book they are currently reading judging by their fave quotes. Don't get me wrong this "glimpse" into daily life has its perks! Its a great way to keep up with people and a great way to see pictures and all, but it can also make us think we know someone when we really don't. I began to look back at some of my blogs and posts....and while I will say it wasn't my intention to only paint a positive side, I can see how someone knowing me only from those would think "she might have it all together". Speaking only for myself, because I have several friends who are much better about being real, I typically post during either quiet moments, good days when I actually have time to think, and after I have maybe "figured out" something I have been pondering. That of course influences the posting....for instance when the kids have good and the day is quiet I have time to muse, or if everyone is happy and funny I am more apt to notice a story to share, or once I have prayed and prayed and prayed some more I blog about what God revealed. What isn't reflected on my posts/blogs all the time (there were a couple) that you would know if you knew me well:
1. I am at heart a free spirit who trys really hard to be organized and scheduled....only to most of the time lose stuff, cram stuff in a closet, and show up 10 minutes late for everything
2. I must have at least 2 (and my husband would say 3)cups of coffee before I am safe to approach in the morning
3. I love to cook...I hate to cook....I am indecisive at best
4. I will commit to a lot of stuff for fear of saying no and then complain I am too busy
5. I often find myself saying "sorry" to my kids for sinning in my anger (that was even hard to type)
6. I do use bribery with my children....I am not above it
7. I do not return phone calls.....my true friends know this all too well
8. When Sammy and I argue it is typically because I am in a mood and choose to pick a fight, and most all the things I say about him during those arguments are really true about me (I hope he doesn't read this!)
9. I constantly second guess myself
10. I like to eat whole food and be healthy when I can....but I really like french fries ALOT
11. My house is clean and my laundry is most of the time done....but my car is a pit and my closet well we won't even go there
12. I spend too much time of fb
13. I still care way too much about what people think
14. There is atleast one day a week my children and I (yes even me) stay in pajamas most of the day (we change before dad comes home to give the appearance that we are responsible)
15. I hate stress....and under stress I am not very nice
16. I set my children in front of the TV sometimes to get housework done (yes I do not proud of it but its true)
17. I will choose playing with my kids over my "to do list"
18. Who am I kidding....I can't find a pad or a pen to make a "to do list"
19. I cry at almost anything sad or happy....and its getting worse with age
20. I worry....even though I claim my motto is :"Never hurry never worry" (great words of wisdom from "Charlotte's Webb"
and those are just off the top of my head :)! My purpose in this isn't to paint a bad picture of me, but rather just to say there is more to me than fb and my blog. I am so glad people like to read this stuff.....this is just my effort to "keep it real". We can really be anything we want to be on Internet....I just want to be me flaws and all!!