"So. What do you blog about?" PDF Print E-mail
Written by OHmommy   
Tuesday, 09 February 2010 00:00

My husband and I got into a heated argument yesterday, in front of our children.

 

"Stop making excuses!  Excuses are for the weak!"  I shouted.

"But. You help everyone else and never me!"

"Whatever.  Don't go there needy-only-child!"

"Seriously."  He rolled his eyes.

"I help you every time you ask.  Who stayed up late designing postcards for the office?"  I turned to him in the minivan. "If you need help, just ask!"

 

The three kids sat together in the second row of the car and laughed out loud.  We very rarely argue, rare enough that in the last eight years I can count on one hand the number of scream fests we've displayed before our children (my husband just said, "If that."), so the children laughed in confusion and begged for us to address each other by our pet name they regularly hear, "My Love."

 

"If you need help wiping in the potty.  Just ask me, My Love."  I joked.

 

And.  That was the end of it.  I'm highly motivated to complete something when fueled by negativity that attacks my character, it must be an immigrant thing.  "Have you gained weight?" From my mother, magically melts away the pounds.  "You never finish anything!" From my father, forces me to take one-photo-a-day-for-one-year.  "You are such a bad friend."  From no-one but if someone said that I would drown them with a cupcake delivery. Really, I could go on, but you get the point... it's not something I am proud of, or demonstrate to my children.  It is, what it is.

 

The argument stemmed from a conversation we had on a very lovely date night at swanky Bar Cento with two of Cleveland's cutest couples on Saturday night.

 

"What do you do?"  The husband of one couple asked me.

"Nothing really.  I'm the typical east-side SAHM."

"Oh. She blogs."  My girlfriend interrupted.

"Yes, I guess I do blog."  I acknowledged not knowing she knew.  Sh!t, everyone knows now.  Which makes it no fun to talk about people and give them the correct descriptions.  You know.  For the readers to visualize.

"Really?  So what do you blog about?"

 

That last question opened up an entire conversation about business, social networking, google and all things computers.  I watched as the savvy business men, who pay upwards of $1,000 a month for a company to maintain their business facade online, whip out their iphones for a google search on "classy."

 

"Impressive!  You are on the first page!"

"Amazing!  Right under the dictionary definition.  Classy."

"Thanks.  You should google search CORNEA WITH HERPES.  I'm on the first page too."  Side note: very classy to admit you have herpes of the eyeball at a dinner date.  That's awesome and how I roll.  .

"You have done so much with your blog.  And your husband doesn't even have a working website for his dental office?"

 

Which is how/why my husband and I found ourselves in a verbal match inside a minivan on a Sunday afternoon in front of our children.  That made them laugh out loud and their laughter reminded us we were totally out of character.  Kids are good like that.

 

"You should finish your resume this week.  What you've done in three years of blogging, is great.  I know you want to work."

"Thanks. I will totally build you a kick-ass website.  Free of charge."

"Oh, I can pay you back.  My Love."  He winked.

"Hold your horses needy-only-child!"

 

So, I set my husband up with a shiny new business gmail account, new business domain name, new website built from scratch (with hidden tags that optimize google searches to put his business on top) and with some minor tweaks from the help of our friend Mark the website should be the most perfect business card online overtaking any google searches for "Cleveland dentist" or "family dentist in Cleveland" or "dentist in Cleveland whose wife is bonkers."

 

I am thankful I answered, "So.  What do you blog about?" that night that I tooted my own horn, instead of brushing it under the table.  Because it forced me to help my husband's business and perfect my resume.  For a SAHM of eight years who blogs it's pretty quite amazing the things I've done, all of which happened because of this hobby right here.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 09 February 2010 11:11
 

Comments  

 
# Michelle 2010-02-08 23:44
You are a bad friend.

I'll be over here. Waiting. For my cupcake delivery. :)

Seriously though, you're right! Never underestimate what you've done here with your "little blog". Just promise that even if you get a regular job, you won't leave us high and dry. I've come to look forward to your regular posts!
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# Loukia 2010-02-08 23:54
I love what you've done, too! Toot away, Pauline!
P.S. I fight with my hubby everyday in front of the children! What the heck is your secret?
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# rachel 2010-02-08 23:55
Congrats honey. That is awesome.
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# Kat 2010-02-08 23:56
I think it's fantastic that you've turned a hobby into something that you can be so proud of! And you definitely deserve to toot your horn. You're a wonderful writer. :)

And I don't know you wel enough to call you a bad friend but I will sign up for cupcake delivery anytime!
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# RookieMom Heather 2010-02-08 23:59
Oh yes please. You are a bad friend to me too. Otherwise congrats for being generally awesome.
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# Calgarydaddy,com 2010-02-09 00:04
Too Funny! My wife warned me about only children!

I love the blog! Follow you on twitter also...

Shane
www.calgarydaddy.com
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# Jolyn 2010-02-09 00:15
Toot! Toot! This is why women should rule the world!
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# Elaine 2010-02-09 00:24
You are amazing. You've really done so much with your site. And you are such a genuinely nice person with a beautiful family, inside and out.

But is it okay if I say you are a bad friend now so that I can get that cupcake delivery? (but I don't really mean it so that probably doesn't count, huh??) ;-)
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# Amy Kramer 2010-02-09 00:31
I love it too! What an impressive list. Keep on keeping on!
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# ClassyFabSarah 2010-02-09 07:41
Keep on tooting that horn!!

And to do it all while staying so class and being a mom - you're a rockstar!
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# Holly 2010-02-09 08:34
1. Great post.
2. Love the list of favorites. May have to try that.
3. You're a bad friend. Okay, not really, but man those cupcakes look tasty!
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# Annie 2010-02-09 08:41
Sorry in advance for my comment - my keyboard is messed up courtesy of a charmin 3 year old and his penchant for spillin liquid on expensive electronics!

Fab post! Be proud of yourself.

My blo* (can you *uess the letter that doesn't work?! - has been dormant for a while - I still keep up with everyone via twitter, but I took a step back from writin.

But -- I loved it and will start once more, soon.

My hobby -- my pokey little blo* led to me now freelancin* for a daily newspaper - I don't think anyone should underestimate the worth of what we do here!
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# Managed Chaos 2010-02-09 08:46
Is it bad that I found the recount of your marital argument quite entertaining? No? Ok, then, moving on.

Seriously, after reading this I go the strong feeling that you will be offered a job during one of these dinner dates. Opportunities seem to pop up in the most unusual ways, especially when it comes to online/social media. So you better get planning another dinner date with your husband and a few more Cleveland couples ;o)
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# kakaty 2010-02-09 08:50
You really need to market yourself as a social media expert - there are so many out their saying that's what they are without have the success as you.
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# mark g. davis 2010-02-09 08:50
OHMommy thanks for the shout out!

As for the topic at hand I feel that SAHMs are way underrated and you should consider yourself a professional. Just keep at it and perhpas it's time you get business cards made to carry with you.

Repeat after me, "I am a professional."
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# Mrs Lemon 2010-02-09 09:07
Good luck with your job search!
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# allison 2010-02-09 09:17
I can picture the interest when your friend says, "she blogs." I sort of cringe when new people find out, simply because they don't understand it so therefore it's stupid to them.
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# Headless Mom 2010-02-09 10:29
I love it when sahm/wives get the last word for the right reasons!
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# Stephanie 2010-02-09 11:08
First of all, you are awesome. And also, I can relate so much- not exactly in this way, but in the roundabout way of this hobby becoming more than I could have ever imagined.

Steph
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# Mama Kat 2010-02-09 11:09
I feel so validated when suddenly people who have been doing business are now turning to the internet to dabble in "social media" and they find that 1.) it's not easy to build these magnificent empires. (kidding) and 2.) I'm ahead of them.

And then I help just like you, but for a MOMENT I'm totally satisfied with the moment they realize I have something they want. :)

What kind of person does that make me?? Hahahaha. Oh well. Off to check out hubby's new site! Way to go!!!
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# amy2boys 2010-02-09 13:43
I'm the #1 search result for "milk breath."

I think you win. (heh)
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# Emmy 2010-02-09 13:48
Good for you! And your blog is amazing
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# megryansmom 2010-02-09 14:11
You are a horrible friend.

:) sitting back now waiting for the cupcakes
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# clarkinfestedwaters 2010-02-09 15:03
So awesome. Btw. You are a bad friend.
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# Indy 2010-02-09 15:04
I thought I had the most clever reply until I looked up and saw that everyone said you were a bad friend. LOL! Good job on the website. So are you really looking for a job? I am always looking but never anything with the right hours or in my field. Someday...
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# lceel 2010-02-09 15:35
I've met you. You are amazing. As for that phrase 'typical SAHM'? There is no such thing. At least, not as far as you're concerned. There is nothing 'typical' about you at all. But all of that said, SAHM's are the most underrated, underpaid, underappreciated people in the world.
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# katie 2010-02-09 16:57
You should be tooting your own horn! What you've done with your blog is amazing - and makes me think about starting my own every time I read a new post.
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# Tesa 2010-02-09 18:24
I couldn't agree more about being amazed at the amount I've learned blogging. Technical stuff, I mean. I sometimes think I should hire myself out! :) I think you should be proud of what you've done on your blog. It impresses me and it obviously impressed your dinner dates!
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# stephanie Griffin 2010-02-09 19:02
So where's the link to the blog?
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# traci 2010-02-09 19:15
you are a no good, very bad friend.

Now, I'd like to swap cupcakes for a pair os sassy shoes. But I only need the left one.
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# tracey 2010-02-09 19:21
At least they didn't mock you. I HATE THAT. Almost as much as the comment I recently got at a party directed towards my kids, "Oh yeah. You guys have to go because you have 'school' tomorrow!" Don't put parentheses around homeschooling if you don't want me to smack you upside the head...

Also, I'd say "You're a bad friend!" just to get cupcakes but that, in fact, would make ME a bad friend and also? My butt doesn't need the cupcakes. I have plenty of sweets that need to be eaten, already...
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# Heather from DE 2010-02-09 20:03
love that the kids laughed and didn't freak.

so glad that you started this hobby....otherwise I would never have gotten to know you!
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# Krystyn 2010-02-09 20:25
You are the worst friend ever! (Please send some classy clothes instead of cupcakes:)

But, sounds to me like you are an awesome wife. WTG, Pauline!
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# clevelandsplum 2010-02-09 22:31
when you search "parliament ultra lights" i'm the first search result. there's something wrong with the fact that my blog beats an international consumer brand...
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# Cecily R 2010-02-10 00:56
You my friend, are AWESOME. All around.

And, I want cupcakes, but I still can't bring myself to call you a bad friend. Because I am a wuss like that. :)
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# Kelly 2010-02-10 08:30
Bar Cento = YUM!
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# George G Smith Jr 2010-02-10 08:31
Every one went the "Bad friend" route for the cupcakes. I'm way too slow....

If you're ever in NYC - we should get cupcakes though. Yummy, yummy cupcakes....
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# soccermom 2010-02-10 13:07
I think you're an inspirtation. I Love to read your blogs and look at your great photography.
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# Scary Mommy 2010-02-10 15:56
I got a "real" job which resulted solely from my blog. I had no resume, no in person interview, nada. Just my heart and soul poured into my blog everyday for the past two years. It's a pretty cool time we live in that a mommy who decides to write can do stuff like that!
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# Jaina 2010-02-10 16:50
This is awesome! Love this post :)
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# Kate Coveny Hood 2010-02-12 19:42
You should absolutely toot your own horn. Why not? You've worked hard enough. Although I have to admit that I barely made it through this post due to the complete incomprehension I feel at the idea of rarely arguing with my husband...what must life be like? You're a doll - he's lucky to have you!
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