The Things I'm Afraid to Tell You Movement

image: Ez Creature Comforts

There's a movement going on among bloggers called Things I'm Afraid to Tell You. It started in two waves (ours is the third) and the point of the movement is to have bloggers share personal trials, shortcomings fears and anxieties to help create more of a transparent and authentic atmosphere in the blogging community. 


I've agreed to participate in the movement today with the third wave.  

Yikes! 


At the bottom of this post there will be links to all the bloggers who participated today and in the waves before so you can check them out.  

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So.

Here's what I have to say about all of this (my "intro" of sorts): 

Although I am a very open and honest person in "real" life, I am relatively private on my actual blog. Ironically (even though I'm a blogger) I feel very protective of my family's privacy.I also don't blog about my faith (which happens to be Catholic if you were ever curious) or my politics because I've tried to keep this place (my blog) a platform for my work and projects rather than my personal beliefs. But, because I'm a real person, I do have personal beliefs and obviously a ton (a TON!) of shortcomings.  So today, I'm putting away the "safe" and participating in the Things I'm Afraid to Tell You Movement!

So, here goes! 

Here's my random list:

1. There are days I want to blog about things other than crafts, etc (like politics or religion or current events) but I tend to choose safe subject matter. I'm really not very brave and I wish I were. I sometimes write looonnng posts about my personal convictions but I never publish them. I have so much admiration for my fellow blogging friends who are brave enough to speak their minds on a regular basis (you know who you are!) Maybe one day I will start another blog just for that. But honestly, I probably won't because I tend to sleep better at night knowing I haven't shared all of my personal thoughts. Obviously, I won't be sleeping well tonight! 

2. I have to have heart surgery in the near future. I have a valve that leaks way too much blood back into my heart. According to my surgeon, I may need surgery next year or it could be five years from now. We're waiting for me to have problems with shortness of breath before I go "under the knife". So far so good! (Keep those prayers coming!) Obviously, I was terrified when I first found out about this issue which was during the pregnancy of my 2nd daughter in 2007. I've come to accept the impending surgery as just another hurdle in my life's future and in a way, I am thankful I have had this trial because it has given me a unique perspective on life and my parenting. But, sometimes I have moments alone, in prayer and I cry about it.

4. I am already worried that I made those first two "things' on the list way too long winded. 
Being afraid I've been too long-winded (both in-person and online) is something I worry about a good bit. 

5.  I never consider myself to be "a writer", but the truth is, I love to write. I write in my head all during the day and I really enjoy that aspect of blogging. But, I find the title of blogger as more fitting. Blogger I can live with. 

6. Weird fact: I ate so much peanut butter when I was pregnant with my first daughter that she is now allergic to peanuts. I ate copious amounts--from a spoon. Her allergist told me that may be why she has the allergy. I had no idea that could happen! Talk about motherhood guilt! I don't buy peanut butter anymore but I still consider it to me one of my favorite foods.  

7. I botch about 50% of our meals. Just ask my kids and my husband! I burn simple things like rice and almost always overcook my pasta. I also have trouble figuring out combinations--like, peas and carrots with a roast or potatoes? Or maybe pasta? What do I do!? I panic if I don't have a plan because cooking does not come naturally to me. 

So, when I post a recipe on this blog, you better believe it's something anyone (and I mean anyone) can make! It's only been recently that I've admitted to being challenged in the kitchen. Thankfully, my husband offered to help me out more with meal prep. He's a great cook. Maybe I can start a new series on his culinary skills!


8. There are days when I feel like I'm not good at anything. That normally happens when the house is a disaster (like, we're all fishing around for clean socks) and when I've burned the rice and when I don't feel like I have any parenting answers or creativity. Normally, in those moments, I step back and just take a deep breath and look around at my surroundings. If 3 out of 4 of the children are crying, I open the back door and slide my face partially out and take a huge breath of fresh air. 

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I have excellent friends who agreed to post with me today. Thank you so much to all of them and be sure to go check out what they have to say as well. (Please leave us some comment love, here and there, it helps so much to get support on vulnerable posts like these!)

Sarah at SAWK Photography|Jill at Terra Savvy | Erica at The Elbow | Jen at Taking Off the Mask | Kate at Modern Home Modern Baby | Laura at My So Called Sensory Life | Monique at Razing Mayhem | Leslie at Life In Every Limb | Tammie at Tam.Me | Melanie at Inward Facing Girl | Amy at Old Sweet Song 

| Michelle at Early Mama | Jen at Jen Epting | Leslie at Lights and Letters 

HISTORY: The very first one by Jess Constable inspired Ez to write her own and invite others to join her on Creature Comforts. Meg at Mimi + Meg started a second round.

THE END. 


and thank you.