I Didn't, But If I Had....

It was only a matter of time. The world of reality TV has decided to capitalize on Mommy Blogs. The deadline to submit applications for this "project" was Monday, and I'm certain they were flooded with wonderful and not so wonderful choices to choose from.

They wanted mommy bloggers who have a story to tell and who are interested in investing in the online community.

I started wondering....what story do I have that would be worth sharing? Am I truly invested in this online community I participate in? Heck, am I even invested in the "real life" community I pay taxes in???

I didn't submit an application for this casting call. If I had, this might have been what I told them.


I am Tooje in blogland, formerly known as Tooj. These are my children's initials, and the "E" was added when our family grew back in June. Despite the fact that this is not my government name, I seek and deliver honest and genuine interest in the written word and hope to form unique friendships with those whom I have connected. Until I surpassed 65 followers, I made a point of visiting the new posts of each and every follower, as time allowed. I might have been late to some of the parties, but I always arrived.

Why blog? First, I like to talk a lot and no one wants to listen. Second, my long term memory tends to suck and I'd like to remember some of the silly and not so silly moments with my kids. Third, I wanted a safe place to "vocalize" beliefs in a place that will allow them to shift and mature and change without the stigma of what they once were.

I began blogging during an interesting time in America, the 2008 Presidential election. It was significant for me for various reasons, but mainly because, for the first time in my life, I felt interested and engaged in something much larger than myself or immediate tangible surroundings. I also began blogging during the early months of my second child's life, a period of time that was very rough for the both of us. We didn't click right away and as a mommy, I knew that Hubs couldn't quite understand my feelings of inadequacy and discouragement. This blog and blogland created a place for me to go, chatter, read, get lost.

I am a mom, and I like to blog. But if it is points of view you're after, I have too many angles from which to come to decide how best to describe myself. You ask for our "unique online point of view", but my blog hasn't been pigeon-holed to one aspect of who I am.

I am a full-time working professional.
I am in a career that does not fulfill me.
I am from a small, white Midwestern town and yet still married a Black man.
I am shocked at people who believe that racism is dead just because they won't sling words.
I am a mother of bi-racial children but do not fear for the future. Fear is for the weak.
I am the wife of a man who constantly teaches me and who learns from me.

I am a minimalist of emotions, things, and drama.
I am a believer that life is not nearly as difficult as everyone makes it.
I am still seeking many answers to things I haven't shared with anyone.

I am NOT a dog person, but don't believe that makes me cold-hearted.
I am also NOT a cat person, fish person, hamster person, guinea pig person, or turtle person.
I am a lover of horses, however, did own cats previously, don't like to see fish get hooked for "sport", feel sorry for hamsters on wheels, accidentally killed a pet guinea pig as a young child and still tear up thinking about it, and saved three turtles from becoming road kill in the last three years alone.

I am not naive enough to think that my perspective on any one topic is unique. There have been too many people before me, pondering the same wondrous questions about life and love and happiness. The mixture of everything makes me unique, I suppose, and that's good enough for me to continue blogging circles around my square table.

p.s. This exceeded your 500 word limit and I sincerely apologize.