Hello there and welcome to another PoCoLo and yet another Friday. I'm pretty certain they're coming around much quicker at the moment, although perhaps it's all these short weeks. I seem to be having many more short weeks as earlier in the year I carefully planned some time off to make sure of that, but it's still taken me by surprise.
If you were here last week, thank you, it was great to see you; if you're new here then you're most welcome, I'm pretty sure that this week I can predict more great posts from our friendly PoCoLo community. This week I'm hosting on my own, but let's get on with things.
Last week you'll remember it was a Le PoCoLo from me, I spent the day in France shopping and eating and had a great time. It was only yesterday that I went back to work, so it's been a bit full on here. There's been plenty of gardening, some more shopping - more on that soon, a visit to Grand Designs and an early celebratory meal at a posh restaurant.
And that's where this week's photo is from, after a lovely meal we headed out for a wander around the gardens, which were stunning.
Blogger Showcase Mama B from Our Alternative Life
1. Who are you?
MAMA B
I am BloggingMama101. A happy, home educating Mum of two, both of whom have a diagnosis of autism, hypermobility & sensory processing disorder. Married 17 years to registered deaf hubby.
2. How did you discover blogs/blogging?
I started writing my blog - Our Alternative Life - in response to our total change in lifestyle. I didn't expect our lives to pan out the way they have but it's a glorious journey and I wanted to share that with others - particularly those who may be feeling daunted by life throwing them similar curve balls.
3. Why did you start blogging?
I started in January 2016 - about 6 months after we left the formal education sector, and 3 months after my son's diagnosis. I also now have a book review blog too - Read All About It 101, and it'd be great to see you at either of my blogs.
4. What do you find most challenging?
I know not everyone will agree with my all my opinions all of the time, but my blog is my outlet, my place to be me. So I strive to keep it as real and true as I possibly can, without causing unnecessary offence to anyone.
5. What is your favourite topic to write about?
My favourite topic is my kids! Whether it's autism related, or Home Ed related. I've just started to do book reviews though, and my first product review is in the pipeline so I'm excited about diversifying. I did my degree in English Literature so I feel like I'm going back to my roots. My greatest passion stalwarts be Autism Awareness and Acceptance, closely followed by the awesomeness that is Home Education.
6. Are you blogging for fun or do you have goals?
I blog for me. Being a Special Needs parent means I have had to resign an enormous amount of my sense of self, in order to parent and advocate for my children. Blogging gives me back something of me, a piece of my own identity again.
7. What is your favourite thing about blogging?
My goal this year was to get 1.5k followers on Twitter (done - in under 2 months) and to increase my blog audience (currently 9.6k views - and I'm keen to get to 10k). My goal now is to increase the actual number of followers on my blog so I can start interacting more with my readers.
8. Have you ever attended a blogging conference?
I've never attended a blogging conference.
9. What are your 3 best posts?
My 3 best posts are undoubtedly What I Think About School, Busting 8 Home Education Myths and then a tough call between Friend or Fiend (How Autism presents differently in girls) and A New Dawn (which addresses the anti-climatic feelings experienced post-diagnosis).
10. Describe yourself in three words
Passionate, Honest, Caffeinated.
11. Are you a tea and biscuits or coffee and cake person?
Both, simultaneously.
12. What's your idea of a perfect night out?
A night out would be perfect.
13. Your perfect night in?
Wine, friends, friends with wine, friendly wine, whiney friends.
14. What would your best friend/OH/mum or kids say is your best quality?
My best friend would say I am the funniest person alive.
My kids would say my hugs.
I probably couldn't repeat what my OH would say & it's best for everyone if we don't ask my Mum.
Thanks Mama B, anyone that opts for all options in question eleven has to be onto a good thing, I'm sure. Please do grab your "I was featured" badge.