I don’t have time for social media these days. But I am making time. In the midst of a travel grind juggled with mommyhood and life, social media connects and keeps me grounded. Sometimes it is my work and other times it’s my down time. It soothes my anxious soul. And truthfully social media is just a part of the fabric of my everyday life.
How so?
Skype, or video conference calls, connect me to my sweet kids that I physically ache from missing so much when I away from them on business travel. But soon I’ll be home on a red-eye flight and I won’t need Skype conversations, hugs and kisses anymore. As Miss E said last night “we can’t hug very good on the computer Mama!” Amen to that. But at least it keeps us connected. The kids see where I am…a hotel room in central California and tell me about their day. Then I can hear about Hunter’s games, what my mom who is visiting just made for supper and chat more with my husband after the kids are fast asleep. It’s not the same as home. Not even close but social media gives my kids via Skype when I am on business travel which I hugely appreciate and love.
Then there is blogging which I really don’t have time for. None of us do right? But again, it soothes my soul. It’s therapeutic connecting to each of you, sharing, reading and connecting. One of my favorite parts of blogging is that I am not just reading blogs but connecting with the faces behind the blogs.
In the midst of central California last night, I drove 15 minutes from my hotel to have dinner with Ellen and Chris at their family dairy farm. Ellen and I read another one’s blogs. Through a couple comments, emails and then phone calls we connected that we could get together. She graciously invited me to dinner at their home. Since I am rather home sick this week…
being greeted by their sweet boys made my night. I loved playing with them. They weren’t shy and said “Hey Katie” right when I pulled up, melting me.
Chris, Ellen and I ate fantastic local cheese, ate grilled burgers, salad and watermelon. It was over 100F yesterday and the meal was perfect as the evening temperatures cooled off. We visited about the connections and common people we know. As I left Ellen said, “it’s amazing how I read blogs and many of the women have lives who parallel mine.” Yes, exactly. Social media connects and social media gives back.
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| Sleepy faced and in her pajamas Miss E was thrilled with new hummingbird prints |
Earlier this week, Miss E and I opened a box from Theresa aka TexWisGirl whose blog The Run*A* RoundRanch Report I read. TexWisGirl shares daily photos from her Texas farm from horses to dogs to birds. She had a hummingbird print and an original drawing give away on her blog. The winner was me…but really it was Miss E who loves hummingbirds. Miss E understands blogs as best as a 3 year old can. She knew these were gifts from another blog, a woman in Texas and it was a social media moment for her. We went to check out TexWisGirl’s latest post.
Then we found homes in our house for each of the framed hummingbird pieces.
TexWisGirl also included a sweet hand written note with some freshly picked four leaf clovers. We need a little luck this week in North Dakota as flooding is taking over areas, evacuating Minot, North Dakota and flooding will continue along the Missouri River, north and south of Bismarck for months yet. Our home is high and dry 30 miles from the river but the impact of flooding is being felt by all. And for those that are experiencing droughts my heart breaks for you too. I know about the flooding and the droughts from social media. It’s how I stay connected. It calms me, builds new friendships and enriches my life in broader way I would have never known. Social media gives back.
How has social media given back to you?
Blogs for you to check out:
TexWisGirl’s blog The Run*A*RoundRanch Report
Ellen’s blog Life on a Real California Dairy Farm
5 minute video of Chris on KnowACaliforniaFarmer.com (this is an outreach effort I am a part through my professional work)
Two Bears Farm (who sent my girls a duct tape change purse a few weeks ago but I missed getting a picture of before the girls tucked it into their purses and I’ll never see it again I have a feeling.)
oh, miss e is such a sweetie. glad she likes her hummers. 🙂
and i’m glad you make time in your busy schedule for us fellow-bloggers. i know it is not easy for you with your work, traveling, home, kids, family. but we love you and yours so always appreciate your posts.
and yes, i’ve been praying for the folks in minot. hubby is in bismarck preparing for the worst and whatever comes next… God bless all the folks affected by both floods and droughts. last night NBC did a feature on ND then to TX to show the extremes on both ends…
Social media has given back to me. I’ve been lucky to meet people who are kind, caring and compassionate. I’ve shared their losses and joys and they have joined me in mine. On the flip side, Facebook has also gotten me into a few sticky situations and I’ve lost a friend or two… 🙂
This is a great way to think about social media- opportunities that were not always there. Skype is certainly fantastic for traveling moms and dads. And how fabulous that you could connect with another blogger on your travels.
How wonderful that you got to meet and have dinner with Ellen – I only know her from this short time I have been blogging but I love her! She is amazing!
I don’t travel for work and I don’t have little ones to miss either but I bet it is so nice to see your families faces and hear their voices when you are so far from home!
Hope you have a safe flight home and get some real hugs and kisses soon!
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Great post! You are such a hard working momma! I am so jealous that you got to meet Ellen. She seems like such a sweetheart.
You are so sweet! We Loved having you! Thank you for your patience wtih the boys, Cole woke up this morning and ran outside yelling, “Katie?” 🙂 Thank you for all of your work advocating for CA farmers and for farmers across the US, and thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to visit. I hope you have a great trip home and lots of kisses waiting!
Sarah & Sarah – you are welcome anytime!
Theresa is a very talented photographer and artist. Her blog is great and a daily read for me. I think blogging is such a great way to connect with people. Nice to see that you are able to meet such wonderful bloggers…even if you do miss your family a bit.
Love Texwisgirl!
Thanks for the shout out 🙂 I just got a new color of duct tape! Very excited to try it out when I get home.
Yep it soothes the soul! haha i think i spelled that wrong but you get my drift! haha
Thanks Katie! and THANK YOU for voting Vanilla Bean 😉
good thing you got some 4 leaf clovers…. those really help! well and great bloggy friends!