FAQ's.

These are all questions that have either been left in the comment sections or emailed to me in recent months and because recently I've been short on words (and at other times time) I decided it's a good day to answer them.

Where do you live in Suburban Minnesota?
I'd rather not say. I try not to come out and say it but I do realize that if someone wanted to know they probably could put some pieces together and figure it out.

Why did you move and change your blog name last year?
I realized that my husband and all three kids names were being picked up by google and out of respect for their privacy I thought it would be best to move the blog and move on to using initials only for everyone but me.

Why do you use initials for your husband and kids?
In the field of work my husband is in, we can't have clients searching for his name and finding personal information about him and his family.

Out of respect for each of the kids I think it is best to use their initials so their friends (especially as they get older) can't google and find this blog. At the ages the kids are at now, they love the blog and love seeing their pictures and stories on it, I have a feeling as they get older they might not like it as much.

What is your real name, I've seen you use different last names?
I use both my maiden name and my married name interchangeably. Let's just say I had a really hard time getting rid of my maiden name.

Why do people send you free books and products?
I think they like me?

Can I send you a {book, product...}?
Yes! I love that!

Why do you have ads on your blog?
Because I started getting enough traffic that it was worth it for BlogHer and myself. I get paid about once a month for hosting the ads and it made sense for me to make a little money continuing to do something I love.

Do you pick the ads on your blog?
No. But I do pick the ones I don't want displayed. Most of the ads that are shown are appropriate and worthwhile items and/or services.

Should I click on the ads on your blog?
If you want to, go ahead. Whether you click on anything makes no difference to me.

Is your counter accurate? I've noticed that I visit a few times a day and your counter hasn't changed.
I have my counter set up with a lot of specifics and not to track many repeat visits because it skews the counter. I also at times block some IP's so that the counter isn't skewed. The counter you see is only tracking unique visitors based on IP address and location, not necessarily visitors.

What ever happened with your needs vs. wants experiment?
Considering my initial pledge was thirty days and it's been over ninety now and we're still going strong, I'd say it's going pretty well. Don't get me wrong, I definitely have given in to temptation on more than one occasion, but I would like to think that I am turning into a more intentional shopper.The idea of what really makes a need, a need can get all grey really. What might be a need for me, might be a want for you and vice versa. I have stumbled up a little bit, stocking up on some 2T shirts that were down to $1.24 for little H. Picked up some purple tulips for Easter that were definitely more on this side of a want than a need. Even deciphering some groceries as needs vs. wants is hard. I mean, yes we need food to eat, but some of the things I noticed that I buy are not necessarily needed. For instance, just about any trip to Trader Joe's ends up with purchases that weren't necesarily on the grocery list or the menu. But it's hard to resist such good, quality food at such good prices.

How long do you think you'll continue this blog?
As long as it is still fun for me.
How long do you plan on reading?

What happened with Cub Foods?
They contacted me and the ball is still in their court. I'm waiting on a letter that was sent and now being re-sent. Once I get it, I'll fill you in on all the details. Let's just say my post sparked a little something over there.

So what do you say? Anything else?