Sunday Spotlight - Mandi

I'm super excited about the blogger in the spotlight today.  Mandi is one of the very few people I know in real life that read this blog. I have known Mandi for going on 16 years. We went to high school together. Mandi is one of the nicest people I have ever met. What always struck me about her was her relationship with her family they really seemed to not only love each other, but like each other as well (this concept was hard for me to wrap my head around at the time). Truth be told, I was a bit jealous that her family always seemed to get on so well. Currently, I am jealous of Mandi's SUPERMOMMY-NESS. Yes, that is a word. Visit her blog here.  Oh, and leave her some comment love, will ya? Supermommies deserve lots-o-comment love, m'kay?
Did I mention she has 2  3  4  5 more than 5 kids? Yup. She sure does. She's an interesting and cool chick. Read on.

Take it away Mandi...

What is your Name-pseudonym-alias (whatever you feel comfortable sharing)?


My given name is Amanda, but the ONLY person who calls me that is my grandmother. Most people call me Mandi. My mom calls me Ramada, but that's an entirely different story....


What is the name of your blog?
Thoughts by Me
http://www.kurtzrus.blogspot.com/



How Long have you been blogging?


I've been blogging since January of 2005....five years?!?!??! No way....



Tell me about how and why you chose your blogs name.

Well, it's thoughts....by me....I know, totally original right?


What is special about your blog? Do you have regular features, contests, or other fun things that are special or unique? What do you do at your blog that could be considered your 'signature'?

I would love to do contests or fun things, but I don't have a very large readership. Lately, it feels like my signature is my lack of blogging!



Why do you blog?

I started my blog as a way to share my life with myself. I love journaling and this was just an extension of that. Only anyone on the Internet could read it. That's been both a wonderful and horrible thing!




What do you love most about blogging? Pet peeve?

I love being able to write whatever I am thinking and feeling. There have been times when that has stirred up quite the controversy!! It annoys me when people just leave comments to insult what you've written or to instigate problems. Hey people, you don't like it, DON'T READ IT!!!!



Any tips or tricks you'd like to share?

No I think blogging is different for everyone. People do it for lots of different reasons. I blog about my life. Sometimes it's exciting (like when my husband ran out to get me something from the car and ended up delivering the neighbor's baby!) and sometimes it's dull (like where I just ramble about poopy diapers and eating half a pan of brownies.) But I write for me. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE when people read it and comment. Some people have told me that things I have written have touched them and that has touched me. But mostly, it's just my ramblings to preserve for as long as there is an Internet.




Name a blog or two that you read regularly.

Well of course No Missed Opportunities. I also love Rainy Day in May , Yes They are All Mine and I Should Be Folding Laundry .




What do you look for in the blogs you choose to read? What grabs your attention and holds it?

I tend to look for other mommy blogs....especially ones who have more kids than I do, which is tougher than you might think! I also love blogs that are real, real people living real life. 



Tell me something. Anything that I need to know about you as a blogger, as a mother, human... whatever you'd like to share.


I am a mom, to 6 kids. That may sound like a lot, but it's not too much. I mean, at least it's not 19...right??? I adore my kids and my husband and I am honored to stay at home and raise them (yes, my husband is included in that). I try to keep it honest which means that sometime what I write is rather raw, but if we can't be real, what's it all for anyway?

Mandi rocks. Don't ya think?