Home » Blogging » Gasp! A Non-Mommy is on Mommypage!

Gasp! A Non-Mommy is on Mommypage!

When Mommypage first contacted me about doing an interview for their special pageturners feature, my first thought was, “Don’t get me wrong, I’m extremely flattered, but you know I’m not a Mommy, right?  Unless you count Mangey, the wanderer cat who has adopted us….”

Mangey the Cat | The Thinking Closet
“Just because I don’t have opposable thumbs doesn’t mean I can’t take apart a pallet board using my razor sharp teeth!” -Mangey

But before the words could even slip out of my typing fingers, I was assured that I didn’t have to be a Mommy to be on Mommypage, so there’s no need to panic, folks.  I’m allowed.  (Darn.  I got Mangey dressed in a rhinestone onesie and started pushing her around in a baby carriage for nothin’.)

Lauren's Interview On Mommypage

Reading my interview on Mommypage today was almost as if for the first time…I had actually given my responses to their questions over two months ago.  And everyone knows that once you hit 30, over-two-months-ago might as well be the equivalent to over-2-years-ago.  (Yes, I’m totally playing the 30-card to excuse my poor retention skills.)

So, what gems did I learn about myself in this interview?

  • My favorite past craft projects
  • My most challenging craft project (hint: it may or may not have involved burlap)
  • My favorite type of craft (they twisted my arm…so I had to choose one!)
  • Where I find my creative inspiration (hint: it’s not just Pinterest)
  • The one object that sums up my personal creative style

and…

Lauren's Top 5 Crafting Tips (on MommyPage!)

So, what are you waiting for?  You know you want to stop by and see a non-Mommy do her interview thang on Mommypage!  (It still feels a little bit scandalous, don’t you think?)  Click here to check it out.

More Mommypage Goodness

And while you’re over at MommyPage, in addition to checking out the scrumptious looking Mommy Recipes and uploading your craft projects to Mommy Crafts, I highly recommend checking out some of the other MommyPage interviews by some of the craftiest bloggers on the block.  (And yes, that’s Allison who did the amazing Gold Shoe Makeover here back in March.)

And now, an interview question for you:

And since I answered a bunch of questions, it’s only fair that you answer one question for me, dear reader.  So, here goes: in the comments below, tell me one thing you’re excited for this summer.  I truly, madly, deeply want to know.

signature

| | |

57 Comments

    1. Those folk at Mommy Page were very gracious and forgiving hosts! 😉 And it’s true about ideas. Sometimes I can’t scribble them down fast enough…and then, when they escape me, they’re halfway to Mississippi and too far out of my mind’s reach! #signsofage

  1. Truly, the scandal was just too much for me… I mean what’s next? A DAD posting on a mommy blog? That would just be crazy…, but mostly because dads don’t typically blog! Seriously, though, I love seeing that you’re all over the blogosphere! Super exciting!!!! Now, most looking forward to this summer? A little time off and lots of experimenting for the blog! Maybe even some *GULP* sewing? haha

    1. You make me chuckle, Thalita! And I’m really excited for all that lies ahead for you and The Learner Observer. Considering all of the creative projects and ideas you shared during the school year, you are so going to blow our minds now that “school’s out for summer!” (Or almost out?) And if sewing is on the list…well you know I’m going to do a happy dance all over the house! And then demand a google hangout where we sew together. (We’d probably just end up talking the whole time, but it’s fun to think about!)

    1. Ha ha, I like that, Melyssa: “It’s like getting in touch with an old friend that just gets you.” How very true! An old friend that gets you, and tells the funniest jokes. Lol. Sigh…your comment reminds me how much I am missing my Nectar Collective reading! Once I get caught up on blog posts for the week, I’m so getting caught up on reading over at your place. This Melyssa withdrawal is killing me!

  2. Fun interview. Your 5 tips on crafting were good!

    I can’t help, but summer always makes me look forward to warm weather, which means an excuse to be in the water as much as possible.

    1. Yesssss! While I may not appreciate the water as much as I did before living in Florida, most of my life was spent looking forward to a trip to the beach or pool for sweet relief! So I feel ya, girl.

    1. Thanks, Chelsea! And you can bet that my silliness isn’t going anywhere. Life would just be too boring without it! 🙂

  3. Congratulations on your interview! It was fun to read.:)

    I am excited for lots of long, lazy days spent at the beach with the family this summer! John and I went for a few hours yesterday morning sans kids (first time in 14 years!) and had the best time.:)

    1. Thanks so much, Cindy! And I’m so happy to hear you and John were able to enjoy a day at the beach, just the two of you! Wow. First time in 14 years? I imagine it felt quite surreal then to be sans kids…and oh so special!

  4. …I’m just right now, like exactly on this evening, I’m going to start my bachelor-thesis! (Is it called like this? Bachelor thesis or exam or whatever… this 30 pages of paper!) This is definitely the thing I’m most excited about this summer. I got my dream topic and really love working and thinking about this topic! And then, in a few weeks I will be even more excited, when I’m waiting for my grade… And I have to apply for my master studies, I shouldn’t forget to do that!!

    Love, Midsommarflicka

    1. Yes, we call it a Bachelor’s Thesis. (Though typically, thesis papers aren’t until graduate school.) Wow, Midsommarflicka. That sounds like a big endeavor, but a huge step in the direction of accomplishing your goals. I’m so curious to know what your “dream topic” is! (It’s wonderful when we can find a topic on which we are actually passionate to write. That’s when we do our best work, so I know great things are in store for you.) And what are you hoping to get your Master’s in? Graphic design? Best of luck to you, friend, and happy weekend!

      1. Oh, we have to write such a thesis at the end of our bachelor and of our master studies…
        My master studies will be nearly the same as my bachelor studies – I already have a degree in graphic design, although not from university, “only” from vacational school, but I’m not going to do that again. I will make my master in a mix out of education, media technology and Protestant theology, so in the end I’ll be able to teach religion and all kind of media stuff (like graphic design!) in vacational schools – I’m going back to where I came from 🙂
        My bachelor studies are the same three subjects, but with focus on media technology, while the master studies focuses on education.

        And my dream topic: I thought, I’m not going to mention it, until my official registration is through, but there is probably no one reading here, who could “steal” it, so… I’m writing about “Sustainability in the Printing Industry” (this is only the short version of the very long official title;))

        1. I love the combination you’ve chosen: education, media technology, and Protestant theology! Wow! I’d love to sit in on some of your classes…or peer over your shoulder as you work on your thesis. I’m sure it would be way over my head and probably in a language I do not understand, but impressive to me nonetheless. And you have such a compassionate spirit, Midsommarflicka. I know you’ll make a fantastic teacher!

          1. “Derided!” Now that’s a word I need to use more often. 🙂 And you’re welcome! I’m glad to know you’re following your heart’s passions.

          2. Isn’t it a very common word? I had to look up a translation for the German word I had in mind and all suggestions looked unfamiliar, so I just chose this one… 🙂

          3. It is common…just not common enough in my vocabulary. 🙂 And you used it perfectly!

  5. WooHoo! Congratulations! Great interview. Loved your tips – you are inspiring!
    I’m looking forward to just having fun with my kids, and spoiling my grandkids, and clearing out a bunch of junk so we can enjoy some clean open spaces around here.
    You always make me smile, Lauren. Thanks for doing what you do here 🙂

    1. Thanks for celebrating along with me, Linda! And I’m so glad to know my posts can put a smile on your face. That really delights me to no end. And guess what? Your comments never fail to do that to me, so the relationship is oh so reciprocal, my friend.

      And I’m excited for you and your summer of quality time with your family and de-cluttering around the house! I definitely can stand to purge a bunch of junk that has been building up over our first year here in Florida, too. (Do I really need all of these boxes of winter clothes still? Probably not!)

      Thanks for dropping by, Linda, and have a great weekend!

  6. Really enjoyed your interview on the mommy page! Those tips were awesome!

    Do you remember the woman in OG who dressed up her dog and pushed him in a baby carriage???

    I am looking forward to more time this summer to de-clutter our home and my office at work, reorganize and decorate; paint our kitchen, and start the bathroom renovation! (I know, these are strange things to be excited about). Of course more reading, bike-riding, and having visitors like you and Mark will be highlights! xxoo

    1. Ha ha! I’m so glad you brought up the woman in OG with the dog in the baby carriage because that image was totally part of my inspiration for the hypothetical scenario with Mangey. In fact, I debated explaining the history behind it, but it was going to be TMI, so I left it out. So glad you picked up on it nevertheless!

      And that’s not strange at all to be excited about de-cluttering and organizing. Those activities can really reinvigorate the spirit, body, and mind…and can be so therapeutic. Excited to see the bathroom undergo some major changes, too (especially after catching a glimpse at your moodboard). Fun times ahead!

    1. Thanks so much, dear Aubrey! I was really honored by the whole thing. I love interviews like these where I get to put some real thought behind my answers and can write my responses instead of speaking them. Although I’ve grown in my comfort level with face-to-face interviews, I’m definitely much more in my element with a pen in my hand (or keyboard beneath my fingers).

  7. Congrats Lauren! Loved the interview and your post made me laugh again 🙂 I knew you were dressing Mangey with a onesie and pushing her around in a baby carriage! I knew it! ha!ha! 🙂 Congratulations again on your interview! & to answer your question: we are planning a trip to Niagara Falls, visit Toronto (a lot of shopping) and I’m excited to bring Nathan (Nate) with us for his first airplane trip !!! I hope he likes it!

    1. Ha ha! I love that you had a hunch about my cat antics, Ingrid! You know me well by now. 😉 And wow, Niagara Falls and Toronto!? Can you believe I grew up in NY and never visited the Falls? It’s definitely on my bucket list for the someday. I’m sure Nate will enjoy his first plane ride, especially when he sees how excited his Mama is about it. And do they still give out those airplane pins for first-time flyers? I remember loving those as a kid! Also, my Mom would let us chew gum when taking off and landing to help our ears pop and adjust to the pressure. It was always a treat!

  8. Congrats Lauren!

    Looks like Mangey talks to you alot! So do my cats. One of my cats would ride in the basket of my 3 wheel bike so when you mention stroller – Yep that can happen!

    What would I look forward to? A weeks vacation from 7 days a week 10-12 Hrs day away from the restaurant especially with no one calling me about what or how to do anything. Don’t know what I would do, but I can wish.

    1. Ha ha! I love that your cat was game for a bike ride in a basket! Mark is still hopeful he can get Mangey to ride in the boat with him, but I think we still need to work up to that. 🙂

      And a week’s vacation sounds like it could be oh-so-good for your soul and creative brain. See if you can make it happen! Everyone needs a rest from work at some point, and I imagine you would come back to work so refreshed and reinvigorated after a brief sabbatical. Wishing for that along with you!

  9. Love the interview, Lauren! And love your sense of humor too! I’m really looking forward to camping this summer with my hubby and my service dog, Nate (actually Nate is really an agel sent directly from God!) in the mountains of Arizona and Colorado. I’ve packed up my featherweight (for the times we actually might have electricity) and a ton of craft supplies for projects I’m dying to try my hand at. Crafts are completely new in my life (spent too much time going to school and working) and am now going wild and loving every craft project! Thank you so much for a wonderful, fun and inspirational blog …

    1. Thanks so much, KathyJo! And your summer plans sound wonderful…crafting and camping in the mountains of AZ and CO?! It’s like something out of a dream…. I’m also glad to hear that you’re letting loose and allowing yourself to dive into craft projects head first. I, too, can relate to feeling a sense of burnout from over-working and not devoting enough time to the things that fill us up, like craft projects. It’s about time we refilled our wells of creativity!

  10. Congrats on getting to do that interview Lauren! They know talent when they see it, and you definitely have it in spades! I’m heading right over to read it. Oh, and what am I excited about this summer? TIME! 🙂 Hoping to get lots of projects done, as always! Have a great one!

    Debbie

    1. Debbie, thanks for taking the time to leave me such a sweet comment and check out the interview. You’re too kind! And your d.i.y. projects have been out-of-this-world amazing of late, so I can only imagine what new heights you’re going to reach with the gift of some more time this summer. I’m bracing myself for the awesomeness in store for us at Me & My D.I.Y!

  11. I can perfectly picture you with Mangey in a pink rhinestone onesie.. I’ll leave it up to you to decide if that’s a good thing or not haha going over to read your interview now, but first, I will of course answer your question because I aim to please. The thing I’m most looking forward to this summer is my trip to Vienna; I’m going to see one of my bestest friends, and I have loved Vienna so much ever since I went to uni there. Plus it’s the only time off I have this summer, so I will cherish every second! What are your summer plans? Hugs!

    1. Wow! You went to university in Vienna? How absolutely romantic! Have such a wonderful time returning to visit old friends and old haunts.

      My summer plans…well…we have almost a trip planned every month it seems: June it’s Kansas City followed by Ohio with my husband’s family. July it’s the Jersey shore with my family. August, it’s the north woods of Wisconsin with my husband where he’ll serve as camp doctor for a week, but it’s more like a mini-vacation for us! So, we’re all over the place, but I’m really looking forward to enjoying some R & R in each place. Thanks for asking, Johanna!

      1. So jealous of all your plans – I wish I had more time off work, but I guess it makes me even more excited for that one week. Also, I really want to see the Jersey Shore someday, mostly because I am still in denial that people like Snookie and them really, truly exist 😀
        Hope you have an incredible Summer!

        1. Yes, that one week is going to be epic! Ha ha. And while I’d say that most of the Jersey Shore is NOT like the Jersey Shore you see on T.V., Snookie does exist! You’ll have to visit someday, just to see how beautiful the beach town are, especially Ocean Grove where we vacation (I’m a bit partial).

  12. Your posts always crack me up! Love it! I’m heading over to check out your interview now, but as for your question… I’m looking forward to our family vacation. We’re heading to a resort in Canada–different from our usual beach ventures, but I’m excited to try something new! Hope you’re having a wonderful week, Lauren!

    ~Abby =)

    1. It makes me smile to know you may have gotten a laugh out of this, Abby. What can I say, I’ve always loved comedy! 😉 And the idea of going to a resort in Canada sounds incredible, especially in the heat of the summer. I can see that being such a grand time! Enjoy every second of that trip. (That’s an order.)

  13. oh super cool! how great is that- they must know you are a mom in training! i am also glad you took the cat out of that onsie! that may have been a whole nother story! this mad me laugh!

    1. M.I.T. I like that, Kelly! And I’m glad to know I made you laugh with the cat-onesie bit. The thought of animals in people-clothes gets me every time!

  14. Thanks for the mention! I’m also a non mommy and emailed back at least twice “I literally have NO children – are you sure this is okay?” 🙂 Great interview by the way! I love how cohesive your whole look and projects are together!

    1. Ha ha! I know, I was somewhat relieved to find you in the interviewee mix because then I knew I wouldn’t be the only non-Mommy on Mommypage! And thanks for the generous praise about my interview. I’ve always thought my projects to be somewhat scattered, so to hear you use the word “cohesive” is a pleasant surprise. I’ve told you before that I think you’re such a great interviewee…always so honest and personable, and I never fail to learn something new and interesting about you!

  15. Congrats, non-Mommy (for now)! You know whenever I hear scandalous in the blog world, it’s always your page and face that come to mind, so how appropriate that you should create a scandal on MommyPage. I’m excited to read your interview. Heading on over…And I definitely still want to see Mangey in his blinged out onesie.

    What I’m most looking forward to this summer is uninterrupted time to play with my children without the responsibility of getting them to school, packing lunches, doing homework, or driving around. We can just play! Hooray!

    1. I have to say that the fact you associate me and my blog with the word “scandalous” gives me a strong sense of pride. And I actually probably could get Mangey into a rhinestone onesie without too much trouble. She is one of the most lovable, docile cats I’ve ever known!

      And I’m so excited for you and the kids and the summer months ahead. Your little ones are so blessed to have a Mama that loves to play along with them!

  16. I think you still should dress Mangey up in the rhinestone onesie… and then post pictures. It wouldn’t be the craziest thing you’ve done! That comment made my day. Looking forward to checking out the interview on Mommypage… Love you, girl!

    1. Ha ha! I’m glad that you appreciate my cat humor (Lisbeth and I have always gotten a good chuckle out of the idea of dressing up cats in people clothes). And you’re right, I’ve definitely done crazier things…many of them involving you and Alanis Morisette and figs and guitar playing and bats. Love you soooooo much, G!

      1. Here, here Gianna! I was actually going to comment on that sentence before I read Gianna’s comment. I have been appreciating the Mangey appearances lately in your posts….her in a rhinestone onesie would take the cake! Knowing Mangey, I feel like she would be quite cooperative. 🙂

        1. Oh, yes. She’d probably even start to purr. She gets the Miss Congeniality award for cats this year! (Maybe even for humans, too.)

    1. Oh my goodness…that sounds absolutely magnificent, Laura! I’ve been to Edinburgh once before (during the Fringe Festival), and it was such a lovely time…even though it did rain most of the time we were there. Hoping you’ll post pictures of your time on your blog so we can all see the beauty for ourselves!

  17. That’s so cool, Lauren! Congrats!

    I am most looking forward to spending three weeks in the Netherlands visiting my husband’s family, our exchange student (who is leaving us a week from today…SOB!), and a very cool fabric store I can’t wait to check out.

    1. What a wonderful trip that will be, Jen! Especially because I’m sure you’ll be going through withdrawal after M leaves you guys next week; how comforting to know you’ll get to see her again soon! And you’ll have to share pics from that fabric store visit for us to drool over.

Your comments make my day!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *