Cat is one of those women who make you feel like you should be doing more with your life, hehehe, always busy but always has time for others. She takes the most beautiful pictures for her blog
JUGGLING ACT OF LIFE and is one of those great supportive bloggers that always replies and comments and truely engages with readers 🙂
Here is what she has to say:
-What do you do when not blogging?
I am an architect full time, a mom all the time and hopefully a good wife and daughter some times
-What made you decide to blog?
When I fell pregnant with twins I felt very alone in this new twin thing. I started Googling for twins and moms of twins and found out that something like a blog exists (way back in April 2007) I started reading and commenting and soon bloggers were pushing me to start myself. I only started in April 2008 when the boys were 6 months old. I still have contact with some of the mainly American moms of twins I “met” there. The first South African blog I read was Tertia’s So Close. Later when having twins was not the most overwhelming thing in the world I started reading South African blogs and easing into the SA blog community.
-What was your concept behind your blog?
In the beginning it was just my life -that of a working mom that at one stage had 3 kids under 3, parenting twins and an older kid and the things we did. Slowly my other loves in the world crept in – photography, crafting , baking and reading. Also camping and traveling with kids in SA. These days its more about general experiences with the children than specifics about us.
-Did you find yourself nervous at prospect of letting people into your life in this way?
At first I had no issue with it. I was mostly know outside of South Africa by a handful of people I felt I “know”. I have never used our real names on the blog but have always been honest about whats going on in our lives. Not just rainbows and unicorns.
-Do you ever worry that your kids will be like “mom why are you exposing my life?” (I worry sometimes)?
Later on in my blogging journey I started thinking about it as I became more known and in the beginning of this year when I was recognized twice in two weeks at school as being a blogger I started considering moving my blog private. The truth is that yes, the kids are growing up and have a say in their lives and what I write about it.When I received in the Princess computer curriculum this year and saw “Effective search with search engines” is mentioned it sealed my decision. So now I run two blogs – a private one with photos etc and more personal experiences and the public one where I do more general posts about anything and everything as well as some media things and giveaways.
-Does your family read your blog?
My hubby does. I do not keep it secret but do not advertise it either. My MIL knows it exists – she has met a few of my blogging friends but finds Facebook to keep in touch way easier.
-What do you hope to achieve through the blog?
To be honest, I mainly blogged to keep our memories and reading back now in the last 6 years is a wonderful trip down memory lane. I wish I had the same fro the 4 years before that.
The support and friends I have gained through the blogging community in general has been fantastic. Some of them have become IRL friends. At the moment life is hectic and I find that some of my best friends are blogging friends. The ultimate of this is that 3 of us met up last year in May from 3 parts in the country at the Natal South Coast to spend 5 days together – it was fabulous. Therefore I think that now friendship is first of all what it’s about, secondly I think all bloggers love attention in one way or another (let’s be honest) and feedback and comments are lovely.
The marketing part of blogging is relatively low key on my blog, but I do the occasional bit. I truly love to give away stuff – it somehow brings me so much joy to see someone be happy with a win.
-What do you think about the blogging culture in South Africa?
I think in general we have a great community that supports and spread the love. I have really in troubled times received huge support and love. At times there has been nasty comments in the community between bloggers but I like to totally keep out of that. I have very much a “love and love alike – be what you want to be” attitude. Sometimes I will give my opinion about something a blogger states but seldom will I be nasty. I do think that due to the increasing interest of marketing people and companies in bloggers some of those that feel they should be seen by the companies have become jealous of those that had been seen by a lot of companies.
-What do you think makes for a “good blog”
Good content, great photos and personality. A part of who and what you are must shine through – it’s what blogging is all about. The people.
-How do you personally measure success in the blogging world
I really do not blog for success and hardly look at statistics. I guess being contacted by marketing people is what would be a traditional measure and I am still to see the woman that does not love a freebie. Personally I love the comments and will often strike up a bit of conversation in the comments section. They feed my will to blog.
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