The One Where You All Were Matt Lauer and I Was Britney Spears (But Without the Gum Chewing)

I know, I know. I beg and plead for interview questions, then never bother posting the answers. Of course, I don't think that any of you are sitting at the edge of your seats, or anything, waiting for my answers. This is a ridiculously long post. Feel free to read over several days. Or just skip this post. I would understand [chokes back tears].

Your questions were really terrific, thanks so much for asking them. I've really enjoyed answering.

This first question is from Megan:

Just who do you think you are bossing us around? (in reference to my request for interview questions.)

I'm Jennifer, the Binky Bitch, that's who.

The following questions are from VDog:

Kara also asked this first question...

1. Why do you blog? And when do you find the time to blog? Does sleep win over blogging at some point (it often does with me)?

I wish my answer to why I blog had something to do with an insatiable urge to write and express my creativity. The true answer, though, is because I stay at home all day, rarely going anywhere, so it's my outlet to the rest of the world. I don't have time to blog, but I make time because it's something I've grown to love. Sleep often wins over blogging, although when I first started, I would get up at the crack of dawn to write. Now, I sleep for as long as I can since I'm up at some point most nights with Ella.

2. How has blogging changed you? Has your self-perception changed? (i.e., do you feel more confident as a person? Has your identity as a mom changed at all?)

Since blogging, I've become very outspoken and passionate about women's, specifically Mother's, issues. My self-perception has definitely changed. I was able to find my true self, the person I am in addition to being a Mother. I've said millions of times that blogging saved my sanity, because it truly did. I found a community of people who are just like me. It feels great to fit in somewhere.

3. How does your husband feel about your blogging? Does he read your blog?

Tate has a love/hate relationship with my blog. When I got the gig with MamaPop, he was so proud of me. His interest in my blog grew and he began reading it. Now that I'm no longer writing there, his interest has waned and I think he only occasionally reads me. He gets irritated by the amount of time I spend blogging, but he knows how happy it makes me so he tries to encourage it.

4. Do your friends know about your blog, and if they do, do they read it? How does it make you feel if they know about it, but don't read it? How about your family?

Everyone I know, knows about my blog. Some read it, some don't. Although I started this blog (under another name) in November 2006, I didn't tell people about it until February 2007.

5. What things are personally off-limits for blog material?

I try to never say something about a person on my blog that I wouldn't say to their face. I'm trying (unsuccessfully) to not degrade my poor husband. If I talk about IRL (in real life) friends, I try to keep their identities anonymous, unless they are fellow bloggers.

6. What would your dream playgroup be like? If it were a one-time only affair, how would you do it up? Babysitters? Bartender?? You get the idea.

Dream playgroup?? Hmm. There would be NO CHILDREN in attendance, open bar, thin thighs for all attendees, and the delicious food would be catered and calorie-free. Oh yes, our "playgroup" would also be in Hawaii.

From Phoenix:

1. Do you have siblings? Are they younger or older?

I have a brother who is seven years younger than me.

2. Is two it for you?

At 3 AM when Ella is awake for the 3rd time that night, I'm 100% sure that I'm finished having kids. When it's 1:30 PM and I've somehow managed to get both kids to nap, I think how nice it would be to have 3 kids.

Then I remember my kidney stones and colic and realize that 3 kids would probably send me to a mental institution. I'm not trying to be funny.

3. Last book you read that did not come from the preschool section of the house.

Little Bitty Lies, by Mary Kay Andrews. I don't recommend it. I still haven't read Harry Potter. I know, I'm the only one in the entire world.

4. Who the hell designed your header, cause I need them. I hate my site.

Izzy from Izzymom and Designs by Izzy designed my header. She did an amazing job, I love my header and template so much I want to maaaaarrrrrry it!!!

From Heather:

Why do you hang around friends who are obviously insane?

I wonder the same thing every, damn day. Just kidding. Smooches!

From Tommiea:

Do you miss working?

Yes, I do miss working for the most part. I miss the kids, I miss the adult interaction, I miss the challenge. I do not miss writing IEP's, dealing with lazy teachers (this is not a blanket statement about teachers, just a statement about several teachers I got stuck working with), and car duty. You have no idea how much car duty SUCKS ASS.

More from Kara:

1. Are you in a playgroup in Alabama? How many mom friends do you have IRL?
I was in a playgroup, it sort of imploded on itself. I have quite a few mom friends IRL, like Heather, Megan, Sara, and lots of friends back in Missouri. Many of the people I've met through blogging I feel like are my IRL friends, even if I haven't met them in person.

2. What makes your heart melt with love?

Whenever Carson and Ella interact, I could just cry. Carson is so sweet with his sister and Ella just beams whenever he's close-by. Ah, just thinking about it makes me weepy. Almost makes me want another one. Almost.

3. What makes you so angry you want to spit nails?

People who talk out of their ass really piss me off. Bill Maher comes to mind.

From Mrs. Flinger:

How did you meet your husband?

Tate and I met at my best friend from high school's wedding. He thought I was HAWT. I was.

From Annie:

When and why did you start your blog?

I started my blog in November under the name "What I Meant to Say Was..." In February I changed the name to "Playgroups are No Place For Children." This title came to me in the shower and made me laugh out loud.

I think I answered why above.

From Just my life:

What is the WORST thing you have found out about living in "Backwoods" AL? Or whats the worst thing about "Backwoods", AL?

Backwoods, AL is a fictional place, just for the record. This is the name I gave the town where my husband works. Shitty Town, AL is the name I've given the name of the town where I live.

The worst thing about these towns is their distance from family in Missouri.

From Nicole:

1. Where did you come up with the name of your blog? And, where did "Binky Bitch" come from?

I mentioned that I came up with the name in the shower a few questions back. I think this was around the time that Melissa Summers from Suburban Bliss was on the Today Show discussing drinking at playdates.

You can read the origins of Binky Bitch HERE.

2. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be (besides being a mom)?

I'd be a paid blogger.

Or I'd work in a preschool as an SLP with a caseload of 10 kids with Autism, co-treating kids with the OT and PT, setting up kids' days to promote communication.

3. If you had a whole day to yourself, no one else to bother you, what would your schedule look like?

First, I'd wake up whenever I felt like it, not as the ass-crack of dawn!!! I'd leisurely get ready, take the laptop, and go have lunch at Atlanta Bread Company. I'd come home whenever I felt like it, not because my boobs were getting ready to explode due to being away from my nursing baby!

Actually, I'm at Atlanta Bread Company right now, with the laptop, thinking I should go soon because my chest is growing more and more uncomfortable by the minute.

From Canape:

I would love to hear about college. Where you went, or what you studied, or your social scene.

I went to Southwest Missouri State University, now called Missouri State University. My original major was Elementary Education, but I decided I didn't really like kids. I switched my major to Communication Disorders (Speech-Language Pathology), determined to work with adults when I graduated. I made excellent grades, graduating Magna Cum Laude with my Bachelor's. I was only maybe .02 points away from Summa Cum Laude. I'm still kicking myself for the "B" I got in Poly Sci when I was a freshman. Two years later, I earned my Master's, moved to Knoxville, TN, and started a job working with children in an elementary school.

In college I was in a sorority, I drank alot, and kissed as many boys as I possibly could. I was always the first to pass-out, though, as I always ran out of steam around midnight. To this day, I'm really only friends with one person from the sorority and have lost contact with most of the other girls.

This concludes the longest post in history. If you are still reading, I applaud you. If not, then you'll never know that I called you a QUITTER.

QUITTER, QUITTER.

Smooches to those of you who persevered!!!