My Online Neighborhood

It's raining.  again.  We really need it, we've hardly even had a winter at all. When it's raining, I just want to stay inside where it's warm and dry.  And, I can do that.  I have the luxury of working from home.  I've got my morning cuppa (not coffee...it's a shake), and my internet.  What more do I need?

I am so happy that I do not have to get up and go to an office.  But, I am a people person, and there is no one here but hubby (who also works from home).  My "watercooler" is the internet.  When you work in an office, you can talk to your co-workers.  When you work from home, you can go on Facebook and see what everyone is up to. 

Can you really make friends on line?  I say YES!  In fact, one of my dearest friends found me through my blog, and now we are in business together.  How fun is that?   

I think of the internet as my neighborhood.  Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, blogging, I enjoy interacting with people in all of these areas!  I like reading about their lives and what they like and don't like.  The internet is a wonderful place indeed.  My daughter even met her wonderful husband on the internet (Match).  

If you are new to Lulus Cottage, please feel free to look around.  And, I would love it if you would leave a comment, I would like to come visit you too!

Why I love Facebook

It's true.  I DO love Facebook.  Some people love it, some people hate it.  

"Image courtesy of people-clipart.com"

Here is why I love it.  I work from home.  And, I live in the country.   When I am at home, there are no people around.  Except hubby, he works from home too.  So, when I need a break, there is no water cooler for me to go hang out at.  

If I could go hang out at the water cooler, I might hear the latest gossip, or a joke or something that happened to someone.  I can hear all of that on Facebook.  It's my water cooler.  

I love hearing all the little comments that people make.  I enjoy your family pictures. I even want to know what you are doing.  

I try to "like" as much as I can.  I like it when someone "likes" my comments and pictures.  I'm sometimes surprised at who is looking.  For me, it's a nice little connection.

In fact, I have gotten to know some people on Facebook that I wouldn't have gotten to know otherwise.  I feel like an insider on Facebook.  There are people that I ONLY know on Facebook.  My Facebook Friends.

There are some things that I DON'T  want to read on Facebook.  I don't want to know when someone is sick.  I don't like hearing that in person either.  Ew.  So, reading all those details, NO THANKS.  

I also don't like gory pictures.  If you just cut yourself or had an injury, I can do without the picture.  Please spare me!

I don't like foul language.  I can deal with that, but I don't like it.  

It's quite alright with me if you say and do things you shouldn't do. If you want to fight with a friend on Facebook, that's okay with me.  It's like reality tv, entertaining.  Just don't say anything bad about me!  

Personally, I find it hard to find things to say on Facebook, myself.  I'm not one that posts every little thing that I'm doing on Facebook.  My life would bore people anyway, I'm sure!  

The best way to find me on Facebook, is to look on the top right corner of my blog and "like" Lulus Cottage.  I will find you and we can be Facebook Friends!  I look forward to hearing ALL about you!! 

Should I tell the truth?

I had a really crazy weekend.  And, I'm so glad that it is over.  My new band has been a real challenge and we had our first gig (show) on Saturday.  I wasn't sure what was going to happen and I was completely nervous.   We have practiced a lot, but we've hit several (understatement) bumps in the road.  The result is that we made it through.  We got some compliments and people danced.  They stayed to the end of the evening.  So, a success.  

But, behind the scenes it was hard.  I don't really want to go in to the details....maybe another day I will do that.  Which makes me wonder....how much Truth should one tell on a blog, facebook, twitter? As much as I like to blabber on my blog, I'm really actually a private person.  And, I think twice about talking about anyone else too.  I want to tell ALL.  But, how much is OKAY to tell?  When does it become TMI (too much information).  

I was on Facebook once when my son's good friend posted on his wall about sleeping too much or not waking up, or something like that.  I said something pretty tame in agreement with her or maybe I just "liked" it and he was NOT happy with me.  It was OK for her to say this, but his Mother...well that was too much.  From then on I stopped commenting on any posts to do with him.  Playing it safe.

One of the things I like about reality tv is how they let it ALL hang out for all to see and hear.  How can they do that?  How do they all go from telling things about each other that can really hurt and just make up after?  

I, myself, would not want to have anyone tell anything about me in public (unless it's nice of course!).  And, online IS public after all.  Facebook, Twitter, even email can be shared.  And, yet so many people, specifically the younger generation, tells EVERYTHING, even embarrassing or compromising things where anyone can see.  

Some things that shouldn't be shared are obvious.  But, where is that line exactly?

I've always avoided the controversial things like politics, religion and so many personal views.  But, I don't mind reading some else's opinions on those things.  Even if I don't agree, I don't care that they wrote it.  I can choose to read it or not.  

It gets harder and harder to keep our secrets to ourselves these days, don't you think?