Women who blog: Stephanie Nielson

Keris Stainton continues our Women who blog series with a dedicated wife and mother...

Just because I'm the kind of cynical old trout who complains about her husband on a wedding blog doesn't mean I can't appreciate some good old fashioned romance. And Stephanie Nielson's blog - The NieNie Dialogues - just oozes it.

What made you start your blog?

I was living in New Jersey and very homesick. In my 23 (then) years of life, I never had been away from home (in Utah). Now I was living in different state very far away with three small children. I needed to connect and feel creative, so I started a blog. It started out a family journal and evolved into sort of an approach to illustrate my talent as a mother, wife and homemaker-and showing my life through pictures I take everyday.

What was the first blog you ever read?

Brother Christopher’s blog. He sent the family an e-mail introducing us all to “blogger”. I read some of his first posts and laughed my head off. He has such a talent for writing and was able to tell witty stories about his life. I thought it was a wonderful idea to make up a name, and produce something that people could read and enjoy. I started off as Gracie J. Brunswick and changed my alias name to NieNie and with that, changed my style.

Your blog is a self-confessed "shrine" to your husband. What does he think about it? Where's his shrine to you?

My husband is my life. He and I have a magical relationship. We are very dependent upon one another. I am so blessed to have him. He is very flattered about the blog. Sometimes embarrassed at the things I write about him-which is funny. Everyday I anticipate a call from him at work around 9:00 am and he tells me he loves my post, or my pictures or he thinks I am so clever and talented. He is so wonderful that way. He helps my confidence level and pushes me to do things that I would not normally do. Its good for me.

His “shrine” to me is the way he respects and honors me as a woman, mother and wife. He values and encourages me in everyway giving me “wings to fly”. He understands my desire to be a mother who loves and wants to serve our children. He tells me he loves coming home from work and seeing the house rearranged or my latest idea/project displayed, new sheets on the bed, or me sewing a new pillow. Most men don’t care and the others don’t want holes in their walls. I feel pretty lucky. I always, ALWAYS feel loved and accepted. He has been known to have said, “Pretty girls need pretty things” He has never let me down. I live a very beautiful life.

You blog about your family. Do you worry about privacy?

Sometimes I worry about that, but I can’t live in fear. I post things that I feel like are non-intrusive or too personal. I feel comfortable with what I post about. Should I be more worried?

What's with all the fancy fonts?

“Fancy fonts”? Do I use fancy fonts? I think of my blog as a mini-magazine. I love magazines that are interesting and fun to look at. I like to use color and texture. I wish I could do more. I don’t know a whole lot of html and all that jazz.

How do you think your 'blogging persona' differs from the 'real you' (if at all?)

What you see is what you get. I am proud of that.

What has been your best and worst blogging experience?

My best blogging experience hands down is when I get e-mails from women who after reading the blog have an aspiration to be a better mother (or mother at all). They have a desire to cook healthier foods for their families. How awesome is that! I love when they express their feelings that my blog helped them believe that motherhood, homemaking, and being a wife is a very satisfying and rewarding job. I feel very honored and very humbled.

Bad: I have a very hard time with writing. I am not very good it, or expressing my ideas through writing…and I spell like a third grader (no offence).

Have you made or lost any friends through your blog?

I have made…a lot! Lost? I hope not!

Who are your blogging heroines?
My sister Courtney’s blog and Design mom, Oh happy day, My happy little life, Darlybird, and Sk*rt.

Is blogging addictive (and, if so, should it come with a health warning)?

Of course it is addictive! It can be scary. I have to make blogging schedule. I can only post AFTER children are in bed and I can only check my computer 3 times a day (after breakfast, nap time and when children are in bed) If blogging interferes with family, I know it is time to quit.

Keris co-edits Shiny Media’s fabulous women’s fiction blog, Trashionista and contributes to TV Scoop, The Bag Lady and Bridalwave. She also has a shrine to her husband, only hers is made of socks.

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