A Christmas Gift: The Mom Blogger Kind
How many times do you do this? You write out your stack of this year’s holiday cards, then one by one, place each in its coinciding envelope adorned with a cheery seasonal stamp, but then you screw up in writing out an address or two. “Ho-ho-NO,” you scream! It’s one of those mistakes I really hate because it aggravates two dominant character traits of mine -- neatness and frugality (not to the Scrooge-like point, but you know).
Push come to shove, however, when forced to choose between, I will opt for being neat over saving money. That said, I’ve been known to peel stamps off messy envelopes, only to re-apply them with Elmer’s Glue -- occasionally tearing a few in the process. How irksome! Those days, thankfully, are gone for good now, compliments of mom blogger Melissa Dixon and some nifty tricks she’s taught me through Thirty Something Super Mom that’s given me a whole new perspective regarding the versatility of my microwave.
In her post 7 Surprising Things Your Microwave Does, Melissa gives all of her readers a real jingle through some nifty tricks that will place more joy in the holiday season while saving you time and money. I learned that not only can the little dude remove stamps from envelopes in thirty seconds flat, but it can make me a brownie sundae in three minutes time. That revelation, alone, delighted me more than Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s put together and it will delight you too, given you own a sweet tooth too. If you are eager to consume more treats like these, I’d suggest reading Melissa Dixon’s interview below. It’s one gift that you hadn’t expected but will be glad you received.
What is your full name?
Melissa Dixon
What is your personal mantra?
I try to be a good person, regardless of how hard that can be these days. I guess I live by the old saying “Act as if somebody is always watching you.” It is a great way to keep yourself in check. After my grandmother passed away I knew that someone was always watching me and I always want to make her proud.
Tell us about you and your life.
After a childhood of constantly packing up and moving throughout the East Coast, I met my husband while living in Florida. We lived in Illinois for a few years before we decided to raise a family in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area which is where we currently reside. We have been married for 15 years and enjoy spending time as a family going to garage sales, watching wildlife, and hanging out at home with our 2 dogs.
What is the name of your blog? When was it launched?
“Thirty Something Super Mom” was launched in October 2014.
What is the primary focus of your blog?
Thirtysomethingsupermom.com is a resource for everything food, family, and fun! -- a place where you can find a mix of things like easy recipes, fun crafts, pet topics, health info and home inspiration.
What makes your blog different?
On the contrary of what the blogging experts have encouraged, I just keep on adding more variety rather than narrowing down my niche. I constantly evolve and find interest in a wide range of things in life and my blog reflects that. One day of the week, I may be riding a four wheeler in the Rocky Mountains and another day I may share my best professional grooming tips for bathing your pet. You can get a recipe while learning about why I can't stand my daughters gym teacher or read my opinion on the latest current events while learning how to decorate your living room.
What is your favorite social media outlet?
What is the one piece of advice you would give to moms who may be interested in beginning a blog?
I have been very fortunate with my blog’s success and get asked a lot from other moms about how they can start their own blog. The one piece of advice I tell everyone is to “just do it!” When I was a beginner I procrastinated by working for another blogger for almost year before I launched my own site, I wish I had started working for myself earlier.
Share the name of a blog you read regularly (besides your own).
Are you an entrepreneur or professional beyond your blog (and outside of being a mom)? Please share.
My husband and I share a dream to ultimately live off of the land and work for ourselves. We work towards this goal everyday by working any side gig that we can get into. There is a different feeling that comes from working for yourself; it is very freeing.
Do you support – either formally or informally – a particular social cause?
I have many years behind me working in animal rescue -- working countless hours saving animals from certain death at a high kill shelter. I will always have a special place in my heart for those kinds of causes.
When all is said and done, how do you want to be remembered?
I know that although I put my all in, I am human and make mistakes although everything is done out of love. I want to be remembered as a mom and wife who gave it her all!
And just when you thought Melissa couldn’t be more clever, just wait to you take a peek at her DIY gift guide found here 50+ DIY Gift Ideas that Everyone Will Love. You will search for people to give gifts to merely to enjoy making every one of her suggestions. Needless-to-say, her remarkable ingenuity and talent makes me think Melissa was born under a star or something. I believe you will agree.