Cloverleaf Interviews Homesteadbound
A scrapper of many talents reveals her background
Who is Homesteadbound? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a scrapper! I was born over two months early weighing 2 pounds 2 ounces and I’ve been scrapping ever since. My two younger sisters and I were raised by my grandparents on their farm in the panhandle of Texas from the time I was 7, although I lived with them from the time I was 5. When I was 14, I shattered a vertebra in my back in a farm accident while loading and stacking hay. I didn’t let that slow me down. The next year I was loading and stacking hay again, and went to state in track and basketball twice while in high school. Like I said … a scrapper.
At the age of 18, I moved to Waco (450 miles from home without a car) to study at Texas State Technical Institute where I received my degree in Mechanical Drafting and Design. I met my husband in Waco and we were married and have lived north of Dallas since 1980. I have worked at several companies in the area doing mechanical design for defense contractors and medical diagnostic equipment companies. I also taught drafting and design courses at educational institutions in the Dallas area.
We were not able to have any children of our own, so we adopted a sibling group of three children in 1996. Shortly after adopting the children, who were 7, 8, and 9, it became apparent that I needed to be a full time parent, so I quit working. Their emotional issues kept us on a crazy roller coaster ride until 2007 when the youngest wound up in jail for attempting to kill my husband.
Working from home, I started my own company providing non-medical in home care for adults in 2002. In 2011, I started writing for HubPages and look forward to advancing a writing career. It has taken me a few more years than it should have, but I think I have finally decided what I want to be when I grow up – a writer.
On a more personal note, I enjoy reading, cooking, arts and crafts, making jewelry, quilting, crocheting, all things wildlife and nature, and getting back to basics. And you can probably tell by the name that I have chosen for myself that I dream of getting my own little homestead someday.
What brought you to HubPages?
I wish I had a profound answer to share with you, but it’s a rather boring story. I was looking for a job in the classifieds of the local paper. There were several ‘Writing for HubPages’ ads and I responded to one of them. I had never written before but had always wanted to. Writing to make money, it said. It sounded like a dream job. Possible scam crossed my mind, but the only thing it was going to cost was my time … so the adventure began. Or maybe it would be more honest to say, the addiction began, because I’m hooked!
Your Hub series on Alzheimer’s is very popular; what is your background of this subject?
To begin with, I was raised by my grandparents so I seem to understand the older generation. Then in 2002, I founded a caregiving agency that provides non-medical in-home care for adults, On the Wings of Angels. The majority of our clients have had and do have dementia or Alzheimer’s. My on the job experiences and continuing training has provided me with the experience necessary to write about this devastating disease. It is so satisfying to know that I am able to help people all over the world who are dealing with the effects of this disease.
What is your favourite topic to write about and why?
This is really a hard question to answer. I think I am so enamored with writing that right now I just plain like to write. Obviously with a name like ‘homesteadbound’ I like learning about homesteading, and writing about it. I love the beauty of the creatures that can be found in the ocean, so I enjoy writing on that topic. And I find great satisfaction in being able to help others, so I enjoy writing about issues that affect someone caring for someone who has Alzheimer’s. Although I haven’t written many humorous Hubs, or thought provoking Hubs, these may be the ones I enjoy the most. I think it is in these Hubs that my voice is distinctly heard.
What do you find most rewarding about writing Hubs?
I really look forward to reading and responding to the comments on my Hubs. It’s the very first thing I do in the morning, and the very last thing I do at night. I like to hear that someone has enjoyed what I have written or that I have helped someone. I like to know that I have made a connection with the reader. I have been blessed with some really wonderful followers. They have been absolutely fantastic! The comments that I have received have helped me to see that I might actually have a chance at being a writer. I have always wanted to write, but felt overwhelmed at the prospect of writing a book, not even considering that a writer could do anything else. And many times other choices made, such as adopting the kids, kept me so preoccupied that I had time for little else. Everyone at HubPages has been so supportive, and it has been so appreciated. You all can pat yourselves on the back now.
You recently completed the “30 Hubs in 30 Days Challenge”. What did you gain from doing the challenge, and would you do it again?
I absolutely would do it again! In fact, I titled that Hub, 1st 30 Hubs in 30 Days Hub Challenge: Self Discovery! The very fact that I put down ‘1st’ at the beginning of the title indicates that the thought had been on my mind. The best thing about the challenge is the people that you are able to correspond with in the forum while you’re doing the challenge together. As you read each other’s work and cheer each other on, a special bond can form. That’s where Cloverleaf and I met. I started the 30 day challenge 12 days after signing up on HubPages. So, some of the things I learned, I would have eventually learned anyway, just at a much slower pace. The last part of the title of that Hub was ‘Self Discovery’, and that’s what it was. HubPages opened up the whole world to me. I was exchanging information with people on the other side of the world and it was amazing!
Another thing I discovered was that I could write consistently, and that I enjoyed it! Once completing the competition I thought I would relax a little. But it has been 30 days since completing it and I have written 32 more Hubs. So in a way, I have completed the challenge again, just not officially. I look forward to completing the next 25 and being at the 100 Hub mark.
Is there any one Hub that you have enjoyed reading more than any other? Which one and why?
I have read so many interesting Hubs that I’m not certain that I could pick just one. There are so many talented writers here at HubPages. But I recently ran across a Hub, which sent me to another Hub, which sent me to yet another Hub that excited me more than any other. This Hub is a literal treasure chest, and the more I dig into it, the richer it seems to be. The Hub written by sunforged, The 60DC Curriculum - How to make a passive income writing online, contains a wealth of information. It was written some time ago, when a 60 day challenge was being done, and it guides the participants of the challenge through all the different steps to be successful. I am still digging through it, but I know that it contains tons of golden nuggets just waiting to be scooped up.
If nothing else, it fires me up all over again when I start digging through it! If someone would head up another one, I would love to take part in it! I still have so much more to learn, and that challenge seems like it could really help someone like me step up to the next level.
If you could give one piece of advice to a new Hubber, what would that be?
Spend quite a bit of time in the Learning Center. I signed up on the weekend, and watched all the video tutorials the first day. It took hours to watch them all, but it was worth it. I can’t say I understood them all, but it exposed me to HubPages and I became more aware of what was available on HubPages and where the answers could be found when I needed them. Next, get started writing while spending a little time reading in the Learning Center every day until you have read it all. You’ll be amazed how quickly it starts coming together.
What might we expect from your future Hubs?
The best thing that I can tell you is to expect the unexpected. I find that I enjoy discovering a little tidbit in unexpected places and then challenging myself to see if I can write a Hub about it. The Hub on Boxing Painting was just such a Hub. While doing research on speed painting, also called performance painting, I ran across Boxing Painting. I created the Hub, and it was chosen to be Hub of the Day. So I have learned that inspiration can be found in many places, if I just keep my eyes, ears and mind open to all the possibilities around me.
Is there anything else that you would like to add?
To all of my followers, I want to sincerely thank you for your support. My short time at HubPages has been made so much better because you joined me on this journey in the magical land of HubPages. I look forward to each of your comments. I have flourished because you have been here with me. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
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