Last up in the Hot Seat was Ashley of My Front Porch Swing. Ashley’s answers prove that there is nothing she can’t do, except for maybe work in the Alaskan tourism industry…
What was your most favorite AND least favorite thing about Alaska? (@mamawantsthis)
This is a tough one as the tourism board of Alaska has asked me to please stop tweeting about how much it sucks (kidding. Mostly.) My most favorite thing was to see some of the more scenic natural beauty- it’s not often that I have found myself in driving distance to a glacier. As for my least favorite, the weather, the light/dark times (light is actually worse than the dark) and that it took so darn long to get anything you ordered. (I’ll stop there).
Have you ever considered an anonymous blog on the side. Where you can chit chat on the goings on in the blogosphere and call out the cr*p? (@bywordsmusings)
I would adore to do this and one day just might. Blogging is great and leads to so many wonderful connections. But, there are always those people who are calculating, manipulative, and just plain mean!
One of my other favorite Southern girls.. I know how much you love Sweet Tea. Everyone has their own way of making it, what’s yours? (@mycrazybusylife)
My favorite way of making sweet tea is going into one of our local restaurants. If I’m making it at home, I use Luzianne tea bags, boiling water, a cup of sugar and a dash of baking soda (trust me).
Ashley, my dear, you are one of those amazing women who manages to make everyone feel at ease. I’m so glad to have found you. What have you gained from blogging that might have been missing in other areas of your life? (@practicalmom)
This might be the nicest things anyone has ever said to me, and you are now my favorite person. The best thing I have gained from blogging is truly the connections. We have traveled so much in the past few years and raising a family that way can be challenging. The support and community (and bff in Shell) have been amazing. Also, finding a new career path in social media marketing has also been pretty darn fabulous.
I am SO right there with you on FB issues. Especially the marriage battles. Or the ones who are obviously answering each other while sitting on the couch right next to each other. Are you happy you have a FB blog page? Why/why not? (@missy_bedell)
I have to start by saying my FB blog page is relatively new since I redid my site and name (Facebook should really let you change that). While Facebook can bring on the personal drama, it is truly an amazing resource for bloggers and businesses. People are much more likely to check out a blog or a business when recommended by a friend than randomly coming across it. Creating an ENGAGING Facebook page is truly beneficial.
What is your favorite thing about blogging and social media? Also what do you least enjoy about them both? (@sogeshirts)
My favorite thing about blogging is again in the connections, both personal and professional. I have earned some great opportunities and luck on others, but it’s all become a different direction than I ever anticipated. My least favorite thing goes along the same lines- with good connections come the bad. Sometimes, you can’t escape the bad even if you’d prefer to do so.
Would you rather fly every time you fart or pee every time you laugh? (@saidkristin)
Well, I’ve always wanted to fly..
How big of a pain-in-the-ass was I with all my questions and DMs? I’m sorry! You have a lot of patience. How do you do it? (@letters4lucas)
You are amazing. I love working with clients who learn and want to learn about their blogs. Understanding what you’re doing- one step at a time- makes your questions thoughtful. Since I work with both businesses and bloggers in various capacities, patience is required. (This is also where it comes in handy to have friends who do similar work as you 
)
If you could send any celebrity to live in Alaska for a year, who would it be? (@oldtweener)
This is truly a tough one. Can I cheat by saying any of those teen celebrities who show way too much skin? It’s too darn cold to go without clothes up there.
What is your advice for keeping sane while traveling with little ones? (@lifewithoutpink)
Plan, plan, list, organize, plan, plan. I have spreadsheet books and checklists that I can use anytime we move and/or travel since it was so frequent. Planning everything out makes life a lot easier because you know what to expect along the way. The other thing is to try to remain flexible at the same time. No travel with kids goes perfectly, so deep breaths and a little patience helps. That, and wine.
I’ve read on other forums, social media and news articles about restaurants and movie theaters banning young children. What is your opinion about this issue as mom of two children? (@mrstdrapp)
That’s an interesting question! I have a mixed opinion. To be honest, when I use a sitter and my husband and I can go out without children, I don’t really relish the idea of a table of kids at the next table. That being said, we have taken our children to very nice places and they are expected to behave- and do so, at 5 & 2. However, if we’re going somewhere that we would probably prefer to use as a date location and bring the kids along, we try to go at 5pm or something similarly early. All that to say, banning seems extreme, but I don’t think I’d mind a cutoff time.
You’re incredible when it comes to WordPress and all that stuff. How did you learn it all? School… self-taught… online tutorials? (@jackiecross)
Thanks Jackie! This was all pretty much self-taught, with help from online resources, mainly the WordPress forums and codex. I have background with html coding and have done various projects with websites over the years, so this was just a new tool to learn from me. The rest kind of just happened!
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Ashley is great isn’t she? Can’t wait to try her sweet tea recipe! I have two fun announcements for this weeks Hot Seat.
First, next up in the Hot Seat is Tina from:
Next, I am THRILLED to announce that the nicest guy on twitter, also known as Tim (@sogeshirts) is offering a giveaway to my Hot Seat readers this week.
All you have to do is leave a question for Tina. The two best questions (as chosen by Ashley and Tim) will win one of two prizes.
Either one of these fabulous new blogging-themed shirts:
Or your choice of a shirt from the Soge Shirts Outlet.
As always, leave your question for Tina in the comments below and her answers, along with the t-shirt winners, will be posted next Monday. Good luck!
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I'm Jessica, 30-something mom to five, four in my arms and one in my heart.
Thanks for answering my question Ashley
I hope the Alaskan Tourism Board doesn’t give you any trouble!
Tina – you and Lori (@Mommyfriend) started Project Marriage a few months ago. What’s the best part about this project?
Alison@Mama Wants This recently posted..Guest Star: Elena of C.Mom & Just.Be.Enough.
Twitter: MamaWantsThis
Ha! I love these questions. Thanks for pointing out this new blog to me (like I needed more!). I’m gonna go visit.
p.s. I love Tina! She was one of the first people I ever followed on Twitter!
Since Tina is a fellow two-boy mom I want to ask her what she would REALLY say to anyone who asks her if she is going to “try” for a girl or have another. I know I feel pretty icky about those questions at this point. Just wondering, if there were no repercussions, how would you answer it?
molly recently posted..Landon’s Room Reveal
Twitter: adayinmollywood
So great to get to know Ashley better!!
Tina, being a mom to all boys, like I am how do you make sure to keep your feminine side going? What girly things do you that are just for you?
Hopes@Staying Afloat! recently posted..Ready. Set. CRAM!
Twitter: HStayingAfloat
OMG just came over and saw that I’m the next blogger in the hot seat {GULP}…so excited! Thank you
Tina @ Life Without Pink recently posted..First Concussion
Hopefully everyone will go easy on you, although I\’m sorry there is a prize attached to the best question
.
Oh yay! Another boy mom in the hot seat!
Tina, what is the grossest thing that your boys have done?
Kimberly recently posted..Focusing On My Strengths
Twitter: MamasMonologues
Thanks so much for having me here! I’m looking forward to the questions for Tina- make ‘em good
Tina, as a work at home mom and blogger, what are some tips you have for getting everything done?
Ashley recently posted..I’m in the Hot Seat!
Twitter: PorchSwingMom
Sweet tea is starting to grow on me. Being from the north it’s not something I’m used to. I might have to try the baking soda.
Tina – My son is crazy fearless and I still don’t know how he hasn’t landed in the ER yet (knock on wood). In light of your son’s recent injury, do you think it should be perfectly acceptable to let little boys wear helmets and bubble wrap 24/7?
Evonne recently posted..This is how we do it
Twitter: _MamaJules_
The best way I make sweet tea is buying it at Publix. My tea is always awful!
Question for Tina: What held you back from in-person blog conferences, and what finally helped you get to your first one? a
Adrienne recently posted..My kid’s privacy
Twitter: adriennesfts
Love you, Ash. xo
Tina- as a fellow boy mama, I know you hear all the crazy questions and comments that I do. If you could ban one annoying question/comment about life as a boy mama, which one would you choose to get rid of?
Shell recently posted..Traditions: Back To School Style
My question for Tina – What do you think your life would be like if you HAD a touch of pink?
Ann recently posted..Week Night Pasta Sauce
Twitter: AnnHolly
Ashley, baking soda? Really? I might try that.
Tina, so finding a conference sponsor? Do you have any tips for someone who has no clue?
angela recently posted..We All Have Monster Moments, Right?
Twitter: angelaamman
OH! Great question! I want to know the answer too!
Jackie recently posted..How to unplug from social media…. or why I didn’t post Monday.
I have never tried baking powder in my sweet tea. I will need to try it.
Tina,
Will your children now be wearing bike helmets while playing on the playground?
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Pause Life for a Moment- Be Still a Minute
Life Without Pink: I don’t have a question, but I just want Tina to know that when I think of her, I think of one of the nicest, first bloggers I met.
She helped me so much, she is a fantastic resource, and I could email her with any question, and she always answered with a smile.
Thank you, Tina: you really are something special in the blogging world.
Alexandra recently posted..Important Zombie Things I Forgot To Tell You And A New Toy I Like
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OMG I just got chills, thank you so much…this made my day! And you know I feel the same exact way about you. You are a shining star in the blogging community and we are VERY lucky to have you
Tina @ Life Without Pink recently posted..First Concussion
Thanks for answering my question, Ashley! So exciting.
Tina – I love bad reality TV too. It makes me feel better about myself. Are you watching Big Brother? Who do you think’s going to win?
Missy | The Literal Mom recently posted..I Miss My Childhood
Twitter: literalmom
Ashley, thank you for answering my totally inane question. I would totally choose to fly too. Besides, I already pee when I laugh sometimes.
Tina, I linked up with your Project Marriage meme earlier in the summer and also follow it on FB. So, what are some ways you and your hubby keep the fun in your relationship?
Kristin @ What She Said recently posted..There’s No Shame in Blogging
Twitter: SaidKristin
Ashley is amazing. That’s all.
Tina is also amazing!
My question is this… how do you manage all of your projects (GLO, Project Marriage, AboutOne etc.), blogging, and still manage to spend time with your family? You make it look so easy!
Jackie recently posted..How to unplug from social media…. or why I didn’t post Monday.
I’m about to use the word “love” too many times. Oh well, I say!
First, I love Ashley and her answers to these questions. I’m so intrigued by the sweet tea recipe. I am Texas born and bred, but have never heard of adding baking soda… Will have to try it!
Second, I love Tina and Life Without Pink! I’m so excited she’s your next guest. So here’s my question for her:
As the mom of two boys, just like you, I am no stranger to their antics. You never know what they’re going to think of, so I was wondering: what’s the weirdest object you’ve ever found in either your toilet or washing machine?
Missy @ Wonder, Friend recently posted..Texas Bloggers Link Up for Fire Relief Efforts: #TXBlogFireRelief
Twitter: Missy_Stevens
Oh this is SO my house too, I just fished the cast of Toy Story out of the toilet with tongs.
PS – Whether I win or not, I am buying one of those shirts. Or all of them. Love them! (There’s that word again.)
Missy @ Wonder, Friend recently posted..Texas Bloggers Link Up for Fire Relief Efforts: #TXBlogFireRelief
Twitter: Missy_Stevens
I loved getting to know Ashley better.
And those t-shirts are the bomb!! As Tim knows, I wore one at BlogHer and got a lot of compliments.
Great giveaway.
Tonya recently posted..Lucas Today
Twitter: letters4lucas
Thanks so much Missy. So glad you like them.
Tonya, Thanks as well. It’s so nice to have great people like yourself wearing them. The pic you took was awesome!
Tina what is your favorite non reality TV Show?