Our Influencer of the Week is just about the most enthusiastic Sverve cheerleader you’d ever care to find. Whatever happens on Sverve, she’s right there…rooting us on, sharing our news with her audience, and being an all-around great community member. When she’s not hanging out here, you can find her at Rubber Chicken Madness, her home on the web. Congratulations to Kimberly Rues!
Tell us about the unique title of your blog.
I get asked this question a lot…so frequently, in fact, that I have an entire page on my blog devoted to the story: http://www.rubberchickenmadness.com/the-rubber-chicken/. In a nutshell, it has everything to do with a goose-pimply long-necked rubber chicken named Cuddly and a bright blue-eyed boy who showed me that imperfect is just fine.
What prompted you to start blogging?
I started my blog to try to be the expert on raising boys as a single mother – especially those with an absent father. What I discovered was that I was just muddling through and when I was honest about it, rather than trying to be the “authority”, my voice had more resonance with people. So, I stuck with the authentic message: I don’t know what I’m doing with this raising boys gig, but I’m happy to share my thoughts along the way, in the hopes that my mistakes, celebrations and tantrums might help others.
Anyone who’s visited your site knows that you write from the heart. Do you have any self-imposed “rules” as to what topics are off-limits?
Every time I write about my children, I am aware of the need to make sure that they are truly okay with what I post. If they’re uncomfortable, it doesn’t publish. However, I will say, that for the most part, both of my boys see the value in sharing our experience with others, and even if something isn’t “rainbows and sunshine” they often let me publish it. Also, as a public school employee, I keep a tight rein on controversial opinions, and recognize that my words may be read by parents, school board members, etc. I want to represent my position and my district well, so although I have tons of opinions about education, I write those in my personal journal for now.
How and why do you Sverve?
Sverve is different, in my mind, by the way it feels like a community of learners. So many of the tips that are shared by members are nuggets of blogging/life hack wisdom that I would likely not have stumbled across in my own blog reading, and yet, I learn SO much from them. It’s also great because I can easily connect with other bloggers who have been endorsed in the same areas that I have been. I am able to read and promote their work which continues to enhance my ability to share great content with my readers via my social networks. My favorite Sverve campaign so far has been the TakeLessons campaign because it fit so well with my family and our experience in finding music lesson providers.
Leave Kimberly a word of congratulations here, then go visit her at Rubber Chicken Madness!
Cassi August 6, 2013 at 2:30 pm
It’s great that you let your boys have input on the posts! It sounds like your blog is a family project in itself.
Cassi recently posted…I Tai Cheng’d It Up & Lost
Kimberly August 8, 2013 at 2:18 am
I couldn’t justify not sharing them with the boys. They are old enough to know what I’m doing….and old enough that my words will likely impact their lives.
Kimberly recently posted…I don’t care about fashion
Sue - The Spin Cycle August 6, 2013 at 2:55 pm
Congratulations, lady. Can’t think of anyone more deserving!
Sue – The Spin Cycle recently posted…BlogHer13 Recap – Spin Cycle Style
Kimberly August 8, 2013 at 2:19 am
Thank YOU for making me sound like a Rock Star! xoxo
Kimberly recently posted…I don’t care about fashion
Deby at So Sew Easy August 6, 2013 at 6:26 pm
I’ve just visited your site for the first time and found so many really great articles. You share what others might think of as every day experiences in such a way as to engage, and make the reader think. I loved the article about the lobster dinner.
Deby at So Sew Easy recently posted…Free Lingerie patterns, plus swimsuits and nightwear
Kimberly August 8, 2013 at 2:19 am
Thank you! That lobster dinner was a lesson and a memory I will never forget. Pretty sure he won’t either
Kimberly recently posted…I don’t care about fashion
Coll/Hazel August 7, 2013 at 1:22 pm
Couldn’t be more proud!
Hugs galore,
Mom – your #1 fan
Carol A. Hudson August 7, 2013 at 7:21 pm
Congratulations young lady! You were adorable when I met you while living in England. You have really blossomed over all these years. Keep writing. You bring joy and wisdom to so many of your readers!
Kimberly August 9, 2013 at 2:32 am
Thank you! I’m so glad we’ve reconnected through my blog (and through my mom).
Kimberly recently posted…I don’t care about fashion
Kimberly August 8, 2013 at 2:22 am
Thanks, Mom….
It was sweet of you to comment.
Kimberly recently posted…I don’t care about fashion
Shana Norris August 8, 2013 at 12:59 pm
Congratulations on being Influencer of the Week, Kimberly. I just found your blog earlier this week on G Funkified. Hope your week is GREAT!
Shana Norris recently posted…The August Break :: Skyline
Kimberly August 9, 2013 at 2:33 am
Thank you
Don’t you just love Greta and G Funkified?
Kimberly recently posted…I don’t care about fashion