Neil at Citizen of the Month is once again hosting his Great Interview Experiment. This year, my interviewee was RootieToot of Because It Really Is Personal, who has four children. Which automatically makes her a superhero.

What made you start blogging, and what’s made you continue for nearly five years now?

Writing looked like fun, and blogging seemed like a way I could write and say what I really thought, without the repercussions of people I knew IRL being offended. It was also a creative outlet, and I had alot to say.

Superman can fly, Wonder Woman has an invisible jet (and great accessories) and WordGirl has an excellent vocabulary. What’s your super power?

I can look over the tops of my glasses and reduce grown men to scared little 5 yr olds.

And what’s your Kryptonite?

pantyhose and makeup

It’s 11pm on a Saturday night. Where are you?

Sound asleep in my bed. I get up at 4 am (because I want to!)

Bob Wiley said, “There are only two kinds of people in this world: Those who like Neil Diamond, and those who don’t.” Which kind of
person are you?

Like!

What’s the best thing about having four children?

um…The endlessly varied conversation, and life is never ever dull.

What’s the worst thing about having four children?

Life is never ever dull. And laundry. and socks on the floor. They can never pick up their socks. The worst thing about having 3 teenagers at once is how each finds their own unique version of Hell to put one through, so you can’t necessarily apply what you learned with one to another.

Tell me your favorite trait of each of your children.

Will (21)- he’s a thinker, very philosophical, and a fantastic conversationalist
David (20) is logical. His friends call him Spock. This logic keeps
him from doing stupid things like drugs and all.
CJ (18) is all physical, outdoorsy, and very affectionate.
#4 (10) is witty, goofy, and generous.”

If you could ask God one question, what would you ask

Can you reassure me that my kids will eventually be productive adults with common sense?

How long ago were you diagnosed as bipolar, and how has your life changed since then?

Wow! Let’s see.

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1993, after developing mania (I’d always had an annual 3 month spell of depression, but didn’t think much of it). The mania wasn’t the happy kind, but rather the sort that took the form of intense rage, very disturbing to an essentially peaceloving quiet housewife. Wanting to throw ones toddlers across the room wasn’t normal, and suppressing the desire resulted in debilitating migraines and suicidal urges.

I’ve gone from being very proud to realizing I’m not actually “perfect”, and the humility has allowed me to see other people as individuals with strengths and weaknesses. I was an awful snob and a bit bitchy before being diagnosed. It has also made me quit trying so hard to get other people to like me, and instead embrace who I am, warts and all, and be content. I have never been so peaceful in all my life. I met God through this disorder, and being able to rely on Him for the strength I need when I’m symptomatic has taught me how to roll with life, rather than trying to control everything. Does that make any sense?”

You find a sack full of cash in the middle of the street. What do you do?

Turn it in to the police, it’s not mine.

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

Kathy Bates, or maybe…hm…yeah, Kathy Bates. Humor is very important to me, and she does that well. We also are kinda built the same. I almost said Holly Hunter but she’s such a wee little thing.

What was the last book you read? Do you recommend it?

I dunno …. some John Grisham thing …. I’d recommend it if I could remember the title. I don’t have much of a memory for details like that. (I blame the lithium) At night I read “The History of Private Lives: The Classical Era” because it’s outrageously boring, and puts me right to sleep.

If you had to hide an elephant, where would you hide it?

At the neighbor’s house then no one would think it was mine.

Doc Brown has loaned you the DeLorean for a day. Where do you go, and what do you do once you get there?

1875, Deaf Smith County, Texas, where my great-great-grand uncle Hugh Cunningham was busy establishing yet another Presbyterian church. I am enamored of the Pioneer era, and the roles my family had in the history of the High Plains region of the Old West. I’d probably try to learn how to make beef stew from moldy jerky. I know I’d totally rock a calico dress.

If these questions sounded familiar, it may be because you’ve read them before!