Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger

Susan from Must Love Junk, and myself wanted to do a regular feature on our blogs, something unique that hasn't been done before.   So we came up with an idea to 'spotlight the real life behind the blogger' in a more personal way.

There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland, and we thought it would be fun to bring you a closer look at the person behind the blog.

Every week on Saturday we will spotlight a blogger and have them tell us a little bit about themselves and their blogs.  You will be able to see and read about each of the bloggers on both Susan's and my blog. 

Mary from My dogs My Garden And Mary
June 7

This week's spotlight is of Mary from My Dogs My Garden and Mary blog.  Mary is fairly new to blogland and has a beautiful blog.  So after getting to know Mary in Spotlight please hop over to check our her blog.  Mary has become a very good friend to me and my blog.  You will love getting to know her.

First, I would like to thank Kris from "JUNK CHIC COTTAGE" for featuring me today as part of her Saturday Spotlight:  "LIFE BEHIND THE BLOGGER SERIES".  I feel so honored to be asked since I am so new to blogging.

My name is Mary Ferguson of mydogsmygardenandmary.  I was born in Clifton Forge, Virginia.  My mother was visiting her sister and the farm where she was born, when mom went into labor before she was due and I made my early entrance.  My parents were living in Cleveland, Ohio.

Every summer I would spend my vacation between my Aunt Nell's house and the farm in Springwood, Virginia.  Oh, what fun I had and the wonderful memories with my cousins, swimming in the James River, picking cherries and playing all day.

Graduation picture

After graduation and living in the cold Midwest, until I was 21, I wanted to go where it was warm - so being very adventurous my girlfriend and I hit the road for sunny California.  We had so much fun traveling across country and seeing the sights. I got a great job in Los Angeles and met my Prince Charming and got married.

But that only lasted 8 years and then we divorced.  We had a wonderful son, Shaun who lives in Los Gatos, CA along with his daughter Kelly.  Kelly will be 12 in October and of course is grandma's girl.

Kelly and Shaun in Hawaii having a wonderful hamburger.

I was a stay-at-home mom until Shaun turned 5 years old and then I had to go to work to support my son and father.  Eventually I worked my way up to Director of Sales and Catering in the hotel industry for 14 years.  I have to say I loved my jobs and my career path took me to many famous places and a introduction to a wealth of interesting people.  Met President Ford and numerous entertainers that stayed at the hotel.

My home is a little yellow cottage in Fullerton, CA, and was built in 1955.  My room mates are, Waldo - a Border Collie and Lili a Dalmatian/Lab mix.  Both of my dogs were rescued and are my best friends.

Waldo and Lili taking a nap

Waiting for their dinner - looks like they are starving LOL

Opportunity knocked on my door to go and work for a large manufacturing company that made

fabricating equipment.  They offered me the position of Trade Show Manager and Meeting Planner.  I also managed their Travel Department and set-up all in house shows, trade shows, and all employees and customers travel arrangements.  Through this job I was able to travel to many countries and throughout the United States.

I was appointed the first woman chairperson for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and Metal Forming Association for exhibits.  I felt very honored to hold this position since it was a "good old boys industry", yea for women!

My employment lasted over 19 years and then I was laid off due to 9/11 and the very slow economy.  150 jobs were lost due to many of our customers losing their businesses.  I then settled into retirement (which I hated) so I threw myself into gardening and re-decorating my home.  But, after 4 months I needed to go back to work as I was so bored.  I had a little craft business "Fergies Fineries" , which I did very well, but I missed being around people.  So back to hotel sales for 5 more years.  I have to say I loved my job, and was very happy meeting people and traveling again.

But as fate would have it I became very ill and ended up the the hospital with pneumonia, kidney failure, asthma and bronchitis.  WOW was I ever sick!  But I got well only to find out that I now had COPD.  You know that commercial with the elephant is sitting on your chest - well when that hits you, you have to take it easy and rest.

My hydrangea's in bloom - very early this year - the white ones are the mopheads

Again, here we go  - I was so bored and my dearest friend Phyllis from"aroundthehouse" got me interested in reading her blog and a few others.  Loved reading all the blogs but I didn't know how to post.  One day Phyllis came over and we sat down at my computer and spent hours teaching me how to post.  I can truly say that I love this terrific journey, meeting so many wonderful, caring people.  I have only been posting for 16 months and I can't image not blogging.  It has renewed my interest in so many interesting things.

My dinning and living rooms

Just a few of my roses that the wind and HOT weather didn't destroy along with Feverfew flowers.  I like the Feverfew flowers as fillers for my bouquets.

Again, thank you Kris for Spotlighting me on "LIFE BEHIND THE BLOGGERS SERIES"


Thank you Mary for sharing your personal side with us.  Love Waldo and Lili they are too adorable.  Now that you have gotten to know Mary please hop over to Susan's blog and meet another wonderful blogger Donna Distressed Donna Down Home.
Have a great Saturday everyone.
Kris
:)