First I found Sarah’s blog, Ernie Bufflo, which is named for a moniker she gave herself as a child. Twitter came later. Instagram too.

Our lives are quite different but I was drawn in by her writing. This woman is strong–you only need to read about her harrowing delivery of beautiful twins Etta and Claire to gain an inkling of that strength.

Any time I need a lift, I watch this video of Claire walking. You see, Claire has Spina Bifida so this walking thing took extra practice. Look at her go!

Meet Sarah:

OneChicklette: Your favorite qualities in a love interest

@erniebufflo: I’ve only dated my husband, but he’s a great combo of smart, patient, funny, playful, handsome, relaxed, and caring. He’s the rock to my storm.

OneChicklette: Your chief characteristic (one word)

@erniebufflo: Passionate.

OneChicklette: What you appreciate most in your friends

@erniebufflo: All the people I love the best are deeply kind human beings.

OneChicklette: Your idea of happiness

@erniebufflo: I’m happiest when I take time to notice small joys, like really savoring a meal, or a great conversation, or a good snuggle with my kids.

OneChicklette: Your idea of misery

@erniebufflo: Feeling lonely. I need alone time, but I need to know I can be with people I care about if I want to.

OneChicklette: Your favorite fictional character

@erniebufflo: Choosing one is hard for a book nerd like me! I’ll say Flannery O’Connor’s Joy-Hulga from Good Country People, because she’s Flannery’s self-projection.

OneChicklette: Your favorite thing to eat, and also to drink

@erniebufflo: Cheese and bourbon. Don’t even have to think about it.

OneChicklette: Five tangible things you can’t live without

@erniebufflo: Not counting my family as things, my iPhone, my sewing machine, red lipstick, my Wusthof santoku knife, and my Complete Works of Flannery O’Connor.

OneChicklette: What’s the number one item on your bucket list? (question via @SaraLang)

@erniebufflo: Cliche, but I want to do a long trip through Europe. I’ve only been to England. I really want to travel more than anything, but it’s hard to do at this point in my life with twin toddlers.

@OneChicklette: Who do you know via social media that you’re dying to meet in real life?  (this question came via @Tammy)

@erniebufflo: Hmmm. SO MANY! Gonna say @notsalome, because she’s smart and hilarious and we share a similar brand of crazy. She’s me in another life in a lot of ways.

@OneChicklette: How many days do you think you would you go without speaking a single word, if you were being paid $100,000 a day for every consecutive day you didn’t speak? (this amazing question came via @BrianSpaeth)

@erniebufflo: I would try very hard, but I think in the long run, I value connection more than money. But, I’d try for at least 5 days, and maybe probably fail. I can’t imagine parenting without talking.

OneChicklette: via @AndiLavs What was the last kind thing you did?

@erniebufflo: Bought my husband’s fave snacks at the grocery store. We’re into little gestures. He fixed my to-go coffee this morning.

OneChicklette: A question I should ask the next participant

@erniebufflo: Ideal way to spend an empty Saturday?

OneChicklette: Random shout out

@erniebufflo: Shoutout to @mariobatali, who I’ve learned via Twitter is a cool Progressive guy, and whose panini pan is the key to my new obsession: homemade grilled stuffed burritos.