contact pr friendly giveaways cafe hops blog roll

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

This is Post #99!!!

Today is my 99th post. I had no idea when I started blogging that I would have so much to say and share. It all started as my way of reaching out in the hopes of connecting with a few other moms who were not only raising small children, but doing so while struggling with the side affects of menopause.

Well! Imagine my surprise to find that I have amassed well over 200 friends who have shown me such love and support! I am still surprised when the comments stack up, so many of you reading, commenting, sharing your stories and offering your support and experience. I'm still overwhelmed some days at the honesty and trust we have in one another.

Unfortunately there is a flip side for those of us who choose to put ourselves and personal thoughts out here. I too have received ugly comments from cowardly individuals hiding under an anonomymous signature. When that happens, I just use my delete button and let it roll off of my back. I don't want to waste my time or energy on negativity. I also don't want to get caught up in the drama, childish behaviors and name calling that goes on among some bloggers. I'm happy to have left that behind in grade 7. All I am looking for is a place to share a laugh, ask for advice or tell a story.

That brings me to my next dilema. There comes a time with blogging, reading and commenting when you have to stop and ask yourself whether blogging is getting in the way of life or life is getting in the way of blogging. I'm at that point now where it is taking up so much of my time trying to keep up with the reading and commenting, that I've come to a decision.

Right now, I have to make my 3 1/2 year old daughter my priority during the day. I will read and comment when I can and as a result,  I will be posting less often. Right now it's nearly every day and I'd like to try cutting that back to every second day or maybe three posts per week including my Sunday Weigh In. If I could, I'd add about 4 more hours to the workday so I could fit in everything I want to read out here but we all know that's not possible.

If you notice I'm not around as much as before, it's because I'm spending that time with my precious daughter, reading to her, drawing with her, painting and teaching her.



I'm still going to be here (mostly after my little one goes to bed and hubby is glued to the TV watching sports) so I'll check in with you when I can.

For now, I just want to say how great it has been to be embraced by such a warm and supportive community of the best blogging buddies out here! Thank you, Thank you!

Now it's time to put away the computer and get out the crayons!

51 comments:

Lee said...

I feel you. Real life takes precedence...sad isn't it??

Mama-Face said...

It is all about priorities. We need a blog listing site just for this type of blog. hmmm.

Just be here when you can...it's all good. Families should always come first. Well, maybe not always...

Venom said...

You'll never regret time spent with your child. See ya when I see ya MenoMom!

GunDiva said...

I'm with you. I've started scheduling out posts, so I can write a whole bunch over the weekend and still "post" during the week. While it's working out, I miss the spontenaeity of just throwing something up that piques my interest.

Buckeroomama said...

Good for you, momma! Sometimes blogging does get in the way of 'life.' Sometimes I just write a whole bunch and then schedule the posts for the a later date... that helps a bit.

Amy said...

I totally understand. Have a great time..

The Four Week Vegan said...

You go momma! Little ones always come first and I for one will be here when you do have time to post and visit.

Anonymous said...

Good for you! Your priority is in tht right place!

Unknown said...

i have cut back my blogging time a great deal, and i have actually gotten things accomplished. i do miss my blogging friends, but i try to catch up with them at least once a week. enjoy your time with your little one, that is really what life is about.

hugz!

Anonymous said...

You're a good momma. I've had to make that same decision in the last few weeks but it's been well worth it. I look forward to hearing from you soon!!

Formerly known as Frau said...

It's more important to play with her and blog later pretty soon she will be fighting you for computer time.

Jackie said...

I'm with you! I only post once or twice a week now and it's a much better balance.

Connie K said...

I so understand on all of the above! Am a loyal follower Deb, so ill be waiting till your next post enjoy the time with your daughter :)

Corrie Howe said...

I understand. My kids are big enough that they don't need as much of my attention. But when they ask for it, I try to give it.

Sarah at The Stroller Ballet said...

Have fun! I love reading/painting/coloring. Come to think of it, my little one should be up from her nap anytime soon!
PS - agree with everything you have said about blogland. Also appreciate all the support you have given over the months!

Shannon K. said...

I'm right there with you. I have been feeling this way lately more than ever. In fact, I like the blogs that post a little less frequently. I feel guilty when I don't read them all, and there is no possible way, with my little ones, for me to get them all in.

So good for you, and I am right with ya!

Stephanie said...

Congratulations on #99!

BODA lose weight

Anonymous said...

I agree with you Deb. Life comes first. I have scheduling a bunch of post that way I don't have to think about writing one everyday. And I get some reading in while my baby girl is napping and then some more at night when every one is in bed.

Samantha said...

It does get tough, reading everyone's blogs and posting every day. I try to squeeze reading in while Bree is eating lunch...but even that is getting difficult. Spend time with that precious baby girl, I'm doing the same!

Matty said...

I've read many posts similar to this, and did one myself. You do what you feel is best and the blogosphere will understand. Blogging is fun, but when it interferes with real life, you have to set priorities. That's what I did. I applaud you.

Anita said...

Blog when you can. Those of us that enjoy "knowing you" will always check in, even if it takes a week before you can post again... just like we did when you were on vacation. :)

Aunt Juicebox said...

I know what you mean. I spend so many hours doing this, and then when I can't because I have to deal with events going on in my life, I feel guilty about not getting to read/comment on everyone's blog. Spend as much time as you can with your little girl, she will grown before you know it. You always have time for blogging later.

Danielle said...

I am with you. I stress about getting all e-mails, comments, and advice return. It is a job sometimes, when it shouldn't be. Have a wonderful time spending it with your daughter. Family is first, always.

ethelmaepotter! said...

Me too! I've about decided to "take a break" from blogging; trouble is, there're so many subjects I want to blog about before I take my break! If I could either A) stop working or B) stop sleeping, I could keep blogging, but since A pays the bills and B is pretty much a human necessity, it seems blogging is the thing that will have to go. Why does is have to be the one thing that brings me so much joy?

Lori P said...

I've just faced the same type of thing myself! Just joined your blog and my kiddos are older, but I'm still looking forward to keeping up. Nice to meet you and I totally agree with your decision. Priorities and all that.

Helene said...

I totally get where you're coming from! I took a much-needed break this past weekend for an entire 3 days and I have to admit it was really nice. No pressure to come up with a whitty post, no pressure to read or comment on other blogs...it was consuming way too much of my time and I never even noticed it until I took the break.

Sad thing is...my kids even noticed. One of them said, "We better get back home so Mommy can use her computer".

The only reason I'm able to read/comment right now is because I just helped the older ones with their homework and they're happily watching a movie...and the little ones are napping.

But, for the most part, I'm cutting back as well.

Anonymous said...

Always good to prioritize...you'll always treasure that time with little one. Congrats on your 100th!

Liz Mays said...

I actually love when I see this happen! You have your priorities in the right place!

My Aimless Infatuation said...

You will never regret your time spent with your daughter,it goes by in a blink. Enjoy,we will be here.

Rebecca S. said...

Wow! I spent about 24 hours over the weekend barely speaking to my husband who claimed I was becoming 'obsessed with this blogging thing'. To prove him 'wrong' I decided to shun the computer for the entire weekend, make a yummy dinner and coconut cake with chocolate ganache for Valentine's day for my family and felt really good about it. I decided he was right. I feel better when I have my priorities straight. I started 'speaking' to him right after he gave me a beautiful card, chocolates and my favourite bath salts ;)

Anonymous said...

I agree with you and everyone else! We all understand!

TheFitHousewife said...

Congrats on #99! I have recently made the same decision, blog less and focus more on my 3 boys. I find the reading and commenting takes up so much time!

Danielle said...

I completely understand what you are saying. We will all still be here!

Bunnym said...

Deb,

Seems to me, that your priorities are in order. I too started blogging only last May and once in a while it seems to take on a life on it's own. I find myself laying in bed at night thinking of how and what I'm going to write. So I've cut down too. Good for you!

tootles,
bunny

Unknown said...

I think there's been a wave of this going around and I have felt it myself. I am not posting every day anymore and the comments are out of control---I feel like I have to go back and visit everyone every time and it's overwhelming. I so get it.

I am stepping back a bit, too.
;-)
And congrats on 99 posts!

Mixed Reflections said...

Good for you! Making time for your family is never something you'll regret. Keep right on ignoring those shiter anonymous posters. I had a really nasty one a few months ago. What rejects.

The Mind of a Mom said...

Never feel bad that you can't post! Your little one comes first. Sometimes what I will do is write a few posts and then date them for future release. Like you I only have a certain amount of time for the computer so I pick one hour to "blog" in the evening and two hours on Sundays after church. So pass the crayons I'd like to join you two :o)

Ashley said...

I do not have a child (yet) and I have not hit menopausal times yet...but I think I found you because I saw a comment sometime, somewhere that you got married in NZ...and that is how I came to your blog...a while ago.
I find it hard to keep up with blogging too. Writing on my blog takes me 10 minutes tops for each post, so that part is easy. It is reading all the blogs I want to read that takes A LOT of my time! I have a huge project at work, so I have been reading at home and my husband is sitting across from me as I write this, asking when I will turn my attention from the computer to him...

Melissa said...

I understand! I will be looking forward to the posts you are able to make!

Ducky said...

They grow so fast...drink in every second you can steal with her!

I think we are all feeling that way as of late. I've spent more time 'unpluged' from blogland lately...

Respectfully Yours said...

Hi friend, I feel your pain, literally. Check out my blog...LOL

Anyway, I have left you an award at my place. So when you have time....no rush. Come on by for a visit. Enjoy that little girl, time goes by too fast. We will be here waiting whenever you have time.

Happy Tuesday.

Annie said...

I totally understand! My life has been getting CRAZY and I have had to cut back on things to fit it all in as well.

Let me just say that you have amassed all these readers cause you are so honest and a talented writer! I will look forward to your posts even more now that they will be farther between :)

Gina said...

Hi, I'm childless and not menopausal, but I really like your blog!

Heather said...

No worries here, I totally get it. I can't even imagine trying to follow and keep up with 200 blogs. I can't even manage the 40 I do, it takes me all day.

Time with the kiddo is A#1 top thing to do.

Stephanie said...

I think this is a brilliant plan and hope most people understand it is just the way it is! I post about three times a week and just comment as often as I can. There really are not enough hours in the day!
I'll always be checking in with you. I love your blog:)

Lisa said...

I understand completely although your humor will be missed. Enjoy those crayons and stop by when you have time!

Hissyfits & Halos said...

What a great Mommy. :)

We sure will miss you, but I'm so glad you've found what's most important to you in life. :)

dearheart said...

Congrats on the 99th post! I can completey relate to the effort to be both a good mother and a good blogger. (:

Annie Z said...

Good for you! Being with your daughter is definitely the way to go!

Now that I am back at work, I am finding it so much harder to get keep up. And I don't want to be in front of the computer when i really want to be spending time with D.

I want to be there for others and comment on their blogs, but I must also make time to do my posts because I want to make sure to record my conception journey and not leave anything out. But it's also important to me to always respond to peoples comments and visit their blogs too. Aaaahhh!!

I've made a similiar decision this week. Make sure I keep up with every ones blogs a couple of times a week. Make my conception blog the priority. And most importantly, Blog Without Obligation!! There is just not enough time in the day!

xx

gayle said...

Congrats on 99!! See how far behind I am..and it does bother me but I do what I can do. I work outside the home and don't have a little one to take care of and it is still very time consuming...plus I don't even post everyday. You don't need me to tell you that you made a very wise decision..but I will anyway...You made a very wise decision!! Your littel girl is going to grow up fast and time will fly by. I miss those days now that my daughters are grow. You will never regret making her your top priority!!

HeartsMakeFamilies said...

I totally understand where you are coming from. The switchover has taken me so far behind that I just realized I could only do what I can.