Update on Blogging

For a bit of eye candy before I begin. Look what Miss C just found—her thumb!

While here at our granddaughter's house visiting again with this precious great granddaughter, Kathleen Grace at Kathy's Cottage wrote a post about blogging and scheduling time for the other things in life, which brought up something I've been going to post about for a while but just couldn't find words to express it. I'll explain. And this is not meant to be a nasty or mean post. I wrote it with a soft voice.

I'm a stay-at-home wife, mom, grandma and great grandma and love doing it since retiring from being the highest paid woman in one of the very top Fortune 500 companies. I loved working. BUT keeping house and home for my hubby is my priority now and just because we're retired doesn't mean we have any more time than most other people. (We all find the time when we want to.) I love this even more than that job and, trust me, I loved it immensely. I have a great respect for women who stay at home with their children. It's sometimes a thankless job from other working women and the media, but it is the most important thing you can do. There is no success that can compensate for failure in the home. Just look around you.

I love blogging and don't ever see myself stopping it, although lately I had touched upon the thought, and it definitely gave me pause. I've always said I love blogging for the creativeness of putting my thoughts together to write a post, hone my photography skills, keeping in touch with friends and helping to bring a chuckle or two to some bloggers.

But we stay-at-home women still need stimulation, especially after all the kids are gone. Blogging is one of those things that I find stimulating for me. But, as I said, a few things happened that brought the thought of stopping flitting through my mind recently.

One reason was I fell and my legs and back still aren't the same. It absolutely still hurts to sit for any length of time. Plus before that I was having trouble with my arms, more specifically my wrists and elbows. My doctor and I attribute that to sitting at a computer for long stretches at a time. Like Kathy, I had to limit my time on my computer and that meant not as much commenting. I peruse almost 300 blogs on a regular basis. I couldn't possibly comment on each one. I try to hit several a day. But I love comments also and I saw the comments were going down. I wondered why. I don't think I said anything to distress or offend anyone. I try to keep them interesting, although, I'm not one to believe that my blog is the "be all/end all" for everyone. It isn't and never will be. Maybe it was because I wasn't commenting on some blogs that definitely don't return comments unless I comment on theirs. And yes, I've commented on some that do not take the time to comment—at least on mine—or even answer a question I've put to them. I believe that is just rude to not even answer a question and it has happened several times. If I can find time to visit your blog and ask a question then you should respond. I don't have any more time than you do, chicks. I try to answer questions but sometimes there is no return email address and if I go to their blog, there is no way to email them. Hence, I have no way to contact them to answer a question that is sometimes a bit private. I won't comment on a blog if the question isn't for all to see. And yes, I've probably missed a few.

I see some of the blogs that have hundreds and even thousands of followers. I've commented and even asked questions of them with absolutely no response and never having them comment on mine. I love perusing them though and shall probably continue to do so. I have one blogger who regularly receives upwards of 200 to 250 comments on each and every blog post but this sweet woman comments on my blog on a regular basis. She is either a wonder or sadistic trying to comment on all her commenters! I cannot believe she responds to each and every comment on her blog. She is a sweetheart and the funniest blogger I've ever read.

But bottom line: My blog is for me. If it delights someone and they wish to comment, I'm humbled and thrilled. I truly am. I'm not so haughty or too big for my britches that I don't get around and comment. But with my leg and arms still recuperating I simply cannot comment on each blog I follow. I love each and every single comment I get and if you comment on here, sometimes you need to awaken me and tell me to get over to your blog and comment. That truly does help me. Plus sometimes I inadvertently will not have you as a favorite on Google Reader or as a follower of your blog. Jostle my memory and I'll be over. After all, it's what keeps me going also. And if I ever quit blogging, it isn't because of anyone but me. No one has that kind of power over me but myself. I love blogging!! It's just that simple.
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N E S T

I made these a couple of months ago because I made a set of them and gave them away sometime last year. I loved the fabrics so much I made another set—this one, but I'm keeping them. I just hadn't decided where I was going to put them eventually so they stayed in my office until now.

This is the entry into our family room. People are usually stunned when they come in this froufrou house since the decor around Idaho tends more to western decor. But we're seeing more differences in decorating more and more. As everyone knows I lean toward the romantic shabby chic style.

Still out of town visiting with granddaughter and new baby.
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Toilet Talk for Pink Saturday 9/18/2010

Happy Pink Saturday. Click Beverly's logo below and view the other participants.

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I'm visiting with our new great granddaughter out of town so this is a quick post. There is nothing pink, except for my great granddaughter, in this house and I think you're tired of seeing her about now so I'm winging it here.


Can we talk, chicks? Yeah, I'm serious here! We've had "issues" with toilets around this house for a long time.

I want a new toilet. Now, I know that isn't on the list of high priorities for most of you but it is for me. I want one of those new toilets with Class 6 flushing technology, Ever-clean technology because I don't want to clean it hardly ever, and one that will flush 10 golf balls at one time. Now, Love Bunny asks if I'm going to actually flush 10 golf balls down one, but I want one that COULD do it if it is required of it. I'm downright tired of plunging our toilets. I want it to flush anything I want to flush down it. (I doubt that I'll ever use golf balls but one never knows, does one?!) Cleaning? Look, girls, we all know how much we love to clean toilets, right? Right up there with giving ourselves eye surgery without anesthetics. This new ion-coated toilet technology guarantees much less cleaning. Some even have "under rim cleaning technology." I want it with round seat, white—I've had colored toilets before and decided I'd just buy white from now on—and the other things I've mentioned above.

But I did have to show you this toilet. WOW!!! I never thought I'd see a pink fuchsia sequined toilet in my life. Puhleeeeze!! Little too glitzy for me.
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Boise Old Home Part #2

Continuing the tour...

This little house is only 900 sq. ft. and adorable. When you see it in person it is almost like a fairy tale cottage. Just so cute you think if you close your eyes and puff at it, it will disappear.

This is a most unusual garden we passed.

It even had a stream (man-made I'm sure) running through the yard.

I couldn't resist taking a picture of this old garage. Remember when they didn't have remote controls on them? We had to get out of the car and open the doors to drive in.

It it's pink I love it, right? Yep! And that unique gate and entry is most unusual.

Is it calling your name?

This looks like a blend of two old styles, the names of which I cannot recall.

Definitely needs some tender loving care. I think someone is fixing it up, whether to sell or live in I don't know.

And just plunk this one down in middle America. Looks like a typical farmhouse I think.

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New Vignette for Coffee Table

Remember those bottles I showed you a couple of weeks ago that I was going to decorate? No! Well, take a look at how they look now.

This bottle was an old cologne of hubby's that I just couldn't throw away because it smelled so good. I decoupaged it with some roses, added paper roses to the bottom and top, some rhinestones to the decoupage and a red rhinestone button.

I love this old perfume bottle someone gave me years ago so I added paper roses, a rolled polka dot fabric rose, a vintage button, ribbon and some tiny baby rick rack.

Voila, I have a new vignette for the living room coffee table after bringing in other bottles I've made. There is one in the middle that I won on a giveaway though that is truly beautiful.

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