Thursday, September 6, 2012

It's Wine-Thirty...so let's Dish!

Hey Yall!  I'm officially back from my bloggy break and ready to dish it all out.  
I've set the table for you so come on in and let's have a little chat shall we.

I'll sit here because it's set for me.


Yes friends, it's wine-thirty!   If you care to indulge, I hope your all comfy because this may take a bit of reading on your part. 

 I have been on a blog break for many reasons.  One thing that made me take a break AGAIN was just plain old despair.  This isn't the first time I have felt this way.  I was looking at far too many popular and creative blogs and feeling like I had nothing to share that hasn't already been done or said before.   Because let's face it ladies, a lot of what you and I are sharing, someone is also doing much the same, only a different version of it.  Yep, I said it.

 The difference is that some bloggers get a lot more attention from it then others.  Some are wittier, some are more creative and some work harder at growing their blogs then others.  Hooray for them, and I sincerely mean that! The problem for me was, I did't fall into the above description.
And you know what they say about birds of a feather. 

 I had sincerely been feeling left out of the flock.

 I happen to fall into the NOT working so hard at growing my blog category.  The fact is I just don't have the time to devote to it that others do because I am BUSY woman.  Yep, I said it again!







 My plate is very full, not just with all the extra dishes!  

  I work full time outside of the home.  I have also taken on a new position in management and find myself even more hurried then ever.  I'm sure some of you can relate right?   Let me be clear, I am NOT implying that those of you who have popular blogs are not busy.  You obviously are and you are also working hard at growing your blog.  You have made it a higher priority then I do. That's fantastic.

But, let's be real and true here.  Not all of us want to devote so much time to blogging and that should be okay too.  Because, really it is!  If you blog, one of the best things you can ever do is come to terms with why you are blogging.  This can take time for some of us but, I do believe I have finally arrived!

  I read not so long ago about how you should never mention how busy you are because you might imply you are too busy for your readers.  Well ladies, I am sorry to say this but there are many times when I am and you are... just too busy!  This is life.  But, I don't feel like I should have to pretend I am not when in fact I am.  I have always felt it best to be completely honest with my readers and have always done so.  I am busy, but the fact that I am taking the time to blog should be enough to show you that I am not to busy to communicate and share with you as well.

I am not changing my blogging style which is very personal to who I am just to portray something online.   This brings me to the real meat of why I took a break.  Blogging is such a mixed bag of expectations, isn't it? 

 I recently read another post about what turns you off about other blogs.  While posts like this can be a very helpful tool for some, it was quite helpful to me except in a very different way.  Because, all I can say about all the hundreds of comments was...Wow!  Honestly ladies, who could ever meet up to all of the expectations that I read on there.  OMG!


  I certainly have committed several of those hundreds of comments and dislikes at one time or another.  OH Well!

Here's a few I know I've done...
1.Yep, I've always centered the wording on my blog...apparently this drives others nuts.
2. I'm usually way to wordy...because who has time to read!
3. I post too many pics of the same thing at several different angles....Guilty!
4.  I've used poor grammar many times I'm sure from rushing to post..though I do use spell check. 
5. I use waaay too many explanation points and cutesy language.  Guilty! Guilty!
6. I am not always sharing something new, original or exciting enough. Blah, blah,blah!
7. I sometimes share info about my family.
8. I've had music on my blog...this scares too many people.  Ooops!
9. I've not taken the time to always email people back who comment on my blog.
And No.10 (the biggest pet peeve out there)

10. I've whined and complained and not always come across as perfectly cheery and happy.
Seeeriousslyyy?????

Well, at least I've never had those annoying pop up ads on my blog that get in the way of your reading.  Haha!  But....I totally get why some of you do and I don't get my panties in a wad about it.  Life is just to short to get in such a snit about these things.  Really Yall!

It's just a blog!  I am not going to change who I am because I like who I am.  I seriously do not understand how anyone could ever meet up to all the expectations of many who commented about their pet peeves.  And, that's just it.  If you spend your time trying to fit into a mold in the blog world you may not be quite so happy.  In fact, you run the risk of loosing all your inspiration as I did.  Who says we all have to blog for the same reasons or follow the same rules?   I blog because I enjoy it and that's why I keep coming back even after so many struggles with not feeling good enough.  I am done with trying to fit into a blog mold.  I'm done trying to adhere to all the preferred blog rules and even some of the so called blog rules of etiquette.  I have my own set of God given rules and they have served me well most of my adult life.

I will whine at times because my life is full of ups and downs.  I feel like I am all the richer for it too.  I will cheer at times (hopefully a lot more now) because I have family and friends and thoughts that are awesome and worth shouting out about even if the majority doesn't agree. 


Thanks so much for sitting a spell at my table today.  If you've actually read this, I hope you'll be back and visit with me some more if you like.   I am so ready to move into my random blogging mode. I don't fit into a category, I blog all over the map, and I'm good with that.  I expect most of my upcoming posts to be very short due to time restraints.  I'm not going to let that stop me anymore though.  Blurb or blab, it's still my blog.

Well, I gotta run now I am already behind schedule for taking a shower and getting ready for the day.  I've got the day off and there is a new Home Goods grand opening today across town.  Guess where I am headed?  

I've joined the following parties today to share my story.  If this were a real party with many ladies all gathered together this type of a discussion might just go on right?  I think so and I happen to think there's room for all of us at the table.
So come on and join us at;


Have a good one!



15 comments:

  1. Bravo Mary! I too just blog like I want too. I don't care about growing my blog or making everyone happy. My blog is an expression of me and if you don't like me you won't like my blog. I'm so happy I blog and enjoy my time doing it. If it becomes a chore I will stop! Big hugs, Linda

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  2. Hi Mary..

    first I want to thank you for visiting me- cause I sure know how busy life it for all of us.
    also I appreciate your very thoughtful and heartfelt post..

    I realize we dont know each other well but I hope in the future when some of the feelings you spoke of come up= email me. Sharing your feelings one on one and knowing you are Heard is very important and often just what we need to release us from even feeling/thinking that way. We may not always agree but having someone to bounce your thoughts off of helps. I know cause thats what I do.

    very pretty purple dishes in that scape..

    take care and post when you can. I'm always happy to see what you have to say here and to read your comments on my blog.
    xoxo
    Sonny

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  3. I couldn't have said it any better! You hit the nail on the head that's for sure. Blogging is a ton of work and I do it just mainly for myself and have fun sharing my love of decorating with others as well. Anyhow blog for what you want to blog about, I don't think there should be specific rules how retarded!

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  4. I'll always remember the bible study where I first heard, "Putting your faith in people, places, or things will always end up the same way...disappointment.". I agree with you...I'm pretty much out there with my 'style', and readers will either enjoy it or they won't. I check my stats at least once every six months or so. LOL. I don't envision that I'll ever have advertisers knocking at my door. I can say that I've been introduced to a number of delightful people whom I would love to meet in real life some day...and you're one of them. Happy blogging on our own terms. Cherry Kay

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  5. Hi Mary,
    I am so happy and thrilled seeing your blog.

    I thought "Gee, shall I sit and read all she wrote?" Honestly, I am not a popular blogger, however, when I open a blog, I seriously and honestly, read every word they wrote. I never left any blog not to leave any words either.

    While reading and scrolling down all the words you uttered, I found myself in you. Exactly, what you mentioned. I am not stressing out myself due to a blog nor witty and whatever other bloggers do to catch other bloggers. There are many of a so called "bloggers" that don't even come and visit who visits them.

    I am busy career woman too. To tell you, I have time doing my blogposts if I wanted to. I don't have kids to take care of. Both are grown ups and one have his own life a Chef cook and a student for a Brain Scientist.

    But, again, I have my life to enjoy. Life is too short. I do blogging for some reasons. Lucky to those who are paid by bloggers. Earn their blogs. I earn from my degree and I am enjoying working with big time banks in the world.

    Isn't it harmonic feeling that, you meet big time bosses and meet all your international clients in a fancy hotels, dinners and banquet?

    I salute, definitely, Lady and if I ever meet you, one day! I take a deep vow, for taking this issue in bloggie world.

    May you have more strong days ever and more blessings into your daily bread, that I can call "Real Blessings".

    God bless to you and your family.

    Greetings from a chilly Stockholm,
    /Chie

    P.S.
    Whatever spellings or grammatic incorrect, pls bare.
    Thank you

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  6. LOL, Mary- I so get it! I don't fall into any category either- I just kind of ramble about things that strike my fancy. I center my wording, I use crazy POOR taken pictures...yep...but I love my blog and I love my readers and that's all I need to know- Take me or leave me- You pop in an blog whenever you feel like it and, because you are real, that will keep your followers coming back- xo Diana

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  7. Perfect post. Amen and I so totally agree. Can't wait to read more. Hugs, Marty

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  8. I enjoyed your post so much. I love blogging and what I do most it's tablescaping, as I have a love affair with dishes. I'm sure some of you, generous ones probably like it and some don't like my posts...but that's the fun of it. There's just the two of us at home now, no children or grands living close by us. Since hubby sold his ceramic co. where I worked designing dishes, I do nothing much, but blog, cook, blog, see mother, blog, go to tea parties, blog, buy antiques, blog, clean the house, blog, more, or less everything else aaaand blog, etc., etc..lol One thing though, I try to never fail to visit back, or I plain visit. I love apreciate all my blog friends that comment and take time to come by my posts...and if they don't come around, I still love them! Have a happy weekend and so glad you're back.
    FABBY

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  9. Wow, I think you spoke for alot of bloggers. I am also in management and understand where your coming from. I have had the same thoughts a few times but I have finally come to terms with the fact that I blog for me as well as to share things with others who really are interested in what I have to say or show. I have been a blogger for about a year and a half and still don't have 100 followers. It used to bother me but not any more. I too think it's great for those who blog for a business but me, I just do it for fun. I love the friendliness of most people and the positive feedbacks you get. So cheers to you and all the bloggers who just want to have fun.

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  10. Wine thirty...I love it. Interesting comments about blogging. It does take time to Rwandans write, and sometimes that's a real problem. I constantly have to remind myself that I'd do it for me and that it is not a competition. When some bloggers post about the number of followers they have, I have to resist not feeling overlooked and remember why I bother to write.

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  11. Totally agree with you. I'm really trying to stay true to myself & blog when I want to. Some times I have quite a few things to share, but other times -- nada! I've also decided that for me, it's okay if I simply do a post about my every-day "stuff." I don't do the ad-thing or have sponsors & don't plan on doing that. I blog for fun -- pure & simple. I hope you find your "blogging groove," and can just enjoy it again.

    Love your tables cape, by the way. Your breakfast room looks very inviting.

    CAS

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  12. Amen, totally agree! Love your tablescape and the centerpiece, too! Thanks for sharing! XOXO ~Liz

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  13. What you wrote fits me to a T!!! I have been on a blogging break for over a month now. Oh, I still visit my favorite blogs and I'll comment from time to time, but I caught myself trying to "keep up with the Jones'" so to speak and in doing so, found that my creativity was just non-existent and I was being way too hard on myself. I do plan on returning to blogging, but I will only post when I feel like it and I'll write about what is important to me. Blogging can be fun if you keep it in perspective, but when you start comparing how many followers and comments you are getting on your posts to someone who blogs daily, well, it can really bring you down. Plus when you work a full time job outside of your full time homemaker job, then time most certainly is limited. I enjoy your blog and applaud you for taking a stand! :)

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  14. Mary, Mary, Mary! Blogging is for fun! Some take it way too seriously, sitting for hours fixing their photos,lol!
    Do what you want, when you want, and IF you want.
    I am glad I didn't see that post, I would feel inferior! I do agree about the music, Though, lol!

    So when I do a post about cleaning my sink, you know I have totally run out of things to talk about!

    Love your table, the purples are wonderful! Wine thirty, lol!
    Thanks for linking to Let's Dish! I would miss you if you didn't!

    Email me where I can read that post about what bothers bloggers, I need to know!

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