Sunday, October 4, 2009

NEVER SAY DIE

post_it_i_m_back

First things first! Wasn’t Otin’s story posted here during my short-lived “retirement” awesome! I’d like to thank Otin for showering me with encouragement to continue blogging. Stepping back for a few weeks has made me realize that I love it here with you guys and I don’t have to give up blogging completely just because my real life is crazy busy.

Balance has always been a problem for me. When I started blogging, it was love at first write. (I crack myself up) I’ve met so many great bloggers and found so many wonderful blogs. The problem is that I just don’t have the time to read over 100 blog posts a day. Who does? By trying to post regularly and read and comment everywhere, I began to fall behind in my real life responsibilities. I needed to get things into perspective. Walking away for awhile has given me the perspective I needed to realize that I don’t have to post everyday. I don’t have to read every single one of your posts. I don’t expect you to read every single one of mine. We all need balance in our lives. I love it here in blogland but my real life family and friends deserve quality time from me too whether they want it or not.

So, I’m back. You won’t see something new from me everyday. You won’t see me at your place everyday. But I’m back. As much as I can be until I can afford to be cloned.

You’re not rid of me yet.

***My Harley Stud and I just got back from our annual trek to Indiana. I’m working on my first Travel Tip Thursday post. Stay tuned……..***





Hugs,
Smart Mouth Broad

30 comments:

Mike said...

I am first!!!

Mike said...

Now that I got that out of the way, I am going to need to find that balance myself, but I do not write my blog for the comments, I write it for people to read. If they decide to leave a comment then I appreciate it, but I would rather you never leave a comment and keep blogging than to give up. This is a little piece of your history!

Mango Girl said...

Very wise words SMB! I couldn't agree more.

Looking forward to hearing about the trip on the scooter.

darsden said...

welcome home, and yes it is a balance. I too had to step back and take care of some things around the house. I have to NOT turn the computer on to get things done cuz like you my blog roll is well over 100! It is hard not getting to everybody and NOT to feel bad about commenting. I try my best that is all I can do.

Yes, Otin, does a wonderful job here and at his own blog. He is quite the gifted writer! You left us in good hands (big strong manly hands too)

darsden said...

Saying YOUR first then going to read...IS NOT first, Mango wins by default..YOU told on your own self dude!

midlife slices said...

Were you gone? LOL
just kidding....
I missed you.....in fact I MISS you!

MUAH...and hugs

Jason, as himself said...

I've been going through this same process recently. It seems that a lot of people have.

Which begs the question:

Is blogging just a fad?

Jan said...

HOORAY!!! SMB has rejoined the blogosphere!

Yeah. Balancing life with my obsession - because it is that - has been quite the problem lately. I've begun by not commenting on every blog I read on a daily basis. By not reading every blog that is in my reader on a daily basis. And I am planning to take more time off from blogging, too, starting next weekend when we go on a little family getaway. It's all good.

So - let me know how you like the Lodge enamelware. I love mine!

Fragrant Liar said...

Yay! You're back. I love it. I too have the balance issues, but I've resigned myself to the fact that I can't reach everybody all the time, and it's enough to write a few times a week and make the rounds as often as I can -- realizing I can't hit everybody all the time and accepting that that's okay. We all do the best we can. Glad to see you're back, SMB!

And Otin, as always, is a great read.

Kandi said...

But, Dar, I was first and second, so I really won by default! Shouldn't you be taking pictures of some flowers? LOL!

Optimistic Pessimist said...

I just figured this out too! I stopped posting every day and when google reader gets too full I hit "mark all as read" and start over. it's a wonderful feeling! I feel caught up and able to start commenting on blogs again.

darsden said...

Excuse me SMB need to speak to Otin...LOL okay you got me on the second one forgot you were second too. So just for you tune in tomorrow for a flower report..LMAO by the way your last story was excellent I can't remember if I commented or not. But I was there, I am always there!

Sharon Rose said...

Boy have I missed you!!!!!

Balance is a great thing. . . stepping back and looking at the big picture certainly helps!

Welcome back to your blog! We love you!

Midlife Roadtripper said...

"You’re not rid of me yet."

Aren't vacations worth every cent - even if you're on the back of a Harley?

Await the report of the most recent bike hike. Glad you're back.

Andrea said...

Well! You made me think, with your retirement announcement...I figured it was about familial neglect--so to speak--or the incomplete chores, or whatever. I also took a step back as I thought about whether blogging was taking time I didn't have--but I just really needed to write some things, some times. I'm glad you're back, because I think we all benefit from this--you, we the readers, and your family--because a woman 'jones-ing' for an outlet via writing is just not the same as a fully satisfied writer/wife/mother, etc.
Love you!!

cheatymoon said...

There's nothing like a little perspective to set you straight. xxoo I've missed you tons.

Can't wait to read about the trip.

Maureen@IslandRoar said...

Yay, I was hoping. I left you in the reader, just in case...

Arkansas Patti said...

So glad you are back for I had just found you when you quit. Thought it might be something I said.
Just went thru a similar thing and found daily blogging was mind sapping.
I now just try to post three times a week. Huge weight gone. Oddly, more people read my three posts than they did my daily posts.
I only have 72 on my blog list and am feeling the pressure. I just do what I can and don't sweat it.
Balance is the key.

Reader Wil said...

I am glad you are back!! I am not going to post every day either. As I answer all those bloggers who post a comment on my blog, I've decided to post three posts at the most. May be two at times when I am on a holiday, or I combine two memes.Hope to read all your posts.

Beth Niquette said...

I am so glad you're back! I also have cut back from doing daily blogs, to every other day or so. Things have gotten so busy around here.

I really do enjoy your blog, my dear! ((hugs)) back at ya!

Linda said...

YIPPEE! *throws confetti* Glad you're sticking around!

Girl Tornado said...

So glad to see you back SMB! :) And you are so very right about the balance thingie. I tend to feel guilty when I haven't kept up with visiting other blogs, and then that snowballs and it starts to feel like a CHORE, and then I get even further behind because trying to get caught up looks so daunting!

I found Jason's comment very, very interesting, as I have had this same thought myself... is blogging just a fad? Is this something that's going to die out in a few years, or even less? Time will tell.

Thanks for this post, and maybe I can establish this balance without taking a blog vacation, and without feeling guilty!

Mike said...

:)))))))))

K Dubs said...

Yay! You're back! You're back! I've missed you :)
And IN is only 45 min from me. Dagnabbit!! Hope you had a good trip, and it's good to see you here again..

Kathy

TONY LETTS said...

thank heavens you're back

Cristin said...

glad you're back. i've been posting less frequently, and commenting less too.... and the world has kept turning... go figure.

kanishk said...

I write it for people to read. If they decide to leave a comment then I appreciate it

Domain registration india

Pseudo said...

We seem to be in the same blog cycle ; - )

Anonymous said...

Yay! Welcome back!

Delaney said...

I'm glad you are sticking around!

I swear, this has been a bit of an epidemic in the last month with quite a few of the bloggers I read regularly are stepping away from the blogs for awhile. I am very happy to see it was a short vacation for you and not a permanent leave.

Welcome home!