Alive and kicking

Oh my! I'm sorry it's been so long since I've showed my face around these parts. I knew it had been a while, but I had no idea my last post was nearly two months ago. 

So, back in February, I had a slight cold that progressed to an annoying cough that led to a week of feeling like crap followed by a visit to the ER finally earning me a not so luxurious, overly priced, three day stay in the hospital.  Nice. I don't remember a time when I've felt so sick.  I spent a lot of time away from the computer and the more time I was away, the less I worried about what I may be missing.  The longer I stayed away, the better it felt. Like medicine for my soul.  I've not read a blog since before I was in the hospital- unless you count looking up a Pioneer Woman recipe. It's been nice. There was a time when I would have thought it impossible. Give up blogs? Not a chance. Given enough distance, enough time away, and I realized that my blog reading habits had let more feelings of negativity into my life than I wanted. It had begun to make me feel like I wasn't measuring up. Like the blog world was taking off and I wasn't keeping up. Once I stepped away from the frenzy, I realized I don't want to keep up. I just want to live my life and write about it every now and then if I have the time. No self-imposed pressure to keep up with the imaginary Joneses.  

 

So, I'll be around. I'm not sure when or how often, but I am sure playing with this nearly two-year-old peanut will come first. 

Comments

[Carol]

Autum, good to hear from you. Please take care of yourself and yes share with us, but first live your life. Enjoy that sweet baby!

Yours was the first blog that I started reading, I identify with you. I also have a Marine (currently not active) and a daughter. I am about 10 years ahead of you :) .

Feel better!

Carol Lynn

[domesticali]

So sorry to hear you've been poorly.

I sometimes wonder what kind of cataclysmic event it would take for me to go cold turkey on my blog-habit. Glad you have yours in perspective (though I was still thrilled to see you popping up on the reader).

[tracykm]

Hope you're feeling better!
Recently, all my bookmarked sites were wiped away--knitting/sewing/parenting blogs, knitting/sewing patterns, humourous sites, EVERYTHING. At first, I was horribly upset. But I figured that if I couldn't remember enough of the blog to be able to find it again, then perhaps I shouldn't have been wasting time reading it. It's been liberating!

[Bridgette]

Autum, you have been missed! But I understand what you are saying.
It's a bit of a waste of time and energy, isn't it?

[kathryn]

i totally get it Autum! sometimes i think it would be quite liberating to walk away, but really i think i'm just still struggling to find my own balance. i'm glad you have found yours, and i'll enjoy hearing from you whenever the time is right!

i'm sorry you've had such a tough winter too--good wishes and healthy thoughts to you. glad you're on the mend.

[Lynne in NC]

Autum,
So sorry to read of you being so sick. Wow! the hospital!
So glad you are on the mend.
Hugs to you and yours.
Peace.

[Elaine]

So sorry to hear you've been sick! I was concerned that you were. So glad you are on the mend. I understand about not having much blog time...our grandbabies are first and most important. But, please keep posting when you can. Your blog was the first one I found and have followed ever since. I love Pioneer Woman too. Do you have her cookbook? If not email me your snail mail and I'll send you a copy. I ordered one for myself and then my dd gave me one just the other day as a surprise. She too is a fan and she bought a copy for herself and one for me not knowing I already had a copy. I'd like to give my extra copy a good home.

[Amber P]

I feel the same way! It's hard to look at our favorite blogs and not feel like we have to measure up! {There are so many fantastic ones out there.} We just need to be ourselves and live our lives.

[Kathijane]

Glad you are better. Love your attitude about blogs... I feel the same way. They can devour your if you let them, can't they?

[Cheryl]

Hey Autum!
Sorry to hear you were ill. Glad to hear you are now feeling better.
You have a beautiful home, beautiful family. Don't ever feel like you are never up to snuff.
It was good to see you post and look forward to when you have time to again.
Hugs,
Cheryl

[christina]

So glad you're better...that little peanut needs you! ;D Missed you but completely understand.

[Cheriece]

I am so proud of you for realizing what half of America has not figured out....online connectivity isn't a necessity. Enjoy your enjoying life the simple way, and never feel that your life doesn't "measure up". You are the only one who holds the measuring tape for your life.

[Beth]

Glad you are feeling better!

[Autum]

Hi Elaine! Thanks so much for your concern. I am definitely much, much better.
As much as I love all the positive that comes from blogging it has to be kept in perspective and sometimes you just have to step away long enough to gain the proper perspective.

Id love a copy of PWs cookbook. Thank you for the offer.

I love her recipes. What is your favorite?
We love her lasagna recipe and her chicken spaghetti is a winner too!

I hope you are enjoying spring so far.

xo Autum

[larissa]

Autum- Very relieved to know you are doing well. Yours was the first blog I read and like others I feel that we are similar in many respects. I have been inspired by your posts and your creativity. Lately though I too have been feeling somewhat inadequate after reading blogs and then comparing myself to those bloggers. Just how do they do it ALL!!?? I am happy to know that I am not alone in that feeling and that taking a step away is really taking a step towards a more fulfilled life. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, and yourself. I hope to see your posts from time to time, and trust that you are enjoying your precious family!

[Robinznest]

So good to hear from you again. And I'm really glad you are feeling better. I think your new perspective on blogging is healthy and sound. We will be here when you are.
Take care!

[UK lass in US]

Goodness, you poor thing. I hope that you are fully recovered.

I haven't ever really worried about keeping up with other bloggers - but I think that I tend to gravitate towards blog authors that I think would be nice to be friends with, rather than the put-together, everything is perfect type. I don't think that I would want to be friends with them...

[Pam - captured by our cameras]

What a wonderful surprise to see you pop up on my reader. I've been wondering about you. Good for you to have the "no-pressure" attitude.

[Renee Wheeler]

I've missed you too. As with some of the others, you are the first blog that I started following.

[Nina]

hey there...glad to see you back! I try very hard not to get caught up in the blog world...and I def know what you're talking about. My attitude about my blog is it is my family journal. I get it printed each year in book form and it's for my kids. I mean seriously, i'm trying to have the first giveaway and I think only 4 or 5 people have commented. But I don't worry about. I post so my kids will have a record of our lives. Enjoy life and I'll check in with you too!

[Dena]

I'm so glad you are ok I have been wondering about you!
Enjoy your life on your terms we'll wait!
Speaking from experience (20 and 24 yr old daughters) it goes by oh so quickly and you don't want to miss a minute!

[tammy hebert]

I totally understand. I started my blog to keep track of things I was doing and to be inspired and it went crazy trying to keep up with all the mclimky parties and seeing how many followers I had- well it got out of hand and I stepped away. I now do it when I want and I look at others when I choose. Enjoy the freedom and spend time with those you love -that is what is important - not blogging.
tammy

[Shannon]

Hi Autum:) So happy to read that you are feeling better after your illness; myself as well as many others it seems have been worried about you. What you have mentioned about blogs and computer time is right on target. Lately I have been thinking what a waste of time all the time spent looking and reading. This reminds me of one of my favorite scriptures which states just because something is advantageous doesnt mean that it is okay or in otherwords good things can be bad too. I hope that you do once in a great blue moon drop a line or two to let us know how you and your family are doing and what wonderful projects you are working on. You are a very sweet and creative lady.

Take care:)

[Larissa Stretton]

Autumn,

What a nice surprise to hear from you again!! I've been missing you and was very worried about you. I'm sorry that you had a nasty stay in the hospital, but so glad you are well enough now to pop in.

Blogging should be for fun, please never feel pressure. Whatever you post is welcome so whenever the spirit moves you, we'll be here. You just gotta do what you gotta do. And that baby girl....what a beauty!! Enjoy her and these precious fleeting moments with her!!

[Tonya Richard]

I am so sorry you have been ill, Autum. So glad you are feeling better now.

I can so relate to your post, I have had to take a blogging break as well, I just do NOT have the time. I wish i could be like some of these superwomen bloggers, but I just can't. Enjoy that grandbaby, really what could be more important! I can't believe Miss Bayleigh is gonna be 2 years old?!!! Wow, where does the time go? Your blog is one of my favorites, but I can be patient and catch up with you whenever you find the time ; D