Blogtober: Day 1.

 

Today is the first day of Blogtober. I've participated

for the last few years and though I'm tagging along,

I am doing it in my own way. I miss the days of

blogging where everyone would participate in

"parties" and themes but it has changed so much.
I'm still in! But understand that others have moved

on. I love capturing life and though this year has

been incredibly busy, writing to share is so healing.

Are you participating in Blogtober 2024?

~ Chy

Comments to be Approved.

I have made the hard decision to monitor my comments

for now. I've had a troll who will NOT leave me along.

He/she leaves not appropriate comments and fills up

the box. So for now, I've disabled free comments and

for those who wish to leave a sweet note (I hope you

will still visit and comment!), I'll approve yours first.

~ Chy

When Do You Blog?

Spring decor that I totally forgot to take down

last September when we decorated for  Fall.

A sweet vintage lamp that we found at

the Antique Mall a couple of years ago.

My beautiful writing desk that we found

second hand. An Ethan Allen piece and

the lovely family that sold it to us shared

they had never used it. No marks anywhere!

Time is moving fast. I wish it would slow down sometimes. We're almost finished with February. Today, I will start with a heartfelt and sincere apology. I've been very quiet on my blog but not by complete intent. For the last few years, I moved from writing 260 blog posts a year to 400. I chose that number with the idea I would write frequently, something suggested for new bloggers to gain followers. And I did just that. I also liked the idea of capturing as much of life as I can. Not just to share but also to document our journey. For now, I've chosen to downgrade slightly to give myself some grace as I move through, as we move through, a difficult time in our life. Nothing I want to share just a blip in the land of bliss. For 2023, I'll aim for 260 again and hope to get back to 400 in time. I truly hope this won't lose the interest of my blogging buddies but I do understand if it's not enough to keep you engaged. Please know I read all your blogs every day, and though many of you write each day, I have become more aware that each day doesn't fit in to everyone's schedule. I plan to use Instagram a bit more as a way to document as well, until life settles again and I can get more posts up again. For now, 10 to 20 a month is my goal, with content that varies from our little cottage interior, to our exterior, gardening, work, volunteering, family, travel, writing my book and life in general. 

Oh, and art! Can't forget our art ....

You may recall when we were building our cottage that we often joked we were "building an art studio with a house attached" and our studio is a constant state of activity. I use it for restoring dollhouses, building mini furniture, sewing, journaling and scrapbooking. It also has a workout area with a treadmill and a Bow Flex, along with a corner that is set up as a little playroom. Finally, a spot for dh to tape/livestream his radio shows on our station. I have many favorite spots in the cottage but the studio is literally a work in progress as we continue to work on it's function and style. One day, it will be all finished. 

On to other things ....

It's snowing quite a bit outside today and supposed to continue through tomorrow. It's a long weekend here ~ Family Day in Alberta ~ so we don't have to go anywhere. Lovely when we need the snow to settle before we venture out on the highway. Yesterday was busy but today is nice and quiet. I love cozy days at home and outside of this post and a warm shower, the only other things on my list today are to complete a grant that is due next week and catch up on my case notes. This is our first big snow since before Christmas. Not too cold yet but it may get colder through the week. I'm always so grateful for our little cottage in the big woods but anytime it's cold, or snowy, or rainy, I'm beyond thankful for our safe and comfy home. 

When do you blog and how often?

Where do you blog or is it anywhere?

Wishing you a beautiful snowy day 

OR one that is warm and sunny.

~ Chy

To Blog or Not to Blog?

I've read quite a few blogs recently, within the last week or so, questioning if they should continue to blog. Personally, I do understand the frustration. Lately I'm not been as sure if blogging is the best tool right now for me to share our life. Is anyone reading? I've not had many comments at all in the last few months but I know that I don't blog every single day. I'm trying to blog more often but maybe need to step it up a bit. If I blogged every day, would you read? Would you comment? Would you share your life with me? 

Maybe my readers are bored. Maybe their taste is different than mine - English Country Cottage, Craftsman, Victorian, Eclectic isn't every one's cup of tea. Maybe I write too short. Or too long. Maybe I'm not interesting enough. Maybe my occasional reference to the grief we carry as bereaved parents is too much. Is my blog too dark? Too light? The new colors I chose are maybe not quite right? The spacing I'm working on is maybe too off? 

What is it that attracts you to certain blogs? Or turns you off from others? 

Truthfully, I love to tell stories, to share bits and pieces of daily life. Maybe that's not what blog readers are looking for. I choose blogs that do this, but there does seem to be a shift. I honor that many bloggers are able to carve out a living by blogging and some have ads on their blogs. Some have a process of "clicking" in to their post, generating funds. Mine is simple and with no ties to any other entity but my own thoughts, ideas, words, pictures and questions to inspire or debate. 

I'd love to know your thoughts. Please post and share. Or send an email. It will help me decide whether I should continue to blog or not to blog. 

Love to you all on this stormy Monday!

I'm so NOT Technical.

I started a separate Instagram account today to have my blog be a focus for my blogging buddies. Tried 4 times to link it to my blog. But because I do NOT have a technical bone in my body, it won't sync. For now, I'll just post the link and hope that later, when my kids are awake, someone can help me sort out how to post it correctly. 

Hope if you are on Instagram, you'll follow my posts. And feel free to share yours here or by emailing me so I can follow you!

Chy's Instagram Link

Does anyone ....

.... have a Faceboook page linked to your blog? I'd love to link up if you do. I've started a Facebook page as part of the Authentic Bloggers site but now need to find some lovely bloggers to "like". If you have a page, feel free to send me a link. Here's my page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009566322342. I'd love you to join me on the journey of connecting blog writers to each other in a fun way, with easy access. Hope to see some likes soon!

Which is worse?

Being "unfriended" on Facebook?

Or having someone delete their name off my list of followers? A faithful reader, now lost forever.

Ouch! Well, I've been unfriended on Facebook and now I've been deleted from a follower. And I didn't like either. But for some reason, being deleted by a blog reader feels a whole lot worse to me than being unfriended on a social media site. 

Not sure if it was my post on being, finally, after all these years, mortgage free. Or maybe it's my not so great photography skills. Boring posts? Not great fonts or graphics? My sunny disposition? My whiney complaints? Too few posts? Too many?

A short note to say "hey, I don't like your blog anymore" would have at least given me a reason why and a chance to fix whatever turned that person off. Now I can't fix whatever the issue was, as I don't know what it was!

I'm sorry to the person who decided to delete me. But thank you for the time you were here. Perhaps, our blogs will cross paths again in the future!

Why Do You Blog?

I've been blogging for just a short time, less than 3 years & for 2 of those, I rarely blogged. I had a total of 70 posts over a 2 year period. Not good at all, considering many bloggers write a post each day or at least once a week. Not good at all, considering I read blogs every day, but I certainly did not contribute my fair share of news, thoughts, inspirations or commentary. I was almost embarrassed & at one point, thought of quitting, just slinking away, pretending I hadn't tried. 

But I'm part Irish, making me part stubborn! I don't give up easily but sometimes take a little longer to get where I am planning on going. Driving home one day, beating myself up, I proposed a challenge. To write a total number of blog posts to match the number of days in the year. Which equates to 365 posts. However, to be kind to myself, I'm allowed to write a certain number of posts each week, instead of committing to one per day. If I do that, I'm allowed to read other bloggers each day or when I have time. Rewards, after I've done my part. 

I've really enjoyed blogging so far this year. To date, I've written 150 blog posts in the span of 182 days, so I'm not far off. This month, with our holiday, I'll probably write more but not as much once I'm home as I have a week long day camp to run. Promised myself during that week & the second daycamp in August, I will come home & do nothing. Daycamp takes a lot out of me. The first week of September is the first week of school & again, I'll likely be missing in action. As long as I hit 365 (or more) by December 31st, I'll have reached my goal. And the guilt of reading without contributing will be gone. 

So now I'm curious. And have a few questions for those blog readers who happen to stop in. Feel free to answer these in the comments section or send me an email. I'm so grateful for your time!

For those of you who have blogged 

longer than I have, why do you blog? 

When did you start? 

Why did you start?

Do you have a goal in mind?

Have you met any of your readers 

or blogs you frequent in real life?

How will you know it's time to stop blogging?

Thank you for contributing your responses to my queries. It's lovely to get to know you more!