So today’s post isn’t going to be spectacular or share worthy in any way. I am just warning you now and getting that out of the way right off the top. Whew, I feel better now that I’ve lowered all expectations 🙂 I miss old school blogging where I just chatted randomly about this that and the other thing. It gets exhausting trying to be so darn creative all the time I tell ya. Sometimes I just have verbal diarrhea (not to be confused with organizing diarrhea) and just want to share some things without a care in the world. So with this post I’m going to do just that. I have no idea what direction it’s going to take so I’m thinking it might be a good idea to apologize now for the lack of anything poignant or substantial for you to tell your friends about. But hey if randomness is your thing then you have come to the right place!!!
I just wanted to pop on with some reflections of my life lately. Like how I’ve got a million things to do but am somehow doing a really great job of avoiding all the pressing things in favor of reading. Oh how I do love to read but I don’t do it as often anymore because once I start a really good book y’all there is nothing anyone can do to make me put that book down. I just can’t. Take for example this one I just finished reading.
Oh my goodness, I seriously love Melanie’s books. This is her third one and it’s all about friendship. She is a fine writer with a nice sarcastic bent that I just love and can relate to. And as you can see I ordered the large print through my library by mistake but can I just say it’s the best thing EVER!! I’ve still got a stack of books on my nightstand that I’m dying to get into but I just cannot if I want to get anything done around here.
For instance, months and months ago I thought of a neat and sweet little project I wanted to do as a gift for my daughter’s upcoming graduation. And I say upcoming like it is still months away only I’ve run out of months and now I’ve only got two weeks and I am exactly 10% done. What in the world? My family is always teasing me that I really need to read some of my blog posts to maybe learn a thing or two. Sheesh they are brats, the whole lot of them.
Speaking of teasing, my husband and I were going out the door the other day when he looked down at the floor of the entryway and counted four pairs of my shoes just lying about haphazardly (and by haphazardly I mean out of their proper place, gasp!). He then pretended to snap a picture with his phone in order to show all of you. Nice guy that he is wanted to out the organizing junkie, ha! But you know what I have to say to that, if it’s not annoying me, I don’t fix it. If it’s bothering him, he could fix it. Which meant of course that he continued to walk around my four pairs of shoes for the rest of the day. I like to organize things that drive me crazy but apparently shoes that day weren’t one of them. It’s just how it goes sometimes.
One of the books on my nightstand waiting to be read is The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. Have you read it? Oh my word the hype on this book is out of this world. So of course I had to buy it because I am nothing if not a band wagon jumper. Why else would I own a lipstick collection the size of Jupiter? Man those beauty vloggers are persuasive (and by persuasive I mean they tell me what they own and I have to have it, don’t judge). So back to the tidying up. I’ve looked through the book and watched some video reviews of it and I am excited that it is changing people’s lives with the whole “does this bring you joy?” question and all. Nobody should be hanging onto stuff they don’t love, amen to that. Haven’t I been telling you that for years? But some people get really attached to their stuff and everything brings them joy so that kind of scares me a little. Not only that but my philosophy is that no matter how much stuff in your life brings you joy you can only keep as much as you have the room to store it. You’ve got to purge until it fits! See look at that, I did manage to throw in an organizing nugget for you to share with your friends. You’re welcome 🙂
So last month I quietly let slip by the fact that I celebrated 9 years of blogging. NINE years!!! Isn’t that something? I don’t really like saying it too much because it makes me sound really old and as far as blogging goes it is a really long time. When I see how much other bloggers have accomplished in less time I have a little moment where I think, I could have, would have, should have. But you know what, I’m proud of this here space and how I’ve grown it over the long haul. And while I did write a book many moons ago, I haven’t done other things like write an ebook, develop a course or offer consulting (not yet anyway!). I’ve maintained contentment and haven’t allowed my blog to burn me out and I know that’s the main reason I’m still here after all these years. Fun fact: my kids were 6 months, 7 and 9 when I started blogging and now they are 9, almost sixteen and 18!! My oldest is off to University in a couple of weeks! Where has the time gone?
My blog has always been centered around the organizing I’m doing in my own life and now with my kids getting older there are less posts from me about organizing with young kids. It’s one of the reasons I brought on contributors, to help me fill that gap. I’ve always had a heart for young moms in the throws of motherhood with babies and young ones under foot. It’s hard and it’s demanding and it takes some hard-core resilience. I so remember those days and honestly I hope I don’t ever forget because I always want to have compassion for those in that season of life. Hang in there, you are doing a good job momma!
Next Wednesday is my birthday and I confessed on Instagram yesterday that I’ve already opened three presents!! Such a little cheater pants I am! But here’s the thing. If you are going to be mailing me a present and you send it to me in advance of the big day, that present will sit there and speak to me until I just go ahead and open it already. A girl can’t be rude, it would just be wrong. So open them I do and it is so much fun! Gosh I love birthdays but I may have told you that a time or two before :). My girlfriend bought me these sweet little forks in the Crazy Daisy pattern I collect.
The line has been discontinued yet somehow she keeps finding pieces for me. I just don’t even know how she is doing it!
And for fun here’s an old picture of my teapot that I love to use as a vase.
Oh my word, I just now went back over and read this post and it is all over the place. So glad I warned you in advance! I have no fancy conclusion in summation (look at me using fancy words like summation!) but I feel like it’s time for the rambling to come to an end so the few of you still with me can just go ahead and close your eyes and have a wee nap. Who doesn’t love a good nap? Or feel free to share with me some random reflections from your own life? Because why not!!
Chow!
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Marcia Francois says
Oh Laura, if anyone can bring back old-school blogging, you can!
🙂
I haven’t bought that book yet… but I intend to. I think I may read it quicker if I get the audible version though. Are you into audio books yet? (they will change your life!!!)
Laura Wittmann says
I haven’t tried an audio book yet but I love podcasts so maybe I should look into it. I love listening to something as I work.
Stephanie says
Sometime you just have to be random. Happens on my blog often. ;).
http://aneducationindomestication.com
Laura Wittmann says
Random is good!!
Hilda says
Laura I love this post! It’s so nice to just read what a blogger is thinking about. I’m so impressed that you’ve been blogging for 9 years and that you’ve found a way to do that without getting burnt out.
I’ve read most of the Tidying book and I totally agree that people can love more things than they have space to store. It’s one of the things I’m not a fan of with her method. I think there are other things that don’t translate as well to a North American family home too. I’m interested to hear what you think when you’ve finished the whole book!
Happy birthday Laura!
Laura Wittmann says
Thanks for the birthday wishes Hilda!
Nicole Q-Schmitz says
Happy Early Birthday! I’m almost done reading the Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up; and I’m slowly plugging away at things that bring me joy. It’s a great premise; but she also advocates doing everything at once… and I don’t really have a large block of time to do it at the moment!
Laura Wittmann says
Most people don’t Nicole and it can be so overwhelming that way.
Havok says
Happy birthday! Opening presents early is how we do Christmas, and it’s fun (until you get to Christmas and there is nothing left to open, ha!).
Random blogging should be a bigger thing. I enjoy posts that bring in real life just as much as the posts that have a concrete point. Something that Pinterest hasn’t helped, honestly! I much more prefer the posts that aren’t “Pinterest worthy”, simply because it’s far too easy to get caught up in the idea that since so much of a blogger’s life is shared, that the rest of their life is awesome – akin to your shoe story. We all have our own “shoes about and in the way” parts of life, why can we not share those bits too?! 😀
Laura Wittmann says
Thanks so much for the birthday wishes, I’m so excited!!
Annie says
Love and miss you so much!! oh and it is Ciao…not chow (just had to add that) haha!
You need to do more “old school” blogging!
Laura Wittmann says
You have always been my wise friend 🙂
Gina says
Oh, this sounds like the “old Laura” and it’s so good to hear your voice. You know I’ve been with you for the long haul. Love you!
Laura Wittmann says
Hi Gina! Hope all is well with you 🙂
Christine says
I really enjoyed your ‘random’ blog post today 🙂
Laura Wittmann says
Thanks Christine!
Martina says
I really enjoyed this post, I’m a relatively new reader (12 months or so) & it’s really nice to hear from the personality behind the blog, makes you more “real” to me and not somebody so “anonymous” if that makes sense.
Laura Wittmann says
So glad you are here Martina, welcome!
April says
Laura – I just love your posts! I’ve been reading your blog off and on for so many years! I really hope you don’t ever stop “old school blogging” =)
Adrianne says
LOVE Melanie Shankle! All her books are magical!!!!
Laura Wittmann says
They are the best!!!
Liz B. says
Laura, this is an awesome post. I love “this and that” blog posts. If it’s considered old school, so be it. 🙂
I have tried reading the “magic of tidying up” book you mentioned – and frankly, it didn’t resonate with me. Couldn’t get past the first few chapters. I agree, too much clutter just gets in the way, but this didn’t really enlighten me or encourage me in my efforts to organize. I realize I may be in the minority, and if it helps others, that’s great. Please keep on encouraging us the old school way!
Laura Wittmann says
You got it Liz!!
Brenda says
Laura ~
So good to “hear” your old voice… and casual style of blogging. I enjoy reading your posts and learning what is happening in your world. It doesn’t seem possible that so many years have passed. Please do it again. While I do enjoy the posts from your “girls”, you are the one I enjoy the most. You have a delightful way of showing that you are human ~ just like us: ~)
Laura Wittmann says
Ah so nice, thank you!!
Mridu Parikh says
Laura,
Don’t take this the wrong way….but I just fell in love with you all over again. LOL!!! Happy birthday friend! Just keep doing what you’re doing — it’s awesome! xo, m
Laura Wittmann says
Thanks Mridu! You are pretty cool yourself 🙂
Linda says
I enjoyed reading this. It’s nice to know what’s going on in your life..
I hope you have a wonderful birthday!
Linda
Laura Wittmann says
Thanks Linda!
AmyE says
love, love this post. I miss the old school blogging. Happy birthday! all the cool kids’ birthdays are in June! ???? I must say while I like Pinterest for some things, it freaks me out no end. I prefer more authentic voices( not to say that everything on Pinterest is fake!) just keep on being you! More randomness is good.
Laura Wittmann says
I love being random 🙂
Meredith from Penelope Loves Lists says
I love this post. I miss this kind of posting. You should do more! And so should I.
I feel like I know you better now and that’s a good thing.
Happy birthday, you superwoman!!!!
Susanne says
I looooove you when you ramble. So fun to catch up with what’s happening with you. Did you come down my way last month? Happy birthday to you, you naughty early present opener you!
Laura Wittmann says
Hahaha, I know right! No we didn’t end up visiting, just my daughter went. She found a place to live and will be there in a couple of weeks to work for the summer. Hopefully she finds something right away.
Rachel @ Useful Beautiful Home says
((hugs)) You’re just the cutest! Thanks for the rambling, makes the rest of us feel up-to-date on your life, lol.