She Took Me By Surprise
I don't consider myself a cerebral type writer. I don't write alot of my opinions here. I don't discuss current events. I don't do politics or religion or money. I see most things in this world to be black or white, not much room for grey areas. I am a person who has a well defined sense of right and wrong. I am conservative, a fundamentalist, a republican and a christain with convictions.
I do not keep this journal to win readers though having readers is awesome. I love your comments. I love you. I love knowing you are out there and check in on me to see how my life is progressing.
I have found when I write my personal opinions I send readers running away. You know, click the "X" and don't come back if you don't like what I saying. In that sense I come off like some radical thinker. Which I am not.
When I came out of the closet with the fact that I have weight issues that I have been struggling with all of my life I lost half my readers. This site once attracted over 800 visitors a day (not that you could ever tell it by the number of comments). Now I am barely drawing half that amount. I often think it is because no one wants to be around the fat kid on the block - perhaps that is just my insecurties that have followed me for many years and yet in some ways it must also be true.
I really don't know why readers keep coming back here. I don't know what I offer to you all in any tangible way. I do know many of you like my recipes. I know some of you come every once in a while because maybe you feel obligated because I made you a new blog look. I am very sure some only come here to get a new blog look then they disappear. And that's o'kay. I hope you enjoy the new looks and feel pretty in blogland.
All of you constant readers give me loving friendship. Reading your comments and answering them makes me warm and tingley inside. I do feel as if you care about me and what's going on my world. For that I can't thank you enough.
Much of my posting consists of how-to's, what I am doing on this little plot of land that is in my stewardish, recipes and to brag a little on the awesomeness that is my children.
I am not an all out homesteader. I don't dream of days of living off the grid or sticking it to the man. I do try to be self supporting in the ways I can. I try to give my children experiences and the knowledge that they would know how to care for themselves in many ways without having to be dependent on an electric comapny or a grocery store.
A large part of my life is the influence of my childhood. I grew up with a summer garden, canning, freezing, animals and making things last a little longer and stretch a little farther.
I am curious about what my limits are. I have made my own soap and loved it! I have (and will again soon) raised my own poultry and enjoyed my very own farm fresh eggs.
(Badger, I wish you lived close to me. Those organic brown eggs you purchase from the market and love so much? You would covet my eggs and I would give them to you when you came over for coffee. I would also give you fresh fruit from my trees, yogurt that I made, and maybe in exchange you would help me make cheese when I get my milk goats? Yes? MMmm, fresh produce, fresh eggs, fresh milk, yogurt and cheese ... Ohhhh and if my fig trees produce like I hope can you imagine how good lunch would be with fresh figs, cheese, crusty bread, and local wine? Or desserts made from my blueberries and apples? Hahaha! I should stop here before I get carried away!)
I do cook many things from scratch and have plans to try so much more over the coming spring and summer. I want to stop buying bread and learn to make really good bread. I am not a baker. It is something I haven't ever gotten the hang of. I can bake a few things but I want to make incredible breads and know that I can bake something better then I can buy in a store. It is a challenge and one I want to tackle over this summer. I like to be engaged in hands on projects. I like to look back and inspect my progress, my successes and my failures. There is something to be learned from them all.
So can you imagine my surprise when I read that Badger had given me the thinking blogger award?
Congrats!
I do read though it is not daily anymore and I am really bad at comments.
I too struggle with my weight and I find you an inspiration for sharing your stories. Your struggles, triumphs.
I also come to see you and your wonderful family!
We're still here, Angie. I don't know why the 'others' left but I think we're all better off without them!
We're still here, Angie. I don't know why the 'others' left but I think we're all better off without them! Oh, and I do read EVERY DAY!
Angie, you are on for that lunch! I'll not only help with the cheese, I'll bring you a loaf or two of homebaked bread and teach you how to make it!
I knew you would be surprised, but you are an inspiration to me every day! And I know I'm not the only one who feels that way!
If that's the reason folks are no longer reading your blog then we are all better off without them! I've always been thin (although that is getting tougher with age and I am, for the first time in my life, beginning to watch more closely what I eat and making sure I get some exercise in everyday) but some of the best people I've known have struggled with weight - both too much of it and in a few rare cases, not enough. It's what's inside that counts!
It is definitely what's inside that counts. And if I ever get to visit with you in person, Angie, you don't have to give me anything but a tour of your lovely home and some conversation - which I know will be good. I don't come for the recipes (though I always save them). I admire you greatly for so many reasons. If those other people couldn't see the goodness in you - then good riddance to bad rubbish.
I must admit I've gotten behind on my reading. And sometimes I read through my feed reader. But see. I'm back here. Checking in on you!
I must admit I've gotten behind on my reading. And sometimes I read through my feed reader. But see. I'm back here. Checking in on you!
I have exactly 10 seconds so I can't stay and comment, but aw gee whiz, thanks for the Thinking Blogger thing-y. You know what I think about you, right? A few words that describe Angie: steadfast,loyal, determined, kind, a straight-shooter, and incredibly accomplished.
Ditto all the other comments. You are an inspiration to all!
I'm all verklempt. Thank you, Angie. And I always gain some wisdom when I read your blog. Your tenacity, creativity, righteous anger, and vast capacity for love makes me proud to know you.
Maybe we'll have a blogger playdate this summer?
Because I catch up at work, I don't always have the time I wish I did, but I do enjoy your writing. Regarding the bread, I haven't tried it yet, but I hear that the no-knead bread recipe that's floating around out there is wonderful. If you google it I am sure you will see lots of variations out there.
I read you daily (or catch up on weekends). I comment when I feel that I have something to contribute.
I find your organization a comfort and an encouragement. When I am stressed about money or bills or what I am going to make for dinner, I read, re-read, and re-re-read your organization tips and money saving ideas.
I am also figuring out how to sew. Your advice on the baby blankets made sense, and I am "getting ready to get ready" to sew them up. Since the material has been here for a while, I have washed it and will begin sewing when I purchase more 'ribbon' to sew around the edges. I plan to give them away when they are finished.
Congratulations on the nomination. You deserve it.
***By the way, I am ALSO a sturdy girl who has decided to take her life back. Current goal is 24 lbs; I have lost 12. When that is complete, I will start my next goal - of 30 lbs. ( I would give up if I started at 54 lbs!)***
Hi Angie,
I've only commented once, when I wasn't happy about your gun, I do not share your political or religious views... but it does not prevent me from reading your blog and admiring you for being an honest person. Which is what I count higher than everything else.
And I did check the thread count post recently, because I'm figuring out how to find out about quality products here in the US.
I very much understand that you'd like to be autarc, when I see what the supermarkets offer here in US I'm amazed at so much "fakeness" and it puts me off.
Thank you for blogging!
Hi Angie,
I've only commented once, when I wasn't happy about your gun, I do not share your political or religious views... but it does not prevent me from reading your blog and admiring you for being an honest person. Which is what I count higher than everything else.
And I did check the thread count post recently, because I'm figuring out how to find out about quality products here in the US.
I very much understand that you'd like to be autarc, when I see what the supermarkets offer here in US I'm amazed at so much "fakeness" and it puts me off.
Thank you for blogging!
Wow! I'm flattered, especially when I just finished posting that all I want is fake ideas and booze. ;-)
My guess? The number of hits has more to do with general demographics than you personally. We all started blogging about two years ago and I think the novelty aspect has worn off. Now, those that remain are true and constant friends. All those things Miz S. said? I agree.
I'm in transition, heading back to Chicago (where I will see THE PLANT!- I'll send a picture) so it's up in the air if I'll have time to do the linkage (I did it once a while back) but I am truly touched you thought of me, Angie. Thinking blogger that you are...thank you.
Wow! I'm flattered, especially when I just finished posting that all I want is fake ideas and booze. ;-)
My guess? The number of hits has more to do with general demographics than you personally. We all started blogging about two years ago and I think the novelty aspect has worn off. Now, those that remain are true and constant friends. All those things Miz S. said? I agree.
I'm in transition, heading back to Chicago (where I will see THE PLANT!- I'll send a picture) so it's up in the air if I'll have time to do the linkage (I did it once a while back) but I am truly touched you thought of me, Angie. Thinking blogger that you are...thank you.
Hi Angie- I hope you would not lose readers because of weight. If that is the case we are all better off that they are gone.
I am a Democrat, Methodist, do not own a gun but have no problem w/ people who do and are safe about it as I know you are. Friendship is about differences as well as things we have in common.
I do not have to agree with everything my friends and family say to keep loving them. I hope they also do not feel the need to agree with me.
It is so important to respect everyones opinions and life experiences because it makes life so interesting.I love how much youl love your kids and family, I totally adore how much you try to change the past and make home a haven for them.
Every day you post I learn something new and vow to do more things in my own life. We also share a love of the Waltons and a loyalty to friends and family. I think it is great that you want Steven to walk into a clean home and have a hot meal.
My parents have been married 47 years and they believe in mutually taking care of each other.
I am so glad you found a life partner who makes you so happy . Mostly, I enjoy that we are all imperfect but strive to do better.
Miz S is as wonderful in person as she is in her blog. Better even. She is also a great mom.
By reading these blogs I feel better about the things we all worry about. I have also been on a diet right along w/ you . I hope that you continue to write, share thoughts and just be yourself without worry. I may be different from you but would love to count you as a friend.
The bee
Hello Pet!
Long time no writing.
Thank you so much for your generosity of spirit w/ desiging me a new blogger template. I'm not quite sure where you find the time.
It's as mind boggling as the fact you had 800 readers. I have about 50 and I doubt that figure as well - I suspect it's more like 5.
Anyway, I'm feeling very torn as, well, I kinda like my blogger template - I love those blues and beige and green. What can I say, I'm a boring kinda gal. Eugh I feel so ungrateful!
Maybe you just have more people reading via rss? Like others have said, I find inspiration in your DIY attitude and kindness in your writing. That's what keeps me coming back.
And as I am rather late to the party here I have little originality to add but I will say that you DO inspire. Whether it's pressing tablecloths, preparing a holiday spread fit for kings or smooching on your wee boy - I come here and it always gives me pause...there are so many ways to live a life and you just seem to do it up right.
I confess, I don't comment as often as I should. But I am here, reading and enjoying.
I do know that comments are a 2 way street and when I am feeling lonely and unloved on my blog I 'make the rounds' and hope people will reciprocate.
As for the weight? Pee on em....no one shuns you for that. We all have things we'd change about ourselves, some are just visible.
You rock.
~K!
I confess, I don't comment as often as I should. But I am here, reading and enjoying.
I do know that comments are a 2 way street and when I am feeling lonely and unloved on my blog I 'make the rounds' and hope people will reciprocate.
As for the weight? Pee on em....no one shuns you for that. We all have things we'd change about ourselves, some are just visible.
You rock.
~K!
I confess, I don't comment as often as I should. But I am here, reading and enjoying.
I do know that comments are a 2 way street and when I am feeling lonely and unloved on my blog I 'make the rounds' and hope people will reciprocate.
As for the weight? Pee on em....no one shuns you for that. We all have things we'd change about ourselves, some are just visible.
You rock.
~K!
I've noticed that a lot of bloggers (including myself) have noticed their comments have dropped off lately. I think it's just Springtime! :)
I didn't read all the comments, so I might be repeating what others have said, but I think your "can-do" attitude is inspirational and motivates others to do more with their lives. You're always tackling one kind of project or another, even though you have your hands full. I know you inspire me to stop procrastinating and get something done.