33 comments
I have the nicest friends. I know I say that all the time. And I don't just mean because I get presents from them. It is the thought that goes into them that is the most appreciated. It is the caring and sharing behind the idea and work that is the real treasure.
Our mail was delivered to the wrong house last week so last night the door bell rang and a neighbor girl handed us mail with a package I was not expecting.
From Sandy - she 's a darling that has read my blog for a long time now - well long in blog years. The most darling cute snowman vanilla scented soap, a strawberry needle holder, a very cute ornament - putting that away for next year, and a very very cute embroidered tea towel. Now it tickles me how Sandy knows I love strawberries. Incredibly thoughtful. I can't embroider well at all so I appreciate others careful work so much. My embroidery looks like that primitive stuff 6 year olds did 100 years or so ago. And I don't mean it to look like that. Anyway thank you so much Sandy.

Have you ever forgot a child somewhere? Or have you ever missed an appointment you knew was coming up until the moment you were supposed to leave? Or have you ever left boiled eggs on the stove until the water boiled out and the eggs exploded (now THATS a mess to clean up!)? Well I've done all these things but not those specific things lately, those are just examples of a problem. The problem is spreading myself too thin (hey I used the words myself and thin in the same sentence!) I know I have to take stock of my life right now and I know it is because I'm doing too much that I've become forgetful.

I have 500 creative lovely posts from wonderful blogs in my google reader. And tasks I was supposed to do and have completely forgotten which will bring horrible embarrassment at some point. I haven't caught up from Christmas. And things at the hive are kind of topsy turvy upside downish. I will probably continue to make fairly regular posts here. But I won't get around to reading as many blogs as normal. I hope my friends understand. I need to take a baby step backwards. I'm really missing seeing what everyone is doing. I'm sorry. And I'll catch up soon and hope that life returns to normal (whatever that is) at some point in time.

-nanette
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33 comments

Carla said...

My step-father was watching the kids. He forgot there was an extra spending the night. When he herded them in the car he just counted. Okay, 4, that's right. He forgot my little brother. Poor kid sat on the front step crying for 2 hours. Take care of you. ♥♥♥

Purple and Paisley said...

baby steps backwards, deep breaths in, thoughts of good, prayers at night...luv, t

Sherri said...

Have a great day! Do something just for you!

Nedra said...

Hey- You are a mom with 8 children! We understand! Do what you have to do to take care of yourself. You are always so generous with your time and talents. Even the Savior needed to take a step back and go out into the desert to reflect.

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

we were all wondering how you do it all, guess what you do not have to be a super hero, 500, is way to many, just because people enjoy your blog, does not mean you have to read and answer theirs. pick a few of your favorites, for a day. next day a few different ones. Relax, enjoy the wonderful family God has blessed you with, and do what is important, and in the whole vast scheme of life 500 post is not it. Family, Happiness and sewing, and of course chocolate. xoxxo

Phyllis said...

Hey Nannette! Are you going to post some pics of the quilted Valentine cards? I'd love to see them for inspiration!

Sandi Linn Andersen said...

Yes, I can answer yes to all three questions and it always comes from trying to cover too many bases and the brain just can't handle it - nor my body the older I get!!
Take care of yourself. Baby steps are fine and saying no to things is really okay. Life will slow down and will return to normal again. Keeping you in my prayers. :-)

Mel said...

Hey Nanette, quilting and blogging are supposed to be FUN, not overwhelming! It's easy and fun to take big bites, but you need to let it all digest before taking another bite or you'll get a side ache and indigestion!

We love all that you do, but we can be patient and understanding that you need time for yourself and your family!

Nancy Near Philadelphia said...

Read the above wise comments again, please. What insightful people!

and the thing is, normal keeps reinventing and redefining itself, and it takes us a while to catch on.

n

rachel griffith said...

oh nanette.
you are such a sweetheart.

take time for you honey.
we all need that break.
do something for you!!!

if i was there i'd make you a big ol' pot of homemade chicken noodle soup and stick a book in your hand.
*hugs*

Karen said...

I love what Nedra said about the Savior. You might enjoy a little desert weather right about now;) Remember...if you don't take care of yourself you won't be any good to anyone else;) We all love you!

Cathi said...

Oh, Nanette -- take some time for yourself. It is SO important to do that!
Blogging is supposed to be fun, but don't let it take over. Sometimes, if I've been too busy to read a lot of blogs, I take a deep breath and then hit the "mark all as read" button, knowing that I can slowly read through my favourite blogs as I get the time without having that huge number of unread posts staring at me!

Abby and Stephanie said...

Take care of you and the hive first and foremost. I'll miss your visits but certainly understand. Topsy Turvy Upside Downish sounds very Dr. Seuss. I used to refer to my kids as Thing 1and Thing 2.

Unknown said...

Take all the time you need...of course we understand as long as you still post at least once every couple of days so I can get my Hive fix!

I recieved my wonderful All Dressed Up Quilt pattern and I LOVE IT.

I might start it in the next two weeks or so...it is itching at me to start it.

Thanks for such great customer service and the few extras you threw in there!!! I will definitely buy from your Etsy shop again.

Love ya,

Marlene

Susan said...

Nanette, sweetie, we do this for fun and friendship. When it becomes stressful, stop and remember the simple pleasures of life.

Messy Karen said...

i'm still hibernating from xmas and it feels so good.

Carrie P. said...

I understand completely. You just take all the time you need for yourself.

Thimbleanna said...

I so know what you mean Nanette. About a week before Christmas, I put some oil in the wok to make stir fry and then for some bizarre reason, I decided to go into the other room, sit at the piano and play a Christmas carol. Now, I know my piano skills are poor, but I really only played that song through once, and then, for some reason I decided to go back into the kitchen. Not sure what for, as I had forgotten about the oil heating. The kitchen was full of black smoke and I rounded the corner just in time to see the flame go out, having consumed all the oil. There was black smoke all up my cupboards, on the ceiling and I melted the bottom of the microwave. It scares me to think what would have happened if there had been just a bit more oil in that pan so that it wouldn't have extinguised quite so soon.

Definitely too much going on. What is this blog obsession doing to us???

Threeundertwo said...

I think on the first of the year, or maybe the first of every month, we should all just shut our eyes and click that "mark every post as read" button in our readers.

Don't worry about visiting! Everyone is in a similar boat it seems, and everyone understands.

Anonymous said...

I'll miss all your posts, but I understand how we must step back every once in a while and catch our breath. I hope you will spend the extra time doing something for yourself. I got my Minny Mu fabrics and I'm anxiously awaiting the tutorial on how to make the oven pads! No pressure, I'll just keep checking in. Relax.
Rae Ann

Trisha said...

Don't worry about it Nanette! We will still be here after you find some time for you!

Candace said...

Sandy is so sweet to send you those darling goodies! And we certainly understand how life can just get bogged down sometimes - I think those of us who tend to be creative also tend to just want to cram too much into a day! So take a deep breath, don't worry about us - we'll still be here when you catch up, Nanette!
Cheers!

flora said...

ditto all these sweet messages. You remain on my mind and in my prayers. You are a truly remarkable woman.
xoxo

Nan said...

I tend to "cycle" when it comes to blogging, some times I only post, some times I only read, and some times I read and follow up with a comment, commenting is getting fewer and farther between, because I can get caught up on the more interesting things if I skip that part, but as far behind as I am in reading, EVERY ones blog that I love to read, including yours, I am stopping right here and now to say, "It's all good" blog with out obligation is something I have seen on others side bars, I take it to mean, enjoy the act, but don't let it become a task! So remember that when you feel as if you are behind, and [this is advice I need to take as well] consider just jumping back in with the current post and not try to catch up with EVERY single missed entry from your bloggy friends, we all have to do it at one time or another and we all understand because it happens to everyone at some point, life gets in the way of blog land! ;) Happiest of New Year wishes to you and yours! Hugs, Nan

Nan said...

I have often wondered how you get SO MUCH done in such a short period of time - you totally frazzle yourself, that's how! I think it's time you do what's important for YOU, and not the rest of us. You are such a dear person, and I hate to see you worn out. Blogging can wait - you can't. Take care!

jacquie said...

you are what's most important! life happens and we'll all be here when you have the time.

Material Girls said...

Nanette,
Kudos to you!! I sometimes get overwhelmed with everything I need to do, (hence, my post tonight on my blog)Take time for you and your family!! We will survive without our daily fix from you!
Nadine

calicodaisy said...

Oh, don't think of blogging less right now as a step backwards, but many forward! As fun and interesting as it is, it can be a black hole of time. I go to bed at night telling myself, "Turn off the google reader and get your work done." I'm still trying to do that and justifying looking through - just for a few minutes, which turns into many more than that! Maybe we should encourage each other to only blog once or twice a week and only post when there is something important to share. Hmmm, that sounds like "don't eat between meals" .... -- Michele

Lily Boot said...

dearest nanette - you've shared so much on your lovely blog, I wish you many days of peace and calm and pleasure. xxx

Cheryl said...

We TOTALLY understand. BIG (hugs) to you.

Busy Little Quilter said...

All of the advice above sounds great to me! I can use some of that advice, too!

By the way, my package came in the mail yesterday. I was so excited! The little Christmas tree and the house ornament I won are adorable. Thanks, too, for the potholder and the little girl ornament (I know she's called something else but I don't know how to spell it. :))

Take a break...we'll be here.

Anonymous said...

Hi Nanette! Just wishing you some relaxing, peacful thoughts today. You are such a sweet and lovely person, I hate to think about you being stressed out. So I am letting you know that I don't mind a bit if you don't visit/comment on my blog heheheh. Bloggin is supposed to be fun, not another job.
sending hugs!!melissa

Kritta22 said...

We all love you! We'll still be here. No worries! you do what you gotta do, Girlfriend! Do you need help with anything?

I'm suggesting to google/blogger that they put google reader into a audio file. That why the computer could read the blogs, in our own voices, so you could do the dishes, sew and fold laundry while reading blogs. whatcha think?

I think it's going to be quite some time before it happens but it might one day.

Don't worry nanette, We heart you bunches!