Frankly, My Dear… is going on vacation!

Dec 11, 2012 | 4 comments

I admit it. I got frustrated yesterday. Really frustrated.

I know I shouldn’t. I know I should revel in this Something Good that is my new job and a clean house… but I almost lost my temper. I definitely lost my Happy Place.

I discovered that I’m doing myself a disservice. Frankly, My Dear… is nearly two years old. And since August 1, 2011, I have blogged every.single.day. Sometimes, more than once.

In the beginning, when it was about social fiascoes and gaining confidence, it didn’t matter how trite my posts were. Or so I thought. But the more I wrote, the more I had to say. The more important it became to say it well.

And yesterday, my frustrations grew as I realized for about a month now, I’ve not written the way I want to continue to write.

Yes, November and December are always my busy season. Dot’s birthday. Holidays. And this year… a day job! Very exciting stuff. Very exciting, keep-me-on-my-toes stuff. Very exciting, keep-me-on-my-toes-and-holding-my-breath busy stuff.

It dawned on me… I need some R&R. I need to stop this “need” to write, and write when I have something to say. So that’s what I’m going to do.

Don’t worry. It’s just for a short time. For the week between Christmas and New Year’s, Frankly, My Dear… will be on vacation. We may check in from time to time. Run a few ideas past you. After all, I can’t just cut writing out cold-turkey!

Between now and then, I’ll post every day. A vacation is only a vacation when it’s a direction away from something else. If I quit writing now, what kind of vacation is that?

Come to think of, this all consuming day-job is a vacation from my unemployment. Hey, I like that! It’s a good job. I’m still learning the office procedures and rejoicing when glitches are generated from the Home Office system and not because I forgot to do something like hit the enter button. My budget is slowly balancing itself. Actually, it’s more of a teeter-totter; but now and then it levels off.

I need to focus on my job. And my bigger writing projects. My correspondence course. And better blogging. Guess what!

I’m not SuperWoman. Surprised? I am!

So this frustrating revelation led to a better outlook. Instead of remaining frustrated, I’m taking a vacation. I’ll give myself the end of this year to plot out Something Good for next year! Better blog posts. More advertising. Maybe a day trip or two with Mutti and Dot.

Definitely more recipes and writing. And positively a better budget. More reading! And making better use of my lunch hour for such things.

Yup. I just need to regroup, make a schedule, close my eyes, and listen to… nothing. Just for a few days.

I’d invite you to come along… but I think that defeats the purpose…

I’m learning to just be still. And keep my eyes closed. Sometimes it’s just as hard to not see the world, as it is to pay attention.

Retreat: Be Still

I refuse to be a victim of sensory overload.

I’m gonna take a vacation!

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

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I Don’t Care About Kim!

Nov 7, 2011 | 6 comments

Some of you saw the post title and are already nodding in agreement. And that’s exactly why I don’t care. Because you already know who I’m talking about. Because the world is so much more important than the Kardashians and their money-making publicity.

I think mainstream media does us a huge disservice by placing such stories in the “News” category. Since when is how high-maintenance a person is, news? Since when is someone’s paycheck (or lack there of), high priority knowledge for me and my family?

I want news to be news: What is the government doing to protect and serve us? What natural disasters are occurring worldwide? How are people helping other people?

I really don’t want, or need, sordid details of someone’s sex life. I could care less what people do in the privacy of their own home as long as it’s not illegal or immoral.

Yes, there are things we need to know about. So later, we’re not blindsided and say, “Where the heck did that come from?” Yes, it’s important to keep an eye on Politicians, the economy, and headliners.

But our current societal climate is making the economy the Celebrity. There are no great performers, no great actors or singers or athletes. It’s no longer about someone’s talent or offerings or goodwill. Now it’s just about their paycheck. And the bigger their money bags, the bigger their attraction.

Kim Kardashian can afford to be beautiful. She can afford to have her name in print every time I pick up a paper or glance through a magazine.

But where’s the news? While reporters and paparazzi are busy making Stars out of those who have money, the real stories are getting ignored and even pushed aside.

It’s almost Thanksgiving. It’s certainly the season to appreciate what you have, even if it’s not much. It’s the season to go beyond yourself and what image you want to project into the world; and instead reach out to those less fortunate, in need, and desperate.

The only thing I see Kim K. being desperate about is making headlines. And that just makes me sad.

I keep a photo on my fridge, but it’s not of her. It’s not of any celebrity. It’s of the first Thanksgiving dinner I had in my first apartment. My table was overwhelmed with turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, dinner rolls, sparkling apple cider, and pumpkin pie. That entire meal personally cost me 76 cents.

Why? Because I was blessed by people who wanted to contribute to my first “Big Holiday Meal”. Because I knew how to coupon shop. Because I bought a candle that cost 76 cents, with tax!

I keep the photo up year round to remind me that even when I don’t think I have much, I have far more than I need. I guess I’m more like Kim that I thought.

I wonder if I could get a sponsor to pay me just for being me? Maybe my family and I could be the official spokesmodels for Target or Wal*Mart….

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