Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Currently

Reading ... I'm reading through the book of Mark in the Bible. In fiction, I picked up Akin to Anne by L.M. Montgomery, at the library. It's a  book of short stories. Each chapter is its own little story with new characters to meet. It's written in true L.M. Montgomery fashion which I enjoy, but somehow this book is beginning to wear on me. So many orphans, so many impossible happy endings. I'm sad to say it's beginning to get to be too much for me. In non-fiction Steven and I have been enjoying reading through a world atlas book that is filled with fun facts. He chose it as his bedtime story book instead of one of the many children's books he could have chosen from. Who am I to argue his choice?

Writing ... so far this week the only things I've written are two blog posts, a few words on Instagram and Facebook, answered an email, and created several schedules and to-do lists.

Watching ... nothing at the moment. There was a baseball game going last night, but I think I may have only taken a handful of short glances at it.

Listening ...  to the rustling of pages being turned, and the fun scratchy noise of pencils traveling across paper. We have started our new year of school.

Cooking ... we're not having much for lunch today. A nice salad and then I'll heat up some left over fish.

Drinking ... lots and lots of water.

Wearing ... a pink and black top, and a slate gray skirt.

Loving ... the roses that are blooming right now. We have numerous rose bushes, but somehow they seem to take turns blooming. Last evening we had quite a bit of rain, when it had slowed down to a fast sprinkle I dashed outside to take a picture of the roses while they still have raindrops on them.



Playing ... Steven found an old Chutes and Ladder game board. I have no idea where it comes from, but it's missing the box and all the playing pieces. That didn't deter him though. He set it up with toy animals for games pieces, dug out a die, and asked me to play. I set aside what I was doing and helped him play. I am decidedly not a fan of the game. It goes on and on and on and on. Every time the end was in sight we'd land on a chute and go sliding way back. I may have finally invented some new rules that made that his toy animal was strong enough to climb up chutes as well as the ladders. Surprise, surprise! He won!

Wanting ... some fun journaling supplies.

Needing ... to get some things thawed so I can make supper tonight for my hungry family.

Crafting ... some fun little projects that tie in with Steven's history.

Feeling ... happy, hungry, and just a touch sleepy. My alarm clock got me up half an hour earlier than planned this morning. The idea of missing that sleep is making me sleepier than the actual loss of 30 minutes of sleep.

Disliking ... this ugly virus that is making its rounds through our area. Currently four out of the six of us have had a turn. Here's hoping the remaining two will somehow be able to escape catching it.

Thinking ...  about the whole blogging thing. When I started nine years ago the blogging world was filled with tons of fun blogs that I loved to visit. They shared their life, their thoughts, ideas, tips, encouragement, and anything else that happened to be on their mind when they sat down to write another post.

That type of blog is getting harder and harder to find, being replaced by those who have carved out a specific niche for themselves and stick firmly to it hoping to earn a living through the ads, product reviews, and affiliate links they share. That's perfectly fine, but I miss getting to know the writers and I will usually not visit those regularly.

That said ... I've felt somewhat confined with this blog ever since I wrote my first book. I need to keep it Amish related I was told. It took some of the joy out of writing when I had so many things tumbling through my head, and I had to sift through them all to find something more "niche" related.

One day I decided to start another blog. One where I can be just me, and write anything and everything I feel like. I have loved it. But this blog, A Joyful Chaos, is still the dearest to my heart. I was considering this for a while already, and this morning as I sat down to write another post for my other blog, instead of posting I closed it, shut it down, it's over.

So in the future you can expect much more of a variety of posts here. Yes, I'll continue sharing memories of growing up Amish and the journey that brought us to where we are today, as well as other Amish related things. But there will also be anything and everything else.

20 comments:

  1. Well I think that is marvelous because it's authentic. We're more than just one aspect of our lives. I personally enjoy all the posts you have on your blog. I loved learning your history and how you got where you are today. That said, that story is now completed and your life is continuing. I find that equally as interesting. I love seeing how your respect what your history has taught you and has helped to shape where you are going. That is worth reading in my opinion. I'm excited to see what is coming next!

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    1. Thanks, I'm glad you enjoy all aspects of my blog.

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  2. I love “everything” blogs. Your writing will always contain a touch of Amish, because how we grow up influences our lives in ways we don’t necessarily think about but others do. (From one who grew up Mennonite 😉)

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    1. I don't think I'll ever lose all my "Amish-ness" It's part of who I am, and I'm okay with that.

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  3. I'm more than happy for this blog to be an "everything" blog! Don't get me wrong - I love your Amish posts, but I don't like the thought that you feel boxed in. You should be able to write about whatever you feel led to share on each given day.

    Also, I share your disappointment with the current trends in the blogosphere. I think it's great that people are learning how to market their gifts and earn a living, but the thing that draws me to a blog in the first place is that feeling of getting to know someone, and learn from their experiences. Yes, I know I'm not getting to know them face-to-face, but sort of in a pen pal way. When a blog I've loved turns into a commercial-zone, it isn't as appealing to me anymore. Again, I'm not saying people shouldn't be able to make money. I'm just saying that, when a blog begins to look like a catalog of ebooks and pay-per-view videos, it usually doesn't capture my attention as much.

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    1. I think we feel much the same about commercialized blogs. It's fine if they want to make money that way, and I'm happy for them. But it's also fine if I no longer find them interesting to read.

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  4. Beautiful photo of your roses! I laughed at you making up a new rule for Chutes and Ladders. I can remember playing that with my sons when they were young. It is a very long game!

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    1. I have no idea how long the game would have continued if I wouldn't have changed the rules. I was happy when it was over.

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  5. I agree wholeheartedly with your view on blogs. I enjoy getting to know people through their blogs and I do not enjoy sifting through a lot of ads. My blog is about my life and not about any specific thing. Most of the people that I read who are on my sidebar feel the same. I’m glad you’re going back to writing about all aspects of your life as I have always enjoyed that.
    Many blessings, Betsy

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    1. Thanks Betsy, I'm looking forward to blogging "outside the box."

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  6. Beautiful rose. I admit, I groaned inside when I pictured your son asking you to play chutes and ladders. It’s not my favorite either. Clever way to speed it along. I agree with you about blogs. Write whatever you want to write. I don’t think you need to “keep it Amish.”

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    1. Chutes and ladders is a game I'd be fine with had it never been invented.

      Thanks for the encouragement to blog freely.

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  7. I am so happy you feel free to write any type of topic on here. I agree that I miss the blogs as they used to be and I am so glad you have decided to stay that way! I still say reading your blog is like sitting down with a dear friend and a cup of coffee or tea or taking a walk through a beautiful garden. It is lovely so thank you for sharing!
    Just out of curiosity what is your normal school year schedule and would you be willing to share why you choose to do it that way and what you like about it?

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoy my blog.

      Our normal school year has the usual 180 days/nine months. We just choose to begin in July and end in April, instead of September to June. The reason is once springtime arrives we're ready to head outdoors. We would much rather start doing school during the hot summer days and then be free to enjoy spring. I know it isn't for everyone, but it works for us.

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  8. I recently found your blog and enjoy it very much. I am looking forward to your future postings. Your photo of your rose is very pretty. Nice to meet you!

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    1. I'm glad you're enjoying my blog.

      Nice to meet you too!

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  9. Mary Ann, I agree with you. Some adds do pop up on my blog but that's the price on a free site. I'm certainly not pushing anything! I really enjoy your Amish memories, and especially look forward to those posts.

    As for Chutes and Ladders? My eldest (at that time my only) daughter played it when we visited a friend, and even she wasn't impressed. We've never had it, and the girls never missed it.

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    1. I don't remember any of our other children enjoying Chutes and Ladders, but then again, we didn't have the game when they were little. Steven would play it regularly if he could, for some reason he thinks it's great. Maybe because it takes long?

      I'm glad you enjoy my Amish memories. I plan to continue posting those several times a week.

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  10. My kids are thankfully old enough to play more interesting games! Our family plays Scrabble a lot. We also play Yahtzee and Guesstures. When my son was little, his favorite was a Diego Number Lotto game! He used to think that anteaters were called CAN'T-EATERSA! Hah! Thanks for sharing, as always.
    Jan
    Laughter and Consistency

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment. I love hearing your thoughts.