Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Another Post? My Pledge to do Better.

Good Morning!!  The sun is shining and the snow is melting.   Makes for a beautiful day!   I've been so out-of-the-loop for so long now, I'm not even sure I can make it back.  But I figured, "What the hell.  Gotta Try, right?"   So....here I am with the 1st post of 2012. 


Lately I've been trying to decide what to do with this blog.   Since I haven't regularly posted in over a year, I have been contemplating just shutting it down.   But that seems so sad.  I started this blog oh, so many years ago and it would be too hard to shut it off completely.   Do I just post once every blue moon?   I don't like that idea either.   In a perfect world, I would get my baby back up and running just like the "old" days.   However, I'm not sure that is reasonable.  My life went from busy to just plain out-of-control when I started back to school.    I very rarely have any time for just me.   Unfortunately, me-time IS blogging time.   When I'm not at school, I'm doing homework.  Or helping a kid with homework.   Or trying to keep my house from being marked for demolition.   Or playing chauffeur.    Or grocery shopping.   Or working.   And this list goes on......


But if I am honest, I MISS my blog.   I miss interacting with all of you...if there is anyone out there that actually checks this blog anymore.  I miss talking about books.   I miss reading other blogs.   I miss signing up for reading challenges I never even come close to finishing.   I miss finding out about new books from people that I trust and respect.   I miss....THIS. 


So, I hereby pledge to do a better job at managing my time.   With that pledge, I also plan on keeping this blog going.   Even without posting more than a handful of posts last year, I STILL get bombarded with review requests.   I will probably take it easy on the ARC's for a bit.   I just need to read more for pleasure.   This will be hard, but I really plan on doing it.  I get cranky when I don't get a chance to read!  


With a wonderful Christmas and birthday already behind me, I have some new toys to play around with.   Thanks to a wonderful family (and this includes my in-laws), I now have a great new laptop to take with me to school....and let me stay connected almost anywhere!  AND I also got a Nook!  I swore up and down I would never have one.  But the girls picked it out for my birthday, and the family got it for me.   So, I HAD to give it a try.  Truth be told, I really like it.  The amazing B&N gift card from my brother came in handy and I have already downloaded some great  books to my library.   Since it's a Nook Color, I'm able to connect to the Net and maybe keep up better that way too.   Hopefully. 


I'm hopeful I will do better this year.  I don't make resolutions on New Year's cause I never follow thru with them.   But this pledge is different.   It's something I need to do to keep my sanity, so follow thru is a must for me.   I'm even looking into self-hosting...finally.   A blog redesign is definitely in the works, though I may not get to it till summer break.  This semester is already going to be tough enough.   One week of classes down, and I am already struggling.   Had to have a Lab Science class, so I'm taking Chemistry. Yuk.   Exceptional Learners (Intro to Special Ed).  Modern Humanities.  Modern Western Civ (for my History Minor) and Masterpieces of Classic Lit.    The Lit class is an honors class and is going to be tough.  Had a writing assignment on the first day (though I did get an A) and the reading list is HUGE and TOUGH.   Starting with Homer's Odyssey.    And I'm trying to get in about 5 shifts a week, so my time is going to be limited.  BUT I WILL DO IT THIS TIME.   


Looking forward to hearing from you, if anyone is still out there!!   I gotta go now.  The books are calling.   Textbooks, that is!!    I'm leaving you with a quick pic of me and my Nook!!   Later all!

23 comments:

Andi said...

Well it definitely sounds like you're SUPER busy, but I'm so glad you're moving along at a good clip. It sounds like school is tough but fulfilling, and I'm so happy you got a NOOK! Now we're Nook buddies. lol

Looking forward to whatever you post WHENEVER you post! Take it easy on yourself. :) We *heart* you!

Stephanie said...

Thanks Andi!! I heart you too!! I'm definitely a Nook Buddy!! You can even "borrow" some of my books.

Bonnie Jacobs said...

I'm still here, and I miss you. Go for that degree, though. It's important, and you'll be glad when you have it.

Stephanie said...

Thanks Bonnie! There are days when I feel like throwing in the towel. But I won't!

How have you been?? I miss you, dear!

Kailana said...

I am so happy to see a post from you! I miss talking to you, so even if appear once in a while it will be lots of fun. Reading challenges are just not the same without you!

raidergirl3 said...

Glad to hear from you whenever you can. The beauty of Google Reader, is that you show up whenever you post!

You are certainly busy. Enjoy your time in school, and with your family. The blog can be like an old friend taht you see once in a blue moon. But it's great to get together with old friends, no matter how long it's been.

Debi said...

Oh you silly, silly girl, you!!! Of course we're still here. And we'll be coming back any time you post! Be it weekly, monthly, or yearly!

Stephanie said...

Kelly, I miss you too!! I promise to be around more often. Like I said, now that I have the new laptop & the Nook, I'm totally wired. Whether it's here or Twitter, or some other format, I will try to be around more. I MISS challenges, even if I do suck at it!

RaiderGirl...Hi! I forgot about Google Reader. I used to have an account set up, but you take some time off and it fills up quickly! You are right though. This blog is like an old friend that I haven't seen in quite awhile.

Debi - Thank you! That really means alot. I try to read all your blogs when I get a chance...but sometimes I feel like I'm snooping if I don't post much. Gotta get out of that mindset. And just post more often!!

samantha.1020 said...

Yay! I love when you post just to hear how you are doing :) It sounds like you are crazy busy...I'm thinking that I'm going to have to go back to school myself next semester so I'm trying to prepare. LOL! Good luck finding some you time...and good luck getting back to blogging. You've been missed :)

Marg said...

I was surprised when I saw a comment from you today on my blog, and beyond pleased to see a post! Please don't feel like blogging is something you have to force into your day. You have a lot going on without adding unnecessary guilt about blogging!

We will be here to see you whenever you post, and if that is more then that is fab! If it isn't, then we will always be pleased to see you!

chrisa511 said...

Aw Steph you know I will ALWAYS follow you :D I'll take one post a year from you :p It's better than nothing!! Excited that you got a Nook :D I was the same as you…I swore I'd never get one but once I did I love it! I really want the tablet now though :p

Michelle said...

You're here! You're here!! I can only imagine how busy you are, so anything you do on your site is fine by me. Just as long as you manage to drop us a line now and then!

Don't you just love the Nook? Mine goes with me everywhere. So awesome!

We still love you, Stephanie, and will be here for you whenever life lets you have some me time!

Stephanie said...

Hey Sam! That's great to hear that you might be going back to school too! We can always commiserate! Just let me know if you ever need any tips about what NOT to do!! Keep in touch.

Marg - I've seen you on Twitter the last couple of mornings, but just didn't jump right in. Slow process for me. It's been too long. I didn't even know you changed your blog. Looks great! No worries. I've never really worried about posting every day. That has always been way too much for me.

Chris - Thanks!! I have missed you tons. Thank you for the wonderful Christmas card, by the way. I'm so bad...I never even got mine out this year. But I am going to try really hard to keep up with everyone. Can NOT go another year without OUaT!

So Michelle...how is my favorite accountant doing these days?? Yes, I'm back. Hopefully, I'll be around a lot more. Finally realized how much I miss this. Priorities, ya know?? Will definitely be seeing you a lot more!

Bookfool said...

Glad to see you back! You are one seriously busy gal.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

I always love seeing your name pop up on my reader, even if it is every year or so. ;) Take care of YOU first--and ditch the damn ARCs. None of the cool kids are doing them anymore. Ha!!

Enjoy your time--no matter what you're doing! (I know..easier said than done...)

Susan said...

I am just so happy to hear from you, Stephanie! I think about you often and hope you and your family are holding together, you;ve had such a stressful few years already. I am really thrilled for you for going back for your degree, and you know, I think we all understand just how little 'me' time there is out there to begin with. A once a year post is good if it lets you feel balanced in your life.

That's a heck of a reading list you have there!! You know, you could always post about what you are reading for school - you know, two lines: "THe Odyssey is so LONG! when will it end?" as a way of keeping us in touch with your bookish thoughts! lol mostly though, take care of you, and we will be hear for you.

I'm so happy you posted htough!! :-) happy new year to you and your family, Stephanie!

M.S. Watson said...

Hi! Just dropping by to say that there's currently a Liebster Blogging Award going around, encouraging up and coming bloggers with less than 200 followers. If you'd like to find out more, here is a link to the post: http://rissabooks.blogspot.com.au/2012_06_01_archive.html
Feel free to ignore if you wish. :)

Harry Nama said...

You've got a good blog here, just wondering if you review any kind of book.

Kayla Rose said...

Would you like to review Bled My Blood? A fantastic, YA drama? I'd love to email you a synopsis and/or my novel! Thanks!
Kellie

Kayla Rose said...

Would you like to review Bled My Blood? A fantastic, YA drama? I'd love to email you a synopsis and/or my novel! Thanks!
Kellie

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