Where Do You Blog???

Are you sometimes curious to see where other bloggers do "their thing"?  Well, when I found the link to this "Where Do You Blog? Party", I had to check it out.  You can drop by the party by just clicking here.

There are some really fabulous home office spaces....and some shots of the corner of the living room sofa, or a barstool at the kitchen counter....I even saw a lawn chair on the patio!  Bloggers find all sorts of places to get creative. 

Well, here is where I have my desk and work area tucked away....in the back corner of our guest bedroom.

I love this room.  It's the only "girlie" room in our house and I have claimed it as my own!  The windows on the east wall get the morning sun, filtered through mesquite trees out in our backyard.  The single window on the south side gets some nice, bright afternoon sun.  This room is filled with light most of the day! 

The desk was a find in an antique shop in  New Braunfels....it travelled home in the back of my Explorer one year after vacation.  I believe it is called a "piano desk" because the top can be folded down over the work/storage area - just like the cover over the keyboard of a piano.

I already had the bedding and green-painted furniture, so I went with a soothing turquoise on the walls in here.  The green sheers on the windows were a steal at WalMart for $5 apiece.  They frame the windows
and still let in the light.   And, for me at least, they somehow tie all the colors in the room together.

Although this is my dedicated work/computer/study area, I have to admit.....you're just as likely to find me out in the rocker with my laptop on the front porch most days.

But, I am working really hard to develop good habits and sit in a proper chair while I am on the computer.  Honestly, I'm trying to be a grown-up and work at this desk - I am! 

And the dogs are helping me out by keeping me company this evening...Jake and Pepper, right under my feet....

And Scout on her pillow beneath the window......

So, there you have it....this is where I blog.  And I wouldn't have it any other way!

How about you?  Where do you get creative on the computer?  Or, are you like me, a "anywhere I can sit with my laptop" kind of person???

Until later....

Jane

Seeking Balance in Blogging

I can't believe it's been nearly two weeks since I've had time to create a post for my blog! 

It's just been so crazy around here ~ overwhelmingly crazy ~ and I've been beating myself up for not keeping up with my posting.  I was kinda on a roll for a few weeks there, getting into a blog groove...and then, WHAM!!!  It all blew up on me....well, sorta.  Let me explain.

I had to go back to work.  No, wait...let me rephrase that:  I got to go back to work.  Because I was fortunate enough to find a job within a couple of weeks after I started searching.  And, believe me, this was a blessing because the money has been going out-out-out, with none coming in-in-in.  And our resources are definitely finite!

When I started blogging about six months ago, I was working part-time.  Then, at the end of January, I became unemployed when we relocated to Abilene.  My full-time job became rehab-ing this house with Eddie.  (And trust me, that is more than 40 hours a week of work, no matter how you slice it!)

Last week, knowing that I would be starting the new job this week, Mom and I worked frantically together every day, mostly in the kitchen/dining area, trying to get as much work done as possible.  And we accomplished alot!

Did we get finished?   NO...a big, resounding NO.  And I was terribly disappointed to head out to the new job on Monday morning, knowing that work was left undone.  In fact, even with Eddie working in there on his days off this week, we are not where I had hoped to be at the end of last week. 

And since I am afflicted with a form of "perfection disorder", I have in no way felt the desire to grab my camera and document the shortcomings of our efforts.  When I go out there, browsing around BlogWorld, it seems that everyone else is documenting "perfection" in their world.  I see lots of great photos of beautiful homes, completed projects, all nice and tidily wrapped up.  Normally, they inspire me....but, in my current circumstances, they make me acutely aware of my "shortcomings". 

Combine this feeling of failure on the "home front" with the exhausting effect of returning to work in a fast-paced new job, well, you start to get the picture....blogging has been the last thing on my mind. 

But, this evening I had an "Ah-Hah Moment"! 

It doesn't matter if I have finished one or many projects around the house....

or that I haven't documented our progress (or lack thereof) in photos....

or that I don't have a perfect blog post ready every other day....

That's just not what it's all about.  At least, not for me.

Blogging is about sharing my thoughts in written form.  It's a way of communicating my feelings about what I value in Life.  That's what it is about. 

What it is not about is trying to look like or emulate other blogs....or keeping up with other blogger's styles and posting abilities....or competing to gain followers. 

So, there you have it.  I am posting this without any photos.  (But, now that I've re-thought the whole purpose of blogging, maybe I won't be so hesitant to pick up my camera and document an unifinished project.)  I'm still finding "my blog voice", making lots of missteps and corrections along the way. 

Above all, I'm learning more about myself through this adventure in blogging.  That is the rewarding part...and the reason I don't want to give it up, even though I feel stretched pretty thin some days. 

So, bear with me....and hang with me....as I strive find the perfect balance here on The Porch!

Jane