Tuesday, January 17, 2012

If I never blog again, this is why...





No. I didn't get a makeover and now I look like a pink-haired Katy Perry. But I did consider growing my hair out and trying the look for a few brief moments over the weekend. Chip even gave me the green light to go for it. But instead, I got my hair cut today, so this look will have to wait.

The real news is that I finally caved in to all the friends I see posting things and linking inspiring food, clothing, home decor, crafty projects, great quotes, flowing wedding gowns and a million other things that they see and love, and I got myself a Pinterest account. I am sure that most of you already know about, have a thousand pins and spend all your free time adding to your boards or browsing others. If you don't know what it's about, you are in for a treat. Or you are in for giving up free time that you would normally have for things like cooking dinner, folding laundry, reading kids bedtime stories, showering and anything else you can squeeze out of your normal schedule in order to spend more time on this site.

Between Face Book, mothering 6 kids, maintaining a rental home, marriage and now Pinterest, it's going to be a feat for me to update this blog at all. =)

Really though, I have to admit that I struggle with wondering what I should write and share here anymore. Years ago when I started Nitty.Gritty. I had fewer kids, lots of pictures and stories to tell- old and new, as well as the naivity that my family and friends would want to read my stories and see the pictures I posted too. The fact is, most of my family and friends no longer check in on this blog and those of you who do, I am not even certain why you read or keep coming back. There has been a huge shift in my happiness level the past couple of years, the stories seem to be the same ones I tell, just in slightly different ways. And well, the photos are fewer and farther between. Especially now that we've moved and I can't find my camera cord, so I am left with pictures snapped from my cellphone.

I sort of chuckle at my own self thinking that someone might actually miss me if I'm gone too long. I had high hopes of resurrecting my frequent posting here this year. And then Pinterest came along. I am actually hoping to do some of the fun/cute/interesting projects I've seen on the site and I hope that maybe getting some of my creativity back may help my happiness level jump a few notches at the same time too.

Life has not been as fun for me lately. But I am going to try with all my might to put a spin on it if I have to and bring back some Joy. Not because I have any more free time or energy, but because I truly believe that it's been missing far too long and I am finally saying, "I've had enough". The pits are only so fun for so long. The dark days don't breed light on their own. I know that because we've been sitting in them for awhile now and I am realizing I haven't been living out so much of what I have written and posted about through the years. I was reading some "old" posts here and literally found myself saying, "I wish I was more like that!" And the "that" is me...so I have some changing to do! I am feeling ready for change. Ready for light. Ready for Joy.

Ready for more Nitty.Gritty.

The good, the bad and hopefully some fun and inspiring in between.

If you see me with pink hair in the next few months, you'll know I am starting to find my way back to the happiness that my heart has longed for. And if it stays the way it is, I still hope that I will find happiness and fullness of life even so. If I never blog again, something has gone awry.

Because I love blogging and I hope to never fully give up on Nitty.Gritty.

Even if the rest of you do. =)

36 comments:

Jennifer said...

delurking to say I hope you stick around! I for one appreciate your honesty and outlook. stay strong!

Jennifer said...

I hope you never fully give up on nitty gritty, too!

(I still haven't given in to pinterest because I don't know where I would find the time, but it's tough to resist!) :)

Anonymous said...

As I read your post, I was thinking that you were going to announce that you weren't going to blog any longer. I was so glad to reach the end and find out differently. SO happy you will keep writing here! I remember exactly how I found your blog. I was reading Whitney Cerak's blog and you had made a comment. For some reason, I clicked on your name and landed on your blog. It has been almost six years since then. I enjoy reading about your family. I am a tad older than you .. a 55 yr old mom to three grown children and a gramma to three darling grandgirls. I've never commented here - will try to comment more in the future to, in turn, give you encouragement. -Vicky in Missouri

Lisar said...

As someone who reads your blog fairly regularaly, thought I would send a little encouragement all the way from Australia....I am unsure how I was directed to your blog originally, but I have a few which I read which I find encourageing and challenging...and I find myself praying for the people whose blogs I read...so whatever you do...may God Bless you...and I know what you mean about Pinterest...addictive!!!

Anonymous said...

Just to let you know I still check your blog down here in Florida. I am a former Michigan girl and have been reading your blog for several years now when I found it thru another blog. Hope you are enjoying your new living area.

Debbie said...

Another lurker coming forward to say don't give up! Sometimes you need to share more when times are tough!

MelanieL said...

I'm looking forward to seeing more from you via the blog as well. A few years ago a friend of mine told me I had to come read your "story" about Teagan and I'll never forget sitting at work and crying my eyes out. I have been checking in and reading ever since. PS: I still need to check out Pinterest too, I'm hearing so many good things about it!

SophieJP said...

I honestly came across your blog somehow recently and although you haven't posted much since, I still check periodically because I feel drawn to your words. God has given you that talent to share! I look forward to reading your posts!

jenny said...

We DO love you, Jody. I'd miss you if you stopped blogging, but I understand the need to re-prioritize sometimes. Just look to Him and do what HE says, whether that is blogging, pinning, or just kicking back with your family as you allow Him to restore your JOY. Praying for you. God bless.

Rosie said...

I have struggled with my own blog for many of the same reasons. I realized that Facebook had taken my interest away because I got a bit of feedback. I am a little blogger. Never had a following- however, I realized that the blog was where I was documenting much Of my life. We have had some struggles that will never be on the blog- much too personal even for family, but I decided that I needed to keep at it.

I also had to limit my fb time because it didn't bless my life. It actually really detracted from it.

Joy is elusive at times. I am glad that you are going to try and keep writing and try to cOme out of your funk. May God bless you on your way.

Anonymous said...

I hope you find your joy and share it! In doing that maybe we can all learn to find the joy too! Sending a hug!

Anonymous said...

I've never commented before, but I want to encourage you to do whatever the Lord's will is for you, blog or not blog. I have enjoyed reading your blog, and keeping up with your wonderful family. My prayer is for you trust God, and to find your way back to happiness!

gayle said...

I check on you all of the time...look for joy. Happiness is a choice!

Unknown said...

Oh you don't know how glad I am to know that you aren't giving up your blog.
Even though I haven't met you in person, I feel like I know you. I've shared your story with my Mom and Sister because you have touched my heart! Your blog and what you write are all so very honest & it reflects us real women out here too.
We none are perfect & we would like to be.....Hang in there...I'm praying you get your "joy" back. You would look AWESOME with some pink in your hair. You could "rock" it!! :) :)

Dara Wills said...

I check your blog every single day! You are such an inspiration to other mom's and other Christian's. Please don't stop! And I would totally go for the pink hair if I were you.

Samantha, Jonathan & Ella said...

Another comment to say I hope you keep on blogging too! I've been reading your blog for a while, and I have noticed a shift in your "happiness" level (so to speak), as you mentioned. However, you still always manage to turn things around and point to our Creator. You never know how the words you share may touch a life; I think that is especially true with Teagan's story, and continuing to tell that story and how it intertwines into your lives now. You are such a refreshing voice, and it's nice to have a "friend" I can relate to in this WWW world we live in. Prayers that the Lord will restore you in this year!

And, I totally understand the fascination with Pinterest. I've been there myself; but, believe it or not, the "new" actually does wear off. I still love it; just not quite as addictive as it once was! :)

Oh, by the way, this is one of my favorite quotes: "I cannot believe that the purpose of life is to be happy. I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be compassionate. It is, above all, to matter, to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference, that you lived at all." -Leo Rosten
That, my friend, is you. You have made such an impact in the lives of others, simply because of your willingness to share every part of you - the ups and the downs, the good and the bad. Thanks for that, Jody!

Christie said...

Another one delurking to say that I enjoy your updates. I found your blog after seeing one of your scrapbook pages about Teagen a few years ago in a magazine. I live in Ohio so I almost felt like we were neighbors ;o)

Anonymous said...

As a reader from Little Rock, AR, I hope you don't stop posting. But whatever you decide, I want you to be happy again. I hope your move will help lift your spirits!

Anonymous said...

Jody, you are a bit misguided to think no one is interested in reading about your life! I live in northern Alberta, Canada, and I will probably never see you in person, or your sweet family, but I feel as though I know you through your blog. I check your blog almost daily, and when you don't 'appear', I know you're very busy, or having some situation you need to deal with, and I breathe a little prayer for you, and hope to see you back the next time. I enjoy watching Wyndham progress, and the rest of your family growing up as well. Little Teague is about the age of one of our little grandsons, and it is so fun to watch the similarities. It's like I'm watching you through the window called blog, and I appreciate your stages of life, and your ups and downs, and feel for you, and cry when you cry, and rejoice when you rejoice, and pray for you, because we serve the same Savior! Keep it up - 'cause I'm not giving up on you!

Cheryl said...

After losing my son at the age of 17 months old, more than three years ago, I have felt the same feelings that you have described. I don't know that I will every be as "happy" as I was before, but I have more compassion and sensitivity and a deeper love for the Lord. I look forward to Heaven more than most of my friends and I know now about the verse that says in this world we will have tribulation...how true that is. From a fellow blogger (who doesn't blog much anymore) I appreciate your posts that are filled with reality, love, perseverance, faith and godly wisdom. Please stick around...people need that! :)

With Hope and hugs,
Cheryl

Cheryl said...

p.s. I was going to try and follow you on pinterest, but can't seem to find you...not sure how to do a search other than type in your name in the search engine...hmmm.

With Hope,
Cheryl

Lynn L. said...

I found your blog through someone else's blog about 4 years ago. I think the stories about Teagan were what I read first. The tragic story just broke my heart, but I was amazed at your faith and the strength you drew from God. You have had an incredible life story and I am grateful that you share so honestly. I do pray for you and your family and I never would be able to if you didn't share. Thank you for opening my own eyes to all the blessings I have and I too am grateful you are sharing Wyndham's progress. God bless you and your family.

Lynn from Maine
(former Apple Valley, Minnesota girl). :)

Embrace31 said...

I too hope you choose to stick around. There's certainly nothing wrong with taking a good ol' fashioned break though if you feel the need. Maybe you'll come up with a NEW blog for your NEW or RENEWED joy!? I will say that your blog was one of the first blogs I'd ever started reading. You truly inspired me. My favorite post was when you broake out the little tea set and made paper birds for cup cake toppers. That is what triggered something in me to be a more creative mom. Since then I have come a long way in being creative, playing with my boys. You're blog did that for me! I just wanted you to know that you are loved, appreciated and pretty much AWESOME in my book. Should you decide however, you need a break we'll be here for you, your readers, either way. Thanks for sharing your life with us for this long. It has truly been a pleasure my dear.
Blessings,
Cristina
Mom of 5 soon to be 6 boys

Karen said...

I'm another one who would/does miss you when you're away. Your honesty in your writing is what I love - the good, the bad and in between. I recently saw an interview with Jennifer Hudson. She's had ups and downs with her career, weight and the murder of family members. "I got this" has become her mantra. I think despite how hard life might be at times "you've got this!"

Anonymous said...

Dont know how I find your blog or why I keep coming back, but I do. Keep it up!

Anonymous said...

I have never commented before but just wanted you to know that I check in on your blog almost daily. I find such inspiration and encouragement in your writing. Thank you for that!!! I know there are hundreds of us out here who never comment but take away so much from reading what you write. I am so glad that you decided to continue. Even if you do so on a less regular basis we'll be here praying, caring, and interested in you and your beautiful family

Anonymous said...

You'd be missed if you stopped blogging. Long time readers probably know that the last few years have been "different", but all the more reason to pray for your family. I'm praying for restored joy for you Jody. I always look forward to an update.

Nancy Peacock
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Heather said...

Oh no please don't go I enjoy reading your blog. Checking up on your kids and you too of course. I actually had the silly thought that perhaps someday I could cross the border and meet with you..in a safe place of course and then you went and moved farther away (grin) BUT with my husband and I and our Goldwing perhaps we could still ride over ....some day. in the meantime I enjoy popping in and "seeing" you over a coffee. I too have just joined pinterest and am still trying to figure out how it all works BUT I did find some really cool ideas for fun crafts and things. Perhaps I'll see you there sometime

Einstein's Brain said...

I just found your blog today and I found it very uplifting. I am glad I found it.

JP said...

Jody, you are a talented writer and photographer. Your openness and honesty keep me coming back here. Joyful or not, you don't leave us wondering. Your faith, especially in the rough times inspires me in my journey. I know you didn't write this post to have people 'toot your horn', but I would surely miss you if you decided not to blog anymore. Though, if that's what you decide, I know you have a reason. May you take Joy by the horns and wrangle it back to your heart!

Lisa said...

Oh please don't give up your blog entirely :) Another person delurking - and I have so enjoyed and cried with and had many learning moments through your blog - thank you - please keep going (if you can!) and know that I continue to watch for new updates and ways to pray for you all. Blessings!!

Anonymous said...

Don't abandon this!! Live & learn & share & thanks for being real! I know I won't meet you until heaven and we'll all be perfect there b/c we'll be with Him :) Take care, Mari-beth

Kathy said...

....another reader here who checks on you frequently. You are a gifted, inspiring writer, you have a lovely family and I'm certain that you have a bunch of readers who care about you! I am making a note to myself to be sure to comment more often, it is nice to have some feedback here in 'blog-land'.

Anonymous said...

Jody, you are a part of my daily life...I do hope you will continue this blog. You brighten a lot of peoples lives...from a mama in illinois~~~

Anonymous said...

I have been reading your blog for couple years now. I have never commented but today I want to let you know that your posts often give me strenght to carry on and move on... I secretly have wished that we meet one day since I also live in Michigan. Well, you are gone now so I wish you all the best and I am glad you are going to keep writing! :-)

Barbara

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