Why Sometimes I Really Hate Pinterest

this is real life, ya'll. i can't make this stuff up.

Tell me I'm not the only one that has a love/hate relationship with Pinterest.

I love the inspiration. Plain and simple. I search for recipes. Look up crafts. There are pretty pictures and quotes. And sometimes people pin baby animals. Who wouldn't love baby animals.

But then there's the dark side of Pinterest. The side that everyone feels but no one really talks about.

The part where Pinterest makes you feel like absolute shit. Oops, but it had to be said. Sometimes [a lot of the time] Pinterest makes me feel really, really lousy.

Pinterest makes me feel worthless.

I don't think I'll ever be able to live up to the standards set forth on Pinterest. The decorating and organizing and crafting. Homemade everything. There just aren't enough hours in the day for all the things that make it onto my Pinterest feed.

My house doesn't look like their houses.
My kid doesn't dress like their kids.
My life isn't as cute as their life.

Oh the web of lies we weave when comparing our lives to those lived out online.

Pinterest makes me feel like I'm not doing enough.

I once saw a pin about how to decorate your bathroom for Christmas. I about died.
Bathroom? I didn't even put up a tree this year.

Another pin was showing me how to fold a bath towel.
Really, I'm not even doing that right?

I find the more time I devote to peeking into others lives on Pinterest, the more of a failure I feel.

Pinterest makes me feel like I own too much stuff, but also that I don't own enough.

One minute I'm reading a post about how to organize your whole house in a day (do they have a magic wand??) and I'm thinking "oh my gosh, I own way to much stuff. I need a printable about this!"

The next minute I'm looking at pictures talking about organizing your closet and I think "look at all the handbags and sunglasses perfectly lined up. I need to get me some of those so I can organize them!"

What is wrong with me? This back and forth internal dialogue about how much stuff I have and don't have is wearing me out.

So what is a girl to do?

Stop the Pinterest madness, I want to get off!

I won't be breaking up with Pinterest anytime soon because, well, I still love it as a resource. But I do think we need to define our relationship a bit. Unfollow folks, clean up my boards, read with a grain of salt.

And get over it.

Some of my insecurities need to be thought about and prayed over. Others just need to be released.

My life may not always be "pin" worthy but I can say, with confidence that:
- my meals are made with love
- my house is decorated with love
- my family is intentionally focused on love
- my life, in all it's messy beauty, is wrapped in love

I'd love to know: does Pinterest intimidate you? What do you do when insecurities get the best of you?

Favorites

- I love all things Money Saving Money, but this post really hit me hard this week.

There is beauty in being our real authentic selves. Because it’s only when we are our true selves, that others can love us for who we really are — messes, struggles, and all.

- I am a sucker for a quick pick-me-up when it comes to my closet a.k.a. buying something cheap/ill-fitting/convenient just so I can feel good for like 2 seconds. I love this post about the author's new fashion philosophy. I'm sort of maybe thinking about this and possibly in the future going to make changes to the way I buy and wear clothes.

But I, like most of my girlfriends, have fallen into the trap of believing having a “closet” full of clothes, in a healthy clothing rotation, was what culture required. God forbid I wear the same outfit twice in one month, let alone twice in one week. “They” can’t think I don’t have “enough” clothes to show my individuality. Duplication is unacceptable. And because of this insecurity, I have a closet full of ho-hum, ill-fitting clothes that were purchased out of desperation...

- I have a major love/hate relationship with Pinterest lately. But one thing I do love about Pinterest in Edie's Life on Purpose Pinterest board. Also, the tagline for Edie's blog, Life in Grace, is "living it up, writing it down." That is perfection.

- Perusing that Pinterest board led me to one of Edie's blog posts on her (u)nword for the year. What a great idea, picking a word you want to get rid of in 2014. I chose contentment as my word of the year. What would my (un)word be??

I think if we really valued and learned to enjoy our daily labor—remembering that Christ hides Himself in our vocation—we would see the miracle that He works, as He takes the meager offerings of  our daily grind and turns them into blessing and nourishment for the world....My vocation is just me, doing my daily work, to serve and bless others.  And in God’s economy, there are no meaningless jobs or chores—only the work of our hands, redeemed and sanctified by God, to bless those around us.

I'd love to know: read anything good on the web lately?

Favorites

- I am head-over-heels in love with Babies Ruin Bodies from we seek joy (truth be told, I really love her whole blog). 

Every limb, finger, toe...her heart, even, developed near the very place my own heart beats inside of my chest. Those mountains of skin are all I have left to prove that we were once one and not two. How can I be ashamed of that? 

- Some great thoughts on being busy from Ty Ward.

Being busy used to make me feel important. It made me feel like the world needed me, like somehow I was more valuable or valid when busy. Perhaps that’s why I wore it like a badge and quickly resorted to it when people asked how life was. Yet in all reality, busyness was just another addiction I clung to so I could avoid things that made me uncomfortable.Sadly, the things I often stayed busy to avoid happened to be some of the more worth while things in life.

- One of my favorite bloggers, Kim from the Newlywoodwards, took the words right out of my mouth. She's going against the norm of rampant commercialism and trying to live more simply.

It’s not that I can never buy anything again. It’s that this year, I want to change my focus on what matters. And that’s not anything I can buy at Target. I’m looking for ways to fight the norm (and I’m defining the norm as mass consumerism, by the way).

- I absolutely love Living Well Spending Less. Ruth had a great post this week about getting your budget back in order after the holidays.  

If your budget seems to be spiraling out of control, then it is time to crack down and find out exactly where your money is going, then make a plan and set a budget for going forward.

I'd love to know: read anything good on the web lately? 

Finding My Voice Again

For a while now I've put this space on hold, let it get dusty. I bottled up what words I had left and let my voice drift away.

I feel the itch to find my voice again. It's been a nagging feeling to want to write again. To share my story to the few who will care to read  (hi mom!). To reflect on important things and put those not-so-important things into perspective.

When I started writing, I felt more whole.

But then it got big, too big, and too much about others. Not enough about my story and my walk.

So if you'll entertain me, this is me jumping back in.

I'd love to know: how do you find your voice when it's been gone so long?

My Heavens

My heavens, my goodness, oh nelly, goodness gracious it's been so long.

And those are real words I say on a daily basis, by the way.

I try to be as intentional as I can in my life, but leaving my blog without an author was completely unintentional. It just happened. Well, it happened, as in, it's been happening for a while now.

My life is full, very full, and with such good stuff right now. Family life, church life, friends, home.

But all that good stuff has left very little room for blogging. And I'm fine with that.

I see myself coming back to this blog someday, maybe soon maybe sooner, but right now, I'm loving being away.

When I do come back, I will do it intentionally. It will be simple, smaller. Updates for our family. Documenting our life. Not pinning or promoting. Just writing. [although I will be back soon with a review from Firmoo. What can I say, I needed glasses].

In other news, Sam turns one in a few weeks. Can you believe it? Well, then you'd be the only one because I'm in complete denial over here.

Sam and his diaper butt. Since you saw him last he's taken his first vacation, switched to a sippy cup, he can eat a whole banana like nobody's business, he got his first haircut and probably could use another.

He's my joy. I had no idea my heart give grow this big.

Doing It My Way

I'm sure you've noticed that I've taken a step back from blogging lately. Well, maybe you've noticed. Maybe not.

I have.

I've taken a step back from blogging, email, twitter, Facebook -- all that online stuff.

I keep saying it's a baby thing. That I don't have the time or energy to devote to my online space like I used to. And that's absolutely true.

Well, it's mostly true.

I've also taken a step back because the blogging world has gotten really big, but at the same time, really small and I've seen some things that I don't really like.

Don't get me wrong, there are lots of things that I love. But there are also some that I'm not in love with, and I think this extended maternity leave has helped me sort through some bloggy baggage I've been carrying with me.

So much of those months before Sam was spent in front of a computer screen -- sharing and pinning and tweeting. So much work yet so little writing. So much promoting yet so little fruit.

Sam is 5 months now and in that time I've hardly written anything and that's been absolutely fine with me. I've enjoyed my time away, connecting when I can, not feeling guilting when I can't.

Moving forward, I'm going to be doing this blog thing my way. It's funny to have to say that about my blog, but I am saying it.

So what does that mean?

- I used to lose sleep over how I can be more successful in the blog world. Well, I have a full-time job and I'm not looking to add blog conference speaker to my resume anytime soon. I don't see myself at a blog conference in the near future either.

- I am so over giveaways -- you will see very few around here and only for products I love

- I will be working with very few "sponsors" and may not bring that program back. The blogs and products you see on my sidebar are my friends, companies I love and believe in. Simple as that. 

- I am so confused by Facebook pages. So only some people see my posts? I have to pay or something?  Oh geez. Not really sure if I'll keep mine.

- I don't think I've read a blog in forever and my Google Reader is out of control [RIP Google Reader]. I am switching to Feedly and just adding 20 blogs that I can commit to engaging with.

- Oh Twitter, you stress me out. The time I spend there is directly related to feeling bad about myself as a blogger [am I the only one?]. I will pop by, but you probably won't see me there much.

I know that these changes might sound all too blunt or honest. It might sound like I'm setting myself up for failure, or that I'm doing this all wrong.

But like I said, I'm doing it my way.

My way isn't caught up in things I don't enjoy or doing things because I feel like I have to. 

My way is getting back to the heart of what I love most about Along for the Ride: 

sharing my story

connecting with others

writing, writing, writing

So what do you think? Sound silly? I sure hope you'll stick with me and share in my journey! And I would love to share in yours. Please leave your blog address below so I can visit!

More Important Things

I have been a part of this bloggy world now for 3 years. I've worked hard to carve out a space for myself among the millions of mommy and lifestyle bloggers. I've spent countless hours writing and designing, tweeting and pinning, dreaming and scheming to help build my blog and a community around Along for the Ride.

And I love it.

But things are likely going to look different around here, at least for a while.

They have to. There's just no way they can't.

And of course, here's the reason.

From what I see on blogs and Twitter and the like, a lot of you are able to have babies and then quickly jump back into the swing of things. You make it look easy.

It's not. Or at least it hasn't been for me.

Maybe you...
- don't have to hold your baby all day to help him calm down
- have a happier baby who doesn't have reflux and gas and eats like a horse
- drink more coffee than I do
- require less sleep than I do
- have magical powers
- have a nanny
- manage your time better than I do
- know some secret that I don't
- are lying

Regardless, I am so far from getting back into the craft room, getting back to scheduling blog posts, spending time on Twitter, designing new products and preparing for my shop reopening.

I have just a few free minutes each day and I choose to take a shower.

So things will be a little different around here, for a while anyway...
- I won't be posting as often. But I will still be sharing my story. A story made even richer now that Sam is in it.
- I tried hard in the time I had leading up to Sam's birth to create a blog schedule and get my life online organized. That's all out the window now.
- Although I've never been super great with returning emails, I might get a little worse before I get better.
- My shop may open in January, it may not.
- I won't be on Twitter as much. I don't think I'm strong enough to spend time there right now. I know I shouldn't compare myself to others (especially in just 140 characters), but the truth is, I do. It seems like so many have it more together than I do these days. Although that may not be true, it's still hard to see. So I'm going to shield myself from it, at least for now.
- Sponsors and giveaways and all those things will likely take a back seat for a little while. First and foremost, my online space is where I share my story, and if I only have a little time for Along for the Ride these days, my story comes first.

Because some things are more important...
- Meeting the needs of my son and making sure he knows he's loved in millions of different ways.
- Spending time with my husband, even if it is to watch our favorite TV shows.
- Finding my prayer voice again. During this time, I need to lean on God even more. Truth be told, I haven't been.
- Fostering new friendships. From a season of loneliness has sprung a season of great friendship. I need to invest in them to see them grow.
- Taking a few minutes for myself when I can that doesn't involve being in front of a screen.
- Maintaining our home because healthy meals and a clean(ish) house is important to me.
- Keeping up on the laundry, because with a baby that spits up as much as Sam does, I have loads and loads of laundry.

Of course it's not the end of Along for the Ride, just a little change of plans. I'm along for the ride more than ever these days. The Lord has set me on a course of motherhood, the most amazing/scary/hilarious/challenging/wonderful ride of my life.

Knowing Who I Want to Be

I was so inspired by Amanda's (Royal Daughter Designs') post last week. I'm pretty sure I could just copy each sweet, sweet word and call it my own (not because I do that sort of thing, but because it so resonated with me).

She talked about the desire to be bigger and better in the blog world. To do more and be more. But then she said it...

"And I realized, I don't want to be innovative. I want to be faithful. I don't want to be different. I want to be faithful."

Those words just went straight to my heart and answered a question that I've been wrestling with for a long time.

In this big, 'ole blog world, who am I and what do I want to be?

And to use Amanda's words, I want to be faithful.

photo credit

As I shared on Twitter a few days ago, I'm not a dreamer. Far from it. My strengths are pretty practical and tangible. Although I enjoy brainstorming with others and asking big questions, very rarely can I turn the tables and ask those questions of myself and the projects I love. I focus my time on organization and arranging things to work most efficiently. I'm loyal and responsible and spend my time thinking about concrete ideas and how to get them done.

But there is a strength that stands out -- I've taken the inventory a few times and it's the one strength that's stood the test of time.

Belief.

People especially talented in the Belief theme have certain core values that are unchanging. Out of these values emerges a defined purpose for their life. source

That's who I am and who I want to be. Someone who's core values are unchanging. Who's values define the purpose of her life. Faithful. Committed. Believing.

To quote an Avett Brothers' song:
"I just want my life to be true
just want my heart to be true
just want my words to be true"

There's nothing more that I could ask for.

When I feel the desire for more followers, for more pins and popularity, to grow my blog for the wrong reasons, I pray that I can bring Him into this more closely. Lord, use me (every little bit that I have) to do what you have planned for me. Use it up until there's nothing left. I'm along for this ride you are leading me on... and what a glorious ride it is!

Developing Online Friendships @ Fancy Little Things

I'm over at Fancy Little Things today with two of my favorite women! Talking about how they developed such a strong online friendship.

Tricia from Mama Marchand's Nest and Amanda from Royal Daughter Designs

A Few Changes

Lately I've been having an online identity crisis. I have been fighting an inner battle between being Laura and being Along for the Ride -- between being a blog and a brand and being just plain old me.

All the social media handles and logins that seemed so foreign and phony to me. Trying to remember passwords and which email address I used where.

So I would like to reintroduce myself. My name is Laura Denlinger -- and that's how you'll see me online from now on. Yes, Along for the Ride is the name of my blog, but it doesn't define me. It doesn't limit who I am on- and offline. It's a cherished title that I use to share my voice and my story.

But in the end, the story belongs to me.

I made a few changes. Where I could, I changed my name to my real name. You'll now see Laura Denlinger's photos pop up in Instagram. Laura Denlinger is now following you on Twitter.

I've tried to make things as simple as possible and change as many handles to good 'ole aftr_laura. No more millions of ways to combine my name and blog -- just the one.

And now, because the things I write and do here are so personal to me, I'm using and advertising my personal email address -- laura.c.denlinger @ gmail . com.

Gosh, I feel like I'm meeting you all again for the first time!

This feel good. Actually it feels great. It feels organized, and real, and honest.

***

I'll be sharing prayer requests and praises later today. Can I add your's to the list?

Keeping It All Together

*originally shared on Sashes to the Merchants*

photo from The Flourishing Abode

It is so hard to keep everything in our online worlds together. Our blog, shop, sponsorships, ideas, deadlines.

And the list always goes on.

A running goal of mine has always been to get more organized when it comes to my little blog and business, Along for the Ride. I've tried planners, to-do lists, and of course, lots of sticky notes.

And even though, during this season in my life, I feel a bit more unorganized than usual, that doesn't mean I'm going to give up my quest for intentional, meaningful, something-I-can-feel-good-about organization.

You don't have to tell me twice that women are creative folks! Here's some of my favorite handmade tools to help us keep it all together.

- Lots of great printable planners are available online. A few of my favorites are from Wild Olive, Flourishing Abode, Living Locurto, and Infarrantly Creative.

- I'm usually drowning in ideas. Get those babies down on paper with a cute notebook. Some of my favorite handmade notebooks are from Riley Blake Designs, Design Aglow, Doda's Creative Wanderings, and V and Co.

- I am a to-do list fiend. I love them! Some cute printable lists from The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking, My Everything and Nothing, and A Pair of Pears.

How do you keep it all together? What ways do you stay organized?

Creating Content That Counts

*Originally shared on the Better Blogger Network*

So you’ve just started a blog, or maybe you’ve had one for a while now.

Your design is perfect. You’ve got a button and a grab code. You’re on Facebook and Twitter.

But now you have to write. All the beautiful bloggy accessories are no match for real, quality blog content.

Maybe folks find your blog through social media or are directed there by friends. But however they find you, and once they find you, creating content that counts is what will keep them reading your story.

***

source

Create original content

It’s so easy to find a few favorite projects on Pinterest and post them (with sources of course), or feature some of our favorite new Etsy finds. And that’s great! But it’s no replacement for original stuff. My favorite blogs are my favorites because they are sharing tutorials that they actually made for projects that are now in their homes. Or sharing recipes that they cooked for their families. That’s good stuff, and that makes me want to read more! 

It’s comfortable to take the easy road when creating content, but don’t, or at least not always. Challenge yourself to create posts that others will want to re-post to Pinterest and link back to you.

Create meaningful content

It’s no secret that most of us started blogging to share a bit about ourselves with the world. We all have a desire to be known, even just a little bit, or we wouldn’t spend hours taking pictures, typing away, promoting ourselves, and smiling when we get a comment or two.

Personally, I don’t just read blogs. Not really. I try to come along side of the blogger and learn her story (and we all have some pretty amazing stories to share).

So help your readers know you by creating content that is meaningful to you.

Now you don’t need to air your dirty laundry or share things that you’re uncomfortable with, but showing a glimpse of your life–your real life–will go a long way in helping readers connect.

Being a little vulnerable, asking for prayers for a recent struggle, sharing a picture of your ever-growing ironing pile (eek, maybe that’s just me), will show that you aren’t a blogging robot, but a vibrant woman, wife, mom, and blogger.

Create themed content

Stumped what to write about each week? Create a themed-plan for the various days and share what’s on your heart, in your kitchen, on your walls, in the craft room.

For example, Kim at Oh Sweet Joy has “Handmade Mondays” where she shares a bit of handmade goodness to kickstart our week. Every Monday, Lisa Leonard says “Hello Monday” and encourages readers to do the same and share their links in the comments. Lots of women are inspired by The Pleated Poppy to post their outfits for the week and link up with her on Wednesdays.

Every Friday, I post some of my favorites things from that week around the internet such as blog posts, products, etc.

Abbie at Five Days...Five Ways has a whole week set out for her readers. She features “Move-It Mondays,” “Try-It Tuesdays,” “Wardrobe Wednesday,” “5 Things Thursday,” and “Feature Friday.”

Having themes throughout the week helps you stay organized and inspired. It also helps your reader know what to expect when they visit.

***

Something I’ve found very useful is to always keep a notebook handy for when inspiration hits. If you think of a post topic in the grocery store or at church or while sleeping (it happens), capturing your idea is key to creating content that counts!

Happy posting!

Not Even Poets...

My friend Lani sent me a beautiful card this week, a writing prompt from Love Feast as part of their 365 Gathered Thoughts.

I took the challenge thinking it would be easy.

It is anything but.

"Nobody has ever measured, not even poets, how much the heart can hold."

To understand her words, I first wanted to understand a bit more about her.

To some it may seem that Zelda Fitzgerald lived a Jazz Age dream. The wife of writer F. Scott Fitzgerald, she was a writer, a celebrity, and, as her husband coined, "America's first flapper."

She was also the victim to a domineering husband. She was diagnosed with schizophrenia and died as a patient in a mental hospital fire.

There's no telling what her heart held.

After reading her bio, I'm not sure where this leave me.

Hopeful or heartbreaking.

But as a kind of poet herself, I have to believe Zelda meant this for a happy ending.

This quote reminds me of Mary Poppins' bottomless carpet bag. One definition is a bag that appears small yet holds an endless amount of items.

This has to be our hearts. Able to be filled and filled again with cherished memories and stories. Able to hold so much good and grace and love that no amount of sorrow could ever shut it up.

I owe it to my endless heart to fill it to the brim, and then fill it again. 

To push in as many celebrations and loved ones and pretty things as possible.

To seek beauty and to find a place in my heart to take it with me.

What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear what this quote brings to mind for you!

Grow Your Blog "Blog Hop!"

Thanks so much for joining us this week! Wasn't it fun!

As a recap:

Desiree @ The 36th Avenue // Party Time is Show Time!

Amanda @ Oh Amanda // Groups & Tribes {Finding Support in the Blogosphere}

Carolyn @ Homework // Grow Your Blog: Pinterest

Lish @ Imprintalish // Grow You Blog: Giveaways and Advertising

Laura @ I Am Along for the Ride // Engaging readers & Building Community

Nichelle @ Vintage Wanna Bee // Grow Your Blog: Social Media

Kelly @ Live.Laugh.Rowe // Blog Series Conclusion and Par-tay with a Blog Hop

Are you ready to network??

Are you prepared to make some new bloggy friends??
Well, here's your chance! 

RULES:
Link up to the homepage of your blog.
....then network.

If you 'd like to post this linky on your blog, grab the code below.
The more, the merrier!  Wouldn't you agree?  {yay!}
If you aren't following all of our blogs {the contributors/hosts},
we think it would be awfully {sweet} if you did.   

Link your blog up below!

LINKY PARTY CODE:

LINKY PARTY CODE:

Growing Your Blog: Engaging Readers and Building Community

I'm so excited to join some amazing women for a "grow your blog" blog hop series! The wonderful Kelly from live.laugh.rowe pulled the whole thing together! You can learn more and see the other posts in the series here.

Other folks have covered some really awesome topics this week including pinterest, linky parties, advertising, giveaways, and social media.

I wanted to talk about something today that makes all of those things possible, worth it, and rewarding.

My most favorite thing about blogging.

My ultimate goal for Along for the Ride.

COMMUNITY

Think back all those many moons ago when you started your blog (maybe it was years, maybe weeks, and maybe you're considering starting one right now!)

Why did you do it?

To give stuff away?//To advertise businesses?//To gets comments?//To have your pictures pinned?

Those are all awesome by-products of blogging (and can lead to some really great exposure for your site), but I suspect that's not the real reason you started.

I think you started a blog to keep connected with family, to share your loves and passions, maybe even to inspire others.

You know why you started a blog?

Because you have an amazing story to tell! 

And, at the end of the day, I bet your favorite part about this whole bloggy business is the people.

Am I right?

We all want people to follow our blog. We all love seeing those numbers increase. And that's absolutely ok. I know I do!

But more than numbers, I want to build a community on my blog. A place where readers interact and share, just as much as I do. I want folks to feel welcome because of who I am, not just what I'm giving away.

Want to build community? I do, I do! Here are a few ideas I've been pondering. Hopefully we can try these together and reap the fruits of great friendship and encouragement together!

1. Community is sharing your story.

found on Marta Writes, source unknown

You have experienced hardship. You have been victorious. You are an expert in a few areas. You are a student in many others.

Whatever your story, know it, believe it, live it, and write it. No one can tell your story better than you can, and trust me, the world deserves to hear it!

2. Community is genuine

Gosh I love this picture! 

Amazing photography from Kara Welter. 

I couldn't find a website, but her other photos can be found on her pinterest board here.

Your readers want to hear from you, the real you. They want to be friends with the real you. And they want to come back to the real you.

Make sure that when you hit that "publish" button, that every word is yours and that your voice shines through. Some bloggers are funny. Some are serious. Some are wordy. Some cut right to the chase.  However you choose to share, work to find your voice and then stick to it!

3. Community is asking

question mark button ring from Emma Lou Vintage

I love including questions in my posts. Whether they have been readers since the beginning or just stumbling on my blog for the first time, I love to hear what other have to say. Questions are a great way to begin a dialogue with your readers!

4. Community is answering and responding

from Design Sponge

Community is about putting ourselves out there. Making ourselves a bit vulnerable. And when a question is asked, it's about answering it. 

Respond to emails (as timely as you can). Reply to comments (loving bloggers new comment threads!). Use your twitter to follow up with readers and to engage with your favorite bloggers!

Community is a two-sided conversation.

***

I would encourage you to consider ways you can engage your readers in a more meaningful way and encourage conversations on your blog. Some ways I try do to this is by

- responding to as many emails as I can (as quickly as I can)

- asking for prayer requests and praying on them throughout the week

- being intentional to promote others through my blog and social media just because I love them

- ad swapping with blogs/shops that I enjoy

- replying to comments when I can

- hosting a weekend craft party

- asking for shop/blog feedback/advice

What ways do you build community on your blog? Any ideas to share?

I hope you'll join my friend Nichelle at Vintage Wanna Bee tomorrow as she talks about social media!

[If you're going to pin any of these pictures to your own Pinterest boards, please do not pin them from here. Make sure you go back to the original source and pin from there. These are not my ideas so I do not deserve credit for them.]

Un-Lurk Yourself

I've been reading that today is "un-lurk yourself" day. The day where we say a big 'ole "hello" on the blogs that we love.

So in the spirit of the, err, holiday, I'd love to hear from you!

Feel free to leave a comment saying hello, who you are, where you're from, what have you!

And because I always tell my students I would never ask them to do anything I wouldn't do, here I am!

I'm Laura!

I live in Missouri. 

I used to have long hair like this.

My mom's battle with breast cancer inspired me to donate it. Now I have hair like this.

My mom is all better now. Now we both have cute, short hair cuts!

Well, go on, say hi!

Getting Organized [and growing up]

I'm not picking a word for 2012, but if I were to pick a word it would have to be grow...

as in grow up.

Because I work full-time at a university.

Because we live for free in a residence hall (hey-o perks of my job).

Because my husband is a graduate student.

Because we works insane hours.

Because our lives are measured in semesters...

We're a little stuck.

Stuck living in a college town with college students doing college-y things, but we are in fact not in college.

We're adults, ya'll.

And my hubby and I need to start acting like it.

So we're getting organized. Well I am anyway (and he better be following my lead).

I took a trip to Target. I had 30 minutes to get the supplies I needed for operation grow-up-already.

- New notebook for work. I keep a running to-do list (with little boxes I draw so I can have the satisfaction of checking things off.

- Blog- and shop-only planner. I have an amazing planner from Much Ado About You where I keep all my work appointments, church stuff, life things. But for the last year I've been keeping my blog and shop tasks in my head and on various sticky notes strewn throughout my craft room. It is so not working anymore.

- A new journal. Obviously.

- And that little skinny thing you can hardy see in the picture is a magnetic white board calendar I'm using as a family calendar and meal planner.

So what does growing up and getting organized mean?

- Kyle keeps a better handle on our budget and continue to sock away the pennies while we're living rent-free

- I plan meals, like actual food, that we cook and enjoy at a table.

- I make a shopping list for above meals instead of just throwing things in the cart that I'd like to eat after I'm done shopping.

- We make time to connect each week, planners in hand, and map out a date night. Nothing fancy. Just one night a week where we spend quality time together.

- We connect each week, planners in hand, to figure out what the heck we're doing. I work 50+ hours outside of the home each week (plus blog/shop/church). Kyle is a graduate school fool, graduating in May and finding a job. We have got to get our schedules in synch.

- We work out for real. For the love of Pete it's time to get serious.

So yea, I'm exhausted just reading those!

At the end of the day, I think all of us blogger types love making lists, checking things off, writing down things you've already done just so you can check it off.

That's why I bought you a planner too!

[well one of you that is, the rest can go to Target, they're on sale]

We can be robin's egg blue planning, list making, world conquering twins!

Giveaway is now closed.

In need of a new planner?

Leave a comment telling me your best tips for getting organized [include your email too].

Really need a new planner?

Blog/facebook/tweet about it.

Follow me through my blog, facebook, twitter, what have you.

And leave a comment for each.

I'll pick a lucky lady next week!

I'm Back

I'm back after a much needed vacation.

And what a glorious vacation is was!

For two weeks we:

spent time with both sides of our family

drove multiple hours to and from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and back to Missouri

were reminded of just how blessed we are

During my vacation I:

read The Hunger Games

learned to cross stitch (thanks mom!)

got a cold and was nursed back to health with love and chicken soup (thanks mom!)

visited with my dad's racing pigeons

took far too few pictures

made lots of great memories of a really special Christmas and New Year's

My very first cross stitch project. 

And although I made something that says "let it snow," I don't really mean it. 

So, how have you been?

What's new in 2012?

It's taking me a bit longer than I'd like to get back into the groove of things. I hope that's ok. 

A few upcoming/ongoing things to know:

- The shop's back! I'll be listing new things soon! Use the code 'welcomeback' for 15% off this week.

- I am loving Journaling Through January and I'm so excited for everyone participating! I'll have a post on Sunday where you can link up and talk about how it's going.

- I have a new addition to my sponsor family- featured ads. For two weeks at a time I will be featuring some fabulous up-and-coming shops and blogs. I can't wait for you to meet them! Stop by Royal Daughter Designs and tell her I sent you!

Is there anything you'd like to see on AFTR? Topics to explore? Things to change? Stuff to do different? I'd love to hear from you!

Please be patient as I get my life in order again. I promise, you won't be disappointed.

You can find me here today writing about my favorite Christmas tradition!

Just A Quick Hello

source

After a long day of running errands (in the rain), I'm home for good tonight.

Kyle is working on a grad school project and, last we talked, he probably won't be home until 2am.

So tonight it's just me, kitty, a messy house, earrings to make, hot chocolate, and the tree.

***

I'm so sorry if you've been wondering where crafty Saturdays have gone? With the holidays, I've been a bit  preoccupied (and a little lazy). It will be back for the next two weekends and then take a bitty break until the new year.

***

I'm working on a few more journaling series posts. Have you been loving the journal stories as much as I have? Want to share your own? Email me please :)

***

My shop closes for the holidays on December 11. If you've been thinking of getting something for someone you love, make sure you do before I go on a little vacation.

Have you seen my Cozy Winter Surprise Gift Package? $50 worth of goodies (for only $40) sent to you during December, January, and February. 

And, through the holidays, you can get free shipping with code happyholidays.